I have been back in Zurich since June 30th after conducting my last London concert on the 25th. You have probably learned already that little Victoria was very nice to me? She came to the seventh concert with Prince Albert. But I really seem to have pleased the Queen very much; she conversed in so kindly and friendly a manner that I was really touched by it. These two were veritably the first people in England who ventured to speak out openly and undisguisedly on my behalf, and when one remembers that they had to do with one guilty of high treason, politically discredited and a hunted outlaw, I shall probably be allowed to be right in feeling heartily grateful to them both. At the last concert both the audience and the orchestra made a demonstration against the London critics. That there could be no question of any triumph in my sense is understood. At best no one can get to know me fully in the concert-hall, and it was impossible to achieve even this best, performances answering fully to my intention, I mean, mainly for lack of time. Consequently all I ever had was a bitter sense of degradation, enhanced by the fact that I was forced to plough through whole concert programmes of the most repulsive length and always tastelessly and senselessly put together. The reason that I conducted these concerts to the end was, ultimately, sheer consideration for my wife and a few friends, who would have been much distressed by the consequences of a sudden departure from London. I am glad now that the matter has ended favourably, at least to outward appearances.
The New Philharmonic would like to have me next year; what more can I ask? I have gained one really good thing in England, a sincere and warm friendship which I conceived for Berlioz and which we have struck up mutually. I heard a concert of the New Philharmonic under his conductorship. A few days later we were alone at table with Sainton. He was very lively, and the progress I had made in London in the French tongue enabled me to discuss all the problems of art, philosophy and life in rapid discourse with him at a five hours' sitting. I accordingly conceived a very deep sympathy for my new friend; to me he became quite a different person from what he used to seem; we suddenly discovered each other as companions in suffering, and I thought myself on the whole happier than Berlioz. After my last concert he visited me again with the rest of my London friends; his wife was there too; we were together till 3 o'clock in the morning and parted this time after warm embraces.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 286