Well, you may believe me or you may not, but the one wish I am conscious of now is to get to see you soon! I lack music too and God knows, only you can give it me! I feel what a wretched performer I am, whereas I believe I have discovered that you are the greatest pianist of all time. That will be news indeed to you! Farewell. Tell Marie I have been at the old red pocket-book again and have got my biography into shape down to December 1st, 1856.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 321