[September (?) 1856.] Most faithful of all Protectresses of the Arts ! My sister [Clara Wolfram] is obliged to keep her bed : if you are not a victim to the same necessity, I beg you to dispose of the vacant cover, or else to save it (something of a consideration in these hard times, with the silk-crop failure !). In the former event I would propose (without dictating) Boohm. — f Your R. W. t Wilhelm Baumgartner. Frau Wesendonck adds a note concerning " a beautiful poem " delivered by Gottfried Keller at the Schweiz. Musikfest, 1867, in memory of B.'s then recent death. She further explains that she had warmly defended Rheingold and Walküre against Minna's admonition to return to the style of Rienzi. The house is about my ears, through your speaking disrespectfully of Rienzi yesterday ! —
Richard Wagner
Source: Richard Wagner to Mathilde Wesendonck, translated by Ellis, No. 23