Category: #countdown1876

Early in the morning I walk to the mayor’s house to ask him not to call the conference before he himself can attend it. Nevertheless, Herr Hoffmann gets there earlier, to R.’s annoyance.  The embarrassing meeting goes on until after seven o’clock; in the course of it Herr Hoffmann is…

Many errands in the morning in connection with Lusch’s birthday. R. works. A conference between the management committee and Herr Hoffmann is supposed to take place in the afternoon, but Herr Brandt’s inability to attend means it is again put off.  In the evening Anabasis. Many domestic unpleasantnesses.

R. tells me in the morning about the book he is now reading, Hüllmann’s[i] The Oracle of Delphi, the origin of the name Hellas, etc. —  The children in school, Fidi at the kindergarten. R. works; in the evening Anabasis, great delight in it. [i] Karl Dietrich Hüllmann (1765-1846), German historian, professor…

Various Hoffmann and Bruckner capers, to the great annoyance of Richard, whose work is much hindered thereby. Visit from a cathedral organist from Augsburg, an enthusiastic Swabian with all the warmth and vitality of the South German character. In the evening the mayor, still in connection with the Hoffmann affair….

Departure of Herr Wesendonck. R. says to him, “Since you have shown so much sympathy toward me, you must be pleased to see me now so content,” whereupon his good friend shows signs of emotion as he bids R. goodbye. —  Stormy weather, summer now probably over.  Our sgraffito man…

After writing some business letters (having noticed that copyright in melody has been forgotten in the new Reich law on authors’ rights in Germany), R. exclaims, “This is what we call progress—stumbling along in the wake of the French and the English.” In the afternoon, visit from Herr Wesendonck, whom…