Category: September 1874

Still bad nights for R., so bad, in fact, that he cannot work much. I work with the children. At lunch the painter Krausse, who is working diligently on the sgraffito.  In the afternoon a walk with R. and the children, R. is very worn out, and he is upset…

R. again had a very bad night; the barber gave him coal-tar packs, and these irritate him; he does not work, and we visit the kindergarten, considering whether perhaps to send Friedel [Fidi] there; but we cannot bring ourselves to like it, and come to the conclusion that, excellent institution…

Worked with the children, began W. Scott’s “Quentin Durward” with Lusch. R. worked on his score despite a bad night, he is plagued by eczema on three fingers. At noon Herr Hoffmann and wife, R. has at last persuaded him to make a new sketch! Afternoon party, which I attend…

Did not write in my diary from Monday, September 14, to Wednesday the 23rd. Work with the children, writing letters for R., afternoon parties, discussions with Herr Hoffmann—all this preventing it. 

Letter from Herr Hoffmann, who wants very much to talk to R.; we decide to invite him and his wife in the evening. R. is at first very agitated, but then calms down, it is agreed to have the maquettes sent back here from Coburg. —  The advertised Poets’ Congress…

R. works (after a bad night—“The whole of Nature is fizzing like bicarbonate of soda,” he calls out jokingly during the night storm). I work with the children morning and afternoon. In the evening we begin [Calderon’s] La niña de Gomez Arias. I am very tired.