Chapter XIX: 1855. Continued

The “Ninth Symphony” rehearsed--Surprise of the orchestra--Guildhall, Fafner, and Falsolt--The mint and his projected theatre--Daily promenade of Richard Wagner with dog to Regent’s Park to feed the ducks--Wagner and the introduction of the animal kingdom upon the stage--Unlimited means the key to his passion for realism--Unlimited means the dream of his life--The third concert; “Euryanthe”--Wagner’s habit of snuff-taking while at the piano--His smoking--His irritability--Love for silks and velvets partly due to physical causes--Anger at shams--“Punch” on Wagner--Fourth concert; Wagner insists on leaving England next morning and breaking his engagement--Dissuaded--Fifth concert; success of the “Tannhäuser” overture--Wagner’s forty-second birthday; violet velvet dressing-gown--Signs himself “Conductor of the Philharmonic omnibus,” in allusion to the “full” programmes--Cyprian Potter--The Queen, Prince Consort, and Richard Wagner--Repetition of “Tannhäuser” overture--Berlioz and Wagner--The press and anonymous articles--Anxiety of Wagner to serve Berlioz--The last concert and departure from London, 26th June--A few quotations from the contemporary press.....241

CHAPTER XX.

1855-1856.

Letters of Wagner--In Paris--Home at Zurich--Domestic pets--“Cries constantly” at the death of “Peps”--Buries the dog--Minna ill--Wagner on a sick-bed--His acquaintance with the French language--The French of Berlioz and Wagner compared--Letter in French from Wagner--He is “more luxurious than Sardanapalus and all the old Roman emperors”--His frame of mind during the composition of the Walküre--Study of Schopenhauer and request for London snuff.....268

CHAPTER XXI.

ZURICH, 1856.

A picture of Minna--Wagner an early riser--His acquaintance with Schopenhauer--Wagner a pessimist?--The first promptings of “Tristan and Isolde”--How did Richard Wagner compose?--The manner of Beethoven, Haydn, and Wagner compared--Wagner’s thumping--Admits he is not at his best when improvising--Schaffhausen--The lions--Wagner’s extravagance--Duke of Coburg’s offer--The Wesendoncks.....288

CHAPTER XXII.

1857-1861.

His health “shattered”--Goes to Venice--Returns to Paris--Resides in Octave Feuillet’s house--The strong opposition of the press--The origin of the performance of “Tannhäuser”--The story of the cabal and disaster.....300

CHAPTER XXIII.

LETTERS FROM 1861-1865.

Letters from Wagner.....309

CHAPTER XXIV.

1865-1883.

Munich--Wagner in low spirits--His relations with the young king of Bavaria--His house--Fearlessness of speech--Presence of mind--Intrigues against him--Leaves for Geneva--Return to Munich--Treatment of the king--Approaching change in Wagner’s life--Madame von Bülow--Wagner’s second marriage--Letters from him--Under a new light--His love for home--“Siegfried”--Lucerne--Wagner at home--Peace--His autobiography--His opinion of Liszt--The end--Wagner’s work and character.....317

WAGNER AS I KNEW HIM.