etc. Consider this! I have become so abominably practical that
the moment of actual representation is always before my eyes, and
this is another source of my joyful despair.

Thanks then for your "Kunstler." I feel as if it were meant for a
present to myself only, and as if no one else were to know what
you have really given to the world.

I am hard at work. Can you tell me of any one who would be able
to compile a score from my wild pencil sketches? I worked this
time quite differently from what I did before, but this having to
make a clean copy kills me. I lose time over it which I might
employ to better purpose; and apart from this, the continual
writing tires me to such an extent that I feel quite ill and lose
the inclination for real work. Without a clever man of this kind
I am lost; WITH HIM the WHOLE will be finished in two years. For
that time I should require the man. If there were a pause in the
scoring, he might copy parts in the meantime. Look out for one.
There is no one here. It is true that it may seem absurd that I
am going to keep a secretary, who can scarcely keep myself.

If you can help me, you will be doing God's work. Am I not worth
a few thousand thalers for half a year to some German enthusiast?
I will give him full security on the royalties due to me in the
autumn.

On Monday I expect Gustav Schmidt, of Frankfort. I have summoned
him in order to go through "Lohengrin" with him, and perhaps he
will bring his tenor. I am glad to see him so full of zeal.