the welfare of the nation
and the time, we see here realized in its wide significance the
vision of Schiller:

"Thus, King and Singer shall together be
Upon the mountains of humanity."

The friend of the cause will find a correct account of all these ever
memorable occurrences in the "Musical Sketchbook--An Exposition of the
State of the Opera at the present Time," of 1869, concerning which the
master wrote to the author: "You will readily believe that much,
indeed the most, of what you have written, has greatly affected and
deeply touched me, and I shall therefore say nothing about your work
itself except to express for all this my great and intense pleasure!"

The criticisms of different persons presented a many-colored picture
of which an amusing sketch will also be found in the book referred to.
How many Beckmessers came to light there! The most concise and
worthiest expression of the prevalent feeling of final victory for the
cause is found in the verses of Ernst Dohm, with which we close this
grand chapter, the morning greeting of noble deeds:

No mistakes, no faults were found.
No,--but purely, lovely singing,
Captivating every heart,
Honor to the master bringing,
Glorifying German art--
Did the Mastersong resound.

Soon, as standard bearers strong,
From the strand of Isar, we
Will go forth with Mastersong
Through United Germany.

CHAPTER VI.

1869-1876.

BAIREUTH.

A Vienna Critic--"Judaism in Music"--The War of 1870--Wagner's
Second Wife--"The Thought of Baireuth"--Wagner-Clubs--The "Kaiser
March"--Baireuth--Increasing Progress--Concerts--The Corner-Stone
of the new Theatre--The Inaugural Celebration--Lukewarmness of the
Nation--The Preliminary Rehearsals--The Summer of 1876--Increasing
Devotion of the Artists--The General Rehearsal--The Guests--The
Memorable Event--Its Importance--A World-History in Art-Deeds.

"_In the beginning was the deed._"--GOETHE.

"As artist and man, I am now approaching a new world," Wagner had
already written in 1851.

The Vienna Thersites, with his coarse and confused wits, whom the real
irony of his time had termed "the most renowned musical critic of the
age," had the hardihood to write for the principal newspaper of
Austria as late as the spring of 1872: "Wagner is lucky in everything.
He begins by raging against all monarchs, and a generous King meets
him with enthusia