with a list of misprints in my last book. If people do not
comprehend me even after this work, if I am charged with
improprieties, I clearly see the reason; one cannot understand
my writings for the misprints. To my joy some one is playing
the piano overhead; but no melody, only accompaniment, which has
a charm for me, in that I can practice myself in the art of
finding melodies"--

And, finally, these few bitter lines, sent after his return to
Zurich--

"It is impossible for me to conduct my overture myself in Paris,
for this reason, that it will not be performed there at all, as
there was not proper time for rehearsal--perhaps "next year". I
received this answer on the eve of my departure from Paris, and
truly in a very pleasant quarter. I think I never laughed so
loud and so from the bottom of my heart as on that evening and
in that place."

It will be seen that Wagner never ceased to work during all this
dreary time. He drafted his _Wieland the Smith_, made tentative shots
at what at length grew into the _Nibelung's Ring_, and poured forth an
enormous quantity of very prosy prose. Deferring a consideration of
this last, let me tell briefly what his everyday life was. Through a
little money from pamphlets, performing fees, etc., but mainly through
the generosity of friends, he managed to live; though, as I have said,
he never was quite sure about his next meal, a raven always flew in
from somewhere just in the nick of time. Minna came, and her sister,
and his home was made comfortable for him; he had many friends; he
rapidly became recognized as many a cubit taller than any other
musician in the parish. The opera and some orchestral concerts were
placed under his direction; and Hans von Buelow came to serve his
apprenticeship as conductor under him, very largely at the theatre.
Wagner mentions a performance of the _Flying Dutchman_, which afforded
him pleasure; for though, as he himself says somewhere, the band
consisted of players more accustomed to play at dances than in grand
opera, and not a singer of celebrity took part, yet all were
painstaking, enthusiastic and sympathetic, and a fine representation
was the result. This was the work he did outside his own house; his
inside occupations I have mentioned. He lived with almost clockwork
punctuality. Every afternoon he walked, accompanied by his dog,
amongst the mountains, and to these walks may be attribu