In Vienna and in Berlin matters are now settled; but in their stead appears typhus, which, though it has arisen here among the soldiers in a wholly harmless manner, is being exploited by the newspapers in the most malicious fashion. Inquiries concerning the certificates cease; instead, people inquire after the state of the epidemic! … Less pleasure in the evening from Wolf–Goethe–Bernays; ink-stained century! R. declares that one might wish we possessed from Goethe only the “Faust”—he would then appear as great and fabulous as Homer; all these attempts and endeavors to rival the Homerids seem almost childish.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins [© Jo Cousins | WAGNER Salon]