The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-09
Anecdotes Of Wagner.

IBOndOn 1lmCS.I
One day n small maiden was so hardy as
TO loiter on his path and beg for siber-
groschen. With smile Of surprise Wag-
ner lifted the child, kissed her, and pre-
sented her with golden thaler piece, for
though keen 10 make money, he was free
in expenditure when be had any whim TO
crafty. On the morrow the news OF his
liberalty bad brought troop OF Franco
nian beggarS, Of all sizes, but this
time the composer was in no mood for
favors, and piled upon the backs OF
his tormentors the famous ebony and
gold staff given to him by the Minner-
gesangvercin Of Vienna. The BurgO-
master Of Bayreuth was much agitated over
this affair, and had serious thoughts Of pro-
yiding the composer with an escort OF po-
licemen. so that his path might be kept
clear every day. For Il whole fortnight
Wagner did not put in an appearance at
Angermann's Brauerci, where he had been
accustomed to spend IN hour or two every
afternoon. and il was rumorcd that he in
tended TO leave the city. But he had only
secluded himself for one OF his periodical
paroXysmS OF composition. during which
he was so unapproachable that he would
refuse to see letters or teegrams, and
would sometimes have his meals passed
TO him through trap in the door. When
he had scored of his ideas. he returned TO
his usual haunts, aud magnanmOusly for
cave the begglrs whom he had beaten.
Even at home in his Villa Wahnfriend
Wagner could never quite unbend. He
expected every visitor to offer him tribute
of well-coincd compliments. He would in
decd weigh the words counted out 10 hin,
,,I Lot N Nf
proof II he thought that the tribute fell
short OF what was his due. But once you
had paid up in full he could, while doing
the hOnors Of his house, make himself very
gracious. lie was magnificent host, for
he loved to dazzle, and saw no reason why
his table should not be as sumptuously
served as a kings. When he travelled, the
courier who preceded him engaged, if
possible. those suites OF apartments in first
rate hotels which are generally reserved for
crowned heads. Some years ago, intend
ing 10 settle III Vienna, Wagner rented
palace and ordered il TO be furnished in
such costly style that he found himself un-
able TO pay the upholsterer, and had to de-
part from the city. At his villa in Bay
reuth he had collected an amazing quantity
OF tine things presented TO HIM by his
admirers, and not the least singular
among these tokens OF affection was a
huge mausoleun in gray granite. which
adorned corner Of his garden. and
bore his names carved in deep letters. 81
shall he buried there" Wagner used TO
say. The granite was subscribed for hy
twenty Of my best friends, and the monu-
ment was set up by some OF our good work.
men of Bayreuth, who would accept no
pav for so doing" In speaking OF bis
tomb Wagner often alluded to erandiose
march which he had composed for his own
obsequies, but it was rot to be performed
unless it could be rehearSed during bis
lifetime. "And how can 1t be re-
hearsed," he said, "without over
whelming my wife and children with
GRIEF" Wagner was a very tender nus
band and father, and his home was happy
one. One Of his greatest disappointmentS
was that Of being unable to obtain the title
OF Director-Gencral Of German Music-a
court appointment which had been held by
MeverLeer, and was in the git OF the Ger
man Emperor. But the Kaiser could never
forget that Wagner had been a revolution
ist. and even when his Majesty was per-
suaded TO attend the Wagner festival nj
Bavreuth he treated the composer with so
marked a coldness that it bore the look OF
premeditated aflront.