Cosima WAGNER (1837-1930). 9 L.A.S., 1865-1866, to Carl August Röckel; 19 pages in-8 (one letter split at fold); in German (trans. enclosed). Important correspondence on Wagner, Bülow and Ludwig II of Bavaria. [The composer and conductor Carl August Röckel (1814-1876) was a fervent friend of Wagner, whose assistant he was at the Dresden opera house; a republican like him, he took part in the uprisings of 1848-1849, and was imprisoned; released in 1862, he settled in Munich; Wagner fell out with him, holding him responsible for the gossip reported to Ludwig II about his affair with Cosima]. Cosima was still Hans von Bülow's wife, and signed her letters Cosima (or C.) von Bülow or v. Bülow-Liszt, but this correspondence shows her totally devoted to Wagner. December 1865. Wagner has been forced into exile and has gone to Switzerland; she excuses the King and understands him, but regrets. Cosima remains alone, like an owl wandering over ruins. It's best to remain silent: the good, poor, noble King must fend for himself. Analysis of the political situation in Bavaria, where evil reigns; she fears their magnificent King is a victim. February 1866. News of Wagner and his stay in Switzerland; he is very saddened by the death of his dog Pohl. Performance in Munich of Liszt's Saint Elisabeth under his direction. May 24, 1866. From Tribschen (where she is with Wagner), Cosima asks Röckel, on Wagner's behalf, to take the offensive against the Bavarian ministry. On June 4, 1866, she asked Röckel to insert an article in the N. Nachrichten an article in Bülow's defense, setting out his universally known noble character, his unselfishness to the point of exaggeration, and pointing out that he gives himself entirely to art, that he sacrifices himself for his conviction and for his friends; it should then be pointed out how ridiculous the infamy is when such a man is accused of profiting for himself. We must defend this man of honor and this artist, and recall his selfless artistic acts, Tristan, the six piano evenings for charity, the performance of the Ninth Symphony, etc. On October 6, 1866, she spoke in hushed tones of Ludwig II, and of the necessary reforms that must be undertaken gradually and cautiously, so as not to frighten him: he must dismiss his servants and take on honest ones, and once this domestic tidying-up is complete, we can envisage a great national undertaking. As for the friend [Wagner], he is far too sanguine in this matter, and Cosima is counting on Röckel to moderate him...