I, for my part, shall not stir from the Altenburg, where I am
reckoning on finishing my Elizabeth, and on living more and more
as a recluse - indeed, even a little like a bear - but not in the
style of those estimable citizens of the woods, whom the
impresarii of small pleasures degrade by making them dance in the
market-places to the sound of their flutes and drums! I shall
rather choose a model ideal of a bear - be sure of that - and the
flutes and drums which might lead me into the slightest future
temptation of cutting capers have still to be invented.
Will you be so good, dear Mademoiselle Inga, as to present my
very affectionate respects to Madame, your mother, as well as my
best remembrances and compliments to la Sagesse Olivia - [Liszt's
name for the sister of Ingeborg Stark] and believe me invariably
Your very devoted
F. Liszt
Weymar, November 2nd, 1859
224. To Johann von Herbeck.
Dear Friend,
I only returned a few hours ago from Zwickau, and find your
friendly letter here, in reply to which I must excuse myself for
not having been able to fulfill your wish so soon as I had
intended, in respect to the Schubert Marches.
