Begin it at all.
Therefore, before everything, the moral guarantee must be
forthcoming for its continuance, and for the constantly
increasing spread of the paper, and these depend principally on
the guarantee which the first five or six co-operators warrant.
You remark quite truly that, if Wagner would take an interest in
the matter, it would be of the greatest help. Perhaps he might be
persuaded to do so, and I will willingly start the subject to
him.
The title, size (as well as the limits of the paper, and cover),
and fortnightly issue give me thorough satisfaction, and
according to my opinion nothing more need be altered in these
three particulars. A weekly issue has its advantages -
nevertheless I have always thought that two papers per month are
on the whole better than four. But whether it is possible and
advisable to make the first start as early as July I much
question. "Tout vient a point a qui sait attendre," says the
French proverb. It certainly is important to seize the right
moment, and that must be decided by you. Let me only beg you not
to give too much weight to passing and local influences, and only
to come forward when you can hold your ground with quiet,
deliberate courage. Retreat belongs to the enemy. For us it is
"Gradatim vincimus."
The matter of the security remains as promised. If you should not
be ready by July, October would be just as favorable, if not more
so - only, in Heaven's name, no backward step when once started! -
Some articles of provision and ammunition seem to me to be
absolutely necessary before you begin. Two months are a short
time to get them ready, and I scarcely think it will be possible
for you to be ready for action by July. Have you written yet to
Wagner? You must not expect much from Hettner without Stahr. But,
through Hinrichs or Franz, Hauenschild might perhaps be won over.
I advise you to stick fast to Schwind. One of his last pictures,
"Beethoven's Fancy," bought by the King of Greece, points to him
above all others as the representative of painting in your paper.
May I beg you also to send a few lines to Kurnberger to tell him
that I have given you his manuscript? It would be discourteous if
I were to leave him without any answer, and, as I cannot say
anything further to him, we should save useless circumlocution if
you would be so good as to correspond with him direct.
Incidentally you would also save me another letter about nothing,
if you would write to Lenz (on the subject of this conference).
Whilst I am talking with you, Senora Pepita Oliva is doing her
favorite tricks at the theater, which are more prized and rated
higher than they deserve, so I am assured.
