Cosima WAGNER. L.A.S. "Cosima," [Tribschen June 30, 1871, to Claire de CHARNACÉ, her half-sister]; 2 pages in-8, filled with small handwriting, envelope. Concerns about the health of their mother Marie d'Agoult, who has gone insane. "Poor dear, what sad things you are telling me and enduring! I can't explain such a sudden illness, mother's last letter is dated June 15, and makes perfect sense. I must confess that since the events that kept her away I was afraid of a relapse; when I saw her here I found her so well that I was quite reassured, although I was surprised by the great distractions that made her ask the same things 5 or 6 times. But I told myself that her mind was elsewhere, that she was asking questions out of politeness and not listening to the answers. I wouldn't know what to report, "to give grass", because our garden doesn't lack it, and we didn't talk about arrangements to be made here. Why was Mom brought back to Paris? She had written me that she would stay indefinitely in St. Lupicin, and I had written her to come to Tribschen rather than to return to Paris at this time. Do you think I should write to her, and should I tell her about her illness? Does she know that she is rambling? [...] I am deeply saddened by this news, and everything about mother makes me feel terribly gloomy. I don't believe there is a more desolate life on earth than hers, and all my pity cannot be changed into love. It is in these darkest hours that I feel the beneficial effect of my domestic activity; to have always the same things to do at the same hours and to do them with love, to hear a bird, to look at a mountain here and there, to forget the world - such are my resources and my supports". Enclosed are 14 autograph envelopes to the same, with stamps and postmarks.