CHAPTER XII.

1843-1844.

Hostility of the Dresden press--Wagner’s energy and good humour when at the conductor’s desk--A born disciplinarian--Unflagging efforts to improve the spiritless performances of master works--Interest evinced by Spohr, who stigmatizes Beethoven’s third period as barbarous music--Wagner affects to ignore and despise criticism--In reality is abnormally affected by it--Attacks on his personal attire, home comforts, and manner of living--Wagner in seclusion--His tribute to the constancy and devotion of August Roeckel--Wagner’s opinion of Marschner and Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”--The “Faust” overture unsuccessful--Spontini and the “Vestal”--Visit of Wagner and Roeckel to Spontini--Weber obsequies--Max von Weber with me in London--Reception of the body in Germany--Funeral oration delivered by Richard Wagner--Comparison between Wagner’s public and private manner of utterance.....124