CHAPTER XX.

1855-1856.

Letters of Wagner--In Paris--Home at Zurich--Domestic pets--“Cries constantly” at the death of “Peps”--Buries the dog--Minna ill--Wagner on a sick-bed--His acquaintance with the French language--The French of Berlioz and Wagner compared--Letter in French from Wagner--He is “more luxurious than Sardanapalus and all the old Roman emperors”--His frame of mind during the composition of the Walküre--Study of Schopenhauer and request for London snuff.....268