CHAPTER IX.

PARIS, 1839-1842.

The sanguine Wagner boldly invades Paris--Later reflections of the bitter sufferings he underwent there--Why he went to Paris--Germany offers no encouragement to native talent--Wagner has but a slight acquaintance with the French tongue--Seeks out Monsieur Louis, who becomes and remains his most devoted friend--With assistance of Louis, engages modest apartments--Endeavours to deliver his letters of introduction--Unsuccessful--Without occupation--His poverty--Help from Germany for a short time--Their sadly straitened circumstances--In absolute want--Writes for the press; Schlesinger--“A pilgrimage to Beethoven,” imaginary--He composes three romances, imaginary--Still in want, forced to the uncongenial task of “arranging” popular Italian operas for all kinds of instruments--Minna Wagner: her golden qualities and admiration of Wagner--Minna performs all the menial household duties--Bright and cheerful temperament soothes the disappointed, passionate Wagner--His birthday tribute--His subsequent acknowledgment of her womanly devotion--The artists he met in Paris--Heinrich Laube, an old Leipzic friend, introduces him to Heine--Meeting of the trio--Laube and Heine as workers--Schlesinger, music-publisher, becomes his friend--Schlesinger upon Meyerbeer--Wagner and Berlioz in Paris and London--The two compared--Wagner’s opinion of Berlioz and his agreement with Heine--Halévy--Vieuxtemps--Scribe--Kietz.....83