romised to give you
a detailed personal account; and I have done so. The reason we are
going to Munich is we can't get a sleeper yet, everything is so
crowded. Isn't it disgusting. This last opera is rather too noisy at
times, and awfully long--longer than the others. But there's a men's
ballet in it that is rather nice; not dancing, you know, but singing
and posing and walking about, with imitation bare legs, most of them.
But I think the best thing about the opera is it leaves you in such an
exalted mood. I know I won't be able to think of small or worldly
things for weeks, much less write about them. Before I forget it, be
sure and write me if it's true that Mrs. ---- and Sir George ---- are
both at Homburg, at the same hotel. I hear they are, and there's no
end of talk about it. But then I find there's no end of talk about
everything and everybody. It is not that people mean badly, but one has
to pass the time somehow. I think I love best of all the Rheingold
music. It is like a jeweller's shop window in Bond street; it seems
to shine and glitter and sparkle. You see very few jewels here in
Bayreuth; of course, there's very little chance to display them. Women
wear the usual small string of pearls. That's about all. As most
everyone wore one I wear two, with a different pendant each day. I
like to be just a little original, and keep my own individuality.

Well, now I must tumble into bed or I shall lose my beauty sleep. I'd
hate to have my figure get like these German singers. I wonder why! I'd
have myself strapped between boards--I'd do _something_. Good-bye, my
dear. Write me all the gossip you can get a hold of. I haven't sent you
any in this, but that you couldn't expect. It was impossible that this
letter should be anything but Wagner, Wagner, Wagner. I wish you could
have been here with me--you'd have seen heaps of your friends. Of
course I ought to tell you one thing, because I felt it myself: there's
nothing catchy about the music.

Lovingly,

FANNY.

Art

A Letter

_A second Letter from Lady Aires to the Countess of Upham._

Munich.

My dear Rose:

It was very thoughtful of you to write me so soon, and Aubrey and I
wish very much we could join you, but our money is all spent and we
must hurry back to England, where we can economize by making cheap
visits among our friends for a couple of months. In December we go to
New York to spend the winter with mother. You never go home, do you?