Chronicle of Nietzsche 's Life 358Ritschl. He writes to his mother and sister: "You can do me the favor of
looking for a servant I can take along" (February). Relinquishes his
Prussian citizenship. Finishes his university studies without examina-
tion or defense. Takes leave of student life: "the golden days of free
unconstrained activity, the sovereign present, enjoyment of art and the
world ... are gone forever.... Yes, yes! Now I have to be a philistine
myself!" (April 11).April 19: Arrival in Basel.
May 17: First visit to Richard Wagner and Cosima von Bülow in
Tribschen, outside of Lucerne. On the occasion of Wagner's birthday
(May 22), N. writes: "I owe it to you and Schopenhauer that I have so far
held fast to a Germanic seriousness of purpose and a deepened sense of
this very enigmatic and precarious existence."
May 28: Inaugural lecture: "On Homer's Personality." Numerous invita-
tions to Basel's high society. Acquaintance with Jacob Burckhardt.
"Intelligent eccentric"
Cosima ort M: "a cultured and pleasant individual" Frequent weekend
visits to Tribschen. Wagner persuades N. to give up his strict vegetarian
diet Christmas and New Year's in Tribschen.1870
January 18: Lecture entided "Greek Music Drama." February: Lecture
called "Socrates and Tragedy." Wagner comments: "I am worried about
you and hope from the bottom of my heart that you don't break your
neck." He advises N. to present his "incredible views" in a 'large com-
prehensive treatise." Wagner is concerned that "Schopenhauer's philos-
ophy ultimately has a bad influence on such young people because they
apply pessimism, which is a form of thinking and attitude, to life, and
develop a practical despondency" (Cosima Wagner).