FOOTNOTES:[1]The words or sentences in single inverted commas are those which occur in the original in any language other than German.—Trans.[2]The North Germans are distinguished for energy, activity, acuteness, and high mental culture; the South Germans for easy good-nature, simplicity, contented animal enjoyment, and greater obsequiousness. In Vienna they call every gentleman Euer Gnaden, ‘Your Grace,’ and he is of course Gnadig, when he is kind or civil. But perhaps the author here alludes rather to a certain ceremonious stiffness of the burghers of Frankfurt, proud people who give their superiors their due, as they expect it of their inferiors.—(Reichsstadtisches Wesen). What is clear is, that he means that the inhabitants of the South are not so superior to antiquated distinctions as those of the North. The Prussians have been called the French of the North.—Trans.[3]Sir Walter Scott’s official declaration, that all the works here alluded to were by him alone, was not then made public.—Edit.[4]I have striven to preserve the colouring, as well as the substance of Göthe’s conversation. To those who have any conception of his merits, it cannot but be interesting to see, as nearly as possible, the very words which fell from lips so inspired and so venerable—Trans.[5]I cannot help almost suspecting that my departed friend has here put his own opinions into the mouth of Göthe.—Edit.[6]I do not think that the exalted old man will be offended at the publication of this conversation. Every word—even the most insignificant—which has fallen fromhis mouth, is a precious gift to many. And even should my departed friend in any respect have misunderstood him, or have reported him inaccurately, nothing has been here retained, which, in my opinion, can be called an indiscretion.—Edit.[7]German miles.—Transl.[8]A gulden is twenty-pence.—Transl.[9]I remember to have read of a Greek monastery in Wallachia, the four towers of which appeared as if they would every moment fall in; yet this optical deception was produced only by the inclination of the windows, and of the friezes which run round the towers.[10]Here follows the well-known story of Mrs. Montague’s May-day entertainment of the chimney-sweeps, and the incident to which it is usually said to have owed its rise.After this comes an account of the mad attempt of Mr. Montague, the ci-devant sweep, together with a Mr. Barnett, to descend the falls of Schaffhausen in a boat, where both were of course lost. All this, being both familiar to us, and inaccurately told, has been omitted. The cicerone, who professed to have been a servant of this Mr. Montague, had probably heard the incident related of Mr. Sedley Burdett and Lord Frederick Montague. It only proves how necessary was the author’s disclaimer of responsibility.—Transl.[11]English physicians expect a guinea at every visit.—Editor.[12]Let me take this opportunity of advising those of my Berlin friends who mean to run horses, to have them trained by well-recommended English grooms; for it is far from being the fact, that every English groom without exception understands the business, as I have satisfactorily convinced myself. They think they have trained a horse, when by blood-letting, medicine and exercise, they have reduced him to a skeleton, and taken away all his strength, which real training increases tenfold. Both the well and ill trained are equally thin; but in the latter it is the leanness of debility and exhaustion; in the former, the removal of all unnecessary flesh and fat, and the highest power and developement of the muscles.—Editor.[13]The art of carving, which is too much neglected in Germany, forms part of a good English education.[14]When leaving the presence of the King, ladies are compelled to go out backwards (as one of them assured me.) It is against the laws of etiquette,—the observance of which is, particularly, so extremely rigorous in England,—to turn their backs upon Majesty. This has been reduced to a regular military evolution, sometimes very embarrassing to a new recruit. The ladies take close order with their backs to the door, towards which they retreat in a diagonal line. As soon as the fugel-woman reaches it, she faces to the right about, passes through, and the others follow her. Lady C—— commands.[15]ProbablyBerliners. This accords with what has been said in the note p. 5, as to the North German acute and satirical character, as contrasted with Southernbonhommie.—Transl.[16]A very useful piece of furniture to introduce at Court.—Editor.[17]Idee des Wildes:—The double sense of the wordwildin German,—which when used substantively, exactly corresponds to ourgame(feræ naturæ,) though adjectively it is the same as the English adjective,—makes it impossible to render this.—Trans.[18]The reader will see that there is great confusion in this account of the state and tenure of landed property in England, which, indeed, it is extremely difficult to make a foreigner understand. It cannot be too often repeated, that no attempt is made to correct the author’s impressions or statements. To do so, is not to translate but to forge. The mistakes and misrepresentations are numerous,—almost as numerous as those in English works on Germany, which is saying a good deal.—Transl.[19]Some letters which contain only personal anecdotes are here suppressed. I remark this only to account to my fair readers,—who must have been delighted at the punctuality with which the departed author devoted the close of every day to his absent friend,—for a silence of twenty days.—Editor.[20]I must remark, that ever since Prussia was promised a Charter, (Charte,) my departed friend, to be more accurate, made an orthographical distinction, spelling charts,Carte, and playing cards,Karte.—He hopes this caution will not be thrown away.—Editor.[21]Rechnung.—Account, reckoning, bill. The reader, if he happen to know the fact, may apply the right word.—Transl.[22]The author’s feelings towards Englishmen are evidently so bitter, that his testimony must be received with great allowance. On the other hand, it will be confessed by all who are not blinded by intense self-complacency and insular conceit, that it is extremely rare to find a foreigner of any country, who has encountered English people either abroad or at home, without having his most honest allowable self-love wounded in a hundred ways.—Transl.[23]Let me here remark, that those who judge of England only by their visit to it in 1814, form extremely erroneous notions. That was a moment of enthusiasm, a boundless joy of the whole nation at its deliverance from its most dreaded enemy, which rendered it peculiarly kind and amiable towards those who had contributed to its destruction.[24]English-German readers will probably find the original of these lines without difficulty.—Transl.[25]The traditional personage whom we call the Wandering Jew, the Germans callder ewige Jude, the eternal or everlasting Jew.—Transl.[26]It is true that our charming Sontag, the queen of song, has lately done nearly the same thing, having contracted a left-handed marriage with Count R——.Editor.[27]As the biography of Punch seems becoming rather diffuse, and is tolerably well known here (though not so well as might be imagined), this is omitted.—Transl.[28]My deceased friend executed a singular idea, and left a relic which his survivors preserve with melancholy pleasure. He had filled several large folio volumes with drawings, prints, autographs, and even small pamphlets; not as is commonly the case with ‘scrap-books,’ all sorts of things ‘pèle mèle;’—he inserted only those things which he had himself seen and witnessed, in the same order in which he had seen them. Every sketch or engraving was accompanied by a note, the sum of which notes gives a consecutive sketch of his whole career in this world; a perfectatlas of his life, as he often called it.—Edit.[29]It is a very characteristic trait of the gay careless character of this amiable old man, that he let a number of large boxes, containing his effects, stand at Dresden from the time he quitted it. At length he was induced to intrust some one with the charge of overlooking the contents. This person, who knew his very narrow circumstances, was not a little surprised at finding the presents made to him as English ambassador, set with jewels of considerable value, still in their packing cases.[30]How may this be effected? Only when a man brings himself to acknowledge that religion is entirely and solely an affair of the heart and feelings; to which the head can be profitable only by standing as watchman of the sanctuary, and guarding it with the sword of reason from its two hereditary foes, superstition and intolerance. If he cannot be satisfied with this, if he will insist upon understanding what our nature forbids us to understand, he must fall into one of two difficulties; either he must take refuge in a so-called positive religion, or in a system of speculative philosophy. Both are unsatisfactory, as soon as he seeks to find more in them than an interesting sport of the fancy or of the intellect. While the profound innate sentiment of God, of Love, and of the Good, in every healthy state of the mind, stands with a steady irrefragable security, as clear to the lowest capacity, as to the highest, not merely as a belief, but as the true essence of his being,—his proper individual self. And this, without either reason or understanding being brought into immediate activity;—though both, when reflection is called in, must entirely confirm the sentiment.—Editor.[31]It is very problematical which is the worst in the eyes of the pious,—to have no religion at all, or one different from their own. Louis XIV., who was unquestionably a champion of religion, decided for the latter opinion. The Duke of Orleans proposed to him an ambassador to Spain, whom he accepted, but the next day recalled, because he had heard he was a Jansenist. “By no means, Your Majesty,” said the Duke; “for, as far as I know, he does not even believe in a God.” “May I depend upon that?” asked the king gravely. “Certainly,” replied the Duke, smiling. “Well, then, let him take the post, in God’s name.”[32]Bourienne’s Memoirs have unfortunately furnished us with fewer materials for forming a judgment on Napoleon’s real character than was expected. Bourienne paints Napoleon as Bourienne, and if the dwarf had run around the feet of the giant for a century, he could never have looked in his eyes. In one thing, however, which was quite ‘à sa portée,’ he was right; namely, that the grand enemy by which Napoleon was overthrown, was the commercial class, so impoliticly driven to extremity; a class now-a-days far more powerful than church or army, and which will yield only to the still stronger power of public opinion, if ever they should come into collision.—Editor.[33]This is no exaggeration, as those who have had any opportunity of observing the strong personal attachment of the Prussian people to their present King can attest.—Trans.[34]By ‘romantic’ the author apparently means the style of the domestic architecture of Elizabeth’s and the succeeding reigns, which affected nothing like the air of places of defence—Transl.[35]I know not whether the reader will admit this apology.—Editor.[36]It would have been but an act of justice had the author added, thatunder these very circumstances, not only the head of the family, but those who bear his illustrious name, and are destined to inherit his honours, are singularly free from themorgueand arrogance with which he justly charges the English aristocracy—Transl.[37]There are so many pictures of Henry and Elizabeth in England, that you must forgive my frequent mention of them. There are shades of difference in all.[38]The description is abridged. It is feared the English reader has already been sated with parks and houses.—Transl.[39]Literally, ‘Little rooms to let;’ I think we call the game, ‘Seats,’—Transl.[40]German for ‘Cock-a-doodle-doo.’—Transl.[41]Cases moreover do occur, in which the conscience is, so to speak, right and wrong at the same time. An act may be necessary, which is unquestionably, viewed on one side, culpable, but which is chosen as the lesser of two evils; in which case no reasonable moralist will contend that it is unpardonable. In telling a compulsory lie, for instance, we must ever make a considerable sacrifice of our moral dignity, though by refusing to tell it, we might be guilty of the basest treachery to parents or friends.—Editor.[42]I must explain this exclamation. When Napoleon, after the defeat at Aspern, put off in a frail boat with a few followers for the Island of Lobau, General Tchernicheff, then a very young man, was by his side. He relates, that the Emperor sate profoundly absorbed in thought, spoke to nobody, and only now and then broke into the half-suppressed exclamation, ‘O monde, O monde!’ He might, perhaps, silently add, ‘tu m’échappes’—as a few years more verified.—Editor.[43]And is still.—Editor.[44]It is natural enough that it should be difficult for the English, who trouble themselves so little about anything non-English, to distinguish the respective ranks of German, Russian, and French princes, and that they therefore place them sometimes too high, sometimes too low. In England and France, there are properly no Princes but those of the blood royal. If Englishmen or Frenchmen bear such titles, they are foreign ones, and were given to the younger sons of noble families; for instance, the Prince de Polignac, as second son, bears the Roman title of Prince; the eldest, is Duke de Polignac.With the exception of a man of very exalted merit, there are no Princes in Germany who are not of old family and high rank, with the appurtenant rights and privileges; therefore Princes have in that country the first rank immediately after the reigning houses. In Russia, on the other hand, the title of Prince is as good as nothing, since the service alone gives rank, privilege or importance; and in Italy, the title is not worth much more. The English mix all this up together, and seldom know what sort of tone to take with a foreigner, or what place to assign to him.[45]My departed friend was possessed with a sort of fixed idea that a new Church was at hand. What a pity that he did not live to witness what is now forming! I have just read the following consolatory announcement in theAllgemeine Zeitung:—“To the Unknown.“In these pages, hard words have, as I hear, been applied to me and to the new Church. Strike, my friends, but hear. Only one word, to warn you of the sin. Again I say, it draws near, raising up the veil more and more,—a glory which the tongue of man cannot express, and the spirit of man can only faintly imagine. If we can scarcely conceive thatallwill become new, how can we so suddenly conceive a newAll? But to fall violently on the vanguard, and to insult the banner, before we know the hosts which are approaching, and the mighty men who lead them, is not advisable. Beloved brethren, how were it with you, if, with scoffing still on your lips, you recognized Him? He comes in an hour when ye think not.”—Editor.[46]In this case it were, indeed, desirable that our laws should be brought nearer to the comprehension of the people; that instead of a hundred different provincial and local laws, we hadonecode for the whole monarchy; so that an act should not be legal in one village, which ten miles off is illegal; in short, that the P—— Jurists should at length become workers in bronze, and not tinkers.—Editor.[47]‘Art living, dearest, or dead?’[48]Jahrzehende,Jahrhunderte,Jahrtausende, fromJahre. Corresponding to these convenient forms, we have onlycenturies. It is to be remarked, too, that each has its adjectival and adverbial form. The poverty of the English, and still more of the French language makes it impossible to translate adequately into them from the German.—Transl.[49]The account of the intermediate days has been suppressed.—Editor.[50]A note explanatory of this word is omitted, as unnecessary in England.—Trans.[51]This is quite contrary to what the author has himself remarked on the picture of Seneca, and contrary I think to the fact.—Transl.[52]As there are quarter, half, three-quarter, and whole blood horses in England, just so, and into even more subtle distinctions, is the fashionable world divided.[53]The reader may be curious to see this fine passage in its spirited translation. I have not been able to prevail on myself to attempt to translate it back into other English than that of the speaker.—Trans.“Nicht um Plätze zu erlangen, nicht um Reichthümer zu erwerben ja nicht einmal um den Catholiken unsres Landes ihr natürliches und menschliches Recht wiedergegeben zu sehen, eine Wohlthat, um die ich seit 25 Jahren Gott und die Nation vergebens anrufe, nicht für alles dieses habe ich mich dem neuen Ministerium angeschlossen, nein, sondern nur, weil, wohin ich mein Auge wende, nach Europa’s civilisirten Staaten, oder nach Amerika’s ungeheurem Continent, nach dem Orient oder Occident, ich überall die Morgenröthe derFreiheittagen sehe,—ja, ihr allein habe ich mich angeschlossen, indem ich dem Manne folge, der ihr Vorfechter zu seyn, eben so würdig als willig ist!”[54]This, we find, was only a figure of speech.—Edit.[55]This declaration of the Duke has frequently been alluded to since, even in the Lower House. The following, which I heard from the amiable lady to whom it was addressed, is less known.—In the month of November of this year, (1830,) the Premier was conversing with Princess C—— and the Duchess of D——, on various characteristics of the French and English nations, and their respective advantages. “Ce qui est beau en Angleterre,” said the Duke with evident self-complacency, “c’est que ni le rang, ni les richesses, ni la faveur ne sauraient élever un Anglois aux premières places. Le génie seul les obtient et les conserve chez nous.” The ladies cast down their eyes; and in a week from that time the Duke of Wellington was out of office.—Editor.[56]How little did my departed friend suspect that this badly organized head was destined to bring such evils upon the world! Good will indeed arise out of that, as out of all evil; butweshall hardly reap the fruits.—Editor.[57]Daughter of the lady to whom these letters are addressed, by her former husband, Count Pappenheim—Transl.[58]Eine alte Freiheit.—At the great Councils of the Church, the political meetings, such as coronations and the like, and other assemblages in the middle ages, a part of the city or encampment where they were held, was appropriated to the persons of forbidden professions who resorted thither; such as jugglers, gamblers, light women, &c. This part was called theFreiheitor Free Quarter.—Transl.[59]Mid dem todten Mann, I believe is Englished as above—Transl.[60]I thought of omitting this part, which certainly belongs too much to confidential correspondence to interest the generality of readers. But as it really paints the departed author with uncommon fidelity, and he often refers to it in subsequent letters, I hope I shall be forgiven for retaining it.—Editor.[61]A word difficult to translate. Foresight (Vorsichtssinn) does not express it adequately; it is rather the power of calling to mind in a moment everything that can possibly result from an action; and thus, almost involuntarily, of painting it from every point of view, which often cripples the energy.[62]The individual in question is Dr. Herschel, of whose head Mr. Deville possesses two casts corresponding to the description above. Mr. Deville bears testimony to the accuracy in the main of the above report, though the language is, he says, considerably more ornate than that which he is likely to have used.—Transl.[63]It is a matter of history that even the true old German knights had contracted the bad habit of occasionally interlarding their discourse with French phrases.—Editor.[64]Fässer.Fass, a butt, barrel, tun, tub, &c.—Grosse Quart.I do not know whether these measures correspond to the English words, or whether I have used the appropriate technical expressions—Transl.[65]Literally,Das Kind mit dem Bade verschutten—“To throw out the child with the bath;” a common German proverb.—Transl.[66]Misspelt in the original.—Transl.[67]Here follows a short passage which I have not been able, on a hurried search, to find.—Transl.[68]I do not know the exact equivalent of these titles.Hofdamen, literally is Court-ladies.—Transl.[69]Nadelholz: a generic word including all trees with leaves like a needle,—pine, fir, larch, &c.—Transl.[70]The minute description of the arrangements of the light-house is omitted, as most English readers are acquainted with them.—Transl.[71]A boy born in the month of OctoberWill be a critic, and a right surly one.—Transl.[72]Judging from the results, he must have seen cause to alter his opinion.—Editor.[73]I make no attempt to translate this, because the mere words would convey no idea to English readers; and I have no inclination to write, nor probably they to read, a commentary.—Transl.[74]The Germans do not sayoriginal sin, buthereditary sin(Erbsünde).—Erbadel(hereditary nobility) being formed exactly in the same manner, there is a sort ofjeu de mots, which the words in use here will not represent.—Transl.[75]For the curious in Austrian philosophy and philology, I subjoin the original of the above, which loses, unhappily, its zest in plain English, as it would in good German.—Transl.“Nix is halt dümmer,” sagte er, “als sich um de Zukunft gräme! Schaun’s, als i hierher kam, war’s grade Sommer, und die Season schon vorbei. Nu hatt’ en Andrer sich gegrämt, grad in so schlechter Zeit herkommen zu seyn; aber i dacht, ‘s wird sich schon hinziehen, und richtig, ‘s hat sich bis zum November hingezogen! Unterdessen hat mich der Esterhazy ufs Land genemmen, wo i mich gar herrlich amüsirt hab, und nu is noch a Monat schlecht, dann wird’s wieder full, die Bälle und die Routs gehn an, und i kann’s nie mehr besser wünschen! Wär’ i nu nich a rechter Narr gewesen, mi zu gräme ohne Noth? hab i ni recht? Man muss in der Welt grad wie ne H—— leben und nimmer zuviel an die Zukunft denken.”[76]‘Ihren Kindern den heiligen Christ bescheerte.’ The presents which it is the universal custom in Germany to make to children on a Christmas eve, are given in the name of the infant;—theChristkindchenso dear to all German children.—Transl.[77]Befreiungskrieg.The war against Napoleon is commonly known by that name in Germany.—Transl.[78]Aparforce jagdis, in one word,a hunt; forjagd, likechasse, includes shooting and other field-sports; but, as will be seen, I could not leave out theparforcewithout destroying the sentence.—Transl.[79]This refers to the ancient fable ofReinecke Fuchs.—Transl.[80]The Germans say, “Sand in die Augen streuen,” to scattersand(not dust) in the eyes. Here, as in so many other cases, difference of idiom destroys a ‘jeu de mots.’—Transl.[81]Adelaide, Princess Carolath, born Countess von Pappenheim; daughter of the Noble Lady to whom these letters are addressed, by the Bavarian General-of-division Count von Pappenheim, and mentioned in a former part of the work under the name of Emily.—Transl.[82]A learned antiquarian once told me that the old painters generally painted on a ground of chalk, and used preparations for fixing their colours, whence they are so permanent, fresh, and brilliant. Strange that people don’t give themselves the trouble to try this experiment![83]The verses alluded to are these:“Oh what were Love made for, if ’tis not the sameThrough joy and through torment, through glory and shame?I know not, I ask not, if guilt’s in that heart;I but know that I love thee—whatever thou art.”[84]The translation seems to be inferior to the others by the Author and hardly worth copying.—[85]“Uns in ihrer Nationalität hineinzudenken,” (to think ourselves forth into their nationality);—a compound word which may give some faint idea of the advantages a writer in the German language must ever possess over his translator.—Transl.[86]Of German money, of course, is meant.—Transl.[87]Owing to the adoption of the French wordpigeon, instead of the English worddove, this sentence loses its point. I did not however venture to astonish my readers by translatingTauben-club, Dove-club, though that would have done more justice to the author’s meaning. In Norfolk and Suffolk, where some very pure English is still preserved among the ‘vulgar,’dove, or as they call itdow, is still the common appellative of the whole genus,—as in the cognate language.—Transl.[88]The peculiar Alpine cry at the end of the Tyrol songs, which is heard to an immense distance, is called theJodle.—Transl.[89]It is very extraordinary that English writers should constantly torture themselves to discover the causes of the enormous poor-rates, and of the more and more artificial and threatening state of the working classes, when there exists so obvious a discouragement to the outlay of capital and industry on land, (some of which with us would be called good, but here is esteemed not worth cultivation,) as tithes:—a man does not care to devote his capital and his sweat to a priest.—Editor.[90]Hauslichkeit.We have not the word—unhappily.—Transl.[91]The curious in such matters may find some amusement in the inquiry, whether or not there exists in England one drop ofstiftfähiges blut—of that sort, namely, common throughout Germany, which can prove its seventy-two quarterings.—Transl.[92]Certainly the motto of the Paris Society, ‘Aide-toi, le ciel t’aidera,’ has never been carried so far ‘in praxi.’—Editor.[93]It is one of the greatest beauties of English landscape, that during the whole winter almost every house is adorned with the luxuriant blossoms and garlands of the monthly rose.[94]Count Brühl is inspector of Theatres at Berlin, and in virtue of that office exercisessurveillanceover the costumes, on the correctness of which he piques himself.—Transl.[95]Where the contrary is not specified, the reader will understand English miles, four and a half of which go to a German mile.—Editor.[96]Inexpressiblesis the name which this article of dress has received in England, where “in good society” a woman sometimes leaves her husband and children and runs off with her lover, but is always too decorous to be able to endure the sound of the wordbreeches.—Editor.[97]A mountain spirit. See Musaus’s Popular Tales.—Transl.[98]By S——, the author apparently means Berlin.—Transl.[99]In every nation the post ought to be extra-post. Many people indeed regret that the greater part of the State-machine is not driven by it. This might give it a jog, and put an end to the halt which it has made for half a century.—Editor.[100]The English reader must be told, what to him will sound strangely enough, that “Wohlgeboren” is a higher title than “Edelgeboren.”—Translator.[101]I am acquainted with other qualities of this ‘artiste,’ which would do honour to many of the ‘industriel’ noblemen of our time. For instance, he sends in his bill only once in five years, and is the most magnanimous of creditors. ‘Avis aux lecteurs.’[102]N. B. When the nobility is fitly constituted; that is to say, when it is a true national nobility, such as England in part possesses, or such as Gravell well describes in his “Regent.”—Editor.[103]My departed friend doubtless means to apply this to a certain class of functionaries, who, for good reasons, love nothing so well as mediocrity; for if I guess the scene aright, no where is merit more nobly honoured in the highest places. Of this the whole nation recently saw a most gratifying example in the affectionate respect paid to a revered statesman, whose merits are as exalted as his station. If there is a man who doubts of the former, it can be no other than himself.—Editor.[104]If I were not certain that my friend wrote this passage in the year 1827, I should take it to be a reminiscence of President Jackson’s first speech. The President proposes that all the public officers of the United States (with very few exceptions) be changed every fifth year. “Eheu jam satis!” What would ourRegiérungs Räthe(Government counsellors) say to such a scheme? Entire general commissions broken up, in the fullest sense of the word, at a blow! For who knows whether, at the end of five years, they would be thought worth the money they cost, and renewed at all?—Editor.[105]Privy counsellors who have any functions, are distinguished from those who have none, by the addition to their title ofwirklicher(real, actual).—Transl.[106]The intention of this law was noble and liberal, though it cut the knot rather roughly. But how has it been executed? A book might be written,oughtto be written, on this subject. The execution of this business is precisely in the style of a certain Herr von Wanze, who, in the disguise of a farmer, taught the opulent peasant Pharao at Kirmesse.{*}{*} village festival.—Transl.“You put down your money,” said he, “and I deal the cards right and left. What falls to the left I win; what falls to the right you lose.”—Editor.[107]It is but fair, however, to say that the exceptions to this description are many. When for instance Göthe does not disdain to send forth “a man of forty” among the minors; when Tieck takes pity upon us, and gives us areal genuine “Novelle”; L. Shefer moves our heart and spirit by his wild lightnings; Kruse makes a criminal trial graceful and attractive; or some Therese, Friederike, &c. discloses the otherwise impenetrable mysteries of the female heart (not to mention the varied merits of our other best tale-writers);—it is evident that there are workmen who could supply excellent and perfect wares it the whole manufacture were not spoiled by the established machinery.—Editor.[108]It is but fair, however, to say that the exceptions to this description are many. When for instance Göthe does not disdain to send forth “a man of forty” among the minors; when Tieck takes pity upon us, and gives us areal genuine “Novelle”; L. Shefer moves our heart and spirit by his wild lightnings; Kruse makes a criminal trial graceful and attractive; or some Therese, Friederike, &c. discloses the otherwise impenetrable mysteries of the female heart (not to mention the varied merits of our other best tale-writers);—it is evident that there are workmen who could supply excellent and perfect wares it the whole manufacture were not spoiled by the established machinery.—Editor.[109]It is only in English that the wordartistis absurdly restricted to painters, sculptors, and engravers. An artist is, in the German sense, a man who cultivates the fine arts,—poetry, painting, music, &c.—Transl.[110]This pendulum may be used by acute servants as a sort of thermo- or hygro-meter of the patience of their respective masters and mistresses.—Editor.[111]The inhabitants themselves cannot perfectly decide which termination is the right.{*}{*} This is a joke which will be understood only by those who are acquainted with the peculiarities of the Berlin dialect. The inhabitants continually confound verbs which govern the dativemir(to me,) with those which require the accusativemich(me); for which they are much laughed at by the rest of Germany. The first syllable of course alludes to the sandy plain in which Berlin stands.—Transl.[112]N.B. Not to forget to ask our learned Professor Blindemann what he thinks of this interpretation.[113]Among others, to the Commissioners of the Elbe Navigation, who have just made such a noble end of their labours, and have all received Orders for the same. I wonder whether Providence also will bestow an Order on me?[114]To add a word in earnest: I would ask, who does not honour the humane motives which gave rise to the Bible and Missionary societies? But are these, even were they not subject, as unfortunately too often happens, to the most scandalous abuses, the right means to the end? The result in almost every case teaches us the direct contrary. It ought to be considered that God sent Christianity as thesecondcovenant; thefirstwas based entirely uponearthlyinterests anddespotic power.If I did not fear to appear to treat the matter too lightly, I should almost be inclined to say that we ought to begin by converting savages into Jews, before we attempt to make them Christians. This would also harmonize in a peculiar way with that powerful lever, commercial interest. Men would be civilized much more quickly by the business of buying and selling, than by Paul’s Epistles to the Corinthians.This might also serve as an index or guide; and the conformity of such a course with the laws of nature would be proved by repeated experience, wherever the same process were to be gone through. To try to make men Christians who are in so low a state of civilization as the almost merely animal inhabitants of parts of Africa, appears to me nearly as unreasonable as to send teachers of the European languages to the apes. To this stage of human culture two things are applicable, self-interest, and force beneficently employed: and in this point of view, even conversions by the sword are not so injudicious and absurd as those by Bible Societies; always provided, that they are accomplished without unnecessary cruelty, and undertaken from truly benevolent motives.{*}{*} It cannot be denied that the most efficient attempts at conversion, and those which left the most permanent consequences, were those of Charlemagne, and of the Spaniards in South America. It was only a pity that the Spaniards forced their own idolatry upon men who were, in fact, better Christians than themselves.(It is assumed, be it observed, that we have a vocation and a right to endeavour to raise people to our state of civilization without any will of theirs; but this we shall not discuss here.)The other method, namely, to work upon savages by their own present and obvious interest, can be accomplished only by trade, and appears to be the most just and mild of all; but it must also be accompanied by a certain degree of compulsion and constraint, to produce any rapid and permanent results. The worst effect of the attempts to hasten on the universality of Christianity is doubtless this; that as soon as the savage comes in collision with Christians, they must perceive that the latter,—whether governments, corporations, or individuals—while they preach benevolence, do in fact, in almost every case, act hostilely both to each other and to them. Their simple understandings, which are not rectified by higher culture, can in no way reconcile this contradiction. And as they, like children, take in little of a new faith but the mythos, it is not much to be wondered at if the liberals or free-thinkers among them exclaim, “Fable for fable, murder for murder, slave-dealing for slave-dealing, where is the difference?” Had the Christian powersreallyabolished the slave-trade, and destroyed the nest of robbers which, to the shame of Europe, still exist on the coast of Africa; had England, instead of sending one solitary traveller after another (men who made themselves ridiculous and contemptible by displaying their Anglo-Christian arrogance without the means of supporting it,) to be assassinated by the natives, or to die of the climate,—sent into the interior an expedition fitted to command respect, and seasoned by previous residence on the coast;—had this expedition been so constituted as, by its dignity and by beneficent compulsion, to give a more humane character to trade; and had it sought to remove all obstacles to this object, even were it sometimes by force of arms;—it is indubitable that a great part of Africa would at this moment be infinitely more civilized than it will be by centuries of missions and Bible importations. Some may ask, ‘A quoi bon tout cela?’ others, what right have we to meddle in other people’s affairs? The answer to these questions would lead us too far. For my own part, I confess I so far agree with the Jesuits, that I acknowledge that a noble end,—that is, a project calculated for the greatest possible advantage of others, and united with the power of carrying it into effect,—sanctifies all appropriate means which are, in the same sense, noble, so far at least as open force is concerned; for deceit, treachery, and dishonesty can never lead to good.—Edit.[115]In German all substantives begin with a capital letter.—Transl.[116]A fictitious name, which might be Englished, Mr. Cant.—Transl.[117]It is a great mistake to think that this is a subject only for ridicule or for rational indignation. The alliance of the so-calledSAINTS, is not without danger to all men of large and liberal opinions. There is a fermentation of Jesuitical masses, who avail themselves of the form of Protestantism, because Catholicism will no longer answer their purpose. They are guided by the same principles to which the Jesuits owed their power, governed by the same ‘esprit de corps,’ constituted according to a like regular organization; instead of the ‘aquetta,’ indeed, they use, and with signal success, the ten times more formidable poison of calumny, which, like other instruments of darkness, is so easily employed by a secret association.—Germany has much more to dread from suchsaints, than from the dreams of freedom, promulgated by a set of enthusiastic young students on the Wartburg.—Edit.[118]Wappenvögel(armorial-birds,) an expression which appears affected in English, though the passage is unintelligible without it.—Transl.[119]A warning to all makers of puns andjeu de motsto know their tools. Our author probably is still in blissful ignorance of theiwhich spoils his joke.—Trans.[120]“To come out,” as applied to young girls in England, means to go into the world. Parents sometimes let them wait for this happiness till they are twenty, or even older. Till then, they learn the world only from novels; in later life they consequently often act upon them, where the principles of domestic virtue (for there is such a thing now and then in England) have not been deeply and firmly laid.—Editor.[121]Nothing can be more ridiculous than the declamation of German writers concerning the poverty which reigns in England; where, according to them, there are only a few enormously rich, and crowds of extremely indigent. It is precisely the extraordinary number of people of competent fortune, and the ease with which the poorest can earn, not only what is strictly necessary, but even some luxuries, if he chooses to work vigorously, which make England independent and happy. One must not indeed repeat after the Opposition newspapers.[122]Probably presented by Macpherson himself.—Editor.[123]The common people in England put the knife as well as the fork to their mouths. The higher classes, on the contrary, regard this as the true sin against the Holy Ghost, and cross themselves internally when they see a foreign Ambassador now and then eat so;—it is an affront to the whole nation.[124]In a more loose and general sense, every man of respectable appearance is called a gentleman.[125]This has nothing to do with morality, only with ‘scandale.’[126]So the Irish delight to call him, proud of his ‘landsmannschaft(countrymanship).[127]This is no exaggeration. I have heard such things here, proved by legal evidence, and seen such misery as never were witnessed in the times of villanage in Germany, and are hardly to be paralleled in countries where slavery now prevails.—Editor.[128]I have often had occasion to remark, that the love of music in England is a mere affair of fashion. There is no nation in Europe which plays music better or understands it worse.[129]“Böhmische Dörfer.” Thejeu de motsis inevitably lost.—Transl.[130]An excellent dish! the receipt,vivâ voce.[131]Eligible to certain chapters and ecclesiastical orders, to which none could be admitted who could not prove their seventy-two quarterings.—Transl.[132]The maître d’hotel who lately published Memoirs of Napoleon, vindicates the Emperor from this reproach with indignation. His memoirs are certainly most flattering to that great man, for they prove ‘qu’il est resté héros même pour son valet de chambre.’—Edit.[133]Poetry and Truth,—the title of Göthe’s auto-biographical work.[134]“I purpose to take a long sleep.”[135]All the Catholic children in Ireland are carefully instructed, and can at least read; while the Protestant are often utterly ignorant. The morals of the Catholic priesthood in Ireland are every where exemplary, as were those of the Reformers in France. The oppressed Church is every where the most virtuous; the causes of which are easily found.—Editor.[136]The wish of my departed friend is already in part fulfilled, and the future is big with yet greater changes.—Editor.[137]The translation of the title of the book is of a piece with all the rest.Leidendoes not meansorrows, butsufferings.—Trans.[138]‘Sportsman’—‘sport’—are as untranslatable as ‘Gentleman.’ It is by no means a mere hunter or shooter; but a man who follows all amusements of that and the cognate kinds, with ardour and address. Boxing, horse-racing, duck-shooting, fox-hunting, cock-fighting, are all ‘sport.’—Editor.[139]Nothing important or solemn can go on in England without a dinner; be it religious, political, literary, or of what kind it may.—Ed.[140]These disabilities have, as is universally known, been since removed.—Editor.[141]A piece of the true cross was kept here, and gave its name to the monastery. Every separate building, was, for this reason, ornamented with a lofty cross of stone, of which only one is preserved.—Editor.[142]A Moor, who was a very enlightened man for his country, and resided a long time in England, said to Captain L——, “I should not like to serve so powerless a monarch as the King of England. How different a feeling it gives one to be the servant of a sovereign who is the image of God’s omnipotence on earth, at whose nod a thousand heads must fly like chaff before the wind!”—‘Il ne faut donc pas disputer des goûts.’[143]‘Your Grace’ is the title of Protestant archbishops in England, and is given by all well-bred people, by courtesy, also to the Catholic archbishops, although the English law does not recognise their rank.[144]These, as my departed friend often declared, were remarkably well prepared in Ireland. They consist of poultry boiled dry, with Cayenne pepper, or served with a most burning and pungent sauce.—Editor, (addressed to gourmands.)[145]The sky is changed!—and such a change! Oh night,And storm, and darkness, ye are wondrous strong,Yet lovely in your strength, as is the lightOf a dark eye in woman! Far along,From peak to peak, the rattling crags amongLeaps the live thunder! Not from one lone cloud,But every mountain now hath found a tongue,And Jura answers, through her misty shroud,Back to the joyous Alps, who call to her aloud!And this is in the night:—Most glorious night!Thou wert not sent for slumber! let me beA sharer in thy fierce and far delight,—A portion of the tempest and of thee!How the lit lake shines, a phosphoric sea,And the big rain comes dancing to the earth!And now again ’tis black,—and now, the gleeOf the loud hills shakes with its mountain-mirth,As if they did rejoice o’er a young earthquake’s birth.[146]Much has lately been done towards improving, I might say humanizing, the music in the churches in Prussia; and the influence of this improvement on the congregations have been universally found to be very beneficial.—Editor.[147]Nothing can be a more astonishing proof of the difficulty of comparing the moral and intellectual character of two countries than this remark. Every Englishman accustomed to the cultivated society of his own country, must be struck by the extraordinary inferiority of German female education, in proportion to the high superiority of that of men. The solution is probably this:—The Author was chiefly confined to fashionable society here, and mixed little with the more instructed classes. In Germany, it is precisely the women of the middling classes who are so lamentably deficient in education,—a defect, of course, there as every where attributable to those who govern their destiny, and who profess sentiments even more unworthy than those here attributed to Englishmen. The motive ascribed to the latter is surely more strong and more noble than the desire of possessing a thorough cook or a contented drudge.—Trans.[148]We ought perhaps to apologize for suffering this and other similar passages to be printed. But whoever has read thus far, must interest himself in some degree for or against the Author: and in either case these unrestrained judgments upon himself cannot be wholly unwelcome to the reader who likes what is characteristic. Those who like only facts, may easily pass them over.—Editor.[149]This is seldom to be met with in fashionable society, from the tyrannical demands of English education, which have a very wide influence in the three kingdoms. You observe, therefore, that I often confound English and Irish under one common name; I ought more properly to call them British.[150]Even religion and morality do not reach all the intricate circumstances and cases which occur in human society:—witness that conventional honour which is frequently at war with both, and whose laws are yet obeyed by the best and wisest of men.[151]Nach ihrer Decke strecken.[152]The German name for the system of gymnastics introduced by the celebrated Dr. Jahn, and mixed up, by the young men who cultivated them, with the political opinions designated by the governments as ‘Demagogic.’—Trans.[153]The Prussian Landwehr system also forms perfect soldiers, horse or foot, in two years.—Editor.[154]It is perhaps hardly worth remarking, that at the time in which eternal hell-fire was the most sincerely and generally believed in, morality was at the very lowest ebb, and the number of great crimes a thousandfold what it now is.—Editor.[155]OurEilkutschenwill never approach the English stage-coaches till the post is entirely free, and till there is an equal competition of travellers: neither is to be expected.—Editor.[156]Few persons will agree with this position of the Author. If it be true, how doubly discreditable to English translators is the comparison of their performances with such translations as Voss’s Homer, Schleiermacher’s Plato, Schlegel’s Shakspeare and Calderon, &c. For any approach to these wonderful transfusions, where are we to look? At the abortive attempts at presenting to England any idea of Göthe?—Trans.[157]‘Popish mummery’ is the name given by English Protestants to the Catholic worship;—their own fully answers to the same description.—Editor.[158]The decorated well-replenished table well set out in every family on Christmas eve.—Trans.[159]The description in detail is omitted, as familiar to the English reader.—Trans.[160]The letters alluded to belong to the first part, which see.—Editor.—(See Preface.)[161]Ländlich, sittlich,—a German proverb, to which I do not recollect any corresponding English one.—Transl.[162]Thus should we ever regard, represent, and treat death. It is only a perverted view of Christianity (perhaps the Jewish groundwork of it), which has made death so gloomy, and with a coarse animal feeling, as unpoetical as it is disgusting, chosen skeletons and marks of decomposition as its emblems.—Editor.[163]As Napoleon said of his own head: “Carrée, autant de base que de hauteur.”—Editor.[164]A countryman of August Wilhelm Schlegel ought to take shame to himself for the omission of the illustrious name of Flaxman, whose genius was cast in a mould far more purely, severely and elegantlyGreek, than that of any modern sculptor whatever.—Trans.
FOOTNOTES:
[1]The words or sentences in single inverted commas are those which occur in the original in any language other than German.—Trans.
[1]The words or sentences in single inverted commas are those which occur in the original in any language other than German.—Trans.
[2]The North Germans are distinguished for energy, activity, acuteness, and high mental culture; the South Germans for easy good-nature, simplicity, contented animal enjoyment, and greater obsequiousness. In Vienna they call every gentleman Euer Gnaden, ‘Your Grace,’ and he is of course Gnadig, when he is kind or civil. But perhaps the author here alludes rather to a certain ceremonious stiffness of the burghers of Frankfurt, proud people who give their superiors their due, as they expect it of their inferiors.—(Reichsstadtisches Wesen). What is clear is, that he means that the inhabitants of the South are not so superior to antiquated distinctions as those of the North. The Prussians have been called the French of the North.—Trans.
[2]The North Germans are distinguished for energy, activity, acuteness, and high mental culture; the South Germans for easy good-nature, simplicity, contented animal enjoyment, and greater obsequiousness. In Vienna they call every gentleman Euer Gnaden, ‘Your Grace,’ and he is of course Gnadig, when he is kind or civil. But perhaps the author here alludes rather to a certain ceremonious stiffness of the burghers of Frankfurt, proud people who give their superiors their due, as they expect it of their inferiors.—(Reichsstadtisches Wesen). What is clear is, that he means that the inhabitants of the South are not so superior to antiquated distinctions as those of the North. The Prussians have been called the French of the North.—Trans.
[3]Sir Walter Scott’s official declaration, that all the works here alluded to were by him alone, was not then made public.—Edit.
[3]Sir Walter Scott’s official declaration, that all the works here alluded to were by him alone, was not then made public.—Edit.
[4]I have striven to preserve the colouring, as well as the substance of Göthe’s conversation. To those who have any conception of his merits, it cannot but be interesting to see, as nearly as possible, the very words which fell from lips so inspired and so venerable—Trans.
[4]I have striven to preserve the colouring, as well as the substance of Göthe’s conversation. To those who have any conception of his merits, it cannot but be interesting to see, as nearly as possible, the very words which fell from lips so inspired and so venerable—Trans.
[5]I cannot help almost suspecting that my departed friend has here put his own opinions into the mouth of Göthe.—Edit.
[5]I cannot help almost suspecting that my departed friend has here put his own opinions into the mouth of Göthe.—Edit.
[6]I do not think that the exalted old man will be offended at the publication of this conversation. Every word—even the most insignificant—which has fallen fromhis mouth, is a precious gift to many. And even should my departed friend in any respect have misunderstood him, or have reported him inaccurately, nothing has been here retained, which, in my opinion, can be called an indiscretion.—Edit.
[6]I do not think that the exalted old man will be offended at the publication of this conversation. Every word—even the most insignificant—which has fallen fromhis mouth, is a precious gift to many. And even should my departed friend in any respect have misunderstood him, or have reported him inaccurately, nothing has been here retained, which, in my opinion, can be called an indiscretion.—Edit.
[7]German miles.—Transl.
[7]German miles.—Transl.
[8]A gulden is twenty-pence.—Transl.
[8]A gulden is twenty-pence.—Transl.
[9]I remember to have read of a Greek monastery in Wallachia, the four towers of which appeared as if they would every moment fall in; yet this optical deception was produced only by the inclination of the windows, and of the friezes which run round the towers.
[9]I remember to have read of a Greek monastery in Wallachia, the four towers of which appeared as if they would every moment fall in; yet this optical deception was produced only by the inclination of the windows, and of the friezes which run round the towers.
[10]Here follows the well-known story of Mrs. Montague’s May-day entertainment of the chimney-sweeps, and the incident to which it is usually said to have owed its rise.After this comes an account of the mad attempt of Mr. Montague, the ci-devant sweep, together with a Mr. Barnett, to descend the falls of Schaffhausen in a boat, where both were of course lost. All this, being both familiar to us, and inaccurately told, has been omitted. The cicerone, who professed to have been a servant of this Mr. Montague, had probably heard the incident related of Mr. Sedley Burdett and Lord Frederick Montague. It only proves how necessary was the author’s disclaimer of responsibility.—Transl.
[10]Here follows the well-known story of Mrs. Montague’s May-day entertainment of the chimney-sweeps, and the incident to which it is usually said to have owed its rise.
After this comes an account of the mad attempt of Mr. Montague, the ci-devant sweep, together with a Mr. Barnett, to descend the falls of Schaffhausen in a boat, where both were of course lost. All this, being both familiar to us, and inaccurately told, has been omitted. The cicerone, who professed to have been a servant of this Mr. Montague, had probably heard the incident related of Mr. Sedley Burdett and Lord Frederick Montague. It only proves how necessary was the author’s disclaimer of responsibility.—Transl.
[11]English physicians expect a guinea at every visit.—Editor.
[11]English physicians expect a guinea at every visit.—Editor.
[12]Let me take this opportunity of advising those of my Berlin friends who mean to run horses, to have them trained by well-recommended English grooms; for it is far from being the fact, that every English groom without exception understands the business, as I have satisfactorily convinced myself. They think they have trained a horse, when by blood-letting, medicine and exercise, they have reduced him to a skeleton, and taken away all his strength, which real training increases tenfold. Both the well and ill trained are equally thin; but in the latter it is the leanness of debility and exhaustion; in the former, the removal of all unnecessary flesh and fat, and the highest power and developement of the muscles.—Editor.
[12]Let me take this opportunity of advising those of my Berlin friends who mean to run horses, to have them trained by well-recommended English grooms; for it is far from being the fact, that every English groom without exception understands the business, as I have satisfactorily convinced myself. They think they have trained a horse, when by blood-letting, medicine and exercise, they have reduced him to a skeleton, and taken away all his strength, which real training increases tenfold. Both the well and ill trained are equally thin; but in the latter it is the leanness of debility and exhaustion; in the former, the removal of all unnecessary flesh and fat, and the highest power and developement of the muscles.—Editor.
[13]The art of carving, which is too much neglected in Germany, forms part of a good English education.
[13]The art of carving, which is too much neglected in Germany, forms part of a good English education.
[14]When leaving the presence of the King, ladies are compelled to go out backwards (as one of them assured me.) It is against the laws of etiquette,—the observance of which is, particularly, so extremely rigorous in England,—to turn their backs upon Majesty. This has been reduced to a regular military evolution, sometimes very embarrassing to a new recruit. The ladies take close order with their backs to the door, towards which they retreat in a diagonal line. As soon as the fugel-woman reaches it, she faces to the right about, passes through, and the others follow her. Lady C—— commands.
[14]When leaving the presence of the King, ladies are compelled to go out backwards (as one of them assured me.) It is against the laws of etiquette,—the observance of which is, particularly, so extremely rigorous in England,—to turn their backs upon Majesty. This has been reduced to a regular military evolution, sometimes very embarrassing to a new recruit. The ladies take close order with their backs to the door, towards which they retreat in a diagonal line. As soon as the fugel-woman reaches it, she faces to the right about, passes through, and the others follow her. Lady C—— commands.
[15]ProbablyBerliners. This accords with what has been said in the note p. 5, as to the North German acute and satirical character, as contrasted with Southernbonhommie.—Transl.
[15]ProbablyBerliners. This accords with what has been said in the note p. 5, as to the North German acute and satirical character, as contrasted with Southernbonhommie.—Transl.
[16]A very useful piece of furniture to introduce at Court.—Editor.
[16]A very useful piece of furniture to introduce at Court.—Editor.
[17]Idee des Wildes:—The double sense of the wordwildin German,—which when used substantively, exactly corresponds to ourgame(feræ naturæ,) though adjectively it is the same as the English adjective,—makes it impossible to render this.—Trans.
[17]Idee des Wildes:—The double sense of the wordwildin German,—which when used substantively, exactly corresponds to ourgame(feræ naturæ,) though adjectively it is the same as the English adjective,—makes it impossible to render this.—Trans.
[18]The reader will see that there is great confusion in this account of the state and tenure of landed property in England, which, indeed, it is extremely difficult to make a foreigner understand. It cannot be too often repeated, that no attempt is made to correct the author’s impressions or statements. To do so, is not to translate but to forge. The mistakes and misrepresentations are numerous,—almost as numerous as those in English works on Germany, which is saying a good deal.—Transl.
[18]The reader will see that there is great confusion in this account of the state and tenure of landed property in England, which, indeed, it is extremely difficult to make a foreigner understand. It cannot be too often repeated, that no attempt is made to correct the author’s impressions or statements. To do so, is not to translate but to forge. The mistakes and misrepresentations are numerous,—almost as numerous as those in English works on Germany, which is saying a good deal.—Transl.
[19]Some letters which contain only personal anecdotes are here suppressed. I remark this only to account to my fair readers,—who must have been delighted at the punctuality with which the departed author devoted the close of every day to his absent friend,—for a silence of twenty days.—Editor.
[19]Some letters which contain only personal anecdotes are here suppressed. I remark this only to account to my fair readers,—who must have been delighted at the punctuality with which the departed author devoted the close of every day to his absent friend,—for a silence of twenty days.—Editor.
[20]I must remark, that ever since Prussia was promised a Charter, (Charte,) my departed friend, to be more accurate, made an orthographical distinction, spelling charts,Carte, and playing cards,Karte.—He hopes this caution will not be thrown away.—Editor.
[20]I must remark, that ever since Prussia was promised a Charter, (Charte,) my departed friend, to be more accurate, made an orthographical distinction, spelling charts,Carte, and playing cards,Karte.—He hopes this caution will not be thrown away.—Editor.
[21]Rechnung.—Account, reckoning, bill. The reader, if he happen to know the fact, may apply the right word.—Transl.
[21]Rechnung.—Account, reckoning, bill. The reader, if he happen to know the fact, may apply the right word.—Transl.
[22]The author’s feelings towards Englishmen are evidently so bitter, that his testimony must be received with great allowance. On the other hand, it will be confessed by all who are not blinded by intense self-complacency and insular conceit, that it is extremely rare to find a foreigner of any country, who has encountered English people either abroad or at home, without having his most honest allowable self-love wounded in a hundred ways.—Transl.
[22]The author’s feelings towards Englishmen are evidently so bitter, that his testimony must be received with great allowance. On the other hand, it will be confessed by all who are not blinded by intense self-complacency and insular conceit, that it is extremely rare to find a foreigner of any country, who has encountered English people either abroad or at home, without having his most honest allowable self-love wounded in a hundred ways.—Transl.
[23]Let me here remark, that those who judge of England only by their visit to it in 1814, form extremely erroneous notions. That was a moment of enthusiasm, a boundless joy of the whole nation at its deliverance from its most dreaded enemy, which rendered it peculiarly kind and amiable towards those who had contributed to its destruction.
[23]Let me here remark, that those who judge of England only by their visit to it in 1814, form extremely erroneous notions. That was a moment of enthusiasm, a boundless joy of the whole nation at its deliverance from its most dreaded enemy, which rendered it peculiarly kind and amiable towards those who had contributed to its destruction.
[24]English-German readers will probably find the original of these lines without difficulty.—Transl.
[24]English-German readers will probably find the original of these lines without difficulty.—Transl.
[25]The traditional personage whom we call the Wandering Jew, the Germans callder ewige Jude, the eternal or everlasting Jew.—Transl.
[25]The traditional personage whom we call the Wandering Jew, the Germans callder ewige Jude, the eternal or everlasting Jew.—Transl.
[26]It is true that our charming Sontag, the queen of song, has lately done nearly the same thing, having contracted a left-handed marriage with Count R——.Editor.
[26]It is true that our charming Sontag, the queen of song, has lately done nearly the same thing, having contracted a left-handed marriage with Count R——.Editor.
[27]As the biography of Punch seems becoming rather diffuse, and is tolerably well known here (though not so well as might be imagined), this is omitted.—Transl.
[27]As the biography of Punch seems becoming rather diffuse, and is tolerably well known here (though not so well as might be imagined), this is omitted.—Transl.
[28]My deceased friend executed a singular idea, and left a relic which his survivors preserve with melancholy pleasure. He had filled several large folio volumes with drawings, prints, autographs, and even small pamphlets; not as is commonly the case with ‘scrap-books,’ all sorts of things ‘pèle mèle;’—he inserted only those things which he had himself seen and witnessed, in the same order in which he had seen them. Every sketch or engraving was accompanied by a note, the sum of which notes gives a consecutive sketch of his whole career in this world; a perfectatlas of his life, as he often called it.—Edit.
[28]My deceased friend executed a singular idea, and left a relic which his survivors preserve with melancholy pleasure. He had filled several large folio volumes with drawings, prints, autographs, and even small pamphlets; not as is commonly the case with ‘scrap-books,’ all sorts of things ‘pèle mèle;’—he inserted only those things which he had himself seen and witnessed, in the same order in which he had seen them. Every sketch or engraving was accompanied by a note, the sum of which notes gives a consecutive sketch of his whole career in this world; a perfectatlas of his life, as he often called it.—Edit.
[29]It is a very characteristic trait of the gay careless character of this amiable old man, that he let a number of large boxes, containing his effects, stand at Dresden from the time he quitted it. At length he was induced to intrust some one with the charge of overlooking the contents. This person, who knew his very narrow circumstances, was not a little surprised at finding the presents made to him as English ambassador, set with jewels of considerable value, still in their packing cases.
[29]It is a very characteristic trait of the gay careless character of this amiable old man, that he let a number of large boxes, containing his effects, stand at Dresden from the time he quitted it. At length he was induced to intrust some one with the charge of overlooking the contents. This person, who knew his very narrow circumstances, was not a little surprised at finding the presents made to him as English ambassador, set with jewels of considerable value, still in their packing cases.
[30]How may this be effected? Only when a man brings himself to acknowledge that religion is entirely and solely an affair of the heart and feelings; to which the head can be profitable only by standing as watchman of the sanctuary, and guarding it with the sword of reason from its two hereditary foes, superstition and intolerance. If he cannot be satisfied with this, if he will insist upon understanding what our nature forbids us to understand, he must fall into one of two difficulties; either he must take refuge in a so-called positive religion, or in a system of speculative philosophy. Both are unsatisfactory, as soon as he seeks to find more in them than an interesting sport of the fancy or of the intellect. While the profound innate sentiment of God, of Love, and of the Good, in every healthy state of the mind, stands with a steady irrefragable security, as clear to the lowest capacity, as to the highest, not merely as a belief, but as the true essence of his being,—his proper individual self. And this, without either reason or understanding being brought into immediate activity;—though both, when reflection is called in, must entirely confirm the sentiment.—Editor.
[30]How may this be effected? Only when a man brings himself to acknowledge that religion is entirely and solely an affair of the heart and feelings; to which the head can be profitable only by standing as watchman of the sanctuary, and guarding it with the sword of reason from its two hereditary foes, superstition and intolerance. If he cannot be satisfied with this, if he will insist upon understanding what our nature forbids us to understand, he must fall into one of two difficulties; either he must take refuge in a so-called positive religion, or in a system of speculative philosophy. Both are unsatisfactory, as soon as he seeks to find more in them than an interesting sport of the fancy or of the intellect. While the profound innate sentiment of God, of Love, and of the Good, in every healthy state of the mind, stands with a steady irrefragable security, as clear to the lowest capacity, as to the highest, not merely as a belief, but as the true essence of his being,—his proper individual self. And this, without either reason or understanding being brought into immediate activity;—though both, when reflection is called in, must entirely confirm the sentiment.—Editor.
[31]It is very problematical which is the worst in the eyes of the pious,—to have no religion at all, or one different from their own. Louis XIV., who was unquestionably a champion of religion, decided for the latter opinion. The Duke of Orleans proposed to him an ambassador to Spain, whom he accepted, but the next day recalled, because he had heard he was a Jansenist. “By no means, Your Majesty,” said the Duke; “for, as far as I know, he does not even believe in a God.” “May I depend upon that?” asked the king gravely. “Certainly,” replied the Duke, smiling. “Well, then, let him take the post, in God’s name.”
[31]It is very problematical which is the worst in the eyes of the pious,—to have no religion at all, or one different from their own. Louis XIV., who was unquestionably a champion of religion, decided for the latter opinion. The Duke of Orleans proposed to him an ambassador to Spain, whom he accepted, but the next day recalled, because he had heard he was a Jansenist. “By no means, Your Majesty,” said the Duke; “for, as far as I know, he does not even believe in a God.” “May I depend upon that?” asked the king gravely. “Certainly,” replied the Duke, smiling. “Well, then, let him take the post, in God’s name.”
[32]Bourienne’s Memoirs have unfortunately furnished us with fewer materials for forming a judgment on Napoleon’s real character than was expected. Bourienne paints Napoleon as Bourienne, and if the dwarf had run around the feet of the giant for a century, he could never have looked in his eyes. In one thing, however, which was quite ‘à sa portée,’ he was right; namely, that the grand enemy by which Napoleon was overthrown, was the commercial class, so impoliticly driven to extremity; a class now-a-days far more powerful than church or army, and which will yield only to the still stronger power of public opinion, if ever they should come into collision.—Editor.
[32]Bourienne’s Memoirs have unfortunately furnished us with fewer materials for forming a judgment on Napoleon’s real character than was expected. Bourienne paints Napoleon as Bourienne, and if the dwarf had run around the feet of the giant for a century, he could never have looked in his eyes. In one thing, however, which was quite ‘à sa portée,’ he was right; namely, that the grand enemy by which Napoleon was overthrown, was the commercial class, so impoliticly driven to extremity; a class now-a-days far more powerful than church or army, and which will yield only to the still stronger power of public opinion, if ever they should come into collision.—Editor.
[33]This is no exaggeration, as those who have had any opportunity of observing the strong personal attachment of the Prussian people to their present King can attest.—Trans.
[33]This is no exaggeration, as those who have had any opportunity of observing the strong personal attachment of the Prussian people to their present King can attest.—Trans.
[34]By ‘romantic’ the author apparently means the style of the domestic architecture of Elizabeth’s and the succeeding reigns, which affected nothing like the air of places of defence—Transl.
[34]By ‘romantic’ the author apparently means the style of the domestic architecture of Elizabeth’s and the succeeding reigns, which affected nothing like the air of places of defence—Transl.
[35]I know not whether the reader will admit this apology.—Editor.
[35]I know not whether the reader will admit this apology.—Editor.
[36]It would have been but an act of justice had the author added, thatunder these very circumstances, not only the head of the family, but those who bear his illustrious name, and are destined to inherit his honours, are singularly free from themorgueand arrogance with which he justly charges the English aristocracy—Transl.
[36]It would have been but an act of justice had the author added, thatunder these very circumstances, not only the head of the family, but those who bear his illustrious name, and are destined to inherit his honours, are singularly free from themorgueand arrogance with which he justly charges the English aristocracy—Transl.
[37]There are so many pictures of Henry and Elizabeth in England, that you must forgive my frequent mention of them. There are shades of difference in all.
[37]There are so many pictures of Henry and Elizabeth in England, that you must forgive my frequent mention of them. There are shades of difference in all.
[38]The description is abridged. It is feared the English reader has already been sated with parks and houses.—Transl.
[38]The description is abridged. It is feared the English reader has already been sated with parks and houses.—Transl.
[39]Literally, ‘Little rooms to let;’ I think we call the game, ‘Seats,’—Transl.
[39]Literally, ‘Little rooms to let;’ I think we call the game, ‘Seats,’—Transl.
[40]German for ‘Cock-a-doodle-doo.’—Transl.
[40]German for ‘Cock-a-doodle-doo.’—Transl.
[41]Cases moreover do occur, in which the conscience is, so to speak, right and wrong at the same time. An act may be necessary, which is unquestionably, viewed on one side, culpable, but which is chosen as the lesser of two evils; in which case no reasonable moralist will contend that it is unpardonable. In telling a compulsory lie, for instance, we must ever make a considerable sacrifice of our moral dignity, though by refusing to tell it, we might be guilty of the basest treachery to parents or friends.—Editor.
[41]Cases moreover do occur, in which the conscience is, so to speak, right and wrong at the same time. An act may be necessary, which is unquestionably, viewed on one side, culpable, but which is chosen as the lesser of two evils; in which case no reasonable moralist will contend that it is unpardonable. In telling a compulsory lie, for instance, we must ever make a considerable sacrifice of our moral dignity, though by refusing to tell it, we might be guilty of the basest treachery to parents or friends.—Editor.
[42]I must explain this exclamation. When Napoleon, after the defeat at Aspern, put off in a frail boat with a few followers for the Island of Lobau, General Tchernicheff, then a very young man, was by his side. He relates, that the Emperor sate profoundly absorbed in thought, spoke to nobody, and only now and then broke into the half-suppressed exclamation, ‘O monde, O monde!’ He might, perhaps, silently add, ‘tu m’échappes’—as a few years more verified.—Editor.
[42]I must explain this exclamation. When Napoleon, after the defeat at Aspern, put off in a frail boat with a few followers for the Island of Lobau, General Tchernicheff, then a very young man, was by his side. He relates, that the Emperor sate profoundly absorbed in thought, spoke to nobody, and only now and then broke into the half-suppressed exclamation, ‘O monde, O monde!’ He might, perhaps, silently add, ‘tu m’échappes’—as a few years more verified.—Editor.
[43]And is still.—Editor.
[43]And is still.—Editor.
[44]It is natural enough that it should be difficult for the English, who trouble themselves so little about anything non-English, to distinguish the respective ranks of German, Russian, and French princes, and that they therefore place them sometimes too high, sometimes too low. In England and France, there are properly no Princes but those of the blood royal. If Englishmen or Frenchmen bear such titles, they are foreign ones, and were given to the younger sons of noble families; for instance, the Prince de Polignac, as second son, bears the Roman title of Prince; the eldest, is Duke de Polignac.With the exception of a man of very exalted merit, there are no Princes in Germany who are not of old family and high rank, with the appurtenant rights and privileges; therefore Princes have in that country the first rank immediately after the reigning houses. In Russia, on the other hand, the title of Prince is as good as nothing, since the service alone gives rank, privilege or importance; and in Italy, the title is not worth much more. The English mix all this up together, and seldom know what sort of tone to take with a foreigner, or what place to assign to him.
[44]It is natural enough that it should be difficult for the English, who trouble themselves so little about anything non-English, to distinguish the respective ranks of German, Russian, and French princes, and that they therefore place them sometimes too high, sometimes too low. In England and France, there are properly no Princes but those of the blood royal. If Englishmen or Frenchmen bear such titles, they are foreign ones, and were given to the younger sons of noble families; for instance, the Prince de Polignac, as second son, bears the Roman title of Prince; the eldest, is Duke de Polignac.
With the exception of a man of very exalted merit, there are no Princes in Germany who are not of old family and high rank, with the appurtenant rights and privileges; therefore Princes have in that country the first rank immediately after the reigning houses. In Russia, on the other hand, the title of Prince is as good as nothing, since the service alone gives rank, privilege or importance; and in Italy, the title is not worth much more. The English mix all this up together, and seldom know what sort of tone to take with a foreigner, or what place to assign to him.
[45]My departed friend was possessed with a sort of fixed idea that a new Church was at hand. What a pity that he did not live to witness what is now forming! I have just read the following consolatory announcement in theAllgemeine Zeitung:—“To the Unknown.“In these pages, hard words have, as I hear, been applied to me and to the new Church. Strike, my friends, but hear. Only one word, to warn you of the sin. Again I say, it draws near, raising up the veil more and more,—a glory which the tongue of man cannot express, and the spirit of man can only faintly imagine. If we can scarcely conceive thatallwill become new, how can we so suddenly conceive a newAll? But to fall violently on the vanguard, and to insult the banner, before we know the hosts which are approaching, and the mighty men who lead them, is not advisable. Beloved brethren, how were it with you, if, with scoffing still on your lips, you recognized Him? He comes in an hour when ye think not.”—Editor.
[45]My departed friend was possessed with a sort of fixed idea that a new Church was at hand. What a pity that he did not live to witness what is now forming! I have just read the following consolatory announcement in theAllgemeine Zeitung:—
“To the Unknown.
“In these pages, hard words have, as I hear, been applied to me and to the new Church. Strike, my friends, but hear. Only one word, to warn you of the sin. Again I say, it draws near, raising up the veil more and more,—a glory which the tongue of man cannot express, and the spirit of man can only faintly imagine. If we can scarcely conceive thatallwill become new, how can we so suddenly conceive a newAll? But to fall violently on the vanguard, and to insult the banner, before we know the hosts which are approaching, and the mighty men who lead them, is not advisable. Beloved brethren, how were it with you, if, with scoffing still on your lips, you recognized Him? He comes in an hour when ye think not.”—Editor.
[46]In this case it were, indeed, desirable that our laws should be brought nearer to the comprehension of the people; that instead of a hundred different provincial and local laws, we hadonecode for the whole monarchy; so that an act should not be legal in one village, which ten miles off is illegal; in short, that the P—— Jurists should at length become workers in bronze, and not tinkers.—Editor.
[46]In this case it were, indeed, desirable that our laws should be brought nearer to the comprehension of the people; that instead of a hundred different provincial and local laws, we hadonecode for the whole monarchy; so that an act should not be legal in one village, which ten miles off is illegal; in short, that the P—— Jurists should at length become workers in bronze, and not tinkers.—Editor.
[47]‘Art living, dearest, or dead?’
[47]‘Art living, dearest, or dead?’
[48]Jahrzehende,Jahrhunderte,Jahrtausende, fromJahre. Corresponding to these convenient forms, we have onlycenturies. It is to be remarked, too, that each has its adjectival and adverbial form. The poverty of the English, and still more of the French language makes it impossible to translate adequately into them from the German.—Transl.
[48]Jahrzehende,Jahrhunderte,Jahrtausende, fromJahre. Corresponding to these convenient forms, we have onlycenturies. It is to be remarked, too, that each has its adjectival and adverbial form. The poverty of the English, and still more of the French language makes it impossible to translate adequately into them from the German.—Transl.
[49]The account of the intermediate days has been suppressed.—Editor.
[49]The account of the intermediate days has been suppressed.—Editor.
[50]A note explanatory of this word is omitted, as unnecessary in England.—Trans.
[50]A note explanatory of this word is omitted, as unnecessary in England.—Trans.
[51]This is quite contrary to what the author has himself remarked on the picture of Seneca, and contrary I think to the fact.—Transl.
[51]This is quite contrary to what the author has himself remarked on the picture of Seneca, and contrary I think to the fact.—Transl.
[52]As there are quarter, half, three-quarter, and whole blood horses in England, just so, and into even more subtle distinctions, is the fashionable world divided.
[52]As there are quarter, half, three-quarter, and whole blood horses in England, just so, and into even more subtle distinctions, is the fashionable world divided.
[53]The reader may be curious to see this fine passage in its spirited translation. I have not been able to prevail on myself to attempt to translate it back into other English than that of the speaker.—Trans.“Nicht um Plätze zu erlangen, nicht um Reichthümer zu erwerben ja nicht einmal um den Catholiken unsres Landes ihr natürliches und menschliches Recht wiedergegeben zu sehen, eine Wohlthat, um die ich seit 25 Jahren Gott und die Nation vergebens anrufe, nicht für alles dieses habe ich mich dem neuen Ministerium angeschlossen, nein, sondern nur, weil, wohin ich mein Auge wende, nach Europa’s civilisirten Staaten, oder nach Amerika’s ungeheurem Continent, nach dem Orient oder Occident, ich überall die Morgenröthe derFreiheittagen sehe,—ja, ihr allein habe ich mich angeschlossen, indem ich dem Manne folge, der ihr Vorfechter zu seyn, eben so würdig als willig ist!”
[53]The reader may be curious to see this fine passage in its spirited translation. I have not been able to prevail on myself to attempt to translate it back into other English than that of the speaker.—Trans.
“Nicht um Plätze zu erlangen, nicht um Reichthümer zu erwerben ja nicht einmal um den Catholiken unsres Landes ihr natürliches und menschliches Recht wiedergegeben zu sehen, eine Wohlthat, um die ich seit 25 Jahren Gott und die Nation vergebens anrufe, nicht für alles dieses habe ich mich dem neuen Ministerium angeschlossen, nein, sondern nur, weil, wohin ich mein Auge wende, nach Europa’s civilisirten Staaten, oder nach Amerika’s ungeheurem Continent, nach dem Orient oder Occident, ich überall die Morgenröthe derFreiheittagen sehe,—ja, ihr allein habe ich mich angeschlossen, indem ich dem Manne folge, der ihr Vorfechter zu seyn, eben so würdig als willig ist!”
[54]This, we find, was only a figure of speech.—Edit.
[54]This, we find, was only a figure of speech.—Edit.
[55]This declaration of the Duke has frequently been alluded to since, even in the Lower House. The following, which I heard from the amiable lady to whom it was addressed, is less known.—In the month of November of this year, (1830,) the Premier was conversing with Princess C—— and the Duchess of D——, on various characteristics of the French and English nations, and their respective advantages. “Ce qui est beau en Angleterre,” said the Duke with evident self-complacency, “c’est que ni le rang, ni les richesses, ni la faveur ne sauraient élever un Anglois aux premières places. Le génie seul les obtient et les conserve chez nous.” The ladies cast down their eyes; and in a week from that time the Duke of Wellington was out of office.—Editor.
[55]This declaration of the Duke has frequently been alluded to since, even in the Lower House. The following, which I heard from the amiable lady to whom it was addressed, is less known.—In the month of November of this year, (1830,) the Premier was conversing with Princess C—— and the Duchess of D——, on various characteristics of the French and English nations, and their respective advantages. “Ce qui est beau en Angleterre,” said the Duke with evident self-complacency, “c’est que ni le rang, ni les richesses, ni la faveur ne sauraient élever un Anglois aux premières places. Le génie seul les obtient et les conserve chez nous.” The ladies cast down their eyes; and in a week from that time the Duke of Wellington was out of office.—Editor.
[56]How little did my departed friend suspect that this badly organized head was destined to bring such evils upon the world! Good will indeed arise out of that, as out of all evil; butweshall hardly reap the fruits.—Editor.
[56]How little did my departed friend suspect that this badly organized head was destined to bring such evils upon the world! Good will indeed arise out of that, as out of all evil; butweshall hardly reap the fruits.—Editor.
[57]Daughter of the lady to whom these letters are addressed, by her former husband, Count Pappenheim—Transl.
[57]Daughter of the lady to whom these letters are addressed, by her former husband, Count Pappenheim—Transl.
[58]Eine alte Freiheit.—At the great Councils of the Church, the political meetings, such as coronations and the like, and other assemblages in the middle ages, a part of the city or encampment where they were held, was appropriated to the persons of forbidden professions who resorted thither; such as jugglers, gamblers, light women, &c. This part was called theFreiheitor Free Quarter.—Transl.
[58]Eine alte Freiheit.—At the great Councils of the Church, the political meetings, such as coronations and the like, and other assemblages in the middle ages, a part of the city or encampment where they were held, was appropriated to the persons of forbidden professions who resorted thither; such as jugglers, gamblers, light women, &c. This part was called theFreiheitor Free Quarter.—Transl.
[59]Mid dem todten Mann, I believe is Englished as above—Transl.
[59]Mid dem todten Mann, I believe is Englished as above—Transl.
[60]I thought of omitting this part, which certainly belongs too much to confidential correspondence to interest the generality of readers. But as it really paints the departed author with uncommon fidelity, and he often refers to it in subsequent letters, I hope I shall be forgiven for retaining it.—Editor.
[60]I thought of omitting this part, which certainly belongs too much to confidential correspondence to interest the generality of readers. But as it really paints the departed author with uncommon fidelity, and he often refers to it in subsequent letters, I hope I shall be forgiven for retaining it.—Editor.
[61]A word difficult to translate. Foresight (Vorsichtssinn) does not express it adequately; it is rather the power of calling to mind in a moment everything that can possibly result from an action; and thus, almost involuntarily, of painting it from every point of view, which often cripples the energy.
[61]A word difficult to translate. Foresight (Vorsichtssinn) does not express it adequately; it is rather the power of calling to mind in a moment everything that can possibly result from an action; and thus, almost involuntarily, of painting it from every point of view, which often cripples the energy.
[62]The individual in question is Dr. Herschel, of whose head Mr. Deville possesses two casts corresponding to the description above. Mr. Deville bears testimony to the accuracy in the main of the above report, though the language is, he says, considerably more ornate than that which he is likely to have used.—Transl.
[62]The individual in question is Dr. Herschel, of whose head Mr. Deville possesses two casts corresponding to the description above. Mr. Deville bears testimony to the accuracy in the main of the above report, though the language is, he says, considerably more ornate than that which he is likely to have used.—Transl.
[63]It is a matter of history that even the true old German knights had contracted the bad habit of occasionally interlarding their discourse with French phrases.—Editor.
[63]It is a matter of history that even the true old German knights had contracted the bad habit of occasionally interlarding their discourse with French phrases.—Editor.
[64]Fässer.Fass, a butt, barrel, tun, tub, &c.—Grosse Quart.I do not know whether these measures correspond to the English words, or whether I have used the appropriate technical expressions—Transl.
[64]Fässer.Fass, a butt, barrel, tun, tub, &c.—Grosse Quart.I do not know whether these measures correspond to the English words, or whether I have used the appropriate technical expressions—Transl.
[65]Literally,Das Kind mit dem Bade verschutten—“To throw out the child with the bath;” a common German proverb.—Transl.
[65]Literally,Das Kind mit dem Bade verschutten—“To throw out the child with the bath;” a common German proverb.—Transl.
[66]Misspelt in the original.—Transl.
[66]Misspelt in the original.—Transl.
[67]Here follows a short passage which I have not been able, on a hurried search, to find.—Transl.
[67]Here follows a short passage which I have not been able, on a hurried search, to find.—Transl.
[68]I do not know the exact equivalent of these titles.Hofdamen, literally is Court-ladies.—Transl.
[68]I do not know the exact equivalent of these titles.Hofdamen, literally is Court-ladies.—Transl.
[69]Nadelholz: a generic word including all trees with leaves like a needle,—pine, fir, larch, &c.—Transl.
[69]Nadelholz: a generic word including all trees with leaves like a needle,—pine, fir, larch, &c.—Transl.
[70]The minute description of the arrangements of the light-house is omitted, as most English readers are acquainted with them.—Transl.
[70]The minute description of the arrangements of the light-house is omitted, as most English readers are acquainted with them.—Transl.
[71]A boy born in the month of OctoberWill be a critic, and a right surly one.—Transl.
[71]
A boy born in the month of OctoberWill be a critic, and a right surly one.—Transl.
A boy born in the month of OctoberWill be a critic, and a right surly one.—Transl.
A boy born in the month of OctoberWill be a critic, and a right surly one.—Transl.
[72]Judging from the results, he must have seen cause to alter his opinion.—Editor.
[72]Judging from the results, he must have seen cause to alter his opinion.—Editor.
[73]I make no attempt to translate this, because the mere words would convey no idea to English readers; and I have no inclination to write, nor probably they to read, a commentary.—Transl.
[73]I make no attempt to translate this, because the mere words would convey no idea to English readers; and I have no inclination to write, nor probably they to read, a commentary.—Transl.
[74]The Germans do not sayoriginal sin, buthereditary sin(Erbsünde).—Erbadel(hereditary nobility) being formed exactly in the same manner, there is a sort ofjeu de mots, which the words in use here will not represent.—Transl.
[74]The Germans do not sayoriginal sin, buthereditary sin(Erbsünde).—Erbadel(hereditary nobility) being formed exactly in the same manner, there is a sort ofjeu de mots, which the words in use here will not represent.—Transl.
[75]For the curious in Austrian philosophy and philology, I subjoin the original of the above, which loses, unhappily, its zest in plain English, as it would in good German.—Transl.“Nix is halt dümmer,” sagte er, “als sich um de Zukunft gräme! Schaun’s, als i hierher kam, war’s grade Sommer, und die Season schon vorbei. Nu hatt’ en Andrer sich gegrämt, grad in so schlechter Zeit herkommen zu seyn; aber i dacht, ‘s wird sich schon hinziehen, und richtig, ‘s hat sich bis zum November hingezogen! Unterdessen hat mich der Esterhazy ufs Land genemmen, wo i mich gar herrlich amüsirt hab, und nu is noch a Monat schlecht, dann wird’s wieder full, die Bälle und die Routs gehn an, und i kann’s nie mehr besser wünschen! Wär’ i nu nich a rechter Narr gewesen, mi zu gräme ohne Noth? hab i ni recht? Man muss in der Welt grad wie ne H—— leben und nimmer zuviel an die Zukunft denken.”
[75]For the curious in Austrian philosophy and philology, I subjoin the original of the above, which loses, unhappily, its zest in plain English, as it would in good German.—Transl.
“Nix is halt dümmer,” sagte er, “als sich um de Zukunft gräme! Schaun’s, als i hierher kam, war’s grade Sommer, und die Season schon vorbei. Nu hatt’ en Andrer sich gegrämt, grad in so schlechter Zeit herkommen zu seyn; aber i dacht, ‘s wird sich schon hinziehen, und richtig, ‘s hat sich bis zum November hingezogen! Unterdessen hat mich der Esterhazy ufs Land genemmen, wo i mich gar herrlich amüsirt hab, und nu is noch a Monat schlecht, dann wird’s wieder full, die Bälle und die Routs gehn an, und i kann’s nie mehr besser wünschen! Wär’ i nu nich a rechter Narr gewesen, mi zu gräme ohne Noth? hab i ni recht? Man muss in der Welt grad wie ne H—— leben und nimmer zuviel an die Zukunft denken.”
[76]‘Ihren Kindern den heiligen Christ bescheerte.’ The presents which it is the universal custom in Germany to make to children on a Christmas eve, are given in the name of the infant;—theChristkindchenso dear to all German children.—Transl.
[76]‘Ihren Kindern den heiligen Christ bescheerte.’ The presents which it is the universal custom in Germany to make to children on a Christmas eve, are given in the name of the infant;—theChristkindchenso dear to all German children.—Transl.
[77]Befreiungskrieg.The war against Napoleon is commonly known by that name in Germany.—Transl.
[77]Befreiungskrieg.The war against Napoleon is commonly known by that name in Germany.—Transl.
[78]Aparforce jagdis, in one word,a hunt; forjagd, likechasse, includes shooting and other field-sports; but, as will be seen, I could not leave out theparforcewithout destroying the sentence.—Transl.
[78]Aparforce jagdis, in one word,a hunt; forjagd, likechasse, includes shooting and other field-sports; but, as will be seen, I could not leave out theparforcewithout destroying the sentence.—Transl.
[79]This refers to the ancient fable ofReinecke Fuchs.—Transl.
[79]This refers to the ancient fable ofReinecke Fuchs.—Transl.
[80]The Germans say, “Sand in die Augen streuen,” to scattersand(not dust) in the eyes. Here, as in so many other cases, difference of idiom destroys a ‘jeu de mots.’—Transl.
[80]The Germans say, “Sand in die Augen streuen,” to scattersand(not dust) in the eyes. Here, as in so many other cases, difference of idiom destroys a ‘jeu de mots.’—Transl.
[81]Adelaide, Princess Carolath, born Countess von Pappenheim; daughter of the Noble Lady to whom these letters are addressed, by the Bavarian General-of-division Count von Pappenheim, and mentioned in a former part of the work under the name of Emily.—Transl.
[81]Adelaide, Princess Carolath, born Countess von Pappenheim; daughter of the Noble Lady to whom these letters are addressed, by the Bavarian General-of-division Count von Pappenheim, and mentioned in a former part of the work under the name of Emily.—Transl.
[82]A learned antiquarian once told me that the old painters generally painted on a ground of chalk, and used preparations for fixing their colours, whence they are so permanent, fresh, and brilliant. Strange that people don’t give themselves the trouble to try this experiment!
[82]A learned antiquarian once told me that the old painters generally painted on a ground of chalk, and used preparations for fixing their colours, whence they are so permanent, fresh, and brilliant. Strange that people don’t give themselves the trouble to try this experiment!
[83]The verses alluded to are these:“Oh what were Love made for, if ’tis not the sameThrough joy and through torment, through glory and shame?I know not, I ask not, if guilt’s in that heart;I but know that I love thee—whatever thou art.”
[83]The verses alluded to are these:
“Oh what were Love made for, if ’tis not the sameThrough joy and through torment, through glory and shame?I know not, I ask not, if guilt’s in that heart;I but know that I love thee—whatever thou art.”
“Oh what were Love made for, if ’tis not the sameThrough joy and through torment, through glory and shame?I know not, I ask not, if guilt’s in that heart;I but know that I love thee—whatever thou art.”
“Oh what were Love made for, if ’tis not the sameThrough joy and through torment, through glory and shame?I know not, I ask not, if guilt’s in that heart;I but know that I love thee—whatever thou art.”
[84]The translation seems to be inferior to the others by the Author and hardly worth copying.—
[84]The translation seems to be inferior to the others by the Author and hardly worth copying.—
[85]“Uns in ihrer Nationalität hineinzudenken,” (to think ourselves forth into their nationality);—a compound word which may give some faint idea of the advantages a writer in the German language must ever possess over his translator.—Transl.
[85]“Uns in ihrer Nationalität hineinzudenken,” (to think ourselves forth into their nationality);—a compound word which may give some faint idea of the advantages a writer in the German language must ever possess over his translator.—Transl.
[86]Of German money, of course, is meant.—Transl.
[86]Of German money, of course, is meant.—Transl.
[87]Owing to the adoption of the French wordpigeon, instead of the English worddove, this sentence loses its point. I did not however venture to astonish my readers by translatingTauben-club, Dove-club, though that would have done more justice to the author’s meaning. In Norfolk and Suffolk, where some very pure English is still preserved among the ‘vulgar,’dove, or as they call itdow, is still the common appellative of the whole genus,—as in the cognate language.—Transl.
[87]Owing to the adoption of the French wordpigeon, instead of the English worddove, this sentence loses its point. I did not however venture to astonish my readers by translatingTauben-club, Dove-club, though that would have done more justice to the author’s meaning. In Norfolk and Suffolk, where some very pure English is still preserved among the ‘vulgar,’dove, or as they call itdow, is still the common appellative of the whole genus,—as in the cognate language.—Transl.
[88]The peculiar Alpine cry at the end of the Tyrol songs, which is heard to an immense distance, is called theJodle.—Transl.
[88]The peculiar Alpine cry at the end of the Tyrol songs, which is heard to an immense distance, is called theJodle.—Transl.
[89]It is very extraordinary that English writers should constantly torture themselves to discover the causes of the enormous poor-rates, and of the more and more artificial and threatening state of the working classes, when there exists so obvious a discouragement to the outlay of capital and industry on land, (some of which with us would be called good, but here is esteemed not worth cultivation,) as tithes:—a man does not care to devote his capital and his sweat to a priest.—Editor.
[89]It is very extraordinary that English writers should constantly torture themselves to discover the causes of the enormous poor-rates, and of the more and more artificial and threatening state of the working classes, when there exists so obvious a discouragement to the outlay of capital and industry on land, (some of which with us would be called good, but here is esteemed not worth cultivation,) as tithes:—a man does not care to devote his capital and his sweat to a priest.—Editor.
[90]Hauslichkeit.We have not the word—unhappily.—Transl.
[90]Hauslichkeit.We have not the word—unhappily.—Transl.
[91]The curious in such matters may find some amusement in the inquiry, whether or not there exists in England one drop ofstiftfähiges blut—of that sort, namely, common throughout Germany, which can prove its seventy-two quarterings.—Transl.
[91]The curious in such matters may find some amusement in the inquiry, whether or not there exists in England one drop ofstiftfähiges blut—of that sort, namely, common throughout Germany, which can prove its seventy-two quarterings.—Transl.
[92]Certainly the motto of the Paris Society, ‘Aide-toi, le ciel t’aidera,’ has never been carried so far ‘in praxi.’—Editor.
[92]Certainly the motto of the Paris Society, ‘Aide-toi, le ciel t’aidera,’ has never been carried so far ‘in praxi.’—Editor.
[93]It is one of the greatest beauties of English landscape, that during the whole winter almost every house is adorned with the luxuriant blossoms and garlands of the monthly rose.
[93]It is one of the greatest beauties of English landscape, that during the whole winter almost every house is adorned with the luxuriant blossoms and garlands of the monthly rose.
[94]Count Brühl is inspector of Theatres at Berlin, and in virtue of that office exercisessurveillanceover the costumes, on the correctness of which he piques himself.—Transl.
[94]Count Brühl is inspector of Theatres at Berlin, and in virtue of that office exercisessurveillanceover the costumes, on the correctness of which he piques himself.—Transl.
[95]Where the contrary is not specified, the reader will understand English miles, four and a half of which go to a German mile.—Editor.
[95]Where the contrary is not specified, the reader will understand English miles, four and a half of which go to a German mile.—Editor.
[96]Inexpressiblesis the name which this article of dress has received in England, where “in good society” a woman sometimes leaves her husband and children and runs off with her lover, but is always too decorous to be able to endure the sound of the wordbreeches.—Editor.
[96]Inexpressiblesis the name which this article of dress has received in England, where “in good society” a woman sometimes leaves her husband and children and runs off with her lover, but is always too decorous to be able to endure the sound of the wordbreeches.—Editor.
[97]A mountain spirit. See Musaus’s Popular Tales.—Transl.
[97]A mountain spirit. See Musaus’s Popular Tales.—Transl.
[98]By S——, the author apparently means Berlin.—Transl.
[98]By S——, the author apparently means Berlin.—Transl.
[99]In every nation the post ought to be extra-post. Many people indeed regret that the greater part of the State-machine is not driven by it. This might give it a jog, and put an end to the halt which it has made for half a century.—Editor.
[99]In every nation the post ought to be extra-post. Many people indeed regret that the greater part of the State-machine is not driven by it. This might give it a jog, and put an end to the halt which it has made for half a century.—Editor.
[100]The English reader must be told, what to him will sound strangely enough, that “Wohlgeboren” is a higher title than “Edelgeboren.”—Translator.
[100]The English reader must be told, what to him will sound strangely enough, that “Wohlgeboren” is a higher title than “Edelgeboren.”—Translator.
[101]I am acquainted with other qualities of this ‘artiste,’ which would do honour to many of the ‘industriel’ noblemen of our time. For instance, he sends in his bill only once in five years, and is the most magnanimous of creditors. ‘Avis aux lecteurs.’
[101]I am acquainted with other qualities of this ‘artiste,’ which would do honour to many of the ‘industriel’ noblemen of our time. For instance, he sends in his bill only once in five years, and is the most magnanimous of creditors. ‘Avis aux lecteurs.’
[102]N. B. When the nobility is fitly constituted; that is to say, when it is a true national nobility, such as England in part possesses, or such as Gravell well describes in his “Regent.”—Editor.
[102]N. B. When the nobility is fitly constituted; that is to say, when it is a true national nobility, such as England in part possesses, or such as Gravell well describes in his “Regent.”—Editor.
[103]My departed friend doubtless means to apply this to a certain class of functionaries, who, for good reasons, love nothing so well as mediocrity; for if I guess the scene aright, no where is merit more nobly honoured in the highest places. Of this the whole nation recently saw a most gratifying example in the affectionate respect paid to a revered statesman, whose merits are as exalted as his station. If there is a man who doubts of the former, it can be no other than himself.—Editor.
[103]My departed friend doubtless means to apply this to a certain class of functionaries, who, for good reasons, love nothing so well as mediocrity; for if I guess the scene aright, no where is merit more nobly honoured in the highest places. Of this the whole nation recently saw a most gratifying example in the affectionate respect paid to a revered statesman, whose merits are as exalted as his station. If there is a man who doubts of the former, it can be no other than himself.—Editor.
[104]If I were not certain that my friend wrote this passage in the year 1827, I should take it to be a reminiscence of President Jackson’s first speech. The President proposes that all the public officers of the United States (with very few exceptions) be changed every fifth year. “Eheu jam satis!” What would ourRegiérungs Räthe(Government counsellors) say to such a scheme? Entire general commissions broken up, in the fullest sense of the word, at a blow! For who knows whether, at the end of five years, they would be thought worth the money they cost, and renewed at all?—Editor.
[104]If I were not certain that my friend wrote this passage in the year 1827, I should take it to be a reminiscence of President Jackson’s first speech. The President proposes that all the public officers of the United States (with very few exceptions) be changed every fifth year. “Eheu jam satis!” What would ourRegiérungs Räthe(Government counsellors) say to such a scheme? Entire general commissions broken up, in the fullest sense of the word, at a blow! For who knows whether, at the end of five years, they would be thought worth the money they cost, and renewed at all?—Editor.
[105]Privy counsellors who have any functions, are distinguished from those who have none, by the addition to their title ofwirklicher(real, actual).—Transl.
[105]Privy counsellors who have any functions, are distinguished from those who have none, by the addition to their title ofwirklicher(real, actual).—Transl.
[106]The intention of this law was noble and liberal, though it cut the knot rather roughly. But how has it been executed? A book might be written,oughtto be written, on this subject. The execution of this business is precisely in the style of a certain Herr von Wanze, who, in the disguise of a farmer, taught the opulent peasant Pharao at Kirmesse.{*}{*} village festival.—Transl.“You put down your money,” said he, “and I deal the cards right and left. What falls to the left I win; what falls to the right you lose.”—Editor.
[106]The intention of this law was noble and liberal, though it cut the knot rather roughly. But how has it been executed? A book might be written,oughtto be written, on this subject. The execution of this business is precisely in the style of a certain Herr von Wanze, who, in the disguise of a farmer, taught the opulent peasant Pharao at Kirmesse.{*}
{*} village festival.—Transl.
{*} village festival.—Transl.
{*} village festival.—Transl.
“You put down your money,” said he, “and I deal the cards right and left. What falls to the left I win; what falls to the right you lose.”—Editor.
[107]It is but fair, however, to say that the exceptions to this description are many. When for instance Göthe does not disdain to send forth “a man of forty” among the minors; when Tieck takes pity upon us, and gives us areal genuine “Novelle”; L. Shefer moves our heart and spirit by his wild lightnings; Kruse makes a criminal trial graceful and attractive; or some Therese, Friederike, &c. discloses the otherwise impenetrable mysteries of the female heart (not to mention the varied merits of our other best tale-writers);—it is evident that there are workmen who could supply excellent and perfect wares it the whole manufacture were not spoiled by the established machinery.—Editor.
[107]It is but fair, however, to say that the exceptions to this description are many. When for instance Göthe does not disdain to send forth “a man of forty” among the minors; when Tieck takes pity upon us, and gives us areal genuine “Novelle”; L. Shefer moves our heart and spirit by his wild lightnings; Kruse makes a criminal trial graceful and attractive; or some Therese, Friederike, &c. discloses the otherwise impenetrable mysteries of the female heart (not to mention the varied merits of our other best tale-writers);—it is evident that there are workmen who could supply excellent and perfect wares it the whole manufacture were not spoiled by the established machinery.—Editor.
[108]It is but fair, however, to say that the exceptions to this description are many. When for instance Göthe does not disdain to send forth “a man of forty” among the minors; when Tieck takes pity upon us, and gives us areal genuine “Novelle”; L. Shefer moves our heart and spirit by his wild lightnings; Kruse makes a criminal trial graceful and attractive; or some Therese, Friederike, &c. discloses the otherwise impenetrable mysteries of the female heart (not to mention the varied merits of our other best tale-writers);—it is evident that there are workmen who could supply excellent and perfect wares it the whole manufacture were not spoiled by the established machinery.—Editor.
[108]It is but fair, however, to say that the exceptions to this description are many. When for instance Göthe does not disdain to send forth “a man of forty” among the minors; when Tieck takes pity upon us, and gives us areal genuine “Novelle”; L. Shefer moves our heart and spirit by his wild lightnings; Kruse makes a criminal trial graceful and attractive; or some Therese, Friederike, &c. discloses the otherwise impenetrable mysteries of the female heart (not to mention the varied merits of our other best tale-writers);—it is evident that there are workmen who could supply excellent and perfect wares it the whole manufacture were not spoiled by the established machinery.—Editor.
[109]It is only in English that the wordartistis absurdly restricted to painters, sculptors, and engravers. An artist is, in the German sense, a man who cultivates the fine arts,—poetry, painting, music, &c.—Transl.
[109]It is only in English that the wordartistis absurdly restricted to painters, sculptors, and engravers. An artist is, in the German sense, a man who cultivates the fine arts,—poetry, painting, music, &c.—Transl.
[110]This pendulum may be used by acute servants as a sort of thermo- or hygro-meter of the patience of their respective masters and mistresses.—Editor.
[110]This pendulum may be used by acute servants as a sort of thermo- or hygro-meter of the patience of their respective masters and mistresses.—Editor.
[111]The inhabitants themselves cannot perfectly decide which termination is the right.{*}{*} This is a joke which will be understood only by those who are acquainted with the peculiarities of the Berlin dialect. The inhabitants continually confound verbs which govern the dativemir(to me,) with those which require the accusativemich(me); for which they are much laughed at by the rest of Germany. The first syllable of course alludes to the sandy plain in which Berlin stands.—Transl.
[111]The inhabitants themselves cannot perfectly decide which termination is the right.{*}
{*} This is a joke which will be understood only by those who are acquainted with the peculiarities of the Berlin dialect. The inhabitants continually confound verbs which govern the dativemir(to me,) with those which require the accusativemich(me); for which they are much laughed at by the rest of Germany. The first syllable of course alludes to the sandy plain in which Berlin stands.—Transl.
{*} This is a joke which will be understood only by those who are acquainted with the peculiarities of the Berlin dialect. The inhabitants continually confound verbs which govern the dativemir(to me,) with those which require the accusativemich(me); for which they are much laughed at by the rest of Germany. The first syllable of course alludes to the sandy plain in which Berlin stands.—Transl.
[112]N.B. Not to forget to ask our learned Professor Blindemann what he thinks of this interpretation.
[112]N.B. Not to forget to ask our learned Professor Blindemann what he thinks of this interpretation.
[113]Among others, to the Commissioners of the Elbe Navigation, who have just made such a noble end of their labours, and have all received Orders for the same. I wonder whether Providence also will bestow an Order on me?
[113]Among others, to the Commissioners of the Elbe Navigation, who have just made such a noble end of their labours, and have all received Orders for the same. I wonder whether Providence also will bestow an Order on me?
[114]To add a word in earnest: I would ask, who does not honour the humane motives which gave rise to the Bible and Missionary societies? But are these, even were they not subject, as unfortunately too often happens, to the most scandalous abuses, the right means to the end? The result in almost every case teaches us the direct contrary. It ought to be considered that God sent Christianity as thesecondcovenant; thefirstwas based entirely uponearthlyinterests anddespotic power.If I did not fear to appear to treat the matter too lightly, I should almost be inclined to say that we ought to begin by converting savages into Jews, before we attempt to make them Christians. This would also harmonize in a peculiar way with that powerful lever, commercial interest. Men would be civilized much more quickly by the business of buying and selling, than by Paul’s Epistles to the Corinthians.This might also serve as an index or guide; and the conformity of such a course with the laws of nature would be proved by repeated experience, wherever the same process were to be gone through. To try to make men Christians who are in so low a state of civilization as the almost merely animal inhabitants of parts of Africa, appears to me nearly as unreasonable as to send teachers of the European languages to the apes. To this stage of human culture two things are applicable, self-interest, and force beneficently employed: and in this point of view, even conversions by the sword are not so injudicious and absurd as those by Bible Societies; always provided, that they are accomplished without unnecessary cruelty, and undertaken from truly benevolent motives.{*}{*} It cannot be denied that the most efficient attempts at conversion, and those which left the most permanent consequences, were those of Charlemagne, and of the Spaniards in South America. It was only a pity that the Spaniards forced their own idolatry upon men who were, in fact, better Christians than themselves.(It is assumed, be it observed, that we have a vocation and a right to endeavour to raise people to our state of civilization without any will of theirs; but this we shall not discuss here.)The other method, namely, to work upon savages by their own present and obvious interest, can be accomplished only by trade, and appears to be the most just and mild of all; but it must also be accompanied by a certain degree of compulsion and constraint, to produce any rapid and permanent results. The worst effect of the attempts to hasten on the universality of Christianity is doubtless this; that as soon as the savage comes in collision with Christians, they must perceive that the latter,—whether governments, corporations, or individuals—while they preach benevolence, do in fact, in almost every case, act hostilely both to each other and to them. Their simple understandings, which are not rectified by higher culture, can in no way reconcile this contradiction. And as they, like children, take in little of a new faith but the mythos, it is not much to be wondered at if the liberals or free-thinkers among them exclaim, “Fable for fable, murder for murder, slave-dealing for slave-dealing, where is the difference?” Had the Christian powersreallyabolished the slave-trade, and destroyed the nest of robbers which, to the shame of Europe, still exist on the coast of Africa; had England, instead of sending one solitary traveller after another (men who made themselves ridiculous and contemptible by displaying their Anglo-Christian arrogance without the means of supporting it,) to be assassinated by the natives, or to die of the climate,—sent into the interior an expedition fitted to command respect, and seasoned by previous residence on the coast;—had this expedition been so constituted as, by its dignity and by beneficent compulsion, to give a more humane character to trade; and had it sought to remove all obstacles to this object, even were it sometimes by force of arms;—it is indubitable that a great part of Africa would at this moment be infinitely more civilized than it will be by centuries of missions and Bible importations. Some may ask, ‘A quoi bon tout cela?’ others, what right have we to meddle in other people’s affairs? The answer to these questions would lead us too far. For my own part, I confess I so far agree with the Jesuits, that I acknowledge that a noble end,—that is, a project calculated for the greatest possible advantage of others, and united with the power of carrying it into effect,—sanctifies all appropriate means which are, in the same sense, noble, so far at least as open force is concerned; for deceit, treachery, and dishonesty can never lead to good.—Edit.
[114]To add a word in earnest: I would ask, who does not honour the humane motives which gave rise to the Bible and Missionary societies? But are these, even were they not subject, as unfortunately too often happens, to the most scandalous abuses, the right means to the end? The result in almost every case teaches us the direct contrary. It ought to be considered that God sent Christianity as thesecondcovenant; thefirstwas based entirely uponearthlyinterests anddespotic power.
If I did not fear to appear to treat the matter too lightly, I should almost be inclined to say that we ought to begin by converting savages into Jews, before we attempt to make them Christians. This would also harmonize in a peculiar way with that powerful lever, commercial interest. Men would be civilized much more quickly by the business of buying and selling, than by Paul’s Epistles to the Corinthians.
This might also serve as an index or guide; and the conformity of such a course with the laws of nature would be proved by repeated experience, wherever the same process were to be gone through. To try to make men Christians who are in so low a state of civilization as the almost merely animal inhabitants of parts of Africa, appears to me nearly as unreasonable as to send teachers of the European languages to the apes. To this stage of human culture two things are applicable, self-interest, and force beneficently employed: and in this point of view, even conversions by the sword are not so injudicious and absurd as those by Bible Societies; always provided, that they are accomplished without unnecessary cruelty, and undertaken from truly benevolent motives.{*}
{*} It cannot be denied that the most efficient attempts at conversion, and those which left the most permanent consequences, were those of Charlemagne, and of the Spaniards in South America. It was only a pity that the Spaniards forced their own idolatry upon men who were, in fact, better Christians than themselves.
{*} It cannot be denied that the most efficient attempts at conversion, and those which left the most permanent consequences, were those of Charlemagne, and of the Spaniards in South America. It was only a pity that the Spaniards forced their own idolatry upon men who were, in fact, better Christians than themselves.
(It is assumed, be it observed, that we have a vocation and a right to endeavour to raise people to our state of civilization without any will of theirs; but this we shall not discuss here.)
The other method, namely, to work upon savages by their own present and obvious interest, can be accomplished only by trade, and appears to be the most just and mild of all; but it must also be accompanied by a certain degree of compulsion and constraint, to produce any rapid and permanent results. The worst effect of the attempts to hasten on the universality of Christianity is doubtless this; that as soon as the savage comes in collision with Christians, they must perceive that the latter,—whether governments, corporations, or individuals—while they preach benevolence, do in fact, in almost every case, act hostilely both to each other and to them. Their simple understandings, which are not rectified by higher culture, can in no way reconcile this contradiction. And as they, like children, take in little of a new faith but the mythos, it is not much to be wondered at if the liberals or free-thinkers among them exclaim, “Fable for fable, murder for murder, slave-dealing for slave-dealing, where is the difference?” Had the Christian powersreallyabolished the slave-trade, and destroyed the nest of robbers which, to the shame of Europe, still exist on the coast of Africa; had England, instead of sending one solitary traveller after another (men who made themselves ridiculous and contemptible by displaying their Anglo-Christian arrogance without the means of supporting it,) to be assassinated by the natives, or to die of the climate,—sent into the interior an expedition fitted to command respect, and seasoned by previous residence on the coast;—had this expedition been so constituted as, by its dignity and by beneficent compulsion, to give a more humane character to trade; and had it sought to remove all obstacles to this object, even were it sometimes by force of arms;—it is indubitable that a great part of Africa would at this moment be infinitely more civilized than it will be by centuries of missions and Bible importations. Some may ask, ‘A quoi bon tout cela?’ others, what right have we to meddle in other people’s affairs? The answer to these questions would lead us too far. For my own part, I confess I so far agree with the Jesuits, that I acknowledge that a noble end,—that is, a project calculated for the greatest possible advantage of others, and united with the power of carrying it into effect,—sanctifies all appropriate means which are, in the same sense, noble, so far at least as open force is concerned; for deceit, treachery, and dishonesty can never lead to good.—Edit.
[115]In German all substantives begin with a capital letter.—Transl.
[115]In German all substantives begin with a capital letter.—Transl.
[116]A fictitious name, which might be Englished, Mr. Cant.—Transl.
[116]A fictitious name, which might be Englished, Mr. Cant.—Transl.
[117]It is a great mistake to think that this is a subject only for ridicule or for rational indignation. The alliance of the so-calledSAINTS, is not without danger to all men of large and liberal opinions. There is a fermentation of Jesuitical masses, who avail themselves of the form of Protestantism, because Catholicism will no longer answer their purpose. They are guided by the same principles to which the Jesuits owed their power, governed by the same ‘esprit de corps,’ constituted according to a like regular organization; instead of the ‘aquetta,’ indeed, they use, and with signal success, the ten times more formidable poison of calumny, which, like other instruments of darkness, is so easily employed by a secret association.—Germany has much more to dread from suchsaints, than from the dreams of freedom, promulgated by a set of enthusiastic young students on the Wartburg.—Edit.
[117]It is a great mistake to think that this is a subject only for ridicule or for rational indignation. The alliance of the so-calledSAINTS, is not without danger to all men of large and liberal opinions. There is a fermentation of Jesuitical masses, who avail themselves of the form of Protestantism, because Catholicism will no longer answer their purpose. They are guided by the same principles to which the Jesuits owed their power, governed by the same ‘esprit de corps,’ constituted according to a like regular organization; instead of the ‘aquetta,’ indeed, they use, and with signal success, the ten times more formidable poison of calumny, which, like other instruments of darkness, is so easily employed by a secret association.—Germany has much more to dread from suchsaints, than from the dreams of freedom, promulgated by a set of enthusiastic young students on the Wartburg.—Edit.
[118]Wappenvögel(armorial-birds,) an expression which appears affected in English, though the passage is unintelligible without it.—Transl.
[118]Wappenvögel(armorial-birds,) an expression which appears affected in English, though the passage is unintelligible without it.—Transl.
[119]A warning to all makers of puns andjeu de motsto know their tools. Our author probably is still in blissful ignorance of theiwhich spoils his joke.—Trans.
[119]A warning to all makers of puns andjeu de motsto know their tools. Our author probably is still in blissful ignorance of theiwhich spoils his joke.—Trans.
[120]“To come out,” as applied to young girls in England, means to go into the world. Parents sometimes let them wait for this happiness till they are twenty, or even older. Till then, they learn the world only from novels; in later life they consequently often act upon them, where the principles of domestic virtue (for there is such a thing now and then in England) have not been deeply and firmly laid.—Editor.
[120]“To come out,” as applied to young girls in England, means to go into the world. Parents sometimes let them wait for this happiness till they are twenty, or even older. Till then, they learn the world only from novels; in later life they consequently often act upon them, where the principles of domestic virtue (for there is such a thing now and then in England) have not been deeply and firmly laid.—Editor.
[121]Nothing can be more ridiculous than the declamation of German writers concerning the poverty which reigns in England; where, according to them, there are only a few enormously rich, and crowds of extremely indigent. It is precisely the extraordinary number of people of competent fortune, and the ease with which the poorest can earn, not only what is strictly necessary, but even some luxuries, if he chooses to work vigorously, which make England independent and happy. One must not indeed repeat after the Opposition newspapers.
[121]Nothing can be more ridiculous than the declamation of German writers concerning the poverty which reigns in England; where, according to them, there are only a few enormously rich, and crowds of extremely indigent. It is precisely the extraordinary number of people of competent fortune, and the ease with which the poorest can earn, not only what is strictly necessary, but even some luxuries, if he chooses to work vigorously, which make England independent and happy. One must not indeed repeat after the Opposition newspapers.
[122]Probably presented by Macpherson himself.—Editor.
[122]Probably presented by Macpherson himself.—Editor.
[123]The common people in England put the knife as well as the fork to their mouths. The higher classes, on the contrary, regard this as the true sin against the Holy Ghost, and cross themselves internally when they see a foreign Ambassador now and then eat so;—it is an affront to the whole nation.
[123]The common people in England put the knife as well as the fork to their mouths. The higher classes, on the contrary, regard this as the true sin against the Holy Ghost, and cross themselves internally when they see a foreign Ambassador now and then eat so;—it is an affront to the whole nation.
[124]In a more loose and general sense, every man of respectable appearance is called a gentleman.
[124]In a more loose and general sense, every man of respectable appearance is called a gentleman.
[125]This has nothing to do with morality, only with ‘scandale.’
[125]This has nothing to do with morality, only with ‘scandale.’
[126]So the Irish delight to call him, proud of his ‘landsmannschaft(countrymanship).
[126]So the Irish delight to call him, proud of his ‘landsmannschaft(countrymanship).
[127]This is no exaggeration. I have heard such things here, proved by legal evidence, and seen such misery as never were witnessed in the times of villanage in Germany, and are hardly to be paralleled in countries where slavery now prevails.—Editor.
[127]This is no exaggeration. I have heard such things here, proved by legal evidence, and seen such misery as never were witnessed in the times of villanage in Germany, and are hardly to be paralleled in countries where slavery now prevails.—Editor.
[128]I have often had occasion to remark, that the love of music in England is a mere affair of fashion. There is no nation in Europe which plays music better or understands it worse.
[128]I have often had occasion to remark, that the love of music in England is a mere affair of fashion. There is no nation in Europe which plays music better or understands it worse.
[129]“Böhmische Dörfer.” Thejeu de motsis inevitably lost.—Transl.
[129]“Böhmische Dörfer.” Thejeu de motsis inevitably lost.—Transl.
[130]An excellent dish! the receipt,vivâ voce.
[130]An excellent dish! the receipt,vivâ voce.
[131]Eligible to certain chapters and ecclesiastical orders, to which none could be admitted who could not prove their seventy-two quarterings.—Transl.
[131]Eligible to certain chapters and ecclesiastical orders, to which none could be admitted who could not prove their seventy-two quarterings.—Transl.
[132]The maître d’hotel who lately published Memoirs of Napoleon, vindicates the Emperor from this reproach with indignation. His memoirs are certainly most flattering to that great man, for they prove ‘qu’il est resté héros même pour son valet de chambre.’—Edit.
[132]The maître d’hotel who lately published Memoirs of Napoleon, vindicates the Emperor from this reproach with indignation. His memoirs are certainly most flattering to that great man, for they prove ‘qu’il est resté héros même pour son valet de chambre.’—Edit.
[133]Poetry and Truth,—the title of Göthe’s auto-biographical work.
[133]Poetry and Truth,—the title of Göthe’s auto-biographical work.
[134]“I purpose to take a long sleep.”
[134]“I purpose to take a long sleep.”
[135]All the Catholic children in Ireland are carefully instructed, and can at least read; while the Protestant are often utterly ignorant. The morals of the Catholic priesthood in Ireland are every where exemplary, as were those of the Reformers in France. The oppressed Church is every where the most virtuous; the causes of which are easily found.—Editor.
[135]All the Catholic children in Ireland are carefully instructed, and can at least read; while the Protestant are often utterly ignorant. The morals of the Catholic priesthood in Ireland are every where exemplary, as were those of the Reformers in France. The oppressed Church is every where the most virtuous; the causes of which are easily found.—Editor.
[136]The wish of my departed friend is already in part fulfilled, and the future is big with yet greater changes.—Editor.
[136]The wish of my departed friend is already in part fulfilled, and the future is big with yet greater changes.—Editor.
[137]The translation of the title of the book is of a piece with all the rest.Leidendoes not meansorrows, butsufferings.—Trans.
[137]The translation of the title of the book is of a piece with all the rest.Leidendoes not meansorrows, butsufferings.—Trans.
[138]‘Sportsman’—‘sport’—are as untranslatable as ‘Gentleman.’ It is by no means a mere hunter or shooter; but a man who follows all amusements of that and the cognate kinds, with ardour and address. Boxing, horse-racing, duck-shooting, fox-hunting, cock-fighting, are all ‘sport.’—Editor.
[138]‘Sportsman’—‘sport’—are as untranslatable as ‘Gentleman.’ It is by no means a mere hunter or shooter; but a man who follows all amusements of that and the cognate kinds, with ardour and address. Boxing, horse-racing, duck-shooting, fox-hunting, cock-fighting, are all ‘sport.’—Editor.
[139]Nothing important or solemn can go on in England without a dinner; be it religious, political, literary, or of what kind it may.—Ed.
[139]Nothing important or solemn can go on in England without a dinner; be it religious, political, literary, or of what kind it may.—Ed.
[140]These disabilities have, as is universally known, been since removed.—Editor.
[140]These disabilities have, as is universally known, been since removed.—Editor.
[141]A piece of the true cross was kept here, and gave its name to the monastery. Every separate building, was, for this reason, ornamented with a lofty cross of stone, of which only one is preserved.—Editor.
[141]A piece of the true cross was kept here, and gave its name to the monastery. Every separate building, was, for this reason, ornamented with a lofty cross of stone, of which only one is preserved.—Editor.
[142]A Moor, who was a very enlightened man for his country, and resided a long time in England, said to Captain L——, “I should not like to serve so powerless a monarch as the King of England. How different a feeling it gives one to be the servant of a sovereign who is the image of God’s omnipotence on earth, at whose nod a thousand heads must fly like chaff before the wind!”—‘Il ne faut donc pas disputer des goûts.’
[142]A Moor, who was a very enlightened man for his country, and resided a long time in England, said to Captain L——, “I should not like to serve so powerless a monarch as the King of England. How different a feeling it gives one to be the servant of a sovereign who is the image of God’s omnipotence on earth, at whose nod a thousand heads must fly like chaff before the wind!”—‘Il ne faut donc pas disputer des goûts.’
[143]‘Your Grace’ is the title of Protestant archbishops in England, and is given by all well-bred people, by courtesy, also to the Catholic archbishops, although the English law does not recognise their rank.
[143]‘Your Grace’ is the title of Protestant archbishops in England, and is given by all well-bred people, by courtesy, also to the Catholic archbishops, although the English law does not recognise their rank.
[144]These, as my departed friend often declared, were remarkably well prepared in Ireland. They consist of poultry boiled dry, with Cayenne pepper, or served with a most burning and pungent sauce.—Editor, (addressed to gourmands.)
[144]These, as my departed friend often declared, were remarkably well prepared in Ireland. They consist of poultry boiled dry, with Cayenne pepper, or served with a most burning and pungent sauce.—Editor, (addressed to gourmands.)
[145]The sky is changed!—and such a change! Oh night,And storm, and darkness, ye are wondrous strong,Yet lovely in your strength, as is the lightOf a dark eye in woman! Far along,From peak to peak, the rattling crags amongLeaps the live thunder! Not from one lone cloud,But every mountain now hath found a tongue,And Jura answers, through her misty shroud,Back to the joyous Alps, who call to her aloud!And this is in the night:—Most glorious night!Thou wert not sent for slumber! let me beA sharer in thy fierce and far delight,—A portion of the tempest and of thee!How the lit lake shines, a phosphoric sea,And the big rain comes dancing to the earth!And now again ’tis black,—and now, the gleeOf the loud hills shakes with its mountain-mirth,As if they did rejoice o’er a young earthquake’s birth.
[145]
The sky is changed!—and such a change! Oh night,And storm, and darkness, ye are wondrous strong,Yet lovely in your strength, as is the lightOf a dark eye in woman! Far along,From peak to peak, the rattling crags amongLeaps the live thunder! Not from one lone cloud,But every mountain now hath found a tongue,And Jura answers, through her misty shroud,Back to the joyous Alps, who call to her aloud!And this is in the night:—Most glorious night!Thou wert not sent for slumber! let me beA sharer in thy fierce and far delight,—A portion of the tempest and of thee!How the lit lake shines, a phosphoric sea,And the big rain comes dancing to the earth!And now again ’tis black,—and now, the gleeOf the loud hills shakes with its mountain-mirth,As if they did rejoice o’er a young earthquake’s birth.
The sky is changed!—and such a change! Oh night,And storm, and darkness, ye are wondrous strong,Yet lovely in your strength, as is the lightOf a dark eye in woman! Far along,From peak to peak, the rattling crags amongLeaps the live thunder! Not from one lone cloud,But every mountain now hath found a tongue,And Jura answers, through her misty shroud,Back to the joyous Alps, who call to her aloud!And this is in the night:—Most glorious night!Thou wert not sent for slumber! let me beA sharer in thy fierce and far delight,—A portion of the tempest and of thee!How the lit lake shines, a phosphoric sea,And the big rain comes dancing to the earth!And now again ’tis black,—and now, the gleeOf the loud hills shakes with its mountain-mirth,As if they did rejoice o’er a young earthquake’s birth.
The sky is changed!—and such a change! Oh night,And storm, and darkness, ye are wondrous strong,Yet lovely in your strength, as is the lightOf a dark eye in woman! Far along,From peak to peak, the rattling crags amongLeaps the live thunder! Not from one lone cloud,But every mountain now hath found a tongue,And Jura answers, through her misty shroud,Back to the joyous Alps, who call to her aloud!
And this is in the night:—Most glorious night!Thou wert not sent for slumber! let me beA sharer in thy fierce and far delight,—A portion of the tempest and of thee!How the lit lake shines, a phosphoric sea,And the big rain comes dancing to the earth!And now again ’tis black,—and now, the gleeOf the loud hills shakes with its mountain-mirth,As if they did rejoice o’er a young earthquake’s birth.
[146]Much has lately been done towards improving, I might say humanizing, the music in the churches in Prussia; and the influence of this improvement on the congregations have been universally found to be very beneficial.—Editor.
[146]Much has lately been done towards improving, I might say humanizing, the music in the churches in Prussia; and the influence of this improvement on the congregations have been universally found to be very beneficial.—Editor.
[147]Nothing can be a more astonishing proof of the difficulty of comparing the moral and intellectual character of two countries than this remark. Every Englishman accustomed to the cultivated society of his own country, must be struck by the extraordinary inferiority of German female education, in proportion to the high superiority of that of men. The solution is probably this:—The Author was chiefly confined to fashionable society here, and mixed little with the more instructed classes. In Germany, it is precisely the women of the middling classes who are so lamentably deficient in education,—a defect, of course, there as every where attributable to those who govern their destiny, and who profess sentiments even more unworthy than those here attributed to Englishmen. The motive ascribed to the latter is surely more strong and more noble than the desire of possessing a thorough cook or a contented drudge.—Trans.
[147]Nothing can be a more astonishing proof of the difficulty of comparing the moral and intellectual character of two countries than this remark. Every Englishman accustomed to the cultivated society of his own country, must be struck by the extraordinary inferiority of German female education, in proportion to the high superiority of that of men. The solution is probably this:—The Author was chiefly confined to fashionable society here, and mixed little with the more instructed classes. In Germany, it is precisely the women of the middling classes who are so lamentably deficient in education,—a defect, of course, there as every where attributable to those who govern their destiny, and who profess sentiments even more unworthy than those here attributed to Englishmen. The motive ascribed to the latter is surely more strong and more noble than the desire of possessing a thorough cook or a contented drudge.—Trans.
[148]We ought perhaps to apologize for suffering this and other similar passages to be printed. But whoever has read thus far, must interest himself in some degree for or against the Author: and in either case these unrestrained judgments upon himself cannot be wholly unwelcome to the reader who likes what is characteristic. Those who like only facts, may easily pass them over.—Editor.
[148]We ought perhaps to apologize for suffering this and other similar passages to be printed. But whoever has read thus far, must interest himself in some degree for or against the Author: and in either case these unrestrained judgments upon himself cannot be wholly unwelcome to the reader who likes what is characteristic. Those who like only facts, may easily pass them over.—Editor.
[149]This is seldom to be met with in fashionable society, from the tyrannical demands of English education, which have a very wide influence in the three kingdoms. You observe, therefore, that I often confound English and Irish under one common name; I ought more properly to call them British.
[149]This is seldom to be met with in fashionable society, from the tyrannical demands of English education, which have a very wide influence in the three kingdoms. You observe, therefore, that I often confound English and Irish under one common name; I ought more properly to call them British.
[150]Even religion and morality do not reach all the intricate circumstances and cases which occur in human society:—witness that conventional honour which is frequently at war with both, and whose laws are yet obeyed by the best and wisest of men.
[150]Even religion and morality do not reach all the intricate circumstances and cases which occur in human society:—witness that conventional honour which is frequently at war with both, and whose laws are yet obeyed by the best and wisest of men.
[151]Nach ihrer Decke strecken.
[151]Nach ihrer Decke strecken.
[152]The German name for the system of gymnastics introduced by the celebrated Dr. Jahn, and mixed up, by the young men who cultivated them, with the political opinions designated by the governments as ‘Demagogic.’—Trans.
[152]The German name for the system of gymnastics introduced by the celebrated Dr. Jahn, and mixed up, by the young men who cultivated them, with the political opinions designated by the governments as ‘Demagogic.’—Trans.
[153]The Prussian Landwehr system also forms perfect soldiers, horse or foot, in two years.—Editor.
[153]The Prussian Landwehr system also forms perfect soldiers, horse or foot, in two years.—Editor.
[154]It is perhaps hardly worth remarking, that at the time in which eternal hell-fire was the most sincerely and generally believed in, morality was at the very lowest ebb, and the number of great crimes a thousandfold what it now is.—Editor.
[154]It is perhaps hardly worth remarking, that at the time in which eternal hell-fire was the most sincerely and generally believed in, morality was at the very lowest ebb, and the number of great crimes a thousandfold what it now is.—Editor.
[155]OurEilkutschenwill never approach the English stage-coaches till the post is entirely free, and till there is an equal competition of travellers: neither is to be expected.—Editor.
[155]OurEilkutschenwill never approach the English stage-coaches till the post is entirely free, and till there is an equal competition of travellers: neither is to be expected.—Editor.
[156]Few persons will agree with this position of the Author. If it be true, how doubly discreditable to English translators is the comparison of their performances with such translations as Voss’s Homer, Schleiermacher’s Plato, Schlegel’s Shakspeare and Calderon, &c. For any approach to these wonderful transfusions, where are we to look? At the abortive attempts at presenting to England any idea of Göthe?—Trans.
[156]Few persons will agree with this position of the Author. If it be true, how doubly discreditable to English translators is the comparison of their performances with such translations as Voss’s Homer, Schleiermacher’s Plato, Schlegel’s Shakspeare and Calderon, &c. For any approach to these wonderful transfusions, where are we to look? At the abortive attempts at presenting to England any idea of Göthe?—Trans.
[157]‘Popish mummery’ is the name given by English Protestants to the Catholic worship;—their own fully answers to the same description.—Editor.
[157]‘Popish mummery’ is the name given by English Protestants to the Catholic worship;—their own fully answers to the same description.—Editor.
[158]The decorated well-replenished table well set out in every family on Christmas eve.—Trans.
[158]The decorated well-replenished table well set out in every family on Christmas eve.—Trans.
[159]The description in detail is omitted, as familiar to the English reader.—Trans.
[159]The description in detail is omitted, as familiar to the English reader.—Trans.
[160]The letters alluded to belong to the first part, which see.—Editor.—(See Preface.)
[160]The letters alluded to belong to the first part, which see.—Editor.—(See Preface.)
[161]Ländlich, sittlich,—a German proverb, to which I do not recollect any corresponding English one.—Transl.
[161]Ländlich, sittlich,—a German proverb, to which I do not recollect any corresponding English one.—Transl.
[162]Thus should we ever regard, represent, and treat death. It is only a perverted view of Christianity (perhaps the Jewish groundwork of it), which has made death so gloomy, and with a coarse animal feeling, as unpoetical as it is disgusting, chosen skeletons and marks of decomposition as its emblems.—Editor.
[162]Thus should we ever regard, represent, and treat death. It is only a perverted view of Christianity (perhaps the Jewish groundwork of it), which has made death so gloomy, and with a coarse animal feeling, as unpoetical as it is disgusting, chosen skeletons and marks of decomposition as its emblems.—Editor.
[163]As Napoleon said of his own head: “Carrée, autant de base que de hauteur.”—Editor.
[163]As Napoleon said of his own head: “Carrée, autant de base que de hauteur.”—Editor.
[164]A countryman of August Wilhelm Schlegel ought to take shame to himself for the omission of the illustrious name of Flaxman, whose genius was cast in a mould far more purely, severely and elegantlyGreek, than that of any modern sculptor whatever.—Trans.
[164]A countryman of August Wilhelm Schlegel ought to take shame to himself for the omission of the illustrious name of Flaxman, whose genius was cast in a mould far more purely, severely and elegantlyGreek, than that of any modern sculptor whatever.—Trans.