CHAPTER VI.

SCHILLER'S LAST YEARS.

Goethe's mode of daily life.-His reception of visitors.-Bürger

and Heine.-Jean Paul Richter's description of Goethe.-Ibid.

of Schiller.-Friendship of Goethe and Schiller, and partizanship

of their respective admirers.-Kotzebue's unsuccessful efforts to

create a coolness between Goethe and Schiller.-Herder's

jealousy of Schiller.-The "Natürliche Tochter".-Madame de

Stael's visit to Weimar.-Illness of Goethe and Schiller.-

Schiller's death
263

CHAPTER VII.

FAUST.

Gradual development of "Faust", and progress of its composition.

-The problem of our intellectual existence, and picture of our

social existence.-Resemblance between "Faust" and "Hamlet".

-Twofold cause of the popularity of "Hamlet": intellectual

sublimity and dramatic variety.-Popularity and prodigality of

"Faust".-The "idea of "Faust"" not so important a study as

the "means" which produce the effect.-Analysis of the First

Part of "Faust".-The Theatre Prologue.-The Prologue in

Heaven.-Necessity for the two Prologues. First scene of

Faust in his study,-The scene before the gate.-Faust's study.

-Auerbach's cellar.-The witches' kitchen.-Meeting with Mar-

garet.-Wood and cavern.-The "Walpurgis Nacht".-Causes

of the early disappointment and after fascination of the readers

of "Faust".-Inadequacy of all translations of poetry.-

Analysis of Marlowe's "Faustus" and Calderon's "El Magico

Prodigioso".-Description of Maler Müller's play.-Coleridge's

criticisms on Goethe's "Faust" compared with Goethe's own

observations.-In"Faust", the problem stated but not solved 278

CHAPTER VIII.

THE LYRICAL POEMS.

Goethe's fame lessened by his wealth.-Perfection of his poetry

and occasional feebleness of his prose.-Witchery of his lyrics.

Sincerity of their style.-Simplicity and directness of the images.

-Story of the "Bride of Corinth".-" Gott und die Bajadere".-

The "Erl King"

-

341

Book the Seventh.

SUNSET.

1805 To 1832.

CHAPTER I.

THE BATTLE OF JENA.

Effect of Schiller's death on Goethe.-Visit of Jacobi.-Acquaint-

ance with Gall.-Appreciation of Phrenology.-Battle of Jena.—

Sacking of Weimar.-French soldiers in Goethe's house.-

Courage of the Duchess Luise.-Napoleon's intemperate rage

against Karl August.-Characteristic outburst of Goethe.-

Goethe's marriage
351

CHAPTER II.

BETTINA AND NAPOLEON.

Restoration of peace at Weimar.-Visit of Bettina.-Her character.

-True nature of her intercourse with Goethe.-Forbidden

Goethe's house.-Unauthenticity of the "Correspondence

proved by Riemer.-Napoleon at Erfurt.-His reception of Karl

August, Goethe, and Wieland.-Conversations of Napoleon

with Goethe. Goethe flattered by Napoleon's attentions.-

Beethoven's ostentatious independence, and Goethe's supposed

servility

360

CHAPTER III.

ELECTIVE AFFINITIES.

Goethe's passion for Minna Herzlieb.-" Die Wahlverwandt-

schaften."-Plot and character of the novel.-General criticisms.

-Marriage of Minna.-Death of Goethe's mother .

372

CHAPTER IV.

POLITICS AND RELIGION.

Goethe's acquaintance with Beethoven.-Death of Wieland.—

Struggle of Germany against Napoleon.-Goethe's indifference

in politics, but earnestness in art.-Accused of looking on life

only as an artist.-Accused of irreligion.-Changes in his reli-

gious opinions.-Opposition to dogmatic teachings.-Theosophy

and ethics.-Goethe's religion.-His system of morals.-Cha-

racter of his old age. His oriental studies.-The Westöstliche

Divan. Ovation at Frankfurt

382

CHAPTER V.

THE ACTIVITY OF AGE.

Publication of the "Kunst und Alterthum".-His growing tend-

ency towards mysticism.-Visit of Werther's Charlotte.-Death of

his wife, Christiane.-Marriage of his son with Ottilie von Pog-

wisch.-Anecdote of Goethe's enlargement of the Jena library.-

Quarrel with the Landtag concerning the accounts of the com-

mission for art and science.-Charged with stealing an ingot of

gold.-Story of Döbereiner and the bar of platinum.-Story of

the hundred engravings borrowed from Knebel.-Miscellaneous

literary labours." Wilhelm Meister's Wanderjahre."- Cha-

racter of the work.-Eckermann's account of its extension.-

Opposition to it in Germany.-Spread of Goethe's fame in Italy,

England, and France.-Vitality of his old age.-His passion for

Fräulein von Lewezow.-Celebration of his jubilee at Weimar.-

Protection of his copyright throughout Germany.-Death of

Karl August.-Effect on Goethe
401

CHAPTER VI.

SECOND PART OF FAUST.

Embarrassment in expressing a faithful opinion.-Comparison of

the impression produced by "Faust" and the "Second Part".-

Character of the "Second Part".-Symbolism in art must be

intrinsically beautiful and interesting, as well as significant.-

The "Second Part of Faust" a failure.-Analysis and cri-

ticisms

423

CHAPTER VII.

THE CLOSING SCENES.

Goethe in his eighty-first year.-Revolution of July, and contest

between Cuvier and St. Hilaire.-Importance of the doctrine of

unity of composition in the animal kingdom recognized by

Goethe and George Sand.-Death of Goethe's only son.-Tri-

bute to Goethe from fifteen Englishmen.-Thackeray's residence

at Weimar, and interview with Goethe.-Goethe's activity in his

old age. Signs of decay.-Death
436

BOOK THE FIFTH.

CRYSTALS.

1779 to 1793.

"Wenn sich der Most auch ganz absurd gebärdet,
Es giebt zuletzt doch noch 'n Wein."

"Von jener Macht, die alle Wesen bindet

Befreit der Mensch sich der sich überwindet."

"Postquam me experientia docuit, omnia, quæ in communi vita frequenter occurrunt, vana et futilia esse; quum viderem omnia, a quibus et quæ timebam, nihil neque boni neque mali in se habere, nisi quatenus ab iis animus movebatur: constitui tandem inquirere, an aliquid daretur quod verum bonum et sui communicabile esset, et a quo solo rejectis ceteris omnibus animus afficeretur; imo an aliquid daretur, quo invento et acquisito continua ac summa in æternum fuerer lætitia."

SPINOSA.

VOL IL

1