The Life and Works of Goethe

Studies Kant.-Studies in art and science.-His treatise on the "Meta-
morphoses of Plants".-Its cold reception.-Recognition of his la-
bours, by St. Hilaire.-General recognition of his discovery.-High
character of his botanical and anatomical studies.-Unfortunate stu-
dies in Optics.-Misunderstanding of Newton's theory.-Publication
of the "Beiträge zur Optik ".-Opposition to it.-Goethe's obstinacy
and irritability.-His "Theory of Colours ".-Anecdote in illustration
of the blueness of darkness.-Goethe's explanation of the phenomena
of refraction.-Source of his mistake in his rejection of every ma-
thematical explanation.-Efforts to supply the place of experiment
and mathematics by observation and reason.-Native direction of his
mind towards the concrete phenomena, not towards abstractions.-
Nowhere attempts a refutation of Newton.-His success in the or-
ganic sciences. Not a metaphysician, but a thinker on the à priori
method.-Review of his discovery of the intermaxillary bone.-Em-
ployment of the comparative method.-The doctrine of morphology.
-The vertebral theory, and theory of plants.-Metamorphosis.-
Subsequent limitation of the theory of metamorphosis by the cell-
theory. Goethe's creation of a type.-Comparison of Goethe's dis-
covery with Wolff's.-Goethe's hypothesis of elaborated sap opposed
to Wolff's hypothesis of deficient sap.-Law of vegetation and law
of reproduction clearly seen by Goethe.-Objection to the morpho-
logical theory.-The notion of metamorphosis replaced by the notion
of substitution.-Goethe's efforts to create the science of philosophic
anatomy. The positive method.-Principle of development grasped
and applied by Goethe.-The Polyp.-Law of division of labour in
the animal organism clearly expressed in Goethe's formula.-Goethe's
"Introduction to Comparative Anatomy".-Typical structure.-Ex-

amination of Goethe's claim to the discovery of the vertebral theory

of the skull.-Goethe the originator of the idea, but Oken the dis-
coverer.-Oken's premature disclosure of Goethe's idea

CHAPTER XI.

THE CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE.

Goethe's second visit to Italy.-The Venetian Epigrams.-Return to

Weimar. Friday evenings. "Der Grosskophta". Invasion of

France for the restoration of Louis XVI.-Goethe accompanies the

army.-Utter want of interest in politics.-Opposed to the principles

of the Revolution, but without sympathy for the Royalists.-His

diary of the "Campaign in France"

-CHAPTER XII.

HOME ONCE AGAIN.

Goethe's return to Weimar.-His house in the Frauenplan.-The study,

the library, and the bedroom.-Friendship with Meyer.-The "Bür-

gergeneral".-The "Aufgeregten".-"Reineke Fuchs"

Book the Sixth.

FRIENDSHIP WITH SCHILLER.

Friendship of Goethe and Schiller.-Their profound dissimilarity.-Per-

sonal appearance of both.-Goethe the representative of Realism,

and Schiller the representative of Idealism.-Points of resemblance

between Goethe and Schiller.-Their mutual earnestness in art.-

poetry by Schiller.-Goethe's admiration for his rivals.-His praise

of Schiller. Shakspeare's silence about his rivals.-Indifference of

Weimar to the progress of the Revolution.-Contemporary state of

German literature.-"Die Horen" started by Schiller.-Beneficial

influence of Schiller on Goethe.-Goethe's scientific ardour and

poetical plans.-Failure of the "Horen".-Publication of the "Xe-

nien".-Sensation produced

161

CHAPTER II.

WILHELM MEISTER.

English, French, and German on the camel.-German philosophical

criticism.-Goethe's primary intention in "Wilhelm Meister".-

Alterations in the plan.-Schiller's objection.-Its twofold purposes

-dramatic and educational.-Characters in the novel.-Artistic

atheism. Supposed immorality of "Wilhelm Meister".-Its deep

and healthy moral meaning.-The "Confessions of a Fair Saint".-

Wilhelm's criticism on "Hamlet".-Extract from Schiller's criticism

Influences of Goethe and Schiller on each other.-Evil effects of phi-

losophy on German literature.-Character of the Romantic School

in Germany. - Schlegel, Fichte, Schelling, Schleiermacher, and

Solger. Shakspeare translated by Tieck and Schlegel.-Preference

of the Romanticists for the legends and heroes of Catholicism.-Ge-

neral enthusiasm for Mysticism.-Art the handmaid of Religion.-

Return of the painters to Roman Catholicism and the middle ages.

-Theoretical discussions of Goethe and Schiller.-Goethe's literary

labours. Gives Schiller a plan of "William Tell".-Walter Scott 187

CHAPTER IV.

HERMANN UND DOROTHEA.

Foundation of Goethe's poem of "Hermann und Dorothea".-Analysis.

-Character of the poem.-Truthful descriptions of country life and

country people.-Objective delineation of the scenes.-Pure human

existence represented in the subject matter.-Clearness and significance

of the style.-Subtleties of German æsthetical criticism

CHAPTER V.

THE THEATRICAL MANAGER.

Court character of the Weimar stage.-National cooperation indispen-
sable to dramatic art.-Error of Goethe and Schiller in appealing
only to the cultivated few.-Necessity for the combination of amusement
with instruction in the drama.-Failure of Goethe's experiments in
the Weimar theatre, arising from his contempt of public opinion.-
Influence of the Jena students upon the Weimar theatre. Despotic
efforts of Goethe to control public criticism.-Managerial despotism
over the actors.-Reverence of the actors for Goethe.-Difficulties in
the management.-Effect of the connexion of Goethe and Schiller.-
Representation of "Wallenstein".-Devrient's critical observations
on the Weimar school.-Difficulties of rhythm and pronunciation.—

195

Art preferred to nature.-Rehabilitation of the French tragedy.-

Delusive efforts to found a German drama by poetic works and an-

tique restorations.-Goethe no dramatist.- His version of "Romeo

and Juliet".-Character of Shakspeare's play. - Injurious alterations

of Goethe.- Declining interest of Goethe in the theatre after Schiller's

death. Refusal to admit performing dogs on the stage.- Offensively

'dismissed by Karl August.

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.-Friend-