paration for the university of Leipsic, which he soon after entered.

At this period, German literature was modelled upon that of France: it was stiff, heartless and bombastic. Göthe, who felt a thousand springs of thought and emotion bubbling through him, had no just models to guide him in giving them utterance. He resorted, therefore, to a plan of his own. Whatever gratified or grieved him; whatever pleased or displeased him; whatever occupied his mind intensely, he began to embody in a poem; and thus, unconsciously, to write the history of his own mind and heart. This plan he pursued through life, and it constitutes one of the chief characteristics of his works. Instead of going out of himself for subjects of thought, he looked at the mirror of his own soul, and wrote down the reflections it gave forth.

In 1768, he left the college, his health being much impaired. During his illness, he was nursed by a lady, whose name was Klettenberg. She was a mystic, and his conversations with her led him to the study of cabalistic authors, and the subtle arts of alchemy; and also to that of chemistry. He likewise read some religious works, and, in an unsettled state of mind, he framed a religious system of his own, which appears to have borne a resemblance to the heathen fancies of Plato.

He afterwards went to the university of Strasburg to study law, agreeably to his father's desire; but his bias led him to devote his chief attention to chemistry and anatomy. Here, he became acquainted with Herder, one of the most original thinkers of his time.

R

He made Göthe better acquainted with the Italian
school of painting, and inspired his mind with just
views of poetry.

About 1771, he went to Wetzlar, where he found in his own love for a betrothed lady, and the suicide of a young man, named Jerusalem, the subject for his celebrated work, entitled the Sorrows of Werter. This was published in 1774, and, together with his drama of Götz of Berlichingen, issued the year before, gave him immediate celebrity. In 1775. he went to Weimar, on the invitation of the young Duke of Saxe Weimar, who had just begun his reign. In 1776, he was made privy counsellor of legation; in 1782, he was appointed president of the chamber, and raised to the rank of a nobleman.

In 1786, Göthe visited Italy, where he spent two years. He continued to receive various marks of confidence from the duke, and was afterwards honored by titles of distinction by Alexander of Russia and Napoleon. He died at Weimar, March 22d, 1832, at the age of eighty-three. He expired about eleven in the morning, without any apparent suffering, having, a few minutes before, called for paper that he might express his delight at the return of spring. His death was suitable to his character. He was a lover of everything beautiful in nature: it was thus he had ever been accustomed to express his emotions; nature was to him a deity, and to this, his last worship was addressed.

The life of Göthe was devoted to science and literature. He appears to have cared little for politics, and to have felt no deep interest in the great events

that swept by him. He seemed not to feel that he had a country, or to know the sentiment of patriotism. In his disposition he was aristocratic, and fond of the privileges which rank and title bestow.

Göthe spent a great part of his time at a pleasant cottage, near Weimar, which is now resorted to by

multitudes who delight to visit a spot consecrated by genius. His manners were pleasing to those who had claims upon his hospitality, and in whom he placed confidence; but a jealousy of his reputation rendered him cold and reserved to others. In general society, he never made literature a subject of conversation. He was accustomed to pay annual visits to Jena, which is situated in a romantic valley, and embellished with the most delightful environs. It has also a celebrated university, with a library of 100,000 volumes. Göthe was attracted to this place by the beauty of its scenery and its literary society.

He was favored by nature in his personal appear ance, which was commanding and agreeable. His eye was exceedingly brilliant, his forehead high, and his brow widely arching. His expression was mild; his tones affable; his speech earnest and affecting.

His habits were in some respects singular. He would not allow the window of his bed-room or study to be thrown open to the wind, as he took a pleasure in its confined atmosphere. He was insensible to nauseous smells, save that of apples in a state of decay. This he could not endure; while Schiller, his friend and rival in fame, was, on the contrary, fond of it as a perfume. Göthe, on one occasion, went to make Schiller a visit; the latter being absent at the moment, Göthe sat down to await his return. After a short space, he felt a strange dizziness, which increased to such a degree, that he was obliged to leave the room. Schiller's servant, in searching for the cause of this, at last discovered some twenty apples, in various stages of decomposition, which his master had placed in his room, to perfume his wardrobe!

Göthe had a nice taste in the snuffing of candles, and at home or abroad, when he came into a room where candles were burning, he immediately proceeded to perform that operation. He has been known to quit a select society, on seeing the servants snuff the candles in what he deemed a slovenly and negliHe was married to his housekeeper, gent manner. at the age of fifty-one, by whom he had several children.

Though the personal character of Göthe does not seem to claim our respect, his genius has excited an

extensive and intense admiration. Among the forty millions who speak the German language, he is regarded as the great light of modern times. His works, which are numerous, amounting to about thirty octavo volumes, and treating upon a great variety of topics, are there regarded as among the richest of literary treasures. Göthe has also many admirers in other countries, and there are those in England and the United States who look upon him with a kind of idolatry.

No author of modern times has enjoyed, during his life, so many marks of homage, from the highest to the lowest, as he. While the treaty of Erfurth was in progress, the poet being there, Bonaparte entered into conversation with him upon the subject of Werter, and by his critical, yet complimentary remarks, showed that he was familiar with the work. The wife of a Silesian weaver being obliged to go to Saxony, and hearing that she had travelled more than half the way to Göthe's residence, whose books she had read with great delight, continued her long journey to Weimar for the sake of seeing him. Göthe declares that the true character of his works has never been more truly conceived than by this woman.

That the Duke of Saxe Weimar should have been the steadfast friend and admirer of Göthe, is testimony in favor of his abilities; but the following extracts from a letter, written by a youth of sixteen, and dated Weimar, Feb. 22d, 1822, evinces the pervading enthusiasm he had inspired. The passage is interesting not only as showing this, but as containing a lively picture of the poet's appearance and habits.