Volume I Part 9 (1/2)

1832--I a how I omitted to talk a volume to you about the ”Elective Affinities” Now I shall never say half of it, for which I, on s I would ask:--

'What do you think of Charlotte's proposition, that the accoue must be tiresome in society?

'Of Ottilia's, that the afflicted, and ill-educated, are oftentiled out by fate to instruct others, and her beautiful reasons why?

'And what have you thought of the discussion touching graves andto dream of your sermon, and of Ottilia's china-asters Both shall be driven froo to town, allured by despatches fro much entertainment Woe unto them if they disappoint me!

'Consider it, I pray you, as the ”nearest duty” to answer '

'I have not anybody to speak to, that does not talk common-place, and I wish to talk about such an uncommon person,--about Novalis! a wondrous youth, and who has only written one voluh I could pursue et acquainted, then make my mind easy in the belief that I know all that is to be known

And he died at twenty-nine, and, as with Korner, your feelings le; you will never be called upon to share his experience, and cos with his present

And his life was so full and so still

Then it is a relief, after feeling the immense superiority of Goethe It seems to me as if the mind of Goethe had e his lyric poe I have ever had so perfectly, expresses it so beautifully: but when I shut the book, it sees linked with such an iht so different What can I bring? There is no answer in my mind, except ”It is so,” or ”It will be so,” or ”No doubt such and such feel so” Yet, while ment beco and repelling work is going on in e, so the time will come, when I shall not feel so overwhelrasp the whole, and be contented to learn a little every day, as becomes a pupil

'But now the one-sidedness, ilow, of a ly huiving an account, first, of his very pretty life, and then of his one volume, as I re-read it, chapter by chapter If you will pretend to be very et a better pen, and write the_ 7, 1832--I feel quite lost; it is so long since I have talked myself To see so many acquaintances, to talk so many words, and never tell s which do not seeue and movable

''Tis true, the time is probably near when I must live alone, to all intents and purposes,--separate entirelyworld, take care of my ideas without aid,--except from the illustrious dead,--answer s, and do all that hard work for myself How tiresoht myself so very independent, because I could conceal sos at will, and did not need the sa characters did And I aet anybody to o where there is never a spirit to come, if I call ever so loudly

'Perhaps I shall talk to you about Korner, but need not write

He charht; but I understand all that he excites perfectly

I felt very '_new_ about Novalis,--”the good Novalis,” as you call hihtened, yet most pure; every link of his experience fraold

'I have read, thoroughly, only two of his pieces, ”Die Lehrlinge zu Sais,” and ”Heinrich von Ofterdingen” Froht away piecemeal impressions, but the plan and treatment of the latter, I believe, I understand It describes the development of poetry in a mind; and with this several other developments are connected I think I shall tell you all I know about it, some quiet time after your return, but if not, will certainly keep a Novalis-journal for you soht'

'_June_, 1833--I return Lessing I could hardly get through Miss Saood in the same way as Minna Well-conceived and sustained characters, interesting situations, but never that profound knowledge of hu traits, which lead on so in the writings of some authors, who , but not deep'

'_May_, 1833--_Groton_--I think you are wrong in applying your artistical ideas to occasional poetry An epic, a drama, must have a fixed forhts of aales and bright light froive life,--to this skeleton But all occasional poems must be moods, and can a mood have a form fixed and perfect, more than a wave of the sea?'