The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-06-17
THE DEATH OF SCHILLER.

On the 28th Of April 1905, he was at the
theatre for the last time, and this was the last
time he saw Goethe. He was just setting out
for the theatre when Goethe entered his cham
Der, having ventured out the first time since his
recovery from dangerous illness. He would
not detain Schiller from the theatre, and was not
we'll enough to accompany him thither, so they
parted at Schiller's door, never to meet again.
On the 9th of May, Schiller seems first to have
been broken. His words become unconnected,
but he appeared to understand what was about
him. The chvalric " Comics de Iressan" had
always been one Of his favorite books: and, on
this occasion, he impatiently pushed aside an
ephemeral publication Of the day, and asked for
legends of knights. Still he was active; and as
il still contemplating wide field for exertion,
he discoursed with his friends on subjects for
tragedies; aud their anxiety for his repose, not
his own lassitude, caused him TO desist. On
this night he talked much in his sleep, uttering
shortly before he woke the remarkable words,
as that your heaven?" Then, it is recorded,
he looked up, smiling, as if consoling appari-
ton had greeted him, The circumstance that
on the 9Th he asked but little after his children,
must have convinced all his friends that great
change had taken place. The only element OF
Schier's character oh which we have not
touched, was his strong domestic feeling. His
flight from Stutgard had early separated him
from his fathers family, but he ever entertained
for them the greatest affection. Letters are pre-
served, written by him to the home OF his child
hood, which are filled with expressions of the
heartiest and most unrestrained feeling, and his
mother on her death bed spoke in the highest
terms Of his conduct as son. Though he was
considered one of the ornaments of the Weimar
court the court life never suited him, he was
glad to escape from the routine of ceremony, many
passages can be gathered from his works, and
showing an ardent longing after retired country
life. Occasionally irritable, he loved the home
of his manhood, and he dotted on his children.
He is described as constantly sitting between
two OF his little ones, at table, caressing them at
eyery opportunity. Often was he found playing
at "lion and dog; y and, during this diversion,
both he and his children ran about the room on
all fours. On the evening Of the 9th, he an
swered to question on the state of his health,
. Calmer and calmer" He had the curtain
opened, and gazed upon the sun with delight.
In the night he recited whole passages from
his /" Demetrius," and was heard invoking the
Deity to save him from lingering death On
the following morning his words were rambling
and, for the most part, Latin A glass Of Cham.
nagne. which he took to revive his strength, was
his last beverage. His eyes wandered over those
| present without any appearance of recognition
He attempted to call, it is supposed, for Nadhtha
bat his last words died away in his throat; he
even tried to write, but finished only three let
tiers, in which, nevertheless, the character OF his
hand was preserved. At three in the afternoon
he became very weak his breath failed; ms
wife knelt at his bed, and afterwards said, thai
she felt him press her hand. Her sister was
placing warm pillows against his feet' wnen M
features appeared as those of one VINO ieit ~
electric shock. His head went back: his fac'