The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-14

large and yrry respectable AUDIENCE bssshi'
bled last evening, Ia the stuyvesant institute, to
hear the lecture of Mr. King on Goethe and his
writings. II is seldom we have heard speaker
combine so many OF the requisites for popular
lecturer as Mr.. King. Musical voice, excellent
manner, and graphic poetical figures; in fact the
audience were completely carried away by his
poetry, and we verify believe thought less of the
subject than OF the manner in which the speak
er treated it, Mr.. X. was frequently greeted
with loud bursts OF applause.
Mr. KING said-Ladies and Gentlemen the subject
matter Of my lecture tn: evening Is Goethe and his
subject for public speaker. At the time Of his
death, about fifteen years ago, he was consi-
dered the founder of German literature. He was
poet we'll philosopher and considered
like unto Plato Aristotle and the other sagss antqui
puted and 1t has been warmly commended by many that
in place Outstanding in the first rank his proper position
is In the second Q, third But the great question ~;
DEATH or shall he be hurled fcom 1t. without doubt,
his history under the definition Of that OF great
other and their neghbors Goethss history any
means, drama. He was an observant philosopher and
worlds history During his life, Frederick the
Great lived. He saw the rise Of England. He
saw the declaration Of the american revolution.
his glorious Even hts younger days he was
sdsred child of genius; he was early with
scence and general literature As said Of his early &C.
MUS the child father to it is the from
which being warmed by the genial influence Of sum-
monstrston the advantages of knowing intimately the
homes and haunts Of the poets There little, indeed
reported Of hs early IRE o. ms Is. n,na, was
of Kindred spirit to them his education was COM
mitted To the infant everything Is beautiful But,
he learns he becomes acquainted that such IL not the
case He then said that children Properly taken
might do much in their infant years Goethe in his
infancy poet philosopher, with knowledge OF air,
light and thing to him fresh and invgoratng
He was anxious to escape from home from under his
psrsns, and air light and liberty was Splendid phan-
young shaver delighted to DIV II. The world to him was
like picture, every man and woman living beings there
in His early productions were ever prstty-he was very
minute and particular In his description Of men and
things; he described young ladies most beautifully 1t
was from his beautiful taste that he very partcu
studied the mythology of Iceland but t Of little
to him His habit Of arranging and grouping everything
the the world Nothing escaped bis nOt.dej anu every
thing he collected he placed thereon his own impress.
The great earthquake at Lisbon he pictured in ali its
awful horror said he could not reconcile it with
Gods goodness, and this not essoned by storm
which took place, and destroyed some property OF his
father At seyen years Of age, he conceived great
affection for Peter the Great and was displeased at
stocaI in bis opinions and aege that AT this time
he threw OK ali religious feelings whatever He fell in
| love with young lady, and produced number OF
poems He had no funds, 80 marriage was out OF the
question. He went to college ana there studied.
He had Q mind conscious Of ts great power.
fort he there got acquainted with one Herde who did
him much injury lhs individual criticised his books
severely, ana had q considerable power over him At
last he borrowed money from Goethe whose purse was
i'll supplied and promised to return 1t on certain day
Goethe borrowed 1t HIMSELF his friend did not return
| 1t as promised and when he did, insuted him TINS
had the effect OF souring Goethes spirits very much
| He fell in love with another lady, Frederka. His
| love was returned, bat he was convinced she
would not make a suitable companion Ter him
| He waved his hand, and bade her farewell. He
was now In his asa year. and had published nothing
TO speak Of last the Of Lord Byron who estab
shed his reputation by hasy effort iHduced MIN to do
the same and He this subject painted
| on tsacups He again fell In love with young lady
named Leila She also returned his love ; but, on re-
viewing the state of his finances be saw 1t was inposs
| bic, aud turned to the comp position OF drama She
proposed to run of to America but he would not He
turned to Switzerland and travelled Mr. X. thea gave
account Of his proceedings at court While he at
tended its affairs he did not forget literature bat pub
lished more works His teayes Ia Italy showed, thai
when any trial took place, when Napoleon regued
over Europe he returned to his studies, and in the
works OF found relief from the troubles
| him and refuted the charge Of immortality in
| his works-proved that they were not SO +; and thai
though they did not speak OF or In favor Of morals
| did not speak against them. He CONTINUED MIR
a man of great mind. He was, like Lord Ross tele
brought the heavens in all their to this world
He could not describe character like Shakespeare.