Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-24

vi TINS we propose TO speak briefly.
In his twenty y-second year young Goethe
went to Strasbourg to complete his law
studies at the university. one pleasant
october day he was invited by his friend
Wieland to ride over to Druscnheim,
lovely country village, lying in one of the
most delightful regions of Alsace, and pay
visit to Pastor Brion, the spiritual shep-
nerd of that rural community.
The Brions, in their simple. refined,
cheerful home-life, forcibly reminded the
young student of the charming family in
Goldsmith's "Vicar of Wakefield" In
pastor Brion and his excellent wife he saw
the good vicar and his spouse; Salome, the
elder daughter, he called olivia; Freder-
icka, The younger, Sophia and when the
only son and brother appeared he could
scarce help exclaiming, "Moscs and arc
you here, too2"
Frederick, a ronping young girl of six
teen, upon his arrival was, as usual, absent
on her out-of-door wanderings. After a
while she came tripping into the room, ap-
parently not at all awed by the presence q.
tho aristocraiic yonru unptiaunr from thd
city. She was a bright, blthesome young
|
her beauty was greatly enhanced by the
charming dress she worc-the old German
costume, seldom seen outside tho rural
dstricts-a bodice tightly fitting the form
a short, full skirt, displaying the neatcst of
feet and ankles, and a black -silk-apron.
"Therc she STOOD" says Goethe, in his
"Wahrheit und Dichtung," "on the bound
ary betw cen country beauty and city belle.
Slender and airy, she tripped along as If
she had nothing to carry, and her neck
seemed almost too delicate for the luxuri-
ant braids of flaxen hair on her elegant
little head. \ free open glance beamcd
from her calm blue eyes, and her pretty
little turned-up nose peered inquiringly
into the air with as much unconcern as II
there could be nothing like care in the
world. Her straw hat dangled on her arm,
and thus at the first glance l had the de-
light of seeing her perfect grace, and ac-
knowledging her perfect loveliness."
With his usual impetuosty, the young
man fell in love with her at first sight, and
every subsequent meeting only added fuel
to the fame. Pastor Brion's house was
but few miles from Strasbourg, and
Goethe's visits there became very frequent.
During these visits he and Frcderika were
iuseparable companions, and soon came to
be regarded by all as lovers.
Fredercba, a perfect child of Nature,
was never so happy as when in the open
air.
Goethe says of her: "She was one of
those women who please us best out-of-
doors. The loveliness of her manner har-
monized with the flowery earth, the I'M
clouded serenity of her face with the blue
sky. A refreshing breath seemed ever to
hover around her." After dwelling with
rapture upon her grace, her beauty, and
her goodness he adds: 81 knew no sor-
row, no unrest in her presence. was inn
measurablv happy when by her side"
The youth and the maiden were constant
companions. They walked and rode, they
read and sung, they talked and laughed
together, and neither dreamed of any
! pleasure in which the other might not
share. With the family and other friends
they took little jaunts into the country,
went on excursions to the islands of the
Rhine, and visited at the noighborng
houses. Both in their entire happiness,
were the gayest of the gay, and the life of
the company; "but,' says Goethe, "while
we seemed to be living for those around
us, we lived only for each other
During absence they were still united in
thought and their letters were very fire.
quent. In her correspondence Fredericka
showed herself the same happy, unaffected
child as in the intercourse of daily life.
l,o oil honpr,fney L.
poet, and this young girl became the in
spiration of his sweetest lays. He wrote
many songs expressly for her, and set them
to wel-known melodies-'enough to fill
volume he says, "had they been collect
ed"
"My passion grew the MORE he writes,
"as / came to know the worth of the excel
lent girl and the time approached when l
must leave so much love and goodness,
perhaps iorever."
There had been no formal betrothal, and
yet, in the 81 ght of men and angels-by the
election of their own hearts-these young
lovers belonged to each other.
Goethe passed highly creditable exam
ination, and received his degree as doctor
of laws, an honor OF which his father was
not little proud. The old gentleman had
very high aspirations for his gifted son.
Before returning home to Frankfort
young Doctor Goethe went to bid Freder-
icka adieu.
He writes: "Those were painful days,
which would gladly forget. As from on
horseback reached her my hand at part
ing tears stood in her eyes, and was also
very sad at heart"
lie had resolved, upon leaving Stras-
bourg, to tear this passion for Fredericka
from his heart, no matter how much ago
ny it cost him. But this was no light task,
for il was n love which had taken deep
hold of all that was best and noblest in his
nature. In absence the image of the sweet
young girl was ever before his eyes, and
he pined necessarily for her. Had he fol-
lowed the dictates of his heart, he would
have returned to her to set seal to their
mutual affection by formal betrothal
But worldly prudence with him was sron-
ger than love, and he was man who could
yield up the sweetest dream of his life to
ambition.
The disparity cf station between the rich
bankers son and the country clergyman's
daughter was very great; it was an ALI
ance to which the naughty old Frankfort
aristocrat would never consent-yet still,
in his inmost heart, Goethe knew that
Fredericka was worthy of him.
The affection Of the proud young stu
dent and man Of the world had been put to
I a severe test when Fredericka and her sis
, ter, in their obsolete provincial costume,
r had come to visit some rich and fashiona-
q BILE Strasbourg relatives. Though Freder-
t icka possessed a natural ease and grace OF
, manner which made her at home in any
5 society, still Goethe could not fail to note
the contrast between his woodland