New-York tribune., 1872-07-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
CALVERTs GOETHE.

a man than 10 ms position author. Ihey are
the compliments of each other, however, and no one
can fully enter into the spirit OF his writings without
profound appreciation of his personal TRAITS 10
singular degree, his works the offspring OF the
various experiences of his lfe The key to his poetry
is found in his biography, and the development Oh
his inner nature marked by the successive phases
ofhis creative activity From the lucid perceptono OF
this fact the author of the present admirable essay
has derived the motive of its composition and been
led 10 add a new offering to the monumental
eairn devoted to the genius Of the poet. In
spite of the manifold labors of preceding writer's
ms task has not been superiuous. If his studies have
brought no facts TO light for the illustration Oh
Goethe he has analyzed his character IN the spirit OF
subtle sympathy and wise reflection, and presented
living pOrtraiture of the great original which has
never been surpassed in its cOnsummate union OF
delicacy and breadth.
The first point of view in which Goethe is here
represented is that of an earnest seeker of self
Improvement and vigorous worker in practical
affairs Every thing in his experience made sub
servien to his culture. The growth of hIs mind was
the object of constant pursuit, and was never lost
sight of in the most strenuous labors or the most
frivolous amusements. He drew some intellectual
food from everything with which be came in contact
At the same time for the first ten years of his abode
in Weimar, he the chief administrator of the
government as well the intimate personal friend
of the young duke. Goethe" says Merck in a letter
written from Wemar, is the soul and direction of
everything and all are contented with him because
be serves many and Injuries none" For two
OF three weeks he would lscOuT the whole
ducal domain on horseback TO supervise the drawing
of the men for the waT-cOntingent At another time
he would accompany the master of the ducal forests
and farms over his wide field of duty. The beauti-
ful park at Weimar his creation, and in his
thirtysecond year he was President of the Cham
bers. He devoted much attention to the improve
ment of the public schools, and to the care of the
University of Jena. The theater was his special
charge. He attended to the instruction of the
actors and was himself a capital performer on the
stage He gave lectures OsteOOgy in jena and was
such proficient both in anatomy and botany as to
make valuable discoveries in each of those sciences
He took part in military service, accompanying
the Duke of Weimar in the advance of the Prussians
into France in 1922, and during the following year
at the siege of Mentz.
With all his devotion to these prOsaic interests
Goethe never lost the consciousness of his high
calling as a poet Many were the hours and the
DAYS cOnsecrated to more cOngenial activity afford
ing him refreshment and strength, and renewing
ms courage for labors. After his long term
of public duty he began to yearn for freedom, and
more exclusive devotion to literary pursuits. The
visit to Italy, which he undertook in his thirty
seventh year was the consequence of this feeling.
He concealed the project from everybody but the
Grand Duke aud without a companion and under
an assumed name late in the Summer of 1856
he crossed the Alps Never did tray-
eler learn more from the entertainments
of Italy OF turn them to such excellent account for
the benefit of the world The peculiar fneness of
bis orgapizaton and the rare wealth of his endow-
ments enabled him TO see everything especially IN
the sphere of the beautiful, with IN pnsurpasscd
fidelity No man ever had a clearer eye for the truth
In every field of thought observation. Soon after
his entrance into Italy he wrote 10 friend al home
How reoiced AIN mat have dedicated my life to
the True it is thence easy for me to pass oyer
10 the Great which is only the highest, purest point
Of the True" -. ..>
Tn this absolute truthfuness of nature Mr.. Calvert
finds one of the most important elements IN the
secret of Goethes literary success. He quotes re
markable passage TO this effect from letter written
during his first week in Rome. " 1t is only in Rome
that we can prepare ourselves for Rome. enjoy
here G. clearness and calmness OF which for many
dav | have had no feeling. Ny practice of seeing
and reading off all things just as they are, my 10y
atty ia letting the eve be its own light, my entire
announcement Of all preension, stand me once more
in good stead. and make me very happy" This
calm broad objectivity, Mr. Calvert justly regards
~ chief source of Goethes literary and scientific
fall upon the objects OF which he gazed. His intel
lect had been freed by dgent culture from all false
biases and hence presented a bright and just re-
Election of every object that engaged its no.
tice He had that joyous delight in discovery
that pure and lively zeal for truth, which made
him a medium for the simple transmission Of
light. No sordid or selfish motive mingled with
any Of his manifold labors and endeaYors'
The stream of his life unsulhed by ambitious
aims He never wrote page from personal OF mer-
renary motives He never sought the society OF any
niIs61 for a purely selfish purpose, but always from
the sole impulse of feeding his affections, OF from
noble appetite for knowledge and truth. He worked
not for outward possessions for worldly applause,
but for spiritual elevation and the enlargement OF
his inward resources. An obedient, eager pupil
in his youth, he preserved fresh and
almost boyish interest even in the most
familiar things to the last Always plying his in
ward sap and putting forth new leaves, he enjoyed
spring feeling into bis final months on earth
Herder well said that Goethe all his life great
child Although a man of the world, and often
steeped in the passions and vexaOns of life, he had
no sense of WEAKNESS discomfort Even at the age
of eighty no blunted sensibilties showed the pres
ence of exhaustion. At all stages OF his prolonged
career ne had led life of true sanity. Everything
about him showed the highest degree OF mental and
physical health. In his later no less than IN his
earlier years spring of sound feeling gushed daily
In his breast with sufficient force to flow outward III
sympathy and helpfulness.
Mr.. Calvert eloquently asserts the high integrity
Of GOethes character. He lived by principles and
for principles. He always sought the essence and
reality of things. The temporary, the snowy, the
superficial were distasteful TO him. compared with
the depth of the inner law. On one occasion while
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