New-York tribune., 1872-07-16

bapnnes of being only to be obtained through such
control When the balance is struck, no loss, no
sacrifice is registered but, on the contrary acqulsi
tlon There has been no violence, no suppression;
there has been harmonlzmg through natula
odaptation and thence an elevation, elimination"
The friendships and loves to which SO large space
is devoted in the fragmentary autobiography of
Goethe are made the subjects of special chapters by
Mr. Calvert and are treated for the most part, with
eonaI frankness and discrimination. Besides his
peculiar intimacy with Schiller, Goethe always had
an ample list of friends, which according to the ad-
vice of DR.. johnson, he kept in constant repair
Emnently kindly and attractive in his disposition
and with that gracious hospitality which opens the
doors of the mind as well as of the house 10
the cOnGenial visitor, he had much to give
and always gladly gave to all who couiu
receive his gifts. He combined con-
stitutOnal love of man with warm attach
ment to individuals, aud cordial preferences Ior
kindred spirits "lt is pity" wrote the tehder
mystic, Jung g-Shlling, that SO few are ACQUAINTED
with this noble man in respect of hls hefut' WHEN
q youth of seventeen, he entered the university VI
Leipsc. and was at once thrown into scene OF be-
wilderinp enticements The rectitude of his nature
no less than the healthy instincts of genius preserved
him from tbe extrayagances of his age, and held
him to q forward and upward course Though
q bov in wears he was a man IN native
common sense, blending the habit of preeoclous
Thought with a tropical glow of temperament
Around him was soon circle ofthe ripe and the un
ripe of both sexes, to whom he gave ana from WHOM
he received. His most serviceable friend was FRAU
Boebme. wife of professor. one of those paragohs
Of womanly being enfolded in an atmosphere Oh
grace through which shine intelligence and femi-
nine hopefulness. BY her the untamed youth was
subdued to conformity in his dress and bearing; ana
through her he also learnt the worthlessness OF the
poets he admired and of his limitations of them
How fortunate was he, to have come within the
radiance of such woman; how blest was she to
meet in the wild student accessible to her fine
instruction"
The love of fellowship was a strong point in
Goethe's character. He wrote not so much Tor the
public as for the friends whose sympathy he cher
ished His poems are somewhat quantity described
bv Mr. Calvert as confidential outpourings to him.
self from lls inmost spirit, impartings from the
eternal me TO the daily me- But into this dual
solo he loved to draw third person who would feel
with the other two with the man and with the poet
"The going out of ones self into another the throw
ing of ones life into other lives. is the highest PRIV
ilege, the consummate virtue, OF mans belng; ana
the poets revelations OF his nmost is form of this
self-qiving' Many of GOethes most devoted friend
ships were with persons of the opposite and their
Mr. Calvert with perhaps less rigor Of ethical judg-
mept than insight into aesthetic subtleties. But upon
this subject we have space for only brief extract
which sufficiently illustrates the authors point of
view.
OF poetic feelingul of the urgent needs
is sympathy, and fortunate was Goethe that IN the
prodigal ygor OF his early manho0G ne mao fIau NVn
Stein cordially and thouGhtfuly listen 10 ms
man in nigh poston W no was proud of his love for
her. and whO while keeping him at certain personal
to vane his gfted nature and into whose ready ear he
could pour his latest thoughts on whatever from without
rlrcyenoyed prerogatve o genius and helped TO keep
his mind abOundlng activity ana me same tlne ao
ease An important section IL of his adult educa-
ton. She at once stimulated ana Gained MN sue
kent him at a healthy glow. With some tenpenng of
me Italians phrase Goethe might almost say Of his LOe
what Petrarca said Of his Laura: The little hat am
am through that lady and have any fame or glory,
with such noble feelings the very small seed OF virtue
YeeicA nat nature 4f a:aas!g had deposited ia n me-
In spite of ITS freedom from all pfftenslQll elllS
volume may be regarded as one of the most slgnlh-
can't contributions to the inner history OF Goethe
that has vet appeared in English literature. The
author was equally qualified by culture and sym
pathy TO do Justice to bis task. With profound
knowledge of German poetry and criticism, he has
Qven to his work the impress of marked originality.
No competent Judge doubt that 1t is the fruit of
personal study and reflection Of high order 1t could
only have been produced by wisdom ripened
under the experience of many years, and sympatmes
mellowed by the contemplation of life into a
spirit of tender charity The tne insight into char
acter which it everywhere betraysis no less remark
able than the vigor of its literary execution. Its
criticisms on the poetry of Goethe, as well as its
ANALYSIS Of his genius are admirably conceived and
in comprehensiveness of judgment and catholcity
of tone NAV be considered masterpieces. Sew
eral original transatons from Goethes poetry attest
the authors skill in construction, and power
of rhvthmcal expression. His prose style is
too strongly idiosyncratic to command
large degree Of popular sympathy. 1t often reads
like n monologue rather than discourse. 1t would
seem as though the writer more intent on max
ing clean breast of certain ideas, for hs own per-
sonal satisfaction, than on arraying them IN the
form and comelness which belongs TO address for
the edifcation of the public, His diction is al
WAYS rugged, often inharmOniOus, frequently en-
ploying unusual words, and at times no less
harsh in texture than if the writer regarded
smoothness as incompatible with strength. Ihis'
however, is not due 10 any negligence OF care
lessness His work is always elaborate, wrought
with evident painstaBing but without the chaste
simplicity which is the supreme grace OF literary
art It's faults are the result of system, not of the
habit of lax composition. But we will not quarrel
with writer for methods that are probably inner
emf in the structure of his mind while he brings such
precious gifts nor reject his apples of gold because
they are not borne Oh chargers of silver.
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