New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-28


fail to touch peculiar chord in the American
heart. He was allied with us, if not by ac-
cOrdance in opinion, or harmony OF con-
vcton, by cOngeniality of nature. Goethe
| was n wonderful example of those intel
lectual forces which have found their most
expressive embodiment in the highest forms
, of American life. His type OF character sa-
yOred of the self-reliance and practical energy
of the New World, rather than OF the SOCIAL
dependence and mental repOse OF tho oid.
| His scorn of reliance on outward aid, lnstead
of trust in his own inward resources, was
identical with the UNCONSCIOUS spirit oil AIneri-
can society," which seeks for knowledge III new
| Developments of truth, and not in a blind al
hcrence to the traditions of the past. Al
though singulaIly free from the passion OF the
iconoclast. and with certain powerful conserya-
tive tendencies, Goethe was no worshper OF
received ideas. The universe stood before him
in its maidenly freshness, whose infinite va
riety had not become stale III the experience OF
ages. Each day brought new revelation 10
his searching spirit, and his quest Oh 'ru'h
ceased only with the close OF life. His nlasc'l-
| line, energetic character presented StilklhS
| contrast to the e1eminatc mysticism, WHICH
has diluted the vigor of 80 many OF his couh-
| trymcn, that it has almost come to be re-
gartlcd in some quarters, although with signal
Injustice, as a national Characteristic. Goethe
WAS man of action, and not OF specu-
lation. lie made no attempt to evolve the
universe from the depths of his inner
consciousness, but selected the more arduols
method of observation and analogy. lie had
little sympathy with the brilliant circle OF
philosophers that were the pride of Germany IN
his day, with the exception, perhaps, OF jacob
whom he valued for finding the test OF truth IN
the int,ti0ps of feeling, instead OF the ara
distractions of speculation. lie had as iiltie
patience with the logical deductions OF Kant
that were connected in massive system as
by links of tempered STEEL as with the aerial
flights of Fichte and Schelling, who ventured
the solution of insolublc problems by Knocking
at the purple tent of the clouds. Even his
love for Spinoza was not founded on the
mathematic formulas of that subtle reas0ner,
but on the serene ethical conclusions when he
suggested from the mysteries OF life.
In this freedom from speculative tastes,
Goethe exhibited a curious resemblance to the
fathers of the American republic. Like them,
he had no fondness for rash innovation
though inspired by the ideal, nc never lost
sight of the actual the perfect was bis ann,
but under the conditions OF the possible;
man of affairs and not OF distractions, he
found in his dantiest dreams the materials of
reality.
The breadth Of Coethc's intellectual culture
was an example to the scholars of every land.
There was nothing limited or one-sided in his
literary aspirations lie gathered all manner
Of fruit from the ample tree OF knowledge.
The facts OF physical science exercised no
less potent charm over his imagination than
the visions of the Orient. He anticipated the
discoveries Of later days in the study OF Ma
ture, and would have been renowned AZ
philosopher had he not been supreme as a
poet. A master in the realms of fiction, his
strongest passion was the worship OF truth.
HIS most original creations were drawn from
experience, and tie men and women OF his
dramas were not the puppets of the stage, but
the characters of actual life. Even the widest
conceptions of his fancy had their basis in
reality, concealng profound truth under their
apparently fantastic forms. His love of con-
temptation was slngularly tempered with
energy of action. Devoted to study and
thought he cherished keen interest
in the passing events of the world,
and Though keeping aloof from all cntangle-
ments of party or sect, was vigilant and
shrewd observer of the significant ISSUES of
the day. No aspect of AIT and no develop
ment of literature eluded his attention. His
sympathy was intense with the intellectual
productions of other lands, and no rising
| genius, in whatever language failed to be
saluted with his gracious welcome. His early
interest in Byron, and Sir Walter Scott, and
| Thomas Carlyle, was not only noble tribute
| to the great minds of foreign cline, but
| beautiful sign of his own clearness Of pcrcep-
| ton, catholicity of taste, and comprehensive
ness of Judgment This cosmopolitan breadth
has been passport to his enthusiastic rccep-
ton in the New World, and has tinctured
American culture with the flavor of his genius
Although scholar of wonderful versatility
and exquisite ripeness, Goethe, in the best
sense of the term, was peculiarly a Selfmade
man. In this regard, he challenges the inter
est of Americans, who use the appellatiOn as
| an expression of praise, though perhaps not
always with just sense OF its meaning. Ii il
often ascribed 10 men vino, to certain degree,
have conquered the defects OF their early edu-
cation, and evinccd force and originality of
nature in spite of signal disadvantages of cir
cumstance and position. But not always do
such men present the example of harmonious
| and cOnsummate manhood Often are they
deficient in the finer graces of character, and
show no signs of sound and cultivated intel
lectuality. These self-madc men, as they are
called, are not seldom so crude, half baked,
and tabby in their whole texture, that SO far
from being se!f-made they seem never to have
been made at all. Goethe, on the contrary,
was model of wise and generous sclf-culturc.
10 c,lf I.nL, In tI,1 L. l.