The New York herald., 1877-01-11
THE GOETHE CLUB.

There was large and brilliant gathering last night
at tho Fifth Avenue Hotel on the occasion Of the rccep
ton OF the Goethe Club Tho President OF the club
Dr. Ruppaner, opened the proceedings in brief and
pointed speech, reviewing the progress Of tho club
during the year and introducing Mr. Calvert, of New
port, the orator OF the evening Mr. Calvert then
proceeded to read paper Goethe, which was chiefly
remarkable for It's husiasm 1t contained little or
nothing that not known TO ordinary students oi
Goethe's writings ana life IL was. however, well
Gel vcd by tho audience, though somo among tncin
dcutly thought its sweetness somewhat long drawn
out Mr.. Calvert said that when hc had accepted tho
invitation which tho Goethe Club had rendered to HIM
10 address them, had seemed TO him that no could
choose more fitting subject 10 speak upon tha
the life and works OF the great man from whom they
derived their name. Johann W0ligang Goethe holds
place in the history OF German literature and OF the
progress of modern thought second only to that OF
Luther and 1t OF the highest points OF Luthcr's
lame that he the principal agent in bringing about
that state Of mind and morals in Europe Of which
Goethe is the greatest exponent
Goethe was of fortunes primo favortcs He
was fortunate IN his pareDts-his high souled aud
poetic iather and his wise and practical mothor He
was fortunate IN being born at period when the
mind OF the world was in u revolutionary state
doing all the good Tor which it was
designed. He was fortunate IN the possession OF tho
friendship OF the young Duke OF WeImar, since IL at
once threw open 10 him u wido spoerc OF usefulness; ;
but above ALL no was fortunate in having that genus
winch kept his intellect always ON the fullest stretch
forwarding the worlds progress The ''Sorrows Of
Werther as soon AS " appeared instantly secured to
Goethe y Worldwide famc IL led the young Duke 10
seek the poet. warm friendship sprung up
the spot between these two. On tho invitation
of the Duke poet went Weifnar stay few days
he stayed fftyseven years. Oi this j0ng period the
first years spent chiefly In Active efforts for
the reformation OF tho government Of tho little State
but, when this was working in the right groove,
Goethe Instantly gave up statesmanship and devoted
himself poetry aud In tho latter Of these
pursuits his success was In no wise mean. The ardent
love OF nature, which freshens his poetry, was
sufficient motive tor deeper examination into her
secrets, to which he devoted SO much labor and
through which he effected much good TOR men.
TO review hts trumphs as poet Is almost super.
nuous 1t is better to search the elements which
give TO them their beauty and sublimty. There arc,
says the lecturer true creative power perfect fresh
ness, freedom from all convcntionaity, purity and
lotiness Of sentiment, and, above all, that love OF
truth and nature which burn with their brightest light
IN ssFausi, burst from the lips OF the poet with his
last breath, in the words "More light" After few
remarks by other members OF tho club tho guests
turned their attention to the material comforts that
had been prepared Tor them WITH an an appetite in
way diminished by contemplation OF tho intellectual
grandeur Of the great poet.