The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-09-15
Tpall Mall Gazette's Review of Stuckenberg's BIZ
nhy
Anecdotes Of Kant.

Although fond of society, Kaut became very
eccentric in his habits. His conduct was reg
ulated by series of minute rules to which, at
ter middle age, he rigidly adhered. Every
hour had its appropriate duty; and he was
wretched if any thing happened to break the
ordinary routine. In his lecture room the
slightest change attracted his notice. 1t was
observed one day that his lecture was some
what confused, and he complained afterward
that his Thoughts had been interrupted con.
tinually because button was wanted on the
coat of one of his hearers" At particular
time each day he was in the habit of gazing in
a medtative manner at a tower opposite his
window. By and by some poplars grew so high
that the tower ceased to be visible from his
room. Rants meditations were disturbed, and
his peace of mind was not restored until the
poplars were cut down at his request by the
good-natured owner. He dined at o'clock,
and the least delay on the part of the cook or
his guests made him impatient. The order of
conversation at dinner was not left to accident;
il was as follows: First the news of the day
namely, home news, then foreign, whether
received by letter or from papers; second, dis
cussion of subjects; third, wit and humor, so
that the repast might end with laughter,
which was calculated to promote dlgesuon.
1t was sometimes thought that a man OF SO
much method could not have genial impulses.
But, says DIR. Stuckenburg, many VINO were
IN perplexity OF need were recipients OF ms
Kindness; and some of the letters from his stu
dents are filed with expressions OF gratitude
for the many benefits received from him."
A youth in whom he was interested proposed
to study in Edinburg and to travel afterward
Kant sset aside 800 thalers, on which the
young man was at liberty to draw at any time"
and was much disappointed when he found
that the money had not been nsed. He did net
like to enter sick-room; but when Green, an
English merchant with whom he was intimate
suffered from gout Kant visited him every af-
ternoon. The comic aspect of this daily visit
was, however, at least as remarkable as the
friendly feeling it indicated. Kant generally
found Green asleep in his armchair. "Seat-
ing himself at Green's side he would give him.
self to meditation and also fall asleep. Gener-
allv another friend, bank director named
Ruffman, also came and took nap The
three sleepers were always awakened by
Green's partner at an appointed time, after
which they engaged in conversation until
o'clock Punctually at this hour they separa-
ted. 'OfteD," says Jachmann, the authority
for this anecdote, 81 heard the inhabi-
tants of the street say, 1T cannot be Z
o'clock yet, for Kant has not gone by" Kant
does not appear to have lavished affection on
any one; but he was faithful in his attachment
to the few who gained bis confidence; nd he
was as loyal to interiors as equals. His SER
want, Lampe, had at last to be dismissed for
gross misconduct Che was suspected of having
assaulted kanD but for more than 80 years he
ruled the philosophers house. Lampe had
been a soldier, and was almost as decided a
Character as his master. "Who is the king
of Engand?" Kant would ask him in the
presence of guests. "Mr. Pitt" was the inva-
riable answer. Kant heard this so often that
in the end he himself "wanted to hear of no
other king of England" One day Lampe was
found to be waiting at table in yellow coat.
Kant Indignantly ordered him to sell the coat
at once, white coat with red collar being
'the regulation uniform" To his amazement
he then heard "that Lampe was widower,
that he expected to be married again on the
next day, and that he had purchased the coat
as his wedding garment" This was q sad dis
coyery, and Kant never forgave Lampe for
having been SO foolish as to marry. AT that
time Kant was confirmed bachelor" and
even at an earlier period what DR.. Stuckenberg
calls his Glove affairs" were certainly not
marked with much fervor. He thought of
asking pretty widow to become his wife;
but while he was calcul ating whether he
could afford to marry" the pretty widow ''left
the city and married another man." After
ward the travelling companion of some lady
fascinated him, Kant delayed his proposal.
and she was already on the border of West
rhalia before he knew Of her departure" OF
the only other woman who is known to have
led him ito the verge of matrimony" it is
stated that, ION a nearer acquaintance she lost
her attractions"