The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-29

The Old Man In His Garden-What He
Has Done for German Literature.

Has Done for German Literature.
GOTTA, Nov. l6.-[Special Correspond
ence. Being near gotha. / resolved to
pay my respects TO Gustav Freytae, the
author Of SOIL und Haben." at his villa
IN Siebleben, where he retircs every year
after passing the winter months in his
study at Leipsig, surrounded by his book
cases. 4 peasant showed me the way TO
his summer residence.
There's Die Cute Schmiede." THE
good forge-the name OF Freytag's villal,
and he pointed TO gate in hawthorn
hedge. He is most likely in the garden
by this time, you know he likes to attend
to his flowers; he is a dear old mani /
perceived an old gentleman who looked
very like Freytag to me, STOPPING over a
bed OF pumpkins. He was interested in
particularly large pumpkin and tapped
the gardner, who stood beside him, in
lovial manner on the shoulder.
saluted him when he looked ND from his
work. In q moment, sir" And he gave
few more directions to the gardner, who
then LETT rs.
Probably a visitor 10 the author?" he
inquired. nodded.
That's me. Beautiful, Is it notp to
listen TO the songs of the fnches, fnches
and starlings" And then pointing 80 some
poisoning trees in the orchard, That is
simply delightful You most likely wish
TO know something new about me. There
is but little 10 tell. All had TO say is in
my books. However, a chat may be of
profit TO Us both" There was q slight
mixture of amiability aud haughtiness in
his manner which reminded me involun-
tsrily that he was accustomed to associate
great deal with the nobility. 1t may be
OF interest TO know that he was reader 70
the duke of Coburg Gotha and belonged to
the staff Of the crown prince during the
Franco-German war.
He was dressed in dark suit: his Prince
Albert coat was tightly buttoned, only leav-
ing glimpse of his shirt front aud black
tie. He accompanied his speech with
some refined gestures and his little, white
well-shaped hands showed but TOO clearly
that they had never known manual labor
ana that gardening was mere pastime
His high forehead, thin gray hair, which
he has the regularity Of combing over his
ears, his gray mustache and delicate feat
ures give him more the appearance of
schoo. teacher or a tutor in noble fam
lily. who has repeated his knowledge q
thousand times 10 his pupil, then a poe,
writing by inspiration. And, considering
the persons he has been acquainted with.
the number Of university professors. his
torlans, well-to-do merchants, city officials.
editors, publishers, Is by far larger than
literary men or artists. He has never
been what one could strictly call an in
ventive mind, but more OF a reflective
nature.
bQt he slways had great liking for the
society Of actors, and even now. IN his old
age, he IS faithful TO them. though they
are no celebrities, hut merely clever and
pa4nstaklng stock actors. Il do very little
IN summer. The winter IS nv time Tor
work. In the summer ! attend TO garden
ing, only now and then I nave visitor.
though they are not as numerous as IN
former times. l an getting old live =
very retired life. Solitude has always been
dear 10 me, even in youth"
His speech was now and then inter
rCpted by = couch. His health has ALWAYS
been very poor. AS We walked through
the beautiful well-tended garden, F-evtac
now and then STOPPED 10 look 81 8 dover
or arrange some plant. When we ST last
reached the entrance to the house he
begged me to excuse HIM Tor few min
ntcs sUe sappea-ed
While ! stood waiting I scrusinized the
surroundings. From what I could see.
everything was Of an extreme simplicity.
such IS : met with IN hundreds OF Ger
man families OF the better class. And
though The Drst IMPRESSION vas flieudlv
and indicated s i3fe Of intelligence and
leisure. vet x aroused feeling 81 oprres-
sion as L, after ali. the Inhahltaut Of the
villa lived II a limited sphere Of thought.
May i present yoa with tins " nv host
SAID, reappearlnC. Ia once secured me adj
ultsaoce 20 the phaoSophlc faculty Of the
hreSt2G university, handing me 81 old
faded pamphlet. Il was an ESSAY on The
ascetlc dramas q the poetess Roswi1ha OF
tae eleventh century, the nun % Candies
helm
thanked him and remarked: The -
ward for such labor Is generally not very
/ large "
But il IS s comfort 70 me 70 SIT At nv
desk and work through the material for 4
certain subject. / have studied thousands
! q pamphlets - he abie 10 write Pictures
! Prom Tire Past o. Germany one thing
/ my critics always forget. namely. that !
+ an chie1y = POLITICIAN ana scientific in nv
/ foeTIes- treytsg took part n a.! the no
/ AblCai events % his d&y. followed every
/ party change with great interest though
/ u ~as Always more az passive than act
i've nature
/ You most likely also thins that there
+ vas no Germany before Ehe coronation al
! Fhe German emperor a. Versailles 2" |
ted AIM Thought that Germany. Sin~< i
bs@ become AT empire. had ACQUIRED the
esteem 81 she whole world and II ~ouli
( slrelv fee! p~oud Of the men ii IA. no
/ SuceS, L only 20 mention BlSrnarek. "a ag,
] ner, Sehopeuhsner
/ fer syssisshs- taisEe aaa eh-vsaateexaz.