Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-05-14

ESaF he had hum0Ied,
@E s summ S%eS'0t to " his
presence the man who in the two per-
iods of his career personified FIRST the
strength and then the weakness OF the
German folk-the aged Wieland. In
deed, Napoeon's conversation through
out that excursion to Weimar was
chiefly of learning, as if he bowed be-
fore German knowledge, German sci
ence, German letters. He had studied
much, he said, in the barracks, when
was a young lieutenant of artillery"
and his cold, piercing glance seemed TO
search the very hearts of the proud
princes and dukes who crowded around
and literally stood at his chair IN 40
nestle service. 1t was at the ball given
by the Grand Duchess that he asked
for Wieland.
During the evening this gentle and
now temperate old man had heard the
actors of the French comedy, brought
among other decorative trappings from
Paris, declaim the Death OF Caesar
from the stage Of the ducal theater; ne
had listened to Talma's significant ut
terance of the words, rule without
violence over a conquered universe
and then, wearied by the excitement OF
these strange experiences, had WITH
drawn from further revelry. The Grand
Duchess of Weimar, anxious to gratlfy
her great guest, sent her carriage to
fetch the author of "Oberon;" and
rather than detain the illustrious die
tator, the poet started as he was, in his
ordinary garments, with unpowdered
hair, wearing his skull cap and ?elt
shoes. The meeting was therefore most
dramatic. The dancing almost ceased
when Napoleon advanced to meet his
visitor for the company crowded in
wide circle to look on and catch what
they might hear. But the conversation
was in low tone.
Wieland would never tell or write
what was said, and we know only
enough to feel that the great soldiers
words were worthy both Of his genius
and of the occasion. He had treated the
German nobility with haughtiness; this
plain scholar he treated as an equal.
Speaking of the ancients, and defend"
ing the Caesars against Tacitus, he dis
cussed the rise of Christianity and en-
phasized the value of all religions In
conserving morals. The poet replied,
when needful, in broken French, but
soon felt at his ease, for the emperor
seemed disposed to engross the CONVEX
sation. In the manner Of the times he
proposed questions. (which OF your
works do you PREFER" Wieland dis
claimed merit for any, but, under
urgency, confessed that he liked best
his "Agathon" and "Oberon."
Then Napoleon asked the stock ques-
ton which he so often put to scholars
and men Of letters: (Which has been
the happiest age of humanity" I'm
possible to give reply" said the poet
good and evil, virtue and vice, con-
tinually alternate; philosophy must EN-
phasize the good and make the evil
tolerable."
Admirable! admirablew said Napol.
con. "It is not just to paint everything
dark, like Tacitus. He is certainly q
skillful artist, bold, seductive color.
list, but above all he aims at effect. His
tory wants no illusions; it should illum
mate and instruct, not merely give de-
scriptions and narratives which i'm
press us. Tacitus did not sufficiently
develop the causes and inner springs
of events. He did not sufficiently study
the mystery of facts and thoughts, die
not sufficiently investigate and scru
tinize their connection to give poster
ity just and impartial opinion. His
tory, as 1 understand it, should know
how to catch men and people as the!
would appear in the midst of thei
epoch. 1t should take account of ex
ternal circumstances which would nee
essarily exercise an important infu
ence on their actions, and clearly Sc,
within what limits that influence
wrought. The Roman emperors wer,
not so bad as Tacitus describes them
Therefore am forced to prefer Monies
quieu; he is more just, and his crit
cism is closer to the truth"
In discussing Christianity Napoleon
said: philosophers seek in vain a bet
ter doctrine than one which has recon
ciled man with himself, and guaran
teed the peace and public order of PEG
pies, as we'll as the happiness and hop
of individuals" The talk lasted TO
two hours, and the interview ended b,
a movement not of Napoleon, but o
Wieland himself, who seemed weary o
standing. go, go" said the emperor
gently. Goodnight"