The Red Cloud chief., 1896-05-15

ES+aDyssyG.~NJ stately little town
sYNS<Nle I'll of W,!mar, and
TsGSSI.ag5 ~ when surrounded
SSIESsEtN6 by that German
fHaaS aristoCrdcy which
$.snH he had hum5Icl.
GfSS ,nr m Smr%'of r, ais" lis,
presence the man who in the two per-
iods of his career pCrsoniaod first the
strength and then the weakness Of The
German lolh-thc aged Wicland. In
deed, Napoleon, conversation through
out that excursion to Wcimar was
chiefly of learning, as If he bowed be
fore German knowledge. German sci-
encc, German letters. He had studied
much. he said, in the barracks, when
i was Il young lieutenant OF artillery
and his cold, piercing glance seemed to
search the very hearts OF the proud
princes and dukes who crowded around
Il literally stood at his chair in do
nestle service. 1t was AZ the ball given
by the Grand Duchess that he asked
for Wieland.
During the evening this gentle and
nov temperate OLD man hal heard the
actors Of the French comedy, brought
among other decorative trappings from
Paris, dcclaim the Death Of Caesar
from the stage Of the ducal thcatcr; lie
had listened to Talma's significant ut
torrance OF the words, rule without
violence over ~ conquered universe
and then, woarigd by the excitement Of
tlRsp 81 tl ,,y, t.rr.itngt- had with
drawn from further rcvelry. The Grand
Duchess of Wcimar, anxious to crafty
her great guest, sent her carriage 10
fetch the author of "ObcrOn;' and
rather thar dotain the illustrious die
tatOr. the poet started as he was, in his
ordinary garments, with uupowdcrcd
hair, wearing his skull cap and felt
shoes. The meeting was therefore most
dramatic. The dancing almost ceased
when Napoleon advanced to meet his
visitor, for the company crowded in a
wido circle TO look on and catch what
they might hear. But the conversation
was in a low tone.
Wieland would never tell or write
what was said. ana 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 hauGhtinoss; 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-
phasi2cd the value of all religions iii
conserving morals. The poet replied,
when needfUl, in broken French, but
soon felt at his ease, for the emperor
seemed disposed TO ongr0ss the CONVEX
sation. In the manner of The times he
proposed questions. (Which of YOU
works do you prcfcr?' Wioland dis
claimed merit for any, but, under
urgency, confessed that he liked best
his "Agathon" and "Oberoa."
Then Napoleon asked the stock Ques-
ton which he 50 often put to scholars
and men OF letters: which has been
the %happiest age of ~humauily?' I'm
possible to give a reply, said the poet;
good and evil, virtue ana vice, con-
t~inually alternate; philosophy must en-
phasi2e the good and make the evil
t~OlCrable."
admirable! a~dmirablc!" said Napol-
con. 1T is not just to paint everything
dark, like Tacitus. lie is certainly a
skillful artist. a bold, seductive color
Isl, but above all he aims a. effect. His
tory wants no Illusions: Il should illum-
iuate and instruct, not merely give de-
Gcriptions and narratives which i'm
press us. TacitUs did not sufficiently
develop the causes and inner springs
OF events. lie did not sufficiently study
the mystery of facts and thoughts, did
MOI sufficiently investigate and scrI-
tini2e their connection, to give poster
ity a just and impartial opinion. His
tory, as ! understand 1t, should know
how to catch men and people as they
would appear in the midst OF their
epoch. 1t should take account Of OK
ternal circumstance which would nee
essarily exercise an important inlu-
ence on their actions, and clearly see
within what limits that Influence
wrought. Tho Roman empcrors were
not so bad as TaCitus describes, them.
Therefore | am forced to prefer Monies
quieu; he is more just, and his crlti-
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 peo-
pies, as well as the happiness and hope
OF individuals" The talk lasted for
two hours, and the interview ended by
a movement not of Napoleon, but of
Wieland himself, who seemed weary Of
standing. Go, CO." said the emperor,
gently. Goodnight"