Norwich bulletin., 1922-06-22
Great Mems Love Letters
KLopsTocK TO HIS WIFE.

Frederick Klopstocx was the Milton of Germany He was the pride of his coun- try. His piety and his virtue, still more than his talents, made him an honor to mankind. His writings are little known in this country, but he and his wife have left one of the most interesting se- ries of letters in any language. In this collection of letters the reader is able to penetrate into the deep recesses of his heart and to see how much he loved and was beloved.
 Blest with the hand and the heart of one of the most excellent of women, Klepstock was in every respect happy
 past the common lot" It was at Ham, burg in 1751 that the poet met Margaret (AIeta) Moller, an enthusiastic adnirer
 of his poetry. They were married in 1754.
 The following are brief extracts fion letters written to Klopstock during thsir engagements: "I must write to you this evening and you shall find my letter at
 Copenhagen. Best of men, you ought to
 find in me a wife desirous to initiate you as far as it can be possible. I will, 1 indeed, I will, resemble you as much as can. If I can preserve as much forti- l tude, as I have acquired this evening, l will not shed a tear at our parting. You will leave me but I shall, again. receive you, and receive you as your wife. q have you no longer, my Klopstock you are already far from me. You are well; you are tranquil; you are think | ing of your Meta, of your ever beloved Meta. You are thinking of me as I am ever thinking of you; for your heart i and your affection are like my own. Now | all reminds me of the time which is mine no more ;of my happiness in hav- l ing always near me my best beloved friend, who loves me so tenderly." | The style of the letters from Klopstoek | to Meta vary very little. The following are extracts from various letters from l the poet to Meta: with what transport l do I think of you my Metas my only i treasurer. my Wifel When in fancy
 behold you. my mind is filled with the | heavenly thoughts which SC often fer 1 vently and delightfully occupy it; and while I think of you, you are still more 1 fervent, more delightful. You are dear CT to me than all who are connected with me by blood or by friendship. dearer to me than all which Is dear to me besides in the creation. My sister, my friend, you are mine by love, by pure and holy 1 love, which Providence has made the in- habitant of my soul upon earth. It ap- pears to me that you were born my twin | sister in Paradise.
 i with vi at sweet peace of mind do l contemplate in every point of view the thought that you are mine and I am yours. o, Meta, how entirely are you formed to make me happy; and you are bestowed upon me. Can there be So much happiness here below?"
 Klopstoek's happiness was short for -S broken-hearted. After she was gone he
 continued to write letters to her: "1
 should oftener give way, my Meta, to the melancholy that expresses me. should think myself justified in giving
 way to it, if I had not experienced SC
 much grace at the time when the stroke l of thy death fell upon me.
 tI am obliged to call it to mind te
 restrain the melancholy which came or
 even now as I recollected that there are i but few days to thy birthday, whicf f thou didst not outlive. Was I not won
 derfully supported on the day of thy
 death? A little while ago I imagined a so strongly that thou vert before mt f that I more than once spoke to thee Oh, if thou vert indeed with me, then need say nothing more.'
 That Klopstock finally overcame hi . | grief is shown in that when he was six ty-seven years of age he contracted 2 second marriage with Johanna Eliza beth Won Winthefn, widow and nice,
 of his late wife, who far many year
 had been one of his most intirnat, = friends. He died in Hamburg on tn, e 14th Of March, 1893, mourned bv al : Germany, and was buried with grea
 pemp and ceremony by the side of hi
 first wife in the churchyard of the vii n lage Of Ottensen.
 q -.-------------