ably I shall receive more from her in this way than by personal intercourse, — for I think more of her character when with her, and am stimulated through my affections. As to Southey, I am steeped to the lips in enjoyment. I am glad I did not know this poet earlier; for I am now just ready to receive his truly exalting influences in some degree. I think, in reading, I shall place him next to Wordsworth. I have finished Herschel, and really believe I am a little wiser. I have read, too, Heyne’s letters twice, Sartor Resartus once, some of Goethe’s late diaries, Coleridge’s Literary Remains, and drank a great deal from Wordsworth. By the way, do you know his “Happy Warrior”? I find my insight of this sublime poet perpetually deepening.’
‘Mr. —— says the Wanderjahre is “wise.” It
must be presumed so; and yet one is not satisfied.
I was perfectly so with my manner of interpreting the
Lehrjahre; but this sequel keeps jerking my clue, and
threatens to break it. I do not know our Goethe yet.
I have changed my opinion about his religious views
many times. Sometimes I am tempted to think that it
is only his wonderful knowledge of human nature
which has excited in me such reverence for his philosophy,
and that no worthy fabric has been elevated on
this broad foundation. Yet often, when suspecting that
I have found a huge gap, the next turning it appears
that it was but an air-hole, and there is a brick all ready
to stop it, On the whole, though my enthusiasm for
the Goetherian philosophy is checked, my admiration
for the genius of Goethe is in nowise lessened, and I
stand in a sceptical attitude, ready to try his philosophy,
and, if needs must, play the Eclectic.’
