Schleiermacher to George Reimer.
[CLI.] Gnadenfrei, 30th April, 1802.
Yesterday, when I was forced to make up my mind to remain here some days longer than was my original intention, my first thought was, that in that case I should probably not see you again for some time, and under the circumstances, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of at least writing a few lines to you. Schlegel and his wife I fear I shall not either meet, but this I only look upon as saving me one leave-taking.
I feel myself very happy here in the society of a beloved sister, in a beautiful country, and amid the wonderful impressions of an earlier period of my life. There is no other place which could call forth such lively reminiscences of the entire onward movement of my mind, from its first awakening to a higher life, up to the point which I have at present attained. Here it was that for the first time I awoke to the consciousness of the relations of man to a higher world—in a diminutive form, it is true, just as it is said that spirits sometimes appear in the form of children and dwarfs; but they are nevertheless spirits, and as regards essentials therefore, it comes to the same thing. Here it was that that mystic tendency developed itself, which has been of so much importance to me, and has supported and carried me through all the storms of scepticism. Then it was only germinating, now it has attained its full development, and I may say, that after all that I have passed through, I have become a Herrnhuter again, only of a higher order. You may conceive what an intensified inward life I live here; added to this I have a sister here whom I sincerely love, and with whom I have always kept up a very frank correspondence, entering deeply with her into all matters most interesting to me. After this, it was a glorious pleasure to find ourselves face to face, and to enjoy immediately what for years had been spoken and experienced through the medium of the dead letter only.
Schleiermacher to his Sister Charlotte.
[CLII.] Berlin, Monday, 17th May.
I received yesterday the letter which you expected would be in my hands already on the 12th or 13th. It came very opportunely at dinner-time, to refresh me between my second and third sermon. You may conceive that I was at first very much alarmed at the sight of the strange handwriting, but as soon as I began to read, the tone of the letter tranquillized me, perhaps, indeed, too much, for you must have been pretty severely attacked, poor dear, to be obliged to keep your bed.
La Charmante is really truly charming, and I do not know how to thank her sufficiently for doing so much for you, and consequently, also, for me. But I recognize therein the continuation of all the loveable attentions which she showed us during my stay, and if you attribute her last kindnesses partly to the confidence I have shown, I can only say that this confidence was the fruit of her first kindnesses. Tell her how grateful I feel, how sincerely I rejoice in her sisterly attachment to you, and how glad I am to possess so many lines from her hand, and also something of her style, which must, naturally, in some degree have accompanied her handwriting. And do not the handwriting and the style of a person reveal much of their true nature? and more especially the handwriting and the style of a woman? Well, you may also tell her that I form a very vivid image to myself of how she will cast down her eyes, and her divine eyelashes, which have not their equals in the world, when you tell her this. I should like much to continue to chat with her in this way through a third person, et comme elle est plus femme et moins prude que son nom (to my great joy), she would probably forgive me for so doing; but I must tear myself away from her, in order to answer some matters in your letter, for I can only dispose of detached quarters of hours for writing. I am in constant movement, but not, as you say of yourself, like a pendulum, but like a hunted hare… . .
[CLIII.] Wednesday, 19th May.
… . That you understand me so well in the Monologues, gives me sincere pleasure. I think you will now be able to see how much we agree in spite of the dissimilarity between us, and that, although my thoughts and my being assume a distinct form and reveal themselves in a peculiar manner, our aspirations are essentially the same and equally directed towards an inner and a higher life. One thing, which will, I fear, touch you painfully at times in the Monologues, is the pride; but he who is proud in this way, can also be very humble, and I trust that you will feel this, though it be not expressed in the book. But tell me, what am I to do with the surname of the Sublime? I am afraid I have got it through the Monologues, but in every case it is ridiculous, and you must try and find another for me, if you would not have me believe that it is from pride that la charmante, in reference to this sublimity, calls herself la soumise.
Schleiermacher to E. von Willich.
[CLIV.] 19th May, 1802.
I returned on the 9th. With my sister I enjoyed myself thoroughly. She has developed herself very much during the six years that I had not seen her. I knew this beforehand from her letters, yet meeting face to face is a very different thing, and a more delightful gratification. However different people may be, increased maturity always facilitates mutual communication and understanding, and therefore we communed with each other more thoroughly and more composedly than ever. You have already become dear to her through my letters, and she has rejoiced at our having drawn near to each other so quickly. She made me promise to send her some of your letters that she might form a more vivid conception of you. Wedike’s letters I took with me, and they afforded us many a delightful hour. Of Henrietta Herz she stands in a certain awe which she cannot conquer, in spite of all my endeavours to talk her out of it. About the Monologues, also, which she likes very much, we had a good deal of conversation. Besides her, I had my brother there for some days, and his presence, and that of many old acquaintances, and the reminiscences of early, but for me very decisive years, and the delicious country, all afforded me intense pleasure. And in the midst of the purest and most elevated enjoyment, I wished I had you all around me, all you whom I love.
Since my return, I am living here amid the greatest confusion, immediately around me a desert waste, and in prospect, if possible, a still more desolate waste. I am working at present at the review of Alarkos, which I will send off from here, coûte qui coûte. Whether it will quite satisfy you I do not know, but perhaps it will at least afford you some new points of view. My judgment ought, I think, to be regardless of any secondary considerations, for in this case the work has not been previously and publicly cried down. It will, I think, cause you more and more emotion the oftener you read it. Goethe is letting them study Alarkos for performance at Weimar, the condensed power of the drama having, as he writes, strongly affected him.
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