Schleiermacher to his Sister Charlotte.1
[CLV.] Berlin, 27th May, 1802.
Yesterday has become a very remarkable day in my eyes in consequence of an evening visit paid to Reimer. That he nourished a hearty attachment to me, I had observed with joy for some time; and I also loved him already for his pure and noble disposition. Yesterday a sudden action took place within us—similar to that between me and Willich, in as far as regards the rapidity with which the effect was produced, but without any outward mediation—during which we took possession, as it were, of each other as intimate heart-friends. Do not ask me, at present, to describe this; I am too much overwhelmed and too perplexed; your own feelings must supply what I leave out. I spoke to him of my joy in his wife; with great openness he showed me letters of hers full of childlike piety and love, and which afforded me a very clear conception of their entire life and their relation to each other. I pressed his hand, and after a short pause said, “When my life has taken distinct and perfect shape, then, you shall likewise be allowed to behold it thus unveiled.” He folded me in his arms, with the words, “Henceforward let there be nothing concealed between us!” Thus it was, and thus it will remain. Afterwards we spoke a great deal about how friendship is formed, and how necessary it is to await the propitious moment… . .
To-day I have preached my last sermon at the Charité. The auditorium was rather distinguished, for, besides the minister, there were six clergymen, and several candidates for clerical orders present. After church I walked on foot a good mile to Friedrichsfeld to the Spaldings, who have a pretty country-place there. The Eichmanns had arrived there before me, and we spent the time pleasantly together until evening. From the Spaldings I took leave without words; of each other’s hearty love we are sure, and they entertain greater hopes than I do of seeing me here again in a few years as court-preacher. From Heindorff also I took leave. The evening, until midnight, I spent with Brinkmann. On my return home I found a letter from Willich, and one from a parson Schwarz in Hesse, a very excellent man, who first learnt to love me through the Monologues, and with whom I keep up a lively correspondence. Next I sat down to write this to you, and now I will go to bed for a couple of hours. Good night!
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Footnotes
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The later letters from Schleiermacher to this sister have not been found. ↩