publications OF THE lllniwrsit^ ot iPenns^lvania SERIES IN Philology and Literature FRIEDRICH SCHLEGEL'S RELATIONS WITH REICHARDT AND HIS CONTRIBU- TIONS TO "DEUTSCHLAND" SAMUEL PAUL CAPEN Sometime Harrison Fellow in Germanics, University of Pennsylvania Published for the Uniiiersity PHILADELPHIA 1903 GiNN & Co., Selling Agents, 29 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. Cornell University Library PT 2503.S6Z84 Friedrich Schleael's relations with Reic 3 1924 026 203 756 ^muW Hwmitg Jihatg THE GIFT OF ..kA-23\2.P.. .::....^.syj.(>H.. 4553 The date shows when this volume was takeib Apn 1 'l wr All books not in use for instruction or re- search are limited to four weeks to all bor- rowers. Periodicals of a gen- eral character should be returned as soon as possible ; when needed beyond two weeks a specia.l request should ^be made. I AH- student borrow- ers are limited to two weeks, with renewal privileges, when the book is not needed by others. Books not needed during recess periods should be returned to the library, or arrange- ments made for their return during borrow- er's absence, if wanted. Books needed by more than one person belong on the reserve list. ..V' publications 1Dlnivet8iti2 of penne^lvania SERIES IN Philology and Literature "VOXi. X:SL. — IsTO. 2 FRIEDKICH SCHI.EGEL'S RELATIONS WITH REICHARDT AND HIS CONTRIBU- TIONS TO "DEUTSCHLAND" SAMUEL PAUL CAPEN Sometime Harrison Fellow in Germanics, University of Pennsylvania Published for the University PHILADELPHIA 1903 GiNN & Co., Selling Agents, 29 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. Onr\ PREFACE. In the following paper^ I have confined myself to the statement of those facts in Friedrich Schlegel's early career which were necessary to the explanation of his connection with Reichardt. Considerable biographical setting was called for and here I have drawn upon the best known sources, frequently without the use of quotation marks. On the other hand I have felt justified in omitting or passing over with brief mention certain phases of the first twenty- five years of his life which, however interesting they might be as matters of biography, had no bearing upon the sub- ject in hand; for instance A. W. Schlegel's relations to Schiller and the consequences to him of Friedrich's break with the latter. What I have tried to do is to bring new material and add new details to a matter which most stu- dents of German Literature have previously accorded little attention. In certain cases also there is an attempt at a new interpretation. Schlegel's literary productions in this early period have been criticised and discussed by many able scholars. Where it has been necessary I have used their results, not being bound to any one authority, but, in cases of variation, avail- ing myself of the privilege of selection. But little space, however, has been devoted to the consideration of the works themselves. It would have been a daring undertaking, particularly for a foreigner, to enter the lists against men like Haym, Dilthey and Walzel, and a mere parrot-like repe- tition would have been of tio value. For the most part I have limited myself to a discussion of the influences which led to the writing of his earlier essays and a consideration of the results which they produced. S. P. Capen. Leipzig, April i, 1902. ' Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. CONTENTS. PAGE I . Fr. Schlegel's Early Life 7 II. First Articles on Classical Subjects 13 III. Acquaintance with Schiller and Endeavors to Publish in the " Thalia " and '' Horeh " 21 IV. Reichardt: Life, Work and Relations with Goethe and Schil- ler 26 V. Reichardt and Fr. Schlegel 37 Chronological List of Schlegel's Early Writings with the Peri- odicals in which they Appeared 49 (5) Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026203756 FRIEDRICH SCHLEGEL'S CONNECTION WITH REICHARDT AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO "DEUTSCHLAND." I. FR. SCHLEGEL's early LIFE. One of the most pregnant periods in Friedrich Schlegel's career was the period of his connection with Reichardt. Not only was this connection of first importance to Schle- gel himself and his literary development, but it exercised also indirectly no inconsiderable influence upon the direc- tion of the Romantic School, and through it upon the course of German Literature in the nineteenth century. In this short space of time, scarcely more than a year and a half, there came to light in Schlegel's writings two striking ten- dencies, on the one side the propensity for cutting literary polemic which embroiled him with Schiller, on the other the method of "characteristic" which combined with his keen analytical faculty formed the basis of the Schlegel system of literary criticism. Friedrich SchlegeP was born in Hanover, March loth, 1772, the son of Johann Adolf Schlegel. As a child he was full of whims and caprices, an enigma to his parents and a source of great care. The home atmosphere was strictly religious, — his father was pastor of the Neustadter Hof- und Stadtkirche. The regularity and system which we observe in August Wilhelm Schlegel's work were charac- ' For Fr. Schlegel's biography, see Walzel, Deutsche National-Litter- atur, vol. 143. Introduction : Muncker, Allgemeine Deutsche Biographic, vol 33, p. 738 fit; and Walzel, Fr. Schlegel's Briefe an seinen Bruder (cited hereafter as Walzel). (7) 8 Friedrich Schlegel teristic of the family. At the age of sixteen Friedrich was sent to Leipzig to begin his preparation for a merchant's ■career. It would be impossible to conceive a life-work less suited to his nature. As might be expected the experiment was not successful and he soon returned to Hanover. In a surprisingly short time he acquired the equivalent of the gymnasium training and decided to take up the study of law. His brother, August Wilhelm, was 2\- this time a student in Gottingen, and thither went Friedrich to begin his new course in life. But instead of studying law he read philosophy and attended the philological lectures of Heyne. The formative influence at this period of his life was his friendship with his brother. Upon the foundation of their common tastes in art and literature there arose between them a sympathy and an interest which lasted nearly as long as Friedrich lived, and which exerted no small influence on the literary productions of both. At this period Friedrich saw in his brother the finest critical ability combined with productive talent. After they separated, in the spring of 1791, the one to take up a Hofmeister's posi- tion in Amsterdam, the other to continue his law studies in Leipzig, Friedrich submitted all his literary theories to Wilhelm for judgment, and did his best to stimulate the latter to further productive efforts. Now begins the series of letters from Friedrich to his brother, which is so series of letters from Friedrich to his brother, which is so rich not only in material for Friedrich's biography, but also in discussions of almost all the literary questions of the time. Unfortunately Wilhelm's letters have not been preserved ; their contents can only be surmised from Fried- rich's answers. Friedrich lived in Leipzig from May, 1791, until Janu- ary, 1794. The early part of his sojourn here was marked by periods of violent dissipation alternating with periods of the closest application, to study, not law be it said, how- ever. In those days Leipzig was a city of fashion and pleasure with an extremely low moral standard. Friedrich His Early Life. 9 mingled in the social life more extensively than his finances warranted. He was led to still greater extravagances by an intrigue with a society woman. The combined irregu- larities of the life shattered his health and involved him so deeply in debt that ^it took years of hard literary labor for him to free himself. In the meantime he had the oppor- tunity to put his brother's friendship to the test. With scarcely a word of reproach Wilhelm made continual advances from his small savings to preserve the younger brother's honor and to keep him in comfortable circum- stances. The result was worthy the sacrifice. Two influ- ences stimulated Friedrich to a better course, remorse at former excesses and his acquaintance with Caroline Bohmer. Caroline had taken part in the Mainz republican move- ment, had been captured as she was leaving the city and kept prisoner in the fortress at Konigstein. Eventually set free through the untiring efiforts of her brother, she turned again to August Wilhelm Schlegel, — whom she had formerly known in Gottingen, — for help in the serious position in which she found herself. He, with character- istic generosity, disregarding her former disloyalty to him, hastened on from Amsterdam and conducted her to Lucka. Here she was placed under the protection of Goschen, the Leipzig publisher, and Friedrich. As the only individual who was thoroughly informed of her unfortunate circum- stances, Friedrich was admitted to closer intimacy during this period than any one else. As might be expected, this woman, who possessed the rare combination of masculine strength of mind and feminine charm, who had known how to exact the homage of the man he admired and respected above all others, and who finally perceiving the young man's talent and possibilities wished to show him his true self and turn him to better things, exerted a great influence upon Friedrich. He himself recognized that the influence was decisive, and in two letters bore testimony to the fact. January 21st, 1794, just after leaving Leipzig and Caroline, 10 Friedrich Schlegel. he wrote to Wilhelm:^ "Carolinens Theilnahme und Rath ist mir sehr niitzlich gewesen, kann es noch weit mehr sein. Mein Zutrauen zu ihr ist ganz unbedingt. Sie ist nicht mehr die Einzige, UnerforschHche, von der man nie aufhort zu lernen, sondern die Gute, die Beste, vor der ich mich meiner Fehler schame." Two years and a half later, after he had already accomplished something in his chosen profession he wrote to Caroline herself :^ "Heute ists drey Jahr, dass ich Sie zuerst sah. Denken Sie, ich stande vor Ihnen, und dankte Ihnen stumm fiir Alles, was Sie fiir mich und an mir gethan haben. — Was ich bin und seyn werde, verdanke ich mir selbst; dass ich es bin,,zum Theil Ihnen." In the midst of his dissipation and the preoccupation which his subsequent financial difficulties caused him, Fried- rich's purpose in life had gradually been undergoing a change. The study of law for which he had gone to Leip- zig had from the beginning occupied but little of his time. On the other hand he had devoured with feverish eagerness all the works on Greek antiquity upon which he could lay his hands, and had also devoted considerable time to the reading of modern philosophers and poets. That he had other ends in view than the mere satisfying of his intel- lectual desires we know from a letter to Wilhelm, written October 4th, 1791,* in which he said: "Du fragst mich ob ich nicht Lust zur Schriftstellerei bekame? — Allerdings habe ich sehr viel Plane dazu und ich glaube ich werde die meisten ausfiihren, nicht sowohl aus Liebe zum Werke als aus einem Triebe, der mich von frtih an schon besessen, dem verzehrenden Triebe nach Thatigkeit, oder wie ich ihn noch lieber nennen mochte, die Sehnsucht nach dem Unendlichen." (Incidentally it might be remarked that this is the first mention and perhaps the best explanation of the ''Walzel, p. 159. ' "Caroline,'' herausgegeben von Waitz, Vol. I, p. 174. Friedrich Schlegel to Caroline, August 2d, 1796. *Walzel, p. 18. His Early Life. ii "Sehnsucht" or "Triebe nach dem Unendlichen," by which he was fond of characterizing aU his activity. From this time on the thought of a future literary career played an important part in his development. At first he considered it simply as a possible avocation, but gradually as he became more deeply interested in certain literary problems he came to the conviction that this was the only course in life in which he could find satisfaction. In a letter to Wilhelm, June 2d, 1793,^ he had discussed the possibihty of securing a position as Hofmeister and declared his intention of de- voting himself to the pursuit of letters. Undoubtedly his association with Novalis,® Korner, and in a lesser degree with Schiller, had some influence in determining him to this step. Novalis, born in the same year as Friedrich, having studied at Jena under Reinhold and Schiller, came to Leip- zig in the autumn of 1791 to pursue further his law studies. Soon after his arrival in Leipzig he made the acquaintance of Schlegel. Their common interests in literature and philosophy brought them into close contact with one another and a friendship soon sprang up between them that lasted — with a short interruption — until Novalis's death. Korner,'^ whom Friedrich met on the occasion of one of • his many trips to Dresden, where his sister lived, at once recognized the younger man's talent, took a lively interest in him and in the spring of 1793 entered into correspond- ence with him. It was at Korner's house that Friedrich met Schiller, and through Korner's good offices that he came into literary relations with Schiller and W. von Hum- boldt. Having definitely decided to enter upon a career of letters " Walzel, p. 89 ff. ° For a more or less detailed account of Fr. Schlegel's relation to Novalis, see Haym: Die Romantische Schule, p. 901 ff. (Cited here- after as Haym.) ' For references in regard to Fr. Schlegel's relations to Korner, see Walzel, p. 43 and p. 180 ff. 12 Friedrich Schlegel. Schlegel settled down to work with furious energy. Leip- zig with its associations of an unfortunate love-afifair, youthful wildness and sordid squabbles with insistent cred- itors became intolerable to him. Moreover the many demands of his friends made uninterrupted work an im- possibility. However, his debts and his duty to Caroline prevented his leaving at once. In January, 1794, Caro- line's health improved so much that he was no longer necessary to her, and at the same time Wilhelm was able to advance him enough money to settle a portion of his debts. With fresh courage and many plans for the future he moved to Dresden, where his sister Charlotte offered him a home. Dresden possessed many attractions besides the material one just mentioned. Korner was there, and in him Friedrich was sure of a ready patron. There was the famous art-gallery, and above all the library. With a firmness of purpose and a power of self-denial of which his former life gave no suggestions Schlegel de- voted himself to his work of preparation. He spent all his waking hours in study. When exhausted by constant work with one subject he turned -to another for recreation and amusement. He denied himself all luxuries and many things which he had before considered necessities. The fruits of these labors were nearly all his literary produc- tions up to the time of his sojourn in Paris ( 1830) . Here he laid the foundations, and upon these foundations he built in the years of varying idleness and labor which followed. II. FIRST ARTICLES ON CLASSICAL SUBJECTS. First the Greeks.-^ His enthusiasm for classicism, and especially Greek classicism, dates back to his earliest stu- dent days in Gottingen. Not only Greek literature but Greek art occupied his attention, and perhaps in the begin- ning the greater stress was laid upon the study of art. Winckelmann^ had great influence upon him. We find him early referring all manner of problems both literary and artistic back to Winckelmann as the last authority. Con- sequently when he decided to follow a literary career it was but natural that he should have chosen Greek antiquity as the field of his labors. But while his knowledge of the language and literature was sufficient to distinguish him among the scholars of his time, it was not the material for scholarly treatises which Schlegel saw in Greek litera- ture. He had buried himself in the study of it, but ever with one eye upon the problems^ of modern times. The solution of these problems he believed lay in the applica- tion of Greek principles and Greek models to modern de- mands, and above all in knowledge of the Greeks. The history of Greek art"* was in his eyes also a system of aesthetics; it was as he said the '"Naturgeschichte des Schonen und der Kunst."^ ^ Walzel, p. February lo, 1794. — "Meine Hauftbeschaftigung ist noch dieselbe — griechische Dichtkunst. ^ Haym, p. 178. "Auf Winckelmann in erster Linie beruht die Bildung Fr. Schlegels in der entscheidenden Epoche des Erwachens zur Selbst- standigkeit." " Walzel, p. 170, "Das Problem unserer Poesie scheint mir die Ver- einigung des Wesentlich-Modernen mit dem Wesentlich-Antiken,'' etc. 'Grenzboten, 1883, p. 186 ff. J. Minor; "Fr. Schlegel." ° Walzel, p. 173. "Die Geschichte der Griechischen Poesie ist eine vollstandige Naturgeschichte des Schonen und der Kunst, daher ist mein Werk Aesthetik. Diese ist noch nicht erfunden, sie ist das philosoph- ische Resultat der Geschichte der Aesthetik und auch der einzige Schliissel derselben. (13) 14 Friedrich Schlegel. This then was his task; and it will be seen that in the main essential he differed from all other classical scholars of his time. As Michael Bernays® aptly puts it: "Eine einseitige Verherrlichung der alten Poesie auf Kosten der neueren lag keineswegs in seiner Absicht. Er wollte dar- thun wie weit unsere Litteratur seit ihrer mit Klopstock's Auftreten erfolgten Wiedergeburt sich selbstandig, atis innerem Triebe den alten genahert habe ; er wollte den Punkt bezeichnen, wo die neuere Litteratur, zu ihrem Heile, sich am innigsten mit der Antiken beriihren mtisse; wollte den Zweck angeben den die Zeitgenossen beim Studium der Classischen Poesie zu verfolgen batten." And in a certain measure he did accomplish this, in a certain measure he became, as he had hoped, a Winckelmann in regard to the poets of antiquity. That he did not accomplish more in this direction was due to two things, his temperament and his debts. His mind was so constituted that he could not devote himself exclusively to one subject. If only for recreation he must turn aside, and having turned aside his ready interest in everything literary and artistic carried him farther afield. Thus we find him in the midst of his study of the Greeks occupying himself with modern phil- osophical, political and critical matters. To be sure he was in a way justified, for his subject of study was the application of Greek forms or methods to modern literary creations'' and to modern political questions. But having once entered upon this territory his temperament led him astray. The subject was attractive, written articles more or less remunerative, and he needed money sorely. Grad- ually, almost unconsciously the new work drew his interest. The study of the Greeks was neglected and at length given up entirely. This process was of course a long one and even after the beginning of his Fragmentary Period, if we may call it so, he still cherished the plan of completing his "Geschichte der Poesie der Griechen und Romer." ° Grenzboten, 1869, IV, p. 458. ' See Deutsche National-Literatur, Vol. 143, p. 245 ff. First Articles on Classical Subjects. 15 It is interesting to note that even before he began to publish the series of journalistic articles and pamphlets which marked the first two years of his literary activity he was already exercising his critical talents in private. In January, 1792,® he said in a letter to Wilhelm: "Ich habe Dir einen Vorschlag auf kiinftigen Sommer zu thun. Wie ware es, wenn wir einmal versuchten gemeinschaftlich un- sere Gedanken fiber die Dichtkunst zu entwickeln, die wir vielleicht kiinftig einmal in der Form von Briefen oder Gesprachen bekannt machen konnten." This plan he pro- ceeded to carry out. Aside from the discussion of questions relating exclusively to Greek literature and the develop- ment of general theories in regard to poetry, he frequently devoted a large portion of his letters to reviews and criti- cisms of the contemporaneous works of literature and phi- losophy. In the consideration of these latter he applied his system of "characteristic.^ He sought to read the man through his works. One of his most instructive utterances in this direction was in a letter to Wilhelm,^" December 7th, 1794, in which he advises the latter to devote him- self to certain lines of work and certain specific problems. It is a remarkably sharp analysis of Wilhelm's ability and particularly significant when we consider that at this time Wilhelm had written but little. That Wilhelm himself recognized the accuracy of the analysis and the truth of the criticisms (Friedrich also criticised his brother's style somewhat severely) there can be no doubt. Indeed it is a striking fact that he carried out most of the suggestions in after years. It is generally recognized that he owed the impulse for many of his ideas, particularly those of a doc- trinary character, to Friedrich, but the consideration of this letter leads one to wonder whether the credit of much which is commonly conceived to be original with him should not also be given to the younger brother. "Walzel, p. 74. ° As already stated the first of his published writings exemplifying this method of criticism appeared several years later (see above, p. 2). " Walzel, p. 200 flf. 1 6 F.riedrich Schlegel. r In the first year of Schlegel's residence in Dresden the fruits of his labors with antiquity began to appear.^ ^ In the autumn of 1794 he published his first article, "Von den Schulen der Griechischen Poesie," which was a sort of an- nouncement of his plans, in Biester's Bcrlinische Monats- schrift. This was followed by the article "Vom aesthet- ischen Werthe der griechischen Komodie," in the Decem- ber number of the same journal. In the same year he pub- lished in the Leipziger Monatsschrift fiir Damen the short sketch*^ "Ueber die Weiblichen Charaktere in den griech- ischen Dichtern." "Ueber die Grenzen des Schonen" was written earlier than the last named essay, but did not appear until May, 1795, in Wieland's Teutschcr Merkur. In July, 1795, he published the longer essay, ^^ "Ueber die Diotima," in the Berlinische Monatsschrift. To this same year also belongs the most remarkable of all Schlegel's essays on the Greeks, "Ueber das Studium der griechischen Poesie." The manuscript was finished in the autumn of 1795, but owing to the dilatoriness of the publisher, Michaelis, it did not appear until 1797. In the meantime Schiller had pub- lished his famous article, "Ueber naive und sentimentalische Dichter." By chance they had both hit upon the same field and the same problem, but their solutions were radically different.^* Schlegel recognized the importance of Schil- ler's theories and received from them new light upon much of his own work, although still not agreeing with them as a whole. ^^ In any case, he saw the necessity of reconciling " For the full original texts of these early writigs, see J. Minor ; "Friedrich Schlegel, 1794-1802. Seine prosaischen Jugendschriften." Wien 1882. " Haym, p. 184, "nur ein Excurs zu dem Ueber die Diotima.' '^ A. W. Schlegel wrote concerning the "Diotima" to Schiller ; "Nach ITieinem Bediinken ist es das Reifste, was er bis jetzt hat drucken lassen," Preussische Jahrbiicher, IX, p. 201. Compare also Schiller to Korner, October 10, 1795, in Schiller's Briefe, ed. Jonas, IV, p. 296 flf. " For a short suming up of the points of difference and similarity in these two essays, see Dilthey ; Das Leben Schleiermacher's, p. 220 ff. Also Haym, p. 205 ff. " Compare Fr. Schlegel to Schiller, Preussische Jahrbiicher, IX, p. 226 ff. First Articles on Classical Subjects. 17 much of what he had written with the new standards set up by Schiller. To accomplish this he wrote the "Vorrede" to his essay. In 1796 he sent Wieland two short articles for the new "Attisches Museum," "Der Epitafios des Lysias," and Kunsturtheil des Dionysias iiber den Isokrates." In the same year also, stimulated by Wolf's "Prolegomena," he published the essay "Ueber die Homerische Poesie" in Reichardt's Deutschland. To the period of his sojourn in Dresden belongs finally, although it was not ready for print until 1798, the "Geschichte der Poesie der Griechen und Romer." This was the end and aim of all his study of an- tiquity; the other articles were but sketches. The material was collected in Dresden and the book took form there. It is the most exact and scholarly of all Schlegel's writings, and fragment as it is, is a fitting climax to this chapter of his work. The writings on Greek literature have been criticised and discussed at length by many scholars.^* A recapitulation of their results would in no wise contribute to the matter in hand, but perhaps a few remarks on Schlegel's stylistic development as shown in these earlier works would not be amiss. From his first student days, although he read much and without system, he wrote but little. Consequently he lacked the facility of expression which characterized his brother. Wilhelm saw this in his letters and accused him of taciturnity of style. Friedrich recognized the justice of the criticism, and in speaking of his difficulties he went even further. He said ■}'' "Ich werde mich ordentlich darauf iiben mtissen verstdndlich zu werden. Ich habe so viel Hang fiber das unbegreifliche zu denken und zu reden, und so ftigt es sich oft, dass ich eine schone Stunde mit dem gross- " See particularly Haym, pp. 179-199, Dilthey: "Das Lehen Schleier- macher's," pp. 205-237, Sulger-Gebing : "Die Briider Schlegel in ihrem Verhaltnisse zur bildenden Kunst" in Forschungen zur neueren Lit- teratur-Geschichte III, p. i ff. " Walzel, p. 92. 1 8 Friedrich Schlegel ten Eifer mich martere, und am Ende muss ich immer noch fragen; ob ich verstanden bin." This lack of clearness of which he complained marked his earliest efforts. The style was rough and labored. All these faults were particularly noticeable in "Ueber die Grenzen des Schonen,"^^ so much so that Schiller,^* after reading it expressed his doubts whether the author had any talent for writing. From this time on, however, Schlegel's style began to improve. It was the result of consistent effort, for writing was hard labor for him.-" And the effort was all in the direction of clearness and definiteness, not for artistic form.^^ The article "Ueber die Diotima" showed considerable progress, "Ueber das Studium" perhaps still more. As an individual trait there made itself apparent in the first thing Schlegel wrote for publication the ability to characterize a subject with one striking epigrammatic word or phrase. This talent he cultivated in later years to the exclusion of all others. It is to blame for the "Fragmente," and the assumption of the paradox, which latter was never a natural form with him in spite of his endeavors to make it appear so.^^ One other characteristic is plain also in his first writings, namely, ^' In spite of Friedrich's own opinion to the contrary. See Walzel, p. 223. " Schiller's Briefwechsel mit Korner III, 273. ™ Walzel, p. 264 : "Es ist mein Fehler, dass ich alles so schwerfallig treibe." ^'Walzel, p. 258; "Wie fruchtlos und wie thoricht ware es fiir mich, ehe ich mit dem Stoffi und mit dem Gedanken voUig aufs Reine bin (welches unter 10 Jahren vielleicht nicht der Fall sein wird) nach voll- endeter Form streben zu woUen. Doch versteht sich's, dass ich alle Kunstworter wie den Tod scheue, und nach Leibeskraften, nach Bes- timmtheit und Klarheit strebe." ""Wilhelm Schlegel in a letter to Windeschmann after Friedrich's death (Werke VIII, 191), said: "Das Fragment war ihm schon friih ein hypostasierter Lieblingsbegriff geworden und ist es immer geblieben. Fine Jagd auf den Schein des Paradoxen ist unverkennbar. Wenn er aber zusammenhangend mid ausfiihrlich schrieb, dann verfuhr er ganz anders schon in der friihesten Periode,'' etc. ^ First Articles on Classical Subjects. 19 a tendency toward glittering generalities.^^ On the whole, however, his writings on Greek literature exhibit the com- bination of genius ■\^ith the power of accurate investigation. They remain, therefore, an admirable contribution to critical literature, whereas much of his other work has ceased to be of value except as an expression of the unreflecting ten- dency toward individualism which characterized his time and more particularly the Romantic circle. Up to the spring of 1796, when he made the acquaintance of Reichardt, Schlegel published only one article which did not deal with Greek literature. That was a rather unim- portant review of Condorcet's "Esquisse d'un tableau his- torique des progres de I'esprit humain." It appeared in Niethammer's Fhilosophisches Journal einer Gesellschaft Teutscher Gelehrten. But although he did not publish he had many other plans and much matter dealing with current problems either in his head or on paper. As these things took shape the Fhilosophisches Journal seemed to be the most propitious place to bring them to light. In the early part of the year 1796 he sent Niethammer^* the "Versuch fiber den Begriff des Republikanismus." It pleased Nie- thammer on the whole, but he returned it for changes. These Friedrich made, and once more sent in the article, but whether that number of the journal was already full (and Schlegel insisted upon immediate publication), or whether the article^' even in its altered form was not ac- ceptable to the editor we do not know. At any rate it did not appear in the Philosophisches Journal. In his corre- spondence with Niethammer Schlegel also proposed further contributions. Chief among these was a review of the cur- rent numbers of the Horen. It would seem that at the time of this correspondence the review was already in form, or at least begun. Niethammer, however, apparently ^ Haym (p. 223) explains this as the outcome of a lack of patience. " See Archiv. fiir Litteraturgeschichte, Vol, XV, p. 425 ff. Letters from Friedrich Schlegel to Niethammer. '' See p. 430 ff of the above named Archiv. 20 Friedrich Schlegel. distrusted the tact, if not the judgment, of the youthful critic, — certain passages in Friedrich's letters^^ gave him adequate reason to do so — and not caring to embroil him- self with the literary and philosophical divinities did not see fit to accept either the review or the proposed "Revision der Aesthetik seit Kant." ^° Archiv. fiir LiU.-Ges. XV, p. 429. "In den aesthetischen Briefen finde ich vieles zu billigen und auch vieles zu bestreiten, und zu widerlegen, und ich bin gewohnt Lob und Tadel so stark zu sagen als ich sie empfinde. Der Ton wird, hoffe ich, so sein, dass niemand iiber die Aufnahme den Herausgeber tadeln wird. Das Urtheil selbst ist meine Sache. Um so mehr da die Recensenten Ihres Journals meist anonym sind. Oder haben Sie diese Einrichtung abgeandert? Ich hasse die Anonymitat und so sonderbar es khngt ich wiirde anonym nicht so freymiithig urtheilen konnen. jir. ACQUAINTA^XE WITH SCHILLER AND EXDEAVORS TO PUB- LISH IN THE "tHALIa" AND "'hOREN." Schlegel's only other important journalistic connection in this early period was with Schiller. To be sure in spite of Schiller's favorable attitude, Korner's influence and Schlegel's own efforts nothing from his pen ever appeared in the journals which Schiller conducted, still the connec- tion was farther reaching in its effects than any of those already mentioned. Early in his career Schlegel conceived a great admiration for Schiller, and in the first records we have of his opinion he expresses this, not once, but many times. ^ His letters to Wilhelm were full of praises of what he considered great in Schiller without being silent upon the points which seemed to him open to criticism. In this he was in direct opposition to Wilhelm's opinion. The older brother as a true disciple of Biirger took umbrage at Schil- ler's review of Biirger's Gedichte, and from that time forth shut his eyes to Schiller's greatness. And while his prac- tical sense bade him, for selfish reasons, refrain from ex- ^ July 21, 1791, he said: (Walzel, p. 8) "An Schillers Werken habe ich viel gefunden. . . . Ich bin Willens ihn einmal recht zu studieren ; es ist ein grosser, eigentHch ein superieurer Mann.'' Perhaps his most enthusiastic utterance was in a letter of October, 1793. (Walzel, p. 128 f) which begins : "Mensch ich soil Dir beweisen, dass Schiller ein grosser Mann ist?" and concludes with the paragraph: "Nun meine Rechtfertigung. — Sie liegt, glaub ich, deutlich genug in seinen Werken. Doch wiirde ich in einer Geschichte der Kunst scharfer bestimmen und ihm vielleicht diesen Namen versagen, wegen des Rohen und Abgeriss- nen in allem, und dann der unziichtigen Einbildung: und am Ende ist sein ganzes Wesen zerrissen und ohne Einklang. — Aber die grosse Kraft find 'ich von Anfang bis noch jetzt, da er zu sterben anfangt; zuerst in der unsinnigen Verzweifelung iiber friih verlome Unschuld der Sitten und des Verstandes. Dann in dem kurzen Stolz iiber angeborne Kraft und errungene Bildung, und endlich in dem Bemuhen sich selbst a priori zu construiren, da die Liebe erloschen ist." (21) 2 2 Friedrich Schlegel. pressing his opinion publicly, his private utterances, particu- larly to Friedrich, were all the more cutting. Friedrich's admiration on the other hand grew, if anything, from the time when he iirst began to occupy himself with Schiller's work up to the time of the unfortunate combination of cir- cumstances which caused the break between them. But it was not a blind admiration; he never considered Schiller Goethe's equal, and as he grew older he perceived ever more clearly the former's limitations.^ In May, 1792, he made the personal acquaintance of Schiller at Korner's house.^ His own estimation of the poet was not in any way changed by the meeting, but it is interesting to note the impression which he made upon Schil- ler. Describing the meeting in a letter to Wilhelm,* he said : * * * "er konnte mich nicht leiden, und wir haben nicht viel fiber sechs Worte mit einander gewechselt. Ich habe zufallig Korner's unci seine Urtheile fiber mich erfahren. Solltest Du glauben, dass ich ihnen ein unbe- scheidener, kalter Witzling geschienen? und auch Schillern? (Doch hat dieser mehrere Proben seiner Einseitigkeit im Urtheilen gegeben. ) Sie haben mein Herz ordentlich ver- steigert, wer den meisten Tadel darauf bieten mochte."^ ■ For the development of Schlegel's opinion of Schiller as shown in his letters, see Haym, p. 887 ff. " Walzel, p. 44 ff. ' Walzel, p. 45. ' It is no wonder that Schiller had this impression of Schlegel, be- cause from the latter's own confessions as well as from the judge- ments of his friends, notably Schleirmacher, we learn that this was the impression he generally made in early life. For instance he said in a letter to Wilhelm, November 21, 1792 (Walzel, p. 8i) . . "ich muss mir selbst gestehen, dass ich nicht liebenswiirdig bin, welches mir oft zur hochsten Verweiflung treibt. . . Aber langst habe ich bemerkt welchen Eindruck ich fast immer mache. Man findet mich interresant und geht mir aus dem Wege. Wo ich hinkomme, flieht die gute Laune, und meine Nahe driickt. Am liebsten besieht man mich aus der Feme, wie eine gefahrliche Raritat. Gewiss manchem flosse ich bittern Widerwillen ein. Und der Geist? — Den meisten heisse ich doch ein Sonderling, das ist ein Narr mit Geist.'' For Schleirmacher's characteristif of Schlegel, see Dilthey: Das Leben Schleirmacher's. Acquaintance u.'ith Schiller. 23 But although Schiller's first impressions of Schlegel were so unfavorable, he came in the course of the next two years to recognize his talent. For this Korner was in a measure to thank. He never lost sight of the young man and in spite of Schlegel's more or less unsympathetic personality appreciated his possibilities. When Friedrich began his work as a writer he endeavored to bring him into communi- cation with Schiller once more. In this matter, too, Schlegel was not slow to further his own interests. He realized the immense advantages which a connection with Schiller's journalistic enterprises offered and tried from the very first to have some of his articles printed in Schiller's periodicals. Schiller was not disinclined. The second of Schlegel's Greek essays, "Vom aesthetischen \\'erthe der griechischen Komo- die," came into his hands and drew from him words of ap- proval, although at the time there was no room for it in the Thalia.^ It went to Blester instead and for a time Schle- gel's efforts were directed into other channels. But Schiller followed his work with interest and hoped to be able to use him as a contributor to the Horcn which had taken the place of the Thalia.'' But just at this time when Schiller began to see promise in Schlegel, the essay "Ueber die Gren- zen des Schonen" was published in the Teiitschcr Merkur. It went far toward destroying the good impression the earlier "Schiller's Briefe, IV, 45, Letter to Korner, October 25, 1794: "Von der Thalia erscheinen noch 2 Stucke ; eines ist schon ganz abgedruckt und das andere ist besetzt, so dass ich Schlegel's Aufsatz nicht mehr placieren kann. Er wird aber im !Merkur wohl unterkommen konnen. Seinen Aufsatz habe ich bei Humboldt gelesen, aber ob ich gleich die Idee nicht wegvverfen will, so hat mich seine Erklarung und Ausfiih- rung nicht ganz befriedigt, und ich finde noch viel willkiirliches darin." ' Schiller's Briefe, IV, 95. January 5, 1795. to Korner : . . . "und empfiehle mich Schlegeln. Auch von ihm erwarte ich mit der Zeit, wenn seine Ideen, an denen er sehr reich ist mehr Klarheit erhalten haben, und die Form iiber den Stoff erst Meisterin geworden ist, viel vortrefBiches. Again IV, 185, June 12, 1795 to Korner: "Las mich wissen ob vielleicht sein Bruder (A. \V. Schlegel) einen Aufsatz fertig Oder unter der Feder hat, der fiir die Horen brauchbar ware." 24 Friedrich Schlegel. articles had created. The "Diotima," however, which ap- peared soon afterwards, restored him somewhat in Schiller's opinion, and in answering a mention of it in a letter® from Wilhelm Schlegel he criticised Friedrich's talent very favorably. Wilhelm's return to Germany and participation in the Horen and Museiialmanach, together with Friedrich's own progress as an essayist, once more brought the younger brother into communication with Schiller. The result was the essay entitled "Caesar and Alexander,"* which Fried- rich sent to the Horen, July 28, 1796. He had left Dresden a few days before for Jena, stopping on the way at Leipzig and Diirrenberg; from the former place he despatched his latest contribution. From Diirrenberg he wrote to Caro- line Schlegel^" (August 2) in great impatience for news of the article. It was of the first importance to him to know whether it had been accepted before his arrival in Jena. The reason was that he had a sin upon his soul. Before leav- ing Dresden he had written for Reichardt the momentous "Recension des Musenalmanachs." Although he did not apparently realize what the consequences would be, still he did not feel quite easy in his mind. News was not forth- ' A. W. Schlegel to Schiller, October, 1795, in the Preussische Jahr- biicher, IX, p. 201. "Diirft ich so. frei sein, Sie auf einen Aufsatz meines Bruders iiber die Bildung der Griechischen Frauen unter dem Titel Diotima aufmerksam zu machen," etc. Schiller answered, October 28, 1795 (Schiller's Briefe, IV, 304) : "Das Stiick der Berliner Mon- atsschrift, welches den Aufsatz Ihres Herrn Bruders enthalt, erwarte ich jeden Tag. Ich habe ihn schon langst eine Crise in der Schreibart gewiinscht und ich hoffe, die Zeichen derselben in diesem Aufsatz zu finden. Der Geist kampfte noch in seinen Arbeiten zu sehr mit der Form und es fehlte an Leichtigkeit und Licht. Aber es ist sehr viel Realitat in ihm, und siegt er in diesem Kampf, so ist in ihm ein vor- trefflicher Schriftsteller zu erwarten." Compare also Schiller to Hum- boldt, December 15, 1795 (Schiller's Briefe, IV, 355) ; "Schlegel's Abhandlung iiber die griechischen Frauen, die er mir heute geschickt," etc. ° First printed in Schlegel's Sammtliche Werke, Vol. IV. " "Caroline" herausgegeben von Waitz, I, p. 175. Acquaintance with Schiller. 25 coming, however, until he arrived in Jena. There he was well received and made a good impression, — but the essay was not accepted for the Horen. The grounds for Schiller's refusal were probably stylistic, although it is possible that the Recension of the Musenahnanach may not have been en- tirely without influence in the matter. At any rate the sub- sequent developments prevented any further contributions from Schlegel's pen being received in the Horen. We have seen that Schlegel's efforts to secure a hearing for his new ideas on politics, philosophy and literature through the medium of Niethammer's "Journal" miscar- ried, and that with the Thalia and the Horen things did not go off as smoothly as might have been desired; with Biester also it was not by any means plain sailing,^^ and Wieland furnished a market only for classical articles. Friedrich tried several other publishers with the same suc- cess ;^^ none were willing to accept his essays, whether on account of form or matter. At this critical period, when Schlegel's thoughts demanded outlet, when his purse was growing leaner every day and when his creditors on the one side and his ambition on the other were spurring him on to renewed energy Reichardt appeared upon the scene, and offered him all that he needed, money, encouragement, and above all a medium for placing his thoughts before the public. What wonder that he accepted the offer, even though it entailed a partial alliance with the opposition camp? With youthful hopefulness he believed he could steer between Scylla and Charybdis and avoid them both. He thought he could use the leader of the opposition for his own puf- poses without being led into discussions which would em- broil him with Jena. But here he reckoned without his host. "Walzel, p. 253 (August 17, 1795). "Ich habe die Zeit damit ver- dorben, grosse Abhandlungen fiir Biester auszuarbeiten, die nicht nach seinem Geschmack sind." " Walzel, p. 187, and Anmerkung 2, p. 214, Anm. i, p. 233 and Anm. 2. IV. REICHARDT : LIFE, WORK AND RELATIONS WITH GOETHE AND SCHILLER. Johann Friedrich Reichardt^ was one of the important personalities of the time. Born of poor parents in Konigs- berg, November 25, 1752, he early exhibited an astonish- ingly versatile talent. He was destined to follow his father's profession and to become a musician. He learned several instruments in his early youth and created great interest among the patrons of music in Konigsberg by the excel- lence of his playing. In his seventeenth year he visited the University, heard Kant on philosophy and made the ac- quaintance of several of the celebrated professors there, among them Kant and Hamann. Among his fellow-stu- dents were the poets Reinhold, Lenz, Bock and the famous physician Marcus Herz. In 1770 he went to Leipzig for a year, and at the end of that time began a journey through Germany which lasted two years and a half. During this time he lived by his talents, playing his way from city to city. The journey was of immense profit to him. both in making him known as a musician and in bringing him into contact — in many cases into friendly relations — with prom- inent contemporaries in music and literature. In 1775, upon the death of the former court Capellmeis- ter, Reichardt was appointed to the position by Frederick the Great. Although successful from a musical point of view, his difficulties with the orchestra and opera troupe eventually drew upon him the king's displeasure, and in 1783 he was granted leave of absence for a journey to Italy. On the way thither he met Goethe in Weimar, and Klop- ' For date on Reichardt, see Schletterer : "J. Fr. Reichardt. Sein Leben und seine musikalische Thatigheit," Augsburg, 1863, also an article on Reichardt by Schletterer in the Allegemeine Deutsche Bio- graphic, Vol. 27, p. 629 ff, and Kopke : "Ludwig Tiek," p. 75 ff. (26) Reichardt: Life, Work, Etc. 27 stock and Lavater in Heidelberg. Returning he stopped in Vienna, was presented at court and made the acquaintance of Gluclc. Two years later, obtaining another leave of absence, he went to London and thence to Paris, where he was received with great favor in musical circles. In the latter city he entered into certain musical obligations which occasioned his return thither in the following year. Here he receiyed the news of the death of Frederick the Great, August 17, 1786. He returned post haste to Berlin and succeeded in gaining the favor of Friedrich Wilhelm H. For four years he continued his musical work in Berlin, and then in 1790 set out once more for Italy, meeting again in his progress through Germany many famous men in every sphere. Upon his return to Berlin, in 1791, he began to tire of the petty intriguing court life. He sought to resign his position, but the king would not accept his resignation; instead he was given leave of absence for three years with a continuance of his salary. He retired to his country seat, but was re- called before the expiration of his leave. He had long been associated with a circle of more or less revolutionary free-thinkers, and had watched the course of events in France with intense interest. This interest he took no pains to conceal. Ever hasty and careless of speech his expressions became more and more unguarded as time went on. He was surrounded by personal enemies at court and it was not long before his utterances came to the ears of the king. As a consequence the royal favor began to be turned from him and finally in 1794, as the result of a yet more extreme expression of opinion, he was dismissed from his position. He withdrew from Berlin to his county place in Giebichenstein, where the next few years of his life were passed. In 1796 the king, who, in spite of all that had transpired, still seemed to hold his former Capellmeister in some regard and did not wish to leave him wholly without means of support, appointed him Salzinspector in Schone- beck, near Halle. This short sketch of his public life does not, however, 28 Friedrich Schlegel. give a picture of his personality nor of his particular sphere of influence, his home. Reichardt was undoubtedly one of the most interesting men of his time. With remarkable versatility he devoted himself at once to music, politics, aesthetics, literature, desiring to distinguish himself from his professional contemporaries by general education and knowledge in the most varied fields. As a result he fell a prey to his own talent and although he accomplished some- thing in every department to which he devoted his atten- tion, he reached the highest attainment in none. Person- ally he was handsome, dignified and active ; in conversation loud, inconsiderate of others, but at the same time witty and ever perfectly at his ease. He had a wonderfully keen power of observation, could read men and use them to his ends, yet strangely enough he combined with these quali- ties a childish vanity and a tendency to boastfulness. His home life was quite ideal. His house in; Berlin was the place of assembly for many important personalities in art and literature. As court Capellmeister he was brought daily into contact with celebrated artists and musicians, and on his travels through Europe he had met men of note in science and literature. His wide interests in every field of intellectual activity furnished a bond of sympathy be- tween him and these men, few of whom passed through Berlin without accepting of his ever ready hospitality. He had a genius for entertaining and in his efforts was ably seconded by his large and gifted family of daughters. Of the Romanticists Tieck, Schleiermacher, and later Fried- rich Schlegel were frequent visitors at his house. If his home in Berlin was the center of an attractive social life, his country seat at the Giebichenstein was yet more so. Here the beauties of nature combined with luxurious domes- tic arrangements and royal hospitality to make it one of the most desirable stopping places for men of art and letters. Reichardt's relations to Goethe and Schiller were the fore- runners of Friedrich Schlegel's break with the latter, and as such are of importance to the subject in hand. His first Reichardt: Life, Work, Etc. 29 meeting with Goethe was on the occasion of his journey to Italy, in 1783. For the next five or six years we hear no more of any intercourse between them, but in the spring of 1789 Reichardt began to compose the music for Goethe's "Claudine von Villa Bella." He improved the opportunity to travel to Weimar, and visited Goethe there for several days. From this time up to the end of the year 1793 they corresponded more or less regularly with one another and were apparently upon the best of terms. The subject of the early letters was for the most part Goethe's lyric work which Reichardt was setting to music. Later Goethe discussed his theatrical plans, the public taste in drama and e\'en asked Reichardt's advice in the matter of securing talent for the Weimar theatre. He apparently followed Reichardt's career also with considerable sympathy, for in 1791, after Reich- ardt's first withdrawal from the court, he wrote and con- gratulated him warmly.^ From the end of the year 1793 until December, 1795, Goethe wrote no more, and in the last letter or two the tone is distinctly colder. Doubtless Reichardt's public parade of his revolutionary political views was the cause of the change. Although Goethe found Reichardt at least tolerable and perhaps even congenial in the first years of their acquaint- anceship, it is interesting to note that Schiller conceived an antipathy to him in the very beginning. During a visit to Weimar, April 30, 1789, he wrote to Lotte von Lengefeld and Caroline von Beulwitz :^ "Xoch ein Fremder ist hier, aber ein unertraglicher, fiber den vielleicht Knebel schon geklagt hat, der Kapellmeister Reichardt aus Berlin. Er componirt Goethens Claudine von Villabella und wohnt auch bei ihm. Einen impertinentern Menschen findet man ' Goethe's Werke, Weimar edition, IV, Ahtheilung, Vol. 9. p. 263. May 30, 1791. "Sie haben sich also endlich nach einem gefahrlichen Sturm auf ein ruhiges Platzchen in Sicherheit gesetzt, wozu ich Ihnen von Herzen Gluck wunsche." ' Schiller's Briefe, II, p. 283. Compare also II, 285, a letter to Korner written the same day where he expresses much the same opinion. Altogether it throws an interesting light on Reichardt's character. 3° Friedrich Schlegel. schwerlich. Der Himmel hat mich ihm auch in den Weg gefiihrt, und ich habe seine Bekanntschaft ausstehen miissen. Kein Papier im Zimmer ist vor ihm sicher. Er mischt sich in alles und wie ich hore muss man sehr gegen ihn mit Worten auf seiner Hut sein." Probably Reichardt felt Schil- ler's antipathy, as he was not slow in reading people's thoughts, and Schiller himself was not accustomed to leave one long in doubt as to his attitude. At any rate they had nothing to do with one another. The next mention of him by Schiller was in a letter to Goethe, May 15, 1795,* in which he said: "Reichardt hat sich durch Hufeland zu einem Mitarbeiter an den Horen anbieten lassen." Goethe, who had already begun to look with disapproval upon the tactics of the former Capellmeister, replied:^ "Reichardt ist nicht abzuweisen, aber seine Zudringlichkeit werden Sie sehr in Schranken halten miissen." Schiller, however, found means and courage to reject Reichardt's offer and the fight was on.®. In the first number of Deutschland, which he published anonymously, Reichardt issued a "Notiz von deutschen Journalen," which seemed to be simply an excuse for a cut- ting criticism of the Horen for the previous year. All the articles were discussed and Goethe's "Unterhaltungen deutscher Ausgewanderten" in particular was roughly han- dled.'^ It appears, however, that although he fired his shot * Schiller's Briefe, IV, 173. ° Goethe's Werke, Weimar ed. Abteilung, IV, Vol. 10, p. 258, May 16, 1795. (All following citations of Goethe's works are from the Weimar edition and will be cited G. W., with the Abteilung, volume and page.) ° In the course of their acquaintanceship Schiller wrote twice to Reichardt. The dates of the letters are respectively, August 3 and August 28, 1795. The tone was friendly enough, but the matter unim- portant. Both letters were in regard to certain songs which Reichardt was to set to music ; they cannot, therefore, be taken as in any way indicative of his feelings which were plainly enough expressed in his correspondence with others concerning Reichardt. For the letters, see Schiller's Briefe, IV, 217 and 245. ' The passage which is to be found on p. 59 ff runs as follows : "Der Autor spricht fiir den Adel und Adelstolz, er und seine eingefiihrten Reichardt: Life, Work, Etc. 31 at Goethe, it was Schiller as the editor of the Horen whom he desired to hit. And his aim was better than he knew. Already the two poets were preparing for their opponents those scorching satirical epigrams which were to set literary Germany writhing and twisting for many months. The composition of the Xenien had already begun. The result of Reichardt's action was to turn the current of invective in his direction. In a letter to Goethe, January 27, 1796, Schiller said ■? "Denken Sie darauf, Reichardten unseren Personen beurtheilen die franzosische Nation, den jetzigen Krieg und seine schlimmen Folgen, die politischen Clubs, die Verfassung, welche die Franzosen einzufiihren streben, ja sogar die kiinftige, wahrscheinlich schlechte Behandlung ihrer eroberten deutschen Provinzen u. s. w. — 1st das ehrlich? Heist das "fiber das Lieblingsthema des Tages, fiber Krieg, politische Meinungen und Staatskritik strenges Stillschweigen beobachten? Alle Beziehungen auf den jetzigen Weltlauf, auf die nachsten Erwartungen der Menschheit vermeiden?" (The words in quotation marks are taken from Schiller's announcement of the Horen.) Heisst das nicht vielmehr die wichtigsten Gegenstande mit diktatori- schera Uebermuthe aburtheilen und das einseitige Urtheil mit hamischer Kunst dem Schwachen und Kurzsichtigen annehmlich durch imponir- ende Namen ehrwfirdig machen wollen? So unschuldig der achtungs- wertTie Herausgeber atich immer an dem Inhalte dieses Aufsatzes sein mag, so unverzeihlich bleibt es doch, so etwas ganz dem angekfindigten Plan entgegenlaufendes von irgend einem Autor anzunehmen. Um uns bei diesen Unterhaltungen kfinftig nicht weiter aufzuhalten, wollen wir nur noch mit Einem Worte bemerken, dass es beim Autor derselben eine sehr geringe Meinung von der deutschen Lesewelt voraussetzt, wenn er weiterhin glaubt, sie durch reinen, aber wahren und grossen Interesse der Menschheit (this is a reference to Fichte's article "tlber Belebung und Erhohung des reinen Interesse fur Wahrheit") abziehen 2u konnen ; durch plumpe italienische Keuschheitsmethoden die "durch das beschrankte Interesse der Gegenwart in Spannung gesetzten deut- schen Gemfither in Ruhe zu bringen," und durch die humoristische Stellung eines wunderwirkenden Gebets, zu dem sich in einem darauf folgenden Gedicht (see the poem "der Dorfkirchhof" in the seventh Stiick of the Horen for 1795) der Heiland geflissentlich gesellt, "die unterjochten Gemfither in Freiheit zu setzen." The above quotation is to be found also in Boas ; Schiller und Goethe im Xenienkampfe, I. 22 f. (Cited hereafter as Boas.) ' Schiller's Briefe, IV, 400 ff. Compare also Schiller to W. von Hum- boldt, February i, 1796, Schiller's Briefe, IV, 408. 32 Friedrich Schlegel. spidisant Freund mit einigen Xenien zu beehren. Ich lese eben eine Recension der Horen in seinem Journal Deutsch- land, welches Unger edirt, wo er sich iiber die Unterhaltun- gen und auch noch andere Aufsatze schrecklich emancipirt hat. Der Aufsatz von Fichte und Woltman sind beide in einem weitlaufigem Auszug mitgetheilt, und als musterhaft aufgestellt. Das 5'te Stiick (das schlechteste von alien) ist als das intersanteste vorgestellt, Vossens Gedichte, der Rhodische Genius von Humboldt sehr herausgestrichen und was des Zeuges mehr ist. Es ist durchaus mit einem nicht genug verhehlten Inngrimm geschrieben. x\ls das wich- tigste Werk der neueren deutschen Litteratur wird Heinses musikalischer Roman weitlaufig, doch hab ich nicht gelesen wie? beurtheilt. Wir miissen Reichardt, der uns so ohne alien Grund und Schonung angreift, auch in den Horen bitter verfolgen." Goethe received the suggestion favorably and in replying, January 30, 1796, said:" "Aus Ihrem Briefe seh ich erst, dass die Monatsschriften Deutschland und Frankreich Einen Verfasser haben. Hat er sich eman- cipirt, so soil er dagegen mit mit Karnevals-Gips-Drageen auf seinen Biiffelrock begriisst werden, dass man ihn'fiir einen Perriickenmacher halten soil. Wir kennen diesen falschen Freund schon lange und haben ihm bloss seine allgemeinen Unarten nachgesehen, weil er seinen beson- deren Tribut regelmassig abtrug, so bald er aber Miene macht diesen zu versagen so wollen wir ihn gleich einen Bassa von drey brennenden Fuchsschwanzen zuschicken. Fin Dutzend Disticha sind ihm schon gewidmet, welche kiinftigen Mittwoch, geliebt es Gott, anlangen werden." Goethe was as good as his word and Schiller soon received the promised epigrams attacking Reichardt's literary and political undertakings. This was not enough for Schiller, however. With more than usual cruelty he wanted to pur- sue the enemy within his very walls. He must be assailed upon the musical side as well.^" It had been his intention "G. W. Abteilung, IV, Vol. 11, p. 17. "° Schiller's Briefe, IV, p. 410. February S, 1796. "Reichardt ist gut recommandirt, aber er muss es noch mehr werden. Man muss ihn auch Reichardt: Life, Work, Etc. 33 also to place the Xenien which dealt with Reichardt at the beginning of the series, but before the appearance of the Xenienalmanach his anger had had time to cool and he saw the inadvisability^^ of his original plan. They were consequently put toward the middle. ^^ But they did not fail of their effect on that account, and we do not wonder, for there was a sting and a venom in nearly all of them which is scarcely equaled in any of the rest of the series. As Boas rightly remarks, ^^ it is astonishing to observe how Schiller, carried away by his personal animosity, assailed those very ideas of freedom of which he himself had been the- most enthusiastic exponent. Nor were the Xenien which came from Goethe's pen any less bitter. This, how- ever, is not so surprising, because Reichardt, as Goethe him- self in after years explained, represented a totally different set of views from those which he had always held and de- fended.-^'' als Musiker angreifen, weil es doch auch da nicht so ganz richtig ist, und e.s ist billig, dass er auch bis in seine letzte Festung hinein verfolgt wird, da er ims auf unserem legetimen Boden den Krieg machte." The only Xenien which refer to Reichardt's music are Nos. 2ig and 222 (according to the numbering used by Boas), the former by Goethe and the latter by Schiller. ^^ Schiller's Briefe, V, 46, August i, 1796. "Auch die Hiebe auf Reichardt woUen wir unter dem Haufen zerstreuen und nicht, wie erst geschehen war, an die Spitze stellen. Von der einen Seite war die Ehre und von der anderen die Beleidigung zu gross, die wir ihm durch Auszeichnung anthaten." " Nos. 208-229 inclusive, with the exception of No. 218 which deals with Nicolai. See Boas I, p. 125 fif. " Boas II, p. 35. "G. W. (quoted by Boas: I, 125 ff.). "Man war mit ihm (Reich- ardt), ungeachtet seiner vor- und zudringlichen Natur, in Riick- sicht auf sein bedeutendes Talent, in gutem Vernehemen gestanden, er war der erste, der mit Ernst und Stetigkeit meine lyrischen Arbeiten durch Musik in's Allegemeine forderte, und ohnehin lag es in meiner Art, aus herkommlicher Dankbarkeit unbequeme Menschen fortzu- dulden, wenn sie mir es nicht zu Arg machten, alsdann aber meist mit Ungestiim ein solches Verhaltniss abzubrechen. Nun hatte sich Reichardt mit Wuth und lungrimm in die Revolution geworfen ; ich aber die graulichen unaufhaltsamen Folgen solcher gewaltthatig 34 Friedrich Schlegel. Reichardt did not lie still under the blows which were heaped upon his head. In the November number of Deutschland he was on his feet and fighting. For apparent reasons he did not want to get into difficulties with Goethe. He therefore assumed that the attack upon him was Schil- ler's doing alone. He published a review of the Xenien- almanach describing the probable consequences of the Xenien/^ and followed this by an answer to those directed against him, which he requested other editors to reprint.^® aufgelosten Zustande mit Augen schauend und zugleich ein ahnliches Treiben im Vaterland durch und durchblickend, hielt ein-fiir allemal am Bestehenden fest, an dessen Verbesserung, Belebung und Richtung zum Sinnigen, Verstandigen ich main Lebenlang bewusst und un- bewusst gewirkt hatte, und konnte und wollte diese Gesinnung nicht verhehlen." "^ Deutschland, Stuck II, p. 83-102. "Deutschland, Stiick II, p. 103-106. Also quoted by Boas II, p. 35. Entitled : Erklarung des Herausgebers an das Publikum iiber die Xenien im Schiller 'schen Musenalmanach." "Die Dichter der Xenien haben sich an den Urtheilen dieses Journals iiber ihren Antheil in den Horen und dem vorjahrigen Schil- ler 'schen Musenalmanch durch die boshaftesten Verleumdungen und Grobheiten zu rachen versucht. Schimpfworte zu erwiedern halt der Herausgeber weit unter sich: jene Verleumdungen zu widerlegen, ware hier um so uberi^iissiger, da dieses Journal, und das eben so hamisch behandelte Frankreich vor Aller Augen daliegen, so dass jeder Unbe- fangene leicht entscheiden kann, ob jene Urtheile freimiithig, aber gerecht, diese Beschuldigungen hingegen die plumpsten Verleumdungen sind Oder nicht. Kein Angrifif wird je den Muth des Herausgebers, iiberall der Wahr- heit zu huldigen, einen Augenblick erschiittern konnen, am wenigsten ein Pasquillantenunfug, der so offenbar aus emporter Eitelkeit her- stammt. Ja er wiirde kein Wort dariiber verloren haben, wenn die Xenien ihn bloss als Schriftsteller beleidigt hritten, und wenn sie nicht, nach der hoflichen Weise der Verleumder, noch mehr zu ver- stehen gaben als sie namhaft sagten. Er ist es sich schuldig, dem Publikum laut und feierlich zu versichern was er im Nothfall durch einen Abdruck der freundschaftlichsten und achtungsvollen Briefe, die bis an die Erscheinung des ersten Stiicks von Deutschland reichen, urkundlich erweisen kann — dass nur jene Urtheile allein diese Schma- hungen veranlasst haben. Ueberdem konnte er die Schandlichkeiten schon um desswillen nicht ganz angeriigt lassen, da Herr Schiller sich Reichardl: Life, Work, Etc. 35 This time, however, his challenge remained unanswered. Schiller, it is true, planned a reply which he sent to Goethe for inspection,^' but upon the latter 's advice the matter was postponed for the time being and finally dropped.^* Between in seinem droUigten Diinkel so weit vergisst, die Beleidigten, wenn sie antworten, in der vom Recensenten des Almanachs angefiihrten "War- nung" (Xenion 242) mit harterer Ziichtigung zu bedrohen. "Nichts konnte fiir den Herausgeber schmerzlicher sein, als wenn das wahr ware, was er sich nicht als nur moglich denken kann, ohne mit innerem Schauder zuriickzutreten — wenn ein Mann, dessen eniziges Genie er immer dankbar verehren wird, seine Grosse so entweiht, und sich bis zur Theilnahme an einer absichtlichen Verleumdung emied- rigt haben sollte. Doch wiirde auch diess die Sache nicht andem. Kein Name ist so gross, dass er eine Ungerechtigkeit adeln konnte. Den Antheil hingegen welchen Herr Schiller als Verfasser daran haben mag, kann der Herausgeber Deutschlands sehr leicht versch- merzen. Seine herzliche Verachtung gegen Schiller's nichtswiirdiges und niedriges Betragen ist ganz unvermischt, da desselben schrift- stellerische Talente und Anstrengungen keineswegs auf derselben Stufe mit jenem achten Genie stehen, welches auch selbst dann, wenn es sich durch Unsittlichkeit befleckt, noch Anspriiche an Ehrfurcht behalt. — Er halt sich an ihn als den Herausgeber des Almanachs, und fodert ihn hierdurch laut auf, den Urheber der Verleumdungen anzugeben, oder falls er sich selbst dazu bekennt, seine Beschuldigung offtenlich zu be- weisen. Kann er diess nicht so ist er fiir ehrlos zu achten. Ehrlos ist jeder Lugner; zwiefach aber der Feigherzige, der sich und die Beziehungen seiner Injurien nicht eimmal ganz zu nennen wagt. Auch gibt es unter unseren ilitbiirgern noch wackere Manner genug, denen die Gerechtigkeit mehr gilt als ein Spass. Diese werden alle, so hofft er mit Zuversicht, den Mann, der sich ehrloser Liigen schuldig machte, eben so sehr verachten, als ware er gerichtlich beschimpft." " Schiller's Briefe, V, 155, December 25, 1796. "Reichardt hat sich nun geregt, und gerade so wie ich erwartet hatte. er will es bloss mit mir zu thun haben und Sie zwingen, sein Freund zu scheinen. Da er sich auf dieses Trennungssystem ganz verlasst, so scheint mirs nothig, ihn gerade durch die unzertrennlichste Vereinigung zu Boden zu schlagen. Ignoriren darf ich seinen insolenten Angriff nicht, wie Sie selber sehen werden ; die Replique muss schnell und entscheidend seyn. Ich sende Ihnen hier das Concept, ob es Ihnen so recht ist." ""G. W. Abteilung IV, Vol. 11, p. 299 ff. December 27, 1796. "Der Gegner hat sich zu seiner Replik alle Zeit genommen, lassen Sie uns ja, da uns kein Termin zuringt, den Vortheil der reifsten "Oberlegung nicht leidenschaftlich aus der Hand geben. Sie ist um desto nothiger 36 Friedrich Schlegel. Schiller and Reichardt things remained as they had been. With Goethe the difference was eventually patched up, and after 1801 we find them again in intermittent friendly cor- respondence. als die Sache prosaisch verhandelt werden soil und das erste Wort ist von der grossten Bedeutung. Meo vote musste unsere Prosa so aesthstisch als moglich seyn, ein rednerischer, j uristischer, sophistischer Spass, der durch seine Feinheit und Ubersicht der Sache wieder an die Xenien selbst erinnerte. Ihr Aufsatz scheint mir zu ernsthaft und zu guthmiithig. Sie steigen freiwillig auf den Kampfplatz der dem Gegner bequem ist. Sie contestiren "litem" und lassen sich ein, ohne von den Exceptionen Gebrauch zu raachen, die so schon bey der Hand liegen. Fliichtig betrachtet sehe ich die Sache so an. Ein ungenannter Herausgeber von zwey Journalen greift einen gen- annten Herausgeber von einem Journal und einem Almanach desshalb an, dass er in einigen Gedichten verleumdet und als Mensch ange- griffen worden sey. Nach meiner Meinung muss man ihn bey dieser Gelegenheit aus seinem bequemen Halbincognito heraustreiben und zuerst von ihm verlangen, dass er sich auf seinen Journalen nenne, damit man doch seinen Gegner kennen lerne, zweytens, dass er die Gedichte wieder abdrucken lasse, die er auf sich zieht, darait man Vifisse wovon die Rede sey und woriiber gestritten wird. Diese beiden Praliminarfragen miissen erst erortert seyn, ehe man sich einlasst, sie incommodiren den Gegner aufs ausserste und er mag sich benehmen wie er will, so hat man Gelegenheit ihn zu persiffliren, die Sache wird lustig, die Zeit wird gewonnen, es erscheinen gelegentlich noch mehrere Gegner denen man immer beyher etwas abgeben kann, das Publikum wird gleichgiiltig und wir sind in jedem Sinne im Vortheil." For further data on this dis- cussion see Boas, II, p. 38 ff. V. REICHARDT AND FR. SCHLEGEL. It was at the beginning of this period in Reichardt's hfe that he and Friedrich Schlegel came together. Frankreich, a journal with pohtical, semi-revohitionary tendencies, had been in existence a year, the first three or four numbers of Deutschland^ had been published and the gauntlet had been thrown down to Schiller. Reichardt was prepared for trouble and began to look about for supporters, and par- ticularly supporters whom he could mould to his purposes. He had watched the progress of the brothers Schlegel with interest and hoped to annex them to his party. While he appreciated Wilhelm's superior literary ability he saw par- ticularly in Friedrich a young man with advanced ideas and a cutting critical faculty who was not as yet attached to any literary faction. Here was material for his enterprises. Through the publisher, Michaelis,^ of Neustrelitz, who was endeavoring to compete with the older established firms by publishing the opposition articles and journals, he made the acquaintance of Friedrich apparently some time in May, T796 (documentary record of the exact date is lacking. ) He evidently used all his arts to win the young man's confidence and was in a measure successful, for while Friedrich's sober second sense bade him take care, his vanity was flattered by the praise and attentions which were showered upon him. In Michaelis, also, Reichardt had a zealous if somewhat tact- ^ Reichardt was among the most important pohtical writers of the day. Beside the journals Frankreich (1795-1802) and Deutschland (1796) many occasional inflammatory articles came from his pen. His other literary work was extensive also. He wrote a number of books and articles on musical questions and several works of travel. For a complete list see Schletterer's article on Reichardt in the Allgemeine Deutsche Biographic, Vol. 27, p. 629 ff. ' For remarks on Michaelis's position as a publisher see Walzel, p. 271 ff. (37) 38 Friedrich Schlegel. less ally. In a letter to his brother Wilhelm, May 27, 1796,* Friedrich spoke of his relations with them somewhat fully. He said:. "Auch ware ich begierig gewesen, von Deiner Bekanntschaft mit Reichardt zu horen.* Wie er Dir gefallt ; ob Du mir rathst, an Deutschland mehr Antheil zu nehmen; wie er sich iiber mich gedussert (denn Michaelis driickte' sich in dieser Hinsicht so stark aus, dass ichs fiir Uebertrei- bung hielt) ; ob Du glaubst, dass er einiges Honorar giebt. Giebt er das letzte, so mochte ich wohl einige Kleinigkeiten einrticken lassen. Ausserdem nur die Rezension des Almanachs als Brief mit ineinein Nahmen.^ Diess zur Nachricht. Ich habe noch eine sehr starke Stelle iiber die Unwiirde der Frauen eingeruckt, und die Bemerkungen, die Du mir hier erlaubtest, einzuschalten, iiber die Ver- wechselung der Strophen, und das Riickwartslesen des Ganzen, aufgenommen. Hiite Dich also, sie zu aussern. Man konnte sonst argwohnen, Du habest noch mehr Theil an dem Frevel. "Hast Du nicht absehen konnen, warum Michaelis eigent- lich so bestrebt, mich mit Deutschland in Verbindung zu setzen ? Er schickt mir die drey ersten Stiicke von Deutsch- land, die anderen wiirde mir R. schicken. R. wiirde mir schreiben; er hatte mich nach Giebichenstein eingeladen; er hatte ihm die 10 ersten Bogen meines Manuscripts im eigentlichen Sinne gestohlen, und sie Wolf in Halle gege- ben, etc., sey entziickt von meiner Rezension, etc. * * * ^ Walzel, p. 274 ff. ■* Wilhelm had also met Reichardt a short time before and had given him a contribution for Deutschland ("Probe einer Uhersetzung von Shakespeare's Romeo and Julia") which appeared in the fifth number. ^As Haym (p. 889) explains the Recension des Musenalmanachs is essentially in accord with the opinions of Schiller expressed in Fried- rich's letters to Wilhelm. It lays somewhat more stress, however, upon the points to be criticised adversely. But this method agrees also with Friedrich's theory of a Recension as explained to Wilhelm (Walzel, p. 267) "Nur wiinsche ich dass Du noch mehr deinos recensiren mochtest," etc. He evidently did not consider at the time that he was offering Schiller an insult. The realization came later. Reichardt and Fr. Schlegel. 39 "Michaelis wirbt mich mit Gewalt fiir die Oppositions- blatter. Er hat mir die Rezensenten der Horen geschickt, die ich nun bald expediren muss." Wilhelm saw his broth- er's danger and endeavored to warn him. It was of the highest importance for both their careers as men of letters that they should remain on good terms with Weimar and Jena. Wilhelm had already proved himself a valuable con- tributor to the Horen, and with characteristic practical fore- sight he was willing to conceal his real opinion of Schiller for the sake of remaining connected with his journals. He saw at once that Friedrich's unfortunate Recension des Musenalmanachs was likely to strain relations between both brothers and Schiller, particularly if it were known that he himself had had no small share in its production. With an anxiety which was almost cowardly he begged Friedrich to write and assure Schiller of his (Wilhelm's) innocence. Pie had read Reichardt aright also and gave his brother the benefit of his experience and his judgment. It was too late, however, to nip the matter in the bud. Friedrich was already partially committed. Still it is evident in his reply to Wil- helm, June II, 1796, that he did not realize how far he might have offended Schiller. He said :^ "Ich erhielt zugleich mit Deinem Brief Nachricht von Reichardt, dass mein Brief fiir das 6'te Stiick in die Druckerey geschickt sey. * * * Reichardt, glaube ich, beurtheilst Du sehr richtig. Sein Charakter kann mir sehr gleichgiiltig seyn, und eine Verbindung mit ihm ist mir Wolf's wegen nicht unlieb, der mich sehr freundlich begrussen lasst. — Ist es zu spat so kannst Du Dich nicht beklagen, well Du die Sache lange genug gewusst und Dir das leicht denken konntest, dass ich mich nennen wiirde (vor Schiller ware es doch nicht geheim geblieben, da es Korner wusste), sobald es nicht in Form einer Recension blieb. — Schiller's sentimentale Dichter habe ich in der Vorrede zum Studium sehr stark gelobt, und auch gegen das Ende des Studiums sein Poesie iiberhaupt. Komplimente habe ich ihn in Briefen = Walzel, p. 280 ff. 40 Friedrich Schlegel. I nie gemacht. — Fiir die Mittheilung seines Urtheils danke ich Dir bestens. Miindlich mehr dariiber. "Es ist rair sehr lieb, dass ihm etwas von mir willkommen ist. Gefallt es ihm, so kann ich so viel historische Aufsatze liefern, als er nur mag und will. Es ware mir sehr lieb wenn diess gelange. Ich hoffe den Casar bald abschicken zu konnen. Der Lysias'' hatte den Vorrang, well ich mein Wort bestimmt gegeben und der Druck wirlich darauf wartet. Der Aufsatz uber die Recensenten der Horen^ muss in die Oppositions-Blatter, well ich es versprochen, und mir Michaelis auch schon langst dazu alles geschickt hat. — Sehr gern werde ich Schillern selbst viber den Aufsatz iiber den Allmanach, und Deine Unschuld an dem Frevel schrei- ben. Diess ist ein gliicklicher Rath, und meiner Denkart ganz gemass." After the first step had been taken Reichardt meant there should be no drawing back. Schlegel needed money and it was at once forthcoming. Flattery, social attention and a publisher for his articles were the other baits held out to the young man. In the same number of Deutschland which published the Recension des Musenalmanachs there appeared also extracts from the proof sheets of "Uber das Studium," accompanied by a most flattering notice of the book. For the next number the article "Versuch iiber den Begrifif des Republikanismus," with which Niethammer had dallied so long and finally refused, was brought into requisition, and the review of the Horen, Nos. 2 to 5 of the current year, was given into Friedrich's hands.® Hearing that he was planning to leave Dresden ai]d take up his abode in Jena, Reichardt not only ofifered him his horses for the journey but proposed that he come through Halle, where he could make the acquaintance of Wolf.-'-" ' "Der Epitapios des Lysias," published in Wieland's Attisches Mu- seum, 1796. ° This article was never written, or at least never published. " Minor : Fr. Schlegel's prosaische Jugendschriften, Vol. II, p. 3 ff. ^° Walzel, p. 283. Reichardt and Fr. Schlegel. 41 It was on this journey, which he began in the latter part of July, 1796, that Schlegel got the first inkling of the probable consequences of his connection with Reichardt. Apparently Wilhelin's letter of warning had made but little impression upon him, but his visit to the former Capell- meister opened his eyes. Reichardt was not good at con- cealing his opinions. His loose tongue had lost him his position at court and in the two years of retirement he had not learned to change his tactics. Even motives of policy could not prevent him from expressing his feelings in re- gard to Schiller. Schlegel was brought face to face with the fact that he had entered into an alliance with the Oppo- sition. In the first anxiety which the realization of the true state of things caused him he wrote to Wilhelm :^^ "Mit Reichardt bin ich hier einen Abend, einen Morgen und einen Mittag zusammengewesen. Was die Geschafte be- trifft, so bin ich mit ihm sehr wohl zufrieden, wie mit Fleischer. Die Reichardt hat mir auch gefallen. Uebel ist es nur, dass er eine Art Hass gegen die zu haben scheint, die auch tiber ihn gegen Dich " so ungtinstig geurtheilt haben. Es muss etwas da vorgefallen seyn, das wir nicht wissen. "Willst und kannst Du erklaren, dass ich in keine Faktion mit ihm mich je einlassen, oder mich dazu werde miss- brauchen lassen: dass ich nur deswegen mit ihm in Ver- bindung stehe, weil ich seine 'precedes' als Herausgeber eines Journals unverbesserlich finde. * * * j^.]^ mochte nicht gern in Jena auf der Liste der 'gens suspects' stehen. * * * Ist es moglich mit Schiller in einem leidlichen Verhaltniss zu bleiben, so wunschte ichs sehr. — Vielleicht kannst Du Gebrauch davon machen, dass ich wider die beyden Recensionen der Horen in der Bibliothek und den Annalen geschrieben."^^ But despite his uneasiness in regard to the fate of his article "Casar und Alexander," he was of too sanguine a " From Leipzig, July 28, 1796, see Walzel, p. 286. " Not published if written. 42 Friedrich Schlegel. nature to worry long about the outcome of his relation with Reichardt. Always rich in plans, the present connection stimulated his ready imagination and the difficulties to be encountered did not seem proportionate to the results to be obtained. Above all the prospect of speedy and plentiful financial returns was enticing. Five days after the letter cited above he was planning to prevail upon Wilhelm also to become a regular contributor to Deutschland. He wrote to Caroline from Diirrenberg, where he was visiting Novalis ■}^ "Wilhelm mags ja iiberlegen, ob er Reichardt einige Aufsatze fiir Deutschland geben will, wegen des Verhaltnisses mit Schiller. Halt ihn aber diess nicht ab, so kann er wegen des Honorars ganz unbesorgt sein. Dafiir will ich stehen, und konnte es eintreiben. — Wollt Ihr mir geben was Ihr iiber W. (ieland) zu sagen habt, und mir erlauben nach meinen Zusatzen das Ganze an Reichardt zu schicken, so konnten wir ja das Honorar leicht theilen. — Auch R. sieht W. als einen Verbundeten an. — Seyd aber nur meinetwegen unbesorgt. Sein Lob wird mir nie fiir Frech- heit verfiihren und ich werde auf meiner Hut sein, dass R. meine Freymtithigkeit nicht zu seinen Absichten miss- brauchen soil." The practical elder brother was not, however, dazzled by the glittering prospects which had made such an impression upon Friedrich. He saw the matter in all its bearings and when Friedrich arrived in Jena, a few days later, he did his best to restrain him from committing himself further. Unfortunately the material in regard to Friedrich's first so- journ in Jena is not plentiful. His letters to Wilhelm natur- ally ceased, and aside from that he was not in regular cor- respondence with any one. Occasional letters to the various publishers and editors with whom he had dealings, equally infrequent mention of him by friends or acquaintances and the articles he published, are the only sources of information which we possess. But from these it is possible to follow ^'August 2, 1796; see "Caroline"' herausgegben von Waitz, Vol. I, p. 176. Reichardt and Fr. Schlegel. 43 the principal occurrences in this rather imeventful period of his life. I cannot agree with Walzel that the first Jena period was a transition period.^* In my opinion the transi- tion had already been made, and during his short stay in Jena he was finding his bearings in the new sphere of liter- ary activity. His interest in the Greeks pure and simple was waning before he left Dresden. Previously he had been treating Greek literature with an eye upon modern prob- lems, now he began to deal with modern matters, using the Greeks as the absolute standard. Modern criticism, philos- ophy and political theories^' had come to occupy nearly all his time and attention. Not only had he read and thought along these lines, but he had even begun to publish critical and political articles, witness the "Versuch iiber den Begriff des Republikanismus," "Condorget's Esquisse d'un tableau," the "Recension des Musenalmanachs," etc. His later re- views of Jacobi's "Woldemar," Georg Forster and Lessing do not represent a new tendency, simply a further develop- ment in the same direction. The Jena period was particularly important on account of his personal relations with Schiller and Fichte. Schlegel had long been an admirer of Fichte.^ ^ Incongruous as it seemed from the man who could write "Uber das Studium," he believed that Fichte had proceeded upon the foundations laid by Kant to yet loftier heights. The "Versuch iiber den Begriff des Republikanismus" sought with the help of the principles set forth by Fichte, to place the Kantian ideas of government upon a firmer basis, to supply that which he missed in Kant,^''^ "a formal deduction of republicanism and " Deutsche National-Litteratur, Vol. 143, Einleitung, p. xiii. "Fried- rich's Ubersiedelung nach Jena im Jahre 1796 bedeutet den "Obergang von der Philologie zum Schriftstellerwirken im grossen Stile." ^ He wrote to Wilhelm in the letter of May 27, 1796, already quoted (see Walzel, p. 278) : "Ich will Ders nicht laugnen dass mir der Re- publikanismus noch ein wenig naher am Herzen liegt, als die gottliche Kritik und die allergottlichste Poesie." '° See Walzel, No. 69, p. 235 and No. 72, p. 244. " See Haym, p. 230. 44 Friedrich Schlegel. a political classification a priori." And as time went on he became more and more an adherent of Fichte's. It was but natural that upon his removal to Jena, where he made the personal acquaintance of the philosopher, he should be still more strongly influenced by him. It is a well-known fact that Schiller and Fichte were not upon the best of terms. They had had difficulties in connection with their work at the University, and also in philosophical matters could not agree.^* Schlegel's partisanship for the Fichtean views, therefore, as well as his intimate personal relations to the man, could not but work to his disadvantage with Schiller. Schlegel arrived in Jena with a long score against hirri. He had written the Recension of the Musenalmanach, had become one of Reichardt's contributors and was an adherent of Fichte. This would certainly have been enough to con- demn him in Schiller's eyes if it had not been for outside influence in his favor. August Wilhelm, besides being a regular and valuable contributor to the Horen, was on very friendly terms with Schiller. Korner for two years past had been untiring in singing the praises of his young pro- tege, excusing his early faults of style and judgment and calling Schiller's attention to his better productions. On the eve of Friedrich's arrival in Jena he wrote^^ Schiller " See Dilthey : Das Leben Schleiermacher's, p. 227 ff. " Schiller's Briefwechsel mit Korner, III, 350, July 22, 1796. "Schlegel ist gestern abgereist und wird bald in Jena sein. Er bringt einen Aufsatz iiber Casar and Alexander, der gute Ideen enthalt, aber freilich noch in der Form betrachtliche Mangel hat. Ich habe ihn auf einige aufmerksam gemacht, aber die Zeit war zu kurz. Vielleicht kannst Du doch noch etwa Gebrauch davon machen. In dem Journale Deutschland steht eine Recension unter seinem Namen von Deinem Almanach. Er hat sie schon langst gemacht, und Miohaelis hat sie ihm untergebracht. Sie enthalt gute Bemerkungen ; aber der Ton ist hier und da zu hart und anmassend. Jetzt ist ihm bange, dass Du etwas von dieser Recension erfahren, und ihm wegen einiger Stellen miss- verstehen mochtest. Ich habe ihn zu beruhigen gesucht. Du kannst fast keinen wiirmern Verehrer haben, als ihn, und wo er aus einem anderen Ton zu sprechen scheint, ist's bloss Recensentencostum, oder das Bediirfniss seinen Richterberuf durch strenge Forderungen zu beglaubigen. Reichardt and Fr. Schlegel. 45 recommending the article on "Casar und Alexander," and endeavoring to explain away the severity of the Recension des Musenalmanachs. In conjunction with Schlegel's per- sonal appearance these connections were sufficient to secure him a friendly reception. Indeed Schiller's first impression was a decidedly favorable one.^° But this was not to last. "Casar und Alexander" was refused for the Horen. Shortly afterwards appeared the Xenienalmanach (September, 1796), which, as well as scoring Reichardt, contained several disagreeable epigrams for Friedrich Schlegel. ^^ The tone of many of the Xenien which fell to Friedrich's share was not particularly harsh, and one cannot blame Schiller for punishing hisi youthful critic. But he went even further and in attacking Schlegel's Greek articles showed an injustice which must ever remain a black spot upon his reputation. We cannot wonder that Schlegel was cut to the quick. He had been pursuing with earnest endeavor essentially the same course which Schiller and Goethe themselves had undertaken. In knowledge of the Greeks he was far superior to them, indeed of the men of his generation Wolf, and perhaps Humboldt, alone were his equals. And if his interpretation were different he felt that his scholarship demanded for it a respectful hearing. Instead he was treated with public scorn and accused of Graecomania.^^ This sowed the first seeds of dislike on Schlegel's side, and with it came a carelessness of the future attitude of Schiller and a determination to go his own course '"Schiller's Briefe, V, Si> August 8, 1796, to Gothe: Schlegel's Bruder ist hier, er macht einen recht guten Eindruck und verspricht viel." ^ For the Xenien referring to Fr. Schlegel see Boas ; Michael Ber- nays : "Fr. Schlegel und die Xenien'' in Grenzboten, 1869, IV, p. 401 flf ; and Haym, p. 207, Anmerkung I. '^ To be sure Schiller may be partly excused for his attacks on "tJber das Studium." The book had not yet appeared and he had only seen the extracts which were published in Deutschland and a few advance sheets sent him by A. W. Schlegel. See Grenzboten, 1869, IV, 459, also Koberstein V Auflage IV, 439 and Note. 46 Friedrich Schlegel. without further warping or suppressing of his ideas. In this determination he received the support of Reichardt. Each number of Deutschland had space for Schlegel's con- tributions. The seventh number beside the "Versuch iiber den Begriff des Republikanismus" contained also a review of the Horen (the second to the fifth Stiick of the year 1796) ; the eighth a review of the sixth Stiick of the Horen and a Recension of Jakobi's "Woldemar"; the ninth a Re- cension of Herder's Humanitatsbriefe ; the tenth a review of the seventh Stiick of the Horen, a review of the Xenien- almanach and an article entitled "Der Deutsche Orpheus"; the eleventh a review of Fiilleborn's "Kleine Schriften," and an article "Uber die Homerische Poesie" ; the twelfth a review of the remaining Stiicke of the Horen for the year 1796. After the appearance of the sixth number of Deutsch- land, which contained the Recension des Musenalmanchs, Schlegel's desire to remain on a friendly footing with Schil- ler prevented him from publishing anything for several months which could give offence. But the Xenienalmanach freed him from all restraint. Reichardt still plied him with social attentions. In October they were together in Leipzig, and in November Reichardt invited him to Giebichenstein. It is not imlikely that Schiller might still have been in- clined to look favorably upon Schlegel if the latter had swal- lowed the insult given him in the Xenien. Korner was still on the young man's side,-* and Schiller himself appreciated Friedrich's ability and undoubtedly had given sufficient vent to his feelings in the Xenien. But with a man of Schlegel's nature of things could not remain in statu quo. As we have said, his personal intercourse with Reichardt was revived and this in itself was enough to keep him on the list of the "gens suspects" with Schiller, who could not endure the ^ Schiller's Briefwechsel mit Korner II, 362. Korner wrote October 5, 1796 : "Dass Du auch Friedrich Schlegen geziichtigt hast, kann ihn nicht schaden. Nur gieb ihn nicht ganz auf. In seinen Fehlern ist doch Vermogen, wenn auch zur Zeit noch die Richtung fehlt. An Kopf fehh es ihm nicht, und da verzeihe ich selbst Unbescheidenheit. Klarheit, Ordnung und Geschmack kann er vielleicht noch erwerben." Reichardt and Fr. Schlegel. 47 ex-Capellmeister.^* The climax leading to the open break came in the tenth and twelfth numbers of Deutschland. Schlegel had lent no deaf ear to Reichardt's suggestions this time. In the reviews of the Xenienalmanach and the Horen which appeared in these numbers he squared accounts with Schiller, and indeed paid more than his debt, for the review of the Horen (eighth to twelfth Stiick) surpassed in bitterness anything he had yet written. This ended all friendly relations between them. Schiller could never after- ward look with toleration even, upon the critic of his works. Schlegel on the other hand conceived a hatred of Schiller which lasted as long as the latter lived. After the break with Schiller Friedrich's connection with Reichardt was not of particular importance except in so far as Reichardt furnished him a means of placing his arti- cles before the public. But even as such it was not to last long. In July, 1797, Schlegel moved from Jena to Berlin, carrying with him the half-formed plan of some common literary undertaking with his brother Wilhelm. In the meantime, while this was developing, he took an active part in the editing of Reichardt's new journal, the Lyceum der schbnen Kiinste, which had appeared in the place of Deutschland. He contributed to it two of his best efforts in the field of characterizing criticism, the "Aufsatz iiber Georg Forster" and the "Aufsatz iiber Lessing." In the second part of the first volume appeared also his Kritische Fragmente. Certain utterances here were displeasing to Reichardt,^^ and a difference arose between them which finally led to the dissolution of the connection. Schlegel made no attempt to prevent this turn of affairs. The pre- " See .Schiller's Briefe, V, 84, October i6, 1796, to Goethe : "Reichardt soil auch in Leipzig seyn, Niethammer und Paulus aber haben ihn nicht gesehen. Schlegel ist noch in Leipzig, wo sich die Herzen ver- muthlich gegen einander ergiessen werden." Also Schiller's Briefe, V, 105, November 2, 1796, to Goethe : "Reichardt wird in 14 Tagen hier seyn : wie er sagt, um Fr. Schlegel von hier weg nach Giebichenstein zu nehmen. Das heiss ich reclit vom Teufel geholt werden." ^ See Haym, p. 270 and Aum. and p. 895 ff. 48 Friedrich Schlegel. liminary discussions which eventually resulted in the found- ing of the Athendum were in progress between him and Wilhelm, and he was glad to be freed from all obligations to Reichardt. In the Intelligenzblatt der Allgemeinen Lit- teratur-Zeitung, December i6, 1797, he announced his with- drawal from Reichardt's literary enterprises. Like an epi- logue by the Farces sounds Schiller's comment upon the ending of the connection :^* "Dieser Tage las ich zu meiner grossen Lust im Intelligenzblatt der Litteratur-Zeitung eine Erklarung von dem jiingern Schlegel, dass er mit dem Herausgeber des Lyceums nichts mehr zu schafifen, habe. So hat also doch unsere Prophezeihung eingetroffen, dass dieses Band nicht lange dauern werde!" In my own mind there is not a shadow of doubt that Schlegel felt he had gone too far with Reichardt. He had run after false gods and had lost caste in the world of letters. It was imperative, therefore, that his next literary venture should, on its title page, convince the public of its substantiality. He must revert to first principles; he must get back to the Greeks, for it was with the Greeks that he had made his reputation as a scholar and a man of letters. This was the two-fold purpose of the Athenaum. Hence also the classic title. To be sure the title was the subject of a prolonged discussion between the brothers, but Friedrich's suggestions were all in the same field. ^° Schiller's Briefe, V, p. 315- January 2, 1798, to Goethe. CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF SCHLEGEL'S EARLY WRITINGS WITH THE PERIODICALS IN WHICH THEY APPEARED. 1794. In Biester's Berlinische ilonatsschrift : "Von den Schulen der Griechischen Poesie.'' "Vom aesthetischen Werthe der Griechischen Komodie.' In die Leipzigiger Monatsschrift fiir Damen : "Ueber die weiblichen Charaktere in den Griechi^hen Dich- tern." 1795. In Wieland's Teutscher Merkur; "Ueber die Grenzen des Schonen.' In Biester's Berlinische Monatsschrift : "Ueber die Diotima.'' In Xiethammer's Philosophisches Journal einer Gesellschaft Teu- tscher Gelehrten : "Condorget's Esquisse d'un tableau historique des progres de I'esprit humain." 1796. In Wieland's Attisches Aluseum : "Der Epitafios des Lysias.' "Kunsturtheil des Dionysias iiber den Isokrates." In Reichardt's Deutschland : No. 6. "Recension des Musenalmanachs.'' No. 7. "Versuch iiber den Begriff des Republikanismus." "Recension der Horen" (2tes-5tes Stiick). No. 8. "Recension der Horen'' (6tes Stiick). "Jakobi's Woldemar.'' No. g. "Herder's Humanitatsbriefe." No. 10. "Recension der Horen" (7tes Stiick). "Recension des Xenienalmanachs." "Der deutsche Orpheus." No. II. "Fiilleborn's Kleine Schriften." "Ueber die Homerische Poesie." No. 12. "Recension der Horen" (8tes-i2tes Stiick). (49)