[102] N. B. When the nobility is fitly constituted; that is to say, when it is a true national nobility, such as England in part possesses, or such as Gravell well describes in his “Regent.”—Editor.
[103] My departed friend doubtless means to apply this to a certain class of functionaries, who, for good reasons, love nothing so well as mediocrity; for if I guess the scene aright, no where is merit more nobly honoured in the highest places. Of this the whole nation recently saw a most gratifying example in the affectionate respect paid to a revered statesman, whose merits are as exalted as his station. If there is a man who doubts of the former, it can be no other than himself.—Editor.
[104] If I were not certain that my friend wrote this passage in the year 1827, I should take it to be a reminiscence of President Jackson’s first speech. The President proposes that all the public officers of the United States (with very few exceptions) be changed every fifth year. “Eheu jam satis!” What would our Regiérungs Räthe (Government counsellors) say to such a scheme? Entire general commissions broken up, in the fullest sense of the word, at a blow! For who knows whether, at the end of five years, they would be thought worth the money they cost, and renewed at all?—Editor.
[105] Privy counsellors who have any functions, are distinguished from those who have none, by the addition to their title of wirklicher (real, actual).—Transl.
[106] The intention of this law was noble and liberal, though it cut the knot rather roughly. But how has it been executed? A book might be written, ought to be written, on this subject. The execution of this business is precisely in the style of a certain Herr von Wanze, who, in the disguise of a farmer, taught the opulent peasant Pharao at Kirmesse.{*}
{*} village festival.—Transl.
“You put down your money,” said he, “and I deal the cards right and left. What falls to the left I win; what falls to the right you lose.”—Editor.
[107] It is but fair, however, to say that the exceptions to this description are many. When for instance Göthe does not disdain to send forth “a man of forty” among the minors; when Tieck takes pity upon us, and gives us a real genuine “Novelle”; L. Shefer moves our heart and spirit by his wild lightnings; Kruse makes a criminal trial graceful and attractive; or some Therese, Friederike, &c. discloses the otherwise impenetrable mysteries of the female heart (not to mention the varied merits of our other best tale-writers);—it is evident that there are workmen who could supply excellent and perfect wares it the whole manufacture were not spoiled by the established machinery.—Editor.
[108] It is but fair, however, to say that the exceptions to this description are many. When for instance Göthe does not disdain to send forth “a man of forty” among the minors; when Tieck takes pity upon us, and gives us a real genuine “Novelle”; L. Shefer moves our heart and spirit by his wild lightnings; Kruse makes a criminal trial graceful and attractive; or some Therese, Friederike, &c. discloses the otherwise impenetrable mysteries of the female heart (not to mention the varied merits of our other best tale-writers);—it is evident that there are workmen who could supply excellent and perfect wares it the whole manufacture were not spoiled by the established machinery.—Editor.
[109] It is only in English that the word artist is absurdly restricted to painters, sculptors, and engravers. An artist is, in the German sense, a man who cultivates the fine arts,—poetry, painting, music, &c.—Transl.