The ideas in your introduction regarding synonymy are precious; would that our linguistic purists were imbued with them!  We will not, however, contaminate such lofty affairs with the lamentable blunders whereby the German nation is corrupting its language from the very foundation, an evil which will not be perceived for thirty years.

You, however, my dearest friend, be and remain blessed for the benefaction which you have done us.  This your Agamemnon shall never again leave my side.

I cannot judge the rhythmic merit, but I believe I feel it.  Our admirable, talented, and original friend Wolf—­although he becomes intractable in case of contradiction—­who spent a number of days with me, speaks very highly of your careful work.  It will be instructive to see how the Heidelberg gentlemen[31] conduct themselves.

Let me have a word from you before you go to Paris, and give my greetings to your dear wife.  How much I had wished to see you this summer, for so many things are in progress on every side that only days suffice to consider what is to be furthered and how.  Fortunately for me, nothing is approaching that I must absolutely refuse, even though everything is not undertaken and conducted according to my convictions.  And it is precisely this bitter-sweet which can be treated only orally and in person.

* * * * *

GOETHE TO WILHELM VON HUMBOLDT

Weimar, June 22, 1823.

Your letter, dear and honored friend, came at a remarkable juncture which made it doubly interesting; Schiller’s letters had just been collected, and I was looking them through from the very first, finding there the most charming traces of the happy and fruitful hours which we passed together.  The invitation to the Horen is contained in the first letter of June 13, 1794; then the correspondence continues, and with every letter admiration for Schiller’s extraordinary spirit and joy over his influence on our entire development increases in intensity and elevation.  His letters are an infinite treasure, of which you also possess rich store; and as, through them, we have made noteworthy progress, so we must read them again to be protected against backward steps to which the precious world about us is inclined to tempt us day by day and hour by hour.

Just imagine to yourself now, my dearest friend, how highly welcome your announcement seemed to me at this moment when, after ripe reflection, I desired to give you very friendly counsel to visit us toward the end of October.  Should the gods not dispose otherwise concerning us, you will surely find me, and whatever else is near and dear to you, assembled here; quiet, personal communication may very happily alternate with social recreations, and, above all things, we can take delight in Schiller’s correspondence, since then you will also bring with you the letters of several years, and in the fruitful present we may edify and refresh ourselves with the fair bloom of by-gone days.  Riemer sends his very best greetings; he is well; our relation is permanent, mutually beneficial, and profitable.  Aulic Councillor Meyer has left for Wiesbaden; unfortunately, his health is not of the best.