produced in their highest works of art were deficient in energy, in
resolute courage, and political sagacity; even in the heroes of the
drama with whom such characteristics were least compatible, there was a
melancholy tendency, as in Galotti, Goetz, and Egmont--even in
Wallenstein and Faust. The same race of men who investigated with
wonderful boldness and freedom the secret laws of their intellectual
being, were as helpless and uncertain in the presence of realities, as
a youth who first passes from the schoolroom among men.

A sentimentality of character, and the craving for great emotions on
insignificant occasions, had not disappeared. But this ruling tendency
of the eighteenth century, which has not been entirely cast off even in
the present day, was restrained in 1790 by the worthier aims of
intellectual life. Even sentimentality had had, since Pietism crept
into life, its little history. First, the poor German soul had been
strongly affected; it easily became desponding, and found enjoyment in
observing the tears it shed. Afterwards the enjoyment of its feelings
became more student-like and hearty.

When, in 1750, some jovial companions passed in the extra-post through
a village, the inhabitants of which had planted the churchyard with
roses, the contrast of these flowers of love and the graves so excited
the imagination of these travellers, that they bought a bottle of wine,
went to the churchyard, and, revelling in the comparison of roses and
graves, drank up their wine.[28] But the student flavour of roughness
which was evinced in this enjoyment, passed away when manners became
more refined and life more thoughtful. When, in 1770, two brothers were
travelling in the Rhine country, through a sunny valley among blooming
fruit-trees, one clasped the hand of the other, in order, by the soft
pressure of his, to express the pleasure he derived from his company;
both looked at each other with tender emotion, blessed tears of quiet
feeling rose in the eyes of both, and they embraced each other, or, as
would then have been said, they blessed the country with the holy kiss
of friendship.[29] When, about the same period, a society expected a
dear friend--it must by the way be mentioned that it was a happy
husband and father of a family--the feelings on this occasion also were
far more manifold, and the self-contemplation with which they were
enjoyed, was far greater than with us. The master of the house, with
another g