he
buffoon are more disgusting than the characters of the great, mediocre
and insignificant, all mingled together. I prayed this morning for
courage to hold out to the end, and to hasten the consummation. I am
grateful for the benefit of the journey--but I pray the gods not to
conduct themselves toward us as their image-man, for I should swear
to them eternal hatred."[Footnote: Goethe's own words.--See Goethe's
"Correspondence with Frau von Stein," part i., p. 169.]

"Then you are ready to depart, Wolf?"

"Almost, dear Carl, or, if you will it, quite ready. A few visits I
would make, that the people shall not be too severe upon me and cry out
against my pride and arrogance."

"Because they themselves are proud and supercilious, they are bold
enough to suppose Wolfgang Goethe is like them. I hope you will not
visit the very learned Herr Nicolai, the insipid prosaist, the puffed-up
rationalist, who believes that his knowledge permits him to penetrate
every thing, and who is a veritable ass."

"No, I am not going to Nicolai, Rammler, or Engel, or, as they should be
named, the wise authors of Berlin. I shall visit the artist Chodowiecki,
good Karschin, occasional poetess, and the philosopher Mendelssohn.
Then, if it pleases you, we will set out this afternoon, shaking the
sand of Berlin from our feet."

"I shall prepare whilst you make your visits. Will you take my carriage?
You know there is one from the royal stables always at my service, which
stands at the door."

"Beware! they would shriek if I should drive to their doors in a royal
carriage. They would accuse me of throwing aside the poet, and being
only secretary of legation. I will go on foot; it amuses me to push my
way through the crowd, and listen to the Berlin jargon."

CHAPTER XVII. GOETHE'S VISITS.

Taking leave of his ducal friend, Goethe betook himself the street, to
commence his visits. Going first to Chodowiecki, the renowned delineator
and engraver, whose fame had already spread throughout Germany. When
Goethe entered, the artist was busy in his atelier, working upon the
figures of the characters in the "Mimic," the latest work of Professor
Engel. "Master," said he, smilingly, extending him his hand, "I have
come to thank you for many beautiful, happy hours which I owe to you.
You paint with the chisel and poetize with the brush. An artist by God's
grace."

"If the poet Goethe says that, there must be something in it," replied
Chodowie