t do not talk of
Schiller's patriotism, for he had none. But let that pass; it is not to
the point. The question is, whether you consider it praiseworthy to
erect monuments to deserving and exalted genius?"

"Without the least hesitation, I say yes. But I see what you are
driving at, doctor. I know the remorseless logic of your inferences.
But you will not catch me in your vise this time. You wish to infer
that the saints far surpassed Schiller in nobility and greatness of
soul, and that honoring them, therefore, is more reasonable, and more
justifiable, than honoring Schiller. I dispute the greatness of the
so-called saints. They were men full of narrowness and rigorism. They
despised the world and their friends. They carried this contempt to a
wonderful extent--to a renunciation of all the enjoyments of life, to
voluntary poverty and unconditional obedience. But all these are fruits
that have grown on a stunted, morbid tree, and are in opposition to
progress, to industry, and to the enlightened civilization of modern
times. The dark ages might well honor such men, but our times cannot.
Schiller, on the contrary, that genial man, taught us to love the
pleasures of life. By his fine genius and his odes to pleasure, he
frightened away all the spectres of these enthusiastic views of life.
He preached a sound taste and a free, unconstrained enjoyment of the
things of this beautiful earth. And for this reason precisely, because
he inaugurated this new doctrine, does he deserve monuments in his
honor."

"How does it happen then, my friend," said the doctor, in a cutting
tone that was sometimes peculiar to him, "that you do not take
advantage of the modern doctrine of unconstrained enjoyment? Why have
you preserved fresh your youthful vigor, and not dissipated it at the
market of sensual pleasures? Why is your mode of life so often a
reproach to your dissolute friends? Why do you avoid the resorts of
refined pleasures? Why are the coquettish, vitiated, hollow
inclinations of a great part of the female sex so distasteful to you?
Answer me!"

"These are peculiarities of my nature; individual opinions that have no
claim to any weight."

"Peculiarities of your nature--very right; your noble nature, your pure
feelings rebel against these moral acquisitions of progress. I begin
with your noble nature. If I did not find this good, true self in you,
I would waste no more words. But because you are what you are, I must
convince