t, just as the sacred writings
evince how the universe can be revealed in simple words, or narratives,
if not directly, yet mediately by hinting at and exciting higher
senses. My connexion with nature has led me to the point where the joy
and inspiration of language have brought you. Art and history have made
me acquainted with nature. My parents dwelt in Sicily, not far from the
famous Mount AEtna. Their dwelling was a comfortable house in the
ancient style, hidden by old chestnut trees near the rocky shore of the
sea, and affording the attraction of a garden stocked with various
plants. Near were many huts, in which dwelt fishermen, herdsmen, and
vine-dressers. Our chambers and cellar were amply provided with
everything that supports and gives enjoyment to life, and by well
bestowed labor, our arrangements were agreeable to the most refined
senses. Moreover there was no lack of those manifold objects, whose
contemplation and use elevate the mind above ordinary life and its
necessities, preparing it for a more suitable condition, and seem to
promise and procure for it the pure enjoyment of its full and proper
nature. You might have seen there marble statues, storied vases, small
stones with most distinct figures, and other articles of furniture, the
relics perhaps of other and happier times. Also many scrolls of
parchment lay in folds upon each other, in which were treasured, in
their long succession of letters, the knowledge, sentiments, histories,
and poems of that past time, in most agreeable and polished
expressions. The calling of my father, who had by degrees become an
able astrologer, attracted to him many inquiring visiters, even from
distant lands; and as the knowledge of the future seemed to men a rare
and precious gift, they were led to remunerate him richly for his
communication; so that he was enabled, by the gifts he received, to
defray the expenses of a comfortable and even luxurious style of life."

* * * * *

The author advanced no farther in the composition of this second part,
which he called "The Fulfilment," as he had called the first "The
Expectation," because all that was left to anticipation in the latter
was explained and fulfilled in the former. It was the design of the
author to write, after the completion of Ofterdingen, six romances for
the statement of his views of physical science, civil life, commerce,
history, political science, and of love; as his vi