* of the worthy philologist Näke, who in 1822 made the first pilgrimage, thinking, as he went, of this enchanting Frederika (and somewhat also of a private Frederika of his own), examined every rood of the ground, dined meditatively at the inn (with a passing reflection that the bill was larger than he anticipated), took coffee with the pastor's successor; and, with a sentiment touching in a snuffy philologist, bore away a sprig of the jessamine which in days gone by had been tended by the white hands of Frederika, and placed it in his pocket-book as an imperishable souvenir. * Die Wahlfahrt nach Sesenheim. 12* BOOK THE THIRD. STURM UND DRANG. 1771 to 1775. 6 Es bildet ein Talent sich in der Stille, 'Trunken müssen wir alle seyn: Jugend ist Trunkenheit ohne Wein.' 'They say best men are moulded out of faults, And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad.' — Shakespeare. BOOK THE THIRD. CHAPTER I. DR. GOETHE'S RETURN. On the 25th, or 28th, of August 1771, he quitted Strasburg. His way led through Mannheim; and there he was first thrilled at the beauty of ancient masterpieces, some of which he saw in plaster cast. Whatever might be his predilection for Gothic Art, he could not view these casts without feeling himself in presence of an Art in its way also divine; and his previous study of Lessing lent a peculiar interest to the Laokoon group, now before his eyes, Passing on to Mainz he fell in with a young wandering harpist, and what must he do but invite the ragged minstrel to Frankfurt, promising him a public in the Fair, and a lodging in his father's house. It was lucky that he thought of acquainting his mother with this invitation. Alarmed at its imprudence she secured a lodging in the town, and so the boy wanted neither shelter nor patronage. Rath Goethe was not a little proud of the young Doctor. He was also not a little disturbed by the young Doctor's manners; and often shook his ancient respectable head at the opinions which exploded like bombshells in the midst |