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tamorphoses of Plants."-Its cold reception. Before its age. - Recogni-

tion of his labours by St. Hilaire.—Modern recognition of his discovery.—

High character of his botanical and anatomical studies.-Unfortunate studies

in optics.-Misunderstanding of Newton's theory.-Publication of the "Bei-

träge zur Optik". - Opposition to it.-Goethe's obstinacy and irritability

-His "Theory of Colours" expounded and contrasted with that of New-

ton.-Goethe's explanation of the phenomena of refraction.-Source of

his errors.-Misconception of Method.-Efforts to supply the place of experi-

ment and mathematics by observation and reason.-Native direction of his

mind towards the concrete phenomena, not towards abstractions.-His success

in the organic sciences.-Not a metaphysician, but a thinker on the à priori

method.-Review of his discovery of the intermaxillary bone.-Claims of Vicq

d'Azyr.-Employment of the comparative method.-The doctrine of mor-

phology. The vertebral theory, and theory of Metamorphosis.-Goethe's

creation of a type.-Claims of Linnæus and Wolff.-Goethe's hypothesis of

elaborated sap opposed to Wolff's hypothesis of deficient sap.-Law of ve-

getation and law of reproduction clearly seen by Goethe.-Goethe's efforts

to create the science of philosophic anatomy.—The positive method.-Principle

of development grasped and applied by Geothe.-Law of division of labour in

the animal organism clearly expressed in his formula.-His "Introduction to

Comparative Anatomy".-Vertebral theory of the skull criticised.-Examina-

tion of Goethe's claim to the discovery of the vertebral theory of the skull 326

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BOOK THE FIRST.

1749 to 1765.

Vom Vater hab' ich die Statur,
Des Lebens ernstes Führen;
Von Mütterchen die Frohnatur,
Die Lust zu fabuliren.

Hätte Gott mich anders gewollt,
So hätt' er mich anders gebaut.

CHAPTER I.

PARENTAGE.

QUINTUS CURTIUS tells us that, in certain seasons, Bactria was darkened by whirlwinds of dust, which completely covered and concealed the roads. Left thus without their usual landmarks, the wanderers awaited the rising of the stars,

"To light them on their dim and perilous way".

May we not say the same of Literature? From time to time its pathways are so obscured beneath the rubbish of the age, that many a footsore pilgrim seeks in vain the hidden route. In such times let us imitate the Bactrians: let us cease to look upon the confusions of the day, and turning our gaze upon the great Immortals who have gone before, seek guidance from their light. In all ages the biographies of great men have been fruitful in lessons. In all ages they have been powerful stimulants to a noble ambition. In all ages they have been regarded as armouries wherein are gathered the weapons with which great battles have been won.

There may be some among my readers who will dispute Goethe's claim to greatness. They will admit that he was a great poet, but deny that he was a great man. In denying it, they will set forth the qualities which constitute their ideal of greatness, and finding him deficient in some of these qualities, will dispute his claim. But in awarding him that title, I do not mean to imply that he was an ideal man; I do not present him as the exemplar of all greatness.

B

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