1813. of the other world and those he should wish to see CHAP. XVI. there. Madame de Staël said that after she had seen those she loved (this with a sentimental sigh), she should inquire for Adam and Eve, and ask how they were born. During a light conversation about the living and the dead, Lady Mackintosh exclaimed, "After all, the truth of it seems to be that the sinners have the best of it in this world and the saints in the next." Curran declared "Paradise Lost" to be the worst poem in the language. Milton was incapable of a delicate or tender sentiment towards woman. Curran did not render these heresies palatable by either originality or pleasantry. Godwin defended Milton with zeal, and even for his submission to Cromwell, who, he said, though a usurper, was not a tyrant, nor cruel. This was said in opposition to Madame de Staël, who was not pleased with the philosopher. She said to Lady Mackintosh, after he was gone, "I am glad I have seen this man-it is curious to see how naturally Jacobins become the advocates of tyrants; so it is in France now." Lady Mackintosh apologized for him in a gentle tone; "he had been harshly treated, and almost driven out of society; he was living in retirement." The others spoke kindly of him. Godwin. at his chambers. November 1st.-After a short visit to Anthony H. C. R. Robinson, came to chambers and slept for the first time in my own bed. I felt a little uncomfortable at the reflection of my solitude, but also some satisfaction at the thought that I was at least independent and at home. I have not yet collected around me all that even I deem comforts, but I shall find my wants very 422 Madame de Staël's Germany. CHAP. XVI. few, I believe, if I except those arising from the desire to appear respectable, not to say wealthy, in the eyes of the world. 1813. C. Lamb. Madame de Staël. November 12th.-In the evening a party at Anthony Robinson's. The Lambs were there, and Charles seemed to enjoy himself. We played cards, and at the close of the evening he dryly said to Mrs. Robinson, "I have enjoyed the evening much, which I do not often do at people's houses." November 15th.-Called on Madame de Staël, to whom I had some civil things to say about her book, which she received with less than an author's usual selfcomplacence; but she manifested no readiness to correct some palpable omissions and mistakes I began pointing out to her. And when I suggested that, in her account of Goethe's "Triumph" (der Empfindsamkeit), she had mistaken the plot, she said, "Perhaps I thought it better as I stated it!" She confessed that in her selection of books to notice she was guided by A. W. Schlegel; otherwise, she added, a whole life would not have been sufficient to collect such information. This confession was not necessary for me. She says she is about to write a book on the French Revolution and on the state of England, in which she means to show that all the calamities which have arisen in France proceeded from not following the English constitution. She says she has a number of questions to put to me concerning the English law, and which she is to reduce to writing. We talked on politics. She still thinks that unless Buonaparte fall he will find means to retrieve his Letter from Coleridge. 423 1813. fortune. Perhaps she is still influenced by French CHAP. XVI. sentiments in conceiving that Buonaparte must be victorious at last if he persist in the war. But she is nevertheless a bigoted admirer of our government, which she considers to be perfect! COLERIDGE TO H. C. R. Monday Morning, December 7th, 1812. Intended theatrical Excuse me for again repeating my request to you, to use your best means as speedily as possible to procure for me (if possible) the perusal of Goethe's work on Light and Colour. In a thing I have now on hand it would be of very important service to me; at the same time do not forget Jacobi to Fichte,† and whatever other work may have bearings on the Neuere, neueste, und allerneueste Filosofie. It is my hope and purpose to devote a certain portion of my time for the next twelve months writings. to theatrical attempts, and chiefly to the melodrama, or comic opera kind; and from Goethe (from what I read of his little Singspiele in the volume which you lent me) I expect no trifling assistance, especially in the songs, airs, &c., and the happy mode of introducing them. In my frequent conversations with W. (a composer and music-seller), I could not find that he or the music-sellers in general had any knowledge of those compositions, which are so deservedly dear to the German public. As soon as I can disembarrass myself, I shall make one sturdy effort to understand music myself, so far at least * "Goethe's Theory of Colours. Translated from the German; with notes by Charles Lock Eastlake, R.A., F.R.S." London, 1840. † Jacobi's "Sendschreiben an Fichte." 424 C. Lamb. Flaxman. CHAP. XVI. of the science as goes to the composition of a simple air. 1813. For I seem frequently to form such in my own mind, to my inner ear. When you write to Bury, do not forget to assure Mrs. Clarkson of my never altered and unalterable esteem and affection. A pun of C. Lamb's. [Flaxman. S. T. COLERIDGE. December 30th.-After dinner a rubber at Lamb's; then went with Lamb and Burney to Rickman's. Hazlitt there. Cards, as usual, were our amusement. Lamb was in a pleasant mood. Rickman produced one of Chatterton's forgeries. In one manuscript there were seventeen different kinds of e's. "Oh," said Lamb, "that must have been written by one of the "Mob of gentlemen who write with ease." December 31st.-Spent the evening at Flaxman's. A New Year's party. It consisted only of the Pordens, some of Mrs. Flaxman's family, and one or two others. We were comfortable enough without being outrageously merry. Flaxman, of all the great men I ever knew, plays the child with the most grace. He is infinitely amiable, without losing any of his respectability. It is obvious that his is the relaxation of a superior mind, without, however, any of the ostentation of condescension. We stayed late, and the New Year found us enjoying ourselves. "John Buncle." Lamb. 425 CHAP. XVII. 1814. CHAPTER XVII. 1814. January 2nd.-Read lately the first volume of "John The "Life of John Buncle, Esq.; containing various Observations and Reflections made in several Parts of the World, and many extraordinary Relations." By THOMAS AMORY. Hollis, 1766. Two vols. "John (says Leigh Hunt) is a kind of innocent Henry the Eighth of private life, without the other's fat, fury, and solemnity. He is a prodigious hand at matrimony, at divinity, at a song, at a loud 'hem,' and at a turkey and chine." In No. 10 of Leigh Hunt's London Journal (June 4, 1834), there is an abstract of "John Buncle." John Buncle. C. Lamb. John Buncle. |