104a. Friedrich Schlegel to Wilhelm Schlegel in Amsterdam: Leipzig, 4 October 1791 [*]
[Leipzig] 4 October 1791
You will simply have to make do with my sending you books instead of letters. I have almost developed a need to tell you everything about myself. You owe this privilege, however, not to force of habit, but to reflection, since I know of no other person who might understand me so completely — and the most important thing is that I for my own part may certainly also hope not to be entirely of no use to you, if for no other reason than that I occasionally remind you that it is up to you alone to become a great man. —
At the same time, however, let me tell you that I view you much as Lavater views Christ; Lavater essentially informed the latter that should he, Lavater, happen to find an even better medium with God, he, Christ, would simply have to yield. —
As long as your current relationship with [Caroline] B[öhmer] continues, I am not so much counting on payment now as later. —
That said, I do hope your letters will not be fewer, and will instead continue to increase in both length and content. In your last letter you probably could have included a bit of news concerning your correspondence with [Caroline] B[öhmer] again. . . .
Notes
[*] Source: Walzel, 17–18; KFSA 23:23–24. Back.
Translation © 2011 Doug Stott