• 14. Caroline to Julie von Studnitz in Gotha: Göttingen, 5 May 1780 (Fr.)
Göttingen, 5 May 1780
|25| . . . Although my father was planning to travel to Berlin this summer, he is not feeling all that well and will instead go to Pyrmont, and next year to Berlin; so he will be able to take me with him as far as Gotha and then |26| will pick me there again on his return. But how uncertain is this bit of good fortune, and how far off the date! [1] . . .
Had I myself not been sick, I would have answered you sooner, hence I entreat you to do so, my dear friend. I had a fever and a thousand other infirmities, and am now drinking seltzer water to aid my complete recovery. I had already made out my last will and testament, for it was no laughing matter. [2] . . .
Notes
[1] Michaelis’s plan seems to have been to travel to Berlin by way of Gotha, where he would drop Caroline off, and then to pick her up on his way back to Göttingen, again by way of Gotha. It may be noted that this southerly route — if such indeed be meant — avoids the Harz Mountains, which are situated between Göttingen and Berlin (Post Karte Durch ganz Deutschland, ed. J. Walch [Augsburg 1795]):
[2] Illustration from Christophe Schmid (Christoph von Schmid), La guirlande de houblon (1836), Oeuvres choisies, vol. 4, new ed. (Tours 1867), plate following p. 262:
Translation © 2011 Doug Stott