143a. Friedrich Schlegel to Wilhelm Schlegel in Amsterdam: Dresden, 5 April 1794 [*]
Dresden, 5 April [1794] [1]
. . . I have had no news from Caroline for a month now. At that time, she was suffering greatly. I do hope she is healthy! — You took it quite strangely indeed; it is incomprehensible to me how it should in any way delay your union [2] that she feels her unavoidable suffering more than is really fair. — I for my part would quickly and resolutely carry out what I had already resolved to do. To delay means to destroy slowly. I implore you not to ruin Caroline though indefiniteness. — I would very much like to have some news concerning your return, your plans. [3] . . .
Notes
[*] Sources: Walzel, 173; KFSA 23:187. Back.
[1] Friedrich had been in Dresden since approximately mid-January 1794. Back.
[2] That is, their marriage; Wilhelm would not, however, decide to marry Caroline until, significantly perhaps, after the death of her son on 20 April 1795 (Goettinger Taschen Calender Für das Jahr 1794):
[3] Wilhelm was now considering more seriously his return to Germany from Amsterdam. Caroline was currently in Gotha, Friedrich in Dresden (Thomas Kitchin, Germany):
Translation © 2011 Doug Stott