• 192. Caroline to Luise Gotter in Gotha, Jena, 3 December 1797
[Jena] 3 December [17]97
|442| Finally a reasonable response, my best, dearest Louise. We were all unrestrainedly happy over your letter — Auguste’s joy especially was absolutely uncontrollable. [1] And yet I was unable to answer you immediately because I have both good |443| and bad guests — the latter include a stubborn congestive cough, a headache, and a toothache, while the former is our Göschen, who is spending a week here on business. [2]
Today I dispatched everyone out to diners, concerts, and soupers, including my dear daughter, and am now completely alone here at home, albeit with a stuffy head, where I want to take the time to send you a quick note and relate the essentials to you. If you absolutely have to be in Gotha for the Christmas celebration, then I will not come before Christmas itself, for only think how brief the visit would end up being, since you are not yet completely free, and I, too, having been unable to leave the house for 14 days, cannot even say for sure whether I will be able to travel in a week.
So, then right after Christmas. — We, however, would admittedly greatly enjoy it were you to spend the holidays here; they could send you and Cecile the wonderful gifts here; we would then be glad to present them to you. But all this depends entirely on my good Louise. [3]
But not so good, for you, naughty girl, have not yet sent Shakesp[eare] back to me, which I do really need. [4] Dorette’s marriage is providing great fun for me. [5] After all, the good Herr Magistrate did indeed want a Dorette, though preferably the round one rather than the tall one (Mlle. Seidler). I would also like to see Mademoiselle Hartmann find a husband in Gotha or wherever else it might be. [6] In fact, I would like to have another quarter dozen or so men to distribute, since I know several young girls who are in dire need. [7]
Adieu, my dear, I am a poor correspondent today. Only please do answer me concerning the above and also send me Shakesp[eare].
Your C.
Notes
[1] Frauenzimmer Almanach zum Nutzen u Vergnügen für das Jahr 1809 (Inhaltsverzeichnis deutscher Almanache, Theodor Springmann Stiftung):
Caroline had been trying to persuade Luise Gotter in Gotha to visit her in Jena since the death of Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter back on 18 March 1797 (see Caroline’s letters to her on 28 June, 7 September, 15 October, and 1 November 1797 [letter 183, 185, 188, 189]). On 1 November she wrote that after yet another false start with the visit, Auguste had been “absolutely inconsolable” (Rudolf Koch and Fritz Kredel, Deutschland und angrenzende Gebiete [Leipzig 1937]):
[2] See Caroline’s letter to Göschen on 17 November 1797 (letter 191c). Back.
[3] Luise and Cäcilie Gotter would indeed spend Christmas 1797 with the Schlegels in Jena. Cäcilie even remained in Jena after Luise returned to Gotha in early February (see Caroline’s letter to Luise Gotter on 11 February 1798 [letter 195]). Back.
[4] Presumably one of the first two volumes of Wilhelm Schlegel’s recently published edition of Shakespeare. Shakspeare’s Dramatische Werke übersetzt von August Wilhelm Schlegel, vol. 1, Romeo und Julia, Ein Sommernachtstraum (Berlin 1797) and vol. 2., Julius Cäsar, Was ihr wollt (1797), had already appeared. Volume 3, Hamlet, Der Sturm, would be not be printed until the spring of 1798. Back.
[5] This particular Dorette is otherwise unidentified, as “Dorettes” sometimes are in Caroline’s correspondence; her magistrate fiancé is also unidentified. Back.
[6] Friederike Hartmann (Mother Schläger’s niece) would marry Christian Wilhelm Jacobs in Gotha in 1798. Back.
[7] Der Zauber des Orpheus für Freunde der Musik und Dichtkunst: Ein Almanach für 1798 (Inhaltsverzeichnis deutscher Almanache, Theodor Springmann Stiftung):
Translation © 2012 Doug Stott