Cut off from access to the scholars, libraries, lectures, galleries of
art, museums of science, antiquities, and historic scenes of Europe,
Margaret bent her powers to use such opportunities of culture as she
could command in her solitary country-home. Journals and letters thus
bear witness to her zeal:--
'I am having one of my "intense" times, devouring book after
book. I never stop a minute, except to talk with mother,
having laid all little duties on the shelf for a few days.
Among other things, I have twice read through the life of Sir
J. Mackintosh; and it has suggested so much to me, that I
am very sorry I did not talk it over with you. It is quite
gratifying, after my late chagrin, to find Sir James, with
all his metaphysical turn, and ardent desire to penetrate it,
puzzling so over the German philosophy, and particularly what
I was myself troubled about, at Cambridge,--Jacobi's letters
to Fichte.
'Few things have ever been written more discriminating or more
beautiful than his strictures upon the Hindoo character, his
portrait of Fox, and his second letter to Robert Hall, after
his recovery from derangement. Do you remember what he says of
the want of brilliancy in Priestley's moral sentiments? Those
remarks, though slight, seem to me to show the quality of his
mind more decidedly than anything in the book. That so much
learning, benevolence, and almost unparalleled fairness of
mind, should be in a great measure lost to the world, for want
of earnestness of purpose, might impel us to attach to the
latter attribute as much importance as does the wise uncle in
Wilhelm Meister.'
* * * * *
'As to what you say of Shelley, it is true that the unhappy
influences of early education prevented his ever attaining
clear views of God, life, and the soul. At thirty, he was
still a seeker,--an experimentalist. But then his should not
be compared with such a mind as ----'s, which, having no such
exuberant fancy to tame, nor various faculties to develop,
naturally comes to maturity sooner. Had Shelley lived twenty
years longer, I have no doubt he would have become a fervent
Christian, and thus have attained that mental harmony which
was necessary to him. It is true, too, as you say, that we
always feel a melancholy imperfection in what he writes. But I
love to think of those other spheres in which so pure and rich
a being shall be perfected; and I cannot allow his faults
of opinion and sentiment to mar my enjoyment of the vast
capabilities, and exquisite perception of beauty, displayed
everywhere in his poems.'
* * * * *
'_March 17, 1836_.--I think Herschel will be very valuable to
me, from the slight glance I have taken of it, and I thank Mr.
F.; but do not let him expect anything of me because I have
ventured on a book so profound as the Novum Organum. I have
been examining myself with severity, intellectually as well as
morally, and am shocked to find how vague and superficial is
all my knowledge. I am no longer surprised that I should
have appeared harsh and arrogant in my strictures to one who,
having a better-disciplined mind, is more sensible of the
difficulties in the way of really knowing and doing anything,
and who, having more Wisdom, has more Reverence too. All that
passed at your house will prove very useful to me; and I trust
that I am approximating somewhat to that genuine humility
which is so indispensable to true regeneration. But do not
speak of this to--, for I am not yet sure of the state of my
mind.'
* * * * *
'1836.--I have, for the time, laid aside _De Stael_ and
_Bacon_, for _Martineau_ and _Southey_. I find, with delight,
that the former has written on the very subjects I wished most
to talk out with her, and probably I shall receive more from
her in this way than by personal intercourse,--for I think
more of her character when with her, and am stimulated through
my affections. As to Southey, I am steeped to the lips in
enjoyment. I am glad I did not know this poet earlier; for I
am now just ready to receive his truly exalting influences in
some degree. I think, in reading, I shall place him next to
Wordsworth. I have finished Herschel, and really believe I
am a little wiser. I have read, too, Heyne's letters
twice, Sartor Resartus once, some of Goethe's late diaries,
Coleridge's Literary Remains, and drank a great deal from
Wordsworth. By the way, do you know his "Happy Warrior"? I
find my insight of this sublime poet perpetually deepening.'
* * * * *
'Mr. ---- says the Wanderjahre is "_wise._" It must be
presumed so; and yet one is not satisfied. I was perfectly so
with my manner of interpreting the Lehrjahre; but this sequel
keeps jerking my clue, and threatens to break it. I do not
know our Goethe yet. I have changed my opinion about his
religious views many times. Sometimes I am tempted to think
that it is only his wonderful knowledge of human nature which
has excited in me such reverence for his philosophy, and that
no worthy fabric has been elevated on this broad foundation.
Yet often, when suspecting that I have found a huge gap, the
next turning it appears that it was but an air-hole, and
there is a brick all ready to stop it. On the whole, though
my enthusiasm for the Goetherian philosophy is checked, my
admiration for the genius of Goethe is in nowise lessened, and
I stand in a sceptical attitude, ready to try his philosophy,
and, if needs must, play the Eclectic.'
'Did I write that a kind-hearted neighbor, fearing I might
be _dull_, sent to offer me the use of a _book-caseful_ of
Souvenirs, Gems, and such-like glittering ware? I took a two
or three year old "Token," and chanced on a story, called the
"Gentle Boy," which I remembered to have heard was written by
somebody in Salem. It is marked by so much grace and delicacy
of feeling, that I am very desirous to know the author, whom I
take to be a lady.' * *
'With regard to what you say about the American Monthly, my
answer is, I would gladly sell some part of my mind for lucre,
to get the command of time; but I will not sell my soul: that
is, I am perfectly willing to take the trouble of writing for
money to pay the seamstress; but I am _not_ willing to have
what I write mutilated, or what I ought to say dictated to
suit the public taste. You speak of my writing about Tieck. It
is my earnest wish to interpret the German authors of whom
I am most fond to such Americans as are ready to receive.
Perhaps some might sneer at the notion of my becoming a
teacher; but where I love so much, surely I might inspire
others to love a little; and I think this kind of culture
would be precisely the counterpoise required by the
utilitarian tendencies of our day and place. My very
imperfections may be of value. While enthusiasm is yet fresh,
while I am still a novice, it may be more easy to communicate
with those quite uninitiated, than when I shall have attained
to a higher and calmer state of knowledge. I hope a periodical
may arise, by and by, which may think me worthy to furnish a
series of articles on German literature, giving room enough
and perfect freedom to say what I please. In this case, I
should wish to devote at least eight numbers to Tieck, and
should use the Garden of Poesy, and my other translations.
'I have sometimes thought of translating his Little Red Riding
Hood, for children. If it could be adorned with illustrations,
like those in the "Story without an End," it would make a
beautiful little book; but I do not know that this could be
done in Boston. There is much meaning that children could not
take in; but, as they would never discover this till able
to receive the whole, the book corresponds exactly with my
notions of what a child's book should be.
'I should like to begin the proposed series with a review of
Heyne's letters on German Literature, which afford excellent
opportunity for some preparatory hints. My plans are so
undecided for several coming months, that I cannot yet tell
whether I shall have the time and tranquillity needed to write
out the whole course, though much tempted by the promise of
perfect liberty. I could engage, however, to furnish at
least two articles on Novalis and Körner. I trust you will be
interested in my favorite Körner. Great is my love for both of
them. But I wish to write something which shall not only _be_
free from exaggeration, but which shall _seem_ so, to those
unacquainted with their works.
'I have so much reading to go through with this month, that
I have but few hours for correspondents. I have already
discussed five volumes in German, two in French, three in
English, and not without thought and examination.
'Tell--that I read "Titan" by myself, in the afternoons and
evenings of about three weeks. She need not be afraid to
undertake it. Difficulties of detail may, perhaps, not be
entirely conquered without a master or a good commentary, but
she could enjoy all that is most valuable alone. I should be
very unwilling to read it with a person of narrow or unrefined
mind; for it is a noble work, and fit to raise a reader into
that high serene of thought where pedants cannot enter.'