Delphi Collected Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe \(Illustrated\) pdfdrive com

THE SAME EVENING.

My diary, which I have for some time neglected, came before me today; and I

am  amazed  to  see  how  deliberately  I  have  entangled  myself  step  by  step.  To

have seen my position so clearly, and yet to have acted so like a child! Even still

I  behold  the  result  plainly,  and  yet  have  no  thought  of  acting  with  greater

prudence.

AUGUST 10.

If I were not a fool, I could spend the happiest and most delightful life here.

So  many  agreeable  circumstances,  and  of  a  kind  to  ensure  a  worthy  man’s

happiness,  are  seldom  united.  Alas!  I  feel  it  too  sensibly,    —    the  heart  alone

makes our happiness! To be admitted into this most charming family, to be loved

by  the  father  as  a  son,  by  the  children  as  a  father,  and  by  Charlotte!  then  the

noble Albert, who never disturbs my happiness by any appearance of ill-humour,

receiving me with the heartiest affection, and loving me, next to Charlotte, better

than all the world! Wilhelm, you would be delighted to hear us in our rambles,

and  conversations  about  Charlotte.  Nothing  in  the  world  can  be  more  absurd

than our connection, and yet the thought of it often moves me to tears.

---

He tells me sometimes of her excellent mother; how, upon her death-bed, she

had  committed  her  house  and  children  to  Charlotte,  and  had  given  Charlotte

herself in charge to him; how, since that time, a new spirit had taken possession

of  her;  how,  in  care  and  anxiety  for  their  welfare,  she  became  a  real  mother  to

them; how every moment of her time was devoted to some labour of love in their

behalf, — and yet her mirth and cheerfulness had never forsaken her. I walk by

his side, pluck flowers by the way, arrange them carefully into a nosegay, then

fling them into the first stream I pass, and watch them as they float gently away.

I  forget  whether  I  told  you  that  Albert  is  to  remain  here.  He  has  received  a

government appointment, with a very good salary; and I understand he is in high

favour at court. I have met few persons so punctual and methodical in business.