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RAHEL. 308
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Letters Of Rahel, 3 Vols. 8vo, 1834; And...
form . There entered the room , a slight graceful figure , short In stature but firmlmadewith delicately formed yet full limbs , and
remarkablsmall y hands , and feet . The countenanceround which curled rich y black hairwas expressive of the highest , intelligence :
the quick yet fixed and , penetrating look , caused a doubt whether she received or bestowed most , while an appearance of suffering
lent a softness to her fine features . Dressed in dark garments , she moved about like a shadowthough with much freedom , while her
salutations were as easy as , they were cordial . That which made the most impression upon me , however , was the soft , rich tone of
her voice , _soiinding like music from the depths of her being , accompanied by the most striking words I had ever heard .
Expressions unpretending in themselves , yet betokening mind and character of the rarest kind , were uttered with simplicity and
intelligent acuteness , and sweetness mingled with an iron truth . The strongest mind must have confessed that her expressions were not
to be decried or even turned aside ; yet the kindly warmth , the social sympathy which lay behind them , allowed the most
insignificant to enjoy her presence . " At this period much "was said about an ardent attachment
existing between Kahel and a descendant of one of the most distinguished families in the land , Prince Louis Ferdinand of Saalfeldt . An
attachment which , according to report , surpassed in . passion , elevationand unhappinessall that poet ever sung . An union between
the p , arties was thwarted , by the prejudices of the family of the suitor , as well as by the feeling of Rahel , too proud under these
circumstances to enter upon such a connection , to which indeed she gave the first blow . After the rupture of this intimacy , she visited Paris
with her friend the Countess von SchlabrendorfF , and after residing thereas well as in the Netherlands and other places , for a year , she
returned , to Berlinwhere she fell into a severe and lingering illness . which country A year now to or the occurred two brink later _, , was of the ruin peculi unfortun . arl The y at afflicting e earl events y death to of her war of . Prince broug This ht Louis depri her - ,
vation was followed , by the loss of her worldly means , which was the ' more painful as her want of health rendered care and attention so
requisite . Yet none of these "sorrows impaired the interest she took in learningart , and science , in public events , or in the fate of
, individuals connected with her . " Speaking of the spring of 1807 , M . Varnhagen continues :
sexes " Amongst distinguished the extensive by the circle noblest of traits bur referred societ of character y to were than several Hahel ; none of Levin , h both ow- : more frequentlor pointedl
consequentl ever , was y the wish to y become acquainted y with her was often excitedThe ladyat whose house we assembledspoke of her as
something . incomparable , ; and if occasionally she ming , led a degree of blame with her overflowing praise , insinuating that Kahel should
pay more regard to external appearances , and act more in aceor-
Rahel. 308
RAHEL . 308
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), July 1, 1859, page 303, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01071859/page/15/
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