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304 RAHEL.
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...
dance with the world , even though only in semblance , she still allowed that she usually submitted to the claims of every essential
relation of life , and became subordinate to it . On the whole she confronted us the model of a woman , rich in knowledge , refined
and cultivated ; esteemed by some beyond comparison , acknowledged by all to be every way remarkable .
the " The 6 Jager following Strasse year ' with we her met worth again y . mother Hahel , whose live to d the house at this most , with time select its in old-fashionedabundant hospitalitywas
, , open society . " I can expect none to know Hahel or value her fullyexcept those
, who were intimate with her throughout life . Her * Letters , ' rich and peculiar though they areflowing direct from her head and
, heart , afford only an imperfect idea of her character , whose best endowment lay in its native animation , whence her powers came
into play , causing endless light and shadow , delicacy and harmony , such as no narrative perhaps could completely represent . In her
presence , the feeling always pervaded me that there was before me a magnificent creation of Godof the most perfect type , full of
, nature , and full of soul , and of ever changing variety ; in whose organisationin whose every fibre , existed living connection with
the entire universe , ; a being original and spiritual , great in innocence and wisdom , vigorous in word and deed , at once veritable
and just , warmed throughout by amiability , active benevolence , and the liveliest interest in the weal or woe of mankind . In her I
found those gifts combined which in others I had met only singly . Profound reflection , love of truth , humour , and imagination , united
to the gentle affections ; words which , like those of Goethe , adhered closelto factsnayrepresented the facts themselves , and
which through y their intrinsic , , value produced the most instantaneous effect . While side by side with this intelligence , there existed a
feminine charm and mildness which lent the loveliest expression to her features , without diminishing the strength of her emotions or
assertions . I am , however , doubtful whether such a mixture of opposite endowments and contending elements will be at once
understood . I attained to their comprehension only through many uncertainties and errors . Such a prejudice against her as rumour
charged me with I never entertained : but had I done so , in her presence this prejudice must have been instantly annihilated . The
ease and candour of her reception , her simple straightforwardness and unassuming originality , even in the most indifferent
conversations , dispelled any prepossession against her , and replaced it ba new and opposite sentiment born of the -moment , and
confirmed y by every word she uttered , clear as the spring from the rock , bestowing even upon insignificant trifles a character of truth
and freshness which gave them originality . " I gradually became more familiar with the character of Rahel
as I observed her in the midst of her . social life , where it was
304 Rahel.
304 RAHEL .
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), July 1, 1859, page 304, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01071859/page/16/
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