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    become weavers , fle who is bent on knowing what really lives , must point out the spirit that is in it . For when he hits the parts in his hand , the spiritual bond is wanting . Mncheirisin nature—it is called by the chemists : they laugh at it themselves , and know not why . ? Student . I do not precisely understand you . * Meph . No matter ; knowledge will come in time if you learn method , and duly classify your thoughts / ....

    Passing over a similar persiflage of metaphysics , we come to a palpable subject , to which we take leave to direct our reader ' s especial

    notice—* Student . I cannot bring myself to the study of the law , 4 Meph . Nor can I blame you . I know how it stands with this , doctrine , — laws and rights are inherited like an eternal disease ; they drag on from generation to generation , and insensibly move from place to place . Reason becomes folly , beneficence a torment ; woe to thee that thou art a grandson . Of the rights that are born with us enquiry is made . '

    In these few lines , to use a familiar expression , the nail is hit on the head . In utter opposition to the vulgar error which praises old laws , the real infirmity attending human legislation is the practical impossibility of shifting the laws with sufficient promptitude to the everchanging wants of society . Man is progressive—laws are stationary . Incongruities and incompatibilities accurnulate when centuries have elapsed ; the evil becornes intolerable . Then comes a change . If it end in euthanasia it is called reform—revolution , if there be but a substitution of calamity . Such a crisis

    we have just entered upon . The other pregnant thought is indicated in a line—lawyers never go beyond the positive institution of some prince or legislature . The rights of nature or man , which lie at the root of all others , are abandoned to the spepulations of the metaphysician ; or if too intelligibly insisted on , their asserter is brought under the cognizance of the Attorney-General .

    • Student My horror is increased . Oh , happy those whom you instruct—I could almost resolve on theology . 4 Meph , I would not mislead you as to this science ; it i $ so hard to shun the false road . There lies in it so much concealed poison , and from the medicine it is so hard to be distinguished . Here also it is best if you listen only to one , and swear by his , your master ' s , words . On the whole , stick to words— so may you pass through sure portals into the temple of certainty .

    ? Student . But there must be an idea with the words ! * Meph . Aye , certainly ! Only be not too anxious about what ; for it is precisely where ideas are wanting that words may be successfully brought im With , . words . there is excellent disputing—i-with words you may . prepare systems—in words you may well believe— -from words not an iota can be taken !

    * Student . Pardon my many questions ; but may I beg for a word pr two on medicine ? Mephi ( Aside . ) ' I am tired of this dry tone— -I'll now play the * i grht down d < ml . ~(^ l / attd . ) The spirit of medicine ia eaeypf comprei « - » ....

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    7 $ 4 Goethe $ Wbrks .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1832, page 754, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1824/page/34/