Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX. THE POET AS A MAN OF SCIENCE. To the immense variety of his studies in Art and Science must now be added a fragmentary acquaintance with the philosophy of Kant. He had neither the patience nor the delight in metaphysical abstractions requisite to enable him to master the Critique of Pure Reason: but he read here and there in it, as he read in Spinoza; and was especially interested in the sesthetical portions of the Kritik der Urtheilskraft." This was a means of bringing him nearer to Schiller, who still felt the difference between them to be profound; as we see in what he wrote to Korner: " His philosophy draws too much of its material from the world of the senses, where I only draw from the soul. His mode of presentation is altogether too sensuous for ma But his spirit works and seeks in every direction, striving to create a whole, and that makes him in my eyes a great man." Remarkable indeed is the variety of his strivings. After completing "Tasso," we find him writing on the Roman Carnival, and on Imitation of Nature, and studying with strange ardour the mysteries of botany and optics. In poetry it is only necessary to name the "Roman Elegies," to show what productivity in that direction he was capable of; although, in truth, his poetical activity was then in subordination to his activity in science. He was, socially, in an unpleasant condition: and, as he subsequently confessed, would never have been able to hold out, had it not been for his studies in Art and Nature. In all times these were his refuge and consolation. On Art, the world listened to him attentively. On Science, the world would not listen; but turned away in silence, sometimes in derision. In both he was only an amateur. He had no executive ability..."
