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. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ... EIGHTH BOOK Another man, although infinitely different from Behrisch in every respect, might yet be compared with him in a certain sense; I mean Oeser, who was also one of those men who dream away their lives in easy-going activity. Even his friends secretly acknowledged that, with great natural gifts, he had not exerted himself sufficiently in his younger years; for which reason, he never acquired a perfect mastery of his art. Yet a certain diligence appeared to be reserved for his old age, and, during the many years which I knew him, he never lacked invention or industry. From the very first moment he had attracted me greatly; even his residence, strange and awe-inspiring, was full of charm for me. At the right-hand corner of the old castle Pleissenburg, a well-lighted winding staircase, which had been restored, led to the first floor. The salons of the Academy of Design, of which he was director, were on the left, and were light and roomy; but his own rooms could be reached only by a narrow, dark passage, at the very end of which you found the entrance to his apartments, after passing between the whole suite of them and an extensive granary. The first room was adorned with pictures from the later Italian school, by masters whose grace he used to commend highly. Since I had joined some noblemen in taking private lessons from bim, we were allowed to draw here, and we often found our way into his adjoining private cabinet, which also contained his few books, collections of art and natural curiosities, and whatever else particularly interested him. Everything was arranged with taste, simply, and so that the little space held a great deal. The furniture, presses, and portfolios were elegant, without affectation or superfluity. Accordingly...
