The Life of Friedrich Schiller | Page 5

were in consequence rewarded by the mollified pedagogue with
two kreutzers apiece. Four kreutzers of ready cash was a sum of no
common magnitude; how it should be disposed of formed a serious
question for the parties interested. Schiller moved that they should go
to Harteneck, a hamlet in the neighbourhood, and have a dish of
curds-and-cream: his partner assented; but alas! in Harteneck no
particle of curds or cream was to be had. Schiller then made offer for a
quarter-cake of cheese; but for this four entire kreutzers were
demanded, leaving nothing whatever in reserve for bread! Twice
baffled, the little gastronomes, unsatisfied in stomach, wandered on to
Neckarweihingen; where, at length, though not till after much inquiry,
they did obtain a comfortable mess of curds-and-cream, served up in a
gay platter, and silver spoons to eat it with. For all this, moreover, they
were charged but three kreutzers; so that there was still one left to
provide them with a bunch of St. John grapes. Exhilarated by such
liberal cheer, Schiller rose into a glow of inspiration: having left the
village, he mounted with his comrade to the adjacent height, which
overlooks both Harteneck and Neckarweihingen; and there in a truly
poetic effusion he pronounced his malediction on the creamless region,
bestowing with the same solemnity his blessing on the one which had
afforded him that savoury refreshment.' Friedrich von Schillers Leben
(Heidelberg. 1817), p. 11.]
This good hope was not, however, destined to be realised in the way
they expected: accidents occurred which changed the direction of
Schiller's exertions, and threatened for a time to prevent the success of

them altogether. The Duke of Würtemberg had lately founded a Free
Seminary for certain branches of professional education: it was first set
up at Solitude, one of his country residences; and had now been
transferred to Stuttgard, where, under an improved form, and with the
name of Karls-schule, we believe it still exists. The Duke proposed to
give the sons of his military officers a preferable claim to the benefits
of this institution; and having formed a good opinion both of Schiller
and his father, he invited the former to profit by this opportunity. The
offer occasioned great embarrassment: the young man and his parents
were alike determined in favour of the Church, a project with which
this new one was inconsistent. Their embarrassment was but increased,
when the Duke, on learning the nature of their scruples, desired them to
think well before they decided. It was out of fear, and with reluctance
that his proposal was accepted. Schiller enrolled himself in 1773; and
turned, with a heavy heart, from freedom and cherished hopes, to Greek,
and seclusion, and Law.
His anticipations proved to be but too just: the six years which he spent
in this establishment were the most harassing and comfortless of his
life. The Stuttgard system of education seems to have been formed on
the principle, not of cherishing and correcting nature, but of rooting it
out, and supplying its place with something better. The process of
teaching and living was conducted with the stiff formality of military
drilling; every thing went on by statute and ordinance, there was no
scope for the exercise of free-will, no allowance for the varieties of
original structure. A scholar might possess what instincts or capacities
he pleased; the 'regulations of the school' took no account of this; he
must fit himself into the common mould, which, like the old Giant's
bed, stood there, appointed by superior authority, to be filled alike by
the great and the little. The same strict and narrow course of reading
and composition was marked out for each beforehand, and it was by
stealth if he read or wrote any thing beside. Their domestic economy
was regulated in the same spirit as their preceptorial: it consisted of the
same sedulous exclusion of all that could border on pleasure, or give
any exercise to choice. The pupils were kept apart from the
conversation or sight of any person but their teachers; none ever got
beyond the precincts of despotism to snatch even a fearful joy; their

very amusements proceeded by the word of command.
How grievous all this must have been, it is easy to conceive. To
Schiller it was more grievous than to any other. Of an ardent and
impetuous yet delicate nature, whilst his discontentment devoured him
internally, he was too modest and timid to give it the relief of utterance
by deeds or words. Locked up within himself, he suffered deeply, but
without complaining. Some of his letters written during this period
have been preserved: they exhibit the ineffectual struggles of a fervid
and busy mind veiling its many chagrins under a certain dreary patience,
which only shows them more painfully. He pored over