Happily, I can laugh at all such 'menées:' for a man who seeks nothing and fears little, who interests himself in the great world only in so far as it affords him opportunities for making experimental observations on himself and others; who is, as to necessaries at least, independent, and has a few but faithful friends,--such a man it is difficult seriously to injure. Experience too has cooled me;--my blood no longer flows with such uncontrollable impetuosity; while my lightheartedness has not deserted me, still less the capacity of loving intensely. I therefore enjoy life better than in the bloom of youth, and would not exchange my present feelings for that early tumultuous vehemence. Nay, in such a frame of mind, I feel not the least dread of old age, and am persuaded that when that period of life arrives, it will turn to us many a bright and beautiful side whose existence we suspect not, and which those only never find who want to remain youthful for ever. I lately met with some pretty English verses which I translated, after my fashion, with a thought of you, my best friend, who too often regret departing youth. These are the delightful lines: Ist gleich die trübe Wange bleich, Das Auge nicht mehr hell, Und nahet schon das ernste Reich, Wo Jugend fliehet schnell! Doch lächelt Dir die Wange noch, Das Auge kennt die Thräne noch, Das Herz schlägt noch so warm und frei Als in des Lebens grünstem Mai. So denk' denn nicht, dass nur die Jugend Und Schönheit Segen leiht-- Zeit lehrt die Seele schönre Tugend, In Jahren treuer Zärtlichkeit. Und selbst wenn einst die Nacht von oben Verdunkelnd Deine Brust umfängt, Wird noch durch Liebeshand gehoben Dein Haupt zur ew'gen Ruh' gesenkt. O, so auch blinkt der Abendstern, Ist gleich dahin der Sonne Licht, Noch sanft und warm aus hoher Fern', Und Tages-Glanz entbehrst Du nicht.--[24] Yes, my beloved Julia, thus has time taught us, in years of tenderness, that nothing can have so genuine a value as that. We have now before us an evening star, whose mild light is far more delightful than that mid-day sun which often rather scorches than warms. I drove home with L----, and we had a long conversation by the snug fireside on the affairs of our country. * * * L---- is very kind to me, and I am doubly attached to him; first, for his own amiable and honourable character; secondly, for the sake of his excellent father, to whom we owe more real gratitude than to ----, though he had no other motive than his own impartial love of justice. _November 23d._