(K) Goethe's Visit to Beireis. JAN. 



or scientific Man of all-work. His activity he devoted to the healing 

 art; but, with the happiest, all-retaining memory, it seemed to him 

 that he might pretend to be at home in all the faculties, and honourably 

 ascend any professorial chair whatsoever. His subscription in my son's 

 album ran as follows : 



GODFREDUS CHRISTOPHORUS BEIREIS, 

 Primarius Professor Medicinse, Chemiae, Chirurgise, Pharmaceutices, Physices, 



Botanices, et reliquae Historiae Naturalis. 

 Helmstadii, a. d. xvn Augusti, MDCCCV. 



From what had been already exhibited, however, it was to be per- 

 ceived that his Collections the Natural History portion of them could 

 have no specific value ; that, on the contrary, the class of objects he 

 prized most were mere Curiosities things that were to excite attention 

 and admiration by the large sums paid for them ; in which cases, too, it 

 was not to be forgotten that, in the purchase, kings and kaisers them- 

 selves had been outbidden. 



But, be this as it might, considerable supplies of cash must have stood 

 at his command ; for he had, as was apparent enough, not only watched 

 the right season for such purchases, but also most probably shewn himself 

 more capable of payment than others. The above-named objects he 

 exhibited, indeed, with animation, satisfaction, and a fond minuteness ; 

 nevertheless his joy in them seemed to be, in great measure, merely his- 

 torical. Where he shewed himself in true vivacity, passionate, persua- 

 sive, importunate, was in the matter of his Pictures; his newest whim, to 

 which, without the smallest knowledge, he had fearlessly abandoned 

 himself. Incomprehensible was the degree in which he had de- 

 ceived himself, or sought to deceive us : first of all, in exhibiting cer- 

 tain curiosa of this kind. Here was a Christ, at sight of which a Gb'ttin- 

 gen professor had burst into the bitterest flood of tears ; next, a natu- 

 rally-enough-painted Loaf, on the table of the Disciples at Emaus, at 

 which loaf an English mastiff had barked ; another saint-picture, saved 

 by miracle from the fire ; and who knows what more of the like. 



His method of exhibiting his pictures was singular enough, and 

 seemed partly intentional : they were not hanging on the large, well- 

 lighted walk of his upper story, but stood in his bed-room, built together 

 round the large canopy-bed, against the walls ; from which he himself, 

 declining all help, brought them forward, and again carried them back. 

 Some continued in the room, set up round the spectator ; narrower and 

 narrower grew the circle he stood in ; so that, indeed, the impatience of 

 my road-companion, too hard provoked, suddenly broke out, and occa- 

 sioned his abrupt retiring. 



This to me was actually a relief; for such pains of unreason are more 

 easily endured by oneself, than in company of a skilful friend ; where, in 

 the mounting up of indignation, an outbreak from one or the other 

 side is every moment to be dreaded. 



And truly it was too high-seasoned this, that Beireis tabled for his 

 guests. He plumed himself most, for example, on the fact of his having, 

 by each of the most famous Masters, three pieces, of the first, the second, 

 and the final style ; and for his manner of setting them out, and exhibit- 

 ing them, all sort of self-government which has been imparted to man 

 could scarcely suffice. The scene was at once ludicrous, injurious, 

 uncivil, and distracted. 



The first apprentice-proofs of a Raphael, Titian, Carracci, Correggio, 



