COLLEGE LIFE. 63- 



minology, which is only another name for the trash of a dog- 

 matic theology ? All the candidates are filled with apprehen- 

 sion, for but few are competent to conduct a disputation 

 in Latin ! And they have to be interrogated as to defini- 

 tions, arrangement of subjects. . . . Another proposition of 

 Wollner's was that every candidate should be rejected who was 

 not acquainted with Hebrew. This, I am thankful to say, has 

 been modified by the regulation that ignorance of Hebrew shall 

 only be made a ground of rejection in the case of those 

 candidates who are but ill prepared in other subjects, and 

 in this state it has passed. Lastly, a new form to serve as 

 a model for all examiners is to be drawn up, which is unfor- 

 tunately to be made of universal application in the various sub- 

 consistories. The subject and the method of examination are 

 both to be prescribed. If this regulation should pass, it will 

 be drawn up by Zollner, who will certainly see that it is not 

 too strict. What a mercy that it will not fall into the hands 

 of Silberschlag ! ' 



On the restrictions that were imposed through the censor- 

 ship of the press Humboldt remarks : e linger was fined ten 

 thalers the other day for printing a short poem a wedding- 

 ode without licence. And lately, on the occasion of the 

 marriage of the Countess Lottum, I could not get the most 

 innocent of couplets printed on a pair of garters, 1 without 

 having the garters laid before the Court of Censorship. This 

 is my own experience!!!!! All that you have heard about 

 Wollner's disgrace is a gross falsehood. The gossips here make 

 out that he is in and out of favour twice a day. He has really 

 nothing to fear.' 



The last letter he wrote during this visit to Berlin is a fare- 

 well letter to Wegener, and is dated March 1789 : 



'My dearest Friend, How can I find words to express the- 

 pleasure your last letter gave me ! The more I know of you, 

 the dearer you are to my heart ; the farther I am separated 

 from you, the more intensely do I long for your presence. 

 Those happy Frankfort days are gone for ever, for such 

 happiness can never be again. Nevertheless my fervent 



1 In those days a customary wedding present. 



