i 4 HERMANN VON HELMHOLTZ 



time I leave the table she tells me everything I have done 

 amiss, and flatters herself I have improved a little already. 

 There are a few new pictures at the Exhibition, but they 



are not worth much, the only one I care for being a Jephtha 



We have not yet got our plan of studies. As soon as I know 

 a little more of the real life here I will write to you again. 

 I am so far unpleasantly conscious of separation from you, 

 as everything has to be paid for, and the senior students who 

 come in pretty frequently to inspect the freshmen (Fiichse) rob 

 us of nearly all our leisure moments. . . .' 



On November 2 he received a letter from his father, full of 

 good advice, and anxiety for the hope and joy of the family : 



'Dear Son! We were very glad to learn from your letters 

 that you have arrived safely, and have received your things; 

 your mother could hardly wait until a letter came from you; 

 she was positively ill from her anxiety for news. Your room 

 is not far from that in which I passed my own years at the 

 University; my windows looked on to the Friedrichstrasse, 

 and were above the gateway nearest to you. May you be as 

 happy in your abode, and enjoy as many happy moments of 

 a higher life there, as fell to my lot ! Your first disagreeable 

 reception as a "fox" was only to be expected no one is let 

 off but you may comfort yourself with the reflection that it 

 is the last time you will have to go through it, and if you 

 take it wisely, and hold your own, it will soon be over. I only 

 hope your comrade is a stout-hearted, industrious lad ; if he is, 

 it will be great luck for you. His playing the piano so well 

 is your best chance of improving yourself, and do not be so 

 accommodating as to leave all the playing to him because he 

 does it better than you, for it was under similar circumstances 

 that I forgot all I ever learned : and, above all, don't let your 

 taste for the solid inspiration of German and classical music 

 be vitiated by the sparkle and dash of the new Italian extrava- 

 gancesthese are only a distraction, the other is an education. 

 Be thankful for Cousin Bernuth's lessons, even if they are given 

 somewhat crudely ; behind these conventional social forms 

 there lies in reality a deeper meaning, which is forgotten 

 though it is still there, so that the forms help people to get 

 on in society ; to give them life so that they cease to be empty 

 form and convention is the task of the individual. . We are 



