The Life And Works of Friedrich Hebbel

ly out of his chrysalis, who considered it a great honor to be made a member of a college boys' club, is now sought out and respected by the foremost literary lights of Germany. A world of activity stretches out before me. Three years make a vast difference. What was still merely imaginary in Munich is now assured: I am no longer embarrassed, no matter whose presence I may be in. ... Doctor Wihl has urged me to write a history and criticism of German lyric poetry. This coincides with a plan already formed in Munich, and I will do it. I can say more on this subject than any one else. Gutzkow wants an account of Munich for his Telegraph, and for his Yearbook my reviews of Heinrich Laube. Campe wants an historical novel with its scene in Ditmarsh. Work enough. I can complain no longer. The gate is open for me." But Hebbel was a man of moods, and this bright sky was immediately overcast. The very next morning he says: "I have already written a few pages on Munich. Such gossip disgusts me." And the month had not passed before he began to have serious doubts as to his new literary connections. "In all these people there is no truth, hence they believe in none themselves. I cannot stand them." This had special reference to Gutzkow. He retracts this in his Diary a few months later, only at once to reaffirm it. We can easily see that their relation was not cordial, and every effort to make it so, whether now or in after years, was doomed to failure. There could be no ge...