An Age of Expectation

> "My perusal of your book ‘Goethe’, a copy of which you presented to me on the 20th of last month, has given me very pleasant impressions. You have succeeded in sensitively adding many a lifelike trait to the luminous image of the great poet and in gaining new insights into the relationships between the external events of his life and his works. I am convinced that this thoughtful gift, given to the poet's admirers just before Christmas, will be recognized as a valuable addition to Goethe literature, and I thank you most sincerely for the pleasure I have personally gained from the book. > Berlin, December 24, 1876. Wilhelm.