myself free from jurisprudence, and devoted to the study of the classics.  I cautiously waited till the Fleischers had returned, that my purpose might not be too prematurely betrayed to my family.  But I then went, without delay, to Hofrath Boehme, to whom, before all, I thought I must confide the matter, and with much self-importance and boldness of speech disclosed my views to him.  However, I found by no means a good reception of my proposition.  As professor of history and public law, he had a declared hatred for every thing that savored of the belles-lettres.  Unfortunately he did not stand on the best footing with those who cultivated them; and Gellert in particular, in whom I had, awkwardly enough, expressed much confidence, he could not even endure.  To send a faithful student to those men, therefore, while he deprived himself of one, and especially under such circumstances, seemed to him altogether out of the question.  He therefore gave me a severe lecture on the spot, in which he protested that he could not permit such a step without the permission of my parents, even if he approved of it himself, which was not the case in this instance.  He then passionately inveighed against philology and the study of languages, but still more against poetical exercises, which I had indeed allowed to peep out in the background.  He finally concluded, that, if I wished to enter more closely into the study of the ancients, it could be done much better by the way of jurisprudence.  He brought to my recollection many elegant jurists, such as Eberhard, Otto, and Heineccius, promised me mountains of gold from Roman antiquities and the history of law, and showed me, clear as the sun, that I should here be taking no roundabout way, even if afterwards, on more mature deliberation, and with the consent of my parents, I should determine to follow out my own plan.  He begged me, in a friendly manner, to think the matter over once more, and to open my mind to him soon; as it would be necessary to come to a determination at once, on account of the impending commencement of the lectures.

It was, however, very polite of him not to press me on the spot.  His arguments, and the weight with which he advanced them, had already convinced my pliant youth; and I now first saw the difficulties and doubtfulness of a matter which I had privately pictured to myself as so feasible.  Frau Hofrath Boehme invited me shortly afterwards.  I found her alone.  She was no longer young, and had very delicate health; was gentle and tender to an infinite degree; and formed a decided contrast to her husband, whose good nature was even blustering.  She spoke of the conversation her husband had lately had with me, and once more placed the subject before me, in all its bearings, in so cordial a manner, so affectionately and sensibly, that I could not help yielding:  the few reservations on which I insisted were also agreed upon by the other side.

Thereupon her husband regulated my hours; for I was to hear lectures on philosophy, the history of law, the Institutes, and some other matters.  I was content with this; but I carried my point so as to attend Gellert’s history of literature (with Stockhausen for a text-book), and his “Practicum” besides.