day a grand reception; she sent for some holly, and ordered a coiffure like to that which we had and when in the midst of all her cour both worn, "Now, sir, do you not think me very handsome? Do not forget to tell my dear Lanele, that I have worn holly in memory of our friendship, and of the beautiful bouquets that she and I made together." I was moved even to tears at this anecdote: it is in little things that love reveals itself. On my return to Strasburg, I found there an agreeable surprise. M. Wieland, to whom M. Göthe had spoken of me, sent me some numbers of a journal in which he used to write very striking articles. Formerly a very distinguished professor at the university of Erfurt, he had some time since taken up his abode at Weimar, in order to superintend the education of the young prince. He was scarcely forty years of age, and the refinement and elegance which were the distinguishing characteristics of his genius seemed to increase every day. I wrote him a polite letter, with which, as it appears, he was pleased. Here is his reply :- "Weimar, 12th September 1776. "The extreme kindness with which your grace has deigned to assure me that you were not offended at the liberty that I had taken in sending you some numbers of the 'German Mercury,' gives me an opportunity of assuring your grace that I cannot find terms adequate to expressing my gratitude. How much, madam, do I envy my friend the privilege of knowing you personally, and of being known to you! Should I ever enjoy this rare happiness, I may then perhaps hope that your grace will deign to accord to the man the esteem that through generosity, and not through justice, you grant to the author. Permit me, honoured madam, to say with grateful respect that I am your grace's "Obedient servant and subject, "WIELAND." I have always admired persons of genius; and had I possessed a larger fortune, I would have willingly played the part of Mæcenas. I have, however, as far as was in my power, sought out persons of talent, as will be seen in the course of these memoirs. CHAPTER V. - Birth of my daughter-Her illustrious godfathers and 1777.-ON Thursday, the 23rd of January, between three and four in the morning, my daughter was born. She was baptized on the Saturday following in the new church, where she received the names of Mary Philippina Frederica Dorothea Frances. Her illustrious godmothers and godfathers were 1. H.I.H. the august Princess Mary Fœderowna, by marriage grand-duchess of Russia, reigning duchess of Schleswig-Holstein, née duchess of Wurtemberg-Stuttgard, represented by the baroness of Palen, née Durckheim. 2. H.R.H. the Princess Philippina Augusta Amelia, wife of the reigning landgrave of HesseCassel, née marchioness of Brandenburg-Schwadt, represented by the Baroness Hahn, née Lieven. 3. His highness Frederick Eugene, duke of Wurtemberg-Stuttgard, lieutenant-general of the Prussian royal cavalry, and general of cavalry in the circle of Suabia, and his wife, née margravine of Brandenburg-Schwadt, represented by my father Baron Waldner, and by the dowager baroness of Bernhold, née de Wurmser Vendenheim. The godfathers and godmothers present wereBaron Dagobert of Wurmser Vendenheim, grand huntsman to the comté of Montbéliard. The Baron Frederick Wurmser, colonel of infantry (afterwards made brigadier in 1780). Baron Berekheim, Lebaheim, Schoppenwyr, and the dowager Baroness d'Oberkirch, née Baroness Buch. M. d'Oberkirch was greatly disappointed by the birth of this daughter, having been extremely anxious to have a son. He took so little care to conceal his feelings on this subject during the first days of my illness, that I became very unhappy, and could not prevent myself from weeping constantly, though I feared that it would be bad for my health. As for me, I loved my child because it was mine; it was the instinct of a mother. However, to wish for a son was very na tural in M. d'Oberkirch, as the possessions of Oberkirch were a male fief, and would, in failure of heirs-male in the elder branch, descend to the second brother and his children. He never became reconciled to his disappointment; and if, when he was not in very good humour, any person spoke to him of his child, he would say, "I have no child, I have only a daughter." My daughter Mary heard him repeat this one day, and did not appear much flattered by such a proof of paternal affection. In some days after the birth of the child, when he had recovered from the first shock, and his discontent a little abated, he behaved with more politeness. One day he came into my room just as the nurse had brought in the baby. I was lying on a sofa very much fatigued from receiving visits, and having kissed Mary, I said that I would go to sleep. As M. d'Oberkirch approached our child, I fancied that she smiled (if she did it was at the angels); but to my imagination it was a proof of an intelligence which it would have been impossible for her to have possessed so young. "Mademoiselle d'Oberkirch is a pretty baby," said my husband, looking at her. "You have discovered that at last," said I, a little piqued; " and do you think that a great boy would be half so charming as this lovely little girl?" |