271 CHAPTER XII. PILGRIMAGE IN GERMANY. THE spring of this year, like its predecessor, opened upon Campbell with many flattering prospects. His reputation was now so firmly established, that another successful effort might be expected to furnish him with a moderate competency for life. The demand for his poem had so much increased, that several large editions of it were already sold; whilst the admiration of his minor pieces, with which it was accompanied, was no less emphatically expressed. In this enviable position with the public, the scene of this new enterprise appeared well calculated to win more golden opinions. His own heart was in the subject, and he hoped to make his poem the vehicle of sentiments that would find an echo in every patriotic breast. He was very desirous, however, before again coming forward as a poet, to acquire more varied and extensive views of society. The literature of Germany was now eagerly cultivated by the rising talent of the day; and the partiality so strongly expressed by Sir Walter Scott, found a warm participator in Campbell. But it was with the authors more than their works, that he longed to hold friendly conference; and, anxious to realise a project which had latterly taken possession of his mind, he resolved upon a literary pilgrimage in Germany. Several of the friends with whom he had daily intercourse, were "travelled men!" In their conversation he thought he could perceive marked advantages resulting from a course of foreign travel. Although personally a brilliant exception to the rule that Home-keeping youths have ever homely wits," he dreaded the imputation, and entered into arrangements for an experimental tour in Saxony. In adopting this scheme, he acted in concert with Mr. Richardson, whose sentiments were in unison with his own. It was arranged between them, that if the Poet set out first, his friend should join him; that they should travel in company, collect a joint stock of information on all literary topics; that after an extensive tour on the Continent, they would return home, and convert their materials into a form in which they might be laid before the public. The more he reflected on this plan, the more feasible it appeared. He was sanguine as to the result; in his ardour to travel he neither saw, nor imagined difficulties."'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view;"-and in regard to his private feelings, he was a philanthropist, a citizen of the world-and could say "All places that the eye of heaven visits Are to the wise man ports and happy havens." Did any of his young friends dissuade him from the enterprise (for in those days it involved some risk of personal liberty)? his answer was ready I rather would entreat thy company, To see the wonders of the world abroad, Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness." Fully decided upon his German pilgrimage, he had the satisfaction to know that it was approved of by those friends and counsellors to whose opinion he attached most weight; and their approbation was confirmed by various letters of introduction to merchants, diplomatists, and literary characters, who were residing near the line of his intended route. Among these was a special introduction to Klopstock, then in his seventy-sixth year, and residing as Danish legate at Hamburgh. Among the chief resting places on which he had determined, were Göttingen, Jena, and Weimar. The patronage then extended to men of genius by the reigning Duke,* had rendered Jena a favourite seat of the Muses; and Weimar, though a small, enjoyed the well-merited title of an "Augustan Court." For some days, however, Campbell was much divided between the desire of visiting London, and that of embarking at once for Hamburgh. At length his anxiety to visit the great Metropolis prevailed; he resolved to take his passage in a Leith smack to see all the wonders of the modern Babel-surprise one or two friends-and then, after a week's sojourn, proceed to Harwich and embark for Germany. Under the influence of this exhilarating prospect, he writes with Spartan brevity to Mr. Thomson: MY DEAR FRIEND, Open your arms to receive me in London in a few days! I am by this time tossing on the waves! Your's most deliriously T. C. Williams (the bearer) is one of my Edinburgh friends— a man of first-rate genius in his profession, which is that of a landscape painter." * In a recent work, entitled "JOURNAL OF A RESIDENCE IN GERMANY," some particulars are given of Weimar, and the Grand-Ducal family, which might possibly interest the reader. Weimar could then boast of Göethe-the living representative of Schiller, Wieland, and others; and the writer well remembers the youthful enthusiasm awakened by his first visit to the "Athens of Germany." Mr. Williams was the artist who had engaged to illustrate the "Queen of the North," which was to be finished during the Poet's travels, and printed on his return to Edinburgh.-His note to Mr. Thomson is without date; but there is reason to believe that it was written and despatched about the 20th of May.-In the mean time, however, the plan of taking London in his way, was completely frustrated by unforeseen obstacles; and he was advised to take the packet, and run straight across to the Elbe. It was also arranged, that his brother Daniel should accompany him in the voyage. "Daniel had formed sanguine expectations of being enabled to carry on business as a manufacturer, in some of the German or Belgian towns." On their arrival in Hamburgh, he intended to be guided by circumstances and the advice of friends: and in the mean time his characteristic humour would drive away both sea-sickness and the spleen. This new plan being settled, and the day fixed for their departure, Campbell again writes to his friend in very characteristic terms. TO MR. JAMES THOMSON. MY DEAR THOMSON, EDINBURGH, June 1, 1800. The style of the few lines which I sent by Williams was so extravagant, that I have no doubt you thought me mad. In the height of my joy at the prospect of seeing and embracing a long absent and much valued friend, I perhaps took the privilege of mania, so natural to my profession. But I assure you, the licence of fiction was not superadded to that of madness, for my intention to see you was sincere, although my words must now appear to falsify my promise. God bless this light head, and still lighter purse! I had two objects in view-Germany and London-and was fool enough to believe I could overtake them both. But as Germany could not be laid aside, and as a twelvemonth's ramble on the Continent is no joke to the finances of a poet, I have avoided the seduction of that great city-the galaxy of genius--the panorama of the universe, &c. &c. To speak in a plain style of apology to my friend, whose affectionate expectations have no doubt been damped, I must explain the motives and counter motives in this change of resolution. To see London-to see Godwin, Macintosh, Mrs. Siddons, and yourself was to me a long cherished expectation ; but many fears intervened. I know my own nature— idleness-dissipation-engagements with booksellers-too various and extensive to be completed for some years-new acquaintances and new sights-would have dismissed the little industry I possess in Edinburgh, and must have reduced me in a short time, to the fettered state of a bookseller's fag. London would have swallowed me up like a vortex; and to get clearly away with the stock I now possess, would have been impracticable. My travelling to Germany must have been delayed for-God knows how long. It was a combat between friendship and prudence; for curiosity was an ingredient in both views, and prompts me as strongly to the Continent as to London. I shall see Schiller and Göethe-the banks of the Rhine-and the mistress of Werter! But alas! I shall not find such a friend at Göttingen, as I found in Thomson at Glasgow. I am prepared for the stare of strangers-for their ridicule of me in speaking broken German, and all the awkward solitude of one unknowing and unknown. But to be uncaged from the insipid scenes of life, is a reward for more evils than my fear suggests. Besides, the acquisition of |