was in Berlin officially to study medicine at the university, but he was spending most of his time reading literature and enjoying the cultural life of the city. That was why he had come to Rahel Levin’s salon, for it was one of the most famous literary circles of its time. Here he was hoping to meet writers and poets, musicians and artists. He was not disappointed—but what impressed him even more was the hostess herself.
Levin was in her thirties, a German-Jewish woman from a comfortable background on the edges of the aristocratic circles. She had created this salon as her contribution to the cultural life of the time. In fact, this was its final year, since she was about to leave Berlin forParis. Although he did not realize it, the young man was witnessing an intellectual and artistic world that would soon lose its momentum.
He loved everything about the salon that July evening. Though he was probably younger than most of the other guests, and also less knowledgeable and experienced, they allowed him to have his own say, without making him feel ridiculous. He let off steam about the French—these were the years of the Napoleonic Wars—just as others had their opening to talk about whatever concerned them. This was a precious public-private space where people were free to speak as they wished.
The conversation was like an art form: harmonious and spontaneous, full of wit and yet with serious contributions as well. It was like a communal work of literature written in the air, just for that evening. These were people improvising on themes of which they never tired, in which they always found more depth and beauty. It was talk as art, but shared and tolerant rather than a matter of display or competition.
Then Varnhagen von Ense noticed his hostess properly. Her cameo on the piano brought the occasion to its light and fitting climax. It was as if the conversation had been turned into a melody. The whole evening seemed to reflect and express Rahel Levin’s personality. (Some years later, in fact, they married each other.)
He went out and looked at the sky. The stars above Berlin seemed brighter this night. Even the heavens were in tune with this deeply harmonious evening. Thinking over the happiest moments in his life so far, he could find nothing to beat it. Life had shown him the best it had to offer.
A Doorway into Antiquity
Benjamin Silliman, scientist, writing in his journal
LONDON • JUNE 12, 1805
In the yard before the [British] Museum, beneath temporary sheds [. . .] till they can be removed into a building now erecting for their reception, are the celebrated antiques, taken from General Menou at Alexandria [. . .] Among them are several Roman statues [. . .] an ancient obelisk and several images, supposed to have been intended to represent the Egyptian goddess Isis; but a number of sarcophagi are justly reckoned among the greatest curiosities [. . .]
The largest and most ornamented of these sarcophagi is believed to have been the exterior coffin in which the body of Alexander the Great was deposited. Giving way to the impression which I strongly felt to believe the fact, I was forcibly struck with the humiliating lesson which it reads to human ambition, and especially to the thirst for martial glory [. . .]
With similar emotions I beheld a collection of arms found on the place where the great battle of Cannae [Carthage against Rome, in 216 BCE] was fought, and supposed to have belonged to the parties who contended on that memorable spot. There is also a collection of rings and of other ornaments for the fingers and ears, which are believed to have been worn by the combatants at Cannae. In spite of the disposition which is so naturally felt to ridicule an enthusiastic and extravagant admiration of antiquity, one cannot remain unaffected when he realizes that these rings have been worn on Roman fingers; this helmet covered a Carthaginian head; and that spear was thrown by a Roman hand in the presence of
Levin was in her thirties, a German-Jewish woman from a comfortable background on the edges of the aristocratic circles. She had created this salon as her contribution to the cultural life of the time. In fact, this was its final year, since she was about to leave Berlin forParis. Although he did not realize it, the young man was witnessing an intellectual and artistic world that would soon lose its momentum.
He loved everything about the salon that July evening. Though he was probably younger than most of the other guests, and also less knowledgeable and experienced, they allowed him to have his own say, without making him feel ridiculous. He let off steam about the French—these were the years of the Napoleonic Wars—just as others had their opening to talk about whatever concerned them. This was a precious public-private space where people were free to speak as they wished.
The conversation was like an art form: harmonious and spontaneous, full of wit and yet with serious contributions as well. It was like a communal work of literature written in the air, just for that evening. These were people improvising on themes of which they never tired, in which they always found more depth and beauty. It was talk as art, but shared and tolerant rather than a matter of display or competition.
Then Varnhagen von Ense noticed his hostess properly. Her cameo on the piano brought the occasion to its light and fitting climax. It was as if the conversation had been turned into a melody. The whole evening seemed to reflect and express Rahel Levin’s personality. (Some years later, in fact, they married each other.)
He went out and looked at the sky. The stars above Berlin seemed brighter this night. Even the heavens were in tune with this deeply harmonious evening. Thinking over the happiest moments in his life so far, he could find nothing to beat it. Life had shown him the best it had to offer.
A Doorway into Antiquity
Benjamin Silliman, scientist, writing in his journal
LONDON • JUNE 12, 1805
In the yard before the [British] Museum, beneath temporary sheds [. . .] till they can be removed into a building now erecting for their reception, are the celebrated antiques, taken from General Menou at Alexandria [. . .] Among them are several Roman statues [. . .] an ancient obelisk and several images, supposed to have been intended to represent the Egyptian goddess Isis; but a number of sarcophagi are justly reckoned among the greatest curiosities [. . .]
The largest and most ornamented of these sarcophagi is believed to have been the exterior coffin in which the body of Alexander the Great was deposited. Giving way to the impression which I strongly felt to believe the fact, I was forcibly struck with the humiliating lesson which it reads to human ambition, and especially to the thirst for martial glory [. . .]
With similar emotions I beheld a collection of arms found on the place where the great battle of Cannae [Carthage against Rome, in 216 BCE] was fought, and supposed to have belonged to the parties who contended on that memorable spot. There is also a collection of rings and of other ornaments for the fingers and ears, which are believed to have been worn by the combatants at Cannae. In spite of the disposition which is so naturally felt to ridicule an enthusiastic and extravagant admiration of antiquity, one cannot remain unaffected when he realizes that these rings have been worn on Roman fingers; this helmet covered a Carthaginian head; and that spear was thrown by a Roman hand in the presence of
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