productions in their successive sequence, and by a study of the
development of his intellect.

What must necessarily have impressed every student of Schiller as most
characteristic was the fact that thinking was the very substance of
his life, in a higher and more significant sense than perhaps has ever
been the case with any other person. His intellect was alive with
spontaneous and almost tireless activity, which ceased only when the
attacks of his physical infirmity became overpowering. Such activity
seemed to him a recreation rather than an effort, and was manifested
most conspicuously in conversation, for which Schiller appeared to
have a natural aptitude.

He never sought for deep subjects of conversation, but seemed rather
to leave the introduction of a subject to chance; but from each topic
he led the discourse up to a general point of view, and after a short
dialogue one found oneself in the very midst of a mentally stimulating
discussion. He always treated the central idea as an end to be
attained in common; he always seemed to need the help of the person
with whom he was conversing, for, although the latter always felt that
the idea was supplied by Schiller alone, Schiller never allowed him to
remain inactive.

This was the chief difference between Schiller's and Herder's mode of
conversing. Never, perhaps, has there been a man who talked with
greater charm than Herder, if one happened to catch him in an
agreeable mood--not a difficult matter when any kind of note was
struck with which he was in harmony.

[Illustration: #WILHELM VON HUMBOLDT# FRANZ KRÜGER]