The Works of J W Von Goethe - 6 Author:Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Volume: 6 General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1901 Original Publisher: Wyman-Fogg Co. Subjects: Literary Criticism / European / German Poetry / Continental European Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the Ge... more »neral Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: CHAPTER IL ST. JOSEPH THE SECOND. Already had the wanderer, following his porter on foot, left the steep rocks behind and above him: already were they traversing a softer mid-range of hills, and hastening through many a well-pruned wood, over many a friendly meadow, forward and forward; till at last they found themselves on a declivity, and looked down into a beautifully cultivated valley, begirt on all sides with hills. A large monastic edifice, half in ruins, half in repair, immediately attracted their attention. " This is St. Joseph," said the porter. " Pity for the fine church! Do but look how fresh and firm it still holds up its pillars through bush and tree, though it has lain many hundred years in decay." " The cloister, on the contrary," said Wilhelm, " I observe, is kept in good state." " Yes," said the other: " there is a Schaffner lives here; he manages the husbandry, collects the dues and tithes, which the people far and wide have to pay him." So speaking they had entered through the open gate into a spacious court, surrounded with earnest-looking, well-kept buildings, and announcing itself as the residence of some peaceful community. Among the children playing in the area, Wilhelm noticed Felix: the other two were the angels of last night. The friendly trefoil came running toward him with salutations, and assurances that papa would soon be back. He, in the meanwhile, they said, must go into the hall, and rest himself. How surprised was Wilhelm when the children...« less