In der Familie Thomas Johann Seebecks

Among those living in Jena at the time of my [Hewett's] visit [1881] who vividly remembered this early period was his Excellency the Geheime Rath Seebeck who related to me the following incident. His mother had arrived at Jena with eight children and was invited immediately to make her home with the Knebels. Goethe was a guest in the house at the same time. One evening a discussion upon education arose at the supper table between Knebel and the Frau Seebeck whose whole family was seated around the board. Knebel, as was his wont when roused, was impetuous and testy. Goethe, who did not like argument, interfered against his old friend with the proverb. »Age does not protect from folly« (Alter schützt vor Thorheit nicht). »Cease to contradict this worthy mistress of educational theories. Look at her successful works in eight volumes,« pointing to the children and the strife was decided in behalf of the lady.

The young Seebeck had recently returned from school in Nuremberg. Goethe addressed him with »well, what news do you bring from Nuremberg?« »Nothing,« answered the lad, »exactly new but something old, J had two comrades at school who could[394] not live apart and yet could not get on together; the name of the one was Teufel (devil) and the name of the other was Faust.« The aged counsellor remembers now the wonderful kindliness and pleasure with which Goethe received the boys clever compliment and said: »Excellent! excellent!« (Vortrefflich! vortrefflich!)