COPYRIGHT NOTICE: The content of this website, including text and images, is the property of The Nietzsche Channel. Reproduction in any form is strictly prohibited.
Artificial Intelligence scraping in any form is also prohibited and will be prosecuted, including via class action suits. © The Nietzsche Channel.

Gustav Krug and Wilhelm Pinder.1
From tinted photos taken by:
Ferdinand Henning, Naumburg, ca. 1863.2
Colorized and enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Pforta, January 14, 1861:
Letter to Gustav Krug und Wilhelm Pinder.

Dear friends.

Now the beautiful days are over again, when we ourselves could talk longer and more frequently, the times are over that were so full of expectant hopes, so comforting in our minds.3 In order to fulfill my promise, as well as to converse with you in spirit, if not personally, I would now like to address a few words to you, less about what I experienced, enjoyed, heard, saw, than about a few ideas that we have exchanged so much over the past few hours. For what should I recount about my current life? That we have much to do? That work is still being disrupted by thoughts about the holidays? That time for favorite activities is so limited, alas! too limited? You have already experienced all this yourselves and are still experiencing it. Why should I add to your growing discontent? Indeed, it is really much more agreeable to flee from the tyrannical empire of compulsion into the land of free will. Without further ado, I will therefore turn to the subject that may now hold your attention for a short time. And this subject concerns the rearrangement of the oratorio.4 If up to now it has always been believed that the oratorio occupies the same place in sacred music as opera in secular music, this seems to me incorrect, indeed a disparagement. In and of itself the oratorio is vastly simpler, indeed it must be as uplifting, and indeed devoutly uplifting music. Thus the oratorio despises all other means which the opera employs for effect; no one can take it for something that accompanies the way opera music still is for the masses. No other sense is stimulated here except hearing. The material is also infinitely simpler and more sublime, indeed, for the most part, it is well known and easily understandable by everyone, even the uneducated. For this reason, I believe, the oratorio stands higher in its musical genre than the opera, in that it is simpler in its means, more immediate in its effects, and should at least be more general in its distribution. If the latter is not the case, then one must look for the causes not in the musical genre itself, but partly in the treatment and partly in the insufficient seriousness of our time. As for the treatment, it is, in the first place, too complicated and still makes one feel the lack of unity. How can a work of music split into a multitude of small, unconnected parts make a unified and especially sacred impression! For this reason I believe that the whole be broken up into only a few but larger parts, which follow the course of events and bear a consistently unified character. Secondly, there is a disadvantage in the far too artificial, old-fashioned way of treating it, which is more appropriate in the classrom than in our churches and halls, and which makes it difficult, indeed impossible, for the uneducated to understand music. Now what is in fact correct is: such a work cannot and should not be thought through and recognized with a single hearing, but should be felt. And no one will deny that a fugue can also be felt by the uneducated, especially if it is short and strong and is not carried out through countless bars, discordant and boring. But the main reason why the oratorio is not popular enough is that the music is often too unholy and mixed with secular things. And that is the main requirement, that in all parts it bears upon its brow the holy, the divine. Every oratorio must therefore satisfy these three requirements, namely, in general show a coherent character, then penetrate deeply into the soul, and finally always be devout and uplifting. There is one more requirement, but it is really necessary and unavoidable. I mean of course the expulsion of the recitative and a corresponding replacement. A purely non-poetic story simply cannot be sung without producing a distracting and divisive impression. No other piece of music can actually be thought of as a suitable substitute. But if the narration is absolutely necessary, then, in my opinion, the words should be spoken to the accompanying music. A new element, namely the melodramatic, would then be added to the oratorio. Otherwise, everything unsingable must be avoided as much as possible, and the possibly missing intermediate links, which the listener can easily complete through well-known stories, should be filled in with musical interludes with a similar character as the story. —

Since I hope to express my further thoughts on this to you in the next few letters,5 and my time is short, I must close now. Did the notes arrive? I am really looking forward to it. We will soon be sending each other our January mailings6 as well, and I might also receive a late December parcel from Wilhelm. Write to me very soon: I am so longing for a letter because I am so isolated and separated from you. Otherwise, I hope that you are always doing well and that you also think of your friend in Pforta from time to time.

Semper nostra mane[t amicitia!]7

[+]

1. Gustav Krug (1844-1902) and Wilhelm Pinder (1844-1928): Nietzsche's friends in Naumburg since childhood.
2. See GSA 101/275 and GSA 101/376 (both unavailable). Carl Ferdinand Henning (1832-?): German portraitist and photographer with a studio at Topfmarkt 14, Naumburg. Henning took 5 photographs of Nietzsche from 1862-1868, and also reproduced two photos: a photo taken at the 1871 Leipzig Trade Fair, depicting Erwin Rohde, Carl von Gersdorff, and Nietzsche; and a photo taken in Basel in 1871 by Friedrich Hermann Hartmann. In 1862, Henning took three photos of Nietzsche. Nietzsche then ordered 2 sets of the three photos, making six in total. The Nietzsche Channel owns one of the 1862 photos (another copy is at GSA 101/3).
3. Nietzsche had spent Christmas with his family in Naumburg.
4. From August 1860 to March 1861, Nietzsche worked on a "Weihnachtsoratorium" (Christmas Oratorio) — but then gave up on the composition. It seems that it was inspired by oratorios by the German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) that were performed at Schulpforta. See "1854-1860." In: Friedrich Nietzsche in Words and Pictures. Appendix 2. Chronology of Nietzsche's Music. The Nietzsche Channel, 2012, 1-4 (3-4).
5. Unknown reference.
6. Submissions written for "Germania," the literary club founded by Nietzsche, Wilhelm Pinder, and Gustav Krug on July 25, 1860.
7. Our friendship ever endures! Nietzsche, Pinder and Krug used this Latin phrase as the motto of their literary club, "Germania," which they founded on 07-25-1860.

Franziska Nietzsche at 25.
From tinted photo, ca. 1850.1
Colorized and enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Pforta, February 2, 1861:
Letter to Franziska Nietzsche.

Dear Mama!

I must write you a few words today, dear mama; but excuse me in advance if my letter is very short and my handwriting is poor.

So first of all, my heartfelt wishes on your dear birthday.2 May the good Lord be with you throughout the year and shower you with blessings. May he give you constant health, that you may spend the new year in full well-being. But we always want to make an effort in the new year to show our gratitude in word and deed and to reward you for your great love towards us.—

I am sincerely sorry that I cannot be in Naumburg today, but I am still in bed3 and should not get up just yet. But it is much better; the headaches have greatly diminished; the appetite is better too, in short, it is definitely on the mend. I really liked the baked apples. Thank you very much; I also got the laundry on time. Did you write to me? I did not find the letter.

Regards to Lisbeth from me and spend the day in true joy! Best regards to Uncle Theobald!4 Now fare quite, quite well!

Your devoutly adoring
FWN.

My birthday poem and a little composition5 are not quite finished yet; I am very sorry. But I will finish everything later. —

1. Franziska Nietzsche, at 25, ca. 1850. Two reproductions: 1. by Atelier Hertel, Weimar; and 2. by Louis Held, Weimar. GSA 101/315. The date of the photo is uncertain. GSA lists it as 1845, and Nietzsche Chronik as ca. 1850. See Friedrich Nietzsche. Chronik in Bildern und Texten. München: Hanser, 2000, 13.
2. February 2. This is the first birthday letter to his mother that Nietzsche dutifully wrote to her every year from 1861-1887 (forgetting but later correcting his mistake in 1888).
3. From January 19-27, 1861, Nietzsche was in the Schulpforta infirmary with a cold. From January 30 to February 17, he was recovering at home.
4. Theobald Oehler (1828-1881): his maternal uncle.
5. Unknown reference.

Friedrich Nietzsche as a confirmand.
By: Gustav Schultze.1
Based on a tinted photograph, March 1861.2
Colorized and enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Naumburg, Mid-March 1861:
Letter from Franziska Nietzsche.

My dear son, I already wanted to send you effervescent powder and pictures3 yesterday, but Mr. Schulze [sic]4 was not finished yet and has now sent you the same, despite the fact that we have not seen the pictures: send us one today, if you can. From now on we are with you in spirit and we look forward to seeing you in person tomorrow as soon as the weather is good. You will receive white shirts and vests tomorrow. Farewell, my dearest beloved child. Elisabeth adds her especially warm regards to me, likewise regards to you.5

Your
mother.

1. Gustav Schultze (1825-1897): German portraitist and photographer with a studio at Lindenstrasse 4, Naumburg. Schultze took seven photographs of Nietzsche from 1861-1882. His son, Paul Schultze-Naumburg (1869-1949), became an infamous Nazi architect responsible for the design and building of a Nietzsche Memorial Hall in 1938.
2. In the early 1900s, possibly c. 1912, Schultze's original 1861 photo (GSA 101/01) was reproduced by Louis Held (1851-1927) in Weimar. The colorized photo here is in: The Nietzsche Channel, Nietzsche in the Arts: 1890-Present (forthcoming).
3. Nietzsche's confirmation photo. It's not certain how many were ordered. It seems that Nietzsche usually purchased three photos with his student discount.
4. See Note 1.
5. Not certain where she was staying.

Franziska Nietzsche at 25.
From tinted photo, ca. 1850.1
Colorized and enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Pforta, mid-March 1861:
Letter to Franziska Nietzsche.

Dear Mama!

I am very sorry that I have not been able to write to you in recent days due to so much work. These days are so filled with repetition and I still have so much to catch up on as well.

How really nice it was of you to celebrate the holy and important day of confirmation2 with me! I read the beautiful letters with great emotion; I also intend to reply, hopefully before the holidays, when I have time again.3 — The letter to Prof. Buddensieg was duly attended to.4 — I like the photograph5 very much, although the stance is a bit hunched, the feet a bit askew, and the hand kind of looks like a dumpling. Whom do you want to give them all to? — I received the money on time; thank you very much for that. Do write to me very soon, since I love reading your letters and we still cannot see each other on Sunday.6 Greetings to Lisbeth. Fare quite well!

Your FWN.

1. Franziska Nietzsche, at 25, ca. 1850. Two reproductions: 1. by Atelier Hertel, Weimar; and 2. by Louis Held, Weimar. GSA 101/315. The date of the photo is uncertain. GSA lists it as 1845, and Nietzsche Chronik as ca. 1850. See Friedrich Nietzsche. Chronik in Bildern und Texten. München: Hanser, 2000, 13.
2. For Paul Deussen's description of their mutual confirmation, see Paul Deussen, Erinnerungen an Friedrich Nietzsche. Leipzig: Brockhaus, 1901: 4: "Ein neues Band zwischen uns knüpfte am Sonntag Lätare des Jahres 1861 die gemeinsame Konfirmation. Als die Konfirmanten paarweise zum Altar traten, um kniend die Weihe zu empfangen, da knieten Nietzsche und ich als nächste Freunde neben einander. Sehr wohl erinnere ich mich noch an die heilige, weltentrückte Stimmung, die uns während der Wochen vor und nach der Konfirmation erfüllte. Wir wären ganz bereit gewesen, sogleich abzuscheiden, um bei Christo zu sein, und all unser Denken, Fühlen und Treiben war von einer überirdischen Heiterkeit überstrahlt, welche freilich als ein künstlich gezüchtetes Pflänzlein nicht von Dauer sein konnte und sehr bald unter den alltäglichen Eindrücken des Lernens und Lebens ebenso schnell verflog, wie sie gekommen war. Indessen hielt eine gewisse Gläubigkeit noch bis über das Abiturientenexamen hinaus stand. Untergraben wurde dieselbe unmerklich durch die vorzügliche historisch-kritische Methode, mit welcher in Pforta die Alten traktiert wurden, und die sich dann ganz von selbst auf das biblische Gebiet übertrug, wie denn z. B. Steinhart im Hebräischen in Prima den 45. Psalm durchaus als ein weltliches Hochzeitslied erklärte." (A new bond was formed between us on Laetare Sunday in the year 1861. As the confirmands came in pairs to the altar to receive the consecration kneeling, there Nietzsche and I knelt next to each other as closest friends. I still remember very well the holy, otherworldly mood that filled us during the weeks before and after the confirmation. We would be quite ready to depart immediately in order to be with Christ, and all our thoughts, feelings, and activities were overshadowed by an unearthly serenity, which of course as an artificially bred little plant could not last, and very soon under the everyday impressions of learning and living, fled just as quickly as it came, but a certain faith endured well after the final exams. This was imperceptibly undermined by the excellent historical-critical method with which the senior students were treated to at Pforta, and which then was entirely carried over into the biblical field, when e.g., Steinhart in the Hebrew Prima class thoroughly explained the 45th Psalm as a temporal wedding song.) Reprinted with a few minor changes in Paul Deussen, Mein Leben. Leipzig: Brockhaus, 1922, 70.
3. He received congratulatory letters from his great aunt Christliebe Friederike Balster (born Krause, 1782-after 1861), his uncle Bernhard Daechsel (1823-1888), and his uncle Edmund Oehler (1832-1891). There is only evidence of a reply to the latter (Pforta, early April 1861).
4. Robert Buddensieg (1817-1861): Nietzsche's tutor and advisor at Schulpforta from September 1858 until his death in August 1861.
5. Nietzsche's confirmation photo (see Naumburg, mid-March 1861: Letter from Franziska Nietzsche. Gustav Schultze's original tinted photo, and the reproduction by Louis Held are in GSA 101/01.
6. 03-17-1861.

Commemorative plaque at Schulpforta for Nietzsche.
Enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Pforta, August 20, 1861:
Letter to Franziska und Elisabeth Nietzsche.

†

Dear Mama!

Mr. Prof. Buddensieg is dead! He died at two o'clock this morning.1

Oh you won't believe how sad I feel! We all loved him so much; we are all greatly moved; everywhere it is dead quiet.

Yesterday we knew very well that he would not survive the night. The doctor2 had predicted it. I don't know any details about his death; one can't even ask. Ah, it is too painful! But what God does is well done! —

— You're going to come out to his funeral, won't you? I must now have a new tutor and will speak to H. D. Heinse [sic]3 about it today or tomorrow. If you agree with this or have something against it, just write it down for me as soon as possible. For otherwise we'll be too late; Heinse will get many new recommendations. Don't you want to write to him too? — Farewell and weep with me, dear mama and Lisbeth!

Your very anguished Fritz.

(Send me very clean clothes for the funeral.4)

†

I have also just found out that old Commissioner Teichmann5 died yesterday in Kosen. I am sorry for that too; he was also very friendly with Prof. Buddensieg.

Incidentally, the dear Herr Prof. is said to have had a very difficult death and to have been in mortal agony for two hours. —

Taking the Abitur exam today[.]

1. Robert Buddensieg (1817-1861): Nietzsche's tutor and advisor at Schulpforta from September 1858 until his death on 08-20-1861.
2. August Zimmermann (1810-1908): Doctor at Schulpforta.
3. Max Heinze (1835-1909): Nietzsche's tutor and teacher at Schulpforta, who in 1875 became professor of philosophy at Leipzig.
4. Held on 08-22-1861.
5. Christian Gotthelf Teichmann (1776-1861): Bursar at Pforta until 1859.

Wilhelm Pinder
Detail from tinted photo taken by:
Ferdinand Henning, Naumburg, ca. 1863.1
Colorized and enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Pforta, August 21, 1861:
Letter to Wilhelm Pinder.2

Dear Wilhelm!

My heartfelt thanks for your lovely, detailed and interesting letter3 from Tegernsee; indeed, you have made a wonderful journey and will now, while I am writing this, have returned home happily. Perhaps you have already read my letter4 of August 3rd, perhaps, too, your moods are similar to those I felt at the end of the holidays. Welcome back, I have been longing for you. —

But how startled you must have been when you heard about the immense loss we have suffered over the past few days, that our dear Prof. Buddensieg5 has died after painful suffering. You can sympathize with me how painfully, how deeply that affected me; for you knew and loved him too, the beloved, distinguished man. Is it not possible for you, dear Wilhelm, to come out to the funeral with your dear father6 and Gustav?7 It is Thursday8 morning, at 8 a.m.

I have now lost my tutor and have therefore been recommended to Heinse [sic].9 The poor man is also very sad since he was so friendly with Pr. Buddensieg.

I want to tell you more in person about the death and the illness of Mr. Prof., which was ultimately identified as typhoid fever. Now fare quite well, write to me soon! I hope we see each other Thursday morning!

Your Fritz[.]

Give Gustav10 my best regards!

S.N.M.A.!11

1. See GSA 101/376 (unavailable). Carl Ferdinand Henning (1832-?): German portraitist and photographer with a studio at Topfmarkt 14, Naumburg. Henning took 5 photographs of Nietzsche from 1862-1868, and reproduced a photo taken at the 1871 Leipzig Book Fair, depicting Erwin Rohde, Carl von Gersdorff, and Nietzsche. In 1862, Henning took three photos of Nietzsche. Nietzsche then ordered 2 sets of the three photos, making six in total. The Nietzsche Channel owns one of the 1862 photos (another copy is at GSA 101/3).
2. Wilhelm Pinder (1844-1928): Nietzsche's friend in Naumburg since childhood.
3. Tegernsee, 08-09-1861: Letter from Wilhelm Pinder to Nietzsche in Pforta.
4. The letter is lost.
5. Robert Buddensieg (1817-1861): Nietzsche's tutor and advisor at Schulpforta from September 1858 until his death on 08-20-1861.
6. Eduard Pinder (1810-1875).
7. Gustav Krug (1844-1902): Nietzsche's friend in Naumburg since childhood.
8. 08-22-1861.
9. Max Heinze (1835-1909): Nietzsche's tutor and teacher at Schulpforta, who in 1875 became professor of philosophy at Leipzig.
10. See Note 6.
11. Abbreviation of the Latin phrase: Semper nostra manet amicitia! (Our friendship ever endures!) Nietzsche, Pinder and Krug used this as the motto of their literary club, "Germania," which they founded on 07-25-1860.

Franziska Nietzsche at 25.
From tinted photo, ca. 1850.1
Colorized and enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Pforta, Late September—Early October 1861:
Letter to Franziska and Elisabeth Nietzsche.

Dear Mother!

Yesterday I was very happy about your parcel, dear mama, in which I was delighted to find everything I expected and to find more than I expected. Thank you very much for the beautiful pastries and the great deal of plums, which are really very nice. I intend to thank you in person for everything next Wednesday,2 when from after mealtime to 3 is our long walk. But we must see each other at home, since I have to take a number of books with me.

The little Italian thing3 seems to me to be very practical. Doesn't Lisbeth want to practice Italian too?

I just want to write you my wishes4 right away; they really aren't big, and actually it's just a main wish; namely that is[:]

R. Schumann op. 98[b] Requiem for Mignon
in the piano reduction by Breitkopf und Härtel
Price 1 Thl. 5 Srg. without discount.
(so about 25 Srg.)

I would also like two notebooks to be bound, which I will indicate to you next Wednesday. But don't hesitate when ordering the first wish, since Domrich5 is very dawdling. I lay these two wishes at your feet and expect, or rather hope, that you will not reject them. Isn't it true, dear mother, that it's not too much to ask for? I gave up my first wish, which I told you recently at the Saalhäußern,6 since it was too expensive. But these two — well, I hope.

Incidentally, I am now a Obersecundaner7; I share my report card8 with you here; it is remarkably good[:]

You can really be satisfied with it.

Now fare wonderfully well, dear mama, many thanks once again

from your
Fritz.

Best regards to Lisbeth!

I did not find a letter in the small chest. Was one in it? I don't think so. But, I have just now found it. Thank you very much for it.

1. Franziska Nietzsche, at 25, ca. 1850. Two reproductions: 1. by Atelier Hertel, Weimar; and 2. by Louis Held, Weimar. GSA 101/315. The date of the photo is uncertain. GSA lists it as 1845, and Nietzsche Chronik as ca. 1850. See Friedrich Nietzsche. Chronik in Bildern und Texten. München: Hanser, 2000, 13.
2. 10-02-1861.
3. Presumably a language textbook.
4. For Nietzsche's upcoming birthday on October 15.
5. Julius Domrich: a bookseller in Naumburg.
6. Saalhäuser: a winery belonging to Schulpforta on the opposite bank of the Saale river.
7. Obersecundaner: Upper-second-form student.
8. Cf. Pforta, Late Sept.—Early Oct. 1861. Letter from Max Heinze to Franziska Nietzsche in Naumburg. See GSA 100/568. "Hochgeehrte Frau Pastor[.] Aus der beifolgenden Zensur Ihres Sohnes erfahren Sie, daß seine Lehrer mit seinem Betragen und mit seinem Fleiß in dem halben Jahr recht wohl zufrieden sind und daß auch seine Leistungen in den meisten Fächern das Prädikat 'gut,' in einem und zwar einem Hauptfache sogar das Prädikat 'sehr gut' verdienen. Es sind dies Resultate, wie sie nicht gar zu häufig hier erzielt werden und ich freue mich, daß ich Ihnen eine derartige Zensur zuschicken kann indem ich zugleich den Wunsch ausspreche, künftighin immer in der selben Lage zu sein. — Daß es mir eine große Freude ist, der Tutor eines solchen Schülers zu sein, brauche ich Ihnen, hochgeehrte Frau Pastor wohl kaum noch besonders zu versichern. Genehmigen Sie bei dieser Gelegenheit den Ausdruck meiner ganz besonderen Hochachtung, mit der ich mich zeichne Ihr ganz ergebenster Heinze[.]" (Dear Frau Pastor. From the enclosed report card of your son you will learn that his teachers are quite satisfied with his behavior and with his diligence in the six months and that his achievements in most subjects deserve the grade 'good,' in one main subject even the grade 'very good.' These are such results that are not achieved here too often and I am pleased that I can send you such a report card and at the same time express my wish to always be in the same position in the future. — I hardly need to assure you, dear Frau Pastor, that it is a great pleasure for me to be the tutor of such a student. Allow me to take this opportunity to express my very special esteem, your most devoted Heinze[.])

Portrait of Friedrich Hölderlin.
Colorized and enhanced image © The Nietzsche Channel.

Pforta, October 12, 1861:
Letter to Franziska and Elisabeth Nietzsche.

Dear Mother.

I thank you for the albeit somewhat short letter; but it's not a nice arrangement for delivering the small chest on Saturday; for as a result this makes the letters very short. I really need the notebooks, send them to me by Tuesday,1 you don't need the small chest for that. What about the pocket money? You didn't even answer me. — By the way, I am now writing with goose quills again; it's the most comfortable of all and I'm totally used to it now; you could send some to me. —

Tomorrow, as you know, I am going to Holy Communion, and thus cannot see you as much as I wish. But now the beautiful, long-awaited Friday2 will come. I don't have to send you the small chest before Thursday, but now you'll probably only need it for 8 days. By the way, I am really looking forward to Friday; we will see each other in our apartment or do you want to come to my aunts place?3 I would prefer to be at home. — If I had seen Uncle Oscar4 I would have been very happy; his holidays are now over in a few weeks. By the way, since you are traveling to Maßnitz,5 send regards and congratulations on my behalf; I am very sorry that I cannot come with you. Send my best regards to all other dear relatives as well; it would be so nice if I and Lisbeth could go there too. — Perhaps you can bring my Don Juan6 with you, if that's possible for you. — By the way, did you write to Max Heinse [sic]?7 It might have been desirable. Now a special task for Lisbeth, but one which is highly urgent. For a German work on Hölderlin8 I need his biography,9 it is in my bookcase. You did not send me the camera obscura10 either. I expect everything by Tuesday at the latest, when I absolutely do not want any congratulations,11 but I do not want any poems either. Because my birthday isn't until Friday. By the way, there will be time to stop; things are going quite well for me, may they always go this way for you too. So still no improvement? That is bad. Give my best regards to my uncle,12 likewise to Lisbeth, who can perhaps provide me with the relevant item on Tuesday.

So fare quite well!

Your Fritz.

You will notice that the small chest is a bit damaged.

1. 10-15-1861.
2. The 10-18-1861 coronation of Wilhelm I of Prussia (1797-1888; King of Prussia from 01-02-1861 and German Emperor from 01-18-1871 to 03-09-1888).
3. Friederike Dächsel (1793-1873): the step-sister of Nietzsche's father, and the wife of Carl August Dächsel (1790-1858) in Naumburg; and her sister, Lina Nietzsche (1802-1862).
4. Oscar Oehler (1839-1901), the youngest brother of Franziska Nietzsche.
5. For the 10-14-1861 birthday party of Wilhelmine Oehler (born Hahn, 1794–1876), Nietzsche's maternal grandmother.
6. Lord Byron (1788-1824): English poet and author of the epic poem, "Don Juan," written from 1819 to 1824. See Nietzsche's December 1861 Germania essay, "Ueber die dramatischen Dichtungen Byrons." Translation (On the Dramatic Works of Byron) in: Nietzsche's Writings as a Student. The Nietzsche Channel, 2012, 49-59.
7. Max Heinze (1835-1909): Nietzsche's tutor and teacher at Schulpforta, who in 1875 became professor of philosophy at Leipzig.
8. A 10-19-1861 essay topic for a class taught by Karl August Koberstein (1797-1870), German literary historian and professor at Schulpforta. "Brief an meinen Freund, in dem ich ihm meinen Lieblingsdichter zum Lesen empfehle." (Letter to my friend, in which I recommend that he read my favorite poet.) Koberstein gave Nietzsche's essay a mediocre grade of "2-2a" (B-), and noted: "Ich muß dem Verf. doch den freundlichen Rath ertheilen, sich an einen gesundern, klareren, deutscheren Dichter zu halten." (I must nevertheless give the auth[or] the friendly advice, to restrict himself to a healthier, clearer, more German poet.) 140 years later, the preeminent Nietzsche scholar Thomas H. Brobjer showed that the essay was largely plagiarized from a biography (see Note 9) by William Neumann. See Thomas H. Brobjer, "A Discussion and Source of Hölderlin's Influence of Nietzsche. Nietzsche's Use of William Neumann's Hölderlin." In: Nietzsche-Studien (2001) 30:397-412 (410-12).
9. William Neumann, a pseudonym of Arthur Frey (?-1858), who also wrote under Arthur Friedrich Bussenius (he seems to have been from Budapest), Friedrich Hölderlin. Mit Portrait. Cassel: Balde, 1853. See the entry for Hölderlin in Nietzsche's Library.
10. Probably for his physics class at Schulpforta.
11. Tuesday 10-15-1865 (Nietzsche's birthday).
12. Nietzsche's maternal uncle Edmund Oehler (1832-1891).

Elisabeth Nietzsche as a confirmand.
From tinted photo by Gustav Schultze, Naumburg, ca. 1860.1
Colorized and enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Pforta, Late November 1861:
Letter to Elisabeth Nietzsche.

from your brother

Dear Liese.

Since I have owed you a letter for a long time, I will now write you a very fine one, if my unwieldy pen does not prevent me from doing so. I shall probably be able to keep you entertained with nothing but — Christmas. It is indeed also our favorite thought now and has been every year around this time. Now imagine one of my first holiday nights, as we sit quite comfortably in a warm room, with or without a lamp, and telling each other our wishes. Meanwhile across from us mama and Aunt Rosalie2 are preparing mysterious creations and

— we overhear,
when they secretly exchange words;
and an unusual sound,
first a murmur, then a rustling
makes us desire for miracles,
and the ghostlike curtain,
Moving back and forth,
makes us tremble
etc.

I hope you will not be so determined in your desires that I cannot at least make you a few suggestions of kindness. I have written down quite a number of desirable books and pieces of music, and I want to share a few things with you. From the latter, e.g., a work by Schumann, the same one who composed the broken window pane,3 seems very appropriate for you. And they are his most beautiful songs ever; there is "Woman's Love and Life" poems by Chamisso4 and must cost about 20 srg. The text is also beautiful. Of books I can recommend you two theological works first, which will interest you and me very much. I have heard Wenkel praise it myself, which is certainly meaningful to you. Both are by Hase, the famous Jena-based professor whom I almost heard myself, who is the most brilliant proponent of ideal rationalism. "The Life of Jesus" (1:6) is one thing and Church History (2 Th. 6) the other. Both or rather each individually about 1 [Th.], 15 Srg.5 — Write to me if you want the special address. Or maybe you want to wish for an English book? If I were you, I would definitely read Byron in English, which costs 1 Th. 25 Srg.6 I could still write down various books for you, now I want to tell you my wishes. With regard to music, I wish for Paradise and the Peri by Schumann arranged for solo piano.7 This is something delightful for everyone, including you. Then Shelley's Poetic Works translated by v[on]. Seybt.8 The first costs about 2 thalers if Gustav takes care of it. The latter 1 Th. 10 Srg. I would be very happy if I got both, because they are my only wishes. By the way, that reminds me of something that I have to tell you. I was, namely on Sunday at noon, invited to lunch by Hr. Dr. Heinse [sic],9 where [we] ate very well and talked even more pleasantly. Then already Dr. Volkmann,10 the new teacher, is giving private English lessons. A lot of people have signed up, but I do not think I will join [the class] until Easter. At the moment I am still studying Italian privately. Latin, Greek, Hebrew, where the first book of Moses is read, German, where the Nibelungenlied is read in the original language, French, where Karl XII11 is read in the class, Athalie12 in a small group with three people other than me, Italian, where Dante13 is read in a small group. If that isn't enough for now, I don't know, especially since Virgil, Livy, Cicero, Sallust are read in Latin14 and Uias, Lysias, Herodotus in Greek.15 Farewell now and enjoy this alarmingly long letter.

Your Fritz.

Until we meet again, Sunday in Almrich[.]16

1. See GSA 101/158. Gustav Schultze (1825-1897): German portraitist and photographer with a studio at Lindenstrasse 4, Naumburg. Schultze took seven photographs of Friedrich Nietzsche from 1861-1882. His son, Paul Schultze-Naumburg (1869-1949), became an infamous Nazi architect responsible for the design and building of a Nietzsche Memorial Hall in 1938.
2. Rosalie Nietzsche (1811-1867), their paternal aunt.
3. Cf. Robert Schumann, Die Fensterscheibe. In: Sechs Gesänge, Op. 107, Nr. 2. Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel, 1885, 4.
4. Cf. Robert Schumann, Frauenliebe und Leben von Adalbert von Chamisso. Acht Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte. Seinem freunde Oswald Lorenz zugeeignet von Robert Schumann. Op. 42. Leipzig: Whistling, 1843.
5. Karl Hase, Das Leben Jesu. Lehrbuch zunächst für akademische Vorlesungen. Von Dr. Karl Hase, Professor der Theol. an der Univ. Jena, H. S. A. Geheimen Kirchenrathe, Ritter des G. S. W. O. vom weißen Falken. Vierte verbesserte Auflage. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, 1854. Karl Hase, Kirchengeschichte. Lehrbuch zunächst für akademische Vorlesungen von Dr. Karl Hase, Professor der Theologie an der Universität Jena, H. S. A. Geheimen Kirchenrathe, Ritter des G. S. W. O. vom weißen Falken und des Ernestinischen Hausordens. Achte verbesserte Auflage. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, 1858.
6. Cf. Nietzsche's notes March 1861 — August 1862: "Byron Edinburgh / el. geb. gr. 12. / 1 Thl. 25[.]" In: BAW: Friedrich Nietzsche Werke und Briefe. Historisch-Kritische Gesamtausgabe. Werke. 1. Band. Jugendschriften. 1854-1861. Herausgegeben von Hans Joachim Mette. München: Beck, 245. Online at archive.org.
7. Robert Schumann, Das Paradies und die Peri: Dichtung aus "Lalla Rookh" von Thomas Moore. In Musik gesetzt von Robert Schumann. Erläutert und Frau Clara Schumann ehrfurchtsvoll gewidmet von Dr. F. P. Graf Laurencin. Leipzig: Matthes, 1859. Nietzsche's copy at HAAB.
8. Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822), Poetische Werke in einem Bande. Aus dem Englischen übertragen von Julius Seybt. Leipzig: Engelmann, 1844.
9. Max Heinze (1835-1909): Nietzsche's tutor and teacher at Schulpforta, who in 1875 became professor of philosophy at Leipzig.
10. Diederich Volkmann (1838-1903): German philologist and teacher at Schulpforta.
11. Cf. Voltaire (1694-1778), Histoire de Charles XII par Voltaire. Nouvelle Édition. Précédée d'une introduction historique et littéraire et accompagnée de remarques historiques philologiques et littéraires, par M. J. Genouille Professeur au Collége Stanislas. Paris: Delalain, 1858.
12. See the entry for Jean Racine (1639-1699) in Nietzsche's Library.
13. See the entry for Dante (1265-1321) in Nietzsche's Library.
14. For the Latin authors taught by Karl Steinhart (1801-1872) in WS1861-62 at Schulpforta, see the entries for Cicero, Livy and Virgil in Nietzsche's Library. For the SS1861 class taught by Wilhelm Corssen (1820-1875) at Schulpforta, see the entry for Sallust in Nietzsche's Library.
15. According to the annual report for Schulpforta published in 1862, Julius Kretzschmer (1837-1867) taught Lysias' speech "Against Agoratus," and Homer's Iliad, Books 6-7 in WS1861-62.
16. Almrich is the town between Naumburg and Pforta where Nietzsche met his visiting relatives.

Elisabeth Nietzsche as a young girl.
From tinted photo by Ferdinand Henning, Naumburg, undated.1
Colorized and enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Pforta, Late November 1861:
Letter to Elisabeth Nietzsche.

Dear Lisbeth.

These are my wishes, which have changed so much since yesterday that I do not wish for anything musical at all. But these historical works are extremely desirable to me, you must know that I am now very interested in history.4 Besides, I have no wishes at all; if you want to give me something, then give me a lump of pomade that I would love for my hair. I hate to hear that you don't want to be given Woman's Love and Life,5 firstly because the opposition comes from a mouth that seems to me to have no judgment at all about such lovely things, and secondly because I care less about singing than about playing music. To be sure, they might be too difficult for you to sing now, at least a few. So if you don't want it, I could suggest other things by Schubert, for example. Aren't you really looking forward to Christmas? It's a pity, of course, that I cannot wish for anything musical. But I will write down several things during the holidays and then play them for you. It's a lot cheaper that way. We want to have a really nice holiday. By the way, you can do me a quick favor. Tomorrow I absolutely need the bed tick, send it to me in the small chest and also the volume of Becker's World History, which contains the Reformation, and the last volume of the most recent history of the same work.6 Please don't forget it! Otherwise I have nothing more to write. So my first wish list is no longer valid. But don't reveal the new one to the aunts7 before Thursday. When ordering, pay attention to the same words I wrote down. Fare quite wonderfully well! Regards to mama when she returns.

Your Fritz.

Decided differently again, but now firmly. I have discarded the above wishes and wish for myself
Arnd, History of the French Revolution 1789-99.
6 Volumes. Braunschweig. 1851. Bound. Berlin, Gsellius 3 Thl.8
Nothing else. Tell our aunts.

1. See GSA 101/158, which is a reproduced detail from another photo (GSA 101/182). Carl Ferdinand Henning (1832-?): German portraitist and photographer with a studio at Topfmarkt 14, Naumburg. Henning took 5 photographs of Friedrich Nietzsche from 1862-1868, and also reproduced two photos: a photo taken at the 1871 Leipzig Trade Fair, depicting Erwin Rohde, Carl von Gersdorff, and Nietzsche; and a photo taken in Basel in 1871 by Friedrich Hermann Hartmann. In 1862, Henning took three photos of Nietzsche. Nietzsche then ordered 2 sets of the three photos, making six in total. The Nietzsche Channel owns one of the 1862 photos (another copy is at GSA 101/3).
2. Wolfgang Menzel (1798-1873), Geschichte der letzten vierzig Jahre 1816-56. In zwei Bänden. Stuttgart: Krabbe, 1857-1859.
3. Théodore Henri Barrau (1794-1865), Geschichte der französischen Revolution — 1789 bis 1799 —. Aus dem Französischen übersetzt von E. Doehler. Brandenburg: Müller, 1859. Bd. 1; Bd. 2.
4. At Schulpforta in WS1861-62, an Obersecunda class taught by Wilhelm Corssen (1820-1875) included "Recent history, from the beginning of the 18th century."
5. Robert Schumann, Frauenliebe und Leben von Adalbert von Chamisso. Acht Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte. Seinem freunde Oswald Lorenz zugeeignet von Robert Schumann. Op. 42. Leipzig: Whistling, 1843. Cf. Pforta, late-November 1861: Letter to Elisabeth Nietzsche in Naumburg.
6. Karl Friedrich Becker (1777-1806), Weltgeschichte. Fünfzehnter Band. Geschichte der letzten vierzig Jahre als Supplement zu allen Ausgaben. Herausgegeben von Eduard Arnd. Abtheilung. Berlin: Duncker und Humblot, 1854-1855.
7. Friederike Dächsel (1793-1873): the step-sister of Nietzsche's father, and the wife of Carl August Dächsel (1790-1858) in Naumburg; and her sister, Lina Nietzsche (1802-1862).
8. See the entry for Karl Eduard Arnd in Nietzsche's Library.