The Nietzsche Channel: Nietzsche's Letters. 1864.

Nietzsche's Letters

1864

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Elberfeld.
From picture postcard, 1845.
Enhanced image ©The Nietzsche Channel.

Elberfeld, September 27, 1864:
Letter to Franziska and Elisabeth Nietzsche.

Dear mama and Lisbeth,

The strokes of my pen may signify to you at first that I am writing from a merchant house.1 I can imagine how happy you shall be when you get news from me after just a few days. And especially since I can only write you good and pleasant things.

It is true, I would prefer to tell you the details in person, but the hours are far off when this wish can be satisfied.

The journey itself 2 did not offer too much for beauty and interest, primarily sleepy, snoring fellow travellers, then very talkative, noisy, ordinary ones, then factory workers and merchants or even fastidious old ladies; and I could tell a story about each of these characterizations.

We arrived in the evening,3 a bit grumpy, around 11 o'clock; you can believe that such a day's journey is marvelously relaxing. We are staying at the Brünings,4 two not very old ladies and their brother, who is in bed and has a gastric fever. Here we refreshed ourselves with wine and bread and went to bed, slept well, got up late, had breakfast — here, as everywhere, lovely pastries with slices of pumpernickel — then paid a visit to the Röhrs, where Johanna and Marie 5 were at home, nice girls, however not my type, somewhat tasteless in their clothing, admittedly under the care of an old, very pietistic lady,6 with whom the next day I got involved in a lengthy dispute about the theater, "the work of the devil," and even held my own very well, but was pitied by her due to my opinions. Today, she has invited us for coffee. Anyway, on Sunday 7 I also got to know Ernst Schnabel, a young, extremely amiable merchant; he is Deussen's friendly and favored rival,8 as you know; then also Friedrich Deussen,9 who is in business here. In the afternoon, we were together on the hills surrounding Elberfeld. Imagine to yourselves a long, beautiful valley, the Wuppertal, through which a number of towns spread out without definite demarcation like a long, massive chain of factories, one of which is Elberfeld, and you thus have the region here. The town is extremely mercantile, houses mostly clad on the exterior with slate. In the women, that one observes, I noticed a particular preference for piously hanging their heads. The young dress themselves very elegantly in coats with a sharp waist like those from Kösen in Poland. All the men with Havana colors on hats, pants, etc. After we had been to several restaurants on Sunday afternoon, we were with Ernst Schnabel until 11 o'clock in the evening, very comfortable with an extremely fine Moselle wine, "Pastor's Little Moselle," as Ernst called it. My piano improvisations 10 had no small effect; I was most solemnly honored with a toast. Ernst was completely, as Lisbeth would say, enchanted;11 wherever I am I have to play, there are shouts of bravo, it is ludicrous. Yesterday afternoon, we went to Schwelm, a neighboring resort, visited the Red Hills, a famous site of the ancient Vehme,12 and had a drink everywhere. In the evening I played in a tavern, unknowingly in the presence of a renowned director of a musical society,13 who afterwards stood there with his jaws agape and said all sorts of nice things and implored me to take part in his choral society that evening. Something I did not do. But I went back and was invited to dinner with Schnabel's family. Nice, good people, splendid wife, good, pious, conservat[ive] merchant. People eat well here and drink even better, but the dishes they eat are different from ours. Swiss cheese and pumpernickel three times a day.

Tomorrow morning we will start up the Rhine 14 and will be in Oberdreis 15 the day after tomorrow night. Ernst Schnabel is traveling with us. You will receive news from there soon.

Please send me my school certificate separately and before you send my other things. I do not have anything else that I can use to identify myself as F. N. to get back my luggage. Do not forget to attend to my luggage soon; it must go now. Give it to the shipping agent Otto.

Deussen sends many greetings; he obviously quite liked it there.16

Well, dear mama and Lisbeth, fare quite well, I know that you often think of me; always believe I am fine. So far I have not experienced anything unpleasant. I will already be in Bonn tomorrow. Do not make it too difficult on yourself, write to me soon! Per addr[ess] P[aul] Deussen in Oberdreis post rest[ante]. Altenkirchen am Sieg.17 Now farewell, farewell! Fond regards to Aunt Rosalie!18

Your
Fritz.

1. Relatives of Paul Deussen in Elberfeld.
2. From Naumburg to Elberfeld.
3. Presumably 09-23-1864.
4. Relatives of Paul Deussen.
5. Johanna and Marie Stürmer, cousins of Paul Deussen.
6. Paul Deussen's aunt in Elberfeld, Elise Röhr.
7. 09-25-1864.
8. Cf. Paul Deussen, Erinnerungen an Friedrich Nietzsche. Leipzig: Brockhaus, 1901: 16-17: "Nachdem Nietzsches Ausrüstung zur Universität von Mutter und Schwester bis ins Kleinste vollendet war, traten wir die Reise nach dem Westen an. Unsere erste Station war Elberfeld, wo wir bei meinen dort lebenden, den besseren Kaufmannskreisen angehörenden Verwandten freundliche Aufnahme fanden. Uns beiden schloß sich mein Jugendfreund und entfernter Cousin Ernst Schnabel an. Er war schon von den Zeiten der Schulkameradschaft her als Tertianer zu Elberfeld 1857-59 mein nächster Freund, der nächste, den ich außer Nießsche im Leben gehabt habe. Schon 1859 liebten wir gemeinsam ein Mädchen, eine entfernte Cousine, mit Namen Maria Stürmer, die in Elberfeld bei einer alten bigotten Tante von uns lebte. Diese Rivalität steigerte nur noch unsere romantische Freundschaft. Eines Tages rissen wir ihr Bild von der Wand und ließen davon heimlich und in der Eile zwei Kopien anfertigen, welche sehr blaß aussielen. Die eine nahm ich 1859 mit nach Pforta, wo ich sie an einer mir stets sichtbaren Stelle meines Schrankes aufhing und inbrünstig wie eine Heilige verehrte. Unter den Kameraden war sie bekannt als das „Nebelbild“. Inzwischen hatte der stets in ihrer Nähe weilende Ernst Schnabel das Herz des seelenguten Mädchens für sich zu gewinnen gewußt, und es war vielleicht am 17. Oktober 1863 oder um diese Zeit, als von Ernst Schnabel in Pforta ein langer Brief einlief, welcher unter den feurigsten Freundschaftsbeteuerungen die bittere Mitteilung enthielt, daß Mariechen Stürmer sich erklärt habe, und zwar dahin, daß mir ihre größte Hochachtung und wärmste Freundschaft, daß aber ihre Liebe Ernst Schnabel angehöre. In tiefster Niedergeschlagenheit wandelte ich an jenem Tage mit Nietzsche auf dem Korridor von Schulpforta. Er las meinen Brief und suchte mich mit Gründen der Philosophie und Religion, mit Beispielen aus der Geschichte und Litteratur aufzurichten. Der wahre Trost blieb mir verborgen und sollte es noch lange bleiben. Er bestand darin, daß an demselben Tage, wenn obige Berechnung richtig ist, und zu derselben Stunde, als Nießsche mich so liebevoll zu trösten suchte, im fernen Berlin ein Mägdelein geboren wurde, welches nun schon seit vierzehn Jahren als treue Gattin Freud und Leid des Lebens mit mir teilt. Nicht so glücklich hat es Ernst Schnabel getroffen. Leichtsinnig, wie er war, gründete er mit einem andern ein Geschäft in Barmen, heiratete sein und mein Mariechen und lebte einige Jahre herrlich und in Freuden. Das Geschäft ging zurück und mußte aufgelöst werden; der Kummer nagte an Mariechen, sie gebar ihrem Gatten ein Söhnchen und starb. Ernst fand keine Ruhe mehr in der Heimat; er ließ das Kind bei den Großeltern und zog als Kaufmann nach Havanna. Seine Briefe schilderten, wie dort das gelbe Fieber wütete, wie die Scheiterhaufen zur Reinigung der Luft in den Straßen loderten, bis dann ein Brief von anderer Hand meldete, daß auch Ernst Schnabel der Wut des Fiebers erlegen und im fernen Havanna begraben sei. Bald darauf starb auch das Kind. So hat sich über dieser ganzen Liebestragödie das Grab geschlossen." (After Nietzsche's mother and sister had completely equipped him for the university down to the last detail, we began our journey west. Our first stop was Elberfeld, where we were warmly welcomed by my relatives who lived there and belonged to the high society of merchants. We were both joined by my childhood friend and distant cousin, Ernst Schnabel. He was my closest friend from the time we were friends at school as fourth-graders in Elberfeld in 1857-59, the closest I have had in life other than Nietzsche. Already in 1859 we were in love with the same girl, a distant cousin named Maria Stürmer, who lived in Elberfeld with an old bigoted aunt of ours. This rivalry only enhanced our romantic relation. One day we tore her picture down from the wall and had two copies made secretly in a hurry, which turned out very faded. I took one with me to Pforta in 1859, where I hung it up in my closet, a place where I could always see and worship it ardently like a saint. Among her friends she was known as the "Misty Vision." In the meantime, Ernst Schnabel, who was always close to her, had managed to win the heart of the good-hearted girl, and it was perhaps on October 17, 1863, or around this time, when a long letter from Ernst Schnabel arrived in Pforta, which, among the most ardent assurances of friendship, contained the bitter announcement that little Marie Stürmer had declared that her greatest respect and warmest friendship belonged to me, but that her love belonged to Ernst Schnabel. That day I was walking in the corridors of Schulpforta with Nietzsche in the deepest despondency. He read my letter and tried to lift me up with philosophical and religious reasoning, with examples from history and literature. Genuine consolation remained hidden from me and was to remain so for a long time. It consisted in the fact that on the same day, if the above calculation is correct, and at the same hour that Nietzsche so carefully tried to comfort me, a little girl was born in far-off Berlin, who has been sharing the joys and sorrows of life with me as a faithful wife for fourteen years now. Ernst Schnabel was not so lucky. Careless as he was, he founded a business with someone else in Barmen, married his and my little Marie and lived a wonderful and happy life for a few years. The business declined and had to be liquidated; anguish gnawed at little Marie, she bore her husband a tiny son and died. Ernst could no longer find peace at home; he left the child with his grandparents and moved to Havana as a merchant. His letters described how the yellow fever raged there, how the funeral pyres blazed in the streets to purify the air, until a letter by another hand reported that Ernst Schnabel had also succumbed to the raging fever and was buried in distant Havana. Soon after, the child died too. So the grave has closed over this entire tragedy of love.)
9. Georg Friedrich Deussen (1847-1917): Paul Deussen's brother.
10. Cf. Paul Deussen, Erinnerungen an Friedrich Nietzsche. Leipzig: Brockhaus, 1901: 17-18: "Zehn Jahre vor diesem traurigen Ausgang war es, daß 1864 in Elberfeld zu Nietzsche und mir Ernst Schnabel sich gesellte. Witzig, geistreich, lebhaft bis zum Übermaß, aber auch leichtsinnig bis in die Fingerspitzen hinein, so trat Ernst Schnabel unserer Reisegesellschaft bei und wußte uns zu mancherlei Tollheiten hinzureißen. Wir fuhren zu dreien nach Königswinter und ließen uns, von Wein und Freundschaft trunken, trotz der Beschränktheit unserer Mittel dazu überreden, Pferde zu nehmen und auf den Drachenfels hinaufzureiten. Es ist das einzige Mal, daß ich Nietzsche zu Pferde gesehen habe. Er war in einer Stimmung, in der er sich nicht so sehr für die schöne Gegend wie für die Ohren seines Pferdes interessierte. Immer wieder stellte er Messungen an denselben an und behauptete, nicht darüber ins Klare kommen zu können, ob er ein Pferd oder einen Esel reite. Noch toller trieben wir es am späten Abend. Wir zogen zu dreien durch die Straßen des Städtchens, um den Mädchen, die wir hinter den Fenstern vermuteten, Ovationen darzubringen. Nietzsche flötete und girrte: fein's Liebchen, fein's Liebchen, Schnabel führte allerlei lose Reden von einem armen rheinischen Jungen, der um ein Unterkommen für die Nacht bitte, und ich selbst stand daneben und wußte mich in diese neue Situation noch gar nicht zu finden, als ein Mann aus der Tür stürzte und uns unter Schmähworten und Drohungen verjagte. Gleichsam zur Sühne für dieses, übrigens vereinzelte Vorkommnis geschah es, daß wir am nächsten Tage im Klavierzimmer des Berliner Hofes eine Flasche Wein bestellten und durch das wundervolle Phantasieren Nietzsches unsere Seelen läuterten. Endlich langten wir alle drei in meinem Elternhause in Oberdreis an und genossen hier noch wochenlang das harmlose Dasein in der reinen Bergluft des Westerwaldes und im Umgange mit Eltern und Geschwistern, Freunden und Freundinnen, welche kommend und gehend das gastliche Pfarrhaus auf dem Lande belebten. Am 15. Oktober feierten wir den Geburtstag meiner Mutter und zugleich den Nietzsches und stiegen dann von dem Gebirge des Westerwaldes in das Rheintal nach Neuwied hinab, von wo uns der Dampfer in wenigen Stunden nach Bonn führte." (It was ten years before this sad ending [see Note 8] that, in 1864, Nietzsche and I were joined by Ernst Schnabel in Elberfeld. Humorous, witty, lively to the point of excess, but also reckless down to the tips of his fingers, Ernst Schnabel joined our traveling party and knew how to get us carried away into all kinds of madness. The three of us drove to Königswinter and, drunk on wine and friendship, allowed ourselves to be persuaded, despite the limitations of our funds, to take horses and ride up the Drachenfels. It is the only time that I have seen Nietzsche on horseback. His mood was one in which he was not so interested in the beautiful countryside as he was in his horse's ears. Again and again he took measurements of them and claimed not to be able to decide whether he was riding a horse or a donkey. We carried on even more insanely late in the evening. The three of us paraded through the streets of the little town to give an ovation to the girls we suspected of being behind the windows. Nietzsche whistled and cooed: ["]pretty darling, pretty darling["]; Schnabel was making all kinds of loose talk about a poor Rhenish boy who was asking for a place to stay for the night, and I was standing by myself, and did not even know how to find my way into this new situation, when a man rushed out of a door and chased us away with invectives and threats. As a sort of atonement for this incident, which incidentally was an isolated occurrence, the next day we ordered a bottle of wine in the piano room of the Berliner Hofe and purified our souls by means of the wonderful improvisations of Nietzsche. Finally all three of us arrived at my parents' house in Oberdreis and enjoyed the safe existence here for weeks in the pure mountain air of the Westerwald, and in dealing with my parents and siblings, male and female friends who came and went to enliven the hospitable vicarage in the country. On October 15th we celebrated my mother's and Nietzsche's birthday at the same time and then descended from the hills of the Westerwald into the Rhine valley to Neuwied, from where the steamer took us to Bonn in a few hours.)
11. Nietzsche was wont to tease Elisabeth about her overuse of "enchanting" to describe everything she adored. Cf. Pforta, late-February 1862: Letter to Franziska Nietzsche. In German; in English. Bonn, 02-02-1865: Letter to Franziska and Elisabeth Nietzsche. In German; in English.
12. Vehme, the secret medieval tribunals of Westphalia; the Freischöffen (free judges) of these Vehmic courts were inducted into their office on the red soil that is found in some parts of Westphalia.
13. Unknown reference.
14. From Elberfeld to Bonn.
15. Where Paul Deussen's parents lived. Adam Deussen (1801-1887), a pastor, first in Dierdorf, then in Oberdreis since 1843, and Jakobine Deussen (born Ingelbach, 1813-1893). They were married on 06-19-1840. Children: Johannes Deussen (1841-1904); Werner Deussen (1842-1915); Paul Jakob Deussen (1845-1919); Georg Friedrich Deussen (1847-1917); Marie Deussen (1848-?); Immanuel Deussen (1850-1872); Reinhard Deussen (1852-1922); and Elisabeth Deussen (1855-?).
16. After graduating from Schulpforta on 09-07-1864, Paul Deussen spent the next two weeks with Nietzsche in Naumburg.
17. This part of the address is wrong.
18. Rosalie Nietzsche (1811-1867), his paternal aunt.

Oberdreis: Church with grave of
Paul Deussen inside wrought-iron fence.1
Enhanced image The Nietzsche Channel.

Oberdreis, October 8, 1864:
Letter to Franziska und Elisabeth Nietzsche.

Dear Mamma and Lisbeth,

I would very much like to give you news about myself before my birthday,2 which unfortunately I cannot spend in Bonn; instead, since Frau Pastorin D[eussen]3 has her birthday on the same day, I will celebrate it here, as long as this is possible, and on O[c]t. 16 leave early for Bonn. On that day all the Deussen sons are leaving, one to Berlin,4 another to Halle,5 the other to Bonn.6 So I cannot expect any letters or presents this time on my birthday. Transport to these regions is too difficult.

How shall I now describe my current existence to you? The experiences are intense, colorful, extremely diverse. Last night in Elberfeld I made a very interesting acquaintance, namely that of a very rich Parisian merchant, Ingelbach,7 who is related to the Deussens. We, i.e. Paul and Friedrich Deussen and I, stayed with him in a hotel late into the night, ate exceptionally well and drank Bordeaux wines, chatted about his favorite subjects, religious matters, and were quite merry; next year he will visit us in Bonn for a few days. Incidentally, he was in contact with Nitzsche 8 from Leipzig, whom several merchants described to me as "a great man," i.e. merchant.

Our journey on the Rhine 9 was expensive, take the word as you like, it is always true. These days I have again felt a longing for this magnificent wavy-green stream and I am really looking forward to Bonn. I will give you more details someday in person. We now come to Oberdreis.

You yourselves cannot sufficiently imagine the local way of life here. In particular, I wish that you could get to know Frau Pastorin,10 a woman of such culture, delicacy of feeling, of speech, of such capacity for work, as is seldom seen in others. People of the most diverse personalities are united in their praise of this woman. Pastor D[eussen]11 stands behind her, he is an honest, good, great man, who, however, is not always logical. The Deussen sons are all capable people, I like the mechanical engineer 12 the most. Despite her youth, Marie Deussen 13 is a very splendid, very spiritual girl who, dear Lisbeth, really reminds me of you from time to time, which is why I naturally cannot refuse her my special favors. At the same time she is quite marvelously active, as she is a reflection of her mother in general. I can sum up the boarding house 14 as a society of young, not pretty, good-natured girls, but they all seem to be very industrious. The very large household also makes this necessary. The residential buildings are quite magnificent. In general, life here is a rare combination of simplicity and luxury. At any rate, you might get the wrong idea about it. Every day we make one or two trips to beautiful places in the vicinity, namely we young people, sometimes accompanied by the boarding house people. I really like the way of life, the winds are extremely strong but salubrious, ancient Roman roads still run through the region; last night, in the moonlight on a heap of ruins of an ancient Roman fort 15 on our return from a friendly tenant farm, we sang "integer vitae."16 My opinions about folk life and customs are being enriched every day. I notice everything, the peculiarities of food, occupation, farming, etc.

Meanwhile my story is never-ending. I have yet to touch upon some practical matters. I do not have accomodations yet, and I will be happy once I have settled in. But write to me at which address I can find my things in Bonn. Did you learn anything about scholarships?17 Maybe through Past[or] Kletschke?18 — I hope very much that everything will be there when I arrive in Bonn. The initial costs will be significant. In Neuwied I will rent a pianoforte for myself and have it transported to Bonn by steamship. — Don't you want to write to the pastor's wife on her birthday? — Matriculation — rent — food costs! It all costs a lot of money!

Well, dear Mamma and dear Lisbeth, I actually expected a few words from you every day. When I have arrived in Bonn and settled in, I will write to you. Kuttig's 19 birthday is on O[c]t. 14. But I will write from Bonn first, it is too uncomfortable for me here. You can see that from the strokes of my pen. — Well, fare quite well and wish me the best of luck in the coming days! I think of you often and fondly, as well as my dear aunts 20 and my friends!

Your Fritz.

1. The church in Oberdreis has been renovated several times since it was built ca. 1000. In 1763 the tower collapsed. Restoration from 1792-1795 included rebuilding the entire church. Paul Deussen's father, Adam Deussen (1801-1887), became pastor in 1843. The church was renovated, the rectory was built, and, in 1845, Pastor Deussen bought an organ. In 1900, more repairs were made. In 1901 new bells were purchased, and in 1950-51 a bell was replaced. In 1968, significant renovations were carried out, which included moving the entrance to the tower-side, and in 1976, a new organ was purchased. In 2002, major renovations were made, resulting in the church as shown in our image. Paul Deussen (1845-1919) died in Kiel, and his body was buried (in a wrought-iron fenced plot) directly across from what is now the entrance to the church.
2. October 15.
3. Paul Deussen's mother, Jakobine Deussen (born Ingelbach, 1813-1893).
4. Werner Deussen (1842-1915).
5. Johannes Deussen (1841-1904).
6. Paul Deussen (1845-1919).
7. Georg Gerhard Weimar Friedrich Ingelbach (1820-1892): maternal uncle of Paul Deussen. He arranged for Deussen's translation of Albert Réville (1826-1906), Theodor Parker, sein Leben und Wirken. Ein Kapitel aus der Geschichte der Aufhebung der Sclaverei in den Vereinigten Staaten. Paris: Reinwald, 1867. See Deussen's entry in Nietzsche's Library. Cf. Paul Deussen, Mein Leben. Leipzig: Brockhaus, 1922, 105: "Einen Fortschritt brachte mir die Uebersetzung von Revilles Theodor Parker, welche mir 1865 auf Empfehlung meines Onkels Friedrich Ingelbach in Paris vom Verleger Reinwald übertragen worden war, zwölf Freiexemplare und vierzig Taler einbrachte und als erste Veranlassung, mich gedruckt zu sehen, mir viele Freude bereitete." (I made progress with the translation of Reville's Theodor Parker, which had been given to me in 1865 by the publisher Reinwald on the recommendation of my uncle Friedrich Ingelbach in Paris, bringing in twelve free copies and forty talers and, being the first occasion to see myself published, gave me a lot of pleasure.)
8. Carl Gustav Nitzsche.
9. Cf. Elberfeld, 09-27-1864: Letter to Franziska and Elisabeth Nietzsche.
10. Jakobine Deussen (born Ingelbach, 1813-1893).
11. Adam Deussen (1801-1887).
12. Werner Deussen (1842-1915).
13. Marie Deussen (1848-?).
14. Paul Deussen's mother, Jakobine Deussen (born Ingelbach, 1813-1893), took in female boarders for domestic training.
15. Some ruins near Oberdreis which are of questionable Roman origin.
16. See Horace, Odes, I, 22, 1, "Ad Aristium Fuscum." In Nietzsche's copy of Quinti Horatii Flacci Opera omnia ad optimorum librorum fidem edita [Sämmtliche Werke]. Ausgewählt von Theodor Obbarius. Th. 1: Odarum et Epodorum Libri = Oden und Epoden. Paderborn: Schöningh, 1872, 23. Set to music in 1825 by Friedrich Ferdinand Flemming (1778-1813). Latin text in: Schauenburgs allgemeines deutsches Kommersbuch. Lahr: Schauenburg, 1888, 217-218. English version in The Congregational Psalmist, Nr. 393. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1875, Nr. 393.
17. Cf. Naumburg, 10-08-1865: Letter from Franziska Nietzsche to Nietzsche in Oberdreis. "Mit dem Stipendium sagte mir der Herr Rector: daß Du, sobald Du das Einschreiben auf der Universität besorgt hättest, dasselbe an die Pfortenkasse geschickt werden müsste, worauf 25 Thl. ausgezahlt würden doch ihr wüsstet alles schon. Schreibe doch an Hrn. Pstr. K[letschke) baldmöglichst einmal." (The rector told me about the scholarship: that as soon as you had arranged the registration at the university, the same would have to be sent to the Pforta treasury, whereupon 25 Thl. would be paid but you already know all this. Write to Herr P[a]st[o]r K[letschke] as soon as possible.)
18. Hermann Kletschke (1833-1902): Teacher, pastor, and Nietzsche's last tutor at Schulpforta.
19. Victor Kuttig (1846-1901): a student at Schulpforta.
20. Nietzsche's paternal aunts: Rosalie Nietzsche (1811-1867); Friederike Dächsel (1793-1873), the step-sister of Nietzsche's father, and the wife of Carl August Dächsel (1790-1858) in Naumburg.

Bonn, October 17-18, 1864:
Letter to Franziska and Elisabeth Nietzsche.

Dear Mamma and Lisbeth,

From Bonn, from my apartment you get news for the first time; and I give it to you, full of cheerful and happy hopes, but at the same time with the most grateful heart; for it was your hands that decorated my first hours in a new world in the most pleasant way, it was your dear wishes and prayers that blessed my entrance into a more independent life.

I can get over my birthday 1 more quickly; early in the morning in front of the bedroom of Frau Pastor D[eussen],2 we sang a four-part chorale "Lobe den Herr, o meine Seele,"3 which I had rehearsed with the men and women. When the presents were given I received one part of Monod's writings 4 from the pastor's wife. She was happy about your letter and will reply to you soon. In the evening we were on the lawn and played parlor games and danced a little. We spent the day quietly and pleasantly, but I was not exactly cheerful, which is easy to explain. The next morning we made our way to Neuwied, 6 hours away, the farewell was very touching. I was given one Th[a]l[er]. for drinks, which 3 people must share. We arrived on the steamship, a little tired, and landed in Bonn around 4 o'clock. (Time-determinations are always imprecise for me, because I do not have a watch[.]) Here we then soon found a boot-fox 5 who suits me well, one who is always used by students as an expert and someone involved with renting [a room]. We have now looked at around 10 or 12 lodgings. There is no profit in living together: the lodgings of this type, living room and bedroom, are 10 to 12 th[a]l[er]. a month. So we finally decided late in the evening to rent neighboring but separate lodgings. I think I can be very satisfied; 5 th[a]l[er]. rent a month. Very nice house, on the corner of two lively streets 6 with a balcony, pleasant, extremely tidy innkeepers 7 who have a big business; I am enclosing their card. The husband is a Holsteiner.8 My room is being furnished first, up two flights of stairs, spacious, with three large windows, all very elegant and clean, with a sofa. While it's being furnished, which will take a few days, I will live in the room below the main floor with balcony, dressing room, extremely pleasant lodgings; but costs 7 th[a]l[er]. thus too expensive for me. The food costs 7 Srg[.] in all restaurants, regularly planned meals, very expensive. That's why I really like being able to eat at my landlords, very good home cooking, soup, vegetables, and meat for 5 Srg. I eat in my room. That's a monthly savings of 2 th[a]l[er]. In the evening, I eat just like that at the landlords for 3 Srg. In this way, I am very restrained from the bother of going to the pub. I rented a piano as cheaply as I could get it, for 3 th[a]l[er]. a month. I also have the landlady deliver the laundry to a laundress, who washes cheaper and better than the wives of the boot-foxes, who usually take care of the laundry for the students. The boot-fox gets 20 Srg. a month for cleaning clothes, boots, and time off. Now calculate the month.

5 rent
5 lunch
3 dinner
2 breakfast (butter, milk, black bread, roll)
3 piano
c. 2 laundry
3 heating (according to daily calculation 3 Srg., half day 2 Srg.)
20 Boot-Fox
_________________
23 Th[aler]. 20 S[ilbergroschen].

not including books, notebooks and many additional expenses for oil, spiritus, a lamp, etc. Not a penny for an amusement. As I said, one cannot get by without 30 Th[aler]. a month.

I cannot do anything here until I have received the money, not even enroll. It was still not in the mail today. I also miss my other things very much; I can hardly go out since I do not have clean clothes and my boots are torn in many places. Of course I have not been able to make any [carte de] visites yet. The photographic album gave me immense pleasure, as did the coffee machine, even though I still do not like the taste of the coffee from it. I particularly enjoyed unpacking the chest with all its rich contents, then reading the beautiful letters 9 and finally going to bed.

Paul and I eat together, and in fact today very good soup with tongue in it, veal chops with turnip salad and potatoes, fresh fruit. —

My heartfelt thanks to my dear Aunt Rosalie;10 I will write to her soon. How much have you not given me! I was particularly happy about the picture of my blessed grandma.11 Write to me again very soon! My address "Bonn, Bonn- und Gudenauergasseecke 518[.]"12

Well, fare quite, quite well!

Euer Fritz.

Also today, Tuesday morning, my money has not arrived yet. So I cannot be enrolled since this costs more than 7 Th[a]ler]. I need the certificate of indigence13 by the end of this week at the latest! Don't forget that!

1. Nietzsche spent his birthday at the home of Paul Deussen's parents in Oberdreis.
2. Paul Deussen's mother, Jakobine Deussen (born Ingelbach, 1813-1893), was also born on October 15.
3. Johann Daniel Herrnschmidt (also Herrnschmid or Herrenschmid; 1675-1723): German theologian and hymnwriter in Halle. Author of "Lobe den Herrn, o meine Seele" (Praise the Lord , o my soul ...). Also published as "Praise thy Creator." In: Adolf T. Hanser, The Selah Song Book for Worship and Devotion in Church, School, Home = Das Sela Gesangbuch zur Andacht und Erbauung in Kirch, Schule, Haus. English-German. 2d. Edition. Buffalo: Sotarion, 1926, 36-37.
4. Adolphe Monod (1802-1856): French Protestant preacher with connections in Elberfeld. It's not certain which volumes of Monod's writings were gifted to Nietzsche by Adam Deussen (1801-1887). Monod's collected writings were published in German in 6 volumes from 1860-62. See, e.g., Adolphe Monod, Ausgewählte Schriften. T. 1-2. Bielefeld: Velhagen und Klasing, 1860.
5. Stiefelfuchs (Boot-Fox). A 19th-century factotum who worked for students. See "Sketches of Burschen Life." In: The Dublin University Magazine. A Literary and Philosophic Review. Volume 28. No. 163. July 1846, 54-67 (58). "Beholding the 'stiefel fuchs' or boot-fox for the first time, one would be disposed to imagine him a student in reduced circumstances. His slashed coat of faded velvet is out at elbows; his unmentionables have certainly looked upon better days, and his hat is a curious sort of structure, to which it would not be very easy to assign any specific shape, or indeed to imagine that at any previous period it ever possessed any form in particular. To look at the stiefel fuchs, he would appear but a boy. Notwithstanding his juvenile appearance, however, he is usually the father of a family — of young 'fuches' — and the possessor of a 'frau.' She is the student's washerwoman. The business of this personage is to call his master in time for lecture, light his fire, clean his boots, sharpen his rapiers, feed his dogs, keep his pipes in order, as well as a variety of other little matters, too numerous to mention; all of which he performs for the moderate stipend of a half gulden, which is about tenpence of our money, a week." Also see, William Howitt, "Chapter 9. The Private Life of the Student." In: The Student-Life in Germany. London: Routledge, 1849, 150-174 (155-156).
6. Nietzsche's correct address was Bonngasse 518. Cf. Bonn, Christmas 1864: Letter to Franziska and Elisabeth Nietzsche. "Die Addresse war falsch; ich wohne ja Bonngasse 518." (The address was wrong; I live at Bonngasse 518.)
7. Friedrich Oldag and his wife. Oldag was also a tobacconist, an umbrella maker, and a master wood turner.
8. From the Schleswig-Holstein region of northern Germany.
9. The letters are lost.
10. Nietzsche's paternal aunt, Rosalie Nietzsche (1811-1867). See excerpt from Naumburg, 10-15-1864: Letter from Rosalie Nietzsche to Nietzsche in Bonn. "Mein lieber Fritz! / Gott zum Gruß zuvor zu Deinem lieben Geburtstag! Wo feierst Du denselben, in Oberdreyßen oder in Bonn? Nun, wo Du auch seyst mit meinen herzlichsten Wünschen bin ich Dir nahe und trage den lieben Gott meine Bitten vor daß Er Dir Gesundheit und Kraft, und getrosten Muth und Freudigkeit verleihen möge damit Du Dein großes Ziel Philologie und Theologie zu studiren wirklich erreichst! Doch — wie Gott will! Denn es ist wohl ein zu großes Vornehmen, (oder, verstehe ich nicht es zu beurtheilen? das ist sehr möglich!) weißt Du aber daß Hr. Archidiakonus Wenkel sich auch dies Ziel gesteckt, und es doch unterlaßen mußte? Nun, wie er durch ein Buch zum Studium der Theologie gedrängt wurde so möge Dich der liebe Gott auch lenken wie es für Dich am Besten ist — Ihm übergebe Dich auch heute an Deinem Geburtstage wiederum und mit festem Vertrauen auf Seine Güte und Treue! mein lieber Fritz, und nun lege ich auch als kleines Geschenk 2 Thaler bei, Du wirst sie finden wenn Du beiliegendes Papier öffnest um das Bild, das gewiß auch Dir unvergeßliche Bild Deiner lieben selgen Großmamma, in Deine lieben Hände zu nehmen, es soll auch Dein [sein], denn ich denke Dir auch dadurch Freude zu bereiten! ach weißt Du noch, wie gern die liebe Verklärte Dich rief nach Tische da Du ihre Füße auf das Sopha mit heben solltest! und wie sie zu ihrem letzten Geburtstag so glücklich war als Du: "Nun danket Alle Gott" spieltest und sangst? O gewiß Du erinnerst Dich noch daran und freust Dich daß Du es gethan!" (My dear Fritz! / God be with you on your dear birthday! Where are you celebrating it, in Oberdreyssen or in Bonn? Well, wherever you are, I am close to you with my warmest wishes and I express my prayers to the dear Lord that He may give you health and strength, and confident courage and cheerfulness so that you really achieve your great goal of studying philology and theology! But — as God wills! For it is probably too big an undertaking (or don't I know how to judge it? That's very possible!) but you know that Herr Archdeacon Wenkel also set himself this goal and yet had to abandon it? Well, just as he was urged by a book to study theology, so may the good Lord also guide you in the way that is best for you — surrender yourself to Him again today on your birthday and with firm trust in His goodness and faithfulness! My dear Fritz, and now I am also enclosing 2 thalers as a small gift, you will find them when you open the enclosed paper around the picture, the picture of your dear, blessed grandma, which, taken into your dear hands, I am sure will also be unforgettable to you; it shall also be yours, for I hope to give you joy with it too! Oh do you still remember how the dear radiant one loved to call you to the table for you to put her feet up on the sofa! and how she was so happy on her last birthday when you played and sang: "Nun dankt Alle Gott" ["Now thank we all our God" (1647): composed by Johann Crüger (1598-1662)]? Oh certainly you still remember it and are happy that you did it!)
11. Nietzsche's paternal grandmother, Erdmuthe Nietzsche (born Krause, 1778-1856). See two undated colorized and enhanced images of her © The Nietzsche Channel.
12. See Note 6.
13. Cf. Naumburg, late February, 1865: Letter to Franziska and Elisabeth Nietzsche. "N. B. Sendet mir ja noch vor meiner Abreise eine vom Gericht bestätigte Abschrift des Paupertätszeugnisses. Ich muß das Zeugniß noch einreichen wegen der Stundung der Collegien." (N.B. Before I leave, send me a court-approved copy of the certificate of poverty. I still have to submit the certificate because of the deferral of college fees.)