The conversation opened trivially on the circumstances of Wilhelm
meeting with Fraulein Ellrich, and on the beauty of the
neighborhood, which Herr Ellrich glorified as not being overrun.
"I would much rather recommend it for quiet than Switzerland with
its crowds," he said.
Wilhelm agreed with him, and related how he was induced by the
romantic aspect of the place to give up his original plans, and to
anchor himself here. When they questioned him, he gave them some
information about Heidelberg and his journey to Hornberg. Frau
Ellrich complimented him on his sketch, and while he modestly
disclaimed the praise, she asked him why he had not devoted himself
to art.
"That is a peculiar result of my development," answered Wilhelm
thoughtfully. "While I was still at the gymnasium I sketched and
painted hard, and after the final examination I went to the Art
Academy for two years; but the further I went into the study of art,
and the more attentively I followed in the beaten track of art-
studies, the clearer it was to me that he who would secure an
abiding success in art must be a blind copyist of nature. Certainly
the personal peculiarities of an artist often please his
contemporaries. It is the fashion to do him honor if he flatters the
prevailing direction of taste.
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