Wednesday, February 26:
R. had a better night. In the morning we talk about the arrogance of natural scientists, who imagine they can solve the riddle of existence and believe they are achieving positive results, though every ten years the results are changed. R. finds my remark that for oneself one should cultivate as much philosophy as possible, but talk about it as little as possible [sentence uncompleted]. Talked about Hartmann, the fashionable philosopher; people’s absurd misunderstanding of Schopenhauer, their assumption that his teaching leads to suicide.
The Feustels visit us; he comes from Vienna and brings shattering news: instead of 50,000 florins, as they claimed, they have only 20,000 subscribed, not yet paid! Grave consideration whether it would harm or help the undertaking to announce the postponement publicly. Grave feelings.
In the afternoon R. goes to see Feustel again; while he is there, Zacharias applies for 90 certificates of patronage, along with these, our journey will have brought in 19,200 thalers. In the evening read a little of the Pancha tantra.