Sunday, April 27:
A good night, in spite of rough weather (snow flurries and severe cold). We visit the splendid gallery before leaving at 12 noon for Leipzig.
At my request, we stop off at Eisleben and visit the place where R. spent his eighth year; he shows me the house in which he lived. He asks a woman about the previous owner, the soap-boiler, and she says, “Oh, that is a long time ago.” I also see the spot where a horse he had annoyed kicked him, and he fell in a faint.
Visit to Luther’s house, sad at its dilapidated state; R. observes, “The Prussians do not look after their towns well.” Had a meal in the Goldenes Schiff, left at 9 o’clock.
When we left Kassel, a Captain von Schoning entered our carriage in great excitement, saying he wished only to see and greet R., his face full of enthusiasm and devotion.
Curious impression made by the portrait of the painter Rigault in Kassel, excellently done, but an urchin, an imbecile, theatrical mastery of the kind with which we are familiar in the French of today. The most effective individual pictures of the Italians, Spaniards, and Dutch, those obviously painted for effect, are completely different from this theatrical style.
At 10 o’clock in the Hotel de Prusse, chosen as a meeting place with my father. Fair!