hegeltonapoleon.doc
TRANSCRIPT
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Source:Hegel: The Letters, translated by Clark Butler and Christine Seiler
with commentary by Clark Butler, Indiana University Press, Bloomington,
Purdue Research Foundation.
Transcribed: by Andy Blunden for Marxists.org, 2005.
Jena, Monday, October 13, 1806
the day the French occupied Jena and the Emperor Napoleon penetrated its walls.
From the timing, you yourself can gather an idea of the trepidation with which I mailed my
manuscript last Wednesday and Friday. Last evening toward sundown I saw the shots fired
by the French patrols from both Gempenbachtal and Winzerla. The Prussians were driven
from Winzerla in the night, and the fire lasted until after twelve o'clock. Today between
eight and nine o'clock the French advance units forced their way [into the city], with the
regular troops following an hour later. It was an hour of anguish, especially because of
general unfamiliarity with the right which everyone enjoys by the will of the French
Emperor himself not to comply with the demands of these light troops but just quietly to
give them what is required. Through clumsy behavior and a lapse of caution quite a few
have landed in difficulties. However, our sister-in-law, as well as the Dderlein household,
came through with nothing worse than anguish and has remained unharmed. She asked me,
as I was talking with her this evening about the departure of the mail, to write to you and
Mrs. Niethammer. She is presently quartering twelve officers. I saw the Emperor this
world-soul riding out of the city on reconnaissance. It is indeed a wonderfulsensation to see such an individual, who, concentrated here at a single point, astride a
horse, reaches out over the world and masters it. As for the fate of the Prussians, in truth
no better prognosis could be given. Yesterday it was said that the Prussian King had his
headquarters in Kapellendorf, a few hours from here. Where he is today we do not know,
but surely further away than yesterday. The Duchess and her Princess had decided to
remain in Weimar. Yet such advances as occurred from Thursday to Monday are only
possible for this extraordinary man, whom it is impossible not to admire.
... If I get through today alright I shall perhaps still have suffered as much or more than
others. From the general outer appearance, I must doubt whether my manuscript, which
went off on Wednesday and Friday, has arrived. My loss would indeed be all too great. My
other acquaintances here have not suffered anything. Am I to be the only one? How dearly I
wish you had arranged for cash payment to be made for merely part of the sum, and that
you had not made the final deadline so strict! But since the mail was leaving from here, I
had to risk sending it. God knows with what a heavy heart I am now still taking the same
risk, though I have no doubt that the mail is now circulating freely behind the French lines.
As I already did earlier, all now wish the French army luck; and, in view of the
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immense difference that separates not only its leaders but even the least of its soldiers from
their enemies, luck can hardly fail it. In this, our region will thus soon be free of this deluge.
Your sister-in-law Mrs. Voigt told me that she would not let the postillion. leave before
early tomorrow morning. I spoke with her about asking the general staff, now lodging in her
house, for safe conduct, which will not be refused. So God will, I hope, deliver my
scribblings to you within the deadline. As soon as you learn how some money can be sent to
me, please dispatch it most urgently. Before long I will have absolute need of it.
It is now 11:00 p.m., at the home of Head Commissioner Hellfeld, where I am now lodging
and where we have a view of the French battalions in row-upon-row of campfires covering
the entire marketplace. Wood for burning has been taken from butchers stalls, rubbish bins,
and so on. Yours, Hegel, Professor in Jena.
I recently wrote you that Heiligenstdt died a week ago, but since this news is inevitably so
important to you I repeat it just in case that packet did not arrive. Yet most of all I implore
you to write me soon. The letters which have arrived today have not yet been sorted. I thus
have no idea whether letters from Bamberg are among them.