WCP2066

[1]

Wesel, Citadell,

Germany

8.1.[19]12

Dear D^r. Wallace,

According to my German calendar, you have reached the age of 90 today. I thought that you would be 89 this year, but it is very possible that I am a year out in my reckoning. In any case, let me offer you my most hearty congratulations upon the conclusion of yet another year of your still active life, & express the hope that you are entering upon the new year as vigorous in mind & body, & as hopeful of the future, as when I last saw you.

My sister has told you how very greatly I appreciated all the trouble when you gave yourself with my attempted translation of Goethe's¹ "Hermann & Dorothea". I am now engaged in revising — largely re-writing — this, but much fear that the new version, [2] although better than the old, will still be quite unworthy of publication. Nevertheless I cannot accept your view that a prose translation would be more feasible.

With this work & my correspondence, maybe all of which is in German, I do not ever find time hanging heavy on my hands, & I have plenty of good books to read between whiles. With very great interest, & with pleasure & profit, I read "the World of Life" a few months ago. In May last, there was a Doctor here as a fellow-prisoner with me for 5 days — this expiating his challenge to a duel — who proved to be a diligent reader & enthusiastic admirer of your works (naturally in translations). He was consequently very interested to hear all I could tell him about you personally.

Please remember me most kindly to Mrs & Miss Wallace. I hope both are well, & take this opportunity of thanking them & [3] you for your kind New Year's greeting. I am keeping well & fairly contented, though of course the winter here is not exactly a joyous time.

Please do not think of answering this letter. You will probably have whole piles of congratulations which really call for acknowledgement. Yet none of them, I think, can be heartier or more sincere than those of

Yours always gratefully | Vivian Brandon [signature]²