Item 26: Note from Johann Caspar Lavater [German language] , 1789 February 28
Item — Box: 4, Folder: 26
Dates
- 1789 February 28
Creator
- Lavater, Johann Caspar, 1741-1801 (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
From the Collection: 17 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Note
Condition Note:
Fair: document is browning; ink is faded; staining
Measurements:
3 ¾ in. x 2 ⅝ in.
Description:
The following is a note in German from Johann Caspar Lavater [Johann Kaspar Lavater], written from Zurich on February 24/25, 1789. In the note, Lavater mentions that he has been ill for some time. Being an “honest debtor,” Lavater promises to send the recipient something [possibly a sum of money] every week in the future. He states that what he sends should act as a form of security in the event of his death. According to a German scholar, it appears that Lavater mentions “Pitt” in his note which may refer to William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham. Lavater was born in Zurich in 1741. In 1769, Lavater took holy orders in the Zwinglian Church. Outside of the church, he was well-known for practicing physiognomy, the art of judging the character of individuals by the appearance of their face. Lavater published several works on the subject, and he took special interest in William Pitt’s appearance in particular. It is believed that Lavater greatly influenced the widespread use of silhouettes. Later in life, he published several works of poetry. Lavater was shot in 1799 during the French occupation of Switzerland and ultimately succumbed to his wounds in 1801. An example of Lavater’s signature can be found here. This note was written on a decorated piece of parchment with a border and what appears to be a tassel or drapes.
Location:
Zurich, Switzerland
Transcription:
[Sincere thanks to Lajos Adamik, Inscriptiones Alborum Amicorum for his transcription and translation assistance]
[Front] Bald vierzehntägige Unpäßlichkeit nöthigt mich im Bette zu bleib/en/ - Nur zwey Worte allso – von nun an soll alle woch/en/ Etwas wenigstens folg/en/, und bald werd/en/ Sie sag/en/ - Ich wollte viele so redliche Schuldner als J. C. L. Z/ürich/d/en/ 24.2.89.
[Back]
die ausführungtafel bedarf noch ausbesserung: Pitt u/nd/ die Regeln, wenn ich gesund bin. was ich sende, dient zur Sicherheit auf d/en/ Fall meines Todes, als Hinterlage. Mitw/och?/ N/achts?/ d/en/ 25.2.89 L
J. C. Lavater [written by another hand; likely former archivist note]
Translation Attempt:
[Front] An indisposition lasting almost a fortnight has forced me to stay in bed - Just two words then - from now on something at least shall follow every week, and soon you will say: I wanted many debtors as honest as J. C. L. Zurich/d/en/24 February, [17]89
[Back]
The execution board still needs to be corrected. Pitt and the rules for when I am healthy. What I send serves as a backup in the event of my death, as a deposit. Wednesday?/Night?/25 February, [17]89
J. C. Lavater [written by another hand; likely former archivist note]
[Front] Bald vierzehntägige Unpäßlichkeit nöthigt mich im Bette zu bleib/en/ - Nur zwey Worte allso – von nun an soll alle woch/en/ Etwas wenigstens folg/en/, und bald werd/en/ Sie sag/en/ - Ich wollte viele so redliche Schuldner als J. C. L. Z/ürich/d/en/ 24.2.89.
[Back]
die ausführungtafel bedarf noch ausbesserung: Pitt u/nd/ die Regeln, wenn ich gesund bin. was ich sende, dient zur Sicherheit auf d/en/ Fall meines Todes, als Hinterlage. Mitw/och?/ N/achts?/ d/en/ 25.2.89 L
J. C. Lavater [written by another hand; likely former archivist note]
Translation Attempt:
[Front] An indisposition lasting almost a fortnight has forced me to stay in bed - Just two words then - from now on something at least shall follow every week, and soon you will say: I wanted many debtors as honest as J. C. L. Zurich/d/en/24 February, [17]89
[Back]
The execution board still needs to be corrected. Pitt and the rules for when I am healthy. What I send serves as a backup in the event of my death, as a deposit. Wednesday?/Night?/25 February, [17]89
J. C. Lavater [written by another hand; likely former archivist note]
Creator
- Lavater, Johann Caspar, 1741-1801 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu