Ernst Haeckel, 1896.
From a photograph by Gabriel Max.
The biographical sketch of a living man does not close with a stroke, but with three stars. They glow still, these stars. Under their influence much may yet happen—much struggle, much peace. In view of the general situation of our time there is little hope that the last stretch of this extraordinary career will be spent in peace, though behind it all lies the peace-loving soul of an artist. But if Haeckel’s career is to be one of struggle to the last hour, he may console himself with the noble words of Goethe:—
“And when at length the long gray lashes fall
A gentle light will broaden o’er the scene,
In whose effulgence our remoter sons
Will read the lineaments of yonder stars,
And in the loftier view to which they rise
Of God and man a loftier image hold.”