Kant: A Biography

ii4 Kant: A Biography

were softened. French cuisine replaced the more traditional fare in the
houses of those who were better off. Russian cavaliers changed the social
intercourse, and gallantry became the order of the day. Drinking of punch
was the rage. Dinners, masked balls, and other diversions almost unknown
in Königsberg, and frowned on by its religious leaders, became more and
more common. Society was "humanized."^69 Some undoubtedly saw this
"humanization" as leading to a significant decline in morality, but others
viewed it as a liberation. Hippel spoke of a "Seelenmanumission" or the free¬
ing of his soul from slavery, which forever changed his attitude to life.
He ended his studies of theology and began his career in administration.^70
Many other intellectuals were equally affected by the new freer, worldlier
way of life prevailing in Königsberg.
Kant gained from this new situation. First, his finances improved during
these years. He not only taught many officers in his lectures, especially in
mathematics, but also gave them private instructions (or privatissima),
which were, as he himself points out, very well paid.^71 As an added bonus,
he was often invited to dinners. Second, he also enjoyed at many parties the
company of Russian officers, successful bankers, well-off merchants, noble¬
men and women, and especially the circle of friends of the family of Count
Keyserlingk. The latter, having anticipated trouble with the Russians, had
moved out of Königsberg to their estate some distance from the city.
However, as it turned out, the Russians were more interested in paying
compliments to the beautiful countess, Kant's "ideal of a woman," and in
attending their parties than in creating problems for them.
Kant developed a special relation with the Keyserlingks. He was asked
to come to their estate to educate one of their sons.^72 He was picked up in
a horse-drawn carriage, and Kraus reports that on the way back he had time
to reflect on the difference between his own early education and that of a
nobleman. He also knew other officers. As late as 1789 he received a letter
from one Franz, duke of Dillon, a captured Austrian officer, who stayed in
Königsberg as a prisoner of war until at least 1762. He wrote:

It was a happy accident that I just saw your name in our newspaper and saw that you
are still alive and that you also enjoy the favors of your king ... I just took a few happy
glances at what has passed. The memory of many very pleasant hours, which I passed
in your company, brought true pleasure to my mind. At the gentlemen's G. and C. and
even in our clubs a thousand of witticisms were witnessed, which, without touching
on learned matters, were very useful to a young man (as I then was). In short, the
benevolence and the friendliness with which I was treated makes Königsberg ines¬
timable for me.^73