[3] Herr William Robertson Smith aus Edinburg [sic] hat im Sommersemester 1869 meine Vorlesung über die Theologische Ethik mit stetem Fleisse und Aufmerksamkeit gehört, und ich habe die Freude gehabt, in wiederholten Gesprächen in ihm einen Mann von dem lebhaftesten wissenschaftlichen Eifer, von vielseitigen Kenntnissen und ausserordentlicher Gewandtheit des Geistes kennen zu lernen.
Göttingen, 24. December
Albrecht Ritschl
Dr. und Professor der Theologie
[1] Thiele family papers, MS
[2] Given as a reference, probably sought by William Pirie Smith — or WRS himself – on the occasion of the candidature of WRS for the New-College-Hebrew chair in Aberdeen in 1869. During the summer 1867 WRS studied in Germany.
[3] Translation:
Mr William Robertson Smith from Edinburgh followed my lectures in the summer semester 1869 on Theological Ethics with consistent diligence and attention, and I have had the pleasure of coming to know him in repeated conversations as a man of the liveliest scientific eagerness, varied knowledge and extraordinary agility of mind.
Göttingen, 24th December 1869
Albrecht Ritschl
Dr and Professor of Theology