"Nu kan jeg begribe, hvorfor H. Hertz var saa begjerlig efter at tale med mig nu da jeg læser hans sidste Haandarbeide med politiske Ind- og Anfald," noterede Kierkegaard sidst i juli 1839. Han havde da netop læst Hertz' Stemninger og Tilstande og genkendt sig selv i skikkelse af en "Translateur", der omtales som en "gammelagtig Karl, noget forvoxet eller dog skrudrygget, og med dybtliggende Øine". De to kendte hinanden fra Studenterforeningen og fra sammenkomster i det heibergske hjem. Den ungdommelige satire til trods sendte Kierkegaard i 1849 Hertz et dedikationseksemplar af Enten - Eller og undertegnede sig "med skjønsom Hengivenhed".		"Now I grasp why H. Hertz was so eager to talk with me, now when I read the last from his hand of odd political outbursts of whim and wit," noted Kierkegaard at the end of July 1839. He had then just read Hertz' Views and Conditions and recognized himself in the character of a "Translator," who is referred to as an "oldish fellow, somewhat deformed or rather round-shouldered, and with deep-set eyes." The two knew each other from the Student Union and from gatherings at the home of the Heiberg's. Despite this youthful satire, in 1849 Kierkegaard sent Hertz a dedication copy of Either - Or and inscribed it "with discerning devotion."

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