German Literature.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 995, 27 March 1891, Page 4

German Literature.

When I had been studying German for eight or nine months, I felt a great wish to know something of its literature. I consulted a German governess, but she seemed to know as little about it as my English friends. She was a capital authority to go to on matters of cookery or knitting, but of the great geniuses of her country she seemed in blissful ignorance. The remembrance of the trouble I took, and tho time I spent in finding out what was worth reading, of the precious hours I wasted in reading indifferent books, makes me think it might be useful to many students of German to have even an'imperfect’guide to some of the best works in that language. Though to the student of languages mainly derived from Latin, or owing much of their structure and richness to Latin, the German language may &eem iuvolved, and perhaps wanting as yet in the musical sweetness and terseness, for instance, of the English or French languages, there oan be no donbt that the literature of Germany is well worth studying for the grand beauty of the thoughts, the wealth and variety of the ideas expressed in it. - v It is Well to begin with entertaining and comparatively easy works. The charming story of ‘ Undine ’ is beautifully told by La Motte Fouque. Those who oan read between the linos will feel that there is much philosophy in this apparently simple little work. Still more justly may this be said of that truly wonderful little gem of literature ‘ Pdter Sohlemibl ’ (the shadowless man), by Chamisso. The French blood inChamisso tells visibly in his writings, which are all beautiful, and have more clearness than many German works. His «Travels ’ are very interesting. • Schatzkastleiu (treasure casket), by T. P. HCboJ, is what its name describes, a quaint collection of, fact and fiction, grave and gay. How often have I carried the entertaining little book with me into leafy glens or under shady willows by the river’s edge, there to give myself up to the unalloyed enjoyment of it and Nature together. Lavater’s ‘ Worte des Flerzens ’ is easy and very good. Of the great Lessing’s works, the only one I ardently admire is * Nathan der Weise.’ This is indeed grand, far and away beyond his other works, but the student will most likely prefer to read them all and judge for herself or himself.

There are lovers of Goethe who think every word he wrote perfect, almost divine. I confess that the only works of Mb (nonscientific) that I would fervently recommend, are his deeply interesting Autobiography * Aus meinem Leben, ’ ‘Faost’ (of world-wide fame), and ‘Benvenuto Cellini,’ a fine and instructive biography of that genius of mediaeval times, and his ‘Gedichte.’ If the reader has plenty of time, * Wilhelm Meister’ should be read, though somewhat lang weilig, and seeming almost endless in these days of short novels. Germany is particularly rich in fine poetry. Goethe, Schiller, Burger, Von Platen, Herder, Holty, Novalia, Chamisso, Heine, and Arndt are only a few of her poets, not to mention in detail the translations from the ancients which are said to approach nearer to exact rendering than those in other tongues. Schiller’s ‘Geschichte des Dreissigjahrigen Knegs,’ and Von Ranke’s ‘ History of the Pope’s ’ are two important historical works of careful study. Jean Paul F. Richter was the author of a number of works full of deep thoughts and wonderful writing, but his German is difficult—so difficult that even his fellow countrymen cannot always understand him.

Hotzebne wrote a great many clever comedies, which are highly amusing to those who enjoy humorous composition, and doubtless they give lively pictures of the German life of his time. This latter is also essentially the quality of Anerbacb, whose novels are famous. Hoffmann’s tales are very celebrated. But I would advise those readers who are inclined to be nervous or sensitive to avoid them as they would avoid poison. * Das Fraulein von Scuddri ’ (a tale of the time of Louis XIV) may be read to gain an idea of hia style. Though horrible enough, it is not so blood-curdling as some of Hoffman’s hideouß and bewildering tales, which seem intended to drive his readers insane. The works of the two brothers Humboldt, the greater of whom, Baron Alexander von Humboldt was the author of that noble work ‘ Kosmos,’ form almost a library in themselves. They are scientific "and reliable, they are picturesque and fascinating, and perhaps the most beautiful from the point of view of literary art of any in the language. I believe that German literature is very far from having reached its highest point of

perfection. I believe that Germany is suffering in litaratiire as in marty other ways, from the consequences of holding down half the population of the country—-the women—in a state of thraldom almost inconceivable to tho English-speaking raoe. But this is entering upon a subject too wide for tho present article. If the reader will study the works here mentioned, she or lie will enjoy a rich * feast of reason ’ and how or soul.’ and will have so completely mastered the language as to be able to enjoy the great modern works which are published fiom time to time. ~ „ ■ Excelsior.