Prose Writers of German

B

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY

FROM THE ESTATE OF

LAWRENCE BOND

AUGUST 2, 1935

ENTERED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR 1847, BY
CAREY AND HART,

IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT

OF PENNSYLVANIA.

STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN.

PRINTED BY T. K. AND F. G. COLLINS.

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PREFACE

THE volume of translations which is now offered to the Public, though bearing the title, "Prose Writers of Germany," in conformity with the series of publications to which it belongs, is far from pretending to be a complete exhibition of the prose literature of that nation.

The impossibility of representing in adequate specimens, the vast body of writers who might claim to be represented under this title, together with the unsatisfactoriness of brief extracts, has induced the editor to adopt a different course,-to give few writers and large samples, and instead of a "collection," as Mr. Longfellow has characterized his "Poets and Poetry of Europe," to make a selection.

Every selection is liable to the charge of partiality; and those who are much conversant with German literature will doubtless miss some favorites who shall seem to them entitled to a place in these pages. It is believed however that the Classics, in the stricter sense, (writers of the first class) are mostly here. With regard to the rest, access or want of access to their writings has had some share, as well as personal preference, in determining the admissions and the omissions.

Some difficulty has been found in reconciling a just apportionment of space in our pages to different writers with the prescribed limits of the work. The difficulty, the editor is aware, has not been entirely overcome. While want of room has compelled him to omit altogether some writers whom he would gladly have introduced into the present

selection, he regrets that the same necessity has required him several instances to limit his extracts.

The editor avails himself of this opportunity to thank those wh have assisted him in the work of translation. Besides his indebte ness to existing publications, especially to Carlyle's German Roman he has to acknowledge the contributions of J. Elliot Cabot, Esq Rev. J. Weiss,† Rev. C. T. Brooks, Mr. Geo. Bradford, and M Geo. Ripley. The extracts from Möser, with the exception of t first, and that from Hamann, are by the same, anonymous, contril tor. Likewise the translations from Hegel are by an anonymo friend possessing peculiar qualifications for that difficult task. Ab all, his thanks are due to the Rev. Mr. Furness of Philadelphia, w has kindly taken upon himself the general superintendence of work while passing through the press.

BANGOR, MAY, 1847.

* In the translations from Kant with the exception of the last, and in the transla from Schelling.

† In the translation from Schiller.

In the extracts from the Titan of Jean Paul.

In the translation from Goethe's Wahlverwandtschaften.
In the translation from Schleiermacher.

CONTENTS.