the erudite under the title of "Handbuch der Geschichte des Europäischen Staatensystems," have diffused his literary reputation. Heeren has also given us an elaborate work upon the commerce of the ancients, namely, his "Ideen über die Politik, Handel, etc. der Völker des Alterthums," a production that has likewise contributed to extend his fame. His "Geschichte des Studiums der classischen Literatur" is another very important and valuable work. ERNST MORITZ ARNDT (1769) Was born in the Isle of Rügen, on the 26th of December 1769. Upon the completion of his studies, he made a tour through Germany, France, and Italy, and on his return, in 1803, became a professor of philosophy in Greifswalde. In 1808, Arndt was obliged to fly before the conquering arms of Napoleon, to Sweden, where he remained for some time. In the season of war, Arndt's inspiring and patriotic pamphlets, illustrated as they were by the encouraging light of his own personal valour, exercised no inconsiderable influence over his fellow-countrymen. Arndt is now lecturing at the university of Bonn.* MORITZ ARNDT is an historian and poet, and evinces considerable genius as both. In his voyages and travels, no less than in his historical and scientific works, the extensive information and learning of Arndt shone conspicuously. His "Reise durch Schweden, Italien, Frankreich, &c." stamped him as a chronicler, whose observations were both keen and true. Arndt's "Geist der Geschichte" (1806), derived its chief influence from its appealing representations of historical and political events. This production, imbued as it is with a spirit of daring liberalism, found an immediate circulation, and is by far the most * E. M. Arndt. Erinnerungen aus dem äusseren Leben, 1839. admired of his compositions. In 1813, Arndt's poems acted as incentives in many German hearts and minds, to the achievement of heroic deeds. His poem "Blücher," may be styled a truly classical specimen in this "genre ;" whilst his patriotic song "Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland?" is a universal favourite. Praise is likewise due to his work "Ansichten und Aussichten der deutschen Geschichte," which appeared in 1817. Arndt's prevailing theme has ever been to defend the Rhine boundary of his country,—the true, intrinsic, and proper Germanism whereof he was always ready to shield and to enforce with the whole vigour of his zeal, a vigour increased, no doubt, by his national antipathy against the French. BARTHOLD GEORG NIEBUHR (1776-1831) Was born in Copenhagen, in the year 1776. In 1816, ambassador at Rome; afterwards lectured at the university of Bonn. He died at Berlin, on the 2nd of January 1831.* The interest Niebuhr exercises as a philologist is well known and valued by scholars, whilst his "Römische Geschichte," arising out of his classical studies, is universally pronounced quite a masterpiece of its order, and an extraordinary specimen of independent and industrious research, and consummate historic veracity. The work has been translated into English by Bishop Thirlwall and Archdeacon Hare, continued by Dr. Smith and Dr. Schmitz. As a Roman history, it ranks among the first of European works. A small brochure has lately been publishedon Grecian heroes" Griechische Heroengeschichten," which Niebuhr wrote in letters to his youthful son. * Niebuhr's Lebensnachrichten, 3 vols. 8o. A most interesting work. KARL FRIEDRICH BECKER (1777-1806) Born at Berlin, 1777. Doctor of philosophy. Died on the 15th March 1806. The "Weltgeschichte" of this author is a book well calculated to please and inform the general reader; it is written in a commendable and very attractive style, and is, in fact, the most popular work of the kind extant on the continent. Becker also composed a series of historical tales, expressly designed for the use of children, and entitled Erzählungen aus der alten Welt," wherein he has shown himself to be quite at home in the art of interesting young people in his simple and intelligible narrative of events, and of entertaining them with a variety of descriptions, which are at once luminous and amusing. 66 GRAMMARIANS, CRITICS, ETC. ETC. FREIHERR FRIEDRICH HEINRICH ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT (1769) Was born in Berlin, on the 14th of September 1769; he studied philosophy and medicine at Göttingen. This done, he set out upon his travels, in company with the well known Bonpland. Their tour extended over the whole of South America. In the year 1829, our author ventured into the bleak regions of Siberia, and progressed towards the borders of the Caspian Sea. A. v. Humboldt is living at present at Berlin, enjoying the intimate friendship of the king of Prussia, and all the learned men of the age. A. v. HUMBOLDT is, without doubt, the greatest and most illustrious name that German letters can adduce at the present day. The date and rise of this famous traveller and naturalist is coincident with the era of the Coryphæi of our national literature. Nourished, as he was, from his youth up, by the bland influences of nature, he devoted himself to one department of her wealth, whilst his eldest brother Wilhelm prosecuted with equal success another and kindred section, namely, the philosophy of the various languages of mankind, so that these two remarkable men are essentially fellow-workers. The advantages and profits that have accrued to science in general, from the exertions of Humboldt, cannot be duly estimated by us; neither is the present day the time for concentrating into one focus those important influences which have gone forth, and which still go forth, on every side, from the labours of this far-famed tourist. His "Reise nach den Tropenländen," and his masterly works on natural history and philosophy, are exceedingly valuable productions. His "Ansichten der Natur" is a little work of a most winning and brilliant order, intended for the general reader. The plastic beauty of Alexander v. Humboldt's style is particularly striking. FREIHERR KARL WILHELM VON HUMBOLDT (1767-1836) Was born at Berlin, on the 22nd of June 1767. He was ambassador at Rome, Vienna, and London, the plenipotentiary at the convention of peace assembled at Prague, besides being a confederate in the congress at Vienna. His latter years were passed at his villa in Tegel, near Berlin, in quiet study and erudite investigations. He died on the 8th of April 1836.* WILHELM V. HUMBOLDT was a profound and erudite philologer and æsthetician, who, by his deeply-penetrating investigations into all subjects connected with grammatical lore, has assisted in erecting upon a secure basis, the study of the assimilative languages. He was, moreover, an adroit and distinguished statesman, and, as such, well versed in the * G. Schlesier, Erinnerungen an Wilhelm von Humboldt. management of human affairs. His great literary performance, "Ueber die Kawi-Sprache," is a philosophical exposition of the various orders of human language, whilst he also entered at great length into the nature of the Sanscrit and other Asiatic tongues, addressing himself especially to the dialect of the island of Java. Wilhelm v. Humboldt occupies a place in our literature which is specifically his own. Simultaneously with the rise of polite letters, in the hands of Goethe and Schiller, did our author's mental training progress; whilst the works of his younger brother, Alexander, harmonized with Goethe's studies in natural science, Wilhelm became attached altogether to the æsthetical investigation and research of these two great poets. He was by both held worthy of the most intimate degree of confidence, and treated as an equallyendowed associate. Without producing any great poetical work himself, W. v. Humboldt, by the mere sympathetic tendency of his own spirit, embodied his name with theirs, as far as respects the works and inventions of these two poets. The influence which he exerted over the principles and conceptions of Goethe and Schiller, in the day of their cooperation, was extraordinary. He was the friendly critic of their productions, the adviser, the dearest friend of both; and by his lofty-toned ideal,-by the universality of his intellectual gifts, by his deep acquaintance with the modern school of philosophy, particularly with that of Kant,—above all, by his knowledge of the archives of classic antiquity, became nothing less than indispensable to their circle. In his correspondence, Wilhelm v. Humboldt has embodied his æsthetical criticism, and these letters may challenge on every side the title of masterly. His introduction to the " Briefwechsel zwischen Schiller und Wilhelm von Humboldt," in which he enlarges upon the genius of Schiller, is altogether a classical dissertation. His work on Goethe's epos of " Hermann und Dorothea" contains some elaborate reflections on poetry in general; whilst, lastly, |
