Critical and miscellaneous essays, by Thomas Carlyle.

ï~~LIFE AND WRITINGS OF WERNER.

35

is not worthy of some study. The reply we
must now leave to themselves.
As an appendage to the charge of Mysticism
brought against the Germans, there is often
added the seemingly incongruous one of Irreligion. On this point also we had much to
say; but must for the present decline it. Meanwhile, let the reader be assured, that to the
charge of Irreligion, as to so many others, the
Germans will plead not guilty. On the contrary, they will not scruple to assert that their literature is, in a positive sense, religious; nay,
perhaps to maintain, that if ever neighbouring
nations are to recover that pure and high spirit
of devotion, the loss of which, however we may
disguise it or pretend to overlook it, can be
hidden from no observant mind, it must be #y
travelling, if not on the same path, at least in
the same direction, in which the Germans have
already begun to travel. We shall add, that
the Religion of Germany is a subject not for
slight but for deep study, and, if we mistake
not, may in some degree reward the deepest.
Here, however, we must close our examination or defence. We have spoken freely, because we felt distinctly, and thought the matter
worthy of being stated, and more fully inquired
into. Farther than this, we have no quarrel
for the Germans; we would have justice done
them, as to all men and all things; but for their
literature or character we profess no sectarian
or exclusive preference. We think their recent Poetry, indeed, superior to the recent
Poetry of any other nation; but taken as a
whole, inferior to that of several; inferior not
to our own only, but to that of Italy, nay, perhaps to that of Spain. Their Philosophy, too,
must still be regarded as uncertain; at best
only the beginning of better things. But surely
even this is not to be neglected. A little light
is precious in great darkness: nor, amid the
myriads of Poetasters and Philosophe., are Poets
and Philosophers so numerous that we should
reject such, when they speak to us in the hard,
but manly, deep, and expressive tones of that

old Saxon speech, which is also our mothertong ne.
We confess the present aspect of spiritual
Europe might fill a melancholic observer with
doubt and foreboding. It is mournful to see so
many noble, tender, and high-aspiring minds
deserted of that religious light which once
guided all such: standing sorrowful on the
scene of past convulsions and controversies, as
on a scene blackened and burnt up with fire;
mourning in the darkness, because there is desolation, and no home for the soul; or what is
worse, pitching tents among the.ashes, and
kindling weak earthly lamps which we are to
take for stars. This darkness is but transitory
obscuration: these ashes are the soil of future
herbage and richer harvests. Religion, Poetry,
is not dead; it will never die. Its dwelling
and birthplace is in the soul of man, and it is
eternal as the being of man. In any point of
Space, in any section of Time, let there be a
living Man: and there is an Infinitude above
him and beneath him, and an eternity encompasses him on this hand and on that; and tones
of Sphere-music, and tidings from loftier
worlds, will flit round him, if he can but listen,
and visit him with holy influences, even in the
thickest press of trivialities, or the din of busiest
life. Happy the man, happy the nation that
can hear these tidings; that has them written in
fit characters, legible to every eye, and the solemn import of them present at all moments to
every heart! That there is, in these days, no
nation so happy, is too clear; but that all nations, and ourselves in the van, are, with more
or less discernment of its nature, struggling
towards this happiness, is the hope and the
glory of our time. To us, as to others, success,
at a distant or a nearer day, cannot be uncertain. Meanwhile, the first condition of success
is, that, in striving honestly ourselves, we honestly acknowledge the striving of our neighbour; that with a Will unwearied in seeking
Truth, we have a Sense open for it, wheresoever and howsoever it may arise.

LIFE AND WRITINGS OF WERNER.
[FOREIGN REVIEW, 1823.]
Ir the charm of fame consisted, as Horace with the finger, and having it said, This is he!"
has mistakenly declared, "in being pointed at few writers of the present age could boast of
more fame than Werner. It has been the un* 1. Lebens-.2briss Friedrich Ludwig ZuachariasWVerners. happy fortune of this man to stand for a long
Von den IHerausgeber von Hoffmanns Leban and N'ach- period incessantly before the world, in a far
lass.) Sketch of the Life of Frederic Liudwi Zacharias
Werner. By the Editor of " ltoffianu's Life andR e- stronger light than naturally belonged to him,
mains.") Berlin, 1823. or could exhibit him to advantage. Twenty
2. Die Shne des Thalts. (The Sons of the Valley.) years ago he was a man of onsiderable note,
A Dramatic Poem. Part I. Die Templer auf Cypern. yearsagh vas a man ef considerable note,
(The Templarsin Cyprus.) Part 11. Die Kreuzesbriider. which has ever since been degenerating into
(The Brethren of the Cross.) Berlin, 1801, 1802. notoriety. The mystic dramatist, the skepti3. Des Kreuz an der Ostsee. (The Cross on the Baltic.) cal enthusiast, was known and partly esteemed
A Tragedy. Berlin, 1806.
4..Martin Luther, oder Die Weihe der Kraft. (Martin by all students of poetry; Madame de Stal,
Luther, or the Consecration of Strength.) A Tragedy. we recollect, allows him an entire chapter in
Berlin, 1807.
5. 'lie Mutter der.Mlakkabiier. (The Mtier of the her "Allemagne." It was a much coarser cuMaccabecs A Tragedy. Vienna, 1820. riosity, and in a much wider circle, which the