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Serial: The Ladies' repository: a monthly periodical, devoted to literature, arts, and religion.
Title: Berthold Auerbach, The German Poet [Volume 12, Issue 2, Aug 1873; pp. 84-87]
Author: Hurst, Rev. J. F., D. D.
Collection: Making of America Journal Articles
Article URL: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moajrnl/acg2248.2-12.002/94
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THE LADIES' REPOSITORY.
Landesmann, daughter of the deceased banker,
Landesmain, and sister of the romance-writer
of the Wiener Presse, under the pseudonym of
Hieronymus Lorm.
After a short wedding tour, Auerbach settled
with his young wife in Dresden, which hle made
his permanent residence, and gave himself up
entirely to his literary labors. There followed,
ill quick succession, "Neues Leben" (New Life),
in 1851; two other volumes of "Village Stories"
in I852; and, in separate editions, the beautiful,
unsurpassable "Barfussle," the pearl of the
"Village Histories," in 1855; "Deutsche
Abende," first series, I858; "Edelweiss" in
I859, and "Joseph im Sclhnee" in I86o. From
thle years I845 to I848, appeared, besides
"Schrift und Volk" (Writing and People), in
1846, a series of people's almanacs, under the
title, "Der Gevattersmann," whose contents
were particularly designed for the country people, and had much influence. As the poet had,
in his "Village Stories," found the right way to
make thle lhigher classes acquainted with the
humbler ranks of society, so he had now discovered a way of influencing the people in a
stricter sense. During the four years of its
appearance, the'Gevattersmann" became the
household treasure of every rural hearth in
Middle and South Germany. Tlhe series was,
at a later period, collected and issued in a complete form, under the name of "Schatzkaslein
des Gevattersmannes" (Treasure-chest of the
Gossipman), first in a separate edition, and
then in the complete works of Berthold Auerbach (22 volumes; Cotta, Stuttgart, I858).
In I848, there appeared a counterpart to the
"Gevattersmann," with the title of "Berthold
Auerbach's Volkskalender," under the co-operative management of the first scholars and artists
of Germany; but it, unfortunately, only reached
its second issue.
If the "Village Stories" gave a representation
of the life of the people in an artistic form, for
the educated, the "Volkskalender" gave a representation, not of the life of the people, but of
the entire movement of the time. It was a noteworthy sign of progress, that a talented writer
like Auerbach should stake his name in producing a book for the people, not, as is too often
the case, to teach to-day what yesterday was so
hardly and superficially acquired, but to instruct
them, to strengthen their hearts, to teach them
independence of mind, and to excite in them
thankfulness for daily blessings.
Since the year I86o, Auerbach has resided
with his family-consisting of one son by his
first marriage, and two sons and a daughter by
his second-in Berlin. During the Suimmer
months, however, he generally resides in South
Germany, on his native soil. His latest publications are, "Auf die H6he" (On the Heights),
"Deutsche Abende" (German Evenings), I867;
and the "Landhaus am Rhein" (Country House
on the Rhine), I869.
Berthold Auerbach is the most popular German writer of the present time. What qualifies
him for his lhigh position is hIis love and esteem
for the people, but more especially his honest
manner of expressing his opinions and feelings,
without prejudice or restraint. The politician
may complain about the position of Germany;
but, whoever looks on the past ten years from a
higher point of view, will rejoice to see the
progress there has been in education and
morals. It can be truly said of Auerbach, that
he is a poet, a deep thinker, and a well-wvishling,
true-hearted man, who seeks, by his writings,
to have a good and lasting influence on the
people. He belongs to the few writers, the end
and aim of whose lives are the culture and material elevation of the people. Most popular authors strive, first of all, to amuse their readersfew to teach them. In order to do this, the author
must not stand on the height of contemplation
only, but he must also have the power to portray
what he thinks. The man who would be our
teacher must have closely observed the period
just passed as well as the present. He must
know the possibilities of his race, and understand the necessity of development. Not a
little assiduity and tenacity of purpose are necessary in order to know minds and hearts in
palace and cottage, and to see what was, is, and
will be. But when these are known, all illusions
cease with reference to right, custom, and birth.
But, besides understanding, a true heart is necessary, in order, in all classes of human society,
to sympathize deeply with the joys and sorrows
of one's fellow-men. Such a heart must be
sympathetic in happiness and unhappiness, in
laughter and tears, in joy and sorrow; for every
pleasure have a higher elevation, and for every
sorrow a heartier comfort.
In conclusion, it is necessary that the poet
should know how to bring, in a clear, concise,
and comprehensive form, what the understanding has sought out and the heart has experienced. That is, however, given to few; and
fewer still are chosen! Therefore, so many, in
other respects skillful and experienced authors,
who have attempted to succeed as popular writers, have spoiled the effect they intended to
produce by something insipid, odd, or distorted
in their descriptions and forms. If we wander
through the fields of literature, we only meet
here and there with a form to which, with good
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