German Poets and Their Times. A Series of Memoirs and
Trans's- lions by Joseph Gostwick. With Portrait by C. Jiiger. (Bruckmann.)— "This is a handsome volume, which adds to some interesting notices of the life and works of German poets some truly excellent reproductions -of portraits by photography. A preliminary chapter discusses the poetry of the Hahe-nstaufen period, of which the .Nibelungen Lied is the -chief representative. Then follows one on the "Master-Singers." 'Then occurs a long interval, almost absolutely bare, but for the hymn- writers, whom Germany has been without. The year 1748 brings us to -the publication of the first part of Blopstock's Messius. A noble list of names follows, beginning with Wieland and ending with Heine. We quote a graceful little translation, which Mr. Gostwick gives us from the last-named poet :- Tug PINE AND THE PALM. A pine upon a barren steep
Stands in the Borland, all alone, Covered with ice and snow, asleep With a white mantle o'er him thrown.
The Pine Is dreaming of a Palm.
That, mid the glow of a tropic day, On burning soil, in a sultry calm,
Mourns, lone and still, and far away."
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