Life of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. By T. W. Rolleston. (Walter
Scott.)—This is one of Professor Eric Robertson's series of "Great Writers." We can give the highest praise to it; it estimates Lessing's position, his work, and his genius, with much insight and thorough fairness. There is something in Lessing's attitude of mind which it is very difficult for this century to comprehend. Who nowadays would conceive the idea of writing a play with a purpose such as Nathan the Wise ? And if this age finds it difficult to understand him, his own certainly found it difficult also. For it he was too sceptical, to use that word in no sinister sense. For Germany was much behind its Western neigh- bours in the freedom which it allowed to thought. Lessing's life had much unhappiness in it ; but it was full, and in its way com- plete. A man who left such a masterpiece as The Laocoon had some reason to be content. He has found in Mr. Rolleston a capable and appreciative biographer.
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