The Life of Schiller. By Heinrich Diintzer. Translated by Percy
Pinkerton. (Macmillan.)—" Rain fell in torrents next morning, as Schiller, in a chair borne by two porters in canary-coloured livery, was carried to Fraulein Faust's house, No. 14 Kohlenmarkt, now No. 4 Kornerstrasse." This is the opening of the second chapter of Book vi., and it is a specimen of a good deal that may be found in other chapters. A life that, for all the poet's genius, was some- what petty, is described in wearisome detail. There are interesting descriptions in it ; that of the Duke of Wiirtemberg's military academy is such, though the picture would have been more effective if it bad been drawn in a few vigorous strokes. But the whole is most 'distinctly wearisome. As for Schiller himself, our conception of his .character is scarcely raised by this biography. Few men, perhaps, -could bear to have their lives set forth for all beholders in such detail. But Schiller suffers particularly from the solemnity with which his adenomas are related by his biographer. He was foolishly fond of flirtations, more or less serious ; and we are told again and again of his earnestly looking out for a "heart union," and the like. It seems ungracious to speak so slightingly of the result of Herr Diintzer's labour, which have been, it is manifest, expended without stint upon his work ; but though it is certainly curious as a minute study of German life, as a picture of the poet it is not a gumless. There are some noteworthy portraits and fac.similes. What, is meant by "translating Virgil's "Eneid ' into Latin hexameters "?
Previous page
