New-York daily tribune., 1856-01-15
N the matter Of the ESTATE of SAMUEL
Nsm0prk DAILY Gribm,rs
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
GOETHE'S LIFE.


THE LIFE AND WORKS OH GOETHE B,GH LrwE,
vols, limo. Boston, TcknOr 4 Fields Sold BY L.
With all the interest in German literature which
has been cherished for the last thirty years by the
scholars both of this country and of England, oui
language has hitherto been destitute Of complete
biography Of its most illustrious representative.
Goethe has been chiefly known TO English readers
from fragmentary works. Several years ago d
portion of his autobiography was translated in En-
gland from some wretcbed French caricature and
for long time continued TO be the principal source
of information on the subject. 1t furnished mate
rials to the earlier Edinburgh reviewers for their
malignant assaults the great literary patriarch.
This work has more recently been well translated
in this city, to the delight of numerous readers.
But it does not claim TO present full record even
of considerable portion of Goethe's life. 1t re-
ates only to his youthful days and draws the cur
tain upon his subsequent career. Nor does it aim
at historical exactness in describing she period to
which it is devoted. Poetry and Truth from my
Life, is its expressive title, ominOus of its con-
tents, and leading the reader to expect at least as
much poetry as truth"
In addition to this work, we have Mrs. Austns
agreeable collections entitled characteristics of
Goethe" published after his death and consist
ing of several Of the most interesting tributes that
were called forth by that event. with rich variety
of original notices from her own accomplished pen.
"Eckermanns Conversations with Goethe, Cor
respondence between Schiller and Goethe, and
various occasional pieces have been translated by
American scholars, which with Carlye's admirable
papers in different reviews complete the inventory
or the most valuable materials in our language for
the biography of the greatest German poet.
1t is to be regretted that Margaret Fuller did not
finish the Memoirs Of Goethe" which formed
the favorite object of her literary life. Size had
prepared herself for this task by the studies Of
many years. 1t was one, in some respects for
which her ample culture, her critical acuteness, and
her generous sympsthies, gave her peculiar qualf-
cations; but with her austere sense of the fidelity
wisdom and power required for its due perform
ance, il is no wonder that she at last shrunk from
it's accomplishment.
Mr.. Lewes has engaged in the composition of
these volumes from a sincere love of the subject
He has devoted not less than ten years to their
preparation. This may appear surprising to those
who know him only as nmble and versatile
journalist. But he has merits of another order,
though no one will claim for him prominent place
among thinkers or men of genius He is diligent
student with on aptitude for seizing the pith OF
subject, and reproducing it in popular FORM His
labors on the "Hstory of Philosophy" and on
Comte's "Postivsm" are favorable illustrations
of his ability in that line But his intellect is marked
BY yivacity rather than depth-he is audaciou'
by nature, snd sound by sccident-his confidence
in himself is never at fault though he does not In
spire bis readers with a similar feehng-he Is
often sparkling, but as often shallow-displayng a
certain easy gOOd-nature which may be Kind
ness or may be Aippancy. He can seldom be ac-
accused of dullness but sometimes OF coarseness,
for he has not the highest standard either of taste
or ethics. But we will not quarrel with his book
because ts author is neither sage nor saint II
is certainly liable to the objections, in point
of view, which are 30 forcibly stated in another
column by our London correspondent as to pre-
vent the need of cur own discussion of that topic.
In giving rapid glance at the literary career OF
Goethe, IS described by Mr. Lewes we find nothing
of special significance till we come TO the account
of his residence at Strssburg. This opens with q
brilliant picture
He reached Strasburg on the Cd April, l77O. Hcwa:
now turned twenty, and more magnificent youth
never perhaps entered the StrasGnrg gates Long pe
fore he was celebrated, he was hkened TO an Apollo
when he entered a restaurant the people laid uoWt
their knives and forks to stare at him. Pictures and
busts give very feeble indication OF that winch wa,
most striking in his appearance they only give the cu
of feature not the play of feature nor are they vey
accurate even in mere FORM The features were large
and literally cut as in the fine sweeping lines OF Greek
Art The brow lofty and massive, from beneath
which shone large lustrous brown eyes OF marveiou
beauty their pupils being of almost unexamped SIZE
the slightly acquiline was large and hneiy cut
the mouth full with a short arched hip, very expires
sve; the chin and jaw boldly proporicned ana IN,
head resting fine muscular neck; detaiis whcI
are afer all but the inventory of his appearance, auc
give no clear image of it. ~
In stature he was rather above the middle size; bu
although not really tall, he had the aspect OF 'ai
man. and 10 usually described because his pre-enc'
was very imposing. His frame was strong, muscular
vet sensitive. EIceing in oil active sports ne wa
almost a barometer in sensitivepess to atmospheric
influences.
At Strasburg he made the acquaintance OF Her
der. with whom, though presenting strong con
trsst in character, be formed friendship, which
for many years was prominent element IN his IN
tellectual progress. "Herder," says Mr.. Le"es
"was decided, clear, pedagosic; knowing his OWL
aims. and fond of communicating his ideas
Goethe was skeptcal and inquirins. Herder rude
sarcastic and bitter Goethe amiabie ana inlh'teij
tolerant The bitterness which repeled so msn.
friends from Herder could not repc Goethe; II
was pecularity of his to be at all times able tC
learn from antagonistic natures meeting them Oh
the common ground of sympathy, he avoided thos'
,,;..... -, ,vh;cb Inevitably they must clash. ii