The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-11-24

Frederick, schiller.

FFleOef1ck SchIttefs
As we sit down to write, the Germans al
over Christendom, intimidation of the coun
trymen of BURNS on the 2sth of last Januar,
and of the lovers ofinusic and of HANDEL or
the 18th of April, are celebrating the birthday
ola great Poet. This is well. Every natior
ought to hold in tender and grateful remem
brance her gifted sons.
Frederick Schiller, a native of Marbach
Wurtemberg, was born on the 10th of No
vember, 1859. His fatherwas an army Sur
geon for while, and subsequently "superin
tendent of an orchard owned by the duke OIL
Wurtemburg.
AT the age Of fourteen the son was placed
in private school, and forced to take a reg.
ular course of study in law and medicine
This was great task to him, as he had nc
inclination for such mental pursuits. His
taste inclined to the study of the poets, but
their works were contraband at the school
where he, so to speak, was imprisoned. Yet
he sometimes stole glimpse of the writings
of Shakespeare, Leasing, Goethe, and some
other poets, and at the age of nineteen produ-
ced the celebrated play of "The Robbers
In it he had, to use his own words "presumed
to delneate men two years before h. had met
one." The play, which, translated, is among
the earliest poems we ever read, is an exag.
gerated picture of passion and error. 1t was
printed in 1888, at which time the author
had become regimental surgeon, and for
his temerity it bringing in out, he received a
ducal censure
"Fiesco," and one or two other fine plays
followed 1.-The Robbers" Soon after this he
became poet to the theater at Manheim
about which time he commenced "Don
Carlos"
In 1875 he took up his abode in the vii
lage of Gohlis, near Leipsig, where he wrote
some of bis sweetest lyrical and narrative
ballads. They have been translated by
BULwER, and are widely read in this country.
In 1879 SCHILLER was appointed to the
professorship of history at Jena. Prior to
this re had published part if not the whole
of the "Revolt of Netherlands" The pro-
fessorship he retained Cor ten years. During
that time he wrote "The History of the
Thirty Years War;" and several rreatises on
philosophy. He removed to Weimer in 1899
at which time "Wallenstein," regarded as
the greatest play of the eighteenth century,
was published. "Maria Stewart" the "Maid
of Orleans" and "The Bride of Messina,"
soon followed; and in 1904 appeared the
thrilling drama of civilian Tell" He died
in May, 1905.
Schiller fails below Goethe in aff1uence of
poetic imagery, romantic cast of polished
ideality, and purely poetical f. cling; yet few
Of his smaller poems are equal to many Of
Goethe's and most ofhis PLAYS have the heat
of the "divine afflatus." They glow with
the loftiest and hottest emotions, and display
an enviable richness of Imagination. All his
writings, prose and poetic, breathe the same
spirit of liberty and humanity. His works,
the memory of what he did and was, as Car
lyle says, twill rise afar off, like towering
landmark in the soltul lie Of the past, when
distance shall have dwarfed into invisibility.
the lesser people that encompassed him, and
hid him from the nearer bcholder"
Germany, the land of thinkers, has pro-
duced many great poets, historians, divincs,
and philosophers, and her sons and daughters
have reason to be proud of their imperishable
names. We. who speak the English language
so enriched by its Saxon nstallments, min
gle our congratulations with our German
brethren to-day, and glory with them in so
great name as that of Frederick Schiller
Times.