The New York herald., 1873-12-21
Literary Production and Con-
sumption in Germany.
Works on Art, Industry,
Travel, Biography.
Schliermann -Yambery - Lasker Frede.
rick the Great Benedix = Bret
Harte's Welcome in Germany.

tention in the literary world OF Germany. He was
a good King and a wonderful scholar; Catholic in
religion, universal in spirit and dearly beloved by
his Protestant subjects. Scores OF anecdotes are
now related OF him-of his wanderings tcoga,to
among his people, OF his taking upon himself du-
ties which he loved, visiting the schools in the re-
motest parts OF his kingdom, and evincing at all
times vital interest IN the progress OF art, sci
ence and literature in his little land He was
master of eleven languages, and 1t is related that
In order to pass away the long, weary. sleepless
nights that preceded his DEATH he would desire his
attendants to read to him selections from Latin
authors and the Church Fathers; from the Italian
classics and his favorte authors OF French classic
literature; from Mlton's paradise Lostn and
Shakespeare's sonnets, all in the original lam
guages; and from the German classics especially
Voss's Translation OF Homers 'Iliad' and "odys-
sey.n What an insight does this fact give us into
the monarchs high culture and love for literature
KING JOHNS MEMOIRS.
1t was a peculiar fancy that led the monarch
whenever he suffered from unusual pain at
night, TO call for his own written memoirs He
loved thus to forget his pain in living over again
his rich and eventful lie. He listened with -apt
attention to the account he wrote in youth OF the
first news OF the battle of Jena reaching the Saxon
Court, when Saxony and Prussia fought side by
moirs ating to the revolutionary year OF ls4s is
full of INTEREST," and those relating 1866 and 1870
are said to give highly important historical details.
His Italian journey, where he first became enthusi.
astic in the study Of Dante. and when on the way,
he first made the acquaintance and secured the
love OF Princess Amalia at the Munich Court, and
sang with Shakespeare
Were crowned the most imperial monarch,
Thereof most worthy; were the iairest youth
knowledge
More than was ever mans, Iwould not prize them
Without her love-
his wooing and marriage, his life in the midst Of
his family, devoted to study, until he called to
be king and his later relations to his country-all
are faithfully recorded in these memoirs as if for
an autobiography.
KING JOHNS LITERARY FAME
was firmly established by his translation OF Dante.
de published the first 10 songs OF the "lnerno" in
1928, as manuscript and 10 years later the transla
ton was completed, it is said, without any foreign
aid. Encouraged by the reception given to his
work by the scientific and literary world he deter
mined TO give his translation to the world. He
adopted the pseudonym OF "Phalethesn-the
friend OF truth-and In 1S39-40 and 1s49 the two
octave volumes OF his work, enriched with a valu-
able commentary, appeared. A popular ed-
ton was first published in 1866 and
Johns labors. He is the author OF many unpub-
tished essays on scientific and juristic subjects
AS mere youth he wrote tragedy in verse en-
titled "Pertinax," which has many brilliant pass
ages. Some OF his poems have been published in
the Saxon papers. One written on the death Of
one OF his children is tul OF tender feeling and
poetic beauty. He was eminently lover OF classic
literature which he considered to be the true
basis for elevated culture, as did Goethe. Now
that the King is dead the chief cities OF Saxony
are eager to erect HIM monuments. Leipsic which
he called the "Pearl OF the Saxon crown" which
owes much to his efforts In behalf OF the Uni
versity and its trade, Will be among the first TO
raise one. And, indeed, King John deserves the
veneration of all who are interested IN the prog
ress and prosperity OF literature, art and science
King Albert, the present King has never shown any
decided literary talent. His education was almost
entirely devoted to military and historical studies.
LITERARY PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION.
Turning TO the literary productions OF Germany,
we can assume with toerable certainty that the
publications OF 1878 will TAR exceed the number
issued In previous years. Lepsic book printers
never remember TO have had such busy year.
The % large book printing firms of that city are
crowded with work that most OF them now refuse
to make any contracts except for completion after
Christmas. The book dealers, on the other hand
are complaining that the market is overstocked
with new publications. and assure US that the con-
sumption does not keep pace with the production,
There is certainly no perceptiDie increase In the
demand for books In Germany. The sale of new
publications Is confined TO a very small class, and
the buyers OF lighter literature is confined, to a
great extent, to the circulating libraries. German
books are too expensive for people of small
means; they are issued in an unbecoming
itati
the fuAther expense OF binding before
being ready for use, though the English custom Of
issuing popular works in handsome bindings is fast
gaining ground. 1t is o remarkable and no less
surprising fact that although Germany leads the
world in the number OF literary productions
nually issued, her people spend a very small
amount OF money annually IN the purchase OF
books. Herr Hirth has recently made some stats.
tical calculations by which he proves that the an
nual consumption in Germany amounts only to
eight silver groschen about Is cents per head or
the population that the total amount OF book sales
in Germany Is not SO much as the annual DUTY
levied and collected by the government on spirit.
GUS liquors. 1t is unfortunate or German authors
and publishers that they have such poor market
at home. The former would rejoice to have a ht.
erary convention established between Germany
and America The latter would thank the gods ii
the American duty on literary products were abol.
ished.
WORKS ON ART MANUFACTURES.
Some interesting and valuable publications have
been issued by the German publishers during the
past three or four weeks. one OF the more vau
able works Of the month is connected with the
Vienna Exposition. Sceiman, OF Leipsic, publishes
o superby illustrated work, IN - numbers giving
the artistic results OF the Exposition. cart and
Art Manufactures at the Vienna Exposition
('Kunst und Kunstgewerbe auf der Wiener Welt
ausstelung'), edited by Carl Won Lutzow, with the
assistance OF eminent scientific writer's, Is work
that Will be welcomed by all persons who have
visited Vienna, or by those who, not having done
30, wish to know what progress art and art man.
ufactures have made since 1867. The essays Of
the first two numbers are very thorough each
treating OF single department:-u) "The Ex-
position Grounds" with Illustrations Of the various
structures; (2) "The Buildings of the Exposition =,