The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-23
The Apostle OF German Socialism.

! The Apostle OF German soctaitsns.
He Is certainly no common man whose
reputation instead Of waning rises and broad
ems after death. Such has been the case in %
conspicuous degree with FERDINAND LAssALLE
whom German Socialists regard with passion
ate vcncraion but about whom. II IL safe 10
| say even cl-informed persons outside of Cor
many knew very little ten years ago. This state
of things Is not likely to continue. considering
the large share Of attention which the German
reformor has ot late received from the prcss
Besides an elaborate biography published at
! Copenhagen. and monograph written 10y Herr
Bambergcr for the Deische R,nisehdu asomc-
what lengthy account Of Lassallc's career has
| appeared Ia the London Times. while moro
complete and satisfactory review Of his life and
character had previously been prepared for tho
Kerue d,s D,uE Mondes From the three last
named sources. but especially from the French
narrative. We may select the materials for n
brief sketch Of "a remarkable man.
Ferdinand lassalle. like Karl Marx. WINS Of
Israelitc origin. and was born at Breslau In
Silcsia. in 1925. His father, who was n whole
salo merchant. wished HE son to 20 into trade
aud accordingly the latter after n brilliant
classical course in the Gymnasium OF his native
city was sent 10 a commercial school ut Leipsic.
The boy soon tired of the studies pursued in
Il,
whore he busted himself chiefly with philology.
philosophy and law 1t is plain. too that e,o-
nomical facts and theories early attracted his
attention, for he narrates in his book entitled
Bnsiiat-Schulze' how surprised he was 10
SEQ his mother and sister buying stufls
for their gowns in the retail shops. al
though his father sold tho same mate
rails at Wholesale prices. While at the
university he seems 10 have been carried away
with enthusiasm for Flchte. and especially for
Hegel. who may fairly enough be termed his
master in tho higher regions OF thought. As
regards politics he espoused the ideas Of young
Germany. adopting the most radical shade aud
ranking himself with those who were already
spoken Of AZ rcvOutionists. After finishing his
academic studies he settled in the Rhine couu-
try, and purs ucd certain lines Of research pre-
viously begun. Before the nge Of twenty. Il APP
pears. he had conceived tho idea OF writing
history Of tho ancient school IT Ionian phoso-
ply. In order to collect materials and perhaps
also. to breathe the brarnG air Of the great city
where at that time fresh idens were ecrmi-
mating he went 90 Paris in lsij. and was very
kindly received by HcLe. The two German
Jews We're drawn together not only by a COM
munity of origin. but by a singular con-
formity in the turn AMI temper Of their minds.
The poet. however. seems 20 have judged his
friend kccny and impartay. In letter 90
Narnhagon Won Lnse ho says: The bearer is a
young man endowed with tho most remarkable
intellectual gifts. t. the profounJeft learning
the widest culture ami the quickest pcnetra-
ton that have eyer encountered. he Joins an
astonishing force Of viii and dcxierity in ac-
ton. But. the poet continues he is avsrita-
bile son Of the now time who knows nothing oi
the scli-dcnial and soli-dcprcc.ation you and
prol,sscd With more or less hypocrisy. He be-
longs 10 a generation which means to enjoy and
10 Command lcinc compares Varnhagen and
himself To a pair of rueful pullets who, after
setting on duck eggs. are dismayed 10 SEQ the
duckhngs plunge into the water with delight.
At Berlin. whore Iassalc decided 10 scttc as
prirdi- doc,nt or unsalrled professor no formed
agreeable relations with all the learned and lit
erary people. Humboldt in particular made
mach ~ him. called him the marvellous hoy.
dqs U,unie'kiad. and commended his young
friend to his colleagues Of the French Institute
at the time Of Lassalle's second visit to France
Meanwhile the latter continued 10 prepare his
work on IIeraclitus. which only appeared some
nine years later. Toward tho end Of 1915 he
met at Berlin person who WAS TO exert Il de-
cisive influence upon his .ifc, The Countess
Sophie lie IIatzfeldt. 10y birth princess Of HAITI
fcdt. was engaged in n lawsuit against her hus-
band TO obtain n pension suitable TO her
rank and her inherited fortune. The lady had
great deal OF wit and sentiment. and strik-
ir,,l,. irIorcrdc,t cboroctor md or,,rad viii
IivoIvintor.st tb. sociol and noli,icnldisn,a
sio,s ~ ,ho,lo,, AMI ,,oe ,lt sl,ci,od d., hrI1
,dons Tos.nll, who roeon,l,l,d ,bo C,,,,,,oss Il,
msnv r,snorts wos a,tractnd ~ har at ers,
si,bt and vowcd IN ,rakn GOOD Ler ri,h,s In
connection with his l,,rs,,it oc,nrrod On irci
liant which To.s,ilo,s ona,,i..e ,.ror',,n,a n
cri,na Tho poronoss Mavondorc 4, sno,,s
had stopped at Cologne on her return from a
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