New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-16

GOETHE 14TwATD ST;9 ca s%S for for R RI5
B. Lippincott & Co.
Mr. HAYWARD is now one of the oldest living
students Of German literature in England and has ac-
nuired distinguished reputation by his spirited prose
translation Of Faust and the yivacy and racaess OF
his critical disqusitions and comments. In the present
volume he gVesraher meagre popular biography OF the
usrious poet without adding anything Of very consd
cradle value to abOrs of Carlyle Lewes, Calvert and
other accomplished scholars who have made special
study Of the life Of Goethe in its manifold interesting
and suggestive aspects. The principal source OF Mr..
Hayward's narrative is found in the "Diehtung und
Wahrheit" Poetry and TRUTH which, with all It's Omis
sions and I'M perfocons s remains the chief authority
on the early Life of the poet and forms of the most
attractive examples Of photographed composition OF
whi,h any language can boast. Liberal selections
are made from this work, which with Mr. Hay
wards plastic skin as translator, it need
not be said lose nothing in his Iadroit version.
a large space In the volume is accorded TO the
analysis and criticism of Goethes leading poems, in
which II the author says little that new, he says well
what he does say although in his zeal to avoid the form
Atty of the pedant he somewhat too diligently affects
the jauny air of of the world His summing up Of
the merits Goethe sufficiently eodbooded to wiz tho
approval Of the most cynical critic, and viii be
admired for its judicial mpartalty than Tor It's SYM
thee appreciaton: GOethes title TO the exalted place
assigned him among poets must rest mainly, II not ex
elusivey on Faust It is not perfect poem, but Is
one which only the hgnest OfOef OF genius COuu H"'0
produced There things in it which dive as deep and
eoar as high into the infinite unknown, as the human
mind can reach The range and variety are marvellous
He has acted literally the hint thrown out by the
manager in the prologue: SO tread, in this narrow
booth the whole circle Of Creation and travel with con-
sderate speed from Heaven, through the World to He'll
The divine is set of by the diaboca and the moeking
irony enhances the effect Of the sublime. There
is no other work Goethe which can be called frsrate
of its kind but take them all together and where shall
we find richer cluster brighter constellation OF po-
etry romance science, art, philosophy and thought
In whichever Of these regions we encounter
him. we recognize a master mind; and without pre-
tending TO fix precise place among the greatest poets
we do not hesitate TO declare him the most splendid
specimen of cultivated intellect manifested TO the
world" In tins sonorous efusion have the measure
of Mr. Haywards estimate Of the great poet, whom he
has turned such fluent English prose- not sounding
any very profound depths not revealing any very high
sense Of human passion but alert gentlemany with an
air Of good company; scholastic rust, or unphable
stiffness This little volume may be cordially COM
nended especially young readers, as popular intro
uction TO the study Of great mind, which the more It
Is explored the less it is comprehended but as an Illus
tratiOn OF the genius Goethe 1t about adequate
as was the Old Frog Pond Boston Common TO repre-
eent the Atlantic Ocean.