New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
LIFE OF ARNDT.

Roberts Brothers.
The materials for this work have been derived
chiefly from the autobiography of Arndt, OCCASION
allv enlarged by quotations from his letters and
other writings, and from the numerous sketches OF
his life which have been published by different
German authors. In addition TO the services of
Arndt as the great advocate Of German unity and
independence by his national songs and his personal
influence il describes the political condition oil Ger
many during he wars of Napoleon and subsequent
to the downfall Of the Empire, together With sue
ccssion of animated pictures of the social ana
domestic life of the people during that period Inc
Napoleonic age is here presented in different p2lhV
of view from that in which II appears to Lnsnsh
readers in general. Ii is exhibited more especially
In its German aspects, not however as 1t has peen
seen by the speculative philosopher or the rccluSe
poet by Goethe or Schiller or Jean Paul but by the
ewes of one who felt intensely the pressure oil MS
time and himself joined in the struggle OF ms coui-
try against the conqueror Of Europe. Hence the
volume combines. in some degree, the charm OF an
autobiography with the interest of historical
novel. The life of Arndt was almost completely
blended with the spirit OF his time Unlike most Oh
the German professors, who led the same sort OF
life that thcv would have led in a totally different
enocb Arndt struggled with Napoleon as strenuously
a. any German prince soldier. The Emperor
may never have heard Of his name. but he deter
mined the complexion of his life. The character OF
Arndt moreover, as Professor Seeley suggests was
aremaritably clear mirror for the rejection OF ms
time. He was full Of ca1dor, warmth aud cheeIlui-
ness His view of things was colored by no per
sonal pecuharities. lie possessed the freedom OF
narrative and description of Homeric ballad-Sngor.
He always takes things as they ale, and Is ho'
tempted 10 improve too much on what ne sees
Hence ms memoirs may serve as a sort of Erck-
wit
additional advantage Of being true. aud presenting
a faithful portrait Of celebrated and interesting
man.
Arndt was born at Schortz, in tho island OF
Rueen, on the Goth of December, 1869. He was ~
humble origin. his father steward 20 a noble
landed proprietor, and his mother was the dansh-
ter Of a village inn keeper She had received
better education than was usual in her position IN
life, and was a woman of strongly marked charac-
ter earnest plous, thoughtful, and fearless, never
losing her colmness and presence of mind IN any
misfortuuCs. The child-lifc Of Arndt presents an
attractive idyllic picture of primitive simplicity
and repOse -
schoriiz was pretty SPOT lying on the shores or
bay which nearly separates the Peninsula OF ZUdar from
the rest OF the island The house was new ana hand-
some aud there was large oWe{-Ea5aSh ana several
orchards. Close by was little hCadahd W hcG was
often turned into an island by high tides in stormy
weather. II planted with blrches ana oaks aud we
used TO play there M summer-iine The larn was
ybirb fb0ns1uds of ROCKS had their nests A little
further the great wood OF krowe. have
Them especially of the many nice things brought us
almost every week d., Two peoe Inc drst WI my
the farm at Putbus. lie never went 10 Stralsuud or
Grcifswald without stOppug TO see US by the way and
shaking goodies sweets or something nice out OF hls
w. frau, EoSt Pnueranio who lived wit MS gray
haired wife about half an hours walk from us, al
Snu2 next estate 20 SCEOTitZ TIE cheerful face
OF tins Old still liuger, IN my memory, as he used
d.
draughts witt my father But We children ked 1t best
when fat was not at home for tnen the oll man
would take and my brother Karl on his knees and
tell Us stories OF wars and lighting aud wonderful ad-
ventures, 10 which we listened With hieSclpjDe BIis
ure. on sundays his WIFE came with hin IN 1u dress
according 70 tie fashion o. tue Zines ana then TOO te
perukc. napier aud silver spurs. On such gala DAYS,
and especially at the high festivals ne made Us children
handsome presents Ana now tnOugl Sky years nave
passed since then, his form still comes back to me as
man was also angel OF peace, and often saved NE
and my brother Kari from weil-meuted punishment
The growing boy received few advantages of edu-
cation There was no school in the neiEhborhood,
but he was taught writing and arithmetic by his
father and had lessons in reading from his mother
who kept a kind Of school at home for himself and
his two brothers during the leisure Of Autumn and
Winter. She also aroused their young imag.nations
with stories and fairy tales, which she told with
great grace. She was kind, gentle sCAOOimstress,
aud the boys attended to her teachings gladly and
with great WOht Long after all others were asleep
she would sit up reading religious or amusing
book She seldom went TO bed before midnight, and
was mp with the sun even in Summer time. The
young lad partook of the same nature. Even IN
childhood he needed little sleep that he was
called the lark. and he always loved to SIT up talk
log and reading with his mother through the
witcling time " OF night
IN Spring aud Summer We were not left wholly with
Out teaching though perhaps we learnt most while
playing in the fields and woods, in the meadows and
father ala not let Us run quite Wild aud do exactly Us
We liked, but took care that IN Our ranocs we should
always have some object aud employment Al times,
when all hands needed to work the lauG-sucn
as snyylnctipe and harvest especially the latter-we
elder boys required to work TO the utmost Of our
power. Sometimes became a capital swneherd or
Cowboy Nv brother Karl, who really ought 10 have
had the contested name OF PHlip, was turned INTO
Eorse-eepcr. was much praised for my carcfuincss
and cOuscentiOusness ana remember many Dsauti.
fui evening joyfuy driving COWS into the yard and
then IN the Wight cambcring up INTO an apple or
cherry tree where Knew sweet payment awaited me.
But generally good Aunt sohe had laid by store Tor
o. course country boys used 10 chase the Ioas
aud calves, geese, poultry ana pigeons gpyd ue"I,
One OF our special anuscmCnts, ant one Which IN
thougAgessue-s deli ,hled nm than the Others,
70 chase the poultry out Of Tie granares Of tIe Old
house, from among Tie heaps OF corn, chlH ana lax
surrounding them that they could not hutter down
the Steps by they Lad up, but were Obliged Co
is through the IOles IN tue roof high up IN tbs air over
the garden. one day, as was SONG through the
potaohed the garden. what should see but dead
hen. wtA rs foot entanGed I'D cord from potato plant
struck with honor al the SIGHT Perhaps IL was
OF the hCus had 80 often amused ourselves with
Chasing which, IN nltterng wildly aboui had twisted
tts claw I'm some tow, which had then caught on
potato stalk ANA thus 10 had died miscraby VI hunger
Tor many q night The dead hen would let me have 40
resi- it, cure continually before eyes Ike re-
proachful spirit never hunted again in the hayots
The mother was a person of the most frugal aud
self-dcnyiug habits. With her grave and faithful
disposition she had no need of pleasure and show.
She lived almost independent of earthly sustenance.
Vine coffee, or tea scarcely passed her lips.
She seldom tasted meat, but lived almost wholly
bread butter milk, and fruit Thechildren were fed
in the same ab-temIous manner, and were allowed
DO luxury in clothes. The elder boys indeed had
quite a hard bringing up. If an errand was TO bo