New-York tribune., 1880-02-15
IUERB4CH. THE NOVELIS7-HLS LIFE AND
WIIN

Berlin Correspondence san Francisco Chroaicie.
He was born al NOrdstetten, IN the Black Forest,
WiTtemberg, of jewish parents, and sixty
seven years old last February. He displayed un-
usual intelligence very early and before he was ten
years Oi aye WAS remarkable for telling stories to
children IN his native village. His parents, deyout
lsraelites. III humble circums ances, decided To
educate him for q rabbi, having been encouraged to
at end by some of their more prosperous neighbors
Berthod accordingly sent IN due season to
CaTlsruhe, Iubingen. Heidelberg aud Munich, and
proved himself to be an apt and promising student.
His father and mother reloleed at his progress and
felt that he would be credit 10 the synagogue BUT
he disappointed their theoOGic hopes when he was
eighteen by announcing his determination 10 devote
himself 10 literature, aud his conviction that he had
a grand career before him.
After lie had completed his collegiate studies lie
began writing at once, selecting. as was very nat
was Judaism and Modern Literature" published
when he was twenty-five, which contained much
learning but attracted little attention. Then fol-
lowed, only year after, "Spinoza." a historic
romance, in which that gifted, sp0tless and noble
parsonage was the central figure The work. in two
volumes, comprised many interesting and faithful
pictures of Jewish life. and favoraby men-
toned by the cncs without eicitIng TO any extent
the sympathes of the public.
He wrote other books more or less connected with
his creed, or more properly, perhaps, the creed OF
his parents, bur none of them made the impression
which he thought they ought to have made. He was
"a good deal discouraged and had nearly come Ia the
conclusion that Germany conld dot appreciate pure
genius IN her own sons when he issued - Village
Tales ofsthe Black Forest" This was in the direct
line his AMI TIE mellt or ms pcriOfnahcc
was promptly recognized. He related what he
familiar with; his youth aad been sDeut among tAo
scenes he had described. and thcir fidelity was
mstakabe. He was thIrty-oie then, ard ever since
his reputation has been such that his writings have
been III demand.
His descriptions are minute and extend 20 the last
point of boredom and all his beau, les defaeed
by prolixlty and cOmmonpscc. Still, he Is very
popular, aud II he can make lalne anu money by bs
endless diutions, VINO can blaluc hmi Auerhach
Is OF very thrifty turn; he seldom loses cpp0r
tunity for profit. Tie has made by his writings, ]
understand, 100000 marks, some so O00-a large
sum in nGernany-and he has invested So iudC Ciously
that he has, counting his earnings. some 10000
marks, or $4,000 year. He edits and publishes
EeTe popular almanac, which he finds remuler-
atiyc, and looks after his least interest shrewciy
and vlgiiantIy.
During the French war he accompanied one OF
the German Princes to the field, and wrote army let
ters to one OF tire Berlin newspapers he has hved
at Mannheim Fmnkfort. Bonn and Cologne; but
Of late years he has taken up his permanent aboCe
here. seeing that the capital of the new German En-
pre is the best place for an author who has
tablished reputation. He long Sincc surrendered
his Judaism, and Is now nationalist. as most Ger
man men at letters are.
His face denotes his Jewish parentage he is far
from handsome, but he has an amable, pleasant
expression is reputed to be very kind-hear ted aud
particularly fond OF children. He dresses plainly,
has simple tastes, and demonstrative, unpublished
manners Wien he is walking meditatively
through the Inter den Linden he looks like rural
tradesInan in Sunday clothes but he Imagines that
all the world knows him to be Derthod Auerbach.