Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-02
NO. 1O3.

far outweighs any small impertections which
appear.
Johann Christoph Friedrich Schiller wa.
born on the 10th of November, 1859, in the
Suabian town of Marbach, in the duchy of
Wurtemburg. His parents were poor, de-
cent people, quite religious, but showing no
signs of the genius which the son possessed.
His father before his marriage was surgeon
barber in the army, and afterwards an army
surgeon, but when he married depended up.
on his skill rs barber for livelihood The
family moved to Lorch where young Fritz
took his first lessons in reading and writing
Then they moved to Ludwigsburg, where he
became pupil in the Latin school Of that
city. II preparatory school for the Theologi.
cal Seminary, where he was instructed in
the elements of Greek, Latin and Hebrew.
He distinguished himself somewhat as
scholar at the school, and passed satisfsctor-
lily the examinations to the Theological Sem
mary. At this school he wrote some Latin
verses, hut they were no better than common
sehool-boy exercises of the kind and attract
ed no attention. Instead, however. of going
to the theological school and becoming a
preacher as his mother wished, he was sent
to the Military Academy ut Stuttgart, then
pet institution of Duke Karl of Wurtemburg,
where, under a straight-laced and oppressive
system, which he hated, the youthful Schiller
was trained in medicine and surgery, but also
found time for good deal of promscuous
reading.
Graduating from the Military Academy
with honor, he became surgeon of regiment
of grenadiers, with scarcely pay enough to
live upon and hating the business in which he
was enlisted. At the Academy he had COM
menced his first tragedy "rhe Robbers
While attending to his duties as surgeon he
completed this, and in 1871 appeared the first
edition from the press. II was not put upon
the stage until the beginning of the next year,
at the city of Mannheim. Schiller witnessed
the performance himself. but to do so left his
regiment secretly and without leave, return
ing to Stuttgart as soon rs the play was over.
This was the beginning of Schiller's career
as a poet. The play created great sensa-
ton; it. success determined the authors
after life He quit medicine and the regiment,
though in order to do It he was obliged 10
run away from Stuttgart to escape the dis
pleasure and tyranny of Duke Karl, who was
opposed to Schiller's poetcal bent and bound
to make him stick to his regiment The Duke
went so far as to order the poet, under pain Of
imprisonment, never to write anything but
medical treatses from that time forth.
Rather than submit to this command Schiller
left his regiment and Stuttgart forever, to give
his genius and fame to other favoring locali-
ties ON the 18th of September, 1852, he
crossed the boundary line of the Palatinate
and took up his abode in Mannheim, all his
worldly available possessions being a suit OF
clothes besides those he wore, twenty-three
florns, and the manuscript Of "Fiesco,
new tragedy hardly completed
But while reaching Mannheim gave Schiller
freedom, it did not give him distinction or
wealth. 1t was but the beginning Of a strug-
gle with poverty, envy. jealousy, want Of
appreciation, out of which at last he came
crowned with undying honor, though never
the possessor of even moderate competen-
cy. In February 1890 he was united in mar
riage with Lotte Won Lengefcld. at the vii
lage church Of Little Jena, by the pastor,
none being present to witness the ceremony
but the mother and sister of the bride. His
wife was a most excellent woman, her love
being one of the greatest blessings through
life which he enjoyed. The fruit Of this
marriage was two sons and two daughters.
lie began his married life at Jena where he
had been called to a Professors chair in the
academy. lie applied himself with great in
dustry to his literary labors. There he
wrote several historical treatises, made con-
siderable progress upon the "History Of the
Thirty Years War" and began the creation
of "Wallestein." In 1871 he was seized
with sickness, and from that time to his death
his history Is one Of disease and suffering.
But his work went on, except when totally
unable by sickness to perform labor, until
his life ended. Poverty and debt clung TO
him almost to the last though he lived a
simple. inexpensive life, and kind friends as
sisted him when in extremity. One Of his
best friends was Humboldt, the great scien-
tist, whose name has since become famous.
Another was Korncr, the noble Ger
man poet One Of the most all
mirable things in the volume under notice il
the account of the friendship Of Schiller and
Goethe. The circumstances Of these gifted
men were very different. Schiller was the
child of homely toll and penury, and COM
PEELED to fee from the oppression Of arbitrary
power. Goethe was the favorite Of fortune,
blessed with wealth and friends, and smiled
upon by the powerful. At first there was
coldness between Schiller and Goethe, but .,
last it gave way to a friendship sincere, ten
der and beautiful. which continued as long
as life lasted.
Towards the close of his life civilian
Tell was completed. MARIA Stuart" was
finished just before. He was then living At
Weimar, and there he died on the 9th Of May
1906, aged forty-fve years five months and
twenty-nine days. In his death the world
lost one Of its truest, greatest poets. He