Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-06
AMERICAN AUTHORS REVIEWED.
German Estimates of Our Well Known
Writers of Fact and Fiction.

DR.. William Bernhardt's third lecture in Ger
man on Die Amerikauische itteratur vom
standpunBte der deutschen kritik' at the high
school yesterday considered chiefly the Ameri-
can novelists. Charles Brockden Brown, as the
first of them, DR.. Bernhardt said. is remarkable
on account of his supernatural thoughts and
for the mystic influences from which he has
the heroes of his novels suffer The lecturer
spoke of the Indian stories of James Kenmore
Cooper and upheld that author for idealizing
his characters and compared him with Homer
and his idesliZatiou of Greek character
To Eawthorne's great genius as a story
teller tribute was paid and the character of his
writings was defined, as an many respects
similar to that of Poe. Hawthorne might well
be called the Bulwer of America on account of
his thorough and accurate psychological
studies and observations. Both Hawthorne
and Poe represent the romantic school of
America, which has died out with them.
Another characteristic species OF the Ameri-
can novel Is the "Politischer Tendenz-R Roman"
the best representative of which is Mrs
Beecher Stoves Uncle CONS Cabin" This
book is considered the most successful literary
attack on the principle OF slavery and ii has
enjoyed success which even much better
books have rarely experienced. because of its
philanthropic tendency. Maria Cummin's
''Lamplghter" and Haunted Hearts we're
praised and she and Elizabeth Wetherell were
compared to the German writer, Marie
Nathusius.
The American society novel excells every
thing written in this line in England since the
death OF Thackeray and Trollope. Albion Tour
gees "A Fools ErranGn was pronounced the
best product of this special genus of wrting.
Cables THE Grandiss.mes" il of less interest
to German readers and not much known on the
other side of the Atlantic, but the greatest sem
sation since that caused by Uncle Toms
Cabin" was made by Democracy" whose au-
thor is still unknown.
Henry James, jr., and Vim. Dean Howells
were named among the number of eminent
story-teilers. While at present in England
novel writing seems to be an undispu:ed mo-
nopoly of women, American literature has only
few female writers OF the highest rank
George Eliot and George Sand have not vet
been out-ranked i'll America, although Louisa
AIcotts Little Women is deserving of high
praise.
The Germans are indebted to Emerson for
his interest in their greatest literary hero
Goethe, whom he has introduced into the
literary circles of America. His Letters and
Social Aims" is considered by the Germans as
the best essay prose ever written in the English
tongue.
Or. Bernhard said that the German critics
consider VIM. d. Whituey's Language and The
Study of Language" as superior to Max Null
ler's lectures"
The historians Prescott, Bancroft Tichnor
and Motley were granted their due tribute for
the ezcellcncy OF their historic writings and
their literary and scientific relations to Ger
many. In conclusion reference WAS made TO
StAnLeys expedition TO tiad LivinSton and the
advancement TO science accomplished 10y his
expeditions through the dark continent