The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-02-11
CHAUTAUQUA,
GERMAN LITERATURE.
(Report for Class C. by F. H.)

Prior to the beginning of the sixteenth century
literature written originally in the German lam
guage was almost unknown. Martin Luther.
although not the only German writer OF his time.
the founder of literature in the German lam
guage. 1t seemed to be the custom of German
writer's prior to the time of Luther to produce
their work in some other language. Why they did
this l cannot explain nor does Mr.. Wilkinson
give any explanation of it in his work. 1t might
have been to hide the deficiency of their work
from the knowledge of their countrymen unac.
quainted with other than the German language.
According to Mr.. Wilkinson the German is the
most voluminous national literature in the world;
whole volumes are written to express what might
be contained in pages. But 1 think the same
might with equal truth be said of great bulk of
the literature written in the English language
which is written for value received" and to fill
up the columns of our periodicals with no view
to instructing or interesting the reader.
"The eminent German writer's. unlike other ma.
tioHalties, appeared to incline naturally to
verse as to prose-" In epic poetry, though. they
are not accounted particularly strong. But in
dramatic poetry German literature is rich. The
extract given by Mr.. Wilkinson from Lessing's
"Nathan the Wise" is beautiful illustration of
German dramatic poetry.
IL IS TO Tragedy rather tnan comedy that the
grave German genius instinctively turns to find
dramatic expression. Light comedy anything
pertaining to the humorous is almost unknown
factor in German literature. In lyric poetry
German literature may vie with any other itera-
ture ancient or modern; their battle. patriotic.
and sentimental songs. as also their hymns of
worship. do and ever will exist undisputed evil
dence of their proficiency in lyric poetry.
In history a science the Germans lead the
world: but in history considered as literature they
are not so conspicuous. In other words, they fail
to express clearly in words the results of research
in history.
Mr.. wilkinson brings to our notice one other
failing in German literature which he cannot &C.
count for, unless it be this deficiency of expression
in the German language; and that is a conspcu.
GUS absence of oratory public discourse. Might
this not be due in some degree to the somewhat
restricted limits of free speech? You will notice
that those countries enjoying full freedom of
speech attain the highest degrees of oratory.
In German fiction the volume of words appears
in all its strength. The plot (if there be one) is
almost endless array Of words, that this usually
pleasant pastime becomes irksome.
But taken as "a whole the German national liter.
azure is rich in great and rare works, and is re.
markabe for the absence in a great degree of low
and vicious literature. for which admiration and
honor are due the highly gifted and distinguished
men who made it.
have not named the long list of eminent men
representing German literature for three reasons
viz: Q presume you are all equally we'll or
better informed on this subject than am; (2) not
being German. l hesitate at undertaking to pro.
nouuce proper names. composed principally of
dotted vowels and diphthongs. and hardly any
consonants to speak Of (3) being MIRROR
reader. remember the kindly warning given new
members in regard to the galvanic shock caused
by the Presidents gavel and to avoid the same 1
deem It time TO close.