The times., 1899-08-28
IN MEMORY OF GOETHE
German Americans Will Fitting y
Celebrate His Birthday.
His Admirers VIII Assemble Around
Honor - An Interesting List of
Toasts Which VIII BE EIoqueEtly
Responded To - Florists Tribute.


Responded To - Florists Tribute.
Prominent German-Americans in Wash
ington, in official and private life will
gather around the banquet board at Reut-
ers Hotel, corner of Pennsylvania Avenue
and Four and-a-half Street northwest,
tonight and celebrate the 150th an
niversary of the birth of Johann Wolf
gang Won Goethe. Every city in Germany,
from Frankfort, the birthplace of the poet,
to Weimar, where he spent the greater
portion of his life, will observe the day
in some appropriate manner. The local
movement for a Goethe -Feier" was in
augurated more than six weeks ago, when
number of well-known German Ameri-
cans discussed the advisibility of celebrat-
ing the day and the manner in which it
might be best observed. At first it was
suggested that a festival be given at the
National Theatre, where Faust" Goethe's
dramatic masterpiece, and an appropriate
programme might be rendered by able tai
ent. Subsequently it was decided to hold
a banquet at Reuters Hotel, under the
in the city.
The proposition proved very popular
among prominent Germans, and within
week more than $500 was subscribed as
guarantee fund to ensure the success of the
projected event. Almost every German
American OF note in the Capital will be
present swelling the total number TO more
than go. The German literary, social and
musical societies will be ably represented,
as will also all the Government depart
ments George w. Spier, whose indom-
liable energy has assured the success of the
undertaking, will preside and deliver the
address of welcome. DR.. Christian Strack
editor of the Washington Journal" will
read an original poem dealing with the life
OF Goethe. Six interesting toasts are sched-
uled 10 be given. The first will be by
William l.. Elterich, and will deal with
Goethe as Lyric and Epic Poet" Mr..
Elterich is President of the German Central
Verein. The second toast will be offered by
Frank Glaudy, the topic. Goethe as
Dramatic Poet" Mr. Claudy is President
of the Saengerbund Singing Society, and is
| considered to be one of the finest students
! of Goethe in this country. His great love
! of Faust" may be, in measure, appre-
ciated when one considers that he practi-
| cally denied himself the enjoyment of So
ciety for almost fifteen years and devoted
himself almost constantly to close and deep
study OF the subtieties of the German
Shakespeare His translation of Faust" Is
regarded as equal, if not better, than that
of Bayard Taylor, which critics for long
time considered the finest eXtant.
The next toast will be by William Bur-
chard. of the "Techniker Verein,'1a local
society of German engineers and technical
experts. It will treat the subject, The
Popular Sayings of Goethe" Goethe is
now the idol of Germany, and his words
are on the lips of almost all the people
of the Fatheriand, who have made Goethe
phrase part of their everyday talk. The
next toast will be given by Prof. Hugo
Kuerchner. who is one OF the most success
| full German teachers among cultured
| Americans in this city. He will respond
| TO Goethe as a Naturalist" The fifth
toast is an interesting one, particularly
| so to Germans 1t will be offered by Gus
! tay Bender Secretary of the Central
yerein. and will be entitled, Schiller and
| Goethe comparing the two great German
! literary lights. The lives of Schiller and
Goethe were so closely interviewer that
German lovers of the one say they would
not think of celebrating his memory with
out some reference to the other. One is
regarded as belonging in certain way to
the other.
The last toast will be given by Hon.
! Simon Wolf, who will speak regarding
! "Goethe's Influence, Past and Present" +"
| Although Mr.. Wolf is probably the best
| German speaker in Washington, his Will
be the only one of the six toasts delivered
| in English.
The musical features of the banquet will
| be excellent. In addition to music by a
| full string orchestra, selections, vocal and
! instrumental, will be given by the follow
/ ing guests: Fl. c. Rakemann, Henry
! Xander. Ernest Lent Henry Jaeger, Prof.
| w. H. Santelmann, Director of the Marine
Band; E. H. Droop, and S. j. Kuebsl.
| The decorations are being prepared by
/ local German florists, who have agreed TO
gratuitously show their appreciation of
! Goethe by deliberately embellishing the
banquet hall with floral trimmings. Julius
like, the artist, has prepared large pic
ture of Goethe, in black and white, show
| ing the poet as he looked when about
! seventy years old. This portrait will oc-
cupy a conspicuous place in the banquet
! hall.
The banquet was arranged by the fol-
| lowing committee: G. w. Spier, L. H.
Droop, Dr. Chr. Strack, H. H. Bergman,
Frank Claudy, William L. Elterich, Hugo
Schulze, G. Bender, j. L. Smithmeyer, w.
c. Willenbuecher, Joseph A Kaschka, F.
| Carl, S. Wolf, Hugo Kuerschner, Julius
! Ulke. and Ewald Schmitt.