The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-23
DENMARk's GREATEST WRITER.
L"sviG Holberg, the Literary Evan
Relfst of the Northlaua.

william Morton Payne. a critic and es-
ayist or Chicago. has recently published
an essay on the f1rst and greatest OF the
literary men Of Denmark, Ludwig Uo,-
perg. He points out that the isolated nfe
or the people on the Scandinavian pe,,n-
sula kept them back from any part,oins-
tfon In the movements in letters and the
arts which reached southern Europe and
England and Germany In the beginning NJ
the renaissance. It being the peculiar dis
tinction Of Holberg himself 10 have awnk-
ened the eyes OF his countrymen to The
new life about them.
Born In Bergen, a Hanseatic town OF Nor
way. December g. 1884, Ludwig Holberx ma.
beer claimed by the Norwesians not hess
than the Danes as the founder OF her
modern literature. To this Mr. Payne re-
plies by pointing out that the two coin-
tries then and for long period suhse.
quent thereto were identical in language as
in politlcs--the differences even now he
tween the Dane and the Norwegian not be-
ing such as to deprive them OF the pos.i-
bility OF understanding one another's writ
ten or spoken language. Moreover, Hol-
berg bade farewell to tho soil OF Norway
In 1f06, though his life did not end until
January q, 17S. spending all his later
years at Copenhagen. the common capital
of the two peoples, except during his
journeys OF investigation and eniighten-
ment abroad. But his fame is secure in
Sweden as In tho two other countries. and
his memory as literary evangelist is
fragrant there as In Denmark and Nor
way. Certainly all profited by hts life
work.
The youngest OF twelve children and an
orphan at 10. Ludwig Holberg was stIil sent
to school until he was is, when he went 10
Copenhagen for examination and admis-
sion to the university. He passed credita-
bly, enough. but had to return homo 20
make money enough to pay his tuition. Ifc
became tutor In the family of a clergyman
near Voss. where he defined hts duties TO
be "nogging children and converting pcas-
ants With his years money In his pcck-
ct he went back to the capital. studied
Italian and French. took honors In rhiloso.
ply and theology. and returned TO Bergen
to prepare others for the university. In
1904 he wearied OF that and set out 10 soc
the world with his small savings in his
pocket.
He reached Amsterdam, caught a FOYER.
went to AK for cure. ,ramped back to Am
sterdam without penny and had hard
work getting money enough together to
take him home again. But he was not In
the least discouraged. Teaching another
year In Christianrand. Holberg went 10 OK
ford In lTB. and stayed in that seat Of
ancient learning and culture for two years.
supporting himself by teaching foreign
iectured on his travels. finding more people
willing TO listen than 10 pay. which IL rtill
the case with lecturers generally. In iFf
he went to foreign parts sor the third time.
unoficialiy attaching himself 10 the DAN
fish embassy and attending lectures In Lcip-
sic and Halle. writing the hrN history
known In Danish during that time.
On his return home Holbers was irnds
professor extraordinary IN the university.
which was n blessing in Disguise at The
time for II carried with X no salary and
was OF too great dignity 10 permit iIoi.
berg to take pupils. But small allow
ance was made in i7it upon condition tina,
he study abroad. ana early In i1Is he sct
out for Paris. He found tina. the language
ne had been teaching I'm Denmark for
French was not known 90 the people IN
Paris. one Of whom foryot the national
politeness far enough TO ~ that the
stranger spoke Frenca like German
horse" But he persevered visited italy
and fell III ut Genoa. reaching Denmark
IN f7is restored 10 health One more NJ Of
travel seized him ten wears later. but the
tour described gave him that kn0wle Ice
OF Europe thought which n became his dis
tinctton to impsrt 20 his countrymen.
Though not a poet. Hoib-rr awakened
his Danes and NorweFanH with rhymed
satire In the form OF n mock epic Tut hIs
chief fame will res; upon his comedies
The King. frr1fftCh Iva was n tuhfnt
monarch and fond ~ the stage. A COM
pany ~ French players gave dramatic rep.
rexeniaiions al hts court. and, when rue-
eeedcd by German company. erected
;heatsr a. their own. Failing with French
plays. they bsthought Them ~ plays IN
Danish. As there was none. Hoibara un-
dsrtook 20 write them. and IN nve yenr
produced tsenty-elsht. followed later sy
six more all ~ excellent quality. Anssaing
some wealth. he used u to found a sehoo'.
dying poor bat greatly beloved -~hicdso
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