New-York tribune., 1901-05-11

ate and Switzerland. driven from their homes
by trials worse than those that beset any other
European enligrants 10 the new world-the terri
bic results OF the Thirty Years War the reg-
ious prosecutions the heartessness Of the rulers
all united make life unbearable and 10 start
great exodus OF the long suffering people. II
is notable that though hundred thousand
Germans and Swiss came TO America before the
Revolution. Germany the only great nation
OF Western Europe that took no official part in
the colonization OF the New World. and that
the refugees came eXiles 10 country in
which they had Official standing protec-
tion. PENIS influence was paramount IN di-
recting this stream Of emigration, and his visits
20 Germany what led the sorely tried peo-
pie TO join him in his Holy Experiment" They
found in IL peace. contentment and prosperity.
Long before the Revolution the value OF these
coionists was recognized as a force in increas-
ing the wealth OF the colony: Mr Kuhns quotes
a number OF contemporary witnesses. Governor
Thomas IN 1T3s attributed the present -four
ishnig condition Of the province in great part 20
their industry; Governor PownaH IN 1854 con-
sidered their farms the finest one can conceive"
and saw in them for the first time irrigation
practically applied And Benjamin Rush ex-
claimed that their progress in wealth was such
a monument Of human industry and economy
as has seldom been contemplated"
Yet they were misunderstood in many ways
by their English speaking neighbors. They
clung 20 their language and customs tenaciously
Mr.. Kuhns admits too tenaciously. especially
in the way they opposed the common school sys-
TEN. tending obliterate many OF their cher
ished characteristics and particularly their lam
guage. Politically. too. they were under sus-
piciOn; their numbers inspired their English
nsighbors with a dread OF being swamped by
foreigners: IN the French and Indian War there
was fear lest they should favor the French side:
IL was imagined that a large proportion OF them
were Catholics and would be sedueed by any
enterprising Jesuit Franklin made derogatory
remarks 20 their ignorance. which seem. in
the light OF the facts exhibited by Mr.. Kuhns.
20 be entirely founded prejudice. The sus-
picions as 20 their loyalty 10 the American side
were completely proved false by their services
in the French and Indian War. notwithstanding
the nOn-eombatant doctrines Of the large pro-
portion. who comprised the Mennonite and Mo-
ravian sects and later In the Revolution.
A mass of interesting lore and superstition
was brought over by these German colonists
from their fatherland. peculiarly rich in such
things Mr. Kuhns gives some entertaining
glnpses OF IL as IL entered into their daily lives
Lucky and unucky days were strictly observed;
on Ascension Day there should be no blood let
ting The farmer must observe the phases Of
the moon for cereals planted in its waxing grew
the more rapidly; onions must be planted when
lts horns pointed down, beans and early potatoes
when they pointed up. Omens were carefully
regarded and innumerable were the signs for
predicting the weather. Witches were real
presence in Pennsylvania, as in Massachusetts.
but not so real as 20 lead 10 any OF the
fantastic cruelties that prevailed for time in
Salem The language Of the Pennsylvania
Dutch has before been made the subject OF
careful investigation: IL Is. Mr. Kuhns de-
ciares a mixture OF Frankish and Alemannic
strains modified and harmOniZed, and greatly
Influenced by English forms and syntax until
IN the course OF time IL has become in general
homogeneous and fixed. The literature. both in
prose and in poetry. is more extensive than,
doubtless many people are aware OF. Finally, in
estimating the influence OF this conservative and
compact element on the national life Of the
United States. Mr.. Kuhns finds no difficulty in |
giving long list Of names prominent in the |
business artistic. scientific and literary devel-
opment OF the country.