The newspaper., 1907-03-29
German Literature.
BYMRs. META MARTIN.

the VdSUueSS Ol uHe subject, anu
scarcely knows where to begin or
when to finish.
One writer has said. that German
literature is at once the most, and at
the same time the least voluminous
of all literature. In other words, as
/ understand it. quantities have
been written of that loose, large
style; in fact, Germany has an over
supply of the kind, but polite litera-
ture, literature in the strict sense of
the term, IL rather lacking. 1t is per-
haps true that Germany leads the
world in ideas, but at the same time
often misleads, as the German mind
IL not noted for clearness ofthought,
The German is apt to be profound
broad thinker, therefore a free think
er; with a disposition to wear the
heart on the sleeve, and have no
secrets from his readers. Another
striking thing in German literature,
which amounts to almost a passion,
is their delight in the contemplation
Of nature. Many OF the most exqui-
site bits OF their literature are on
this subject. Then too, running all
through their writings, is a certain
religious tendency-the writer him
self may be a pronounced infidel, but
a "Religiosity," las one writer ex-
presses IT. clings to every thing he
10 hn In t,rtn
instinct, l suppose, that permeates
most natures. 1t might be well to
add, before taking up a few Of the
most noted German writer's and
their works, that another striking
characteristic Is their generosity In
their literary appreciation, especially
toward the English, and they have
enjoyed the return from English
speakers of an overhowing reward
in kind.
Unfortunately, hardly n trace Of
the old songs and poems in which the
early Teutons celebrated their Gods
and heroes, has come down TO us,
although German mythology is rich
III NtTNf. anu II hfNB f'AAA Va BbtAi y
runs through the whole race. Among
the few treasures that remain, and
the Oldest important monument. is
the bible OF Bishop Ulhlas. This
bible was translated in the Gothic
language, and for the benefit of the
East Goths, OF whom this learned
bishop IL the leader. He adopted
an alphabet OF twenty-siN letters
which was based on the runes and
Greek alphabet. Important por-
tions OF It have come down to our
time and form the foundation for
the study OF comparative grammar
OF all Germanic languages. The
most complete of these fragments. II
what Ia known as the Silver Manu-
script, and Is written with gold and
silver letters on purple parchment.
The oldest entire monument of the
German language. Is the treaty
OF Verdum which was made at
Strassburg in S43. and which IL
written I'm both German and French.
Two poems of the ninth century
have been preserved. the Holland, n
poem i'm low German. in which the
story of Christ IL portrayed. Also
the Gospels by n learned monk. In
the tenth century under Otto the
Great, literature took quite n for
ward stride. but Latin was the ia
vorite language, and even II national
history and legend were treated, II
appears in "A foreign gnrb.
During the eleventh and twelfth
centuries, the Crusades brought new
clements of culture to the Ger
mans. and poetry was once more
cultivated in the mother tongue.
This IL also known ms the age OF
chivalry. rough warfare was changed
to knightly art in the service of
God and In the vcneration Of women.
The subject matter of verse and
rhyme became more varied with n
marked advance in the manner of
treatment. The poets of this age
were known as Minnesingers be-
cause most of their poems and songs
treated OF love. Only one of the
vast number written Mt that time is