GOETHE.-The Memoirs of Go...
The Times, 1824-04-12T00:00:00

GosTsE.-The Alemoirs of Gnethc, wvritteii by himself, which-have been read witlh avidity in Gennany, have at length ap- peared in English ; and, in spite of sOme dull rassages wbich here anld there occur, th:ey m;akie upon thec whole an ir teresting publica- tion; they exlhibit the circumstanlces under which the character of a very extraordinary man has been formed and developed; and the mixture of romantic adventure and lively description, whicl the volumes contain, renders the auther's narrative highly enter- taining. They also supplv a store of novel inf.rmation respecting the authors and literature of Germany. The circunstances and feelings which gave birth to Goctf Von Berlichintgeut, Werter, and other werks, are minutely exp-lained; but unfortunately the authlor has not vet arrived at that part of his story which is connected rwith his publication of Faust. The Travels in Italy, which are in some measure a continuation of these mcmoirs, arld in which the author has exercised his powerful descriptive talent on arts, anti.e5aitics, and manners, ought also to be published. It is curious, that while this account is Publishing in Enridand, Germiany, where he has hitlherto heen an object of almost e:iclusive veneration, is etitated by a dis- cussion respecting lili poetical talents. WCith a people among whom political writing is repressed, such a literary d~sIpute as this excites a degree of general interest, of which it is difficult to form a conception in this country. It has been occasioned by a conti. nuation of Goethe's novel, f'Viti.iaot M tcr, appearing at the very moment that Goetlhe was hiusclf occupied with the sequel of that work. This fraud, however, is 3ot exactly like that committed on Cervantes' for the author of the false William AMreister d'oes inot wish to proceed in the spirit of the original, but to Oppose it. The hero is made to changehisopinions, and the continuation oftlhc novel becomes a revere criticism on the work.s of Goethe. It was published anonymously. butitis known that the author is a Rev. Herr Pustku. chen, curate ofLiem. near Lenigow. Since the appearanec of the svork, the German literarv journials and reviews have been crowded with articles headed " (Goethe und Pustkluchen." From the little we have lIad the opportunity of reading, on this dislpute, the censure on Goethe amounts to this-that therc is a want of principle, and object in his works-that lie is incapable of drawing a trtly elevated moral character, and that he wants all feeling for ideal be,uty. The par. tisans of Goethe deny the want of principle and object; and as to the rest, aesert that Goethe exhibits humnan nature as it Is, patints men and women of real flesh and blood, and always fol!ows nature and truth likc'Shaknpeare ! A RELIGTIOUS I1rosToR.-The religious public are cau- tioned to beware of a Jcw wfho is travelling about the coLntry, under pretence of having embraced Christianity, ind by this mea'ns im- posing upon the charity of dissenting miniisters, &c., by obtaining from them certificates of recommcndation, and having subscr-ptions raised amongst the people t6 a considerable anmount. This notorious character succeeded to the full extent in his diabolical transactions at this place on Monday last.-. voucanetr Gazelte. On MIonday last, a serious riot took plate at Nlacelesfield, in consequence of a determination of the silk manufacturers to ex- tend the timne of working from 11 to 12 honrs, at the same tim,c however, paying for the additional hour. To this arrangement the workmen would not accede, and a strike took place. On the evening of3londay a large body of themn assemalned in the market-place, and the magistrates, we suppose, apprehending danger, read the Riot Act, and commaanded Lle Alavor and yeomanry to clear the streets. In performing this operation ihey were assailed with vollies of stones, and a part of the mob, having seized the churchvard, repulsed them twice, and were only dislodged after a siege of tvo hours, by an at. tack in the rear. We have notheard that any lives have leen lost, but several of the yeomen receivedseverecontusions.-Lceds.lfercuiry WRECKING.-At the Ruthen Assizes, in two out ot three prosecutions for stealing goods from the wreck of the ship Hlornby, conviction followed, and sentence of transportation was passed upon the prisoners, all of wvhom werefenudles ! We insert the followiing paragraph to show the utility of throwing any kinol of drapery over persons enveloped in flames Last week, a girl, about 13 years of age, the daughter of Mr. Fullick, in Brighton, was severely burnt. The accident was causedi by some bees' waxt andl turpentine, which the girl was emsloyed in melting, baili-?w over into the fire, and the flames untbrtunatcly caught the girl's clothls. Shc rushed into the shop to her father, who used every endeavour tt3 extinguish the flame witlhout effect; ht3 then took her Into the street, where a passenger, with great pre- sence of mind. puUed oft tis coat, and wrapping the sufferer iR it succeeded in subduing the fire. 'lhe girl was bur3t very much about the face and shoulders, but hopes are entertained of lher recover.-- Brwigtoll Herald. A very melancholy accidlent happened in tltc parishl of Halifax last 'T'uesday. Te p:rish officers, with the vicar anti cburchwardens at tlicir hea d, were perambulating the boundaries, and proceeding gaily on this festive occasion, till they camc to the old 2North Bridzge, where the pressure was so extreme that the east parapet wall gave wvav, anl uprwards of 20 persons, chiefly boys and girls, were precipitated into the brook; a considerable number o! them were severely bruised ; several limbs were fractured, and the lives of some of the sufferers were considered in ganger; but when our correspondent's letter of yesterday lef't Halifax, no deaths had taken place.-Ireds Mfercuiry. On Saturdlay a y(iuiig manl, ill Aberdeenl, of the tnme of Cobbam,n a teacher of mudic, froml London, put a period to his existence by slhooting himnself. It appears that lie liad paid his ad- drrsses, without success, to a young lady fromu Aberdeen, who was recently in the mietropolis, wvhence he follwed l her upon her return thithier; and having called at her father's house.on Satuirday eventing to renew his suit, whieh was again denied, he instantlv pslaced a pistol to lis breast, and shot himself thlrough the heatt. It is said lie had pmrviously attempted his life by means of lauda- uum.-Edinburgt paper. On Saturday last John Lane was executed over the gatc- way of the county gaol, Cambridge, pursuant to his sentence, for a rape in theparish of Cheveley. He was a Roman Catholic, and was attendled by a prist from the Roman Catholic College near .Puekeridie. The unhappy man met his tewithgreatfirmness, andt appteared perfeetly resigned. Elowever, the moment before he was lauinched mnto eternity, he dedlared he was ixnnzceDt of the crime Ifor wRhic h he wlas condemsed.