Year: 1879

SKETCHES FROM HIS NEPnRw's BOOK. JUST PRINTED


IN vIESNA-PICTUREs OF AN ECCENTRIC GENIUS.


The extraordinary enthusiasm created in
Germany by the writings Of Jean Paul. the Only"
abaed many aud there not much left Of the
feeling which the publication OF Boston translation OF
his works awakened IN this country. Nevertheless
there still enough ardent admirers OF the author Of
Titan" and "Levana" on both sides of the ocean to
make the appearance OF description of his nome life in
Bayreuth interesting literary event. Among the pa
pers OF Richard Otto SpaZier, nephew OF Rchters,
and the editor OF the complete German edition
of his works. have recently been found mum
OF faithful sketches of the eccentric authors home,
family and personal character which have Just been
printed in Vienna. When spazler went to Bayreuh.
Richter had passed his sixtieth year. and his FORM
which was slender in his younger days, had become
rather stout SO that he resembed builder or landed
proprietor rather than poet. The marks OF genius
were st apparent. however. in the lofty forehead the
finely turned and most OF all In the small mouth
around which magical smile OF beDevolence and
diality payed-a smile Irresistible 10 women. In his
speech there was little of the Bavarian voiand dia-
ec which made his tones all the more sweet and attrac
tive.


Living entirely from his literary labors, Jean Paul was


model OF the old German Gelehrten. lie looked upon
his calling as priesthood his study his church, his
writing able high altar pulpit, and his Of
books and manuscripts as a repository OF the sacTa-
mental vessels His study made an extraordinary I'm
preston the vlstor. singular perfume OF MOWERS
and wine pervaded the place. The two windows looked
over sunny garden and wide landscape to the blue
Fichte Mountains VIII ch lay upon the horizon. In the
middle OF the stood big chest, fastened TO the


floor with clamps. This contained clippings, scraps
Of writing and manuscripts Between the windows was
a sofa on which Jean Paul usually sat In a half
reclining posture. with feet supported ny stool
Before the sofa oak writing table about the ar
rangement OF which the poet exceedingly particu
lar Tho pens had to be OF certain fashion, the paper
Of the rest quality and OF diverse coors, aud there
were always fresh flowers and few books on the ta-
ble-among the latter dmnutive editions OF Swift and
sterne email piano stood by OF tue windows.
and near 1t table with cage OF canary birds Be
tween this table and the writing table little ladder
on which birds could hop their to the poets
shoulder where they frequently perched. Bookcases
occupied most of the wall space. In one corner OF the
lay cusion, the resting-place OF white. silky
haired poodle. which with embroidered leather hunt
ing bag aud % stout rosewood stick the constant
companion of Jean Pauls walks His fsvorite prone
was through a chestnut-bordered road to wine
house kept by a little red-faced landsdy. from Roll


wengel There he had fitted up which
manded better view Of the mountains than his
study in this room he did great deal of his work
The mountains, 10 seems were his heat inspirators
The shrewd landlady not slow to that the fact
that Richter the house would bring in money
from curious tourists and she liked have IL supposed
that hs came to her rather than the landscape.


Although an ahectonate husband ana father. Jean
Paul was a severe and unmovable a home tyrant
ever lived. lie governed his household like absolute
monarch and that too without raising bis above
its usual mid tone. AS he devoted all his
lime aud thought TO 'abors for his family
he insisted that bis wife aud children should
In all maternal and intellectual matters exist
only for him. He would not allow them 70
the house without his express permission. They
had to be always ready when needed TO refresh hi,
mind and quiet his Often Inc would come out OF
his study into the family only to cast IA smiling
glance them moment and then 10 with
word his sofa. his birds aud his stands armed
with scraps OF manuscript and printed paper. lie
wanted TO look into every recess OF their souls and that
nothing might be concealed from him lie insisted
seeing every letter that came INTO the house.


He observed thoroughly the effect Of physical inhu