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Title: Translations of German Poetry in American Magazines 1741-1810

Author: Edward Ziegler Davis

Release Date: March 12, 2008 [EBook #24815]

Language: English

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AMERICANA GERMANICA

NEW SERIES

MONOGRAPHS DEVOTED TO
THE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE

Literary, Linguistic and Other Cultural Relations
OF
Germany and America

EDITOR

MARION DEXTER LEARNED
University of Pennsylvania

Translations of German Poetry
in
American Magazines

1741-1810

TOGETHER WITH TRANSLATIONS OF OTHER TEUTONIC
POETRY AND ORIGINAL POEMS REFERRING
TO THE GERMAN COUNTRIES

EDWARD ZIEGLER DAVIS, Ph.D.
Instructor in German and Sometime Harrison Research Fellow in Germanics,
University of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA
AMERICANA GERMANICA PRESS
1905

REPUBLISHED BY GALE RESEARCH COMPANY, BOOK TOWER, DETROIT, 1966

Copyright, 1905
By Edward Ziegler Davis

PAPER USED IN THIS EDITION IS
A FINE ACID FREE PERMANENT/DURABLE PAPER
COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "300-YEAR" PAPER

TO MY PARENTS
IN APPRECIATION OF THEIR INTEREST AND ENCOURAGEMENT
IN THE PRESENT WORK

PREFACE.[vii]

The present study is an extension of a thesis, presented to the Faculty of the Department of Philosophy of the University of Pennsylvania in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The object has been to treat the material in the early American magazines which gave readers information about Germany and other Teutonic countries. While the primary aim has been to discuss the translations of poetry and the original poems bearing on the subject, all relevant prose articles have also been listed. Since many of the magazines used are extremely rare and almost unique, the texts from them are here reprinted in order to make such information accessible. As some of the translations and poems, however, have been traced to Thomas Campbell, Sir Walter Scott, William Wordsworth, Thomas Gray and others, whose works are to be found in almost any library, reprinting was unnecessary in these cases. M. G. Lewis' Tales of Terror and Wonder has had, besides many early imprints, a recent edition by Henry Morley in 1887 and the poems from it that appeared in the American magazines are here mentioned by title only, the one exception being The Erl-King, which is included because of several variants. Long poems like The Wanderer of Switzerland (which itself would make a small book) are not reprinted.

Parts II to V are arranged chronologically, so as to show the gradual growth of the German influence. Translations and poems are therefore reprinted under the date of their first appearance; later publications of them in the magazines are here recorded simply by title, with a note giving the earliest date. The texts are reprinted exactly as they appeared in the early American periodicals, thus presenting the information about Germany in the same form in which readers of a century ago received it. Mistakes are often interesting as illustrative of an ignorance about German names and words. Only the most evident typographical errors have been corrected, such as "spweep" for "sweep," "bilssful" for "blissful," and[viii] "fustain" for "sustain." Differences due to eighteenth century orthography are retained.

The subject has been investigated to the end of the year 1840, but this volume treats only the period ending with 1810. Often for the sake of complete lists, however, poems of a later date are mentioned. Throughout Parts II to V, notes by the present author, except mention of sources from which the reprints are made, are inclosed in brackets.

The courtesy and assistance rendered in obtaining the magazines make me indebted to the attendants in the various libraries visited, particularly to Mr. Allan B. Slauson, of the Library of Congress. I wish to thank Professor Daniel B. Shumway, of the University of Pennsylvania, for helpful criticism, and Professor John L. Haney, of the Philadelphia Central High School, for valuable information about the German literary influence in England during the period under discussion and for improvements suggested in the preparation of the Introduction.

I am especially indebted to Professor Marion D. Learned, of the University of Pennsylvania, at whose suggestion and under whose inspiration the present investigation has been carried on.

EDWARD Z. DAVIS.

Philadelphia, January, 1905.

CONTENTS.[ix]

INTRODUCTION.[1]

The important influence which German literature has exercised on American culture and literature extends from the early part of the nineteenth century. This influence was, in a measure, a continuation of the interest and activity that had existed in England during the last quarter of the eighteenth century. Prior to 1790, numerous translations from Gellert, Wieland, Klopstock, Lessing, Goethe and Schiller appeared from time to time, but it was not until William Taylor of Norwich began to write, that the movement, which culminated in the works of Coleridge, Carlyle and others, assumed definite form.[1]

American literature at this time was still subservient to that of England and it is not surprising that the new literary impulse from Germany should have found reflection on this side of the Atlantic. This foreign influence was further aided by direct contact with Europe. By the second or third decade of the last century the studies of American scholars abroad became an important factor in our intellectual development. In 1819 Edward Everett returned from Europe to become professor of Greek at Harvard University. He had studied at the University of Göttingen, where he had become enthusiastic for the methods of German scholarship. While in Europe he secured for Harvard College a large number of German books, which soon proved to be a stimulus to the students of the institution. In 1823 W. E. Channing in his Remarks on National Literature advocated the study of French and German authors, so that our literature might attain a position of independence from that of England.[2] Two years later, in 1825, Karl Follen entered upon his duties at Harvard College as instructor in German.[3]

[2]Before Edward Everett went abroad to study, however, American scholars had begun to seek wider cultural advantages at the centres of learning in Europe.[4] They were mostly theological students, or men more or less closely connected with the diplomatic service. The most prominent among the latter class was John Quincy Adams, who spent several years in Europe. His interest in German literature is shown by the fact that he translated Wieland's Oberon, which however was not published, because Sotheby's translation had just appeared in London.[5]

[3]A little later, in 1809, Alexander Hill Everett went to Russia as secretary to the legation and spent several years in different cities on the continent.[6] George Ticknor visited Germany in 1815 to prepare for his duties as professor of modern languages at Harvard; and George Bancroft, after graduating from college in 1817, studied for five years at Göttingen, Heidelberg and Berlin. Henry E. Dwight was at Göttingen from 1824-1828 and in the next year published in New York Travels in the North of Germany, 1825-6. It was about this time that James Fenimore Cooper began his European travels, which lasted from 1826 to 1833.[7] Thus, American scholars had been acquiring German thought and culture at first hand, before Longfellow or Emerson went abroad for the first time. With these two the German influence in America reached its height—Longfellow in literature, and Emerson in his transcendental philosophy.

This was the second channel by which German literature became known in this country. The first, as has already been indicated, came indirectly through England. There, considerable activity in this line had been manifest since 1790. Books of translations were published and the magazines contained many fugitive pieces from [4]the German. It is chiefly a reflex of this interest that we find in American periodicals to the end of 1810.

In America, likewise, German literature was made known to English readers by means of translations either in book form or in the magazines. The subject of translations in book form has been treated in the recent article by Wilkens already mentioned. He discusses German drama, fiction, poetry, philosophy, theology and pedagogy, and gives in an appendix "A List of the Translations of German Literature that were printed in the United States before 1826." These books, however, were not the first means of introducing German authors to American readers. The first mention of this foreign literature we find, as a rule, in the magazines. Here are numerous accounts of the lives of German writers, criticism of their books, notices of editions (English or American) and besides these, many translations of poetry and the shorter prose works. These articles or translations do not, of course, antedate the earliest appearance of the same works in England, but it is safe to say that whatever information on German literature was offered in the American magazines reached the American public sooner than the copies of an English book sent over here to be sold. Many readers learned to know foreign literature through the medium of the periodicals who would not think of purchasing all the books, of which they had read reviews or selections. This was especially true of the poetry. The prose works were usually too long for republication in the magazines and could be announced only through critiques or abstracts. Even here, however, some of the longer pieces appeared, such as The Apparitionist (Schiller's Geisterseher) in the N. Y. Weekly Mag., I-16, etc., 1795, N. Y., and in the same magazine II-4, etc., Tschink's Victim of Magical Delusion, while The Mirror of Taste and Dramatic Censor, I, 1810, contains Emilia Galotti, translated by Miss Fanny Holcroft. These prose pieces, being long, were continued from number to number, but for the poetry this was not necessary. Poems of the size of Klopstock's Messiah or Gessner's Death of Abel appeared in the magazines only in selections or extracts, while on the other hand most of the lyric poems, being short, could very easily be reprinted entire in translation. With hardly an exception, the short poems of German authors appeared in America in the periodicals some time before they were issued in book form; for example, the earliest publication of Gessner's Idyls mentioned[5] by Wilkens was in 1802,[8] whereas single idyls had been translated for the magazines in 1774, 1775, 1792, 1795, 1798, 1799, two in 1793, three in 1796 and five in 1801. Similarly, the first American imprint of M. G. Lewis' Tales of Wonder was issued in New York in 1801, while five selections in it had already appeared in the Weekly Mag., 1798-9, Phila.[9] In addition to these there were found in the American magazines before 1811, ten translations from Bürger, eight from Gellert, five from Lessing, four from Haller, three from Goethe, two each from Jacobi, Klopstock, Matthisson and Schickaneder, and one each from "Adelio," Bürde, Kotzebue, Patzke, "Sheller," and "Van Vander Horderclogeth," together with several translations, for which the name of the original author was not given. None of these were printed in book form before 1826.[10]

The first translations of German poetry printed in America are to be sought, therefore, in the magazines and it was here also that the public received its first information about the lives of the German literati. It is the object of the present study to consider the German influence in the early American periodicals, treating especially the translations of German poetry published in them.[11] Together with these are to be found in Part III translations from the other Teutonic literatures more or less closely connected with the German, namely, translations of Dutch, Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic poetry, and also original poems on German literature, history, biography, etc.,—for example, Ode on the late Victory obtained by the King of Prussia, Charlotte's Soliloquy—to the Manes of Werter, and Burlesque on the Style, in which most of the German romantic Ballads are written. To this has been added a list of translations of [6]German prose, and a list of original articles on Germany, etc., so that a complete estimate of the German influence in these magazines can thus be obtained.

The scope of the present work comprises the American magazines published before 1811. By the term "American magazines" is meant all magazines published in English, whether in the United States or Canada. Periodicals in German, Spanish, French or other foreign languages have been excluded. In as much as the study is primarily concerned with literature it has been necessary, on account of the great scope of the subject, to omit publications of a non-literary type, e. g., newspapers, gazettes, periodicals dealing solely with history, religious magazines, almanacs, etc. This method of exclusion is not an easy one, for during the period under discussion the magazine and the newspaper approached each other, the former printed news and the latter gave specimens of literature, usually short poems. It happened sometimes that a translation which appeared in a magazine had been printed first in a newspaper. For example, The Name Unknown, "Imitated from Klopstock's ode to his future mistress. By Thomas Campbell," is to be found in the Newport Mercury, 1803, Newport, just three years before it was printed in The Evening Fireside, II-165, Phila. This illustrates the importance of the newspaper in this connection, especially since the latter contained also numerous paragraphs on things German, but it is a field for separate investigation and in this connection must take second place as compared with the literary periodicals.

Similarly the religious magazines often contain poems relative to our subject, so that it has been necessary to include some of these publications. Thus, the Boston Observer and Religious Intelligencer, I-152, 1835, Boston, contains the poem Trust in God, "Translated from the German," whereas others indicate on their title page their dual character, e. g., The Literary and Theological Review, 1834-39, N. Y., The Monthly Miscellany of Religion and Letters, 1839, etc., Boston, and The Monthly Mag. of Religion and Literature, 1840, Gettysburg. Most of the religious magazines, however, belong to the period after 1810.

Lastly, even some of the almanacs come almost within the range of the present discussion, for the earlier ones have poems[12] and interesting [7]information, and were carefully read by the general public. Most of these had their vogue before the literary magazine became prominent and therefore represent a period before the German literary influence had made itself felt. Of those that were examined, none contained material to warrant their inclusion in the list given in Part V.

Whenever periodicals were found to be of the types just mentioned, they were omitted from further consideration. There are two other kinds of publications, however, that have been included in the present investigation. The first is the English magazine reprinted in this country. Since it is impossible to exclude all translations in American magazines made by Englishmen—as will be shown later on—it has been found practical to take, as the basis of selection, all periodicals actually published on this side of the Atlantic. The only examples of this class that fall within our period are The Mirror, I-II, 1803, Phila.—a reprint of a magazine of the same name, that appeared in Edinburgh, 1779-1780, The Connoisseur, I-IV, 1803, Phila. (London, 1755) and The Quarterly Review, I-IV, printed in London and reprinted in New York, 1810. In some instances the material in the American edition differs from that of the English, so that it is quite necessary to include this class of periodicals.

The other type of publications, alluded to, is the miscellany. It contained poems, prose selections and articles on a wide range of subjects. It differed from the magazine simply in one respect, namely, that it was issued with less regularity. It offers, however, valuable additions to the present collection.[13] Thus, even by omitting all irrelevant publications, the field is a broad one and rich in important material.

In any investigation of the early American magazines the difficulty of locating copies is apparent. The editions of many of these periodicals were small, especially if issued from the less important literary centers; so that now, after the lapse of a hundred years, their [8]volumes are extremely hard to trace. Another fact that aided in the disappearance of these publications was their short existence. If a periodical, like the American Museum or the Port Folio, ran for a number of years, it became well known and its volumes were carefully preserved. The libraries attempted to get complete sets and thus the magazine was made accessible for future generations. A large number of these magazines, however, had a precarious existence for a year or more, and then were discontinued for lack of support. Indeed, the many failures among these literary ventures cause one to wonder why others were undertaken, and yet year after year new magazines were launched on the market with full anticipation of success. This certainly indicates a widespread demand for this class of literature and if the kind offered did not happen to suit the taste, the fickle public was constantly deserting the old for the new.

The investigator is moreover impeded in his progress by lack of definite and trustworthy information about these publications. There is no complete list of the American magazines during the years under discussion, although work has been done on the period to the end of 1800. Paul Leicester Ford published a Check-list of American magazines printed in the eighteenth century (1889, Brooklyn, N. Y.). This was an attempt to list all publications referred to by any writer, whether accessible or not. The present investigation, however, has brought to light thirty-five or forty volumes of magazines (including twenty new titles), evidently unknown to Ford, not to speak of several newspapers of more or less literary value; but the latter seem to have been omitted intentionally from the Check-list.

Even the magazines of Philadelphia, the literary center of the country during the eighteenth century, have not been listed. "A complete list of the Philadelphia magazines is impossible. Many of them have disappeared and left not a rack behind. The special student of Pennsylvania history will detect some omissions in these pages, for all that has here been done has been done at first hand, and where a magazine was inaccessible to me, I have not attempted to see it through the eyes of a more fortunate investigator."[14] What is here said of Philadelphia is equally true of Boston, New York, Baltimore and the other centers of literary activity of a century ago.

[9] In spite of the difficulties just mentioned it has been possible, after an extended search, to find enough volumes of the magazines to form an almost complete list for the period in question. What omissions there may be are, for the most part, obscure and unimportant publications, which failed to attract enough attention to be included in the large collections of this class of literature. One condition favored the preservation of the American magazines; there were a few institutions, like the Philadelphia Library Company, the American Philosophical Society, and others, which were in existence during the period when most of these publications were issued. It has been possible for them to amass a fairly representative collection of contemporaneous literature. On the other hand, more recent institutions, like the Boston Public Library or the Library of Congress, have displayed such industry in collecting, that they now have splendid lists of these early periodicals.

The plan of the present investigation has been, therefore, to visit those libraries where large numbers of the books needed are located and thus, by combining the material secured in the different places, to approach as near as possible to completeness. One library fills out the gaps of another and it often happens that, in order to see the entire set of a magazine, it is necessary to visit three or four libraries. A record has been kept as to where the individual volumes are, but as useful as this information might be for those working in the same or in a kindred field it has been found too complex to be indicated in the list of magazines given in Part V.[15] The material here included is based on a personal examination of about three hundred volumes representing one hundred and twenty-eight different magazines.

In treating the German influence in the American magazines, it is important to consider the position which the magazine held during this early period. Difference in conditions enabled the periodical to play quite a different rôle from that which it now plays. In the eighteenth century, as compared with the present day, free libraries were scarce and readers had to depend largely on the books they could buy or borrow. Then, too, books were expensive, because many had to be imported from abroad, and those printed here could not be sold as cheaply as now. These conditions favored the magazines, which were inexpensive and furnished to their readers, besides [10]original matter, republications of the best literature of Europe. They kept the public abreast with the times and supplied the place now occupied by the numerous libraries and books which can be purchased at a moderate cost.

Another element which the magazine of a century ago did not have to contend with so vigorously was the newspaper. The modern newspaper is becoming larger and larger, and is making increased demand every day on the time and interest of the public. In the eighteenth century and the first decade of the nineteenth this was not the case. To be sure, there were many newspapers, gazettes and advertisers, but they were comparatively small in size, consisting usually of only four or six pages. "At the period of the American Revolution, journalism had nowhere reached [an] advanced stage of effectiveness. In America, especially, the newspapers were petty, dingy, languid, inadequate affairs; and the department of the newspaper now devoted to editorial writing, then scarcely existed at all."[16] Many editors considered the news available to be sufficient merely for a weekly instead of a daily issue. This is not surprising. With the absence of the modern telegraph, telephone, ocean cable and steam railroad the facility for getting news from a distance was greatly diminished. Then, too, as the population of the country was much smaller than now, the most important domestic news could be told in a few columns. All this tended to keep the newspapers within moderate proportions, and although they were numerous, it is safe to say that they did not make such a demand on the reader's time as to divert his attention from a more serious kind of literature. People had, therefore, plenty of leisure for careful perusal of the magazines, and these, by giving in many cases a summary of the news, decreased the necessity for the newspaper. For advertisements and business announcements the gazettes and advertisers were the main source, but for general information and current literature persons did not have to devote so much attention to the newspaper.

As far as can be learned, the magazine in this early period was regarded in a more serious light than to-day. It was not a means to while away an idle hour—something to be glanced at hastily and then thrown aside. The editors attempted, on the contrary, to give the best literature at their disposal, whether original or reprint, and [11]endeavored to improve the public taste by selecting matter that would be acceptable to a scholarly audience. "A striking difference between the older magazine and the recent ones is the conspicuous absence from the journal of a century ago of what is commonly called 'light literature.'"[17]

Tyler mentions the same conditions. "Our colonial journalism soon became, in itself, a really important literary force. It could not remain forever a mere disseminator of public gossip, or a placard for the display of advertisements. The instinct of critical and brave debate was strong even among those puny editors, and it kept struggling for expression. Moreover, each editor was surrounded by a coterie of friends, with active brains and a propensity to utterance; and these constituted a sort of unpaid staff of editorial contributors, who, in various forms,—in letters, essays, anecdotes, epigrams, poems, lampoons,—helped to give vivacity and even literary value to the paper."[18]

Considering these facts, it is seen that the magazines of the period under discussion played a more important rôle in the cultural development of the people than they do now. They were not as numerous, nor were so many copies of each number issued then as now, but the population was also much smaller, and consequently a smaller number of periodicals sufficed, although relatively they may have been as numerous. One thing seems certain,—in the absence of so much other reading matter, the magazine went into the home and was perused with care by the different members of the household. We have only to refer to the attention given to the almanacs during a period slightly earlier, and these did not attempt to present as much entertaining literature as the magazines. The prominence of these literary periodicals in the development of American thought and culture is usually overlooked, but should certainly be recognized in the history of literature in America.

All this is very pertinent to the subject. The importance of the translations and poems, here reprinted, in bringing things German before the American public depends naturally upon the importance of the channel by which they were introduced. From what has just been said, it is evident that the magazine not only had a wider and freer scope then than now, but also attempted to preserve as high [12]a literary and scholarly standard as was possible for that day. What was admitted to its pages had therefore considerable weight and influence, and became known at once as far as the magazine circulated. It is for this reason that the appearance of so many poems and prose articles relating to the German countries becomes so important, and the interest here aroused was to increase many fold in the decades immediately following.

The publication of translations of German poetry in the American magazines indicates a twofold activity. In the first place it shows active interest and enthusiasm on the part of a few individuals who read and appreciated German literature and who had the ability not only to understand the foreign poetry but also to translate it for their fellow countrymen. How many there were who could read the original, it is impossible to say, but these translators were certainly only a small part of the Americans who understood German. In the second place the appearance of German poems in the magazines indicates a growing acquaintance with German literature, on the part of the public at large. From the fact that the number of translations increased from year to year we may infer that they found favor in the eyes of the readers. Even if the circulation of the individual magazines was small, the combined effect of so many must have been considerable.

It may seem at first thought that relatively few poems have been collected in proportion to the ground covered.[19] There is a limitation, however, that must not be overlooked. Only a small part of each magazine was devoted to poetry and, after the original productions and the republications of English verse (which naturally received first consideration), German could only hope for its share along with the other foreign literatures. It is remarkable how many foreign literatures are represented in the sections of these magazines devoted to poetry. There are translations from the Latin, French, German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Norse (Icelandic), Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Irish, Welsh, Greek, Laplandish, Persian and Turkish. In all this mass of translations, German ranks perhaps third as regards quantity; it is exceeded only by the Latin and [13]French.[20] This is true, however, only for the period to the end of 1810. The situation in the three succeeding decades is very different, but will be discussed at a later time.

There is another reason why these magazines did not contain more translations from the German. The period under consideration coincides very closely with the classical epoch of German literature and many of the masterpieces were not issued until near the end. Hermann und Dorothea appeared in 1797 and Wallenstein three years later, while Wilhelm Tell was not finished until 1804 and the completed Faust (first and second parts) was published twenty-three years after the period closes. The dates of much of the classical German literature precluded the possibility of its being translated until two thirds of the period had passed. However valuable these works are, it is not remarkable that they should not have become known immediately on this side of the Atlantic. For the Germans here, the originals were all that were needed, and it naturally took some time for the English part of the population to realize the worth of the books and to demand translations. These causes, then, prevented the German influence in the magazines from assuming larger proportions.

The period treated in the present study is from 1741 to 1810 inclusive. The year 1741 is chosen as marking the beginning of the American periodicals of a literary type. The publications of an earlier date that were examined were devoted almost entirely to news, or were almanacs that contained no literary material, for example, the New England Kalendar, I, 1706, Boston, or the New Weekly Journal, 1728, Boston. These have been omitted from the list. It is therefore not until 1741 that our period really begins. The two magazines which were to be the pioneers of this extensive class of American literature had been announced in the previous year. The Phila. Weekly Mercury (Oct. 30, 1740) gives the prospectus of a magazine to be edited by John Webbe and printed by Andrew Bradford; while in the Pennsylvania Gazette (Nov. 13, 1740) Franklin announced The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle for all the British Plantations in America. A bitter controversy soon arose,—Franklin claiming that Webbe had stolen his plans, and Webbe [14]accusing Franklin of using his position as Postmaster to exclude the Mercury from the mail. Both magazines were issued in January, 1741; Webbe's journal, The American Magazine; or a Monthly View of the Political State of the British Colonies, ran for three months and Franklin's for six months.[21] With these, then, the investigation for the present subject begins. As has been indicated, the work has been extended to the end of the year 1840. After that, German literature was established as a well known factor in our intellectual development, as is shown by the numerous books of translations and imitations, and the magazines were, henceforth, less important in this particular. The period here treated extends only to the end of 1810. These years witnessed the beginning of the movement and the first period of considerable activity in this field. During the years immediately following 1810 there was a decline in the German literary influence in the American magazines.[22]

To estimate definitively the amount of literary activity in America with respect to things German, as illustrated by these translations and poems, would require considerable information concerning the translators. If the translator lived in England and his work was simply reprinted in an American magazine, the literary activity belongs more to England than to this country; but the fact that the poem was reprinted shows a desire to acquaint readers here with foreign poetry, the only difference being that the influence came through England and not from Germany direct. Where the works printed are from the pen of an American, they represent not only the ability of the writer to appreciate German, but also the active interest to reproduce it for the American public; the translation is then entirely an American product. As to Englishmen here doing this kind of work, it would be of advantage to know whether they were merely travelers or sojourners, or had been here long enough to be considered an integral part of our civilization. However useful this information would be, it is, in a majority of cases, unobtainable. Most of the translations appeared without any indication as to authorship. One thing that may partly account for this was the tendency of the early magazines to copy and plagiarize. Scores of [15]poems were found which had previously been printed in other periodicals (American or English), but for the source of which no credit was given. Even the author's name was suppressed. In one instance an editor inserted a poem that had appeared in the very same magazine one or two years earlier, and yet the readers were to receive it as something new.[23] The only possible means of identification in these cases is by comparison with published collections of translations. Several translations have thus been traced to Sir Walter Scott, M. G. Lewis, William Taylor of Norwich and others. Many are reprints from English magazines, concerning which it is impossible at present to give more accurate information. The subject has not been investigated with respect to the English periodicals, and since their number is far greater than the American, it would require a separate study to prepare a list of translations from the German published in them. It is, therefore, impracticable to exclude from the present discussion translations and poems by Englishmen, for it is only where the author's name is mentioned, or a note given, stating that the translation was made for such and such a magazine, that we can be sure whether it was an American product or not. The important fact is that the translation appeared in America and helped to make known to American readers certain specimens of German literature.

In the selection of material certain limitations were necessary. In the list of prose translations and articles dealing with the German countries, everything has been mentioned which refers directly or indirectly to Germany. This is important in giving a complete estimate of the interest shown, for there was a desire to know something about German prose works, German biography and history as well as German poetry. From the list of translations reprinted here, however, have been excluded all translations of dramas except certain selections, such as songs or short scenes approaching the lyrical mood. In most of the portions of dramas reproduced the passages are too long for republication or the interest is wholly dramatic and not lyric. The subject of the present study is, then, specifically—the German lyric poetry which appeared in English in the magazines of America.

The term "poetry" is here taken in a liberal sense and includes [16]more than the translations of German verse alone. Some translations were found whose originals, though prosaic in form, are poetic in content. This was readily recognized by the translators, who have accordingly given metrical renderings. For example, we have Letter LXI of the Sorrows of Werter Versified; four of Gessner's prose idyls have been rendered into verse, and in the later period Krummacher's prose fable, The Moss Rose, appears five times in verse (1819, 1822, 1823, 1829, 1831) and twice in prose (1827, 1833). Similarly, prose translations of German verse have been included, e. g., two fables from Gellert (1796), Morning, from Haller (1793), and the Swiss song, Ranz des Vaches (1805).[24] On the other hand, prose translations of Gessner's prose idyls are recorded by title only. Another poem of a different class must be mentioned. In the volumes examined only one German poem written in America was found. This was Hoffnung by "Adelio" and a note stated that it was written "For the Philadelphia Repository" (Feb. 18, 1804, Phila.). At the end were the words: "A poetical translation is requested." The following number (Feb. 25) contained a translation.

Another group of poems calling for some attention includes those translated from the French. These are of two kinds. In the first place there are poems written in French by Germans or Swiss, such as the poems of Frederick the Great, and also the Ranz des Vaches. As to the latter, the French verses are given in two instances together with the translation,[25] so that it is certain what the original was. In other instances no mention is made of the source. Since part of the population of Switzerland has always been German, a German form of the song very likely existed. It is difficult, therefore, to say whether this or the French version was used by the translator. The title is French but this might have been retained for the German stanzas.

The second class of translations from the French comprehends those from authors who usually wrote in German; thus, Navigation, [17]"From the French of Gessner" (1803), and The Usurer, "From the French of Gellert" (Port Folio, XVI-245, 1823). Either these may have been taken from French translations of the German,[26] or the word "French" may be a mistake.[27] This second group has been classed with the translations of German poetry (Part II); while the first group from the French belongs to Part III.

No attempt is here made to discuss the critical estimate that the Americans of this period placed upon German literature. This would require a consideration of all the prose articles, whereas the present study has been devoted entirely to the poetry. It is hoped that, from the list given in Part IV, such information may be obtained. Besides the several paragraphs on German literati, the individual poems are often preceded by an introductory note praising the original of the translation. Even back in the eighteenth century, people were considering the utility of the modern languages as opposed to the classics. The American Museum, for example, published a Speech on the learned languages, by the Hon. Francis Hopkinson, which concludes with the remark that the "languages most in use are, in truth, the most useful to be known."[28]

On the other hand there were unsympathetic writers who ridiculed the Germans and their literature. The Monthly Magazine published a letter entitled Literary Industry of the Germans, which decried their pedantic scholarship in unprofitable directions.[29] This attack is [18]also expressed in the form of parodies, of which the following were found: The Wolf King, a satire on The Water King, The Fire King, etc. (1802), The Paint King, a burlesque on The Cloud King, The Fire King and others (1809, 1833), Against Faustus (1804), The Squeaking Ghost, "a tale imitated from the German, according to the true and genuine principles of the horrifick" (1808, 1809, 1810), Parody on Bürger's Earl Walter (1807), Ode to the German Drama, "Parody of Gray's Ode to Adversity" (1806), and Burlesque on the style in which most of the German romantic ballads are written (1799, 1801). In some of these instances the parodies may denote no real hostility but merely a rhymester's attempt to be clever.

It is worthy of note that several of the poems in these magazines may be grouped together, thus indicating particular interest in certain subjects. Each group forms, as it were, a cycle, though the individual poems were usually written by different persons. One of these groups attests the popularity of Frederick the Great, even before the American Revolution. The translations from his poetry are: Relaxation of War (1758, 1795, 1798), The King of Prussia's Ode imitated in rhime (1758), A literal translation of the King of Prussia's Ode (1758), Translation of an Epistle from the King of Prussia to Monsieur Voltaire (1759), Ode to Death (1786, 1806), Prayer of Frederick II in Behalf of Poets (1805), and A Song (1811). The original poems about Frederick are: Winter, a poem, containing a reference to "great Frederick's noble feats" (1758), On the compleat Victory ... (1758), Ode on the late Victory obtained by the King of Prussia (1758), On the glorious Victory ... (1758), The Third Psalm paraphrased, "Alluding to his Prussian Majesty" (1758), On reading in the publick Papers ... (1758), The Royal Comet, referring to "Prussia's great Frederick" (1758), and Mr. Voltaire's letter to his Prussian Majesty, Translated (1758).

Another group treats the kings of the natural elements, so common in German literature: The Erl King (1798, July 1833, Sept. 1833, 1835, 1836, 1838, 1839), The Erl King's Daughter (1798), The Water King, a Danish Ballad (1798), The Wolf King, a parody on The Water King, The Fire King, etc. (1802), Hrim Thor, or the Winter King (1802), Grim, King of the Ghosts (1802) and The [19]Paint King, a burlesque on The Cloud King, The Fire King, etc. (1809, 1810, 1833). This interest in the weird element explains the popularity of Bürger's Lenore, which appears in translation in 1798, 1801, 1804, 1823, 1836, 1839, 1840.

Switzerland is described in a variety of poems, treating all phases of the life and scenery. The most prominent among them is the Swiss song, which is variously translated as the Ranz des Vaches, the Cow Boy's Chant, and The Song of the Swiss in a Strange Land (1805, Oct. 15, Oct. 29, Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Dec. 17, 1808, June, June 3, 1809, twice in 1833 and once in 1835). In addition to the translations, there are four imitations of the same poem: The Swiss Exiles' Song (1835), The Switzer's Return [from America] (1836), The Switzer's Song of Home (1837, 1838), and The Swiss Emigrant's Dream of Home (1840).[30]

The last group of poems to be mentioned refers to Goethe's novel, Die Leiden des jungen Werthers. This was evidently popular in America, though by no means causing the widespread delirium and sentimentality that had been rife in Germany. During our period the book was published here six times in translation, and an English imitation, The Letters of Charlotte, during her Connexion with Werter, had three American reprints.[31] These, together with translations imported from England, must have made Werter well known in this country. It is not surprising, therefore, to find in the magazines eight poems on the subject: Narcissa, containing a reference to Werter in the third stanza (1787), Charlotte's Soliloquy—to the Manes of Werter (1787), Death of Werter (1787), Werter's Epitaph (1787, 1791, 1805), On Reading the Sorrows of Werter (1790), Letter LXI of the Sorrows of Werter, Versified (1791), Werter's Farewell to Charlotte (1798) and Charlotte at the Tomb of Werter (1809).

The early American magazines, then, were instrumental in making German literature and especially German poetry known in America. It was possible for them to print translations of individual poems of an author long before there was a demand for them in book form. Gessner, Bürger, Gellert, Lessing and others have already been mentioned in this connection. It is interesting to note just what poets [20]were introduced to the American public by means of the magazines. Gessner and Bürger were the most popular, the former appearing twenty-five times and the latter ten times before 1811. Gessner was perhaps the German poet best known in America. During this period his Death of Abel had no less than sixteen American imprints and four imitations, while translations of his Idyls appeared in book form twice in 1802 and once in 1807.[32] Bürger, on the other hand, was known only through these poems in the magazines, or perhaps through imported books. No volume of translations of his poems belongs to this period of American printing.

After these, Gellert, Lessing and Haller had some share of recognition both by translation and criticism. Goethe, as has been shown, was known as the author of Werter. As for his lyrical productions, only two appeared, The Erl-King (1798) and Frederick and Alice, "Imitated rather than translated from a fragment introduced in Goethe's Claudine von Villa Bella" (1807). Other poets, like Jacobi, Klopstock, Matthisson, Kotzebue, Patzke or Bürde, found an occasional admirer, but not enough was done to bring their characteristics plainly before the public. In addition to these, there were numerous parodies and original poems, which helped to emphasize the importance of things German. This influence, moreover, was aided by the translations of prose works and by articles on German literature, history and biography, which are scattered through the pages of these periodicals. The American magazines accomplished considerable for German in this country. The movement here treated grew until it assumed a widespread importance a few decades later, but the period to the end of 1810 is interesting as marking the beginning. It was the first epoch of this type of literary activity in America.

II.[21]

TRANSLATIONS OF GERMAN POETRY.

THE OLD MAN.

From Gesner.

From the London Magazine, Oct. 1773.

[Prose translation.]

Royal Amer. Mag., p. 14, Jan. 1774, Boston.

[Reprint from the London Mag., p. 437, Sept. 1773, London. Preceding the title: "For the London Magazine."

Salomon Gessner, Palemon, Idyllen, Erste Folge. Concerning the prose translations from Gessner, cf. p. 16.]

For the Pennsylvania Magazine.

MIRTIL AND THIRSIS.

A Pastoral.

From the German.

[Prose translation.]

Penna. Mag., I-359, Aug. 1775, Phila.

[S. Gessner, Myrtil. Thyrsis. Idyllen, Erste Folge.]

Description (with an elegant Engraving) of the celebrated Tomb of Madame Langhans, executed by Mr. John Augustus Nahl, late Sculptor to the King of Prussia, and which is to be seen in the choir of the parish church of Hindlebanck, two leagues from Berne.

As the inscription and verses of the Tombstone, which were written by the celebrated M. de Haller, could not with propriety be introduced in the engraving, we insert them here, in a free translation from the original German.

In this blessed hope
Sure that her Saviour will fulfill his promise,
Reposes in this Tomb,
Guarded by a tender and sorrowful husband,
Mary Magdalen Waber,
Born 8th August, 1723;
And who departed this life on Easter-Eve 1751,
The wife of
George Langhans,
Preacher of the gospel at Hindelbanck.

Boston Mag., I-56, Dec. 1783, Boston.

THE BACCHANALIAN.

(Translated from the German.)

Universal Asylum and Columbian Mag., IV-253, Apr. 1790, Phila.[23]

LETTER LXI. OF THE SORROWS OF
WERTER, VERSIFIED.

Universal Asylum and Columbian Mag., VI-50, Jan. 1791, Phila.

[Goethe, Die Leiden des jungen Werthers. Letter dated Oct. 12, 1772.][25]

AMYNTAS. [α].

A Pastoral Fragment.

[Prose translation.]

Mass. Mag., IV-351 June 1792, Boston.

[S. Gessner, Amyntas. "Bei frühem Morgen kam der arme Amyntas...." Idyllen, Erste Folge.]

Pastoral Eclogue.
THYRSIS AND CHLOE.

[Prose translation.]

Mass. Mag., V-195, Apr. 1793, Boston.

[S. Gessner, Thyrsis.

New Idylles By Gessner. Trans. by W. Hooper, M.D., 1776, London. P. 25, Thyrsis.]

AMYNTAS.

A Pastoral Fragment from Gessner.

N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos., IV-584, Oct 1793, N. Y.

[Also in Mass. Mag., IV-351, June 1792, Boston.]

THE MORNING.

By Haller.

The moon retires—Nature's dark veil no more obscures the air and earth—the twinkling stars disappear and the reviving warmth of the sun awakens all creatures.

Already are the heavens adorned with its purple hues and its sparkling sapphires. Aurora, fair harbinger of the day, graciously dispenses smiles; and brightness of the roses which wreath her forehead dissipates the mists of night.

The flaming of the world advances from the eastern gate, triumphantly treading on the shining splendours of the milky way;[26] clouds covered with Heaven's rubies, oppose him with their lightning, and a flame of gold spreads itself around the horizon.

The roses open to salute the sun with genial dews; and the lilies exhale delicious odours from their sattin'd leaves.

The vigilant hind flies to the labour-giving field; he guides with careful pleasure the earth-piercing plough; in the meantime his ears are delighted by the lightsome band of minstrels, which sweeten the air and the woods with their melodious notes. Thus doth benignant Heaven lighten the heavy pressure of toilful industry! O Creator! all that I see are the effects of thy power! thou art the soul of nature and doth actuate every part! the stated periods and glittering appearance of yon orbs, and the unquenched fires of the revolving sun, proceed from thy hands, and boast thy impression!

Thou illumest the solemn moon to guide us amid darkness; thou dost lend wings to the unseen wind, and by night thou dost enrich the earth with fruitful dews.

From the dust thou hast formed yon proud-topt mountain; from sand hast thou produced metals; thou hast spread yon firmament, and thou hast clothed it with clouds, that it may remain unpolluted by the exploring eye of man.

Thou hast wonderfully formed the veins of that fish which causes rivers to overflow, and which makes whirlpools, and spreads devastation with the flappings of his tail. Thou hast built the elephant, and thou hast animated its enormous bulk, that it resembles a moving mountain. Thou supportest yon splendid arches of the heavens upon the vast void; and with thy word thou hast produced from chaos this wondrous universe, filling it with order, and giving it no other limit than its grandeur.

Great God! created spirits are too insignificant to raise the glory of thy works! We lose ourselves in their immensity. To tell them one must resemble thyself on infinity. Humbly contented, I remain in my own prescribed circle. Incomprehensible Being! thy resplendent glories blind the presuming eye of man! and He from whom the earth receives its being, needs not the praises of a worm!

N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos., IV-720, Dec. 1793, N. Y.

[Albrecht von Haller, Morgen-Gedanken, Den. 25, Merz, 1725.][27]

MORNING.

From Haller.

Phila. Minerva, I, May 30, 1795, Phila.

[Also in N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos., IV-720, Dec. 1793, N. Y.]

Translated Poetry.

For the New-York Magazine.

THE ZEPHYRS, AN IDYL. [α].

(Translated from the German of Gesner, by W. Dunlap.)

[Prose translation.]

N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos., VI-760, Dec. 1795, N. Y.

[S. Gessner, Die Zephyre.]

Translated Poetry.

For the New-York Magazine.

FIRST IDYL OF GESNER.

(Translated from the German by Wm. Dunlap.)

Daphne—Chloe.

[Prose translation.]

N. Y. Mag. or Lit. Repos., n. s., p. 49, Jan. 1796, N. Y.

[S. Gessner, Daphne. Chloe. "Sieh, schon steigt der Mond hinter dem schwarzen Berg...." First idyl—Zweite Folge, 1772.]

THE OLD MAN.

Translated from the German of Gessner.

Phila. Minerva, I, Jan. 16, 1796, Phila.

[Also in The Royal Amer. Mag., p. 14, Jan. 1774, Boston.]

FABLE

Imitated from the German of Gellert.

While a nightingale chanted in the midst of a forest, the neighbouring hills and vallies were delighted with her exquisite melody.[28] Every wild bird forgot to sing, listening with fond admiration. Aurora tarried behind the hill, attending to her musical cadences; and Philomel, in honor of the goddess, warbled with unusual sweetness. At that she paused, and the lark took the opportunity of thus addressing her; 'Your music meets with just approbation; the variety, the clearness, and tenderness of the notes are inimitable; nevertheless, in one circumstance I am entitled to a preference. My melody is uninterrupted; and every morning is ushered with my gratulations. Your song on the contrary, is heard but seldom; and, except during a few weeks in the Summer, you have no claim to peculiar attention.' 'You have mentioned,' replied the Nightingale, 'the very cause of my superior excellence. I attend to, and obey, the dictates of Nature. I never sing but by her incitements; nor even yield to importunate, but uninspired inclination.'

Phila. Minerva, II, Apr. 23, 1796, Phila.

[C. F. Gellert, Die Nachtigall and die Lerche.
Free translation of the first stanza; the second, containing the application of the fable, omitted.]

A FABLE

Imitated from the German of Gellert.

Clarine loved her husband with sincere affection—for he was a husband to her mind. Their desires and aversions were the same. It was Clarine's study to be agreeable, and by unwearied attention, to anticipate her husband's wishes. "Such a wife," says my male reader, who has thoughts of matrimony, "such a wife would I desire."—And such a wife mayst thou obtain.—Clarine's husband fell sick—a dangerous illness.—"No hope" said the physician, and shook his awful whig. Bitterly wept Clarine. "O death!" she cried, "O death! might I prefer a petition? Spare my husband; let me be the victim in his stead." Death heard, appeared, and "What," said the grim spectre, "is thy request?" "There," said Clarine sore dismayed, "There he lies; overcome with agony he implores thy speedy relief."

The Nightingale, I-199, June 16, 1796, Boston.

[C. F. Gellert, Die zärtliche Frau. The introductory stanza not translated.][29]

THE LASS OF FAIR WONE.

From the German of Bürger.

Phila. Minerva, II, Dec. 17, 1796, Phila.

[G. A. Bürger, Des Pfarrers Tochter von Taubenhain.
W. Taylor of Norwich, The Lass of Fair Wone in the Monthly Magazine, I-223, Apr. 1796, London. Also in Taylor's Historic Survey of German Poetry, 3 vols., 1830, London. II-32, under the title The Parson's Daughter.]

VIRTUE REWARDED:

A Pastoral Tale.

(From the German of Gesner).

[Prose translation.]

Phila. Minerva, II, Dec. 17, 1796, Phila.

[S. Gessner, Daphne.
W. Hooper, New Idylles by Gessner, p. 33, Glicera.]

Miscellaneous.

By Ferdinand Wallhime.

THE WISH

(in imitation of Matthison).

Lit. Museum, or Mo. Mag., p. 47, Jan. 1797, West-Chester.

[F. Matthisson, Wunsch an Salis. "Noch einmal möcht' ich, eh in die Schattenwelt...."]

BENEVOLENCE.

A Fable.

Imitated from the German of Gellert.

Amer. Universal Mag., I-28, Jan. 2, 1797, Phila.

[C. F. Gellert, Die Gutthat.]

PRO PATRIA MORI

From the German of Bürger.

Amer. Universal Mag., I-141, Jan. 23, 1797, Phila.

[G. A. Bürger, Die Tode.]

THE LASS OF FAIR WONE.

From the German of Bürger.

Amer. Universal Mag., I-211, Feb. 6, 1797, Phila.

[Also in Phila. Minerva, II, Dec. 17, 1796, Phila.]

THE BROKEN PITCHER.

From the German of Gesner.

[Prose translation.]

The Key, I-69, Mar. 10, 1798, Frederick Town.

[S. Gessner, Der zerbrochene Krug.]

LEONORA. [α].

A Ballad from Bürger.

The following translation (made some years since) of a celebrated piece, of which other versions have appeared, and are now on the point of appearing, possesses so much peculiar charm and intrinsic merit, that we are happy in being permitted to present it to our readers.

[The translation follows.]

Weekly Mag., I-221, Mar. 17, 1798, Phila.

[G. A. Bürger, Lenore.
Wm. Taylor of Norwich, Lenora.
Mo. Mag. and British Register, I-135, Mar. 1769, London.
M. G. Lewis, Tales of Wonder, 1801, London.

The translation appeared anonymously in the above mentioned, but was afterwards printed with several changes under the title Ellenore in Taylor's Historic Survey of German Poetry, II-40.

Also in Tales of Terror and Wonder, collected by M. G. Lewis. With an introduction by Henry Morley, 1887, London. Cf. Preface.][33]

TO A LITTLE CHARMER.

From the German of Lessing.

Weekly Mag., II-30, May 5, 1798, Phila.

[G. E. Lessing, An eine kleine Schöne.]

For the Weekly Magazine.

THE SWALLOW. A FABLE.

(From the German of Lessing.)

Believe me, my friend, the great world is not suited to philosophers or poets. We are insensible to their real worth; and they, alas! are often weak enough to exchange it for a mere nothing.

In early ages the swallow was as tuneful and melodious a bird as the nightingale; but she soon became weary of residing in solitary groves to excite the admiration of none but the industrious peasant and the innocent shepherdess. She left her humble friends, and removed into town. What was the consequence? As the inhabitants of the city had not leisure to attend to her divine song, she gradually forgot it, and in its stead learned to—build.

Weekly Mag., II-82, May 12, 1798, Phila.

[G. E. Lessing, Die Schwalbe.][34]

THE CHASE.

By Gottfried Augustus Bürger.

Weekly Mag., II-413, July 28, 1798, Phila.

[G. A. Bürger, Der wilde Jäger.

Sir Walter Scott, The Wild Huntsman. Published with William and Helen in 1796 and entitled The Chase.

M. G. Lewis, Tales of Wonder. Entitled The Wild Huntsmen. By Walter Scott.

Cf. note to Leonora, in the Weekly Mag., I-221, Mar. 17, 1798.]

THE ERL-KING.

(The Original is by Goëthe, Author of Werter.)

Weekly Mag., III-93, Aug. 18, 1798, Phila.

[Goethe, Erlkönig.
M. G. Lewis, Tales of Wonder, 1801, London.

The above text, however, is taken from Lewis' Ambrosio, or the Monk (1795), which has several variants. The first Amer. reprint of The Monk was taken from the fourth British edition, 1798, Phila. Cf. Preface.]

THE ERL-KING'S DAUGHTER.

(The Original is Danish; but I read it in a German Translation.)

Weekly Mag., III-94, Aug. 18, 1798, Phila.

[J. G. Herder, Erlkönigs Tochter in the Fourth Book (Nordische Lieder) of Stimmen der Völker in Liedern. Trans. from the Danish.

M. G. Lewis, Tales of Wonder and The Monk.

Cf. note to The Erl-King.

The original is in the Kiampe Viiser.]

AMYNTAS, A PASTORAL TALE. [β]

(From the German of the celebrated Gessner.)

[Prose translation.]

Weekly Mag., III, 347, 358, Mar. 23, 30, 1799, Phila.

[S. Gessner, Mycon. In the French version, entitled Amyntas.

W. Hooper, New Idylles, p. 18.][36]

FRIENDSHIP

Translated from the German.

Set to music by Russ.

Phila. Repos., I, Appendix (Nov. 15, 1800-Nov. 7, 1801), Phila.

[The above appeared in the Musical Appendix.]

Original Poetry.

LYCAS; OR THE INVENTIONS OF GARDENS.

Attempted from the Idyls of Gessner.

P. D.

Port Folio, I-54, Feb. 14 1801, Phila.

[S. Gessner, Lycas, oder die Erfindung der Gärten.][39]

For the Port Folio.

MYRTILLO.

An idyl, attempted from the German of Gessner.

—P. D.

Port Folio, I-70, Feb. 28, 1801, Phila.[41]

For the Port Folio.

MYRTIL AND DAPHNE

An Idyl.

Attempted from Gessner.

P. D.

Port Folio, I-80, Mar. 7, 1801, Phila.

[S. Gessner, Mirtil und Daphne.]

TRANSLATION FROM THE IDYLS OF GESSNER.

Q. V.

Port Folio, I-87, Mar. 14, 1801, Phila.[44]

LEONORA. [β].

A Tale, from the German.

Balto. Weekly Mag., I-280, Apr. 29, 1801, Balto.

[G. A. Bürger, Lenore. The last eight stanzas are an invention of the translator.]

For the Portfolio.

Mr. Old School,

If you permit a truant to peep into your literary seminary, he will venture to present you with the inclosed hastily written lines, as a peace offering; but shall not be irritated beyond measure, should you choose to convert it into a burnt offering, as a just punishment for time misspent.

At any rate, the sentence you shall pass, shall not be appealed from.

Your sincere well-wisher,
The Author.

DAMON AND DAPHNE, AN IDYLL,

(Matrimonial,)

Attempted from Gessner.

P. D.

Port Folio, I-171, May 30, 1801, Phila.

[S. Gessner, Damon. Daphne.]

For the Port Folio.

THE FLY, A FABLE.

From the German of Gellert.

L.

Port Folio, I-192, June 13, 1801, Phila.

[C. F. Gellert, Die Fliege.][56]

For the Port Folio.

THE SUICIDE.

From the German of Gellert.

U.

Port Folio, I-192, June 13, 1801, Phila.

[C. F. Gellert, Der Selbstmord.]

FROM THE GERMAN.

Port Folio, I-280, Aug. 29, 1801, Phila.

For the Port Folio.

From the German of Gellert.

THE DANCING BEAR

A Fable.

L.

27 November 1801.

Port Folio, I-400, Dec. 12, 1801, Phila.

[C. F. Gellert, Der Tanzbär.]

BENEVOLENCE. A FABLE.

Imitated from the German of Galleret.

Balance and Columbian Repos., I-132, Apr. 27, 1802, Hudson (N. Y.).

[Gellert, Die Gutthat. Also in Amer. Universal Mag., I-28, Jan. 2, 1797, Phila.]

AMINTA.

An Idyl,—By Gessner.

[Prose translation.]

Weekly Visitor or Ladies' Misc., I-20, Oct. 23, 1802, N. Y.

[S. Gessner, Daphne.
Mary Collyer, Gessner's Idyls, 1802, Liverpool. II-121, Aminta.]

INVITATION TO JOY.[59]

From the German.

Weekly Visitor or Ladies' Misc., I-64, Nov. 27, 1802, N. Y.[60]

Original Papers.

For the Port Folio.

THE AMERICAN LOUNGER.

By Samuel Saunter, Esq.

No. XLIII.

—Virgil.

To Samuel Saunter, Esq.

Sir,

As I perceive your plan, like that of Coleman and Thornton, in the "Connoisseur," and like that of your relation, Solomon Saunter, in "Literary Leisure," admits Poetry as well as Prose, which one may feed upon alternately, as we eat bread and cheese, I send you a translation, from the German of Lessing, and some fugitive originals.

I am, yours
Harley.

Port Folio, III-25, Jan. 1803, Phila.

[Lessing, Die Namen.][61]

THE NAVIGATION

Translated from the French of Gessner.

H *** T.

Boston Weekly Mag., 1-72, Feb. 19, 1803, Boston.

[S. Gessner, La Navigation.
French translation of Die Schiffahrt.]

Mr. Hogan;[62]

The subjoined Pieces under the signature of Oscar, are the production of a gentleman residing in a distant part of the state. They were written solely with a view to amuse his leisure hours. If you think them worthy of publication, you are at liberty to insert them in the Repository.

—A Subscriber.

MORNING SONG OF PRAISE.

From the German of Patzke.

"Lobt den Herrn! Die morgensonne."

—Oscar.

Phila. Repos., III-152, May 7, 1803, Phila.

ODE TO SPRING

From the German.

"Freude wirbelt in den Lüften."

—Oscar.

Phila. Repos., III-152, May 7, 1803, Phila.

[For introductory note, cf. the preceding.]

UNIVERSAL SONG OF PRAISE.

A Sapphic Ode.

From the German of Bürde.

"Alles was odem hat, lobe den Herrn!"

—Oscar.

Phila. Repos., III-152, May 7, 1803, Phila.

[For introductory note, cf. Morning Song of Praise, preceding.]

THE SHOE PINCHES.

A Song of Shoe-maker, William.

From Kotzebue.

Balance and Columbian Repos., II-288, Sept. 6, 1803, Hudson, (N. Y.).[65]

BENEVOLENCE.—A FABLE.

Imitated from the German of Gellert.

Port Folio, III-352, Oct. 29, 1803, Phila.

[Also in Amer. Universal Mag., I-28, Jan. 2, 1797, Phila.]

THE NOSEGAY.

[Prose translation.]

Phila. Repos., IV-4, Jan. 7, 1804, Phila.

[S. Gessner, Der Blumenstrauss.
W. Hooper, New Idylles, p. 37.]

For the Philadelphia Repository.

HOFFNUNG.

—Adelio.

⁂ A poetical translation is requested.

Phila. Repos., IV-56, Feb. 18, 1804, Phila.[66]

For the Philadelphia Repository.

Translation

Of Adelio's German Lines in last Repository.

HOPE.

Translator.

Phila. Repos., IV-64, Feb. 25, 1804, Phila.

PASSAGE FROM KLOPSTOCK'S MESSIAH.

"Perhaps some other writer will throw this fine picture into blank verse so well, as to convince the public, that the beauties of Klopstock can be naturalized without strangeness, and his peculiarities retained without affectation; that quaintness, the unavoidable companion of neologism, is as needless to genius, as hostile to grace; the hexameter, until it is familiar, must repel, and, when it is familiar, may annoy; that it wants a musical orderliness of sound; and that its cantering capricious movement opposes the grave march of solemn majesty, and better suits the ordinary scenery of Theocritus than the empyreal visions of Klopstock."
From "Criticism on Klopstock's Messiah."

Lit. Mag. and Amer. Reg., I-468, Mar. 1804, Phila.

[F. G. Klopstock, Messias.]

THE GUARDIAN SPIRIT.

From the German of Matthison.

Phila. Repos., IV-160, May 19, 1804, Phila.

[Friedrich Matthisson, Lied aus der Ferne.]

BÜRGER'S LEONORA. [γ].

[In an article on Bürger's Lenore, three eight-lined stanzas of Spencer's translation, and two six-lined stanzas of Stanley's translation are given.

W. R. Spencer, Leonora. Trans. from the German of G. A. Bürgher. London, 1796.

J. T. Stanley, Leonora. Trans. freely from the German; 2nd ed., London, 1796.]

Port Folio, IV-167, May 26, 1804, Phila.

A SONNET

Translated from Jacobi.

Companion and Weekly Misc., I-104, Jan. 26, 1805, Balto.

[J. G. Jacobi, Vergänglichkeit.
W. Taylor of Norwich, op. cit. II-106, Elegy. (Variants in stanza V).]

The following is a German drinking song, popular in the Rhingau, and probably the inspiration of the old Hock, which it celebrates.

Translation.

Port Folio, V-110, Apr. 13, 1805, Phila.

EPIGRAMS.

From the German of G. E. Lessing.

Phila. Repos., V-128, Apr. 20, 1805, Phila.

In Dr. Cogan's amusing and Shandean Travels on the Rhine, he has preserved a German Ode to Evening. They, who are curious to behold the Teutonic Muse, in the character of a pensive minstrel, may here be gratified.

Translation.

Port Folio, V-149, May 18, 1805, Phila.[73]

FROM THE GERMAN OF LESSING.

Port Folio, I-40, Jan. 25, 1806, Phila.

THE WOODEN LEG. [α].

An Helvetick Tale.

From the German of Solomon Gessner.

[Prose translation.]

Polyanthos, I-192, Feb., 1806, Boston.

[S. Gessner, Das hölzerne Bein.
W. Hooper, New Idylles, p. 78.]

It is but seldom that the Muses of the North sing more sweetly than in the following strain:

SONG—FROM THE GERMAN.

Port Folio, I-189, Mar. 29, 1806, Phila.[75]

Pastoral Poetry.

From Gessner's "New Idyls."

THE ZEPHYRS. [β].

[Prose translation.]

Weekly Visitant, I-158, May 17, 1806, Salem.

[S. Gessner, Die Zephyre.
W. Hooper, New Idylles, p. 16.]

From Gessner's "New Idylles."
THE CARNATION.

[Prose translation.]

Weekly Visitant, I-159, May 17, 1806, Salem.

[S. Gessner, Die Nelke.
W. Hooper, New Idylles, p. 7.]

THE NAME UNKNOWN.

Imitated from Klopstock's ode to his future mistress. By Thomas Campbell, Esq., author of Pleasures of Hope.

Evening Fire-Side or Lit. Misc., II-165, May 24, 1806, Phila.

[F. G. Klopstock, Die künftige Geliebte.

The above imitation appeared first in a newspaper, Newport Mercury, No. 2160, Aug. 30, 1803, Newport.]

THE FOWLER—A SONG.

Altered from a German air, in the opera of "Die Zauberlôte."

Mo. Anthology and Boston Rev., III-591, Nov. 1806, Boston.

[E. Schickaneder, Die Zauberflöte. Oper in zwei Aufzügen von Mozart. Dichtung nach Ludwig Giesecke von E. Schickaneder.

James Montgomery, The Wanderer of Switzerland and Other Poems, London, 1806. First Amer. ed. from second London ed., N. Y., 1807. P. 93.]

THE CHASE.

In the third number[33] of the Port Folio we inserted a very humorous parody of the following ballad of Bürger. We understand from the criticks in the German Language that the original is eminently beautiful. Its merit was once so highly appreciated in England that a host of translators started at once in the race for public favor. The ensuing version which is, we believe, by Sir Walter Scott, Esqr., well deserves a place in this journal.

[The translation by Scott follows.]

Port Folio, III-100, Feb. 14, 1807, Phila.

[Also in Weekly Mag., II-413, July 28, 1798, Phila.]

The following charming[77]
SONG
is translated from the German by Mr. Herbert.

Observer, I-352, May 30, 1807, Balto.[78]

Selected Poetry.

THE POEM OF HALLER VERSIFIED.

By Henry James Pye, Esq., P.L.

Observer, II-95, Aug. 8, 1807, Balto.
[Albrecht von Haller, Sehnsucht nach dem Vaterlande.]

Walter Scott, Esq., whose honoured name is now perfectly familiar to every[80] lover of poetical description, has lately published a ballad which we are solicitous to preserve in this paper. The gayety of the beginning, contrasted with the solemnity of the conclusion of this terrifick ballad cannot fail to strike all who relish The Castle of Otranto, or The Romance of the Forest.

FREDERICK AND ALICE.

This tale is imitated rather than translated from a fragment introduced in Goethe's "Claudina von Villa Bella," where it is sung by a member of a gang of banditti to engage the attention of the family, while his companions break into the castle. It owes any little merit it may possess to my friend Mr. Lewis, to whom it was sent in an extremely rude state; and who, after some material improvement, published it in his "Tales of Wonder."

[The poem follows.]

Port Folio, IV-134, Aug. 29, 1807, Phila.

[Goethe, Claudine von Villa Bella, Act II. Song by "Rugantino" (Karlos von Castellvecchio).

M. G. Lewis, Tales of Wonder.]

THE LASS OF FAIR WONE.

From the German of Buerger.

Charms of Lit., p. 103, 1808, Trenton.

[Also in Phila. Minerva, II, Dec. 17, 1796, Phila.]

THE WOODEN LEG. [β].

A Swiss Idyll.

By Gessner.

[Prose translation.]

Charms of Lit., p. 401, 1808, Trenton.

[S. Gessner, Das hölzerne Bein.][81]

FROM THE GERMAN OF GESNER.

Lady's Weekly Misc., VII-112, June 11, 1808, N. Y.

[S. Gessner, Morgenlied.]

MORNING SONG.

(Morgenlied) from the German of Gesner.

Emerald, n. s., I-562, Sept. 10, 1808, Boston.

[S. Gessner, Morgenlied.]

TRANSLATION OF SHELLER'S
"FORGET ME NOT."

(From the German.)

Z.

Gleaner, I-325, Mar. 1809, Lancaster (Penn.).

TRANSLATION FROM THE GERMAN.

Whoever has perused the prophetick metrical compositions of Van Vander Horderclogeth must surely remember the poem on the 3697 fol. of which the following is a translation; it commences thus—

Vrom Grouter gruder grout gropstock, Zordur zoop, &c.

Ordeal, I-157, Mar. 11, 1809, Boston.

THE FOWLER.[85]

A Song. Altered from a German air, in the opera of "Dizauberlote." Gleaner, I-374, Apr. 1809, Lancaster (Penn.).

[Also in Mo. Anthology and Boston Rev., III-591, Nov. 1806, Boston.]

TO CHLOE.

From the German of Gesner.

[Prose translation.]

Visitor, I-154, Nov. 4, 1809, Richmond.

[S. Gessner, An Chloen.]

SONG.

From the German of Jacobi.

Boston Mirror, II-88, Dec. 30, 1809, Boston.

[Same as, A Sonnet, by Jacobi, in Companion and Weekly Misc., I-104, Jan. 26, 1805, Balto.]

I publish the following new translation of "The Wild Hunter," first on account of its superiority over every other, and secondly because it is my intention in a future number to notice particularly this chef d'oeuvre of the German poet.

THE WILD HUNTER.

Rambler's Mag., I-137, [1809], N. Y.

[G. A. Bürger, Der wilde Jäger.][94]

III.[95]

TRANSLATIONS OF DUTCH, DANISH, NORWEGIAN AND ICELANDIC POETRY, AND ORIGINAL POEMS
REFERRING TO THE GERMAN COUNTRIES.

We hear from Annopolis-Royal that a play was acted the last Winter for the Entertainment of the Officers and Ladies at that Place and that the following Lines were Part of the Prologue compos'd and spoke on that Occasion.

Amer. Mag. and Hist. Chron., I-348, Apr. 1744, Boston.

WINTER, A POEM.

By the same [i. e., Annandius].

The twelfth stanza:

Amer. Mag. and Mo. Chron., I-238, Feb. 1758, Phila.

To the Proprietors, &c.

Gentlemen:

The honour of becoming a father has made me desirous of ushering the following Ode into the world, which is my own true, honest, and lawfully begotten birth. I, therefore know of no better method than to commit it to the care of gentlemen of your abilities and public character; for if it remains with me it must live and die in obscurity.

Philadelphia, February 25th. Philandreia.

ON THE COMPLEAT VICTORY GAIN'D BY
HIS PRUSSIAN MAJESTY OVER THE FRENCH
AND IMPERIAL ARMY, THE 5TH OF
NOVEMBER, 1757.

A Pindaric Ode.

Amer. Mag. and Mo. Chron., I-240, Feb. 1758, Phila.

ODE ON THE LATE VICTORY OBTAINED
BY THE KING OF PRUSSIA,

By the same [i. e., Annandius].

Philadelphia, February 10, 1758.

Amer. Mag. and Mo. Chron., I-240, Feb. 1758, Phila.

The same worthy motives that induced the author to send us the following poem, will induce us to give it place this month, altho we are already crowded with materials. We think it our duty, as Britons and Protestants, to take every opportunity of celebrating such an illustrious hero as the King of Prussia; and, however unequal the strains may be thought, yet if they contribute ever so little to raise an imitation of his noble and almost divine atchievments, in the cause of Religion and Liberty, our end will be fully answered.

ON THE GLORIOUS VICTORY OBTAINED BY
THE HEROICK KING OF PRUSSIA OVER THE
IMPERIAL ARMY NEAR NEWMARK IN
SILESIA THE 5TH DECEMBER 1757.

—Annandius.

March 11th, 1758.

Amer. Mag. and Mo. Chron., I-279, Mar. 1757, Phila.[105]

A LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE KING
OF PRUSSIA'S ODE.

The King of Prussia employs himself in times of peace in the following manner: He rises at five; on business till seven; dresses, and receives letters and petitions till nine; from nine to eleven with his ministers; then on the parade, to exercise the guards; dines at half an hour after twelve with some of his officers; at half an hour after one he retires till five; then somebody reads to him till seven; then the concert; at nine come the men of genius; they sup half an hour after, and converse till eleven; then the king retires, and at twelve goes to bed.—He is a statesman, soldier, author, and musician; indefatigable in business; and by method overlooks and directs everything; very frugal; without farce of state; the idle officers of the court have the usual titles; but no pay for the drones, tho' they are mostly officers.

THE THIRD PSALM PARAPHRASED, ALLUDING
TO HIS PRUSSIAN MAJESTY.

New Amer. Mag., No. IV-78, Apr. 1758, Woodbridge in N. J.

SPEECH OF THE PRINCE OF BRUNSWICK
TO THE HANOVERIAN AND HESSIAN
TROOPS.

New Amer. Mag., No. IV-80, Apr. 1758, Woodbridge in N. J.

ON A CARGO OF FRENCH MUFFS SEIZ'D
BY THE PRUSSIANS.

New Amer. Mag., No. IV-80, Apr. 1758, Woodbridge in N. J.[109]

THE KING OF PRUSSIA'S ODE
IMITATED IN RHIME.

New Amer. Mag., No. V-119, May 1758, Woodbridge in N. J.

THE RELAXATION OF WAR:

OR THE HERO'S PHILOSOPHY, &C. WROTE BY THE KING OF
PRUSSIA, DURING HIS RESIDENCE AT BRESLAU.

N. B. This little poem is sold for 6d. sterl. in London, and 3d. here.

Amer. Mag. and Mo. Chron., I-440, June 1758, Phila.

ON READING IN THE PUBLICK PAPERS, OF
A LADY THAT HAD ORDER'D THE KING OF
PRUSSIA A PRESENT OF A THOUSAND POUNDS.

New Amer. Mag., No. VII-172, July 1758, Woodbridge in N. J.[113]

Gentlemen.

The following small poetical performance was hastily composed at the request, and for the entertainment, of a select company of publick spirited friends, who gave me a short notice of their intention to dine with me, and drink the protestant champion's health, as they termed the king of Prussia. They were indulgent enough to express their unanimous approbation of the piece, and insisted on my sending it up to you, in order (if you would be of their opinion) to occupy a leaf in your Magazine. I hope no reader will think the dignity of the subject, lessened merely by the familiar strain, in which it is written: when they consider, that such seemed most suitable to the occasion, the verses consisting of eleven feet, are to be read, like the Greek Iambics (which were, anciently, much used in convivial festivities) with less solemnity and more rapidity, than the common heroic measure of ten feet in our language will admit.

Kent, Maryland, July 14, 1758.

THE ROYAL COMET.

Amer. Mag. and Mo. Chron., I-551, Aug. 1758, Phila.

MR. VOLTAIRE'S LETTER TO HIS
PRUSSIAN MAJESTY.

Translated.

New Amer. Mag., No. XI-283, Nov. 1758, Woodbridge in N. J.

TRANSLATION OF AN EPISTLE FROM THE
KING OF PRUSSIA TO MONSIEUR VOLTAIRE.

New Amer. Mag., No. XVII-470, May 1759, Woodbridge in N. J.

A DUTCH PROVERB.

Boston Mag., III-81, Feb. 1786, Boston.

ODE TO DEATH

By Frederick II, King of Prussia.

From the French, by Dr. Hawkesworth.

New Haven Gaz. and Conn. Mag., I-339, Dec. 7, 1786, New Haven.

NARCISSA

[A poem, the third stanza of which is as follows:]

Columbian Mag. or Mo. Misc., I-245, Jan. 1787, Phila.

CHARLOTTE'S SOLILOQUY—TO THE
MANES OF WERTER.

By the late doctor Ladd.

Amer. Museum, I-180, Feb. 1787, Phila.

DEATH OF WERTER.

Amer. Museum, I-474, May 1787, Phila.

WERTER'S EPITAPH.

Amer. Museum, I-474, May 1787, Phila.

[Dr. Ladd, Werter's Epitaph.]

DESCENT OF ODIN. AN ODE.

New Haven Gaz. and Conn. Mag., III-No. 21, May 29, 1788, New Haven.

[Thomas Gray, Poems.
Publ. by Dodsley—London, July 1768.
Publ. by Foulis—Glasgow, Sept. 1768.

Both editions contain the Descent of Odin. "The poem was written at Cambridge in 1761. It is a paraphrase of the ancient Icelandic lay called Vegtams Kvida, and sometimes Baldrs draumar. The original is to be found in Bartholinus, de causis contemnendæ mortis; Hafniæ, 1689, quarto. Gray has omitted to translate the first four lines." Cf. Works of Thomas Gray, ed. by Edmund Gosse. N. Y., 1885. I-60.]

CHARACTERISTIC SKETCH OF THE LONG
ISLAND DUTCH.