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clothed, and his own expenses paid. The people were very happy in thus gratifying him. Many persons of note, in the conviction that to serve him would be a pious act, believing him to be a prudent and holy man, followed him everywhere, deserting their parents, wives, children, homes. In this number was the Lord d'Antoing, and some others of the nobility.

HERMANN AND DOROTHEA.

[George Henry Lewes, born in London, 18th April, 1817. Philosopher, biographer, and critic. His works are: Life of Robespierre; Comte's Philosophy of the Sciences: The Spanish Drama: Lope de Vega and Calderon; Biographical History of Philosophy; Seaside Studies; Physiology of Common Life: Studies in Animal

Life; Aristotle, a chapter from the history of science;

History of Philosophy from Thales to Comte: On the Spinal Cord as a Centre of Sensation and Volition, a paper read before the British Association for the Advancement of Science; The Nervous System; Ranthorpe, and Rose, Blanche, and Violet, two novels; The Noble Heart, a tragedy; and The Life and Works of Goethe,

from which we quote "A more faithful and life-like biography than this we have rarely read. The image of the living man is presented with much skill and much candour. Mr. Lewes speaks often of the "many sided

ness of Goethe," and he shows his weak sides and dark sides as well as his great and brilliant ones."-Literary Gazette. Mr. Lewes was for several years the literary editor of the Leader. In 1865 he founded the Fortnightly Review. He died in 1878.]

The pleasure every one finds in making acquaintance with the original stories from which Shakspeare created his marvellous plays, is the pleasure of detecting how genius can improve upon the merest hint, and how with its own vital forces it converts lifeless material into immortal life. This pleasure also carries the conviction that there is no lack of subjects for an artist, if he have but the eye to see them. It shows us that great poets are not accustomed to cast about for subjects worthy of treatment; on the contrary, the merest hint is enough to form the nucleus of a splendid work: a random phrase will kindle a magnificent conception.

Very like the material offered by Bandello to Shakspeare is the material offered to Goethe by the old narrative1 from which he created

1 Das Liebthätige Gera gegen die Slzburgischen Emigranten. Das ist: kurze und wahrhaftige Brahlung wie dieselben in der Gräflich Reuss Plauischen Residenz Stadt ang kommen, aufgenommen, und versorget, auch was an und von vielen derselben Gutes gesehen und gehöret worden. Leipzig: 1732.

one of the most faultless of modern poema Herein we learn how a rich and important citizen of Altmühl has in vain tried to persuade his son to marry. The Saltzburg emigrants pass tarough the town, and among them the son finds "a maiden who pleases him right well;" he inquires after her family and bring. ing up, and as all he hears is satisfactory, away he hies to his father, declaring that unless this Saltzburg maiden be given him, he will remain unmarried all his life. The father, aided by the pastor, tries to persuade him from such a resolution. But their efforts being vain, the pastor advises the father to give his consent, which is done. Away goes the son to the maiden, and asks her if she is willing to enter his father's domestic service. She accepts, and is presented to the father. But he, ignorant of his son's ruse, and believing he sees before him the betrothed, asks her whether she is fond of his son. The maiden thinks they are laughing at her, but on learning that they are serious in wishing her to belong to the family, declares herself quite ready, and draws from her bosom a purse containing 200 ducats, which she hands to her bridegroom as her dowry.

This is the story out of which grew Hermann und Dorothea. An ordinary story, in which the poet alone could see a poem; what he has seen, every reader of German literature well knows; and those to whom the poem is unknown must be content with the following analysis.

The epoch is changed to that of the French Revolution. The emigrants are driven from home by political events. The scene is on the right side of the Rhine. The streets of a quiet little village are noisy with unaccustomed movement; every one is crowding to see the sad procession of emigrants passing through, in the heat and dust of a summer afternoon. Mine Host of the Golden Lion, sitting at his doorway, marvels at such curiosity, but applauds the active benevolence of his wife, who has sent their son with linen, food and drink, to bestow upon the sufferers, "for to give is the duty of those who have."

And now are seen returning some of the curious. See how dusty their shoes! and how their faces are burning! They come back wiping the perspiration from their glowing faces; the old couple rejoice at having sat quiet at home, contenting themselves with what will be told them of the sight. Sure enough, here comes the pastor, and with him the apothecary; seating themselves on the wooden bench, they shake the dust off their shoes, and fan their