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Hoelty, 1748.

A lyric poet, who excelled particularly in the elegy and idyl.

Bürger, 1748.

He was more at home in ballads and simple songs than in the higher lyrical poetry, yet in some of his productions he appears as a true poet of the people, and his style, with some faults, is clear, vigorous, and tender.-Schlegel.

$2.00.

Goethe, 1749.

Goethe is the most universal poet, thoroughly modern in some of his inimitable songs, in which he gives vent to the tenderest emotions of the heart with a sincerity at times almost childlike, while in other productions he exhibits the spirit of ancient literature to a degree which, probably, no modern poet of any nation has reached, as the resemblance is not merely in the form, but in the very conception of the ideas.-Enc. Am.

2 vols., $12 00.

Schiller, 1759.

His inspiration exhibited the struggle of human nature and human will with life and fate. His ideas are as holy and elevated as Klopstock's, but they appear clothed in reality and truth.-Enc. Am.

1 vol., $4 75.

Kotzebue, 1761.

The dramatical muse of Kotzebue was fertile, but without dignity, and frequently without good morals.

Jean Paul F. Richter, 1763.

He seems to have liked particularly to analyze emotions, to dissect individual character in every station, even the humblest. He does not exhibit man under those general influences which operate on large masses of men, but deals almost exclusively with the individual, considered as such.

Tieck, 1773.

He possesses poetical resources hardly inferior to Goethe, and his productions, moreover, are distinguished for virtue and purity, as well as for poetical spirit. He is one of the most learned commentators in Shakspeare.

1 vol. 12mo, $1 75.

Uhland, 1787.

He is undoubtedly one of the best lyric poets of Germany. There is a truth, a warmth, and intensity of feeling in his poems which stir the heart.-Enc. Am.

Körner, 1791.

He is particularly celebrated for the spirited poems which he composed in the campaign against Napoleon (1813). They all have become national.

$300.

A copious selection of extracts from all the German poets will be found in Poetischer Hausschatz des Deutschen Volkes, by Dr. G. L. B. Wolf, Leipzig, 1841.

German books of all descriptions may be obtained in NewYork of Messrs. Eichthal and Bernhard, proprietors of the "Deutsche Schnellpost."

Heyne, 1797.

He is one of the most popular poets of Germany, and undoubtedly possesses great talent, although his style is full of inequalities, frequently passing from sublimity to vulgarity, and from deep feeling to an extreme frivolity.-Py. Cyc. 4. ITALIAN.

Boccacio, 1313.

5 vols. 8vo, $8 50. (See third part.)

Lorenzo de Medici, 1448.

He had attempted to restore the poetry of Italy to the state in which Petrarch had left it; but this man, so superio by the greatness of his character, and by the universality of his genius, did not possess the talent of versification in the same degree as Petrarch. Yet his ideas are natural, and often accompanied by a great charm of imagination.-Sismondi.

Machiavel, 1469.

His comedies, by the novelty of the plot, by the strength and vivacity of the dialogue, are far superior to anything Italy has produced. His poems are more remarkable for vigour of thought than for harmony of style or grace of expression.-Sismondi.

(See third part.)

Ariosto, 1474.

Tasso, 1544.

(See third part.)

Chiabrera, 1552.

The vigour, the vivacity, and the inspired character of his genius carried Italian poe.ry to a very high pitch. Though his expressions are not always the most elegant, yet the elevation of thought, the vivacity of the images, and a certain divine enthusiasm, the very soul of lyrical composition, leave us little inclination to dwell upon his faults.-Sismondi. 3 vols. 8vo, $5 50.

Metastasio, 1698.

His dramas invariably open with striking and imposing effect, and are full of magnificence and attractions calculated to rivet the attention of the audience. It would be quite impossible to convey an idea in feeble prose of the united effect of the finest poetry and music in his pieces.—Sismondi. 12 vols. 8vo, $12 00.

Alfieri, 1749.

He has united the beauties of art, unity, singleness of subject, and probability, the properties of the French drama, to the sublimity of situation and character, and the important events of the Greek theatre, and to the profound thought and sentiment of the English stage.-Sismondi.

4 vols. 8vo, $9 00.

5. SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE.

Gil Vincente, 1480.

He may be considered in some measure the founder of the Spanish theatre, and the earliest model upon which Lope de Vega and Calderon proceeded to form a yet more perfect drama.-Sismondi.

Boscan, 1490.

Vega, 1494.

These poets brought from Italy the softer beauties of amorous poetry, imbodied in the regular sonnet, which had hitherto been little employed in the Peninsula.-Hallam.

Mendoza, 1500.

Though full of philosophical discussions, his poems are yet written in a neat and easy style.-Sismondi.

Camoens, 1524.

A celebrated Portuguese poet. The versification of his Lusiad has something so charming and splendid, that not

only cultivated minds, but even the common people are enraptured by its magic, and learn by heart, and sing its beautiful stanzas.-Enc. Am.

Cervantes, 1549.

To "Don Quixote" he owes his immortality.-Sismondi Of his dramas, we may observe that they are curious specimens of the character, which that great genius gave to the national drama of Spain, at a period when it was in his power to model it according to his will.-Enc. Am.

8vo, $250.

Lope Felix de Vega Carpin, 1562.

The inconceivable fertility of invention of L. F. de Vega Carpin supported his dramatic fame, notwithstanding the little care and time which he gave to the correction of his pieces; but his other poems, the offspring of hasty efforts, are little more than rude sketches.-Sismondi.

Gongora, 1562.

The effect produced by his poetry on a people eager after novelty, impatient for a new career, and who on all sides found themselves within the bounds of authority, of the laws, and the Church, presents a remarkable phenomenon in literature. Sismondi.

Calderon, 1601.

He may be considered as placed on the highest pinnacle of romantic poetry, and all her brilliancy was lavished on his works, as, in a display of fireworks, the brightest colours and the most striking lights are reserved for the last explosion.-Schlegel.

17 vols., $15 00.

Yriarte, 1752.

He attained, in some degree, to the grace and simplicity of La Fontaine; and his merit was the most felt, as at that period no good fabulist had appeared in Spain.-Sismondi. 6 vols. 8vo, $5 00.

II. PHILOSOPHERS.

(A.) ANCIENT.

1. GREEK.

Pythagoras, 584 B.C.

THE theoretical philosophy of Pythagoras, which treats of nature and its origin, was enveloped in the most profound obscurity, and we know nothing of it but what may be conjectured from single intimations of the ancients.-Énc. Am.

Socrates, 469 B.C.

Socrates claims our highest respect, alike for the powers of his highly-cultivated mind, the purity of his sentiments, the excellence of his instructions, the extent of his influence, and the end of his godlike life. Xenophon says of him, "All who knew him found in him the best guide to virtue." -Anthon.

The best edition of Xenophon's Memoirs of Socrates is that of Reading, Cant., 1720.

Xenophon, 450 B.C.

The discrimination, solidity, precision, and mildness of manner so remarkable in his master, Socrates, he acquired himself, and transfused into his writings; from them we may learn the true spirit of the Socratic philosophy.-Anthon.

A good edition of his works is by Passow, Leipzig, 1833,

12mo.

Plato, 430 B.C.

He laid the first foundation for a scientific treatment of philosophy. His works are exceedingly valuable both for style and matter, rich in thought, and adorned with beautiful and poetical images.-Eschenburg.

Best edition, J. Bekker, Greek and Latin, Berlin, 1816-18, 10 vols. 8vo. Best translation, Sydenham and Taylor, London, 1804, 5 vols. 4to.-Anthon.

Aristotle, 385 B.C.

His works contain a great mass of clear thought and solid matter, although his insatiable love of inquiry was often betrayed into abstruse subtleties, as idle as they were dark.Eschenburgh.

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