CHRISTIAN GELLERT’S LAST CHRISTMAS …… BY BERTHOLD AUERBACH
A GHETTO VIOLET …… BY LEOPOLD KOMPERT
THE SEVERED HAND …… BY WILHELM HAUFF
PETER SCHLEMIHL …… BY ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO
The translations in this volume, where previously published, are used byarrangement with the owners of the copyrights (as specified at the beginning ofeach story). Translations made especially for the series are covered by itsgeneral copyright. All rights in both classes are reserved.
| CHRISTIAN GELLERT’S LAST CHRISTMAS — BY BERTHOLD AUERBACH |
| A GHETTO VIOLET — BY LEOPOLD KOMPERT |
| THE SEVERED HAND — BY WILHELM HAUFF |
| PETER SCHLEMIHL — BY ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO |
Three o’clock had just struck from the tower of St. Nicholas, Leipzig, onthe afternoon of December 22d, 1768, when a man, wrapped in a loose overcoat,came out of the door of the University. His countenance was exceedingly gentle,and on his features cheerfulness still lingered, for he had been gazing upon ahundred cheerful faces; after him thronged a troop of students, who, holdingback, allowed him to precede them: the passengers in the streets saluted him,and some students, who pressed forwards and hurried past him homewards, salutedhim quite reverentially. He returned their salutations with a surprised andalmost deprecatory air, and yet he knew, and could not conceal from himself,that he was one of the best beloved, not only in the good city of Leipzig, butin all lands far and wide.
It was Christian Furchtegott Gellert, the Poet of Fables, Hymns, and Lays, whowas just leaving his college.
When we read his “Lectures upon Morals,” which were not printeduntil after his death, we obtain but a very incomplete idea of the great powerwith which they came immediately from Gellert’s mouth. Indeed, it was hisvoice, and the touching manner in which he delivered his lectures, that made sodeep an impression upon his hearers; and Rabener was right when once he wroteto a friend, that “the philanthropic voice” of Gellert belonged tohis words.
Above all, however, it was the amiable and pure personal character of Gellertwhich vividly and edifyingly impressed young hearts. Gellert was himself thebest example of pure moral teaching; and the best which a teacher can give hispupils is faith in the victorious might, and the stability of the eternal morallaws. His lessons were for the Life, for his life in itself was a lesson. Manya victory over the troubles of life, over temptations of every kind, ay, manyan elevation to nobility of thought, and to purity of action, had its origin inthat lecture-hall, at the feet of Gellert.
It was as though Gellert felt that it was the last time he would deliver theselectures; that those words so often and so impressively uttered would be heardno more from his mouth; and there was a peculiar sadness, yet a peculiarstrength, in all he said that day.
He had this day earnestly recommended modesty and humility; and it appearedalmost offensive to him, that people as he went should tempt him in regard tothese very virtues; for continually he heard men whisper, “That isGellert!”
What is fame, and wha