ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
197
Although the scepticism of most German writers renders this literature dangerous to a young rnind, there are The fields of pure, nohle writing open in that language.
works of
Schiller, for example.
His mind was
originfilly
noble, his heart good, his love to mankind, and his enIn early life, he wavered ; quiry after truth were sincere.
and the besetting scepticism of the Germans dimmed, is most sublime, as
for a time, his perceptions of all that
well as true, in our finite knowledge. He was chastened he suffered he believed. He died an early but a
bright instance that great genius piety, and that the mind
humble
when illumined by
may is
exist with true
and
never so powerful as
His works are a magand I could almost say, be contented to learn German and to read Schiller. Some of his works are open to objection, his " Bride of divine light.
nificent library in themselves
Messina," portions of "The Robbers," are better omitted from your collection, but " Wallenstein" and " Maria Stuart" are noble and admirable productions. On this on the whole of German and, indeed, literature, subject, Madame de Stael is an excellent guide in her " L'Alleinagne," to which I refer the young German student, who is sincerely desirous of gleaning the good, and avoiding the evil in German compositions. Italian literature furnishes a delightful thome for com-It is singular that an enslaved, and, during many
ment.
ages, a depraved and degraded people, should have possessed the purest poetry, the least exceptionable drama,
There is little to exclude, and much to reEurope in this beautiful 'language. The works of commend, Tasso abound with high sentiment; the "Inferno" of
in