SELECTIONS FROM GERMAN LITERATURE.
P. 253, c. 1.—“Humboldt.” (1769-1859.) Humboldt has been one of the most expert and far reaching scientists of modern times. His love for research led him to explorations early in life. In 1790 he travelled through the principal countries of Europe, afterward publishing the discoveries made by him on this journey. After this, for some years he was employed in mining enterprises. In 1829 he joined an expedition to the Ural and Altai mountains. In 1799 Humboldt went to South America; on this journey he made extensive observations in various departments of science. The latter part of his life was spent at the Prussian court.
P. 253, c. 2.—“Orinoco,” Oˌrĭ-noˈco. Said to mean coiling snakes.
“Heine.” (1799-1856.) Heine was of Jewish parentage, but abandoned his religion and adopted the Lutheran. His first book on his travels in Italy was very successful. After this followed his first book of songs, which contained many pieces of rare beauty. It filled all Germany with enthusiasm. Heine spent his last years in great suffering, a victim to spinal disease.
P. 254, c. 1.—“Candide,” kŏnˈdēd. The hero of a novel bearing the same name, by Voltaire.
“Eldorado,” ĕl-do-rāˈdō. The gilded land. A name given to a land abounding in gold and other rich products. The Spanish conquerors of South America first applied the name to a region in South America which they reported to be filled with riches of every variety.
P. 254, c. 2.—“Dight,” dīt. To deck; to dress.
Storied windows richly dight,
Casting a dim, religious light.—Milton.
“Schleiermacher,” schleīˈer-mä-ker. (1768-1834.) One of the most influential theologians of modern times. His first published work, “Discourses on Religion,” startled all Germany. After this followed many volumes of sermons and religious writings which won him favor. In 1802 he became court preacher, and two years later went into the university at Halle as a preacher and professor; afterward he became a pastor at Berlin.
“Dialectician,” dī-a-lek-tĭshˈan. One who is versed in logic.
“Romanticism,” ro-mănˈti-cĭsm. Romantic, fantastic, or unnatural ideas or feelings.
P. 255, c. 1.—“Schopenhauer,” shoˈpen-howˌer. (1788-1860.) He studied in the German universities, and afterward devoted himself to philosophical studies. His works on the will are the best known.
“Zoöphytes,” zōˈo-fit. “Mollusca,” mol-lŭsˈca. “Annelida,” an-nĕlˈi-da; “Arachnida,” a-răchˈni-da. “Crustacea,” krus-tāˈshe-a; “Pisces,” pīsˈsēz; “Reptilia,” rep-tilˈi-a; “Aves,” āˈvēs; “Mammalia,” mam-māˈli-a.
P. 255, c. 2.—“Bellum omnium contra omnes.” War of all against all.