X.
In spite of this, however, and more than this, in spite of all the religious mysticism with which the work can be infused by the analyst and interpreter, I cannot but question the right of "Parsifal" to be considered as in any sense a reflex of the religious feeling of to-day. It is beautiful in much of its symbolism, and it is profound; but it is too persistently mediæval in its dramatic manifestations to satisfy the intelligence of the nineteenth century. The adoration of the relics of Christ's passion, and the idea that all human virtues are summed up in celibate chastity, were products of an age whose theories and practices as regards sex relationship can have no echo in modern civilization. Wolfram von Eschenbach's married Parzival, who clings with fond devotion to the memory of the wife from whose arms he had to tear himself in order to undertake the quest, and who loses himself in tender brooding for a long time when the sight of blood-spots on the snow suggests to his fancy the red and white of his wife's cheeks, seems to me to be a much more amiable and human hero than the young ascetic of Wagner's drama.
FOOTNOTES:
[J] Parzival, von Wolfram von Eschenbach. Dr. Gotthold Bötticher. Berlin, 1885.
[K] Studies on the Legend of the Holy Grail. David Nutt. London, 1888.
[L] Genesis xliv., 4 and 5.
[M] Mr. Price's Preface in Warton's History of English Poetry, vol. i.
[N] Mr. Price's note in Warton, vol. i.
[O] Matthew xxvi., 23.
[P] Natural History, Book XXXII., chap. ii.
[Q] Bötticher's Translation Book XVI.
[R] The stories concerning Virgil and his connection with the Black Art are admirably discussed in Mr. J. S. Tunison's study, Master Virgil, the Author of the Æneid as he seemed in the Middle Ages. Second Edition. Robert Clarke & Co. Cincinnati, 1890.
BY ANNA ALICE CHAPIN
WONDER TALES FROM WAGNER. Told for Young People. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
Miss Chapin's idea of reducing to a compact and readable form the more or less involved stories of Wagner's operas is one that met with pronounced success in her first book, "The Story of the Rhinegold." Although announced as "for young people," it was received with marked favor by older lovers of Wagner, who found in it an intelligent, consecutive, and concise guide to the narrative covered by the Nibelungen cycle. "Wonder Tales from Wagner" is planned upon much the same lines, and forms an invaluable companion volume to its predecessor. Told with singular simplicity and grace, these stories of the old gods have all the charm of modern fairy-tales and are, moreover, of great assistance in the study of Wagner and Wagner's operas.
THE STORY OF THE RHINEGOLD. (Der Ring des Nibelungen.)
Told for Young People. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.
The legend of the Rhinegold is both interesting and dramatic, and it has lost nothing of either quality in the hands of Miss Chapin. It may have been written with the hope of explaining the music of Wagner to young folks, but we imagine that old people will find in it a great deal of much-needed information.—N. Y. Herald.
The stories on which Wagner founded his great operas are told in a clear, beautiful, story-telling manner that claims and holds the attention. The musical motif of each development of the stories is given, and greatly adds to the value of the book.—Outlook, N. Y.
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THE BROWNING LETTERS
THE LETTERS OF ROBERT BROWNING AND ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING, 1845-1846. Illustrated with Two Contemporary Portraits of the Writers, and Two Facsimile Letters. With a Prefatory Note by R. BARRETT BROWNING, and Notes, by F. G. KENYON, Explanatory of the Greek Words, Two Volumes. Crown 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, Deckel Edges and Gilt Tops, $5.00; Half Morocco, $9.50.
Many good gifts have come to English literature from the two Brownings, husband and wife, besides those poems, which are their greatest. The gift of one's poems is the gift of one's self. But in a fuller sense have this unique pair now given themselves by what we can but call the gracious gift of these letters. As their union was unique, so is this correspondence unique.... The letters are the most opulent in various interest which have been published for many a day.—Academy, London.
We have read these letters with great care, with growing astonishment, with immense respect; and the final result produced on our minds is that these volumes contain one of the most precious contributions to literary history which our time has seen.—Saturday Review, London.
We venture to think that no such remarkable and unbroken series of intimate letters between two remarkable people has ever been given to the world.... There is something extraordinarily touching in the gradual unfolding of the romance in which two poets play the parts of hero and heroine.—Spectator, London.
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