[152] The German name for the system of gymnastics introduced by the celebrated Dr. Jahn, and mixed up, by the young men who cultivated them, with the political opinions designated by the governments as ‘Demagogic.’—Trans.
[153] The Prussian Landwehr system also forms perfect soldiers, horse or foot, in two years.—Editor.
[154] It is perhaps hardly worth remarking, that at the time in which eternal hell-fire was the most sincerely and generally believed in, morality was at the very lowest ebb, and the number of great crimes a thousandfold what it now is.—Editor.
[155] Our Eilkutschen will never approach the English stage-coaches till the post is entirely free, and till there is an equal competition of travellers: neither is to be expected.—Editor.
[156] Few persons will agree with this position of the Author. If it be true, how doubly discreditable to English translators is the comparison of their performances with such translations as Voss’s Homer, Schleiermacher’s Plato, Schlegel’s Shakspeare and Calderon, &c. For any approach to these wonderful transfusions, where are we to look? At the abortive attempts at presenting to England any idea of Göthe?—Trans.
[157] ‘Popish mummery’ is the name given by English Protestants to the Catholic worship;—their own fully answers to the same description.—Editor.
[158] The decorated well-replenished table well set out in every family on Christmas eve.—Trans.
[159] The description in detail is omitted, as familiar to the English reader.—Trans.
[160] The letters alluded to belong to the first part, which see.—Editor.—(See Preface.)
[161] Ländlich, sittlich,—a German proverb, to which I do not recollect any corresponding English one.—Transl.