MONTHLY SUMMARY OF FOREIGN LITERATURE, MUSIC, AND AR

BY CHARLES G. LELAND.

RECENT GERMAN LITERATURE.-FRIEDERICH

In Swiss history, we observe that PROF. J. E W. EBELING has recently written a work entitled KOPP, of Vienna, has "published and ma England's Geschichtschreiber," or, The English clear" the second volume of a work entit ed Historians, from the earliest to the present times."Urkunden zur Geschichte der Eidgenosis The work is "settled" in the following words by a reviewer: "The high tone assumed in the preface of this work is by no means carried out in its execution. While long extracts from Southey's poem, Roderick, the last of the Goths,' are given, we find no mention, among others, of B. Berington's History of Henry the Second. As a specimen, we give the following article. W. H. PRESCOTT. This writer's principal work is "The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain." London, 1838.' This is enough, we think, to determine Mr. Ebeling's work as one of the most superficial specimens of book-making in existence."

Bunde," or, 'Original Intelligence as to the History of the Federated Alliance." The che racteristic of this work appears to be an co wearied spirit of research, which has enabled the author to open springs of information hither unknown. He has, in consequence, drawn he materials from genuine sources, instead of the legendary narrations of later chroniclers. Fr many ancient and curious documents he was indebted to the archives of Turin. The perio embraced in this second volume extends fre A.D. 1241 unto 1314.

in explaining more fully the influence which the Arabic literature of that period had in formış his mind. Gerbert's greatest service undoubtedly consists in the application of Arabic numerals to the results of the labours of the Alexandrian mathematicians. In the second part of this work. which is yet to appear, Dr. Büdinger promises. in opposition to those who have hitherto written on Pope Sylvester, to undertake a moral defence of this illustrious scholar.

The reader familiar with historical works of the later period must have observed the attentE An extremely interesting work, as it would which has, of late, been drawn to the Foot appear, in the Latin tongue, has recently been Gerbert, otherwise known as Sylvester II b written by PROF. KRUSE, of the University of addition to the information which has been in Dorpat. Its title is, in part, as follows: "Chroni- parted by HocK, WILMANS, and GFRÖRER ? con Nortmannorum, Warriago Russorum nec non can add a late work by DR. BÜDINGER, of the Danorum, Sveonum, Norwegorum inde ab a. 777 University of Marburg, entitled, Veber Gertert i usque ad a. 879, sive a Sigfrido rege Nortmannorum wissenschaftl. und polit. Stellung," or, "On the usque ad Igorem I., Russorum magnum principem, Literary, Scientific, and Political Position of Ger ad verbum ex Francicis, Anglo-Saxonicis, Hibernicis, bert." This work differs from those preceding Scandinavicis, Slavicis, Serbicis, Bulgaricis, Arabicis, in communicating a more extended knowledge et Byzantinis, annalibus repetitum, notisque geo-relative to the early life of Pope Sylvester, and graphicis, historicis, chronologicis, illustratum," &c.; or, "A Chronicle of the Norsemen, Warago-Russians, Danes, Swedes, Norwegians, from the year 777 to 879, or from Sigfried, king of the Northmen, to Igor I., the great Russian Prince; literally translated from French, Anglo-Saxon, Irish, Scandinavian, Slavonic, Servian, Bulgarian, Arabic, and Byzantine annals; illustrated with geographical, historical, and chronologic notes, with some additions from contemporaries down to the Christian times. With genealogic tables, &c., &c." Published by F. and ANDR. PERTHES, Hamburg and Gotha. In this curious collection we have all that contemporary or later writers have contributed to the history of the Norsemen, from 777, when they first appeared, to the death of Rurik, in 879, arranged according to the year, and supplied with comments. The main object of this collection appears to be to establish the compiler's theory, that Rurik belonged to the reigning house of Denmark, and is identical with Rorich of the French annals. To judge of the criticism which abounds in this work, it is, however, enough to state, that the Margrave Otker of Karlmann, the hero of innumerable legends and romances, where he appears as Ogier le Danois, or Holger Danske, is seriously assumed as a member of the house of Denmark, according to those later writers, who, as is frequently done, used the legends and tales of the Middle Ages, as well as their annals, as historical In other respects, this collection of such very widely extended material is of importance for the Norse history of this epoch, and will be welcome to all occupied in such researches.

sources.

The fourteenth livraison, or "part," of The Hstoric Geographic Hand-Atlas, by DR. KARL VON SPRUNER, containing ten maps, serving for the history of Asia, has recently been published by PERTHES, of Gotha. This work-the only ese of the kind, we believe, of any real importance which has appeared since KLAPROTH'S Tatérau Historiques de l'Asie,"-may be fairly characterized as a production exhibiting the very intensity of German erudition and research, and of great value, not only to the geographer and ethnogra phist, but also to the philologist.

The celebrated SCHUBERT, Court-Counse.kt and Professor at the University of Munich, wel known at an earlier period as the author of "The History of the Soul," and since rendered fam: at we trust, to most of our readers by the Rev. Ma FURNESS's translation of one of his scientific works has recently published another work, entitled,” Das Weltgebaüde, die Erde, und d. Zeiten d. Menschen auf der Erde," or, The World's Structure, the Earth, and the Epochs of Mankind on the Earth This work, we are informed, was originally a tended as a new edition of the first volume ď

he author's "History of Nature." But he is a ortunate man, we have heard, who can tell how is children will "turn out;" and the same may be said of an author attempting a new work, or ven, as in this instance, the remodelling of one lready written. The present work treats of general cosmologic relations: the next will be imited to mineralogy and botany, and the third o zoology.

In the Hyperion of LONGFELLOW, we have a philosopher briefly described as "a mystic who reads Fichte's 'Destiny of Man,' and Schubert's History of the Soul.'" As the works of Schubert appear destined to find a certain class of readers in this country among those who, to a penchant for scientific reading, add a taste for literature and philosophy of a more poetic cast, we deem this no inappropriate place to cite the following remarks on Schubert from Rixner's "Geschichte der Philosophie:"

"As, in the works of BAADER, Natural Philosophy appears blended with Mysticism, so, in SCHUBERT, we find it similarly allied to Poetry, from which marriage (as BLASCHE remarked in the Isis, 1819, st. ix.), offspring of a very peculiar nature were born.

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By him, philosophic knowledge has first been brought nearer to the disposition and natural bent of the mind, and incorporated with feelings which the bare system of reflection and abstraction might destroy; and it is therefore readily intelligible that Schubert's writings readily found a far greater circle of readers than such works generally boast.

"The philosophy of SCHELLING, whose pupil Schubert had been, had upon the latter a great influence, as upon STEFFENS; yet Schubert deviates from his teacher, in the philosophic path which his mind naturally followed, even more than Steffens.

"Schubert and OKEN appear to agree in their views, as Schelling agrees with Steffens, yet in a different manner. Schubert dives into the depths, while Oken's ability spreads itself forth in every direction, with equal strength. Where, therefore, Oken, according to his system, is obliged to be 3 short and abridged, Schubert throws himself forth more fully; and the relation between the pair is also expressed, when we say that Oken rings out on his lyre the harmony of the Universe, while Schubert, on his, allies the melody to harmony. Yet Schubert's works, in company with Oken's, will ever maintain unchanged their value, and shine as everlasting stars in the heaven of the Philosophy of Nature. Among these we may cite his Ahndungen einer Allgem. Gesch. des Lebens,' his 'Views of the Night Side of Natural Science,' and his 'Primitive World and The principal tendencies of this work are to defend the literal truth of the Bible against those natural philosophers who profess to find in it contradictions to their views. In a purely religious point of view, the work which has recently appeared-we refer to "The World's Structure, the Earth," &c.-is coolly pronounced by a German reviewer "to be such as is well calculated to make generally a favourable impression upon those who entertain such views with regard to the creation." We give the remark, without approving of its tone; for we regard it as an outrageous invalidation of the claims of religion to dignity or truth, to treat its

the Fixed Stars.'"

adherents as the mere followers of one of many philosophical sects. It was the well-deserved reproach of certain hierophants of the last century, that they taught their disciples to reverence CHRIST, in company with Mahomet, Moses, and Buddha.

"Annalen der k. k. Sternwarte in Wien," or, "Annals of the Imperial Observatory in Vienna," under the direction of C. L. VON LITTROW, will be found interesting to astronomers.

In Botany, we have, from DR. H. F. BONORDEN, "Handbuch der Allgem. Mykologie," or, " Handbook of Universal Mycology," which is not, however, so much a treatise on all known varieties of fungi, as an attempt to perfect the system of FRIES. In his classifications, he appears to have closely followed Corda, but to be entirely unacquainted with Tulasne's beautiful work on the Fungi Subterranei. From LUDOLPH CHRISTIAN TREVIRANUS, Prof. of Bonn, we have " De Compositione Fructus in Cactearum atque Cucurbitacearum Ordinibus," or, " Of the Formation of the Fruit in the orders of Cacti and Gourds." This little treatise was read by the celebrated old veteran, TREVIRANUS, four years ago, before an assembly of natural philosophers, in Venice. From BAYRHOFFER, a work “On Lichens, and their Fructification" has recently appeared in Berne. In this work, much truly useful and extremely accurate information is given as to the generation and growth of lichens, though many, we imagine, will be apt to differ from his somewhat bold and original views.

A second impression of the greatly extended and revised third edition of LIEBIG'S "Chemische Briefe" has lately been published by the wellknown WINTER, of Heidelberg. DR. F. C. SCHNEIDER, of Vienna, has written a "Gerichtliche Chemie," or, " Medical Jurisprudence," which may form a companion for BECK's celebrated work, generally used by our own lawyers. FRESENIUS is writing an "Analysis of the most important Mineral Waters of the Duchy of Nassau." The second part, in which the waters of Ems are examined, has just appeared.

We may warn our readers against a recent work by DR. H. DÖRING, entitled "Schiller and Goethe," which contains, with the exception of a few doubtful letters from Schiller to his sister and GOECKING, literally nothing new, and appears to be merely an impudent piece of book-making, to deceive the insatiable appetite of the German public for books in general, and those relating to Goethe and Schiller in particular.

The fifth number of THE EUROPA for 1852

contains, among other articles, one entitled " President Louis Napoleon as an author,”—a title which

somewhat reminds us of the caricature in which swindler) appears as a man of letters. No. 6 Robert Macaire (the popular French type of a The GRENZBOTEN has an article on the English contains an interesting paper on LAUBE's works. poet, SHELLEY; also, on a Visit to Gibraltar, German Consolation, and a notice of BROMME'S Atlas to Cosmos.

RECENT FRENCH LITERATURE.-Among the latest French publications, we observe the appearance of the first volume of a work entitled "Lord Palmerston, l'Angleterre, et le Continent, par le Comte

originality, refinement of feeling, or depth. Co fortunately, the chapters devoted to Switzerland, Belgium, and the banks of the Rhine, teach us nothing new, and as for the thoughts, which form the most important part of the book, we there find, among a few delicate lines-a few passages which are well placed, a vast amount of downright vulgarity. We know not if the author is dead, but fear that his book is not destined for a long life."

de Ficquelment," which is thus noticed by a French | annuated at the present day, and which consists reviewer. During the present struggle on the of passing himself off as defunct in order to Continent in favour of a democratic policy, Lord attract"-like Teniers or Rembrandt, we suppose Palmerston finds himself engaged in a struggle," more attention. It would, however, make chiefly with Austria. M. the Count Ficquelment but little difference, if we found in the work. takes part with Lord Palmerston and England, in the name of continental interests. These interests are numerous and widely differing, and consequently the work of M. de Ficquelment touches on most of the great moral and political questions of the present time. We may say that the portrayal of his thoughts at every instant transgresses the limits of his frame. Yet the reader finds no ground of complaint, for the varied views of this author, on men and things, are always ingenious, original, and often elevated. We feel, throughout, the presence of a man of wit and distinction, who has seen things from a commanding station, and simultaneously, whose opinions are formed, not in abstract contemplation, but in the sphere of daily life. Who does not love to hear the lessons of experience when read with such an amiable gravity? And even though some among them bear the impress of a time which has passed away, we still accept them, since we recognise in them, that charm resulting from the union of the authority of character and good sense.

"Il y a Sauveur et Sauveur," or "There is a Saviour and a Saviour," is the odd title of a work recently written by M. CHRISTIAN BARTHOLOMESS. But odd as it is, we can in one respect, hardly give it the character of originality, since this style of repetition was used in France during the past century to signify that the same word may be taken in two very different significations. Monsieur Bartholomess is already known as the author of the "History of the Academy of Berlin." This latter work is one of the religious publications which have, like the literature and art of the middle ages, continued to flourish abundantly, despite the social crisis of 1848," and may be very fairly esteemed a work worthy our good opinion, inspired as it is by the praiseworthy desire of defending society. From the "Revue des Deux Mondes," we learn that this work was the result and abridgment of certain conferences held in 1848, in a village near Paris. At that period the idea of social right-pushed to its last wild extremity-reigned almost exclusively among the masses. To this notion, deteriorated by a false science, and poisoned by passion, it was necessary to oppose with greater firmness than ever, the idea of duty. In his conferences, Monsieur Bartholomess has obeyed the sentiment of this necessity, discussing with much good sense, the principal errors of the day, and rendering clear to his popular audiences, that social safety can only be found in the revival of the religious thought. He teaches that the only true Saviour is the Saviour Christ. Terminating his work with this consoling thought of the prophet, "God has made the nations to be healed."

"Le Livre d'Ulrich," or "The Book of Ulrich,"

"Les Excentriques," or "The Eccentrics," is the title of a recent work by Moss. ChampFleury, published in Paris. M.Champfleury, we are told, has made a certain a la Albert Smith reputation in the ranks of that literary school which studies the world in the ateliers of painting, and the human heart, in dissecting-rooms, fashionable theatres, and the pantomimes of the Funambules. This volume, notwithstanding the promises of the title-page, only contains certain abriged chapters which have appeared day by day in the feuilletons, and which it seems to us were not worthy the honour of a second edition. We do not see, for our part, what there is, either useful or piquant in literally describing such men as the Chatel, Jean Journet, Carnevale, or Cadamour, or what the public is to gain by learning the biogra phy of a primate of the French church, of a marine in a red dress, of a vegetable-eater, or of an artist s model. We find in this "obstinacy of realism." a puerility almost weak enough to make us regret the academic literature, and the "beaux esprits d`athénée.”

A work which may prove attractive to Cambridge and Boston readers, is the "F. Chopin," by F. LISZT, recently published in Paris and Leipzig. It has been correctly remarked of this book, that a man may be an eminent pianist, and still manage very inaccurately, the French tongue,especially when, instead of remaining simple and technical, he casts himself headlong into transcendental metaphysics. From the first page we feel that Liszt deemed himself endowed with a power to treat words as if they were the keys of a piano, and that he dashes onward with them in a sort of sonorous whirlwind, without troubing himself in the least, as to what is to become of grammar, syntax, or common sense. A study of Chopin, seriously written by one of his rivals—a delicate and penetrating analysis of that melancholy and dreamy talent, with which he was inspired, and of his sickly and tormented organism, might have been rendered very interesting, but we fear that even the most intrepid readers would recoil before the phraseology of Liszt His work impresses us like one of the wild sketches of Jean Paul Richter, translated into

French by a gentleman writer in the saloon of some pantheistical blue stocking.

is the somewhat German title of a recent French work, which is further described as "Voyages, Among the admirably selected foreign clippings thoughts and fragments, found among his papers in THE NEW YORK ALBION, we find the following: by one of his friends." The following brief re- "To fill any possible void in French Journalism, view, which we translate, is its best description. M. CHAUTARD has established a Bonapartist organ, "The author of this work appears to have had to be called 'La Démocratie Napoliénne." "The recourse to an expedient which was much in feuilleton, which is on the Isle of Elba and the vogue some thirty years ago, though a little super-Hundred Days,' has a singularly inappropriate

particular, and does honour to the intelligent and
active factotum secretary manager-general of the

theatre, Mr. Harris. We thus see the theatre of
and his sacrifices merited this golden palm."
Mr. Lumley in a profitable career.

His merits

motto from the sayings of the Prince.' Ma voix | of Fidelio, is very beautiful, elaborate in every est libre comme ma pensée; j'aime la liberté,'-(My voice is free as my thought; I love liberty.)" MUSICAL ITEMS. Our musical readers have, doubtless, ere this, learned that R. STORRS WILLIS, ESQ., has assumed the editorial chair of " The New York Musical Times." Probably no person in America is better qualified to fill this station, since to an accurate knowledge not only of his own, but the sister arts, Mr. Willis adds the advantages of a thorough classical and literary education, and the true spirit of æsthetic criticism, acquired by a six years' residence in Europe, passed principally under the best German in

structors.

LEIPZIG, January 29.-The fifteenth subscription concert, in the Gewandhaus, was opened with a new symphony, by F. HERMANN, member of the orchestra, which was conducted by the composer. Expectation was not disappointed in this young composer's first work, although, in general opinion, it required further developments, before it could deservedly be placed in the repertoire of the Gewandhaus. Madame SONTAG is here. On the 3d, she appeared in the Figlia del Reggimento, and created a great sensation. She remains until the first week in March, when she proceeds to Hamburg.

The recent benefit of GRISI and MARIO, at ST. PETERSBURG, was a regular ovation. The Opera was Lucretia Borgia. The "incomparable pair," were called on the stage, not less than twenty times in the course of the performance. After the Opera the Emperor presented Grisi with a Cashmere shawl, worth four thousand rubles (about eight hundred pounds), a tiara of pearls and diamonds, and a ring of immense value.

At DRESDEN a new opera has been produced from the pen of a young and untried composer, HERR PABST, entitled "The Last Days of Pompeii." The opera has been well received. It contains some very pretty melodies, and shows a nice feeling for instrumentation.

MR. BRAHAM has recently sung in London at six of the Wednesday Concerts-" positively his last appearance in public." The sensation he created at the first representation was incredible. His singing of "The Fine Old English Gentleman," was not merely glorious from the purity of style, energy, pathos, and largeness of expression betokened in it, but for the perfect intonation, quality first verse of this song, the sensation was prodiof voice, and power. At the conclusion of the gious. The whole hall broke out into one tremendous shout, which lasted more than a minute, and it was some time before Mr. Braham could proceed with the second verse, which again elicited thunders of applause, and at the end of the last, an uproarious encore followed from all parts of the hall. Mr. Braham's other performances were" Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster," a verse of " God save the Queen," a very simple, unpretend

It is affirmed that the Hof und National Theatre, of Vienna, as it was first called in 1848, is shortly to receive its old name, Hof Burg Theatre. That this vestige of the revolution should have been allowed to remain so long is quite incredible. They manage these things differently in France. It is a positive fact, that it is even now more difficult than ever for untitled persons to obtain a box at this theatre. In 1848, money was allowed to have its legitimate weight in the matter; but the old exclusive spirit of cast has sprung into life again with absolutism, and applicants for boxes are now frequently told that such and such a boxing song of his own composition, called "I Love has been reserved for a "noble" family.

The Emperor of Austria has ordered a monument of METASTASIO to be erected in Vienna, where the poet passed the greater part of his life, and composed all his works. Those who are familiar with Consuelo will recall the interesting sketch there given of Metastasio in Vienna.

From the "Courrier Parisien" of the "Courrier des Etats Unis," we learn that the Fidelio of Beethooven has been produced at the Théâtre Italien with marked success. At first, this music, differing so greatly from that to which the habitués of this opera were accustomed, was hardly appreciated; but, little by little, they learned to admire its wonderful beauty. The singers, it is stated, did remarkable justice to every shade and tone of a music which differed so remarkably from that of their ordinary rôles. "M'LLE CRUVELLI has many very beautiful periods, and would be in it, throughout, splendid, if she would only avail herself of the traditions in which MADAME SCHRŒDER DEVRIENT was so perfect, so dramatic. MoNs. CALZOLARI, in Italianising certain passages, has not injured them; and BELETTI in the ungrateful part of the Governor, has developed exquisite qualities, indicating a confirmed talent, which will render this pet basso of Jenny Lind, from day to day a general favourite. Finally the mis en scéne

The Bay

Thee for thy Heart Alone," and "The Bay of Biscay."
Weber's grand scene, written expressly by the
composer for Braham, more than twenty years
ago, served to exhibit the singer's dramatic power
and colouring in the most vivid light.
of Biscay created the same furore as The Fine Old
English Gentleman, and was encored with the
same irresistible enthusiasm. In fine, the great
veteran was in greater force than had been heard
for many years, and never, perhaps, in his whole
career, had he been received with more profound
sympathy and favour.

The inauguration of a new society, "The Musical Institute of London," recently took place at the

rooms in Sackville Street, in presence of a large
MR. HULLAH the
number of the members.
president for the year, delivered a preliminary
address, which set forth at length, and with great
clearness, the plan of the Institute, and the pur-
poses for which it has been established.

THE FINE ARTS.-In a recent number of the Art Journal, we learn from a communication by ERNST FOERSTER, that the cousin of the late illustrious sculptor, LUDWIG SCHWANTHALER, is in possession of all the designs and drawings of this artist, and is preparing a series of them for publication. "The Theogony of Hesiod,' has recently appeared in seventeen plates, accompanied by letter-press. Schwanthaler made these

designs for a room in the new Palace of Munich, | to a great extent, occupied with the writer's