CHAPTER IX.

JOHAN LUDVIG HEIBERG.

а

Eminent as a critic, a dramatist and novelist— Introduced the vaude-

ville into Denmark—Account of his life--Domesticated as a child with

the Rahbeks-Acquainted with the family of the celebrated Frederiké

Bruun— Receives a travelling stipend–His life in Paris, Attempts to

give lessons on the guitar-Commences writing for the stage—“ Walter

the Potter” written for the Marionette Theatre-Other productions-

Studies Hegel-His comedies - Edits the “ Flying Post”- Appointed

successively Professor at Kiel, Royal Poet and Translator to the

Theatre, and Professor of the High School-His romantic plays-His

lyrical and

miscellaneous poetry-Madame Heiberg, a distinguished

actress—“The Every-Day Stories” attributed to him— Their excellence

-Quotation of a e-scene from them: Pretty Jetté-Scene in the

Svendsen Family

207

CHAPTER X.

HAUCH-HERZ-PALUDAN MULLER-WINTHER-HOLST--BOJE

ANDERSEN--GOLDSCHMIDT.

Brief account of Hauch and his writings--Also of Herz-His“ King

Réne's Daughter”-Paludan Müller's high stand as a poet—“What is,

to be?” quoted from his “ Adam Homo”-Winther-His subjects

drawn very much from the Kämpe-Viser-Ballad of “Henrik and Else,"

quoted-Boje, celebrated for his religious poetry and his tragedies-

Translator of Sir Walter Scott's romances-Hans Christian Andersen-

His “ Improvisatore,” “0. T.," " Only a Fiddler,” “ Legends for

children,” etc.—Key to the character of his writings-Other Danish

writers: Holst-Christian Hansen-Rafn-Wergeland-Goldschmidt,

author of “ A Jew," a romance-Men of science and art: Thorwaidsen

- Notice of his life-Wiedeveldt, Thorwaldsen's master-Jerichau and

Bissen, sculptors-Painters: Juul-Horneman-Eckersberg-Dahl-

Harder—Möller-Gebauer-Lorenzen-Stubh-Fritzsch - Camradt-

Martens-Younger school of painters: Marstrand-Simonsen-Sonne

-Schleisner-Monnier-Melby-Sörensen-Skovgaard - Kierskow-

Rump -- Jensen — Ottensen -Gärtner-Schütz, Madame Jerichau-

Musical composers : Hartman, Rong and Gade-In medical science :

Bang—Trier-Stein—In botany : Professor Schouw-In geography:

Malte Brun—In philosophy and antiquity: Grundtvig-Molbech-Finn

Magnusen-Warsaae-Rask-Astonishing exertions and productions of

Rask-Dictionary, histories, criticisms, etc. of Professor Molbech-

Labours of Thorlacius, Müller, Nyerup, Werlauff, Simonsen, Thomson,

Abrahamson, etc.-In intellectual philosophy and theology: Sibbern

Mynster-Martensen—The brothers Kierkegaard— The brothersOersted

- The Jurist, and the Natural Philosopher

222

CHAPTER XI.

MODERN SWEDISH LITERATURE.

Consists of four schools or periods: The romantic, the Germanico-Italian,

the Gallic and the New School—Swedish poetry chiefly lyrical-Causes

of this, as stated by Tegnér and Lénström-Not distinguished for

dramatic genius

242

CHAPTER XII.

FIRST PERIOD OF SWEDISH LITERATURE AND ROMANCE.

a

Extends over five hundred years--consists chiefly of Folks-Visor and

legends - Various productions of this period, Erik XIV.'s poem on

Karin Månsdotter, quoted-Story of Erik and Karin-Erik a religious

poet-Other psalmodists of this period--Love poetry of Hoya, Gus-

tavus Adolphus and Colonel Ekebladh-Buræus—Queen Euphemia of

Norway introduces the metrical romances of King Arthur and Charle-

magne-List of the romances of this period which are still read by the

peasantry all over the continent-Rhymed chronicles-Olaus Petri---

Comparison of the Swedish and Scotch languages at this period--Dearth

of native literature

250

CHAPTER XIII.

SEVENTEENTH CENTURY-THE STJERNHJELM AND GERMANICO-

ITALIAN SCHOOLS.

Effects of the Reformation-George Stjernhjelm and the Messenii—Their

cotemporaries and imitators-Dahlstjerna— Rosenhane-Leyoncrona-

Rudeen, etc.—Samuel Columbus, and others—Lasse Lucidor-His cha-

racter and fate-Fru Brenner, the first lady authoress of Sweden-Her

immense popularity at the time-Archbishop Haqvin Spegel, the Arreboe

of Sweden—His fine hymns—Wrote a Paradise Lost," etc.-Other

names of this era-Foreign authors much read then in Sweden. 259

66

CHAPTER XIV.

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

The French School—The French taste prevailing all over Europe, The

Dalin period in Sweden-Dalin, account of him and his productions
Fru Nordenflycht, her life and popularity-The Sappho of Sweden-
Lines from her “ Sorrowing Turtle-dove”-Creutz and the Counts
Gyllenborg, their writings and influence- Names of other authors-
Mörk, the first romance writer-Imitators and translators—The period
of Gustavus and the Academy-Gustavus educated in the French taste
--- Established the Swedish Academy in 1786—Wrote a number of

dramas--Employed Kellgren and Leopold to convert them into operas

---Kellgren, an essentially lyric poet-Died with a feeling that he had

lived under a false literary system-Leopold, the leading writer of his

time after Kellgren-His dramas, and other works--Oxenstjerna, poet

of rural life imitation of our Thomson-His chief poems, “ The

Harvest” and the “ Hours of the Day,” possess great merit— Trans-

lated Milton and Tasso-Other writers of this period

a

286

.

CHAPTER XV.

TERMINATION OF THE FRENCH SCHOOL IN SWEDEN.

Causes of the decline of the French School throughout Europe-- Bellman,

his immense popularity still in Sweden as a poet of bacchanalian life-

His merits not easily appreciated by foreigners—Opinions of him by

Swedish critics—Also by Arndt, the German poet- His character and

mode of life-His “ Fredman's Epistles” -“ Fredman's Epistle to

Kajsa Stina," quoted-Also “Up, Amaryllis !”—Hallman, writer of

comedy and farce-Kexél, also a comic writer-Other popular authors

-Jacob Wallenberg, a very amusing writer–His humorous account of

his voyage to the Indies, called “ My Son in the Galley”—His notion

of the Flying Fish-- His curious account of London-His visit to

Wilkes-Description of the London populace. The strange tastes and

habits of the English-Lidner, his dissipated life, and miserable end-

A poet of much fire and feeling-Thorild, like Lidner, a herald of a

new era-One of the first admirers of Ossian, Klopstock and Goethe-

A liberal in spirit, independent and philosophical-His “ Pleasures of

Imagination”—“Passions”. “Göthmanna Songs”-Work on “The

Universal Freedom of the Understanding,” etc. - Anna Maria Lengren
-Unrivalled in her poetical painting of social life—“ Some Words to

my Dear Daughter, in case I had one,” quoted-Her extreme popų-

larity in Sweden-Her poem called “ Boys,” quoted—“ The Countess's

Visit to the Parsonage," quoted-General estimate of her genius - Fru

Widström, a more sentimental poetess—Other writers of this period

- Paykull -- Boman--Adlerbeth —Walerius -- Stjernstolpe - Skjölde-

brand--Lindegren-Choræus-Kullberg, etc.-Ehrensvärd, one of the

chief men of the age--His “Philosophy of the Fine Arts”-Benjamin

Höijer, a profound and liberal thinker-Started the “ Literary Ga-

zette"

286

CHAPTER XVI.

THE NEW SCHOOL, COMMENCING IN 1809.

The new ideas on Art and Literature prevailed against the Academy-

Aided by a political resolution in Sweden-The Society of “The Friends

of Literature"— The Aurora League: including Atterbom, Palmblad,

Ingelgren, Sondén, Hedbom, etc. * The Polypheme” started by Askelöf

- Followed by the “ Lyceum”-In 1810 the famous journal “ Phos-

phorus,” started with Atterbom as leader, to advocate the new opinions

-- The Phosphorist School-Its precursors-Franzén, Bishop of

Hernösand, distinguished for the simplicity of his topics, and the style

of his lyrics- Compared to Wordsworth– His larger poems, “ Emile,

or an Evening in Lapland”- Columbus,” a fragment—“Svante Sture”

a metrical romance in the manner of Scott-His dramas- Author of a

multitude of lyrical poems—Notice of his life-In his later years made

war on the Rationalists — His “ Champagne," quoted --- Also “ The

Horizon,” a conversation between a child and its mother-Wallin,

Archbishop of Sweden-His eloquence-The unrivalled splendour of

his religious poetry-Specimens from his “ Paraphrase of the 104th

Psalm”—Wallin styled the “David's Harp of the North” .

331

.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE PHOSPHORISTS.

The chief of these Atterbom, Hammarsköld and Palmblad-Atterbom, a

sortof Northern Troubadour-His impersonation of plants—A disciple

of

Schelling-Superfine phraseology-His “ Island of Blessedness”—His

poem “To My Mother," quoted— Notice of his life-Hammarsköld, one

of the ablest critics and literary historians of Sweden-Palmblad, critic,

novelist, and translator of Homer, Æschylus and Sophocles—He and

Hammarsköld allies of Atterbom as Phosphorists - Fryxell the historian-

Names of other writers of this period-Madame Svärdström, a popular

poetess under the name of “Euphrosyne”_“The Pine Thrush,” by her,

quoted

343

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE GOTHIC SCHOOL. TEGNÉR, GEIJER, ETC.

Tegnér and Geijer, the two most distinguished literary men of Sweden -

The Gothic School advocated the Gothic, the national—Geijer and

Tegnér, both from Wermland - Geijer started the “ Iduna,

as the

organ of their views—Geijer published there, " The Last Scald,” “ The

Viking,” etc., in the spirit of the Old Visor-His poetry distinguished

for its correctness and truth_Composed music to his pieces-Became

the most distinguished historian of Sweden by the publication of his

“ Svea Rikes Häfder”-Notice of his life“ Recollections of his

Childhood,” quoted-Account of his winning the great prize of the

Swedish Academy — Tegnér, the prince of Swedish poets — His

“ Frithiofs Saga” – Tegnér's genial theory of poetry—Stanzas pro-

mulgating it, quoted— Notice of his life-Appointed to the chair of

Greek Literature at Lund–His beautiful poems of “ Prestvigning,” and

“ Nattvardsbarnen”—Made Bishop of Wexiö—Additional honours-

Became latterly Conservative--Analysis of “ Frithiofs Saga”-Scenes

from it quoted—“ The Departure”-“ Frithiof's Temptation”- Minor

poems of Tegnér-Remaining poets of the Gothic School-Ling, his

epics “ Asar” and “ Tirfing” heavy-His lyrics excellent--Author of

nine dramas, and of a system of medical gymnastics—Curious picture

of him in his wolf-skin costume in his gymnastic school-His system

now introduced in London-Afzelius, also a lyrical poet of the old

Northern School - Assisted Rask in translating Sämund's Edda, into

Swedish, and Geijer in collecting the “ Folks-Visor" — Has also

published a Swedish literary drama from the Sagas, Nicander, author

of “The Runesword,” a tragedy—“Hesperides," a collection of prose

and verse, written in Italy—~ Memories from the South," etc.-A poet

of style, full of colour and effect-Bernard von Beskow-Notice of

his life--Author of poems and various tragedies of much merit-

As “ Torkel Knutson, “ Erik XIV.,” “King Birger and his Race,” etc.

-Court Marshal, and as Director of the Theatre, has much pro-

moted the interests of the drama-Assar Lindblad, of the school of

Tegnér

9

66

355
CHAPTER XIX.

POETS BELONGING GENERALLY TO THE NEW SCHOOL.

Stagnelius-A modern gnostic-His philosophy resembled that of Words-

worth, in his “ Ode on the Intimations of Immortality”-Stagnelius

was a sufferer in body and mind, and died at thirty-Bears in his

aspirations much resemblance to Shelley, but of a profound Christian

faith-His fine heroic poem “ Wladimir”-His “Lilies of Sharon”

place him amongst the greatest intellectual poets of the age—“The

Mystery of Sighs,” quoted--Also, “ The Sighs of the Creatures”-

• Dialogue between the Angel and the Soul”—His “ Martyrs," and

others of his works, masterly performances-Almquist, one of the ablest,

but most eccentric writers of Sweden-Has written on almost all

subjects, and laid the scene of his poems and romances in almost all

countries-A Swedish Pantisocrat-Wrote a “Saga of the Human Race”

“ The Gospel of Health,” and “ The Prop of Man” to inculcate

Christianity, and “ Columbine” to inculcate Rousseauism-His“ Törnro-

sens Book” an extraordinary collection of conflicting prose and verse-

Many romances of strange titles-His most practical stories “Skällnora

Mill,” and “Ramido Marinesco”-Subjects of these detailed_Sturzen-

becher's account of him—“God's War," quoted-His “Characteristics

of Animals," quoted-Almquist charged with forgery and attempt at

murder-His flight to America— Vitalis—Livijn-Fahlcrantz, satiric

and epic poet-Bishop of Westerås

405

CHAPTER XX.

FINAL GROUP OF SWEDISH POETS.

Runeberg, the Finnish poet–The poetry and mythology of Finland-

Specimen of Finnish popular poetry—Runeberg a poet full of power,

strength and earnestness-In these respects superior to almost all the

poets of Sweden-Sympathizes with human nature in all its grades-

* The Stories of Ensign Stål;” descriptive of the war against the

Russian invaders-“Ensign Stål,” quoted--His“ Elk-hunters,” a poem

of nine cantos-“ Idyl and Epigram," a series of powerful sketches

from life—“The Gipsy"_“ Hanna"- “ Servian Folks' Songs,” etc.-

Story of Aaron the Beggar,” quoted-Also “ Peasant Pavo"

Young Fowler”-“ Ojan Pavo's Challenge”-His “ Brother of the

Cloud,” a deeply impressive scene from the Russian invasion--Why

does not Runeberg write a romance embodying the scenery and modern

events of Finland ?-Wadman-Wieselgren–Ruda-Olof Fryxell-.

Böttiger — Braun-Cronhamn-Lindeblad-Ridderstad-Sätherberg-

Blanché – Strandberg-Malmström-Nybom-Bergman — Gosselman

- Unge - Sturzenbecher -- Carlén - Nervander Wennström - Gö-

ransson and Hagberg, translator of Shakspeare

427

“ The

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