Stories by German Authors, vol 2

Stories by German Authors, vol 2

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Title: Stories by Foreign Authors: German (V.2)
Author: Various
Release Date: July, 2004 [EBook #6022] [Yes, we are more than one
year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on October 19, 2002]
Edition: 10
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GERMAN
STORIES ***

Produced by Nicole Apostola, Charles Aldarondo, Charles Franks and
the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.

STORIES BY FOREIGN AUTHORS - GERMAN
CHRISTIAN GELLERT'S LAST CHRISTMAS ...... BY BERTHOLD
AUERBACH
A GHETTO VIOLET ..... BY LEOPOLD KOMPERT
THE SEVERED HAND .... BY WILHELM HAUFF
PETER SCHLEMIHL..... BY ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO

PUBLISHERS' NOTE
The translations in this volume, where previously published, are used
by arrangement with the owners of the copyrights (as specified at the
beginning of each story). Translations made especially for the series are
covered by its general copyright. All rights in both classes are reserved.

CHRISTIAN GELLERT'S LAST CHRISTMAS
BY
BERTHOLD AUERBACH
From "German Tales."
1869
Three o'clock had just struck from the tower of St. Nicholas, Leipzig,
on the afternoon of December 22d, 1768, when a man, wrapped in a
loose overcoat, came out of the door of the University. His countenance
was exceedingly gentle, and on his features cheerfulness still lingered,
for he had been gazing upon a hundred cheerful faces; after him
thronged a troop of students, who, holding back, allowed him to
precede them: the passengers in the streets saluted him, and some
students, who pressed forwards and hurried past him homewards,
saluted him quite reverentially. He returned their salutations with a

surprised and almost deprecatory air, and yet he knew, and could not
conceal from himself, that he was one of the best beloved, not only in
the good city of Leipzig, but in all lands far and wide.
It was Christian Furchtegott Gellert, the Poet of Fables, Hymns, and
Lays, who was just leaving his college.
When we read his "Lectures upon Morals," which were not printed
until after his death, we obtain but a very incomplete idea of the great
power with which they came immediately from Gellert's mouth. Indeed,
it was his voice, and the touching manner in which he delivered his
lectures, that made so deep an impression upon his hearers; and
Rabener was right when once he wrote to a friend, that "the
philanthropic voice" of Gellert belonged to his words.
Above all, however, it was the amiable and pure personal character of
Gellert which vividly and edifyingly impressed young hearts. Gellert
was himself the best example of pure moral teaching; and the best
which a teacher can give his pupils is faith in the victorious might, and
the stability of the eternal moral laws. His lessons were for the Life, for
his life in itself was a lesson. Many a victory over the troubles of life,
over temptations of every kind, ay, many an elevation to nobility of
thought, and to purity of action, had its origin in that lecture-hall, at the
feet of Gellert.
It was as though Gellert felt that it was the last time he would deliver
these lectures; that those words so often and so impressively uttered
would be heard no more from his mouth; and there was a peculiar
sadness, yet a peculiar strength, in all he said that day.
He had this day earnestly recommended modesty and humility; and it
appeared almost offensive to him, that people as he went should tempt
him in regard to these very virtues; for continually he heard men
whisper, "That is Gellert!"
What is fame, and what is honor? A cloak of many colors, without
warmth, without protection: and now, as he walked along, his heart
literally froze in his bosom, as he confessed to himself that he had as
yet done nothing--nothing which could give him a feeling of real
satisfaction. Men