Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/304

 292 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE the popular life in the rich city of Augsburg, while he evinces the deepest interest in the concerns and welfare of the people. Even better, from a literary point of view, is the 1 Nuremberg Chronicle,' by Siegmund Meisterlin. For a long time it was looked upon as a work of much importance. Having completed his education at the famous Benedictine school of SS. Ulrich and Afra at Augsburg, Meisterlin was commissioned by the Nuremberg Council to visit the monasteries of Fran- conia, Bavaria, and Suabia, in order to collect mate- rials for a book on the monasteries, which work he completed in the year 1488. In the preface and else- where he speaks beautifully of the importance of history and the mission of the historian. He proposes to him- self the task of teaching the rising generation the glorious past of Nuremberg, to the end that they may be strengthened by the study of what their forefathers had done, and may learn to honour what they had acquired. ' I believe it well for all when our young men follow the good example of their fathers and main- tain the order which they established. Cicero says that all are emulated by the hope of praise and glory ; what is contemptible seeks concealment. Our young men will be encouraged by the praises of their forefathers, who had been sorely tried and had overcome much. They will avoid evil, practise virtue, love peace, and be exemplary at home and abroad. For this reason we devote ourselves to history, throwing aside what is but fable and legend, for history only asks for truth. We undertake this task hoping for the approval of all who love the renown and good of the Fatherland.' The goddess of Envy said : ' As she wandered all over