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THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA

of his former literary attempts. In the interval between these two works, Auerbach published a treatise descriptive of his literary methods, " Schrift und

Volk, Grundziige der Volkstlmmlichen Literatur, and from 1845 to 1848 issued a very popular calendar, called" Gevattersmacn." In Breslau, in 1847, he married Augusta Schreiber, who died the following year in childbirth. This bereavement prevented him from taking any very active part in the Eevolution of 1848. He nevertheless went to Vienna, where he witnessed the October days, and described his impressions of those stormy scenes in his " Tagebuch aus Wien von Latourbis Windischgratz," Breslau, 1849. He mar;

Vienna soon after, espousing Nina Landesmann, a sister of the poet Hieronymus Lorm, and in 1849 settled in Dresden, whence, ten years later, he removed to Berlin, which then became his permanent abode. There he came into contact with the foremost writers and artists of the Prussian capital, and was received at court; but spent every ried again in

summer in

his native village in the Black Forest, seeking there recuperation and new inspiration for

his literary labors. couple of plays produced

A

by him, a tragedy,

"

Andreas Hof er, " and a drama, " Der Wahrspruch, Leipsic, 1860, were not at all successful; nor did he have better fortune with his next novel, a tale of modern life, entitled "Neues Leben," Mannheim, 1851. He therefore reverted to his village tales; publishing "Barfiissele" in 1856 (30th ed. 1896; ilt

by Vautier, 1872), "Joseph im Schnee" in 1861 (illustrated by Kindler, 1867), and "Edelweiss " in the same year. From 1858 to 1869 he edited a " Volkskalender, " which numbered among its collaborators the most famous writers. He then again essayed a romance of modern life, this time most successfully and to-day his " Auf der Hohe, " Stuttgart, 1875, and "Das Landhaus am Bhein," Stuttgart, 1868, are numbered among the best works of German prose fiction. Auerbach was a fervent German patriot, and took the deepest interest in the unification of Germany. During the Franco-Prussian war (1870-71) he was lustrated



attached to the headquarters of the grand duke of Baden (a great admiPatriot. rer of the poet), and gave vent to his patriotic enthusiasm first in his " Wieder Unser! Gedenkblatter," Stuttgart, 1871, and again in his novel, "Waldfried; eine Familiengeschichte " (1874). He again resumed his "Dorfgeschichten " in " Nach Dreissig Jahren " (1876). The productions of the last four years of Auerbach's life show some traces of increasing age. To this period belong "Landolin von Beutershofen,"

As

Berlin, 1878;

"Der

Forstmeister, " 1879; "Brigitta,"

To complete the list of his wri"Deutsche tings, the following may be added: Abende," a number of speeches and lectures, Stuttgart, 1866 " Zur Guten Stunde, " illustrated by MenStuttgart, 1880.



zel,

Kaulbach, L. Richter, and Meyerheim, Berlin,

1872



and

"

Tausend Gedanken

eines Collaborators,

1876.

among those of all creeds. His worldphilosophy was a species of exalted patriotism, conjoined with a pure idealism; but it was destined to suffer a severe shock when anti-Semitism arose in sentiments

Germany, and, despite the triumph of the German

wave of pessimism followed closely on the nation's victories. Private troubles may have contributed national idea, a

Attitude

Toward Judaism,

their share to his unrest

his second marriage had not brought him happiness. He found philosophy and life in ominous opposition, which, to one of his gentle mold, was a deep disappointment. For many years Auerbach, at least publicly, held somewhat aloof from Judaism, though always a Jew in heart and soul. But aroused in his last years, by Theodor Billroth's antiSemitic work, " Warum Studiren Unsere Juden Medizin " he openly took up the defense of his core:

'!

ligionists.

When the blood -accusation was revived in Russia, Auerbach issued an appeal, " An Alle Manner der Wahrheit und Sittlichkeit " (" To All Men of Truth and Morality "), and he also addressed an open letter of thanks to Dr. von Dollinger, president of the Academy

of Sciences in Munich, for his courageous speech in behalf of the Jews. In 1880 (July 14) he had the satisfaction of attending the unveiling of the Spinoza monument at The Hague. Auerbach, who had devoted his entire life to the glorification and realization of German ideals, lived to hear himself stigmatized by the Judseophobes as a foreigner, without share or interest in anything German. The anti-Semitic agitation, then centered in Berlin, and family cares broke down the health of the poet. In the fall of 1881 he went for his health to Cannstadt, but, becoming worse there, he removed to the There he died, just as milder climate of Cannes. extensive preparations were being made to celebrate his seventieth birthday.

The inner life of Berthold Auerbach is abundantly by his works but it receives its fullest

illustrated



and interpretation in his " Brief e an Seinen Vetter, Jacob Auerbach," issued by the His latter (in accordance with the author's request) in 1884, with a preface by Letters. Spielhagen. These letters extend over a period of 52 years (1830-82), and contain in Auerbach's own words "all that was most important in the development of his general and individual They form a mirror, in which his every mood life. " is reflected, and wherein his genuine nature is depicted with an artlessness and naturalness typical of They form the best commentary upon his the man. philosophy, politics, and religion; and throughout them all, two points are constantly expressed; viz., love for the Black Forest and enthusiasm for Israel. Auerbach always possessed a love for dramatic art, and at his death there was found among his papers a series of studies relating to the stage. These were published under the title " Dramatische Einlight

driicke," Stuttgart, 1892. complete edition of Auerbach's works in 22 volumes was published at Stuttgart in 1863-64 the most

A



Auerbach's attitude toward Judaism receives ample illustration from many a character and passage in his stories.

Auerbach, Berthold

He

strove to diffuse the kindliest

that of 1892-95 in 18 volumes. His posthumous works were acquired in 1897 by the Schwabische Schillerverein, and deposited in the

recent edition

is