Page:The History of The Great European War Vol 1.pdf/82

 In 1886, after ten years in this mental wilderness, Nietzsche saw for the first time some appreciation of his work. But that appreciation did not come from Germany. It came from France first, when Taine "discovered" him, and later on from Denmark, when Brandes followed up that discovery. These two lights of literature would never have heard of him had not Nietzsche himself communicated with them and forwarded some books of his to them for their criticism. As a result of Taine's appreciation we find Nietzsche saying, "It is difficult for me to believe that anyone who misunderstands the French race can understand me," an observation which, if true, would suggest that the Pan-Germanists did and do not themselves understand their philosophical idol—if indeed he is. Taine and Brandes having thus led the way, Germany followed, the result being that Nietzsche became very popular there. Nietzsche's influence in Germany in religion, philosophy, and art, has been altogether disproportionate to his real value as a systematic teacher. Unless it be admitted that he was the apostle of anarchy and that Germany has developed anarchist tendencies, then certainly his influence is not apparent.

In January 1889, directly after he had completed a book more eccentric than any of his others, his brain collapsed altogether. He survived for nearly ten years, unconscious altogether of his increasing glory, his final madness having enveloped his intellect just prior to the commencement of the appreciation of his own country. He died accordingly quite mad, without ever learning that his works had been translated into the languages of almost every civilised State and had been read everywhere with enthusiasm and admiration.

"And why should I not go on to the end?" he wrote. "I like to make things clear. It is part of my ambition to be looked upon as a despiser of the Germans par excellence. I expressed my distrust of the German character as far back as my twenty-sixth year. The Germans are impossible to me. When I think of a type of man that runs counter to my instincts, a German always appears. . . . I cannot bear this race."

No, Nietzsche was not a Pan-Germanist.