LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. (Continued from p. 439.) THE opinions of M. Schlotzer as to the origin of the found. ders of the Russian empire have been combatted by a young scholar, M. Gustavus Ewers, member of the imperial academy of Russian antiquities, who endeavours to set up another hypothesis in an essay published at Riga in 1808. According to M. Ewers the founders of the Russian empire came from the south, and were Chazares, a Turcomanian nation. M. Schlætzer, junior, who treads in the steps of his father, and to whom we are also indebted for several learned works, has ably answered several of Mr. Ewer's objections in giving an account of his essay in a weekly journal printed at Mittau in Courland. This ingenious critic (M. Schlotzer jun.) has also recently (Dec. 1808) given proofs of his talents for history by a prize dissertation on the origin of the Sclavi, who peopled Russia. His paper was adjudged by the imperial academy for Russian antiquities at Moscow to be the best, but the prize could not be awarded him consistently with the rules of the institution, the author being himself a member. A man of genius, who has acquired great and deserved celebrity in a department of literature quite different from that of history, M. Kotzebue the dramatist, has suddenly started into the first rank among historians, by publishing in four volumes "The Ancient History of Prussia," Riga, 1808. This history commences with the most distant, or rather with the fabulous era of Prussia, and is regularly carried through all the revolutions, down to the remarkable peace of Thorn in 1466. A period of sixty years ensuing, comprehending the peace of Warsaw, the Reformation, and the Secularisation of Prussia, to its subjugation by the knights of the Teutonic order, forms a new epoch in the history of Prussia, as it does in that of all Europe. M. Kotzebue has here undertaken to give a picture of the numerous important events which are connected with the annals of the whole of the north of Europe, and with those of Poland, Germany, and the Hanse Towns during the middle ages. It is our duty to state that his task is executed with that dignity, vigour, and graceful expression, which history requires. For several years past M. Kotzebue has been an inhabitant of the shores of the Baltic, and has been diligently employed in collecting materials for his work in the libraries and archives of the various towns and provinces, as well as of monasteries and private individuals in Prussia, Russia, Poland, and the Northern States. Every where he found the most precious documents, but at Konigsberg, chance threw in his way a treasure, which sur passed all the rest. The "Archive Secrète" of the Teutonic order, which was shut against all former historians, was opened to him by accident; and in his preface he gives a sketch of its contents. It is sufficient to say that such a circumstance has given him a decided superiority over all his predecessors; and the manner in which he has availed himself of the abundant resources thus acquired has proved that like Corneille, Voltaire, Schiller, and others, M. Kotzebue is equally eminent as a historian and as a dramatist. Switzerland, as most of our readers will recollect, has long since found a native historian of great merit in the person of Muller. On the continent his admirers are in the habit of comparing him with Tacitus and Thucydides, and certainly the majestic dignity of his style, the vigour of his portraits, the grandeur of his ideas, and the richness of his imagination authorize the comparison. But M. Muller has an advantage even over these ancient historians, which the circumstances of the times in which they lived prevented them from possessing, and this advantage is displayed in his laborious and profound researches into ancient records, which stand unrivalled in point of accuracy. The historian of Switzerland conducts the history of his country from the origin of the nation through all its alliances with France, Italy, and Germany, which renders his work an indispensable appendage to the history of these countries. The first four volumes of this valuable work were reprinted with considerable additions and alterations in 1806, and in 1808 appeared the first part of vol. v. which commences with the restless life and unhappy end of the duke of Burgundy, Charles-le téméraire, and brings us down to the end of the 15th century. The succeeding volumes will contain the history of the Reformation and of the events by which it was accompanied in Switzerland. How interesting it will be to see this important era treated by so great a master! As M. Muller's writings have rendered this the Augustan age of literature in Switzerland, it is incumbent upon us to mention a "History of Theodoric and his Government" in 2 vols. by M. Hurter of Schaffhausen. It is a well written book, and augurs favourably of the author's future career as a historian. We ought also to notice as a historical tract of considerable interest, "An Attempt at a Diplomatic History of the ancient Constitution and Confederation of the three smaller Cantons." It appeared at Zurich in 1808 on the occasion of a national festival, and is from the pen of M. Galdlin de Tiefenau. The voluminous "History of Germany," by the late M. Schmidt, has been brought to a conclusion by M. Milbiller. The last volume, which contains an alphabetical and a chronological table appeared at Ulm in 1808. The entire work is divided into two parts, viz. the ancient and modern history of Germany. The ancient part occupies five large volumes, and the modern seventeen. M. Milbiller, who succeeded M. Schmidt with so much success, is also the author of a useful ❝ Abridgment of the History of Germany." We have it also in our power to announce the conclusion of the learned and judicious "History of the Hanseatic League” by Professor Sartorius of Gottingen. The third volume, which appeared in 1809, brings us down to the year 1669, which the author assigns as the termination, or rather the date of the last public act of a confederation, which had long proudly flourished among the contending nations of Europe, but which had been many years verging to its decline. A fourth volume, which has been announced, will merely contain the documents necessary to illustrate the work. The above ought to be regarded as one of those important works, which are calculated to throw the most valuable light on the history, the politics, and the commerce of the middle ages. The researches of M. Sartorius, are profound in the extreme: it is only necessary to cast the eye upon the notes and appendices to be satisfied with his diligence and learning. Another very useful work long ago proposed has been lately brought to a conclusion. This is M. Becker's History of Lubeck, the capital of the Hanseatic Towns. It is a full and authentic history of the place, accompanied with abundance of explanatory documents and notes. The third and last volume in 4to appeared at Lubeck in 1806. A learned student of the university of Gottingen, but now attached to the library of the university of Griefswald in Swedish Pomerania, M. Ruhs, published (1803 and 1806) a History of Sweden, in 3 vols. 8vo. It is unquestionably the best account of that country extant, and forms part of the voluminous Universal History, published at Halle within these few years. Up to the present time no good history of Hungary was to be found. Dr. Fessler, of considerable literary eminence in Germany, has obviated this complaint by an excellent work in 6 vols. 8vo. It is particularly distinguished by comprehensive and enlightened views, and bids fair to rank with the best historians of ancient or modern days. As connected with the history of Hungary, we find the following work published at Pest, in 1808, by Mr. James Ferdinand Miller: "Epistolæ Imperatorum et Regum Hungariæ Ferdinandi I. et Maximiliani II. ad suos in Porta Ottomanica Oratores Ant. Verantium. Franc. Zoy Anger Busbeck, All. Wyss, et Christoph. Teuffenbach, quas ex autographis edidit, &c." I vol. 8vo. Since the year 1806 Baron Hormayr has been engaged in the publication of several volumes of a " History of the Tyrol," Tubingen-Cotta. This ingenious and patriotic writer, who is also the author of the "Austrian Plutarch," has taken the celebrated Muller for his model in the present instance, and has followed the footsteps of his master with due success. The task of detailing the history of the brave Tyrolese, who from the earliest age, have been noted for their attachment to their religion, liberties and laws, could not have devolved upon a more competent author than Baron Hormayr. His acute and judicious criticisms on the earlier and fabulous part of their history do great honour to his learning and penetration. M. Mannert, one of the most laborious and learned adepts in history and geography, published in 1807, at Nuremberg, his valuable work on the remote periods of the history of the Bavarian nation. It forms a large octavo volume. "The History of Treves" by M. Wyttenbach of that city is a most useful work. Few places merit so much attention as Treves, in consequence of its being the rival of ancient Rome. The works of Brower and Hontheim are mere compilations, but M. Wyttenbach has had recourse to materials hitherto unknown. The first part of his work printed in 1807 contains the history of the ancient Trevirois, considered as a Gallo-belgic colony: the second, (1808) the state of Treves under the dominion of Rome; and the third (1809) under that of the Francs. The fourth and last volume (1810) contains the history of this city as forming a part of the Germanic empire, until its recent conquest and annexation to France. The work is full of plates. (Treves, Schrall, 4 vols. 12mo. In 1806 there appeared a second edition of the "History of the three last centuries;" by Professor Eichhorn of Gottingen, a work which will be found to be a most excellent text-book for the study of modern history, abounding in ingenious and enlightened views of society and manners. Mr. Frederick Eichhorn the son of the above gentleman, and Professor of Jurisprudence at Franckfort on the Oder, has published the first volume of a "History of the Constitution and Public Law of the empire of Germany." This first volume goes no farther than the end of the ninth century. Besides the perspicuity and accuracy of the inquiries it contains the present work of our young Jurist acquires additional interest from the passing events of the day. POETRY. POR THE PORT FOLIO. A SONG, Composed by one of the members of the Junior Class, and sung before the class at the inauguration of the hon. ISAAC PARKER, LL. D. as Royal Professor of Harvard University. TUNE," Mariners of England." HAIL peaceful shades of Harvard, The muse in Science' fond embrace, Oh, while around the cheerful board, To the Fame, of your name, Shall the song exulting flow; No victor crown'd with laurel, But blooming, round our Parker's brow, . We twine the verdant bay; Ye vocal vales of Harvard smile, Ye fostering breezes blow; As ye bear, through the air, The song's exalting flow; And oh, ye breasts that kindling See borne on Science' heaven-poised wing, Your country's fame aspire; See Massachusetts' earliest pride, See Harvard's honours grow; |