Germany [antikvár]

prefaceLanguage, music, and landscape are the elementary manifestations of German nature. The language of the German lowlanders is essentially differing from the language of the highlanders, and the manifold dialects of the country are quite unlike each other. Many strong influences have penetrated into the German language such as neo-Latin, Slavonian, Greek, and Hebrew idioms, but the fundamental laws of the German language, its essential features are so full of spirit that all foreign substances were organically absorbed and blended to become a oneness, a unity not to be mistaken, being positive and genuine like the uniqueness of an element.In the same way distinct and unique are the works of Germany's great musicians; the intrinsic virtues of German ballads and melodies are without an equal; grand and impressive the scenery of the German landscape. All the world over we find forests, seas and mountains, streams and shores. In countries without number there are quaint old towns and houses in ancient styles. Similar towns and landscapes are to be found all over the world. But if you take the German landscape as a whole and look at it from a distance it reflects a physiognomical expression of its own, just as a human face will show its peculiarities when considered as a whole.2All who once experienced the beauties of the German landscape and this book wants to make you intimately acquainted with them will be aware of her exclusiveness. You may even confer this feeling of uniqueness upon the individual features of the German landscape, even where they are no longer distinct ones. Foreign landscapes are often compared with the German, and traits are often found to be similar. I remember a little scene from my college days: It was on the opening evening for one of my plays; among the theatre patrons was the Bavarian President of the Council, Herr von Crailsheim, an elderly, fine-looking, friendly gentleman. He seemed to pity the young writer whose play had not been a success and may have taken a notion to comfort me in my mishap. In telling and animated words he spoke of the late trip he had made to Palestine. "Well, young friend", he said, "can you understand that Jerusalem just reminded me of Rothenburg ?"Years later in exile, I often heard people say at the sight of a forest, an alp, or a sea-shore: "Isn't it üke Germany?" How often did I feel the same.The significance of the German landscape is so characteristic that the peculiar traits become symbolic even for non-German races.In Spanish-Morocco there is a fine old town called Tetuan. In a Spanish-Arabian guide I read: "Tetuan can be called the African Rothenburg."