Goethe’s Hermann und Dorothea.
With introduction, commentary, bibliography and index to notes by Watermann T. Hewett, M. A., Ph. D., Professor of the German Language and Literature in Cornell University. Cloth. 293 pages. Introduction price, 80 cts. Price by mail, 90 cents.
THE present edition is based on Goethe's final revision as contained in his collected works, which were being published at the time of his death. It gives also the readings of the earlier editions. The editor, in the preparation of this edition, has sought to lead from the study of this poem to a larger knowledge of the language, and especially to acquaintance with the thoughts of the author as illustrated in this and in his other writings.
Hence the notes have not been confined to brief grammatical explanations, but an effort has been made to interpret the poem from the poet himself. The sources of the poem, the author’s language and the language of the time have been carefully studied. The history of the composition of the poem has been shown more fully by the recent publications of the Weimar Goethe Society, especially as contained in Goethe's Diary and Letters, and use has been made of these fresh materials.
It is believed that this edition will not only guide to an intelligent knowledge of the poem itself, but afford useful material for the critical study of the language and writings of the author.
Dr. G. Von Loeper, the distinguished editor of Goethe’s Works: Professor Hewett’s edition of Hermann und Dorothea has given me a very high opinion of the standard of literary studies in America. Professor Hewett in America, and M. Chuquet in France have attained the highest plane of excellence in those studies in the domain of classical German.
Prof. Edward Dowden, LL. D., of the University of Dublin, and President of the English Goethe Society: It seems to me admirable edited and very valuable both for student and teacher. I am exceedingly glad to have it among my Goethe books.
Dr. C. Ruland, Director of the Goethe Museum in Weimar: I have read your excellent introduction and looked through some of your notes and can only congratulate your countrymen on having Goethe’s poem brought near to them in such a superior manner. Such editions do infinitely more good than a great deal of our dry-as-dust Goethe philology.
H. H. Boyesen, Prof. Germanic Languages and Literature, Columbia College, New York: I have already demonstrated my appreciation of Professor Hewett’s excellent edition of Hermann und Dorothea by adopting it as a textbook in my classes. It is a beautiful I book and exceedingly well done.
