The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Feith, Rhijnvis

FEITH, fīt, Rhijnvis, Dutch poet: b. Zwoll, Over-Yessel, 7 Feb. 1753; d. there, 8 Feb. 1824. He was made burgomaster and afterward receiver at the admiralty college in Zwoll, but did not cease to cultivate the art of poetry and to enrich Dutch literature. He tried his powers in almost every department of poetry. In his earlier years he was too much inclined to the pensive and sentimental style. It predominates particularly in his romance ‘Ferdinand and Constantia’ (1785), and, through his example, has for a long time prevailed in Holland. His ‘Grave’ (Het Graf 1792) is the first distinguished didactic poem since the revival of Dutch poetry. His ‘Old Age’ (De Ouderdom) appeared 1802. Among his lyric poems, ‘Oden en Gedichten’ (1798), are several hymns and odes distinguished for great elevation and feeling. His ode on ‘Ruyter’ is very celebrated. He also made that naval hero the subject of an epic poem. The best of his tragedies are ‘Thirza’; ‘Johanna Gray,’ and particularly ‘Ines de Castro,’ His poetical ‘Letters to Sophia on Kant's Philosophy’ (1805) are a feeble effort of his old age. Among his prose works, his ‘Letters on Different Subjects of Literature’ (1784), contributed much to the dissemination of good taste, by their finished style and excellent criticisms.