The Ridpath library of universal literature : a biographical and bibliographical summary of the world's most eminent authors, including the choicest extracts and masterpieces from their writings ... . re attractive*.nan the pulpit, consorted with actors, and wroteseveral dramatic pieces. At twenty he went toBerlin, when he devoted himself to literary pur-suits. He early conceived the project of freeingGerman literature from the prevalent imitationof that cf France, and giving it a new and origi-nal character. In conjunction with Nicolai hefounded the Literaturebriefe, a periodical whichwas the
The Ridpath library of universal literature : a biographical and bibliographical summary of the world's most eminent authors, including the choicest extracts and masterpieces from their writings ... . re attractive*.nan the pulpit, consorted with actors, and wroteseveral dramatic pieces. At twenty he went toBerlin, when he devoted himself to literary pur-suits. He early conceived the project of freeingGerman literature from the prevalent imitationof that cf France, and giving it a new and origi-nal character. In conjunction with Nicolai hefounded the Literaturebriefe, a periodical whichwas the first to call public attention to the geniusof Kant, Hamann, and Winckelmann. About 1763he produced the admirable drama Minna vonBarnhelm. In 1772 he put forth the tragedy EmiliaGalotti, in which the story of the Roman Virginia;s presented in a modern aspect; this still re-mains one of the best tragedies on the Germanstage. In 1776 he published Laocoon, an elaboratetreatise upon the limitations of Painting andPoetry. In 1779 he put forth the dramatic poemNathan the Wise, which may be considered hisprofession of faith. The principal characters area Jew, a Mohammedan, and a Christian, who rival. GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM LESSINO. GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM LESSING 319 each other in tolerance, charity, and regard forthe principles of universal morality. His latestwork, published in 1780, was The Education of theHuman Race. All of the foregoing have been ex-cellently translated into English. Lessing hasbeen not unaptly styled the Luther of Germanliterature, of the German drama, and of Germanart. A complete edition of his Works, in 30vols., was published at Berlin in 1771-94; and anexcellent one in 13 vols., edited by Lachmann,1838-40. NATHAN THE WISE AND THE SULTAN SALADIN. Nath.—In days of yore dwelt in the East a manWho from a valued hand received a ringOf endless worth : the stone of it an opal,That shot an ever-changing tint. Moreover,It had the hidden virtue him to renderOf God and man belove
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