If any prose-writer may be called a poet, none is more worthy of that name
than Adalbert Stifter. And, unless it be a requirement that, to be ranked
as classic, a writer must be dead for many years, Stifter is entitled to
an honorable place among the classic writers of Germany. Not all he has
written bears the stamp of beauty and genius, but at his best he is truly
great, and of his best we have a great deal.
Adalbert Stifter was born in Oberplan, Bohemia, October 23d, 1806. His
father was a poor linen-weaver who was killed by an accident when the boy
was only ten years old. An uncle assumed charge of his education and sent
him to the monastic Latin School at Kremsmünster. His education was
completed in Vienna, whither he went in 1826, principally to study history
and philosophy, but also to cultivate his love of nature by the pursuit of
natural science and landscape-painting. His love for nature remained
throughout his life the most characteristic trait of the man. In all his
works, but especially in his "Studien," he showed himself to be a painter
of words who has only one equal in German Literature--Paul Heyse. His love
of detail confined him to one form of literary production, the short
novel. And even within these narrow limits Stifter's works show little
action. But for this we are amply compensated by the simple beauty of his
diction, its calm moderated tone, with never a word superfluous or
lacking, the manly nobility of his sentiment, and the almost womanly
delicacy of his perception. No one can read "Das Haidedorf" without
feeling the poet's love for man and nature.
The two volumes of which "Das Haidedorf" forms a small part are entitled
"Studien." In an English translation of extracts from Stifter this is
rendered by "Sketches." Far from being sketches, they are exquisite
studies carefully finished by a master hand. It may be said without
exaggeration that the following beautiful prose-idyl will suggest to a
sensitive and appreciative mind a succession of pictures destined to
remain as permanent possessions of art. And, when it is added that the
style is simple and modern, no further apology need be made for this
publication, save this, that the "Studien" have not, as far as I have been
able to gather, been reprinted singly.
Stifter's life, like his writings, was idyllic. He was appointed in 1846
to one of the higher educational posts by the Austrian government, and
took up his residence in Linz. This post he had to resign in 1856, owing
to impaired health. His remaining years were spent in happy retirement,
given to literary work, landscape-painting and his favorite pastime of
horticulture. Adalbert Stifter died at Linz, Austria ob der Enns, January
28th, 1868.