when I look at this wonderful man of God with his inward dignity and outward helplessness, it often seems as if you and I were specially appointed to support him."

It had long been Perthes's thought that his times needed a selection from Luther's works, to be published in little handbooks for circulation among the people. Luther's name was popular with all, for one class regarded him as little less than a saint, and as one of the true fathers of the Protestant church, while men of a colder theology, although they could not accept his views, yet loved him for being a whole-souled, hearty, healthy man.

A sensible editor was obtained, and in the spring of 1825 a selection from Luther's works, in ten small volumes, was announced. It excited universal attention, and in some quarters dissatisfaction. One friend wrote to Perthes, "My first feeling was one of displeasure at the incongruity' of Luther in duodecimo. Is the age to be honored thus? Will not the feeling of reverence for the great Reformer be lessened by the neat, smooth, modern look of the volumes? Will Luther in a lady's work-bag continue to guide Protestants like a beacon?" Another friend writes: "Leave Luther his rights; do not weaken him; do not make a new mezzotint engraving of an original wood-cut; you should show the man as he was when God made an instrument of him." Men like Paulus, the rationalist of Heidelberg, opposed the publication because of their zealous opposition to Luther's theology.

But opposition of this sort stimulated Perthes as nothing else would have done, to render the work successful. He procured the names of ministers everywhere, the aid of Bible societies and such agencies, and of his extensive business relations, to give it success. He received some very comforting letters as a part of his reward. A minister in Weimar wrote: "As for us poor spiritual doctors and apothecaries, our patients have got delirious, and declare us to be quite superfluous. It is therefore very desirable to put what may cure them into their pockets, in small print, if haply they may, sometime, having nothing better to do, make a trial of it. Dear, good Perthes, my spirit is sad within me. I have been sowing for

eight years in unfruitful soil, and now, in the ninth, I am just at the same point as when I began. People consider me a weak-minded enthusiast; pity or ridicule is all that I get. The church is empty, and the school governed by the master, who is much praised by the authorities, civil and ecclesiastical, on account of his enlightened system of education. There is not a single house in the whole town disposed to receive God's word. In short, I am alone, quite alone; but one thing remains to me, cheerful trust in our God and his blessed Son, so I look upward, take comfort, and begin anew."

A few years later Perthes commenced the undertaking of his life. He knew that a religious periodical was needed, and he felt it his duty to call it into existence. There were ra tionalistic journals already, but they only made Perthes feel the greater need of an evangelical journal. The chances of its success would be very uncertain, for he would need able editors, and, as he says, "Often enough news from the kingdom of God is mere waste paper to the world." He commenced an active correspondence as to the characteristics of the periodical. He felt that it should not be a popular journal, and, as he wrote to Lücke, "The laity should not be preached to in a periodical, but by their pastor; at least our periodical is not intended to work directly upon them, but by its thoroughly learned and scientific character to awaken and strengthen religious convictions in many pastors who have been led away by the pretensions of science and philosophy, falsely so called." He intended to make it a medium for conveying the highest science as well as common ecclesiastical intelligence. He would have no anonymous communications. "He who has not courage to give his name for the glory of God may keep away." He intended to employ in it his time, his energies, and his substance, in order to influence the age. He did not expect a pecuniary return, but determined to have it succeed.

Touching the theological breadth of the journal, Perthes acted like a man whose Christian feeling was only equaled by his catholic heart. He would draw no narrow limits, he gave men credit for seeking religious truth in different ways. He

acknowledged all as brethren in Christ who were content with Christ's gospel, and who did not seek to find in their own souls a gospel of reason; yet he determined that all seekers after truth should express their opinions in his journal, if they could do it ably, but that it must be closed alike against piety without talents, and against learning and talents without piety. Thus was commenced that famous journal whose name meets. us in the foot notes of every theological work of eminence which the last twenty-five years have sent forth, the Studien und Kritiken. Ullman and Umbreit, Lücke and Nitzsch, were the first editors. Sack, Schleiermacher, Tholuck, Neander, Theremin, and Marheincke, were active co-workers. The Hengstenberg school held itself aloof. Perthes had no sympathy with their dark reactionism, but as his journal was open to Paulus, Wegscheider, and Bretschneider, he regretted that Hengstenberg, and Rudelbach, and Schmeider, should withhold their hand. Hengstenberg afterwards commenced the publication of a religious journal which had influence indeed, but never, as Perthes thought, a healthful influence. Evangelical as Perthes was, he could yet say, "Catholicism rather than Hengstenbergism;" but his dread of rationalism was greater yet, for he could also say, "A thousand times rather Hengstenbergism than Paulus-Böhr-Wegscheiderism." In this, Perthes differed from the other theologians, for the larger part thought that Christianity had more to fear from Hengstenberg's dark reactionism than from Bretschneider's cold, dissecting rationalism.

Our notice of Perthes's publishing career must draw to a close. From his well-known house issued a series of the most remarkable books to be found in German libraries. The articles in the Studien und Kritiken were expanded by their contributors into theological treatises, which Perthes issued in book form; and besides, such books as Neander's Life of Jesus, his History of the Church, Ritter's History of Philosophy, Umbreit's Commentary on the Prophets, Tholuck's Commentaries, Twesten's Dogmatics, Ackerman's Christian Element in Plato, and works by Sartorius, Olshausen, and Bunsen. Besides these theological works, Perthes published several valu

able histories of German states, and several biographies of eminent men.

Perthes had in Hamburgh the reputation of being the first bookseller in Germany. And yet he never became noted for wealth, for he published many books which brought no return, and many books which were a real loss to him. His income was from writings of the belles lettres school. Perthes was never surprised by losses in business, but he did oftentimes meet loss. He was not anxious to be a rich man. He once wrote, "I am really a fortunate man, since every wish of mine that can be possibly satisfied by money is satisfied already. If I were to have a million to-morrow, I should be unable to purchase for my body or mind a single enjoyment with which I am obliged to dispense to-day." He had the pecuniary ability to pay authors well for their work, and about two thousand offers of manuscripts were found among his pa pers after his death. The most implicit trust was placed in him as to financial arrangements, and when any exception arose to this, he would at once break off all further negotiations.

Every one who has been in Leipzig has noticed the fine building called the Bookseller's Exchange. The formation of the guild of booksellers in Germany, as it exists now, was due to Frederick Perthes, and the building of the Bookseller's Exchange was the last act of his career in connection with his profession.

We have already remarked in these pages, that Perthes was on terms of intimacy with nearly all the eminent Germans of his time. Although he made no pretensions to be a thorough student of books, and had no claims to be regarded as a scholar, yet his insight into character was so quick and true, his imagination so vivid, his sagacity so keen, and his honesty of purpose so apparent, that he stood shoulder to shoulder with the most eminent men of his time. Niebuhr, his friend from youth, sent the first volume of the Roman History which came from the press, to Perthes, and the second to Goethe, and asked for their unreserved opinion of the book; and after

"Your

Perthes had replied, Niebuhr wrote in response: opinion of the first volume of my book has been of inexpressible value to me. Do not take it as an overstrained compliment when I say that Goethe's praise and your feeling about it suffice, even if hostile voices be raised at Göttingen." Perthes retained a perfect ease of manner in his intercourse with the most distinguished men, and this because he must have known his power. In a letter to Müller, the historian, he thus expresses himself: "I know who and what I am, and am always anxious to reveal rather than to conceal my ignorance, in order to prevent waste of time. Don't, however, give me too much credit for modesty, for though I am aware that I know nothing, I am also aware that I can do much."

The glimpses of eminent Germans, which we find in the memoirs of Perthes are exceedingly pleasing, for they are very true to nature and the interest in their subjects has become world-wide. Perthes married a daughter of Matthias Claudius, and of course much is said of the Messenger of Wandsbeck. He was on terms of the nearest intimacy with Frederick Jacobi, and Jacobi and his opinions engage a fit share of the work. The Countess Gallitzin was a frequent correspondent, so was Stolberg, so was Goethe. The Baron Von Stein, a great name in Prussian history, was in constant communication with Perthes. He knew William Von Humboldt well, and after spending an afternoon with him, Perthes wrote, "Through all the light play of conversation with his wife, the real, actual greatness of Humboldt comes out, and I am confirmed in my old opinion, so often laughed at, that under an ice-cold exterior and a keen eyed sarcasm, this man conceals deep and warm feelings, and a lively interest in Germany."

We regret that space will not allow us to present even the briefest sketch of his interviews with such men as Voss, Schlegel, Jean Paul, and Niebuhr. The book is a gallery of famous portraits; and he who would study the literary history of Germany, during the past half century, will find these memoirs a valuable guide.

We have dwelt with the most detail upon the life of