<i>THE GERMAN MUSEUM</i> AND THE EARLY RECEPTION OF GERMAN LETTERS IN BRITAIN, 1800–1801 ¹

The early reception of German letters in London can be better understood through a close reading the bookseller Constantin Geisweiler's short-lived journal Museum (1800–1801). 1790s have been described as an era literary ‘Germanomania’, numerous translations works appeared for first time English. By 1800, however, increasingly pejorative assessment supposedly pro-Jacobin and atheistic character culture had entrenched itself among British critics. Geisweiler his co-contributors responded to this wide-ranging analyses literature philosophy. Although enterprise was, commercially speaking, failure, article argues that was nevertheless significant breaking out rigid mould ‘Schauer-, Ritter- Räuberromane’ superficially characterised earlier interest culture. This will argue period around 1800 particularly febrile one processes Anglo-German cultural transfer due consolidation transnational networks booksellers, printers publishers – whose activities would severely compromised following Napoleon's Continental Blockade 1806. In final analysis, nascent ideas ‘Germany’ at turn nineteenth century more robustly historicised scrutinous journal. Die frühe britische Auseinandersetzung mit der deutschen Literatur lässt sich durch eine aufmerksame Lektüre kurzlebigen Zeitschrift (1800–1801) des Buchhändlers besser verstehen. 1790er Jahre sind als Epoche Germanomanie beschrieben worden, weil viele deutsche Romane und Theaterstücke zum ersten Mal englischer Übersetzung veröffentlicht wurden. Um das Jahr hatte jedoch negative Einschätzung angeblich jakobinischen atheistischen Charakters deutscher literarischer philosophischer Kultur unter britischen Kritikern eingenistet. Darauf antworteten seine Co-Autoren Analysen neuer Philosophie. frühere dem literarischen Deutschland war stark geprägt von Schauer-, Räuberromanen, sowie Kotzebues Theaterstücken. Obwohl Geisweilers aus kommerzieller Sicht ein Misserfolg war, trug sie doch bedeutend Aufbrechen zur Erweiterung britischer Rezeption Kunst bei. Aus ideengeschichtlicher ermöglicht meine Deutung Zeitschrift, Abneigung gegen die gleichzeitigen Versuch ihrer Rehabilitierung zu nähern situieren. Dieser Artikel argumentiert schließlich, dass um wegen Festigung eines transnationalen Netzwerks Buchhändlern, Druckern Verlegern besonders aufnahmefähig für kulturelle Transferprozesse Netzwerk, dessen Aktivitäten Napoleons Kontinentalsperre 1806 ernsthaft gefährdet wurde. Constantine opened book shop on Frith Street West End 1798, specialising import sale continental small market literati interested foreign philosophical developments.1 Despite biographical sources remaining exceptionally scarce, infer he hoped capitalise upon widespread ‘Germanomania’ 1790s, which witnessed foundation subscription library Charing Cross, Deutsche Lese-Bibliothek, saw both James Remnant Henry Escher active booksellers metropolis.2 Around relocated 42 Parliament Street, Westminster, greatly enlarged bookselling activities. His original swelled into ambitious, three-pronged strategy dissemination. goal acquaint readers with seismic transformations intellectual late-Enlightenment states primarily spheres literature, philosophy theology, but also music. First, bookstore served forum books London, mediated via trading centres Leipzig Hamburg. For instance, visited Michaelmas Fair ‘the center German, especially Protestant, market’ compiled extensive catalogue available customers.3 Second, together wife, Maria, translated English printed several language works. These included in-vogue by playwrights August Kotzebue Wilhelm Iffland.4 Third, most consequence, founded alongside translator Lutheran pastor, Peter Will, Edinburgh-based physician Kant's philosophy, Anton Florian Willich.5 Running three relatively slim volumes between 1801 before suddenly ceasing publication, undeniably commercial failure. 1807, encyclopedist travel author Philip Andreas Nemnich reported, visit that, mediocrity enterprise, ‘seinen Verstand darüber verlohren [sic], daß er mittelmäßige Bücher aufs sauberste hat einbinden lassen’, leaving former rival Thomas Boosey only established seller London.6 Nevertheless, contribution pool knowledge about literary, theatrical, musical Britain substantial. covering themes from religion politics music broke narrow largely governed 1790s. Through journal, interchange, even if framing pejorative. ceded something resembling ‘Germanophobia’, developments being seen form mycelial thread pan-European revolutionary unrest thought disperse. longue durée, nadir exception otherwise mutually beneficial relationship bolstered Protestant scholarship, Hanoverian connection, links Baltic ports Hamburg, Anglo-Prussian alliance much Historians including Tim Blanning Emma Winter spoken decline Europe particular ‘culture power’ course eighteenth century, vividly represented representational classicism Louis XIV Versailles palace; its place came heightened emphasis amorphous idea ‘power culture’, road tested public sphere closely associated subjective interiority Romantics.7 A broader pivot away France towards Germany steering European aesthetics, years were fundamental significance, discerned. these erudite interventions, there remains scant historiographic consensus chronology notwithstanding excellent work political, economic industrial supports. While scholar Raven has convincingly argued bidirectionality translation 1770 1799 amounted ‘German-English axis counter invasive ambitions French’, historians traditionally stressed publication Madame de Staël's De l'Allemagne 1813 watershed moment forcing literate Britons seriously engage ‘Germany’.8 important working specifically publishing is Graham Jefcoate, who shines valuable light dynamics trade long professional activities.9 examining Museum, seeks build Jefcoate's existing scholarship provide further clarity questions a) what did take? b) factors underpinned intercultural reception? Geisweiler, merchant community belonged to, developed dense networks, comprising publishers, well cosmopolitan intellectuals philosophers connected centres, Leipzig, node prior French blockade Hamburg 1806, allowed books, pamphlets, scores other ephemera centres. rich fare turn-of-the-century mediation, Anglophone subscribers. Similar projects continue apace subsequent decades, often tied serious engagement itself, but, my knowledge, substantial chronicle Germany. is, therefore, crucial importance helping us contextualise critical engagements Britain, all so considering exceptional circumstances counter-revolutionary paranoia it introduced marketplace. Rather than measuring success strictly vantage journal's ephemerality evidence enough failure front incorporate methodologies history. Reinhart Koselleck's ‘threshold period’ (‘Sattelzeit’) straddled pre-modernity modernity proper help frame attempts made present German-speaking readers. When places within uniquely transformational experiences historical which, Koselleck, acutely felt world 1830, sense acceleration unmooring structures contours become apparent, way inevitably overlook. ‘The significance old concepts altered fit changing conditions modern world’, Koselleck writes preface monumental Geschichtliche Grundbegriffe.10 very concept during period’, underwent dramatic oscillations meaning Europe, reconfiguration elsewhere. understanding operating threshold we understand communication Napoleonic beyond. Moreover, offering I deliberately emphasise some overlooked multi-genre dimensions spanned Immanuel Kant, oratorios Franz Joseph Haydn court-theatrical Weimar (extending far beyond dramas Kotzebue). doing so, qualify view overriding ‘pro-Jacobin, immoral, obscure mystic’, propounded great fanfare journals John Gifford's ultra-Tory Anti-Jacobin Review (1798–1821), conspiratorial pamphlets such Robison's Proof Conspiracy against Religions Governments (1797).11 If anything, seek abnormality when compared co-beneficial dynamic century.12 Germanist critic Carlyle reflected 1838 regarded no ‘vacant land grey vapours chimeras’.13 analysis foreground actors attempted challenge burst hostility invite partial rethinking emphasising 1800; adds letters. Starting broad overview material analysed primary reason lay expecting too hitherto little acquainted gothic Kotzebue. Secondarily, cooling attitudes meant confronted tide indifference and, sections conservative press, outright inception. ‘German literature’, Barry Murnane writes, ‘becomes shorthand anything bad [around 1800]’.14 sense, explain two-fold manner: first, account breadth content underdeveloped marketplace; second, interrelatedly, because mainstream, albeit short-lived, synonymous Jacobinism unrest. second section paper approach specific case-studies focusing representation Kantian thought, qualifying maligned philosopher Britain; culture, court opera, folk song, c) viewed comparatively centralised cultures France. selected highlight areas life where intense or contested those music, literature. concluding, situate continuum transfers arguing agents sustained should subject closer examination. drawing illuminate will, accordingly, highlighted. Each volume comprise rise progress literature; sketches eminent authors north their works; selection best celebrated extracts voluminous classical merit; selections periodical publications, tales, allegories, fables, romances, branches polite useful retrospect publications; miscellaneous articles, articles giving new preparing press; discoveries improvements, maps, engravings, establishments institutions, death men; regular interesting published continent; favourite songs, set adapted same.16 panoramic heterogeneous agenda co-proprietors formidable, relative scarcity time. One must look decades ahead establishment ‘Horae Germanica’ feuilleton Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 1818, William Taylor's Historic Survey Poetry 1828 similarly comprehensive programme.17 historian Violet Stockdale observed despite marking high point intersecting ‘revival Gothic romanticism’, not extend ‘Familienromane’ La Fontaine, ‘Schauer- Ritterromane’ Kotzebue, Goethe's Werther (itself reaching low-quality translation).18 existed growing merchants religious communities number political refugees.19 development created opportunity increased cross-cultural dialogue. However, observes marked change Germany: ‘with anti-revolutionary wars strengthening Tory party England, Sturm Drang free-thinking philosophy’.20 conspiracy theory lodged consciousness posited connection secret societies Revolution. shift attitudes, assumed ready thoroughgoing expansive based fervour 1790s.21 assumption entirely unfounded: Analytical proved popular radicals modelling themselves Kantian-Fichtean Allgemeine Literatur-Zeitung Jena. Here offer frequent discussion moving detailed case studies section. typically divided outlined fiction non-fiction, drama, natural science, philology, more. With remit, ‘museum’ seems apt mirroring encyclopedic impulses Late Enlightenment categorised rational organisation knowledge. each individual issue began essay entitled ‘An Historical Account Origin Progress Literature’, proceeded chronologically antiquity day. instalment, learn Germans […] remotest times poets, verses, though destitute harmony, compensated defect originality energy ideas’.22 Guided ‘martial spirit’ ‘thoroughly animated spirit liberty independence’, are primitive creative vital people.23 next covers reign Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor (768–814), manners still barbarous state, ascended throne’. ‘[His] zeal promoting instruction civilization subjects’, stimulated activity Empire, ‘[was] confined Christian religion, extended diffusion general’, ‘Germany owes her religion’.24 abruptly ceased June after seventeen months circulation, unfolding historicist reached fifteenth testament contained therein, assigned editors providing thorough exposition Other features excerpts recent writings Herder, Schlegel brothers; drama poetry Goethe Schiller; coverage trends cities Hamburg; sheet ‘popular songs’, lists On latter, subsections ‘Education, Theology, Jurisprudence, Medicine Surgery, Natural History; Geography, Voyages, Travels; Philology, Antiquities; Philosophy, Chymistry Commerce, Arts, Miscellanies; Songs, Set Music’. able put visits Easter fairs. We see elsewhere efforts educate reader customs area remarkable ignorance origin Britain's own Georgian monarchy. An Prussian king Frederick III, example, characterises monarch staunchly benevolent reformer: ‘Whilst almost parts violent malignant made, dominion ignorance, fanaticism bigotry, order reduce mankind humiliating state slavery’, begins, ‘[…] real friend brethren rejoices royal protector suffering humanity exerts himself paternal diffusing neglected class children, spares pains render them happy, inspiring love virtue’.25 similar spirit, educational reforms Bavarian Elector Maximilian IV praised, abolition censorship allow ‘investigation every truth [necessary] prosperity state’.26 ‘enlightened despotism’ lands aligns somewhat contemporary judgement historians, III ‘interest[ed] reform 1806’, example founding Royal Commission Financial Reform 1798. king's ‘pedantic’ ‘boring’ personality, combined perceived bourgeois character, runs contrary starry-eyed portrait given virtuous enlightened statesman.27 Being hampered bureaucratic friction start 1797 monarch's record less rosy imply. article's clearly propagandistic one: rehabilitate Prussia, context epoch. As commentary, throughout short run aspersions ‘immoral’ ‘Jacobin’ character. Responding anonymous piece correlated anarchy ‘Sturm Drang’ Willich wrote ‘all [the] charges imaginary pernicious tendency bare assertions, asperity they evince, carry refutation along them’.28 addition, supplement bulletin geopolitics, minor states, Austria Switzerland. January ‘PRUSSIA, surrounded [sic] dominions powers acting France, adheres principles neutrality’ ‘SWITZERLAND suffers calamities war’. May, reports completely exhausted probably suffered enjoy benefits neutrality’, ‘[in] GERMANY signally successful, careers victories distressing’.29 innovated print: engaged printer Charles Whittingham, deploy ‘Fraktur’ typeface reproducing materials.30 thematic concerns apart enterprises introducing audiences. tapestry matter, may contributed publication's limited success, how few scholars time.31 (with secondary hubs playing important, ancillary role), window Britain. deteriorating views Germany, pertained ruptures epoch, substantially remedied Vienna Settlement 1814. From on, cross-border movements people, goods (but food) resume solidity, this, initiated years. turbulent reception, ran aground two reasons. ill-judged either work, itself. Subscriptions remained although notable patrons novelist Beckford Countess Ancram.32 Throughout run, moreover, advertisements submitted publications.33 below, influential segments press diffusion, dismissed book-buyers London. That considered rather might say novel discovery period. Nemnich, writing ‘erst den neuesten Zeiten man England Entdeckung gemacht, Deutschen auch etwas können, Produkte, sowohl Seiten Geistes, Wissenschaftlichen, betrachtet, Achtung verdienen’.34 Nowhere ‘discovery’ field Kant successors Jena Karl Leonhard Reinhold Johann Gottlieb Fichte. mid-1790s, debate surrounding critical-idealist became barbed. Giuseppe Micheli observes, Tory-adjacent helped project ‘a image always same one, picking certain obsessive insistence irreligion, individualism subjectivism morality, sort eschatologicalism politics’.35 Contrary orthodox anarchic, ways: explications critiques, rebuffs anti-Kantian polemics, Review. Willich's experience translating English36 placed distortions philosopher's ‘sort Necromancer Black-artist Metaphysics’ recollect looking back reception.37 Again, doomed 1799–1801 were, identified Micheli, generally.38 correlate Jacobinism, immorality atheism, introduction Pitt's laws 1799, struggled push introverted politico-cultural mood late-eighteenth establishment. nevertheless, advocates rehabilitation taken broadly cipher Building left-field Review, since 1788 editorial ties Jena-based Literatur-Zeitung, worked hostile climate reception. fir