Mededelingen van het Cyriel Buysse Genootschap 10

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De Vlaamse cultuur in de Athenaeum
De jaarlijkse kroniek van Emile de Laveleye en Paul Fredericq
Uitgegeven door Marysa Demoor (R.U.G.)

Achtergronden

Als er ooit stenen opgericht en onthuld zullen worden om tijdschriften te vereeuwigen zal er vast een bij zijn voor de Athenaeum. Dat algemeen-culturele weekblad beïnvloedde het Engelse culturele leven zo maar even van 1828 tot 1921. Een lezerspubliek een kleine eeuw lang kunnen boeien is op zich al een monument waard. Het tijdschrift telde dan op zijn hoogtepunt in de jaren zestig zo'n 20 000 abonnees, ook buitenlandse. De invloed ervan reikte tot in het negentiende-eeuwse Vlaanderen waar Anglofiele Vlamingen, zoals Guido Gezelle, het weekblad lazen of erop geabonneerd blijken.⁽¹⁾ De reeks is nu nog, voor de periode 1893 tot 1914, terug te vinden in de collectie van de Universiteit van Gent en is volledig aanwezig in de Koninklijke Bibliotheek van Brussel.

De roem van het tijdschrift stoelde op zijn objectiviteit, die moest blijken uit de anonimiteit van de kritieken en de besprekingen. Dit, terwijl iedereen wist dat er beroemde en beruchte namen schuil gingen achter de teksten. Oscar Wilde en Walter Pater om er maar een paar te noemen. Het bewaard gebleven exemplaar van de hoofdredacteur vermeldt gelukkig alle namen en de respectievelijke remuneratie, anders was het bij gissen gebleven.⁽²⁾ Sporadisch verschenen er recensies van Belgische boeken, bijvoorbeeld van werk van Emile de Laveleye en Paul Fredericq.

(1) Zie Boudewijn de Leeuw, Patrick de Wilde en Kris Verbeke, red., De briefwisseling van Guido Gezelle met de Engelsen 1854-1899, Gent, Koninklijke Academie voor Nederlandse Taal- en Letterkunde, 1991, dl. 1, p. 273.

(2) Het geannoteerde exemplaar van de hoofdredacteur, met de identificatie van de recensenten, bevindt zich in de City University Library te Londen.

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De jonge Paul Fredericq,
Universiteitsbibliotheek Kaartenzaal
(Nalatenschap Florimond Van Looy Fonds Portretten)

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Emile de Laveleye
Illustratie overgenomen uit de Review of Review, februari 1892, p. 137.

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De eerste bijdrage over de Vlaamse cultuur in de Athenaeum, 25 december 1894.

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In de jaren zeventig en tachtig werden verschillende boeken van De Laveleye, al of niet in vertaling, in de Athenaeum gerecenseerd.⁽³⁾ De uitzondering was zijn Elements d'économie politique (1882), waarvan de ingestuurde bespreking zo negatief was dat hoofdredacteur Norman MacColl aan De Laveleye voorstelde om de kritiek dan maar niet op te nemen (brief van MacColl aan De Laveleye van 30 april 1883, Universiteits-bibliotheek Gent, nr. 1883.04.30).⁽⁴⁾ In 1882 vermeldde recensente Millicent Fawcett het eredoctoraat dat de Universiteit van Würzburg aan De Laveleye verleende in de ‘gossip’ column van het blad⁽⁵⁾ en, tot slot, kreeg Fredericq na de dood van zijn ‘peetvader’ de opdracht een uitgebreide levensschets te verzorgen voor de Athenaeum.⁽⁶⁾

Van enkele van Fredericqs publikaties zijn er eveneens flatterende kritieken. Al in september 1875 wordt een grondige bespreking gewijd aan zijn Essai sur le Rôle Politique et Social des Ducs de Bourgogne dans les Pays-Bas.⁽⁷⁾ De bekende criticus Edmund Gosse besprak (uiteraard anoniem) Fredericqs Marnix en zijne Nederlandsche

(3) Ik geef de lijst hieronder:

-

De la Propriéte et de ses Formes primitives, Athenaeum, 25 juli 1874, pp. 105-6. (gerecenseerd dr. Thomas Edward Clirfe Leslie)

-

Primitive Property, 16 maart 1878, pp. 343-4 (gerecenseerd dr. Millicent Garrett Fawcett).

-

The Socialism of To-day tr by G.H. Orpen, 9 mei 1885, pp. 594-5 (gerecenseerd dr. Fox Bourne).

-

La Péninsule des Balkans, 8 mei 1886, pp. 610-1 (gerecenseerd dr. William Ralston Shedden Ralston).

-

Propriété collective du sol en différents pays, 26 juni 1886, pp. 842-3 (gerecenseerd dr. Rev. W. Cunningham).

-

Balkan Peninsula, 5 maart 1887, p. 319 (gerecenseerd dr. Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke).

-

Le Gouvernement dans la Démocratie, 25 december 1891, p. 863 (gerecenseerd dr. Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke).

De recensenten waren steeds specialisten ter zake. Voor hun biografische gegevens verwijs ik naar de Dictionary of National Biography.

(4) Zie ook M. Demoor ‘De Vlaamse literatuur op een blaadje gepresenteerd: Emile de Laveleye en Paul Fredericq in The Athenaeum (1871-1904)’, Spiegel der Letteren, augustus 1994, pp. 211-220.

(5) Zij plaatste de aankondiging (weliswaar anoniem) in de eerste plaats omwille van haar echtgenoot, Henry Fawcett, die tegelijkertijd een eredoctoraat toegekend kreeg (Athenaeum, 12 augustus 1882, p. 209).

(6) Athenaeum, 23 januari 1892, p. 116.

(7) De bespreking wordt in de ‘marked file’ toegeschreven aan de historicus James Gairdner.

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Geschriften (Athenaeum, 27 Aug 1881, p. 274). Edmund Gosse profileerde zich in Groot-Brittannië als dé specialist in de literatuur van de Lage landen. Over Fredericqs Travaux du Cours Pratique d'Histoire Nationale verzorgde Norman MacColl een korte bijdrage in het nummer van 30 augustus 1884.

Voor Vlaamse literatuur als dusdanig was veel minder plaats ingeruimd in de bladzijden van de Athenaeum. Zelfs van Consciences werken, die regelmatig in vertaling verschenen, zijn nauwelijks besprekingen te traceren.⁽⁸⁾ Het Middelnederlandse Van den Vos Reynaerde deed het dan weer wel goed toen de zoveelste vertaling van Goethes Reineke Fuchs gerecenseerd werd door de Victoriaanse dichteres Augusta Webster. Zij was overtuigd dat de meer bekende Reinaert versies terug te voeren waren tot de Flemish ‘Reinaert’ of Willem,

perhaps surnamed Matoc, perhaps author of ‘Matoc’, perhaps properly to be identified as Willem van Utenhove...
Willem's book, then, which is partly compilation, partly creation, is distinctly not an historical allegory. And Willem's book is the fountain head of both branches of the Reynard romance. (Athenaeum, 7 augustus 1886, pp. 65-6)

Vlaanderen maakte een merkelijk betere beurt als congrescentrum. In het verslag van het Internationaal literair en artistiek congres dat in 1884 en in 1885 in Antwerpen werd gehouden begint de verslaggever met de opmerking dat het erop lijkt alsof de hele wereld uitgerekend die stad heeft uitgekozen als conferentie-oord. (Athenaeum 26 september 1885). De Belgen zagen toen ook al brood in zo'n internationale reputatie en pakten met al hun troeven uit. De eerste minister August Beernaert nam bij beide gelegenheden het erevoorzitterschap van de conferentie waar en dat in één van de meest aantrekkelijke locaties in Antwerpen, met name de ‘Cercle Artistique, Littéraire et Scientifique’. Het voornaamste punt op de

(8) In februari 1885 verscheen een bespreking van Consciences Off to California (vertaald door James E. Cobb), p. 277. Er werd ook kort melding gemaakt van de oprichting van het Conscience monument in september 1886 (Athenaeum, 2 oktober 1886, p. 437). Maar andere verwijzingen zijn opvallend karig.

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agenda van de conferentie in 1885 was het vastleggen van een inter-nationale copyright regeling. Bijzonder actueel lijkt de opmerking van de Engelse vertegenwoordiger dat hij met spijt de afwezigheid van zijn delegatie - op één na dus - moest vaststellen. Ook op het verslag van de ‘Conférence du livre’ in augustus 1890, bleek er weinig nieuws onder de Europese zon:

That the Conférence du Livre should become international in every sense of the word was an opinion freely expressed at Antwerp last week; but a more general and sincere cooperation on the part of ‘adherents’ is absolutely necessary before the scheme can be worked with success. ‘Absent’, ‘Absent’, and ‘Pas ici’ were the too frequent responses when the names were read out... in this respect the English were especial sinners.
...The proposition that a universal system should be adopted met with an extraordinary amount of opposition and, it must be added, excitement, several members speaking simultaneously,... The exceedingly excited and unnecessarily prolonged discussion was wisely stopped with a short and very vigorous speech by M. Max Rooses, who, taking a medium view, threw, so to speak, oil on troubled waters (Athenaeum, 16 april 1890, pp. 226-7).

Nederlanders gebruikten het medium van de Athenaeum wel vaker om hun literatuur over het Kanaal te introduceren. Zo publiceerde het blad in mei 1880 een artikel van S. van Straalen over de aangekondigde opvoeringen door een Nederlands toneelgezelschap in het Imperial Theatre. De Britse interesse voor de continentale literatuur, i.c. de Nederlandse, lijkt wel wat neerbuigend. Dat blijkt duidelijk uit de recensie van George Edmunsons Milton and Vondel: a Curiosity of Literature (Athenaeum, 7 november 1885, pp. 599-600). Voor Britse critici, hier Sir Sidney Lee, stond de suprematie van de Engelse literatuur buiten kijf. De passages in Milton waarvan Edmundson beweert dat ze geïnspireerd werden door Vondel zijn volgens Lee gewoon geïnspireerd op de bijbel, vandaar de gelijkenis. Hij kan hooguit akkoord gaan met Edmundsons pleidooi voor een meer internationale erkenning van het werk van Vondel.

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Schilderkunst daarentegen - dat moeten ook de kenners in de redactie van de Athenaeum toegeven - is dé specialiteit van de Lage Landen. Om die kunstenaars volledig te kunnen doorgronden - beweert de auteur van een artikel van 1875 - moeten we die streken opzoeken. Het is wenselijk om de biotoop van de kunstenaars te bestuderen:

The appearance and mirthful disposition of the Flemish peasantry which Teniers delighted to represent is still conspicuous in that industrious land; the look of solid satisfaction, of comfort, contentedness, and even enjoyment, though of a rough and ready sort, which characterizes the cultivators of the soil, is as well seen now as it was two hundred years ago. (25 december 1875, pp. 885-6)

Op het moment dat het duo De Laveleye-Fredericq in 1871 de opdracht voor de Athenaeum aanvaardde kon hun respectievelijke maatschappelijke positie niet méér verschillend zijn. Fredericq was net afgestudeerd aan de Ecole Normale te Luik terwijl De Laveleye al verschillende boeken had gepubliceerd die internationale erkenning hadden gekregen. De collaboratie zou niettemin uitstekend verlopen. Samen zouden ze de rubriek ‘België’ blijven verzorgen tot de dood van De Laveleye in 1891. Daarna bleef Fredericq alleen verantwoordelijk tot de culturele overzichten geschrapt werden in 1904.

De 35 overzichten van de Vlaamse cultuur zijn heel verschillend in lengte. De eerste bijdragen zijn vrij lang en getuigen van een grenzeloos enthousiasme. Vanaf 1875 wordt de rubriek merkelijk korter.

Voor een pas afgestudeerde Paul Fredericq moet een samenwerking met Emile de Laveleye voor zo'n blad een unieke kans geleken hebben. De Laveleye was door de redactie van de Athenaeum aangezocht om het jaarlijkse culturele overzicht van België bijeen te schrijven. Als politiek econoom zag hij zich evenwel niet geroepen om ook een jaarlijks overzicht van de literaire publikaties te verzorgen. Zijn jonge vriend Paul Fredericq scheen hem hiervoor een uitgelezen kracht. Fredericq was via zijn Atheneumleraar te Gent, de flamingant J.F.J. Heremans, al vroeg in Vlaamse literaire kringen

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geïntroduceerd. Hij had er bijvoorbeeld kennis gemaakt met de voormannen van 't Zal Wel Gaan. Ook zijn familierelaties bevestigden zijn geloofsbrieven. Fredericq was namelijk een volle neef van de zussen Loveling en kende aldus indirect ook hun hele entourage.⁽⁹⁾ Zijn vader, César Fredericq en J.F.J. Heremans waren bovendien belangrijke leden van het Willemsfonds.

Paul Fredericq hield z'n tantes Loveling goed op de hoogte van zijn literaire reilen en zeilen. In 1870 al vertelde hij hen over de lovende commentaar die over hun werk in de Athenaeum verschenen was.⁽¹⁰⁾ De namen van Rosalie en Virginie én, later, neef Cyriel Buysse komen trouwens in de hele reeks opvallend frequent voor, getuige daarvan het persoonsregister in de appendix.

De jaarlijkse overzichten van de Vlaamse cultuur werden hieronder integraal opgenomen, inclusief de eerste twee bijdragen die waarschijnlijk niet van De Laveleye of Fredericq zijn. Voor de paragrafen die aan de ‘Belgische publikaties’ in het Frans gewijd werden moeten wij naar de Athenaeum zelf blijven verwijzen.⁽¹¹⁾ Wij hebben het hier gehouden bij het overzicht van de Nederlandstalige literaire produktie. Tik- en zetfouten werden tussen vierkante haakjes gecorrigeerd. De spelling van de eigennamen werd onveranderd overgenomen uit het origineel maar geüniformiseerd in het persoonsregister. Wegens de omvang van de bijdrage wordt de publikatie in twee delen gebracht. In deze aflevering worden de kronieken van de jaren 1869-1884 afgedrukt; de kronieken en de jaargangen 1886⁽¹²⁾-1904 volgen in aflevering XI van de Mededelingen.⁽¹³⁾

(9) Uit verschillende brieven van zijn tantes blijkt dat zij het oordeel van neef Fredericq op prijs stelden, zie ‘Correspondentie van de gezusters Loveling brieven van en aan Paul Fredericq’, uitgegeven door A. van Elslander en A.M. Musschoot, Mededelingen van het Cyriel Buysse Genootschap IX, Gent 1993, pp. 67-175.

(10) Zie A. van Elslander en A.M. Musschoot, ‘Correspondentie’, p. 71.

(11) Een voor de hand liggende uitzondering is de inleidende alinea van het stuk van 26 december 1874 waarin de auteurs verwijzen naar werken die uitspraken doen over Vlamingen (cf. infra).

(12) In 1885 verscheen geen overzicht. De ‘Continental Literature’ rubriek verhuisde toen naar de maand januari van het volgende jaar.

(13) Met dank aan Sheila Munton, Anne Marie Musschoot en Patrick Vanleene voor hun hulp bij het schrijven van deze inleiding.

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1

Dec. 25, 1869

Flanders

The key to modern Flemish literature is the attempt now being made by patriotic Flemings to protect their Germanic nationality against the inroads of the French. In answer to the scoffers of Brussels, who hold that the Flemish nationality must eventually become extinct, it is worthy of notice that the Society ‘Diederik van Assenede’ has, for the first time, published a Year Book, of which a Flemish critic says, The ‘Almanak der Diederiks’ is a new proof that the love of our dear mother-tongue ever grows and grows among us, and that the number of those who cultivate it every day increases, while its literature steadily gains ground.’ The Flemish Journal, too, of Brussels has, during 1869, appeared daily instead of three times a week. On the other hand, Flemish novels, once many in number, have all but ceased to issue from the press; and, with the exception of the new volumes of the ‘Cheap Romance Library’, published by Marchand, of Antwerp, of which ‘Nephew and Niece’ is by far the best, scarcely any novels have appeared. In this remarkable work are still to be found the old uprightness and sturdy truth of Flemish tradition; but it must be admitted that the solidity of the national character is beginning to disappear.

Not only are Flemish novels failing, but the Flemish Theatre is struggling for life. lts home in Brussels, in spite of the subsidies of the Flemish party, has been closed, and Prof. Van Driessche frankly declared this year, at the Literary Congress of Louvain, that he doubted whether the Flemish Theatre would ever be restored to health.

Flemish poetry, on the other hand, both lyrical and patriotic, is full of life. Let us mention, before all other poems, the charming ‘Zandkorrels’, by Jan Staes, lately published at Antwerp, although its author, born at Antwerp in 1828, can hardly be counted as a member of the younger Flemish School. For the last ten years he has, with Augustus Sn[ie]ders for his colleague, been editor of the Antwerp Handelsblad, or Commercial Journal. The most noticeable

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of the poems which ‘Zandkorrels’ contains are ‘Weet gij het nog?’ (‘Do you still know it?’) - ‘De Dood mijnes Vaders’ (‘My Father's Death’), - ‘Bij van Rijswijcks Graf’ (‘On Ryswick's Tomb’). Other remarkable books of poems are De Koninck's Heath-Flowers’ and ‘De Zuster van Liefde’ (‘The Sister of Love’), a cantata by the rising young Adriaensen of Louvain. Although the talented lyrical poet, Francis de Cort, has been silent during the present year, it is understood that he is now busy upon an edition of the poetical work of his late father-in-law, J. Dautzenberg, who died at Brussels on the 4th of February last. While we are speaking of a distinguished Flemish author's death, we may, at the same time, remind our readers that they have also to mourn the talented Van Ryswick, who died at Antwerp, on the 6th of July, at the age of forty-one. We have also to note the indefatigable poetical activity of Dr. J. Nolet de Brauwere van Steeland, the only satirical poet of Flanders; but the bitterness of his re-actionary views has begun to affect the quality of his writings, and his latest poems are little better than so many pamphlets. ‘Beide Nederlanden’ and ‘Kleine Landjes’ (‘Small States’) are his chief productions of the year. It is worthy of notice, perhaps, that the territorial aggrandizement of Prussia is attacked in one of the poems. Let us not forget a reprint of the poems of Jan Boendale, Hein van Aken, and other writers of the fourteenth century. The editor is Prof. Snellaert, of Ghent; and the volume has been published at the cost of the Belgian Government, under the direction of the Historical Committee of the Academy. The club of Belgian Bibliophiles is also preparing a collection of early historical songs.

Leaving poetry, we notice a work remarkable both as a masterpiece of scientific diligence and as a national monument which, long since begun, has been completed in 1869, the ‘Vlaamsche Idioticon’ of the Louvain Professor L.W. Schuermans, a work of wonderful erudition. Dialect studies, always difficult, become doubly so when they have to do with tongues which, like the Flemish, are wanting in fixity of form.

Such are aspects of Flemish Literature in 1869; and as our native Correspondent himself expresses it: - ‘An impartial critic should scarcely judge them very brilliant. Nevertheless, there is no doubt principally if the national cause attains its desired end, not by, but

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besides, the literature - that we shall have to expect still many fresh and vigorous poetical flowers, many delightfully smelling novelgarlands from the singers of this hearty and sensible fellow-German race.’

THE EDITOR

2

Dec. 31, 1870

...

Flemish literature presents a remarkable contrast to French literature in Belgium. In Flemish, works of Science, of Philosophy, of Criticism are few; but on the other hand, literature properly so called, especially poetry, flourishes. The reason of this is, that Flemish literature is essentially popular literature; it is sustained by the people, and it has its roots in the heart of the people themselves. The Flemings read and re-read the works of their novelists and of their poets. The Walloons do not even know the names of their own authors who write in French.

The most celebrated and the best beloved of our story-tellers is Henri Conscience. He is the great painter of Flemish life in its most minute details, and his best dramas also depict it; he has again this year once more gained the prize of literature, given every fifth year, by his romance, ‘Bavo en Lieveken’, which may be classed among his best works. It is a simple and charming narrative; a picture - like most of the works by the illustrious novelist - of the life of the common people. It is the history of two children, whose parents are artisans. The author contrives to insinuate the gravest and best advice under the most amusing forms, and, according to his wont, he pleads the cause of virtue, by proving that after all it is the best policy.

Among the collection of poems which have appeared this years, we must give the first place to ‘Gevoel en leven’ by M. Van Beers, the Tennyson of Flanders. One cannot too much admire the wonderful richness of his fine imagination, which has hitherto been

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almost exclusively exercised upon graceful and pathetic subjects, but now he has shown himself under an entirely new light.

Next to him we may place M. Emmanuel Hiel, the author of a Cantata entitled ‘Lucifer’, which is a masterpiece; he has published ‘De liefde in het leven’ (‘Love in Life’), a collection of burning songs; with the hand of a master the poet has struck all the chords of the lyre of passion. Like M. Van Beers, M. Hiel is an adorer of melody, and with him, the magie of felicitous expression often covers and atones for much that is questionable. In contrast with this poet, in whom the imagination is the predominant quality, stand the poets of pure sentiment, Virginie and Rosalie Loveling, the two poet sisters; they are the authors of an enchanting collection of poems, full of freshness, purity, and grace. In their poetry we see once more that lovely smiling muse whose apparition becomes more rare every day. They have drunk inspiration from the Greeks, - from Anacreon, and the poets of the Anthology. Each poem in this little volume is a gem that has been carved with loving care, and the artist did not cease from her labours until she had made her work as perfect as possible.

Death has been busy this year amongst our young authors - two poets have died whose posthumous works have been published: Dautzenberg, full of noble and elevated sentiment, and Emile Moyson, of a harsh but energetic nature. He handled poetry as though it had been a scourge; political convictions were his inspiration, the sources of more than one inflammatory Iambic, and of many a biting stanza.

The distinguished trait of all these literary Flemings, poets and novelists alike, is that they all write for the people. Supported by the people, they have succeeded, in spite of obstacles without number, in creating a Flemish theatre in many towns of Belgium. Literary societies have been entertained in all the principal localities of the country; of these the circle Met tyd en vlyt of Louvain is the most important.

At Ghent they have an association which is prosperous; the object of the Willems Fonds is to print, at a cheap rate, good educational books for the people. We may mention in passing two works they have translated from the English: one is ‘Self-Help’, by Samuel Smiles, and the other is John Stuart MilPs book ‘On Liberty’.

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When we consider the spontaneous expansion of Flemish life and activity, we can only congratulate the Government upon having decided to publish the Moniteur in Flemish as well as in French, thus recognizing the bilingual character of our nationality, which it would be as absurd to oppose as to deny.

The welfare of Belgium lies, as our national motto, ‘l'union fait la force’, expresses it, in the union of the two races.

We have faith in this Future, in spite of all the clouds and dangers which surround it. Even as our country has achieved her political emancipation, so will the day of her complete literary emancipation also come; and then we may say with one of our most distinguished countrymen, ‘Unless Belgium ceases to be Belgian land, she will have a glorious national literature.’ The part she has to act is marked out for her, and that is, to serve as the bond of union between the Germanic and the Latin civilizations.

[JEWSBURY TRANSLATION]

3

Dec. 30, 1871

...

The last war has given a lively impetus to the Flemish movement, and instead of being confined to literature alone, it has entered into political and social questions! The Germanic sentiment has increased intensely amongst the Germans, from the expansive force which has been displayed by Germany. In like manner the Flemish press, which in general supported Germany against France, has attained a remarkable degree of development, thanks to the cooperation of the best writers. Amongst many others, the weekly Ghent newspaper Het Volksbelang (The Good of the People), besides being exceptionally well written, deserves to be known abroad, for the courage, the earnestness, and the good sense with which it defends the principles of liberalism and the rights of nationalities. There are other organs which valiantly support the Flemish cause

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at Brussels, at Antwerp, and elsewhere. This political activity, to a degree, inevitably turn aside flemish authors from mere literature and although this year this influence may not be very sensibly feit, it is not difficult to foresee that Flemish literature will before long come to be considered as belonging to the category of social science. This movement was inaugurated, by the Willems-Fonds, which has its head-quarters at Ghent, and its twelve hundred members are spread in all directions over Belgium and Holland; it even counts adherents in French Flanders and in the Dutch colonies. The aim of this association is to promote the intellectual emancipation of the Flemish people - one mode of its operation is to publish popular works. This year the Willems-Fonds has edited, amongst others, two books of great utility, ‘The Handbook of the Elector’, by M. Julius De Vigne, and the excellent work of M. Rolin Jacquemyns, ‘The Belgian Constitution’. This very popular book, whilst it is thoroughly serious and even profound, presents to the reader a series of remarkable monographs upon the liberties and fundamental principles of the Belgian Constitution. Persons competent to judge declare this to be the best work of the kind. ‘The Handbook of the Elector’, by M.J. De Vigne (of Ghent), supplies a work that was much needed, and comes just at the right moment, when the new electoral law is about to come into operation for the first time. After an introduction full of enlightened and at the same time practical ideas, on the rights and duties of electors, the author gives a clear and complete commentary upon all the electoral laws of Belgium. One of the chief merits of this work is the faithful translation it gives of these laws, the original and only text being in French. This publication has, therefore, more than one claim to be considered a valuable service rendered to the Flemish electors.

A third and not less important work will mark the transition of the social sciences into literature, belonging as it does to both classes. This work is entitled ‘Letters from the South Netherlands’ by Max Rooses. These letters are a collection of the correspondence, addressed from Ghent, during the years 1869 and 1870, to the Dutch newspaper Het Vaderland. The author, already well known by his remarkable literary criticism, distinguishes himself in this work by the piquant and picturesque turn which he gives to his thoughts as well as to his style. Added to this, these letters treat of the most

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varied and important questions from the Flemish point of view - such as the Young School of Music, the Flemish question in the Chamber of Representatives, and at the last Communal Elections, the books which have appeared, the deaths of three illustrious Flemings (the artist Leys and the two polemists Jan Van Ryswyck and Lenaerts), and in fact every topic of general interest, such as the Congress of working-men at Lausanne; the Ministerial Crisis in Belgium; the relations of Belgium with Germany, &c. In one word, this book, one of the very best which this year has produced, affords the reader a very good picture of Flemish life in 1869 and 1870.

The celebrated novelist, Henri Conscience, whose works are translated into all the languages of Europe, has this year published a great historical romance, called ‘De Kerels van Vlaenderen’ founded upon the stirring history of the saxon population in West Flanders, who throughout the feudal ages succeeded in preserving almost intact their ancient Germanic liberty against the encroachments of the Counts of Flanders. Besides this dramatic page from history, Conscience has begun to publish a series of short stories of the kind that have built up his reputation for the last thirty years. Other novelists of well-known talent, Madame Courtmans, and MM. Sleeckx and Geiregat, have written works which commend themselves alike by their morality and instructiveness. But the book at once the most fresh and original of the year is a tiny little volume called ‘Two Tales from the Banks of the Rhine’. The author, who shelters himself under the pseudonym of Tony, was formerly the gayest story-teller of the Studenten-Almanak of the University of Ghent. His old vein of humour and his pitiless vigour which he exercised so keenly upon the absurdities of the Flemish bourgeoisie have not forsaken him now, but his gifts have been matured and mellowed by time. It is upon the banks of the great German river that Tony has this time taken his stand. He introducés us to the acquaintance of a learned Professor from Berlin, of a dull Silesian country gentleman, and of some amiable young people from Frankfort, full of hatred against the Prussians, and to several other thoroughly German types of character. This little book gives the reader a picture, which is by turns pathetic and sarcastic, of life on the banks of the Rhine, as it was before the war. Another publication of interest is a complete edition of the collected works of one

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of the greatest of Flemish prose writers, Eugeen Zetternam. Zetternam was all his life a common working-man - he passed his nights in teaching himself, after the hard work of the day. He died young, in the deepest poverty, of sheer toil and exhaustion; nevertheless, during the few years he gave to literary pursuits, he was able to take rank beside Conscience, and for real genius as a novelist and as a thinker he may be placed still higher. His writings, which breathe the most ardent love of justice and his fellow-creatures, contain some of the boldest and most eloquent pages which are to be found in Flemish literature since 1830. The poetical works of Jan Van Ryswyck are a posthumous publication. A popular orator who carried his audience along with him, one of the most caustic of journalists and pamphleteers, Jan Van Ryswyck played an important part during the late political agitations at Antwerp - brought on, as is well known, by the construction of the new citadel and the grievances of the Flemish people. His poems which have been collected since his death, exhibit him in a new light. We may venture to say that his poems, keen and caustic when he addresses himself to his political enemies, profoundly tender when he implores the rich to have mercy on the poor, place him on a level with his brother Theodore, who, along with Conscience and Ledeganck, brought about the revival of Flemish literature after 1830. The poems of Dodd are the third collection which he has given to the public, and like their predecessors secure for the author an honourable place amongst the poets of the second class.

We must not omit to mention in this record of poets and poetry two annual publications which have greatly contributed to the development of Flemish literature. Het Jaarboekje (Annual), directed by the poet Rens, one of the worthiest veterans in the Flemish cause, has attained the thirty-eighth year of its existence. Since 1833 there may be found every year amongst its pages fugitive pieces signed by the best names. The result of this combination is curious and remarkable. The Studenten Almanak of Ghent, set on foot in 1855, has witnessed the first appearance of some of our most remarkable writers. During the last two years, it has become a free Tribune for the students of all the Universities, both of Belgium and Holland. This is a sign of the times, and shows how sincerely the youth of the University, who will one day govern the country,

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desire to come into close relations with Holland. It is needless to add that the Almanac has greatly improved.

As for Flemish Philology a new edition has this year appeared of two ‘Strophiques’, by Jacob van Maerlant, the great poet of the thirteenth century, he who raised Flemish literature from being a meagre imitation of poems of chivalry, and transformed it into the bold and vigorous utterance of the people of our free Flemish Communes and the faithful interpreter of their life and thoughts. It is M. Heremans, the learned Professor of the University of Ghent, who has edited these two poems: he has carefully corrected the text, and added an excellent glossary. His colleague, M. Serrure, has, in the name of the Society of Flemish Bibliophilists, published the narrative related by Father Pierre-Thomas Van Hamme, a Flemish priest, of his missions to Mexico (1651-1727). These two publications are worthy of the reputation of the Flemish University. Whilst speaking of Reviews, we must not omit to mention De Toekomst (The Future), edited by the poet Frans de Cort, which has already been fifteen years in existence: it appears every month. This periodical is especially devoted to educational questions; but it contains, along with its scholastic articles, papers on general literature, history, and philology. De Kunstbode (The Message of Art) is a new review, set on foot by a group of young authors. It is devoted to the questions of art and literature.

Flemish literature, as we have already had occasion to remark, is essentially a popular literature, and consequently it is very poor in works of philosophy and Science. Agricultural and Horticultural science must nevertheless be excepted from this assertion: every year these subjects afford their contingent of useful works. Amongst the books of M.M. Burvenich and Rodrigas, both of whom are professors in the School of Horticulture at Gendbrugge, near Ghent.

Dramatic literature counts this year, as usual, a tolerable numerous array of pieces. Few amongst them rise above mediocrity, but all possess one valuable characteristic, that of being irreproachable on the score of morality. They have nothing in common with the French vaudevilles and dramas of the day, wherein debauchery, adultery, infanticide, and other Capital rimes form the staple subjects. On the contrary, the characteristic of the Flemish drama

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is its vigorous protest against this tendency, and whether the subjects be taken from national history, especially of the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries, or from the domestic life in town or country of the present day, the dominant spirit of the drama is rather anti-Gallic. But at present there is little beyond aspirations to be found, and too frequently there is a great lack of true literary and dramatic talent. None of the really distinguished Flemish authors have ever written for the stage. It is to be hoped that the reform of the theatrical companies at Ghent and Antwerp, where the Flemish theatre has been placed by the Communal authorities under improved conditions for development, will induce a higher order of literary men to make their appearance before the great dramatic tribunal. The question of the theatre as a means of civilization and popular culture, as it was understood among the Greeks, increases in importance every day, and begins to excite public interest in Holland as well as in Belgium. At the last Dutch-Flemish Congress, held at Louvain, a dramatic league was formed (Nederlandsch-Toneelverbond) between the two countries. This useful association has undertaken to organize at Amsterdam a model school of scenic declamation. Besides this, it publishes a review every three months, devoted to theatrical matters, and edited both by Dutch and Flemish writers. The first number of this review has just appeared; it contains, amongst other things, a remarkable study by Max Rooses, upon Flemish dramatic literature from 1830. The triennial prize for Flemish dramatic literature has this year been awarded by Government to M. Félix Van de Sande, who is by no means a novice in his art.

There is another domain in which Flemish genius is making rapid progress, and that is in music. Several years ago, a Society of Flemish composers was instituted, the object of which was to create a National Music for the Low Countries, such as Richard Wagner and his pupils have created for Germany. This musical movement is intimately connected with literature. The leaders of the movement have assumed it to be their mission to make music the reflexion and expression of the genuine character of the people. They desire only to write on texts in their own mother tongue. This year the Willems-Fonds has undertaken the publication of a series of Flemish songs, - twelve numbers have already appeared - and connoisseurs

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are agreed in praising the originality and melody of these songs. The words have been written by the best Flemish poets, and the music is by the best composers, both Flemish and Dutch. The new School of Music has distinguished itself at the national competition for the prize of Rome. The first prize was carried off (and for the second time) by a young Flemish composer. This musical revival has called forth, in reviews and from the press generally, some remarkable studies in musical criticism, amongst which may be especially mentioned those which appeared in Volksbelang and in L'Echo du Parlement.

We will conclude by mentioning an important literary demonstration which took place this year at Ghent, on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the death of Jan-Frans Willems - the Father of the Flemish movement. It was as an acknowledgment of the public gratitude due to him that the Willems-Fonds was named in honour of the deceased, and that this society organized at Ghent one of those national fêtes of which Germany has set such a splendid example in her touching celebration of the Schiller anniversaries. From all parts of Belgium and Holland might be seen the friends of the Flemish movement gathering with one accord at Ghent. A great number of the Societies of the deputations of their members; a long and picturesque procession, with a hundred banners floating in the breeze, - a procession such as has been the delight of the Flemish people for centuries, - advanced, accompanied by a large crowd, to the grave of Willems, which was soon hidden under crowns of immortelles and branches of laurel. Orations were delivered in the Cemetery by the heads of the Flemish party, in the midst of profound emotion. This fête, which was entirely due to spontaneous and private exertion, has surpassed the expectations of all the friends of the Flemish cause. It is one more proof how deeply the roots of Flemish literature have entwined themselves in the hearts of the people. Whilst the Walloons receive with cold indifference the works of the writers who are endeavouring to endow Belgium with a French national literature, the Flemings read and read again their poets and prose writers, and frequently take occasion to testify their love and admiration by an explosion of unanimous gratitude.

EMILE DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FRÉDÉRICQ

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4

Dec. 28, 1872

...

As the Flemish language addresses itself more especially to the working classes, it is principally works of imagination which are written in that tongue. Hendrik Conscience has published a series of seven stories. They are simple and touching, and depict Flemish manners as he alone knows how to paint them. Another prose writer of talent, D. Sleeckx, has written several tales, amongst which an historical romance, called ‘Hildegonde’, has attracted much notice. The subject is taken from the history of the Low Countries towards the end of the fifteenth century. The author gives us the marriage of Philippe le Beau with Joan of Castille (afterwards so sadly celebrated as Jeanne la Folie): he depicts the life, manners, and fêtes of the Flemings of that period, and he adds a picture of the brilliant Court of Margaret of Austria, aunt to Charles the Fifth. ‘Hildegonde’ is a work full of solid erudition, and is besides extremely interesting. We must also mention the novels of Madame Courtmans, of M.M. Geiregat, Alfred Ferlaenen, Cam. Vander Cruysen, Frans de Potter, S.A.C. Willems, and others, which all possess various good qualities. Flemish literature is rich in novels: it is the form of literature which finds the greatest response in the heart of this simple, and in general but little-developed people. The poet, Jan van Beers, who, after Conscience, is the most popular of Flemish authors, has this year published a magnificent edition of his complete works. They are marked by truth and vigour of sentiment, and by picturesque simplicity of the description both of life and natural scenery. Jan van Beers is very popular, not only in Belgium, but also in Holland.

Two yearly volumes of collected pieces have for a long time past played an important and useful part in Flemish literature. The ‘Annual’, edited by the venerable poet, Frans Rens, has reached its thirty-ninth year. It contains pieces in prose and verse, signed with the names of the best known authors. The ‘Studenten-Almanak’ is the annual most in use among the students of Ghent and of the

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Flemish and Dutch Universities. It is in the pages of this work that several authors of recognized talent have made their début in literature. What is especially noteworthy in this collection is the patriotic concord of the students of the two countries, as well as their spirit of religious and scientific independence.

The poets Jan van Beers and Minnaert have composed, for the use of the superior schools, two excellent works, in which, by means of well-chosen extracts, a consecutive view is given of the literature of the Low Countries from the sixteenth century to the present day.

The ‘Willems-Fonds’ has this year issued a series of popular works, amongst which may be especially noticed the second volume of the ‘Voordrachten over de Grond[w]et’, a collection of the reports of the lectures on the Belgian constitution, by the journalist of Ghent, Rolin-Jaequemyns. He passes in review the different privileges proclaimed by the fundamental law of Belgium, and he treats especially of the right of combination as it regards the societies of working men, and also the liberty of speech guaranteed by the article twenty-three of the constitution. This brings the author to the examination of the Flemish movement, its past history and future prospects. The work is at once solid and entertaining, and good judges consider it the best commentary on the Belgian constitution which can be put into the hands of the working classes. The ‘Year book for 1872’, published by the managing Committee of the Willems-Fonds, supplies to the 1,200 branch societies the annual report of its Proceedings, and gives besides a series of literary and scientific articles, amongst which may be especially noticed the interesting biographical sketch of the founder of the Society, J.F. Willems, by the philologer, Here[m]ans, Professor of the University of Ghent.

Literary history has produced the first volume of ‘Letterkundige Geschiedenis van Vlaanderen’ (‘Literary History of Flanders’), by C.A. Serrure, giving a view of the state of Flemish and French literature in the province of Flanders down to the fifteenth century; and the work by Prof. Max Rooses upon Willem Ogier, which introducés the reader to the Flemish theatre of the seventeenth century, and to the most important dramatic author of that period.

In dramatic literature several good works have appeared; amongst others, a bourgeois drama by Van de Sande, and an historical play

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by Willem Geets, entitled ‘William the Fool of Burgundy’. The first representation of this piece at the theatre at Malines was a great triumph for the author. The scene is laid in the reign of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, and the most original character is that of the prince's jester, which reminds one of the Triboulet of M. Victor Hugo. The répertoire of the Flemish lyrical drama has been enriched this year by an opera, the work of Miry, the composer of Ghent, and entitled ‘The Poet and his Dream’. The libretto was written by Hendrik Conscience, the novelist. This work is spoken of as intended to inaugurate the opening of the splendid theatre at Antwerp, which the communal administration has just erected there, in honour of the dramatic muse of Flanders. The Director of the Musical Academy at Antwerp, Piete[r] Benoit, has put the finishing stroke to an opera, ‘War’, founded upon a Flemish poem by Jan van Beers. These are the two important events in the musical world of Flanders, and they are intimately connected with those of the literary world.

In history we may mention ‘De Geschiedenis van Lier’ (‘History of Lier’), by Antoon Ber[g]mann, already favourably known as a writer of romances full of humour and character. It is an elaborate monograph, which, beginning with the story of a little town in the province of Antwerp, goes on to trace in an original manner the history of all Belgium. The religious struggles of the sixteenth century, the unlucky attempts at reform by the philosophical emperor, Joseph the Second, are well and amusingly treated. L. Torfs and De Burbure have published with learned notes a chronological list of the ‘Ammans’, communal magistrates of Antwerp. Frans de Potter and Jan Broeckaert continue their ‘Geschiedenis der Gemeenten der Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen’ (‘History of the Flemish Communes’): the fourteenth and fifteenth volumes contain the histories of eight villages of East Flanders. This curious monograph will be very valuable to future historians of Flanders. Ferd. van der Haeghen, the librarian of the University of Ghent, has at length published the first volume of ‘Van die Beroerlicke Tijden in die Nederlanden en voornamelijk in Ghendt’ (‘Troubles of Ghent and of the Low Countries’), from 1566 to 1568, by Marcus van Vaernewijck, the chronicler of Ghent in the sixteenth century. This book will make a sensation, as it brings to light an unpublished

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manuscript, which contains a sort of journal, written with an impartial naïveté, by the Catholic Vaernewijck during the worst periods of the religious troubles in Flanders. It is a new and important source of information upon the most controverted point of history, the troubles of the Low Countries in the sixteenth century. J. van den Brande has written a study on Frans Wouters (1612 to 1659), a Flemish landscapepainter too little known. He was the pupil of Rubens, and the friend of Vandyck in England. The collection entitled ‘Ligg[er]en en andere Historische Archieven der Antwerpsche Sint Lucasgilde’ (‘Archives of the Guild of St. Luke’) contains numerous hitherto unpublished documents upon the important corporations of the painters of Antwerp, of which Rubens and all his disciples were members. This work contains precious materials for the biography of most of the artists of the Flemish school, about whom we know little.

In philology we have the excellent ‘West Vlaa[m]sch Idioticon’, by De Bo, a well-arranged collection of the expressions peculiar to the patois of West Flanders. Prof. Bo[r]mans has published, from an unpublished manuscript, which he has enriched with notes, ‘Ouddietsche Fragmenten van den Parthenopeus van Bloys’ (‘Old Fragments of the Parthenopeus of Blois’). C.A. Serrure has written a ‘Keukenboek’, or, a manual of Flemish cookery in the fifteenth century. Prof. Roucourt has published a valuable essay on etymology, under the title of ‘Proeven van Nederlandsche Woord-afleidkunde’ (‘Essay on the Language of the Netherlands’).

A work which it is difficult to class, is one written by L. Jottrand, an old member of the Belgian Congress of 1830, a Walloon by birth, but a warm partisan of the Flemish movement. He has collected into one volume, under the title of ‘Nederduitsche Gewrochten van den Nederlandschen Waal’ (‘Dutch Works by a Walloon’), fugitive pieces written by him at different times in Flemish. Amongst other articles in this book there is one containing various notes on the poet philosopher Kinker, who, previous to 1830, filled a chair in the University of Liège, and who endeavoured to infuse into his Walloon pupils the love of their own language and of their native country.

E. DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FRÉDÉRICQ.

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5

Dec. 27, 1873

...

Although for some years past the Flemish people have been roused from their secular apathy, and feel more and more the necessity of self-cultivation, novel reading, which touches the heart and charms the imagination, has remained their favourite and almost sole form of literature. Hendrik Conscience, the fertile novelist, continues to charm the Flemish public. In this branch of literature, we must not omit the latest works of Mistress Courtmans, and of Alb. Van Den Abeele, Van der Cruyssen, Dodd, Jan Boucherij, and V. de Veen. It must be owned however, that no romance of transcendent merit has appeared in 1873. Dr. Nolet de Brouwere has published two good volumes of ‘Proza’ (Essays in Prose).

In the domain of poetry, we shall first mention two re-issues; one, the complete edition of the ‘Liederen (Songs) de [sic] Frans de Cort’, a poet much beloved, and who deserves the popularity he enjoys, by the picturesque, simple and tender grace which he imparts to his songs. Also the second edition of ‘Gedichten’ (poetry), by Rosalie and Virginie Loveling, the sister poetesses, who excel in short pieces full of simplicity, purity, and sentiment, which remind one of Longfellow and Uhland. Frans de Cort and the sisters Loveling are much admired in Holland as well as in Belgium. Three other volumes of verses have appeared this year. Jan Ferguut, already known by his happy imitations of Oriental poetry, has brought out a charming collection of pieces dedicated to the young, and entitled ‘Dit zijn Zonnestralen voor de Jeugd’ (‘Rays of Sunshine for Children’). A young lieutenant of the Belgian army, Vict. van de Weghe, has published his ‘Denderloover’ (‘Leaves from the Shores of the Dendre’). We must not omit to notice the successful first appearance of Theodoor Sevens, a poet from Blankenberghe, who sometimes happily expresses the emotions caused by the grandly monotonous spectacle of the sea.

The firm Brockhaus, of Leipzig, have begun to publish a ‘Nederlandsche Bibliotheek’, as a continuation of the principal literary

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collections of Europe, which have been already issued by this house. This enterprise is placed under the intelligent direction of the philologist Heremans, professor at the University of Ghent, and the poet Em[m]anuel Hiel. The two oldest and most important annuals, the ‘Jaarboekje’ (‘Annual of Poetry and Prose’), edited for the last forty years by the venerable poet Rens, and the Studenten-Almanak’ (‘Almanac for Flemish and Dutch Students’), which is edited by the students of the University of Ghent, have this year both thoroughly kept up their old reputation.

In dramatic literature a great number of pieces of all kinds have appeared, amongst which may be specially named a good drama of bourgeois life, called ‘De Stiefdochter’ (‘The Daughter-in-Law’), by Block and Van Hoorde; also an historical play, ‘De val van Antwerpen’ (‘The Taking of Antwerp’), by Joseph van den Brande. The subject is founded on the most famous siege of Antwerp by the Spaniards in 1583. The chief character in the play is Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde.

In the domain of literary history, there is an important Essay by Max Rooses, upon the Niebelungen and the song of the Edda. The book called ‘De Zuid-nederlandsche schrijvers van het tijdstip der fransche overheersching,’ by J.O. Devigne, is a very curious picture of Flemish literature during the period of the union of Belgium with France (1794-1814). A small work, entitled ‘Petronilla Moens,’ must not be forgotten here; it is a literary and biographical study of this poetess, by Madame Van Ackere, who has herself gained a name by her own poems in the Flemish language. Also there has appeared a small work by that good critic and romance writer, D. Sleeckx, upon the immoral tendency of the plays of Alex. Dumas fils.

As regards works on philology, De Bo has produced the concluding numbers of his ‘West-Vlaamsch Idioticon,’ an excellent dictionary of the phrases and corruptions belonging to the patois of West Flanders, which is strongly mixed with Saxon, and often gives an idea of the language of England before the time of William the Conqueror.

The ‘Willems-Fonds’ of Ghent, has this year issued an excellent Annual (‘Jaarboek’), and has begun to publish the select works of Jan Frans Willems, the founder of the Society, who is justly considered as the father of the Flemish movement. He was the first

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who inaugurated an outrageous protest against the violent fancy of the Flemings for the French language after 1830; he was then a learned man and had distinguished himself in literature; his writings throw a new light upon the intellectual movement in Flanders at the period of the erection of Belgium into a kingdom. The WillemsFonds has edited, amongst other things, an excellent manual of organic chemistry, the author of which is Dr. Julius Morel, professor in the industrial school at Ghent.

Several Flemish works of great importance in an historical point of view have appeared in 1873. Ferd. van der Haeghen, the learned librarian of the University of Ghent, has printed the second volume of the unpublished chronicle of Marcus van Vaernewijck, ‘Van die beroerlicke tijden in die Nederlanden, 1566-1568.’ The author of it was contemporary with the religious troubles of the sixteenth century in Flanders, and he belonged to the Catholic party. In this chronicle he relates the effect produced by the excesses of the Iconoclasts, and tracés a startling picture of the severities of the Catholic re-action. His impartialities, his frank simplicity, and his geniality render his chronicles an invaluable document. Another publication, scarcely less important, is the first volume of the financial accounts of the city of Ghent during the administration of Jacques van Artevelde, ‘Rekeningen der stad Gent. - Tijdvak van Jacob van Artevelde, 1336-1340.’ This edition is published under the auspices of the old Literary Society of Ghent devoted to Netherland History and Literature, which is named ‘De taal is gansch het volk’ (‘The Speech is the People’). The publication is directed by four eminently learned men, P.A. Lentz, Nap. De Pauw, Max Rooses, and Julius Vuylsteke. The last-named author has written a little work on this occasion, which is much thought of by those specially interested in the subject: it is called ‘Eenige byzonderheden over de Artevelden in de 14e eeuw’ (‘Some unpublished Details about the Arteveldes in the Fourteenth Century’). The author displays learning and independence of thought. Aug. Orts, Member of the chamber of representatives, and one of the most distinguished advocates of Belgium, has printed the unpublished MS. of a curious work on Flemish law, which goes back to the close of the fifteenth century: it is entitled ‘Practijke Criminele’ by Philips Wielant, citizen of Ghent. Aug. Orts proves, in the Preface, that Damhouder,

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the juriconsultus of Bruges in the sixteenth century, stole from Wielant without even naming him, and thus gained for himself a reputation which was European in its day.

P.V. Bets has brought out the interesting history of Wommersom and Esemael, two communes of Brabant. Frans de Potter and Jan Broeckaert continue their interesting history of the communes of East Flanders. Frans de Potter has also produced the first volume of a complete history of the town and manor of Furnes, one of the most ancient towns in West-Flanders. Amongst historical works, and elating to them, must be reckoned the important publication of the sculptor Collinet and the architect Loran, entitled ‘Verzameling der Overblijfsels onzer nationale Kunst van de 11e tot de 18e eeuw’ (‘Collection of the Monuments of Flemish Art, from the Eleventh to the Eighteenth Centuries’). This work is enriched by excellent engravings, which faithfully represents the principal masterpieces of Flemish architecture and sculpture. It will be invaluable to artists and to art-critics.

James Wheale, an Englishman, resident in Bruges, has published ‘Hans Memling, zijn leven en zijne schilderwerken,’ an excellent study upon the life and works of Memling, the greatest Flemish painter in the fifteenth century, whose principal works are to be found in Bruges. In the domain of musical criticism, we must mention the small book by the composer Pieter Benoit, in which he develops his principles of what he considers the right direction to give to Flemish music. Benoit is the chief of a young school, which professes to walk in the steps of Richard Wagner, and to create for the Low Countries a national music, which shall bear the cachet of belonging to the Netherlands. He adds example to precept, and he has composed several oratorios, the last of which, ‘De Oorlog’ (‘War’) has extorted admiration even from his opponents.

From all this, it may be seen that Flemish literature maintains its modest but honourable position. Thanks to this, the Flemish tongue is able to resist the invasion made by the French literature in Belgium, and seems to show that it is not destined to perish.

E. DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FRÉDÉRICQ

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6

Dec. 26, 1874

...

Several works of Hygiène have appeared during the present year. Dr. Meynne has written ‘Etudes d'Hygiène Publique et Sociale,’ and ‘Géographie Médicale, appliquée à la Belgique,’ in which he insists upon the physical and intellectual inferiority in which the Flemings in Belgium stand compared with the Walloons. He urges, with emphasis, the necessity for immediate and energetic remedies, - education and healthy treatment, first for the body then for the mind. We must notice, also, Dr. Frédéricq's ‘Hygiène Populaire,’ a French translation of a Flemish work, which has already become popular from the freshness and clearness with which a subject unpleasant in itself must be treated.

...

A curious symptom of the awakening of the Flemish intellect is the appearance of a literary and scientific review, which ventures to shelter itself under a political flag. Since 1830, no Flemish review has had the courage to do this. For the matter of that, all the reviews have held back from touching on political questions. The Nederlandsch Museum, under the editorship of Dr. J.F.J. Heremans, Professor at the University of Ghent, has shown itself, ever since its opening number, to be the organ of the liberal Flemish party; and some of our most highly-esteemed writers are amongst its contributors.

The Flemish writers, who keep up the closest relations with their confrères in Holland, have this year joined to contribute to the ‘Biographisch Woordenboek der Noord- en Zuid-Nederlandsche Letterkunde’, a great biographical dictionary of Flemish and Dutch authors, from the first beginning of Netherland literature to the present day. Also there is the dramatic review, Het Nederlandsch Toone[e]l, the aim of which is to endeavour to arouse the Netherland Theatre from its literary torpor, and to raise it from its present deplorably inferior condition.

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In the present year, as in all previous ones, novelists have written the greater number of books which have been published in 1874. The first place among them must be accorded to a remarkable work, which has made a great sensation both in Belgium and Holland, called ‘Ernest Staas, Advocaat’, written by Tony Anton Bergmann. This book has been like the Song of the Swan of the most ethereal and original of Flemish prose-writers. He had already achieved a reputation as an historian and author of short, spirited, detached stories, and now ‘Ernest Staas’ has crowned his fame in literature. The theme is the history of the life of a young advocate, and enables the author to unroll before us a series of pictures of life and manners in Flanders, all drawn with the hand of the master. The death of Anton Bergmann has left a void in the literature of the Netherlands. The ‘Novellen’ by Rosalie and Virginie Loveling are also remarkable works. These two sisters were, until lately, only known by their poems, full of a freshness and simplicity which remind one of the shorter pieces of Uhland and Longfellow. Their volume of stories, which are pictures of peasant life in Flanders, is distinguished by the same literary qualities, and has achieved a great success, especially in Holland, where the public seems to have thoroughly recognized the delicacy and good taste which are developed with charming simplicity.

Hendrik Conscience, the novelist, who is so popular not only in Flanders but throughout Europe, has not allowed his pen to be idle. Besides the two stories of contemporary manners (‘De [Keus des] Harten’ and ‘Eene Verwarde Zaak’), he has written an historical novel, called ‘Everard 't Serclaes’, the subject of which is taken from an incident that occurred in the Brabant Communes during the fourteenth century. Romances have also been written by Madame Courtmans, Em. Rosseels, Alb. Van den Abeele, H. Keurvels, and Jacob Rademacher.

The literary and political works of a talented Flemish journalist, Felix Boone, have been collected and published posthumously.

The ‘Willems-Fonds’ has completed the memorial of pious gratitude which it has erected to its founder and patron, Jan Frans Willems, the father of the Flemish movement. After having, in 1873, published a selection from the works in prose and verse of this man, who, after the separation of Belgium from Holland, became

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the head of the Flemish party, the Willems-Fonds has this year edited a collection of his letters, literary and political, addressed to the most important men of the epoch. Max Rooses, Professor of Netherland Literature in the Athenaeum of Ghent, has interwoven with his curious collection a life of Willems, which contains a retrospective history of the Flemish party from Waterloo to the present time. The ‘Jaarboek’ (Annual) of the Willems-Fonds contains a remarkable article, by Prof. Sleeckx, upon the influence exercised by the great Dutch poet, Jacob Cats, in the seventeenth century, upon Flemish literature. Of the same tendency is a curious article, by Prof. J.F.J. Heremans, establishing the influence exercised by Dutch writers upon those of Flemish Belgium during the union of the two branches of the Low Countries (1815-1830). It also contains an elaborate monograph by Prof. Max Rooses, upon a Jesuit of the eighteenth century, Pater Poirters, whose writings, which are a singular mixture of ascetism and casuistry, have been almost the only reading of the Flemish population of the Low Countries for nearly a century.

In the domain of poetry, the place of honour must be given to the ‘Gedichten’ (‘Poems’) of Emmanuel Hiel, which appeared in the Bibliothèque Néerlandaise, published in Germany by a firm well known in Leipzig, F. Brockhaus. The poet celebrates, by turns, the greatness of Flanders in the past, and her low estate at the present time; the events of the Franco-German war; love, and marriage. This collection is marked by brilliant lyrical qualities; it possesses real originality of thought and profound poetic sentiment; and it is also remarkable for the wonderful richness and variety of its rhymes. G. Antheunis, a poet full of sentiment and grace, many of whose smaller poems are already popular in Flanders, has published a charming collection, entitled ‘Uit het Hart’ (‘Songs of the Heart’). J. van Droogenbroeck, better known under his pseudonym of ‘Jan Ferguut’ has seen in less than two years the third edition of his volume of poems, called ‘Dit Zijn Zonnestralen voor de Jeugd’ (‘Here are Rays of Sunshine for the Young’). This book of poems for children deserves the great success it has met with, for the naïveté, freshness, and variety which the author has displayed in a line in which it is by no means easy to succeed. The poetical collection of Eug. van Oye, of Lieut. Van de Weghe, of Victor Van

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de Walle, and of Theodoor Sevens, are all of them full of excellent promise, but they, at the same time, show great want of experience. The ‘Gedichten’ (‘Poems’) of the late C.A. Vervier deserve a special mention, because there we have the poetical works of one of the veterans of Flemish literature since 1830.

This year, two modern popular editions have come out of the old Flemish poem, ‘Reinaert de Vos’, which tells the adventures of Renard, the wolf, and other animals. It has for several centuries past justly delighted all Flemish readers, as Goethe's German version of it, ‘Reinke Fuchs’, has been the delight of readers on the other side of the Rhine. The edition edited by the poet De Geyter is remarkable for the scrupulous care and felicitous skill with which he has rendered the caustic naïveté of this masterpiece of mediaeval Flemish literature. In the second edition of his ‘Beknopte Nederlandsche Metriek’ (‘Netherland Prosody’), Prof. Heremans has treated with learning and subtle delicacy all that relates to Netherland versification.

Amongst the literary annuals, there are two which are indissolubly linked with Flemish history and Flemish literature - one is ‘Le [sic] Jaarboekje’ of the venerable poet, F. Rens, which has appeared now for more than forty years. This year it contains the whole of the last lines written by Anton Bergmann. They describe a beautiful journey to Venice, and are called ‘Marietta la Bella’, and were written by the poet on his death-bed. ‘De Studenten Almanak’ (‘The Almanac of the Students of Ghent’) is perhaps the oldest and most curious publication of its kind. Many of the Flemish and Dutch writers have made their first appearance in its pages, for this work is open to the students of all the Universities of Belgium and Holland. The Roman Catholic students of the University of Louvain, whose political and religious opinions keep them aloof from the Annual of Ghent, published an interesting volume of their own for 1874.

Except works of a purely literary character, we have fewer books to notice this year than during previous years. National history alone is cultivated in Flanders systematically. Besides the monograph of L. Everaert and of Jan Bouchery, upon the history of the town of Halle, those of Jan Broeckaert and of Frans de Potter upon the towns of Alost and of Courtrai, we must call attention to the

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third volume of the Chronicles by Marcus van Vaernewijck (‘Van die beroerlicke tijden in die Nederlanden en voornamelijk in Ghent, 1566-1568), published with the greatest care by Ferd. van der Haeghen, the learned librarian of the University of Ghent. It is a most picturesque and naïvely impartial narrative of the tragic events which arose in the Low Countries in the sixteenth century during the excesses of the Iconoclasts and the tyranny of the sanguinary Duke of Alva. These Chronicles have become more and more popular as each volume has appeared, and their value recognized owing to the abundant harvest of previously unknown facts which they contain. A curious little work by Jos. van den Brande, called ‘Eenige Bladzijden uit [de geschiedenis] van het [Onderwijs te] Antwerpen’, may be classed amongst histories. It tracés the peculiar condition of education at Antwerp at the beginning of the seventeenth century, immediately after the triumph of Spanish intolerance in the Southern States of the Low Countries.

As a specimen of artistic criticism, we must mention an Essay, by Prof. Sabbe, upon the nationality of the Flemish school of painting. It is original, though somewhat scholastic. Hendrik Conscience has written an interesting biography of Willem De Mol, a Flemish musician, who died a little while ago abroad, at the time when he gave the greatest promise. Willem De Mol, although very young, had the gift of music - of simple and touching melody, which goes straight to the heart. His song ‘lk ken een lied’, the words of which are imitated from a well-known English ballad, ‘I know a song, a song of love’, will live after him.

Dramatic literature has shown signs of life in 1871. Dramas and vaudevilles may be counted by the score in Flemish, but their merit is not in proportion to their numbers. This year, however, has witnessed several dramatic works which are highly satisfactory. The biennial prize of the Belgian Government has been awarded to Dés. Delcroix, for his historical play, ‘Philippina van Vlaandren’. At Antwerp the communal administration has crowned several remarkable dramatic works, which are reserved for representation upon the stage of the magnificent Netherland theatre, which has just been opened in the commercial and artistic capital of Belgium. On this occasion the jury of the competition published a remarkable Report (Verslag), in which all the questions relating to the present

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condition of the Flemish Theatre in Belgium are examined with great sagacity; this paper also contains inquiries into the best method for the improvement of the stage. The public becomes more and more interested in this question both in Flanders and in Holland. People are beginning to feel the importance of a moral national drama for the intellectual development of all classes. The stage in the Netherlands has always been, and will probably become again, a school of patriotism and morals.

E. DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FRÉDÉRICQ.

7

Dec. 25, 1875

...

Flemish literature has this year sustained two irreparable losses. Death has deprived it of Rosalie Loveling, whose poetry and novels had placed her in the first rank of our literature. The old poet, Frans Rens, one of the veterans of the Flemish movement since 1830, is also dead. He was president of the Willems-Fonds, which has been mentioned in several previous articles in the Athenaeum. This society has published its annual (‘Jaarboek voor 1875’), in which there is an interesting étude worth noticing by Prof. Max Rooses, upon the poet Theodoor van Rijswijck, who, with Conscience and Ledeganck, inaugurated the revival of Flemish literature about the year 1840; also an article by Prof. Sleeckx, upon Willem von Kaulbach; a lecture by Prof. De Vijlder, upon Paris before and after the Commune; and also a curious statistical étude upon Population, by Arthur Cornette, suggested to him by the remarkable labours of that much lamented Belgian statistician, Quetelet.

In the domain of poetry let us mention, first a new edition of the works of Dautzenberg, the Flemish poet most to be recommended for his simplicity, his love of nature, and the richness of his rhythm. Amongst new collections, ‘Uit het Hart’ (‘Poems of the Heart’), by G. Antheunis, takes the first rank. This author especially excels in

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singing the poetry of the domestic hearth, with its joys and its hidden sorrows. A lieutenant of the Belgian army, Vict. van de Weghe, has published his third collection of poems, which is a marked improvement upon the former. This young poet has evidently formed himself upon the vigorous poetry of Julius Vuylsteke, the singer who is inspired by the liberal Flemish cause. J. Adriaensen has published a lyric poem, ‘De Fortuna’, the scene of which is laid in the Shetland Isles.

Prose has this year, as in most others, furnished a strong continent. Hendrik Conscience, whose stories have been translated even into modern Greek, has published a touching tale, entitled ‘Schandevrees’ (‘The Fear of Shame’). Prof. Heremans has collected the scattered stories of Tony (Anton Bergmann), under the title of ‘Verspreide Schetsen en Novellen’. This author, whose works are full of verve and gaiety, had published last year, just before this death, a romance which made a great sensation in Belgium and Holland - ‘Ernest Staas’; and the Belgian Government has awarded to him the literary prize of five thousand francs which is given every five years. The short works collected in this volume by Prof. Heremans contains the first essays of Tony, dating back to the period of his student-life at the University of Ghent, and also the charming stories which were inspired by his journeys up the Rhine, in Switzerland, and in Italy. They have enjoyed a success equal to that of his ‘Ernest Staas’.

Emi[e]l van Goethem has published a little masterpiece, a play entitled ‘Het Wiegje’ (‘The Cradle’), and a play called ‘Vriend Kobus’ (‘Friend James’) which, without being equal to ‘The Cradle’, is still a good piece, containing several well-delineated characters. D. Delcroix has written a great historical drama, ‘Philippine van Vlaanderen’, taken from the stirring period of the struggle of Flanders against France at the beginning of the fourteenth century.

Dramatic literature has also been enriched by several sterling works by well-known authors, such as Block and Van de Sande. In literary history, we have had an essay by Prof. Max Rooses, entitled ‘Geuzen en Anti-geuzenliederen der XVIe Eeuw’. The author examines those political, popular, and religious songs in the Flemish language, which burst out in such profusion in the Low Countries in the sixteenth century. He points out the great assistance which

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the historian, properly so called, which might derive from these songs, which illustrate the progress of Protestant reform in Belgium and Holland; and the various phases of the struggle against Spain and the Inquisition. Joz. van Hoorde has published a notice upon J.B. Hofman, a Flemish poet of the period of the Austrian and French dominion. He was one of those authors who are too little known, to whom we owe it that the tradition of Flemish literature was not entirely obliterated before 1815.

One curious symptom which has appeared in Belgium is that recollections of the sixteenth century are becoming more vivid than ever, both in politics and in literature. The year 1875 has been no less than three popular biographies of Marnix de St. Aldegonde in Flemish. Prof. Heremans has begun to print the hitherto unpublished poems of a nun of the thirteenth century - Zuster Hadewich. She seems to have been that famous heretic who was attacked with so much vehemence by the contemporary mystic, Ruusbroec, one of the oldest prose writers in the Flemish language. The verses of Zuster Hadewich are most valuable in an historical, literary, and religious point of view.

What has always been the great fault in Flemish literature is, that poetry, novels, the drama, popular literature are its only active offshoots. But, such as it is, Flemish literature renders this important service - it includes the Flemish-speaking population in the great movement of modern civilization.

EMILE DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FREDERICQ.

8

Dec. 30, 1876

...

It is well known that, during the religious wars of the low countries, the Catholics and Protestants came to a reconciliation between themselves at Ghent in 1576. By a solemn treaty they united against the Spaniards, and suspended the barbarous laws of Philip the

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Second and the Duke of Alva against heretics. The memory of this great event has this year been celebrated by grand fêtes; it has also given rise to a passionate polemical discussion throughout the whole of the French and Flemish press. Many works written for the occasion have been published. Amongst others, we may mention ‘Les Actes Diplomatiques de la Pacification de Gand,’ by Léon Verhaeghe a secretary of the embassy, - he has studied with impartiality the events of the sixteenth century, and he comments on the principal treaties concluded at that epoch between the Catholics and the Protestants of the Low Countries. ‘La Pacification de Gand et le Sac d'Anvers en 1576,’ by Théodore Juste, - this work betrays great haste, and lacks all force and colour. ‘Discours contenant le vray Entendement de la Pacification de Gand’ is a reprint, of 110 copies only, of a pamphlet published in 1579, which maintains that liberty of conscience is the only means by which the religious troubles can be stopped in the Low Countries. The last we will name is ‘Album van den historischen stoet der Pacificatie van Gent’: this work, adorned with eleven engravings, is accompanied by a French translation; it is by Paul Fredericq.

In Belgium, Flemish literature does not exhibit either the same variety or the same extent as French. The Flemings, dating from the sixteenth century, having traversed three unhappy centuries of ignorance and superstition, are now but slowly entering into the general current of European civilization. In the annual of the ‘Willems-Fonds’, the ‘Jaarboek’, may be found some remarkable articles; amongst which are a monograph by Prof. Sleeckx, on the play of ‘Edward the Third’, ascribed to Shakespeare, and upon the delicate relations of Edward with the Countess of Salisbury; also there are notes of an artistic excursion by Max Rooses, curator of the Plantin Museum of Antwerp, in the Brabant villages of Elewijt, Perk, and Saventhem, which are even now filled with memories of Rubens, of Teniers, and of Van Dijck.

In the region of history we must pay great attention to the fourth and last volume of the ‘Chronijk van Marcus van Vaernewijck’ (Van die Beroerlicke tijden in die Nederlanden). It is published by the learned librarian of the University of Ghent, Ferd. Vanderhaeghen. The author, who was contemporary with Philippe the Second, describes with a delicious bonhomie the first period of the religious

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troubles in the Low Countries, which were marked by the excesses of the iconoclasts and by the tyranny of the Duke of Al va. Vaernewijck was a Catholic, and a partisan of Spain; and it is that which makes his testimony so valuable. His naïve account of things is overwhelming evidence against the Catholics. The review of Bruges, De Halletoren, publishes a learned monograph by K. Deflou upon the Kerels, Saxons who formerly inhabited the coasts of Flanders, and who in Belgium were the champions of the liberties of ancient Germany. L. Everaerts and Jan Bouchery have compiled a history of the town of Hal[le], which is celebrated for its miraculous Virgin, Edw. van Even, the learned archivist of Louvain, has written a long monograph upon P.J. Verhaghen, a Flemish painter of the eighteenth century, and upon his works.

The drama, poetry, and romance furnish every year a numerous contingent of fresh works. J. van Hoorde has written a comedy of character, called ‘Een Strijd Tusschen Twee’. Emiel van Goethem, whose exquisite little drama of ‘Het Wiegje’ (‘The Cradle’) we mentioned last year, has now in 1876 produced a grand comedy, ‘De Naapers’ (‘The Imitators’); also an historical play, ‘De Pacificatie van Gent’, of which Peter Benoit composed the music, and which was performed, on the occasion of the fêtes of the Pacification, at the great theatre of Ghent. The author brings upon the stage Marnix, the Duke of Alva, the Prince of Orange, and the whole of the sixteenth century. This bold venture has deserved to be published by the Willems-Fonds.

Two new works of poetry have appeared this year - the first, ‘Zomerkrans’ (‘Crown of Summer’), by K. Bogaerd, who, from being a common workman, has risen to be a distinguished literary man; the other is ‘Lenteliederen’ (‘Songs of Spring’), by Theophiel Coopman, a young poet of bright promise, but who ought to seek more than he does after originality. Madame van Ackere, a poetess who may rank amongst the literary veterans of Flanders, has collected her scattered poems, and Jan van Beers, who is undoubtedly the most beloved Flemish poet in Belgium and in Holland, has published a popular edition of his complete works. Before leaving this part of our subject, the annual of the students of the University of Ghent must not be forgotten - ‘Gentsche Studenten-Almanak’, which now, as in

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former years, is, both in prose and verse, exuberant with life and youth.

Romance forms this year the most considerable portion of Flemish literature. Hendrik Conscience is the creator and father of the Flemish novel; he is also the most popular author in all Flanders. His books are read by all, and the most ignorant peasant has learned to honour his name. This year Conscience has written an historical romance, ‘Gerechtigheid van Hertog Karel’ (‘The Justice of the Duke Charles’). It is taken from the history of Duke Charles the Bold. Two reprints also are deserving of mention - the ‘Volledige Werken’ (‘Complete Works’) of Eugeen Zetternam, one of the most fertile and original of the Flemish writers; also the second edition of ‘Ernest Staas’, the witty and bright romance of Tony (Anton Bergmann), which reminds us of the delightful narratives of Toepfer and of the ‘Camera Obscura’ of Nicolaas Beets.

The most original book of the past year has been the second series of the novels, ‘Nieuwe novellen’, by Rosalie and Virginie Loveling. These two sisters occupy a very high place amongst Flemish poets and prose writers. Death deprived us of the elder sister, Rosalie, in 1875. Her three latest novels were published along with three others by her sister. This last volume of prose adds to their reputation, which was already well established in Holland and Belgium. The stories are remarkable for their good taste, delicacy, an admirable faculty for observation, and a vein of pure and refined thought. The little narrative, ‘Po en Paoletto’, by Rosalie, is a gem.

From the foregoing notes it will be seen that Flemish literature endeavours to fulfil the civilizing mission which has been laid upon it by the backward condition of Flanders. During the few last years Flemish literature has conquered a footing in Holland, and it continues to stir up and to enlighten the Flemish population.

EMILE DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FREDERICQ

[p. 196]

9

Dec. 29, 1877

...

Flemish literature can show this year at least two or three books of interest for specialists. The first is ‘Plantin and the Plantinian Press’, a prize essay by Max Rooses. Another is an old Flemish Chronicle of the times of Alba, which is written with much naïveté, and has been edited by Ferd. vander Haeghen. ‘The Mirror of Wisdom’, a manuscript of the thirteenth century, has lately been edited by Prof. Bormans, of Liège.

Among Flemish contributions to geography and history ‘Africa’, a good book, compiled by C. vander Cruyssen, may be named as one containing much information on a subject here made popular through the influence of King Leopold the Second. Frans de Potter and his colleague, J. Broeckaert, continue their series of historical monographs. Those published this year are accounts of the towns Courtrai, Alost, and Roulers. Karel de Flou, in his ‘History of the Kerels in Flanders’, has collected his articles previously published on that subject. In technology a ‘Practical Handbook of Cotton-Spinning’, by G. Pipyn and Alb. van den Steen, has been highly commended. The ‘Year-Book for 1877’, published by the ‘Willems Fonds’, contains some good papers.

The history of Flemish literature is partly represented by a ‘Mirror of the Literature of the Netherlands’, a heavy book by Prof. Alberdingh-Thÿm. There is more freshness and vivacity in the estimates of modern Flemish authors given by Max Rooses in his ‘Sketch-Book’. The ‘Bibliographical Dictionary of Literature in the Netherlands, North and South, Holland and Belgium’, is now completed. To this work Jos. vanden Brande has been one of the chief contributors.

As in former years, dramatic works in Flemish are comparatively numerous. ‘William the Buffoon’, in five acts, a good drama recalling the times of Philippe le Bon, is the work of the painter Willem Geets. ‘Julius Caesar’, a piece in one act, by Emiel van Goethem, is a second instance of great success. The hero, like his

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great namesake, is a conqueror, but his victims are women. Of course, he is conquered at last. Minor successful pieces are rather numerous.

Meanwhile, poetry is not silent. The sisters Loveling have published, with some additions, a new edition of their poems. ‘A Little Flower’ is the title of a volume of poems, in which Em. Hiel makes us acquainted with the happiness of his second marriage. There might be some promise in the ‘Garland of Songs and Poems’ by Victor van de Walle, if he would avoid imitations of Lamartine. One of the best of the Flemish poets, Theodoor van Rijswijck, has ready for publication a new edition of his poems. Hendrik Conscience in ‘The Uncle of Felix Roobeek’, has given us new sketches of contemporaneous manners, and each of the well-known prose-writers, Sleeckx and Snieders, has published his collected works. In his ‘Fantasia’, Ern. vander Ven has displayed at once his vivacity of style and his coarseness of sentiment. Teirlinck-Stÿns - two authors whose co-operation reminds one of Erckmann-Chatrian - are manifestly imitators of Conscience in their last book, which is entitled ‘The Schoolmaster's Bertha’. It has, however, the charm of naïveté. But the most original of all the Flemish books of fiction for this year is, without doubt, that entitled ‘In our Flemish Land’, by W.G.E. Walter (a pseudonym). The writer's true name is not known. His book describes with graphic power the social and religious relations of the peasantry in a majority of the villages of Flanders. There, it is said, the Catholic clergy, inspired with Ultramontane zeal, are exercising more and more a tyranny that is fast becoming intolerable. The book has made here a profound impression. It is the work of an unknown writer; at the same time it is a masterpiece of its class.

ÉMILE DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FREDERICQ

[p. 198]

10

Dec.28, 1878

...

Flemish literature has lost in 1878 a distinguished philologist, Bormans, and one of its best poets, Frans de Cort, who was cut off in the maturity of his life and powers; but it counts a new prose writer, who promises to take a high place among authors. He uses the pseudonym of Wazenaar (i.e.native of the Pays de Waas between Ghent and Antwerp). His first book, called ‘Een Vlaamsche Jongen’ (‘A Flemish Boy’), is a sort of autobiography, showing lack of experience, yet truly original, and containing most successful sketches of Flemish manners. The author does not spare the catholic clergy, who in the villages of Flanders join without disguise in the struggles of political parties.

Some novelists of assured reputation, such as M.M. Sleecx, Aug. Snieders, and Ecrevisse, continue the publication of their complete works (‘Volledige Werken’). Others, like the illustrious Hendrik Conscience, Madame Courtmans, Gust. Segers, and Teirlinck-Stÿns, have written new books more or less remarkable. Some collections of rather insignificant verse have been issued by M.M. de Coninck, Van Eyck, Sevens, and Bultynck. The Willems-Fonds, pursuing its aim of enlightening the country population of Flanders, has brought out this year the third edition of its ‘manual of Hygiene for all classes’ (‘Handboek van Gezondheidsleer voor alle standen’), written by Dr. C.A. Fredericq, as well as a Jaarboek, containing some curious dissertations; among others, an account of a terrible trial for heresy, which took place at Ghent in 1560-61, and an article on Shakespeare and Charles Lamb's ‘Tales from Shakespeare’ by M. Sleeckx. The students of Ghent University have again produced their Studenten-Almanak, which for many years past has been issued under the patronage of the ‘'t Zal wel gaan’ (ça ira!) Club, and is always animated by manly patriotism and an ardent love of progress and liberty.

As regards national history we have nothing to mention, except some very indifferent books by M.M. Evaert, Jan Bouchery, Frans

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de Potter, Broeckaert, and others. Two publications of bibliophiles deserve to be specially mentioned. Prof. Heremans, a philologist, has reprinted the dramatic pieces produced at the famous competition at Ghent in 1539, which were put on the ‘Index’, and hold a curious position in the history of the Reformation in the Low Countries. M. Max Rooses, Keeper of the magnificent Musée Plantin at Antwerp, has published the diary kept by Jean Moretus II, as Dean of the Guild of St. Luke (1616-1617). This Corporation comprised the painters, the sculptors, the printers, &c. The greater part of the revenues of the Corporation was spent, it would seem, in eating and drinking.

The city of Antwerp celebrated in 1877, as your readers are aware, the three hundredth anniversary of the birth of her most illustrious son, Peter Paul Rubens. On that occasion the Communal Council offered a prize for the best history of Antwerp painting - a prize that has been divided between two competitors, M.M. Max Rooses and J. Vanden Brande, the Assistant-Keeper of Records at Antwerp. these gentlemen have this year begun publishing their voluminous prize essays. Both are entitled ‘Geschiedenis der Antwerpsche Schilderschool’ (‘History of the Antwerp School of Painters’). Both are works of high merit, and they have been favourably received in Belgium and Holland.

ÉMILE DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FREDERICQ

11

Dec. 27, 1879

...

Flemish literature has also been by no means sterile. Several volumes of poetry have been published: ‘Vooruitgang’ (‘Progress’), by M. Karel Bogaerd; ‘Gedichten en Gezangen’ (‘Poetry and Songs’), by M. Theofiel Coopman: ‘Gedichten en Novellen’ (‘Poetry and Novels’), by M.M. Teirlinck-Stÿns; ‘Schetsen en Beelden’ (‘Sketches and Portraits’), by M.A. Beirnaert; and an

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original collection by a beginner, M. Pol de Mont. M.L. de Coninck has published a third edition, considerably enlarged, of his great epic poem, ‘Het Menschdom Verlost’ (‘Mankind Delivered’), overflowing with imagination and poetical bombast. The Studenten-Almanak, the almanac of the Flemish students at Ghent, is remarkable, as usual, for its youthful and liberal spirit.

Among the prose writers the illustrious Hendrik Conscience continues his artless and simple narratives of Flemish habits and customs, which are at once translated into every European language, and are chiefly appreciated by popular readers. M.M. Sleeckx and Ecrevisse continue to publish their ‘Volledige Werken’ (‘Complete Works’), which contain some very successful novels. A cheap edition has appeared this year of Tony's admirable book (the late Anton Bergmann), ‘Ernest Staas’. By far the most remarkable production of Flemish literature in 1879 is a work entitled ‘Drie Novellen’ (‘Three Novels’), by Miss Virginie Loveling. The author, who enjoys a great reputation in Holland and Belgium as a poetess, is also the best living Flemish prose writer. M.M. Ad. Lootens and Feys have published, under the French title of ‘Chants Populaires Flamands avec les Aires Notés’, a series of 161 popular Flemish songs collected at Bruges, most of them taken from the lips of an old lady inhabitant of that town. They may with advantage be compared with similar songs, edited formerly by Hoffmann von Fallersleben, J.F. Willems, Dr. Snellaert, and De Cousemaker. M.M. Lootens and Feys have also in their time published an equally curious collection of Bruges popular tales. M. Hansen has devoted a dissertation and a poem entitled ‘Vondel’ to the two hundredth anniversary of the death of the great Dutch poet, which was celebrated at Amsterdam February 5th, 1879, and which gave rise to a great many publications. M. Ruelens has edited, under the title of ‘Refereinen en Andere Gedichten der XVIe Eeuw’, a remarkable collection of Flemish poems of the sixteenth century. The Willems-Fonds, the powerful ‘Ghentish’ association, has published according to custom a series of popular works. The Jaarboek voor 1879 (Annual for 1879) contains several interesting monographs. ‘Benjamin Franklin’, by Prof. J. Micheels, is an excellent biography to put into the hands of the Flemish workman. Lastly, M. Julius Vuylsteke, the indefatigable General Secretary of the Willems-

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Fonds has published the new edition of his ‘Overzicht der Algemeene Kunstgeschiedenis’ (‘Sketch of the General History of the Fine Arts’), imitated from Lübke's well-known German manual. Flemish dramatic literature produces each year a great many pieces more or less remarkable. This year the most noteworthy is from the fruitful pen of M. Émile van Goethem; it is a little play with two characters, entitled ‘Tony en Belleken’. M.J. vanden Brande, Keeper of the Records at Antwerp, continues the publication of his ‘Geschiedenis der Antwerpsche Schilderschool’. It is chiefly remarkable for the many details it gives of the lives, habits and customs of the great Flemish masters, which have been collected from unpublished records at Antwerp. Under the same title M. Max Rooses, Keeper of the famous Museum Plantin-Moretus, has this year finished his magnificent work, in which he specially considers the Antwerp school in its works, which he has studied de visu, not only in the galleries and museums of Belgium and Holland, but also in the principal collections of France, England, Germany and Spain. A German translation is in preparation; let us hope that an English may soon follow. The English admirers of Rubens and his school would find there entirely new appreciations which could not fail to attract remark. The work is accompanied by ten fine engravings on wood. Since 1830 no book of such value has appeared in Flemish. The style is excellent, M. Max Rooses being one of our most brilliant and elegant prose writers.

ÉMILE DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FREDERICQ

12

Dec. 25, 1880

...

Flemish literature has not remained a stranger as regards the celebration of our Belgian cinquantenaire. Under the title ‘Onze Dichters’: eene Halve eeuw Vlaamsche Poëzie’ (‘Our Poets: Half

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a Century of Flemish Poetry’), M.M. Coopman and V. de la Montagne have published an anthology of the poets who since 1830 have contributed most to the renaissance of Flemish literature. The collection opens with an historical introduction, and its value is enhanced by portraits and facsimiles of autographs. On the whole, poetry is the most flourishing branch of Belgian literature written in the language of the Netherlands. Besides the recueils of M.M. Bogaerd, Ad. Beernaert, Sevens, Buyst, Daems, and Van de Putte, we have to notice especially the ‘Dichtwerken’ (‘Poetical Works’) of Madame van Ackere, one of the veteran authors of Flemish poetry; also the charming book by M. Gentil Antheunis, ‘Leven, Lieven, en Zingen’ (‘Life, Love, and Song’), and the fresh and original recueil, ‘Liederen voor Groote en Kleine Kinderen’ (‘Songs for Children, Great and Little’), by M. Em. Hiel.

In prose our great novelist, Hendrik Conscience, has published two sketches, borrowed from recollections of his own life; M. Ern. Vander Ven continues to cultivate his own naturalistic style in his volume ‘Uit het dagelijksch Leven’ (‘Out of our daily life’); M.M. Teirlinck and Stijns, as joint authors, have written their novel ‘Baas Colder’ (‘The Farmer Colder’); the posthumous edition of the novels of Ecrevisse is continued; and M. Sleeckx proceeds with the publication of his ‘Volledige Werken’. As in every year dramatic literature supplies a numerous contingent. MM. Pieter Geiregat, Verschueren, H. Keurvels, G. Hendricx, Suetens, de Geest, and others, have produced new drama's and comedies. M. Emm. Rosseels has published a new volume of his dramatic works. The best theatrical productions of the year we owe to M. Emiel van Goethem: these are his play ‘Drie Oude Kameraden’ (‘Three Old Friends’) and the charming proverb, ‘Een Wolkje [voor] de Bruiloft’ (‘A Little Cloud before Marriage’).

That vigorous association of Ghent, Het Willems-Fonds, which has some thirty affiliated sections in the principal towns of Flemish Belgium, and Controls and directs the intellectual progress of our Teutonic population, has published its interesting ‘Year-Book’; also a remarkable historical dissertation by M.L. De Rijcker on the municipal institutions of Ghent in the Middle-Ages, and down to the time of the French annexation in 1794. MM. Nap. de Pauw and Julius Vuylsteke have continued the publication of the municipal

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accounts belonging to the epoch of Jacques van Artevelde. English specialists and others will do well not to neglect this rich mine of information respecting the history of the War of a Hundred Years in the time of the great burghers of Ghent and their ally Edward III. M. Edw. van Even has edited a Louvain chronicle of the sixteenth century, compiled by a contemporary writer named Willem Boonen.

The Studenten-Almanak, a year-book compiled for the use of Flemish students at the University of Ghent, recommends itself by its freshness and audacity. This year it contains a study by M. Paul Fredericq on the university career of the late Tony Bergmann, one of the most original Flemish prose writers. He, with the poet Julius Vuylsteke and his friends, first led Flemish literature into the current of our modern liberal ideas. M. Julius Obrie has published a most weighty essay. ‘De Nederlandsche Rechtstaal’ (‘The Juridical language of the Netherlands’).

M. Vanden Brande continues the publication of his remarkable work, ‘Geschiedenis der Antwerpsche Schildersschool’ (‘History of the Antwerp School of Painting’), in which are found so many inedited details, gathered out of the archives of Antwerp, respecting the lives and the times of the M[e]tsys, Rubens, and all the other great masters of Antwerp. Last year we noticed the completion - of a similar work by M. Max Rooses, which has already been translated in German (published at Munich), and of which an English translation will soon appear. This year the same author gives us, under the title ‘Over de Alpen’ (‘Over the Alps’), a fascinating account of his latest artistic travels in Italy. Here we see treated with a master's hand, and with an originality of both thought and diction truly remarkable, several of the many aesthetic questions suggested by the palaces, the museums, and the thousand other works of art found in that incomparable land. This book by M. Max Rooses is indeed the most brilliant, as it is also the most solid, of all the Flemish literary works produced here during the year that is now passing away.

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13

Dec. 31, 1881

...

The most original works produced in Belgium are written in the Flemish tongue. They have already found their way to Holland, and are beginning to be appreciated by the Walloons. Some novelettes by M.M. Teirlinck-Styns and Van Driessche, along with the famous political novel ‘Nos Campagnes Flamandes’ - first published under the pseudonym of ‘Walter’ by Mdlle. V. Loveling, one of our greatest writers in poetry and prose - have appeared this year in a French translation.

Flemish poetry is in a flourishing condition. We have new works by M.M. J. de Geyter, Hansen, Amandus de Vos, Guido Gezelle, Pol de Mont, the late Alfred W[e]stenraed, Staes, Rens, and others. M.J. Vuylsteke has printed in a single volume his ‘Verzamelde Gedichten’. It is a complete resurrection, as half of the productions of this most powerful and original poet lay scattered in forgotten volumes. A glance at the second edition of M.M. Coopman and De la Montagne's anthology, ‘Onze Dichters: eene halve eeuw Vlaamsche Poëzie, 1830-1880’ (‘Our Poets: Half a century of Flemish Poetry’), will serve to show the wonderful richness of Flemish poetical literature since the Belgian revolution.

In the way of dramatic literature we may notice the plays of M.M. Gittens, van de Sande, de Tière, Ghinéau, &c. Complete editions of M. Sleeckx's plays are in course of publication.

The history of Flemish painting has long been the successful study of M. Vanden Brande, assistant-keeper of the records of the city of Antwerp. His ‘Geschiedenis der Antwerpsche Schilderschool’ (‘History of the Antwerp School’), which is not yet complete, will be a masterpiece on account of the historical accuracy with which he describes the habits and vicissitudes of Antwerp painters. His chapter on Jacques Jordaens shows us what struggles he, as Calvinist living in the Roman Catholic Low Countries, had to endure. M. Vanden Brande has this year devoted his time to the interesting study of two humoristic painters, Brauwer and Craesbeeck.

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In the way of history we remark a dissertation by Abbé Duclos, ‘Onze Volkshelden van 1302’ (‘Our Popular Heroes of 1302’), devoted to Breidel en De Coninc, the two chiefs of the victorious Flemings at the famous Battle of the Spurs at Courtrai; and the local historical monographs of M.M. L. de Rijcker, Frans de Potter, Broeckaert, Welvaerts, &c. M. Camiel Siffer has written a good dissertation called ‘De landtalen voor de Grondwet’ (‘The Belgian Languages and our Constitution’), in which he dwells on the history and use of Flemish as the official language in the Flemish provinces.

M. Ch. Ruelens, Keeper of the Manuscripts of the Royal Library of Brussels, has edited the second volume of the curious ‘Refereynen’ (‘Political Ballads’) of the sixteenth century, which will form a supplement to the analogous collections of Van Vloten, Blommaert, Van Lummel, &c. M. Max Rooses has edited the Latin poems of Kilianus, the well-known Flemish philologist of the sixteenth century, and has written a biography of the author, based on new documents found amongst the records of the Plantin Museum. M. Arthur Cornette has produced an interesting notice on Rabelais considered in the light of a pedagogue. M. Paul Fredericq has published a volume entitled ‘Marnix en zijne Nederlandsche Geschriften’.

Besides MM. van Cuyck, Janssens, van Haesendonck, Jan Bouchery, and other authors' novelettes, we think it right to mention a charming book by M. Pieter Geiregat, ‘Vergeet-mij-nietjes’ (‘Forget-me-nots’); original tales published under the title of ‘Aldenardiana’ (‘Stories from Oudenarde’) by MM. Teirlinck-Styns; a new edition of M. Sleeckx's romantic works; and the new edition of M. Amandus de Vos's novel ‘Een Vlaamsche Jongen’ (‘A Flemish Boy’), the first edition of which caused the greatest sensation; it appeared when the author was hiding his real name under the fictitious one of ‘Wazenaar’. It produces the effect of a new book, so conscien[t]iously has the author revised his work, profiting by the severe criticisms to which it was at first subjected. It is now excellent.

There have been brilliant rejoicings this year in honour of two literary veterans, Madame van Ackere-Doolaeghe and M. Conscience. Madame van Ackere-Doolaeghe having received the cross of the

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Order of Leopold, the municipal council of her native town gave to one of its streets the name of its worthy poetess. But Hendrik Conscience was made the special object of an ovation on the occasion of his publishing his hundredth book, ‘Geld en Adel’ (‘Money and Nobility’). This work is one of his best, and he has displayed in it as much vigour as in his earlier productions. The king made him grand officer of the Order of Leopold, a grade rarely attained in Belgium. The Royal Academy fêted him; Antwerp, his native city, voted him a statue; and the Flemish people, to whom he taught reading after two centuries of intellectual decadence, gave vent to its gratitude in a spontaneous and wonderful manifestation, to join in which thousands left their homes and came to Brussels. Our Dutch brethren also attended in great numbers, and the King of the Netherlands was officially represented. This manifestation took place last September, at a time of year set apart so far for the commemoration of the expulsion of the Dutch from Belgium, so that it formed a touching symbol of a reconciliation between the two countries as well as a brilliant tribute to the great promoter of the flemish literary renaissance. The manifestation which took place in honour of Victor Hugo can alone give an idea of this apotheosis of Hendrik Concience.

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14

Dec. 30, 1882

...

Flemish literature has given proof of remarkable vitality, and we are happy to be able to state that its productions are not confined to novels and poems. M. Frans vanden Branden continues the publication of his learned ‘Geschiedenis [der] Antwerpsche Schilderschool’ (‘History of the Antwerp School of Painting’), which is full of revelations drawn from the archives of our great commercial metropolis. M. Frans de Potter gives us a voluminous

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monograph, entitled ‘Geschiedenis van het Schependom in de Belgische Gewesten van de Vroegste Tijden tot het Einde der XVIIIe Eeuw’ (‘History of the Belgian Town Magistrates from their Origin to the Eighteenth Century’). M. Napoleon de Pauw publishes a new number of the important collection ‘Rekeningen der Stad Gent, tÿdvak van Jacob van Artevelde’ (‘Communal Records of the City of Ghent in the Time of Jacob van Artevelde’). ‘Het Openbaar O[n]derwÿs in Vla[a]nderen tijdens de XV. en XVI. Eeuwen’ (‘Public Schools of Flanders in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries’), by M.L. de Rycker, is a singular monograph. The work crowned by the Academy, M. Alfons de Deckers's ‘Geschiedenis der Malcontenten’.(History of the Malcontents in the Netherlands, Sixteenth Century’), is weak and prejudiced, in spite of a vain show of learning.

MM. Heremans and Ferd. Vanderhaeghen have reprinted in facsimile the only existing copy of an ancient Flemish grammar, ‘Nederlandsche Spellinghe van Joos Lambrecht,’ and have prefixed an interesting introduction on the great value of this rare work, which was printed at Ghent in 1550. M.P. Genard has devoted a curious essay to the life and works of a Flemish linguist of the sixteenth century, Cornelis van Kiel or Kilianus. M. Max Rooses's ‘Nieuw Schetsenboek’ (‘New Sketch-Book’) contains a series of charming literary studies. The last of them is devoted to Conscience, the great contemporary Flemish novelist. M.M. Moroy and Vandeweghe discuss in a similar manner the life and works of the late Canon David, historian and linguist, and one of the Catholic founders of the Flemish movement. As is known, the principal object of this movement is to obtain the official teaching of the native tongue in the Flemish provinces of Belgium. Two language laws to this effect were voted in the Belgian chambers in 1873 and 1878. The powerful association of ‘Het Willems-Fonds’ has this year published a text of these laws with commentaries and a French translation. This document will be read with curiosity by all who are interested in following the various symptoms of the movements of nationalities. MM. César Fredericq and Teirlinck have written original works in Flemish on botany. Scientific books seldom appear in this language.

Poetry has also been fruitful this year. We may mention the collections of MM. Pol de Mont, Ad. Beernaert, De Geyter, V.

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Vande Walle, L. Buyst, and Emiel Callant. Two volumes of unpublished poetry by the late Prudens van Duyse have appeared under the title of ‘Nagelaten Gedichten’ (‘Posthumous Works’). Van Duyse was one of the first and most productive of Flemish poets after the Revolution of 1830. The poetical event of the year has been the publication of a drama in blank verse, ‘Gudrun’ by a young writer of great promise, Albrecht Rodenbach; he died two years ago.

M. Sleeckx, one of our neatest prose writers, has collected his numerous dramatic works and has reprinted several works and has reprinted several novels. Madame Courtmans and MM. Teirlinck-Stÿns, Geiregat, Snieders, Peeters, Sauwen, Van Cuyck, Gustaaf Segers, and F. Moke have published novels and tales. Finally, two important volumes are deserving of special attention. ‘Voor 't Volk Geofferd’ (‘Martyred for the People’), by M.E. Anseele, is a socialist romance, describing the aspirations and revolts of the workmen of Ghent during the last thirty years. It is an outspoken work; the style is at times ill-tempered, but it contains many pathetic pages, and the author gives proof of great literary capacity. The other book is a series of tales by two sisters, Rosalie and Virginie Loveling. These two prose writers possess great powers of observation and charming taste. Mdlle. Rosalie died in 1875, and it was supposed that all her writings had already appeared. The volume just published contains nine pieces by her not printed hitherto, which will be highly appreciated by the connoisseurs of Flemish Belgium and Holland.

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15

Dec.29, 1883

...

Flemish literature has shown a marked tendency during the last few years to quit a purely literary domain. Formerly it merely produced novels, poetry, and plays; but now history, philology, and even science are treated in the Flemish tongue. It is not the place here to speak of works on chemistry, botany, and natural history, but it is of interest to note the change as being a proof of real progress in the development of the Flemings and of their language.

In the ‘Geschiedenis der Antwerpsche Schilderschool’ (‘History of the Antwerp School of Painting’), which he has just completed, M. Jos vanden Brande gives a most interesting account of the Antwerp painters, their life and works, with a good deal of fresh information respecting them, drawn from unpublished records. It is an important work of about 1,500 pages, and should be translated into English, French, or German. M. Frans De Potter publishes the first volume of his ‘Gent van de Vroegste Tyden tot Heden,’a monograph on the eventful history of the town of Ghent: ‘De Gestichten van Liefdadigheid in België van Karel den Groote tot aan de XVIe Eeuw’ (‘Beneficent Institutions in Belgium from the time of Charlemagne to the Sixteenth Century’), by M. Paul Alberdingk Thym, is a work couronné by the Royal Academy of Belgium.

In the domain of philology may be cited M. l'Abbé Schuermans's ‘Bijvoegsel aan het Algemeen Vlaamsch Idioticon,’ which is a sequel to his lengthy publication on Flemish idioms; and a remarkable grammar of the patois of West Flanders by a philologist of the future, M. Vercoullie.

Several volumes of poetry have appeared, too. Among these may be mentioned a little volume by M. Victor De la Montagne, and the continuation of M. Prudens van Duyse's ‘Nagelaten Gedichten’ (‘Posthumous Poems’). There are a few promising beginners among the prose writers, and Mdlle. Virginie Loveling has published this year another charming little collection of sketches and short stories, one of which, ‘Het Hoofd van 't Huis’ (‘The Head of the Family’),

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is a delightful picture of Flemish family life, and had already become deservedly popular. Dramatic literature has been, as usual, exceedingly productive. M. Frans Gittens's ‘Jane Shore’ obtained the triennial prize given by the Government to the author of the best play in the Flemish tongue. There have been two very touching literary manifestations in the course of the year. The first of these was in honour of Madame Courtmans, the popular Flemish novelist. On a fixed date, thousands of Flemings from different parts of the country assembled in the little village in the north of Flanders where she resides, a fête was held in her honour, and a popular edition of her ‘Geschenk van den Jager’ (‘The Hunter's Gift’) was published to celebrate the occasion. A few months later Flanders lost its greatest writer, Hendrik Conscience. His death occurred just after the completion of a statue in his honour in his native city of Antwerp. The funeral took place at Brussels, but was the occasion of manifestations more imposing than any that have yet taken place even at the burial of kings. They were very conclusive evidences of the power of the Flemish movement.

ÉMILE DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FREDERICQ

16

Dec. 27, 1884

...

In Flemish M. Max Rooses has studied the relations that existed between Rubens and the Antwerp printer Balthazar Moretus. M. Julius Planquaert has published the first part of a monograph on the Flemish communes at the time of James van Artevelde and MM. de Potter and Broeckaert have recounted the history of the little town of Lokeren, near Ghent. Father A.M. Verstraeten has written a literary and philological work on ‘Lucifer’, the forerunner of Milton's ‘Paradise Lost’, by Vondel, the great Dutch poet of the seventeenth century. M. Pol de Mont draws an interesting picture of the life and works of the famous novelist Henri Conscience by

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describing him in connexion with the Flemish movement since 1830. M.J. Staes's study on the Antwerp poet Theodoor van Rijswijck, who was contemporary with Conscience, gives still more details as to the commencement of Flemish literature. M. Nolet de Brauwere has collected his biting criticisms on contemporary Flemish literature and has had them published in a volume. M. Victor de la Montagne has undertaken to compile a dictionary of pseudonyms of Flemish literature.

MM. Rosseels, Van Hoorde, Julius Hoste, and many others have written plays. M. Hoste's historie drama, ‘De Brusselsche Straatzanger’ (‘The Minstrel of Brussels’), has already been given more than a hundred times this year at the Alhambra in Brussels.

Beyond the republication of some celebrated works of Conscience, Tony (Anton Bergmann), and others of our older writers, there is nothing new of importance to mention in Flemish prose. MM. Teirlinck and Styns's novel ‘Arm Vlaanderen’ (‘Poor Flanders’) draws a melancholy picture of the domination of the clergy in Flemish villages; Flanders is, indeed the Ireland of Belgium. Miss Virginie Loveling has this year devoted her exquisite talents to some stories for children.

Flemish poetry has been unusually prolific and brilliant. Several unpublished volumes of a poet long deceased, Prudens van Düyse, have been at last brought before the public. A posthumous collection of poems by Madame van Ackere, who died last year, will not add to her fame; but two young girls give promise of adding two poetesses to our lists. ‘Eenzame Bloemen’ (‘Solitary Flowers’), by Miss Hélène Swarth, and ‘Een Klaverken [uit] Levens Akker’ (‘A Shamrock on the Field of Life’), by Miss Hilda Ram, are equally charming productions. In ‘ln de Natuur’ M. Armand de Vos treats us to some truly original reflections inspired by the marvels of nature. M. Pol de Mont is no less original in his ‘Nieuwe Idyllen en andere Gedichten’ (‘New Idyls and other Poems’). M.L.D. Koninck has published ‘Het Menschdom Verlost’ (‘Mankind saved by Christ’), a most indigestible epic poem in 20,000 alexandrines, a feeble echo of Milton and Klopstock. The descriptive talent displayed is astonishing, but it is too often pushed to excess. The great literary event of the year was the publication of a collection of poems by Jan van Beers, ‘Rÿzende Blaren’ (‘Rising Leaves’), in

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which the old Antwerp poet took the public quite by surprise, his poems being as touching and as fresh in sentiment as those of his youth. His son the painter has illustrated his father's volume with the delicacy and elegance which characterize him, and which contrast so singularly with the robust, vigorous, and essentially Flemish tone of the paternal verses.

ÉMILE DE LAVELEYE - PAUL FREDERICQ