Dilettantism in Lyrical Poetry
The fact that the German language was in the beginning applied to poetry, not by any one great poetic genius, but through merely middling heads, must inspire Dilettantism with confidence to essay itself in it.
The cultivation of French literature and language has made even Dilettanti more artistic.
The French were always more rigorous, tended to severer correctness, and demanded even of Dilettanti taste and spirit within, and externally a faultless diction.—In England, Dilettantism held more by Latin and Greek.—Sonnets of the Italians.
Impudence of the latest Dilettantism, originated and maintained through reminiscences of a richly cultivated poetic dialect, and the facility of a good mechanical exterior.
Polite literature of universities, induced by a modern method of study.—Lady poems.—Schöngeisterei (bel esprit).—Annual Keepsakes.—Musenalmanache.—Journals.—Beginning and spread of translations.
Immediate transition from the classes and the university to authorship.—Epoch of ballads, and songs of the people.—Gessner, poetic prose.—Imitation of the bards.—Bürger’s influence on sing-song.—Rhymeless verses.—Klopstockean odes.—Claudius.—Wieland’s laxity.—In earlier times: Latin verses; pedantism; more handicraft; skill, without poetic spirit.