COLLEGE LIFE. 71 



its glory as a school of science. Next to science it was noted 

 for the culture of classic philology, to which was united the study 

 of political economy, here first launched into its vital element 

 publicity. To this is due the important influence exerted by 

 Gottingen in the development of German thought. 



For although Ernest Brandes, who in 1791 was appointed 

 referee on the affairs of the University, thought he was entitled 

 to boast that ' no disciple of Wolf or wild reformer in theology, 

 no follower of Brown or other sectary in the school of medicine, 

 no metaphysical prophet in any department of natural science, 

 had ever occupied a professor's chair at Gottingen;' although 

 his influence was always exerted in favour of the accomplish- 

 ment of his own pious ejaculation, 'Heaven preserve us from 

 the philosophy of the day ever being prevalent at Gottingen ! ' 

 yet notwithstanding all, the University of Gottingen at the 

 time that Alexander von Humboldt entered as a student was 

 reputed to be the first in Germany. For the men who had 

 invested Leipzig and Halle with the glory of their celebrity 

 had already passed away, and the splendour of Jena had scarcely 

 as yet dawned. 



The science of philology, hitherto, restricted to the mere study 

 of language, was developed at Gottingen by the genius of 

 Heyne into a history of antiquity, and was brought to bear upon 

 the ordinary concerns of life. The science of history had 

 been entirely remodelled by Schlozer, in conjunction with 

 Gatterer and Spittler, and the range of its subjects extended 

 so as to include the study of politics, together with the history 

 of inventions, the advancement of civilisation, and the consti- 

 tution and legislative powers of a state in regard to the succes- 

 sion to the throne, a change of dynasty, or the events of war. 

 Schlozer's ' Correspondence,' ' Gottinger Journal,' and < Staats- 

 anzeiger,' contained not only most valuable records of historical 

 events, but constituted the highest political tribunal in the 

 country, powerful enough at one time to induce Maria Theresa 

 herself to pause in her projects with the thought, 'But what 

 will Schlozer say ? ' In the faculty of jurisprudence, there 

 gathered round Eunde and Martens the ' clique of literati ' 

 ('gelehrte Eleganz') who had been enticed from Leipzig by 

 Gebauer; and while Putter attained a position of distinction as 



