Nations lately become Literary. 3 1 5 



subjects. This example was soon followed by 

 Mosheim, Schlegel, and others, of distinguished 

 reputation in various species of composition/ 



But though the employment of the German lan- 

 guage in philosdphical works began thus early in 

 the last century, yet it must be confessed, that in 

 the early part of the century this language was ex- 

 tremely rude, harsh, and disgusting ; exhibiting a 

 motly mixture of Latin, French, and Italian words 

 and idioms, incorporated, without judgment or 

 taste with the original Gothic stores.'" It is true, 

 much was done, about this time, by several learned 

 men, for regulating the Grammar of their verna- 

 cular tongue. K. Dunkelberg, whodiedin 1708, 

 was the first conspicuous German who perceived, 

 and publicly insisted on the necessity of regularly 

 instructing the youth of his country in their native 

 language. After him, Schilter, Leibnitz, Von 

 Stade, Steinbach, Wachter, and Frisch, wrote 

 largely on the German language, and contributed 

 much to its regulation and refinement. Still, how- 

 ever, after all the labours of these philologists, per- 

 sons of tolerable correctness of taste were much 

 dissatisfied with the corrupt jargon which con- 

 tinued to be in vogue. 



About the year 1740, J. C. Gottsched be- 

 came animated with a laudable zeal for the im- 

 provement of his native language, and engaged 



* For a knowledge of many of the facts and names contained in the fol- 

 lowing pages, the Author acknowledges himself to be indebted to the 

 Historical Account, &c. before quoted, and ascribed to the Rev. Mr. Will, 

 how of this city. 



v In the sixteenth century some specimens of German style were given 

 to the public, much superior to any that appeared in the seventeenth. 

 The works of Martin Luther, the great reformer, exhibit, we arc 

 tpld, a correctness, variety, and energy of diction, not to be met with in 

 the works of any writer that preceded him, nor indeed of any that im- 

 mediately followed him. Through the greater part of the seventeenth 

 century this language was in a course of degeneracy ; and at the commence- 

 ment of the eighteenth, was found in a condition which loudly demanded 

 reform. 



