e 
1804.] 
converfations and fubfequent correfpon- 
dence convinced him of his error and 
gave a different turn to his fyftem, He 
foon afterwards publifhed his Invefiiga- 
tion of Man (3 vols. Leipzig, 1777 and 
1778) The Firft Philofophers of Greece 
(Leipzig, 1780) &c. and commenced his 
Spirit of Speculative Philofophy. | 
In the {pring of 1786, he, together with 
the other teachers of the college, was re 
moved to Marburg, and appointed profel- 
for of philofophy there. Atthat place he 
taught with applaufe logic, metaphy- 
fics, empirical plychology, the law of na- 
ture, moral philofophy, the hiftory of phi- 
lofophy and of man, and explained the 
Greek claffics. In his difcourfes he knew 
how to combine folidity with clearnefs and 
a popular manner, and in his whole beha- 
viour towards his auditors was manifetted 
the fincerity of an affectionate friend. 
In focial life his candour and complai- 
fance prejudiced every one in his favour 
at the firft fight, and he mult indeed have 
been a prey to fpleen, who could not be 
reftored to good humour amidit the circle 
of his friends. In mixed companics he 
avoided all converfation on literary or {ci- 
entific topics, and by his uncommon affa- 
bility he knew how to make the man of 
meaner talents forget his inferiority. But 
the ftores of his genius he opened only to 
his confidential friends—to whom he re- 
mained a friend under all circumitances 
and cafes—and in this more confined circle 
his converfation was ealy,entertaining, and 
unaffected. Every one difcovered in him 
a profound thinker, and a man of folid 
learning. There many 4 brilliant and ori- 
ginal idea was indifputably developed. 
As aliterary character, Tiedemann pof- 
fefled uncommon merit. Imbued with the 
literature of Greece and Rome, thorough- 
ly acquainted with all the fyftems both of 
ancient and modern philofophy, he had 
both the dead and living languages at his 
command, and was perfectly converfant 
with the manners and cuftoms both of 
ancient and modern times, In Voyages 
and T'ravels his reading was truly extraor- 
dinary, and he cherifhed the idea of pub- 
lifhing, at one time or other, an ample 
Hittory of Man, for which he had been 
colleéting ideas and copiows materials ever 
fince he left the Univerfity. He was per- 
fe& mafter of the Greek language in all 
its dialeéts; and in Latin he exprefled him- 
felf with elegance and energy, as may be 
feen in his Argumenta Platonis, annexed 
to the edition of Plato, printed at Deux- 
ponts; in his admirable prize eflay, Dz/- 
Putatio de Queflione que fuerit arlivi Mas 
Memoir of Dietrich Tiedemann 
931 
gicarum origo; and in various programmes, 
for inftance the three, De antiquis quibuf- 
dam Mufet Eridericiani fimulacris. With 
many of the living languages he was equals 
ly converfant. The hitory of philofophy 
and empirical pfychology were, however’ 
his fort. His writings would, doubtlefs, 
have been more numerous, had it nor been 
for the cold and unfriendly reception ex- 
perienced by his Sprit of Speculative Phi- 
lofophy. He kept back many {mailer pro- 
ductions, dreading the tone of inhumanity 
and rudenefs which had become fafhion~ 
able among the philofophic critics, and 
becaufe he was too old to involve himfelf 
in literary conicfts. 
As to his tyftem of philofophy, he was 
in his early years too much of adogmatit 3 
and inclined latterly to fcepticifm, princi- 
pally withrefpeét tothe method. His re- 
ligion confuted in morai purity and reéti- 
tude of conduét 5 he attacned no impor- 
tance to exterior worhhip, though he did 
not deny its advantages with regard to 
the great body of the people. He was an 
enemy to every kind of fanaticifm; he 
lived in the hope of a better fate, and had 
fuch a command over himfelf as but few 
peffefs. 
A tranflation of Denon’s Travels in 
Upper and Lower Egypt, with valuable 
oblervations, was Tiedemann’s latt perfor- 
mance. His exteior appearance and ro- 
buf confiitution feemed to promife many 
years of life. Notwithftanding his litera- 
ry avocations, he paid attention to his 
health, fometimes participating m the 
pleafures of the chace; took a walk every 
day even in the moft fevere weather, bathed 
frequently, in the half-yearly vacations 
generally made long pedefrian excurfions, 
,and fought recreation in the circle of his . 
friends. In the winter of 1802, he had 
employed himfelf with uncommon affidui- 
ty, and this clofe application he continued 
during the Eafter vacation. This pro- 
bably laid the foundation of his diforder, 
in conjunction with the inclemency of the 
weather during the whole ntonth of May ; 
for on the rgth of that month, he was at- 
tacked with a violent inflammation of the 
lungs and a nervous fever, He was at- 
tended by his friend Dr. Monch. He was 
fometimes delirious, but at others perfect. 
ly cheerful. He never manifefted, the 
leaft anxiety or concern for his recovery, 
but maintained till his laft moments that 
ferenity by which he had ever been dif- 
tinguifhed, and expired early in, the 
morning of the 24th of May, 1803, 
aged 55 yeats. 
ae EXTRACTS 
