Supplement to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica/Adelung (John Christopher)

by John Colquhoun

ADELUNG (John Christopher) a very eminent German grammarian, philologer, and general scholar, was born at Spantekow in Pomerania, on the 30th of August 1734. He acquired his elementary instruction at the public school of Anclam, and that of Closterbergen, near Magdeburgh, and completed his academical education at the university of Halle. In the year 1759, he was appointed professor at the Gymnasium of Erfurt, but relinquished this situation two years after, and went to reside, in a private capacity, at Leipsic, where he continued to devote himself, for a long period, to the cultivation of letters, and particularly to those extensive and laborious philological researches which proved so useful to the language and literature of his native country. In 1787, he received the appointment of principal librarian to the Elector of Saxony at Dresden, with the honorary title of Aulic Counsellor. Here he continued to reside during the remainder of his useful life, discharging, with diligence and integrity, the duties of his situation, and prosecuting his laborious studies to the last, with indefatigable industry and unabated zeal. He died at Dresden, on the 10th of September 1806, at the age of seventy-two.

The life of a mere scholar is generally destitute of interest, and that of Adelung, which was spent entirely in literary seclusion, presents no variety of incident to the pen of the biographer. Of his private character and habits few memorials have been preserved; but in these few he is represented as a man of an amiable disposition. He was never married. His constitution, which was remarkably robust, rendered him capable of the most intense and unremitted application to study, insomuch that, down to the period of his death, he is said to have devoted fourteen hours of every day to literary labour. He was a lover of good cheer, and spared neither pains nor expence in procuring a variety of foreign wines, of which his cellar, which he facetiously denominated his Bibliotheca Selectissima, is said to have contained no less than forty different kinds. His manners were easy and affable, and the habitual cheerfulness of his disposition rendered his society most acceptable to a numerous circle of friends.

The works of Adelung are very voluminous, and there is not one of these, perhaps, which does not exhibit some proofs of the genius, industry, and erudition of the author. But although his pen was usefully employed upon a variety of subjects in different departments of literature and science, it is to his philological labours that he is principally indebted for his great reputation; and no man ever devoted himself with more zeal and assiduity, or with greater success, to the improvement of his native language.

In a country which is subdivided into so many distinct sovereign states, possessing no common political centre, and no national institution whose authority could command deference in matters of taste; in a country whose indigenous literature was but of recent growth, and where the dialect of the people was held in contempt at the several courts,—it was no easy task for a single writer to undertake to fix the standard of a language which had branched out into a variety of idioms, depending, in a great measure, upon principles altogether arbitrary. Adelung effected as much, in this respect, as could well be accomplished by the persevering labours of an individual. By means of his excellent grammars, dictionary, and varlous works on German style, he contributed greatly towards rectifying the orthography, refining the idiom, and fixing the standard of his native tongue. Of all the different dialects, he gave a decided preference to that of the Margraviate of Misnia, in upper Saxony, and positively rejected every thing that was contrary to the phraseology in use among the best society of that province, and in the writings of those authors whom it had produced. In adopting this narrow principle, he is generally thought to have been too fastidious. The dialect of Misnia was undoubtedly the richest, as it was the earliest cultivated of any in Germany; but Adelung probably went too far in restraining the language within the limits of this single idiom, to the exclusion of others, from which it might, and really has, acquired additional richness, flexibility, and force.

His dictionary of the German language is generally allowed to be superior to our English dictionary by Dr Johnson. It is eminently so in its etymologies; and is, perhaps, upon the whole, the best work of the kind of which any nation can boast. Indeed, the patient spirit of investigation which Adelung possessed in so remarkable a degree, together with his intimate knowledge of the ancient history and progressive revolutions of the different dialects, from which the modem German is derived, rendered him peculiarly qualified for the successful performance of the duties of a lexicographer.

It would greatly exceed our limits, and lead us into far too wide a field, were we to attempt to present our readers with an analysis of the several productions of this voluminous author; but we should do injustice to his memory, were we to pass over, in total silence, his last very learned work, entitled, Mithridates, or General History of Languages, with the Lord’s Prayer, as a specimen, in nearly five hundred languages and dialects. The hint of this work appears to have been taken from a publication, with a similar title, published by the celebrated Conrad Gessner, in 1555; but the plan of Adelung is much more extensive. Unfortunately, he did not live to finish what he had undertaken; but the work has been continued, with much ability, by that eminent philologer, Professor Vater, formerly of Halle, now of Koningsberg. The first volume, which contains the Asiatic languages, was published immediately after the death of Adelung; the second, which comprehends the European dialects, was published by Professor Vater, in 1809; the first part of the third volume, which is almost entirely the work of the last-mentioned scholar, appeared in 1812. This third and last volume is to contain the languages of Africa and America, and will be enriched with some very valuable materials, communicated to the editor by Baron de Humboldt.

Many of the works of Adelung were published anonymously; but we believe the following list will be found to be complete and correct.

1. Neue Schaubühne der Vorfallenden Staats-Kriegs und Friedenshändel. New Theatre of Historical and Political Events. Erfurt, 1759-61. 8vo.
2. Neues Lehrgebäude der Diplomatik, aus dem Franz. übersetzt, und mit Anmerk. versehen. New System of Diplomacy, translated from the French, with Notes. Vols. I. II. III. Erfurt, 1760.

3. Neue Denkwürdigkeiten der gegenwärtigen Geschichte von Europa. New Memoirs of the present History of Europe. 2 vols. 1761. 8vo.

4. Geschichte der Streitigheiten zwischen Dänemark und don Herzögen von Holstein-Gottorp. History of the Disputes between Denmark and the Dukes of Holstein-Gottorp. Frankf. Leipsic, 1762-4.
5. Pragmatische Staatsgeschichte Europens von dem Ableben Kaiser Karls des 6^ten an. Pragmatic History of Europe, from the death of the Emperor Charles VI. Vols. I.—IX. Gotha, 1762.
6. Auserlesene Staatsbriefe. Select Letters on Affairs of State. 2 vols. Gotha, 1763-4. 8vo.
7. Vollständige Geschichte der Schiffahrten nach den Südländern. A complete History of the Voyages undertaken to Australasia, translated from the French of the President De Brosse, with Notes. Halle, 1767. 4to.
8. Mineralogische Belustigungen. Mineralogical Recreations. Vols. I.—VIII. Copenhagen and Leipsic, 1767.
9. Einleitung zur allgemeinen Weltgeschichte. Introduction to Universal History. 2 vols. Berlin, 1767. The first volume by Prof. Franzer.
10. Werke des Philosophen von Sans Souci. The Works of the Philosopher of Sans Souci, translated from the French. Erfurt, 1768.
11. Staatsmagazin, 14 Stücke. Fourteen Numbers of the Political Magazine. Leipsic, 1768.
12. Geschichte der Schiffahrten und Versuche, welche zur Entdeckung des nordöstlichen Wegs nach Japan und China unternommen worden. History of Voyages undertaken with a view to discover the North-east Passage to Japan and China. Halle, 1768. 4to.
13. Versuch einer neuen Geschichte des Jesuiter ordens. Essay towards a new History of the Order of the Jesuits. Vols. I. and Il. Berlin and Halle, 1769 and 1770. 8vo.
14. Natürliche und bürgerliche Geschichte von Californien, Natural and Civil History of California, translated from the English. 3 vols. Lemgo, 1769-70. 4to
15. Unterweisung in den vornehmsten Künsten und Wissenschaften, zum Nutzen der niedern Schulen. Elements of Instruction in the principal Arts and Sciences, for the use of the lower Schools. Frankfort and Leipsic, 1771. 8vo. Reprinted in 1775, 1777, and 1789.
16. Glossarium Manuale ad Scriptores mediæ et infimæ Latinitatis, ex magnis Glossariis Caroli du Fresne Domini Ducange et Carpentarii, in compendium redactum, multisque verbis et dicendi formulis auctum. Tomi V. Halle, 1772-78. This is a useful abridgment of the Dictionary of Ducange, with Charpentier’s additions.
17. Versuch eines vollständigen grammatisch-kritischen Wörterbuchs der Hoch Teutschen Mundart, mit beständiger Vergleichung der übrigen Mundarten, besonders aber der Ober Teutschen. Essay towards a complete grammatical and critical Dictionary of the High German Dialect, with a constant comparison of the other dialects, particularly the Upper German. 1774-86. 4to. 5 vols.
18. Wallerius Chemie. Waller’s Chemistry, translated from the Latin.
19. Allgemeines Verzeichniss neuer Bücher mit kurzen Anmerkungen, nebst einem gelehrten Anzeiger auf das Iahr 1776. A general Catalogue of new Books, with short Notes, and an Index, for the year 1776. Leipsic, 1776. 8vo. Also the 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, and 6th annual series of the same periodical publication, down to 1781.
20. Schauplatz des Baierischen Erbfolge Kreigs, u. s. w. Theatre of the War of the Bavarian Succession, &c. 6 Numbers, 4to. Leipsic, 1778, 1780.
21. Militärisches Taschenbuch auf das Iahr 1780. Military Pocket-book for the Year 1780. Leipsic. 12mo.
22. J. Williams Ursprung, Wachsthum und Gegenwärtiger Zustand der Nordischen Reiche. J. Williams’s Origin, Progress, and Present State of the Northern Governments, translated and corrected from the English. 2 vols. 8vo. Leipsic, 1779-81.
23. Kurzer Begriff menschlicher Kenntnisse und Fertigkeiten, so fern sie auf Erwerbung des Unterhalts, auf Vergnügen, auf Wissenschaft, und auf Regierung der Gesellschaft abzielen. A short Compendium of Arts and Sciences, so far as they have for their object to satisfy the wants, to increase the pleasures of life, and to regulate the government of society. 4 vols. 8vo. Leipsic, 1778-81. 2d Edit. 1783-9.
24. Ueber die Geschichte der Teutschen Sprache, über Teutsche Mundarten und Teutsche Sprachlehre. On the History of the German Language, on German Dialects, and German Grammar. Ibid. 1781. 8vo.
25. Ueber den Ursprung der Sprache und den Bau der Wörter. On the Origin and Structure of Language. Ibid. 1781. 8vo.
26. Teutsche Sprachlehre, zum Gebrauch der Schulen in den Königl. Preuss. Landen. German Grammar, for the use of the schools in his Prussian Majesty’s dominions. Berlin, 1781. 2d Edit. improved and enlarged, 1792. This grammar has been frequently reprinted.
27. Auszug aus der Teutschen Sprachlehre für Schulen. Abridgement of the German Grammar for Schools. 1781. 8vo.
28. Lehrgebäude der Teutschen Sprache, zur Erläuterung der Teutschen Sprachlehre für Schulen. Theory of the German Language, to illustrate the German Grammar for Schools.
29. Tindals und Sr More Anmerkungen zu Rapins Geschichte von England. Tindal’s and More's Notes to Rapin’s Hist. of Engl. Translated from the English.
30. Versuch einer Geschichte der Cultur des Menschlichen Geschlechts. Essay towards an History of the Civilization of the Human Race. 1782. 8vo.
31. Leipziger Politische Zeitung und Allerley. Leipsic Political Journal and Miscellanies.
32. Neues Grammatisch-kritisches Wörterbuch der Englischen Sprache, für die Teutschen. New Grammatical and Critical Dictionary of the English Language, for Germans. Leipsic, 1783. 8vo.

33. Beyträge zur Bürgerlichen Geschichte, zur Geschichte der Cultur, zur Naturgeschichte, Naturlehre, und dem Feldbaue; aus den Schriften der Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Brüssel. Contributions to Civil History, to the History of Culture, to Natural History, Natural Philosophy, and Agriculture; from the Transactions of the Academy of Sciences at Brussels. 1 vol. 8vo. Leipsic, 1783.

34. Fortsetzungen und Ergänzungen zu Christ. Gottl. Iöchers allgemeinem Gelehrten Lexico. Continuations and Additions to Christ. Gottl. Iöcher’s general Dictionary of Literature. These additions by Adelung extend from letter A to K. Leipsic, 1784. 4to. 2 vols.
35. Ueber den Teutschen Styl. On German Style. 3 vols. Berlin, 1785. 8vo.
36. Neue Leipziger Gelehrte Zeitung. The Now Leipsic Literary Journal: this work was conducted by Adelung in 1785, and following years.
37. Grundsätze der Teutschen Orthographie. Principles of German Orthography. Leipsic, 1782. 8vo.
38. Geschichte der Menschlichen Narrheit, oder Lebens beschreibungen berühmter Schwarzkünstler, Goldmacher, Teufelsbanner, Zeichen und Liniendeuter, Schwärmer, Wahrsager und anderer philosophischer Unholden. An History of Human Folly: or Lives of the most celebrated Necromancers, Alchemists, Conjurers, Astrologers, Soothsayers, &c. 7 vols. Leipsic, 1785-87-89.
39. Geschichte der Philosophie für Liebhaber. An History of Philosophy, for Amateurs. 3 vols. 1786-87.
40. Vollständige Anweisung zur Teutschen Orthographie, nebst einem kleinen Wörterbuche für die Ausprache, Orthographie, Biegung und Ableitung. Complete System of German Orthography, with a small Dictionary for Pronunciation, Orthography, Derivation, &c. 2 vols. Leipsic, 1786. 2d Edit. 1790.
41. Jacob Püterich von Reicherzhausen, ein Kleiner Beytrag zur Geschichte der Teustchen Dichtkunst im Schwäbischen Zeitalter. Jacob Püterich, &c. a small Contribution to the History of German Poetry in the age of the Suabian Minstrels. Leipsic, 1788. 4to.
42. Auszug aus dem Grammatisch-kritischen Wörterbuch der Hohen Teutschen Mundart. Abridgment of the Grammatical and Critical Dictionary of the High German Dialect. 1 vol. Leipsic, 1793. 2 vols. 8vo. 1795.
43. Mithridates, oder Allgemeine Sprachenkunde. Mithridates, or a General History of Languages, with the Lord’s Prayer, as a specimen, in nearly five hundred Languages and Dialects. Berlin, Vol. I. 1806; Vol. II. 1809; Vol. Ill. Part 1. 1812. This great work was left by Adelung in an unfinished state; but, as already mentioned, it has been continued by that able philologer, Professor Vater of Koningsberg, to whom the public is indebted for an excellent Hebrew Grammar.

It is observed by Mad. de Stael, that the English are much better acquainted than the French with the literature of Germany; but we have met with very few possessed of any knowledge of the works of this learned and celebrated writer; and, with the exception of one or two of his smaller essays, none of them, we believe, has ever been translated into the language of this country. In the above list, there are more than one work which might probably be published with advantage in the English tongue.(H.)