Description

Description: In these two autograph letters signed (Oct. 1 and Oct, 29, 1857), Whewell writes to  Georgina Malcolm regarding her translation of the 1855 German novel, Soll und Haben. In it Gustav Freytag not only extolled German middle-class virtues, but also the superiority of the Germans over Poles and Jews. From his letters, we gather that Whewell has reservations about a writer he does not know.

In the Oct. 1, 1857 letter, Whewell playfully asks, “I hear nothing of your “Man Friday’ [Freytag]. Has he written anything else in any line of German literature with which this Roman [novel] is connected?” He suggests that Mrs. Malcolm choose “a right tone in style” over an “exact translation” of the “Dedication.” The Oct. 29th  letter exhibits his apprehension. At this time, he is reading Malcolm’s translation and has the original work: “I do not feel at all confident of making an abstracted [?] article about it. The interest of the narrative turns very much on points about which I am very ignorant; as, the state of commercial society in Germany. Indeed it is not very easy to understand with this English noting why the novel should have such a run as it is said to have. . . . I fear Benson will know a great deal more than I can know and permit us sources of interest which escape my apprehension.” However, he is willing to write an opinion piece about the “influence which the work appears to have,” that he considers suited for the “Times” and could “catch the favor of the public.”

October 1 letter is written on three pages of a  5 ¼” x 7” folded sheet of laid paper. October 29 letter is written on four pages of a 7 ¼” x 9” folded sheet of laid paper. Item #A01868

William Whewell (1794-1866) was one of the most influential polymaths of the 19th century… scientist, Anglican priest, philosopher, historian of science and theologian. He was known for his wordsmithing–invented the word scientist–and aided scientists with neologisms to describe their discoveries. He influenced the works of John Herschel, Charles Lyell, Charles Darwin, and Michael Faraday among others. He coined the terms anode, cathode and ion for Faraday. He taught Moral Philosophy at Trinity College, was named a Master of the College in 1841, and then became its Vice-Chancellor in 1842 and 1855.

Mrs. Georgina Malcolm (1807-1886) was a translator of German theology (including Martin Luther’s Letters to Women) and novels, and a great correspondent (Duke of Wellington, the wit Sydney Smith amongst them); her correspondence has been published. She was the first translator of Gustav Freytag’s novel Soll und Haben [Debit and Credit] in which he clearly professed the superiority of the Germans. She was Sir John Malcolm’s daughter-in-law.

Condition: Some light scattered soil, mailing fold lines, generally very good condition.