ed a kind companion in the circle of lively youths, who were not subjected to the trammels of a citizen's life. It may be easily conceived that, in opposing those who endeavoured to curb him, he allowed of no infringement upon his honour-that his zeal, in behalf of his friends, was unbounded, and that he did not always submit to the dictation of the higher authorities of the college.

In Berlin, where he arrived about the Easter of 1811, he devoted himself to lectures on philosophy and history. His studies were, however, interrupted by a tertian ague, which attacked him in the beginning of May, and continued for several weeks, during which, a succession of relapses left him much debilitated. A journey being recommended, he passed a month at Carlsbad with his parents; after which, he was desirous to proceed to the parts about the Rhine, and to Heidelberg. But his father was hostile to the spirit which then predominated in most of the German universities, and felt anxious to guard his son from the danger of such connexions. His father also expected great advantages to accrue from a residence at Vienna, on many accounts. Besides a residence in the capital, he reckoned largely upon the intimacy of the Prussian minister, and the ambassador William Von Humboldt, with whom he had been closely connected for several years. He hoped much, for his son, from the celebrated scholar Frederick Schlegel, on account of their former friendship.

With August 1811, being the time of Körner's arrival at Vienna, commenced that period of his existence which decided his future fate. Here he found himself in a new world, in the prime of youth, enjoying the happiest state of mind. Without neglecting the advantages of cultivated society, or renouncing its nobler enjoyments, as they occurred, he devoted the greater part of the day to serious studies. He now indulged his propensity for poetry; knowing that, even if he were reduced to extremities, the information he had acquired at Freyberg would assure to him an independent subsistence. The object of his father was, that he should aspire to the formation of an illustrious character; for such only did he consider qualified to exert the privileges of a poet. Körner also was aware of the necessity he was under of gaining a knowledge of history, and of learning the ancient and modern languages. The former study presented a strong collateral inducement the amassing of materials for dramatic composition.

His first productions, "The Bride" and "The Green Domino," consisting of only one act each, and written in Alexandrines, were performed at Vienna in January, 1812, with much applause. "The Watchman," a farce, succeeded. Körner now turned his attention to tragical and impassioned subjects. A tale, by Henry Von Kleist, was, with some alterations, wrought into a drama, of three acts, entitled "Toni ;" and, shortly after, he composed a tragedy, in one act, called

"The Expiation." He now considered himself qualified to venture on dramatizing the story of “Zriny," the Hungarian Leonidas. "Hedwig," a very gloomy drama, and "Rosamond," a tragedy, founded on English history, followed next in order. The last of his first-rate theatrical works was "Joseph Heidrich," the plot of which was an incident of real life-the sacrifice of a brave Austrian subaltern, who devoted himself to death for his lieutenant. In the intervals between these compositions, he found leisure for the production of three comic pieces: "The Cousin from Bremen," "The Serjeant," and "The Governess;" besides two operas, "The Fisherman's Daughter, or Hate and Love," and "The Four Years' Post," (the plots of which were borrowed from some little poems); and an opera, "The Miners," which he had begun at an earlier period. One part of an opera, "The Return of Ulysses," which he had destined for Beethoven, was also finished; and the plans of other greater and lesser pieces already formed. The short space of fifteen months would have been by no means sufficient for the production of so many works, had he not become master of an easy versification, acquired by early and constant practice. The search after historical materials, and the designing of the plot, always cost him the most time. For the execution of an extensive work he required only a few weeks; utter seclusion, however, and unintermitted exertions, were indispensable. A summer retreat which he chose at Doblingen, an agreeable village near Vienna, was well suited for his purpose.

His productions were, in general, as favourably received as he could possibly have desired; but the public approbation was most strongly testified on the first representation of "Zriny." The poet was called for, which is, in Vienna, a very rare occurrence. The commendation also of individual critics was very encouraging to him; and especially that of Goëthe, which reached him from a remote quarter, and under whose direction, "The Bride," "The Green Domino," and "The Expiation," were got up with particular care, and very favourably received at Weimar.

Vienna fully realized all the expectations which both the father and son had formed of it, and even far exceeded them. The charms with which he was environed, and the treasures of art which this capital contained, occasioned to young Körner a diversity of enjoyment. The gay world, by which he was surrounded, and in which he soon found himself quite at home, contributed to increase his happiness. Far, however, from relaxing through indulgence, his active mind only received thereby additional incentives to exertion. He owed much, not only to his intimacy with Humboldt and Schlegel, but also to his intercourse with the literary characters who frequented the houses of the well-known and admired poetess, Caroline Pichler, and Madam Von Pereira. But it was love that chiefly preserved him from being led astray by the allurements of a seductive capital, at an age too

when the buoyancy of youth is at its height. An amiable young woman, in a refined rank of society, attracted him by her charms, both personal and intellectual. His parents came to Vienna, and approved the object of their son's choice.

In all Germany there is but one post which, by securing to a poet independence, allows him a full field for the exercise of his talent; and this fell to the share of young Körner. His appointment of Court Dramatist at Vienna was a result of the approbation with which the public had received his dramatic productions, especially “Zriny.”

Körner had, for some time, formed the resolution of becoming a soldier, to fight for the deliverance of Germany: when, therefore, the Prussian proclamation was issued, nothing could induce him to abandon his purpose. He left Vienna on the 15th of March, 1813, strongly recommended to several distinguished individuals in the Prussian army. At the time of his arrival at Breslau, Major Von Lützow was there, raising the free corps, called after his name. At his invitation, many youths and men of cultivated minds flocked to his head-quarters, and Körner added himself to their number on the 19th of March, in the above year. A few days after his enrolment, Lützow's free corps was solemnly consecrated, in a village church, not far from Zobten. The following passage, on the subject, occurs in Körner's letters:

"After a hymn had been sung (a choral song which Körner had himself composed,) the minister of the place, Peters by name, delivered an energetic and comprehensive discourse-no eye remained unmoistened. After this, he tendered to us the oath, that we would spare neither our blood nor possessions in fighting for the cause of humanity, of our country, and of our religion, and that we would go forward cheerfully to meet victory or death-We swore! He then sunk upon his knees, and prayed God to bestow a blessing upon his own warriors. By heaven, it was a moment in which every breast burned with the desire of a death so hallowed-every heart throbbed with the devotion of a hero. The war-oath, dictated with gravity, and repeated by all over the swords of the officers, and the hymn, "Our God is a strong hold," &c. made an end of this noble solemnity."

To such hardships as the infantry service would bring with it Körner was sufficiently inured by his mineralogical excursions, and he had also prepared himself for it by the practice of shooting. He devoted himself, with ardour, to the scrupulous performance of his duty. When it was required, he shunned no danger, nor personal sacrifice; and, in gay society, his presence always heightened the enjoyment, owing to his good-humour and social talents. In letters and poems which he wrote about this time, there occur frequent indications of a presentiment of approaching death, which, however, appeared to shed no gloom over his mind; but, with a free and courageous spirit, he undertook every enter

prise which the moment presented, or his duties required of him.

In his leisure hours he employed himself principally in the composition of warlike songs. He expected much from their musical effect; and several of his pieces received their metrical form in adaptation to certain simple and energetic melodies, with which he had been particularly taken.

Shortly after his joining the corps, the place of first yager became vacant, and the voices of his brothers-in-arms appointed him to fill it up. He escorted Major Von Petersdorf, who commanded the infantry of the corps, on an expedition; and received orders to invite the Saxons to a participation in the approaching struggle. This journey brought him to Dresden a week before the free corps entered it.

Here he saw those belonging to him for the last time, and received the paternal benediction on his undertaking.

Major Von Röder, a friend of his father's in the service of the King of Prussia, who afterwards fell at Culm, while leading on his battalion, happened to be then stationed at the head-quarters of General Von Winzingerode. He was very desirous of having Körner with him; but the latter remained constant to his earlier attachments, and followed Lützow's corps to Leipsic, where on the 24th of April he was, by the voice of his comrades, promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

His corps now became strong, and was employed against the rear of the hostile army, that they might embarrass its operations. An attempt was made by Major Von Lützow, on the 26th of April, to press on by Scopau across the Saal towards the Harz; but scarcely had they passed the river, when they learned that a body of French troops, under the Vice-King, was moving into that part of the country which the free corps would have been obliged to traverse before they reached their destination. The only means, therefore, of fulfilling their instructions, which lay open to them, appeared to be to approach some of the allied regiments which were posted lower down on the right bank of the Elbe, and either to act in concert with them, or, employing their station as a point d'appui, to lend their assistance to such inhabitants of North Germany, as were ready to throw off a foreign yoke.

Major Von Lützow led his troops through Dessau, Zerbst, and Havelberg, into the country about Lenzen. From this place, conducted by General Count Von Wallmoden, they crossed the Elbe to attack the enemy, who were posted to the north-west of Danneberg. This attack took place on the 12th of May, at the Göhrde, when a sharp engagement ensued. The French were driven back, and the assailants succeeded in their attempt. The General, however, thought it better not to follow up the advantage he had gained, and Major Von Lützow was debarred at

the moment from accomplishing his intention of galling the enemy, who were in the rear of the General's troops.

About this time the infantry of Lützow's corps remained inactive, which circumstance was particularly irksome to Körner, who gave vent to his feelings on the occasion in a poem which occurs in the "Lyre and Sword." But his energies were soon called into action. On the 24th of May, he followed the cavalry to Stendal, as a member of the commission chosen by the Commander-in-chief to engage the civil authorities of Westphalia to co-operate in the active object of military organization; and he learned on the 28th of May, while engaged in this service, that Major Von Lützow was determined upon making an incursion into Thuringia on the following morning. Körner earnestly solicited permission to accompany him, offering to serve in the cavalry. His request was granted, and the Major nominated him his adjutant, from the regard he entertained for him, and the pleasure he derived from his society.

Their march continued for ten days, through Halberstädt, Eisleben, Büttstädt, and Schlaitz, to Plauen, not without some danger, as the enemy's corps were dispersed in every direction, but also not without satisfactory results. Information was collected, military stores captured, and expresses taken, who were charged with letters of importance. This bold conduct excited attention, and irritated the enemy. An order was in consequence issued by the French Emperor, that of all those who had taken part in this hazardous enterprise not a man was to be spared, that the example of their fate might deter others.

While at Plauen, Major Von Lützow had received what he considered official intelligence of an armistice. Not expecting to encounter any impediments, he chose the shortest road to join the infantry of his corps, having received from the hostile commanders the most positive assurances of the safety of his attempt; and he marched without molestation along the highway as far as Kitzen, a village in the vicinity of Leipsic. Here he was surprised to find himself surrounded by a numerous band of the enemy, who manifested hostile intentions. Körner was sent forward to demand an explanation. Instead, however, of vouchsafing an answer, one of the leaders of the opposite party struck at him; and the attack was made on all sides in the twilight, upon three squadrons of Lützow's cavalry, before they had time to draw a sabre.

The first stroke, which Körner could not ward off, as he had, in the discharge of his duty, approached the hostile leader without drawing his weapon, wounded him severely in the head; a second which he received was but slight. He fell backward, but immediately recovered himself, and his horse conveyed him safely into the nearest wood. Here he was endeavouring to bind up his wounds, with the assistance of one of his comrades, when he descried a troop of the pursuing enemy riding up towards him.