GERMAN TYPOGRAPHY.
The present state of politicks did not lessen the number of typographical productions exposed for sale at the last Leipsick fair; but it is remarked, that the intrinsick value of the works is yearly decreasing. Political troubles having occasioned a great decrease in the sale of books, writers and book-sellers no longer dare publish solid works, but eagerly contend for several kinds of frivolous productions, which have some vogue. Some works, however, have been noticed of superiour merit, and worthy the attention of Europe. The Mithridates of the late Mr. Adeluing has been just finished; Mr. Becker has published two new numbers of his Augusteum, or Description of the Dresden Gallery; Mr. Boettiger has given the publick a Commentary on the Aldobrandine Nuptials. The Universal History of Literature, by Eichhorn, is drawing towards its conclusion; that of the Christian Church, by Heticke, is finished. The German Encyclopedia, begun by Krumitz, has reached the 144th volume; Mathison the poet, has published, under the title of Recollections, some sentimental and picturesque Journeys. The Universal History, a posthumous work of Johannes von Müller, forms the first number of the complete works of that author: most of the sovereigns of the confederacy of the Rhine have forbidden spurious editions, under severe penalties. There has appeared a fifth volume of Nestor's Russian Annals, by Schlötzer. M. Wiebeking has given important Memoirs on Hydraulick Architecture, especially concerning bridges, quays, and piers. Six numbers of ancient Basso Relievos, by the late M. Zoega, are published; and lastly, M. Cotta has been generous enough to publish all the proceedings of the Art of Engraving on Stone, the secret of which he has purchased.
In Belles Lettres, very few works have been published; and the run after Mr. Goethe's new novel entitled Elective Affinities, is a good deal slackened by the severe criticisms to which it has been exposed. Forty new editions or translations of Latin and Greek authors were offered for sale. The learned also remarked an edition of a German poem of high antiquity, and highly interesting for the history of European languages; it is entitled, the Song of the Nibelunges; but its author, and the age in which it was written, are equally unknown.
