(with the exception of the Beys and Word and SIEPMANN'S GERMAN SERIES EDITED BY OTTO SIEPMANN HEAD OF THE MODERN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT AT CLIFTON COLLEGE London MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY PRESS OPINIONS I. Of the Series as a whole. "The advanced German series which is being brought out by Mac. millan and Co., under the general editorship of Mr. Otto Siepmann, reaches, perhaps, the highest standard of critical and literary excellence that has ever been touched in publications of this class. They are much more than school-books, and even good German scholars may be glad to have the German classics in editions prepared with so much care and accompanied with an 'apparatus criticus' containing, in itself, much literary interest.”—Dublin Daily Express, May 6th, 1899. "We can heartily recommend the series for its sensible and businesslike plan, and for the thoroughness with which each editor has done his work."- Worcester Herald, June 9th, 1900. “An admirable plan is followed, by which each book becomes the pivot on which the instruction is made to turn. A special feature is an appendix of words culled from the text, in progressive order, and designed for viva voce drill in classes. The utility of such a practice is attested by all teachers who have given it a fair trial. Prose exercises based on the text are added. If the plan of the author is consistently carried out, the study of each successive work furnishes the student, not only with an enlarged vocabulary, but also with linguistic facility in the use of it. An interesting innovation is the inclusion of 'Volkslieder,' set to music, which certainly introduces an essential characteristic of German life. It is moreover an expedient which affords one of the most helpful exercises in memorising, and in acquiring at an early stage some ease in the use of the spoken tongue. Maps and genealogical tables are added where required; and a full vocabulary in the elementary series."-School Board Chronicle, April 15th, 1899. "The general get-up of the series deserves special mention; the printing leaves nothing to be desired, and the binding is a model of neatness. The series is a splendid example of what can be done in the way of making a royal road to learning.”—Publishers' Circular. "The Word- and Phrase-Books,' price 6d., give the English and German (in parallel columns) of the list of words and phrases for viva voce drill which are given in the first appendix to the editions belonging to this Series and are intended to be used by pupils for Home Work. They cannot fail to increase the Vocabulary of Students in the easiest and most effective way possible. "The Keys, price 2s. 6d. net each, contain besides, renderings of the 'Sentences on Syntax and Idioms' (Appendix II.) and of the 'Passages for Translation' (Appendix III.). Alternate renderings are given in foot-notes." "The texts are interesting, well printed and bound, and the notes are excellent, and not merely intended to save trouble to teacher and taught. The appendices, four to each volume, are the distinguishing feature of the series. The first consists of the most important words and phrases occurring in the book. It is meant for viva voce drill, and cannot fail to rapidly increase the vocabulary of the learner. There are also English sentences and continuous passages based on the vocabulary and constructions of the text. We are convinced that this method is the only sound one of teaching composition . We feel certain that the proper use of these appendices by a competent teacher will ensure the rapid progress of the pupils. We wish all success to the series, than which there is no better."-University Correspondent, August 6th, 1898. "Of the series generally, we should say that if further contributions to it reach the high standard which these volumes (Sappho, Zwischen den Schlachten) have set up, it will be one of the very best ever offered to the scholastic public."—Glasgow Herald, April 30th, 1898. "The result of the use of this series, therefore, will be that the study of the text puts the pupil in possession not of temporarily interesting information only, but the knowledge of the language and general culture. We heartily commend it."-School Guardian. "The editorial conception is at once high and thorough :-(1) Each work contains sufficient matter for one or two terms' study, is interesting in its matter, literary in style, practical and useful in its vocabulary, and instructive regarding the life and manners of the country to which it relates; (2) each 'Introduction' furnishes a short account of the author and his works; (3) the 'Notes' give, in a clear and concise form, such explanations as may aid in overcoming textual difficulties, and in elucidating allusions-literary, historical, geographical, and idiomatical; and (4) an Appendix' contains word and phrase lists drawn from the reading, and to be used in drill; viva voce exercises in syntax, founded on and involving the vocabulary of the text; composition and a chapter on word-formation. Linguistic knowledge, conversational utility, and general culture may thus introduce life and interest to the work of the class-room. The several special editors have implemented loyally, and to the full, this ideal in their selected volumes, which are intellectually refreshing, educationally worked out, and effective in every scholarly appliance skilfully put to use. They are all men of well-merited professional repute."-Educational News, June 4th, 1898. "The need for viva voce practice and for translation from English into German has been appreciated by the editors of the series, who have met it in an excellent fashion. We consider the appendices the most valuable features of the series."-Oxford Magazine, March 2nd, 1898. "The four appendices claim especial notice, notably Appendix I., which contains lists of words and phrases for viva voce drill, each word or phrase having previously become familiar to the pupil in the pages of the story. We can think of no plan more likely to help a beginner to the acquisition of a good vocabulary than a careful use of this appendix."-Guardian, April 27th, 1898. Herr Walther von der Vogelweide eine Geschichte aus der Zeit der Minnesänger für die Jugend erzählt von THEODOR EBNER. Adapted and edited by E. G. NORTH, M.A., Assistant Master at Wellington College. Authorised edition. First ed., April, 1900. “This work gives an insight into an exceedingly interesting historical as well as literary period of the twelfth century. . . . Introduction, notes, vocabulary, and appendices all help to make this elementary text-book a model reader for school study."-Educational News. "The brief introduction provides a sketch of Walther's times, and emphasises his importance as a writer of patriotic verse. The notes are brief and sufficient. The vocabulary appears to be trustworthy."School World. "This book consists of selections from Ebner's work on 'Walther von der Vogelweide,' which is written for young people, and deals with an episode in his life when he attached himself to Philip of Swabia, about A.D. 1200. There is a brief introduction, describing the position of affairs in Germany at that time, as well as notes, a vocabulary, and an appendix of drill in words and phrases, with sentences and longer passages for translation, as in other volumes of the series."-Educational Times. "The text is written in the direct and simple German, which seems to us not only easier, but of more practical use to the young learner than the statelier but more involved constructions of the older classical writers. Mr. North tells us that the present edition is 'adapted' from the original work published in 1887. . . . It would appear that only such scenes have been chosen for inclusion in the present volume as are essentially dramatic and as such likely to appeal to the imagination of the schoolboy, and Mr. North has been very successful in his choice."Guardian. "Interesting, and a welcome novelty amid the crambe repetita usually served up in schools. The notes are brief and to the point, and the editing satisfactory."-Literature. "The Word- and Phrase-Books,' price 6d., give the English and German (in parallel columns) of the list of words and phrases for viva voce drill which are given in the first appendix to the editions belonging to this Series. They are intended to be used by pupils for Home Work. They cannot fail to increase the Vocabulary of Students in the easiest and most effective way possible. The Keys, price 2s. 6d. net each, contain these also, and besides renderings of the 'Sentences on Syntax and Idioms' (Appendix II.) and of the 'Passages for Translation' (Appendix III.). Alternate renderings are given in foot-notes." VOEGELIN, M.A. (Lond.), Assistant Master at St. "Isolde Kurz is at present very little known in England, but Die Humanisten is one of a collection of tales published under the title of 'Florentiner Novellen,' the publication of which in 1890 at once brought their author a Continental reputation. The language is simple and direct and will serve as an excellent lesson in style. The notes and appendices are as good as usual."-Guardian. "An addition to 'Siepmann's Advanced German Series,' of which we have had several occasions to speak with praise. Isolde Kurz is a daughter of the poet and novelist, Hermann Kurz, and made herself a name in literature by the publication of her Florentiner Novellen, a collection of tales of which Die Humanisten is one."-Bookseller. "Interesting, and a welcome novelty amid the crambe repetita usually served up in schools. The notes are brief and to the point, and the editing satisfactory."-Literature. "The time of this tale is placed in the latter half of the fifteenth century, and the special incident dealt with an episode in the period of the Renaissance, when the Humanists-enthusiasts in the culture of classical literature-spent time and means in the discovery and recovery of the works of the writers of the classical period as the means of re-enlivening the learning of the Restauration by the achieved books of the past. Their zeal often outran discretion, and they too much despised the scholastic system of their times. Ciceronianism was the prevailing craze or fad of the Italian humanists, of whom Bernardo Rucellai, the brother-in-law of Lorenzo de Medici, was one of the chief. He was a MS. hunter, and a special Ciceronian Codex was the desire of his heart. The search for it brought anxiety to Lorenzo's god-daughter, Lucrezia Rucellai, for it interfered with her marriage-as to which of two suitors should be her bridegroom. Thereby hangs a tale of incident and amusement most intelligently told. 'The assistant master at St. Paul's School' has annotated the story knowingly and skilfully, brightly and briefly; and admirably adapted for pupils so far advanced as to occupy places in the fifth and sixth forms. The appendices of the general editor supplement, apply, and extend the scholastic material furnished in the text and notes, to the development of the higher culture for which the work affords full scope."-Educational News. "Probably the delightful works of Isolde Kurz are known to few in England, and Mr. Siepmann is to be congratulated on being able to include this capital short story from her Florentiner Novellen in his series. It takes us back to the Florence of the Renaissance, telling how a young Swabian, who had accompanied Graf Eberhard, of Würtemburg, wins the daughter of a famous Humanist, who has consented to the betrothal on condition that Veit will find for him a unique Ciceronian codex traced to Swabia. The style is good; the text is well printed; and the notes supplied by the editor are thoroughly satisfactory. The 'fourth appendix' contains a good account of the suffixes used to form abstract nouns."-School World. |