![FONTANE, Theodor (1819-1898). Autograph letter signed ('Th. Fontane') to 'Herr Doctor' [Ernst Kossak], Berlin, 16 February 1864, four pages, 8vo, bifolium (short tear at outer margin of f.1).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/CKS/2006_CKS_07275_0049_000(010409).jpg?w=1)
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FONTANE, Theodor (1819-1898). Autograph letter signed ('Th. Fontane') to 'Herr Doctor' [Ernst Kossak], Berlin, 16 February 1864, four pages, 8vo, bifolium (short tear at outer margin of f.1).
'I HAVE DONE WHAT I COULD'. Fontane writes a word of thanks for a favourable notice [of the second volume of his Wanderungen] in the 'Berliner Montagspost, 'Aller Anerkennung thut wohl', thanking Kossak in particular for his fairness of tone, noting that Adolf Stahr had accused him of 'a certain servility'. Regarding the Wanderungen, Fontane explains that he is writing it to promote an idea of conservatism that has become lost, especially in Berlin: 'Speziell unsrer guten Stadt Berlin ist die Vorstellung abhanden gekommen, daß Beschränkung, Disciplin, das freimüthige Bekenntniß des Nicht-wissens und viele andern kleinen Tugenden derart auch Tugenden sind'. If he writes more of the aristocracy than of the bourgeoisie, he cannot help it: 'Ich kann nicht ... die Geschichte, speziell die Geschichte unsrer Provinz auf den Kopf stellen. Wir haben -- man denke nun klein oder groß von ihm -- doch immer einen Adel gehabt'. Once the bourgeoisie of Berlin has developed 'future Fontanes will have an easier time of it. I have done what I could'.
Kossak's review was of the second volume of Fontane's Wanderungen, Das Oderland. Barnim-Lebus, which had appeared in November 1863. Fontane's defence of his 'conservatism' and relationship with the aristocracy casts significant light on his relationship with his readers at this stage of his career. The letter is published in Jahrbuch der deutschen Schillergesellschaft, XXX/1986, pp.58-59, with commentary by Jost Schillemeit.
'I HAVE DONE WHAT I COULD'. Fontane writes a word of thanks for a favourable notice [of the second volume of his Wanderungen] in the 'Berliner Montagspost, 'Aller Anerkennung thut wohl', thanking Kossak in particular for his fairness of tone, noting that Adolf Stahr had accused him of 'a certain servility'. Regarding the Wanderungen, Fontane explains that he is writing it to promote an idea of conservatism that has become lost, especially in Berlin: 'Speziell unsrer guten Stadt Berlin ist die Vorstellung abhanden gekommen, daß Beschränkung, Disciplin, das freimüthige Bekenntniß des Nicht-wissens und viele andern kleinen Tugenden derart auch Tugenden sind'. If he writes more of the aristocracy than of the bourgeoisie, he cannot help it: 'Ich kann nicht ... die Geschichte, speziell die Geschichte unsrer Provinz auf den Kopf stellen. Wir haben -- man denke nun klein oder groß von ihm -- doch immer einen Adel gehabt'. Once the bourgeoisie of Berlin has developed 'future Fontanes will have an easier time of it. I have done what I could'.
Kossak's review was of the second volume of Fontane's Wanderungen, Das Oderland. Barnim-Lebus, which had appeared in November 1863. Fontane's defence of his 'conservatism' and relationship with the aristocracy casts significant light on his relationship with his readers at this stage of his career. The letter is published in Jahrbuch der deutschen Schillergesellschaft, XXX/1986, pp.58-59, with commentary by Jost Schillemeit.
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