The Tauchnitz Library

IF the history of modern civilization ever comes to be written from the impartial heights of some newer and braver world, it will surely contain a paragraph upon the kindly influence of a German publisher’s steadfast enterprise. Somewhere about the year 1840, it will say in effect, Mr. Bernhard Tauchnitz, of Leipzig, began the publication of the works of current English authors in neat, handy volumes, which were clearly printed, and sold upon the continent of Europe at a price much below the cost of the same works in England. There was no copyright treaty between England and Saxony, and the English author and publisher could not interfere with the sale of Mr. Tauchnitz’s reprints; the English-speaking resident or traveler, meanwhile, was delighted at finding so easy an access to the latest and best English literature, and the Tauchnitz editions became favorite ones. Travelers, especially, released from the tyranny of traditional publishing customs, were greatly pleased at discovering English books which they could buy without a sense of guilty extravagance, and carry without paying for extra weight of luggage. They became so attached to the companionable little works that they used more duplicity and ingenuity in smuggling them back to England than in conveying any other class of contraband goods.

Mr. Tauchnitz justified the praise which he received from travelers by using a wise discrimination in his choice of books for republication, and by making the authors of these books partners with him in the profits of the enterprise. His library grew in scope and in number, taking in the works of American as well as English writers, and including standard publications, which helped to make the library a representation of the growth of English literature. The style of typography was neither English nor German, but an individual combination of the two, while the proof-reading was so unvaryingly good as to create a constant wonder. The enterprise was a business one, but it was marked by such sound judgment, good taste, fairness of dealing, and honorable regard for all concerned that it won for its projector a distinguished place in the history of literature. He was created Baron Tauchnitz, but was not in the least spoiled by the honor, continuing to give just as careful attention to his business. When he had published nine hundred and ninety-nine volumes he commemorated the event by making the thousandth an edition of the New Testament, under the editorship of the eminent scholar, Constantine von Tischendorf, whose edition of the Greek New Testament he had also published ; for Tauchnitz was known, aside from his English library, as perhaps the most considerable publisher of ancient classics, sharing a reputation for this work with Teubner. In 1881, he signalized the close of his second thousand of volumes by the publication of a work which should represent in a measure the contents of his accumulation of English writings ; for he engaged Mr. Henry Morley to write a history of English literature,¹ which should treat especially of the Victorian age, and give a rapid summary of the preceding periods.

So far we may imagine a future history to read. Probably not very much space would be given to Mr. Morley’s book itself, which is the work of an industrious and somewhat ambitious man, rather than of a critic of learning and insight. It is too much to expect of any one, surveying the entire field of English literature, that he should be always apt in his selections and keen in his judgments, but Mr. Morley expects it of himself, and while he may he satisfied no one else is likely to be. There is a magisterial air, which is ill borne out by the separate decisions, and Mr. Morley’s weakness is especially evinced by his disposition to remain as long as he can in the company of second-rate authors. Still, if the book had an index, it would be a convenient sketch for reference.

The book interests us most because it so gayly flings its pennant as the flagship of Baron Tauchnitz’s busy fleet. Whenever a name is mentioned which is represented in the Tauchnitz edition a footnote reminds the reader of the fact, and one is quickly impressed with the very comprehensive character of Baron Tauchnitz’s collection. The two thousand volumes make no mean library : there are very few positively inferior books ; there are a great many sterling ones ; and the even excellence of the great body of the collection is noticeable. When one considers that the editor has not merely made his choice after the English or American public had set the seal of approval, but in many instances has almost forestalled a wider judgment, the praise due to the enterprise becomes greater.

The Tauchnitz edition is indeed a singular monument to sound judgment; for the scheme was so well considered from the outset that, though forty years have elapsed since the publication of the first volume, the general style of the first and the two thousandth is the same. The publisher has never seen reason to change the dress of his books, and the public, with all its change of taste, finds as good reason to like the style now as it did forty years ago. We add here the dignified note with which Baron Tauchnitz introduces this volume, for it helps to explain why his success has been so great, and why both authors and readers have given him honor : —

“ In publishing the Two Thousandth volume of my series, the feeling deepest and strongest in my mind is that of gratitude to God for having permitted me to carry on my undertaking for the long period of forty years, during fifteen of which my eldest son, Bernhard, has supported me with the greatest loyalty and devotion. Many a great author, whose brilliant name is an ornament to the collection, has, during the lapse of time, passed away ; and on this occasion, when I am, as it were, placing a memorial stone of my progress, the recollection of such losses comes home to me with peculiar poignancy. But though the dead are gone, their works remain; new authors have joined the ranks; and I am encouraged to hope that the Tauchnitz edition will still proceed in its old spirit, and continue to fulfill its mission, by spreading and strengthening the love for English literature outside of England and her colonies.”