Edited, with an
Introductory
Chapter on the English Manor, by
Prof.
Prof.
Poland - 1911 - An Outline of the History of Polish Literature
The
name of the middle-class in Polish is " Intelligentsia. "
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? 58 AN OUTLINE OF THE
skiego" (" Podfilipski's Memoirs "), are genuinely
fine, but the flower of his talent blossoms fully
in one of his latest achievements, "Sob61 i Panna"
'("A Sable and a Maid"), in which, together with
the poetic side of sport, he displays his deep ad-
miration of the landscape and his wise compre-
hension of youthful feelings and the noble impulses
in human nature. Through all his works runs a
thread of gentle satire, as subtle as the author
himself. He might be compared to Anatole France,
had the latter Weyssenhoff's depth of feeling.
The influence of Przybyszewski and his band
would have been more durable had not their indi-
vidualism so completely severed art from life,
before they became aware of the asthenia result-
ing from this estrangement. The most gifted of
this group of poets, W. Perzynski, complains--
With no young faith into the world I go,
No suns of hope suffuse my soul with light,
The years have rolled--so many and so slow,
Through my dark room at night.
The decadent works of K. Lewandowski, St.
Brzozowski, and even the exquisite artificiality of
E. Leszczynski bear the same stamp; Jerzy
Zulawski alone seeks a new synthesis. About this
time Jan KasprOwicz's talent returns to earth, and,
like Antaeus, from its contact his poetic person-
ality gains in strength.
In the bitter times that followed the instinct
of self-preservation drove the Poles again to seek
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? HISTORY OF POLISH LITERATURE 59
salvation in the national ideas. The bowing down
to foreign gods did not satisfy the poets. An
attempt was made by Lucjan Rydel to nationalize
the stage by the introduction of the Polish fable,
but his high artistic culture was not adequately
supported by a creative imagination. Tetmajer on
analyzing his soul discovered there the need of
"Polish Saints"; Zeromski, Reymont, and Kas-
prowicz had felt this intuitively, attaching them-
selves to the landscape, the people, and the
sufferings of Poland. Stanislaw Szczepanowski
having, in 1897, sacrificed his parliamentary career
and come to Cracow to better serve the national
cause, gave expression to the national feelings in
his work "The Polish Idea and Internationalism. "
His fiery appeals aroused the romanticism lying
dormant at the bottom1 of everyone's soul. Then
came Stanislaw Wyspianski, the man who was a
national revelation. He chose the stage as the
medium through which Polish neo-romantic poetry
should be heard again, and in soul-stirring tones
give voice to the deepest national emotions. The
national myth Was his substance, which, with all the
force of his genius, he incarnated in tragedy. The
synthesis of the yearning of the Polish nation for
might he gave in his "Legion," the antithesis in
"Wesele" ("The Marriage Feast"). In all re-
spects he was an exceptional phenomenon. He
came from the world of pictorial art, in which
his labours were of short duration, but his achieve-
ments testified again to the immensity of his talent.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? 60 AN; OUTLINE OE THE
He was an artist to the marrow of his bones, a
lover of beauty, a lover of purity, and yet the
extent of his talent was such that it enabled him
to descend deep into naturalism and from thence
rise to the summit of the sublimest symbolism.
With the same force he depicts realistic scenes
and visions of the World beyond. The works
of Wyspianski are conceived in a lightning-flash of
inspiration; he chisels and elaborates, constantly
testing them with the touchstone of his high
critical standard. Death bereaved Polish litera-
ture of him all too soon, but his spirit still stands,
and will ever stand, like a pillar of fire for the
enlightenment and guidance of the nation. He
marked an epoch in Polish poetry, and inaugu-
rated the era of neo-romanticism. Under his
breath decadence melted away, the soul of the
nation became regenerated, and poetry nationalized.
From the seeds of his sowing sprang a host
of young worshippers of might: iW. Orkan, with
his songs of the foothills of Tatra; Danilowski,
with his vision of purity, goodness, and salvation;
L. Staff, with the Promethean soul; T. Micinski,
endowed with an extraordinary and original
poetical organization, is more akin to the mystics
of Spain or Belgium than to the romanticists of
Poland. Eagles are his companions, and if his
flight is lower than that of . Wyspianski, it is more
sustained, more equal.
The great moral influence of the Polish poetry
of recent years is due not to its didactics but to
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? HISTORY OE POLISH LITERATURE 61
its high artistic value. When we read such master-^
pieces as "On the King's Lake" of Tetmajer, "By
the Sea" of Przybyszewski, "Ahriman Revenges
Himself" of Zeromski, "Dies Irse" of Kasprowicz,
"Legion" of Wyspianski, "Oaks of Czarnobyle"
of Micinski, we soar to such a height that we lose
sight of all that crawls and creeps upon the face
of the earth, and we begin to discern how beau-
tiful, reposeful, and stimulative the God of Good-
ness must have intended Nature and Life to be.
But this becomes perceivable only from the height
at which our souls begin to vibrate in unison with
the symphony of the Universe.
Poland through her literature has demonstrated
to the world an inexhaustible amount of vitality.
Moreover, her spiritual achievements contribute to
the universal culture, and it is only for the universe
to avail itself of the treasures displayed before it.
Printed in GreatlBritain by
BKWIN BBOTHEBS, IJinTED, THB ORKSHAM FREES, -WOKING AND LONDON
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? Social Science Series
Cloth, at. 6rf. Double Volumes 31. 6J.
? Also in Limp Cloth U- net,
? ? Paper Covers Ui
? 2. OrVIUBATIOIf: ITS OAT/SB AND CUES. Edward Carpenter.
? 8. QUINTESSENCE OF SOCIALISM. Dr. Schafflb.
4. DARWINISM AND POLITICS. D. G. Ritchie, M. A. (Oxon. ).
New Edition, with two additional Essays on Human Evolution.
? 5. RELIGION OF SOCIALISM. E. Belfort Bax.
? & ETHICS OF SOCIALISM. E. Belfort BAx.
7. THE DRINK QUESTION. Dr. Kate Mitchell.
8. PROMOTION OF GENERAL HAPPINESS. Prof. U. Macmillan.
? 9, ENGLAND'S IDEAL, fee. Edward Carpenter.
10. SOCIALISM IN ENGLAND. Sidney Webb, LL. B.
11. Out of print.
12. Out of print.
? *13. THE STORY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. E. Belfort Bax.
14. THE CO-OPERATIVE COMMONWEALTH Laurence Gronlund.
15. ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES. Bernard Bosanquet, M. A. (Oxon. ).
16. CHARITY ORGANISATION.
C. S. Loch, Secretary to Charity Organisation Society.
17. THOEEAU'S ANTI-SLAVERY AND REFORM PAPERS.
Edited by H. S. SALT.
18. BELF-HELP A HUNDRED YEARS AGO. G. J. Holyoakb.
19. 20. Out of print,
21. THE UNEARNED INCREMENT. W. H. DAWSON.
22, 23. Out af print.
? 24. LUXURY. Emile db Laveleye.
? ? 25. THE LAND AND THE LABOURERS. Dean Stubbs.
26. THE EVOLUTION OF PROPERTY. Paul Lafargub.
27. CRIME AND ITS CAUSES. W. Douglas Morrison.
? 28. PRINCIPLES OF STATE INTERFERENCE. D. G. Ritchie, M. A.
29, 30. Out of print.
81. ORIGrN OF PROPERTY IN LAND. Fustel db Coulanges.
Edited, with an Introductory Chapter on the English Manor, by
Prof. W. J. Ashley, M. A.
32. Out *f print.
83. THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT. Bbatricb Potter.
34. Out of print.
36. MODERN HUMANISTS. J. M. Robertson.
? ? 36. OUTLOOKS FROM THE NEW STANDPOINT. E. Belfort Bax.
87. DISTRIBUTING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
Dr. Luigi Pizzamiglio. Edited by F. J. Snell.
38. Out of print.
39. THE LONDON PROGRAMME. Sidney Webb, LL. B.
40. Out of print.
42. Out of print.
? 43. THE STUDENT'S MARX Edward Avblino, D. Sc.
44. Out of print.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? SOCIAL SCIENCE SERIES--{Continued)
45. POVERTY: ITS GENESIB AND EXODUS. J. G. GODARD.
46. Out of print.
47. THE DAWN OF RADICALISM. J. B. DALY, LL. D.
48. THE DESTITUTE ALIEN IH GREAT BRITAIN. ARNOLD WHITB;
Montague Crackanthorpe, Q. C. ; W. A. M'Arthur, M. P, &c.
49. ILLEGITIMACY AMD THE INFLUENCE OF SEASONS OH
CONDUCT. Albrrt Leffingwkll, M. D.
5a COMMERCIAL CRISES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
H. M. Hyndman.
61. THE STATE AND PENSIONS IN OLD AGE.
J. A. Sprndbr and Arthur Acland, M. P.
62. THE FALLACY OF SAVING. John M. Robkrtson.
63. THE IRISH PEASANT. Anon.
? 54. THE EFFECTS OF MACHINERY ON WAGES.
Prof. J. S. Nicholson, D. Sc.
? ? 55. THE SOCIAL HORIZON. Anon.
56. SOCIALISM, UTOPIAN AND SCIENTIFIC. Frederick Engkls.
>>>>57. LAND NATIONALISATION. A. R. Wallace.
58. THE ETHIC OF USURY AND INTEREST. Rer. W. Blissard.
? 59. THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN. Adele Crepaz.
6a THE EIGHT HOURS' QUESTION. John M. Robertson.
61. DRUNKENNESS. Georgb R. Wilson, M. B.
62. THE NEW REFORMATION. RAMSDBN Balmporth.
? 63. THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURER. T. E. Kbbbbl.
64. Out of print.
65. ENGLAND'S FOREIGN TRADE IN XIXTH CENTURY.
A. L. Bowlby.
66. THEORY AND POLICY OF LABOUR PROTECTION.
Di. Schafflb.
67. HISTORY OF ROCHDALE PIONEERS. G. J. Holyoakb.
68. RIGHTS OF WOMEN. M. OsTRAGORSKl.
69. DWELLINGS OF THE PEOPLE. Locks Worthington.
70-75. Out of print.
76. BRITISH FREEWOMEN. CM. Stoprs.
77, 78. Out of print.
79. THREE MONTHS IN A WORKSHOP.
P. Gohre, with Preface by Prof. Ely.
80. DARWINISM AND RACE PROGRESS. Prof. J. B. Haycraft.
81. LOCAL TAXATION AND FINANCE. G. H. Blundbn.
82. PERILS TO BRITISH TRADE. E. BURGIS.
83. THE SOCIAL CONTRACT.
\ J. Rousseau. Edited by H. J. Tozer.
name of the middle-class in Polish is " Intelligentsia. "
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? 58 AN OUTLINE OF THE
skiego" (" Podfilipski's Memoirs "), are genuinely
fine, but the flower of his talent blossoms fully
in one of his latest achievements, "Sob61 i Panna"
'("A Sable and a Maid"), in which, together with
the poetic side of sport, he displays his deep ad-
miration of the landscape and his wise compre-
hension of youthful feelings and the noble impulses
in human nature. Through all his works runs a
thread of gentle satire, as subtle as the author
himself. He might be compared to Anatole France,
had the latter Weyssenhoff's depth of feeling.
The influence of Przybyszewski and his band
would have been more durable had not their indi-
vidualism so completely severed art from life,
before they became aware of the asthenia result-
ing from this estrangement. The most gifted of
this group of poets, W. Perzynski, complains--
With no young faith into the world I go,
No suns of hope suffuse my soul with light,
The years have rolled--so many and so slow,
Through my dark room at night.
The decadent works of K. Lewandowski, St.
Brzozowski, and even the exquisite artificiality of
E. Leszczynski bear the same stamp; Jerzy
Zulawski alone seeks a new synthesis. About this
time Jan KasprOwicz's talent returns to earth, and,
like Antaeus, from its contact his poetic person-
ality gains in strength.
In the bitter times that followed the instinct
of self-preservation drove the Poles again to seek
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? HISTORY OF POLISH LITERATURE 59
salvation in the national ideas. The bowing down
to foreign gods did not satisfy the poets. An
attempt was made by Lucjan Rydel to nationalize
the stage by the introduction of the Polish fable,
but his high artistic culture was not adequately
supported by a creative imagination. Tetmajer on
analyzing his soul discovered there the need of
"Polish Saints"; Zeromski, Reymont, and Kas-
prowicz had felt this intuitively, attaching them-
selves to the landscape, the people, and the
sufferings of Poland. Stanislaw Szczepanowski
having, in 1897, sacrificed his parliamentary career
and come to Cracow to better serve the national
cause, gave expression to the national feelings in
his work "The Polish Idea and Internationalism. "
His fiery appeals aroused the romanticism lying
dormant at the bottom1 of everyone's soul. Then
came Stanislaw Wyspianski, the man who was a
national revelation. He chose the stage as the
medium through which Polish neo-romantic poetry
should be heard again, and in soul-stirring tones
give voice to the deepest national emotions. The
national myth Was his substance, which, with all the
force of his genius, he incarnated in tragedy. The
synthesis of the yearning of the Polish nation for
might he gave in his "Legion," the antithesis in
"Wesele" ("The Marriage Feast"). In all re-
spects he was an exceptional phenomenon. He
came from the world of pictorial art, in which
his labours were of short duration, but his achieve-
ments testified again to the immensity of his talent.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? 60 AN; OUTLINE OE THE
He was an artist to the marrow of his bones, a
lover of beauty, a lover of purity, and yet the
extent of his talent was such that it enabled him
to descend deep into naturalism and from thence
rise to the summit of the sublimest symbolism.
With the same force he depicts realistic scenes
and visions of the World beyond. The works
of Wyspianski are conceived in a lightning-flash of
inspiration; he chisels and elaborates, constantly
testing them with the touchstone of his high
critical standard. Death bereaved Polish litera-
ture of him all too soon, but his spirit still stands,
and will ever stand, like a pillar of fire for the
enlightenment and guidance of the nation. He
marked an epoch in Polish poetry, and inaugu-
rated the era of neo-romanticism. Under his
breath decadence melted away, the soul of the
nation became regenerated, and poetry nationalized.
From the seeds of his sowing sprang a host
of young worshippers of might: iW. Orkan, with
his songs of the foothills of Tatra; Danilowski,
with his vision of purity, goodness, and salvation;
L. Staff, with the Promethean soul; T. Micinski,
endowed with an extraordinary and original
poetical organization, is more akin to the mystics
of Spain or Belgium than to the romanticists of
Poland. Eagles are his companions, and if his
flight is lower than that of . Wyspianski, it is more
sustained, more equal.
The great moral influence of the Polish poetry
of recent years is due not to its didactics but to
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? HISTORY OE POLISH LITERATURE 61
its high artistic value. When we read such master-^
pieces as "On the King's Lake" of Tetmajer, "By
the Sea" of Przybyszewski, "Ahriman Revenges
Himself" of Zeromski, "Dies Irse" of Kasprowicz,
"Legion" of Wyspianski, "Oaks of Czarnobyle"
of Micinski, we soar to such a height that we lose
sight of all that crawls and creeps upon the face
of the earth, and we begin to discern how beau-
tiful, reposeful, and stimulative the God of Good-
ness must have intended Nature and Life to be.
But this becomes perceivable only from the height
at which our souls begin to vibrate in unison with
the symphony of the Universe.
Poland through her literature has demonstrated
to the world an inexhaustible amount of vitality.
Moreover, her spiritual achievements contribute to
the universal culture, and it is only for the universe
to avail itself of the treasures displayed before it.
Printed in GreatlBritain by
BKWIN BBOTHEBS, IJinTED, THB ORKSHAM FREES, -WOKING AND LONDON
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? Social Science Series
Cloth, at. 6rf. Double Volumes 31. 6J.
? Also in Limp Cloth U- net,
? ? Paper Covers Ui
? 2. OrVIUBATIOIf: ITS OAT/SB AND CUES. Edward Carpenter.
? 8. QUINTESSENCE OF SOCIALISM. Dr. Schafflb.
4. DARWINISM AND POLITICS. D. G. Ritchie, M. A. (Oxon. ).
New Edition, with two additional Essays on Human Evolution.
? 5. RELIGION OF SOCIALISM. E. Belfort Bax.
? & ETHICS OF SOCIALISM. E. Belfort BAx.
7. THE DRINK QUESTION. Dr. Kate Mitchell.
8. PROMOTION OF GENERAL HAPPINESS. Prof. U. Macmillan.
? 9, ENGLAND'S IDEAL, fee. Edward Carpenter.
10. SOCIALISM IN ENGLAND. Sidney Webb, LL. B.
11. Out of print.
12. Out of print.
? *13. THE STORY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. E. Belfort Bax.
14. THE CO-OPERATIVE COMMONWEALTH Laurence Gronlund.
15. ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES. Bernard Bosanquet, M. A. (Oxon. ).
16. CHARITY ORGANISATION.
C. S. Loch, Secretary to Charity Organisation Society.
17. THOEEAU'S ANTI-SLAVERY AND REFORM PAPERS.
Edited by H. S. SALT.
18. BELF-HELP A HUNDRED YEARS AGO. G. J. Holyoakb.
19. 20. Out of print,
21. THE UNEARNED INCREMENT. W. H. DAWSON.
22, 23. Out af print.
? 24. LUXURY. Emile db Laveleye.
? ? 25. THE LAND AND THE LABOURERS. Dean Stubbs.
26. THE EVOLUTION OF PROPERTY. Paul Lafargub.
27. CRIME AND ITS CAUSES. W. Douglas Morrison.
? 28. PRINCIPLES OF STATE INTERFERENCE. D. G. Ritchie, M. A.
29, 30. Out of print.
81. ORIGrN OF PROPERTY IN LAND. Fustel db Coulanges.
Edited, with an Introductory Chapter on the English Manor, by
Prof. W. J. Ashley, M. A.
32. Out *f print.
83. THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT. Bbatricb Potter.
34. Out of print.
36. MODERN HUMANISTS. J. M. Robertson.
? ? 36. OUTLOOKS FROM THE NEW STANDPOINT. E. Belfort Bax.
87. DISTRIBUTING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
Dr. Luigi Pizzamiglio. Edited by F. J. Snell.
38. Out of print.
39. THE LONDON PROGRAMME. Sidney Webb, LL. B.
40. Out of print.
42. Out of print.
? 43. THE STUDENT'S MARX Edward Avblino, D. Sc.
44. Out of print.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-06-10 17:11 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/mdp. 39015030574043 Public Domain in the United States, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-us-google
? SOCIAL SCIENCE SERIES--{Continued)
45. POVERTY: ITS GENESIB AND EXODUS. J. G. GODARD.
46. Out of print.
47. THE DAWN OF RADICALISM. J. B. DALY, LL. D.
48. THE DESTITUTE ALIEN IH GREAT BRITAIN. ARNOLD WHITB;
Montague Crackanthorpe, Q. C. ; W. A. M'Arthur, M. P, &c.
49. ILLEGITIMACY AMD THE INFLUENCE OF SEASONS OH
CONDUCT. Albrrt Leffingwkll, M. D.
5a COMMERCIAL CRISES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
H. M. Hyndman.
61. THE STATE AND PENSIONS IN OLD AGE.
J. A. Sprndbr and Arthur Acland, M. P.
62. THE FALLACY OF SAVING. John M. Robkrtson.
63. THE IRISH PEASANT. Anon.
? 54. THE EFFECTS OF MACHINERY ON WAGES.
Prof. J. S. Nicholson, D. Sc.
? ? 55. THE SOCIAL HORIZON. Anon.
56. SOCIALISM, UTOPIAN AND SCIENTIFIC. Frederick Engkls.
>>>>57. LAND NATIONALISATION. A. R. Wallace.
58. THE ETHIC OF USURY AND INTEREST. Rer. W. Blissard.
? 59. THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN. Adele Crepaz.
6a THE EIGHT HOURS' QUESTION. John M. Robertson.
61. DRUNKENNESS. Georgb R. Wilson, M. B.
62. THE NEW REFORMATION. RAMSDBN Balmporth.
? 63. THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURER. T. E. Kbbbbl.
64. Out of print.
65. ENGLAND'S FOREIGN TRADE IN XIXTH CENTURY.
A. L. Bowlby.
66. THEORY AND POLICY OF LABOUR PROTECTION.
Di. Schafflb.
67. HISTORY OF ROCHDALE PIONEERS. G. J. Holyoakb.
68. RIGHTS OF WOMEN. M. OsTRAGORSKl.
69. DWELLINGS OF THE PEOPLE. Locks Worthington.
70-75. Out of print.
76. BRITISH FREEWOMEN. CM. Stoprs.
77, 78. Out of print.
79. THREE MONTHS IN A WORKSHOP.
P. Gohre, with Preface by Prof. Ely.
80. DARWINISM AND RACE PROGRESS. Prof. J. B. Haycraft.
81. LOCAL TAXATION AND FINANCE. G. H. Blundbn.
82. PERILS TO BRITISH TRADE. E. BURGIS.
83. THE SOCIAL CONTRACT.
\ J. Rousseau. Edited by H. J. Tozer.
