Book dossier

Italienische Reise

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

RE choice of the following extracts has been governed by the wish to provide interesting reading-matter for the class-room. From selections made with such an aim much of what fell within the wide range of Goethe's interest is excluded. His observations on the geological and mineral ogical character of the regions through which he passed, his notes on botany, on the nature of the soil and on meth ods of tillage, his researches in history and archeology, are too technical to be either interesting or profitable to the student. His comments on art on the pictures, the stat ues, the edifices that he saw are also for the most part not of general interest. But his delight in human nature lends his shrewd observation of the people and their ways a perennial charm, his adventures by land and sea are very entertaining, and his quick eye for natural history has furnished some admirable descriptions.