ROMANTIC SCHOOL, the name first assumed in Germany, about the beginning of the present century. by a number of young poets and critics, A. IV. and Fr. Schlegel, Novalis, Ludwig Tieck, Wackenroder, etc., who wished to indicate by the designation that they sought the essence of art and poetry in the wonderful and fantastic—elements that pre-eminently characterized the Romance literature of the middle ages. Their efforts were directed to the overthrow of the artificial rhetoric and unimaginative pedantry of the French school of poetry, even then influential, and to the restoration of a belief in the mystery and wonder that envelop the existence of man—a belief that had been rudely assailed and mocked by the prevailing materialism in all departments of thought. Thus, their purpose was twofold—it was in part Usthetic, and in part relig ions. As poetical reformers, the Romantic school in Germany unquestionably exercised a most beneficial influence; but as religionists—though their aim was intrinsically high and noble—they more or less consciously subserved the designs of a reactionary govern.
ment, and so came to be hated and distrusted by the liberal politicians and thinkers of Germany.—See Eich en d orff's (Taber die Ethischeund _Religiose Bedeutung der_Neu ern Rom an tischen Poesie (Leip. 1847);'H. Heine's Zur Gesehl'ehte tier Neuern Selionen Literati!). in Deutschland (Hamb. 1833); Hettner's Die Roniantische iSchule (1850); R. Haynt's Die Romantische &kyle (1870); and the Danish work of Brandes (1873).—Between twenty and thirty years later a similar school arose in France, and had a long struggle for supremacy with the older classic school. It was victorious, but not wise, and, except in a few instances—such as Lamartine and Victor Hugo—it has rushed into excesses of caprice both literary and moral, which leave stamped it with a revolutionary rather than a reformatory character.—Seen Huber's Die Rontalitische Poesie in Fro nkreich (1832); Tennet's Prosodie de l'Ecole Moderne (1844); Gautier's Histoire du Romuntisnie (Par. 1874).