ZSCHOKKE, JOHANN HErcracu DANIEL, one of the most eminent German authors of this century, was b. at Magdeburg on Mar. 22, 1771. On leaving school at the age of 17, he joined a company of players in the capacity of a dramatic author. He traveled with them for some time, after which he entered the university of Frankfurt. There he seems to have studied all subjects from divinity to administration (Kameralivissensehaften). He at the same time acted as a private teacher, and published plays which brought him some reputation, but no pay. In 1795 he was disappointed in obtaining the post of ordinary professor, for which he applied, and set out on a tour through Germany and France. He settled finally at Reichenau, in the Grisons, where he opened a boarding-school. So much pleased were the governing bodies of the canton with his establishment, that they presented him with the citizenship. In return for this favor, he wrote a history of the Grisons, published at Zurich in 1798 (Geschichte cies Freistaats der drei Bunde in Blaitien). In the same year, however, Zschokke became unpopular in the canton by advocating its annexation to the Helvetic republic established by the French, and his school in consequence. closed. He removed to Aarau, then the seat of government, where lie was employed as a commissioner to settle the affairs of Unterwalden, Mi. Schwyz, and Zug, a trust which he discharged with the utmost ability and good temper. The benevolent interest, indeed, which he manifested in the sufferings of the population has made his name memorable as a national benefactor. It be tedious to enumerate the politi cal and administrative affairs in which Zschokke was actively engaged after this period; we find him at one time protesting against the arbitrary proceedings of the French, and at another pointing out the prudence of concession, but always tLking a course marked by practical sagacity and wisdom. In 1804 he was presented with the citizen
ship of Aargau and appointed inspector of woods and mines. In the same year he founded the Swiss messenger (Schweizerboten), a publication which rapidly became pop ular. It was followed by the Miscellany of the Latest News (..11iscellen far die neueste Welthunde), which was continued down to 1813. In 1811 he added a monthly periodical, the Erheiterungen, to these publications. He died at Aargau, June 27, 1848. Zschokke's works are very numerous, and are always characterized by sound information, good sense, and a vigorous and effective eloquence. ' The most important of his historical works, not mentioned above, are History of the Forest Cantons, a History of Bavaria, a Popular History of Switzerland. His novels or tales are more numerous and better known; among the best are The Creole, Alamontade. Jonathan Frock, Clementine, Oswald, and _Meister Jordan. As a poet and play-writer, Zschokke has less merit. The most popular of all his writings was the Hours of Devotion, a Sunday periodical: it supplied a complete exposition of modern rationalism, and yet displayed such zeal and eloquence in the cause of sound morality, that it met with approbation from persons of all creeds. It has gone through 40 German editions, and, with many other works of Zschokke, has been translated into English. A collected edition of works of Zschokke (Aarau, 1825). See Life of Zschokke, by Munch (Haag, 1831); and Autobiography, Eng. tram (1845).