l, intellectual society of Germany were
opened to the handsome young poet, who is described in a contemporary
sketch as "beardless, blonde and pale, without any prominent feature
in his face, but of so peculiar a stamp that he attracted the
attention at once, and was not readily forgotten."

The daughter of Elise von Hohenhausen, the translator of Byron, has
given us a charming sketch of her mother's Thursday evening
receptions, which Heine regularly attended, and where he read aloud
the unpublished manuscripts of his _Lyrical Intermezzo_, and his
tragidies, _Almansor_ and _Ratcliffe_. "He was obliged to submit,"
writes Mlle. von Hohenhausen, "to many a harsh criticism, to much
severe censure; above all, he was subjected to a great deal of
chaffing about his poetic sentimentality, which a few years later
awakened so warm a response in the hearts of German youth. The poem,
ending, _Zu deinen suessen Fuessen_ ('At thy sweet feet'), met with such
laughing opposition, that he omitted it from the published edition.
Opinions of his talents were various; a small minority had any
suspicion of his future undisputed poetical fame. Elise von
Hohenhausen, who gave him the name of the German Byron, met with many
contradictions. This recognition, however, assured her an imperishable
gratitude on Heine's part."

Not only his social and intellectual faculties found abundant stimulus
in this bracing atmosphere, but his moral convictions were directed
and strengthened by the philosophy and personal influence of Hegel,
and his sympathies with his own race were aroused to enthusiastic
activity by the intelligent Jews who were at that time laboring in
Berlin for the advancement of their oppressed brethren. In 1819 had
been formed the "Society for the Culture and Improvement of the Jews,"
which, though centered in Berlin, counted members all over Prussia, as
well as in Vienna, Copenhagen, and New York. Heine joined it in 1822,
and became one of its most influential members. In the educational
establishment of the _Verein_, he gave for several months three hours
of historical instruction a week. He frankly confessed that he, the
"born enemy of all positive religions," was no enthusiast for the
Hebrew faith, but he was none the less eager to proclaim himself an
enthusiast for the rights of the Jews and their civil equality.

During his brief visit to Frankfort, he had had personal experience of
the degrading conditions to which his people w