B altisch-deutsche Kulturbeziehungen vom 16. bis 19. Jahrhundert Medien - Institutionen - Akteure

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Herausgegeben von RAIVIS BIČEVSKIS JOST EICKMEYER ANDRIS LEVANS ANŲ SCHAPER BJÖRN SPIEKERMANN INGA WALTER im Auftrag der Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften, Akademie der Wissenschaften des Landes Baden-Württemberg

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Dieses Werk einschließlich aller seiner Teile ist urheberrechtlich geschützt. Jede Verwertung außerhalb der engen Grenzen des Urhcbcrrcchtsgcsctzcs ist ohne Zustimmung des Verlages unzulässig und strafbar. Das gilt insbesondere für Vervielfältigungen, Übersetzungen, Mikroverfilmungen und die Einspeicherung und Verarbeitung in elektronischen Systemen. © 2019 Universitätsverlag Winter GmbH Heidelberg Imprimć en Allemagnc • Printed in Germany Druck: Memminger McdienCcntrum, 87700 Memmingen Gedruckt auf umweltfreundlichem, chlorfrci gebleichtem und alterungsbcständigem Papier. Den Verlag erreichen Sie im Internet unter: www.winter-vcrlag.de Arvydas Pacevičius (Vilnius)

Germans and the “New Enlightenment”, 1792-1832: The Case of Vilnius University Library

Introduction

In this article, I would like to discuss the dissemination of German culture in historical Lithuania, and name its representatives in the academic commu­ nity, which in the period in question was centred in Vilnius University. Vil­ nius University Library, the amassment and replenishment of whose stocks are a reflection of the life of the whole academic society, was an important agent in keeping relations with scientific centres of Western Europe. I use the term “New Enlightenment” in order to stress the social and intellectual changes in Lithuania after the third and last Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. During the period that follo­ wed, most of historic Lithuania became part of the Russian Empire until, in 1803, Vilnius University was named the Imperial University of Vilna. At the same time, the model of “Catholic Enlightenment”1, largely based on

1 The term “Catholic Enlightenment” comprises several principles of education, thought and cultural practice which were implemented in Catholic states after the abolition of the Jesuit Order in 1773; starting in Austria, it soon reached Eastern Europe; cf. Eligijus Raila: Katalikiška apšvieta: naujos mokymo šakos, in: Orbis Li- tuaniae 16 (2017), online version: http://ni.ldkistorija.lt/index.php/istoriniai-fak- tai/katalikiska-apsvieta-naujos-mokymo-sakos/383 (13.2.2018); Krikščionybės Lietuvoje istorija, ed. by Vytautas Ališauskas, Vilnius 2006, p. 314-319; Eligijus Raila: Apšvieta, in: Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštijos kultūra. Tyrinėjimai ir vaiz­ dai, ed. by Vytautas Ališauskas, Vilnius 2001 (Aidai), p.44-57, csp. p. 51—53; Ul­ rich Im llof: Švietimo epochos Europa, Vilnius 1996, p.41f., 149-151. More about the historiography of the Age of Enlightenment in Lithuania is provided by Darius Žiemelis: Review of “Eligijus Raila: Ignotus Ignotas. Vilniaus vyskupas Ignotas Jokūbas Masalskis, Vilnius 2010 (Aidai), 236 p", in: Lithuanian Historical Studies 17 (2012), p. 202—212; for a global history of the Catholic Enlightenment see Ul­ rich L. Lehner: The Catholic Enlightenment: The Forgotten History of a Global Mo­ vement, New York 2016, esp. pp. 54sq. and 64sq. (about Poland-Lithuania). 70 Arvydas Pacevičius the ideas of philanthropy2 and physiocracy3, was adopted in Lithuania by the Catholic clergy, especially by the monks. Hence, the Lithuanian Enligh­ tenment can also be called “Monastic Enlightenment”. After the abolition of the Society of Jesus in 1773, the reforms of the Catholic church took place under the supervision of the Bishop of Vilnius, Ignacy Jakub Massalski. He became the first head of the Commission for National Education founded on October 15,1773. It was this institution that first allowed ideas of Catho­ lic enlightenment to take place in Lithuania: Massalski established primary schools, seeking to improve literacy and reformed higher education. It was also the Commission for National Education that issued the official circu­ lars of 1781,1785,1788,1789, and 1791 which gave the Vilnius University Library the status of a public library and the right to a mandatory copy of every book printed in Lithuania.4 However, the impact of a specifically Catholic enlightenment had its li­ mits. At the beginning of the 19th century, a more multiconfessional model of “Christian Enlightenment” was gradually adopted by the government. It was engineered by the new Russian administration, which protected not only the Orthodox Church, but also the Protestants, at the expense of Lithu­ anian Catholics. Still, the reforms that had begun in the last decades of 18th century were being retained, when Russia employed the experience of its Western provinces. Notable changes were achieved in the fields of science, education, agriculture and housekeeping, even in communication and poli­ tical participation.5

2 For the spreading of philanthropism in Lithuania see Krikščionybės Lietuvoje isto­ rija (note 1), p. 173-177. More about patronage and other charitable, philanthro­ pic work in Lithuania can be found in: Arvydas Pacevičius, Pamirštoji mecenatystė 1792-1832: Dovanų Vilniaus universiteto bibliotekai knyga, Vilnius 2010 (DA- BAexpo), p. 160-165. 3 Cf. Apšvictos ir romantizmo kryžkelėse. Filosofijos kryptys ir kontroversijos Lietuvoje XVIII a. pabaigoje - pirmoje XIX a. pusėje, ed. by Dalius Viliūnas, Vilnius, 2008 (Kultūros, filosofijos ir meno institutas), p. 20; Eligijus Raila, Ignotus Ignotas. Vil­ niaus vyskupas Ignotas Jokūbas Masalskis, Vilnius 2010, p. 166-197. 4 Alma Mater Vilnensis: Vilniaus universiteto istorijos bruožai [Alma Mater Vilnensis: Highlights of Vilnius University History], cd. by Vygintas Bronius Pšibilskis, Vilnius :2012 (Vilniaus universiteto leidykla), p. 557. 5 Apšvictos ir romantizmo kryžkelėse. Filosofijos kryptys ir kontroversijos Lietuvoje XVIII a. pabaigoje - pirmoje XIX a. pusėje, cd. by Dalius Viliūnas, Vilnius, 2008 (Kultūros, filosofijos ir meno institutas), p. 183; Eligijus Raila: Apšvieta, in: Lie- Germans and the “New Enlightenment' 71

Despite these later developments, the ideas of the Enlightenment in Lithuania, unlike in most other European countries, were initially inspired and spread by the Catholic church. Although the Catholic clergy rejected some of the beliefs of the French Encyclopedists, it did not oppose to the ge­ neral progress and rationalism under the auspices of the proverbial “light of reason”.6 The reforms were only interrupted by the partitions of the Polish- Lithuanian Commonwealth carried out by the “enlightened monarchs” in 1793 and 1795. The question now is whether the reforms continued, and what part the “German factor” played during the process of “Christian Enlightenment” in Lithuania. To answer this question within the limits of an evidence-based case study, the following remarks examine the German influence on one important part of social and intellectual transformation in Lithuania, namely the early institutional history of Vilnius University Li­ brary (VUL). Before that, we will have to take a look at the cultural role of German intellectuals in Lithuania during the period in question.

Germans in Lithuania and Vilnius

The concept of a German in Lithuania was not unambiguous at the time. We have information about an ancient German community whose most prominent representative in medieval Lithuania was Hanul of Riga, who became Elder of the Livonian merchants in Vilnius in the thirteenth cen­ tury. Among other notable figures was a Vilnius castellan and royal const­ ruction supervisor, Ulrich Uosius (1455-1535), who came from Karlsruhe. The German Street in Vilnius gives testimony of the creative energy of the German community which once “engaged in crafts, arts, and trade.”7 Most Germans quickly adapted to local customs, culture and language. In 1804 Vilnius had more than 35,000 inhabitants, most of them Catholics (22,000) and Jews (11,000), but only 500 Lutherans and 100 members of the Refor-

tuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštijos kultūra, lyrinčjimai ir vaizdai, ed. by Vytautas Ališauskas, Vilnius 2001, p.44-57, esp. p. 44. 6 For the idea of lumen naturae in Western thought cf. the article ‘Lumen naturale’, in: Historisches Wörterbuch der Philosophie, hg. v. Joachim Ritter et al., vol. 5, Ba­ sel 1980, col. 548-552 (Werner Beicrwaltes/Red.). 7 Jozefas Frankas: Atsiminimai apie Vilnių, ed. by Violeta Mickevičiūte, Vilnius 2001, p. 49. 72 Arvydas Pacevičius med Church. Few of them identified themselves or were identified with the German nationality. Usually people were assigned to one community or the other based on their religious denomination. In the VUL reader register we find only a few people between January 2 and March 2, 18228 registered as Deutsche.9 Among them were one VU professor of music, Johan David Holland, and a postal officer and censor named Friedrich von Smitt.10 Ac­ cording to Prof. Joseph Frank (1771-1842), who was born in Baden-Würt­ temberg and came to Vilnius University via Vienna in 1804, the professors spoke to him in French, and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Johannes Andreas Loebenwein, considered to belong to the so-called German party,11 “could barely express his thoughts in his native German language.” Thus, the “Germans” of the period in question could be divided into se­ veral categories:

8 “Skolinamų iš Universiteto Bibliotekos knygų Dienynas, 1822-1826 m.” (Dziennik pożyczania xiąg z Biblioteki Uniwersytetu Wileńskiego), Vilniaus universiteto bib­ liotekos Rankraščių skyrius, VUB RS, f.2, KC-491. 9 Ibid.: Holland Deutsche, 235; Smith Deutsche, 161,205,217. The number following the surname refers to the serial number of the book being borrowed. 10 Jacob Friedrich von Smitt, 1787-1865, war historian, censor, propagandist. After graduating from the University of Kiel in 1815 he joined the Russian army and served in the postal system, was Russian military spokesman.during the 1830 uprising and wrote propaganda works in German; see Baltisches Biographisches Lexikon digital, http://www.bbl-digital.de/eintrag/Smitt-(eigentlich-Schmidt)- Jakob-Friedrich-(v.)-1787-1865/. 11 Historiography has it that in the nineteenth century the so-called “German Party” was active in Vilnius University. Members of that party were professors J. A. Loe­ benwein, F. Spitznagel, J. Frank, K. Langsdorf, and G. E. Groddeck. They were not only indifferent, but sometimes even hostile towards the direction of the rectors, especially Jan Śniadecki. Allegedly foreign professors were the main obstacle that prevented the Polish language from being established at the university, because Latin retained a relatively strong position up until the closing of the university. “The German Party was very close to the Tsar’s palace”, see: Vilniaus universiteto istorija 1803-1940, ed. by. A. Bendžius, J. Grigonis, J. Kubilius et al., Vilnius 1977, p. 23. In fact, despite his long studies abroad, Jan Śniadecki felt that the “scientific results [of the foreigners] were poor; they did not contribute to the national Polish education”. Śniadecki wanted to make the University “a centre of Polish culture and science”, see: Piotr Marian Massonius: Dzieje Uniwersytetu Wileńskiego 1781- 1832. Notatki z wykładów w roku akademickim 1924/1925, Toruń 2005 (Materiały do tradycji Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu, 1), p.25. Germans and the “New Enlightenment’ 73

a) People of German origin who constantly lived in Lithuania and sym­ pathized with the German culture, but identified themselves with Poland and Lithuania (for example, historian Joachim Lelewel12); b) “naturalized” Germans, who had not given up their national and, es­ pecially, confessional identity, but were well integrated into the prevailing Polish culture (e.g. professors like J. Wolfgang, G. E. Groddeck); c) Germans who came for professional purposes and fully retained their German identity and language (professors G. Forster and K. K. Langsdorf, some of them had learned Polish, such as Prof. J. Frank). Among the latter categories there were tsarist administration executives of German origin. For example, Vilnius governor General Levin August von Bennigsen came from a noble family from Hannover. He was a cavalry ge­ neral and “wrote a book welcomed by many”.13 In 1806, Bennigsen pom­ pously bestowed his book to the Vilnius University Library14 (the abridged title runs: Thoughts on Some Knowledge of Military Service and Horses that a Light Cavalry Officer Must Have; see fig. 1 and 2). A recent study of collec­ tions taken from Vilnius University revealed that this gift is now stored in the National University Library of Finland in Helsinki.15 Another aspect is of importance here: In terms of citizenship, among Germans we find people from Austro-Hungary, Prussia, and Russia (especially from Courland, Livo-

12 He called himself a Masurian, but came from a German family that came to Poland at the beginning of the eighteenth century. Lelewel’s grandfather Heinrich was a doctor at the court of King August III of Poland, and his father treasurer of the Education Commission; see ibid., p. 53, note 99. 13 Frankas: Atsiminimai (n. 7), p. 52. 14 Gedancken über einige dem Officier der leichten Cavalerie Nothtwendige Kenntnisse des Kriegsdienstes und der Pferde von Levin Freyherrn von Bennigsen. Zweyte Aufla­ ge, Wilna, In der Akadem. Buchhandlung; Leipzig, Bey Wilh. Rein et Comp., Wil­ na 1805. For detailed information about donation of the book see: Gazeta Literacka Wileńska, Lipca 1806, No.XXVIII, p. 17sq. Cf. Pacevičius: Pamirštoji mecenatystė (n. 2), p. 22sq., 94. 15 Gedancken über einige dem Officier der leichten Cavalerie Nothtwendige Kenntnisse des Kriegsdienstes und der Pferde (n. 14) [National Library of Finland, Sygn. 838. 1 V.23]. More about the books that were passed from the University of Vilnius to the Abo Academy University Library in Helsinki in 1829 in: Arvydas Pacevičius: Dar carski z 1829 r. - książki Uniwersytetu Wileńskiego przekazane Bibliotece Abowskiej w Helsinkach, in: Z badań nad książką i księgozbiorami historycznymi. Tom specjal­ ny: Polonika w zbiorach obcych. Pod redakcją naukową Jacka Puchalskiego, Agnies­ zki Chamery-Nowak i Doroty Pietrzkiewicz, Warszawa 2017, p. 121-138.

Germans and the “New Enlightenment' 75

nia, and other so-called ‘Ostseeprovinzen’) as well as German territories. Many of them never visited Lithuania, but were friends with professors at Vilnius University, became honorary Doctors of the university and enriched the stocks of the University Library with their donations. For example, in 1809, Leipzig University Professor of Law Christian Daniel Erhard (1759- 1813) used Professor Aloisio Luigi Capelli as an intermediary to donate his treatise De Furti Notione per Leges Constituta Adcuratius Definienda (Leip­ zig, s. a.), dedicated to the future patron of education in Vilnius County, Ni­ kolay Novosiltsiev, and Emperor Alexander I.16

Groddeck and the model of Göttingen Library

Gottfried Ernst Groddeck (1762-1825), prefect of Vilnius University Libra­ ry since 1804, contributed enormously to the implementing of the open sci­ entific library model with a modern, orderly and selectively complemented inventory at Vilnius University Library. This model he took from the Univer­ sity of Göttingen. Originally from Gdańsk, Groddeck had studied classical philology at Göttingen University. He had attended the philological seminar of the prefect of Göttingen University Library, the famous scholar Christi­ an Gottlob Heyne, and he had also participated in the management of the

16 See Pamirštoji mccenatystö (n. 2), p. 28, note 128.

Germans and the “New Enlightenment’ 77 library there. Recommended by Heyne, he became a home teacher of nob­ leman Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski’s children and a librarian at their pala­ ce in Puławy. It is not surprising that in 1804, the young curator of Vilnius University Adam Jerzy Czartoryski invited Groddeck to the department of Greek Language and Literature, and the rector appointed him Prefect of the VUL. Despite his busy academic career, Groddeck managed the library wi­ sely until his death in 1825. Groddeck’s origin is still a subject of debate, but it is clear that he introduced German order in the library and surrounded himself with members of the academic community and the public of Vilnius who were fond of German culture. He also headed the Masonic Lodge of the Good Shepherd (Zum Guten Hirten), which operated in Vilnius from 1817 until 1821. VUL still holds various books, some of them in German17, which document the existence of Masonic lodges in Vilnius (fig. 3).18 According to Paul Kaegbein, the organizational structure of Göttingen University Library “became the model for university libraries in Germany and other countries”19 including Lithuania. At the beginning of the nine­ teenth century, Vilnius University Library, like Göttingen, was treated as 1) an extension of the academic research institution (reviewed publica­ tions, spreading scientific information (“scientist to scientist”);

17 For example: Johann August Starek: Apologie des Ordens der Frey-Mäurer. Von dem Bruder Mitgliede der schottischen Loge zu p.Neue authentische Ausgabe, Philadelphia, im Jahr 3882 [i.e. 1782], Berlin: [Christian Ludewig Stahlbaum] 1778; Des verbesserten Konstitutionenbuchs der alten ehrwürdigen Brüderschaft der Freimaurer zweiter Theil. Verordnungen, Gesetze, Pflichten, Satzungen und Gebräuche, nebst historischen Nachricht von dem Ursprung des Ordens [...] von dem Bruder Kleinschmidt f. d. A. C. Z. F., Frankfurt am Main: in der Andreäischen Buchhandlung 1784; Vollständiges Gesangbuch für Freimaurer: zum Gebrauch der grossen National-Mutter-Loge zu den drei Weltkugeln in Berlin und aller mit ihr vereinigten Logen in Deutschland, Berlin: F. Maurer 1806; Ernst August Anton von Göchhausen: Enthüllung des Systems der Weltbürger-Republik: In Briefen aus der Verlassenschaft eines Freymaurers. Wahrscheinlich manchem Leser um zwant- zig Jahre zu spät publizirt, Rom [i.e. Leipzig: Göschen] 1786. 18 See: Arvydas Pacevičius: Masonų knygos kultūros raiška XIXamžiaus Lietuvoje, in: Knygotyra 67 (2016), p. 115-147. 19 Cf.: ‘Göttingen University Library’, in: Encyclopedia of Library History, ed. by. Wayne A. Wiegand and Donald G. Davis, Jr., New York/London 1994 (Garland Reference Library of Social Science, 503), p. 244. - Along with Christian Gottlob Heyne we should mention Göttingen University librarian Johann Matthias Gesner. 78 Arvydas Pacevičius

2) an institution offering services of scientific communication and bib­ liographic research; 3) an open institution, widely available to the public and reader-friendly (“science to society”); 4) an institution with a professional staff. Now, for the first time in the history of the VUL, there were no clerics among the librarians. But the most important innovation of the library was a systematic method for the constant accumulation of national and inter­ national literature, shaped after Göttingen.20 Also, for the first time in the history of the library, it was attempted to base the replenishment of its coll­ ection on permanent financing. The budget line was not stable, so patro­ nage and charity based on educational philanthropy and an international exchange of scientific literature were encouraged, while relations to foreign research centres were also strengthened.

Institutional partnership

The University associated with German intellectual centres in Europe and it developed contacts with the Berlin Academy of Sciences, the universities of Leipzig and Königsberg, and book merchants from Berlin and Gdańsk. In 1803, the Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin donated copies of the scientific publications (Memoires) that were published between 1787 and 1800 and presented the latest research results.21 In 1806, the library recei­ ved a letter from the Rector of Leipzig University, Professor of Medicine K. G. Kühn, in which he expressed his hope for cooperation and informed of a large shipment of inaugural works published at the University of Leipzig in the last two years. The works were transferred to Vilnius University by a “respectable student form Leipzig University, Jan Augustowski”.22 Separate donations of scientific research works to VUL show the flourishing relati­

ve According to Volodin, the library was an “incarnation” of Leibniz’s ideas. See: Борис Федорович Володин: Научная библиотека а контексте научной, образовательной и культурной политики. Исторический опыт Германии, Sankt Petersburg 2002 (Российская Национальная Библиотека), р. 156, note. 35. 21 Pacevičius: Pamirštoji mecenatystė (n. 2), p. 90-93. 22 Gazeta literacka Wileńska, 2 Czerwca 1806 roku, No. X XI i, § 330. Germans and the “New Enlightenment' 79 onship with Vienna’s academics,23 Prague’s mathematicians and inventors24 and scientists from Berlin. For example, in September 1821 the Universi­ ty received a book entitled Untersuchungen über die Bewegung des Wassers (Berlin, 1819) by Berlin engineer Johann Albert Eytelwein.25 Probably due to Groddeck’s efforts, in 1823, VUL received valuable works of classical phi­ lology, published in Latin in Stuttgart and Leipzig.26 Scientific relations to the University of Königsberg must be seen in the context of ‘Lithuanistic’ studies: In 1817 a professor of the above-mentioned university, the theo­ logian Ludwig Jedemin Rhesa, donated his book History of the Lithuanian Bible (Königsberg 1816).27The VUL also received Rhesa’s two-volume ma­ nuscript of the History of the Church.26 Especially after the war of 1812, a more prolific scientific communication was established with the Russian imperial institutions and German-born scientists working within them. Among them were a Moscow University professor, the entomologist Johann Gotthelf Fischer,29 the Professor of Ob­ stetrics of the same university, Wilhelm von Richter,30 and a teacher at the

M For instance, in 1804 the Doctor of Medicine and colleague of Professor Frank’s, Viennese physician Johann Malfatti, donated to the library a German translati­ on of the treatise on surgery, On Overpronation in Children (Vienna 1804) see Pacevičius: Pamirštoji mecenatystė (n. 2), p.92sq. 24 Georg von Biukua from Prague sent two works of mathematics in German through the Leipzig booksellers Breitkopf and Hertel; cf. ibid., p. 152. 25 Dary od Towarzystw uczonych i osób czynione Uniwersytetowi, a z polecenia tegoż oddane do Biblioteki dnia [...] Miesiąca Stycznia 1820, Lietuvos valstybinis istorijos archyvas (LVIA), F 721, ар. 2, b.71, fol. 5r. - Johann Albert Eytelwein (*31. De­ zember 1764 in Frankfurt am Main; 1 18. August 1849 in Berlin) was a German en­ gineer and university scholar in Berlin; cf. Neue Deutsche Biographie, B d .4 ,1959, p.713sq. (Ralph Schröder); online version: https://www.deutsche-biographie.de/ pndll6326492.html#ndbcontent (16.2.2018). 26 Dary od Towarzystw (n. 25), fol. 1 lv. 27 Ludwik Jedemin Rhesa: Geschichte der LitthauischenBibel. Ein Beytrag zur Religi- onsgeschichtc der Nordischen Völker, Königsberg 1816; see Pacevičius: Pamirštoji mecenatystė (n. 2), p. 114. 28 Originally: Kirchengeschichte vorgettragen von Hrr. Professor Rheza im Sommer­ halbjahre 1811, Thcil. I. Ab anno 1-800; Theil. II. Ab anno 800-1812, see ibid., p. 115, note 263. 29 See ibid., p. 106 (1812); for the 1823 donation, see Dary od Towarzystw (n. 25), fol. 14v. 30 A donation in 1815: Pacevičius: Pamirštoji mecenatystė (n. 2), p. 106. 80 Arvydas Pacevičius

Gymnasium of Mitau, the philologist Heinrich Christoph von Liebau.31 The only ‘German’ university in the empire,32 the University of Tartu, constantly sent commemorative speeches and other treatises (for example, on Novem­ ber 15, 1821,33 and on April 15, 182334). There were different reasons why the contacts and relations to Western universities were diminishing, but one should note the strategic goal of the government to expand the frame of research and education in the Russian Empire and to promote contacts between local universities. After the political resolutions passed during the Congress of Vienna had come into effect in 1815 and political persecutions began in Vilnius University in 1822, the government started to restrict sci­ entific relations drastically. Contacts to universities where “the spirit was in conflict with religion”35, including the universities of Heidelberg, Jena, Göttingen, Würzburg, Mannheim, Leipzig, Augsburg, Dresden, Gotha and others, were forbidden. Such restrictions broke academic ties and conse­ quently had a negative effect on the quality of education.

Acquisitions from the academic community of Vilnius

Due to the lack of constant financing, patronage was being encouraged. In addition, professors from abroad were invited to teach at Vilnius University and their book collections often acquired when they left the country. Parti­ cularly noteworthy is the library of the well-known German essayist and na­ turalist Georg Forster (1754-1794), who taught at Vilnius University from 1784 to 1787; he donated it when leaving Vilnius in 1787. Especially valuable was the library of Karl Christian von Langsdorf (1757-1834), Professor of Applied Mathematics and future rector of Heidelberg University. Its 1000 volumes were purchased for 1220 roubles in 1806. Valuable books of Joseph Frank (1771-1842), physician, head of the therapeutic clinic and University

31 A donation in 1814; sec ibid., p. 108. 32 By ‘German’ I intend to emphasize here that the university’s official language re­ mained German even under the rule of the Russian empire, and that it kept the cultural and academic profile of a German university. 33 Dary od Towarzystw (n. 25), fol. 5Г. 3< Ibid, fol. 13'. 35 See Vilniaus universiteto istorija (n. 11), p. 24. Germans and the “New Enlightenment' 81 professor, were acquired at an auction by the library, after Frank’s depar­ ture from Vilnius in 1823. Also “naturalized” professors of German origin, like Johann Andreas Lobenwein and Johann Friedrich Wolfgang, contributed to the growing stocks of VUL, as well as members of the academic community who sympa­ thized with German culture: among others, Adolf Abicht, Beniamin Fryde­ ryk Haustein, Jan Dawid Holland, and Kazimierz Kontrym. It is noteworthy that many of them were members of the German-speaking Masonic Lodge Zum Guten Hirten in Vilnius. As master of the lodge, G. E. Groddeck used his Masonic contacts to the advantage of the library. Between 1792 and 1823, for example, about 25 % of donators to VUL were representatives of freemasonry.36 For promoting international cooperation, especially in the fields of natural sciences, law and medicine, credit has to be given to seve­ ral honorary doctors of VU: Kurt Sprengel (1766-1833); Christian Samuel Weiss (1780-1856); Abraham Werner (1749-1817); Christian Daniel Er­ hard (1759-1813), and others.

The practice of book purchasing

In this very situation, quite an important role was played by VUL librari­ ans’ professionalism, by their connections and knowledge of the scien­ tific book market. Librarians, not relying solely on the services of the University’s booksellers, initiated acquisitions of valuable book collections. For instance, on May 3,1824, VUL received 199 volumes purchased at an auction in Dorpat from the library of the late Professor of Law Christian Friedrich Lampe.37The acquisition was initiated by VUL’s prefect Groddeck who exchanged letters on the matter with the secretary of the University of Dorpat, von Witte. In 1826, Vilnius received a large shipment of books from Gdańsk.38 On January 5,1827, librarian Ludwik Sobolewski initiated a purchase of books from Berlin (with the bookseller Sommerbrodt as an in-

3,1 Alma Mater Vilnensis (n. 4), p. 571. 37 Dziennik rozmaitych czynności Biblioteki Uniwersytetu Imperatorskiego Wileńskiego, Xięga 2ga od dnia 31. Marca 1323 roku, LVIA, ap. 2, b. 74, fol. 8V; 10\ 38 Correspondence of VUL, LVIA, F 567, ар. 2, В. 1976, fol. 39% 41'.

Germans and the “New Enlightenment' 83

termediary39) as well as from Tübingen, where the intention was to buy 560 volumes of books on law for 1000 roubles in assignations.40 The Tübingen book collection was recommended for Vilnius University by the Professor of Law at Tartu University, Clossius.41 In 1829, books were sent from Leipzig’s famous bookseller Voss thanks to the mediation of Wolf, a bookseller from Klaipėda.42 But perhaps the most important sources of acquisition were private lib­ raries of members of the Vilnius academia. They were bequeathed by testa­ ment, donated, or bought. TYaces of the abovementioned library of Georg Forster are still extant in the library. Its collection still holds books with provenances of the famous Germanized naturalist and traveller of Scottish origin. They complement the information about Forster’s special care for the VU Natural History room and library. In the books, we can clearly see Forster’s autograph - the monogram “GF” (fig.4 and 5).43 In 1806, a coll­ ection of books was donated to VUL by the veterinary professor Ludwik Bojanus (fig. 6 and 7),44 in 1817 by the Professor of Pharmacology Johann Wolfgang,45 in 1823 and 1824 by the Doctor of Medicine Adolf Abicht.46 Among the books donated by Wolfgang was a copy in Latvian. The books bequeathed to Vilnius University Library by the late music professor Jan D. Holland were transferred there in 1828 by his daughter Joanna Holland-

39 Dziennik rozmaitych czynności Biblioteki Uniwersytetu Imperatorskiego Wileńskiego, Xięga 2ga od dnia 31. Marca 1823 roku, LVIA, ap.2, b. 74, fol.26v. 40 Ibid. 41 Correspondence of VUL, LVIA, F 567, ар. 2, В. 1976, fol. 24r. 42 Dziennik rozmaitych czynności Biblioteki Uniwersytetu Imperatorskiego Wileńskiego, Xięga 2ga od dnia 31. Marca 1823 roku, LVIA, ap. 2, b. 74, fol.42v. 43 See provenance (handwritten) “Ex Bibliotheca Hist. Nat. Acad. Vilnens. G[EORG] FĮORSTER]” in the title list of the book D. Marcus Eliescr Bloch’s Oeconomische Naturgeschichte der Fische Deutschlands. Erster Theil, Berlin: Auf Kosten des Ver­ fassers und Commission bei dem Buchhändler Hr. Hesse 1782 [National Library of Finland, Sygn. 1211.13]. 44 See provenance (handwritten) “25 Rub. Sil[ber] Bojanus” in the title list of the book Mcmoires pour servir a I’llistoire des insectes par M. De Reaumur, de (’Academic Royale des Sciences, t. 1. Paris: Dc l’imprimerie Royale, 1784 (Natio­ nal Library of Finland, Sygn. 12611.2). For more details see Paccvičius: Pamirštoji mcccnatystč (n. 2), p. 168. 45 Ibid., p. 169. 46 Ibid., p. 168. 84 Arvydas Pacevičius

MEMOIRES POUR S E R V I R A L’HI STOIKE f IN SECT E S.

P a r M . de R eaum u r, de i'Acade'mie Royale . des Sciences.

Swierzewska.47 A book with Professor Loebenwein’s autograph has been found in Helsinki (fig. 8 and 9).48 Interesting observations can also be made from the aforementioned li­ brary of Karl Christian von Langsdorf. The surviving Langsdorf books in­ dicate that the owner took care of the documentation of his collection by marking the price, the location and the time of each book’s acquisition.

« Ibid., p. 169. 48 National Library of Finland, Sygn. 11911.12. Germans and the “New Enlightenment' 85

Numerous marginalia in the books still await researchers interested in the development of mathematical science in Lithuania and Germany. In summary, we can maintain that Germans played a significant part in the academic life of Vilnius and of Lithuania in general. Thanks to them, Vilnius University long remained within the European republic of letters, even though communication was hampered by the efforts of the Russian empire in order to control the university’s relations particularly to Western institutions. There were certain achievements in Lithuanian philology as a fruit of this cooperation - not many, but they show the special attention towards the heritage of Lithuanian and Baltic religious and theological thought (Rhesa) and the history of the Baltic countries (Wolfgang). But on the whole, in the period under discussion, there was no systematic deve­ lopment of scientific communication with German scholarly centres on an institutional level, because of political reasons and cultural differences: The Tsarist authorities promoted cooperation among scientific institutions of the Russian Empire instead of communication with universities abroad; in the late 18lh century, general (repressive) censorship of books from abroad

Germans and the “New Enlightenment' 87

was installed; in 1822, political repressions started in the territory of histo­ rical Lithuania; a Polonocentric model of science and education prevailed in the Vilnius Educational District which comprised the lands of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Conclusions

In spite of adverse circumstances, efforts of the management of VU and its library as well as personal ties of individual scientists ensured the spreading and reception of German scientific thought and cultural innovations in the academic community of Vilnius and in the Lithuanian society in general. The idea of the modern library as an integral part of a scholarly institution was adopted in Vilnius despite the annexation of Lithuania into the Rus­ sian Empire. Göttingen Library was chosen as a model for the new imple­ mentation. Its main features adopted by VUL were a sufficient, permanent budget, the systematic and continuous acquisition of books, regular atten­ ding of book fairs, auctions and second-hand bookshops. Library activities coincided with the general upsurge of science in Europe and a change of feudal mentality and archaic thought in Lithuania. The University protec­ tor Adam Chartoriski redefined the aims of the library: to keep the book 88 Arvydas Pacevičius collection up to date, to assure access for the public etc. According to him, a university library should work neither like a collector of antiquities nor a place for national commemoration, but as a public place for social activi­ ties and scientific duties. On the other hand, Chartoriski identified himself with the aristocratic elite whose duty was to protect people and patronage according to the philantrophic ideas of certain branches of the European Enlightenment. The librarians of Vilnius University Library received their practical insights, standards and specifications in a seminar on philology taught from 1810 onwards by their prefect Groddeck. This training in libra- rianship and bibliographical practice laid the foundations for the courses in general bibliography and bibliology taught at Vilnius University from 1827 until 1829. However, an innovative library following the example of Göttin­ gen was never fully implemented in Vilnius because of the tsarist cultural politics. Inconsistent funding encumbered consecutive replenishment poli­ cies. The spreading of scientific information was obstructed by preventive and repressive censorship, which also involved professors of the university. Vilnius University lacked a regular scientific periodical, therefore informa­ tion about the library’s new acquisitions or scientific achievements could not be disseminated systematically. To conclude, Vilnius University Library may be considered as the first public library in Lithuania with elements of a scientific library. The contribution of Germans scientists, the influence of ideas from German-speaking countries, was an agent of social and intellec­ tual change.