of classicism in German literature. Lessing fought on the National
side, and opposed also the beginning of a new French influence then
rising, which was to have its chief apostle in Rousseau.

In 1752 Lessing went back to Wittenberg for another year, that he
might complete the work for graduation; graduated in December of
that year as Master of Arts, and then returned to his work in
Berlin. He worked industriously, not only as critic, but also in
translation from the classics, from French, English, and Italian;
and he was soon able to send help towards providing education for
the youngest of the household of twelve children in the Camenz
parsonage. In 1753 he gave himself eight weeks of withdrawal from
other work to write, in a garden-house at Potsdam, his tragedy of
"Miss Sarah Sampson." It was produced with great success at
Frankfort on the Oder, and Lessing's ruling passion for dramatic
literature became the stronger for this first experience of what he
might be able to achieve. In literature, Frederick the Great cared
only for what was French. A National drama, therefore, could not
live in Berlin. In the autumn of 1755, Lessing suddenly moved to
Leipsic, where an actor whom he had befriended was establishing a
theatre. Here he was again abandoning himself to the cause of a
National drama, when a rich young gentleman of Leipsic invited his
companionship upon a tour in Europe. Terms were settled, and they
set out together. They saw much of Holland, and were passing into
England, when King Frederick's attack on Saxony recalled the young
Leipsiger, and caused breach of what had been a contract for a three
years' travelling companionship. In May, 1758, Lessing, aged
twenty-nine, returned to his old work in Berlin. Again he
translated, edited, criticised. He wrote a tragedy, "Philotas," and
began a "Faust." He especially employed his critical power in