Gottlieb Mittelberger

Gottlieb Mittelberger (1714 – 1758) was a German author, schoolmaster, organist, and Lutheran pastor. He was best known for his work Journey to Pennsylvania (1756). Mittelberger's travelogue provides a firsthand historic account of the misery and exploitation of German immigrants during the US colonial period. Quotes thumb|People are far more sincere and generous than in Germany; therefore our Americans live more quietly and peacefully together than the Europeans; and all this is the result of the liberty which they enjoy and which makes them all equal. Die Warheit zu sagen, so höret oder siehet man selten einen Streit swischen ihnen; es trauen die fremdesten Leute einander mehr, als in Europa die Bekannten. Man ist auch viel aufrichtiger und liebreicher gegeneinander als in Teutschland, darum leben unsere Americaner viel ruhiger und friedsamer als die Europäer zusammen, und dieses alles macht die Freyheit, worinnen alle einander gleich sind. To speak the truth, one seldom hears or sees a quarrel among them. Even strangers trust each other more than acquaintances in Europe. People are far more sincere and generous than in Germany; therefore our Americans live more quietly and peacefully together than the Europeans; and all this is the result of the liberty which they enjoy and which makes them all equal. Reise nach Pennsylvanien im Jahr 1750 und Rükreise nach Teutschland im Jahr 1754 (Stuttgart, 1756) p. 103. Translated by Carl Theodor Eben, Journey to Pennsylvania in the Year 1750, and Return to Germany in the Year 1754 (Philadelphia, PA: John Jos. McVey, 1898) pt. 2, p. 113 External links Category:Non-fiction authors from Germany Category:Educators from Germany Category:Organists Category:Lutherans Category:1714 births Category:1758 deaths