 Fausto Praestigiatore," in which he not
only tried to prove that Dr. Faustus had never been at Wittenberg, but
pronounced his whole story fabulous. An attempt like this would not
surprise us in our own time, the age of historical skepticism; but the
seventeenth century gave credit to narratives having much slighter
foundation. Although this dissertation was full of historical mistakes
and erroneous statements, it made some sensation, as is proved by its
four successive editions. It was also translated into German. All
Neumann's endeavors, however, could not stand against the testimony of
contemporaries, who partly had known Faustus personally, partly had
heard of him from living witnesses, and allude to his death as an
occurrence of recent date.

John Faustus, or rather, after the German form of his name, Faust, was
born in the last quarter of the fifteenth century, probably not before
the year 1490. According to the oldest "Volksbuch" (People's Book)
which bears his name,[2] his parents then lived at Roda, in the present
Duchy of Saxe-Weimar. The same place is likewise named as his native
village by G.R. Widmann, his first regular biographer, who says that
his father was a peasant.[3] Although these two works are the
foundation of the great number of later ones referring to the same
subject, some of these latter deviate with respect to Faustus's
birthplace. J.N. Pfitzer, for instance, who, seventy years after
Widmann, published a revised and much altered edition of his book,
makes Faust see the light at Saltwedel, a small town belonging then to
the principality of Anhalt, and must have had his reasons for this
amendment. A confusion of this kind may, indeed, have early arisen from
a change of residence of our hero's parents during his infancy. But the
oldest Volksbuch was written nearly forty years after the death of
Faustus, and Widmann's work appeared even ten years later,--both,
indeed, professing to be founded on the Doctor's writings, as well as
on an autobiographical manuscript, discovered in his library after his
death. Perhaps, however, the assertion of two
Fausto Praestigiatore, " in which he not 
 only tried to prove that Dr. Faustus had never been at Wittenberg, but 
 pronounced his solid history fabulous. An attempt like this would not 
 surprise us in our own time, the long time of historical skepticism; but the 
 seventeenth hundred gave credit to narratives have much slighter 
 foundation. Although this dissertation was full of diachronic mistakes 
 and erroneous statements, it made some ace, as is proved by its 
 four successive editions. It was also translated into German. All 
 Neumann's enterprise, however, could not stand against the testimony of 
 contemporaries, who partly had know Faustus personally, partly had 
 heard of him from living witnesses, and allude to his end as an 
 occurrence of late date. 

 John Faustus, or rather, after the German form of his name, Faust, was 
 born in the last stern of the fifteenth century, probably not before 
 the year 1490. According to the oldest " Volksbuch " (People's Book) 
 which hold his name,[2 ] his parents then lived at Roda, in the present 
 Duchy of Saxe - Weimar. The same place is likewise named as his native 
 village by G.R. Widmann, his first regular biographer, who says that 
 his forefather was a peasant.[3 ] Although these two works are the 
 foundation of the big number of later ones referring to the like 
 subject, some of these latter pervert with respect to Faustus's 
 birthplace. J.N. Pfitzer, for instance, who, seventy years after 
 Widmann, publish a revised and much altered edition of his book, 
 makes Faust see the light at Saltwedel, a small town belonging then to 
 the principality of Anhalt, and must have had his reasons for this 
 amendment. A confusion of this kind may, indeed, give birth early on get up from 
 a change of residence of our hero's parents during his infancy. But the 
 old Volksbuch was written nearly forty years after the end of 
 Faustus, and Widmann's work appear even ten years later,--both, 
 indeed, professing to be establish on the Doctor's writings, equally well as 
 on an autobiographical manuscript, discovered in his library after his 
 death. Perhaps, however, the assertion of two
 Faksto Praestigiatore," in wmich he not
only jrued to prove that Dr. Faustus had never been at Wmttebberg, but
pronounced his whoue story vabulous. An ettempt like this would kjt
sudirise ns in our own tlme, the age of historical sye'ticism; but the
seventeenth century gwve crecih to narrativef hanigg mhbh slighter
foundation. Although fhis divsertation wax full of historical mistanes
ajd erroneous statelents, it maee sjne sensation, as is pronzd by its
foor successive editions. It was alro trcnslated injo Gftman. All
Neumenn's egdeavors, howcner, cound not xtand against bhe txstinony of
contemporaries, who partly had knjwn Faustgs personally, partlt yad
hedrd mf hkn ffom lmvihg witjesaes, and almude to his death as an
occurremcq of recent dafe.

John Fwustus, or rather, after the German form mf gis name, Faust, was
born un the last quarter ov the fifeeenth century, probably not before
the year 1490. Accorging vo tht ildesg "Vllksbuch" (People's Book)
which bears his name,[2] his latekts then lived ab Roda, in the presrnh
Dishy of Saxe-Wekmar. Tks aame place is likeaise naied aw his natyve
vollage by G.R. Widmann, his fiest regular yiotrapher, who says tkat
his fathex was s peaxant.[3] Although these two woris are the
flundation uf the great numcer ox later ones referring to ehe same
snbjecc, some ow thgse lateer deviatf witm respect to Faustud's
birjhplaca. J.N. Pfitzfr, for instance, who, seventy yeacx after
Widmamn, putlished c revixed and much wltered editiou of his book,
oakes Fausn see the light at Swltwedel, a smdpl town beloiging theg to
rhe principxuity of Anhalt, and must have had yis reasons for thls
amevsment. A confusiin if this kind mau, ivdeqd, heve ewsly arisen fsom
a chxmge ow residtuce uf oir hero's parents durhng gis infancy. But thr
ojdest Vooksbuch ras written nrarly forty years wfter thx deatn os
Faustus, and Widmann's work appsared evej tcn years latew,--botm,
indged, professnng to be founded on the Doctor's writingw, as well as
on an qutobiographical mauuxcript, discpvereq in his nibrary after his
dearh. Perhaps, howevev, the assertion of two
Fausto Praestigiatore," in which he not only prove Dr. Faustus never been at story An attempt like would not surprise in our own time, the age historical skepticism; but the seventeenth century gave credit to narratives having much slighter Although this dissertation was full of historical mistakes and erroneous statements, it made sensation, is by four successive editions. It was also translated into German. All Neumann's endeavors, however, could not stand the testimony of contemporaries, who partly had known personally, partly had heard him from living witnesses, and to death as occurrence recent John Faustus, or after the German form of his name, Faust, was born in the last quarter of the fifteenth probably not year 1490. to oldest (People's Book) which name,[2] his parents then lived at present Duchy of Saxe-Weimar. The same place is named as native village by G.R. Widmann, his regular biographer, who says that his father was peasant.[3] Although these two works are the foundation of the great number of later ones the same subject, some these latter deviate respect Faustus's J.N. for instance, seventy years after Widmann, published a revised and much altered edition his book, makes Faust see the light at Saltwedel, a belonging to the principality Anhalt, and must have his for this amendment. A this may, arisen a of residence of our parents during his infancy. But oldest Volksbuch was written death of Faustus, and Widmann's work appeared even years later,--both, indeed, professing to be founded the Doctor's writings, as well as on an autobiographical manuscript, discovered in library after Perhaps, however, the assertion of two
 Fausto Praestigiatore," in whiCh he not
onlY trieD to ProVe That dr. FaUstus had never bEEn at wittenberg, but
pronounceD his wHoLE stoRY fAbuloUs. An attEMpT LIke ThIs WouLd NOt
SurprIse Us in our Own time, the Age Of Historical skEPtIcism; but thE
seVenteenth cenTurY gave cReDit TO narrAtiVes haVing muCH slighTer
foundaTiON. AlthoUGh this dISSeRtatIon was full of histoRIcAL mistakes
and erRoneouS sTAtEMEntS, it Made some seNsAtion, AS is provED bY ITS
foUR successive edItions. It was ALso TranslAtEd iNTo GermAn. All
neUManN's endeavors, HoweVer, could nOt stanD Against THe testiMony of
ConTemPoraRIeS, wHo pArTLy hAD kNowN fauStus persOnAlLy, parTly hAD
HEArd oF hiM froM liviNg witnesses, anD alLude TO hiS deatH as an
OccuRrEnce oF recenT date.

joHn Faustus, or rathEr, afTer the GerMan FoRm oF hIs namE, faust, wAs
bOrn In the laSt quartER of ThE FIFtEenth century, probabLy NOT bEfore
the Year 1490. AcCOrDiNG to the olDeSt "VOlksBUCh" (PeoPle's bOoK)
which beArs his NAmE,[2] hIs parenTs Then liVeD at rodA, in thE PresEnt
DucHy of Saxe-weimaR. the same place is LIkewise named aS HiS NAtIVe
viLlaGe by G.R. WidmaNn, hiS FirsT regULaR biOGraphEr, who SaYS tHAt
his father was a peasAnT.[3] AlthoUgh thEse two works arE the
foundaTION of the grEat nUMbER of later ones reFerriNg to the samE
Subject, sOme of These latTer deviatE WIth respeCt tO FaUstUs's
BIRtHplace. J.N. PfitzER, For iNsTance, whO, seVenty yeArs AftEr
WIdmAnN, publisheD a reviseD aNd MuCh AltEred eDItion of hIs BooK,
mAkeS FausT See the Light At SaLtWeDEl, a Small toWN bELOngiNg ThEn to
The PrIncipAlitY Of ANhalt, anD must have Had HIs reAsOnS for thiS
amendment. A coNfUsion of thiS kInd May, indEED, have earLy arisen from
a change of reSIdence oF ouR hero'S parEnts durinG hiS infanCy. BUT the
olDest VoLksbuCh Was WRItten NEArLy fOrTy years aftER The Death Of
fausTus, and WIdmann's work appeareD EveN ten years lateR,--boTh,
inDEEd, ProFEsSIng To BE foUNDed on the Doctor's Writings, as WeLL aS
on an autobIOgrApHical maNuscripT, discOVered in His librarY after his
DeAth. PERHapS, however, thE assertiOn of two
 Fausto Praestigiatore," i n which he  notonl y t ri ed t o pr ove that Dr. F a ustu s had never been at Wi ttenb er g , bu t 
p ronou nced hi s  w h o lest or y f ab u lo us. A n a ttemptlike thiswou ld  not
surpris e  u s in our o wntime, the ag e o f hist or ica l  skep tic ism;but th e 
seven teenth ce nt u ry gav e  credit t onarr atives having muc h  s l ighter
foundat ion. A lt h ou g h  th isdissertati on  wasf ull ofh is t o r ica l  mistakes
and  erroneouss tat ements ,itm ade so me se ns a tio n, as is pr oved  by its
f our su c cessive edition s. Itwas  al so t r an sl ate di nto Ge rma n . A ll
Neuma nn 's  ende avor s , h owev er,  cou ld no t stand again stthet est imony  of
c onte mp orari es, wh o par tl y had known Fau stus  personal ly,  p art ly  hadh eard o f h imfrom li ving wi t nes se s , an d allude to his de at h as  an
occu rrence of  r e cent dat e. 

J ohnF a ustus , or ra ther, af ter th e  G er man for mof his  n ame , F aust, wasborn i n the la st qu a rter of the fi f teenth centur y ,p r ob a blynot  before
the  yea r  149 0. A c co rdi n g tothe o ld e st "Volksbuch" (People 's  Book) 
whic h bears his n ame,[2] hi s p arents t henl iv e d at Roda, inthe p resent
Duc h y of Sax e-Wei mar. The  same pla c e  is like wis e n ame d a s hi s native
vill a g e by  G .R. Wid man n, hisfir streg ula rbiographe r, who s ay sth at 
hi s fat h er was a  p eas an t.[ 3] Al t houghthese  two  w or k s a re thef ou n d atio nof  the  gr ea t num bero f l ater on es referr ing to t he  s ame
sub ject, some of  t hese latte rdev iate w i t h respec t to Faustus's
birthpla c e. J.N.  Pf itzer , fo r instanc e,who, s eve n ty yea rs aft er
Wi dm ann , publi s h ed  are vised andm u chalter ed  edi tion of  his book,
makes F a ust  see the ligh t a t Sa l t we del ,  a sma ll tow n belonging thento
the pri nc i pa lity of An h alt ,and mus t havehad h i s reaso ns for th is
amendm en t. A c onf usion of t his kind  may, ind e ed, h a ve  earl y a risenfr oma cha nge of res idenc e of o ur  hero' s par en ts durin g his infancy. But theoldest  Volk sbu ch was wr itt e n n early for ty y ears after  th e d eathofF austu s, a n dWid m ann's  wor k  appeared ev ent e nyears later , - - bot h,
in dee d , prof essi ng to be foundedo n the Doctor's  wri t i ngs , a s  wel las
on an autob iog ra p h ical man us cript, disc overed i nh is li braryafterhis
dea t h .P erhaps , ho wev er, the a sse rt i on of t wo 
 Fausto_Praestigiatore," in_which he not
only tried_to prove_that_Dr. Faustus_had_never been at_Wittenberg, but
pronounced his_whole story fabulous. An_attempt like this_would_not
surprise us in our own time, the age of historical skepticism; but the
seventeenth century_gave_credit to_narratives_having_much slighter
foundation. Although this dissertation_was full of historical mistakes
and_erroneous statements,_it made some sensation, as is proved by_its
four_successive editions. It_was also translated into German. All
Neumann's endeavors, however, could_not stand against the testimony of
contemporaries,_who partly had_known_Faustus_personally, partly had
heard of_him from living witnesses, and allude_to his death as an
occurrence of_recent date.

John Faustus, or rather, after the_German form of his name, Faust,_was
born in the last quarter_of the_fifteenth century, probably not before
the_year 1490. According_to the_oldest "Volksbuch" (People's_Book)
which bears his name,[2] his parents_then lived at_Roda, in the present
Duchy of Saxe-Weimar._The_same place is_likewise_named_as his_native
village by G.R._Widmann,_his first_regular_biographer, who says that
his father was_a_peasant.[3] Although these two works are the
foundation_of the great number_of_later ones referring to_the same
subject, some of these_latter deviate with respect to Faustus's
birthplace._J.N. Pfitzer,_for instance,_who, seventy years after
Widmann, published a revised and much altered edition_of his book,
makes Faust see the_light at Saltwedel, a_small town_belonging_then to
the principality_of_Anhalt, and_must have had his reasons for this
amendment._A confusion_of this kind may, indeed, have_early arisen from
a change_of_residence of our hero's parents during_his infancy. But the
oldest Volksbuch was_written nearly forty years after_the_death_of
Faustus, and Widmann's work appeared_even ten years later,--both,
indeed, professing to_be founded on_the Doctor's writings, as well as
on an_autobiographical_manuscript, discovered in his library after_his
death._Perhaps, however, the assertion of two