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L. L. VON BRENKENHOFF. 1233
That Nordin’s historical papers are generally inaccurate, and full
of his own subjective views, is proved by the following criticism of
his biographical contributions to the Transactions of the Swedish
Academy. The "Biografiskt Lexicon" says on this subject: "The
annual eulogies pronounced in that Academy were written by
Nordin. Yet it cannot be said that he has left good patterns for
similar works. Most of these biographies are without order and
substance, full of subjective views and empirical reasonings. They
are written in a fluent style, yet they lack solidity and power. He
had the wrong notion about eloquence, that it did not require
historical accuracy. Besides, the author had this fault, that he
entered upon such writings too late. When such biographical notices
were required, he usually called in one of the students, and dictated
to him the whole biography, without taking down a single book,
and depending altogether upon his memory, which certainly was
unusually good. This notice we have derived from one who on
sundry such occasions acted as Nordin’s amanuensis."
For further accounts respecting Nordin see Hofberg’s Svenskt
Biografiskt Handlexicon, and also the Biografiskt Lexicon.
NOTE 253.
L. L. VON BRENKENHOFF.
This gentleman was the editor of the interesting publication,
which constitutes Document 276, D, pp. 679-687, and wherein he
exposes the false statements ofthe "Berlinische Monatsschrift." That
publication was issued in Potsdam, in 1789, under the title: "Paradoxa,
Part II, which treats not of military matters, but concerns the
pseudo-enlighteners." He was born in Dessau in 1750. At first he
was an officer in the army of Saxony, but afterwards in that of
Prussia. He died in 1799 with the rank of Major. Part I of his
"Paradoxa" which appeared in 1785 treated of the "Organisation of
the light troops." His father Leopold Schönberg von Brenkenhoff
stood high in the favour of Frederic II, by whom he was made
superior councillor of finance, of war, and of the royal domains. In
this latter capacity he succeeded in reclaiming large tracts of sub
merged and marshy territory; and thus was reckoned among the
benefactors of his country.
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