Heinrich Zschokke

[2] Zschokke retired from public life when the central government at Bern proposed to re-establish the federal system, but after the changes effected by Napoleon he entered the service of the canton of Aargau, with which he remained connected.

[2] While Zschokke appeared as one of the most distinguished and energetic public men in Switzerland, he still found time to cultivate his favorite literary pursuits, and it is chiefly by his numerous writings, historical and fictitious, that he became known to the world at large.

[2] Zschokke's tales, on which his literary reputation rests, are collected in several series, Bilder aus der Schweiz (Pictures from Switzerland, 5 vols., 1824–25), Ausgewählte Novellen und Dichtungen (16 vols., 1838–39).

[2] In Stunden der Andacht (Hours of devotion, 1809–1816; 27 editions in Zschokke's lifetime), which was widely read, he expounded in a rationalistic spirit the fundamental principles of religion and morality.

[2] According to the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, "Zschokke was not a great original writer, but he secured an eminent place in the literature of his time by his enthusiasm for modern ideas in politics and religion, by the sound, practical judgment displayed in his works, and by the energy and lucidity of his style.

[2] In his later years, Zschokke traveled regularly to Überlingen am Bodensee to enjoy the waters at the city's spa;[4] he died at his country house of Blumenhalde on the Aar.