From the Hans Christian Andersen biography "The Life of Hans Christian Andersen. Day By Day", written by DPhil Johan de Mylius:

1845

First book in English
Summer Journey
Leaves for a journey in Europe

In this year

A novel titled Slottet ved Rhinen (Castle on the Rhine) by Carsten Hauch is published. The book contains a figure very similar to HCA and depicts this figure as being fit for an asylum. Hauch's opinion of HCA has been somewhat varied throughout the years, but at this stage, he and Oehlenschläger - unofficially - agree to criticise him, partly due to envy over HCA's international success.

This year also sees the release of a German translation of the novel Tante Anna (Aunt Anna) by Henriette Hanck (labelled as a short story). The preface was written by HCA.

Also in this year, more sizeable editions of HCA's fairy-tales are published in Germany, e.g. Julius Reuscher's translation, Märchen. Gesamtausgabe (Vol. 1, the next two are released in 1846 and 1847) by Simion, Berlin. Simion offers HCA two louisdores (French currency) in payment for every 16 pages written for his biography, should he be willing to let Simion publish his collected works. Also Reuscher, the translator, wishes to publish HCA's collected writings.

Early 1845

The Improvisatore is published in Russian, translated by J.K. Grot.

1845: First book in English


February

Mary Howitt's translation of Improvisatoren into English is published by Richard Bentley, titled The Improvisatore, or, Life in Italy. The first volume opens with a 37 page long biography of HCA (as far as 1835) written by Mary Howitt on the basis of Xavier Marmier's "Une vie de poète". HCA's first letter to Mary Howitt is in Danish and the following are in German. She had translated the book from a German version. Mary Howitt's translation of The Improvisatore is released shortly after in an American pirate copy in New York.

16 February

Sees the first performance at the Royal Theatre ofLykkens Blomst (The Flower of Happiness. Fairy-tale comedy in Two Acts (with music by Rung). Is performed a total of 6 times in HCA's life.

22 February

A book version of The Flower of Joy is published.

March

The song "Pandebeen, Øiesteen" (Forehead, Eyes) is printed in H.V. and Jul. Chr. Gerson's Maanedsskrift for Børn (Monthly Magazine for Children) vol. 1., 1st booklet.

26 March

Den nye Barselstue (The New Lying-In Room - a title which refers to a comedy by Ludvig Holberg) is performed for the first time at the Royal Theatre. There are 61 performances of the play in HCA's lifetime. On this day also, HCA receives his first visit from the critic P.L. Møller.

7 April

Release of Nye Eventyr. Tredje Samling (New Tales. Third Installment) ("Elverhøj" (The Elf Mound), "De røde Skoe" (The Red Shoes), "Springfyrene" (The Jumpers), "Hyrdinden og Skorsteensfeieren" (The Shepherdess and the Chimneysweep),"Holger Danske"). On this day also, HCA plucks up enough courage to request from the king an increase in his yearly grant or appanage, which then amounted to 400 rdl.

8 April

Receives the news that the king has increased his yearly grant by 100 "Specier" (200 rix dollars). On this day he also sits for the painter J.V. Gertner.

10th and 15th May

Sits for the painter and lithographer E.D. Bærentzen. This portrait appears, during the next 13 years, in a number of versions. In 1846, for example, it is used in the English version of A Poet's Bazaar. Bærentzen himself uses it in his gallery of portraits, "Dansk Pantheon".

19 May

At 01.30 (1.30 am) he receives a letter from Jonas Collin saying that his wife is on her deathbed. In the letter he is requested - as "a child of the house" - to be present during her final hour. HCA immediately runs over to the Collins'.

21 May

Henriette Collin dies.

June

"Klokken" (The Bell) is published in Maanedsskrift for Børn (Monthly Magazine for Children), illustrated by Lehmann. This story is HCA's final unambiguous embracement of romanticism within "the little genre".

1845: Summer Journey


1 June

Departs on a summer journey headed for Nysø (including a visit to Vemmetofte. Is very annoyed by Baroness Stampe and argues with her). Continues on 15th to Bregentved and from here via Vordingborg to Corselitze (where he is informed that the steamship Caroline Amalie, which he had sailed with from Copenhagen to Kallehave, has sunk). From Corselitze he continues on 6th July to Ingemann's home in Sorø (visits the Hauchs and Oehlenschlägers) and from here the journey goes to Glorup (arrival on 12th, visits Mullerup and Broholm whilst here, as well as Svendborg). On 27th July he journeys to Odense, where he dines with the crown prince. Continues via Middelfart, Snoghøj and Horsens to Skanderborg, where he witnesses the unveiling of a monument in memory of Frederik VI (HCA meets Christian VIII here). He then accompanies the Students Choir Association to Århus, where he visits A.F Elmquist, a publisher of periodicals.

22 June

Receives P.L Møller's biography of him by post (an article to be printed in Dansk Pantheon in the same year. HCA is asked to comment on the biography before it is printed.

Approx. 1st august

English publication of Kun en Spillemand and O.T., in a collected edition with 3 volumes: Only a Fiddler, and O.T., or, life in Denmark. By the Author of the Improvisatore, or, Life in Italy. This edition is published by Richard Bentley of London, translated by Mary Howitt. HCA's name is not mentioned in any of the three volumes.

2 August

Sails from Århus to Copenhagen with the steamship Hertha. Arrives on the same day.

20 August

A commemorative poem by HCA for Count Conrad Rantzau of Breitenburg is printed in the newspaper Berlingske Tidende.

25 August

Drives to Bregentved (visits Turebyholm whilst there) Returns on 31st.

September

Release of a new and extended German edition of Picture Book without Pictures (from 20 to 31 evenings) called Bilderbuch ohne Bilder. This is the 6th edition since 1841. This extended version, translated by Julius Reuscher, is even printed by two different publishers in Berlin, namely C.A Wolff and C.H. Schultze. This particular book, which never received a great deal of attention in Denmark, is one of HCA's most popular on the German Market.

25 September

Jenny Lind, the famed Swedish opera singer, arrives in Copenhagen. HCA spends a great deal of time with her until her departure on 22nd October. During the time she is in Copenhagen, HCA's almanac contains almost daily mentions of her. He allows himself to hope, in spite of knowing better. The resulting frustrations cause him to feel "sick at heart" (the almanac, 20th October). "She toasted me as she would her brother" (the almanac 21st).

19 October

Models for the painter J.V. Gertner. The portrait is an etching which shows HCA standing with hat and cane.

1845: Leaves for a journey in Europe


HCA departs on a journey in Europe lasting almost a full year. Goes first to Glorup (1st - 10th November), from here via Odense, Assens and Åbenrå to Gråsten (Gravensten), where he is the guest of Duke Christian August of Augustenborg from 12th - 21st November. His spirits are dampened by the political discussions.

19th - 21st November

Sits for the painter Carl Hartmann for a water painting. Hartman had, incidentally, already made a pencil drawing of HCA on the day after his arrival. Before the end of HCA's stay at Gråsten, Hartmann manages to do 4 more pencil drawings of him, as well as a group portrait (also in pencil), in which HCA is portrayed reading aloud for the Augustenborg ducal family (Christian August, Duke of Augustenborg, Princess Louise Augusta, Prince Frederik, Duchess Louise Sophie, and Princess Amalie; the drawing also shows two unidentified ladies).

22 November

Travels from Gråsten to Hamburg, where he visits his illustrator, Otto Speckter (whose drawings HCA is very pleased with). Continues on 27th to Oldenburg, where he is a guest of Grand Duke August on several occasions.

December

"Den lille Pige med Svovlstikkerne" (The Little Matchstick Girl) (written at Gråsten Castle) is printed in Dansk Folkekalender for 1846 (The Danish Folk Calendar), illustrated by J.Th. Lundbye.

17 December

Continues via Hannover, Braunschweig and Magdeburg to Berlin (arriving 19th). Whilst here, he visits Alexander von Humboldt, Minister Friedrich Karl von Savigny and the translator Julius Reuscher. Also sees the lyrical poet Geibel and Bettina von Arnhin once again. Spends time on several occasions with the brothers Grimm. Discusses fairy-tales in general with Jacob and speaks with Wilhelm about his own. Wilhelm Grimm especially likes "Grantræet" (The Fir Tree). Partakes in a royal banquet held by Frederik Wilhelm IV of Prussia. The king is familiar with Only a Fiddler, but not the fairy-tales. However, he does mention that he had asked about HCA whilst in Copenhagen, immediately upon his arrival. HCA is the centre of attention in Berlin's high society - he is aware of this and acts accordingly. Several artists and central figures in Berlin's cultural life have invited people to come and meet HCA, but he does not show up. The sister of the painter Caroline Bardua, Wilhelmine, has made the following entry in her diary:

"By his mere presence, the poet Andersen affects every one in the social circles - from the court and downwards - he is the hero of the day".

In her diary, Wilhelmine Bardua describes HCA as "highly talkative and accompanies his talk with lively gesticulating" and claims that he "is quite good looking". HCA's principle reason for coming to Berlin is to be with Jenny Lind, but already before they meet he mentions in his diary on 19th: "I feel that I do not love her as one may". By this he meant that he was more able to dream about her than to actually approach her. During the stay, he vacillates between being extremely angry with her, telling himself that he does not love her any more, and fluttering around her.
Attends a dinner at Jenny Lind's on New Year Eve. There is a Christmas tree in honour of HCA, who she has repeatedly put in his place, during his stay in Berlin, by calling him "a child" and "a good person" (the diary, 26th and 31st). They are both frightened when a C note is heard from the piano, which has not been touched. (HCA has a fear of seeing deceased persons and had therefore wished that they should mark their presence with tones). On the 29th December and 2nd January, he sits for an unknown painter.

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