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| author | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-03-08 08:12:57 -0700 |
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| committer | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-03-08 08:12:57 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/78139-0.txt b/78139-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..46b50af --- /dev/null +++ b/78139-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16976 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78139 *** +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + WILHELM MEISTER’S + APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAVELS. + + TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF GOETHE. + + By THOMAS CARLYLE. + + COMPLETE IN TWO VOLUMES. + VOLUME II. + + + + + + + + + NEW YORK: + A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + MEISTER’S APPRENTICESHIP. + + --------------------------------------- + + + BOOK VIII. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER I. + + +Felix skipped into the garden; Wilhelm followed him with rapture: a +lovely morning was displaying every thing with fresh charms; our friend +enjoyed the most delightful moment. Felix was new in the free and lordly +world, nor did his father know much more than he about the objects +concerning which the little creature was repeatedly and unweariedly +inquiring. At last they joined the gardener, who had to tell them the +names and uses of a multitude of plants. Wilhelm looked on nature as +with unscaled eyes: the child’s new-fangled curiosity first made him +sensible how weak an interest he himself had taken in external things, +how small his actual knowledge was. Not till this day, the happiest of +his life, did his own cultivation seem to have commenced: he felt the +necessity of learning, being called upon to teach. + +Jarno and the abbé did not show themselves again till evening, when they +brought a guest along with them. Wilhelm viewed the stranger with +amazement; he could scarce believe his eyes: it was Werner, who +likewise, for a moment, hesitated in his recognition. They embraced each +other tenderly: neither of them could conceal that he thought the other +greatly altered. Werner declared that his friend was taller, stronger, +straighter; that he had become more polished in his looks and carriage. +“Something of his old true-heartedness I miss, however,” added he. +“That, too, will soon appear again,” said Wilhelm, “when we have +recovered from our first astonishment.” + +The impression Werner made upon his friend was by no means so favorable. +The honest man seemed rather to have retrograded than advanced. He was +much leaner than of old; his peaked face appeared to have grown sharper, +his nose longer; brow and crown had lost their hair; the voice, clear, +eager, shrill, the hollow breast and stooping shoulders, the sallow +cheeks, announced indubitably that a melancholic drudge was there. + +Wilhelm was discreet enough to speak but sparingly of these great +changes; while the other, on the contrary, gave free course to his +friendly joy. “In truth,” cried he, “if thou hast spent thy time badly, +and, as I suppose, gained nothing, it must be owned thou art grown a +piece of manhood such as cannot fail to turn to somewhat. Do not waste +and squander me this, too, again: with such a figure thou shalt buy some +rich and beautiful heiress.”--“I see,” said Wilhelm, smiling, “thou wilt +not belie thy character. Scarcely hast thou found thy brother after long +absence, when thou lookest on him as a piece of goods, a thing to +speculate on and make profit by.” + +Jarno and the abbé did not seem at all astonished at this recognition: +they allowed the two to expatiate on the past and present as they +pleased. Werner walked round and round his friend, turned him to this +side and to that, so as almost to embarrass him. “No!” cried he, “such a +thing as this I never met with, and yet I know that I am not mistaken. +Thy eyes are deeper, thy brow is broader; thy nose has grown finer, thy +mouth more lovely. Do but look at him, how he stands; how it all suits +and fits together! Well, idling is the way to grow. But for me, poor +devil,” said he, looking at himself in the glass, “if I had not all this +while been making store of money, it were over with me altogether.” + +Werner had got Wilhelm’s last letter: the distant trading-house, in +common with which Lothario meant to purchase the estates, was theirs. On +that business Werner had come hither, not dreaming that he should meet +with Wilhelm on the way. The baron’s lawyer came: the papers were +produced; Werner reckoned the conditions reasonable. “If you mean well,” +said he, “as you seem to do, with this young man, you will of yourselves +take care that our part be not abridged: it shall be at my friend’s +option whether he will take the land and lay out a portion of his +fortune on it.” Jarno and the abbé protested that they did not need this +admonition. Scarcely had the business been discussed in general terms, +when Werner signified a longing for a game at ombre; to which, in +consequence, Jarno and the abbé set themselves along with him. He was +now grown so accustomed to it, that he could not pass the evening +without cards. + +The two friends, after supper, being left alone, began to talk and +question one another very keenly, touching every thing they wished to +have communicated. Wilhelm spoke in high terms of his situation, of his +happiness in being received among such men. Werner shook his head, and +said, “Well, I see, we should believe nothing that we do not see with +our eyes. More than one obliging friend assured me thou wert living with +a wild young nobleman, wert supplying him with actresses, helping him to +waste his money; that, by thy means, he had quarrelled with every one of +his relations.”--“For my own sake, and the sake of these worthy +gentlemen, I should be vexed at this,” said Wilhelm, “had not my +theatrical experience made me tolerant to every sort of calumny. How can +men judge rightly of our actions, which appear but singly or in +fragments to them; of which they see the smallest portion; while good +and bad take place in secret, and for most part nothing comes to light +but an indifferent show? Are not the actors and actresses in a play set +up on boards before them; lamps are lit on every side; the whole +transaction is comprised within three hours; yet scarcely one of them +knows rightly what to make of it?” + +Our friend proceeded to inquire about his family, his young comrades, +his native town. Werner told, with great haste, of changes that had +taken place, of changes that were still in progress. “The women in our +house,” said he, “are satisfied and happy: we are never short of money. +One-half of their time they spend in dressing, the other in showing +themselves when dressed. They are as domestic as a reasonable man could +wish. My boys are growing up to prudent youths. I already, as in vision, +see them sitting, writing, reckoning, running, trading, trucking: each +of them, as soon as possible, shall have a business of his own. As to +what concerns our fortune, thou wilt be contented with the state of it. +When we have got these lands in order, thou must come directly home with +me; for it now appears as if thou, too, couldst mingle with some skill +in worldly undertakings, thanks to thy new friends, who have set thee on +the proper path. I am certainly a fool: I never knew till now how well I +liked thee;--now when I cannot gape and gaze at thee enough, so well and +handsome thou lookest. That is, in truth, another form than the portrait +which was sent thy sister, which occasioned such disputes at home. Both +mother and daughter thought young master very handsome indeed, with his +slack collar, half-open breast, large ruff, sleek, pendent hair, round +hat, short waistcoat, and wide pantaloons; while I, on the other hand, +maintained that the costume was scarce two finger-breadths from that of +harlequin. But now thou lookest like a man; only the cue is wanting, in +which I beg of thee to bind thy hair; else, some time or other, they +will seize thee as a Jew, and demand toll and tribute of thee.” + +Felix, in the mean time, had come into the room; and, as they did not +mind him, he had laid himself upon the sofa, and was fallen asleep. +“What urchin is this?” said Werner. Wilhelm at that moment had not the +heart to tell the truth, nor did he wish to lay a still ambiguous +narrative before a man who was by nature any thing but credulous. + +The whole party now proceeded to the lands, to view them, and conclude +the bargain. Wilhelm would not part with Felix from his side: for the +boy’s sake, he rejoiced exceedingly in the intended purchase. The +longing of the child for cherries and berries, the season for which was +at hand, brought to his mind the days of his own youth, and the manifold +duties of a father, to prepare, to procure, and to maintain for his +family a constant series of enjoyments. With what interest he viewed the +nurseries and the buildings! How zealously he contemplated repairing +what had been neglected, restoring what had fallen! He no longer looked +upon the world with the eyes of a bird of passage: an edifice he did not +now consider as a grove that is hastily put together, and that withers +ere one leaves it. Every thing that he proposed commencing was to be +completed for his boy: every thing that he erected was to last for +several generations. In this sense his apprenticeship was ended: with +the feeling of a father, he had acquired all the virtues of a citizen. +He felt this, and nothing could exceed his joy. “O needless strictness +of morality!” exclaimed he, “while Nature in her own kindly manner +trains us to all that we require to be. O strange demands of civil +society! which first perplexes and misleads us, then asks of us more +than Nature herself. Woe to every sort of culture which destroys the +most effectual means of all true culture, and directs us to the end, +instead of rendering us happy on the way!” + +Much as he had already seen in his life, it seemed as if the observation +of the child afforded him his first clear view of human nature. The +theatre, the world, had appeared before him, only as a multitude of +thrown dice, every one of which upon its upper surface indicates a +greater or a smaller value, and which, when reckoned up together, make a +sum. But here in the person of the boy, as we might say, a single die +was laid before him, on the many sides of which the worth and +worthlessness of man’s nature were legibly engraved. + +The child’s desire to have distinctions made in his ideas grew stronger +every day. Having learned that things had names, he wished to hear the +name of every thing: supposing that there could be nothing which his +father did not know, he often teased him with his questions, and caused +him to inquire concerning objects which, but for this, he would have +passed without notice. Our innate tendency to pry into the origin and +end of things was likewise soon developed in the boy. When he asked +whence came the wind, and whither went the flame, his father for the +first time truly felt the limitation of his own powers, and wished to +understand how far man may venture with his thoughts, and what things he +may hope ever to give account of to himself or others. The anger of the +child, when he saw injustice done to any living thing, was extremely +grateful to the father, as the symptom of a generous heart. Felix once +struck fiercely at the cook for cutting up some pigeons. The fine +impression this produced on Wilhelm was, indeed, erelong disturbed, when +he found the boy unmercifully tearing sparrows in pieces and beating +frogs to death. This trait reminded him of many men, who appear so +scrupulously just when without passion, and witnessing the proceedings +of other men. + +The pleasant feeling, that the boy was producing so fine and wholesome +an influence on his being, was, in a short time, troubled for a moment, +when our friend observed, that in truth the boy was educating him more +than he the boy. The child’s conduct he was not qualified to correct: +its mind he could not guide in any path but a spontaneous one. The evil +habits which Aurelia had so violently striven against had all, as it +seemed, on her death, assumed their ancient privileges. Felix still +never shut the door behind him, he still would not eat from a plate; and +no greater pleasure could befall him than when he happened to be +overlooked, and could take his bit immediately from the dish, or let the +full glass stand, and drink out of the bottle. He delighted also very +much when he could set himself in a corner with a book, and say with a +serious air, “I must study this scholar stuff!” though he neither knew +his letters, nor would learn them. + +Thus, when Wilhelm thought how little he had done for Felix, how little +he was capable of doing, there arose at times a restlessness within him, +which appeared to counterbalance all his happiness. “Are we men, then,” +said he, “so selfishly formed, that we cannot possibly take proper +charge of any one without us? Am I not acting with the boy exactly as I +did with Mignon? I drew the dear child towards me: her presence gave me +pleasure, yet I cruelly neglected her. What did I do for her education, +which she longed for with such earnestness? Nothing! I left her to +herself, and to all the accidents to which, in a society of coarse +people, she could be exposed. And now for this boy, who seemed so +interesting before he could be precious to thee, has thy heart ever bid +thee do the smallest service to him? It is time that thou shouldst cease +to waste thy own years and those of others: awake, and think what thou +shouldst do for thyself, and for this good being, whom love and nature +have so firmly bound to thee.” + +This soliloquy was but an introduction to admit that he had already +thought and cared, and tried and chosen: he could delay no longer to +confess it. After sorrow, often and in vain repeated, for the loss of +Mariana, he distinctly felt that he must seek a mother for the boy; and +also that he could not find one equal to Theresa. With this gifted lady +he was thoroughly acquainted. Such a spouse and helpmate seemed the only +one to trust one’s self to in such circumstances. Her generous affection +for Lothario did not make him hesitate. By a singular destiny, they two +had been forever parted: Theresa looked upon herself as free; she had +talked of marrying, with indifference, indeed, but as of a matter +understood. + +After long deliberation he determined on communicating to her every +thing he knew about himself. She was to be made acquainted with him, as +he already was with her. He accordingly began to take a survey of his +history; but it seemed to him so empty of events, and in general so +little to his credit, that he more than once was on the point of giving +up his purpose. At last, however, he resolved on asking Jarno for the +Roll of his Apprenticeship, which he had noticed lying in the tower: +Jarno said it was the very time for that, and Wilhelm consequently got +it. + +It is a feeling of awe and fear which seizes on a man of noble mind when +conscious that his character is just about to be exhibited before him. +Every transition is a crisis, and a crisis presupposes sickness. With +what reluctance do we look into the glass after rising from a sick-bed! +The recovery we feel: the effects of the past disease are all we see. +Wilhelm had, however, been sufficiently prepared: events had already +spoken loudly to him, and his friends had not spared him. If he opened +the roll of parchment with some hurry, he grew calmer and calmer the +farther he read. He found his life delineated with large, sharp strokes; +neither unconnected incidents, nor narrow sentiments, perplexed his +view; the most bland and general reflections taught, without shaming +him. For the first time his own figure was presented to him, not, +indeed, as in a mirror, a second self, but as in a portrait, another +self: we do not, it is true, recognize ourselves in every feature; but +we are delighted that a thinking spirit has so understood us, that such +gifts have been employed in representing us, that an image of what we +were exists, and may endure when we ourselves are gone. + +Wilhelm next employed himself in setting forth the history of his life, +for the perusal of Theresa: all the circumstances of it were recalled to +memory by what he had been reading; he almost felt ashamed that to her +great virtues he had nothing to oppose which indicated a judicious +activity. He had been minute in his written narrative: he was brief in +the letter which he sent along with it. He solicited her friendship, her +love if it were possible: he offered her his hand, and entreated for a +quick decision. + +After some internal contest, whether it were proper to impart this +weighty business to his friends,--to Jarno and the abbé,--he determined +not to do so. His resolution was so firm, the business was of such +importance, that he could not have submitted it to the decision of the +wisest and best of men. He was even cautious enough to carry his letter +with his own hand to the nearest post. From his parchment-roll it +appeared with certainty enough, that in very many actions of his life, +in which he had conceived himself to be proceeding freely and in secret, +he had been observed, nay, guided; and perhaps the thought of this had +given him an unpleasant feeling: and he wished at least, in speaking to +Theresa’s heart, to speak purely from the heart,--to owe his fate to her +decision and determination only. Hence, in this solemn point; he +scrupled not to give his overseers the slip. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER II. + + +Scarcely was the letter gone, when Lothario returned. Every one was +gladdened at the prospect of so speedily concluding the important +business which they had in hand. Wilhelm waited with anxiety to see how +all these many threads were to be loosed, or tied anew, and how his own +future state was to be settled. Lothario gave a kindly salutation to +them all: he was quite recovered and serene; he had the air of one who +knows what he should do, and who finds no hinderance in the way of doing +it. + +His cordial greeting Wilhelm could scarcely repay. “This,” he had to own +within himself, “is the friend, the lover, bridegroom, of Theresa: in +his stead thou art presuming to intrude. Dost thou think it possible for +thee to banish, to obliterate, an impression such as this?” Had the +letter not been sent away, perhaps he would not have ventured sending it +at all. But happily the die was cast: it might be, Theresa had already +taken up her resolution, and only distance shrouded with its veil a +happy termination. The winning or the losing must soon be decided. By +such considerations he endeavored to compose himself, and yet the +movements of his heart were almost feverish. He could give but little +attention to the weighty business, on which, in some degree, the fate of +his whole property depended. In passionate moments how trivial do we +reckon all that is about us, all that belongs to us! + +Happily for him, Lothario treated the affair with magnanimity, and +Werner with an air of ease. The latter, in his violent desire of gain, +experienced a lively pleasure in contemplating the fine estate which was +to be his friend’s. Lothario, for his part, seemed to be revolving very +different thoughts. “I cannot take such pleasure in the acquirement of +property,” said he, “as in the justness of it.” + +“And, in the name of Heaven,” cried Werner, “is not this of ours +acquired justly?” + +“Not altogether,” said Lothario. + +“Are we not giving hard cash for it?” + +“Doubtless,” replied Lothario; “and most probably you will consider what +I am now hinting at as nothing but a whim. No property appears to me +quite just, quite free of flaw, except it contribute to the state its +due proportion.” + +“What!” said Werner. “You would rather that our lands, which we have +purchased free from burden, had been taxable?” + +“Yes,” replied Lothario, “in a suitable degree. It is only by this +equality with every other kind of property, that our possession of it +can be made secure. In these new times, when so many old ideas are +tottering, what is the grand reason why the peasant reckons the +possession of the noble less equitable than his own? Simply that the +noble is not burdened, and lies a burden on him.” + +“But how would the interest of our capital agree with that?” said +Werner. + +“Perfectly well,” returned the other; “if the state, for a regular and +fair contribution, would relieve us from the feudal hocus-pocus; would +allow us to proceed with our lands according to our pleasure: so that we +were not compelled to retain such masses of them undivided, so that we +might part them more equally among our children, whom we might thus +introduce to vigorous and free activity, instead of leaving them the +poor inheritance of these our limited and limiting privileges, to enjoy +which we must ever be invoking the ghosts of our forefathers. How much +happier were men and women in our rank of life, if they might, with +unforbidden eyes, look round them, and elevate by their selection, here +a worthy maiden, there a worthy youth, regarding nothing further than +their own ideas of happiness in marriage! The state would have more, +perhaps better citizens, and would not so often be distressed for want +of heads and hands.” + +“I can assure you honestly,” said Werner, “I never in my life thought +about the state: my taxes, tolls, and tributes I have paid, because it +was the custom.” + +“Still, however,” said Lothario, “I hope to make a worthy patriot of +you. As he alone is a good father who at table serves his children +first; so is he alone a good citizen who, before all other outlays, +discharges what he owes the state.” + +By such general reflections their special business was accelerated +rather than retarded. It was nearly over, when Lothario said to Wilhelm, +“I must send you to a place where you are needed more than here. My +sister bids me beg of you to go to her as soon as possible. Poor Mignon +seems to be decaying more and more, and it is thought your presence +might allay the malady. Besides telling me in person, my sister has +despatched this note after me: so that you perceive she reckons it a +pressing case.” Lothario handed him a billet. Wilhelm, who had listened +in extreme perplexity, at once discovered in these hasty pencil-strokes +the hand of the countess, and knew not what to answer. + +“Take Felix with you,” said Lothario: “the little ones will cheer each +other. You must be upon the road to-morrow morning early: my sister’s +coach, in which my people travelled hither, is still here; I will give +you horses half the way, the rest you post. A prosperous journey to you! +Make many compliments from me, when you arrive: tell my sister I shall +soon be back, and that she must prepare for guests. Our grand-uncle’s +friend, the Marchese Cipriani, is on his way to visit us: he hoped to +find the old man still in life; they meant to entertain each other with +their common love of art, and the recollection of their early intimacy. +The marchese, much younger than my uncle, owed to him the greater part +of his accomplishments. We must exert all our endeavors to fill up, in +some measure, the void which is awaiting him; and a larger party is the +readiest means.” + +Lothario went with the abbé to his chamber; Jarno had ridden off before; +Wilhelm hastened to his room. There was none to whom he could unbosom +his distress, none by whose assistance he could turn aside the project, +which he viewed with so much fear. The little servant came, requesting +him to pack: they were to put the luggage on to-night, meaning to set +out by daybreak. Wilhelm knew not what to do: at length he cried, “Well, +I shall leave this house at any rate; on the road I may consider what is +to be done; at all events, I will halt in the middle of my journey; I +can send a message hither, I can write what I recoil from saying, then +let come of it what will.” In spite of this resolution, he spent a +sleepless night: a look on Felix resting so serenely was the only thing +that gave him any solace. “Oh, who knows,” cried he, “what trials are +before me! who knows how sharply by-gone errors will yet punish me, how +often good and reasonable projects for the future shall miscarry! But +this treasure, which I call my own, continue it to me, thou exorable or +inexorable Fate! Were it possible that this best part of myself were +taken from me, that this heart could be torn from my heart, then +farewell sense and understanding; farewell all care and foresight; +vanish thou tendency to perseverance! All that distinguishes us from the +beasts, pass away! And, if it is not lawful for a man to end his heavy +days by the act of his own hand, may speedy madness banish +consciousness, before death, which destroys it forever, shall bring on +his own long night.” + +He seized the boy in his arms, kissed him, clasped him, and wetted him +with plenteous tears. + +The child awoke: his clear eye, his friendly look, touched his father to +the inmost heart. “What a scene awaits me,” cried he, “when I shall +present thee to the beautiful, unhappy countess, when she shall press +thee to her bosom, which thy father has so deeply injured! Ought I not +to fear that she will push thee from her with a cry, when a touch of +thee renews her real or fancied pain?” The coachman did not leave him +time for further thought or hesitation, but forced him into the carriage +before day. Wilhelm wrapped his Felix well; the morning was cold but +clear: the child, for the first time in his life, saw the sun rise. His +astonishment at the first fiery glance of the luminary, at the growing +power of the light; his pleasure and his strange remarks,--rejoiced the +father, and afforded him a glimpse into the heart of the boy, before +which, as over a clear and silent sea, the sun was mounting and +hovering. + +In a little town the coachman halted, unyoked his horses, and rode back. +Wilhelm took possession of a room, and asked himself seriously whether +he would stay or proceed. Thus irresolute, he ventured to take out the +little note, which hitherto he had never had the heart to look on: it +contained the following words: “Send thy young friend very soon: Mignon +for the last two days has been growing rather worse. Sad as the occasion +is, I shall be happy to get acquainted with him.” + +The concluding words Wilhelm, at the first glance, had not seen. He was +terrified on reading them, and instantly determined not to go. “How?” +cried he, “Lothario, knowing what occurred between us, has not told her +who I am? She is not, with a settled mind, expecting an acquaintance, +whom she would rather not see: she expects a stranger,--and I enter! I +see her shudder and start back, I see her blush! No, it is impossible +for me to encounter such a scene!” Just then his horses were led out and +yoked: Wilhelm was determined to take off his luggage and remain. He +felt extremely agitated. Hearing the maid running up stairs to tell him, +as he thought, that all was ready, he began on the spur of the instant +to devise some pretext for continuing: his eyes were fixed, without +attention, on the letter which he still held in his hand. “In the name +of Heaven!” cried he, “what is this? It is not the hand of the countess: +it is the hand of the Amazon!” + +The maid came in, requested him to walk down, and took Felix with her. +“Is it possible,” exclaimed he, “is it true? What shall I do? Remain, +and wait, and certify myself? Or hasten, hasten, and rush into an +explanation? Thou art on the way to her, and thou canst loiter? This +night thou mayest see her, and thou wilt voluntarily lock thyself in +prison? It is her hand; yes, it is hers! This hand calls thee: her coach +is yoked to lead thee to her! Now the riddle is explained: Lothario has +two sisters; my relation to the one he knows, how much I owe to the +other is unknown to him. Nor is she aware that the wounded stroller, who +stands indebted to her for his health, if not his life, has been +received with such unmerited attention in her brother’s house.” + +Felix, who was swinging to and fro in the coach, cried up to him, +“Father! Come, oh come! Look at the pretty clouds, the pretty +colors!”--“Yes, I come,” cried Wilhelm, springing down-stairs; “and all +the glories of the sky, which thou, good creature, so admirest, are as +nothing to the moment which I look for.” + +Sitting in the coach, he recalled all the circumstances of the matter to +his memory. “So this is the Natalia, then, Theresa’s friend! What a +discovery! what hopes, what prospects! How strange that the fear of +speaking about the one sister should have altogether concealed from me +the existence of the other!” With what joy he looked on Felix! He +anticipated for the child, as for himself, the best reception. + +Evening at last came on; the sun had set; the road was not the best; the +postilion drove slowly; Felix had fallen asleep, and new cares and +doubts arose in the bosom of our friend. “What delusion, what fantasies, +are these that rule thee!” said he to himself. “An uncertain similarity +of handwriting has at once assured thee, and given thee matter for the +strangest castles in the air.” He again brought out the paper; in the +departing light he again imagined that he recognized the hand of the +countess: his eyes could no longer find in the parts what his heart had +at once shown him in the whole. “These horses, then, are running with +thee to a scene of terror! Who knows but in a few hours they may have to +bring thee back again? And if thou shouldst meet with her alone! But +perhaps her husband will be there, perhaps the baroness! How altered +will she be! Shall I not fail, and sink to the earth, at sight of her?” + +Yet a faint hope that it might be his Amazon would often gleam through +these gloomy thoughts. It was now night: the carriage rolled into a +court-yard, and halted; a servant with a link stepped out of a stately +portal, and came down the broad steps to the carriage-door. “You have +been long looked for,” said he, opening it. Wilhelm dismounted, took the +sleeping Felix in his arms: the first servant called to a second, who +was standing in the door with a light, “Show the gentleman up to the +baroness.” + +Quick as lightning, it went through Wilhelm’s soul, “What a happiness! +Be it by accident or of purpose, the baroness is here! I shall see her +first: apparently the countess has retired to rest. Ye good spirits, +grant that the moment of deepest perplexity may pass tolerably over!” + +He entered the house: he found himself in the most earnest, and, as he +almost felt, the holiest, place that he had ever trod. A pendent, +dazzling lustre threw its light upon a broad and softly rising flight of +stairs, which lay before him, and which parted into two divisions at a +turn above. Marble statues and busts were standing upon pedestals, and +arranged in niches: some of them seemed known to him. The impressions of +our childhood abide with us, even in their minutest traces. He +recognized a Muse, which had formerly belonged to his grandfather, not +indeed by its form or worth, but by an arm which had been restored, and +some new-inserted pieces of the robe. He felt as if a fairy-tale had +turned out to be true. The child was heavy in his arms: he lingered on +the stairs, and knelt down, as if to place him more conveniently. His +real want, however, was to get a moment’s breathing-time. He could +scarcely raise himself again. The servant, who was carrying the light, +offered to take Felix; but Wilhelm could not part with him. He had now +mounted to an ante-chamber, in which, to his still greater astonishment, +he observed the well-known picture of the sick king’s son hanging on the +wall. He had scarcely time to cast a look on it: the servant hurried him +along through two rooms into a cabinet. Here, behind a light-screen, +which threw a shadow on her, sat a young lady reading. “Oh that it were +she!” said he within himself at this decisive moment. He set down the +boy, who seemed to be awakening; he meant to approach the lady; but the +child sank together, drunk with sleep; the lady rose and came to him. It +was the Amazon! Unable to restrain himself, he fell upon his knee, and +cried, “It is she!” He seized her hand, and kissed it with unbounded +rapture. The child was lying on the carpet between them, sleeping +softly. + +Felix was carried to the sofa: Natalia sat down beside him; she directed +Wilhelm to the chair which was standing nearest them. She proposed to +order some refreshments; these our friend declined: he was altogether +occupied convincing himself that it was she, closely examining her +features, shaded by the screen, and accurately recognizing them. She +told him of Mignon’s sickness, in general terms; that the poor child was +gradually consuming under the influence of a few deep feelings; that +with her extreme excitability, and her endeavoring to hide it, her +little heart often suffered violent and dangerous pains; that, on any +unexpected agitation of her mind, this primary organ of life would +suddenly stop, and no trace of the vital movement could be felt in the +good child’s bosom; that, when such an agonizing cramp was past, the +force of nature would again express itself in strong pulses, and now +torment the child by its excess, as she had before suffered by its +defect. + +Wilhelm recollected one spasmodic scene of that description; and Natalia +referred him to the doctor, who would speak with him at large on the +affair, and explain more circumstantially why he, the friend and +benefactor of the child, had been at present sent for. “One curious +change,” Natalia added, “you will find in her: she now wears women’s +clothes, to which she had once such an aversion.” + +“How did you succeed in this?” said Wilhelm. + +“If it was, indeed, a thing to be desired,” said she, “we owe it all to +chance. Hear how it happened. Perhaps you are aware that I have +constantly about me a number of little girls, whose opening minds I +endeavor, as they grow in strength, to train to what is good and right. +From my mouth they learn nothing but what I myself regard as true: yet I +can not and would not hinder them from gathering, among other people, +many fragments of the common prejudices and errors which are current in +the world. If they inquire of me about them, I attempt, as far as +possible, to join these alien and intrusive notions to some just one, +and thus to render them, if not useful, at least harmless. Some time ago +my girls had heard, among the peasants’ children, many tales of angels, +of Knecht Rupert, and such shadowy characters, who, they understood, +appeared at certain times in person, to give presents to good children, +and to punish naughty ones. They had an idea that these strange +visitants were people in disguise; in this I confirmed them: and, +without entering into explanations, I determined, on the first +opportunity, to let them see a spectacle of that sort. It chanced that +the birthday of two twin-sisters, whose behavior had been always very +good, was near: I promised, that, on this occasion, the little present +they had so well deserved should be delivered to them by an angel. They +were on the stretch of curiosity regarding this phenomenon. I had chosen +Mignon for the part; and accordingly, at the appointed day, I had her +suitably equipped in a long, light, snow-white dress. She was, of +course, provided with a golden girdle round her waist, and a golden +fillet on her hair. I at first proposed to omit the wings; but the young +ladies who were decking her insisted on a pair of large golden pinions, +in preparing which they meant to show their highest art. Thus did the +strange apparition, with a lily in the one hand, and a little basket in +the other, glide in among the girls: she surprised even me. ‘There comes +the angel!’ said I. The children all shrank back: at last they cried, +‘It is Mignon!’ yet they durst not venture to approach the wondrous +figure. + +“‘Here are your gifts,’ said she, putting down the basket. They gathered +around her, they viewed, they felt, they questioned her. + +“‘Art thou an angel?’ asked one of them. + +“‘I wish I were,’ said Mignon. + +“‘Why dost thou bear a lily?’ + +“‘So pure and so open should my heart be: then were I happy.’ + +“‘What wings are these? Let us see them?’ + +“‘They represent far finer ones, which are not yet unfolded.’ + +“And thus significantly did she answer all their other childlike, +innocent inquiries. The little party having satisfied their curiosity, +and the impression of the show beginning to abate, we were for +proceeding to undress the little angel. This, however, she resisted: she +took her cithern; she seated herself here, on this high writing-table, +and sang a little song with touching grace:-- + + + “‘Such let me seem, till such I be: + Take not my snow-white dress away! + Soon from this dusk of earth I flee + Up to the glittering lands of day. + + There first a little space I rest, + Then wake so glad, to scenes so kind: + In earthly robes no longer drest, + This band, this girdle, left behind. + + And those calm, shining sons of morn, + They ask not who is maid or boy: + No robes, no garments, there are worn; + Our body pure from sin’s alloy. + + Through little life not much I toiled, + Yet anguish long this heart has wrung; + Untimely woe my blossom spoiled: + Make me again forever young.’ + + +“I immediately determined upon leaving her the dress,” proceeded +Natalia, “and procuring her some others of a similar kind. These she now +wears; and in them, I think, her form has quite a different expression.” + +As it was already late, Natalia let the stranger go: he parted from her +not without anxiety. “Is she married, or not?” asked he within himself. +He had been afraid, at every rustling, that the door would open, and her +husband enter. The serving-man, who showed him to his room, went off +before our friend had mustered resolution to inquire regarding this. His +unrest held him long awake: he kept comparing the figure of the Amazon +with the figure of his new acquaintance. The two would not combine: the +former he had, as it were, himself fashioned; the latter seemed as if it +would almost new-fashion _him_. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER III. + + +Next morning, while all was yet quiet, he went about, viewing the house. +It was the purest, finest, stateliest piece of architecture he had ever +seen. “True art,” cried he, “is like good company: it constrains us in +the most delightful way to recognize the measure by which, and up to +which, our inward nature has been shaped by culture.” The impression +which the busts and statues of his grandfather made upon him was +exceedingly agreeable. With a longing mind he hastened to the picture of +the sick king’s son, and he still felt it to be charming and affecting. +The servant opened to him various other chambers: he found a library, a +museum, a cabinet of philosophical instruments. In much of this he could +not help perceiving his extreme ignorance. Meanwhile Felix had awakened, +and come running after him. The thought of how and when he might receive +Theresa’s letter gave him pain: he dreaded seeing Mignon, and in some +degree Natalia. How unlike his present state was his state at the moment +when he sealed the letter to Theresa, and with a glad heart wholly gave +himself to that noble being! + +Natalia sent for him to breakfast. He proceeded to a room where several +tidy little girls, all apparently below ten years, were occupied in +furnishing a table; while another of the same appearance brought in +various sorts of beverage. + +Wilhelm cast his eye upon a picture hung above the sofa: he could not +but recognize in it the portrait of Natalia, little as the execution +satisfied him. Natalia entered, and the likeness seemed entirely to +vanish. To his comfort, it was painted with the cross of a religious +order on its breast; and he now saw another such upon Natalia’s. + +“I have just been looking at the portrait here,” said he; “and it seems +surprising that a painter could have been at once so true and so false. +The picture resembles you, in general, extremely well; and yet it +neither has your features nor your character.” + +“It is rather matter of surprise,” replied Natalia, “that the likeness +is so good. It is not my picture, but the picture of an aunt, whom I +resembled even in childhood, though she was then advanced in years. It +was painted when her age was just about what mine is: at the first +glance, every one imagines it is meant for me. You should have been +acquainted with that excellent lady. I owe her much. A very weak state +of health, perhaps too much employment with her own thoughts, and, +withal, a moral and religious scrupulosity, prevented her from being to +the world what, in other circumstances, she might have become. She was a +light that shone but on a few friends, and on me especially.” + +“Can it be possible,” said Wilhelm, after thinking for a moment, while +so many circumstances seemed to correspond so well, “can it be possible +that the fair and noble Saint, whose meek confessions I had liberty to +study, was your aunt?” + +“You read the manuscript?” inquired Natalia. + +“Yes,” said Wilhelm, “with the greatest sympathy, and not without effect +upon my life. What most impressed me in this paper was, if I may term it +so, the purity of being, not only of the writer herself, but of all that +lay round her; that self-dependence of nature, that impossibility of +admitting any thing into her soul which would not harmonize with its own +noble, lovely tone.” + +“You are more tolerant to this fine spirit,” said Natalia, “nay, I will +say more just, than many other men to whom the narrative has been +imparted. Every cultivated person knows how much he has to strive +against a certain coarseness, both in himself and others; how much his +culture costs him; how apt he is, after all, in certain cases, to +recollect himself alone, forgetting what he owes to others. How often +has a worthy person to reproach himself for having failed to act with +proper delicacy! And when a fair nature too delicately, too +conscientiously, cultivates, nay, if you will, overcultivates, itself, +there seems to be no toleration, no indulgence, for it in the world. Yet +such persons are, without us, what the ideal of perfection is within +us,--models, not for being imitated, but for being aimed at. We laugh at +the cleanliness of the Dutch; but would our friend Theresa be what she +is, if some such notion were not always present to her in her +housekeeping?” + +“I see before me, then,” cried Wilhelm, “in Theresa’s friend, the same +Natalia whom her amiable relative was so attached to; the Natalia, who, +from her youth, was so affectionate, so sympathizing, and helpful! It +was only out of such a line that such a being could proceed. What a +prospect opens before me, while I at once survey your ancestors, and all +the circle you belong to!” + +“Yes,” replied Natalia, “in a certain sense, the story of my aunt would +give you the faithfullest picture of us. Her love to me, indeed, has +made her praise the little girl too much: in speaking of a child, we +never speak of what is present, but of what we hope for.” + +Wilhelm, in the mean time, was rapidly reflecting that Lothario’s +parentage and early youth were now likewise known to him. The fair +countess, too, appeared before him in her childhood, with the aunt’s +pearls about her neck: he himself had been near those pearls, when her +soft, lovely lips bent down to meet his own. These beautiful +remembrances he sought to drive away by other thoughts. He ran through +the characters to whom that manuscript had introduced him. “I am here, +then,” cried he, “in your worthy uncle’s house! It is no house, it is a +temple; and you are the priestess, nay, the Genius, of it: I shall +recollect for life my impression yesternight, when I entered, and the +old figures of my earliest days were again before me. I thought of the +compassionate marble statues in Mignon’s song: but these figures had not +to lament about me; they looked upon me with a lofty earnestness, they +brought my first years into immediate contact with the present moment. +That ancient treasure of our family, the joy of my grandfather, I find +here placed among so many other noble works of art; and myself, whom +nature made the darling of the good old man, my unworthy self I find +here also, Heavens! in what society, in what connections!” + +The girls had, by degrees, gone out to mind their little occupations. +Natalia, left alone with Wilhelm, asked some further explanation of his +last remark. The discovery, that a number of her finest paintings and +statues had at one time been the property of Wilhelm’s grandfather, did +not fail to give a cheerful stimulus to their discourse. As by that +manuscript he had got acquainted with Natalia’s house; so now he found +himself too, as it were, in his inheritance. At length he asked for +Mignon. His friend desired him to have patience till the doctor, who had +been called out into the neighborhood, returned. It is easy to suppose +that the doctor was the same little, active man whom we already know, +and who was spoken of in the “Confessions of a Fair Saint.” + +“Since I am now,” said Wilhelm, “in the middle of your family circle, I +presume the abbé whom that paper mentions is the strange, inexplicable +person whom, after the most singular series of events, I met with in +your brother’s house? Perhaps you can give some more accurate conception +of him?” + +“Of the abbé there might much be said,” replied Natalia: “what I know +best about him, is the influence which he exerted on our education. He +was, for a time at least, convinced that education ought, in every case, +to be adapted to the inclinations: his present views of it I know not. +He maintained, that with man the first and last consideration was +activity, and that we could not act on any thing without the proper +gifts for it, without an instinct impelling us to it. ‘You admit,’ he +used to say, ‘that poets must be born such; you admit this with regard +to all professors of the fine arts; because you must admit it, because +those workings of human nature cannot very plausibly be aped. But, if we +consider well, we shall find that every capability, however slight, is +born with us; that there is no vague, general capability in men. It is +our ambiguous, desultory education that makes men uncertain: it awakens +wishes when it should be animating tendencies; instead of forwarding our +real capacities, it turns our efforts towards objects which are +frequently discordant with the mind that aims at them. I augur better of +a child, a youth, who is wandering astray on a path of his own, than of +many who are walking aright upon paths which are not theirs. If the +former, either by themselves or by the guidance of others, ever find the +right path, that is to say, the path which suits their nature, they will +never leave it; while the latter are in danger every moment of shaking +off a foreign yoke, and abandoning themselves to unrestricted license.’” + +“It is strange,” said Wilhelm, “that this same extraordinary man should +likewise have taken charge of me; should, as it seems, have, in his own +fashion, if not led, at least confirmed, me in my errors, for a time. +How he will answer to the charge of having joined with others, as it +were, to make game of me, I wait patiently to see.” + +“Of this whim, if it is one,” said Natalia, “I have little reason to +complain: of all the family I answered best with it. Indeed, I see not +how Lothario could have got a finer breeding: but for my sister, the +countess, some other treatment might have suited better; perhaps they +should have studied to infuse more earnestness and strength into her +nature. As to brother Friedrich, what is to become of him cannot be +conjectured: he will fall a sacrifice, I fear, to this experiment in +pedagogy.” + +“You have another brother, then?” cried Wilhelm. + +“Yes,” replied Natalia: “and a light, merry youth he is; and, as they +have not hindered him from roaming up and down the world, I know not +what the wild, dissipated boy will turn to. It is a great while since I +saw him. The only thing which calms my fears is, that the abbé, and the +whole society about my brother, are receiving constant notice where he +is and what he does.” + +Wilhelm was about to ask Natalia her opinion more precisely on the +abbé’s paradoxes, as well as to solicit information about that +mysterious society; but the physician entering changed their +conversation. After the first compliments of welcome, he began to speak +of Mignon. + +Natalia then took Felix by the hand; saying she would lead the child to +Mignon, and prepare her for the entrance of her friend. + +The doctor, now alone with Wilhelm, thus proceeded: “I have wondrous +things to tell you, such as you are not anticipating. Natalia has +retired, that we might speak with greater liberty of certain matters, +which, although I first learned them by her means, her presence would +prevent us from discussing freely. The strange temper of the child seems +to consist almost exclusively of deep longing: the desire of revisiting +her native land, and the desire for you, my friend, are, I might almost +say, the only earthly things about her. Both these feelings do but grasp +towards an immeasurable distance, both objects lie before her +unattainable. The neighborhood of Milan seems to be her home: in very +early childhood she was kidnapped from her parents by a company of +rope-dancers. A more distinct account we cannot get from her, partly +because she was then too young to recollect the names of men and places, +but especially because she has made an oath to tell no living mortal her +abode and parentage. For the strolling-party, who came up with her when +she had lost her way, and to whom she so accurately described her +dwelling, with such piercing entreaties to conduct her home, but carried +her along with them the faster; and at night in their quarters, when +they thought the child was sleeping, joked about their precious capture, +declaring she would never find the way home again. On this a horrid +desperation fell upon the miserable creature; but at last the Holy +Virgin rose before her eyes, and promised that she would assist her. The +child then swore within herself a sacred oath, that she would henceforth +trust no human creature, would disclose her history to no one, but live +and die in hope of immediate aid from heaven. Even this, which I am +telling you, Natalia did not learn expressly from her, but gathered it +from detached expressions, songs, and childlike inadvertencies, +betraying what they meant to hide.” + +Wilhelm called to memory many a song and word of this dear child, which +he could now explain. He earnestly requested the physician to keep from +him none of the confessions or mysterious poetry of this peculiar being. + +“Prepare yourself,” said the physician, “for a strange confession; for a +story with which you, without remembering it, have much to do, and +which, as I greatly fear, has been decisive for the death and life of +this good creature.” + +“Let me hear,” said Wilhelm: “my impatience is unbounded.” + +“Do you recollect a secret nightly visit from a female,” said the +doctor, “after your appearance in the character of Hamlet?” + +“Yes, I recollect it well,” cried Wilhelm, blushing; “but I did not look +to be reminded of it at the present moment.” + +“Do you know who it was?” + +“I do not! You frighten me! In the name of Heaven, not Mignon, surely? +Who was it? Tell me, pray.” + +“I know it not myself.” + +“Not Mignon, then?” + +“No, certainly not Mignon; but Mignon was intending at the time to glide +in to you, and saw with horror, from a corner where she lay concealed, a +rival get before her.” + +“A rival!” cried our friend. “Speak on: you more and more confound me.” + +“Be thankful,” said the doctor, “that you can arrive at the result so +soon through means of me. Natalia and I, with but a distant interest in +the matter, had distress enough to undergo before we could thus far +discover the perplexed condition of the poor, dear creature, whom we +wished to help. By some wanton speeches of Philina and the other girls, +by a certain song which she had heard Philina sing, the child’s +attention had been roused: she longed to pass a night beside the man she +loved, without conceiving any thing to be implied in this beyond a happy +and confiding rest. A love for you, my friend, was already keen and +powerful in her little heart; in your arms, the child had found repose +from many a sorrow; she now desired this happiness in all its fulness. +If at one time she purposed requesting it as a favor, at another a +secret horror would hold her back. At last that merry night and the +excitement of abundant wine inspired her with the courage to attempt the +adventure, and glide in to you on that occasion. Accordingly she ran +before, to hide herself in your apartment, which was standing open; but +just when she had reached the top of the stairs, having heard a +rustling, she concealed herself, and saw a female in a white dress slip +into your chamber. You yourself arrived soon after, and she heard you +push the large bolt. + +“Mignon’s agony was now unutterable: all the violent feelings of a +passionate jealousy mingled themselves with the unacknowledged longing +of obscure desire, and seized her half-developed nature with tremendous +force. Her heart, which hitherto had beaten violently with eagerness and +expectation, now at once began to falter and stop; it pressed her bosom +like a heap of lead: she could not draw her breath, she knew not what to +do; she heard the sound of the old man’s harp, hastened to the garret +where he was, and passed the night at his feet in horrible convulsions.” + +The physician paused a moment: then, as Wilhelm still kept silence, he +proceeded, “Natalia told me, nothing in her life had so alarmed and +touched her as the state of Mignon while relating this; indeed, our +noble friend accused herself of cruelty in having, by her questions and +management, drawn this confession from her, and renewed by recollection +the violent sorrows of the poor little girl. + +“‘The dear creature,’ said Natalia, ‘had scarcely come so far with her +recital, or, rather, with her answers to my questions, when she sank all +at once before me on the ground, and, with her hand on her bosom, +piteously moaned that the pain of that excruciating night was come back. +She twisted herself like a worm upon the floor; and I had to summon all +my composure, that I might remember and apply such means of remedy for +mind and body as were known to me.’” + +“It is a painful predicament you put me in,” cried Wilhelm, “by +impressing me so vividly with the feeling of my manifold injustice +towards this unhappy and beloved being, at the very moment when I am +again to meet her. If she is to see me, why do you deprive me of the +courage to appear with freedom? And shall I confess it to you? Since her +mind is so affected, I perceive not how my presence can be advantageous +to her. If you, as a physician, are persuaded that this double longing +has so undermined her being as to threaten death, why should I renew her +sorrows by my presence, and perhaps accelerate her end?” + +“My friend,” replied the doctor, “where we cannot cure, it is our duty +to alleviate; and how much the presence of a loved object tends to take +from the imagination its destructive power, how it changes an impetuous +longing to a peaceful looking, I could prove by the most convincing +instances. Every thing in measure and with purpose! For, in other cases, +this same presence may rekindle an affection nigh extinguished. But do +you go and see the child; behave to her with kindness, and let us wait +the consequence.” + +Natalia, at this moment coming back, bade Wilhelm follow her to Mignon. +“She appears to feel quite happy with the boy,” observed Natalia, “and I +hope she will receive our friend with mildness.” Wilhelm followed, not +without reluctance: he was deeply moved by what he had been hearing; he +feared a stormy scene of passion. It was altogether the reverse that +happened on his entrance. + +Mignon, dressed in long, white, women’s clothes, with her brown, copious +hair partly knotted, partly clustering out in locks, was sitting with +the boy Felix on her lap, and pressing him against her heart. She looked +like a departed spirit, he like life itself: it seemed as if Heaven and +Earth were clasping one another. She held out her hand to Wilhelm with a +smile, and said, “I thank thee for bringing back the child to me: they +had taken him away, I know not how; and since then I could not live. So +long as my heart needs any thing on earth, thy Felix shall fill up the +void.” + +The quietness which Mignon had displayed on meeting with her friend +produced no little satisfaction in the party. The doctor signified that +Wilhelm should go frequently and see her; that in body as in mind, she +should be kept as equable as possible. He himself departed, promising to +return soon. + +Wilhelm could now observe Natalia in her own circle: one would have +desired nothing better than to live beside her. Her presence had the +purest influence on the girls, and young ladies of various ages, who +resided with her in the house, or came to pay her visits from the +neighborhood. + +“The progress of your life,” said Wilhelm once to her, “must always have +been very even: your aunt’s delineation of you in your childhood seems, +if I mistake not, still to fit. It is easy to see that you never were +entangled in your path. You have never been compelled to retrograde.” + +“This I owe to my uncle and the abbé,” said Natalia, “who so well +discriminated my prevailing turn of mind. From my youth upwards, I can +recollect no livelier feeling than that I was constantly observing +people’s wants, and had an irresistible desire to make them up. The +child that had not learned to stand on its feet, the old man that could +no longer stand on his; the longing of a rich family for children, the +inability of a poor one to maintain their children; each silent wish for +some particular species of employment; the impulse towards any talent; +the natural gifts for many little necessary arts of life,--were sure to +strike me: my eyes seemed formed by nature for detecting them. I saw +such things where no one had directed my attention: I seemed born for +seeing them alone. The charms of inanimate nature, to which so many +persons are exceedingly susceptible, had no effect on me: the charms of +art, if possible, had less. My most delightful occupation was and is, +when a deficiency, a want, appeared before me anywhere, to set about +devising a supply, a remedy, a help for it. + +“If I saw a poor creature in rags, the superfluous clothes I had noticed +hanging in the wardrobes of my friends immediately occurred to me; if I +saw children wasting for want of care, I was sure to recollect some lady +I had found oppressed with tedium amid riches and conveniences; if I saw +too many persons crammed into a narrow space, I thought they should be +lodged in the spacious chambers of palaces and vacant houses. This mode +of viewing things was altogether natural, without the least reflection: +so that in my childhood I often made the strangest work of it, and more +than once embarrassed people by my singular proposals. Another of my +peculiarities was this: I did not learn till late, and after many +efforts, to consider money as a means of satisfying wants; my benefits +were all distributed in kind: and my simplicity, I know, was frequently +the cause of laughter. None but the abbé seemed to understand me: he met +me everywhere; he made me acquainted with myself, with these wishes, +these tendencies, and taught me how to satisfy them suitably.” + +“Do you, then,” said Wilhelm, “in the education of your little female +world, employ the method of these extraordinary men? Do you, too, leave +every mind to form itself? Do you, too, leave your girls to search and +wander, to pursue delusions, happily to reach the goal, or miserably +lose themselves in error?” + +“No,” replied Natalia: “such treatment as that would altogether +contradict my notions. To my mind, he who does not help us at the +needful moment, never helps; he who does not counsel at the needful +moment, never counsels. I also reckon it essential, that we lay down and +continually impress on children certain laws, to operate as a kind of +hold in life. Nay, I could almost venture to assert, that it is better +to be wrong by rule, than to be wrong with nothing but the fitful +caprices of our disposition to impel us hither and thither; and, in my +way of viewing men, there always seems to be a void in their nature, +which cannot be filled up, except by some decisive and distinctly +settled law.” + +“Your manner of proceeding, then,” said Wilhelm, “is entirely different +from the manner of our friends?” + +“Yes,” replied Natalia; “and you may see the unexampled tolerance of +these men, from the fact, that they nowise disturb me in my practice, +but leave me on my own path, simply because it is my own, and even +assist me in every thing that I require of them.” + +A more minute description of Natalia’s plans in managing her children we +reserve for some other opportunity. + +Mignon often asked to be of their society; and this they granted her +with greater readiness, as she appeared to be again accustoming herself +to Wilhelm, to be opening her heart to him, and in general to have +become more cheerful, and contented with existence. In walking, being +easily fatigued, she liked to hang upon his arm. “Mignon,” she would +say, “now climbs and bounds no more; yet she still longs to mount the +summits of the hills, to skip from house to house, from tree to tree. +How enviable are the birds! and then so prettily and socially they build +their nests too!” + +Erelong it became habitual for her to invite her friend, more than once +every day, into the garden. When Wilhelm was engaged or absent, Felix +had to take his place; and, if poor Mignon seemed at times quite +loosened from the earth, there were other moments when she would again +hold fast to father and son, and seem to dread a separation from them +more than any thing beside. + +Natalia wore a thoughtful look. “We meant,” said she, “to open her +tender little heart, by sending for you hither. I know not whether we +did prudently.” She stopped, and seemed expecting Wilhelm to say +something. To him also it occurred, that, by his marriage with Theresa, +Mignon, in the present circumstances, would be fearfully offended: but, +in his uncertainty, he did not venture mentioning his project; he had no +suspicion that Natalia knew of it. + +As little could he talk with freedom, when his noble friend began to +speak about her sister, to praise her good qualities, and to lament her +hapless situation. He felt exceedingly embarrassed when Natalia told him +he would shortly see the countess here. “Her husband,” said she, “has +now no object but replacing Zinzendorf in the Community, and, by insight +and activity, supporting and extending that establishment. He is coming +with his wife, to take a sort of leave: he then purposes visiting the +various spots where the Community have settled. They appear to treat him +as he wishes: and I should not wonder if, in order to be altogether like +his predecessor, he ventured, with my sister, on a voyage to America; +for, being already well-nigh convinced that a little more would make a +saint of him, the wish to superadd the dignity of martyrdom has probably +enough often flitted through his mind.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER IV. + + +They had often spoken of Theresa, often mentioned her in passing; and +Wilhelm almost every time was minded to confess that he had offered her +his heart and hand. A certain feeling, which he was not able to explain, +restrained him: he paused and wavered, till at length Natalia, with the +heavenly, modest, cheerful smile she often wore, said to him, “It seems, +then, I at last must break silence, and force myself into your +confidence! Why, my friend, do you keep secret from me an affair of such +importance to yourself, and so closely touching my concerns? You have +made my friend the offer of your hand: I do not mix uncalled in the +transaction; here are my credentials; here is the letter which she +writes to you, which she sends you through my hands.” + +“A letter from Theresa!” cried he. + +“Yes, mein Herr! Your destiny is settled: you are happy. Let me +congratulate my friend and you on your good fortune.” + +Wilhelm spoke not, but gazed out before him. Natalia looked at him: she +saw that he was pale. “Your joy is strong,” continued she: “it takes the +form of terror, it deprives you of the power to speak. My participation +is not the less cordial that I show it you in words. I hope you will be +grateful, for I may say my influence on the decision of your bride has +not been small: she asked me for advice; and as it happened, by a +singular coincidence, that you were here just then. I was enabled to +destroy the few scruples she still entertained. Our messages went +swiftly to and fro: here is her determination; here is the conclusion of +the treaty! And now you shall read her other letters: you shall have a +free, clear look into the fair heart of your Theresa.” + +Wilhelm opened the letter, which she handed him unsealed. It contained +these friendly words:-- + +“I am yours, as I am and as you know me. I call you mine, as you are and +as I know you. What in ourselves, what in our connection, wedlock +changes, we shall study to adjust by reason, cheerfulness, and mutual +good will. As it is no passion, but trust and inclination, for each +other that is leading us together, we run less risk than thousands of +others. You will forgive me, will you not, if I still think often and +kindly of my former friend: in return, I will press your Felix to my +heart, as if I were his mother. If you choose to share my little mansion +straightway, we are lord and master there; and in the mean while the +purchase of your land might be concluded. I could wish that no new +arrangements were made in it without me. I could wish at once to prove +that I deserve the confidence you repose in me. Adieu, dear, dear +friend! Beloved bridegroom, honored husband! Theresa clasps you to her +breast with hope and joy. My friend will tell you more, will tell you +all.” + +Wilhelm, to whose mind this sheet recalled the image of Theresa with the +liveliest distinctness, had now recovered his composure. While reading, +thoughts had rapidly alternated within his soul. With terror he +discovered in his heart the most vivid traces of an inclination to +Natalia: he blamed himself, declaring every thought of that description +to be madness; he represented to himself Theresa in her whole +perfection: he again perused the letter, he grew cheerful, or, rather, +he so far regained his self-possession that he could appear cheerful. +Natalia handed him the letters which had passed between Theresa and +herself: out of Theresa’s we propose extracting one or two passages. + +After delineating her bridegroom in her own peculiar way, Theresa thus +proceeded:-- + + + “Such is the notion I have formed of the man who now offers me + his hand. What he thinks of himself, thou shalt see by and by in + the papers he has sent me, where he altogether candidly draws + his own portrait: I feel persuaded that I shall be happy with + him.” + + + “As for rank, thou knowest what my ideas have always been on + this point. Some people look on disagreement of external + circumstances as a fearful thing, and cannot remedy it. I wish + not to persuade any one, I wish to act according to my own + persuasion. I mean not to set others an example, nor do I act + without example. It is interior disagreements only that frighten + me: a frame that does not fit what it is meant to hold, much + pomp and little real enjoyment, wealth and avarice, nobility and + coarseness, youth and pedantry, poverty and ceremonies, these + are the things which would annihilate me, however it may please + the world to stamp and rate them.” + + + “If I hope that we shall suit each other, the hope is chiefly + founded upon this, that he resembles thee, my dear Natalia, thee + whom I so highly prize and reverence. Yes: he has thy noble + searching and striving for the better, whereby we of ourselves + produce the good which we suppose we find. How often have I + blamed thee, not in silence, for treating this or that person, + for acting in this or that case, otherwise than I should have + done; and yet, in general, the issue showed that thou wert + right. ‘When we take people,’ thou wouldst say, ‘merely as they + are, we make them worse: when we treat them as if they were what + they should be, we improve them as far as they can be improved.’ + To see or to act thus, I know full well is not for me. Skill, + order, discipline, direction, that is my affair. I always + recollect what Jarno said: ‘Theresa trains her pupils, Natalia + forms them.’ Nay, once he went so far as to assert that of the + three fair qualities, faith, love, and hope, I was entirely + destitute. ‘Instead of faith,’ said he, ‘she has penetration; + instead of love, she has steadfastness; instead of hope, she has + trust.’ Indeed, I will confess, that, till I knew thee, I knew + nothing higher in the world than clearness and prudence: it was + thy presence only that persuaded, animated, conquered me; to thy + fair, lofty soul I willingly give place. My friend, too, I honor + on the same principle: the description of his life is a + perpetual seeking without finding,--not empty seeking, but + wondrous, generous seeking; he fancies others may give him what + can proceed from himself alone. So, love, the clearness of my + vision has not injured me on this occasion more than others: I + know my husband better than he knows himself, and I value him + the more. I see him, yet I see not over him: all my skill will + not enable me to judge of what he can accomplish. When I think + of him, his image always blends itself with thine: I know not + how I have deserved to belong to two such persons. But I will + deserve it, by endeavoring to do my duty by fulfilling what is + looked for from me.” + + + “If I recollect of Lothario? Vividly and daily. In the company + which in thought surrounds me, I cannot want him for a moment. + Oh, what a pity for this noble character, related by an error of + his youth to me, that nature has related him to thee! A being + such as thou, in truth, were worthier of him than I. To thee I + could, I would, surrender him. Let us be to him all we can, till + he find a proper wife; and then, too, let us be, let us abide, + together.” + + +“But what shall we say to our friends?” began Natalia. “Your brother +does not know of it?”--“Not a hint; your people know as little; we women +have, on this occasion, managed the affair ourselves. Lydia had put some +whims into Theresa’s head concerning Jarno and the abbé. There are +certain plans and secret combinations, with the general scheme of which +I am acquainted, and into which I never thought of penetrating farther. +With regard to these, Theresa has, through Lydia, taken up some shadow +of suspicion: so in this decisive step she would not suffer any one but +me to influence her. With my brother it had been already settled that +they should merely announce their marriages to one another, not giving +or asking counsel on the subject.” + +Natalia wrote a letter to her brother: she invited Wilhelm to subjoin a +word or two, Theresa having so desired it. They were just about to seal, +when Jarno unexpectedly sent up his name. His reception was, of course, +as kind as possible: he wore a sportful, merry air; he could not long +forbear to tell his errand. “I am come,” said he, “to give you very +curious and very pleasing tidings: they concern Theresa. You have often +blamed us, fair Natalia, for troubling our heads about so many things; +but now you see how good it is to have one’s spies in every place. +Guess, and let us see your skill for once!” + +The self-complacency with which he spoke these words, the roguish mien +with which he looked at Wilhelm and Natalia, persuaded both of them that +he had found their secret. Natalia answered, smiling, “We are far more +skilful than you think: before we even heard your riddle, we had put the +answer to it down in black and white.” + +With these words she handed him the letter to Lothario, satisfied at +having met, in this way, the little triumph and surprise he had meant +for them. Jarno took the sheet with some astonishment, ran it quickly +over, started, let it drop from his hands, and stared at both his +friends with an expression of amazement, nay, of fright, which, on his +countenance, was rare. He spoke no word. + +Wilhelm and Natalia were not a little struck: Jarno stepped up and down +the room. “What shall I say?” cried he, “or shall I say it all? But it +must come out: the perplexity is not to be avoided. So secret for +secret, surprise against surprise! Theresa is not the daughter of her +reputed mother! The hinderance is removed: I came to ask you to prepare +her for a marriage with Lothario.” + +Jarno saw the shock which he had given his friends: they cast their eyes +upon the ground. “The present case,” said he, “is one of those which are +worse to bear in company. What each has to consider in it, he considers +best in solitude: I, at least, require an hour of leave.” He hastened to +the garden: Wilhelm followed him mechanically, yet without approaching +near. + +At the end of an hour they were again assembled. Wilhelm opened the +conversation. “Formerly,” said he, “while I was living without plan or +object, in a state of carelessness, or, I may say, of levity, +friendship, love, affection, trust, came towards me with open arms, they +pressed themselves upon me; but now, when I am serious, destiny appears +to take another course with me. This resolution, of soliciting Theresa’s +hand, is probably the first that has proceeded altogether from myself. I +laid my plan considerately; my reason fully joined in it: by the consent +of that noble maiden, all my hopes were crowned. But now the strangest +fate puts back my outstretched hand: Theresa reaches hers to me, but +from afar, as in a dream; I cannot grasp it, and the lovely image leaves +me forever. So fare thee well, thou lovely image! and all ye images of +richest happiness that gathered round it!” + +He was silent for a moment, looking out before him: Jarno was about to +speak. “Let me have another word,” cried Wilhelm, “for the lot is +drawing which is to decide the destiny of all my life. At this moment, I +am aided and confirmed by the impression which Lothario’s presence made +upon me at the first glance, and which has ever since continued with me. +That man well merits every sort of friendship and affection; and, +without sacrifices, friendship cannot be imagined. For his sake, it was +easy for me to delude a hapless girl; for his sake, it shall be possible +for me to give away the worthiest bride. Return, relate the strange +occurrence to him, and tell him what I am prepared for.” + +“In emergencies like this,” said Jarno, “I hold that every thing is +done, if one do nothing rashly. Let us take no step till Lothario has +agreed to it. I will go to him: wait patiently for my return or for his +letter.” + +He rode away, and left his friends in great disquiet. They had time to +reconsider these events, to think of them maturely. It now first +occurred to them, that they had taken Jarno’s statement simply by +itself, and without inquiring into any of the circumstances. Wilhelm was +not altogether free from doubts; but next day their astonishment, nay, +their bewilderment, arose still higher, when a messenger, arriving from +Theresa, brought the following letter to Natalia. + +“Strange as it may seem, after all the letters I have sent, I am obliged +to send another, begging that thou wouldst despatch my bridegroom to me +instantly. He shall be my husband, what plans soever they may lay to rob +me of him. Give him the enclosed letter, only not before witnesses, +whoever they may be!” + +The enclosed letter was as follows: “What opinion will you form of your +Theresa, when you see her all at once insisting passionately on a union +which calm reason alone appeared to have appointed? Let nothing hinder +you from setting out the moment you have read this letter. Come, my +dear, dear friend; now three times dearer, since they are attempting to +deprive me of you.” + +“What is to be done?” cried Wilhelm, after he had read the letter. + +“In no case that I remember,” said Natalia, after some reflection, “have +my heart and judgment been so dumb as in this: what to do or to advise I +know not.” + +“Can it be,” cried Wilhelm vehemently, “that Lothario does not know of +it? or, if he does, that he is but like us, the sport of hidden plans? +Has Jarno, when he saw our letter, devised that fable on the spot? Would +he have told us something different, if we had not been so precipitate? +What can they mean? What intentions can they have? What plan can Theresa +mean? Yes, it must be owned, Lothario is begirt with secret influences +and combinations: I myself have found that they are active, that they +take a certain charge of the proceedings, of the destiny, of several +people, and contrive to guide them. The ulterior objects of these +mysteries I know not; but their nearest purpose, that of snatching my +Theresa from me, I perceive but too distinctly. On the one hand, this +prospect of Lothario’s happiness, which they exhibit to me, may be but a +hollow show: on the other hand, I see my dear, my honored bride inviting +me to her affection. What shall I do? What shall I forbear?” + +“A little patience!” said Natalia: “a little time for thought. In these +singular perplexities I know but this, that what can never be recalled +should not be done in haste. To a fable, to an artful plan, we have +steadfastness and prudence to oppose: whether Jarno has been speaking +true or false must soon appear. If my brother has actually hopes of a +union with Theresa, it were hard to cut him off forever from that +prospect at the moment when it seems so kindly inviting him. Let us wait +at least till we discover whether he himself knows any thing of it, +whether he believes and hopes.” + +These prudent counsels were confirmed by a letter from Lothario. “I do +not send Jarno,” he wrote: “a line from my hand is more to thee than the +minutest narrative in the mouth of a messenger. I am certain Theresa is +not the daughter of her reputed mother; and I cannot renounce hope of +being hers, till she, too, is persuaded, and can then decide between my +friend and me, with calm consideration. Let him not leave thee, I +entreat it! The happiness, the life, of a brother is at stake. I promise +thee, this uncertainty shall not be long.” + +“You see how the matter stands,” said she to Wilhelm, with a friendly +air: “give me your word of honor that you will not leave the house!” + +“I give it!” cried he, stretching out his hand: “I will not leave this +house against your will. I thank Heaven, and my better Genius, that on +this occasion I am led, and led by you.” + +Natalia wrote Theresa an account of every thing, declaring that she +would not let her friend away. She sent Lothario’s letter also. + +Theresa answered, “I wondered not a little that Lothario is himself +convinced: to his sister he would not feign to this extent. I am vexed, +greatly vexed. It is better that I say no more. But I will come to thee, +so soon as I have got poor Lydia settled: they are treating her cruelly. +I fear we are all betrayed, and shall be so betrayed that we shall never +reach the truth. If my friend were of my opinion, he would give thee the +slip after all, and throw himself into the arms of his Theresa, whom +none shall take away from him. But I, as I dread, shall lose him, and +not regain Lothario. From the latter they are taking Lydia by showing +him, afar off, the prospect of obtaining me. I will say no more: the +entanglement will grow still deeper. Whether, in the mean time, these +delightful positions in which we stand to each other may not be so +pushed awry, so undermined and broken down, that, when the darkness +passes off, the mischief can no longer admit of remedy, time will show. +If my friend do not break away, in a few days I myself will come and +seek him out beside thee, and hold him fast. Thou marvellest how this +passion can have gained the mastery of thy Theresa. It is no passion, +but conviction: it is a belief, that, since Lothario can never be mine, +this new friend will make me happy. Tell him so, in the name of the +little boy that sat with him underneath the oak, and thanked him for his +sympathy. Tell it him in the name of Theresa, who met his offers with a +hearty openness. My first dream of living with Lothario has wandered far +away from my soul: the dream of living with my other friend is yet +wholly present to me. Do they hold me so light as to think that it were +easy to exchange the former with the latter?” + +“I depend on you,” said Natalia to Wilhelm, handing him the letter: “you +will not leave me. Consider that the comfort of my life is in your +hands. My being is so intimately bound and interwoven with my brother’s, +that he feels no sorrow which I do not feel, no joy which does not +likewise gladden me. Nay, I may truly say, through him alone I have +experienced that the heart can be affected and exalted; that in the +world there may be joy, love, and an emotion which contents the soul +beyond its utmost want.” + +She stopped: Wilhelm took her hand, and cried, “Oh, continue! This is +the time for a true, mutual disclosure of our thoughts: it never was +more necessary for us to be well acquainted with each other.” + +“Yes, my friend!” said she, smiling, with her quiet, soft, indescribable +dignity: “perhaps it is not out of season, if I tell you that the whole +of what so many books, of what the world, holds up to us and names love, +has always seemed to me a fable.” + +“You have never loved?” cried Wilhelm. + +“Never or always!” said Natalia. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER V. + + +During this conversation they kept walking up and down the garden; and +Natalia gathered various flowers of singular forms, entirely unknown to +Wilhelm, who began to ask their names, and occupy himself about them. + +“You know not,” said Natalia, “for whom I have been plucking these? I +intend them for my uncle, whom we are to visit. The sun is shining even +now so bright on the Hall of the Past, I must lead you in this moment; +and I never go to it without a few of the flowers which my uncle liked +particularly, in my hand. He was a peculiar man, susceptible of very +strange impressions. For certain plants and animals, for certain +neighborhoods and persons, nay, for certain sorts of minerals, he had an +especial love, which he was rarely able to explain. ‘Had I not,’ he +would often say, ‘from youth, withstood myself, and striven to form my +judgment upon wide and general principles, I had been the narrowest and +most intolerable person living. For nothing can be more intolerable than +circumscribed peculiarity, in one from whom a pure and suitable activity +might be required.’ And yet he was obliged to confess that life and +breath would, as it were, leave him, if he did not now and then indulge +himself, not from time to time allow himself a brief and passionate +enjoyment of what he could not always praise and justify. ‘It is not my +fault,’ said he, ‘if I have not brought my inclinations and my reason +into perfect harmony.’ On such occasions he would joke with me, and say, +‘Natalia may be looked upon as happy while she lives: her nature asks +nothing which the world does not wish and use.’” + +So speaking, they arrived again at the house. Natalia led him through a +spacious passage to a door, before which lay two granite sphinxes. The +door itself was in the Egyptian fashion, somewhat narrower above than +below; and its brazen leaves prepared one for a serious or even a gloomy +feeling. Wilhelm was, in consequence, agreeably surprised, when his +expectation issued in a sentiment of pure, cheerful serenity, as he +entered a hall where art and life took away all recollection of death +and the grave. In the walls all round, a series of proportionable arches +had been hollowed out, and large sarcophaguses stood in them: among the +pillars in the intervals between them smaller openings might be seen, +adorned with urns and similar vessels. The remaining spaces of the walls +and vaulted roof were regularly divided; and between bright and +variegated borders, within garlands and other ornaments, a multitude of +cheerful and significant figures had been painted upon grounds of +different sizes. The body of the edifice was covered with that fine, +yellow marble, which passes into reddish: clear blue stripes of a +chemical substance, happily imitating azure stone, while they satisfied +the eye with contrast, gave unity and combination to the whole. All this +pomp and decoration showed itself in the chastest architectural forms: +and thus every one who entered felt as if exalted above himself; while +the co-operating products of art, for the first time, taught him what +man is and what he may become. + +Opposite the door, on a stately sarcophagus, lay a marble figure of a +noble-looking man, reclined upon a pillow. He held a roll before him, +and seemed to look at it with still attention. It was placed so that you +could read with ease the words which stood there: _Think of living._ + +Natalia took away a withered bunch of flowers, and laid the fresh one +down before the figure of her uncle. For it was her uncle whom the +marble represented. Wilhelm thought he recognized the features of the +venerable gentleman whom he had seen when lying wounded in the green of +the forest. “Here he and I passed many an hour,” said Natalia, “while +the hall was getting ready. In his latter years, he had gathered several +skilful artists round him; and his chief delight was to invent or +superintend the drawings and cartoons for these pictures.” + +Wilhelm could not satisfy himself with looking at the objects which +surrounded him. “What a life,” exclaimed he, “in this Hall of the Past! +One might with equal justice name it Hall of the Present and the Future. +Such all were, such all will be. There is nothing transitory but the +individual who looks at and enjoys it. Here, this figure of the mother +pressing her infant to her bosom will survive many generations of happy +mothers. Centuries hence, perhaps some father will take pleasure in +contemplating this bearded man, who has laid aside his seriousness, and +is playing with his son. Thus shame-faced will the bride sit for ages, +and, amid her silent wishes, need that she be comforted, that she be +spoken to; thus impatient will the bridegroom listen on the threshold +whether he may enter.” + +The figures Wilhelm was surveying with such rapture were of almost +boundless number and variety. From the first jocund impulse of the +child, merely to employ its every limb in sport, up to the peaceful, +sequestered earnestness of the sage, you might, in fair and living +order, see delineated how man possesses no capacity or tendency without +employing and enjoying it. From the first soft, conscious feeling, when +the maiden lingers in pulling up her pitcher, and looks with +satisfaction at her image in the clear fountain, to those high +solemnities when kings and nations invoke the gods at the altar to +witness their alliances, all was depicted, all was forcible and full of +meaning. + +It was a world, it was a heaven, that in this abode surrounded the +spectator; and beside the thoughts which those polished forms suggested, +beside the feelings they awoke, there still seemed something further to +be present, something by which the whole man felt himself laid hold of. +Wilhelm, too, observed this, though unable to account for it. “What is +this,” exclaimed he, “which independently of all signification, without +any sympathy that human incidents and fortunes may inspire us with, acts +on me so strongly and so gracefully? It speaks to me from the whole, it +speaks from every part; though I have not fully understood the former, +though I do not specially apply the latter to myself. What enchantment +breathes from these surfaces, these lines, these heights and breadths, +these masses and colors! What is it that makes these figures so +delightful, even when slightly viewed, and merely in the light of +decorations? Yes, I feel it: one might tarry here, might rest, might +view the whole, and be happy; and yet feel and think something +altogether different from aught that stood before his eyes.” + +And certainly, if we were able to describe how happily the whole was +subdivided, how every thing determined by its place, by combination or +by contrast, by uniformity or by variety, appeared exactly as it should +have done, producing an effect as perfect as distinct, we should +transport the reader to a scene from which he would not be in haste to +stir. + +Four large marble candelabras rose in the corners of the hall: four +smaller ones were in the midst of it, around a very beautifully worked +sarcophagus, which, judging from its size, might once have held a young +person of middle stature. + +Natalia paused beside this monument: she laid her hand upon it as she +said, “My worthy uncle had a great attachment to this fine antique. ‘It +is not,’ he would often say, ‘the first blossoms alone that drop; such +you can keep above, in these little spaces; but fruits also, which, +hanging on their twigs, long give us the fairest hope, whilst a secret +worm is preparing their too early ripeness and their quick decay.’ I +fear,” continued she, “his words have been prophetic of that dear little +girl, who seems withdrawing gradually from our cares, and bending to +this peaceful dwelling.” + +As they were about to go, Natalia stopped, and said, “There is something +still which merits your attention. Observe these half-round openings +aloft on both sides. Here the choir can stand concealed while singing: +these iron ornaments below the cornice serve for fastening on the +tapestry, which, by order of my uncle, must be hung round at every +burial. Music, particularly song, was a pleasure he could not live +without; and it was one of his peculiarities, that he wished the singer +not to be in view. ‘In this respect,’ he would say, ‘they spoil us at +the theatre: the music there is, as it were, subservient to the eye; it +accompanies movements, not emotions. In oratorios and concerts, the form +of the musician constantly disturbs us; true music is intended for the +ear alone: a fine voice is the most universal thing that can be figured; +and, while the narrow individual that uses it presents himself before +the eye, he cannot fail to trouble the effect of that pure universality. +The person whom I am to speak with, I must see; because it is a solitary +man, whose form and character give worth or worthlessness to what he +says: but, on the other hand, whoever sings to me must be invisible; his +form must not confuse me, or corrupt my judgment. Here it is but one +human organ speaking to another: it is not spirit speaking to spirit, +not a thousand-fold world to the eye, not a heaven to the man.’ On the +same principles, in respect of instrumental music, he required that the +orchestra should as much as possible be hid; because, by the mechanical +exertions, by the mean and awkward gestures of the performers, our +feelings are so much dispersed and perplexed. Accordingly, he always +used to shut his eyes while hearing music; thereby to concentrate his +whole being on the single pure enjoyment of the ear.” + +They were about to leave the hall, when they heard the children running +hastily along the passage, and Felix crying, “No, I! No, I!” + +Mignon rushed in at the open door: she was foremost, but out of breath, +and could not speak a word. Felix, still at some distance, shouted out, +“Mamma Theresa is come!” The children had run a race, as it seemed, to +bring the news. Mignon was lying in Natalia’s arms: her heart was +beating vehemently. + +“Naughty child,” said Natalia, “art thou not forbidden to make violent +exertions? See how thy heart is beating!” + +“Let it break!” said Mignon with a deep sigh: “it has beat too long.” + +They had scarcely composed themselves from this surprise, this sort of +consternation, when Theresa entered. She flew to Natalia, clasped her +and Mignon in her arms. Then, turning round to Wilhelm, she looked at +him with her clear eyes, and said, “Well, my friend, how it is with you? +You have not let them cheat you?” He made a step towards her: she sprang +to him, and hung upon his neck. “O my Theresa!” cried he. + +“My friend, my love, my husband! Yes, forever thine!” cried she, amid +the warmest kisses. + +Felix pulled her by the gown, and cried, “Mamma Theresa, I am here too!” +Natalia stood, and looked before her: Mignon on a sudden clapped her +left hand on her heart, and, stretching out the right arm violently, +fell with a shriek at Natalia’s feet, as dead. + +The fright was great: no motion of the heart or pulse was to be traced. +Wilhelm took her on his arm, and hastily carried her away: the body hung +lax over his shoulders. The presence of the doctor was of small avail: +he and the young surgeon, whom we know already, strove in vain. The dear +little creature could not be recalled to life. + +Natalia beckoned to Theresa: the latter took her friend by the hand, and +led him from the room. He was dumb, not uttering a word: he durst not +meet her eyes. He sat down with her upon the sofa, where he had first +found Natalia. He thought with great rapidity along a series of fateful +incidents, or, rather, he did not think, but let his soul be worked on +by the thoughts which would not leave it. There are moments in life when +past events, like winged shuttles, dart to and fro before us, and by +their incessant movements weave a web which we ourselves, in a greater +or less degree, have spun and put upon the loom. “My friend, my love!” +said Theresa, breaking silence, as she took him by the hand, “let us +stand together firmly in this hour, as we perhaps shall often have to do +in similar hours. These are occurrences which it takes two united hearts +to suffer. Think, my friend, feel, that thou art not alone: show that +thou lovest thy Theresa by imparting thy sorrows to her!” She embraced +him, and drew him softly to her bosom: he clasped her in his arms, and +pressed her strongly towards him. “The poor child,” cried he, “used in +mournful moments to seek shelter and protection in my unstable bosom: +let the stability of thine assist me in this heavy hour.” They held each +other fast; he felt her heart beat against his breast; but in his spirit +all was desolate and void: only the figures of Mignon and Natalia +flitted like shadows across the waste of his imagination. + +Natalia entered. “Give us thy blessing!” cried Theresa: “let us, in this +melancholy moment, be united before thee!” Wilhelm had hid his face upon +Theresa’s neck: he was so far relieved that he could weep. He did not +hear Natalia come; he did not see her; but, at the sound of her voice, +his tears redoubled. “What God has joined I will not part,” she +answered, smiling, “but to unite you is not in my power: nor am I +gratified to see that sorrow and sympathy seem altogether to have +banished from your hearts the recollection of my brother.” At these +words, Wilhelm started from Theresa’s arms. “Whither are you going?” +cried the ladies. “Let me see the child,” said he, “whom I have killed! +Misfortune, when we look upon it with our eyes, is smaller than when our +imagination sinks the evil down into the recesses of the soul. Let us +view the departed angel! Her serene countenance will say to us that it +is well with her.” As his friends could not restrain the agitated youth, +they followed him; but the worthy doctor with the surgeon met them, and +prevented them from coming near the dead. “Keep away from this mournful +object,” said he, “and allow me, so far as I am able, to give some +continuance to these remains. On this dear and singular being I will now +display the beautiful art, not only of embalming bodies, but of +retaining in them a look of life. As I foresaw her death, the +preparations are already made: with these helps I shall undoubtedly +succeed. Give me but a few days, and ask not to see the child again till +I have brought her to the Hall of the Past.” + +The young surgeon had in his hands that well-known case of instruments. +“From whom can he have got it?” Wilhelm asked the doctor. “I know it +very well,” replied Natalia: “he has it from his father, who dressed +your wounds when we found you in the forest.” + +“Then, I have not been mistaken! I recognized the band at once!” cried +Wilhelm. “Oh, get it for me! It was this that first gave me any hint of +my unknown benefactress. What weal and woe will such a thing survive! +Beside how many sorrows has this band already been, and its threads +still hold together! How many men’s last moments has it witnessed, and +its colors are not yet faded! It was near me in one of the fairest hours +of my existence, when I lay wounded on the ground, and your helpful form +appeared before me, and the child whom we are now lamenting sat with its +bloody hair, busied with the tenderest care to save my life!” + +It was not long that our friends could converse about this sad +occurrence, that Theresa could inquire about the child, and the probable +cause of its unexpected death; for strangers were announced, who, on +making their appearance, proved to be well-known strangers. Lothario, +Jarno, and the abbé entered. Natalia met her brother: among the rest +there was a momentary silence. Theresa, smiling on Lothario, said, “You +scarcely expected to find me here; of course, it would not have been +advisable that we should visit one another at the present time: however, +after such an absence, take my cordial welcome.” + +Lothario took her hand, and answered, “If we are to suffer and renounce, +it may as well take place in the presence of the object whom we love and +wish for. I desire no influence on your determination: my confidence in +your heart, in your understanding, and clear sense, is still so great, +that I willingly commit to your disposal my fate and that of my friend.” + +The conversation turned immediately to general, nay, we may say, to +trivial, topics. The company soon separated into single pairs, for +walking. Natalia was with her brother, Theresa with the abbé: our friend +was left with Jarno in the castle. + +The appearance of the guests at the moment when a heavy sorrow was +oppressing Wilhelm had, instead of dissipating his attention, irritated +him, and made him worse: he was fretful and suspicious, and unable or +uncareful to conceal it, when Jarno questioned him about his sulky +silence. “What is the use of saying more?” cried Wilhelm. “Lothario with +his helpers is come; and it were strange if those mysterious watchmen of +the tower, who are constantly so busy, did not now exert their influence +on us, to effect I know not what strange purpose. So far as I have known +these saintly gentlemen, it seems to be in every case their laudable +endeavor to separate the united and to unite the separated. What sort of +web their weaving will produce may probably to unholy eyes be forever a +riddle.” + +“You are cross and bitter,” said the other: “that is as it should be. +Would you get into a proper passion, it were still better.” + +“That, too, might come about,” said Wilhelm: “I fear much some of you +are in the mind to load my patience, natural and acquired, beyond what +it will bear.” + +“In the mean time,” said the other, “till we see what is to be the issue +of the matter, I could like to tell you somewhat of the tower which you +appear to view with such mistrust.” + +“It stands with you,” said Wilhelm, “whether you will risk your +eloquence on an attention so distracted. My mind is so engaged at +present, that I know not whether I can take a proper interest in these +very dignified adventures.” + +“Your pleasing humor shall not hinder me,” said Jarno, “from explaining +this affair to you. You reckon me a clever fellow; I want to make you +reckon me an honest one: and, what is more, on this occasion I am bidden +speak.”--“I could wish,” said Wilhelm, “that you did it of yourself, and +with an honest purpose to inform me; but, as I cannot hear without +suspicion, wherefore should I hear at all?”--“If I have nothing better +to do,” said Jarno, “than tell you stories, you, too, have time to +listen to me; and to this you may perhaps feel more inclined, when I +assure you, that all you saw in the tower was but the relics of a +youthful undertaking, in regard to which the greater part of the +initiated were once in deep earnest, though all of them now view it with +a smile.” + +“So, with these pompous signs and words, you do but mock?” cried +Wilhelm. “With a solemn air, you lead us to a place inspiring reverence +by its aspect; you make the strangest visions pass before us; you give +us rolls full of glorious mystic apothegms, of which, in truth, we +understand but little; you disclose to us, that hitherto we have been +pupils; you solemnly pronounce us free; and we are just as wise as we +were.”--“Have you not the parchment by you?” said the other. “It +contains a deal of sense: those general apothegms were not picked up at +random, though they seem obscure and empty to a man without experiences +to recollect while reading them. But give me the Indenture, as we call +it, if it is at hand.”--“Quite at hand,” cried Wilhelm: “such an amulet +well merits being worn upon one’s breast.”--“Well,” said Jarno, smiling, +“who knows whether the contents of it may not one day find place in your +head and heart?” + +He opened the roll, and glanced over the first half of it. “This,” said +he, “regards the cultivation of our gifts for art and science, of which +let others speak: the second treats of life; here I am more at home.” + +He then began to read passages, speaking between whiles, and connecting +them with his remarks and narrative. “The taste of youth for secrecy, +for ceremonies, for imposing words, is extraordinary, and frequently +bespeaks a certain depth of character. In those years we wish to feel +our whole nature seized and moved, even though it be but vaguely and +darkly. The youth who happens to have lofty aspirations and forecastings +thinks that secrets yield him much, that he must depend much on secrets, +and effect much by means of them. It was with such views that the abbé +favored a certain society of young men, partly according to his +principle of aiding every tendency of nature, partly out of habit and +inclination; for in former times he had himself been joined to an +association which appears to have accomplished many things in secret. +For this business I was least of all adapted. I was older than the rest; +from youth I had thought clearly; I wished in all things nothing more +than clearness; I felt no interest in men but to know them as they were. +With the same taste I gradually infected all the best of our associates, +and this circumstance had almost given a false direction to our plan of +culture. For we now began to look at nothing but the errors and the +narrowness of others, and to think ourselves a set of highly gifted +personages. Here the abbé came to our assistance: he taught us that we +never should inspect the conduct of men, unless we at the same time took +an interest in improving it; and that through action only could we ever +be in a condition to inspect and watch ourselves. He advised us, +however, to retain the primary forms of the society: hence there was +still a sort of law in our proceedings; the first mystic impressions +might be traced in the constitution of the whole. At length, as by a +practical similitude, it took the form of a corporate trade, whose +business was the arts. Hence came the names of apprentices, assistants, +and masters. We wished to see with our own eyes, and to form for +ourselves, a special record of our own experience in the world. Hence +those numerous confessions which in part we ourselves wrote, in part +made others write, and out of which the several _Apprenticeships_ were +afterwards compiled. The formation of his character is not the chief +concern with every man. Many merely wish to find a sort of recipe for +comfort, directions for acquiring riches, or whatever good they aim at. +All such, when they would not be instructed in their proper duties, we +were wont to mystify, to treat with juggleries, and every sort of +hocus-pocus, and at length to shove aside. We advanced none to the rank +of masters, but such as clearly felt and recognized the purpose they +were born for, and had got enough of practice to proceed along their way +with a certain cheerfulness and ease.” + +“In my case, then,” cried Wilhelm, “your ceremony has been very +premature; for, since the day when you pronounced me free, what I can, +will, or shall do has been more unknown to me than ever.”--“We are not +to blame for this perplexity: perhaps good fortune will deliver us. In +the mean time, listen: ‘He in whom there is much to be developed will be +later in acquiring true perceptions of himself and of the world. There +are few who at once have Thought and the capacity of Action. Thought +expands, but lames: Action animates, but narrows.’” + +“I beg of you,” cried Wilhelm, “not to read me any more of that +surprising stuff. These phrases have sufficiently confused me +before.”--“I will stick by my story, then,” said Jarno, half rolling up +the parchment, into which, however, he kept casting frequent glances. “I +myself have been of less service to the cause of our society, and of my +fellow-men, than any other member. I am but a bad school-master: I +cannot bear to look on people making awkward trials; when I see a person +wander from his path, I feel constrained to call to him, although it +were a night-walker going straight to break his neck. On this point I +had a continual struggle with the abbé, who maintains that error can +never be cured, except by erring. About you, too, we often argued. He +had taken an especial liking to you, and it is saying something to have +caught so much of his attention. For me, you must admit, that every time +we met I told you just the naked truth.”--“Certainly, you spared me very +little,” said the other; “and I think you still continue faithful to +your principles.”--“What is the use of sparing,” answered Jarno, “when a +young man of many good endowments is taking a quite false +direction?”--“Pardon me,” said Wilhelm: “you have rigorously enough +denied me any talent for the stage; I confess to you, that, though I +have entirely renounced the art, I cannot think myself entirely +incapable.”--“And with me,” said Jarno, “it is well enough decided, that +a person who can only play himself is no player. Whoever cannot change +himself, in temper and in form, into many forms, does not deserve the +name. Thus you, for example, acted Hamlet, and some other characters, +extremely well; because, in these, your form, your disposition, and the +temper of the moment, suited. For an amateur theatre, for any one who +saw no other way before him, this would, perhaps, have answered well +enough. But,” continued Jarno, looking on the roll, “‘we should guard +against a talent which we cannot hope to practise in perfection. Improve +it as we may, we shall always, in the end, when the merit of the master +has become apparent to us, painfully lament the loss of time and +strength devoted to such botching.’” + +“Do not read!” cried Wilhelm: “I entreat you earnestly, speak on, tell, +inform me! So, the abbé aided me in Hamlet: he provided me a +Ghost?”--“Yes; for he asserted that it was the only way of curing you, +if you were curable.”--“And on this account he left the veil, and bade +me flee?”--“Yes: he hoped, that, having fairly acted Hamlet, your desire +of acting would be satiated. He maintained that you would never go upon +the stage again: I believed the contrary, and I was right. We argued on +the subject that very evening, when the play was over.”--“You saw me +act, then?”--“I did indeed.”--“And who was it that played the +Ghost?”--“That I cannot tell you: either the abbé or his twin-brother; +but I think the latter, for he is a little taller.”--“You, then, have +secrets from each other?”--“Friends may and must _have_ secrets from, +but they _are_ not secrets to, each other.” + +“The very thought of that perplexity perplexes me. Let me understand the +man to whom I owe so many thanks as well as such reproaches.” + +“What gives him such a value in our estimation,” answered Jarno, “what, +in some degree, secures him the dominion over all of us, is the free, +sharp eye that nature has bestowed on him, for all the powers which +dwell in man, and are susceptible of cultivation, each according to its +kind. Most men, even the most accomplished, are but limited: each prizes +certain properties in others and himself; these alone he favors, these +alone will he have cultivated. Directly the reverse is the procedure of +our abbé: for every gift he has a feeling; every gift he delights to +recognize and forward. But I must look into my roll again! ‘It is all +men that make up mankind, all powers taken together that make up the +world. These are frequently at variance; and, as they endeavor to +destroy each other, Nature holds them together, and again produces them. +From the first animal tendency to handicraft attempts, up to the highest +practising of intellectual art; from the inarticulate crowings of the +happy infant, up to the polished utterance of the orator and singer; +from the first bickerings of boys, up to the vast equipments by which +countries are conquered and retained; from the slightest kindliness, and +the most transitory love, up to the fiercest passion, and the most +earnest covenant; from the merest perception of sensible presence, up to +the faintest presentiments and hopes of the remotest spiritual +future,--all this, and much more also, lies in man, and must be +cultivated, yet not in one, but in many. Every gift is valuable, and +ought to be unfolded. When one encourages the beautiful alone, and +another encourages the useful alone, it takes them both to form a man. +The useful encourages itself; for the multitude produce it, and no one +can dispense with it: the beautiful must be encouraged; for few can set +it forth, and many need it.’” + +“Hold! Hold!” cried Wilhelm: “I have read it all.”--“Yet a line or two!” +said Jarno. “Here is our worthy abbé to a hair’s-breadth: ‘One power +rules another, none can cultivate another: in each endowment, and not +elsewhere, lies the force which must complete it; this many people do +not understand, who yet attempt to teach and influence.’”--“Nor do I +understand it,” answered Wilhelm.--“You will often hear the abbé preach +on this text; and, therefore, ‘Let us merely keep a clear and steady eye +on what is in ourselves, on what endowments of our own we mean to +cultivate: let us be just to others, for we ourselves are only to be +valued in so far as we can value.’”--“For Heaven’s sake, no more of +these wise saws! I feel them to be but a sorry balsam for a wounded +heart. Tell me, rather, with your cruel settledness, what you expect of +me, how, and in what manner, you intend to sacrifice me.”--“For every +such suspicion, I assure you, you will afterwards beg our pardon. It is +your affair to try and choose: it is ours to aid you. A man is never +happy till his vague striving has itself marked out its proper +limitation. It is not to me that you must look, but to the abbé: it is +not of yourself that you must think, but of what surrounds you. Thus, +for instance, learn to understand Lothario’s superiority; how his quick +and comprehensive vision is inseparably united with activity; how he +constantly advances; how he expands his influence, and carries every one +along with him. Wherever he may be, he bears a world about with him: his +presence animates and kindles. Observe our good physician, on the other +hand. His nature seems to be directly the reverse. If the former only +works upon the general whole, and at a distance, the latter turns his +piercing eye upon the things that are beside him: he rather furnishes +the means for being active, than himself displays or stimulates +activity. His conduct is exactly like the conduct of a good domestic +manager: he is busied silently, while he provides for each in his +peculiar sphere; his knowledge is a constant gathering and expanding, a +taking in and giving out on a small scale. Perhaps Lothario in a single +day might overturn what the other had for years been employed in +building up; but perhaps Lothario also might impart to others, in a +moment, strength sufficient to restore a hundred-fold what he had +overturned.”--“It is but a sad employment,” answered Wilhelm, “to +contemplate the sublime advantages of others, at a moment when we are at +variance with ourselves. Such contemplations suit the man at ease, not +him whom passion and uncertainty are agitating.”--“Peacefully and +reasonably to contemplate is at no time hurtful,” answered Jarno: “and, +while we use ourselves to think of the advantages of others, our own +mind comes insensibly to imitate them; and every false activity, to +which our fancy was alluring us, is then willingly abandoned. Free your +mind, if you can, from all suspicion and anxiety. Here comes the abbé: +be courteous towards him, till you have learned still further what you +owe him. The rogue! There he goes between Natalia and Theresa: I could +bet he is contriving something. As in general he rather likes to act the +part of Destiny; so he does not fail to show a taste for making matches +when he finds an opportunity.” + +Wilhelm, whose angry and fretful humor all the placid prudent words of +Jarno had not bettered, thought his friend exceedingly indelicate for +mentioning marriage at a moment like the present: he answered, with a +smile indeed, but a rather bitter one, “I thought the taste for making +matches had been left to those that had a taste for one another.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER VI. + + +The company had met again: the conversation of our friends was +necessarily interrupted. Erelong a courier was announced, as wishing to +deliver with his own hand a letter to Lothario. The man was introduced: +he had a vigorous sufficient look; his livery was rich and handsome. +Wilhelm thought he knew him, nor was he mistaken; for it was the man +whom he had sent to seek Philina and the fancied Mariana, and who never +came back. Our friend was about to address him, when Lothario, who had +read the letter, asked the courier with a serious, almost angry, tone, +“What is your master’s name?” + +“Of all questions,” said the other, with a prudent air, “this is the one +which I am least prepared to answer. I hope the letter will communicate +the necessary information: verbally I have been charged with nothing.” + +“Be it as it will,” replied Lothario with a smile: “since your master +puts such trust in me as to indite a letter so exceedingly facetious, he +shall be welcome to us.”--“He will not keep you long waiting for him,” +said the courier, with a bow, and withdrew. + +“Do but hear the distracted, stupid message,” said Lothario. “‘As of all +guests, Good Humor is believed to be the most agreeable wherever he +appears, and as I always keep that gentleman beside me by way of +travelling companion, I feel persuaded that the visit I intend to pay +your noble lordship will not be taken ill: on the contrary, I hope the +whole of your illustrious family will witness my arrival with complete +satisfaction, and in due time also my departure; being always, _et +cœtera_, Count of Snailfoot.’” + +“’Tis a new family,” said the abbé. + +“A vicariat count, perhaps,” said Jarno. + +“The secret is easy to unriddle,” said Natalia: “I wager it is none but +brother Friedrich, who has threatened us with a visit ever since my +uncle’s death.” + +“Right, fair and skilful sister!” cried a voice from the nearest +thicket; and immediately a pleasant, cheerful youth stepped forward. +Wilhelm could scarcely restrain a cry of wonder. “What!” exclaimed he: +“does our fair-haired knave, too, meet me here?” Friedrich looked +attentively, and, recognizing Wilhelm, cried, “In truth, it would not +have astonished me so much to have beheld the famous pyramids, which +still stand fast in Egypt, or the grave of King Mausolus, which, as I am +told, does not exist, here placed before me in my uncle’s garden, as to +find you in it, my old friend, and frequent benefactor. Accept my best +and heartiest service!” + +After he had kissed and complimented the whole circle, he again sprang +towards Wilhelm, crying, “Use him well, this hero, this leader of +armies, and dramatical philosopher! When we became acquainted first, I +dressed his hair indifferently, I may say execrably; yet he afterwards +saved me from a pretty load of blows. He is magnanimous as Scipio, +munificent as Alexander: at times he is in love, yet he never hates his +rivals. Far from heaping coals of fire on the heads of his enemies,--a +piece of service, I am told, which we can do for any one,--he rather, +when his friends have carried off his love, despatches good and trusty +servants after them, that they may not strike their feet against a +stone.” + +In the same style he ran along with a volubility which baffled all +attempts to restrain it; and, as no one could reply to him in that vein, +he had the conversation mostly to himself. “Do not wonder,” cried he, +“that I am so profoundly versed in sacred and profane writers: you shall +hear by and by how I attained my learning.” They wished to know how +matters stood with him,--where he had been; but crowds of proverbs and +old stories choked his explanation. + +Natalia whispered to Theresa, “His gayety afflicts me: I am sure at +heart he is not merry.” + +As, except a few jokes which Jarno answered, Friedrich’s merriment was +met by no response from those about him, he was obliged at last to say, +“Well, there is nothing left for me, but, among so many grave faces, to +be grave myself. And as, in such a solemn scene, the burden of my sins +falls heavy on my soul, I must honestly resolve upon a general +confession; for which, however, you, my worthy gentlemen and ladies, +shall not be a jot the wiser. This honorable friend already knows a +little of my walk and conversation; he alone shall know the rest; and +this the rather, as he alone has any cause to ask about it. Are not +you,” continued he to Wilhelm, “curious about the how and where, the +when and wherefore? And how it stands with the conjugation of the Greek +verb φιλέω, φιλῶ, and the derivatives of that very amiable part of +speech?” + +He then took Wilhelm by the arm, and led him off, pressing him and +skipping round him with the liveliest air of kindness. + +Scarcely had they entered Wilhelm’s room, when Friedrich noticed, in the +window, a powder-knife, with the inscription, “Think of me.” “You keep +your valuables well laid up!” said he. “This is the powder-knife Philina +gave you, when I pulled your locks for you. I hope, in looking at it, +you have diligently thought of that fair damsel; I assure you, she has +not forgotten you: if I had not long ago obliterated every trace of +jealousy from my heart, I could not look on you without envy.” + +“Talk no more of that creature,” answered Wilhelm. “I confess it was a +while before I could get rid of the impression which her looks and +manner made on me, but that was all.” + +“Fie, Fie!” cried Friedrich. “Would any one deny his deary? You loved +her as completely as a man could wish. No day passed without your giving +her some present; and, when a German gives, you may be sure he loves. No +alternative remained for me but whisking her away from you, and in this +the little red officer at last succeeded.” + +“What! you were the officer whom we discovered with her, whom she +travelled off with?” + +“Yes,” said Friedrich, “whom you took for Mariana. We had sport enough +at the mistake.” + +“What cruelty,” cried Wilhelm, “to leave me in such suspense!” + +“And, besides, to take the courier, whom you sent to catch us, into +pay!” said Friedrich. “He is a very active fellow: we have kept him by +us ever since. And the girl herself I love as desperately as ever. She +has managed me in some peculiar style: I am almost in a mythologic case; +every day I tremble at the thought of being metamorphosed.” + +“But tell me, pray,” said Wilhelm, “where have you acquired this stock +of erudition? It surprises me to hear the strange way you have assumed +of speaking always with a reference to ancient histories and fables.” + +“It was by a pleasant plan,” said Friedrich, “that I got my learning. +Philina lives with me at present: we have got a lease of an old, +knightly castle from the farmer in whose ground it is; and there we +live, with the hobgoblins of the place, as merrily as possible. In one +of the rooms we found a small, but choice, library, consisting of a +Bible in folio, ‘Gottfried’s Chronicle,’ two volumes of the ‘Theatrum +Europæum,’ an ‘Acerra Philologica,’ ‘Gryphius’ Writings,’ and some other +less important works. As we now and then, when tired of romping, felt +the time hang heavy on our hands, we proposed to read some books; and, +before we were aware, the time hung heavier than ever. At last Philina +hit upon the royal plan of laying all the tomes, opened at once, upon a +large table. We sat down opposite to one another: we read to one +another,--always in detached passages, first from this book, then from +that. We had a jolly time of it. We felt now as if we were in good +society, where it is reckoned unbecoming to dwell on any subject, or +search it to the bottom: we thought ourselves in witty, gay society, +where none will let his neighbor speak. We regularly treat ourselves +with this diversion every day, and the erudition we obtain from it is +quite surprising. Already there is nothing new for us under the sun: on +every thing we see or hear, our learning offers us a hint. This method +of instruction we diversify in many ways. Frequently we read by an old, +spoiled sand-glass, which runs in a minute or two. The moment it is +down, the silent party turns it round like lightning, and commences +reading from his book; and no sooner is it down again, than the other +cuts him short, and starts the former topic. Thus we study in a truly +academic manner, with this difference, that our hours are shorter, and +our studies extremely varied.” + +“This rioting is quite conceivable,” said Wilhelm, “when a pair like you +two are together; but how a pair so full of frolic stay together does +not seem so easily conceivable.” + +“It is our good fortune,” answered Friedrich, “and our bad. Philina dare +not let herself be seen,--she cannot bear to see herself: she is with +child. Nothing ever was so ludicrous and shapeless in the world. A +little while before I came away, she chanced to cast an eye upon the +looking-glass in passing. ‘Faugh!’ cried she, and turned away her face: +‘the living picture of the Frau Melina! Shocking figure! One looks +entirely deplorable!’” + +“I confess,” said Wilhelm, with a smile, “it must be rather farcical to +see a father and a mother, such as you and she, together.” + +“’Tis a foolish business,” answered Friedrich, “that I must at last be +raised to the paternal dignity. But she asserts, and the time agrees. At +first that cursed visit which she paid you after ‘Hamlet’ gave me +qualms.” + +“What visit?” + +“I suppose you have not quite slept off the memory of it yet? The +pretty, flesh-and-blood spirit of that night, if you do not know it, was +Philina. The story was, in truth, a hard dower for me; but, if we cannot +be content with such things, we should not be in love. Fatherhood, at +any rate, depends entirely upon conviction: I am convinced, and so I am +a father. There, you see, I can employ my logic in the proper season +too. And, if the brat do not laugh itself to death so soon as it is +born, it may prove, if not a useful, at least a pleasant, citizen of +this world.” + +Whilst our friends were talking thus of mirthful subjects, the rest of +the party had begun a serious conversation. Scarcely were Friedrich and +Wilhelm gone, when the abbé led his friends, as if by chance, into a +garden-house, and, having got them seated, thus addressed them:-- + +“We have in general terms asserted that Fräulein Theresa was not the +daughter of her reputed mother: it is fit that we should now explain +ourselves on this matter, in detail. I shall relate the story to you, +which I undertake to prove and to elucidate in every point. + +“Frau von ---- spent the first years of her wedlock in the utmost +concord with her husband; but they had this misfortune, that the +children she brought him came into the world dead: and, on occasion of +the third, the mother was declared by the physicians to be on the verge +of death, and to be sure of death if she should ever have another. The +parties were obliged to take their resolution: they would not break the +marriage; it was too suitable to both, in a civil point of view. Frau +von ---- sought in the culture of her mind, in a certain habit of +display, in the joys of vanity, a compensation for the happiness of +motherhood, which was refused her. She cheerfully indulged her husband, +when she noticed in him an attachment to a young lady, who had sole +charge of their household, a person of beautiful exterior, and very +solid character. Frau von ---- herself, erelong, assisted in procuring +an arrangement, by which the lady yielded to the wishes of Theresa’s +father; continuing to discharge her household duties, and testifying to +the mistress of the family, if possible, a more submissive zeal to serve +her than before. + +“After a while she declared herself with child; and both the father and +his wife, on this occasion, though from very different causes, fell upon +the same idea. Herr von ---- wished to have the offspring of his +mistress educated in the house as his lawful child; and Frau von ----, +angry that the indiscretion of her doctor had allowed some whisper of +her condition to go abroad, proposed by a supposititious child to +counteract this, and likewise to retain, by such compliance, the +superiority in her household, which otherwise she was like to lose. +However, she was more backward than her husband: she observed his +purpose, and contrived, without any formal question, to facilitate his +explanation. She made her own terms, obtaining almost every thing that +she required; and hence the will in which so little care was taken of +the child. The old doctor was dead: they applied to a young, active, and +discreet successor; he was well rewarded; he looked forward to the +credit of exposing and remedying the unskilfulness and premature +decision of his deceased colleague. The true mother not unwillingly +consented: they managed the deception very well; Theresa came into the +world, and was surrendered to a stepmother, while her mother fell a +victim to the plot; having died by venturing out too early, and left the +father inconsolable. + +“Frau von ---- had thus attained her object; in the eyes of the world +she had a lovely child, which she paraded with excessive vanity: and she +had also been delivered from a rival whose fortune she envied, and whose +influence, at least in prospect, she beheld with apprehension. The +infant she loaded with her tenderness: and by affecting, in trustful +hours, a lively feeling for her husband’s loss, she gained a mastery of +his heart; so that in a manner he surrendered all to her, laid his own +happiness and that of his child in her hands: nor was it till a short +while prior to his death, and, in some degree, by the exertions of his +grown-up daughter, that he again assumed the rule in his own house. +This, fair Theresa, was in all probability the secret which your father, +in his last sickness, so struggled to communicate: this is what I wished +to lay circumstantially before you, at a moment when our young friend, +who by a strange concurrence has become your bridegroom, happens to be +absent. Here are the papers which will prove in the most rigorous manner +every thing that I have stated. You will also see from them how long I +have been following the trace of this discovery; though, till now, I +could never attain certainty respecting it. I did not risk imparting to +my friend the possibility of such a happiness: it would have wounded him +too deeply had this hope a second time deceived him. You will understand +poor Lydia’s suspicions: I readily confess, I nowise favored our +friend’s attachment to her, when I began again to look forward to his +union with Theresa.” + +To this recital no one replied. The ladies, some days afterwards, +returned the papers, not making any further mention of them. + +There were other matters in abundance to engage the party when they were +together; and the scenery around was so delightful, that our friends, +singly or in company, on horseback, in carriages, or on foot, delighted +to explore it. On one of these excursions, Jarno took an opportunity of +opening the affair to Wilhelm: he delivered him the papers; not, +however, seeming to require from him any resolution in regard to them. + +“In this most singular position in which I am,” said our friend, “I need +only repeat to you what I said at first, in presence of Natalia, and +with the clear intention to fulfil it. Lothario and his friends may +require of me every sort of self-denial; I here abandon in their favor +all pretension to Theresa: do you procure me in return a formal +discharge. There requires no great reflection to decide. For some days I +have noticed that Theresa has to make an effort in retaining any show of +the vivacity with which she welcomed me at first. Her affection is gone +from me; or, rather, I have never had it.” + +“Such affairs are more conveniently explained,” said Jarno, “by a +gradual process, in silence and expectation, than by many words, which +always cause a sort of fermentation and embarrassment.” + +“I rather think,” said Wilhelm, “that precisely this affair admits of +the most clear and calm decision on the spot. I have often been +reproached with hesitation and uncertainty: why will you now, when I do +not hesitate, commit against myself the fault you have often blamed in +me? Do people take such trouble with our training only to let us feel +that they themselves will not be trained? Yes: grant me soon the +cheerful thought that I am out of a mistaken project, into which I +entered with the purest feelings in the world.” + +Notwithstanding this request, some days elapsed without his hearing any +more of the affair, or observing any further alteration in his friends. +The conversation, on the contrary, was general, and of indifferent +matters. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER VII. + + +Jarno and Wilhelm were sitting one day by Natalia. “You are thoughtful, +Jarno,” said the lady: “I have seen it in your looks for some time.” + +“I am so,” answered Jarno: “a weighty business is before me, which we +have for years been meditating, and must now begin to execute. You +already know the outline of it: I may speak of it before our friend; for +it will depend on himself whether he, too, shall not share in it. You +are going to get rid of me before long: I mean to take a voyage to +America.” + +“To America?” said Wilhelm, smiling: “such an adventure I did not +anticipate from you, still less that you would have selected me for a +companion.” + +“When you rightly understand our plan,” said Jarno, “you will give it a +more honorable name, and, perhaps, yourself be tempted to embark in it. +Listen to me. It requires but a slight acquaintance with the business of +the world to see that mighty changes are at hand, that property is +almost nowhere quite secure.” + +“Of the business of the world I have no clear notion,” interrupted +Wilhelm; “and it is but of late that I ever thought about my property. +Perhaps I had done well to drive it out of my head still longer: the +care of securing it appears to give us hypochondria.” + +“Hear me out,” said Jarno. “Care beseems ripe age, that youth may live, +for a time, free from care; in the conduct of poor mortals, equilibrium +cannot be restored except by contraries. As matters go, it is any thing +but prudent to have property in only one place, to commit your money to +a single spot; and yet it is difficult to guide it well in many. We +have, therefore, thought of something else. From our old tower there is +a society to issue, which must spread itself through every quarter of +the world, and to which members from every quarter of the world shall be +admissible. We shall insure a competent subsistence to each other, in +the single case of a revolution happening, which might drive any part of +us entirely from their possessions. I am now proceeding to America to +profit by the good connections which our friend established while he +staid there. The abbé means to go to Russia: if you like to join us, you +shall have the choice of continuing in Germany to help Lothario, or of +accompanying me. I conjecture you will choose the latter: to take a +distant journey is extremely serviceable to a young man.” + +Wilhelm thought a moment, and replied, “The offer well deserves +consideration; for erelong the word with me must be, The farther off, +the better. You will let me know your plan, I hope, more perfectly. It +is, perhaps, my ignorance of life that makes me think so; but such a +combination seems to me to be attended with insuperable difficulties.” + +“The most of which, till now, have been avoided,” answered Jarno, “by +the circumstance that we have been but few in number, honorable, +discreet, determined people, animated by a certain general feeling, out +of which alone the feeling proper for societies can spring.”--“And if +you speak me fair,” said Friedrich, who hitherto had only listened, “I, +too, will go along with you.” + +Jarno shook his head. + +“Well, what objections can you make?” cried Friedrich. “In a new colony, +young colonists will be required; these I bring with me: merry colonists +will also be required; of these I make you certain. Besides, I recollect +a certain damsel, who is out of place on this side of the water,--the +fair, soft-hearted Lydia. What is the poor thing to do with her sorrow +and mourning, unless she get an opportunity to throw it to the bottom of +the sea, unless some brave fellow take her by the hand? You, my +benefactor,” said he, turning towards Wilhelm, “you have a taste for +comforting forsaken persons: what withholds you now? Each of us might +take his girl under his arm, and trudge with Jarno.” + +This proposal struck Wilhelm offensively. He answered with affected +calmness, “I know not whether she is unengaged; and, as in general I +seem to be unfortunate in courtship, I shall hardly think of making the +attempt.” + +“Brother Friedrich,” said Natalia, “though thy own conduct is so full of +levity, it does not follow that such sentiments will answer others. Our +friend deserves a heart that shall belong to him alone, that shall not, +at his side, be moved by recollections of some previous attachment. It +was only with a character as pure and reasonable as Theresa’s that such +a venture could be risked.” + +“Risk!” cried Friedrich: “in love it is all risk. In the grove or at the +altar, with a clasp of the arms or a golden ring, by the chirping of the +cricket or the sound of trumpets and kettle-drums, it is all but a risk: +chance does it all.” + +“I have often noticed,” said Natalia, “that our principles are just a +supplement to our peculiar manner of existence. We delight to clothe our +errors in the garb of universal laws, to attribute them to irresistibly +appointed causes. Do but think by what a path thy dear will lead thee, +now that she has drawn thee towards her, and holds thee fast there.” + +“She herself is on a very pretty path,” said Friedrich,--“on the path to +saintship. A by-path, it is true, and somewhat roundabout, but the +pleasanter and surer for that. Maria of Magdala travelled it, and who +can say how many more? But, on the whole, sister, when the point in hand +is love, thou shouldst not mingle in it. In my opinion, thou wilt never +marry, till a bride is lacking somewhere: in that case, thou wilt give +thyself, with thy habitual charity, to be the supplement of some +peculiar manner of existence, not otherwise. So let us strike a bargain +with this soul-broker, and agree about our travelling-company.” + +“You come too late with your proposals,” answered Jarno: “Lydia is +disposed of.” + +“And how?” cried Friedrich. + +“I myself have offered her my hand,” said Jarno. + +“Old gentleman,” said Friedrich, “you have done a feat to which, if we +regard it as a substantive, various adjectives might be appended; +various predicates, if we regard it as a subject.” + +“I must honestly confess,” replied Natalia, “it appears a dangerous +experiment to make a helpmate of a woman, at the very moment when her +love for another man is like to drive her to despair.” + +“I have ventured,” answered Jarno: “under a certain stipulation she is +to be mine. And, believe me, there is nothing in the world more precious +than a heart susceptible of love and passion. Whether it has loved, +whether it still loves, are points which I regard not. The love of which +another is the object charms me almost more than that which is directed +to myself. I see the strength, the force, of a tender soul; and my +self-love does not trouble the delightful vision.” + +“Have you, then, talked with Lydia of late?” inquired Natalia. + +Jarno smiled and nodded: Natalia shook her head, and said as he rose, “I +really know not what to make of you; but me you shall not mystify, I +promise you.” + +She was about retiring, when the abbé entered with a letter in his hand. +“Stay, if you please,” said he to her: “I have a proposal here, +respecting which your counsel will be welcome. The marchese, your late +uncle’s friend, whom for some time we have been expecting, will be here +in a day or two. He writes to me, that German is not so familiar to him +as he had supposed; that he needs a person who possesses this and other +languages, to travel with him; that, as he wishes to connect himself +with scientific rather than political society, he cannot do without some +such interpreter. I can think of no one better suited for the post than +our young friend here. He knows the language, is acquainted with many +things beside; and, for himself, it cannot but be advantageous to travel +over Germany in such society and such circumstances. Till we have seen +our native country, we have no scale to judge of other countries by. +What say you, my friend? What say you, Natalia?” + +Nobody objected to the scheme: Jarno seemed to think his transatlantic +project would not be a hinderance, as he did not mean to sail directly. +Natalia did not speak, and Friedrich uttered various saws about the uses +of travel. + +This new project so provoked our friend, that he could hardly conceal +his irritation. He saw in this proposal a concerted plan for getting rid +of him as soon as possible; and, what was worse, they went so openly to +work, and seemed so utterly regardless of his feelings. The suspicions +Lydia had excited in him, all that he himself had witnessed, rose again +upon his mind: the simple manner in which every thing had been explained +by Jarno now appeared to him another piece of artifice. + +He constrained himself, and answered, “At all events, the offer will +require mature deliberation.” + +“A quick decision may, perhaps, be necessary,” said the abbé. + +“For that I am not prepared,” answered Wilhelm. “We can wait till the +marchese comes, and then observe if we agree together. One condition +must, however, be conceded first of all,--that I take Felix with me.” + +“This is a condition,” said the abbé, “which will scarcely be conceded.” + +“And I do not see,” cried Wilhelm, “why I should let any man prescribe +conditions to me, or why, if I choose to view my native country, I must +go in company with an Italian.” + +“Because a young man,” said the abbé, with a certain imposing +earnestness, “is always called upon to form connections.” + +Wilhelm, feeling that he could not long retain his self-command, as it +was Natalia’s presence only which, in some degree, assuaged his +indignation, hastily made answer, “Give me a little while to think. I +imagine it will not be very hard to settle whether I am called upon to +form additional connections; or ordered irresistibly, by heart and head, +to free myself from such a multiplicity of bonds, which seem to threaten +me with a perpetual, miserable thraldom.” + +Thus he spoke, with a deeply agitated mind. A glance at Natalia somewhat +calmed him: her form and dignity, in this impassioned moment, stamped +themselves more deeply on his mind than ever. + +“Yes,” said he, so soon as he was by himself, “confess it, thou lovest +her: thou once more feelest what it means to love with thy whole soul. +Thus did I love Mariana, and deceive myself so dreadfully; I loved +Philina, and could not help despising her; Aurelia I respected, and +could not love; Theresa I reverenced, and paternal tenderness assumed +the form of an affection for her. And now, when all the feelings that +can make a mortal happy meet within my heart, now I am compelled to +flee! Ah! why should these feelings and convictions be combined with an +insuperable longing? Why, without the hope of its fulfilment, should +they utterly subvert all other happiness? Shall the sun and the world, +society or any other gift of fortune, ever henceforth yield me pleasure? +Wilt thou not forever say, Natalia is not here? And yet, alas! Natalia +will be always present to thee! If thou closest thy eyes, she will +appear to thee: if thou openest them, her form will flit before all +outward things, like the image which a dazzling object leaves behind it +in the eye. Did not the swiftly passing figure of the Amazon dwell +continually in thy imagination? And yet thou hadst but seen her, thou +didst not know her. Now when thou knowest her, when thou hast been so +long beside her, when she has shown such care about thee,--now are her +qualities impressed as deeply upon thy soul as her form was then upon +thy fancy. It is painful to be always seeking, but far more painful to +have found, and to be forced to leave. What now shall I ask for further +in the world? What now shall I look for further? Is there a country, a +city, that contains a treasure such as this? And I must travel on, and +ever find inferiority? Is life, then, like a race-course, where a man +must rapidly return when he has reached the utmost end? Does the good, +the excellent, stand before us like a firm, unmoving goal, from which, +with fleet horses, we are forced away the instant we appeared to have +attained it? Happier are they who strive for earthly wares! They find +what they are seeking in its proper climate, or they buy it in the fair. + +“Come, my darling boy!” cried he to Felix, who now ran frisking towards +him: “be thou and remain thou all to me! Thou wert given me as a +compensation for thy loved mother; thou wert to replace the second +mother whom I meant for thee; and now thou hast a loss still greater to +make good. Occupy my heart, occupy my spirit, with thy beauty, thy +loveliness, thy capabilities, and thy desire to use them!” + +The boy was busied with a new plaything: his father tried to put it in a +better state for him; just as he succeeded, Felix had lost all pleasure +in it. “Thou art a true son of Adam!” cried Wilhelm. “Come, my child! +Come, my brother! let us wander, playing without object, through the +world, as we best may.” + +His resolution to remove, to take the boy along with him, and recreate +his mind by looking at the world, had now assumed a settled form. He +wrote to Werner for the necessary cash and letters of credit; sending +Friedrich’s courier on the message, with the strictest charges to return +immediately. Much as the conduct of his other friends had grieved him, +his relation to Natalia remained serene and clear as ever. + +He confided to her his intention. She took it as a settled thing that he +would go; and, if this seeming carelessness in her chagrined him, her +kindly manner and her presence made him calm. She counselled him to +visit various towns, that he might get acquainted with certain of her +friends. The courier returned, and brought the letter which our friend +required; though Werner did not seem content with this new whim. “My +hope that thou wert growing reasonable,” so the letter ran, “is now +again deferred. Where are you all gadding? And where lingers the lady +who thou saidst was to assist us in arranging these affairs? Thy other +friends are also absent. They have thrown the whole concern upon the +shoulders of the lawyer and myself. Happy that he is as expert a jurist +as I am a financier, and that both of us are used to business. Fare thee +well! Thy aberrations shall be pardoned thee, since but for them our +situation here could not have been so favorable.” + +So far as outward matters were concerned, Wilhelm might now have entered +on his journey; but there were still for his heart two hinderances that +held him fast. In the first place, they flatly refused to show him +Mignon’s body till the funeral the abbé meant to celebrate; and, for +this solemnity, the preparations were not ready. There had also been a +curious letter from the country clergyman, in consequence of which the +doctor had gone off. It related to the harper, of whose fate Wilhelm +wanted to have further information. + +In these circumstances, day or night he found no rest for mind or body. +When all were asleep, he wandered up and down the house. The presence of +the pictures and statues, which he knew so well of old, alternately +attracted and repelled him. Nothing that surrounded him could he lay +hold of or let go; all things reminded him of all: the whole ring of his +existence lay before him; but it was broken into fragments, and seemed +as if it would never unite again. These works of art, which his father +had sold, appeared to him an omen that he himself was destined never to +obtain a lasting, calm possession of any thing desirable in life, or +always to be robbed of it so soon as gained, by his own or other +people’s blame. He waded so deep in these strange and dreary +meditations, that often he almost thought himself a disembodied spirit; +and, even when he felt and handled things without him, he could scarcely +keep himself from doubting whether he was really there and alive. + +Nothing but the piercing grief which often seized him, but the tears he +shed at being forced, by causes frivolous as they were irresistible, to +leave the good which he had found, and found after having lost it, +restored him to the feeling of his earthly life. It was in vain to call +before his mind his happy state in other respects. “All is nothing, +then,” exclaimed he, “if the one blessing, which appears to us worth all +the rest, is wanting!” + +The abbé told the company that the marchese was arrived. “You have +determined, it appears,” said he to Wilhelm, “to set out upon your +travels with your boy alone. Get acquainted with this nobleman, however: +he will be useful to you if you meet him by the way.” The marchese +entered. He was a person not yet very far advanced in years,--a fine, +handsome, pleasing, Lombard figure. In his youth, while in the army and +afterwards in public business, he had known Lothario’s uncle; they had +subsequently travelled through the greater part of Italy together: and +many of the works of art, which the marchese now again fell in with, had +been purchased in his presence, and under various happy circumstances, +which he still distinctly recollected. + +The Italians have in general a deeper feeling for the high dignity of +art than any other nation. In Italy, whoever follows the employment +tries to pass at once for artist, master, and professor; by which +pretensions he acknowledges at least that it is not sufficient merely to +lay hold of some transmitted excellency, or to acquire by practice some +dexterity, but that a man who aims at art should have the power to think +of what he does, to lay down principles, and make apparent to himself +and others how and wherefore he proceeds in this way or in that. + +The stranger was affected at again beholding these productions when the +owner of them was no more, and cheered to see the spirit of his friend +surviving in the gifted persons left behind him. They discussed a series +of works: they found a lively satisfaction in the harmony of their +ideas. The marchese and the abbé were the speakers; Natalia felt herself +again transported to the presence of her uncle, and could enter without +difficulty into their opinions and criticisms; Wilhelm could not +understand them, except as he translated their technology into dramatic +language. Friedrich’s facetious vein was sometimes rather difficult to +keep in check. Jarno was seldom there. + +It being observed that excellent works of art were very rare in latter +times, it was remarked by the marchese, “We can hardly think or estimate +how many circumstances must combine in favor of the artist: with the +greatest genius, with the most decisive talent, the demands which he +must make upon himself are infinite, the diligence required in +cultivating his endowments is unspeakable. Now, if circumstances are not +in his favor, if he observe that the world is very easy to be satisfied, +requiring but a slight, pleasing, transitory show, it were matter of +surprise if indolence and selfishness did not keep him fixed at +mediocrity: it were strange if he did not rather think of bartering +modish wares for gold and praises than of entering on the proper path, +which could not fail in some degree to lead him to a sort of painful +martyrdom. Accordingly, the artists of our time are always offering and +never giving. They always aim at charming, and they never satisfy: every +thing is merely indicated; you can nowhere find foundation or +completion. Those for whom they labor, it is true, are little better. If +you wait a while in any gallery of pictures, and observe what works +attract the many, what are praised and what neglected, you have little +pleasure in the present, little hope in the future.” + +“Yes,” replied the abbé: “and thus it is that artists and their judges +mutually form each other. The latter ask for nothing but a general, +vague enjoyment; a work of art is to delight them almost as a work of +nature; they imagine that the organs for enjoying works of art may be +cultivated altogether of themselves, like the tongue and the palate; +they try a picture or a poem as they do an article of food. They do not +understand how very different a species of culture it requires to raise +one to the true enjoyment of art. The hardest part of it, in my opinion, +is that sort of separation which a man that aims at perfect culture must +accomplish in himself. It is on this account that we observe so many +people partially cultivated, and yet every one of them attempting to +pronounce upon the general whole.” + +“Your last remark is not quite clear to me,” said Jarno, who came in +just then. + +“It would be difficult,” replied the abbé, “to explain it fully without +a long detail. Thus much I may say: When any man pretends to mix in +manifold activity or manifold enjoyment, he must also be enabled, as it +were, to make his organs manifold, and independent of each other. +Whoever aims at doing or enjoying all and every thing with his entire +nature, whoever tries to link together all that is without him by such a +species of enjoyment, will only lose his time in efforts that can never +be successful. How difficult, though it seems so easy, is it to +contemplate a noble disposition, a fine picture, simply in and for +itself; to watch the music for the music’s sake; to admire the actor in +the actor; to take pleasure in a building for its own peculiar harmony +and durability. Most men are wont to treat a work of art, though fixed +and done, as if it were a piece of soft clay. The hard and polished +marble is again to mould itself, the firm-walled edifice is to contract +or to expand itself, according as their inclinations, sentiments, and +whims may dictate: the picture is to be instructive, the play to make us +better,--every thing is to do all. The reason is, that most men are +themselves uninformed, they cannot give themselves and their being any +certain shape; and thus they strive to take from other things their +proper shape, that all they have to do with may be loose and wavering +like themselves. Every thing is, in the long-run, reduced by them to +what they call effect: every thing is relative, say they; and so, +indeed, it is: every thing with them grows relative, except absurdity +and platitude, which truly are absolute enough.” + +“I understand you,” answered Jarno; “or, rather, I perceive how what you +have been saying follows from the principles you hold so fast by. Yet +with men, poor devils, we should not go to quest so strictly. I know +enow of them in truth, who, beside the greatest works of art and nature, +forthwith recollect their own most paltry insufficiency; who take their +conscience and their morals with them to the opera; who bethink them of +their loves and hatreds in contemplating a colonnade. The best and +greatest that can be presented to them from without, they must first, as +far as possible, diminish in their way of representing it, that they may +in any measure be enabled to combine it with their own sorry nature.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + +The abbé called them in the evening to attend the exequies of Mignon. +The company proceeded to the Hall of the Past: they found it +magnificently ornamented and illuminated. The walls were hung with azure +tapestry almost from ceiling to floor, so that nothing but the friezes +and socles, above and below, were visible. On the four candelabras in +the corner large wax-lights were burning: smaller lights were in the +four smaller candelabras placed by the sarcophagus in the middle. Near +this stood four boys, dressed in azure with silver: they had broad fans +of ostrich-feathers, which they waved above a figure that was resting +upon the sarcophagus. The company sat down: two invisible choruses began +in a soft, musical recitative to ask, “Whom bring ye us to the still +dwelling?” The four boys replied with lovely voices, “’Tis a tired +playmate whom we bring you: let her rest in your still dwelling, till +the songs of her heavenly sisters once more awaken her.” + + + CHORUS. + + “Firstling of youth in our circle, we welcome thee! With sadness + welcome thee! May no boy, no maiden, follow! Let age only, + willing and composed, approach the silent hall, and in the + solemn company, repose this one dear child! + + + BOYS. + + Ah, reluctantly we brought her hither! Ah, and she is to remain + here! Let us, too, remain: let us weep, let us weep upon her + bier! + + + CHORUS. + + Yet look at the strong wings; look at the light, clear robe. How + glitters the golden band upon her head! Look at the beautiful, + the noble, repose. + + + BOYS. + + Ah! the wings do not raise her; in the frolic game, her robe + flutters to and fro no more; when we bound her head with roses, + her looks on us were kind and friendly. + + + CHORUS. + + Cast forward the eye of the spirit. Awake in your souls the + imaginative power, which carries forth what is fairest, what is + highest, life, away beyond the stars. + + + BOYS. + + But, ah! We find her not here; in the garden she wanders not; + the flowers of the meadow she plucks no longer. Let us weep, we + are leaving her here! Let us weep, and remain with her! + + + CHORUS. + + Children, turn back into life! Your tears let the fresh air dry, + which plays upon the rushing water. Flee from Night! Day and + Pleasure and Continuance are the lot of the living. + + + BOYS. + + Up! Turn back into life! Let the day give us labor and pleasure, + till the evening brings us rest, and the nightly sleep refreshes + us. + + + CHORUS. + + Children! Hasten into life! In the pure garments of beauty, may + Love meet you with heavenly looks and with the wreath of + immortality!” + + +The boys had retired: the abbé rose from his seat, and went behind the +bier. “It is the appointment,” said he, “of the man who prepared this +silent abode, that each new tenant of it shall be introduced with a +solemnity. After him, the builder of this mansion, the founder of this +establishment, we have next brought a young stranger hither; and thus +already does this little space contain two altogether different victims +of the rigorous, arbitrary, and inexorable Death-goddess. By appointed +laws we enter into life: the days are numbered which make us ripe to see +the light, but for the duration of our life there is no law. The weakest +thread will spin itself to unexpected length; and the strongest is cut +suddenly asunder by the scissors of the Fates, delighting, as it seems, +in contradictions. Of the child whom we have here committed to her final +rest, we can say but little. It is still uncertain whence she came; her +parents we know not; the years of her life we can only conjecture. Her +deep and closely shrouded soul allowed us scarce to guess at its +interior movements: there was nothing clear in her, nothing open but her +affection for the man who had snatched her from the hands of a +barbarian. This impassioned tenderness, this vivid gratitude, appeared +to be the flame which consumed the oil of her life: the skill of the +physician could not save that fair life, the most anxious friendship +could not lengthen it. But, if art could not stay the departing spirit, +it has done its utmost to preserve the body, and withdraw it from decay. +A balsamic substance has been forced through all the veins, and now +tinges, in place of blood, these cheeks too early faded. Come near, my +friends, and view this wonder of art and care!” + +He raised the veil: the child was lying in her angel’s dress, as if +asleep, in the most soft and graceful posture. They approached, and +admired this show of life. Wilhelm alone continued sitting in his place; +he was not able to compose himself: what he felt he durst not think, and +every thought seemed ready to destroy his feeling. + +For the sake of the marchese, the speech had been pronounced in French. +That nobleman came forward with the rest, and viewed the figure with +attention. The abbé thus proceeded. “With a holy confidence, this kind +heart, shut up to men, was continually turned to its God. Humility, nay, +an inclination to abase herself externally, seemed natural to her. She +clave with zeal to the Catholic religion, in which she had been born and +educated. Often she expressed a still wish to sleep on consecrated +ground; and, according to the usage of the Church, we have, therefore, +consecrated this marble coffin, and the little earth which is hidden in +the cushion that supports her head. With what ardor did she, in her last +moments, kiss the image of the Crucified, which stood beautifully +figured on her tender arm, with many hundred points!” So saying, he +stripped up her right sleeve; and a crucifix, with marks and letters +round it, showed itself in blue upon the white skin. + +The marchese looked at this with eagerness, stooping down to view it +more intensely. “O God!” cried he, as he stood upright, and raised his +hands to heaven. “Poor child! Unhappy niece! Do I meet thee here? What a +painful joy to find thee, whom we had long lost hope of; to find this +dear frame, which we had long believed the prey of fishes in the ocean, +here preserved, though lifeless! I assist at thy funeral, splendid in +its external circumstances, still more splendid from the noble persons +who attend thee to thy place of rest. And to these,” added he, with a +faltering voice, “so soon as I can speak, I will express my thanks.” + +Tears hindered him from saying more. By the pressure of a spring, the +abbé sank the body into the cavity of the marble. Four youths, dressed +as the boys had been, came out from behind the tapestry, and lifting the +heavy, beautifully ornamented lid upon the coffin, thus began their +song. + + + THE YOUTHS. + + “Well is the treasure now laid up,--the fair image of the Past! + Here sleeps it in the marble, undecaying: in your hearts, too, + it lives, it works. Travel, travel back into life! Take along + with you this holy earnestness, for earnestness alone makes life + eternity.” + + +The invisible chorus joined in with the last words, but no one heard the +strengthening sentiment: all were too much busied with themselves, and +the emotions which these wonderful disclosures had excited. The abbé and +Natalia conducted the marchese out: Theresa and Lothario walked by +Wilhelm. It was not till the music had altogether died away, that their +sorrows, thoughts, meditations, curiosity, again fell on them with all +their force, and made them long to be transported back into that +exalting scene. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER IX. + + +The marchese avoided speaking of the matter, but had long, secret +conversations with the abbé. When the company was met, he often asked +for music,--a request to which they willingly assented, as each was glad +to be delivered from the charge of talking. Thus they lived for some +time, till it was observed that he was making preparations for +departure. One day he said to Wilhelm, “I wish not to disturb the +remains of this beloved child; let her rest in the place where she loved +and suffered: but her friends must promise to visit me in her native +country, in the scene where she was born and bred; they must see the +pillars and statues, of which a dim idea remained with her. I will lead +you to the bays where she liked so well to roam, and gather pebbles. +You, at least, young friend, shall not escape the gratitude of a family +that stands so deeply indebted to you. To-morrow I set out on my +journey. The abbé is acquainted with the whole history of this matter: +he will tell it you again. He could pardon me when grief interrupted my +recital: as a third party, he will be enabled to narrate the incidents +with more connection. If, as the abbé had proposed, you like to follow +me in travelling over Germany, you shall be heartily welcome. Leave not +your boy behind: at every little inconvenience which he causes us, we +will again remember your attentive care of my poor niece.” + +The same evening our party was surprised by the arrival of the countess. +Wilhelm trembled in every joint as she entered: she herself, though +forewarned, kept close by her sister, who speedily reached her a chair. +How singularly simple was her attire, how altered was her form! Wilhelm +scarcely dared to look at her: she saluted him with a kindly air; a few +general words addressed to him did not conceal her sentiments and +feelings. The marchese had retired betimes; and, as the company were not +disposed to part so early, the abbé now produced a manuscript. “The +singular narrative which was intrusted to me,” said he, “I forthwith put +on paper. The case where pen and ink should least of all be spared, is +in recording the particular circumstances of remarkable events.” They +informed the countess of the matter; and the abbé read as follows, in +the name of the marchese:-- + +“Many men as I have seen, I still regard my father as a very +extraordinary person. His character was noble and upright; his ideas +were enlarged, I may even say great; to himself he was severe: in all +his plans there was a rigid order, in all operations an unbroken +perseverance. In one sense, therefore, it was easy to transact and live +with him: yet, owing to the very qualities which made it so, he never +could accommodate himself to life; for he required from the state, from +his neighbors, from his children, and his servants, the observance of +all the laws which he had laid upon himself. His most moderate demands +became exorbitant by his rigor; and he never could attain to enjoyment, +for nothing ever was completed as he had forecast it. At the moment when +he was erecting a palace, laying out a garden, or acquiring a large +estate in the highest cultivation, I have seen him inwardly convinced, +with the sternest ire, that Fate had doomed him to do nothing but +abstain and suffer. In his exterior he maintained the greatest dignity: +if he jested, it was but displaying the preponderancy of his +understanding. Censure was intolerable to him: the only time I ever saw +him quite transported with rage was once when he heard that one of his +establishments was spoken of as something ludicrous. In the same spirit +he had settled the disposal of his children and his fortune. My eldest +brother was educated as a person that had large estates to look for. I +was to embrace the clerical profession: the youngest was to be a +soldier. I was of a lively temper, fiery, active, quick, apt for +corporeal exercises: the youngest rather seemed inclined to an +enthusiastic quietism,--devoted to the sciences, to music, and poetry. +It was not till after the hardest struggle, the maturest conviction of +the impossibility of his project, that our father, still reluctantly, +agreed to let us change vocations; and, although he saw us both +contented, he could never suit himself to this arrangement, but declared +that nothing good would come of it. The older he grew, the more isolated +did he feel from all society. At last he came to live almost entirely +alone. One old friend, who had served in the German armies, who had lost +his wife in the campaign, and brought a daughter of about ten years of +age along with him, remained his only visitor. This person bought a fine +little property beside us: he used to come and see my father on stated +days of the week, and at stated hours; his little daughter often came +along with him. He was never heard to contradict my father, who at +length grew perfectly habituated to him, and endured him as the only +tolerable company he had. After our father’s death, we easily observed +that this old gentleman had not been visiting for naught,--that his +compliances had been rewarded by an ample settlement. He enlarged his +estates: his daughter might expect a handsome portion. The girl grew up, +and was extremely beautiful: my elder brother often joked with me about +her, saying I should go and court her. + +“Meanwhile brother Augustin, in the seclusion of his cloister, had been +spending his years in the strangest state of mind. He abandoned himself +wholly to the feeling of a holy enthusiasm, to those half-spiritual, +half-physical emotions which, as they for a time exalted him to the +third heaven, erelong sank him down to an abyss of powerlessness and +vacant misery. While my father lived, no change could be contemplated: +what, indeed, could we have asked for or proposed? After the old man’s +death, our brother visited us frequently: his situation, which at first +afflicted us, in time became much more tolerable; for his reason had at +length prevailed. But, the more confidently reason promised him complete +recovery and contentment on the pure path of nature, the more vehemently +did he require of us to free him from his vows. His thoughts, he let us +know, were turned upon Sperata, our fair neighbor. + +“My elder brother had experienced too much suffering from the harshness +of our father to look on the condition of the youngest without sympathy. +He spoke with the family confessor, a worthy old man: we signified to +him the double purpose of our brother, and requested him to introduce +and expedite the business. Contrary to custom he delayed; and at last, +when Augustin pressed us, and we recommended the affair more keenly to +the clergyman, he had nothing left but to impart the strange secret to +us. + +“Sperata was our sister, and that by both her parents. Our mother had +declared herself with child at a time when both she and our father were +advanced in years: a similar occurrence had shortly before been made the +subject of some merriment in our neighborhood; and our father, to avoid +such ridicule, determined to conceal this late lawful fruit of love as +carefully as people use to conceal its earlier accidental fruits. Our +mother was delivered secretly: the child was carried to the country; and +the old friend of the family, who, with the confessor, had alone been +trusted with the secret, easily engaged to give her out for his +daughter. The confessor had reserved the right of disclosing the secret +in case of extremity. The supposed father was now dead: Sperata was +living with an old lady; we were aware that a love of song and music had +already led our brother to her; and on his again requiring us to undo +his former bond, that he might engage himself by a new one, it was +necessary that we should, as soon as possible, apprise him of the danger +he stood in. + +“He viewed us with a wild, contemptuous look. ‘Spare your idle tales,’ +cried he, ‘for children and credulous fools: from me, from my heart, +they shall not tear Sperata; she is mine. Recall, I pray you, instantly, +your frightful spectre, which would but harass me in vain. Sperata is +not my sister: she is my wife!’ He described to us, in rapturous terms, +how this heavenly girl had drawn him out of his unnatural state of +separation from his fellow-creatures into true life; how their spirits +accorded like their voices; how he blessed his sufferings and errors, +since they had kept clear of him women, till the moment when he wholly +and forever gave himself to this most amiable being. We were shocked at +the discovery, we deplored his situation, but we knew not how to help +ourselves; for he declared, with violence, that Sperata was with a child +by him. Our confessor did whatever duty could suggest to him, but by +this means he only made the evil worse. The demands of nature and +religion, moral rights and civil laws, were vehemently attacked and +spurned at by our brother. He considered nothing holy but his relation +to Sperata, nothing dignified but the names of father and wife. ‘These +alone,’ cried he, ‘are suitable to nature: all else is caprice and +opinion. Were there not noble nations which admitted marriage with a +sister? Name not your gods! You never name them but when you wish to +befool us, to lead us from the paths of nature, and, by scandalous +constraint, to transform the noblest inclinations into crimes. +Unspeakable are the perplexities, abominable the abuses, into which you +force the victims whom you bury alive. + +“‘I may speak, for I have suffered like no other,--from the highest, +sweetest feeling of enthusiasm, to the frightful deserts of utter +powerlessness, vacancy, annihilation, and despair; from the loftiest +aspirations of preternatural existence, to the most entire +unbelief,--unbelief in myself. All these horrid grounds of the cup, so +flattering at the brim, I have drained; and my whole being was poisoned +to its core. And now, when kind Nature, by her greatest gift, by love, +has healed me; now, when in the arms of a heavenly creature I again feel +that I am, that she is, that out of this living union a third shall +arise and smile in our faces,--now ye open up the flames of your hell, +of your purgatory, which can only singe a sick imagination: ye oppose +them to the vivid, true, indestructible enjoyment of pure love. Meet us +under these cypresses, which turn their solemn tops to heaven; visit us +among those espaliers where the citrons and pomegranates bloom beside +us, where the graceful myrtle stretches out its tender flowers to +us,--and then venture to disturb us with your dreary, paltry nets which +men have spun!’ + +“Thus for a long time he persisted in a stubborn disbelief of our story; +and when we assured him of its truth, when the confessor himself +asseverated it, he did not let it drive him from his point. ‘Ask not the +echoes of your cloisters, not your mouldering parchments, not your +narrow whims and ordinances! Ask Nature and your heart: she will teach +you what you should recoil from; she will point out to you with the +strictest finger over what she has pronounced her everlasting curse. +Look at the lilies: do not husband and wife shoot forth on the same +stalk? Does not the flower which bore them hold them both? And is not +the lily the type of innocence? Is not their sisterly union fruitful? +When Nature abhors, she speaks it aloud; the creature that shall not be, +is not produced; the creature that lives with a false life, is soon +destroyed. Unfruitfulness, painful existence, early destruction, these +are her curses, the marks of her displeasure. It is only by immediate +consequences that she punishes. Look around you; and what is prohibited, +what is accursed, will force itself upon your notice. In the silence of +the convent, in the tumult of the world, a thousand practices are +consecrated and revered, while her curse rests on them. On stagnant +idleness as on overstrained toil, on caprice and superfluity as on +constraint and want, she looks down with mournful eyes; her call is to +moderation; true are all her commandments, peaceful all her influences. +The man who has suffered as I have done, has a right to be free. Sperata +is mine: death alone shall take her from me. How I shall retain her, how +I may be happy, these are your cares. This instant I go to her, and part +from her no more.’ + +“He was for proceeding to the boat, and crossing over to her: we +restrained him, entreating that he would not take a step which might +produce the most tremendous consequences. He should recollect, we told +him, that he was not living in the free world of his own thoughts and +ideas, but in a constitution of affairs, the ordinances and conditions +of which had become as inflexible as laws of nature. The confessor made +us promise not to let him leave our sight, still less our house: after +this he went away, engaging to return erelong. What we had foreseen took +place: reason had made our brother strong, but his heart was weak; the +earlier impressions of religion rose on him, and dreadful doubts along +with them. He passed two fearful nights and days: the confessor came +again to his assistance, but in vain. His enfranchised understanding +acquitted him: his feelings, religion, all his usual ideas, declared him +guilty. + +“One morning we found his chamber empty: on the table lay a note, in +which he signified, that, as we kept him prisoner by force, he felt +himself entitled to provide for his freedom; that he meant to go +directly to Sperata; he expected to escape with her, and was prepared +for the most terrible extremities should any separation be attempted. + +“The news, of course, affrighted us exceedingly; but the confessor bade +us be at rest. Our poor brother had been narrowly enough observed: the +boatman, in place of taking him across, proceeded with him to his +cloister. Fatigued with watching for the space of four and twenty hours, +he fell asleep, as the skiff began to rock him in the moonshine; and he +did not awake till he saw himself in the hands of his spiritual +brethren: he did not recover from his amazement till he heard the doors +of the convent bolting behind him. + +“Sharply touched at the fate of our brother, we reproached the confessor +for his cruelty; but he soon silenced or convinced us by the surgeon’s +reason, that our pity was destructive to the patient. He let us know +that he was not acting on his own authority, but by order of the bishop +and his chapter; that by this proceeding they intended to avoid all +public scandal, and to shroud the sad occurrence under the veil of a +secret course of discipline prescribed by the Church. Our sister they +would spare: she was not to be told that her lover was her brother. The +charge of her was given to a priest, to whom she had before disclosed +her situation. They contrived to hide her pregnancy and her delivery. As +a mother she felt altogether happy in her little one. Like most of our +women, she could neither write, nor read writing: she gave the priest +many verbal messages to carry to her lover. The latter, thinking that he +owed this pious fraud to a suckling mother, often brought pretended +tidings from our brother, whom he never saw; recommending her, in his +name, to be at peace; begging of her to be careful of herself and of her +child, and for the rest to trust in God. + +“Sperata was inclined by nature to religious feelings. Her situation, +her solitude, increased this tendency: the clergyman encouraged it, in +order to prepare her by degrees for an eternal separation. Scarcely was +her child weaned, scarcely did he think her body strong enough for +suffering agony of mind, when he began to paint her fault to her in most +terrific colors, to treat the crime of being connected with a priest as +a sort of sin against nature, as a sort of incest. For he had taken up +the strange thought of making her repentance equal in intensity to what +it would have been had she known the true circumstances of her error. He +thereby produced so much anxiety and sorrow in her mind; he so exalted +the idea of the Church and of its head before her; showed her the awful +consequences, for the weal of all men’s souls, should indulgence in a +case like this be granted, and the guilty pair rewarded by a lawful +union; signifying, too, how wholesome it was to expiate such sins in +time, and thereby gain the crown of immortality,--that at last, like a +poor criminal, she willingly held out her neck to the axe, and earnestly +entreated that she might forever be divided from our brother. Having +gained so much, the clergy left her the liberty (reserving to themselves +a certain distant oversight) to live at one time in a convent, at +another in her house, according as she afterwards thought good. + +“Her little girl, meanwhile, was growing: from her earliest years she +had displayed an extraordinary disposition. When still very young, she +could run and move with wonderful dexterity: she sang beautifully, and +learned to play upon the cithern almost of herself. With words, however, +she could not express herself; and the impediment seemed rather to +proceed from her mode of thought than from her organs of speech. The +feelings of the poor mother to her, in the mean time, were of the most +painful kind: the expostulations of the priest had so perplexed her +mind, that, though she was not quite deranged, her state was far from +being sane. She daily thought her crime more terrible and punishable: +the clergyman’s comparison of incest, frequently repeated, had impressed +itself so deeply, that her horror was not less than if the actual +circumstances had been known to her. The priest took no small credit for +his ingenuity, with which he had contrived to tear asunder a luckless +creature’s heart. It was miserable to behold maternal love, ready to +expand itself in joy at the existence of her child, contending with the +frightful feeling that this child should not exist. The two emotions +warred with each other in her soul: love was often weaker than aversion. + +“The child had long ago been taken from her, and committed to a worthy +family residing on the seashore. In the greater freedom which the little +creature enjoyed here, she soon displayed her singular delight in +climbing. To mount the highest peaks, to run along the edges of the +ships, to imitate in all their strangest feats the rope-dancers whom she +often saw in the place, seemed a natural tendency in her. + +“To practise these things with the greater ease, she liked to change +clothes with boys; and, though her foster-parents thought this highly +blamable and unbecoming, we bade them indulge her as much as possible. +Her wild walks and leapings often led her to a distance: she would lose +her way, and be long from home, but she always came back. In general, as +she returned, she used to set herself beneath the columns in the portal +of a country house in the neighborhood: her people now had ceased to +look for her; they waited for her. She would there lie resting on the +steps, then run up and down the large hall, looking at the statues; +after which, if nothing specially detained her, she used to hasten home. + +“But at last our confidence was balked, and our indulgence punished. The +child went out, and did not come again: her little hat was found +swimming on the water near the spot where a torrent rushes down into the +sea. It was conjectured, that, in clambering among the rocks, her foot +had slipped: all our searching could not find the body. + +“The thoughtless tattle of her housemates soon communicated the +occurrence to Sperata: she seemed calm and cheerful when she heard it; +hinting not obscurely at her satisfaction that God had pleased to take +her poor child to himself, and thus preserved it from suffering, or +causing some more dreadful misery. + +“On this occasion all the fables which are told about our waters came to +be the common talk. The sea, it was said, required every year an +innocent child: yet it would endure no corpse, but sooner or later throw +it to the shore; nay, the last joint, though sunk to the lowest bottom, +must again come forth. They told the story of a mother, inconsolable +because her child had perished in the sea, who prayed to God and his +saints to grant her at least the bones for burial. The first storm threw +ashore the skull, the next the spine; and, after all was gathered, she +wrapped the bones in a cloth, and took them to the church: but, oh! +miraculous to tell! as she crossed the threshold of the temple, the +packet grew heavier and heavier; and at last, when she laid it on the +steps of the altar, the child began to cry, and issued living from the +cloth. One joint of the right-hand little finger was alone wanting: +this, too, the mother anxiously sought and found; and, in memory of the +event, it was preserved among the other relics of the church. + +“On poor Sperata these recitals made a deep impression: her imagination +took a new flight, and favored the emotion of her heart. She supposed +that now the child had expiated, by its death, both its own sins and the +sins of its parents; that the curse and penalty which hitherto had +overhung them all was at length wholly removed; that nothing more was +necessary could she only find the child’s bones, that she might carry +them to Rome, where, upon the steps of the great altar in St. Peter’s, +her little girl, again covered with its fair, fresh skin, would stand up +alive before the people. With its own eyes it would once more look on +father and mother; and the pope, convinced that God and his saints +commanded it, would, amid the acclamations of the people, remit the +parents their sins, acquit them of their oaths, and join their hands in +wedlock. + +“Her looks and her anxiety were henceforth constantly directed to the +sea and the beach. When at night, in the moonshine, the waves were +tossing to and fro, she thought every glittering sheet of foam was +bringing out her child; and some one about her had to run off, as if to +take it up when it should reach the shore. + +“By day she walked unweariedly along the places where the pebbly beach +shelved slowly to the water: she gathered in a little basket all the +bones she could find. None durst tell her that they were the bones of +animals: the larger ones she buried, the little ones she took along with +her. In this employment she incessantly persisted. The clergyman, who, +by so unremittingly discharging what he thought his duty, had reduced +her to this condition, now stood up for her with all his might. By his +influence the people in the neighborhood were made to look upon her, not +as a distracted person, but as one entranced: they stood in reverent +attitudes as she walked by, and the children ran to kiss her hand. + +“To the old woman, her attendant and faithful friend, the secret of +Sperata’s guilt was at length imparted by the priest, on her solemnly +engaging to watch over the unhappy creature, with untiring care, through +all her life. And she kept this engagement to the last, with admirable +conscientiousness and patience. + +“Meanwhile we had always had an eye upon our brother. Neither the +physicians nor the clergy of his convent would allow us to be seen by +him; but, in order to convince us of his being well in some sort, we had +leave to look at him as often as we liked in the garden, the passages, +or even through a window in the roof of his apartment. + +“After many terrible and singular changes, which I shall omit, he had +passed into a strange state of mental rest and bodily unrest. He never +sat but when he took his harp and played upon it, and then he usually +accompanied it with singing. At other times he kept continually in +motion; and in all things he was grown extremely guidable and pliant, +for all his passions seemed to have resolved themselves into the single +fear of death. You could persuade him to do any thing by threatening him +with dangerous sickness or with death. + +“Besides this singularity of walking constantly about the cloister, a +practice which he hinted it were better to exchange for wandering over +hill and dale, he talked about an apparition which perpetually tormented +him. He declared, that, on awakening at whatever hour of the night, he +saw a beautiful boy standing at the foot of his bed, with a bare knife, +and threatening to destroy him. They shifted him to various other +chambers of the convent, but he still asserted that the boy pursued him. +His wandering to and fro became more unrestful: the people afterwards +remembered, too, that at this time they had often seen him stand at the +window, and look out upon the sea. + +“Our poor sister, on the other hand, seemed gradually wasting under the +consuming influence of her single thought, of her narrow occupation. It +was at last proposed by the physician, that, among the bones she had +gathered, the fragments of a child’s skeleton should by degrees be +introduced, and so the hapless mother’s hopes kept up. The experiment +was dubious; but this at least seemed likely to be gained by it, that, +when all the parts were got together, she would cease her weary search, +and might be entertained with hopes of going to Rome. + +“It was accordingly resolved on. Her attendant changed, by imperceptible +degrees, the small remains committed to her with the bones Sperata +found. An inconceivable delight arose in the poor, sick woman’s heart, +when the parts began to fit each other, and the shape of those still +wanting could be marked. She had fastened every fragment in its proper +place with threads and ribbons; filling up the vacant spaces with +embroidery and silk, as is usually done with the relics of saints. + +“In this way nearly all the bones had been collected: none but a few of +the extremities were wanting. One morning, while she was asleep, the +physician having come to ask for her, the old attendant, with a view to +show him how his patient occupied herself, took away these dear remains +from the little chest where they lay in poor Sperata’s bedroom. A few +minutes afterwards they heard her spring upon the floor: she lifted up +the cloth, and found the chest empty. She threw herself upon her knees: +they came, and listened to her joyful, ardent prayer. ‘Yes,’ exclaimed +she, ‘it is true! it was no dream, it is real! Rejoice with me, my +friends! I have seen my own beautiful, good little girl again alive. She +arose, and threw the veil from off her; her splendor enlightened all the +room; her beauty was transfigured to celestial loveliness; she could not +tread the ground, although she wished it. Lightly was she borne aloft: +she had not even time to stretch her hand to me. “_There!_” cried she to +me, and pointed to the road where I am soon to go. Yes, I will follow +her,--soon follow her: my heart is light to think of it. My sorrows are +already vanished: the sight of my risen little one has given me a +foretaste of the heavenly joys.’ + +“From that time her soul was wholly occupied with prospects of the +brightest kind; she gave no further heed to any earthly object; she took +but little food; her spirit by degrees cast off the fetters of the body. +At last this imperceptible gradation reached its head unexpectedly: her +attendants found her pale and motionless; she opened not her eyes; she +was what we call dead. + +“The report of her vision quickly spread abroad among the people; and +the reverential feeling, which she had excited in her lifetime, soon +changed, at her death, to the thought that she should be regarded as in +bliss,--nay, as in sanctity. + +“When we were bearing her to be interred, a crowd of persons pressed +with boundless violence about the bier: they would touch her hand, they +would touch her garment. In this impassioned elevation, various sick +persons ceased to feel the pains by which at other times they were +tormented: they looked upon themselves as healed; they declared it; they +praised God and his new saint. The clergy were obliged to lay the body +in a neighboring chapel: the people called for opportunity to offer +their devotion. The concourse was incredible: the mountaineers, at all +times prone to lively and religious feelings, crowded forward from their +valleys; the reverence, the wonder, the adoration, daily spread, and +gathered strength. The ordinances of the bishop, which were meant to +limit, and in time abolish, this new worship, could not be put in +execution: every show of opposition raised the people into tumults; +every unbeliever they were ready to assail with personal violence. ‘Did +not Saint Borromæus,’ cried they, ‘dwell among our forefathers? Did not +his mother live to taste the joy of his canonization? Was not that great +figure on the rocks at Arona meant to represent to us, by a sensible +symbol, his spiritual greatness? Do not the descendants of his kindred +live among us to this hour? And has not God promised ever to renew his +miracles among a people that believe?’ + +“As the body, after several days, exhibited no marks of putrefaction, +but grew whiter, and, as it were, translucent, the general faith rose +higher and higher. Among the multitude were several cures which even the +sceptical observer was unable to account for, or ascribe entirely to +fraud. The whole country was in motion: those who did not go to see it, +heard at least no other topic talked of. + +“The convent where my brother lived resounded, like the land at large, +with the noise of these wonders; and the people felt the less restraint +in speaking of them in his presence, as in general he seemed to pay no +heed to any thing, and his connection with the circumstance was known to +none of them. But on this occasion it appeared he had listened with +attention. He conducted his escape with such dexterity and cunning, that +the manner of it still remains a mystery. We learned afterwards, that he +had crossed the water with a number of travellers, and charged the +boatmen, who observed no other singularity about him, above all to have +a care lest their vessel overset. Late in the night he reached the +chapel, where his hapless loved one was resting from her woes. Only a +few devotees were kneeling in the corners of the place: her old friend +was sitting at the head of the corpse; he walked up to her, saluted her, +and asked how her mistress was. ‘You see it,’ answered she, with some +embarrassment. He looked at the corpse with a sidelong glance. After +some delay he took its hand. Frightened by its coldness, he in the +instant let it go: he looked unrestfully around him; then, turning to +the old attendant, ‘I cannot stay with her at present,’ said he: ‘I have +a long, long way to travel; but at the proper time I shall be back: tell +her so when she awakens.’ + +“With this he went away. It was a while before we got intelligence of +these occurrences: we searched, but all our efforts to discover him were +vain. How he worked his way across the mountains none can say. A long +time after he was gone we came upon a trace of him among the Grisons, +but we were too late: it quickly vanished. We supposed that he was gone +to Germany, but his weak footprints had been speedily obliterated by the +war.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER X. + + +The abbé ceased to read. No one had listened without tears. The countess +scarcely ever took her handkerchief from her eyes: at last she rose, +and, with Natalia, left the room. The rest were silent, till the abbé +thus began: “The question now arises, whether we shall let the good +marchese leave us without telling him our secret. For who can doubt a +moment that our harper and his brother Augustin are one? Let us consider +what is to be done, both for the sake of that unhappy man himself and of +his family. My advice is, not to hurry, but to wait till we have heard +what news the doctor, who has gone to see him, brings us back.” + +All were of the same opinion; and the abbé thus proceeded: “Another +question, which perhaps may be disposed of sooner, still remains. The +marchese is affected to the bottom of his heart at the kindness which +his poor niece experienced here, particularly from our young friend. He +made me tell him again and again every circumstance connected with her, +and he shows the liveliest gratitude. ‘Her young benefactor,’ he said, +‘refused to travel with me, while he knew not the connection that +subsists between us. I am not now a stranger, of whose manner of +existence, of whose humors, he might be uncertain: I am his associate, +his relation; and, as his unwillingness to leave his boy behind was the +impediment which kept him from accompanying me, let this child now +become a fairer bond to join us still more closely. Beyond the +obligations he has already placed me under, let him be of service to me +on my present journey; let him, then, return along with me; my elder +brother will receive him as he ought. And let him not despise the +heritage of his unhappy foster-child; for, by a secret stipulation of +our father with his military friend, the fortune which he gave Sperata +has returned to us: and certainly we will not cheat our niece’s +benefactor of the recompense he has merited so well.’” + +Theresa, taking Wilhelm by the hand, now said to him, “We have here +another beautiful example that disinterested well-doing yields the +highest and best return. Follow the call which so strangely comes to +you, and, while you lay a double load of gratitude on the marchese, +hasten to a fair land, which has already often drawn your heart and your +imagination towards it.” + +“I leave myself entirely to the guidance of my friends and you,” said +Wilhelm: “it is vain to think, in this world, of adhering to our +individual will. What I purposed to hold fast, I must let go; and +benefits which I have not deserved descend upon me of their own accord.” + +Pressing Theresa’s hand, Wilhelm took his own away. “I give you full +permission,” said he to the abbé, “to decide about me as you please. +Since I shall not need to leave my Felix, I am ready to go anywhither, +and to undertake whatever you think good.” + +Thus authorized, the abbé forthwith sketched out his plan. The marchese, +he proposed, should be allowed to depart: Wilhelm was to wait for +tidings from the doctor; he might then, when they had settled what was +to be done, set off with Felix. Accordingly, under the pretence that +Wilhelm’s preparations for his journey would detain him, he advised the +stranger to employ the mean while in examining the curiosities of the +city, which he meant to visit. The marchese did in consequence depart, +and not without renewed and strong expressions of his gratitude; of +which indeed the presents left by him, including jewels, precious +stones, embroidered stuffs, afforded a sufficient proof. + +Wilhelm, too, was at length in readiness for travelling; and his friends +began to be distressed that the doctor sent them no news. They feared +some mischief had befallen the poor old harper, at the very moment when +they were in hopes of radically improving his condition. They sent the +courier off; but he was scarcely gone, when the doctor in the evening +entered with a stranger, whose form and aspect were expressive, earnest, +striking, and whom no one knew. Both stood silent for a space: the +stranger at length went up to Wilhelm, and, holding out his hand, said, +“Do you no longer know your old friend?” It was the harper’s voice, but +of his form there seemed to remain no vestige. He was in the common garb +of a traveller, cleanly and genteelly equipped; his beard had vanished; +his hair was dressed with some attention to the mode; and what +particularly made him quite irrecognizable was, that in his countenance +the look of age was no longer visible. Wilhelm embraced him with the +liveliest joy: he was presented to the rest, and behaved with great +propriety, not knowing that the party had a little while before become +so well acquainted with him. “You will have patience with a man,” +continued he, with great composure, “who, grown up as he appears, is +entering on the world, after long sorrows, inexperienced as a child. To +this skilful gentleman I stand indebted for the privilege of again +appearing in the company of my fellow-men.” + +They bade him welcome: the doctor motioned for a walk, to interrupt the +conversation, and lead it to indifferent topics. + +In private the doctor gave the following explanation: “It was by the +strangest chance that we succeeded in the cure of this man. We had long +treated him, morally and physically, as our best consideration dictated: +in some degree the plan was efficacious; but the fear of death continued +powerful in him, and he would not lay aside his beard and cloak. For the +rest, however, he appeared to take more interest in external things than +formerly; and both his songs and his conceptions seemed to be +approaching nearer life. A strange letter from the clergyman, as you +already know, called me from you. I arrived: I found our patient +altogether changed; he had voluntarily given up his beard; he had let +his locks be cut into a customary form; he asked for common clothes; he +seemed to have all at once become another man. Though curious to +penetrate the reason of this sudden alteration, we did not risk +inquiring of himself: at last we accidentally discovered it. A glass of +laudanum was missing from the parson’s private laboratory: we thought it +right to institute a strict inquiry; every one endeavored to ward off +suspicion, and the sharpest quarrels rose among the inmates of the +house. At last this man appeared before us, and admitted that he had the +laudanum: we asked if he had swallowed any of it. ‘No,’ said he, ‘but it +is to this that I owe the recovery of my reason. It is at your choice to +take the vial from me, and to drive me back, inevitably, to my former +state. The feeling, that it was desirable to see the pains of life +terminated by death, first put me on the way of cure: before long the +thought of terminating them by voluntary death arose in me, and with +this intention I took the glass of poison. The possibility of casting +off my load of griefs forever gave me strength to bear them; and thus +have I, ever since this talisman came into my possession, forced myself +back into life by a contiguity with death. Be not anxious lest I use the +drug, but resolve, as men acquainted with the human heart, by granting +me an independence of life, to make me properly and wholesomely +dependent on it.’ After mature consideration, we determined not to +meddle further with him; and he now carries with him, in a firm little +ground-glass vial, this poison, of which he has so strangely made an +antidote.” + +The doctor was informed of all that had become known in the mean time: +towards Augustin it was determined that they should observe the deepest +silence in regard to it. The abbé undertook to keep beside him, and to +lead him forward on the healthful path he had entered. + +Meanwhile Wilhelm was to set about his journey over Germany with the +marchese. If it should appear that Augustin could be again excited to +affection for his native country, the circumstances were to be +communicated to his friends, and Wilhelm might conduct him thither. + +Wilhelm had at last made every preparation for his journey. At first the +abbé thought it strange that Augustin rejoiced in hearing of his friend +and benefactor’s purpose to depart, but he soon discovered the +foundation of this curious movement. Augustin could not subdue his fear +of Felix; and he longed, as soon as possible, to see the boy removed. + +By degrees so many people had assembled, that the castle and adjoining +buildings could scarcely accommodate them all, and the less, as such a +multitude of guests had not originally been anticipated. They +breakfasted, they dined, together: each endeavored to persuade himself +that they were living in a comfortable harmony; but each, in secret, +longed in some degree to be away. Theresa frequently rode out, attended +by Lothario, and oftener alone: she had already got acquainted with all +the landladies and landlords in the district; for she held it as a +principle of her economy, in which, perhaps, she was not far mistaken, +that it is essential to be in good acceptance with one’s neighbors, male +and female, and to maintain with them a constant interchange of +civilities. Of an intended marriage with Lothario, she appeared to have +no thought. Natalia and the countess often talked with one another; the +abbé seemed to covet the society of Augustin; Jarno had frequent +conversations with the doctor; Friedrich held by Wilhelm; Felix ran +about wherever he could meet with most amusement. It was thus, too, that +in general they paired themselves in walking when the company broke up: +when it was obliged to be together, recourse was quickly had to music, +to unite them all by giving each back to himself. + +Unexpectedly the count increased the party; intending to remove his +lady, and, as it appeared, to take a solemn farewell of his worldly +friends. Jarno hastened to the coach to meet him: the count inquired +what guests they had; to which the other answered, in a fit of wild +humor that would often seize him, “We have all the nobility in +nature,--marcheses, marquises, milords, and barons: we wanted nothing +but a count.” They came up-stairs: Wilhelm was the first who met them in +the ante-chamber. “Milord,” said the count to him in French, after +looking at him for a moment, “I rejoice very much in the unexpected +pleasure of renewing my acquaintance with your lordship: I am very much +mistaken if I did not see you at my castle in the prince’s suite.” “I +had the happiness of waiting on your Excellence at that time,” answered +Wilhelm; “but you do me too much honor when you take me for an +Englishman, and that of the first quality. I am a German, and”--“And a +fine young fellow,” interrupted Jarno. The count looked at Wilhelm with +a smile, and was about to make some reply, when the rest of the party +entered, and saluted him with many a friendly welcome. They excused +themselves for being unable at the moment to show him to a proper +chamber, promising without delay to make the necessary room for him. + +“Ay, ay!” said he, smiling: “we have left Chance, I see, to act as our +purveyor. Yet with prudence and arrangement, how much is possible! For +the present I entreat you not to stir a slipper from its place: the +disorder, I perceive, would otherwise be great. Every one would be +uncomfortably lodged; and this no one shall be on my account, if +possible, not even for an hour. You can testify,” said he to Jarno, “and +you, too, Meister,” turning to Wilhelm, “how many people I commodiously +stowed that time in my castle. Let me have the list of persons and +servants; let me see how they are lodged at present: I will make a plan +of dislocation, such that, with the very smallest inconvenience, every +one shall find a suitable apartment; and there shall be room enough to +hold another guest if one should accidentally arrive.” + +Jarno at once offered the count his assistance, procured him all the +necessary information; taking great delight, as usual, if he could now +and then contrive to lead him astray, and leave him in awkward +difficulties. The old gentleman at last, however, gained a signal +triumph. The arrangement was completed: he caused the names to be +written on their several doors, himself attending; and it could not be +denied, that, by a very few changes and substitutions, the object had +been fully gained. Jarno, among other things, had also managed, that the +persons who at present took an interest in each other should be lodged +together. + +“Will you help me,” said the count to Jarno, after every thing was +settled, “to clear up my recollections of the young man there, whom you +call Meister, and who you tell me is a German?” Jarno was silent; for he +knew very well that the count was one of those people who, in asking +questions, merely wish to show their knowledge. The count, accordingly, +continued, without waiting for an answer, “You, I recollect, presented +him to me, and warmly recommended him in the prince’s name. If his +mother was a German woman, I’ll be bound for it his father is an +Englishman, and one of rank too: who can calculate the English blood +that has been flowing these last thirty years in German veins! I will +not insist on knowing more: I know you have always family secrets of +that kind, but in such cases it is in vain to think of cheating me.” He +then proceeded to detail a great variety of things as having taken place +with Wilhelm at the castle, to the whole of which Jarno, as before, made +no reply; though the count was altogether in the wrong, confounding +Wilhelm more than once with a young Englishman of the prince’s suite. +The truth was, the good old gentleman had in former years possessed a +very excellent memory, and was still proud of being able to remember the +minutest circumstances of his youth; but, in regard to late occurrences, +he used to settle in his mind as true, and utter with the greatest +certainty, whatever fables and fantastic combinations, in the growing +weakness of his powers, imagination might present to him. For the rest, +he was become extremely mild and courteous: his presence had a very +favorable influence upon the company. He would call on them to read some +useful book together; nay, he often gave them little games, which, +without participating in them, he directed with the greatest care. If +they wondered at his condescension, he would reply, that it became a man +who differed from the world in weighty matters to conform to it the more +anxiously in matters of indifference. + +In these games our friend had, more than once, an angry and unquiet +feeling to endure. Friedrich, with his usual levity, took frequent +opportunity of giving hints that Wilhelm entertained a secret passion +for Natalia. How could he have found it out? What entitled him to say +so? And would not his friends think, that, as they two were often +together, Wilhelm must have made a disclosure to him,--so thoughtless +and unlucky a disclosure? + +One day, while they were merrier than common at some such joke, +Augustin, dashing up the door, rushed in with a frightful look; his +countenance was pale, his eyes were wild; he seemed about to speak, but +his tongue refused its office. The party were astounded: Lothario and +Jarno, supposing that his madness had returned, sprang up and seized +him. With a choked and faltering voice, then loudly and violently, he +spoke, and cried, “Not me! Haste! Help! Save the child! Felix is +poisoned!” + +They let him go; he hastened through the door: all followed him in +consternation. They called the doctor; Augustin made for the abbé’s +chamber; they found the child, who seemed amazed and frightened, when +they called to him from a distance, “What hast thou been doing?” + +“Dear papa!” cried Felix, “I did not drink from the bottle, I drank from +the glass: I was very thirsty.” + +Augustin struck his hands together: “He is lost!” cried he, then pressed +through the by-standers, and hastened away. + +They found a glass of almond-milk upon the table, with a bottle near it +more than half empty. The doctor came, was told what they had seen and +heard: with horror he observed the well-known laudanum-vial lying empty +on the table. He called for vinegar: he summoned all his art to his +assistance. + +Natalia had the little patient taken to a room: she busied herself with +painful care about him. The abbé had run out to seek Augustin, and draw +some explanation from him. The unhappy father had been out upon the same +endeavor, but in vain: he returned, to find anxiety and fear on every +face. The doctor, in the mean time, had been examining the almond-milk +in the glass; he found it to contain a powerful mixture of opium: the +child was lying on the sofa, seeming very sick; he begged his father +“not to let them pour more stuff into him, not to let them plague him +any more.” Lothario had sent his people, and had ridden off himself, +endeavoring to find some trace of Augustin. Natalia sat beside the +child; he took refuge in her lap, and entreated earnestly for her +protection, earnestly for a little piece of sugar: the vinegar, he said, +was biting sour. The doctor granted his request; the child was in a +frightful agitation; they were obliged to let him have a moment’s rest. +The doctor said that every means had been adopted: he would continue to +do his utmost. The count came near, with an air of displeasure; his look +was earnest, even solemn; he laid his hands upon the child, turned his +eyes to heaven, and remained some moments in that attitude. Wilhelm, who +was lying inconsolable on a seat, sprang up, and, casting a despairing +look at Natalia, left the room. Shortly afterwards the count, too, left +it. + +“I cannot understand,” said the doctor, having paused a little, “how it +comes that there is not the smallest trace of danger visible about the +child. At a single gulp he must have swallowed an immense dose of opium; +yet I find no movement in his pulse but what may be ascribed to our +remedies, and to the terror we have put him into.” + +In a few minutes Jarno entered, with intelligence that Augustin had been +discovered in the upper story, lying in his blood: a razor had been +found beside him; to all appearance he had cut his throat. The doctor +hastened out: he met the people carrying down the body. The unhappy man +was laid upon a bed, and accurately examined: the cut had gone across +the windpipe; a copious loss of blood had been succeeded by a swoon; yet +it was easy to observe that life, that hope, was still there. The doctor +put the body in a proper posture, joined the edges of the wound, and +bandaged it. The night passed sleepless and full of care to all. Felix +would not quit Natalia; Wilhelm sat before her on a stool; he had the +boy’s feet upon his lap; the head and breast were lying upon hers. Thus +did they divide the pleasing burden and the painful anxiety, and +continue, till the day broke, in their uncomfortable, sad position. +Natalia had given her hand to Wilhelm; they did not speak a word; they +looked at the child, and then at one another. Lothario and Jarno were +sitting at the other end of the room, and carrying on a most important +conversation,--which, did not the pressure of events forbid us, we would +gladly lay before our readers. The boy slept softly: he awoke quite +cheerful early in the morning, and demanded a piece of bread and butter. + +So soon as Augustin had in some degree recovered, they endeavored to +obtain some explanation from him. They learned with difficulty, and by +slow degrees, that having, by the count’s unlucky shifting, been +appointed to the same chamber with the abbé, he had found the manuscript +in which his story was recorded. Struck with horror on perusing it, he +felt that it was now impossible for him to live, on which he had +recourse, as usual, to the laudanum: this he poured into a glass of +almond-milk, and raised it to his mouth; but he shuddered when it +reached his lips: he set it down untasted, went out to walk once more +across the garden, and behold the face of nature; and, on his return, he +found the child employed in filling up the glass out of which it had +been drinking. + +They entreated the unhappy creature to be calm: he seized Wilhelm by the +hand with a spasmodic grasp, and cried, “Ah! why did I not leave thee +long ago? I knew well that I should kill the boy, and he me.”--“The boy +lives!” said Wilhelm. The doctor, who had listened with attention, now +inquired of Augustin if all the drink was poisoned. “No,” replied he, +“nothing but the glass.”--“By the luckiest chance, then,” cried the +doctor, “the boy has drunk from the bottle! A benignant genius has +guided his hand, that he did not catch at death, which stood so near and +ready for him.”--“No, no!” cried Wilhelm, with a groan, and clapping +both his hands upon his eyes. “How dreadful are the words! Felix said +expressly that he drank, not from the bottle, but the glass. His health +is but a show: he will die among our hands.” Wilhelm hastened out: the +doctor went below, and taking Felix up, with much caressing, asked, +“Now, did not you, my pretty boy? You drank from the bottle, not the +glass?” The child began to cry. The doctor secretly informed Natalia how +the matter stood: she also strove in vain to get the truth from Felix, +who but cried the more,--cried till he fell asleep. + +Wilhelm watched by him: the night went peacefully away. Next morning +Augustin was found lying dead in bed: he had cheated his attendants by a +seeming rest, had silently loosened the bandages, and bled to death. +Natalia went to walk with Felix: he was sportful as in his happiest +days. “You are always good to me,” said Felix, “you never scold, you +never beat, me: I will tell you the truth, I did drink from the bottle. +Mamma Aurelia used to rap me over the fingers every time I touched the +bottle: father looked so sour, I thought he would beat me.” + +With winged steps Natalia hastened to the castle: Wilhelm came, still +overwhelmed with care, to meet her. “Happy father!” cried she, lifting +up the child, and throwing it into his arms: “there is thy son again! He +drank from the bottle: his naughtiness has saved him.” + +They told the count the happy issue; but he listened with a smiling, +silent, modest air of knowingness, like one tolerating the error of +worthy men. Jarno, attentive to all, could not explain this lofty +self-complacency, till, after many windings, he at last discovered it to +be his lordship’s firm belief, that the child had really taken poison, +and that he himself, by prayer and the laying on of hands, had +miraculously counteracted the effects of it. After such a feat, his +lordship now determined on departing. Every thing, as usual with him, +was made ready in a moment: the fair countess, when about to go, took +Wilhelm’s hand before parting with her sister’s; she then pressed both +their hands between her own, turned quickly round, and stepped into the +carriage. + +So many terrible and strange events, crowding one upon the back of +another, inducing an unusual mode of life, and putting every thing into +disorder and perplexity, had brought a sort of feverish movement into +all departments of the house. The hours of sleep and waking, of eating, +drinking, and social conversation, were inverted. Except Theresa, none +of them had kept in their accustomed course. The men endeavored, by +increased potations, to recover their good-humor; and, thus +communicating to themselves an artificial vivacity, they drove away that +natural vivacity which alone imparts to us true cheerfulness, and +strength for action. + +Wilhelm, in particular, was moved and agitated by the keenest feelings. +Those unexpected, frightful incidents had thrown him out of all +condition to resist a passion which had so forcibly seized his heart. +Felix was restored to him, yet still it seemed that he had nothing: +Werner’s letters, the directions for his journey, were in readiness; +there was nothing wanting but the resolution to remove. Every thing +conspired to hasten him. He could not but conjecture that Lothario and +Theresa were awaiting his departure, that they might be wedded. Jarno +was unusually silent: you would have said that he had lost a portion of +his customary cheerfulness. Happily the doctor helped our friend, in +some degree, from this embarrassment: he declared him sick, and set +about administering medicine to him. + +The company assembled always in the evening: Friedrich, the wild madcap, +who usually drank more wine than was meet, took possession of the talk, +and by a thousand frolicsome citations, fantasies, and waggish +allusions, often kept the party laughing, often, also, threw them into +awkward difficulties, by the liberty he took to think aloud. + +In the sickness of his friend he seemed to have little faith. Once, when +they were all together, “Pray, doctor,” cried he, “how is it you call +the malady our friend is laboring under? Will none of the three thousand +names with which you decorate your ignorance apply to it? The disease at +least is not without examples. There is one such case,” continued he, +with an emphatic tone, “in the Egyptian or Babylonian history.” + +The company looked at one another, and smiled. + +“What call you the king?”--cried he, and stopped short a moment. “Well, +if you will not help me, I must help myself.” He threw the door-leaves +up, and pointed to the large picture in the ante-chamber. “What call you +the goat-beard there, with the crown on, who is standing at the foot of +the bed, making such a rueful face about his sick son? How call you the +beauty who enters, and in her modest, roguish eyes, at once brings +poison and antidote? How call you the quack of a doctor, who at this +moment catches a glimpse of the reality, and, for the first time in his +life, takes occasion to prescribe a reasonable recipe, to give a drug +which cures to the very heart, and is at once salutiferous and savory?” + +In this manner he continued babbling. The company took it with as good a +face as might be, hiding their embarrassment behind a forced laugh. A +slight blush overspread Natalia’s cheeks, and betrayed the movements of +her heart. By good fortune she was walking up and down with Jarno: on +coming to the door, with a cunning motion she slipped out, walked once +or twice across the ante-chamber, and retired to her room. + +The company were silent: Friedrich began to dance and sing,-- + + + “Wonders will ye see anon! + Whatsoever’s done is done, + Said’s whatever’s said: straightway, + E’er’t be day, + Wonders will be shown.” + --_Editor’s version._ + + +Theresa had gone out to find Natalia: Friedrich pulled the doctor +forward to the picture, pronounced a ridiculous eulogium on medicine, +and glided from the room. + +Lothario had been standing all the while in the recess of a window: he +was looking, without motion, down into the garden. Wilhelm was in the +most dreadful state. Left alone with his friend, he still kept silence +for a time; he ran with a hurried glance over all his history, and at +last, with shuddering, surveyed his present situation: he started up, +and cried, “If I am to blame for what is happening, for what you and I +are suffering, punish me. In addition to my other miseries, deprive me +of your friendship, and let me wander, without comfort, forth into the +wide world, in which I should have mingled, and withdrawn myself from +notice, long ago. But if you see in me the victim of a cruel +entanglement of chance, out of which I could not thread my way, then +give me the assurance of your love, of your friendship, on a journey +which I dare not now postpone. A time will come when I may tell you what +has passed of late within me. Perhaps this is but a punishment which I +am suffering, because I did not soon enough disclose myself to you, +because I hesitated to display myself entirely as I was: you would have +assisted me, you would have helped me out in proper season. Again and +again have my eyes been opened to my conduct; but it was ever too late, +it was ever in vain! How richly do I merit Jarno’s censure! I imagined I +had seized it: how firmly did I purpose to employ it, to commence +another life! Could I, might I, have done so? It avails not for mortals +to complain of fate or of themselves. We are wretched, and appointed for +wretchedness; and what does it matter whether blame of ours, higher +influence or chance, virtue or vice, wisdom or folly, plunge us into +ruin? Farewell! I will not stay another moment in a house where I have +so fearfully violated the rights of hospitality. Your brother’s +indiscretion is unpardonable: it aggravates my suffering to the highest +pitch, it drives me to despair.” + +“And what,” replied Lothario, taking Wilhelm by the hand, “what if your +alliance with my sister were the secret article on which depended my +alliance with Theresa? This amends that noble maiden has appointed for +you: she has vowed that these two pairs should appear together at the +altar. ‘His reason has made choice of me,’ said she; ‘his heart demands +Natalia: my reason shall assist his heart.’ We agreed to keep our eyes +upon Natalia and yourself: we told the abbé of our plan, who made us +promise not to intermeddle with this union, or attempt to forward it, +but to suffer every thing to take its course. We have done so: Nature +has performed her part; our mad brother only shook the ripe fruit from +the branch. And now, since we have come together so unusually, let us +lead no common life: let us work together in a noble manner, and for +noble purposes! It is inconceivable how much a man of true culture can +accomplish for himself and others, if, without attempting to rule, he +can be the guardian over many; can induce them to do that in season +which they are at any rate disposed enough to do; can guide them to +their objects, which in general they see with due distinctness, though +they miss the road to them. Let us make a league for this: it is no +enthusiasm, but an idea which may be fully executed, which, indeed, is +often executed, only with imperfect consciousness, by people of +benevolence and worth. Natalia is a living instance of it. No other need +attempt to rival the plan of conduct which has been prescribed by Nature +for that pure and noble soul.” + +He had more to say, but Friedrich with a shout came jumping in. “What a +garland have I earned!” cried he: “how will you reward me? Myrtle, +laurel, ivy, leaves of oak, the freshest you can find, come twist them: +I have merits far beyond them all. Natalia is thine! I am the conjurer +who raised this treasure for thee.” + +“He raves,” said Wilhelm: “I must go.” + +“Art thou empowered to speak?” inquired Lothario, holding Wilhelm from +retiring. + +“By my own authority,” said Friedrich, “and the grace of God. It was +thus I was the wooer, thus I am the messenger: I listened at the door; +she told the abbé every thing.” + +“Barefaced rogue! who bade thee listen?” said Lothario. + +“Who bade her bolt the door?” cried Friedrich. “I heard it all: she was +in a wondrous pucker. In the night when Felix seemed so ill, and was +lying half upon her knees, and thou wert sitting comfortless before her, +sharing the beloved load, she made a vow, that, if the child died, she +would confess her love to thee, and offer thee her hand. And now, when +the child lives, why should she change her mind? What we promise under +such conditions, we keep under any. Nothing wanting but the parson! He +will come, and marvel what strange news he brings.” + +The abbé entered. “We know it all,” cried Friedrich: “be as brief as +possible; it is mere formality you come for,--they never send for you or +me on any other score.” + +“He has listened,” said the baron. “Scandalous!” exclaimed the abbé. + +“Now, quick!” said Friedrich. “How stands it with the ceremonies? These +we can reckon on our fingers. You must travel: the marchese’s invitation +answers to a hair’s-breadth. If we had you once beyond the Alps, it will +all be right: the people are obliged to you for undertaking any thing +surprising; you procure them an amusement which they are not called to +pay for. It is as if you gave a free ball: all ranks partake in it.” + +“In such popular festivities,” replied the abbé, “you have done the +public much service in your time; but to-day, it seems, you will not let +me speak at all.” + +“If it is not just as I have told it,” answered Friedrich, “let us have +it better. Come round, come round: we must see them both together.” + +Lothario embraced his friend, and led him to Natalia, who, with Theresa, +came to meet them. All were silent. + +“No loitering!” cried Friedrich. “In two days you may be ready for your +travels. Now, think you, friend,” continued he, addressing Wilhelm, +“when we first scraped acquaintance, and I asked you for the pretty +nosegay, who could have supposed you were ever to receive a flower like +this from me?” + +“Do not, at the moment of my highest happiness, remind me of those +times!” + +“Of which you need not be ashamed, any more than one need be ashamed of +his descent. The times were very good times: only I cannot but laugh to +look at thee; to my mind thou resemblest Saul the son of Kish, who went +out to seek his father’s asses, and found a kingdom.” + +“I know not the worth of a kingdom,” answered Wilhelm; “but I know I +have attained a happiness which I have not deserved, and which I would +not change with any thing in life.” + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + MEISTER’S TRAVELS; + + + OR, + + THE RENUNCIANTS. + + + A NOVEL. + + + To travel now the Apprentice does essay, + And every step is girt with doubt and danger: + In truth, he uses not to sing or pray; + But, is his path perplexed, this toilsome ranger + Does turn an earnest eye, when mist’s above him, + To his own heart, and to the hearts that love him. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + Scarce could tell you rightly + Whether I’m the same or not, + If you task me very tightly: + Yes, this is my sense you’ve got,-- + Sense that vexes, then assuages, + Now too light, and now too dark, + But in some few hundred pages + May again come to the mark. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + Does Fortune try thee? She had cause to do’t: + She wished thee temperate; obey, be mute! + + What, shap’st thou here at the world! ’tis shapen long ago; + The Maker shaped it, _he_ thought it best even so: + Thy lot is appointed, go follow its hest; + Thy way is begun, thou must walk, and not rest; + For sorrow and care cannot alter thy case; + And running, not raging, will win thee the race. + + Enweri tells us, a most royal man, + The deepest heart and highest head to scan: + “In every place, at every time, thy surest chance + Lies in decision, justice, tolerance.” + + My inheritance, how wide and fair! + Time is my estate: to time I’m heir. + + Now it is day: be doing, every one; + For the night cometh, wherein work can none. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + And so I, in Tale adjoining, + Lift old treasures into day; + If not gold or perfect coining, + They are metals any way: + Thou canst sort them, thou canst sunder, + Thou canst melt and make them one; + Then take that with smiling wonder, + Stamp it like thyself, my son. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + MEISTER’S TRAVELS. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER I. + + THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. + + +Wilhelm was sitting under the shadow of a huge crag, on a shaggy, +impressive spot, where the steep mountain path turned abruptly round a +corner, down into the chasm. The sun was still high, and brightening the +tops of the pine-trees in the clefts at his feet. He was looking at +something in his note-book, when Felix, who had been clambering about, +came to him with a stone in his hand. “What is the name of this stone, +father?” said the boy. + +“I know not,” answered Wilhelm. + +“Can this be gold that glitters in it so?” said Felix. + +“No, no,” replied Wilhelm; “and now I remember, people call it mica, or +cat-gold.” + +“Cat-gold!” said the boy, smiling. “And why?” + +“I suppose, because it is false, and cats are reckoned false too.” + +“Well, I will note that,” said the son, and put in the stone beside the +rest with which he had already filled his pockets. + +Scarcely was this over when, adown the steep path, a strange enough +appearance came in sight. Two boys, beautiful as day, in colored jackets +which you might have taken for outer shirts, came bounding down, one +after the other; and Wilhelm had opportunity of viewing them more +closely, as they faltered on observing him, and stopped for a moment. +Round the elder boy’s head waved rich, fair locks, which you looked at +first, on observing him; and then his clear blue eyes attracted your +attention, which spread itself with delight over his beautiful shape. +The younger, more like a friend than a brother, was decked with brown, +sleek hair, which hung down over his shoulders, and the reflection of +which appeared to be imaged in his eyes. + +These strange, and, in this wilderness, quite unexpected, beings, +Wilhelm had not time to view more narrowly; for he heard a man’s voice +calling down round the corner of the crag, in a serious, but friendly, +tone, “Why do you stand still? Don’t stop the way.” + +Wilhelm looked upwards; and, if the children had surprised him, what he +now saw filled him with astonishment. A stout, firm-set, not too tall, +young man, tucked up for walking, of brown complexion and black hair, +was stepping firmly and carefully down the rock-way, and leading an ass +behind him, which first presented its glossy, well-trimmed head, and +then the fair burden it bore. A soft, lovely woman was seated on a large +and well-pannelled saddle: in her arms, within a blue mantle which hung +over her, lay an infant, which she was pressing to her breast, and +looking at with indescribable tenderness. The man did as the children +had done,--faltered for a moment at sight of Wilhelm. The beast +slackened its step, but the descent was too precipitous: the travellers +could not halt; and Wilhelm with astonishment saw them vanish behind the +contiguous wall of rocks. + +Nothing was more natural than that this singular procession should cut +short his meditations. He rose in no small curiosity, and looked from +his position towards the chasm, to see whether they would not again make +their appearance somewhere below. He was just about descending to salute +these strange travellers, when Felix came climbing up, and said, +“Father, may I not go home with these boys to their house? They want to +take me with them. Thou must go too, the man said to me. Come! They are +waiting down there.” + +“I will speak with them,” answered Wilhelm. + +He found them at a place where the path was more level, and he could not +but gaze in wonder at the singular figures which had so strongly +attracted his attention. Not till now had it been in his power to note +the peculiarities of the group. The young, stout man, he found, had a +joiner’s axe on his shoulder, and a long, thin iron square. The children +bore in their hands large sedge-tufts, like palms; and if, in this +point, they resembled angels, they likewise carried little baskets with +shop-wares in them, thereby resembling the little daily posts, as they +pass to and fro over the mountains. The mother also, he observed, on +looking more leisurely, wore under her blue mantle a reddish, +mild-colored, lower garment: so that “The Flight into Egypt,” which our +friend had so often seen painted, he now, with amazement, saw bodied +forth before his eyes. + +The strangers exchanged salutations; and as Wilhelm, from surprise and +attention, could not speak, the young man said, “Our children have +formed a friendship in these few moments. Will you go with us to see +whether some kind relation will not spring up between the elder parties +also?” + +Wilhelm bethought himself an instant, and then answered, “The aspect of +your little family procession awakens trust and good will, and, to +confess it frankly, curiosity no less, and a lively desire to be better +acquainted with you. For, at the first glance, one might ask himself the +question, Whether you are real travellers, or only spirits that take +pleasure in enlivening these uninhabitable mountains by pleasant +visions?” + +“Then, come home with us to our dwelling,” said the other. “Come with +us!” cried the children, already drawing Felix along with them. “Come +with us!” said the woman, turning her soft kindliness from the suckling +to the stranger. + +Without reflecting, Wilhelm answered, “I am sorry, that, for the present +moment, I cannot follow you. This night, at least, I must spend up at +the Border-house. My portmanteau, my papers,--all is lying up there, +unpacked, intrusted to no one. But, that I may prove my wish and purpose +to satisfy your friendly invitation, take my Felix with you as a pledge. +To-morrow I shall see you. How far is it?” + +“We shall be home before sunset,” said the carpenter; “and from the +Border-house you are but a league and a half. Your boy increases our +household for this night, and to-morrow we expect you.” + +The man and the animal set forth. Wilhelm smiled thoughtfully to see his +Felix so soon received among the angels. The boy had already seized a +sedge-tuft, and taken the basket from the younger of his companions. The +procession was again on the point of vanishing behind a ledge of rock, +when Wilhelm recollected himself, and cried, “But how shall I inquire +you out?” + +“Ask for St. Joseph!” sounded from the hollow; and the whole vision had +sunk behind the blue, shady wall of cliffs. A pious hymn, uplifted on a +chorus of several voices, rose echoing from the distance; and Wilhelm +thought he could distinguish the voice of his Felix among the rest. + +He ascended the path, and thus protracted the period of sunset. The +heavenly star, which he had more than once lost sight of, illuminated +him afresh as he mounted higher; and it was still day when he reached +his inn. Once more he delighted himself with the vast mountain prospect, +then withdrew to his chamber, where immediately he seized his pen, and +passed a part of the night in writing. + + + _Wilhelm to Natalia._ + + Now at last I have reached the summit,--the summit of the + mountains, which will place a stronger separation betwixt us + than all the tract I had passed over before. To my feeling, one + is still in the neighborhood of those he loves, so long as the + streams run down from him towards them. To-day I can still fancy + to myself that the twig which I cast into the forest-brook may, + perhaps, float down to her, may in a few days land at her + garden; and thus our spirit sends its images more easily, our + heart its sympathies, by the same downward course. But over on + the other side I fear there rises a wall of division against the + imagination and the feelings. Yet this, perhaps, is but a vain + anxiety; for over on the other side, after all, it will not be + otherwise than it is here. What could part me from thee! From + thee, whose own I am forever; though a strange destiny sunders + me from thee, and unexpectedly shuts the heaven to which I stood + so near. I had time to compose myself; and yet no time could + have sufficed to give me that composure, had I not gained it + from thy mouth, from thy lips, in that decisive moment. How + could I have torn myself away, if the enduring thread had not + been spun which is to unite us for time and eternity? Yet I must + not speak of all this. Thy tender commands I will not break: on + this mountain-top be it the last time that I name the word + Separation before thee! My life is to become a restless + wandering. Strange duties of the wanderer have I to fulfil, and + peculiar trials to undergo. How I often smile within myself when + I read the terms which thou prescribedst to me, which I + prescribed to myself. Many of them have been kept, many broken; + but, even while breaking them, this sheet is of use to me, this + testimonial of my last confession,--of my last absolution: it + speaks to me as an authoritative conscience, and I again turn to + the right path. I watch myself; and my faults no longer rush + like mountain torrents, one over the other. + + Yet I will confess to thee I many times wonder at those teachers + and guides of men who impose on their scholars nothing but + external, mechanical duties. They make the task light for + themselves as well as for the world. For this very part of my + obligations, which at first seemed the heaviest, the strangest, + I now observe with greatest ease, with greatest satisfaction. + + I am not to stay beyond three days under one roof. I am to quit + no inn without removing at least one league from it. These + regulations are, in truth, calculated to make my life a life of + travel, and to prevent the smallest thought of settlement from + taking hold of me. Hitherto I have fulfilled this condition to + the letter, not even using all the liberty it grants me. This is + the first time that I have paused: here, for the first time, I + sleep three nights in the same bed. From this spot I send thee + much that I have heard, observed, laid up for thee; and early in + the morning I descend on the other side,--in the first place, to + a strange family, I might almost say, a Holy Family, of which, + in my journal, thou wilt find further notice. For the present, + farewell; and lay down this sheet with the feeling that it has + but one thing to say, but one thing which it would say and + repeat forever; yet will not say it, will not repeat it now, + till I have once more the happiness of lying at thy feet, and + weeping over thy hands for all that I renounce. + + + MORNING. + + My packing is done. The porter is girding the portmanteau on his + dorsel. As yet, the sun is not up: vapors are streaming out of + all the hollows, but the upper sky is clear. We step down into + the gloomy deeps, which also will soon brighten over our heads. + Let me send my last sigh home to thee! Let my last look towards + thee be yet blinded with involuntary tears! I am decided and + determined. Thou shalt hear no more complaints from me: thou + shalt hear only what happens to the wanderer. And yet now, when + I am on the point of ending, a thousand thoughts, wishes, hopes, + and purposes come crowding through my soul. Happily the people + force me away. The porter calls me; and mine host has already in + my presence begun sorting the apartment, as if I were gone: thus + feelingless, imprudent heirs do not hide from the departing + testator their preparations for assuming management. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER II. + + ST. JOSEPH THE SECOND. + + +Already had the wanderer, following his porter on foot, left the steep +rocks behind and above him: already were they traversing a softer +mid-range of hills, and hastening through many a well-pruned wood, over +many a friendly meadow, forward and forward; till at last they found +themselves on a declivity, and looked down into a beautifully cultivated +valley, begirt on all sides with hills. A large monastic edifice, half +in ruins, half in repair, immediately attracted their attention. “This +is St. Joseph,” said the porter. “Pity for the fine church! Do but look +how fresh and firm it still holds up its pillars through bush and tree, +though it has lain many hundred years in decay.” + +“The cloister, on the contrary,” said Wilhelm, “I observe, is kept in +good state.” + +“Yes,” said the other: “there is a _Schaffner_ lives here; he manages +the husbandry, collects the dues and tithes, which the people far and +wide have to pay him.” + +So speaking, they had entered through the open gate into a spacious +court, surrounded with earnest-looking, well-kept buildings, and +announcing itself as the residence of some peaceful community. Among the +children playing in the area, Wilhelm noticed Felix: the other two were +the angels of last night. The friendly trefoil came running towards him +with salutations, and assurances that papa would soon be back. He, in +the mean while, they said, must go into the hall, and rest himself. + +How surprised was Wilhelm when the children led him into this apartment +which they named the hall. Passing directly from the court, through a +large door, our wanderer found himself in a very cleanly, undecayed +chapel, which however, as he saw well enough, had been fitted up for the +domestic uses of daily life. On the one side stood a table, a settle, +some chairs and benches; on the other side a neatly carved dresser, with +variegated pottery, jugs, and glasses. Some chests and trunks were +standing in suitable niches: and, simple as the whole appeared, there +was not wanting an air of comfort; and daily household life looked forth +from it with an aspect of invitation. The light fell in from high +windows on the side. But what most roused the attention of the wanderer +was a series of colored figures painted on the wall, stretching under +the windows, at a considerable height, round three quarters of the +chapel, and hanging down to the wainscot, which covered the remainder of +the wall to the ground. The pictures represented the history of St. +Joseph. Here you might see him first employed with his carpentry work: +here he meets Mary; and a lily is sprouting from the ground between +them, while angels hover round observing them. Here his betrothing takes +place: next comes the salutation of the angel. Here he is sitting +disconsolate among his neglected work: he has laid by the axe, and is +thinking to put away his wife. But now appears the angel to him in a +dream, and his situation changes. With reverence he looks on the +new-born child in the stable at Bethlehem, and prays to it. Soon after +this comes a wonderfully beautiful picture. You observe a quantity of +timber lying dressed: it is just to be put together, and by chance two +of the pieces form a cross. The child has fallen asleep on the cross; +his mother sits by, and looks at him with heartfelt love; and the +foster-father pauses with his labor, that he may not awaken him. Next +follows the flight into Egypt: it called forth a smile from the gazing +traveller, for he saw here on the walls a repetition of the living +figures he had met last night. + +He had not long pursued his contemplations, when the landlord entered, +whom he directly recognized as the leader of the Holy Caravan. They +saluted each other cordially: much conversation followed, yet Wilhelm’s +chief attention continued fixed on the pictures. The host observed the +feeling of his guest, and began with a smile, “No doubt you are +wondering at the strange accordance of this building with its +inhabitants, whom you last night got acquainted with. Yet it is, +perhaps, still more singular than you suppose: the building has, in +truth, formed the inhabitants. For, when the inanimate has life, it can +also produce what has life.” + +“Yes, indeed!” answered Wilhelm: “I should be surprised if the spirit, +which worked so powerfully in this mountain solitude long centuries ago, +and drew round it such a mighty body of edifices, possessions, and +rights, diffusing in return the blessings of manifold culture over the +region, could not still, out of these ruins, manifest the force of its +life on some living being. But let us not linger on general reflections: +make me acquainted with your history; let me know how it can possibly +have happened, that, without affectation and presumption, the past again +represents itself in you, and what was, again is.” + +Just as Wilhelm was expecting responsive information from the lips of +his host, a friendly voice in the court cried, “Joseph!” The man obeyed +it, and went out. + +“So he, too, is Joseph!” said Wilhelm to himself. “This is strange +enough, and yet not so strange as that in his life he should personate +his saint.” At the same time, looking through the door, he saw the +Virgin Mother of last night speaking with her husband. They parted at +last: the woman walked towards the opposite building. “Mary,” cried he +after her, “a word more.” + +“So she, too, is Mary!” said Wilhelm inwardly. “Little would make me +feel as if I were transported eighteen hundred years into the past!” He +thought of the solemn and secluded valley in which he was, of the wrecks +and silence all around; and a strange, antiquarian mood came over him. +It was time for the landlord and children to come in. The latter called +for Wilhelm to go and walk, as the landlord had still some business to +do. And now came in view the ruins of the church, with its many shafts +and columns, with its high peaks and walls; which looked as if gathering +strength in the influence of wind and weather; for strong trees from of +old had taken root in the broad backs of the walls, and now, in company +with grass, flowers, and moss in great quantities, exhibited bold +hanging gardens vegetating in the air. Soft sward-paths led you up the +banks of a lively brook; and from a little elevation our wanderer could +now overlook the edifice and its site with more interest, as its +occupants had become still more singular in his eyes, and by their +harmony with their abode had awakened his liveliest curiosity. + +The promenaders returned, and found in the religious hall a table +standing covered. At the upper end was an arm-chair, in which the +mistress of the house took her seat. Beside her she had placed a high +wicker-cradle, in which lay the little infant: the father sat next this +on her left hand, Wilhelm on her right. The three children occupied the +under space of the table. An old serving-maid brought in a well-readied +meal. Eating and drinking implements alike pointed to the past. The +children afforded matter for talk, while Wilhelm could not satisfy +himself with looking at the form and the bearing of his saintly hostess. + +Their repast over, the company separated. The landlord took his guest to +a shady spot in the ruin, where, from an elevated station, the pleasant +prospect down the valley lay entire before them; and, farther off, the +heights of the lower country, with their fruitful declivities and woody +backs, were seen protruding one behind the other. “It is fair,” said the +landlord, “that I satisfy your curiosity; and the rather, as I feel that +you can view the strange with seriousness when you find it resting on a +serious ground. This religious foundation, the remains of which are +lying round us, was dedicated to the Holy Family, and in old times noted +as a place of pilgrimage for many wonders done in it. The church was +consecrated to the Mother and the Son. It has lain for several centuries +in ruins. The chapel, dedicated to the holy foster-father, still +remains, as does likewise the serviceable part of the cloister. The +revenues have for many years belonged to a temporal prince, who keeps a +steward or _Schaffner_ here: this _Schaffner_ am I, son of the last +_Schaffner_, who also succeeded his father in the office. + +“St. Joseph, though any regular worship of him has long ceased here, had +been so helpful to our family, that it is not to be wondered at if they +felt particularly well inclined towards him: hence came it that they had +me baptized by the name of Joseph, and thereby, I may say, in some sense +determined my whole future way of life. I grew up; and, if I used to +help my father in managing the dues, I attached myself as gladly, nay, +still more gladly, to my mother, who cheerfully distributed her bounty +according to her fortune, and for her kindness and good deeds was known +and loved over all the mountains. Erelong she would send me out, now +this way, now that; now to fetch, now to carry, now direct; and I very +speedily began to be at home in this sort of pious occupation. + +“In general, our mountain life has something more humane in it than the +life of Lowlanders. The inhabitants here are nearer, and, if you will, +more remote also. Our wants are smaller, but more pressing. Each man is +placed more on his own footing: he must learn to depend on his own +hands, on his own limbs. The laborer, the post, the porter, all unite in +one person: each of us is more connected with the other, meets him +oftener, and lives with him in joint activity. + +“As I was still young, and my shoulders could not bear heavy burdens, I +fell upon a thought of furnishing a little ass with panniers, which I +might drive before me up and down the steep foot-paths. In the mountains +the ass is no such despicable animal as in the plain country, where the +laborer that ploughs with horses reckons himself better than he that +turns his furrow with oxen. And I walked behind my beast with the less +hesitation, as I had before observed in the chapel, that an animal of +this same sort had been promoted to such honor as to carry God and his +Mother. This chapel was not then, however, in the state you now see it +in. It had been treated as a cart-house, nay, almost as a stable. +Firewood, stakes, implements, barrels, and ladders, every thing that +came to hand, lay huddled together in it. Lucky that the pictures were +so high, and the wainscot could stand some hardships. But even in my +childhood I used many a time to clamber over the wood, and delight +myself with looking at the pictures, which no one could properly explain +to me. However, I knew at least that the saint whose life stood depicted +on these walls was my patron; and I rejoiced in him as much as if he had +been my uncle. I waxed in stature; and it being an express condition, +that whoever meant to aspire after this post of _Schaffner_ must +practise some handicraft, our family, desiring that I might inherit so +good a benefice, determined on putting me to learn some trade, and such +a one, at the same time, as might be useful here in our upland way of +life. + +“My father was a cooper, and had been accustomed to supply of himself +whatever was required in that sort; from which there arose no little +profit, both to himself and the country. But I could not prevail on +myself to follow him in this business. My inclination drew me +irresistibly to the joiner trade, the tools and materials of which I had +seen, from infancy upwards, so accurately and circumstantially painted +beside my patron saint. I signified my wish: nothing could be objected +to it,--the less, as in our frequent buildings the carpenter is often +wanted here; nay, if he have any sleight in his trade, and fondness for +it, especially in forest districts, the arts of the cabinet-maker, and +even of the carver, lie close beside his province. And what still +further confirmed me in my higher purposes was a picture, which now, +alas! is almost effaced. If once you know what it is meant to represent, +you may still be able to decipher the figures, when I take you to look +at it. St. Joseph had got no lower a commission than to make a throne +for King Herod. The royal seat was to be erected between two given +pillars. Joseph carefully measures the breadth and height, and fashions +a costly throne. But how astonished is he, how alarmed, on carrying his +finished work to the place: the throne is too high, and not broad +enough. King Herod, as we know, was a man that did not understand +jesting: the pious wright is in the greatest perplexity. The divine +Child, accustomed to follow him everywhere, and in childlike, humble +sport to carry his tools after him, observes his strait, and is +immediately at hand with advice and assistance. He requires of his +foster-father to take hold of the throne by the one side, he himself +grasps it by the other, and both begin to pull. Easily and pliantly, as +if it had been made of leather, the carved throne extends in breadth, +contracts proportionately in length, and fits itself to the place with +the nicest accuracy, to the great comfort of the re-assured master, and +the perfect satisfaction of the king. + +“This throne was, in my youth, quite distinctly visible; and by the +remains of the one side you will still be able to discern that there was +no want of carving on it,--which, indeed, must have been easier for the +painter than it would have been for the carpenter, had such a thing been +required of him. + +“That circumstance, however, raised no scruples in me; but I looked on +the handicraft to which I had devoted myself in so honorable a light, +that I was all impatience to be apprenticed to it,--a longing which was +the easier to fulfil, as a master of the trade lived in our +neighborhood, who worked for the whole district, and kept several +apprentices and journeymen about him. Thus I continued in the +neighborhood of my parents, and to a certain extent pursued my former +way of life also; seeing I employed my leisure hours and holidays in +doing those charitable messages which my mother still intrusted to me.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER III. + + THE VISIT. + + +“So passed several years,” continued the narrator. “I very soon +comprehended the principles of my trade; and my frame, expanded by +labor, was equal to the undertaking of every thing connected with the +business. At the same time I kept managing my ancient service, which my +good mother, or rather the sick and destitute, required at my hands. I +moved with my beast through the mountains, punctually distributed my +lading, and brought back from shopkeepers and merchants what we needed +here at home. + +“My master was contented with me, my parents also. Already I enjoyed the +satisfaction, in my wanderings, of seeing many a house which I had +helped to raise, or had myself decorated. For, in particular, that last +notching of the beam-ends, that carving of certain simple forms, that +branding in of pretty figures, that red painting of certain recesses, by +which a wooden house in the mountains acquires so pleasant an +aspect,--these arts were especially intrusted to me; as I always made +the best hand of such tasks, having Herod’s throne and its ornaments +constantly in my head. + +“Among the help-needing persons whom my mother took peculiar charge of, +were particularly young wives near the time of their confinement, as by +degrees I could well enough remark; though, in such cases, the +commissions given me were veiled in a certain mystery. My messages, on +these occasions, never reached directly to the party concerned; but +every thing passed through the hands of a good old woman, who lived down +the dale, and was called Frau Elizabeth. My mother, herself skilful in +the art which saves life to so many at their very entrance into life, +constantly maintained a good understanding with Frau Elizabeth; and I +often heard, in all quarters, that many a one of our stout mountaineers +stood indebted for his existence to these two women. The secrecy with +which Elizabeth received me at all times, her pointed replies to my +enigmatical questions, which I myself did not understand, awoke in me a +singular reverence for her; and her house, which was extremely clean, +appeared to me to represent a sort of sanctuary. + +“Meanwhile, by my acquirements and adroitness in my craft, I had gained +considerable influence in the family. As my father, in the character of +cooper, had taken charge of the cellar and its contents, I now took +charge of roof and room, and repaired many a damaged part in the old +building. In particular, I contrived to make some fallen barns and +out-houses once more serviceable for domestic use; and scarcely was this +done when I set about cleaning and clearing out my beloved chapel. In a +few days it was put in order, almost as you see it at present; and such +pieces of the wainscot as were damaged or altogether wanting, I had +endeavored, as I went along, to restore in the same fashion as the rest. +These door-leaves of the entrance, too, you might think, were old +enough; yet they are of my workmanship. I passed several years in +carving them at leisure hours, having first mortised the body of them +firmly together out of strong oaken planks. Whatever of the pictures had +not been effaced or injured at that time, has since continued +unimpaired; and I assisted our glazier in a new house he was erecting, +under the condition of his putting in colored windows here. + +“If these figures and thoughts on the saint’s life had hitherto occupied +my imagination, the whole impressed itself on me with much more +liveliness, now that I could again regard the place as a sanctuary, +could linger in it, and muse at leisure on what I saw or conjectured. +There lay in me an irresistible desire to follow in the footsteps of +this saint: and, as a similar history was not to be looked for in these +times, I determined on commencing my resemblance from the lowest point +upwards; as, indeed, by the use of my beast of burden, I had already +commenced it long ago. The small creature which I had hitherto employed +would no longer content me: I chose for myself a far more stately +carrier, and got a large, stout saddle, which was equally adapted for +riding and packing. A pair of new baskets were also procured; and a net +of many-colored knots, flakes, and tufts, intermixed with jingling tags +of metal, decorated the neck of my long-eared beast, which might now +show itself beside its model on the wall. No one thought of mocking me +when I passed over the mountains in this equipment: people do not +quarrel with Benevolence for putting on a strange outside. + +“Meanwhile, war, or rather its consequences, had approached our +district; for dangerous bands of vagabond deserters had more than once +collected, and here and there practised much violence and wanton +mischief. By the good order of our provincial militia, by patrolling and +prompt watchfulness, the evil was very soon remedied: but we too quickly +relapsed into our former carelessness; and, before we thought of it, new +disorders broke forth. + +“For a long time all had been quiet in our neighborhood, and I had +travelled peacefully with my ass along the accustomed paths; till one +day, passing over a newly sown glade of the forest, I observed a female +form sitting, or rather lying, at the edge of the fence-ditch. She +seemed to be asleep or in a swoon. I endeavored to recall her; and, as +she opened her eyes and sat upright, she cried with eagerness, ‘Where is +he? Did you see him?’ I asked, ‘Whom?’ She replied, ‘My husband.’ +Considering her extremely youthful appearance, I had not been expecting +this reply; yet I continued, so much the more kindly, to assist her, and +assure her of my sympathy. I learned that the two travellers had left +their carriage, the road being so heavy, and struck into a footpath to +make a shorter cut. Hard by they had been overtaken by armed marauders; +her husband had gone off fighting with them; she, not able to follow him +far, had sunk on this spot, and lain there she knew not how long. She +pressingly begged of me to leave her, and hasten after her husband. She +rose to her feet; and the fairest, loveliest form stood before me: yet I +could easily observe that she was in a situation in which she might soon +require the help of my mother and Frau Elizabeth. We disputed a while: +for I wished, before all, to bring her to some place of safety; she +wished, in the first place, to have tidings of her husband. She would +not leave the trace of him; and all my arguments would perhaps have been +unavailing, had not a party of our militia, which the tidings of fresh +misdeeds had again called out into service, chanced to pass that way +through the forest. These I informed of the matter: with them the +necessary arrangements were made, the place of meeting appointed, and so +the business settled for the time. With great expedition I hid my +panniers in a neighboring cave, which had often served me before as a +repository: I adjusted my saddle for easy riding, and, not without a +strange emotion, lifted the fair burden on my willing beast, which, +knowing of itself what path to choose, left me at liberty to walk by her +side. + +“You can figure to yourself, without my describing it at large, in what +a strange mood I was. What I had long been seeking I had now found. I +felt as if I were dreaming, and then again as if I were awakening from a +dream. That heavenly form which I saw, as it were, hovering in the air, +and bending aside from the green branches, now seemed to me like a dream +which had risen in my soul through those figures in the chapel. Soon +those figures themselves seemed to me to have been only dreams, which +were here issuing in a fair reality. I asked her many things: she +answered me softly and kindly, as beseemed a dignified distress. She +often desired me, when we reached any open height, to stop, to look +round, to listen. She desired me with such grace, with such a deep, +wistful look from under her long black eyelashes, that I could not but +do whatever lay in my power; nay, at last I climbed to the top of a +high, solitary, branchless pine. Never had this feat of my handicraft +been more welcome to me: never had I, with greater joy, brought down +ribbons and silks from such elevations at festivals and fairs. But for +this time, alas! I came back without booty: above, as below, I could +hear or see nothing. In the end, she herself called me down, and +beckoned to me earnestly with her hand: nay, at last, as in gliding down +I quitted my hold a considerable way up, and dropped on the ground, she +gave a scream; and a sweet kindliness spread over her face as she saw me +before her unhurt. + +“Why should I tell you in detail of the hundred attentions with which I +strove the whole way to be pleasing, to divert her thoughts from her +grief? Indeed, how could I? For it is the very quality of true +attention, that, at the moment, it makes a nothing all. To my feeling, +the flowers which I broke for her, the distant scenes which I showed +her, the hills, the woods, which I named to her, were so many precious +treasures which I was giving her to obtain for myself a place among her +interests, as one tries to do by presents. + +“Already she had gained me for my whole life, when we reached our +destination, at that good old woman’s door; and I saw a painful +separation close at hand. Once more I ran over all her form; and, as my +eyes came on her feet, I stooped as if to adjust something in my girdle, +and kissed the daintiest shoe that I had ever seen, yet without her +noticing me. I helped her down, sprang up the steps, and called in at +the door, ‘Frau Elizabeth, here is a visitor!’ The good old woman came +down: and I looked over her shoulders towards the house, as the fair +being mounted the steps with graceful sorrow, and inward, painful +self-consciousness; till she gratefully embraced my worthy old woman, +and accompanied her into the better chamber. They shut the door; and I +was left standing outside by my ass, like a man that has delivered a +loading of precious wares, and is again as poor a carrier as before.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER IV. + + THE LILY-STALK. + + +“I was still lingering in my departure, for I knew not what to do if I +were gone, when Frau Elizabeth came to the door, and desired me to send +my mother down to her, and then to go about, and, if possible, get +tidings of the husband. ‘Mary begs you very much to do this,’ said she. +‘Can I not speak with her again myself?’ replied I. ‘That will not do,’ +said Elizabeth; and we parted. In a short time I reached our dwelling: +my mother was ready that same night to go over, and be helpful to the +young stranger. I hastened down the country, thinking I should get the +surest intelligence at the _Amtmann’s_. But the _Amtmann_ himself was +still in uncertainty; and, as I was known to him, he invited me to pass +the night there. It seemed interminably long; and still I had the fair +form before my eyes, as she sat gently swaying in the saddle, and +looking down to me so sorrowful and friendly. Every moment I hoped for +news. To the worthy husband I honestly wished life and safety, and yet I +liked so well to fancy her a widow! The ranging troops by little and +little collected; and, after many variable rumors, the certainty at last +came to light, that the carriage was saved, but the hapless traveller +dead of his wounds in a neighboring village. I learned also, that, +according to our first arrangement, some of the party had gone to +communicate the melancholy tidings to Frau Elizabeth: consequently I had +nothing more to do there. Yet a boundless impatience, an immeasurable +longing, drove me over wood and mountain once more to her threshold. It +was dark; the door was shut; I saw light in the room, I saw shadows +moving on the curtains; and thus I sat watching on a bench opposite the +house; still on the point of knocking, and still withheld by many +considerations. + +“But why should I go on describing to you what is in itself of no +interest? In short, next morning, too, the house was shut against me. +They knew the heavy tidings, they needed me no further; they sent me to +my father, to my work; they would not answer my inquiries; they wanted +to be rid of me. + +“For eight days this sort of treatment had continued, when at last Frau +Elizabeth called me in. ‘Step softly, my friend,’ said she, ‘but enter +without scruple.’ She led me into a trim apartment, where, in the +corner, through the half-opened curtains, I saw my fair one dressed, and +sitting upright in the bed. Frau Elizabeth went towards her as if to +announce me, lifted something from the bed, and brought it me,--wrapped +in the whitest swathings, the prettiest boy! Frau Elizabeth held it +straight betwixt the mother and me; and just then the lily-stalk +occurred to me, which, in the picture, springs from the ground between +Joseph and Mary, as witness of the purity of their affection. From that +moment I was certain of my cause, certain of my happiness. I could +approach her with freedom, speak with her, bear her heavenly eye, take +the boy on my arm, and imprint a warm kiss on his brow. + +“‘How I thank you for the love you bear to that orphan child!’ said the +mother. Unthinkingly and briskly I cried, ‘It is no orphan any longer, +if you like!’ + +“Frau Elizabeth, more prudent than I, took the child from my hands, and +got me put away. + +“To this hour, when I chance to be wandering over our mountains and +forests, the remembrance of that time forms my happiest entertainment. I +can still recall the slightest particulars; which, however, as is fit, I +spare you at present. Weeks passed on: Mary was recovered; I could see +her oftener; my intercourse with her was a train of services and +attentions. Her family circumstances allowed her to choose a residence +according to her pleasure. She first staid with Frau Elizabeth: then she +paid us a visit, to thank my mother and me for so many and such friendly +helps. She liked to live with us, and I flattered myself that it was +partly on my account. What I wished to tell her, however, and durst not +utter, came to words in a singular and pretty wise, when I took her into +the chapel, which I had then fitted up as a habitual apartment. I showed +her the pictures, and explained them to her one after the other, and, so +doing, unfolded the duties of a foster-father in so vivid and cordial a +manner that the tears came into her eyes, and I could not get to the end +of my picture exhibition. I thought myself certain of her affection, +though I was not proud enough to wish so soon to efface the memory of +her husband. The law imposes on widows a year of mourning; and, in +truth, such an epoch, which includes in it the change of all earthly +things, is necessary for a feeling heart, to alleviate the painful +impressions of a great loss. We see the flowers fade and the leaves +fall; but we likewise see fruits ripen, and new buds shoot forth. Life +belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for +vicissitudes. + +“I now spoke with my mother on the concern which lay so near my heart. +She thereupon disclosed to me how grievous to Mary the death of her +husband had been, and how she had borne up and gathered courage again, +solely from the thought that she must live for her child. My inclination +was not unknown to the women, and already Mary had accustomed herself to +the idea of living with us. She staid a while longer in the +neighborhood: then she came up to us, and we lived for a time in the +gentlest and happiest state of betrothment. At last we wedded. That +feeling which had first drawn us together did not fade away. The duties +and joys of the father and the foster-father were united: and so our +little family, as it increased, did certainly surpass its prototype in +number of persons; but the virtues of that pattern, in respect to +faithfulness, and purity of sentiments, were sacredly maintained and +practised by us. And so also in friendly habitude we keep up the +external appearance which we, by accident, arrived at, and which fits +our internal state so well; for though all of us are good walkers, and +stout bearers of weight, the beast of burden still remains in our +company, when any business or visit takes us through these mountains and +valleys. As you met us last night, so does the whole country know us; +and we feel proud that our walk and conversation are of such a sort as +not to throw disgrace on the saintly name and figure whose imitators we +profess to be.” + + + _Wilhelm to Natalia._ + + I now conclude a pleasant, half-marvellous history, which I have + just written down for thee, from the mouth of a very worthy man. + If I have not always given his very words; if here and there, in + describing his sentiments, I have expressed my own,--this, + considering the relationship of mind I feel with him, was + natural enough. His reverence for his wife, does it not resemble + that which I entertain for thee? And is there not, even in the + first meeting of these lovers, something similar to ours? But + that he is fortunate enough to walk beside his animal, as it + bears the doubly beautiful burden; that he can enter at + evenings, with his family possession, through the old + cloister-gate; that he is inseparable from his own loved + ones,--in all this, I may well secretly envy him. Yet I must not + complain of my destiny; seeing I have promised thee that I will + suffer and be silent, as thou also hast undertaken. + + Many a fair feature in the domestic union of these devout and + cheerful persons I have been obliged to omit, for how could it + be depicted in writing? Two days have passed over me agreeably, + but the third warns me to be mindful of my farther wayfaring. + + With Felix I had a little quarrel to-day. He was almost for + compelling me to break through one wholesome regulation, for + which I stand engaged to thee. It has been an error, a + misfortune, in short, an arrangement of Fate with me hitherto, + that, before I am aware, my company increases; that I take a new + burden on my shoulders, which thenceforth I have to bear, and + drag along with me. So, in my present wanderings, no third party + is to become a permanent associate with us. We are, we will and + must continue, Two; and just now a new, and not very pleasing, + connection, seemed about to be established. + + To the children of the house, with whom Felix has gayly passed + these days in sporting, there had joined himself a little merry + beggar-boy, who, submitting to be used or misused as the play + required, had very soon got into favor with Felix. By various + hints and expressions, I now gathered that the latter had found + himself a playmate for the next stage of our journey. The boy is + known in this quarter, and everywhere tolerated for his lively + humor, and now and then obtains an alms. Me, however, he did not + please; and I desired our host to get him sent away. This + likewise took place; but Felix was angry at it, and we had a + little flaw of discord. + + In the course of this affair, I discovered something which was + pleasant to me. In the corner of the chapel, or hall, stood a + box of stones, which Felix, who, since our wanderings through + the mountains, has acquired an excessive fondness for minerals, + eagerly drew forth and examined. Many pretty eye-catching things + were among them. Our landlord said the child might choose out + what he liked: these were the remains of a large collection + which a friend had despatched thence a short while ago. He + called this person Montan; and thou wilt easily suppose how glad + I was to hear this name, under which one of our best friends is + travelling, one to whom we owe so much. Having inquired into + date and circumstances, I can now hope to meet him erelong on my + pilgrimage. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER V. + + +The news that Montan was in the neighborhood had made Wilhelm reflect. +He considered that it ought not to be left to chance alone whether he +should meet with so estimable a friend, therefore he inquired of his +landlord if they did not know towards what quarter this traveller had +turned his course. No one had any information on this point; and Wilhelm +had determined to pursue his pilgrimage on the former plan, when Felix +cried, “If father were not so strange, we might soon find Montan.” + +“What way?” said Wilhelm. + +Felix answered, “Little Fitz told us last night that he could trace out +the stranger gentleman, who had many fine stones with him, and +understood them well.” + +After some talking, Wilhelm at last resolved on making the experiment; +purposing, in the course of it, to keep so much the sharper watch on the +suspicious boy. Fitz was soon found; and, hearing what was to be done, +he soon produced mallet and chisel, and a stout hammer, with a little +bag, and set forth, running merrily before the party, in his mining +accoutrements. + +The way went to a side, and up the mountains. The children skipped on +together, from crag to crag, over stock and stone, over brook and bourn; +and, without having any path before him, Fitz pressed rapidly upwards, +now looking to the right hand, now to the left. As Wilhelm, and +especially the laden porter, could not follow so fast, the boys often +ran back and forward, singing and whistling. The aspect of some new +trees arrested the attention of Felix, who now, for the first time, +formed acquaintance with larches and fir-cones, and curiously surveyed +the strange gentian shrubs. And thus, in their toilsome wandering, there +lacked not from time to time a little entertainment. But all at once +they were fronted by a barricado of trees, which a storm had hurled +together in a confused mass. “This was not in my reckoning,” said Fitz. +“Wait here till I find my way again, only have a care of the cave up +there: no one goes into it or near it, without getting harm, or having +tricks played on him.” + +The boy went off in an ascending direction: the porter, on the other +hand, grumbling at the excessive difficulty of the way, set down his +luggage, and searched sidewards and downwards for some beaten path. + +No sooner did Felix see himself alone with his father, than his +curiosity awoke, and he glided softly toward the cave. Wilhelm, who gave +him leave, observed after some time that the child was no longer in +sight. He himself mounted to the cave, at the mouth of which he had last +seen the boy; and, on entering, he found the place empty. It was +spacious, but could be taken in at a glance. He searched for some other +outlet, and found none. The matter began to be serious. He took the +whistle which he wore at his button-hole: an answer to his call came +sounding out of the depth, so that he was uncertain whether he should +take it for an echo, when, shortly afterwards, Felix peeped out of the +ground; for the chink through which he looked was scarcely wide enough +to let through his head. + +“What art thou about there?” cried his father. + +“Hush!” said Felix: “art thou alone?” + +“Quite alone,” answered Wilhelm. + +“Then, go quick,” cried the boy, “and fetch me a couple of strong +clubs.” + +Wilhelm went to the fallen timber, and, with his hanger, cut off a pair +of thick staves: Felix took them, and vanished, having first called to +his father, “Let no one into the cave!” + +After some time Felix cried, “Another pair of staves, and larger ones!” +With these also his father provided him, and waited anxiously for the +solution of his riddle. At length the boy issued rapidly from the cleft, +and brought a little box with him, not larger than an octavo volume, of +rich, antique appearance: it seemed to be of gold, decorated with +enamel. “Put it up, father,” said the boy, “and let none see it.” +Wilhelm had not time to ask many questions, for they already heard the +call of the returning porter; and scarcely had they joined him, when the +little squire also began to shout and wave from above. + +On their approach he cried out, “Montan is not far off: I bet we shall +soon meet him.” + +“How canst thou know this,” said Wilhelm, “in so wild a forest, where no +human being leaves any trace behind him?” + +“That is my knack,” said Fitz; and, like a Will-o’-wisp, he hopped off +hither and thither, in a side direction, to lead his masters the +strangest road. + +Felix, in the mean while, highly satisfied in the treasure he had found, +highly delighted at possessing a secret, kept close by his father, +without, as formerly, skipping up and down beside his comrade. He nodded +to Wilhelm with sparkling eyes; glancing towards his companion, and +making significant faces, to indicate how much he was above Fitz now, in +possessing a secret entirely wanting to the other. He carried it so far +at length, that Fitz, who often stopped and looked about, must very soon +have noticed it. Wilhelm therefore said to Felix, “My son, whoever +wishes to keep a secret must hide from us that he possesses one. +Self-complaisance over the concealed destroys its concealment.” Felix +restrained himself; but his former gay, free manner to his comrade he +could not now attain. + +All at once little Fitz stood still. He beckoned the rest to him. “Do +you hear a beating?” said he. “It is the sound of a hammer striking on +the rock.” + +“We hear it,” answered they. + +“That is Montan,” said he, “or some one who will tell us of him.” + +Following the sound, which was repeated from time to time, they reached +an opening in the wood, and perceived a steep, high, naked rock, +towering over all the rest, leaving even the lofty forest deep beneath +it. On the top of it they descried a man: he was too far off to be +recognized. Immediately the boys set about ascending the precipitous +path. Wilhelm followed with some difficulty, nay, danger: for the person +that climbs a rock foremost always proceeds with more safety, because he +can look out for his conveniences; he who comes after sees only whither +the other has arrived, but not how. The boys soon reached the top, and +Wilhelm heard a shout of joy. “It is Jarno,” cried Felix to his father; +and Jarno immediately came forward to a rugged spot, stretched out his +hand to his friend, and drew him up. They embraced, and welcomed each +other into the free, skyey air, with the rapture of old friends. + +But scarcely had they stepped asunder, when a giddiness came over +Wilhelm, not so much on his own account, as at seeing the boys hanging +over the frightful abyss. Jarno observed it, and immediately bade all +sit down. “Nothing is more natural,” said he, “than that we should grow +giddy at a great sight, which comes unexpectedly before us, to make us +feel at once our littleness and our greatness. But there is not in the +world any truer enjoyment than at the moment when we are so made giddy +for the first time.” + +“Are these, then, down there, the great mountains we climbed over?” +inquired Felix. “How little they look! And here,” continued he, +loosening a crumb of stone from the rock, “is the old cat-gold again: +this is found everywhere, I suppose?” + +“It is found far and wide,” answered Jarno; “and, as thou art asking +after such things, I may bid thee notice that thou art now sitting on +the oldest mountain, on the earliest rock, of this world.” + +“Was the world not made at once, then?” said Felix. + +“Hardly,” answered Jarno: “good bread needs baking.” + +“Down there,” said Felix, “is another sort of rock; and there again +another, and still again another,” cried he, pointing from the nearest +mountains to the more remote, and so downward to the plain. + +It was a beautiful day, and Jarno let them survey the lordly prospect in +detail. Here and there stood several other peaks, similar to the one our +travellers were on. A secondary moderate range of mountains seemed as if +struggling up, but did not by far attain that height. Farther off, the +surface flattened still more; yet again some strangely protruding forms +rose to view. At last, in the remote distance, lakes were visible, and +rivers; and a fruitful country spread itself out like a sea. And, when +the eye came back, it pierced into frightful depths, sounding with +cataracts, and connected with each other in labyrinthic combination. + +Felix could not satisfy himself with questions, and Jarno was kind +enough to answer all of them; in which, however, Wilhelm thought he +noticed that the teacher did not always speak quite truly and sincerely. +So, after the unstaid boys had again clambered off, Wilhelm said to his +friend, “Thou hast not spoken with the child about these matters as thou +speakest to thyself.” + +“That, indeed, were a heavy requisition,” answered Jarno. “We do not +always speak, even to ourselves, as we think; and it is not fit to tell +others any thing but what they can take up. A man understands nothing +but what is commensurate with him. To fix a child’s attention on what is +present; to give him a description, a name,--is the best thing we can do +for him. He will soon enough begin to inquire after causes.” + +“One cannot blame this latter tendency,” observed Wilhelm. “The +multiplicity of objects perplexes every one; and it is easier, instead +of investigating them, to ask directly, whence and whither?” + +“And yet,” said Jarno, “as children look at what is present only +superficially, we cannot speak with them of origin and object otherwise +than superficially also.” + +“Most men,” answered Wilhelm, “continue all their days in this +predicament, and never reach that glorious epoch in which the +comprehensible appears to us common and insipid.” + +“It may well be called glorious,” answered Jarno; “for it is a middle +stage between despair and deification.” + +“Let us abide by the boy,” said Wilhelm, “who is, at present, my first +care. He has, somehow, got a fondness for minerals since we began this +journey. Canst thou not impart so much to me as would put it in my power +to satisfy him, at least for a time?” + +“That will not do,” said Jarno. “In every new department one must, in +the first place, begin again as a child: throw a passionate interest +over the subject; take pleasure in the shell till one has the happiness +to arrive at the kernel.” + +“Tell me, then,” said Wilhelm, “how hast thou attained this knowledge? +For it is not so very long, after all, since we parted.” + +“My friend,” said Jarno, “we were forced to resign ourselves, if not +forever, at least for a long season. The first thing that occurs to a +stout-hearted man, under such circumstances, is to begin a new life. New +objects will not suffice him; these serve only for diversion of thought: +he requires a new whole, and plants himself in the middle of it.” + +“But why, then,” interrupted Wilhelm, “choose this strangest and +loneliest of all pursuits?” + +“Even because of its loneliness,” cried Jarno. “Men I wished to avoid. +To them we can give no help, and they hinder us from helping ourselves. +Are they happy, we must let them persevere in their stolidities; are +they unhappy, we must save them without disturbing these stolidities; +and no one ever asks whether Thou art happy or unhappy.” + +“It is not quite so bad with them, surely,” answered Wilhelm, smiling. + +“I will not talk thee out of thy happiness,” said Jarno. “Go on thy way, +thou second Diogenes! Let not thy lamp in daylight go out! Down on that +side lies a new world before thee; but, I dare wager, things stand there +as in the old one. If thou canst not pimp, and pay debts, thou availest +nothing.” + +“Yet they seem to me more entertaining than thy dead rocks,” said +Wilhelm. + +“Not they!” answered Jarno, “for my rocks are at least +incomprehensible.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER VI. + + +The two friends had descended, not without care and labor, to reach the +children, who were now lying in a shady spot down below. With almost +greater eagerness than their picnic repast, the collected rock specimens +were unpacked by Montan and Felix. The latter had much to ask, the +former much to nominate. Felix was delighted that his new teacher could +give him names for all, and he speedily committed them to memory. At +length he produced another specimen, and asked, “What do you call this, +then?” + +Montan viewed it with surprise, and said, “Where did you get it?” + +Fitz answered promptly, “I found it myself: it is of this country.” + +“Not of this quarter,” said Montan. Felix rejoiced to see his master +somewhat puzzled. “Thou shalt have a ducat,” said Montan, “if thou bring +me to the spot where it lies.” + +“That is easy to earn,” answered Fitz, “but not immediately.” + +“Then, describe the place to me accurately, that I may not fail to find +it: but the thing is impossible; for this is a cross-stone, which comes +from Santiago in Compostella, and which some stranger has lost,--if, +indeed, thou hast not stolen it from him, for its curious look.”. + +“Give your ducat into my master’s hands,” said Fitz, “and I will +honestly confess where I got the stone. In the ruined church at St. +Joseph there is likewise a ruined altar. Under the top-stones, which are +all broken and heaped together, I discovered a layer of this rock, which +has been the foundation of the other, and broke off from it as much as I +could come at. If the upper stones were cleared away, one might find +much more of it there.” + +“Take thy ducat,” said Montan: “thou deservest it for this discovery. It +is pretty enough. Men naturally rejoice when inanimate nature produces +any likeness of what they love and reverence. Nature then appears to us +in the form of a sibyl, who has beforehand laid down a testimony of what +had been determined from eternity, and was not to be realized till late +in time. On this rock, as on a sacred, mysterious, primeval basis, the +priests had built their altar.” + +Wilhelm, who had listened for a while, and observed that many names, +many designations, were repeatedly mentioned, again signified his former +wish, that Montan would impart to him so much as was required for the +primary instruction of the boy. “Give that up,” replied Montan. “There +is nothing more frightful than a teacher who knows only what his +scholars are intended to know. He who means to teach others may, indeed, +often suppress the best of what he knows; but he must not be half +instructed.” + +“But where are such perfect teachers to be had?” + +“These thou wilt find very easily,” replied Montan. + +“Where, then?” said Wilhelm, with some unbelief. + +“Where the thing thou art wishing to learn is in practice,” said Montan. +“Our best instruction we obtain from complete conversance. Dost thou not +learn foreign languages best in the countries where they are at +home?--where only these and no other strike thy ear?” + +“And so it was among the mountains,” inquired Wilhelm, “that thy +knowledge of mountains was acquired?” + +“Of course.” + +“Without help from men?” + +“At least only from men who were miners. There, where the pygmies, +allured by the metallic veins, bore through the rock, making the +interior of the earth accessible, and in a thousand ways endeavoring to +solve the hardest problems,--there is the place where an inquiring +thinker ought to take his stand. He looks on action and effort, watches +the progress of enterprises, and rejoices in the successful and the +unsuccessful. What is useful forms but a part of the important. Fully to +possess, to command, and rule an object, we must first study it for its +own sake.” + +“Is there such a place in the neighborhood?” said Wilhelm. “I should +like to take Felix thither.” + +“The question I can answer in the affirmative,” replied Montan, “the +project not exactly assent to. At least, I must first tell thee, that +thou hast the power of choosing among many other branches of activity, +of knowledge, of art, for thy Felix, some of which might, perhaps, suit +him better than this sudden fancy which he has taken up at the moment, +most probably from mere imitation.” + +“Explain thyself more clearly,” interrupted Wilhelm. + +“Thou must know, then,” said Montan, “that we are here on the borders of +a province, which I might justly call a Pedagogic Utopia. In the +conviction that only one thing can be carried on, taught, and +communicated with full advantages, several such points of active +instruction have been, as it were, sown over a large tract of country. +At each of these places thou wilt find a little world, but so complete +within its limitation, that it may represent and model any other of +these worlds, nay, the great busy world itself.” + +“I do not altogether comprehend what thou canst mean by this,” +interrupted Wilhelm. + +“Thou shalt soon comprehend it,” said the other. “As down, not far from +this, among the mountains, thou wilt, in the first place, find collected +round a mass of metalliferous rocks, whatever is of use for enabling man +to appropriate these treasures of Nature, and, at the same time, to +acquire general conceptions of moulding the ruggedness of inanimate +things more dexterously to his own purposes; so down in the lowest +level, far out on the plain, where the soil spreads into large meadows +and pastures, thou wilt find establishments for managing another +important treasure which Nature has given to men.” + +“And this?” inquired Wilhelm. + +“Is the horse,” replied the other. “In that last quarter thou art in the +midst of every thing which can instruct one on the training, diet, +growth, and likewise employment, of this noble animal. As in these hills +all are busy digging, boring, climbing; so there nothing is more +anxiously attended to than the young brood, springing, as it were, out +of the ground: and every one is occupied foddering, grazing, driving, +leading, curbing them, mounting their backs, and in all sorts of +movements, natural and artificial, coursing with them over the plain.” + +Felix, who had approached in the deepest attention, exclaimed, +interrupting him, “Oh, thither will we! That is the prettiest, the best, +of all.” + +“It is far thither,” answered Jarno; “and thou wilt find something more +agreeable and suitable, perhaps, by the way. Any species of activity,” +continued he, “attracts the fondness of a child; for every thing looks +easy that is practised to perfection. All beginnings are hard, says the +proverb. This, in a certain sense, may be true: but we might say, with a +more universal application, All beginnings are easy; and it is the last +steps that are climbed most rarely and with greatest difficulty.” + +Wilhelm, who had been reflecting in the mean while, now said to Montan, +“Is it actually so, as thou sayest, that these people have separated the +various sorts of activity, both in the practice and teaching of them?” + +“They have done it,” said Montan, “and with reason. Whatever any man has +to effect, must emanate from him like a second self; and how could this +be possible, were not his first self entirely pervaded by it?” + +“Yet has not a general culture been reckoned very advantageous?” + +“It may really be so,” replied the other: “every thing in its time. Now +is the time of specialties. Happy he who understands this, and works for +himself and others in that spirit.” + +“In my spirit it cannot be,” replied Wilhelm; “but tell me, if I thought +of sending Felix, for a while, into one of these circles, which wouldst +thou recommend to me?” + +“It is all one,” said Jarno. “You cannot readily tell which way a +child’s capacity particularly points. For me, I should still advise the +merriest trade. Take him to those horse-subduers. Beginning as a groom +is, in truth, little easier than beginning as an ore-beater: but the +prospect is always gayer; you can hope at least to get through the world +riding.” + +It is easy to conceive that Wilhelm had many other doubts to state, and +many further explanations to require: these Jarno settled in his usual +laconic way, but at last he broke out as follows: “In all things, to +serve from the lowest station upwards is necessary. To restrict yourself +to a trade is best. For the narrow mind, whatever he attempts is still a +trade; for the higher, an art; and the highest, in doing one thing, does +all; or, to speak less paradoxically, in the one thing which he does +rightly, he sees the likeness of all that is done rightly. Take thy +Felix,” continued he, “through the province: let the directors see him; +they will soon judge him, and dispose of him to the best advantage. The +boy should be placed among his equals, otherwise he seeks them for +himself, and then, in his associates, finds only flatterers or tyrants.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER VII. + + +The third day being over, the friends, in conformity to the engagement +of our renunciants, had to part; and Jarno declared he would now fly so +far into the waste mountains, that no one should be able to discover +him. “There is nothing more frightful,” said he, “in a state like ours, +than to meet an old, true friend, to whom we can communicate our +thoughts without reserve. So long as one is by himself, one fancies +there is no end to the novelties and wonders he is studying: but let the +two talk a while together, right from the heart; one sees how soon all +this is exhausted. Nothing is endless but inanity. Clever people soon +explain themselves to one another, and then they have done. But now I +will dive into the chasms of the rocks, and with them begin a mute, +unfathomable conversation.” + +“Have a care,” said Wilhelm, smiling, “lest Fitz come upon thy track. +This time, at least, he succeeded in finding thee.” + +“How didst thou manage that?” said Montan. “After all, it was only +chance.” + +“Not in the least,” answered Fitz: “I will tell you my secret for a fair +consideration. You mineralogists, wherever you go, keep striking to the +right and left; from every stone, from every rock, breaking off a piece, +as if gold and silver were hid in them. One has but to follow this +trace; and, where any corner shows a fresh breakage, there some of you +have been. One notes and notes, forward and forward, and at last comes +upon the man.” + +Fitz was praised and rewarded. The friends parted.--Montan alone, the +little caravan in company. Wilhelm had settled the place they should +make for. The porter proposed a road to it; but the children had taken a +fancy for looking, by the way, at the Giant’s Castle, of which Fitz had +talked so much. Felix was curious about the large, black pillars, the +great door, the cellar, the caves, and vaults, and hoped he might +perhaps find something there,--something of even greater value than the +box. + +How he came by this he had, in the interim, informed his father. +Creeping through the cleft, it appeared he had got down into an open +space pretty well lighted, and noticed in the corner of it a large iron +chest, the lid of which, though it was not locked, he could not lift, +but only raise a very little. To get into this, he had called to his +father for the staves, which he had employed partly as props under the +lid, partly as levers to heave it up, and so at length forcing his way +into the chest, had found it wholly empty, except for the little box +which was lying in one of the nooks. This toy they had shown Montan, who +agreed with them in opinion, that it should be kept unopened, and no +violence done to it; for it could not be unlocked except by a very +complicated key. + +The porter declined going with the rest to the Giant’s Castle, and +proceeded down the smooth footpath by himself. The others toiled after +Fitz through moss and tangle, and at length reached the natural +colonnade, which, towering over a huge mass of fragments, rose black and +wondrous into the air. Yet, without much regarding what he saw before +his eyes, Felix instantly began inquiring for the other promised +marvels; and, as none of them was to be seen, Fitz could excuse himself +no otherwise than by declaring that these things were never visible +except on Sundays and particular festivals, and then only for a few +hours. The boys remained convinced that the pillared palace was a work +of men’s hands: Wilhelm saw well that it was a work of Nature, but he +could have wished for Montan to speak with on the subject. + +They now proceeded rapidly down hill, through a wood of high, taper +larches, which, becoming more and more transparent, erelong exposed to +view the fairest spot you can imagine, lying in the clearest sunshine. + +A large garden, seemingly appropriated to use, not ornament, lay richly +furnished with fruit-trees, yet open before their eyes; for the ground, +sloping, on the whole, had been regularly cut into a number of +divisions, now raised, now hollowed in manifold variety, and thus +exhibited a complex waving surface. Several dwelling-houses stood +scattered up and down, so that it seemed as if the space belonged to +several proprietors; yet Fitz assured them that one individual owned and +directed the whole. Beyond the garden stretched a boundless landscape, +beautifully cultivated and planted, in which lakes and rivers might be +distinguished in the distance. + +Still descending, they had approached nearer and nearer, and were now +expecting in a few moments to be in the garden, when Wilhelm all at once +stopped short, and Fitz could not hide his roguish satisfaction; for a +yawning chasm at the foot of the mountain opened before them, and showed +on the other side a wall which had hitherto been concealed, steep enough +without, though within it was quite filled up with soil. A deep trench, +therefore, separated them from the garden, into which they were directly +looking. “We have still a good circuit to make,” said Fitz, “before we +get the road that leads in. However, I know an entrance on this side, +which is much shorter. The vaults where the hill-water in time of rain +is let through, in regular quantities, into the garden, open here: they +are high, and broad enough for one to walk along without difficulty.” +The instant Felix heard of vaults, he insisted on taking this passage +and no other. Wilhelm followed the children; and the party descended the +large steps of this covered aqueduct, which was now lying quite dry. +Down below they found themselves sometimes in light, sometimes in +darkness, according as the side-openings admitted day, or the walls and +pillars excluded it. At last they reached a pretty even space, and were +slowly proceeding, when all at once a shot went off beside them; and at +the same time two secret iron-grated doors started out, and enclosed +them on both sides. Not, indeed, the whole of them: Wilhelm and Felix +only were caught. For Fitz, the instant he heard the shot, sprang back; +and the closing grate caught nothing but his wide sleeve: he himself, +nimbly throwing off his jacket, had darted away without loss of a +moment. + +The two prisoners had scarcely time to recover from their astonishment, +till they heard voices, which appeared to be slowly approaching. In a +little while some armed men with torches came forward to the grate, +looking with eager eyes what sort of capture they had made. At the same +time they asked if the prisoners would surrender peaceably. “Surrender +is not the word here,” said Wilhelm: “we are already in your power. It +is rather our part to ask, whether you will spare us? The only weapon we +have, I give up to you.” And with these words he handed his hanger +through the grate: this opened directly, and the two strangers were led +forward by the party with great composure. After a short while they +found themselves in a singular place: it was a spacious, cleanly +apartment, with many little windows at the very top of the walls; and +these, notwithstanding the thick iron gratings, admitted light enough. +Seats, sleeping-places, and whatever else is expected in a middling inn, +had been provided; and it seemed as if any one placed here could want +nothing but freedom. + +Wilhelm, directly after entering, had sat down to consider his +situation: Felix, on the other hand, on recovering from his +astonishment, broke out into an incredible fury. These large walls, +these high windows, these strong doors, this seclusion, this +restriction, were entirely new to him. He looked round and round, he ran +hither and thither, stamped with his feet, wept, rattled the doors, +struck against them with his fists, nay, was even on the point of +running at them with his head, had not Wilhelm seized him, and held him +fast between his knees. “Do but look at the thing calmly, my son,” began +he; “for impatience and violence cannot help us. The mystery will clear +up; and I must be widely mistaken, or we are fallen into no wicked +hands. Read these inscriptions: ‘To the innocent, deliverance and +reparation; to the misled, compassion; and, to the guilty, avenging +justice.’ All this bespeaks to us that these establishments are works, +not of cruelty, but of necessity. Men have but too much cause to secure +themselves from men. Of ill-wishers there are many, of ill-doers not +few; and, to live fitly, well-doing will not always suffice.” Felix +still sobbed; but he had pacified himself in some degree, more by the +caresses than the words of his father. “Let this experience,” continued +Wilhelm, “which thou gainest so early and so innocently, remain a lively +testimony to thy mind, in how complete and accomplished a century thou +livest. What a journey had human nature to travel before it reached the +point of being mild, even to the guilty, merciful to the injurious, +humane to the inhuman! Doubtless they were men of godlike souls who +first taught this, who spent their lives in rendering the practice of it +possible, and recommending it to others. Of the beautiful, men are +seldom capable, oftener of the good; and how highly should we value +those who endeavor, with great sacrifices, to forward that good among +their fellows!” + +Felix, in the course of this consolatory speech, had fallen quietly +asleep on his father’s bosom; and scarcely had the latter laid him down +on one of the ready-made beds, when the door opened, and a man of +prepossessing appearance stepped in. After looking kindly at Wilhelm for +some time, he began to inquire about the circumstances which had led him +by the private passage, and into this predicament. Wilhelm related the +affair as it stood, produced some papers which served to explain who he +was, and referred to the porter, who, he said, must soon arrive on the +other side, by the usual road. This being so far explained, the official +person invited his guest to follow him. Felix could not be awakened, and +his father carried him asleep from the place which had incited him to +such violent passion. + +Wilhelm followed his conductor into a fair garden-apartment, where +refreshments were set down, which he was invited to partake of; while +the other went to report the state of matters to his superior. When +Felix, on awakening, perceived a little covered table, fruit, wine, +biscuit, and, at the same time, the cheerful aspect of a wide-open door, +he knew not what to make of it. He ran out, he ran back; he thought he +had been dreaming; and in a little while, with such dainty fare and such +pleasant sights, the preceding terror and all his obstruction had +vanished like an oppressive vision in the brightness of morning. + +The porter had arrived; the officer, with another man of a still +friendlier aspect, brought him in; and the business now came to light, +as follows: The owner of this property, charitable in this higher sense, +that he studied to awaken all round him to activity and effort, had, for +several years, been accustomed, from his boundless young plantations, to +give out the small wood to diligent and careful cultivators, gratis; to +the negligent, for a certain price; and to such as wished to trade in +it, likewise at a moderate valuation. But these two latter classes, +also, had required their supplies gratis, as the meritorious were +treated; and, this being refused them, they had attempted stealing +trees. Their attempt succeeded in many ways. This vexed the owner the +more, as not only were the plantations plundered, but, by too early +thinning, often ruined. It had been discovered that the thieves entered +by this aqueduct: so the trap-gate had been erected in the place, with a +spring-gun, which, however, was only meant for a signal. This little boy +had, under various pretexts, often made his appearance in the garden; +and nothing was more natural than that, out of mischief and audacity, he +should lead the stranger by a road which he had formerly discovered for +other purposes. The people could have wished to get hold of him: +meanwhile, his little jacket was brought in, and put by among other +judicial seizures. + +Wilhelm was now made acquainted with the owner and his people, and by +them received with the friendliest welcome. Of this family we shall say +nothing more here, as some further light on them and their concerns is +offered us by the subsequent history. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + + _Wilhelm to Natalia._ + + Man is of a companionable, conversing nature: his delight is + great when he exercises faculties that have been given him, even + though nothing further came of it. How often in society do we + hear the complaint that one will not let the other speak; and in + the same manner, also, we might say, that one would not let the + other write, were not writing an employment commonly transacted + in private and alone. + + How much people write, one could scarcely ever conjecture. I + speak not of what is printed, though that, in itself, is + abundant enough, but of all that, in the shape of letters and + memorials and narratives, anecdotes, descriptions of present + circumstances in the life of individuals, sketches, and larger + essays, circulates in secret: of this you can form no idea, till + you have lived for some time in a community of cultivated + families, as I am now doing. In the sphere where I am moving at + present, there is almost as much time employed in informing + friends and relatives of what is transacted as was employed in + transacting it. This observation, which for several weeks has + been constantly forced on me, I now make with the more pleasure, + as the writing tendency of my new friends enables me, at once + and perfectly, to get acquainted with their characters and + circumstances. I am trusted: a sheaf of letters is given to me, + some quires of a travelling-journal, the confessions of some + mind not yet in unity with itself; and thus everywhere, in a + little while, I am at home. I know the neighboring circle, I + know the persons whose acquaintance I am to obtain: I understand + them better, almost, than they do themselves; seeing they are + still implicated in their situation, while I hover lightly past + them, ever with thy hand in mine, ever speaking with thee about + all I see. Indeed, it is the first condition I make before + accepting any confidence offered me, that I may impart it to + thee. Here, accordingly, are some letters which will introduce + thee into the circle in which, without breaking or evading my + vow, I, for the present, revolve. + + + THE NUT-BROWN MAID. + + _Lenardo to his Aunt._ + + At last, dear aunt, after three years you receive my first + letter, conformably to our engagement, which, in truth, was + singular enough. I wished to see the world and mingle in it, and + wished, during that period, to forget the home whence I had + departed, whither I hoped to return. The whole impression of + this home I purposed to retain, and the partial and individual + was not to confuse me at a distance. Meanwhile the necessary + tokens of life and welfare have, from time to time, passed to + and fro between us. I have regularly received money, and little + presents for my kindred have been delivered you for + distribution. By the wares I sent, you would see how and where I + was. By the wines, I doubt not my uncle has tasted out my + several places of abode; then the laces, knick-knacks, steel + wares, would indicate to my fair cousins my progress through + Brabant, by Paris, to London; and so, on their writing-desks, + work-boxes, tea-tables, I shall find many a symbol wherewith to + connect the history of my journeyings. You have accompanied me + without hearing of me, and, perhaps, may care little about + knowing more. For me, on the other hand, it is highly desirable + to learn, through your kindness, how it stands with the circle + into which I am once more entering. I would, in truth, return + from strange countries as a stranger, who, that he may not be + unpleasant, first informs himself about the way and manner of + the household; not fancying, that, for his fine eyes or hair, he + shall be received there quite in his own fashion. Write to me, + therefore, of my worthy uncle, of your fair nieces, of yourself, + of our relations near and distant, of servants also, old and + new. In short, let your practised pen, which for so long a time + you have not dipped into ink for your nephew, now again tint + paper in his favor. Your letter of news shall forthwith be my + credential, with which I introduce myself so soon as I obtain + it. On you, therefore, it depends, whether you will see me or + not. We alter far less than we imagine; and circumstances, too, + continue much as they were. Not only what has altered, but what + has continued, what has by degrees waxed and waned, do I now + wish instantly to recognize at my return, and so once more to + see myself in a well-known mirror. Present my heartiest + salutations to all our people, and believe, that, in the + singular manner of my absence and my return, there may lie more + true affection than is often found in constant participation and + lively intercourse. A thousand compliments to one and all! + + + _Postscript._--Neglect not, also, my dear aunt, to say a word or + two about our dependants,--how it stands with our stewards and + farmers. What has become of Valerina, the daughter of that + farmer whom my uncle, with justice certainly, but also, as I + thought, with some severity, ejected from his lands when I went + away? You see, I still remember many a particular: I still know + all. On the past you shall examine me when you have told me of + the present. + + + _The Aunt to Julietta._ + + At last, dear children, a letter from our three-years’ + speechless traveller. What strange beings these strange men are! + He will have it that his wares and tokens were as good as so + many kind words, which friend may speak or write to friend. He + actually fancies himself our creditor, requires from _us_, in + the first place, the performance of that service which _he_ so + unkindly refused. What is to be done? For me, I should have met + his wishes forthwith in a long letter, did not this headache + signify too clearly that the present sheet can scarcely be + filled. We all long to see him. Do you, my dears, undertake the + business. Should I be recovered before you have done, I will + contribute my share. Choose the persons and circumstances, as + you like best to describe them. Divide the task. You will do it + all far better than I. The messenger will bring me back a note + from you. + + + _Julietta to her Aunt._ + + We have read and considered, and now send you by the messenger + our view of the matter, each in particular; having first jointly + signified that we are not so charitable as our dear aunt to her + ever perverse nephew. Now, when he has kept his cards hid from + us for three years, and still keeps them hid, we, forsooth, are + to spread ours on the table, and play an open against a secret + game. This is not fair, and yet let it pass; for the craftiest + is often caught, simply by his own over-anxious precautions. + But, as to the way and manner of transacting this commission, we + are not agreed. To write of our familiars as we think of them is + for us, at least, a very strange problem. Commonly we do not + think of them at all, except in this or that particular case, + when they give us some peculiar satisfaction or vexation. At + other times, each lets his neighbor go his way. You alone could + manage it, dear aunt; for you have both the penetration and the + tolerance. Hersilia, who, you know, is not difficult to kindle, + has just, on the spur of the moment, given me a bird’s-eye view + of the whole family in all the graces of caricature. I wish it + stood on paper, to entice a smile from yourself in your illness, + but not that I would have it sent. My own project is, to lay + before him our correspondence for these three years: then let + him read, if he have the heart; or let him come and see with his + eyes, if he have not. Your letters to me, dear aunt, are in the + best order, and all at your service. Hersilia dissents from this + opinion, excuses herself with the disorder of her papers, and so + forth, as she will tell you herself. + + + _Hersilia to her Aunt._ + + I will and must be very brief, dear aunt; for the messenger is + clownishly impatient. I reckon it an excess of generosity, and + not at all in season, to submit our correspondence to Lenardo. + What has he to do with knowing all the good we have said of him, + with knowing all the ill we have said of him, and finding out + from the latter, still more than from the former, that we like + him? Hold him tight, I entreat you! There is something so + precise and presumptuous in this demand, in this conduct, of + his,--just the fashion of your young gentlemen when they return + from foreign parts. They can never look on those who have staid + at home as full-grown persons, like themselves. Make your + headache an excuse. He will come, doubtless; and, if he do not + come, we can wait a little. Perhaps his next idea may be, to + introduce himself in some strange, secret way, to become + acquainted with us in disguise; and who knows what more may be + included in the plan of so deep a gentleman? How pretty and + curious this would be! It could not fail to bring about all + manner of embroilments and developments, far grander than any + that could be produced by such a diplomatic entrance into his + family as he now purposes. + + The messenger! The messenger! Bring up your old people better, + or send young ones. This man is neither to be pacified with + flattery nor wine. A thousand farewells! + + + _Postscript for Postscript._--What does our cousin want, will + you tell me, with his postscript of Valerina? This question of + his has struck me doubly. She is the only person whom he + mentions by name. The rest of us are nieces, aunts, + stewards,--not persons, but titles. Valerina, our lawyer’s + daughter! In truth, a pretty, fair-haired girl, that may have + glanced in our gallant cousin’s eyes before he went away. She is + married well and happily: this to you is no news; but to him it + is, of course, as unknown as every thing that has occurred here. + Forget not to inform him, in a postscript, that Valerina grew + daily more and more beautiful, and so at last made a very good + match. That she is the wife of a rich proprietor. That the + lovely, fair-haired maid is married. Make it perfectly distinct + to him. But neither is this all, dear aunt. How the man can so + accurately remember his flaxen-headed beauty, and yet confound + her with the daughter of that worthless farmer, with a wild + humble-bee of a brunette, whose name was Nachodina, and who went + away, Heaven knows whither,--this, I declare to you, remains + entirely incomprehensible, and puzzles me quite excessively. For + it seems as if our pretty cousin, who prides himself on his good + memory, could change names and persons to a very strange degree. + Perhaps he feels this obscurely himself, and would have the + faded image refreshed by your delineation. Hold him tight, I beg + of you! but try to learn, for our own behoof, how it does stand + with these Valerinas and Nachodinas, and how many more Inas and + Trinas have retained their place in his imagination, while the + poor Ettas and Ilias have vanished. The messenger! The cursed + messenger! + + + _The Aunt to her Nieces._ + + (DICTATED.) + + Why should we dissemble towards those we have to spend our life + with? Lenardo, with all his peculiarities, deserves confidence. + I send him both your letters; from these he will get a view of + you: and the rest of us, I hope, will erelong unconsciously find + occasion to depict ourselves before him likewise. Farewell! My + head is very painful. + + + _Hersilia to her Aunt._ + + Why should we dissemble towards those we have to spend our life + with? Lenardo is a spoiled nephew. It is horrible in you to send + him our letters. From these he will get no real view of us; and + I wish, with all my heart, for opportunity to let him view me in + some other light. You give pain to others, while you are in pain + yourself, and blind to boot. Quick recovery to your head! Your + heart is irrecoverable. + + + _The Aunt to Hersilia._ + + Thy last note I should likewise have packed in for Lenardo, had + I happened to continue by the purpose which my irrecoverable + heart, my sick head, and my love of ease, suggested to me. Your + letters are not gone. I am just parting with the young man who + has been for some time living in our circle, who, by the + strangest chance, has come to know us pretty well, and is, + withal, of an intelligent and kindly nature. Him I am + despatching. He undertakes the task with great readiness. He + will prepare our nephew, and send or bring him. Thus can your + aunt recollect herself in the course of a rash enterprise, and + bend into another path. Hersilia also will take thought, and a + friendly revocation will not long be wanting from her hand. + + +Wilhelm having accurately and circumstantially fulfilled this task, +Lenardo answered with a smile, “Much as I am obliged to you for what you +tell me, I must still put another question. Did not my aunt, in +conclusion, request you also to inform me of another, and, seemingly, an +unimportant, matter?” + +Wilhelm thought a moment. “Yes,” said he then: “I remember. She +mentioned a lady, named Valerina. Of her I was to tell you that she is +happily wedded, and every way well.” + +“You roll a stone from my heart,” replied Lenardo. “I now gladly return +home, since I need not fear that my recollection of this girl can +reproach me there.” + +“It beseems not me to inquire what relation you have had to her,” said +Wilhelm: “only you may be at ease if in any way you feel concerned for +her fortunes.” + +“It is the strangest relation in the world,” returned Lenardo,--“nowise +a love-matter, as you might, perhaps, conjecture. I may confide in you, +and tell it; as, indeed, there is next to nothing to be told. But what +must you think, when I assure you that this faltering in my return, this +fear of revisiting our family, these strange preparatives, and inquiries +how things looked at home, had no other object but to learn, by the way, +how it stood with this young woman? + +“For you will believe,” continued he, “I am very well aware that we may +leave people whom we know without finding them, even after a +considerable time, much altered; and so I likewise expect very soon to +be quite at home with my relatives. This single being only gave me +pause: her fortune, I knew, must have changed; and, thank Heaven, it has +changed for the better.” + +“You excite my curiosity,” said Wilhelm. “There must be something +singular in this.” + +“I, at least, think it so,” replied Lenardo, and began his narrative as +follows:-- + +“To accomplish, in my youth, the grand adventure of a tour through +cultivated Europe was a fixed purpose, which I had entertained from +boyhood; but the execution of which was, as usually happens in these +things, from time to time postponed. What was at hand attracted me, +retained me; and the distant lost more and more of its charms the more I +read of it or heard it talked of. However, at last, incited by my uncle, +allured by friends who had gone forth into the world before me, I did +form the resolution, and that more rapidly than any one had been +expecting. + +“My uncle, who had to afford the main requisite for my enterprise, +directly made this his chief concern. You know him, and the way he +has,--how he still rushes with his whole force on one single object, and +every thing else in the mean while must rest and be silent: by which +means, indeed, he has effected much that seemed to lie beyond the +influence of any private man. This journey came upon him, in some +degree, unawares; yet he very soon took his measures. Some buildings +which he had planned, nay, even begun, were abandoned; and, as he never +on any account meddles with his accumulated stock, he looked about him, +as a prudent financier, for other ways and means. The most obvious plan +was, to call in outstanding debts, especially remainders of rent; for +this, also, was one of his habits, that he was indulgent to debtors, so +long as he himself had, to a certain degree, no need of money. He gave +his steward the list, with orders to manage the business. Of individual +cases we learned nothing: only I heard transiently, that the farmer of +one of our estates, with whom my uncle had long exercised patience, was +at last actually to be ejected; his cautionary pledge, a scanty +supplement to the produce of this prosecution, to be retained, and the +land to be let to some other person. This man was of a religious turn, +but not, like others of his sect among us, shrewd and active withal; for +his piety and his goodness he was loved by his neighbors, but, at the +same time, censured for his weakness, as the master of a house. After +the death of his wife, a daughter, whom we usually named the Nut-brown +Maid, though already giving promise of activity and resolution, was +still too young for taking a decisive management: in short, the man went +back in his affairs; and my uncle’s indulgence had not stayed the +sinking of his fortune. + +“I had my journey in my head, and could not quarrel with the means for +accomplishing it. All was ready: packing and sorting went forward; every +moment was becoming full of business. One evening I was strolling +through the park for the last time, to take leave of my familiar trees +and bushes, when all at once Valerina stepped into my way,--for such was +the girl’s name: the other was but a by-name, occasioned by her brown +complexion. She stepped into my way.” + +Lenardo paused for a moment, as if considering. “How is this, then?” +said he. “Was her name really Valerina? Yes, surely,” he continued; “but +the by-name was more common. In short, the brown maid came into my path, +and pressingly entreated me to speak a good word for her father, for +herself, to my uncle. Knowing how the matter stood, and seeing clearly +that it would be difficult, nay, impossible, to do her any service at +this moment, I candidly told her so, and set before her the +blameworthiness of her father in an unfavorable light. + +“She answered this with so much clearness, and, at the same time, with +so much filial mitigation and love, that quite gained me; and, had it +been my own money, I should instantly have made her happy by granting +her request. But it was my uncle’s income; these were his arrangements, +his orders: with such a temper as his, to attempt altering aught that +had been done was hopeless. From of old I had looked on a promise as in +the highest degree sacred. Whoever asked any thing of me embarrassed me. +I had so accustomed myself to refuse, that I did not even promise what I +purposed to perform. This habit came in good stead in the present +instance. Her arguments turned on individuality and affection, mine on +duty and reason; and I will not deny that at last they seemed too harsh, +even to myself. Already we had more than once repeated our topics +without convincing one another, when necessity made her more eloquent: +the inevitable ruin which she saw before her pressed tears from her +eyes. Her collected manner she entirely lost: she spoke with vivacity, +with emotion; and, as I still kept up a show of coldness and composure, +her whole soul turned itself outwards. I wished to end the scene; but +all at once she was lying at my feet, had seized my hand, kissed it, and +was looking up to me, so good, so gentle, with such supplicating +loveliness, that, in the haste of the moment, I forgot myself. Hurriedly +I said, while raising her from her kneeling posture, ‘I will do what is +possible: compose thyself, my child!’ and so turned into a side-path. +‘Do what is impossible!’ cried she after me. I now knew not what I was +saying, but answered, ‘I will,’ and hesitated. ‘Do it!’ cried she, at +once enlivened, and with a heavenly expression of hope. I waved a +salutation to her, and hastened away. + +“To my uncle I did not mean to apply directly; for I knew too well that +with him it was vain to speak about the partial, when his purpose was +the whole. I inquired for the steward; he had ridden off to a distance: +visitors came in the evening, friends wishing to take leave of me. They +supped and played till far in the night. They continued next day, and +their presence effaced the image of my importunate petitioner. The +steward returned: he was busier and more overloaded than ever. All were +asking for him: he had no time to hear me. However, I did make an effort +to detain him; but scarcely had I named that pious farmer, when he +eagerly repelled the proposal. ‘For Heaven’s sake, not a word of this to +your uncle, if you would not have a quarrel with him!’ The day of my +departure was fixed: I had letters to write, guests to receive, visits +in the neighborhood to pay. My servants had been hitherto sufficient for +my wants, but were nowise adequate to forward the arrangements of a +distant journey. All lay on my own hands; and yet, when the steward +appointed me an hour in the night before my departure to settle our +money concerns, I neglected not again to solicit him for Valerina’s +father. + +“‘Dear baron,’ said the unstable man, ‘how can such a thing ever come +into your head? To-day already I have had a hard piece of work with your +uncle, for the sum you need is turning out to be far higher than we +reckoned on. This is natural enough, but not the less perplexing. To the +old gentleman it is especially unwelcome, when a business seems +concluded, and yet many odds and ends are found straggling after it. +This is often the case, and I and the rest have to take the brunt of it. +As to the rigor with which the outstanding debts were to be gathered in, +he himself laid down the law to me: he is at one with himself on this +point, and it would be no easy task to move him to indulgence. Do not +try it, I beg of you! It is quite in vain.’ + +“I let him deter me from my attempt, but not entirely. I pressed him, +since the execution of the business depended on himself, to act with +mildness and mercy. He promised every thing, according to the fashion of +such persons, for the sake of momentary peace. He got quit of me: the +bustle, the hurry of business, increased. I was in my carriage, and had +turned my back on all home concerns. + +“A keen impression is like any other wound: we do not feel it in +receiving it. Not till afterwards does it begin to smart and gangrene. +So was it with me in regard to this occurrence in the park. Whenever I +was solitary, whenever I was unemployed, that image of the entreating +maiden, with the whole accompaniment, with every tree and bush, the +place where she knelt, the side-path I took to get rid of her, the whole +scene, rose like a fresh picture before my soul. It was an +indestructible impression, which, by other images and interests, might +indeed be shaded or overhung, but never obliterated. Still, in every +quiet hour, she came before me; and, the longer it lasted, the more +painful did I feel the blame which I had incurred against my principles, +against my custom, though not expressly, only while hesitating, and for +the first time caught in such a perplexity. + +“I failed not, in my earliest letters, to inquire of our steward how the +business had turned. He answered evasively. Then he engaged to explain +this point; then he wrote ambiguously; at last he became silent +altogether. Distance increased; more objects came between me and my +home; I was called to many new observations, many new sympathies; the +image faded away, the maiden herself, almost to the name. The +remembrance of her came more rarely before me; and my whim of keeping up +my intercourse with home, not by letters, but by tokens, tended +gradually to make my previous situation, with all its circumstances, +nearly vanish from my mind. Now, however, when I am again returning +home, when I am purposing to repay my family with interest what I have +so long owed it, now at last this strange repentance, strange I myself +must call it, falls on me with its whole weight. The form of the maiden +brightens up with the forms of my relatives: and I dread nothing more +deeply than to learn, that, in the misery into which I drove her, she +has sunk to ruin; for my negligence appears in my own mind an abetting +of her destruction, a furtherance of her mournful destiny. A thousand +times I have told myself that this feeling was at bottom but a weakness; +that my early adoption of the principle, never to promise, had +originated in my fear of repentance, not in any noble sentiment. And now +it seems as if Repentance, which I had fled from, meant to avenge +herself by seizing this incident, instead of hundreds, to pain me. Yet +is the picture, the imagination which torments me, so agreeable withal, +so lovely, that I like to linger over it. And, when I think of the +scene, that kiss which she imprinted on my hand still seems to burn +there.” + +Lenardo was silent; and Wilhelm answered quickly and gayly, “It appears, +then, I could have done you no greater service than by that appendix to +my narrative; as we often find in the postscript the most interesting +part of the letter. In truth, I know little of Valerina, for I heard of +her only in passing: but, for certain, she is the wife of a prosperous +land-owner, and lives happily; as your aunt assured me on taking leave.” + +“Good and well,” said Lenardo: “now there is nothing to detain me. You +have given me absolution: let us now to my friends, who have already +waited for me too long.” To this Wilhelm answered, “Unhappily I cannot +attend you; for a strange obligation lies on me to continue nowhere +longer than three days, and not to revisit any place in less than a +year. Pardon me, if I am not at liberty to mention the cause of this +singularity.” + +“I am very sorry,” said Lenardo, “that we are to lose you so soon; that +I cannot, in my turn, do any thing for you. But, since you are already +in the way of showing me kindness, you might make me very happy if you +pleased to visit Valerina, to inform yourself accurately of her +situation, and then to let me have in writing or in speech (a place of +meeting might easily be found,) express intelligence for my complete +composure.” + +This proposal was further discussed: Valerina’s place of residence had +been named to Wilhelm. He engaged to visit her: a place of meeting was +appointed, to which the baron should come, bringing Felix with him, who +in the mean while had remained with the ladies. + +Lenardo and Wilhelm had proceeded on their way for some time, riding +together through pleasant fields, with abundance of conversation, when +at last they approached the highway, and found the baron’s coach in +waiting, now ready to revisit, with its owner, the spot it had left +three years before. Here the friends were to part; and Wilhelm, with a +few kindly words, took his leave, again promising the baron speedy news +of Valerina. + +“Now, when I bethink me,” said Lenardo, “that it were but a small +circuit if I accompanied you, why should I not visit Valerina myself? +Why not witness with my own eyes her happy situation? You were so +friendly as to engage to be my messenger, why should you not be my +companion? For some companion I must have, some moral counsel; as we +take legal counsel to assist us, when we think ourselves inadequate to +the perplexities of a process.” + +Wilhelm’s objections, that the friends at home would be anxiously +expecting the long-absent traveller, that it would produce a strange +impression if the carriage came alone, and other reasons of the like +sort, had no weight with Lenardo; and Wilhelm was obliged at last to +resolve on acting the companion to the baron, a task on which, +considering the consequences that might be apprehended, he entered with +no great alacrity. + +Accordingly the servants were instructed what to say on their arrival, +and the two friends now took the road for Valerina’s house. The +neighborhood appeared rich and fertile, the true seat of agriculture. +Especially the grounds of Valerina’s husband seemed to be managed with +great skill and care. Wilhelm had leisure to survey the landscape +accurately, while Lenardo rode in silence beside him. At last the latter +said, “Another in my place would perhaps try to meet Valerina +undiscovered, for it is always a painful feeling to appear before those +whom we have injured; but I had rather front this, and bear the reproach +which I have to dread from her first look, than secure myself from it by +disguise and untruth. Untruth may bring us into embarrassment quite as +well as truth; and, when we reckon up how often the former or the latter +profits us, it really seems most prudent, once for all, to devote +ourselves to what is true. Let us go forward, therefore, with cheerful +minds: I will give my name, and introduce you as my friend and +fellow-traveller.” + +They had now reached the house, and dismounted in the court. A portly +man, plainly dressed, whom you might have taken for a farmer, came out +to them, and announced himself as master of the family. Lenardo named +himself; and the landlord seemed highly delighted to see him, and obtain +his acquaintance. “What will my wife say,” cried he, “when she again +meets the nephew of her benefactor? She never tires of recounting and +reckoning up what her father owes your uncle.” + +What strange thoughts rushed in rapid disorder through Lenardo’s mind! +“Does this man, who looks so honest-minded, hide his bitterness under a +friendly countenance and smooth words? Can he give his reproaches so +courteous an outside? For did not my uncle reduce that family to misery? +And can the man be ignorant of this? Or,” so thought he to himself, with +quick hope, “has the business not been so bad as thou supposest? For no +decisive intelligence has ever yet reached thee.” Such conjectures +alternated this way and that, while the landlord was ordering out his +carriage to bring home his wife, who, it appeared, was paying a visit in +the neighborhood. + +“If, in the mean while, till my wife return,” said the latter, “I might +entertain you in my own way, and at the same time carry on my duties, +say you walk a few steps with me into the fields, and look about you how +I manage my husbandry; for, no doubt, to you, as a great proprietor of +land, there is nothing of more near concernment than the noble science, +the noble art, of agriculture.” + +Lenardo made no objection: Wilhelm liked to gather information. The +landlord had his ground, which he possessed and ruled without +restriction, under the most perfect treatment; what he undertook was +adapted to his purpose; what he sowed and planted was always in the +right place; and he could so clearly explain his mode of procedure, and +the reasons of it, that every one comprehended him, and thought it +possible for himself to do the same,--a mistake one is apt to fall into +on looking at a master, in whose hand all moves as it should do. + +The strangers expressed their satisfaction, and had nothing but praise +and approval to pronounce on every thing they saw. He received it +gratefully and kindly, and at last added, “Now, however, I must show you +my weak side, a quality discernible in every one that yields himself +exclusively to one pursuit.” He led them to his court-yard, showed them +his implements, his store of these, and, besides this, a store of all +imaginable sorts of farm-gear, with its appurtenances, kept by way of +specimen. “I am often blamed,” said he, “for going too far in this +matter; but I cannot quite blame myself. Happy is he to whom his +business itself becomes a puppet, who, at length, can play with it, and +amuse himself with what his situation makes his duty.” + +The two friends were not behindhand with their questions and +examinations. Wilhelm, in particular, delighted in the general +observations which this man appeared to have a turn for making, and +failed not to answer them; while the baron, more immersed in his own +thoughts, took silent pleasure in the happiness of Valerina, which, in +this situation, he reckoned sure, yet felt underhand a certain faint +shadow of dissatisfaction, of which he could give himself no account. + +The party had returned within doors, when the lady’s carriage drove up. +They hastened out to meet her; but what was Lenardo’s amazement, his +fright, when she stepped forth! This was not the person: this was no +nut-brown maid, but directly the reverse,--a fair, slim form, in truth, +but light-haired, and possessing all the charms which belonged to that +complexion. + +This beauty, this grace, affrighted Lenardo. His eyes had sought the +brown maiden: now quite a different figure glanced before them. These +features, too, he recollected; her words, her manners, soon banished all +uncertainty; it was the daughter of the lawyer, a man who stood in high +favor with the uncle; for which reason also the dowry had been so +handsome, and the new pair so generously dealt with. All this, and much +more, was gayly recounted by the young wife as an introductory +salutation, and with such a joy as the surprise of an unexpected meeting +naturally gives rise to. The question, whether they could recognize each +other, was mutually put and answered: the changes in look were talked +of, which in persons of that age are found notable enough. Valerina was +at all times agreeable, but lovely in a high degree when any joyful +feeling raised her above her usual level of indifference. The company +grew talkative: the conversation became so lively that Lenardo was +enabled to compose himself and hide his confusion. Wilhelm, to whom he +had very soon given a sign of this strange incident, did his best to +help him; and Valerina’s little touch of vanity in thinking that the +baron, even before visiting his own friends, had remembered her, and +come to see her, excluded any shadow of suspicion that another purpose, +or a misconception, could be concerned in the affair. + +The party kept together till a late hour, though the two friends were +longing for a confidential dialogue; which, accordingly, commenced the +moment they were left alone in their allotted chambers. + +“It appears,” said Lenardo, “I am not to get rid of this secret pain. A +luckless confusion of names, I now observe, redoubles it. This +fair-haired beauty I have often seen playing with the brunette, who +could not be called a beauty; nay, I myself have often run about with +them over the fields and gardens, though so much older than they. +Neither of them made the slightest impression on me: I have but retained +the name of the one and applied it to the other. And now her who does +not concern me I find happy above measure in her own way; while the +other is cast forth, who knows whither? into the wide world.” + +Next morning the friends were up almost sooner than their active +entertainers. The happiness of seeing her guests had also awakened +Valerina early. She little fancied with what feelings they came to +breakfast. Wilhelm, seeing clearly, that, without some tidings of the +nut-brown maid, Lenardo must continue in a painful state, led the +conversation to old times, to playmates, to scenes which he himself +knew, and other such recollections; so that Valerina soon quite +naturally came to speak of the nut-brown maid, and to mention her name. + +No sooner did Lenardo hear the name Nachodina, than he perfectly +remembered it; but, with the name, the figure also, of that supplicant, +returned to him with such violence that Valerina’s further narrative +became quite agonizing to him, as with warm sympathy she proceeded to +describe the distrainment of the pious farmer, his submissive +resignation and departure, and how he went away, leaning on his +daughter, who carried a little bundle in her hand. Lenardo was like to +sink under the earth. Unhappily and happily, she went into a certain +circumstantiality in her details; which, while it tortured Lenardo’s +heart, enabled him, with help of his associate, to put on some +appearance of composure. + +The travellers departed amid warm, sincere invitations, on the part of +the married pair, to return soon, and a faint, hollow assent on their +own part. And as a person who stands in any favor with himself takes +every thing in a favorable light; so Valerina explained Lenardo’s +silence, his visible confusion in taking leave, his hasty departure, +entirely to her own advantage, and could not, although the faithful and +loving wife of a worthy gentleman, help feeling some small satisfaction +at this re-awakening or incipient inclination, as she reckoned it, of +her former landlord. + +After this strange incident, while the friends were proceeding on their +way, Lenardo thus addressed Wilhelm: “For our shipwreck with such fair +hopes, at the very entrance of the haven, I can still console myself in +some degree for the moment, and go calmly to meet my people, when I +think that Heaven has brought me you, you to whom, under your peculiar +mission, it is indifferent whither or how you direct your path. Engage +to find out Nachodina, and to give me tidings of her. If she be happy, +then am I content; if unhappy, then help her at my charges. Act without +reserve; spare, calculate nothing. I shall return home, shall endeavor +to get intelligence, and send your Felix to you by some trusty person. +Place the boy, as your intention was, where many of his equals are +placed: it is almost indifferent under what superintendence; but I am +much mistaken if, in the neighborhood, in the place where I wish you to +wait for your son and his attendant, you do not find a man that can give +you the best counsel on this point. It is he to whom I owe the training +of my youth, whom I should have liked so much to take along with me in +my travels, whom, at least, I should many a time have wished to meet in +the course of them, had he not already devoted himself to a quiet, +domestic life.” + +The friends had now reached the spot where they were actually to part. +While the horses were feeding, the baron wrote a letter, which Wilhelm +took charge of, yet, for the rest, could not help communicating his +scruples to Lenardo. + +“In my present situation,” said he, “I reckon it a desirable commission +to deliver a generous man from distress of mind, and, at the same time, +to free a human creature from misery, if she happen to be miserable. +Such an object one may look upon as a star, towards which one sails, not +knowing what awaits him, what he is to meet, by the way. Yet, with all +this, I must not be blind to the danger which, in every case, still +hovers over you. Were you not a man who regularly avoids engagements, I +should require a promise from you not again to see this female, who has +come to be so precious in your eyes, but to content yourself when I +announce to you that all is well with her, be it that I actually find +her happy, or am enabled to make her so. But, having neither power nor +wish to extort a promise from you, I conjure you by all you reckon dear +and sacred, for your own sake, for that of your kindred, and of me, your +new-acquired friend, to allow yourself no approximation to that lost +maiden under what pretext soever; not to require of me that I mention or +describe the place where I find her, or the neighborhood where I leave +her; but to believe my word that she is well, and be enfranchised and at +peace.” + +Lenardo gave a smile, and answered, “Perform this service for me, and I +shall be grateful. What you are willing and able to do, I commit to your +own hands; and, for my self, leave me to time, to common sense, and, if +possible, to reason.” + +“Pardon me,” answered Wilhelm; “but whoever knows under what strange +forms love glides into our hearts, cannot but be apprehensive on +foreseeing that a friend may come to entertain wishes, which, in his +circumstances, his station, would, of necessity, produce unhappiness and +perplexity.” + +“I hope,” said Lenardo, “when I know the maiden happy, I have done with +her.” + +The friends parted, each in his own direction. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER IX. + + +By a short and pleasant road, Wilhelm had reached the town to which his +letter was directed. He found it gay and well built; but its new aspect +showed too clearly, that, not long before, it must have suffered by a +conflagration. The address of his letter let him into the last small, +uninjured portion of the place, to a house of ancient, earnest +architecture, yet well kept, and of a tidy look. Dim windows, strangely +fashioned, indicated an exhilarating pomp of colors from within. Nor, in +fact, did the interior fail to correspond with the exterior. In clean +apartments, everywhere stood furniture, which must have served several +generations, intermixed with very little that was new. The master of the +house received our traveller kindly in a little chamber similarly fitted +up. These clocks had already struck the hour of many a birth and many a +death: every thing which met the eye reminded one that the past might, +as it were, be protracted into the present. + +The stranger delivered his letter; but the landlord, without opening it, +laid it aside, and endeavored, in a cheerful conversation, immediately +to get acquainted with his guest. They soon grew confidential; and as +Wilhelm, contrary to his usual habit, let his eye wander inquisitively +over the room, the good old man said to him, “My domestic equipment +excites your attention. You here see how long a thing may last; and one +should make such observations now and then, by way of counterbalance to +so much in the world that rapidly changes, and passes away. This same +teakettle served my parents, and was a witness of our evening family +assemblages; this copper fire-screen still guards me from the fire which +these stout old tongs still help me to mend; and so it is with all +throughout. I had it in my power to bestow my care and industry on many +other things, as I did not occupy myself with changing these external +necessaries, a task which consumes so many people’s time and resources. +An affectionate attention to what we possess makes us rich, for thereby +we accumulate a treasure of remembrances connected with indifferent +things. I knew a young man who got a common pin from his love while +taking leave of her, daily fastened his breast-frill with it, and +brought back this guarded and not unemployed treasure from a long +journeying of several years. In us little men, such little things are to +be reckoned virtue.” + +“Many a one, too,” answered Wilhelm, “brings back, from such long and +far travellings, a sharp pricker in his heart, which he would fain be +quit of.” + +The old man seemed to know nothing of Lenardo’s situation, though in the +mean while he had opened the letter and read it; for he returned to his +former topics. + +“Tenacity of our possessions,” continued he, “in many cases, gives us +the greatest energy. To this obstinacy in myself I owe the saving of my +house. When the town was on fire, some people wished to begin snatching +and saving here too. I forbade this, bolted my doors and windows and +turned out, with several neighbors, to oppose the flames. Our efforts +succeeded in preserving this summit of the town. Next morning all was +standing here as you now see it, and as it has stood for almost a +hundred years.” + +“Yet you will confess,” said Wilhelm, “that no man withstands the change +which time produces.” + +“That in truth!” said the other; “but he who holds out longest has still +done something. + +“Yes: even beyond the limits of our being, we are able to maintain and +secure; we transmit discoveries, we hand down sentiments as well as +property; and, as the latter was my chief province, I have for a long +time exercised the strictest foresight, invented the most peculiar +precautions; yet not till lately have I succeeded in seeing my wish +fulfilled. + +“Commonly the son disperses what the father has collected, collects +something different, or in a different way. Yet if we can wait for the +grandson, for the new generation, we find the same tendencies, the same +tastes, again making their appearance. And so at last, by the care of +our pedagogic friends, I have found an active youth, who, if possible, +pays more regard to old possession than even I, and has, withal, a +vehement attachment to every sort of curiosities. My decided confidence +he gained by the violent exertions with which he struggled to keep off +the fire from our dwelling. Doubly and trebly has he merited the +treasure which I mean to leave him,--nay, it is already given into his +hands; and ever since that time our store is increasing in a wonderful +way. + +“Not all, however, that you see here is ours. On the contrary, as in the +hands of pawnbrokers you find many a foreign jewel, so with us, I can +show you precious articles, which people, under the most various +circumstances, have deposited with us for the sake of better keeping.” + +Wilhelm recollected the beautiful box, which, at any rate, he did not +like to carry with him in his wanderings, and showed it to his landlord. +The old man viewed it with attention, gave the date when it was probably +made, and showed some similar things. Wilhelm asked him if he thought it +should be opened. The old man thought not. “I believe, indeed,” said he, +“it could be done without special harm to the casket; but, as you found +it in so singular a way, you must try your luck on it. For if you are +born lucky, and this little box is of any consequence, the key will +doubtless by and by be found, and in the very place where you are least +expecting it.” + +“There have been such occurrences,” said Wilhelm. + +“I have myself experienced such,” replied the old man; “and here you +behold the strangest of them. Of this ivory crucifix I have had, for +thirty years, the body with the head and feet in one place. For its own +nature, as well as for the glorious art displayed in it, I kept the +figure laid up in my most private drawer: nearly ten years ago I got the +cross belonging to it, with the inscription, and was then induced to +have the arms supplied by the best carver of our day. Far, indeed, was +this expert artist from equalling his predecessor; yet I let his work +pass, more for devout purposes than for any admiration of its +excellence. + +“Now, conceive my delight! A little while ago the original, genuine arms +were sent me, as you see them here united in the loveliest harmony; and +I, charmed at so happy a coincidence, cannot help recognizing in this +crucifix the fortunes of the Christian religion, which, often enough +dismembered and scattered abroad, will ever in the end again gather +itself together at the foot of the cross.” + +Wilhelm admired the figure and its strange combination. “I will follow +your counsel,” added he: “let the casket continue locked till the key of +it be found, though it should lie till the end of my life.” + +“One who lives long,” said the old man, “sees much collected and much +cast asunder.” + +The young partner in the house now chanced to enter, and Wilhelm +signified his purpose of intrusting the box to their keeping. A large +book was thereupon produced, the deposit inscribed in it, with many +ceremonies and stipulations; a receipt granted, which applied in words +to any bearer, but was only to be honored on the giving of a certain +token agreed upon with the owner. + +So passed their hours in instructive and entertaining conversation, till +at last Felix, mounted on a gay pony, arrived in safety. A groom had +accompanied him, and was now, for some time, to attend and serve +Wilhelm. A letter from Lenardo, delivered at the same time, complained +that he could find no vestige of the nut-brown maid; and Wilhelm was +anew conjured to do his utmost in searching her out. Wilhelm imparted +the matter to his landlord. The latter smiled, and said, “We must +certainly make every exertion for our friend’s sake: perhaps I may +succeed in learning something of her. As I keep these old, primitive +household goods; so, likewise, have I kept some old, primitive friends. +You tell me that this maiden’s father was distinguished by his piety. +The pious have a more intimate connection with each other than the +wicked, though externally it may not always prosper so well. By this +means I hope to obtain some traces of what you are sent to seek. But, as +a preparative, do you now pursue the resolution of placing your Felix +among his equals, and turning him to some fixed department of activity. +Hasten with him to the great Institution. I will point out the way you +must follow, in order to find the chief, who resides now in one, now in +another, division of his province. You shall have a letter, with my best +advice and direction.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER X. + + +The pilgrims, pursuing the way pointed out to them, had, without +difficulty, reached the limits of the province, where they were to see +so many singularities. At the very entrance they found themselves in a +district of extreme fertility,--in its soft knolls, favorable to crops; +in its higher hills, to sheep-husbandry; in its wide bottoms, to +grazing. Harvest was near at hand, and all was in the richest +luxuriance; yet what most surprised our travellers was, that they +observed neither men nor women, but, in all quarters, boys and youths +engaged in preparing for a happy harvest,--nay, already making +arrangements for a merry harvest-home. Our travellers saluted several of +them, and inquired for the chief, of whose abode, however, they could +gain no intelligence. The address of their letter was, “To the Chief, or +the Three.” Of this, also, the boys could make nothing: however, they +referred the strangers to an overseer, who was just about mounting his +horse to ride off. Our friends disclosed their object to this man: the +frank liveliness of Felix seemed to please him, and so they all rode +along together. + +Wilhelm had already noticed, that, in the cut and color of the young +people’s clothes, a variety prevailed, which gave the whole tiny +population a peculiar aspect: he was just about to question his +attendant on this point, when a still stranger observation forced itself +upon him; all the children, how employed soever, laid down their work, +and turned, with singular, yet diverse, gestures, towards the party +riding past them, or rather, as it was easy to infer, towards the +overseer, who was in it. The youngest laid their arms crosswise over +their breasts, and looked cheerfully up to the sky; those of middle size +held their hands on their backs, and looked smiling on the ground; the +eldest stood with a frank and spirited air; their arms stretched down, +they turned their heads to the right, and formed themselves into a line; +whereas the others kept separate, each where he chanced to be. + +The riders having stopped and dismounted here, as several children, in +their various modes, were standing forth to be inspected by the +overseer, Wilhelm asked the meaning of these gestures; but Felix struck +in, and cried gayly, “What posture am I to take, then?” + +“Without doubt,” said the overseer, “the first posture,--the arms over +the breast, the face earnest and cheerful towards the sky.” + +Felix obeyed, but soon cried, “This is not much to my taste; I see +nothing up there: does it last long? But yes!” exclaimed he joyfully: +“yonder are a pair of falcons flying from the west to the east; that is +a good sign too.” + +“As thou takest it, as thou behavest,” said the other, “now mingle among +them as they mingle.” He gave a signal; and the children left their +postures, and again betook them to work or sport as before. + +“Are you at liberty,” said Wilhelm then, “to explain this sight, which +surprises me? I easily perceive that these positions, these gestures, +are salutations directed to you.” + +“Just so,” replied the overseer: “salutations which, at once, indicate +in what degree of culture each of these boys is standing.” + +“But can you explain to me the meaning of this gradation?” inquired +Wilhelm; “for that there is one is clear enough.” + +“This belongs to a higher quarter,” said the other: “so much, however, I +may tell you, that these ceremonies are not mere grimaces; that, on the +contrary, the import of them, not the highest, but still a directing, +intelligible import, is communicated to the children; while, at the same +time, each is enjoined to retain and consider for himself whatever +explanation it has been thought meet to give him: they are not allowed +to talk of these things, either to strangers or among themselves; and +thus their instruction is modified in many ways. Besides, secrecy itself +has many advantages; for when you tell a man at once, and +straightforward, the purpose of any object, he fancies there is nothing +in it. Certain secrets, even if known to every one, men find that they +must still reverence by concealment and silence; for this works on +modesty and good morals.” + +“I understand you,” answered Wilhelm: “why should not the principle +which is so necessary in material things be applied to spiritual also? +But perhaps in another point you can satisfy my curiosity. The great +variety of shape and color in these children’s clothes attracts my +notice; and yet I do not see all sorts of colors, but a few in all their +shades, from the lightest to the deepest. At the same time I observe +that by this no designation of degrees in age or merit can be intended; +for the oldest and the youngest boys may be alike, both in cut and +color, while those of similar gestures are not similar in dress.” + +“On this matter, also,” said the other, “silence is prescribed to me; +but I am much mistaken, or you will not leave us without receiving all +the information you desire.” + +Our party continued following the trace of the chief, which they +believed themselves to be upon. But now the strangers could not fail to +notice, with new surprise, that, the farther they advanced into the +district, a vocal melody more and more frequently sounded towards them +from the fields. Whatever the boys might be engaged with, whatever labor +they were carrying on, they accompanied it with singing; and it seemed +as if the songs were specially adapted to their various sorts of +occupation, and in similar cases everywhere the same. If there chanced +to be several children in company, they sang together in alternating +parts. Towards evening appeared dancers likewise, whose steps were +enlivened and directed by choruses. Felix struck in with them, not +altogether unsuccessfully, from horseback, as he passed; and Wilhelm +felt gratified in this amusement, which gave new life to the scene. + +“Apparently,” he said to his companion, “you devote considerable care to +this branch of instruction: the accomplishment, otherwise, could not be +so widely diffused and so completely practised.” + +“We do,” replied the other: “on our plan, song is the first step in +education; all the rest are connected with it, and attained by means of +it. The simplest enjoyment, as well as the simplest instruction, we +enliven and impress by song; nay, even what religious and moral +principles we lay before our children are communicated in the way of +song. Other advantages for the excitement of activity spontaneously +arise from this practice: for, in accustoming the children to write the +tones they are to utter in musical characters, and, as occasion serves, +again to seek these characters in the utterance of their own voice; and, +besides this, to subjoin the text below the notes,--they are forced to +practise hand, ear, and eye at once, whereby they acquire the art of +penmanship sooner than you would expect; and as all this, in the +long-run, is to be effected by copying precise measurements and +accurately settled numbers, they come to conceive the high value of +mensuration and arithmetic much sooner than in any other way. Among all +imaginable things, accordingly, we have selected music as the element of +our teaching; for level roads run out from music towards every side.” + +Wilhelm endeavored to obtain still further information, and expressed +his surprise at hearing no instrumental music. “This is, by no means, +neglected here,” said the other, “but practised in a peculiar district, +one of the most pleasant valleys among the mountains; and there again we +have arranged it so that the different instruments shall be taught in +separate places. The discords of beginners, in particular, are banished +into certain solitudes, where they can drive no one to despair; for you +will confess, that in well-regulated civil society there is scarcely a +more melancholy suffering to be undergone than what is forced on us by +the neighborhood of an incipient player on the flute or violin. + +“Our learners, out of a laudable desire to be troublesome to no one, go +forth of their own accord, for a longer or a shorter time, into the +wastes, and strive in their seclusion to attain the merit which shall +again admit them into the inhabited world. Each of them, from time to +time, is allowed to venture an attempt for admission: and the trial +seldom fails of success; for bashfulness and modesty in this, as in all +other parts of our system, we strongly endeavor to maintain and cherish. +That your son has a good voice I am glad to observe: all the rest is +managed with so much the greater ease.” + +They had now reached a place where Felix was to stop and make trial of +its arrangements, till a formal reception should be granted him. From a +distance they had been saluted by a jocund sound of music: it was a game +in which the boys were, for the present, amusing themselves in their +hour of play. A general chorus mounted up; each individual of a wide +circle striking in at his time with a joyful, clear, firm tone, as the +sign was given him by the overseer. The latter more than once took the +singers by surprise, when, at a signal, he suspended the choral song, +and called on any single boy, touching him with his rod, to catch by +himself the expiring tone, and adapt to it a suitable song, fitted also +to the spirit of what had preceded. Most part showed great dexterity: a +few who failed in this feat willingly gave in their pledges without +altogether being laughed at for their ill success. Felix was child +enough to mix among them instantly, and in his new task he acquitted +himself tolerably well. The first salutation was then enjoined on him: +he directly laid his hands on his breast, looked upwards, and truly with +so roguish a countenance that it was easy to observe no secret meaning +had yet, in his mind, attached itself to this posture. + +The delightful spot, his kind reception, the merry playmates, all +pleased the boy so well that he felt no very deep sorrow as his father +moved away; the departure of the pony was, perhaps, a heavier matter; +but he yielded here also, on learning that in this circle it could not +possibly be kept; and the overseer promised him, in compensation, that +he should find another horse as smart and well broken at a time when he +was not expecting it. + +As the chief, it appeared, was not to be come at, the overseer turned to +Wilhelm, and said, “I must now leave you, to pursue my occupations; but +first I will bring you to the Three, who preside over our sacred things. +Your letter is addressed to them likewise, and they together represent +the chief.” Wilhelm could have wished to gain some previous knowledge of +these sacred things; but his companion answered, “The Three will, +doubtless, in return for the confidence you show in leaving us your son, +disclose to you, in their wisdom and fairness, what is most needful for +you to learn. The visible objects of reverence, which I named sacred +things, are collected in this separate circle; are mixed with nothing, +interfered with by nothing; at certain seasons of the year only are our +pupils admitted here, to be taught in their various degrees of culture +by historical and sensible means; and in these short intervals they +carry off a deep enough impression to suffice them for a time, during +the performance of their other duties.” + +Wilhelm had now reached the gate of a wooded vale, surrounded with high +walls: on a certain sign the little door opened, and a man of earnest +and imposing look received our traveller. The latter found himself in a +large, beautifully umbrageous space, decked with the richest foliage, +shaded with trees and bushes of all sorts; while stately walls and +magnificent buildings were discerned only in glimpses through this +thick, natural boscage. A friendly reception from the Three, who by and +by appeared, at last turned into a general conversation, the substance +of which we now present in an abbreviated shape. + +“Since you intrust your son to us,” said they, “it is fair that we admit +you to a closer view of our procedure. Of what is external you have seen +much that does not bear its meaning on its front. What part of this do +you chiefly wish to have explained?” + +“Dignified yet singular gestures of salutation I have noticed, the +import of which I would gladly learn: with you, doubtless, the exterior +has a reference to the interior, and inversely; let me know what this +reference is.” + +“Well-formed, healthy children,” replied the Three, “bring much into the +world along with them: Nature has given to each whatever he requires for +time and duration; to unfold this is our duty; often it unfolds itself +better of its own accord. One thing there is, however, which no child +brings into the world with him; and yet it is on this one thing that all +depends for making man in every point a man. If you can discover it +yourself, speak it out.” Wilhelm thought a little while, then shook his +head. + +The Three, after a suitable pause, exclaimed, “_Reverence_!” Wilhelm +seemed to hesitate. “Reverence!” cried they a second time. “All want it, +perhaps you yourself. + +“Three kinds of gestures you have seen; and we inculcate a threefold +reverence, which, when commingled and formed into one whole, attains its +highest force and effect. The first is, reverence for what is above us. +That posture, the arms crossed over the breast, the look turned joyfully +towards heaven, that is what we have enjoined on young children; +requiring from them thereby a testimony that there is a God above, who +images and reveals himself in parents, teachers, superiors. Then comes +the second, reverence for what is under us. Those hands folded over the +back, and, as it were, tied together; that down-turned, smiling +look,--announce that we are to regard the earth with attention and +cheerfulness: from the bounty of the earth we are nourished; the earth +affords unutterable joys, but disproportionate sorrows she also brings +us. Should one of our children do himself external hurt, blamably or +blamelessly; should others hurt him accidentally or purposely; should +dead, involuntary matter do him hurt,--then let him well consider it; +for such dangers will attend him all his days. But from this posture we +delay not to free our pupil the instant we become convinced that the +instruction connected with it has produced sufficient influence on him. +Then, on the contrary, we bid him gather courage, and, turning to his +comrades, range himself along with them. Now, at last, he stands forth, +frank and bold, not selfishly isolated: only in combination with his +equals does he front the world. Further we have nothing to add.” + +“I quite understand it,” said Wilhelm. “Are not the mass of men so +marred and stinted because they take pleasure only in the element of +evil-wishing and evil-speaking? Whoever gives himself to this, soon +comes to be indifferent towards God, contemptuous towards the world, +spiteful towards his equals; and the true, genuine, indispensable +sentiment of self-estimation corrupts into self-conceit and presumption. +Allow me, however,” continued he, “to state one difficulty. You say that +reverence is not natural to man: now, has not the reverence or fear of +barbarous nations for violent convulsions of Nature, or other +inexplicable, mysteriously foreboding occurrences, been heretofore +regarded as the germ out of which a higher feeling, a purer sentiment, +was by degrees to be developed?” + +“Fear does accord with Nature,” replied they, “but reverence does not. +Men fear a known or unknown powerful being: the strong seeks to conquer +it, the weak to avoid it; both endeavor to get quit of it, and feel +happy when, for a short season, they have put it aside, and their nature +has, in some degree, regained freedom and independence. The natural man +repeats this operation millions of times in the course of his life; from +fear he struggles to freedom; from freedom he is driven back to fear, +and so makes no advancement. To fear is easy, but grievous; to reverence +is difficult, but satisfactory. Man does not willingly submit himself to +reverence; or, rather, he never so submits himself: it is a higher +sense, which must be communicated to his nature; which only, in some +peculiarly favored individuals, unfolds itself spontaneously, who on +this account, too, have of old been looked upon as saints and gods. Here +lies the worth, here lies the business, of all true religions; whereof +there are, likewise, only three, according to the objects towards which +they direct our devotion.” + +The men paused: Wilhelm reflected for a time in silence; but, feeling in +himself no pretension to unfold the meaning of these strange words, he +requested the sages to proceed with their exposition. They immediately +complied. “No religion that grounds itself on fear,” said they, “is +regarded among us. With the reverence to which a man should give +dominion in his mind, he can, in paying honor, keep his own honor: he is +not disunited with himself, as in the former case. The religion which +depends on reverence for what is above us we denominate the ethnic; it +is the religion of the nations, and the first happy deliverance from a +degrading fear: all heathen religions, as we call them, are of this +sort, whatsoever names they may bear. The second religion, which founds +itself on reverence for what is around us, we denominate the +philosophical; for the philosopher stations himself in the middle, and +must draw down to him all that is higher, and up to him all that is +lower: and only in this medium condition does he merit the title of +Wise. Here, as he surveys with clear sight his relation to his equals, +and therefore to the whole human race, his relations likewise to all +other earthly circumstances and arrangements, necessary or accidental, +he alone, in a cosmic sense, lives in truth. But now we have to speak of +the third religion, grounded on reverence for what is beneath us; this +we name the Christian, as in the Christian religion such a temper is +with most distinctness manifested: it is a last step to which mankind +were fitted and destined to attain. But what a task was it, not only to +be patient with the earth, and let it lie beneath us, we appealing to a +higher birthplace, but also to recognize humility and poverty, mockery +and despite, disgrace and wretchedness, suffering and death,--to +recognize these things as divine,--nay, even on sin and crime to look, +not as hinderances, but to honor and love them as furtherances of what +is holy. Of this, indeed, we find some traces in all ages: but the trace +is not the goal; and, this being now attained, the human species cannot +retrograde: and we may say, that the Christian religion, having once +appeared, cannot again vanish; having once assumed its divine shape, can +be subject to no dissolution.” + +“To which of these religions do you specially adhere?” inquired Wilhelm. + +“To all the three,” replied they; “for in their union they produce what +may properly be called the true religion. Out of those three reverences +springs the highest reverence,--reverence for one’s self; and those +again unfold themselves from this: so that man attains the highest +elevation of which he is capable, that of being justified in reckoning +himself the best that God and Nature have produced,--nay, of being able +to continue on this lofty eminence, without being again, by self-conceit +and presumption, drawn down from it into the vulgar level.” + +“Such a confession of faith, developed in this manner, does not repulse +me,” answered Wilhelm: “it agrees with much that one hears now and then +in the course of life; only you unite what others separate.” + +To this they replied, “Our confession has already been adopted, though +unconsciously, by a great part of the world.” + +“How, then, and where?” said Wilhelm. + +“In the creed!” exclaimed they; “for the first article is ethnic, and +belongs to all nations; the second, Christian, for those struggling with +affliction and glorified in affliction; the third, in fine, teaches an +inspired communion of saints, that is, of men in the highest degree good +and wise. And should not, therefore, the Three Divine Persons, under the +similitudes and names of which these threefold doctrines and commands +are promulgated, justly be considered as in the highest sense One?” + +“I thank you,” said Wilhelm, “for having pleased to lay all this before +me in such clearness and combination, as before a grown-up person, to +whom your three modes of feeling are not altogether foreign. And now, +when I reflect that you communicate this high doctrine to your children, +in the first place as a sensible sign, then with some symbolical +accompaniment attached to it, and at last unfold to them its deepest +meaning, I cannot but warmly approve of your method.” + +“Right,” answered they; “but now we must show you more, and so convince +you the better that your son is in no bad hands. This, however, may +remain for the morrow: rest and refresh yourself, that you may attend us +in the morning, as a man satisfied and unimpeded, into the interior of +our sanctuary.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER XI. + + +At the hand of the eldest, our friend now proceeded through a stately +portal into a round, or rather octagonal, hall, so richly decked with +pictures, that it struck him with astonishment as he entered. All this, +he easily conceived, must have a significant import; though at the +moment he saw not so clearly what it was. While about to question his +guide on this subject, the latter invited him to step forward into a +gallery, open on the one side, and stretching round a spacious, gay, +flowery garden. The wall, however, not the flowers, attracted the eyes +of the stranger: it was covered with paintings, and Wilhelm could not +walk far without observing that the Sacred Books of the Israelites had +furnished the materials for these figures. + +“It is here,” said the eldest, “that we teach our first religion,--the +religion which, for the sake of brevity, I named the ethnic. The spirit +of it is to be sought for in the history of the world; its outward form, +in the events of that history. Only in the return of similar destinies +on whole nations can it properly be apprehended.” + +“I observe,” said Wilhelm, “you have done the Israelites the honor to +select their history as the groundwork of this delineation; or, rather, +you have made it the leading object there.” + +“As you see,” replied the eldest: “for you will remark, that on the +socles and friezes we have introduced another series of transactions and +occurrences, not so much of a synchronistic as of a symphronistic kind; +since, among all nations, we discover records of a similar import, and +grounded on the same facts. Thus you perceive here, while in the main +field of the picture, Abraham receives a visit from his gods in the form +of fair youths, Apollo, among the herdsmen of Admetus, is painted above +on the frieze. From which we may learn, that the gods, when they appear +to men, are commonly unrecognized of them.” + +The friends walked on. Wilhelm, for the most part, met with well-known +objects; but they were here exhibited in a livelier and more expressive +manner than he had been used to see them. On some few matters he +requested explanation, and at last could not help returning to his +former question, Why the Israelitish history had been chosen in +preference to all others? + +The eldest answered, “Among all heathen religions,--for such also is the +Israelitish,--this has the most distinguished advantages, of which I +shall mention only a few. At the ethnic judgment-seat, at the +judgment-seat of the God of nations, it is not asked, Whether this is +the best, the most excellent nation, but whether it lasts, whether it +has continued. The Israelitish people never was good for much, as its +own leaders, judges, rulers, prophets, have a thousand times +reproachfully declared: it possesses few virtues, and most of the faults +of other nations; but in cohesion, steadfastness, valor, and, when all +this would not serve, in obstinate toughness, it has no match. It is the +most perseverant nation in the world: it is, it was, and will be, to +glorify the name of Jehovah through all ages. We have set it up, +therefore, as the pattern-figure,--as the main figure, to which the +others only serve as a frame.” + +“It becomes not me to dispute with you,” said Wilhelm, “since you have +instruction to impart. Open to me, therefore, the other advantages of +this people, or, rather, of its history, of its religion.” + +“One chief advantage,” said the other, “is its excellent collection of +Sacred Books. These stand so happily combined together, that, even out +of the most diverse elements, the feeling of a whole still rises before +us. They are complete enough to satisfy, fragmentary enough to excite, +barbarous enough to rouse, tender enough to appease; and for how many +other contradicting merits might not these books, might not this one +book, be praised!” + +The series of main figures, as well as their relations to the smaller +which above and below accompanied them, gave the guest so much to think +of, that he scarcely heard the pertinent remarks of his guide, who, by +what he said, seemed desirous rather to divert our friend’s attention +than to fix it on the paintings. Once, however, the old man said, on +some occasion, “Another advantage of the Israelitish religion I must +here mention: it has not embodied its God in any form, and so has left +us at liberty to represent him in a worthy human shape, and likewise, by +way of contrast, to designate idolatry by forms of beasts and monsters.” + +Our friend had now, in his short wandering through this hall, again +brought the spirit of universal history before his mind: in regard to +the events, he had not failed to meet with something new. So likewise, +by the simultaneous presentment of the pictures, by the reflections of +his guide, many new views had risen on him; and he could not but rejoice +in thinking that his Felix was, by so dignified a visible +representation, to seize and appropriate for his whole life those great, +significant, and exemplary events, as if they had actually been present, +and transacted beside him. He came at length to regard the exhibition +altogether with the eyes of the child, and in this point of view it +perfectly contented him. Thus wandering on, they had now reached the +gloomy and perplexed periods of the history, the destruction of the city +and the temple, the murder, exile, slavery of whole masses of this +stiff-necked people. Its subsequent fortunes were delineated in a +cunning allegorical way: a real historical delineation of them would +have lain without the limits of true art. + +At this point the gallery abruptly terminated in a closed door, and +Wilhelm was surprised to see himself already at the end. “In your +historical series,” said he, “I find a chasm. You have destroyed the +Temple of Jerusalem, and dispersed the people; yet you have not +introduced the divine Man who taught there shortly before, to whom, +shortly before, they would give no ear.” + +“To have done this, as you require it, would have been an error. The +life of that divine Man, whom you allude to, stands in no connection +with the general history of the world in his time. It was a private +life, his teaching was a teaching for individuals. What has publicly +befallen vast masses of people, and the minor parts which compose them, +belongs to the general history of the world, to the general religion of +the world,--the religion we have named the first. What inwardly befalls +individuals belongs to the second religion, the philosophical: such a +religion was it that Christ taught and practised, so long as he went +about on earth. For this reason the external here closes, and I now open +to you the internal.” + +A door went back; and they entered a similar gallery, where Wilhelm soon +recognized a corresponding series of pictures from the New Testament. +They seemed as if by another hand than the first: all was +softer,--forms, movements, accompaniments, light, and coloring. + +“Here,” said the guide, after they had looked over a few pictures, “you +behold neither actions nor events, but miracles and similitudes. There +is here a new world, a new exterior, different from the former; and an +interior, which was altogether wanting there. By miracles and +similitudes a new world is opened up. Those make the common +extraordinary, these the extraordinary common.” + +“You will have the goodness,” said Wilhelm, “to explain these few words +more minutely; for, by my own light, I cannot.” + +“They have a natural meaning,” said the other, “though a deep one. +Examples will bring it out most easily and soonest. There is nothing +more common and customary than eating and drinking; but it is +extraordinary to transform a drink into another of more noble sort, to +multiply a portion of food that it suffice a multitude. Nothing is more +common than sickness and corporeal diseases; but to remove, to mitigate +these by spiritual or spiritual-like means, is extraordinary; and even +in this lies the wonder of the miracle, that the common and the +extraordinary, the possible and the impossible, become one. With the +similitude again, with the parable, the converse is the case; here it is +the sense, the view, the idea, that forms the high, the unattainable, +the extraordinary. When this embodies itself into common, customary, +comprehensible figure, so that it meets us as if alive, present, actual, +so that we can seize it, appropriate, retain it, live with it as with +our equal, this is a second sort of miracle, and is justly placed beside +the first sort,--nay, perhaps preferred to it. Here a living doctrine is +pronounced, a doctrine which can cause no argument: it is not an opinion +about what is right and wrong; it is right and wrong themselves, and +indisputably.” + +This part of the gallery was shorter; indeed, it formed but the fourth +part of the circuit enclosing the interior court. Yet, if in the former +part you merely walked along, you here liked to linger, you here walked +to and fro. The objects were not so striking, not so varied; yet they +invited you the more to penetrate their deep, still meaning. Our two +friends, accordingly, turned round at the end of the space; Wilhelm at +the same time expressing some surprise that these delineations went no +farther than the Supper, than the scene where the Master and his +disciples part. He inquired for the remaining portion of the history. + +“In all sorts of instruction,” said the eldest, “in all sorts of +communication, we are fond of separating whatever it is possible to +separate; for by this means alone can the notion of importance and +peculiar significance arise in the young mind. Actual experience of +itself mingles and mixes all things together: here, accordingly, we have +entirely disjoined that sublime Man’s life from its termination. In +life, he appears as a true philosopher,--let not the expression stagger +you,--as a wise man in the highest sense. He stands firm to his point; +he goes on his way inflexibly; and while he exalts the lower to himself, +while he makes the ignorant, the poor, the sick, partakers of his +wisdom, of his riches, of his strength, he, on the other hand, in no +wise conceals his divine origin; he dares to equal himself with +God,--nay, to declare that he himself is God. In this manner is he wont, +from youth upwards, to astound his familiar friends; of these he gains a +part to his own cause, irritates the rest against him, and shows to all +men, who are aiming at a certain elevation in doctrine and life, what +they have to look for from the world. And thus, for the noble portion of +mankind, his walk and conversation are even more instructive and +profitable than his death; for to those trials every one is called, to +this trial but a few. Now, omitting all that results from this +consideration, do but look at the touching scene of the Last Supper. +Here the wise Man, as it ever is, leaves those that are his own utterly +orphaned behind him; and, while he is careful for the good, he feeds +along with them a traitor by whom he and the better are to be +destroyed.” + +With these words the eldest opened a door, and Wilhelm faltered in +surprise as he found himself again in the first hall at the entrance. +They had in the mean while, as he now saw, passed round the whole +circuit of the court. “I hoped,” said Wilhelm, “you were leading me to +the conclusion; and you take me back to the beginning.” + +“For the present,” said the eldest, “I can show you nothing further: +more we do not lay before our pupils, more we do not explain to them, +than what you have now gone through. All that is external, worldly, +universal, we communicate to each from youth upwards; what is more +particularly spiritual, and conversant with the heart, to those only who +grow up with some thoughtfulness of temper; and the rest, which is +opened only once a year, cannot be imparted save to those whom we are +sending forth as finished. That last religion which arises from the +reverence of what is beneath us; that veneration of the contradictory, +the hated, the avoided,--we give each of our pupils in small portions, +by way of outfit, along with him into the world, merely that he may know +where more is to be had should such a want spring up within him. I +invite you to return hither at the end of a year, to visit our general +festival, and see how far your son is advanced: then shall you be +admitted into the sanctuary of sorrow.” + +“Permit me one question,” said Wilhelm: “as you have set up the life of +this divine Man for a pattern and example, have you likewise selected +his sufferings, his death, as a model of exalted patience?” + +“Undoubtedly we have,” replied the eldest. “Of this we make no secret; +but we draw a veil over those sufferings, even because we reverence them +so highly. We hold it a damnable audacity to bring forth that torturing +cross and the Holy One who suffers on it, or to expose them to the light +of the sun, which hid its face when a reckless world forced such a sight +on it, to take these mysterious secrets, in which the divine depth of +sorrow lies hid, and play with them, fondle them, trick them out, and +rest not till the most reverend of all solemnities appears vulgar and +paltry. Let so much, for the present, suffice to put your mind at peace +respecting your son, and to convince you, that, on meeting him again, +you will find him trained, more or less, in one department or another, +but at least in a proper way, and, at all events, not wavering, +perplexed, and unstable.” + +Wilhelm still lingered, looking at the pictures in this entrance-hall, +and wishing to get explanation of their meaning. “This, too,” said the +eldest, “we must still owe you for a twelvemonth. The instruction which, +in the interim, we give the children, no stranger is allowed to witness: +then, however, come to us; and you will hear what our best speakers +think it serviceable to make public on these matters.” + +Shortly after this conversation a knocking was heard at the little gate. +The overseer of last night announced himself; he had brought out +Wilhelm’s horse: and so our friend took leave of the Three, who, as he +set out, consigned him to the overseer with these words: “This man is +now numbered among the trusted, and thou understandest what thou hast to +tell him in answer to his questions; for, doubtless, he still wishes to +be informed on much that he has seen and heard while here: purpose and +circumstance are known to thee.” + +Wilhelm had, in fact, some more questions on his mind; and these he +erelong put into words. As they rode along they were saluted by the +children as on the preceding evening; but to-day, though rarely, he now +and then observed a boy who did not pause in his work to salute the +overseer, but let him pass unheeded. Wilhelm asked the cause of this, +and what such an exception meant. His companion answered, “It is full of +meaning, for it is the highest punishment we inflict on our pupils: they +are declared unworthy to show reverence, and obliged to exhibit +themselves as rude and uncultivated natures; but they do their utmost to +get free of this situation, and in general adapt themselves with great +rapidity to any duty. Should a young creature, on the other hand, +obdurately make no attempt at return and amendment, he is then sent back +to his parents with a brief but pointed statement of his case. Whoever +cannot suit himself to the regulations must leave the district where +they are in force.” + +Another circumstance excited Wilhelm’s curiosity to-day as it had done +yesterday,--the variety of color and shape apparent in the dress of the +pupils. Hereby no gradation could be indicated; for children who saluted +differently were sometimes clothed alike, and others agreeing in +salutation differed in apparel. Wilhelm inquired the reason of this +seeming contradiction. “It will be explained,” said the other, “when I +tell you, that, by this means, we endeavor to find out the children’s +several characters. With all our general strictness and regularity, we +allow in this point a certain latitude of choice. Within the limits of +our own stores of cloths and garnitures the pupils are permitted to +select what color they please; and so, likewise, within moderate limits, +in regard to shape and cut. Their procedure in these matters we +accurately note; for, by the color, we discover their turn of thinking; +by the cut, their turn of acting. However, a decisive judgment in this +is rendered difficult by one peculiar property of human nature,--by the +tendency to imitate, the inclination to unite with something. It is very +seldom that a pupil fancies any dress that has not been already there: +for most part, they select something known, something which they see +before their eyes. Yet this also we find worth observing: by such +external circumstances they declare themselves of one party or another; +they unite with this or that; and thus some general features of their +characters are indicated; we perceive whither each tends, what example +he follows. + +“We have had cases where the dispositions of our children verged to +generality, where one fashion threatened to extend over all, and any +deviation from it to dwindle into the state of exception. Such a turn of +matters we endeavor softly to stop: we let our stores run out; this and +that sort of stuff, this and that sort of decoration, is no longer to be +had: we introduce something new and attractive; by bright colors, and +short, smart shape, we allure the lively; by grave shadings, by +commodious, many-folded make, the thoughtful,--and thus, by degrees, +restore the equilibrium. + +“For to uniform we are altogether disinclined: it conceals the +character, and, more than any other species of distortion, withdraws the +peculiarities of children from the eye of their superiors.” + +Amid this and other conversation, Wilhelm reached the border of the +province, and this at the point where, by the direction of his +antiquarian friend, he was to leave it, to pursue his next special +object. + +At parting, it was now settled with the overseer, that, after the space +of a twelvemonth, Wilhelm should return, when the grand triennial +festival was to be celebrated, on which occasion all the parents were +invited, and finished pupils were sent forth into the tasks of chanceful +life. Then, too, so he was informed, he might visit at his pleasure all +the other districts, where, on peculiar principles, each branch of +education was communicated, and reduced to practice, in complete +isolation and with every furtherance. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER XII. + + + _Hersilia to Wilhelm._ + + My valued, and, to speak it plainly, dear friend, you are wrong, + and yet, as acting on your own conviction, not wrong either. So + the nut-brown maid is found, then,--found, seen, spoken to, + known, and acknowledged! And you tell us further, that it is + impossible to wish this strange person, in her own way, any + happier condition, or, in her present one, to be of any real + advantage to her. + + And now you make it a point of conscience not to tell us where + that wondrous being lives. This you may settle with your own + conscience, but to us it is unconscionable. You think to calm + Lenardo by assuring him that she is well. He had said, almost + promised, that he would content himself with this; but what will + not the passionate promise for others and themselves! Know, + then, that the matter is not in the least concluded as it yet + stands. She is happy, you tell us,--happy by her own activity + and merit: but the youth would like to learn the How, the When, + and the Where; and, what is worse than this, his sisters, too, + would like to learn. Half a year is gone since your departure: + till the end of another half-year we cannot hope to see you. + Could not you, like a shrewd and knowing man, contrive to play + your eternal _Rouge-et-Noir_ in our neighborhood? I have seen + people that could make the knight skip over all the chess-board + without ever lighting twice on one spot. You should learn this + feat: your friends would not have to want you so long. + + But, to set my good will to you in the clearest light, I now + tell you in confidence, that there are two most enchanting + creatures on the road: whence I say not, nor whither; described + they cannot be, and no eulogy will do them justice. A younger + and an elder lady, between whom it always grieves one to make + choice,--the former so lovely, that all must wish to be loved by + her; the latter so attractive, that you must wish to live beside + her, though she did not love you. I could like, with all my + heart, to see you hemmed in for three days between these two + splendors: on the morning of the fourth, your rigorous vow would + stand you in excellent stead. + + By way of foretaste I send you a story, which, in some degree, + refers to them: what of it is true or fictitious you can try to + learn from themselves. + + + THE MAN OF FIFTY. + + The major came riding into the court of the mansion; and + Hilaria, his niece, was already standing without, to receive him + at the bottom of the stairs which led up to the apartments. + Scarcely could he recognize her; for she had grown, both in + stature and beauty. She flew to meet him: he pressed her to his + breast with the feeling of a father. + + To the baroness, his sister, he was likewise welcome; and, as + Hilaria hastily retired to prepare breakfast, the major said + with a joyful air, “For this time I can come to the point at + once, and say that our business is finished. Our brother, the + chief marshal, has at last convinced himself that he can neither + manage farmers nor stewards. In his lifetime he makes over the + estates to us and our children: the annuity he bargains for is + high, indeed, but we can still pay it; we gain something for the + present, and for the future all. This new arrangement is to be + completed forthwith. And, as I very soon expect my discharge, I + can again look forward to an active life, which may secure + decided advantages to us and ours. We shall calmly see our + children growing up beside us; and it will depend on us, on + them, to hasten their union.” + + “All this were well,” said the baroness, “had not I a secret to + inform thee of, which I myself discovered first. Hilaria’s heart + is no longer free: on her side thy son has little or nothing to + hope for.” + + “What sayest thou?” cried the major. “Is it possible? While we + have been taking all pains to settle economical concerns, does + inclination play us such a trick? Tell me, love, quick, tell me, + who is it that has fettered Hilaria’s heart? Or is it, then, so + bad as this? Is it not, perhaps, some transient impression we + may hope to efface again?” + + “Thou must think and guess a little first,” replied the + baroness, and thereby heightened his impatience. It had mounted + to the utmost pitch, when the entrance of Hilaria, with the + servants bringing in breakfast, put a negative on any quick + solution of the riddle. + + The major himself thought he saw the fair girl with other eyes + than a little while before. He almost felt as if jealous of the + happy man whose image had been able to imprint itself on a soul + so lovely. The breakfast he could not relish; and he noticed not + that all was ordered as he liked to have it, and as he had used + to wish and require it. + + In this silence and stagnation Hilaria herself almost lost her + liveliness. The mother felt embarrassed, and led her daughter to + the harpsichord; but Hilaria’s sprightly and expressive playing + scarcely extorted any approbation from the major. He wished the + breakfast and the lovely girl fairly out of the way; and the + baroness was at last obliged to resolve on breaking up, and + proposed to her brother a walk in the garden. + + No sooner were they by themselves, than the major pressingly + repeated his question, to which, after a pause, his sister + answered, smiling, “If thou wouldst find the happy man whom she + loves, thou hast not far to go: he is quite at hand; she loves + _thee_!” + + The major stopped in astonishment, then cried, “It were a most + unseasonable jest to trick me into such a thought, which, if + true, would make me so embarrassed and unhappy. For, though I + need time to recover from my amazement, I see at one glance how + grievously our circumstances would be disturbed by so + unlooked-for an accident. The only thing that comforts me, is my + persuasion that attachments of this sort are apparent merely, + that a self-deception lurks behind them, and that a good, true + soul will undoubtedly return from such mistakes, either by its + own strength, or at least by a little help from judicious + friends.” + + “I am not of that opinion,” said the baroness: “by all the + symptoms, Hilaria’s present feeling is a very serious one.” + + “A thing so unnatural I should not have expected from so natural + a character,” replied the major. + + “So unnatural it is not, after all,” said his sister. “I myself + recollect having, in my own youth, an attachment to a man still + older than thou. Thou art fifty,--not so very great an age for a + German, if, perhaps, other livelier nations do fail sooner.” + + “But how dost thou support thy conjecture?” said the major. + + “It is no conjecture, it is certainty. The details thou shalt + learn by and by.” + + Hilaria joined them; and the major felt himself, against his + will, a second time altered. Her presence seemed to him still + dearer and more precious than before, her manner more + affectionate and tender: already he began to put some faith in + his sister’s statement. The feeling was highly delightful, + though he neither would permit nor confess this to his mind. + Hilaria was, in truth, peculiarly interesting: her manner + blended in closest union a soft shyness as towards a lover, and + a trustful frankness as towards an uncle; for she really, and + with her whole soul, loved him. The garden lay in all the pomp + of spring; and the major, who saw so many old trees again + putting on their vesture, might also believe in the returning of + his own spring. And who would not have been tempted to it, at + the side of this most lovely maiden. + + So passed the day with them; the various household epochs were + gone through in high cheerfulness: in the evening, after supper, + Hilaria returned to her harpsichord; the major listened with + other ears than in the morning: one melody winded into another, + one song produced a second; and scarcely could midnight separate + the little party. + + On retiring to his room, the major found every thing arranged to + suit his old habitual conveniences: some copper-plates, even, + which he liked to look at, had been shifted from other + apartments; and, his eyes being at last opened, he saw himself + attended to and flattered in the most minute particulars. + + A few hours’ sleep sufficed on this occasion: his buoyant + spirits aroused him early. But now he soon found occasion to + observe that a new order of things carries many inconveniences + along with it. His old groom, who also discharged the functions + of lackey and valet, he had not once reproved during many years, + for all went its usual course in the most rigid order; the + horses were dressed and the clothes brushed at the proper + moment: but to-day the master had risen earlier, and nothing + suited as it used to do. + + Erelong a new circumstance combined with this to ruffle him + still further. At other times all had been right, as his servant + had prepared it for him: now, however, on advancing to the + glass, he found himself not at all as he wished to be. Some gray + hairs he could not deny, and of wrinkles also there appears to + have been a trace or two. He wiped and powdered more than usual, + and was fain at last to let matters stand as they could. Then it + seemed there were still creases in his coat, and still dust on + his boots. The old groom knew not what to make of this, and was + amazed to see so altered a master before him. + + In spite of all these hinderances, the major got down to the + garden in good time. Hilaria, whom he hoped to find there, he + actually found. She brought him a nosegay; and he had not the + heart to kiss her as usual, and press her to his breast. He felt + himself in the most delightful embarrassment, and yielded to his + feelings without reflecting whither they might carry him. + + The baroness soon joined them and, directing her brother to a + note which had just been brought her by a special messenger, she + cried, “Thou wilt not guess whom this announces to us!” + + “Tell us at once, then,” said the major; and it now appeared + that an old theatrical friend was travelling by a road not far + off, and purposing to call for a moment. “I am anxious to see + him again,” said the major: “he is no chicken now, and I hear he + still plays young parts.” + + “He must be ten years older than thou,” replied the baroness. + + “He must,” said the major, “from all that I remember.” + + They had not waited long, when a lively, handsome, courteous man + stepped forward to them. Yet the friends soon recognized each + other, and recollections of all sorts enlivened the + conversation. They proceeded to questions, to answers, to + narratives: they mutually made known their present situations, + and in a short time felt as if they had never been separated. + + Secret history informs us that this person had, in former days, + being then a very elegant and graceful youth, the good or bad + fortune to attract the favor of a lady of rank; that, by this + means, he had come into perplexity and danger, out of which the + major, at the very moment when the saddest fate seemed + impending, had happily delivered him. From that hour he + continued grateful to the brother as well as to the sister; for + it was she that, by timeful warning, had originated their + precautions. + + For a while before dinner the men were left alone. Not without + surprise, nay, in some measure with amazement, had the major + viewed, as a whole and in detail, the exterior condition of his + old friend. He seemed not in the smallest altered, and it was + not to be wondered at that he could still appear on the stage as + an actor of youthful parts. “Thou inspectest me more strictly + than is fair,” said he at last to the major: “I fear thou + findest the difference between this and by-gone times but too + great.” + + “Not at all,” replied the major: “on the contrary, it fills me + with astonishment to find thy look fresher and younger than + mine; though I know thou wert a firm-set man at the time when I, + with the boldness of a callow desperado, stood by thee in + certain straits.” + + “It is thy own fault,” replied the other: “it is the fault of + all like thee; and, though you are not to be loudly censured for + it, you are still to be blamed. You think only of the needful: + you wish to be, not to seem. This is very well so long as one is + any thing. But when, at last, being comes to recommend itself by + seeming, and this seeming is found to be even more transient + than the being, then every one of you discovers that he should + not have done amiss, if, in his care for what was inward, he had + not entirely neglected what was outward.” + + “Thou art right,” replied the major, and could scarcely suppress + a sigh. + + “Perhaps not altogether right,” said the aged youth; “for though + in my trade it were unpardonable if one did not try to parget up + the outward man as long as possible, you people need to think of + other things, which are more important and profitable.” + + “Yet there are occasions,” said the major, “when a man feels + fresh internally, and could wish, with all his heart, that he + were fresh externally too.” + + As the stranger could not have the slightest suspicion of the + major’s real state of mind, he took these words in a soldierly + sense, and copiously explained how much depended on externals in + the art military, and how the officer who had so much attention + to bestow on dress might apply a little also to skin and hair. + + “For example,” continued he, “it is inexcusable that your + temples are already gray, that wrinkles are here and there + gathering together, and that your crown threatens to grow bald. + Now look at me, old fellow as I am! See how I have held out! And + all this without witchcraft, and with far less pains and care + than others take, day after day, in spoiling, or at least + wearying, themselves.” + + The major found this accidental conversation too precious an + affair to think of ending it soon, but he went to work softly + and with precaution towards even an old acquaintance. “This + opportunity, alas! I have lost,” cried he; “and it is past + recalling now: I must even content myself as I am, and you will + not think worse of me on that account.” + + “Lost it is not,” said the other, “were not you grave gentlemen + so stiff and stubborn, did you not directly call one vain if he + thinks about his person, and cast away from you the happiness of + being in pleasant company, and pleasing there yourselves.” + + “If it is not magic,” smiled the major, “that you people use for + keeping yourselves young, it is, at all events, a secret: or, at + least, you have _arcana_, such as one often sees bepraised in + newspapers; and from these you pick out the best.” + + “Joke or earnest,” said the other, “thou hast spoken truth. + Among the many things that have been tried for giving some + repair to the exterior, which often fails far sooner than the + interior, there are, in fact, certain invaluable recipes, simple + as well as compound; which, as imparted to me by brethren of the + craft, purchased for ready money, or hit upon by chance, I have + proved, and found effectual. By these I now hold fast and + persevere, yet without abandoning my further researches. So much + I may tell thee, and without exaggeration: a dressing-box I + carry with me beyond all price! A box whose influences I could + like to try on thee, if we chanced any time to be a fortnight + together.” + + The thought that such a thing was possible, and that this + possibility was held out to him so accidentally at the very + moment of need, enlivened the spirit of the major to such a + degree that he actually appeared much fresher and brisker + already: at table, excited by the hope of bringing head and face + into harmony with his heart, and by eagerness to get acquainted + with the methods of doing so, he was quite another man; he met + Hilaria’s graceful attentions with alacrity of soul, and even + looked at her with a certain confidence, which, in the morning, + he was far from feeling. + + If the dramatic stranger had contrived, by many recollections, + stories, and happy hits, to keep up the cheerful humor once + excited, he so much the more alarmed the major, on signifying, + when the cloth was removed, that he must now think of setting + forth, and continuing his journey. By every scheme in his power + the major strove to facilitate his friend’s stay, at least for + the night; he pressingly engaged to have horses and relays in + readiness next morning: in a word, the healing toilet was + absolutely not to get out of the premises, till once he had + obtained more light on its contents and use. + + The major saw very well that here no time must be lost: he + accordingly endeavored, soon after dinner, to take his old + favorite aside and speak with him in private. Not having the + heart to proceed directly to the point, he steered towards it + from afar off, and, taking up the former conversation, signified + that he, for his part, would willingly bestow more care on his + exterior, were it not that people, the moment they observed a + man making such an attempt, marked him down for vain, and so + deducted from him, in regard to moral esteem, what they felt + obliged to yield him in regard to sensible. + + “Do not vex me with such phrases!” said his friend: “these are + words to which society has got accustomed without attaching any + meaning to them, or, if we take it up more strictly, by which it + indicates its unfriendly and spiteful nature. If thou consider + it rightly, what, after all, is this same vanity they make so + much ado about? Every man should feel some pleasure in himself, + and happy he who feels it. But, if he does feel it, how can he + help letting others notice it? How shall he hide, in the midst + of life, that it gives him joy to be alive? If good society, and + I mean this exclusively here, only blamed such indications when + they became too violent; when the joy of one man over his + existence hindered others to have joy and to show it over + theirs,--it were good and well; and from this excess the censure + has, in fact, originally sprung. But what are we to make of that + strange, prim, abnegating rigor against a thing which cannot be + avoided? Why should not a display of feeling on the part of + others be considered innocent and tolerable, which, more or + less, we from time to time allow ourselves? For it is the + pleasure one has in himself, the desire to communicate this + consciousness of his to others, that makes a man agreeable,--the + feeling of his own grace that makes him graceful. Would to + Heaven all men were vain! that is, were vain with clear + perception, with moderation, and in a proper sense: we should + then, in the cultivated world, have happy times of it. Women, it + is told us, are vain from the very cradle; yet does it not + become them, do they not please us the more? How can a youth + form himself if he is not vain? An empty, hollow nature will, by + this means, at least contrive to give itself an outward show; + and a proper man will soon train himself from the outside + inwards. As to my own share, I have reason to consider myself, + in this point, a most happy man: for my trade justifies me in + being vain; and, the vainer I am, the more satisfaction I give. + I am praised when others are blamed, and have still, in this + very way, the happiness and the right to gratify and charm the + public at an age when others are constrained to retire from the + scene, or linger on it only with disgrace.” + + The major heard with no great joy the issue of these + reflections. The little word vanity, as he pronounced it, had + been meant to serve as a transition for enabling him to + introduce, with some propriety, the statement of his own wish. + But now he was afraid, if their dialogue proceeded thus, he + should be led still farther from his aim: so he hastened to the + point directly. + + “For my own part,” said he, “I should by no means disincline to + enlist under thy flag, since thou still holdest it to be in + time, and thinkest I might yet in some degree make up for what + is lost. Impart to me somewhat of thy tinctures, pomades, and + balsams; and I will make a trial of them.” + + “Imparting,” said the other, “is a harder task than you suppose. + Here, for example, it were still to small purpose that I poured + thee out some liquors from my vials, and left the half of the + best ingredients in my toilet: the appliance is the hardest. You + cannot, on the instant, appropriate what is given you. How this + and that suit together; under what circumstances, in what + sequence, things are to be used,--all this requires practice and + study,--nay, study and practice themselves will scarcely profit, + if one bring not to the business a natural genius for it.” + + “Thou art now, it seems, for drawing back,” said the major. + “Thou raisest difficulties when I would have thy truly somewhat + fabulous assertions rendered certain. Thou hast no mind to let + me try thy words by the test of action.” + + “By such banterings, my friend,” replied the other, “thou + wouldst not prevail on me to gratify thy wish, if it were not + that I entertain such affection for thee, and, indeed, first + made the proposal myself. Besides, if we consider it, man has + quite a peculiar pleasure in making proselytes; in bringing what + he values in himself into view also, without himself, on others; + causing others to enjoy what he enjoys; finding in others his + own likeness, represented and reflected back to him. In sooth, + if this is selfishness, it is of the most laudable and lovable + sort,--that selfishness which has made us men and keeps us so. + From this universal feeling, then, apart from my friendship to + thee, I shall be happy in having such a scholar in the great + youth-renewing art. But, as from a master it may be expected + that he shall produce no botcher by his training, I confess + myself a little at a loss how to set about it. I told thee + already that neither recipes nor instructions would avail: the + practice cannot be taught by universal rules. For thy sake, and + from the wish to propagate my doctrine, I am ready to make any + sacrifice. The greatest my power for the present moment I will + now propose to thee. I shall leave my servant here,--a sort of + waiting-man and conjurer,--who, if he does not understand + preparing every thing, if he has not yet been initiated into all + the mysteries, can apply my preparations perfectly, and, in the + first stage of the attempt, will be of great use to thee, till + once thou have worked thy way so far into the art, that I may + reveal to thee the higher secrets also.” + + “How!” cried the major, “thou hast stages and degrees in thy art + of making young? Thou hast secrets, even for the initiated?” + + “No doubt of it,” replied the other. “That were but a sorry art + which could be comprehended all at once, the last point of which + could be seen by one just entering its precincts.” + + Without loss of time the waiting-man was formally consigned to + the major, who engaged to treat him handsomely. The baroness was + called on for drawers, boxes, glasses, to what purpose she knew + not; the partition of the toilet-store went forward; the friends + kept together in a gay and sprightly mood till after nightfall. + At moonrise, some time later, the guest took his leave, + promising erelong to return. + + The major reached his chamber pretty much fatigued. He had risen + early, had not spared himself throughout the day, and now hoped + very soon to get to bed. But here, instead of one servant, he + found two. The old groom, in his old way, rapidly undressed him; + but now the waiting-man stepped forth, and signified, that, for + appliances of a renovating and cosmetic nature, the peculiar + season was night, that so their effects, assisted by a peaceful + sleep, might be stronger and safer. The major was obliged to + content himself, and let his head be anointed, his face painted, + his eyebrows pencilled, and his lips tipped with salve. Besides + all this, there were various ceremonies still required; nay, the + very night-cap was not to be put on immediately, not till a net, + or even a fine-leather cap, had been drawn on next the head. + + The major laid himself in bed with a sort of unpleasant feeling, + which, however, he had no time to investigate the nature of; as + he very soon fell asleep. But, if we might speak with his + spirit, we should say he felt a little mummy-like, somewhat + between a sick man and a man embalmed. Yet the sweet image of + Hilaria, encircled with the gayest hopes, soon led him into a + refreshing sleep. + + In the morning, at the proper hour, the groom was ready in his + place. All that pertained to his master’s equipment lay in + wonted order on the chairs; and the major was just on the point + of rising, when the new attendant entered, and strongly + protested against any such precipitation. He must rest, he must + wait, if their enterprise were to prosper, if they were to be + rewarded for their pains and labor. The major now learned that + he had to rise by and by, to take a slight breakfast, and then + go into a bath, which was already prepared for him. The + regulations were inflexible, they required a strict observance; + and some hours passed away under these occupations. + + The major abridged the resting-time after his bath, and thought + to get his clothes about him: for he was by nature expeditious, + and at present he longed to see Hilaria; but in this point also + his new servant thwarted him, and signified, that in all cases + he must drop the thought of being in a hurry. Whatever he did, + it appeared, must be done leisurely and pleasurably; but the + time of dressing was especially to be considered as a cheerful + hour for conversation with one’s self. + + The valet’s manner of proceeding completely agreed with his + words. But, in return, the major, when, on stepping forward to + the glass, he saw himself trimmed out in the neatest fashion, + really thought that he was better dressed than formerly. Without + many words the conjurer had changed the very uniform into a + newer cut, having spent the night in working at it. An + apparently so quick rejuvenescence put the major in his + liveliest mood; so that he felt himself as if renovated, both + without and within, and hastened with impatient longing to his + friends. + + He found his sister engaged in looking at the pedigree which she + had caused to be hung up; the conversation last night having + turned on some collateral relations, unmarried persons, or + resident in foreign countries, or entirely gone out of sight, + from all of whom the baroness and her brother had more or less + hope of heritages for themselves or their families. They + conversed a while on these matters, without mentioning the + circumstance that all their economical cares and exertions had + hitherto been solely directed to their children. By Hilaria’s + attachment the whole of this prospect had altered, yet neither + the major nor his sister could summon courage to mention it + further at this moment. + + The baroness left the room: the major was standing alone before + this laconic history of his family; Hilaria stepped in to him; + she leaned herself on him in a kind, childlike way, looked at + the parchment, and asked him whom of all these he had known, and + who of them were still left and living. + + The major began his delineation with the oldest of whom any dim + recollection remained with him from childhood. Then he proceeded + farther; painted the characters of several fathers, the likeness + or unlikeness of their children to them; remarked that the + grandfather often re-appeared in the grandson; spoke, by the + way, of the influence of certain women, wedded out of stranger + families, and sometimes changing the character of whole + branches. He eulogized the virtue of many an ancestor and + relative, nor did he hide their failings. Such as had brought + shame on their lineage he passed in silence. At length he + reached the lowest lines. Here stood his brother, the chief + marshal himself, and his sister, and beneath him his son with + Hilaria at his side. + + “These two look each other straight enough in the face,” said + the major; not adding what he thought of the matter in his + heart. + + After a pause Hilaria answered, in a meek, small tone, and + almost with a sigh, “Yet those, surely, are not to blame who + look upwards.” At the same time she looked up to him with a pair + of eyes out of which her whole love was speaking. + + “Do I understand thee rightly?” said the major, turning round to + her. + + “I can say nothing,” answered she, with a smile, “which you do + not know already.” + + “Thou makest me the happiest man under the sun,” cried he, and + fell at her feet. “Wilt thou be mine?” + + “For Heaven’s sake, rise! I am thine forever.” + + The baroness entered. Though not surprised, she rather + hesitated. “If it be wrong, sister,” said the major, “the blame + is thine: if it be right, we will thank thee forever.” + + The baroness from youth upwards had so loved her brother that + she preferred him to all men; and perhaps Hilaria’s attachment + itself had, if not arisen from this sisterly partiality, at + least been cherished by it. All three now united in one love, in + one delight; and thus the happiest hours flew over them. Yet, at + last, their eyes re-opened to the world around them likewise; + and this rarely stands in unison with such emotions. + + They now again bethought them of the son. For him Hilaria had + been destined: this he himself well knew. Directly after + finishing the business with the chief marshal, the major had + appointed his son to expect him in the garrison, that they might + settle every thing together, and conduct these purposes to a + happy issue. But now, by an unexpected occurrence, the whole + state of matters had been thrown out of joint; the circumstances + which before plied into one another so kindly, now seemed to be + assuming a hostile aspect; and it was not easy to foresee what + turn the affair would take, what temper would seize the + individuals concerned in it. + + Meanwhile the major was obliged to resolve on visiting his son, + to whom he had already announced himself. Not without + reluctance, not without singular forecastings, not without pain + at even for a short time leaving Hilaria, he at last, after much + lingering, took the road, and, leaving groom and horses behind + him, proceeded with his cosmetic valet, who had now become an + indispensable appendage, towards the town where his son resided. + + Both saluted and embraced each other cordially after so long a + separation. They had much to communicate, yet they did not just + commence with what lay nearest their hearts. The son went into + copious talk about his hopes of speedy advancement: in return + for which the father gave him precise accounts of what had been + discussed and determined between the elder members of the + family, both in regard to fortune in general, to the individual + estates, and every thing pertaining to them. + + The conversation was, in some degree, beginning to flag, when + the son took heart, and said to his father, with a smile, “You + treat me very tenderly, dear father; and I thank you for it. You + tell me of properties and fortune, and mention not the terms + under which, at least in part, they are to be mine: you keep + back the name of Hilaria; you expect that I should bring it + forth, that I should express my desire to be speedily united + with that amiable maiden.” + + At these words the major felt in great perplexity; but as, + partly by nature, partly by old habit, it was his way to collect + the purpose of the man he had to treat with before stating his + own, he now said nothing, and looked at the son with an + ambiguous smile. “You will not guess, father, what I have to + say,” continued the lieutenant: “I will speak it out briefly, + and once for all. I can depend on your affection, which, amid + such manifold care for me, has had due regard for my true + happiness as well as my fortune. Some time or other it must be + said: be it said, then, even now, Hilaria cannot make me happy! + I think of Hilaria as of a lovely relative, towards whom I would + live all my days with the friendliest feelings; but another has + awakened my affection, another has found my heart. The + attachment is irresistible: you will not make me miserable.” + + Not without effort did the major conceal the cheerfulness which + was rising over his face, and, in a tone of mild seriousness, + inquire of the son, Who the person was that had so entirely + subdued him?--“You must see her yourself, father,” said the + other; “for she can as little be described as comprehended. I + have but one fear,--that you yourself will be led away by her, + like every one that approaches her. By Heaven, it will be so; + and I shall see you the rival of your son!” + + “But who is she?” inquired the major. “If it is not in thy power + to delineate her personal characteristics, tell me, at least, of + her outward circumstances: these, at least, may be described.” + + “Well, then, father,” replied the son; “and yet these outward + circumstances, too, would be different in a different person, + would act otherwise on another. She is a young widow, heiress of + an old, rich man lately deceased; independent, and well meriting + to be so; acquainted with many, loved by just as many, courted + by just as many; yet, if I mistake not very greatly, in her + heart wholly mine.” + + With joyful vivacity, as the father kept silence, and gave no + sign of disapproval, the son proceeded to describe the conduct + of the fair widow towards him; told of her all-conquering grace; + recounted one by one her tender expressions of favor; in which + the father truly could see nothing but the light friendliness of + a universally courted woman, who, among so many, may indeed + prefer some one, yet without on that account entirely deciding + for him. Under any other circumstances he would doubtless have + endeavored to warn a son, nay, even a friend, of the + self-deception which might probably enough be at work here; but, + in the present case, he himself was so anxious for his son’s + being right, for the fair widow’s really loving him, and as soon + as possible deciding in his favor, that he either felt no + scruple of this sort, or banished any such from his mind, + perhaps even only concealed it. + + “Thou placest me in great perplexity,” began the father, after + some pause. “The whole arrangement between the surviving members + of our family depends on the understanding that thou wed + Hilaria. If she wed a stranger, the whole fair, careful + combination of a fine fortune falls to the ground again; and + thou thyself art not too well provided for. There is certainly + another way still, but one which sounds rather strange, and by + which thou wouldst gain very little: I, in my old days, might + wed Hilaria,--a plan which could hardly give thee any very high + satisfaction.” + + “The highest in the world!” exclaimed the lieutenant; “for who + can feel a true attachment, who can enjoy or anticipate the + happiness of love, without wishing every friend, every one whom + he values, the like supreme felicity? You are not old, father; + and how lovely is Hilaria! Even the transient thought of + offering her your hand bespeaks a youthful heart, an unimpaired + spirit. Let us take up this thought, this project, on the spot, + and consider and investigate it thoroughly. My own happiness + would be complete if I knew you happy: I could then rejoice in + good earnest, that the care you had bestowed on my destiny was + repaid on your own by so fair and high a recompense. I can now + with confidence and frankness, and true openness of heart, + conduct you to my fair one. You will approve of my feelings, + since you yourself feel: you will not impede the happiness of + your son, since you are advancing to your own happiness.” + + With these and other importunate words the lieutenant repressed + many a scruple which his father was for introducing, left him no + time to calculate, but hurried off with him to the fair widow, + whom they found in a commodious and splendid house, with a + select rather than numerous party, all engaged in cheerful + conversation. She was one of those female souls whom no man can + escape. With incredible address she contrived to make our major + the hero of this evening. The rest of the party seemed to be her + family: the major alone was her guest. His circumstances she + already knew very well; yet she had the skill to ask about them, + as if she were wishing, now at last, to get right information on + the subject from himself: and so, likewise, every individual of + the company was made to show some interest in the stranger. One + must have known his brother, a second his estates, a third + something else concerned with him; so that the major, in the + midst of a lively conversation, still felt himself to be the + centre. Moreover, he was sitting next the fair one; her eyes + were on him, her smile was directed to him: in a word, he felt + himself so comfortable, that he almost forgot the cause which + had brought him. She herself scarcely ever mentioned his son, + though the young man took a keen share in the conversation: it + seemed as if, in her eyes, he, like all the rest, was present + only on his father’s account. + + The guests strolled up and down the rooms, and grouped + themselves into accidental knots. The lieutenant stepped up to + his fair one, and asked, “What say you to my father?” + + With a smile she replied, “Methinks you might well take him as a + pattern. Do but look how neatly he is dressed! If his manner and + bearing are not better than his gentle son’s!” And thus she + continued to cry up and praise the father at the son’s expense; + awakening, by this means, a very mixed feeling of contentment + and jealousy in the young man’s heart. + + Erelong the lieutenant came in contact with his father, and + recounted all this to him. It made the major’s manner to his + fair hostess so much the more friendly; and she, on her side, + began to treat him on a more lively and trustful footing. In + short, we may say, that, when the company broke up, the major, + as well as the rest, already belonged to her and to her circle. + + A heavy rain prevented the guests from returning home as they + had come. Some coaches drove up, into which the walkers arranged + themselves: only the lieutenant, under the pretext that the + carriage was already too crowded, let his father drive away, and + staid behind. + + The major, on entering his apartment, felt actually confused and + giddy in mind, uncertain of himself; as is the case with us on + passing rapidly from one state to the opposite. The land still + seems in motion to a man who steps from shipboard, and the light + still quivers in the eye of him who comes at once into darkness. + So did the major still feel himself encircled with the presence + of that fair being. He wished still to see, to hear her, again + to see, again to hear her: and, after some consideration, he + forgave his son; nay, he thought him happy that he might pretend + to the appropriation of such loveliness. + + From these feelings he was roused by the lieutenant, who, with + lively expressions of rapture, rushed into the room, embraced + his father, and exclaimed, “I am the happiest man in the world!” + After several more of such preliminary phrases, the two at last + came to an explanation. The father remarked, that the fair lady + in conversing with him had not mentioned the son, or hinted at + him by a single syllable. “That is just her soft, silent, + half-concealing, half-discovering way, by which you become + certain of your wishes, and yet can never altogether get rid of + doubt. So was she wont to treat me hitherto; but your presence, + father, has done wonders. I confess it, I staid behind, that I + might see her one moment longer. I found her walking to and fro + in her still shining rooms; for I know it is her custom, when + the company is gone, no light must be extinguished. She walks + alone up and down in her magic halls, when the spirits are + dismissed which she had summoned thither. She accepted the + pretext under cover of which I came back. She spoke with kind + grace, though of indifferent matters. We walked to and fro + through the open doors, along the whole suite of chambers. We + had wandered several times to the end, into the little cabinet, + which is lighted only by a dim lamp. If she was beautiful while + moving under the blaze of the lustres, she was infinitely more + so when illuminated by the soft gleam of the lamp. We had again + reached the cabinet; and, in turning, we paused for an instant. + I know not what it was that forced this audacity on me: I know + not how I could venture, in the midst of the most ordinary + conversation, all at once to seize her hand, to kiss that soft + hand, and to press it to my heart. It was not drawn away. + ‘Heavenly creature!’ cried I, ‘conceal thyself no longer from + me. If in this fair heart dwells favor for the happy man who + stands before thee, disclose it, confess it! The present is the + best, the highest time. Banish me, or take me to thy arms!’ + + “I know not what all I said, what I looked and expressed. She + withdrew not, she resisted not, she answered not. I ventured to + clasp her in my arms, to ask her if she would be mine. I kissed + her with rapture; she pushed me away: ‘Well, yes, then: yes!’ or + some such words, said she, in a faint tone, as if embarrassed. I + retired, and cried, ‘I will send my father: he shall speak for + me.’--‘Not a word to him of this!’ replied she, following me + some steps. ‘Go away: forget what has happened.’” + + What the major thought we shall not attempt to unfold. He said, + however, to his son, “What is to be done now, thinkest thou? To + my mind the affair is, by accident, so well introduced, that we + may now go to work a little more formally; that perhaps it were + well if I called there to-morrow, and proposed in thy name.” + + “For Heaven’s sake, no, father!” cried the son: “it would spoil + the whole business. That look, that tone, must be disturbed and + deranged by no formality. It is enough, father, that your + presence accelerates this union without your uttering a word on + the subject. Yes, it is to you that I owe my happiness! The + respect which my loved one entertains for you has conquered + every scruple, and never would your son have found so good a + moment had not his father prepared it for him.” + + These and such disclosures occupied them till far in the night. + They mutually settled their plans: the major, simply for form’s + sake, was to make a parting call, and then set out to arrange + his marriage with Hilaria; the son was to forward and accelerate + his, as he should find it possible. + + + _Hersilia’s Postscript._ + + Here I break off, partly because I can write no more at present, + but partly also to fix a thorn in your heart. Now, answer the + question for yourself: How strangely, from all that you have + read, must matters stand with these ladies at present! Till now + they had no mutual relation to each other: they were strangers, + though each seemed to have the prospect of a marriage which was + to approximate them. And now we find them in company, but by + themselves, without male attendance, and wandering over the + world. What can have passed, what can be to follow? You, my + worthy sir, will doubtless get quit of the difficulty by + mournfully exclaiming to yourself, “These, also, are + renunciants!” And here you are perfectly right: but expectants + too? This I durst not discover, even if I knew it. + + To show you the way how this amiable pair may be met with on + your wandering, I adopt a singular expedient. You herewith + receive a little clipping of a map: when you lay this in its + place on the full map of the country, the magnetic needle + painted here will point with its barb to the spot whither the + desirable are moving. This riddle is not so very hard to read: + but I could wish, that, from time to time, you would do the like + for us, and send a little snip of chart over hither; we should + then, in some measure, understand to what quarter our thoughts + were to be directed: and how glad should we be if the needle + were at last attracted by ourselves. May all good be given you, + and all errors forgiven! + + + It is said of women, that they cannot send away a letter without + tacking postscripts to the end of it. Whatever inferences you + may draw from the fact, I cannot deny that this is my second + postscript, and the place, after all, where I am to tell you the + flower of the whole matter. This arrow-shaft, on the little + patch of map, Hilaria herself was at the pains to draw and to + decorate with such dainty plumage: the sharp point, however, was + the fair widow’s work. Have a care that it do not scratch, or + perhaps pierce you. Our bargain is, that whenever you meet, be + this where it may, you are forthwith to present the small shred + of paper, and so be the sooner and more heartily admitted into + trust. + + + A WORD FROM THE EDITOR. + +That a certain deficiency, perhaps discernible in the parts, certainly +discernible here and there in the whole, cannot, henceforth, be avoided, +we ourselves take courage to forewarn the reader, without fearing +thereby to thwart his enjoyment. In the present task, undertaken truly +with forethought and good heart, we still meet with all the +inconveniences which have delayed the publication of these little +volumes for twenty years. This period has altered nothing for the +better. We still find ourselves in more than one way impeded, at this or +that place threatened with one obstruction or another. For we have to +solve the uncertain problem of selecting from those most multifarious +papers what is worthiest and most important, so that it be grateful to +thinking and cultivated minds, and refresh and forward them in many a +province of life. Now, here are the journals, more or less complete, +lying before us; sometimes communicable without scruple; sometimes, +again by reason of their unimportant, and likewise of their too +important contents, seemingly unfit for insertion. + +There are not even wanting sections devoted to the actual world, on +statistic, technical, and other practical external subjects. To cut +these off as incongruous, we do not determine without reluctance; as +life and inclination, knowledge and passion, strangely combining +together, go on here in the straitest union. + +Then we come on sketches written with clear views and for glorious +objects, but not so consequent and deep searching that we can fully +approve of them, or suppose, that, in this new and so far advanced time, +they could be readable and influential. + +So likewise we fall in with little anecdotes, destitute of connection, +difficult to arrange under heads, some of them, when closely examined, +not altogether unobjectionable. Here and there we discover more complete +narratives, several of which, though already known to the world, +nevertheless demand a place here, and at the same time require +exposition and conclusion. Of poems, also, there is no want; and yet it +is not always easy, not always possible, to decide where they should be +introduced with best regard to the preserving and assisting of their +true tone, which is but too easily disturbed and overturned. If we are +not, therefore, as we have too often done in by-gone years, again to +stop in the middle of this business, nothing will remain for us but to +impart what we possess, to give out what has been preserved. Some +chapters, accordingly, the completion of which might have been +desirable, we now offer in their first hurried form, that so the reader +may not only feel the existence of a want here, but also be informed +what this want is, and complete in his own mind whatever, partly from +the nature of the object, partly from the intervening circumstances, +cannot be presented to him perfectly completed in itself, or furnished +with all its requisite accompaniments. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER XIII. + + +The proposed riddle raised some scruples in Wilhelm’s mind; yet erelong +he began to feel a still attraction in the matter, an impulse of longing +to reach that appointed line, and follow its direction: as, indeed, we +are wont to seize with eagerness any specific object that excites our +imagination, our active faculties, and to wish that we might accomplish +it and partake of it. + +A child that, in asking alms of us, puts into our hand a card with five +lottery numbers written on it, we do not lightly turn away unserved; and +it depends on the moment, especially if it be shortly before the +drawing, whether we shall not, with accidentally stimulated hope, quite +against our usual custom, stake heavy shares upon these very numbers. + +The wanderer now tried on a large map the little fragment which had been +sent him, and stood surprised, amazed, affrighted, as he saw the needle +pointing straight to Mignon’s native place, to the houses where she had +lived. What his peculiar feelings were, we do not find declared; but +whoever can bring back to memory the end of the _Apprenticeship_, will +in his own heart and mind, without difficulty, call forth the like. + +The chief cause, however, why we meet with scantier records of this +excursion than we could have wished, may probably be this: that Wilhelm +chanced to fall in with a young, lively companion of his journey, by +means of whom it became easy to retain for himself and his friends a +vivid and strong remembrance of this pious pilgrimage without any aid of +writing. Unexpectedly he finds himself beside a painter,--one of that +class of persons whom we often see wandering about the world, and still +oftener figuring in romances and dramas, but, in this case, an +individual who showed himself at once to be really a distinguished +artist. The two very soon got acquainted, mutually communicated their +desires, projects, purposes. And now it appears that this skilful +artist, who delights in painting aquatical landscapes, and can decorate +his pieces with rich, well-imagined, well-executed additions and +accompaniments, has been passionately attracted by Mignon’s form, +destiny, and being. He has often painted her already, and is now going +forth to copy from nature the scenes where she passed her early years; +amid these to represent the dear child in happy and unhappy +circumstances and moments, and thus to make her image, which lives in +all tender hearts, present also to the sense of the eye. + + +The friends soon reach the Lago Maggiore: Wilhelm endeavors by degrees +to find out the places indicated. Rural palaces, spacious monasteries, +ferries and bays, capes and landings, are visited; nor are the dwellings +of courageous and kind-hearted fishermen forgotten, or the cheerfully +built villages along the shore, or the gay mansions on the neighboring +heights. All this the artist can seize, to all of it communicate, by +light and coloring, the feeling suitable for each scene; so that Wilhelm +passes his days and his hours in heart-searching emotion. + +In several of the leaves stood Mignon represented on the foreground, as +she had looked and lived: Wilhelm striving by correct description to +assist the happy imagination of his friend, and reduce these general +conceptions within the stricter limits of individuality. + +And thus you might see the boy-girl set forth in various attitudes and +manifold expression. Beneath the lofty portal of the splendid +country-house she is standing, thoughtfully contemplating the marble +statues in the hall. Here she rocks herself, plashing to and fro among +the waters, in the fastened boat: there she climbs the mast, and shows +herself as a fearless sailor. + +But distinguished beyond all the other pictures was one which the +artist, on his journey hither, and prior to his meeting with Wilhelm, +had combined and painted with all its characteristic features. In the +heart of the rude mountains shines the graceful seeming-boy, encircled +with toppling cliffs, besprayed with cataracts, in the middle of a +motley horde. Never, perhaps, was a grim, precipitous, primeval +mountain-pass more beautifully or expressively relieved with living +figures. The party-colored, gypsy-looking group, at once rude and +fantastic, strange and common, too loose to cause fear, too singular to +awaken confidence. Stout beasts of burden are bearing along, now over +paths made of trees, now down by steps hewn in the rock, a tawdry, +chaotic heap of luggage, round which all the instruments of a deafening +music hang dangling to and fro, to affright the ear from time to time +with rude tones. Amid all this the lovely child, self-collected without +defiance, indignant without resistance, led, but not dragged. Who would +not have looked with pleasure at this singular and impressive picture? +Given in strong characters, frowned the stern obstruction of these +rock-masses, riven asunder by gloomy chasms, towered up together, +threatening to hinder all outgate, had not a bold bridge betokened the +possibility of again coming into union with the rest of the world. Nor +had the artist, with his quick feeling of fictitious truth, forgot to +indicate the entrance of a cave, which you might equally regard as the +natural laboratory of huge crystals, or as the abode of a fabulously +frightful brood of dragons. + +Not without a holy fear did our friends visit the marchese’s palace. The +old man was still absent on his travels; but, in this circle also, the +two wanderers, knowing well how to apply and conduct themselves, both +towards spiritual and temporal authorities, were kindly received and +entertained. + +The absence of the owner also was to Wilhelm very pleasant; for although +he could have wished to see the worthy gentleman, and would have +heartily saluted him, he felt afraid of the marchese’s thankful +generosity, and of any forced recompense of that true, loving conduct +for which he had already obtained the fairest reward. + +And thus our friends went floating in gay boats from shore to shore, +cruising the lake in every direction. It was the fairest season of the +year: and they missed neither sunrise nor sunset, nor any of the +thousand shadings which the heavenly light first bounteously dispenses +over its own firmament, and from thence over lake and land; not +appearing itself in its perfect glory till imaged back from the waters. + +A luxuriant vegetable world, planted by Nature, watched over and +forwarded by Art, on every side surrounded them. The first chestnut +forests they had already greeted with welcome; and now they could not +restrain a mournful smile, as, lying under the shade of cypresses, they +saw the laurel mounting up, the pomegranates reddening, orange and +citron trees unfolding themselves in blossoms, and fruit at the same +time glowing forth from the dark foliage. + +Through means of his vivid associate, Wilhelm had another enjoyment +prepared for him. Our old friend had not been favored by Nature with the +eye of a painter. Susceptible of visual beauty only in the human form, +he now felt, that by the presence of a companion, alike disposed, but +trained to quite different enjoyments and activities, the surrounding +world also was opened to his sight. + +By viewing, under conversational direction, the changing glories of the +region, and still more by concentrated imitation, his eyes were opened, +and his mind freed from all its once obstinate doubts. Hitherto all +copies of Italian scenery had seemed to him suspicious: the sky, he +thought, was too blue; the violet tone of those charming distances was +lovely, but untrue; and the abundant, fresh green too bright and gay; +but now he united in his inmost perceptions with his new friend, and +learned, susceptible as he was, to look at the earth with that friend’s +eyes: and, while Nature unfolded the open secret of her beauty, he could +not but feel an irresistible attraction towards Art as towards her most +fit expositor. + +But his pictorial friend quite unexpectedly anticipated his wishes in +another point. The artist had already many times started some gay song, +and thus, in hours of rest, delightfully enlivened and accompanied their +movement when out in long voyages over the water. But now it happened, +that, in one of the palaces they were visiting, he found a curious, +peculiar stringed instrument,--a lute of small size, strong, well toned, +convenient, and portable: he soon contrived to tune it, and then handled +the strings so pleasantly, and so well entertained those about him, +that, like a new Orpheus, he subdued by soft harmonies the usually +rigorous and dry castellan, and kindly constrained him to lend the +instrument for a time, under the condition, that, before departing, the +singer should faithfully return it, and, in the interim, should come +back some Sunday or holiday, and again gratify them by his music. + +Quite another spirit now enlivened lake and shore: boat and skiff strove +which should be nearest our friends; even freight and market barges +lingered in their neighborhood; rows of people on the beach followed +their course; when landing they were encircled by a gay-minded throng; +when departing each blessed them with a heart contented, yet full of +longing. + +And now, at last, to any third party who had watched our friends, it +must have been apparent enough that their mission was, in fact, +accomplished: all scenes and localities referring to Mignon had been, +not only sketched, but partly brought into light, shade, and color, +partly in warm, mid-day hours, finished with the utmost fidelity. In +effecting this they had shifted from place to place in a peculiar way, +as Wilhelm’s vow frequently impeded them: this, however, they had now +and then contrived to evade by explaining it as valid only on land, and +on water not applicable. + +Indeed, Wilhelm himself now felt that their special purpose was +attained; yet he could not deny that the wish to see Hilaria and the +fair widow must also be satisfied if he wished to leave this country +with a free mind. His friend, to whom he had imparted their story, was +no less curious, and already prided himself in the thought, that, in one +of his paintings, there was a vacant space, which, as an artist, he +might decorate with the forms of these gentle persons. + +Accordingly, they now cruised to and fro, watching the points where +strangers are wont first to enter this paradise. Their hope of meeting +friends here had already been made known to the boatmen; and the search +had not lasted long when there came in sight a splendid barge, which +they instantly made chase of, and forbore not passionately to grapple +with on reaching it. The dames, in some degree alarmed at this movement, +soon recovered their composure as Wilhelm produced his little piece of +chart; and the two, without hesitation, recognized the arrow which +themselves had drawn on it. The friends were then kindly invited to come +on board the ladies’ barge, which they did without an instant’s delay. + +And now let us figure to ourselves these four, as they sit together in +the daintiest apartment, the most blissful world lying round them, +looking in each other’s faces, fanned by soft airs, rocked on glittering +waves. Imagine the female pair, as we lately saw them described; the +male, as they have together for weeks been leading a wayfaring life; and +after a little reflection we behold them all in the most delightful, but +also the most dangerous situation. + +For the three who have before, willingly or unwillingly, ranked +themselves in the number of renunciants, we have not the worst to fear: +the fourth, however, may, probably enough, too soon see himself admitted +into that order, like the others. + +After crossing the lake several times, and pointing out the most +interesting spots, both on the shore and the islands, our two wanderers +conducted their fair friends to the place they were to pass the night +in; where a dexterous guide, selected for this voyage, had taken care to +provide all possible conveniences. Wilhelm’s vow was now a harsh but +suitable master of the ceremonies; for he and his companion had already +passed three days in this very station, and exhausted all that was +remarkable in the environs. The artist, not restrained by any vow, +begged permission to attend the dames on shore: this, however, they +declined, and so the party separated at some distance from the harbor. + +Scarcely had the singer stepped into his skiff, which hastily drew back +from the beach, when he seized his lute, and gracefully began raising +that strangely plaintive song which the Venetian gondoliers send forth +in clear melody from land to sea, and from sea to land. Expert enough in +this feat, which in the present instance proceeded with peculiar +tenderness and expression, he strengthened his voice in proportion to +the increasing distance; so that on the shore you would have thought you +heard him still singing in the same place. He at last laid his lute +aside, trusting to his voice alone, and had the satisfaction to observe +that the dames, instead of retiring into their house, were pleased to +linger on the shore. He felt so inspired that he could not cease, not +even when night and remoteness had withdrawn every thing from view; till +at last his calmer friend reminded him, that, if darkness did favor his +tones, the skiff had already long passed the limits within which these +could take effect. + +According to promise, the two parties again met next day on the open +lake. Flying along, they formed acquaintance with the lovely series of +prospects, now standing forth in separate distinction, then gathering +into rows, and seen behind each other, and at last fading away, as the +higher eclipsed the lower; all which, repeating itself in the waters, +affords in such excursions the most varied entertainment. Nor, in the +course of these sights, did the copies of them, from our artist’s +portfolio, fail to awaken thoughts and anticipations of what, in the +present hour, was not imparted. For all such matters the still Hilaria +seemed to have a free and fair feeling. + +But, towards noon, singularity again came into play: the ladies landed +alone; the men cruised before the harbor. And now the singer endeavored +to accommodate his music to a shorter distance, where not only the +general, soft, and quickly warbling tone of desire, but likewise a +certain gay, graceful importunity might be expected to tell. And here +now and then some one or other of the songs, for which we stand indebted +to our friends in the “Apprenticeship,” would come hovering over his +strings, over his lips; but out of well-meant regard to the feelings of +his hearers, as well as to his own, he restrained himself in this +particular, and roved at large in foreign images and emotions, whereby +his performance gained in effect, and reached the ear with so much the +more insinuating blandishment. The two friends, blockading the harbor in +this way, would not have recollected the trivial concern of eating and +drinking, had not the more provident fair ones sent them over a supply +of dainty bits, to which an accompanying draught of wine had the best +possible relish. + +Every separation, every stipulation, that comes in the way of our +gathering passions, sharpens instead of stifling them; and in this case, +as in others, it may be presumed that the short absence had awakened +equal longing in both parties. At all events, the dames in their gay, +dazzling gondola were very soon to be seen coming back. + +This word gondola, however, let us not take up in the melancholy +Venetian meaning: here it signifies a cheerful, commodious, social bark; +which, had our little company been twice as large, would still have been +spacious enough for them. + +Some days were spent in this peculiar way, between meeting and parting, +between separation and social union; but, amid the enjoyment of the most +delightful intercourse, departure and bereavement still hovered before +the agitated soul. In presence of the new friends the old came back into +the mind: were these new ones absent, each could not but admit that +already they had taken deep root in his remembrance. None but a composed +and tried spirit, like our fair widow, could in such moments have +maintained herself in complete equilibrium. + +Hilaria’s heart had been too deeply wounded to admit of any new entire +impression: but as the grace of a fair scene encircles us of itself with +soothing influences; so, when the mildness of tender-hearted friends +conspires with it, there comes over sense and soul a peculiar mood of +softness, that recalls to us, as in dreaming visions, the past and the +absent, and withdraws the present, as if it were but a show, into +spiritual remoteness. Thus, alternately rocked this way and that, +attracted and repelled, approximated and removed, they wavered and +wended for several days. + +Without more narrowly investigating these circumstances, the shrewd, +experienced guide imagined he observed some alteration in the calm +demeanor of his heroines; and when at last the whimsical part of their +predicament became known to him, he contrived here also to devise the +most grateful expedient. For, as our two shipmen were again conducting +the ladies to their usual place of dinner, they were met by another gay +bark, which, falling alongside of theirs, exhibited a well-covered +table, with all the cheerful invitations of a festive repast: the +friends could now wait in company the lapse of several hours, and only +night decided the customary separation. + +Happily the artist and Wilhelm had, in their former voyagings, +neglected, out of a certain natural caprice, to visit the most highly +ornamented of all the islands, and had even yet never thought of showing +to their fair friends the many artificial and somewhat dilapidated +curiosities of the place, before these glorious scenes of creation were +entirely gone through. At last, however, new light rose on their minds. +They took counsel with the guide: he contrived forthwith to expedite +their voyage, and all looked on it as the most blissful they had yet +undertaken. They could now hope and expect, after so many interrupted +joys, to spend three whole heavenly days assembled together in a +sequestered abode. + +And here we cannot but bestow on this guide our high commendation: he +belonged to that nimble, active, dexterous class, who, in attendance on +successive parties, often travel the same roads; perfectly acquainted +with the conveniences and inconveniences on all of them, they understand +how to use the one and evade the other, and, without leaving their own +profit out of sight, still to conduct their patrons more cheaply and +pleasantly through the country than without such aid would have been +possible. + +At this time, also, a sufficient female train, belonging to our dames, +for the first time stepped forth in decided activity; and the fair widow +could now make it one of her conditions, that the friends were to remain +with her as guests, and content themselves with what she called her +moderate entertainment. In this point, too, all prospered; for the +cunning functionary had, on this occasion as on others, contrived to +make so good a use of the letters and introductions which his heroines +had brought with them, that, the owner of the place they were now about +to visit being absent, both castle and garden, kitchen included, were +thrown open for the service of the strangers,--nay, some prospect was +held out, even of the cellar. All things co-operated so harmoniously, +that our wanderers from the very first moment felt themselves as if at +home, as if born lords of this paradise. + +The whole luggage of the party was now carried to the island, an +arrangement producing much convenience to all; though the chief +advantage aimed at was, that the portfolios of our artist, now for the +first time all collected together, might afford him means to exhibit in +continuous sequence to his fair hostesses the route he had followed. +This task was undertaken by all parties with delight. Not that they +proceeded in the common style of amateur and artist, mutually +eulogizing: here was a gifted man, rewarded by the most sincere and +judicious praise. But that we fall not into the suspicion of attempting, +with general phrases, to palm on credulous readers what we could not +openly show them, let us here insert the judgment of a critic, who some +years afterwards viewed with studious admiration both the pieces here in +question, and the others of a like or similar sort by the same hand. + + + “He succeeds in representing the cheerful repose of + lake-prospects, where houses in friendly approximation, imaging + themselves in the clear wave, seem as if bathing in its depths; + shores encircled with green hills, behind which rise forest + mountains, and icy peaks of glaciers. The tone of coloring in + such scenes is gay, mirthfully clear; the distances, as if + overflowed with softening vapor, which, from watered hollows and + river valleys, mounts up grayer and mistier, and indicates their + windings. No less is the master’s art to be praised in views + from valleys lying nearer the high Alpine ranges, where + declivities slope down, luxuriantly overgrown, and fresh streams + roll hastily along by the foot of rocks. + + “With exquisite skill, in the deep, shady trees of the + foreground, he gives the distinctive character of the several + species; satisfying us in the form of the whole, as in the + structure of the branches and the details of the leaves,--no + less so in the fresh green, with its manifold shadings, where + soft airs appear as if fanning us with benignant breath, and the + lights as if thereby put in motion. + + “In the middle ground his lively green tone grows fainter by + degrees, and at last, on the more distant mountain tops, passing + into weak violet, weds itself with the blue of the sky. But our + artist is, above all, happy in his paintings of high Alpine + regions; in seizing the simple greatness and stillness of their + character; the wide pastures on the slopes, clothed with the + freshest green, where dark, solitary firs stand forth from the + grassy carpet; and from high cliffs foaming brooks rush down. + Whether he relieve his pasturages with grazing cattle, or the + narrow, winding, rocky path with mules and laden pack-horses, he + paints all with equal truth and richness: still introduced in + the proper place, and not in too great copiousness, they + decorate and enliven these scenes without interrupting, without + lessening, their peaceful solitude. The execution testifies a + master’s hand,--easy with a few sure strokes, and yet complete. + In his later pieces he employed glittering English, permanent + colors on paper: these pictures, accordingly, are of + pre-eminently blooming tone, cheerful, yet, at the same time, + strong and sated. + + “His views of deep mountain chasms, where round and round + nothing fronts us but dead rock; where, in the abyss, + overspanned by its bold arch, the wild stream rages,--are, + indeed, of less attraction than the former; yet their truth + excites us: we admire the great effect of the whole, produced at + so little cost, by a few expressive strokes, and masses of local + colors. + + “With no less accuracy of character can he represent the regions + of the topmost Alpine ranges, where neither tree nor shrub any + more appears; but only, amid the rocky teeth and snow summits, a + few sunny spots clothe themselves with a soft sward. Beautiful + and balmy and inviting as he colors these spots, he has here + wisely forborne to introduce grazing herds; for these regions + give food only to the chamois, and a perilous employment to the + wild-hay-men. + + “We shall not deviate from our purpose of bringing the condition + of these waste scenes as close as possible to the conception of + our readers, if to this word, wild-hay-man, or _Wildheuer_, we + subjoin a short explanation. It is a name given to the poorer + inhabitants of the upland Alpine ranges, who occupy themselves + in making hay from such grassy spots as are inaccessible to + cattle. For this purpose they climb, with cramps on their feet, + the steepest and most dangerous cliffs; or from high crags let + themselves down by ropes when this is necessary, and so reach + these grassy patches. The grass once cut and dried to hay, they + throw it down from the heights into the deeper valleys; where, + being collected together, it is sold to cattle-owners, with + whom, on account of its superior quality, it finds a ready + market.” + + +These paintings, which must have gratified and attracted any eye, were +viewed by Hilaria, in particular, with great attention; and from her +observations it became clear, that, in this department, she herself was +no stranger. To the artist, least of all, did this continue secret: nor +could approval from any one have been more precious to him than from +this most graceful of all persons. Her companion, therefore, kept +silence no longer, but blamed Hilaria for not coming forward with her +own accomplishment, but lingering in this case as she always did,--now +where the question was not of being praised or blamed, but of being +instructed. A fairer opportunity, she said, might not easily occur. + +And now it came to light, when she was thus forced to exhibit her +portfolios, what a talent was lying hid behind this still and most +lovely nature: the capacity had been derived from birth, and diligently +cultivated by practice. She possessed a true eye; a delicate hand, such +as women, accustomed to use it in their dressing and decorating +operations, find available in higher art. You might, doubtless, observe +unsureness in the strokes, and, in consequence, a too undecided +character in the objects: but you could not help admiring the most +faithful execution; though the whole was not seized in its happiest +effect, not grouped and adjusted with the skill of an artist. She is +afraid, you would say, of profaning her object, if she keep not +completely true to it: hence she becomes precise and stiff, and loses +herself in details. + +But now, by the great, free talent, by the bold hand of the artist, she +feels rising, awakening within her, whatever genuine feeling and taste +had till now slumbered in her mind: she perceives that she has but to +take heart, and earnestly and punctually to follow some fundamental +maxims which the artist, with penetrating judgment and friendly +importunity, is repeating, and impressing on her. That sureness of +stroke comes of its own accord; she by degrees dwells less on the parts +than on the whole: and thus the fairest capability rises on a sudden to +fulfilment; as a rosebud, which in the evening we passed by unobservant, +breaks forth in the morning at sunrise before our face; and the living, +quivering movement of this lordly blossom, struggling out to the light, +seems almost visible before our eyes. + +Nor did this intellectual culture remain without moral effects; for, on +a pure spirit, it produces a magic impression to be conscious of that +heartfelt thankfulness natural towards any one to whom it stands +indebted for decisive instruction. In this case it was the first glad +emotion which had risen in Hilaria’s soul for many a week. To see this +lordly world lying round her day after day, and now at once to feel the +instantly acquired, more perfect gift of representing it! What delight +in figures and tints, to be approaching nearer the Unspeakable! She felt +herself surprised as with a new youth, and could not refuse a peculiar +kindliness to the man who had procured for her such happiness. + +Thus did the two sit together: you could scarcely have determined +whether he were readier in communicating secret advantages in art, or +she in seizing them and turning them to practice. The happiest rivalry, +such as too seldom rises between scholar and master, here took place. +Many a time you might observe the friend preparing with some decisive +stroke to influence her drawing; which she, on the other hand, would +gently decline, hastening to do the wished, the necessary, of her own +accord, and always to her master’s astonishment. + +The fair widow, in the mean while, walked along the terraces with +Wilhelm, under cypresses and pines, now under vine, now under orange +groves, and at last could not but fulfil the faintly indicated wish of +her new friend, and disclose to him the strange entanglement by which +the two fair pilgrims, cut off from their former ties, and straitly +united to one another, had been sent forth to wander over the world. + +Wilhelm, who wanted not the gift of accurately noting what he saw, took +down her narrative some time afterwards in writing: this, as he compiled +it and transmitted it by Hersilia to Natalia, we purpose by and by +communicating to our readers. + +The last evening was now come; and a rising, most clear, full moon +concealed the transition from day to night. The party had assembled and +seated themselves on one of the highest terraces, to see distinct and +unimpeded, and glittering in the sheen of east and west, the peaceful +lake, hidden partly in its length, but visible over all its breadth. + +Whatever in such circumstances might be talked of, it was natural once +more to repeat the hundred times repeated; to mention the beauties of +this sky, of this water, of this land, under the influences of a strong +sun and milder moon,--nay, exclusively and lyrically to recognize and +describe them. + +But what none of them uttered, what each durst scarcely avow to himself, +was the deep, mournful feeling which, stronger or weaker, but with equal +truth and tenderness, was beating in every bosom. The presentiment of +parting diffused itself over present union: a gradual stagnation was +becoming almost painful. + +Then at last the singer roused himself, summoned up his resolution; with +strong tones, preluding on his instrument; heedless of the former +well-meant reserve. Mignon’s figure, with the first soft song of the +gentle child, were hovering before him. Passionately hurried over the +limits, with longing touch awakening the sweetly sounding strings, he +began to raise,-- + + + “Dost know the land where citrons, lemons, grow, + Gold oranges ’neath dusky foliage”.... + + +Hersilia rose in deepest agitation, and hurried away, veiling her face: +our fair widow, with a motion of refusal, waved her hand towards the +singer; while she caught Wilhelm’s arm with the other. The perplexed and +half-unconscious youth followed Hilaria: Wilhelm, by his more +considerate guide, was led after them. And now, when they stood all four +under the high moonshine, the general emotion was no longer to be +concealed. The women threw themselves into each other’s arms; the men +embraced each other; and Luna was witness of the noblest, chastest +tears. Some recollection slowly returned: they forced themselves +asunder, silent, under strange feelings and wishes, from which hope was +already cut off. And now our artist, whom his friend dragged with him, +felt himself here under the void heaven, in the solemn, lovely hour of +night, initiated in the first stage of renunciation, which those friends +had already passed through, though they now saw themselves again in +danger of being sharply tried. + +Not till late had the young men gone to rest; awakening in the early +morning, they took heart; thought themselves now strong enough for a +farewell to this paradise; devised many plans for still, without +violation of duty, at least lingering in the pleasant neighborhood. + +While purposing to introduce their projects to this effect, they were +cut short by intelligence, that, with the earliest break of day, the +ladies had departed. A letter from the hand of our Queen of Hearts gave +them more precise information. You might have doubted whether sense +rather than goodness, love rather than friendship, acknowledgment of +merit rather than soft, bashful favor, was expressed in it. But, alas! +in the conclusion stood the hard request, that our two wanderers were +neither to follow their heroines, nor anywhere to seek them; nay, if +they chanced to see each other, they were faithfully to avoid meeting. + +And now the paradise, as if by the touch of an enchanter’s rod, was +changed for our friends into an utter desert; and certainly they would +have smiled at themselves had they perceived at this moment how unjust +and unthankful they were on a sudden become to so fair and remarkable a +scene. No self-seeking hypochondriac could so sharply and spitefully +have rated and censured the decay of the buildings, the neglected +condition of the walls, the weathered aspect of the towers, the grassy +obstruction of the walks, the perishing of the trees, the mossiness and +mouldering of the artificial grottos, and whatever else of that sort was +to be observed, as our two travellers now did. By degrees, however, they +settled themselves as circumstances would admit: the artist carefully +packed up his work; they both set sail; Wilhelm accompanying him to the +upper quarter of the lake, where, by previous agreement, the former set +forth on his way to Natalia, to introduce her by his fair +landscape-papers into scenes which, perhaps, she might not soon have an +opportunity of viewing with her eyes. He was at the same time +commissioned to inform her confessionally of the late incident, which +had reduced him to a state such that he might be received with hearty +kindness by the confederates in the vow of renunciation, and with soft, +friendly treatment in the midst of them, be comforted if he could not be +healed. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER XIV. + + +In this division of our work, the exculpatory “Word from the Editor” +might have been more requisite than even in the foregoing chapter; for +there, though we had not the paintings of the master and his fair +scholar, on which all depended, to exhibit before our readers, and could +neither make the perfection of the finished artist, nor the commencing +stintedness nor rapid development of the art-loving beauty, visible to +their eyes, yet still the description might not be altogether +inefficient, and many genial and thought-exalting matters remained to be +imparted. But here, where the business in hand is a great object, which +one could have wished to see treated in the most precise manner, there +is, unhappily, too little noted down; and we cannot hope that a complete +view will be attained from our communications. + +Again, it is to be observed, that in the novel, as in universal history, +we have to struggle with uncertain computations of time, and cannot +always decisively fix what has happened sooner, and what later. We shall +hold, therefore, by the surest points. + + +That a year must have passed since Wilhelm left the pedagogic province +is rendered certain by the circumstance that we now meet him at the +festival to which he had been invited: but as our wandering renunciants +sometimes unexpectedly dive down and vanish from our sight, and then +again emerge into view at a place where they were not looked for, it +cannot be determined with certainty what track they have followed in the +interim. + +Now, however, the traveller advances from the side of the plain country +into the pedagogic province: he comes over fields and pasturages; +skirts, on the dry lea, many a little freshet; sees bushy rather than +woody hills; a free prospect on all sides, over a surface but little +undulated. On such tracks, he did not long doubt that he was in the +horse-producing region; and accordingly he failed not here and there to +observe greater or smaller herds of mares and foals. But all at once the +horizon darkens with a fierce cloud of dust, which, rapidly swelling +nearer and nearer, covers all the breadth of the space, yet at last, +rent asunder by a sharp side wind, is forced to disclose its interior +tumult. + +At full gallop rushes forward a vast multitude of these noble animals, +guided and held together by mounted keepers. The monstrous hurly-burly +whirls past the wanderer: a fair boy among the keepers looks at him with +surprise, pulls in, leaps down, and embraces his father. + +Now commences a questioning and answering: the boy relates that an +agricultural life had not agreed with him; the harvest-home he had, +indeed, found delightful, but the subsequent arrangements, the ploughing +and digging, by no means so. This the superiors remark, and observe at +the same time that he likes to employ himself with animals: they direct +him to the useful and necessary domestic breeds, try him as a +sequestered herdsman and keeper, and at last promote him to the more +lively equestrian occupation, where accordingly he now, himself a young +foal, has to watch over foals, and to forward their good nourishment and +training under the oversight of skilful comrades. + +Father and son, following the herd by various lone-lying spacious +farm-yards, reached the town, or hamlet, near which the great annual +market was held. Here rages an incredible confusion, in which it is hard +to determine whether merchants or wares raise more dust. From all +countries, purchasers assemble here to procure animals of noble blood +and careful training: all the languages of the earth, you would fancy, +meet your ear. Amid all this hubbub, too, rises the lively sound of +powerful wind instruments: every thing bespeaks motion, vigor, and life. + +The wanderer meets his overseer of last year, who presents him to the +others: he is even introduced to one of the Three, and by him, though +only in passing, paternally and expressively saluted. + +Wilhelm, here again observing an example of exclusive culture and +life-leading, expresses a desire to know in what else the pupils are +practised, by way of counterpoise, that so in this wild, and, to a +certain degree, savage occupation of feeding animals, the youth may not +himself roughen into an animal. And, in answer, he is gratified to +learn, that precisely with this violent and rugged-looking occupation +the softest in the world is united,--the learning and practising of +languages. + +“To this,” it was said, “we have been induced by the circumstance, that +there are youths from all quarters of the world assembled here: now, to +prevent them from uniting, as usually happens when abroad, into national +knots, and forming exclusive parties, we endeavor by a free +communication of speech to approximate them. + +“Indeed, a general acquaintance with languages is here in some degree +rendered necessary; since, in our yearly market festivals, every +foreigner wishes to converse in his own tones and idiom, and, in the +course of cheapening and purchasing, to proceed with all possible +convenience. That no Babylonish confusion of tongues, however, no +corruption of speech, may arise from this practice, we employ a +different language month by month, throughout the year; according to the +maxim, that, in learning any thing, its first principles alone should be +taught by constraint. + +“We look upon our scholars,” said the overseer, “as so many swimmers, +who, in the element which threatened to swallow them, feel with +astonishment that they are lighter, that it bears and carries them +forward; and so it is with every thing that man undertakes. + +“However, if any one of our young men show a special inclination for +this or the other language, we neglect not, in the midst of this +tumultuous-looking life, which nevertheless offers very many quiet, idly +solitary, nay, tedious hours, to provide for his true and substantial +instruction. Our riding grammarians, among whom there are even some +pedagogues you would be surprised to discover among these bearded and +beardless centaurs. Your Felix has turned himself to Italian; and, in +the monotonous solitude of his herdsman life, you shall hear him send +forth many a dainty song with proper feeling and taste. Practical +activity and expertness are far more compatible with sufficient +intellectual culture than is generally supposed.” + +Each of these districts was celebrating its peculiar festival, so the +guest was now conducted to the instrumental music department. This +tract, skirted by the level country, began from its very border to +exhibit kind and beautifully changing valleys; little trim woods; soft +brooks, by the side of which, among the sward, here and there a mossy +crag modestly stood forth. Scattered, bush-encircled dwellings you might +see on the hillsides: in soft hollows, the houses clustered nearer +together. Those gracefully separated cottages lay so far apart, that +neither tones nor mistones could be heard from one to the other. + +They now approached a wide space, begirt with buildings and shady trees, +where crowded, man on man, all seemed on the stretch of expectation and +attention. Just as the stranger entered, there was sent forth from all +the instruments a grand symphony, the full, rich power and tenderness of +which he could not but admire. Opposite the spacious main orchestra was +a smaller one, which failed not to attract his notice: here stood +various younger and elder scholars; each held his instrument in +readiness without playing: these were they who as yet could not, or +durst not, join in with the whole. It was interesting to observe how +they stood, as it were, on the start; and our friend was informed that +such a festival seldom passed over without some one or other of them +suddenly developing his talent. + +As, among the instrumental music, singing was now introduced, no doubt +could remain that this also was favored. To the question, What other +sort of culture was here blended in kind union with the chief +employment, our wanderer learned, in reply, that it was poetry, and of +the lyrical kind. In this matter it appeared their main concern was, +that both arts should be developed, each for itself and from itself, but +then also in contrast and combination with each other. The scholars were +first instructed in each according to its own limitations, then taught +how the two reciprocally limit, and again reciprocally free each other. + +To poetical rhythm the musical artist opposes measure of tone, and +movement of tone. But here the mastery of Music over Poesy soon shows +itself; for if the latter, as is fit and necessary, keep her quantities +never so steadily in view, still for the musician few syllables are +decidedly short or long: at his pleasure he can overset the most +conscientious procedure of the rhythmer,--nay, change prose itself into +song; from which, in truth, the richest possibilities present +themselves: and the poet would soon feel himself annihilated if he could +not, on his own side, by lyrical tenderness and boldness, inspire the +musician with reverence, and, now in the softest sequence, now by the +most abrupt transitions, awaken new feelings in the mind. + +The singers to be met with here are mostly poets themselves. Dancing +also is taught in its fundamental principles, that so all these +accomplishments may regularly spread themselves into every district. + +The guest, on being led across the next boundary, at once perceived an +altogether different mode of building. The houses were no longer +scattered into separation, no longer in the shape of cottages: they +stood regularly united, beautiful in their exterior, spacious, +convenient, and elegant within; you here saw an unconfined, well-built, +stately town, corresponding to the scene it stood in. Here the plastic +arts, and the trades akin to them have their home; and a peculiar +silence reigns over these spaces. + +The plastic artist, it is true, must still figure himself as standing in +relation to all that lives and moves among men; but his occupation is +solitary: and yet, by the strangest contradiction, there is, perhaps, no +other that so decidedly requires a living accompaniment and society. +Now, here, in that circle, is each in silence forming shapes that are +forever to engage the eyes of men: a holiday stillness reigns over the +whole scene; and did you not here and there catch the picking of +stone-hewers, and the measured stroke of carpenters, who are now busily +employed in finishing a lordly edifice, the air were unmoved by any +sound. + +Our wanderer was struck, moreover, by the earnestness, the singular +rigor, with which beginners, as well as more advanced pupils, were +treated: it seemed as if no one, by his own power and judgment, +accomplished any thing, but as if a secret spirit, striving towards one +single great aim, pervaded and vivified them all. Nowhere did you +observe a scheme or sketch: every stroke was drawn with forethought. As +the wanderer inquired of his guide the reason of this peculiar +procedure, he was told, “That imagination was, in itself, a vague, +unstable power, which the whole merit of the plastic artist consisted in +more and more determining, fixing, nay, at last exalting to visible +presence.” + +The necessity for sure principles in other arts was mentioned. “Would +the musician,” it was said, “permit his scholar to dash wildly over the +strings,--nay, to invent bars and intervals for himself at his own good +pleasure? Here it is palpable that nothing can be left to the caprice of +the learner: the element he is to work in is irrevocably given; the +implement he is to wield is put into his hands; nay, the very way and +manner of his using it, I mean the changing of the fingers, he finds +prescribed to him; so ordered that the one part of his hand shall give +place to the other, and each prepare the proper path for its follower: +by such determinate co-operation only can the impossible at last become +possible. + +“But what chiefly vindicates the practice of strict requisitions, of +decided laws, is that genius, that native talent, is precisely the +readiest to seize them, and yield them willing obedience. It is only the +half-gifted that would wish to put his own contracted singularity in the +place of the unconditional whole, and justify his false attempts under +cover of an unconstrainable originality and independence. To this we +grant no currency: we guard our scholars from all such misconceptions, +whereby a large portion of life, nay, often the whole of life, is apt to +be perplexed and disjointed. + +“With genius we love most to be concerned, for this is animated just by +that good spirit of quickly recognizing what is profitable for it. +Genius understands that Art is called Art, because it is _not_ Nature. +Genius bends itself to respect even towards what may be named +conventional; for what is this but agreeing, as the most distinguished +men have agreed, to regard the unalterable, the indispensable, as the +best? And does not such submission always turn to good account? + +“Here, too, as in all our departments, to the great assistance of the +teachers, our three reverences and their signs, with some changes +suitable to the nature of the main employment, have been introduced and +inculcated.” + +The wanderer, in his further survey, was surprised to observe that the +town seemed still extending; street unfolding itself from street, and so +offering the most varied prospects. The exterior of the edifices +corresponded to their destination: they were dignified and stately, not +so much magnificent as beautiful. To the nobler and more earnest +buildings in the centre of the town the more cheerful were harmoniously +appended; till, farther out, gay, decorated suburbs, in graceful style, +stretched forth into the country, and at last separated into +garden-houses. + +The stranger could not fail to remark that the dwellings of the +musicians in the preceding district were by no means to be compared, in +beauty or size, with the present, which painters, statuaries, and +architects inhabited. He was told that this arose from the nature of the +thing. The musician, ever shrouded in himself, must cultivate his inmost +being, that so he may turn it outwards. The sense of the eye he may not +flatter. The eye easily corrupts the judgment of the ear, and allures +the spirit from the inward to the outward. Inversely, again, the plastic +artist has to live in the external world, and to manifest his inward +being, as it were, unconsciously, in and upon what is outward. Plastic +artists should dwell like kings and gods: how else are they to build and +decorate for kings and gods? They must at last so raise themselves above +the common that the whole mass of a people may feel itself ennobled in +and by their works. + +Our friend then begged an explanation of another paradox. Why, at this +time, so festive, so enlivening, so tumultuously excited, in the other +regions, the greatest stillness prevailed here, and all labors were +continued? + +“A plastic artist,” it was answered, “needs no festival. When he has +accomplished something excellent it stands, as it has long done before +his own eye, now at last before the eye of the world. In his task he +needed no repetition, no new effort, no fresh success; whereas the +musician constantly afflicts himself with all this: and to him, +therefore, the most splendid festival, in the most numerous assemblage, +should not be refused.” + +“Yet, at such a season,” replied Wilhelm, “something like an exhibition +might be desirable, in which it would be pleasant to inspect and judge +the triennial progress of your best pupils.” + +“In other places,” it was answered, “an exhibition may be necessary: +with us it is not. Our whole being and nature is exhibition. Look round +you at these buildings of every sort, all erected by our pupils, and +this not without plans, a hundred times talked of and meditated; for the +builder must not grope and experiment: what is to continue standing must +stand rightly, and satisfy, if not forever, yet at least for a long +space of time. If we cannot help _committing_ errors, we must _build_ +none. + +“With statuaries we proceed more laxly, most so of all with painters: to +both we give liberty to try this and that, each in his own way. It +stands in their power to select, in the interior or exterior +compartments of edifices in public places, some space which they may +incline to decorate. They give forth their ideas; and, if these are in +some degree to be approved of, the completion of them is permitted, and +this in two ways: either with liberty, sooner or later, to remove the +work, should it come to displease the artist; or with the condition that +what is once set up shall remain unalterable in its place. Most part +choose the first of these offers, retaining in their own hands this +power of removal; and in the performance they constantly avail +themselves of the best advice. The second case occurs seldomer; and we +then observe that the artist trusts less to himself, holds long +conferences with companions and critics, and by this means produces +works really estimable, and deserving to endure.” + +After all this our traveller neglected not to ask, What other species of +instruction was combined with the main one here? and received for +answer, that it was poetry, and of the epic sort. + +This to our friend must have seemed a little singular, when he heard +further that the pupils were not allowed to read or hear any finished +poems by ancient or modern poets. “We merely impart to them,” it was +said, “a series of mythuses, traditions, and legends, in the most +laconic form. And now, from the pictorial or poetic execution of these +subjects, we at once discover the peculiar productive gift of the genius +devoted to the one or the other art. Both poet and painter thus labor at +the same fountain; and each endeavors to draw off the water to his own +side to his own advantage, and attain his own required objects with it; +in which he succeeds much better than if he attempted again to fashion +something that has been fashioned already.” + +The traveller himself had an opportunity of seeing how this was +accomplished: several painters were busy in a room; a gay young friend +was relating with great minuteness a very simple story; so that he +employed almost as many words as the others did pencil-strokes, to +complete the same exhibition, and round it fully off. + +He was told, that, in working together, the friends were wont to carry +on much pleasant conversation; and that in this way several +improvisatori had unfolded their gifts, and succeeded in exciting great +enthusiasm for this twofold mode of representation. + +Our friend now reverted his inquiries to the subject of plastic art. +“You have no exhibition,” said he, “and therefore, I suppose, give no +prize either?” + +“No,” said the other, “we do not; but here, close by, we can show you +something which we reckon more useful.” + +They entered a large hall, appropriately lighted from above: a wide +circle of busy artists first attracted the eye; and from the midst of +these rose a colossal group of figures, elevated with pleasing effect in +the centre of the place. Male and female forms, of gigantic power, in +violent postures, reminded one of that lordly fight between heroic +youths and Amazons, wherein hate and enmity at last issue in mutually +regretful alliance. This strikingly intertwisted piece of art presented +an equally favorable aspect from every point of its circuit. In a wide +ring round it were many artists sitting and standing, each occupied in +his own way,--the painter at his easel, the drawer at his sketch-board: +some were modelling it in full, others in bas-relief: there were even +architects engaged in planning the pedestal, on which a similar group, +when wrought in marble, was to be erected. Each individual was +proceeding by his own method in this task; painters and drawers were +bringing out the group to a plain surface, careful, however, not to +destroy its figures, but to retain as much of it as possible. In the +same manner were works in bas-relief going forward. One man only had +repeated the whole group in a miniature scale, and in certain movements +and arrangements of limbs he really seemed to have surpassed his model. + +And now it came out that this man was the maker of the model; who, +before working it in marble, had here submitted his performance, not to +a critical, but to a practical trial, and by accurately observing +whatever any of his fellow-artists in his special department and way of +thought might notice, retain, or alter in the group, was purposing, in +subsequent consideration, to turn all this to his own profit: so that, +when at length the grand work stood finished in marble, though +undertaken, planned, and executed by one, it might seem to belong to +all. + +The greatest silence reigned throughout this apartment also; but the +superior raised his voice, and cried, “Is there any of you, then, who, +in presence of this stationary work, can, with gifted words, so awaken +our imagination, that all we here see concreted shall again become +fluid, without losing its character, and so convince us that what our +artist has here laid hold of was indeed the worthiest?” + +Called forth on all sides by name, a fair youth laid down his work, and, +as he stepped forward, began a quiet speech, seemingly intended merely +to describe the present group of figures; but erelong he cast himself +into the region of poetry, plunged into the middle of the action, and +ruled this element like a master: by degrees his representation so +swelled and mounted by lordly words and gestures, that the rigid group +seemed actually to move about its axis, and the number of its figures to +be doubled and trebled. Wilhelm stood enraptured, and at last exclaimed, +“Can we now forbear passing over into song itself, into rhythmic +melody?” + +“This I should wish to deprecate,” said the overseer; “for, if our +excellent statuary will be candid, he will confess to us that our poet +scarcely pleases him; and this because their arts lie in the most +opposite regions: on the other hand, I durst bet, that here and there a +painter has not failed to appropriate some living touches from the +speech. + +“A soft, kindly song, however, I could wish our friend to hear: there is +one, for instance, which you sing to an air so lovely and earnest; it +turns on art in general, and I myself never listen to it without +pleasure.” + +After a pause, in which they beckoned to each other, and settled their +arrangements by signs, the following heart and spirit stirring song +resounded in stately melody from all sides:-- + + + “While inventing and effecting, + Artist by thyself continue long: + The result art thou expecting, + Haste and see it in the throng. + Here in others look, discover + What thy own life’s course has been; + And thy deeds of years past over, + In thy fellow-man be seen. + + The devising, the uniting, + What and how the forms shall be, + One thing will the other lighten, + And at last comes joy to thee! + Wise and true what thou impartest, + Fairly shaped, and softly done: + Thus of old the cunning artist + Artist-like his glory won. + + As all Nature’s thousand changes + But one changeless God proclaim; + So in Art’s wide kingdoms ranges + One sole meaning still the same: + This is Truth, eternal Reason, + Which from Beauty takes its dress, + And, serene through time and season, + Stands for aye in loveliness. + + While the orator, the singer, + Pour their hearts in rhyme and prose, + ’Neath the painter’s busy finger + Shall bloom forth Life’s cheerful rose, + Girt with sisters, in the middle, + And with Autumn’s fruitage blent; + That of life’s mysterious riddle + Some short glimpses may be hent. + + Thousand-fold and graceful, show thou + Form from forms evolving fair; + And of man’s bright image know thou + That a God once tarried there: + And, whate’er your tasks or prizes, + Stand as brethren one and all; + While, like song, sweet incense rises + From the altar at your call.” + + +All this Wilhelm could not but let pass, though it must have seemed +paradoxical enough, and, had he not seen it with his eyes, might even +have appeared impossible. But now, when it was explained and pointed out +to him, openly and freely, and in fair sequence, he scarcely needed to +put any further question on the subject. However, he at last addressed +his conductor as follows: “I see here a most prudent provision made for +much that is desirable in life; but tell me further, which of your +regions exhibits a similar attention to dramatic poetry, and where could +I instruct myself in that matter? I have looked round over all your +edifices, and observed none that seemed destined for such an object.” + +“In reply to this question, we must not hide from you, that, in our +whole province, there is no such edifice to be seen. The drama +presupposes the existence of an idle multitude, perhaps even of a +populace; and no such class finds harbor with us: for birds of that +feather, when they do not in spleen forsake us of their own accord, we +soon take care to conduct over the marches. Doubt not, however, that in +our Institution, so universal in its character, this point was carefully +meditated; but no region could be found for the purpose, everywhere some +important scruple came in the way. Indeed, who among our pupils could +readily determine, with pretended mirth or hypocritical sorrow, to +excite in the rest a feeling untrue in itself, and alien to the moment, +for the sake of calling forth an always dubious satisfaction? Such +juggleries we reckoned in all cases dangerous, and could not reconcile +with our earnest objects.” + +“It is said, however,” answered Wilhelm, “that this far-stretching art +promotes all the rest of whatever sort.” + +“Nowise,” answered the other: “it employs the rest, but spoils them. I +do not blame a player for uniting himself with a painter; but the +painter, in such society, is lost. Without any conscience, the player +will lay hold of whatever art or life presents him, and use it for his +fugitive objects, indeed, with no small profit: the painter, again, who +could wish in return to extract advantage from the theatre, will +constantly find himself a loser by it; and so also in the like case will +the musician. The combined arts appear to me like a family of sisters, +of whom the greater part were inclined to good economy, but one was +light-headed, and desirous to appropriate and squander the whole goods +and chattels of the household. The theatre is this wasteful sister: it +has an ambiguous origin, which in no case, whether as art or trade or +amusement, it can wholly conceal.” + +Wilhelm cast his eyes on the ground with a deep sigh: for all that he +had enjoyed or suffered on the stage rose at once before his mind; and +he blessed the good men who were wise enough to spare their pupils such +pain, and, out of principle and conviction, to banish such errors from +their sphere. + +His attendant, however, did not leave him long in these meditations, but +continued, “As it is our highest and holiest principle, that no talent, +no capacity, be misdirected, we cannot hide from ourselves, that, among +so large a number, here and there a mimical gift will sometimes +decidedly come to light; exhibiting itself in an irresistible desire to +ape the characters, forms, movements, speech, of others. This we +certainly do not encourage: but we observe our pupil strictly; and, if +he continue faithful to his nature, then we have already established an +intercourse with the great theatres of all nations; and so thither we +send any youth of tried capability, that, as the duck on the pond, so he +on the boards, may be forthwith conducted, full speed, to the future +quack-quacking, and gibble-gabbling, of his life.” + +Wilhelm heard this with patience, but only with half conviction, perhaps +with some spleen: for so strangely is man tempered, that he may be +persuaded of the worthlessness of any darling object, may turn away from +it, nay, even execrate it, but yet will not see it treated in this way +by others; and perhaps the spirit of Contradiction, which dwells in all +men, never rouses itself more vehemently and stoutly than in such cases. + +And the editor of these sheets may himself confess that he lets not this +strange passage through his hands without some touch of anger. Has not +he, too, in many senses, expended more life and faculty than was right +on the theatre? And would these men convince him that this has been an +unpardonable error, a fruitless toil? + +But we have no time for appending, in splenetic mood, such remembrances +and after-feelings to the narrative; for our friend now finds himself +agreeably surprised, as one of the Three, and this a particularly +prepossessing one, again comes before his eyes. Kind, open meekness, +announcing the purest peace of soul, came in its refreshing effluences +along with him. Trustfully the wanderer could approach, and feel his +trust returned. + +Here he now learned that the chief was at present in the sanctuary, +instructing, teaching, blessing; while the Three had separated to visit +all the regions, and everywhere, after most thorough information +obtained, and conferences with the subordinate overseers, to forward +what was in progress, to found what was newly planned, and thereby +faithfully discharge their high duty. + +This same excellent person now gave him a more comprehensive view of +their internal situation and external connections; explained to him the +mutual influences of one region on another; and also by what steps, +after a longer or a shorter date, a pupil could be transferred from the +one to the other. All this harmonized completely with what he already +knew. At the same time he was much gratified by the description given of +his son, and their further plan of education met with his entire +approval. + +He was now, by the assistants and overseer, invited to a miners’ +festival, which was forthwith to be celebrated. The ascent of the +mountains was difficult; and Wilhelm fancied he observed that his guide +walked even slower towards evening, as if the darkness had not been +likely to obstruct their path still more. But, when deep night came +round them, this enigma was solved: our wanderer observed little flames +come glimmering and wavering forth from many dells and chasms, gradually +stretch themselves into lines, and roll over the summits of the +mountains. Much kindlier than when a volcano opens, and its belching +roar threatens whole countries with destruction, did this fair light +appear; and yet, by degrees, it glowed with new brightness; grew +stronger, broader, more continuous; glittered like a stream of stars, +soft and lovely indeed, yet spreading boldly over all the scene. + +After the attendant had a little while enjoyed the surprise of his +guest,--for they could clearly enough observe each other, their faces +and forms, as well as their path, being illuminated by the light from +the distance,--he began, “You see here, in truth, a curious spectacle: +these lights which, day and night, the whole year over, gleam and work +under ground, forwarding the acquisition of concealed and scarcely +attainable treasures, these now mount and well forth from their abysses, +and gladden the upper night. Scarcely could one anywhere enjoy so brave +a review as here, where this most useful occupation, which, in its +subterranean concealment, is dispersed and hidden from the eye, rises +before us in its full completeness, and bespeaks a great secret +combination.” + +Amid such speeches and thoughts they had reached the spot where these +fire-brooks poured themselves into a sea of flame surrounding a +well-lighted insular space. The wanderer placed himself in the dazzling +circle, within which glittering lights by thousands formed an imposing +contrast with the miners, ranked round it like a dark wall. Forthwith +arose the gayest music as accompaniment to becoming songs. Hollow masses +of rock came forward on machinery, and opened a resplendent interior to +the eye of the delighted spectator. Mimetic exhibitions, and whatever +else at such a moment can gratify the multitude, combined with all this +at once to excite and to satisfy a cheerful attention. + +But with what astonishment was Wilhelm filled when, on being introduced +to the superiors, he observed friend Jarno in solemn, stately robes +among the number. “Not in vain,” cried Jarno, “have I changed my former +name with the more expressive title of Montan: thou findest me here +initiated in mountain and cave; and now, if questioned, I could disclose +and explain to thee much that a year ago was still a riddle to myself.” + + +At this point our manuscripts forsake us: of the conversation of these +friends there is nothing specified; as little can we discover the +connection of what follows next,--an incident of which in the same +bundle, in the same paper, we find brief notice: That a meeting had +taken place between our wanderer and Lothario and the abbé. Unhappily, +in this, as in so many other leaves, the date has been neglected. + +Some passages, introduced rather in the way of exclamation than of +narrative, point to the high meaning of renunciation, by which alone the +first real entrance into life is conceivable. Then we come upon a map, +marked with several arrows pointing towards one another; and along with +this we find, in a certain sequence, several days of the month written +down: so that we might fancy ourselves again walking in the real world, +and moderately certain as to the next part of our friend’s route, were +it not that here also various marks and ciphers, appended in different +ways, awoke some fear that a secret meaning at the bottom of it would +forever lie hid from us. + +But what drives us out of all historical composure is the strange +circumstance, that, immediately on all this, there comes in the most +improbable narration, of a sort like those tales whereby you long keep +the hearer’s curiosity on the stretch with a series of wonders, and at +last explain, That you were talking of a dream. However, we shall +communicate without change what lies before us:-- + + +“If hitherto we had continued in the metalliferous part of the +mountains, which, externally, is soft, and by no means of a wild aspect, +I was now conducted through precipitous and scarcely passable rocks and +chasms: at last I gained the topmost summit,--a cliff, the peak of which +afforded room only for a single person, who, if he looked down from it +into the horrid depth, might see furious mountain torrents foaming +through black abysses. In the present case I looked down without +giddiness or terror, for I was light of heart; but now my attention +fixed itself on some huge crags rising opposite me, precipitous like my +own, yet offering on their summits a larger space of level. Though +parted by a monstrous chasm, the jutting masses came so near together +that I could distinctly enough, with the naked eye, observe several +persons assembled on the summit. They were, for most part, ladies, one +of whom, coming forward to the very verge, awakened in me double and +treble anxiety; as I became completely convinced that it was Natalia +herself. The danger of such an unexpected interview increased every +moment; but it grew boundless when a perspective came before my eyes, +and brought me over to her, and her over to me. There is something +magical at all times in perspectives. Were we not accustomed from youth +to look through them, we should shudder and tremble every time we put +them to our eyes. It is we who are looking, and it is not we: a being it +is whose organs are raised to a higher pitch, whose limitations are done +away, who has become entitled to stretch forth into infinitude. + +“When, for example, we observe far-distant persons, by means of such an +instrument, and see them in unsuspicious thoughtlessness following their +business as if they were solitary and unwatched, we could almost feel +afraid lest they might discover us, and indignantly upbraid us for our +treacherous curiosity. + +“And so likewise did I, hemmed in by a strange feeling, waver between +proximity and distance, and from instant to instant alternate between +the two. + +“Those others in their turn had observed us, as a signal with a white +handkerchief put beyond a doubt. For a moment I delayed in my answer to +it, finding myself thus close beside the being whom I adored. This is +her pure, benign form: these are her taper arms, which once so helpfully +appeared before me, after unblessed sorrows and perplexities, and at +last, too, though but for moments, sympathizingly embraced me. + +“I saw distinctly enough that she, too, had a perspective, and was +looking over to me; and I failed not, by such tokens as stood at my +command, to express the profession of a true and heartfelt attachment. + +“And as experience teaches that remote objects, which we have once +clearly recognized through a perspective, afterwards appear, even to the +naked eye, as if standing shaped in distinct nearness, be it that more +accurate knowledge sharpens the sense, or that imagination supplies what +is wanting; so now did I see this beloved being as accurately and +distinctly as if I could have touched her, though her company continued +still irrecognizable. And as I was trampling round my narrow station, +struggling towards her the more, the abyss was like to swallow me, had +not a helpful hand laid hold of mine, and snatched me at once from my +danger and my fairest happiness.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER XV. + + +Here at last we again step on firmer ground, the localities of which we +can settle with some probability; though still here and there on our way +there occur a few uncertainties, which it is not in our power altogether +to clear up. + +As Wilhelm, in order to reach any point of the line marked out by the +first arrow, had to proceed obliquely through the country, he found +himself necessitated to perform the journey on foot, leaving his luggage +to be carried after him. For this walk of his, however, he was richly +rewarded; meeting at every step, quite unexpectedly, with loveliest +tracts of scenery. They were of that sort which the last slope of a +mountain region forms in its meeting with the plain country; bushy +hills, their soft declivities employed in domestic use; all level spaces +green; nowhere aught steep, unfruitful, or unploughed to be noticed. +Erelong he reached the main valley, into which the side-waters flowed; +and this, too, was carefully cultivated, graceful when you looked over +it, with taper trees marking the bends of the river, and of the brooks +which poured into it. On looking at his map, his indicator, he observed +with surprise that the line drawn for him cut directly through this +valley; so that, in the first place, he was at least on the right road. + +An old castle, in good repair, and seemingly built at different periods, +stood forth on a bushy hill, at the foot of which a gay hamlet stretched +along, with its large inn rising prominent among the other houses. +Hither he proceeded, and was received by the landlord kindly enough, yet +with an excuse that he could not be admitted, unless by the permission +of a party who had hired the whole establishment for a time; on which +account he, the landlord, was under the necessity of sending all his +guests to the older inn, which lay farther up the hamlet. After a short +conference, the man seemed to bethink himself, and said, “Indeed, there +is no one of them at home even now: but this is Saturday, and the +bailiff will not fail to be here soon; he comes every week to settle the +accounts of the last, and make arrangements for the next. Truly, there +is a fair order reigns among these men, and a pleasure in having to do +with them, though they are strict enough; for, if they yield one no +great profit, it is sure and constant.” He then desired his new guest to +amuse himself in the large upper hall, and await what further might +occur. + +Here Wilhelm, on entering, found a large, clean apartment, except for +benches and tables altogether empty. So much the more was he surprised +to see a large tablet inserted above one of the doors, with these words +marked on it in golden letters, _Ubi homines sunt modi sunt_; which in +modern tongue may signify, that, where men combine in society, the way +and manner in which they like to be and to continue together is directly +established. This motto made our wanderer think: he took it as a good +omen; finding here, expressed and confirmed, a principle which he had +often, in the course of life, perceived for himself to be furthersome +and reasonable. He had not waited long when the bailiff made his +appearance; who, being forewarned by the landlord, after a short +conversation, and no very special scrutiny, admitted Wilhelm on the +following terms: To continue three days; to participate quietly in +whatever should occur; and, happen what might, to ask no questions about +the reason; and, at taking leave, to ask none about the score. All this +our traveller was obliged to comply with, the deputy not being allowed +to yield in a single point. + +The bailiff was about retiring, when a sound of vocal music rolled up +the stairs: two pretty young men entered singing; and these the bailiff, +by a simple sign, gave to understand that their guest was accepted. +Without interrupting their song, they kindly saluted the stranger, and +continued their duet with the finest grace; showing clearly enough that +they were well trained, and complete masters of their art. As Wilhelm +testified the most attentive interest, they paused, and inquired, If in +his own pedestrian wanderings no song ever occurred to him, which he +went along singing by himself? “A good voice,” answered Wilhelm, “Nature +has in truth denied me: yet I often feel as if a secret Genius were +whispering some rhythmic words in my ear; so that, in walking, I move to +musical measure; fancying, at the same time, that I hear low tones +accompanying some song, which, in one way or another, has pleasantly +risen before me.” + +“If you recollect such a song, write it down for us,” said they: “we +shall see if we have skill to accompany your singing-demon.” He took a +leaf from his note-book, and handed them the following lines:-- + + + “From the mountains to the champaign, + By the glens and hills along, + Comes a rustling and a tramping, + Comes a motion as of song; + And this undetermined roving + Brings delight, and brings good heed: + And thy striving, be ’t with loving, + And thy living, be ’t in deed!” + + +After brief study, there arose at once a gay, marching melody, which, in +its repetition and restriction still stepping forward, hurried on the +hearer with it: he was in doubt whether this was his own tune, his +former theme, or one now for the first time so fitted to the words, that +no other movement was conceivable. The singers had for some time +pleasantly proceeded in this manner, when two stout young fellows came +in, whom, by their accoutrements, you directly recognized as masons; two +others, who followed them, being as evidently carpenters. These four, +softly laying down their tools, listened to the music, and soon struck +in with sure and decided voices; so that to the mind it seemed as if a +real wayfaring company were stepping along over hill and valley: and +Wilhelm thought he had never heard any thing so graceful, so enlivening +to heart and mind. This enjoyment, however, was to be increased yet +further, and raised to the highest pitch, by the entrance of a gigantic +figure, mounting the stairs with a hard, firm tread, which, with all his +efforts, he could scarcely moderate. A heavy-laden dorsel he directly +placed in the corner: himself he seated on a bench, which beginning to +creak under his weight, the others laughed, yet without going wrong in +their music. Wilhelm, however, was exceedingly surprised, when, with a +huge bass voice, this son of Anak joined in also. The hall quivered; and +it was to be observed, that in his part he altered the burden, and sang +it thus:-- + + + “Life’s no resting, but a moving: + Let thy life be deed on deed!” + + +Further, you could very soon perceive that he was drawing down the time +to a slower step, and forcing the rest to follow him. Of this, when at +last they were satisfied and had concluded, they accused him; declaring +he had tried to set them wrong. + +“Not at all!” cried he: “it is you who tried to set me wrong, to put me +out of my own step, which must be measured and sure, if I am to walk +with my loading up hill and down dale, and yet, in the end, arrive at my +appointed hour, to satisfy your wants.” + +One after the other these persons now passed into an adjoining room to +the bailiff, and Wilhelm easily observed that they were occupied in +settling accounts,--a point, however, as to which he was not allowed at +present to inquire further. Two fair, lively boys in the mean while +entered, and began covering a table in all speed, moderately furnishing +it with meat and wine; and the bailiff, coming out, invited them all to +sit down along with him. The boys waited, yet forgot not their own +concern, but enjoyed their share in a standing posture. Wilhelm +recollected witnessing similar scenes during his abode among the +players; yet the present company seemed to be of a much more serious +cast, constituted, not out of sport, for show, but with a view to +important concerns of life. + +The conversation of the craftsmen with the bailiff added strength to +this conviction. These four active young people, it appeared, were busy +in the neighborhood, where a violent conflagration had destroyed the +fairest village in the country; nor did Wilhelm fail to learn that the +worthy bailiff was employed in getting timber and other building +materials: all which looked the more enigmatical, as none of these +persons seemed to be resident here, but in all other points announced +themselves as transitory strangers. By way of conclusion to the meal, +St. Christopher--such was the name they gave the giant--brought out, for +good-night, a dainty glass of wine, which had before been set aside: a +gay choral song kept the party still some time together, after they were +out of sight; and then Wilhelm was at last conducted to a chamber of the +loveliest aspect and situation. The full moon, enlightening a rich +plain, was already up; and in the bosom of our wanderer it awoke +remembrances of similar scenes. The spirits of all dear friends hovered +past him: especially the image of Lenardo rose in him so vividly, that +he might have fancied the man himself was standing before his eyes. All +this had prepared him with its kind influences for nightly rest, when, +on a sudden, there arose a tone of so strange a nature, that it almost +frightened him. It sounded as from a distance, and yet seemed to be in +the house itself; for the building quivered many times, and the floors +reverberated when the sound rose to its highest pitch. Wilhelm, though +his ear was usually delicate in discriminating tones, could make nothing +of this: he compared it to the droning roar of a huge organ-pipe, which, +for sheer compass, produces no determinate note. Whether this nocturnal +terror passed away towards morning, or Wilhelm by degrees became +accustomed to the sound, and no longer heeded it, is difficult to +discover: at any rate, he fell asleep, and was in due time pleasantly +awakened by the rising sun. + +Scarcely had one of the boys, who were in waiting, brought him +breakfast, when a figure entered, whom he had already noticed last night +at supper, without clearly ascertaining his quality. A well-formed, +broad-shouldered, yet nimble man, who now, by the implements which he +spread out, announced himself as barber, and forthwith prepared for +performing his much-desired office on Wilhelm. For the rest, he was +quite silent; and with a light hand he went through his task, without +once having opened his lips. Wilhelm, therefore, began, and said, “Of +your art you are completely master, and I know not that I have ever had +a softer razor on my cheeks: at the same time, however, you appear to be +a strict observer of the laws of the society.” + +Roguishly smiling, laying his finger on his lips, the taciturn shaver +glided through the door. “By my sooth!” cried Wilhelm after him, “I +think you must be old Redcloak; if not himself, at least a descendant of +his: it is lucky for you that you ask no counter service of me; your +turn would have been but sorrily done.” + +No sooner had this curious personage retired than the well-known bailiff +came in, inviting our friend to dinner for this day, in words which +sounded pretty strange: the BOND, so said the speaker, expressly, gave +the stranger welcome, requested his company at dinner, and took pleasure +in the hope of being more closely connected with him. Inquiries were +then made as to the guest’s health, and how he was contented with his +entertainment; to all which he could only answer in terms of +satisfaction. He would, in truth, have liked much to ask of this man, as +previously of the silent barber, some information touching the horrid +sound which throughout the night had, if not tormented, at least +discomposed him: but, mindful of his engagement, he forbore all +questions; hoping, that without importunity, from the good will of the +society, or in some other accidental way, he might be informed according +to his wishes. + +Our friend now, when left alone, began to reflect on the strange person +who had sent him this invitation, and knew not well what to make of the +matter. To designate one or more superiors by a neuter noun seemed to +him a somewhat precarious mode of speech. For the rest, there was such a +stillness all round that he could not recollect of ever having passed a +stiller Sunday. He went out of doors, and, hearing a sound of bells, +walked towards the village. Mass was just over; and, among the villagers +and country people crowding out of church, he observed three +acquaintances of last night,--a mason, a carpenter, and a boy. Farther +on he met among the Protestant worshippers the other corresponding +three. How the rest managed their devotion was unknown to him; but so +much he thought himself entitled to conclude, that in this society a +full religious toleration was practised. + +About mid-day, at the castle-gate, he was met by the bailiff, who then +conducted him through various halls into a large ante-chamber, and there +desired him to take a seat. Many persons passed through into an +adjoining hall. Those already known were to be seen among them; St. +Christopher himself went by: all saluted the bailiff and the stranger. +But what struck our friend most in this affair was, that the whole party +seemed to consist of artisans, all dressed in the usual fashion, though +extremely neat and clean: a few among the number you might at most, +perhaps, have reckoned of the clerk species. + +No more guests now making their appearance, the bailiff led our friend +through the stately door into a spacious hall. Here a table of immense +length had been covered, past the lower end of which he was conducted +towards the head, where he saw three persons standing in a cross +direction. But what was his astonishment when he approached, and +Lenardo, scarcely yet recognized, fell upon his neck. From this surprise +he had not recovered when another person, with no less warmth and +vivacity, likewise embraced him; announcing himself as our strange +Friedrich, Natalia’s brother. The rapture of these friends diffused +itself over all present: an exclamation of joy and blessing sounded +along the whole table. But in a moment, the company being seated, all +again became silent; and the repast, served up with a certain solemnity, +was enjoyed in like manner. + +Towards the conclusion of the ceremony Lenardo gave a sign: two singers +rose, and Wilhelm was exceedingly surprised to hear in this place his +yesternight’s song; which we, for the sake of what follows, shall beg +permission to insert once more:-- + + + “From the mountains to the champaign, + By the glens and hills along, + Comes a rustling and a tramping, + Comes a motion as of song; + And this undetermined roving + Brings delight, and brings good heed: + And thy striving, be ’t with loving, + And thy living, be ’t in deed!” + + +Scarcely had this duet, accompanied by a chorus of agreeable number, +approached its conclusion, when two other singers on the opposite side +started up impetuously, and, with earnest vehemence, inverted rather +than continued the song; to Wilhelm’s astonishment, proceeding thus:-- + + + “For the tie is snapped asunder, + Trust and loving hope are fled! + Can I tell, in fear and wonder, + With what dangers now bested? + I, cut off from friend and brother, + Like the widow in her woe, + With the one and not the other, + On and on, my way must go!” + + +The chorus, taking up this strophe, grew more and more numerous, more +and more vociferous; and yet the voice of St. Christopher, from the +bottom of the table, could still be distinctly recognized among them. +The lamentation in the end rose almost to be frightful: a spirit of +dispiritment, combining with the skilful execution of the singers, +introduced something unnatural into the whole; so that it pained our +friend, and almost made him shudder. In truth, they all seemed perfectly +of one mind, and as if lamenting their own fate on the eve of a +separation. The strange repetitions, the frequent resuscitation of a +fatiguing song, at length became dangerous in the eyes of the Bond +itself: Lenardo rose; and all instantly sat down, abruptly breaking off +their hymn. The other, with friendly words, thus began:-- + +“Indeed, I cannot blame you for continually recalling to your minds the +destiny which stands before us all, that so, at any hour, you may be +ready for it. If aged and life-weary men have called to their neighbors, +Think of dying! we younger and life-loving men may well keep encouraging +and reminding one another with the cheerful words, Think of wandering! +Yet, withal, of a thing which we either voluntarily undertake, or +believe ourselves constrained to, it were well to speak with +cheerfulness and moderation. You yourselves know best what, in our +situation, is fixed, and what is movable: let us enjoy the former, too, +in sprightly and gay tones; and to its success be this parting cup now +drunk!” He emptied his glass and sat down: the four singers instantly +rose, and in flowing, connected tones, thus began:-- + + + “Keep not standing, fixed and rooted, + Briskly venture, briskly roam: + Head and hand, where’er thou foot it, + And stout heart, are still at home. + In each land the sun does visit: + We are gay whate’er betide. + To give room for wand’ring is it + That the world was made so wide.” + + +As the chorus struck in with its repetition of these lines, Lenardo +rose, with him all the rest. His nod set the whole company into singing +movement: those at the lower end marched out, St. Christopher at their +head, in pairs through the hall; and the uplifted wanderers’ song grew +clearer and freer the farther they proceeded; producing at last a +particularly good effect when from the terraces of the castle garden you +looked down over the broad valley, in whose fulness and beauty you might +well have liked to lose yourself. While the multitude were dispersing +this way and that, according to their pleasure, Wilhelm was made +acquainted with the third superior. This was the _Amtmann_, by whose +kind influence many favors had been done the society; in particular, the +castle of his patron, the count, situated among several families of +rank, had been given up to their use so long as they might think fit to +tarry here. + +Towards evening, while the friends were in a far-seeing grove, there +came a portly figure over the threshold, whom Wilhelm at once recognized +as the barber of this morning. To a low, mute bow of the man, Lenardo +answered, “You now come, as always, at the right season, and will not +delay to entertain us with your talent. I may be allowed,” continued he, +turning towards Wilhelm, “to give you some knowledge of our society, the +Bond of which I may flatter myself that I am. No one enters our circle +unless he have some talents to show, which may contribute to the use or +enjoyment of society in general. This man is an excellent surgeon; of +his skill as a beard-artist you yourself can testify: for these reasons, +he is no less welcome than necessary to us. Now, as his employment +usually brings with it a great and often burdensome garrulity, he has +engaged, for the sake of his own culture, to comply with a certain +condition; as, indeed, every one that means to live with us must agree +to constrain himself in some particular point, if the greater freedom be +left him in all other points. Accordingly, our barber has renounced the +use of his tongue, in so far as aught common or casual is to be +expressed by it: but, by this means, another gift of speech has been +unfolded in him, which acts by forethought, cunningly and pleasurably; I +mean the gift of narration. + +“His life is rich in wonderful experiences, which he used to split in +pieces, babbling of them at wrong times; but which he now, constrained +by silence, repeats and arranges in his quiet thought. This also his +power of imagination now forwards, lending life and movement to past +occurrences. With no common art and skill, he can relate to us genuine +antique tales, or modern stories of the same fabulous cast; thereby, at +the right hour, affording us a most pleasant entertainment, when I loose +his tongue for him,--which I now do; giving him, at the same time, this +praise, that, in the considerable period during which I have known him, +he has never once been guilty of a repetition. I cannot but hope, that +in the present case, for love and respect to our dear guest, he will +especially distinguish himself.” + +A sprightly cheerfulness spread over Redcloak’s face; and, without +delay, he began speaking as follows. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER XVI. + + THE NEW MELUSINA. + + +“Respected gentlemen! Being aware that preliminary speeches and +introductions are not much to your taste, I shall without further talk +assure you, that, in the present instance, I hope to fulfil your +commission moderately well. From me has many a true history gone forth +already, to the high and universal satisfaction of hearers; but to-day I +may assert, that I have one to tell which far surpasses the former, and +which, though it happened to me several years ago, still disquiets me in +recollecting it, nay, still gives hope of some further development. + +“By way of introduction, let me confess, that I have not always so +arranged my scheme of life as to be certain of the next period in it, or +even of the next day. In my youth, I was no first-rate economist, and +often found myself in manifold perplexity. At one time I undertook a +journey, thinking to derive good profit in the course of it; but the +scale I went upon was too liberal: and after having commenced my travel +with extra-post, and then prosecuted it for a time in the diligence, I +at last found myself obliged to front the end of it on foot. + + +“Like a gay young blade, it had been from of old my custom, on entering +any inn, to look round for the landlady, or even the cook, and wheedle +myself into favor with her; whereby, for most part, my shot was somewhat +reduced. + +“One night at dusk, as I was entering the post-house of a little town, +and purposing to set about my customary operations, there came a fair +double-seated coach with four horses rattling up to the door behind me. +I turned round, and observed in it a young lady, without maid, without +servants. I hastened to open the carriage for her, and to ask if I could +help her in any thing. On stepping out, a fair form displayed itself; +and her lovely countenance, if you looked at it narrowly, was adorned +with a slight shade of sorrow. I again asked if there was aught I could +do for her. ‘Oh, yes!’ said she, ‘if you will lift that little box +carefully, which you will find standing on the seat, and bring it in; +but I beg very much of you to carry it with all steadiness, and not to +move or shake it in the least.’ I took out the box with great care: she +shut the coach-door; we walked up-stairs together, and she told the +servants that she was to stay here for the night. + +“We were now alone in the chamber: she desired me to put the box on the +table, which was standing at the wall; and as, by several of her +movements, I observed that she wished to be alone, I took my leave, +reverently but warmly kissing her hand. + +“‘Order supper for us two,’ said she then: and you may well conceive +with what pleasure I executed the commission; scarcely deigning, in my +pride of heart, to cast even a side-look on landlady and menials. With +impatience I expected the moment that was to lead me back to her. Supper +was served: we took our seats opposite each other; I refreshed my heart, +for the first time during a considerable while, with a good meal, and no +less with so desirable a sight beside me: nay, it seemed as if she were +growing fairer and fairer every moment. + +“Her conversation was pleasant, yet she carefully waived whatever had +reference to affection and love. The cloth was removed: I still +lingered, I tried all sorts of manœuvres to get near her, but in vain; +she kept me at my distance, by a certain dignity which I could not +withstand: nay, against my will, I had to part from her at a rather +early hour. + +“After a night passed in waking or unrestfully dreaming, I rose early, +inquired whether she had ordered horses; and, learning that she had not, +I walked into the garden, saw her standing dressed at the window, and +hastened up to her. Here, as she looked so fair, and fairer than ever, +love, roguery, and audacity all at once started into motion within me: I +rushed towards her, and clasped her in my arms. ‘Angelic, irresistible +being,’ cried I, ‘pardon! but it is impossible!’--With incredible +dexterity she whisked herself out of my arms, and I had not even time to +imprint a kiss on her cheek. ‘Forbear such outbreakings of a sudden +foolish passion,’ said she, ‘if you would not scare away a happiness +which lies close beside you, but which cannot be laid hold of till after +some trials.’ + +“‘Ask of me what thou pleasest, angelic spirit!’ cried I, ‘but do not +drive me to despair.’ She answered, with a smile, ‘If you mean to devote +yourself to my service, hear the terms. I am come hither to visit a lady +of my friends, and with her I purpose to continue for a time: in the +mean while, I could wish that my carriage and this box were taken +forward. Will you engage with it? You have nothing to do but carefully +to lift the box into the carriage and out, to sit down beside it, and +punctually take charge that it receive no harm. When you enter an inn, +it is put upon a table, in a chamber by itself, in which you must +neither sit nor sleep. You lock the chamber-door with this key, which +will open and shut any lock, and has the peculiar property, that no lock +shut by it can be opened in the interim.’ + +“I looked at her; I felt strangely enough at heart; I promised to do +all, if I might hope to see her soon, and if she would seal this hope to +me with a kiss. She did so, and from that moment I had become entirely +her bondman. I was now to order horses, she said. We settled the way I +was to take, the places where I was to wait, and expect her. She at last +pressed a purse of gold into my hand, and I pressed my lips on the fair +hand that gave it me. She seemed moved at parting; and, for me, I no +longer knew what I was doing or was to do. + +“On my return from giving my orders, I found the room-door locked. I +directly tried my master-key, and it performed its duty perfectly. The +door flew up: I found the chamber empty, only the box standing on the +table where I had laid it. + +“The carriage drove up: I carried the box carefully down with me, and +placed it by my side. The hostess asked, ‘But where is the lady?’ A +child answered, ‘She is gone into the town.’ I nodded to the people, and +rolled off in triumph from the door which I had last night entered with +dusty gaiters. That in my hours of leisure I diligently meditated on +this adventure, counted my money, laid many schemes, and still now and +then kept glancing at the box, you will readily imagine. I posted right +forward, passed several stages without alighting, and rested not till I +had reached a considerable town, where my fair one had appointed me to +wait. Her commands had been pointedly obeyed,--the box always carried to +a separate room, and two wax candles lighted beside it; for such, also, +had been her order. I would then lock the chamber, establish myself in +my own, and take such comfort as the place afforded. + +“For a while I was able to employ myself with thinking of her, but by +degrees the time began to hang heavy on my hands. I was not used to live +without companions: these I soon found, at _tables-d’hôte_, in +coffee-houses, and public places, altogether to my wish. In such a mode +of living, my money began to melt away; and one night it vanished +entirely from my purse in a fit of passionate gaming, which I had not +had the prudence to abandon. Void of money, with the appearance of a +rich man, expecting a heavy bill of charges, uncertain whether and when +my fair one would again make her appearance, I felt myself in the +deepest embarrassment. Doubly did I now long for her, and believe, that, +without her and her gold, it was quite impossible for me to live. + +“After supper, which I had relished very little, being forced for this +time to consume it in solitude, I took to walking violently up and down +my room: I spoke aloud to myself, cursed my folly with horrid +execrations, threw myself on the floor, tore my hair, and indeed behaved +in the most outrageous fashion. Suddenly, in the adjoining chamber where +the box was, I heard a slight movement, and then a soft knocking at the +well-bolted door, which entered from my apartment. I gather myself, +grope for my master-key; but the door-leaves fly up of themselves, and +in the light of those burning wax candles enters my beauty. I cast +myself at her feet, kiss her robe, her hands; she raises me; I venture +not to clasp her, scarcely to look at her, but candidly and repentantly +confess to her my fault. ‘It is pardonable,’ said she: ‘only it +postpones your happiness and mine. You must now make another tour into +the world before we can meet again. Here is more money,’ continued she, +‘sufficient if you husband it with any kind of reason. But, as wine and +play have brought you into this perplexity, be on your guard in future +against wine and women, and let me hope for a glad meeting when the time +comes.’ + +“She retired over the threshold; the door-leaves flew together: I +knocked, I entreated; but nothing further stirred. Next morning, while +presenting his bill, the waiter smiled, and said, ‘So we have found out +at last, then, why you lock your door in so artful and incomprehensible +a way, that no master-key can open it. We supposed you must have much +money and precious ware laid up by you: but now we have seen your +treasure walking down-stairs; and, in good truth, it seemed worthy of +being well kept.’ + +“To this I answered nothing, but paid my reckoning, and mounted with my +box into the carriage. I again rolled forth into the world, with the +firmest resolution to be heedful in future of the warning given me by my +fair and mysterious friend. Scarcely, however, had I once more reached a +large town, when forthwith I got acquainted with certain interesting +ladies, from whom I absolutely could not tear myself away. They seemed +inclined to make me pay dear for their favor: for, while they still kept +me at a certain distance, they led me into one expense after the other; +and I, being anxious only to promote their satisfaction, once more +ceased to think of my purse, but paid and spent straightforward, as +occasion needed. But how great was my astonishment and joy, when, after +some weeks, I observed that the fulness of my store was not in the least +diminished, that my purse was still as round and crammed as ever! +Wishing to obtain more strict knowledge of this pretty quality, I set +myself down to count: I accurately marked the sum, and again proceeded +in my joyous life as before. We had no want of excursions by land, and +excursions by water; of dancing, singing, and other recreations. But now +it required small attention to observe that the purse was actually +diminishing, as if by my cursed counting I had robbed it of the property +of being uncountable. However, this gay mode of existence had been once +entered on: I could not draw back, and yet my ready money soon verged to +a close. I execrated my situation; upbraided my fair friend for having +so led me into temptation; took it as an offence that she did not again +show herself to me; renounced in my spleen all duties towards her; and +resolved to break open the box, and see if peradventure any help might +be found there. I was just about proceeding with my purpose: but I put +it off till night, that I might go through the business with full +composure; and, in the mean time, I hastened off to a banquet, for which +this was the appointed hour. Here again we got into a high key: the wine +and trumpet-sounding had flushed me not a little, when by the most +villanous luck it chanced, that, during the dessert, a former friend of +my dearest fair one, returning from a journey, entered unexpectedly, +placed himself beside her, and, without much ceremony, set about +asserting his old privileges. Hence, very soon arose ill-humor, +quarrelling, and battle: we plucked out our spits, and I was carried +home half dead of several wounds. + +“The surgeon had bandaged me and gone away; it was far in the night; my +sick-nurse had fallen asleep; the door of the side-room went up; my +fair, mysterious friend came in, and sat down by me on the bed. She +asked how I was. I answered not, for I was faint and sullen. She +continued speaking with much sympathy: she rubbed my temples with a +certain balsam, whereby I felt myself rapidly and decidedly +strengthened,--so strengthened that I could now get angry and upbraid +her. In a violent speech I threw all the blame of my misfortune on her; +on the passion she had inspired me with; on her appearing and vanishing; +and the tedium, the longing, which, in such a case, I could not but +feel. I waxed more and more vehement, as if a fever had been coming on; +and I swore to her at last, that if she would not be mine, would not now +abide with me and wed me, I had no wish to live any longer: to all which +I required a peremptory answer. As she lingered and held back with her +explanation, I got altogether beside myself, and tore off my double and +triple bandages in the firmest resolution to bleed to death. But what +was my amazement when I found all my wounds healed, my skin smooth and +entire, and this fair friend in my arms! + +“Henceforth we were the happiest pair in the world. We both begged +pardon of each other without either of us rightly knowing why. She now +promised to travel on along with me; and soon we were sitting side by +side in the carriage, the little box lying opposite us on the other +seat. Of this I had never spoken to her, nor did I now think of +speaking, though it lay there before our eyes: and both of us, by tacit +agreement, took charge of it, as circumstances might require; I, +however, still carrying it to and from the carriage, and busying myself, +as formerly, with the locking of the doors. + +“So long as aught remained in my purse I had continued to pay; but, when +my cash went down, I signified the fact to her. ‘That is easily helped,’ +said she, pointing to a couple of little pouches fixed at the top, to +the sides of the carriage. These I had often observed before, but never +turned to use. She put her hand into the one, and pulled out some gold +pieces, as from the other some coins of silver; thereby showing me the +possibility of meeting any scale of expenditure which we might choose to +adopt. And thus we journeyed on from town to town, from land to land, +contented with each other and with the world; and I fancied not that she +would again leave me, the less so that for some time she had evidently +been as loving wives wish to be, a circumstance by which our happiness +and mutual affection was increased still further. But one morning, alas! +she could not be found: and as my actual residence, without her company, +became displeasing, I again took the road with my box, tried the virtue +of the two pouches, and found it still unimpaired. + +“My journey proceeded without accident. But if I had hitherto paid +little heed to the mysteries of my adventure, expecting a natural +solution of the whole, there now occurred something which threw me into +astonishment, into anxiety, nay, into fear. Being wont, in my impatience +for change of place, to hurry forward day and night, it was often my hap +to be travelling in the dark, and, when the lamps by any chance went +out, to be left in utter obscurity. Once, in the dead of such a night, I +had fallen asleep; and on awakening I observed the glimmer of a light on +the covering of my carriage. I examined this more strictly, and found +that it was issuing from the box, in which there seemed to be a chink, +as if it had been chapped by the warm and dry weather of summer, which +was now come on. My thoughts of jewels again came into my head: I +supposed there must be some carbuncle lying in the box, and this point I +forthwith set about investigating. I postured myself as well as might +be, so that my eye was in immediate contact with the chink. But how +great was my surprise when a fair apartment, well lighted, and furnished +with much taste and even costliness, met my inspection; just as if I had +been looking down through the opening of a dome into a royal saloon! A +fire was burning in the grate, and before it stood an arm-chair. I held +my breath, and continued to observe. And now there entered from the +other side of the apartment a lady with a book in her hand, whom I at +once recognized for my wife; though her figure was contracted into the +extreme of diminution. She sat down in the chair by the fire to read; +she trimmed the coals with the most dainty pair of tongs; and, in the +course of her movements, I could clearly perceive that this fairest +little creature was also in the family way. But now I was obliged to +shift my constrained posture a little; and the next moment, when I bent +down to look in again, and convince myself that it was no dream, the +light had vanished, and my eye rested on empty darkness. + +“How amazed, nay, terrified, I was, you may easily conceive. I started a +thousand thoughts on this discovery, and yet in truth could think +nothing. In the midst of this I fell asleep, and on awakening I fancied +that it must have been a mere dream: yet I felt myself in some degree +estranged from my fair one; and, though I watched over the box but so +much the more carefully, I knew not whether the event of her +re-appearance in human size was a thing which I should wish or dread. + +“After some time she did actually re-appear. One evening in a white robe +she came gliding in; and, as it was just then growing dusky in my room, +she seemed to me taller than when I had seen her last: and I remembered +having heard that all beings of the mermaid and gnome species increased +in stature very perceptibly at the fall of night. She flew as usual to +my arms, but I could not with right gladness press her to my obstructed +breast. + +“‘My dearest,’ said she, ‘I now feel, by thy reception of me, what, +alas! I already knew too well. Thou hast seen me in the interim; thou +art acquainted with the state in which, at certain times, I find myself: +thy happiness and mine is interrupted,--nay, it stands on the brink of +being annihilated altogether. I must leave thee, and I know not whether +I shall ever see thee again.’ Her presence, the grace with which she +spoke, directly banished from my memory almost every trace of that +vision, which, indeed, had already hovered before me as little more than +a dream. I addressed her with kind vivacity, convinced her of my +passion, assured her that I was innocent, that my discovery was +accidental,--in short, I so managed it that she appeared composed, and +endeavored to compose me. + +“‘Try thyself strictly,’ said she, ‘whether this discovery has not hurt +thy love; whether thou canst forget that I live in two forms beside +thee; whether the diminution of my being will not also contract thy +affection.’ + +“I looked at her; she was fairer than ever: and I thought within myself, +Is it so great a misfortune, after all, to have a wife who from time to +time becomes a dwarf, so that one can carry her about with him in a +casket? Were it not much worse if she became a giantess, and put her +husband in the box? My gayety of heart had returned. I would not for the +whole world have let her go. ‘Best heart,’ said I, ‘let us be and +continue ever as we have been. Could either of us wish to be better? +Enjoy thy conveniency, and I promise thee to guard the box with so much +the more faithfulness. Why should the prettiest sight I have ever seen +in my life make a bad impression on me? How happy would lovers be, could +they but procure such miniature pictures! And, after all, it was but a +picture, a little sleight-of-hand deception. Thou art trying and teasing +me, but thou shalt see how I will stand it.’ + +“‘The matter is more serious than thou thinkest,’ said the fair one; +‘however, I am truly glad to see thee take it so lightly; for much good +may still be awaiting us both. I will trust in thee, and for my own part +do my utmost: only promise me that thou wilt never mention this +discovery by way of reproach. Another prayer likewise I most earnestly +make to thee: Be more than ever on thy guard against wine and anger.’ + +“I promised what she required; I could have gone on promising to all +lengths: but she herself turned aside the conversation, and thenceforth +all proceeded in its former routine. We had no inducement to alter our +place of residence: the town was large, the society various; and the +fine season gave rise to many an excursion and garden festival. + +“In all such amusements the presence of my wife was welcome, nay, +eagerly desired, by women as well as men. A kind, insinuating manner, +joined with a certain dignity of bearing, secured to her on all hands +praise and estimation. Besides, she could play beautifully on the lute, +accompanying it with her voice; and no social night could be perfect +unless crowned by the graces of this talent. + +“I will be free to confess that I never cared much for music: on the +contrary, it has always rather had a disagreeable effect on me. My fair +one soon noticed this; and accordingly, when by ourselves, she never +tried to entertain me by such means: in return, however, she appeared to +indemnify herself while in society, where, indeed, she always found a +crowd of admirers. + +“And now, why should I deny it? our late dialogue, in spite of my best +intentions, had by no means sufficed to settle the matter within me: on +the contrary, my temper of mind had by degrees got into the strangest +tune, almost without my being conscious of it. One night, in a large +company, this hidden grudge broke loose, and, by its consequences, +produced to myself the greatest damage. + +“When I look back on it now, I, in fact, loved my beauty far less after +that unlucky discovery: I was also growing jealous of her,--a whim that +had never struck me before. This night at table, I found myself placed +very much to my mind beside my two neighbors, a couple of ladies, who, +for some time, had appeared to me very charming. Amid jesting and soft +small talk, I was not sparing of my wine; while, on the other side, a +pair of musical _dilettanti_ had got hold of my wife, and at last +contrived to lead the company into singing separately, and by way of +chorus. This put me into ill-humor. The two amateurs appeared to me +impertinent; the singing vexed me; and when, as my turn came, they even +requested a solo-strophe from me, I grew truly indignant: I emptied my +glass, and set it down again with no soft movement. + +“The grace of my two fair neighbors soon pacified me, but there is an +evil nature in wrath when once it is set a-going. It went on fermenting +within me, though all things were of a kind to induce joy and +complaisance. On the contrary, I waxed more splenetic than ever when a +lute was produced, and my fair one began fingering it and singing, to +the admiration of all the rest. Unhappily a general silence was +requested. So, then, I was not even to talk any more: and these tones +were going through me like a toothache. Was it any wonder that, at last, +the smallest spark should blow up the mine? + +“The songstress had just ended a song amid the loudest applauses, when +she looked over to me; and this truly with the most loving face in the +world. Unluckily, its lovingness could not penetrate so far. She +perceived that I had just gulped down a cup of wine, and was pouring out +a fresh one. With her right forefinger she beckoned to me in kind +threatening. ‘Consider that it is wine!’ said she, not louder than for +myself to hear it. ‘Water is for mermaids!’ cried I. ‘My ladies,’ said +she to my neighbors, ‘crown the cup with all your gracefulness, that it +be not too often emptied.’--‘You will not let yourself be tutored?’ +whispered one of them in my ear. ‘What ails the dwarf?’ cried I, with a +more violent gesture, in which I overset the glass. ‘Ah, what you have +spilt!’ cried the paragon of women; at the same time twanging her +strings, as if to lead back the attention of the company from this +disturbance to herself. Her attempt succeeded; the more completely as +she rose to her feet, seemingly that she might play with greater +convenience, and in this attitude continued preluding. + +“At sight of the red wine running over the tablecloth, I returned to +myself. I perceived the great fault I had been guilty of, and it cut me +through the very heart. Never till now had music had an effect on me: +the first verse she sang was a friendly good-night to the company, here +as they were, as they might still feel themselves together. With the +next verse they became as if scattered asunder: each felt himself +solitary, separated, no one could fancy that he was present any longer. +But what shall I say of the last verse? It was directed to me alone, the +voice of injured love bidding farewell to moroseness and caprice. + +“In silence I conducted her home, foreboding no good. Scarcely, however, +had we reached our chamber, when she began to show herself exceedingly +kind and graceful,--nay, even roguish: she made me the happiest of all +men. + +“Next morning, in high spirits and full of love, I said to her, ‘Thou +hast so often sung, when asked in company; as, for example, thy touching +farewell song last night. Come now, for my sake, and sing me a dainty, +gay welcome to this morning hour, that we may feel as if we were meeting +for the first time.’ + +“‘That I cannot do, my friend,’ said she seriously. ‘The song of last +night referred to our parting, which must now forthwith take place; for +I can only tell thee, the violation of thy promise and oath will have +the worst consequences for us both: thou hast scoffed away a great +felicity; and I, too, must renounce my dearest wishes.’ + +“As I now pressed and entreated her to explain herself more clearly, she +answered, ‘That, alas! I can well do; for, at all events, my continuance +with thee is over. Hear, then, what I would rather have concealed to the +latest times. The form under which thou sawest me in the box is my +natural and proper form; for I am of the race of King Eckwald, the dread +sovereign of the dwarfs, concerning whom authentic history has recorded +so much. Our people are still, as of old, laborious and busy, and +therefore easy to govern. Thou must not fancy that the dwarfs are +behindhand in their manufacturing skill. Swords which followed the foe, +when you cast them after him; invisible and mysteriously binding chains; +impenetrable shields, and such like ware, in old times,--formed their +staple produce. But now they chiefly employ themselves with articles of +convenience and ornament, in which truly they surpass all people of the +earth. I may well say, it would astonish thee to walk through our +workshops and warehouses. All this would be right and good, were it not +that with the whole nation in general, but more particularly with the +royal family, there is one peculiar circumstance connected.’ + +“She paused for a moment, and I again begged further light on these +wonderful secrets; which, accordingly, she forthwith proceeded to grant. + +“‘It is well known,’ said she, ‘that God, so soon as he had created the +world, and the ground was dry, and the mountains were standing bright +and glorious, that God, I say, thereupon, in the very first place, +created the dwarfs, to the end that there might be reasonable beings +also, who, in their passages and chasms, might contemplate and adore his +wonders in the inward parts of the earth. It is further well known, that +this little race by degrees became uplifted in heart, and attempted to +acquire the dominion of the earth; for which reason God then created the +dragons, in order to drive back the dwarfs into their mountains. Now, as +the dragons themselves were wont to nestle in the large caverns and +clefts, and dwell there; and many of them, too, were in the habit of +spitting fire, and working much other mischief,--the poor little dwarfs +were by this means thrown into exceeding straits and distress: so that, +not knowing what in the world to do, they humbly and fervently turned to +God, and called to him in prayer, that he would vouchsafe to abolish +this unclean dragon generation. But though it consisted not with his +wisdom to destroy his own creatures, yet the heavy sufferings of the +poor dwarfs so moved his compassion, that anon he created the giants, +ordaining them to fight these dragons, and, if not root them out, at +least lessen their numbers. + +“‘Now, no sooner had the giants got moderately well through with the +dragons, than their hearts also began to wax wanton: and, in their +presumption, they practised much tyranny, especially on the good little +dwarfs, who then once more in their need turned to the Lord; and he, by +the power of his hand, created the knights, who were to make war on the +giants and dragons, and to live in concord with the dwarfs. Hereby was +the work of creation completed on this side; and it is plain, that +henceforth giants and dragons, as well as knights and dwarfs, have +always maintained themselves in being. From this, my friend, it will be +clear to thee that we are of the oldest race on the earth,--a +circumstance which does us honor, but at the same time brings great +disadvantage along with it. + +“‘For as there is nothing in the world that can endure forever, but all +that has once been great must become little and fade, it is our lot, +also, that, ever since the creation of the world, we have been waning, +and growing smaller,--especially the royal family, on whom, by reason of +their pure blood, this destiny presses with the heaviest force. To +remedy this evil, our wise teachers have many years ago devised the +expedient of sending forth a princess of the royal house from time to +time into the world, to wed some honorable knight, that so the dwarf +progeny may be refected, and saved from entire decay.’ + +“Though my fair one related these things with an air of the utmost +sincerity, I looked at her hesitatingly; for it seemed as if she meant +to palm some fable on me. As to her own dainty lineage I had not the +smallest doubt; but that she should have laid hold of me in place of a +knight occasioned some mistrust, seeing I knew myself too well to +suppose that my ancestors had come into the world by an immediate act of +creation. + +“I concealed my wonder and scepticism, and asked her kindly, ‘But tell +me, my dear child, how hast thou attained this large and stately shape? +For I know few women that in richness of form can compare with +thee.’--‘Thou shalt hear,’ replied she. ‘It is a settled maxim in the +council of the dwarf kings, that this extraordinary step be forborne as +long as it possibly can; which, indeed, I cannot but say is quite +natural and proper. Perhaps they might have hesitated still longer had +not my brother, born after me, come into the world so exceedingly small +that the nurses actually lost him out of his swaddling-clothes; and no +creature yet knows whither he is gone. On this occurrence, unexampled in +the annals of dwarfdom, the sages were assembled; and, without more ado, +the resolution was taken, and I sent out in quest of a husband.’ + +“‘The resolution!’ exclaimed I, ‘that is all extremely well. One can +resolve, one can take his resolution; but, to give a dwarf this heavenly +shape, how did your sages manage that?’ + +“‘It had been provided for already,’ said she, ‘by our ancestors. In the +royal treasury lay a monstrous gold ring. I speak of it as it then +appeared to me, when I saw it in my childhood; for it was this same ring +which I have here on my finger. We now went to work as follows. + +“‘I was informed of all that awaited me, and instructed what I had to do +and to forbear. A splendid palace, after the pattern of my father’s +favorite summer residence, was then got ready,--a main edifice, wings, +and whatever else you could think of. It stood at the entrance of a +large rock-cleft, which it decorated in the handsomest style. On the +appointed day our court moved thither, my parents, also, and myself. The +army paraded; and four and twenty priests, not without difficulty, +carried on a costly litter the mysterious ring. It was placed on the +threshold of the building, just within the spot where you entered. Many +ceremonies were observed; and, after a pathetic farewell, I proceeded to +my task. I stepped forward to the ring, laid my finger on it, and that +instant began perceptibly to wax in stature. In a few moments I had +reached my present size, and then I put the ring on my finger. But now, +in the twinkling of an eye, the doors, windows, gates, flapped to; the +wings drew up into the body of the edifice; instead of a palace stood a +little box beside me, which I forthwith lifted, and carried off with me, +not without a pleasant feeling in being so tall and strong. Still, +indeed, a dwarf to trees and mountains, to streams, and tracts of land, +yet a giant to grass and herbs, and, above all, to ants, from whom we +dwarfs, not being always on the best terms with them, often suffer +considerable annoyance. + +“‘How it fared with me on my pilgrimage, I might tell thee at great +length. Suffice it to say I tried many, but no one save thou seemed +worthy of being honored to renovate and perpetuate the line of the +glorious Eckwald.’ + +“In the course of these narrations my head had now and then kept +wagging, without myself having absolutely shaken it. I put several +questions, to which I received no very satisfactory answers: on the +contrary, I learned, to my great affliction, that after what had +happened she must needs return to her parents. She had hopes still, she +said, of getting back to me: but, for the present, it was indispensably +necessary to present herself at court; as otherwise, both for her and +me, there was nothing but utter ruin. The purses would soon cease to +pay, and who knew what all would be the consequences? + +“On hearing that our money would run short, I inquired no further into +consequences; I shrugged my shoulders; I was silent, and she seemed to +understand me. + +“We now packed up, and got into our carriage, the box standing opposite +us; in which, however, I could still see no symptoms of a palace. In +this way we proceeded several stages. Post-money and drink-money were +readily and richly paid from the pouches to the right and left, till at +last we reached a mountainous district; and no sooner had we alighted +here than my fair one walked forward, directing me to follow her with +the box. She led me by rather steep paths to a narrow plot of green +ground, through which a clear brook now gushed in little falls, now ran +in quiet windings. She pointed to a little knoll, bade me set the box +down there, then said, ‘Farewell! Thou wilt easily find the way back; +remember me; I hope to see thee again.’ + +“At this moment I felt as if I could not leave her. She was just now in +one of her fine days, or, if you will, her fine hours. Alone with so +fair a being, on the greensward, among grass and flowers, girt in by +rocks, waters murmuring round you, what heart could have remained +insensible! I came forward to seize her hand, to clasp her in my arms; +but she motioned me back, threatening me, though still kindly enough, +with great danger if I did not instantly withdraw. + +“‘Is there not any possibility,’ exclaimed I, ‘of my staying with thee, +of thy keeping me beside thee?’ These words I uttered with such rueful +tones and gestures, that she seemed touched by them, and after some +thought confessed to me that a continuance of our union was not entirely +impossible. Who happier than I! My importunity, which increased every +moment, compelled her at last to come out with her scheme, and inform +me, that if I, too, could resolve on becoming as little as I had once +seen her, I might still remain with her, be admitted to her house, her +kingdom, her family. The proposal was not altogether to my mind, yet at +this moment I positively could not tear myself away: so, having already +for a good while been accustomed to the marvellous, and being at all +times prone to bold enterprises, I closed with her offer, and said she +might do with me as she pleased. + +“I was thereupon directed to hold out the little finger of my right +hand: she placed her own against it; then, with her left hand, she quite +softly pulled the ring from her finger, and let it run along mine. That +instant I felt a violent twinge on my finger: the ring shrunk together, +and tortured me horribly. I gave a loud cry, and caught round me for my +fair one; but she had disappeared. What state of mind I was in during +this moment, I find no words to express: so I have nothing more to say +but that I very soon, in my miniature size, found myself beside my fair +one in a wood of grass-stalks. The joy of meeting after this short yet +most strange separation, or, if you will, of this re-union without +separation, exceeds all conception. I fell on her neck: she replied to +my caresses, and the little pair was as happy as the large one. + +“With some difficulty we now mounted a hill: I say difficulty, because +the sward had become for us an almost impenetrable forest. Yet at length +we reached a bare space; and how surprised was I at perceiving there a +large, bolted mass, which, erelong, I could not but recognize for the +box in the same state as when I had set it down. + +“‘Go up to it, my friend,’ said she, ‘and do but knock with the ring: +thou shalt see wonders.’ I went up accordingly; and no sooner had I +rapped, than I did, in fact, witness the greatest wonder. Two wings came +jutting out; and at the same time there fell, like scales and chips, +various pieces this way and that: while doors, windows, colonnades, and +all that belongs to a complete palace, at once came into view. + +“If ever you have seen one of Röntgen’s desks,--how, at one pull, a +multitude of springs and latches get in motion, and writing-board and +writing materials, letter and money compartments, all at once, or in +quick succession, start forward,--you will partly conceive how this +palace unfolded itself, into which my sweet attendant now introduced me. +In the large saloon I directly recognized the fireplace which I had +formerly seen from above, and the chair in which she had then been +sitting. And, on looking up, I actually fancied I could still see +something of the chink in the dome, through which I had peeped in. I +spare you the description of the rest: in a word, all was spacious, +splendid, and tasteful. Scarcely had I recovered from my astonishment, +when I heard afar off a sound of military music. My better half sprang +up, and with rapture announced to me the approach of his Majesty her +father. We stepped out to the threshold, and here beheld a magnificent +procession moving towards us from a considerable cleft in the rock. +Soldiers, servants, officers of state, and glittering courtiers, +followed in order. At last you observed a golden throng, and in the +midst of it the king himself. So soon as the whole procession had drawn +up before the palace, the king, with his nearest retinue, stepped +forward. His loving daughter hastened out to him, pulling me along with +her. We threw ourselves at his feet: he raised me very graciously; and, +on coming to stand before him, I perceived, that in this little world I +was still the most considerable figure. We proceeded together to the +palace, where his Majesty, in presence of his whole court, was pleased +to welcome me with a well-studied oration, in which he expressed his +surprise at finding us here, acknowledged me as his son-in-law, and +appointed the nuptial ceremony to take place on the morrow. + +“A cold sweat went over me as I heard him speak of marriage; for I +dreaded this even more than music, which had, of old, appeared to me the +most hateful thing on earth. Your music-makers, I used to say, enjoy at +least the conceit of being in unison with each other, and working in +concord; for when they have tweaked and tuned long enough, grating our +ears with all manner of screeches, they believe in their hearts that the +matter is now adjusted, and one instrument accurately suited to the +other. The band-master himself is in this happy delusion; and so they +set forth joyfully, though still tearing our nerves to pieces. In the +marriage state, even this is not the case; for although it is but a +duet, and you might think two voices, or even two instruments, might in +some degree be attuned to each other, yet this happens very seldom: for +while the man gives out one tone, the wife directly takes a higher one, +and the man again a higher; and so it rises from the chamber to the +choral pitch, and farther and farther, till at last not even +wind-instruments can reach it. And now, as I loathe harmonical music, it +cannot be surprising that disharmonical should be a thing which I cannot +endure. + +“Of all the festivities in which the day was spent, I shall and can not +give an account; for I paid small heed to them. The sumptuous victuals, +the generous wine, the royal amusements, I could not relish. I kept +thinking and considering what I was to do. Here, however, there was but +little to be considered. I determined, once for all, to take myself +away, and hide somewhere. Accordingly, I succeeded in reaching the chink +of a stone, where I intrenched and concealed myself as well as might be. +My first care after this was to get the unhappy ring off my finger,--an +enterprise, however, which would by no means prosper; for, on the +contrary, I felt that every pull I gave, the metal grew straiter, and +cramped me with violent pains, which again abated so soon as I desisted +from my purpose. + +“Early in the morning I awoke (for my little person had slept, and very +soundly), and was just stepping out to look farther about me, when I +felt a kind of rain coming on. Through the grass, flowers, and leaves, +there fell, as it were, something like sand and grit in large +quantities; but what was my horror when the whole of it became alive, +and an innumerable host of ants rushed down on me! No sooner did they +observe me than they made an attack on all sides; and, though I defended +myself stoutly and gallantly enough, they at last so hemmed me in, so +nipped and pinched me, that I was glad to hear them calling to +surrender. I surrendered instantly and wholly, whereupon an ant of +respectable stature approached me with courtesy, nay, with reverence, +and even recommended itself to my good graces. I learned that the ants +had now become allies of my father-in-law, and by him been called out in +the present emergency, and commissioned to fetch me back. Here, then, +was little I in the hands of creatures still less. I had nothing for it +but looking forward to the marriage; nay, I must now thank Heaven if my +father-in-law were not wroth, if my fair one had not taken the sullens. + +“Let me skip over the whole train of ceremonies: in a word, we were +wedded. Gayly and joyously as matters went, there were, nevertheless, +solitary hours in which you were led astray into reflection; and now +there happened to me something which had never happened before,--what, +and how, you shall learn. + +“Every thing about me was completely adapted to my present form and +wants: the bottles and glasses were in a fit ratio to a little +toper,--nay, if you will, better measure in proportion than with us. In +my tiny palate the dainty tidbits tasted excellently; a kiss from the +little mouth of my spouse was still the most charming thing in nature; +and I will not deny that novelty made all these circumstances highly +agreeable. Unhappily, however, I had not forgotten my former situation. +I felt within me a scale of by-gone greatness, and it rendered me +restless and cheerless. Now, for the first time, did I understand what +the philosophers might mean by their ideal, which they say so plagues +the mind of man. I had an ideal of myself, and often in dreams I +appeared as a giant. In short, my wife, my ring, my dwarf figure, and so +many other bonds and restrictions, made me utterly unhappy; so that I +began to think seriously about obtaining my deliverance. + +“Being persuaded that the whole magic lay in the ring, I resolved on +filing this asunder. From the court-jeweller, accordingly, I borrowed +some files. By good luck I was left-handed; as, indeed, throughout my +whole life I had never done aught in the right-handed way. I stood +tightly to the work: it was not small; for the golden hoop, so thin as +it appeared, had grown proportionately thicker in contracting from its +former length. All vacant hours I privately applied to this task; and at +last, the metal being nearly through, I was provident enough to step out +of doors. This was a wise measure; for all at once the golden hoop +started sharply from my finger, and my frame shot aloft with such +violence that I actually fancied I should dash against the sky; and, at +all events, I must have bolted through the dome of our palace,--nay, +perhaps, in my new awkwardness, have destroyed this summer residence +altogether. + +“Here, then, was I standing again,--in truth, so much the larger, but +also, as it seemed to me, so much the more stupid and helpless. On +recovering from my stupefaction, I observed the royal strong-box lying +near me, which I found to be moderately heavy, as I lifted it, and +carried it down the footpath to the next stage, where I directly ordered +horses and set forth. By the road I soon made trial of the two +side-pouches. Instead of money, which appeared to be run out, I found a +little key: it belonged to the strong-box, in which I got some moderate +compensation. So long as this held out, I made use of the carriage: by +and by I sold it, and proceeded by the diligence. The strong-box, too, I +at length cast from me; having no hope of its ever filling again. And +thus in the end, though after a considerable circuit, I again returned +to the kitchen-hearth, to the landlady and the cook, where you were +first introduced to me.” + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER XVII. + + +Lenardo was overwhelmed with business, his writing-office in the +greatest activity; clerks and secretaries finding no moment’s rest: +while Wilhelm and Friedrich, strolling over field and meadow, were +entertaining each other with the most pleasant conversation. + +And here, first of all, as necessarily happens between friends meeting +after some separation, the question was started, How far they had +altered in the interim? Friedrich would have it that Wilhelm was exactly +the same as before: to Wilhelm, again, it seemed that his young friend, +though no whit abated in mirth and discursiveness, was somewhat more +staid in his manner. “It were pity,” interrupted Friedrich, “if the +father of three children, the husband of an exemplary matron, had not +likewise gained a little in dignity of bearing.” + +Now, also, it came to light, that all the persons whom we got acquainted +with in the “Apprenticeship” were still living and well,--nay, better +than before, being now in full and decisive activity; each, in his own +way, associated with many fellow-laborers, and striving towards the +noblest aim. Of this, however, it is not for the present permitted us to +impart any more precise information; as, in a little book like ours, +reserve and secrecy may be no unseemly qualities. + +But whatever, in the course of this confidential conversation, +transpired respecting the society in which we now are, as their more +intimate relations, maxims, and objects, by little and little, came to +view, it is our duty and opportunity to disclose in this place. + +“The whim of emigration,”--such was the substance of Friedrich’s talk on +this matter,--“the whim of emigration may, in straitened and painful +circumstances, very naturally lay hold of men: if particular cases +chance to be favored by a happy issue, this whim will, in the general +mind, rise to the rank of passion; as we have seen, as we still see, +and, withal, cannot deny that we, in our time, have been befooled by +such a delusion ourselves. + +“Emigration takes place in the treacherous hope of an improvement in our +circumstances, and it is too often counterbalanced by a subsequent +emigration; since, go where you may, you still find yourself in a +conditional world, and, if not constrained to a new emigration, are yet +inclined in secret to cherish such a desire. + +“We have, therefore, bound ourselves to renounce all emigration, and to +devote ourselves to migration. Here one does not turn his back on his +native country forever, but hopes, even after the greatest circuit, to +arrive there again, richer, wiser, cleverer, better, and whatever else +such a way of life can make him. Now, in society, all things are easier, +more certain in their accomplishment, than to an individual; in which +sense, my friend, consider what thou shalt observe here: for whatever +thou mayest see, all and every part of it is meant to forward a great, +movable connection among active and sufficient men of all classes. + +“But as where men are, manners are too, I may explain thus much of our +constitution by way of preliminary: When two of our number anywhere by +accident meet, they conduct themselves towards each other according to +their rank and fashion, according to custom of handicraft or art, or by +some other such mode adapted to their mutual relations. Three meeting +together are considered as a unity, which governs itself; but, if a +fourth join them, they instantly elect the BOND, one chief and three +subjects. This Bond, however many more combine with them, can still only +be a single newly elected person; for, in the great as in the small +scale, co-regents are found to be mutually obstructive. + +“Thou mayest observe that Lenardo unites, in this way, more than a +hundred active and able men,--unites, employs, calls home, sends forth; +as to-morrow, an important day with us, thou wilt perceive and +understand. Thou wilt then see the Bond dissolved, the multitude divided +into smaller societies, and the Bond multiplied; all the rest will at +the same time become clear to thee. + +“But for the present I invite thee to a short bout of reading. Here, +under the shadow of these whispering trees, by the side of this +still-flowing water, let us peruse a story, this little paper which +Lenardo, from the rich treasures of his collection, has intrusted to me; +that so both of us may see thoroughly what a difference there is between +a mad pilgrimage, such as many lead in the world, and a well-meditated, +happily commenced undertaking like ours, of which I shall at this time +say no more in praise.” + + +The quaint, fitful, and most dainty story of “The Foolish Pilgrimess,” +with which our two friends now occupied their morning, we feel ourselves +constrained, not unreluctantly, by certain grave calculations, to +reserve for some future and better season. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER XVIII. + + +Lenardo, having freed himself from business for an hour, took dinner +with his friends; and at table he began to explain to them his family +circumstances. His eldest sister was married. A rich brother-in-law, to +the great satisfaction of the uncle, had undertaken the management of +all the estates; with him Valerina’s husband was stoutly co-operating: +they were laboring on the great scale, strengthening their enterprises +by connection with distant countries and places. + +Here, likewise, our oldest friends once more make their appearance: +Lothario, Werner, the abbé, are on their side proceeding in the highest +diligence; while Jarno occupies himself with mining. A general insurance +has been instituted: we discern a vast property in land; and on this +depends the existence of a large wandering society, the individual +members of which, under the condition of the greatest possible +usefulness, are recommended to all the world, are forwarded in every +undertaking, and secured against all mischances: while they again, as +scattered colonists, may be supposed to re-act on their mother country +with favorable influences. + +Throughout all this we observe Lenardo recognized as the wandering Bond: +in smaller and greater combinations, he, for most part, is elected; on +him is placed the most unrestricted confidence. + +So far had the disclosure, partly from Lenardo, partly from Friedrich, +proceeded without let, when both of them on a sudden became silent; each +seeming to have scruples about communicating more. After a short pause, +Wilhelm addressed them, and cried, “What new secret again suddenly +overshadows the friendliest explanation? Will you again leave me in the +lurch?” + +“Not at all!” exclaimed Friedrich. “Do but hear me! He has found the +nut-brown maid, and for her sake”-- + +“Not for her sake,” interrupted Lenardo. + +“And just for her sake!” persisted Friedrich. “Do not deceive yourself: +for her sake you are changing yourself into a lawful vagabond; as some +others of us, not, in truth, for the most praiseworthy purposes, have, +in times past, changed ourselves into lawless vagrants.” + +“Let us go along calmly,” said Lenardo: “our friend here must be made +acquainted with the state of our affairs; but, in the first place, let +him have a little touch of discipline for himself. You had found the +nut-brown maid, but to me you refused the knowledge of her abode. For +this I will not blame you, but what good did it do? To discover this +secret I was passionately incited; and, notwithstanding your sagacious +caution, I at length came upon the right trace. You have seen the good +maiden yourself: her circumstances you have accurately investigated, and +yet you did not judge them rightly. It is only the loving who feels and +discovers what the beloved wishes and wants: he can read it in her from +her deepest heart. Let this at present suffice: for explanation we have +no time left to-day. To-morrow I have the hottest press of business to +front: next day we part. But for your information, composure, and +participating interest, accept this copy of a week from my journal: it +is the best legacy which I can leave you. By reading it you will not, +indeed, become wiser than you are and than I am; but let this for the +present suffice. The nearest future, or a more remote one, will arrange +and direct: that is to say, in this case, as in so many others, we know +not what is to become of us.” + +By way of dessert Lenardo received a packet, at the opening of which he, +with some tokens of surprise, handed a letter to Wilhelm. “What secrets, +what speedy concerns, can sister Hersilia have with our friend? ‘To be +delivered instantly and opened privately, without the presence of any +one, friend or stranger!’ Let us give him all possible convenience, +Friedrich: let us withdraw!” Wilhelm hastily broke open the sheet, and +read,-- + + + _Hersilia to Wilhelm._ + + Wherever this letter may reach you, my noble friend, to a + certainty it will find you in some nook where you are striving + in vain to hide from yourself. By making you acquainted with my + two fair dames, I have done you a sorry service. + + But wherever you may be lurking, and doubtless it will search + you out, my promise is, that if, after reading this letter, you + do not forthwith leap from your seat, and, like a pious pilgrim, + appear in my presence without delay, I must declare you to be + the manliest of all men; that is to say, the one most completely + void of the finest property belonging to our sex: I mean + curiosity, which at this moment is afflicting me in its sharpest + concentration. + + In one word, then, your casket has now got its key: this, + however, none but you and I are to know. How it came into my + hands let me now tell you. + + Some days ago our man of law gets despatches from a distant + tribunal; wherein he was asked if, at such and such a time, + there had not been a boy prowling about our neighborhood who had + played all manner of tricks, and at length, in a rash + enterprise, lost his jacket. + + By the way this brat was described, no doubt remained with us + but he was Fitz,--the gay comrade whom Felix talked so much of, + and so often wished back to play with him. + + Now, for the present, those authorities request that said + article of dress may be sent to them if it is still in + existence; as the boy, at last involved in judicial + examinations, refers to it. Of this demand our lawyer chances to + make mention: he shows us the little frock before sending it + off. + + Some good or evil spirit whispers me to grope the breast-pocket: + a little, angular, prickly something comes into my hand; I, so + timorous, ticklish, and startlish as I usually am, clinch my + hand, clinch it, hold my peace; and the jerkin is sent away. + Directly, of all feelings, the strangest seizes me. At the first + stolen glance I saw, I guessed, that it was the key of your + little box. And now came wondrous scruples of conscience, and + all sorts of moral doubts. To discover, to give back my + windfall, was impossible; what have those long-wigged judges to + do with it when it may be so useful to my friend? And then, + again, all manner of questions about right and duty begin + lifting up their voices; but I would not let them outvote me. + + From this you perceive into what a situation my friendship for + you has reduced me: a choice faculty develops itself all on a + sudden for your sake; what an occurrence! May it not be + something more than friendship that so holds the balance of my + conscience? Between guilt and curiosity I am wonderfully + discomposed; I have a hundred whims and stories about what may + follow: law and judgment will not be trifled with. Hersilia, the + careless, and, as occasion served, capricious Hersilia, + entangled in a criminal process; for this is the scope and + tendency of it! And what can I do but think of the friend for + whose sake I suffer all this? I thought of you before, yet with + pauses; but now I think of you incessantly: now when my heart + throbs, and I think of the eighth commandment, I must turn to + you as to the saint who has caused this sin, and will also + procure me an absolution; thus the opening of the casket is the + only thing that can compose me. My curiosity is growing stronger + and doubly strong: come, and bring the casket with you. To what + judgment-seat it properly belongs we will make out between us: + till then let it remain between us; no one must know of it, be + who he will. + + But now, in conclusion, look here, my friend. And tell me, what + say you to this picture of the riddle? Does it not remind you of + arrows with barbs? God help us! But the box must first stand + unopened between you and me, and then, when opened, tell us + further what we have to do. I wish there were nothing whatever + in it; and who knows what all I wish, and what all I could tell? + but do you look at this, and hasten so much the faster to get + upon the road. + + +[Illustration: An elaborate drawing that looks something like a key.] + +Friedrich returned more gay and lively than he had gone. “Good news!” +cried he: “good luck! Lenardo has received some pretty letters to +facilitate the parting: credit more than sufficient; and thou, too, +shalt have thy share in it. Fortune herself surely knows not what she is +about; for once in her time she has done wise, worthy fellows a favor.” + +Hereupon he handed to his friend some clipped fragments of maps, with +directions where they were to be produced, and changed for hard cash or +bills, as he might choose. Wilhelm was obliged to accept them; though he +kept assuring his companion, that for the present he had no need of such +things. “Then, others will need them!” cried Friedrich: “constrain not +thy good feelings, and, wherever thou art, appear as a benefactor. But +now come along, let us have a look at this manuscript: it is long till +night; one tires of talking and listening, so I have begged some writing +for our entertainment. Every leaf in Lenardo’s archives is penned in the +spirit of the whole: in giving me this, he said, ‘Well, take it and read +it: our friend will acquire more confidence in our society and Bond, the +more good members he becomes acquainted with.’” + +The two then retired to a cheerful spot; and Friedrich read, enlivening +with much natural energy and mirth, what he found set down for him. + + WHO CAN THE TRAITOR BE? + +“No, no!” exclaimed he, violently and hastily rushing into the chamber +allotted him, and setting down his candle,--“no! it is impossible! But +whither shall I turn? For the first time I think otherwise than he: for +the first time I feel, I wish, otherwise. O father! couldst thou but be +present invisibly, couldst thou but look through and through me, thou +wouldst see that I am still the same, still thy true, obedient, +affectionate son. Yet to say no! To contradict my father’s dearest, +long-cherished wish! How shall I disclose it? How shall I express it? +No: I cannot marry Julia! While I speak of it, I shudder. And how shall +I appear before him, tell him this, him, the good, kind father? He looks +at me with astonishment, without speaking: the prudent, clear-sighted, +gifted man can find no words. Woe is me! Ah! I know well to whom I would +confide this pain, this perplexity, who it is I would choose for my +advocate. Before all others, thou, Lucinda! And I would first tell thee +how I love thee, how I give myself to thee, and pressingly entreat thee +to speak for me, and if thou canst love me again, if thou wilt be mine, +to speak for us both.” + +To explain this short, pithy monologue will require some details. + +Professor N. of N. had an only boy of singular beauty, whom, till the +child’s eighth year, he had left entirely in charge of his wife. This +excellent woman had directed the hours and days of her son in living, +learning, and all good behavior. She died; and the father instantly +felt, that to prosecute this parental tutelage was impossible. In their +lifetime, all had been harmony between the parents: they had labored for +a common aim, had determined in concert what was next to be done; and +the mother had not wanted skill to execute wisely, by herself, what the +two had planned together. Double and treble was now the widower’s +anxiety; seeing, as he could not but daily see, that for the sons of +professors, even in universities, it was only by a sort of miracle that +a happy education could be expected. + +In this strait he applied to his friend, the _Oberamtmann_ of R., with +whom he had already been treating of plans for a closer alliance between +their families. The _Oberamtmann_ gave him counsel and assistance: so +the son was established in one of those institutions which still +flourish in Germany, and where charge is taken of the whole man, and +body, soul, and spirit are trained with all attention. + +The son was thus provided for: the father, however, felt himself very +lonely, robbed of his wife, shut out from the cheerful presence of the +boy, whom he had seen, without effort of his, growing up in such +desirable culture. But here, again, the friendship of the _Oberamtmann_ +served him in good stead: the distance of their abodes vanished before +his affection, his desire for movement, for diversion of thought. In +this hospitable home the widowed man of letters found, in a family +circle, motherless like his own, two beautiful little daughters growing +up in diverse loveliness: a state of things which more and more +confirmed the fathers in their purpose, in their hope, of one day seeing +their families united in the most joyful bonds. + +They lived under the sway of a mild, good prince: the meritorious +_Oberamtmann_ was certain of his post during life; and, in the +appointment of a successor, his recommendation was likely to go far. And +now, according to the wise family arrangement, sanctioned also by the +minister, Lucidor was to train himself for the important office of his +future father-in-law. This in consequence he did, from step to step. +Nothing was neglected in communicating to him all sorts of knowledge, in +developing in him all sorts of activity, which the state in any case +requires,--practice in rigorous judicial law, and also in the laxer +sort, where prudence and address find their proper field; foresight for +daily ways and means; not excluding higher and more comprehensive views, +yet all tending towards practical life, and so as with effect and +certainty to be employed in its concerns. + +With such purposes had Lucidor spent his school years: by his father and +his patron he was now warned to make ready for the university. In all +departments he already showed the fairest talents; and to nature he was +further indebted for the singular happiness of inclining, out of love +for his father, out of respect for his friend, to turn his capabilities, +first from obedience, then from conviction, on that very object to which +he was directed. He was placed in a foreign university; and here, both +by his own account in his letters, and by the testimony of his teachers +and overseers, he continued walking in the path that led towards his +appointed goal. It was only objected to him, that in certain cases he +had been too impetuously brave. The father shook his head at this: the +_Oberamtmann_ nodded. Who would not have been proud of such a son? + +Meanwhile the two daughters, Julia and Lucinda, were waxing in stature +and graces. Julia, the younger, waggish, lovely, unstable, highly +entertaining; the other difficult to portray, for in her sincerity and +purity she represented all that we prize most in woman. Visits were paid +and repaid: and, in the professor’s house, Julia found the most +inexhaustible amusement. + +Geography, which he failed not to enliven by topography, belonged to his +province; and no sooner did Julia cast her eyes on any of the volumes, +of which a whole series from Homann’s warehouse were standing there, +than the cities, all and sundry, had to be mustered, judged, preferred, +or rejected: all havens especially obtained her favor; other towns, to +acquire even a slight approval from her, must stand forth well supplied +with steeples, domes, and minarets. + +Julia’s father often left her for weeks to the care of his tried friend. +She was actually advancing in knowledge of her science; and already the +inhabited world, in its main features, in its chief points and places, +stood before her with some accuracy and distinctness. The garbs of +foreign nations attracted her peculiar attention; and often when her +foster-father asked her in jest, If among the many young, handsome men +who were passing to and fro before her window, there was not some one or +other whom she liked? she would answer, “Yes, indeed! if he do but look +odd enough.” And, as our young students are seldom behindhand in this +particular, she had often occasion to take notice of individuals among +them; they brought to her mind the costume of foreign nations: however, +she declared in the end, that, if she was to bestow her undivided +attention on any one, he must be at least a Greek, equipped in the +complete fashion of his country; on which account, also, she longed to +be at some Leipzig fair, where, as she understood, such persons were to +be seen walking the streets. + +After his dry and often irksome labors, our teacher had now no happier +moments than those he spent in mirthfully instructing her; triumphing +withal, in secret, that a being so attractive, ever entertaining, ever +entertained, was in the end to be his own daughter. For the rest, the +two fathers had mutually agreed, that no hint of their purpose should be +communicated to the girls: from Lucidor, also, it was kept secret. + +Thus had years passed away, as, indeed, they very lightly pass: Lucidor +presented himself completed, having stood all trials to the joy, even of +the superior overseers, who wished nothing more heartily than being +able, with a good conscience, to fulfil the hopes of old, worthy, +favored, and deserving servants. + +And so the business had at length by quiet, regular steps come so far, +that Lucidor, after having demeaned himself in subordinate stations to +universal satisfaction, was now to be placed in a very advantageous +post, suitable to his wishes and merits, and lying just midway between +the university and the _Oberamtmann-ship_. + +The father now spoke with his son about Julia, of whom he had hitherto +only hinted, as about his bride and wife, without any doubt or +condition; congratulating him on the happiness of having appropriated +such a jewel to himself. The professor saw in fancy his daughter-in-law +again from time to time in his house, occupied with charts, plans, and +views of cities: the son recalled to mind the gay and most lovely +creature, who, in times of childhood, had, by her rogueries as by her +kindliness, always delighted him. Lucidor was now to ride over to the +_Oberamtmann’s_, to take a closer view of the full-grown fair one, and, +for a few weeks, to surrender himself to the habitudes and familiarity +of her household. If the young people, as was to be hoped, should +speedily agree, the professor was forthwith to appear, that so a solemn +betrothment might forever secure the anticipated happiness. + +Lucidor arrives, is received with the friendliest welcome: a chamber is +allotted him; he arranges himself there, and appears. And now he finds, +besides the members of the family already known to us, a grown-up +son,--misbred certainly, yet shrewd and good-natured; so that, if you +like to take him as the jesting counsellor of the party, he fitted not +ill with the rest. There belonged, moreover, to the house a very old, +but healthy and gay-hearted, man, quiet, wise, discreet; completing his +life, as it were, and here and there requiring a little help. Directly +after Lucidor, too, there had arrived another stranger, no longer young, +of an impressive aspect, dignified, thoroughly well-bred, and, by his +acquaintance with the most distant quarters of the world, extremely +entertaining. He was called Antoni. + +Julia received her announced bridegroom in fit order, yet with an excess +rather than a defect of frankness: Lucinda, on the other hand, did the +honors of the house; as her sister did those of herself. So passed the +day, peculiarly agreeable to all, only to Lucidor not: he, at all times +silent, had been forced, that he might avoid sinking dumb entirely, to +employ himself in asking questions; and in this attitude no one appears +to advantage. + +Throughout he had been absent-minded; for at the first glance he had +felt, not aversion or repugnance, yet estrangement, towards Julia: +Lucinda, on the contrary, attracted him; so that he trembled every time +she looked at him with her full, pure, peaceful eyes. + +Thus hard bested, he reached his chamber the first night, and gave vent +to his heart in that soliloquy with which we began. But to explain this +sufficiently, to show how the violence of such an emphatic speech agrees +with what we know of him already, another little statement will be +necessary. + +Lucidor was of a deep character, and for most part had something else in +his mind than what the present scene required: hence talk and social +conversation would never prosper rightly with him; he felt this, and was +wont to continue silent, except when the topic happened to be +particular, on some department which he had completely studied, and of +which, whatever he needed was at all times ready. Besides this, in his +early years at school, and later at the university, he had been deceived +in friends, and had wasted the effusions of his heart unhappily: hence +every communication of his feelings seemed to him a doubtful step, and +doubting destroys all such communication. With his father he was used to +speak only in unison: therefore his full heart poured itself out in +monologues, as soon as he was by himself. + +Next morning he had summoned up his resolution; and yet he almost lost +heart and composure again, when Julia met him with still more +friendliness, gayety, and frankness than ever. She had much to +ask,--about his journey by land and journeys by water; how, when a +student, with his knapsack on his back, he had roamed and climbed +through Switzerland,--nay, crossed the Alps themselves. And now of those +fair islands on the great Southern Lake she had much to say: and then +backwards, the Rhine must be accompanied from his primary origin; at +first, through most undelicious regions, and so downwards through many +an alternation, till at length, between Maynz and Coblenz, you find it +still worth while respectfully to dismiss the old River from his last +confinement, into the wide world, into the sea. + +Lucidor, in the course of this recital, felt much lightened in heart; he +narrated willingly and well: so that Julia at last exclaimed in rapture, +“It is thus that our other self should be!” At which phrase Lucidor +again felt startled and frightened, thinking he saw in it an allusion to +their future pilgrimage in common through life. + +From his narrative duty, however, he was soon relieved; for the +stranger, Antoni, very speedily overshadowed all mountain streams, and +rocky banks, and rivers, whether hemmed in or left at liberty. Under his +guidance you now went forward to Genoa; Livorno lay at no great +distance; whatever was most interesting in the country you took with you +as fair spoil; Naples, too, was a place you should see before you died; +and then, in truth, remained Constantinople, which also was by no means +to be neglected. Antoni’s descriptions of the wide world carried the +imagination of every hearer along with him, though Antoni himself +introduced little fire into the subject. Julia, quite enraptured, was +still nowise satisfied: she longed for Alexandria, Cairo, and, above +all, for the pyramids; of which, by the lessons of her intended +father-in-law, she had gained some moderate knowledge. + +Lucidor, next night (he had scarcely shut his door, the candle he had +not put down), exclaimed, “Now, bethink thee, then: it is growing +serious! Thou hast studied and meditated many serious things: what +avails thy law-learning if thou canst not act like a man of law? View +thyself as a delegate, forget thy own feelings, and do what it would +behoove thee to do for another. It thickens and closes round me +horribly! The stranger is plainly come for the sake of Lucinda; she +shows him the fairest, noblest social and hospitable attentions: that +little fool would run through the world with any one for any thing or +nothing. Besides, she is a wag: her interest in cities and countries is +a farce, by which she keeps us in silence. But why do I look at the +affair so perplexedly, so narrowly? Is not the _Oberamtmann_ himself the +most judicious, the clearest, the kindest mediator? Thou wilt tell him +how thou feelest and thinkest; and he will think with thee, if not +likewise feel. With thy father he has all influence. And is not the one +as well as the other his daughter? What would this Antoni the traveller +with Lucinda, who is born for home, to be happy and to make happy? Let +the wavering quicksilver fasten itself to the Wandering Jew: that will +be a right match.” + +Next morning Lucidor came down with the firm purpose of speaking with +the father, and waiting on him expressly to that end, at the hour when +he knew him to be disengaged. How great was his vexation, his +perplexity, on learning that the _Oberamtmann_ had been called away on +business, and was not expected till the day after the morrow! Julia, on +this occasion, seemed to be expressly in her travelling-fit; she kept by +the world wanderer, and, with some sportive hits at domestic economy, +gave up Lucidor to Lucinda. If our friend, viewing this noble maiden +from a certain distance, and under one general impression, had already, +with his whole heart, loved her, he failed not now in this nearest +nearness to discover with double and treble vividness in detail all that +had before as a whole attracted him. + +The good old friend of the family now brought himself forward in place +of the absent father: he, too, had lived, had loved, and was now, after +many hard buffetings and bruises of life, resting at last, refreshed and +cheerful, beside the friend of his youth. He enlivened the conversation, +and especially expatiated on perplexities in choice of wives; relating +several remarkable examples of explanations, both in time and too late. +Lucinda appeared in all her splendor. She admitted, that accident in all +departments of life, and so likewise in the business of marriage, often +produced the best result; yet that it was finer and prouder when one +could say he owed his happiness to himself, to the silent, calm +conviction of his heart, to a noble purpose and a quick determination. +Tears stood in Lucidor’s eyes as he applauded this sentiment: directly +afterwards the two ladies went out. The old president liked well to deal +in illustrative histories; and so the conversation expanded itself into +details of pleasant instances, which, however, touched our hero so +closely that none but a youth of as delicate manners as his could have +refrained from breaking out with his secret. He did break out so soon as +he was by himself. + +“I have constrained myself!” exclaimed he: “with such perplexities I +will not vex my good father; I have forborne to speak, for I see in this +worthy old man the substitute of both fathers. To him will I speak, to +him disclose the whole: he will surely bring it about; he has already +almost spoken what I wish. Will he censure in the individual case what +he praises in general? To-morrow I visit him: I must give vent to this +oppression.” + +At breakfast the old man was not present: last night he had spoken, it +appeared, too much, had sat too long, and likewise drunk a drop or two +of wine beyond his custom. Much was said in his praise: many anecdotes +were related, and precisely of such sayings and doings as brought +Lucidor to despair for not having forthwith applied to him. This +unpleasant feeling was but aggravated when he learned, that, in such +attacks of disorder, the good old man would often not make his +re-appearance for a week. + +For social converse a country residence has many advantages, especially +when the owners of it have, for a course of years, been induced, as +thinking and feeling persons, to improve the natural capabilities of +their environs. Such had been the good fortune of this spot. The +_Oberamtmann_, at first unwedded, then in a long, happy marriage, +himself a man of fortune, and occupying a lucrative post, had, according +to his own judgment and perception, according to the taste of his +wife,--nay, at last according to the wishes and whims of his +children,--laid out and forwarded many larger and smaller decorations; +which, by degrees, being skilfully connected with plantations and paths, +afforded to the promenader a very beautiful, continually varying, +characteristic series of scenes. A pilgrimage through these our young +hosts now proposed to their guest; as in general we take pleasure in +showing our improvements to a stranger, that so what has become habitual +in our eyes may appear with the charm of novelty in his, and leave with +him, in permanent remembrance, its first favorable impression. + +The nearest, as well as the most distant, part of the grounds was +peculiarly appropriate for modest decorations, and altogether rural +individualities. Fertile hills alternated with well-watered meadows, so +that the whole was visible from time to time without being flat; and, if +the land seemed chiefly devoted to purposes of utility, the graceful, +the attractive, was by no means excluded. + +To the dwelling and office houses were united various gardens, orchards, +and green spaces; out of which you imperceptibly passed into a little +wood with a broad, clear carriage-road, winding up and down through the +midst of it. Here, in a central spot, on the most considerable +elevation, there had been a hall erected, with side-chambers entering +from it. On coming through the main door you saw, in a large mirror, the +most favorable prospect which the country afforded, and were sure to +turn round that instant, to recover yourself on the reality from the +effect of this its unexpected image; for the approach was artfully +enough contrived, and all that could excite surprise was carefully hid +till the last moment. No one entered but felt pleasurably tempted to +turn from the mirror to nature, and from nature to the mirror. + +Once in motion in this fairest, brightest, longest day, our party made a +spiritual campaign of it, over and through the whole. Here the daughters +pointed out the evening-seat of their good mother, where a stately +box-tree had kept clear space all round it. A little farther on +Lucinda’s place of morning prayer was half-roguishly exhibited by Julia, +close to a little brook, between poplars and alders, with meadows +sloping down from it, and fields stretching upwards. It was +indescribably pretty. You thought you had seen such a spot everywhere, +but nowhere so impressive and so perfect in its simplicity. In return +for this the young master, also half against Julia’s will, pointed out +the tiny groves, and child’s gardens which, close by a snug-lying mill, +were now scarcely discernible: they dated from a time when Julia, +perhaps in her tenth year, had taken it into her head to become a +milleress; intending, after the decease of the two old occupants, to +assume the management herself, and choose some brave millman for her +husband. + +“That was at a time,” cried Julia, “when I knew nothing of towns lying +on rivers, or even on the sea,--nothing of Genoa, of Naples, and the +like. Your worthy father, Lucidor, has converted me: of late I come +seldom hither.” She sat down with a roguish air, and on a little bench, +that was now scarcely large enough for her, under an elder-bough, which +had bent deeply towards the ground. “Fie on this cowering!” cried she, +then started up, and ran off with her gay brother. + +The remaining pair kept up a rational conversation, and in these cases +reason approaches close to the borders of feeling. Wandering over +changeful, simple, natural objects, to contemplate at leisure how +cunning, scheming man contrives to gain some profit from them; how his +perception of what is laid before him, combining with the feeling of his +wants, does wonders, first in rendering the world inhabitable, then in +peopling it, and at last in over-peopling it,--all this could here be +talked of in detail. Lucinda gave account of every thing; and, modest as +she was, she could not hide that these pleasant and convenient +combinations of distant parts by roads had been her work, under the +proposal, direction, or favor of her revered mother. + +But as the longest day at last bends down to evening, our party were at +last forced to think of returning: and, while devising some pleasant +circuit, the merry brother proposed that they should take the short +road; though it commanded no fine prospects, and was even in some places +more difficult to get over. “For,” cried he, “you have preached all day +about your decorations and reparations, and how you have improved and +beautified the scene for pictorial eyes and feeling hearts: let me, +also, have my turn.” + +Accordingly, they now set forth over ploughed grounds, by coarse paths, +nay, sometimes picking their way by stepping-stones in boggy places; +till at last they perceived, at some distance, a pile of machinery +towering up in manifold combination. More closely examined, it turned +out to be a large apparatus for sport and games, arranged, not without +judgment, and in a certain popular spirit. Here, fixed at suitable +distances, stood a large swing-wheel, on which the ascending and the +descending riders might still sit horizontally and at their ease; other +seesaws, swing-ropes, leaping-poles, bowling and ninepins courses, and +whatever can be fancied for variedly and equally employing and diverting +a crowd of people gathered on a large common. “This,” cried he, “is my +invention, my decoration! And though my father found the money, and a +shrewd fellow the brain necessary for it, yet without me, whom you often +call a person of no judgment, money and brain would not have come +together.” + +In this cheerful mood the whole four reached home by sunset. Antoni also +joined them; but the little Julia, not yet satisfied with this unresting +travel, ordered her coach, and set forth on a visit to a lady of her +friends, in utter despair at not having seen her for two days. The party +left behind began to feel embarrassed before they were aware: it was +even mentioned in words that the father’s absence distressed them. The +conversation was about to stagnate, when all at once the madcap sprang +from his seat, and in a few moments returned with a book, proposing to +read to the company. Lucinda forbore not to inquire how this notion had +occurred to him, now for the first time in a twelvemonth. “Every thing +occurs to me,” said he, “at the proper season: this is more than you can +say for yourself.” He read them a series of genuine antique tales, such +as lead man away from himself, flattering his wishes, and making him +forget all those restrictions between which, even in the happiest +moments, we are still hemmed in. + +“What shall I do now?” cried Lucidor, when at last he saw himself alone. +“The hour presses on: in Antoni I have no trust; he is an utter +stranger; I know not who he is, how he comes to be here, nor what he +wants: Lucinda seems to be his object; and, if so, what can I expect of +him? Nothing remains for me but applying to Lucinda herself: she must +know of it, she before all others. This was my first feeling: why do we +stray into side-paths and subterfuges? My first thought shall be my +last, and I hope to reach my aim.” + +On Saturday morning Lucidor, dressed at an early hour, was walking to +and fro in his chamber, thinking and conning over his projected address +to Lucinda, when he heard a sort of jestful contention before his door; +and the door itself directly afterwards went up. The mad younker was +shoving in a boy before him with coffee and baked ware for the guest: he +himself carried cold meats and wine. “Go thou foremost,” cried the +younker, “for the guest must be first served: I am used to serve myself. +My friend, to-day I am entering somewhat early and tumultuously: but let +us take our breakfast in peace; then we shall see what is to be done, +for of our company there is nothing to be hoped. The little one is not +yet back from her friend: they two have to pour out their hearts +together every fortnight, otherwise the poor, dear hearts would burst. +On Saturdays Lucinda is good for nothing: she balances her household +accounts for my father; she would have had me taking share in the +concern, but Heaven forbid! When I know the price of any thing, no +morsel of it can I relish. Guests are expected to-morrow; the old man +has not yet got refitted: Antoni is gone to hunt; we will do the same.” + +Guns, pouches, and dogs were ready as our pair stepped down into the +court; and now they set forth over field and hill, shooting at best a +leveret or so, and perhaps here and there a poor, indifferent, +undeserving bird. Meanwhile they kept talking of domestic affairs, of +the household, and company at present assembled in it. Antoni was +mentioned, and Lucidor failed not to inquire more narrowly about him. +The gay younker, with some self-complaisance, asserted, that strange as +the man was, and much mystery as he made about himself, he, the gay +younker, had already seen through him and through him. “Without doubt,” +continued he, “Antoni is the son of a rich mercantile family, whose +large partnership concern fell to ruin at the very time when he, in the +full vigor of youth, was preparing to take a cheerful and active hand in +their great undertakings, and, withal, to share in their abundant +profits. Dashed down from the summit of his hopes, he gathered himself +together, and undertook to perform for strangers what he was no longer +in a case to perform for his relatives. And so he travelled through the +world, became thoroughly acquainted with it and its mutual traffickings; +in the mean while not forgetting his own advantage. Unwearied diligence +and tried fidelity obtained and secured for him unbounded confidence +from many. Thus in all places he acquired connections and friends: nay, +it is easy to see that his fortune is as widely scattered abroad as his +acquaintance; and, accordingly, his presence is from time to time +required in all quarters of the world.” + +These things the merry younker told in a more circumstantial and simple +style, introducing many farcical observations, as if he meant to spin +out his story to full length. + +“How long, for instance,” cried he, “has this Antoni been connected with +my father? They think I see nothing because I trouble myself about +nothing; but for this very reason I see it better, as I take no interest +in it. To my father he has intrusted large sums, who, again, has +deposited them securely and to advantage. It was but last night that he +gave our old dietetic friend a casket of jewels; a finer, simpler, +costlier piece of ware I never cast my eyes on: though I saw this only +with a single glance, for they make a secret of it. Most probably it is +to be consigned to the bride for her pleasure, satisfaction, and future +security. Antoni has set his heart on Lucinda! Yet, when I see them +together, I cannot think it a well-assorted match. The hop-skip would +have suited him better: I believe, too, she would take him sooner than +the elder would. Many a time I see her looking over to the old +curmudgeon, so gay and sympathetic, as if she could find in her heart to +spring into the coach with him, and fly off at full gallop.” Lucidor +collected himself; he knew not what to answer; all that he heard +obtained his internal approbation. The younker proceeded, “All along the +girl has had a perverted liking for old people: I believe, of a truth, +she would have skipped away and wedded your father as briskly as she +would his son.” + +Lucidor followed his companion over stock and stone, as it pleased the +gay youth to lead him: both forgot the chase, which, at any rate, could +not be productive. They called at a farmhouse, where, being hospitably +received, the one friend entertained himself with eating, drinking, and +tattling; the other again plunged into meditations and projects for +turning this new discovery to his own profit. + +From all these narrations and disclosures Lucidor had acquired so much +confidence in Antoni, that, immediately on their return, he asked for +him, and hastened into the garden where he was said to be. In vain! No +soul was to be seen anywhere. At last he entered the door of the great +hall: and strange enough the setting sun, reflected from the mirror, so +dazzled him that he could not recognize the two persons who were sitting +on the sofa; though he saw distinctly that it was a lady and a man, +which latter was that instant warmly kissing the hand of his companion. +How great, accordingly, was Lucidor’s astonishment when, on recovering +his clearness of vision, he beheld Antoni sitting by Lucinda. He was +like to sink through the ground; he stood, however, as if rooted to the +spot, till Lucinda, in the kindest, most unembarrassed manner, shifted a +little to a side, and invited him to take a seat on her right hand. +Unconsciously he obeyed her; and while she addressed him, inquiring +after his present day’s history, asking pardon for her absence on +domestic engagements, he could scarcely hear her voice. Antoni rose, and +took his leave: Lucinda, resting herself from her toil as the others +were doing, invited Lucidor to a short stroll. Walking by her side he +was silent and embarrassed: she, too, seemed ill at ease; and, had he +been in the slightest degree self-collected, her deep-drawn breathing +must have disclosed to him that she had heartfelt sighs to suppress. She +at last took her leave as they approached the house: he, on the other +hand, turned round at first slowly, then at a violent pace, to the open +country. The park was too narrow for him: he hastened through the +fields, listening only to the voice of his heart, and without eyes for +the beauties of this loveliest evening. When he found himself alone, and +his feelings were relieving their violence in a shower of tears, he +exclaimed,-- + +“Already in my life, but never with such fierceness, have I felt the +agony which now makes me altogether wretched,--to see the +long-wished-for happiness at length reach me, hand in hand and arm in +arm unite with me, and at the same moment announce its eternal +departure! I was sitting by her, I was walking by her, her fluttering +garment touched me; and I have lost her! Reckon it not over, torture not +thy heart with it, be silent and determine!” + +He laid a prohibition on his lips: he held his peace, and planned and +meditated; stepping over field and meadow and bush, not always by the +smoothest paths. Late at night, on returning to his chamber, he gave +voice to his thoughts for a moment, and cried, “To-morrow morning I am +gone: another such day I will not front.” + +And so, without undressing, he threw himself on the bed. Happy, healthy +season of youth! He was already asleep: the fatiguing motion of the day +had earned for him the sweetest rest. Out of bright morning dreams, +however, the earliest sun awoke him: this was the longest day in the +year, and for him it threatened to be too long. If the grace of the +peaceful evening star had passed over him unnoticed, he felt the +awakening beauty of the morning only to despair. The world was lying +here as glorious as ever; to his eyes it was still so, but his soul +contradicted it: all this belonged to him no longer; he had lost +Lucinda. + +His travelling-bag was soon packed; this he was to leave behind him; he +left no letter with it: a verbal message in excuse of absence from +dinner, perhaps also from supper, might be left with the groom, whom, at +any rate, he must awaken. The groom, however, was awake already: Lucidor +found him in the yard, walking with large strides before the +stable-door. “You do not mean to ride?” cried the usually good-natured +man, with a tone of some spleen. “To you I may say it, but young master +is growing worse and worse. There was he driving about far and near +yesterday: you might have thought he would thank God for a Sunday to +rest in. And see if he does not come this morning before daybreak, +rummages about in the stable, and, while I am getting up, saddles and +bridles your horse, flings himself on it, and cries, ‘Do but consider +the good work I am doing! This beast keeps jogging on at a staid, +juridical trot: I must see and rouse him into a smart life-gallop.’ He +said something just so, and other strange speeches besides.” + +Lucidor was doubly and trebly vexed: he liked the horse, as +corresponding to his own character, his own mode of life; it grieved him +to figure his good, sensible beast in the hands of a madcap. His plan, +too, was overturned,--his purpose of flying to a college friend with +whom he had lived in cheerful, cordial union, and in this crisis seeking +refuge beside him. His old confidence had been awakened, the intervening +miles were not counted: he had fancied himself already at the side of +his true-hearted and judicious friend, finding counsel and assuagement +from his words and looks. This prospect was now cut off, yet not +entirely, if he could venture with the fresh, pedestrian limbs which +still stood at his command to set forth towards the goal. + +First of all, accordingly, he struck through the park; making for the +open country, and the road which was to lead him to his friend. Of his +direction he was not quite certain, when, looking to the left, his eye +fell upon the hermitage, which had hitherto been kept secret from +him,--a strange edifice, rising with grotesque joinery through bush and +tree; and here, to his extreme astonishment, he observed the good old +man, who for some days had been considered sick, standing in the gallery +under the Chinese roof, and looking blithely through the soft morning. +The friendliest salutation, the most pressing entreaties to come up, +Lucidor resisted with excuses and gestures of haste. Nothing but +sympathy with the good old man, who, hastening down with infirm step, +seemed every moment in danger of falling to the bottom, could induce him +to turn thither, and then suffer himself to be conducted up. With +surprise he entered the pretty little hall; it had only three windows, +turned towards the park,--a most graceful prospect: the other sides were +decorated, or, rather, covered, with hundreds of portraits, copper-plate +or painted, which were fixed in a certain order to the wall, and +separated by colored borders and interstices. + +“I favor you, my friend, more than I do every one: this is the sanctuary +in which I peacefully spend my last days. Here I recover myself from all +the mistakes which society tempts me to commit: here my dietetic errors +are corrected, and my old being is again restored to equilibrium.” + +Lucidor looked over the place; and, being well read in history, he +easily observed that an historical taste had presided in its +arrangement. + +“Above, there, in the frieze,” said the old virtuoso, “you will find the +names of distinguished men in the primitive ages; then those of later +antiquity; yet still only their names, for how they looked would now be +difficult to discover. But here, in the main field, comes my own life +into play: here are the men whose names I used to hear mentioned in my +boyhood. For some fifty years or so the name of a distinguished man +continues in the remembrance of the people: then it vanishes, or becomes +fabulous. Though of German parentage, I was born in Holland; and, for +me, William of Orange, Stadtholder, and King of England, is the +patriarch of all common great men and heroes. + +“Now, close by William, you observe Louis Fourteenth as the person +who”--How gladly would Lucidor have cut short the good old man, had it +but been permitted him, as it is to us the narrators: for the whole late +and latest history of the world seemed impending; as from the portraits +of Frederick the Great and his generals, towards which he was glancing, +was but too clearly to be gathered. + +And though the kindly young man could not but respect his old friend’s +lively sympathy in these things, nor deny that some individual features +and views in this exhibitory discourse might be interesting; yet at +college he had heard the late and latest history of Europe already: and, +what a man has once heard, he fancies himself to know forever. Lucidor’s +thoughts were wandering far away: he heard not, he scarcely saw, and was +just on the point, in spite of all politeness, of flinging himself out, +and tumbling down the long, fatal stair, when a loud clapping of hands +was heard from below. + +While Lucidor restrained his movement, the old man looked over through +the window; and a well-known voice resounded from beneath, “Come down, +for Heaven’s sake, out of your historic picture-gallery, old gentleman! +Conclude your fasts and humiliations, and help me to appease our young +friend, when he learns it. Lucidor’s horse I have ridden somewhat hard: +it has lost a shoe, and I was obliged to leave the beast behind me. What +will he say? He is too absurd, when one behaves absurdly.” + +“Come up,” said the old man, and turned in to Lucidor. “Now what say +you?” Lucidor was silent, and the wild blade entered. The discussion of +the business lasted long: at length it was determined to despatch the +groom forthwith, that he might seek the horse, and take charge of it. + +Leaving the old man, the two younkers hastened to the house; Lucidor, +not quite unwillingly, submitting to this arrangement. Come of it what +might, within these walls the sole wish of his heart was included. In +such desperate cases, we are, at any rate, cut off from the assistance +of our free will; and we feel ourselves relieved for a moment, when, +from any quarter, direction and constraint take hold of us. Yet, on +entering his chamber, he found himself in the strangest mood,--like a +man who, having just left an apartment of an inn, is forced to return to +it by the breaking of an axle. + +The gay younker fell upon the travelling-bag, unpacking it all in due +order; especially selecting every article of holiday apparel, which, +though only on the travelling scale, was to be found there. He forced +Lucidor to put on fresh shoes and stockings: he dressed for him his +clustering brown locks, and decked him at all points with his best +skill. Then stepping back, and surveying our friend and his own +handiwork from head to foot, he exclaimed, “Now, then, my good fellow, +you do look like a man that has some pretensions to pretty damsels, and +serious enough, moreover, to spy about you for a bride! Wait one moment! +You shall see how I, too, can produce myself, when the hour strikes. +This knack I learned from your military officers, the girls are always +glancing at them: so I likewise have enrolled myself among a certain +soldiery; and now they look at me, too, and look again; and no soul of +them knows what to make of it. And so, from this looking and re-looking, +from this surprise and attention, a pretty enough result now and then +arises; which, though it were not lasting, is worth enjoying for the +moment. + +“But come along, my friend, and do the like service for me. When you +have seen me case myself by piecemeal in my equipment, you will not say +that wit and invention have been denied me.” He now led his friend +through several long, spacious passages of the old castle. “I have quite +nestled myself here,” cried he. “Though I care not for hiding, I like to +be alone: you can do no good with other people.” + +They were passing by the office-rooms just as a servant came out with a +patriarchal writing apparatus, black, massive, and complete: paper, too, +was not forgotten. + +“I know what it is to be blotted here again,” cried the younker: “go thy +ways, and leave me the key. Take a look of the place, Lucidor: it will +amuse you till I am dressed. To a friend of justice, such a spot is not +odious, as to a tamer of horses.” And, with this, he pushed Lucidor into +the hall of judgment. + +Lucidor felt himself directly in a well-known and friendly element: he +thought of the days when he, fixed down to business, had sat at such a +table, and, listening and writing, had trained himself to his art. Nor +did he fail to observe, that in this case an old, stately, domestic +chapel had, under the change of religious ideas, been converted to the +service of Themis. In the repositories he found some titles and acts +already familiar to him: in these very matters he had co-operated while +laboring in the capital. Opening a bundle of papers, there came into his +hands a rescript which he himself had dictated; another of which he had +been the originator. Handwriting and paper, signet and president’s +signature, every thing recalled to him that season of juridical effort, +of youthful hope. And here, when he looked round, and saw the +_Oberamtmann’s_ chair, appointed and intended for himself; so fair a +place, so dignified a circle of activity, which he was now like to cast +away and utterly lose,--all this oppressed him doubly and trebly, as the +form of Lucinda seemed to retire from him at the same time. + +He turned to go out into the open air, but found himself a prisoner. His +gay friend, heedlessly or roguishly, had left the door locked. Lucidor, +however, did not long continue in this durance; for the other returned, +apologized for his oversight, and really called forth good-humor by his +singular appearance. A certain audacity of color and cut in his clothes +was softened by natural taste, as even to tattooed Indians we refuse not +a certain approbation. “To-day,” cried he, “the tedium of by-gone days +shall be made good to us. Worthy friends, merry friends, are come; +pretty girls, roguish and fond; and my father, to boot; and, wonder on +wonder! your father too. This will be a festival truly: they are all +assembled for breakfast in the parlor.” + +With Lucidor, at this piece of information, it was as if he were looking +into deep fog: all the figures, known and unknown, which the words +announced to him, assumed a spectral aspect; yet his resolution, and the +consciousness of a pure heart, sustained him: and in a few seconds he +felt himself prepared for every thing. He followed his hastening friend +with a steady step, firmly determined to await the issue, be what it +might, and explain his own purposes, come what come might. + +And yet, at the very threshold of the hall, he was struck with some +alarm. In a large half-circle, ranged round by the windows, he +immediately descried his father with the _Oberamtmann_, both splendidly +attired. The two sisters, Antoni, and others known and unknown, he +hurried over with a glance, which was threatening to grow dim. Half +wavering, he approached his father, who bade him welcome with the utmost +kindness, yet in a certain style of formality which scarcely invited any +trustful application. Standing before so many persons, he looked round +to find a place among them for a moment; he might have arranged himself +beside Lucinda: but Julia, contrary to the rigor of etiquette, made room +for him; so that he was forced to step to her side. Antoni continued by +Lucinda. + +At this important moment Lucidor again felt as if he were a delegate; +and, steeled by his whole juridical science, he called up in his own +favor the fine maxim, That we should transact affairs delegated to us by +a stranger as if they were our own; why not our own, therefore, in the +same spirit? Well practised in official orations, he speedily ran over +what he had to say. But the company, ranged in a formal semi-circle, +seemed to outflank him. The purport of his speech he knew well: the +beginning of it he could not find. At this crisis he observed on a +table, in the corner, the large ink-glass, and several clerks sitting +round it: the _Oberamtmann_ made a movement as if to solicit attention +for a speech; Lucidor wished to anticipate him: and, at that very +moment, Julia pressed his hand. This threw him out of all +self-possession, convinced him that all was decided, all lost for him. + +With the whole of these negotiations, these family alliances, with +social conventions, and rules of good manners, he had now nothing more +to do: he snatched his hand from Julia’s, and vanished so rapidly from +the room, that the company lost him unawares; and he out of doors could +not find himself again. + +Shrinking from the light of day, which shone down upon him in its +highest splendor; avoiding the eyes of men; dreading search and +pursuit,--he hurried forwards, and reached the large garden-hall. Here +his knees were like to fail him: he rushed in, and threw himself, +utterly comfortless, upon the sofa beneath the mirror. Amid the polished +arrangements of society, to be caught in such unspeakable perplexity! It +dashed to and fro like waves about him and within him. His past +existence was struggling with his present: it was a frightful moment. + +And so he lay for a time, with his face hid in the cushion on which last +night Lucinda’s arm had rested. Altogether sunk in his sorrow, he had +heard no footsteps approach: feeling some one touch him, he started up, +and perceived Lucinda standing by his side. + +Fancying they had sent her to bring him back, had commissioned her to +lead him with fit, sisterly words into the assemblage to front his hated +doom, he exclaimed, “You they should not have sent, Lucinda; for it was +you that drove me away. I will not return. Give me, if you are capable +of any pity, procure me, convenience and means of flight. For, that you +yourself may testify how impossible it was to bring me back, listen to +the explanation of my conduct, which to you and all of them must seem +insane. Hear now the oath which I have sworn in my soul, and which I +incessantly repeat in words: with you only did I wish to live, with you +to enjoy, to employ my days, from youth to old age, in true, honorable +union. And let this be as firm and sure as aught ever sworn before the +altar,--this, which I now swear, now when I leave you, the most pitiable +of all men.” + +He made a movement to glide past her, as she stood close before him; but +she caught him softly in her arms. “What is this?” exclaimed he. + +“Lucidor!” cried she, “not pitiable as you think: you are mine, I am +yours; I hold you in my arms; delay not to throw your arms about me. +Your father has agreed to all: Antoni marries my sister.” + +In astonishment he recoiled from her. “Can it be?” Lucinda smiled and +nodded: he drew back from her arms. “Let me view once more, at a +distance, what is to be mine so nearly, so inseparably!” He grasped her +hands: “Lucinda, are you mine?” + +She answered, “Well, then, yes,” the sweetest tears in the truest eyes: +he clasped her to his breast, and threw his head behind hers; he hung +like a shipwrecked mariner on the cliffs of the coast; the ground still +shook under him. And now his enraptured eye, again opening, lighted on +the mirror. He saw her there in his arms, himself clasped in hers: he +looked down and again to the image. Such emotions accompany man +throughout his life. In the mirror, also, he beheld the landscape, which +last night had appeared to him so baleful and ominous, now lying fairer +and brighter than ever; and himself in such a posture, on such a +background! Abundant recompense for all sorrows! + +“We are not alone,” said Lucinda; and scarcely had he recovered from his +rapture, when, all decked and garlanded, a company of girls and boys +came forward, carrying wreaths of flowers, and crowding the entrance of +the hall. “This is not the way,” cried Lucinda: “how prettily it was +arranged, and now it is all running into tumult!” A gay march sounded +from a distance, and the company were seen coming on by the large road +in stately procession. Lucidor hesitated to advance towards them: only +on her arm did he seem certain of his steps. She staid beside him; +expecting from moment to moment the solemn scene of meeting, of thanks +for pardon already given. + +But by the capricious gods it was otherwise determined. The gay, +clanging sound of a postilion’s horn from the opposite side seemed to +throw the whole ceremony into rout. “Who can be coming?” cried Lucinda. +The thought of a strange presence was frightful to Lucidor, and the +carriage seemed entirely unknown to him. A double-seated, new, +spick-and-span new, travelling-chaise! It rolled up to the hall. A +well-dressed, handsome boy sprang down, opened the door; but no one +dismounted; the chaise was empty. The boy stepped into it: with a +dexterous touch or two he threw back the tilts; and there, in a +twinkling, stood the daintiest vehicle in readiness for the gayest +drive, before the eyes of the whole party, who were now advancing to the +spot. Antoni, outhastening the rest, led Julia to the carriage. “Try if +this machine,” said he, “will please you; if you can sit in it, and, +over the smoothest roads, roll through the world beside me: I will lead +you by no other but the smoothest; and, when a strait comes, we shall +know how to help ourselves. Over the mountains sumpters shall carry us, +and our coach also.” + +“You are a dear creature!” cried Julia. The boy came forward, and, with +the quickness of a conjurer, exhibited all the conveniences, little +advantages, comforts, and celerities of the whole light edifice. + +“On earth I have no thanks,” cried Julia; “but from this little moving +heaven, from this cloud, into which you raise me, I will heartily thank +you.” She had already bounded in, throwing him kind looks, and a kiss of +the hand. “For the present you come not hither; but there is another +whom I mean to take along with me in this proof-excursion,--he himself +has still a proof to undergo.” She called to Lucidor, who, just then +occupied in mute conversation with his father and father-in-law, +willingly took refuge in the light vehicle, feeling an irresistible +necessity to dissipate his thoughts in some way or other, though it were +but for a moment. He placed himself beside her: she directed the +postilion where he was to drive. Instantly they darted off, enveloped in +a cloud of dust, and vanished from the eyes of the amazed spectators. + +Julia fixed herself in the corner as firmly and commodiously as she +could wish. “Now do you shift into that one, too, good brother; so that +we may look each other rightly in the face.” + +_Lucidor._ You feel my confusion, my embarrassment. I am still as if in +a dream. Help me out of it. + +_Julia._ Look at these gay peasants. How kindly they salute us! You have +never seen the Upper Hamlet yet, since you came hither. All good, +substantial people there, and all thoroughly devoted to me. No one of +them so rich that you cannot, by a time, do a little kind service to +him. This road, which we whirl along so smoothly, is my father’s +doing,--another of his benefits to the community. + +_Lucidor._ I believe it, and willingly admit it; but what have these +external things to do with the perplexity of my internal feelings? + +_Julia._ Patience a little! I will show you the riches of this world, +and the glory thereof. Here now we are at the top. Do but look how clear +the level country lies all round us, leaning against the mountains. All +these villages are much, much indebted to my father; to mother and +daughters too. The grounds of yon little hamlet are the border. + +_Lucidor._ Surely you are in a very strange mood: you do not seem to be +saying what you meant to say. + +_Julia._ But now look down to the left. How beautifully all this unfolds +itself! The church, with its high lindens; the _Amthaus_, with its +poplars, behind the village knoll. Here, too, are the garden and the +park. + +The postilion drove faster. + +_Julia._ The Hall up yonder you know. It looks almost as well here as +this scene does from it. Here, at the tree, we shall stop a moment. Now, +in this very spot our image is reflected in the large mirror: there they +see us full well, but we cannot see ourselves.--Go along, postilion! +There, some little while ago, two people, I believe, were reflected at a +shorter distance, and, if I am not exceedingly mistaken, to their great +mutual satisfaction. + +Lucidor, in ill-humor, answered nothing. They went on for some time in +silence, driving very hard. “Here,” said Julia, “the bad road begins,--a +service left for you to do some day. Before we go lower, look down once +more. My mother’s box-tree rises with its royal summit over all the +rest. Thou wilt drive,” continued she, to the postilion, “down this +rough road: we shall take the footpath through the dale, and so be +sooner at the other side than thou.” In dismounting, she cried, “Well, +now, you will confess the Wandering Jew, this restless Antoni the +Traveller, can arrange his pilgrimages prettily enough for himself and +his companions. It is a very beautiful and commodious carriage.” + +And with this she tripped away down hill. Lucidor followed her in deep +thought: she was sitting on a pleasant seat; it was Lucinda’s little +spot. She invited him to sit by her. + +_Julia._ So now we are sitting here, and one is nothing to the other. +Thus it was destined to be. The little Quicksilver would not suit you. +Love it you could not: it was hateful to you. + +Lucidor’s astonishment increased. + +_Julia._ But Lucinda, indeed! She is the paragon of all perfections, and +the pretty sister was once for all cast out. I see it: the question +hovers on your lips, Who has told us all so accurately? + +_Lucidor._ There is treachery in it! + +_Julia._ Yes, truly! There has been a traitor at work in the matter. + +_Lucidor._ Name him. + +_Julia._ He is soon unmasked: You! You have the praiseworthy or +blameworthy custom of talking to yourself; and now, in the name of all, +I must confess that in turn we have overheard you. + +_Lucidor_ (starting up). A sorry piece of hospitality, to lay snares for +a stranger in this way! + +_Julia._ By no means. We thought not of watching you more than any +other. But you know your bed stands in the recess of the wall: on the +opposite side is another alcove, commonly employed for laying up +household articles. Hither, some days before, we had shifted our old +man’s bed, being anxious about him in his remote hermitage; and here, +the first night, you started some such passionate soliloquy, which he +next morning took his opportunity of rehearsing. + +Lucidor had not the heart to interrupt her. He withdrew. + +_Julia_ (rising and following him). What a service this discovery did us +all! For I will confess, if you were not positively disagreeable, the +situation which awaited me was not by any means to my mind. To be Frau +Oberamtmannin,--what a dreadful state! To have a brave, gallant husband, +who is to pass judgment on the people, and, for sheer judgment, cannot +get to justice; who can please neither high nor low, and, what is worst, +not even himself. I know what my poor mother suffered from the +incorruptibility, the inflexibility, of my father. At last, indeed, but +not till her death, a certain meekness took possession of him: he seemed +to suit himself to the world, to make a truce with those evils which +till then he had vainly striven to conquer. + +_Lucidor_ (stopping short, extremely discontented with the incident, +vexed at this light mode of treating it). For the sport of an evening +this might pass, but to practise such a disgracing mystification day and +night against an unsuspicious stranger is not pardonable. + +_Julia._ We are all equally deep in the crime, we all hearkened you; yet +I alone pay the penalty of eavesdropping. + +_Lucidor._ All! So much the more unpardonable. And how could you look at +me, throughout the day, without blushing, whom at night you were so +contemptuously overreaching? But I see clearly with a glance that your +arrangements by day were planned to make mockery of me. A fine family! +And where was your father’s love of justice all this while?--And +Lucinda-- + +_Julia._ And Lucinda! What a tone was that! You meant to say, did not +you, how deeply it grieved your heart to think ill of Lucinda, to rank +her in a class with the rest of us? + +_Lucidor._ I cannot understand Lucinda. + +_Julia._ In other words, this pure, noble soul; this peacefully composed +nature, benevolence, goodness itself; this woman as she should +be,--unites with a light-minded company, with a freakish sister, a +spoiled brother, and certain mysterious persons. That is +incomprehensible! + +_Lucidor._ Yes, indeed, it is incomprehensible! + +_Julia._ Comprehend it, then! Lucinda, like the rest of us, had her +hands bound. Could you have seen her perplexity, how fain she would have +told you all, how often she was on the very eve of doing it, you would +now love her doubly and trebly, if, indeed, true love were not always +tenfold and hundred-fold of itself. I can assure you, moreover, that all +of us at length thought the joke too long. + +_Lucidor._ Why did you not end it, then? + +_Julia._ That, too, I must explain. No sooner had my father got +intelligence of your first monologue, and seen, as was easy to do, that +none of his children would object to such an exchange, than he +determined on visiting your father. The importance of the business gave +him much anxiety. A father alone can feel the respect which is due to a +father. “He must be informed of it in the first place,” said mine, “that +he may not in the end, when we are all agreed, be reduced to give a +forced and displeased consent. I know him well: I know how any thought, +any wish, any purpose, cleaves to him; and I have my own fears about the +issue. Julia, his maps and pictures, he has long viewed as one thing; he +has it in his eye to transport all this hither, when the young pair are +once settled here, and his old pupil cannot change her abode so readily: +on us he is to bestow his holidays; and who knows what other kind, +friendly things he has projected? He must forthwith be informed what a +trick Nature has played us, while yet nothing is declared, nothing is +determined.” And, with this, he exacted from us all the most solemn +promise that we should observe you, and, come what might, retain you +here till his return. How this return has been protracted; what art, +toil, and perseverance it has cost to gain your father’s consent,--he +himself will inform you. In short, the business is adjusted: Lucinda is +yours. + +And thus had the two promenaders, sharply removing from their first +resting-place, then pausing by the way, then speaking, and walking +slowly through the green fields, at last reached the height, where +another well-levelled road received them. The carriage came whirling up: +Julia in the mean while turned her friend’s attention to a strange +sight. The whole machinery, of which her gay brother had bragged so +much, was now alive and in motion: the wheels were already heaving up +and down a multitude of people; the seesaws were flying; maypoles had +their climbers; and many a bold, artful swing and spring over the heads +of an innumerable multitude you might see ventured. The younker had set +all a-going, that so the guests, after dinner, might have a gay +spectacle awaiting them. “Thou wilt drive through the Nether Hamlet,” +cried Julia: “the people wish me well, and they shall see how well I am +off.” + +The hamlet was empty: the young people had all run to the swings and +seesaws; old men and women, roused by the driver’s horn, appeared at +doors and windows; every one gave salutations and blessings, exclaiming, +“Oh, what a lovely pair!” + +_Julia._ There, do you hear? We should have suited well enough together +after all: you may rue it yet. + +_Lucidor._ But now, dear sister-- + +_Julia._ Ha! Now dear, when you are rid of me! + +_Lucidor._ One single word. On you rests a heavy accusation: what did +you mean by that squeeze of the hand, when you knew and felt my dreadful +situation? A thing so radically wicked I have never met with in my life +before. + +_Julia._ Thank Heaven, we are now quits; now all is pardoned: I had no +mind for _you_, that is certain; but that you had utterly and absolutely +no mind for me, this was a thing which no young woman could forgive: and +the squeeze of the hand, observe you, was for the rogue. I do confess it +was almost too roguish: and I forgive myself, because I forgive you; and +so let all be forgotten and forgiven! Here is my hand. + +He took it: she cried, “Here we are again! In our park again; and so, in +a trice, we whirl through the wide world, and back too: we shall meet +again.” + +They had reached the garden-hall; it seemed empty: the company, tired of +waiting, had gone out to walk. Antoni, however, and Lucinda, came forth. +Julia, stepping from the carriage, flew to her friend: she thanked him +in a cordial embrace, and restrained not the most joyful tears. The +brave man’s cheeks reddened, his features looked forth unfolded; his eye +glanced moist; and a fair, imposing youth shone through the veil. + +And so both pairs moved off to join the company, with feelings which the +finest dream could not have given them. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + CHAPTER LAST. + + +“Thus, my friends,” said Lenardo, after a short preamble, “if we survey +the most populous provinces and kingdoms of the firm earth, we observe +on all sides, that wherever an available soil appears, it is cultivated, +planted, shaped, beautified, and, in the same proportion, coveted, taken +into possession, fortified, and defended. Hereby we bring home to our +conceptions the high worth of property in land, and are obliged to +consider it as the first and best acquirement that can be allotted to +man. And if, on closer inspection, we find parental and filial love, the +union of countrymen and townsmen, and therefore the universal feeling of +patriotism, founded immediately on this same interest in the soil, we +cannot but regard that seizing and retaining of space, in the great or +the small scale, as a thing still more important and venerable. Yes, +Nature herself has so ordered it! A man born on the glebe comes by habit +to belong to it: the two grow together, and the fairest ties are spun +from their union. Who is there, then, that would spitefully disturb this +foundation-stone of all existence; that would blindly deny the worth and +dignity of such precious and peculiar gifts of Heaven? + +“And yet we may assert, that if what man possesses is of great worth, +what he does and accomplishes must be of still greater. In a wide view +of things, therefore, we must look on property in land as one small part +of the possessions that have been given us. Of these the greatest and +the most precious part consists especially in what is movable, and in +what is gained by a moving life. + +“Towards this quarter we younger men are peculiarly constrained to turn; +for, though we had inherited from our fathers the desire of abiding and +continuing, we find ourselves called by a thousand causes nowise to shut +our eyes against a wider out-look and survey. Let us hasten, then, to +the shore of the ocean, and convince ourselves what boundless spaces are +still lying open to activity, and confess, that, by the bare thought of +this, we are roused to new vigor. + +“Yet, not to lose ourselves in these vast expanses, let us direct our +attention to the long and large surface of so many countries and +kingdoms combined together on the face of the earth. Here we behold +great tracts of land tenanted by Nomades, whose towns are movable, whose +life-supporting household goods can be transferred from place to place. +We see them in the middle of the deserts, on wide green pasturages, +lying, as it were, at anchor in their desired haven. Such movement, such +wandering, becomes a habit with them, a necessity: in the end they grow +to regard the surface of the world as if it were not bulwarked by +mountains, were not cut asunder by streams. Have we not seen the +North-east flow towards the South-west; one people driving another +before it, and lordship and property altogether changed? + +“From over-populous countries, a similar calamity may again, in the +great circle of vicissitudes, occur more than once. What we have to +dread from foreigners, it may be difficult to say; but it is curious +enough, that, by our own over-population, we ourselves are thronging one +another in our own domains, and, without waiting to be driven, are +driving one another forth, passing sentence of banishment each against +his fellow. + +“Here now is the place and season for giving scope in our bosoms, +without spleen or anger, to a love of movement; for unfettering that +impatient wish which excites us to change our abode. Yet whatever we may +purpose and intend, let it be accomplished, not from passion, or from +any other influence of force, but from a conviction corresponding to the +wisest judgment and deliberation. + +“It has been said, and over again said, Where I am well is my country! +But this consolatory saw were better worded, Where I am useful is my +country! At home you may be useless, and the fact not instantly +observed: abroad in the world, the useless man is speedily convicted. +And now, if I say, Let each endeavor everywhere to be of use to himself +and others, this is not a precept or a counsel, but the utterance of +life itself. + +“Cast a glance over the terrestrial ball, and for the present leave the +ocean out of sight: let not its hurrying fleets distract your thoughts, +but fix your eye on the firm earth, and be amazed to see how it is +overflowed with a swarming ant-tribe, jostling and crossing, and running +to and fro forever! So was it ordained of the Lord himself, when, +obstructing the Tower of Babel, he scattered the human race abroad into +all the world. Let us praise his name on this account, for the blessing +has extended to all generations. + +“Observe now, and cheerfully, how the young, on every side, instantly +get into movement. As instruction is not offered them within doors, and +knocks not at their gates, they hasten forthwith to those countries and +cities whither the call of science and wisdom allures them. Here, no +sooner have they gained a rapid and scanty training, than they feel +themselves impelled to look round in the world, whether here and there +some profitable experience, applicable to their objects, may not be met +with and appropriated. Let these try their fortune! We turn from them to +those completed and distinguished men, those noble inquirers into +nature, who wittingly encounter every difficulty, every peril, that to +the world they may lay the world open, and, through the most impassable, +pave easy roads. + +“But observe also, on beaten highways, how dust on dust, in long, cloudy +trains, mounts up, betokening the track of commodious, top-laden +carriages, in which the rich, the noble, and so many others, are whirled +along; whose varying purposes and dispositions Yorick has most daintily +explained to us. + +“These the stout craftsman, on foot, may cheerily gaze after; for whom +his country has made it a duty to appropriate foreign skill, and not, +till this has been accomplished, to revisit his paternal hearth. In +still greater numbers do traffickers and dealers meet us on our road: +the little trader must not neglect, from time to time, to forsake his +shop, that he may visit fairs and markets, may approach the great +merchant, and increase his own small profit, by example and +participation of the boundless. But yet more restlessly do we descry +cruising on horseback, singly, on all high and by ways, that multitude +of persons whose business it is, in lawful wise, to make forcible +pretension to our purses. Samples of all sorts, prize catalogues, +invitations to purchase, pursue us into town-houses and country-houses, +and wherever we may seek refuge: diligently they assault us and surprise +us; themselves offering the opportunity, which it would have entered no +man’s mind to seek. And what shall I say of that people which, before +all others, arrogates to itself the blessing of perpetual wandering, +and, by its movable activity, contrives to overreach the resting and to +overstep the walking? Of them we must say neither ill nor good,--no +good, because our League stands on its guard against them; no ill, +because the wanderer, mindful of reciprocal advantage, is bound to treat +with friendliness whomsoever he may meet. + +“But now, above all, we must mention with peculiar affection the whole +race of artists; for they, too, are thoroughly involved in this +universal movement. Does not the painter wander, with palette and easel, +from face to face? and are not his kindred laborers summoned now this +way, now that, because in all places there is something to be built and +to be fashioned? More briskly, however, paces the musician on his way: +for he peculiarly it is that for a new ear has provided new surprise, +for a fresh mind fresh astonishment. Players, too, though they now +despise the cart of Thespis, still rove about in little choirs; and +their moving world, wherever they appear, is speedily enough built up. +So likewise, individually, renouncing serious, profitable engagements, +these men delight to change place with place, according as rising +talents, combined with rising wants, furnish pretext and occasion. For +this success they commonly prepare themselves by leaving no important +stage in their native land untrodden. + +“Nor let us forget to cast a glance over the professorial class: these, +too, you find in continual motion, occupying and forsaking one chair +after the other, to scatter richly abroad on every side the seeds of a +hasty culture. More assiduous, however, and of wider aim, are those +pious souls who disperse themselves through all quarters of the world to +bring salvation to their brethren. Others, on the contrary, are +pilgriming to seek salvation for themselves: they march in hosts to +consecrated, wonder-working places, there to ask and receive what was +denied their souls at home. + +“And if all these sorts of men surprise us less by their wandering, as, +for most part, without wandering, the business of their life were +impossible, of those, again, who dedicate their diligence to the soil, +we should certainly expect that they, at least, were fixed. By no means! +Even without possession, occupation is conceivable; and we behold the +eager farmer forsaking the ground which for years had yielded him profit +and enjoyment: impatiently he searches after similar or greater profit, +be it far or near. Nay, the owner himself will abandon his new-grubbed +clearage so soon as, by his cultivation, he has rendered it commodious +for a less enterprising husbandman: once more he presses into the +wilderness, again makes space for himself in the forests,--in recompense +of that first toiling a double and treble space; on which also, it may +be, he thinks not to continue. + +“There we shall leave him, bickering with bears and other monsters, and +turn back into the polished world, where we find the state of things no +whit more stationary. Do but view any great and regulated kingdom: the +ablest man is also the man who moves the oftenest; at the beck of his +prince, at the order of his minister, the Serviceable is transferred +from place to place. To him also our precept will apply, Everywhere +endeavor to be useful, everywhere you are at home. Yet if we observe +important statesmen leaving, though reluctantly, their high stations, we +have reason to deplore their fate; for we can neither recognize them as +emigrators, nor as migrators,--not as emigrators, because they forego a +covetable situation without any prospect of a better even seeming to +open; not as migrators, because to be useful in other places is a +fortune seldom granted them. + +“For the soldier, again, a life of peculiar wandering is appointed: even +in peace, now this, now that, post is intrusted to him; to fight, at +hand or afar off, for his native country, he must keep himself +perpetually in motion, or readiness to move; and not for immediate +defence alone, but also to fulfil the remote purposes of nations and +rulers, he turns his steps towards all quarters of the world; and to few +of his craft is it given to find any resting-place. And as in the +soldier courage is his first and highest quality, so this must always be +considered as united with fidelity; and, accordingly, we find certain +nations famous for trustworthiness, called forth from their home, and +serving spiritual or temporal regents as body-guards. + +“Another class of persons indispensable to governments, and also of +extreme mobility, we see in those negotiators who, despatched from court +to court, beleaguer princes and ministers, and overnet the whole +inhabited world with their invisible threads. Of these men, also, no one +is certain of his place for a moment. In peace, the ablest of them are +sent from country to country; in war, they march behind the army when +victorious, prepare the way for it when fugitive: and thus are they +appointed still to be changing place for place; on which account, +indeed, they at all times carry with them a stock of farewell cards. + +“If hitherto at every step we have contrived to do ourselves some honor, +declaring, as we have done, the most distinguished portion of active men +to be our mates and fellows in destiny, there now remains for you, my +beloved friends, by way of termination, a glory higher than all the +rest, seeing you find yourselves united in brotherhood with princes, +kings, and emperors. Think first, with blessings and reverence, of the +imperial wanderer Hadrian, who on foot, at the head of his army, paced +out the circle of the world which was subject to him, and thus in very +deed took possession of it. Think then with horror of the Conqueror, +that armed wanderer, against whom no resistance availed, no wall or +bulwark could shelter armed nations. In fine, accompany with honest +sympathy those hapless exiled princes who, descending from the summit of +the height, cannot even be received into the modest guild of active +wanderers. + +“And now, while we call forth and illustrate all this to one another, no +narrow despondency, no passionate perversion, can rule over us. The time +is past when people rushed forth at random into the wide world: by the +labors of scientific travellers, describing wisely and copying like +artists, we have become sufficiently acquainted with the earth to know +moderately well what is to be looked for everywhere. + +“Yet, for obtaining perfect information, an individual will not suffice. +Our society is founded on the principle that each in his degree, for his +purposes, be thoroughly informed. Has any one of us some country in his +eye, towards which his wishes are tending, we endeavor to make clear to +him, in special detail, what was hovering before his imagination as a +whole: to afford each other a survey of the inhabited and inhabitable +world is a most pleasant and most profitable kind of conversation. + +“Under this aspect we can look upon ourselves as members of a Union +belonging to the world. Simple and grand is the thought, easy is its +execution by understanding and strength. Unity is all-powerful; no +division, therefore, no contention, among us! Let a man learn, we say, +to figure himself as without permanent external relation: let him seek +consistency and sequence, not in circumstances, but in himself; there +will he find it; there let him cherish and nourish it. He who devotes +himself to the most needful will, in all cases, advance to his purpose +with greatest certainty: others, again, aiming at the higher, the more +delicate, require greater prudence even, in the choice of their path. +But let a man be attempting or treating what he will, he is not, as an +individual, sufficient for himself; and, to an honest mind, society +remains the highest want. All serviceable persons ought to be related +with each other; as the building proprietor looks out for an architect, +and the architect for masons and carpenters. + +“How and on what principle this Union of ours has been fixed and founded +is known to all. There is no man among us who at any moment could not to +proper purpose employ his faculty of action, who is not assured that in +all places whither chance, inclination, or even passion may conduct him, +he will be received, employed, assisted,--nay, in adverse accidents, as +far as possible, refitted and indemnified. + +“Two duties we have most rigorously undertaken,--first, to honor every +species of religious worship; for all of them are comprehended more or +less directly in the Creed: secondly, in like manner to respect all +forms of government, and, since every one of them induces and promotes a +calculated activity, to labor according to the wish and will of +constituted authorities, in whatever place it may be our lot to sojourn, +and for whatever time. Finally, we reckon it our duty, without pedantry +or rigor, to practise and forward decorum of manners and morals, as +required by that reverence for ourselves which arises from the three +reverences, whereto we universally profess our adherence; having all had +the joy and good fortune, some of us from youth upwards, to be initiated +likewise in the higher general wisdom taught in certain cases by those +venerable men. All this, in the solemn hour of parting, we have thought +good once more to recount, to unfold, to hear and acknowledge, as also +to seal with a trustful farewell. + + + “Keep not standing, fixed and rooted, + Briskly venture, briskly roam: + Head and hand, where’er thou foot it, + And stout heart, are still at home. + In each land the sun does visit: + We are gay whate’er betide. + To give space for wand’ring is it + That the world was made so wide.” + + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + THE RECREATIONS + + OF + + THE GERMAN EMIGRANTS. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + THE RECREATIONS OF THE GERMAN EMIGRANTS. + + + --------------------------------------- + + +At that unhappy period, so fruitful in disasters to Germany, to Europe, +and, indeed, to the whole world, when the French army overran the +Continent, a family of distinction was compelled to forsake their +property on the first invasion, and to flee across the Rhine. They +sought to escape those calamities to which persons of noble birth were +inevitably exposed, in whom it was considered criminal to be descended +from an honorable line of ancestors, and to inherit those privileges and +possessions which the virtues or the valor of their forefathers had +bequeathed to them. + +The Baroness of C----, a widow lady of middle age, distinguished for +every domestic virtue which could promote the comfort or independence of +her family, evinced, upon the occasion of this unforeseen calamity, the +most noble spirit of activity and resolute determination. Brought up +amidst a wide circle of acquaintances, and, to some extent, already +experienced in the reverses of life, she was considered perfect in her +private and domestic character, and was remarkable for the real delight +she ever felt in the active employment of her faculties. Indeed, the +great purpose of her life seemed to consist in rendering services to +others; and it is easy to suppose that her numerous friends never failed +to provide her with employment. She was summoned, at the time we speak +of, to take the lead of a little band of emigrants. Even for this duty +she was prepared; and the same solicitous though cheerful temper, which +had invariably distinguished her at home, did not forsake her in this +hour of general terror and distress. But cheerfulness was not an entire +stranger to our band of fugitives: many an unexpected incident and +strange event afforded occasion for the indulgence of mirth and +laughter, of which their easily excited minds readily took advantage. +The very flight itself was a circumstance well calculated to call out +each individual’s peculiar character in a remarkable manner. The mind of +one, for instance, was distracted by vain fear and terror; another fell +a prey to idle apprehensions; and the extravagances and deficiencies, +the weakness, irresolution, or impetuosity, which were displayed on all +sides, produced so many instances of vexation and bad temper, that the +real trouble of the whole party afforded more mirth than an actual +pleasure trip could possibly have occasioned. + +As we may sometimes preserve our composure, even during the performance +of a farce, without smiling at the most positive drolleries; though we +find it impossible to restrain our laughter when any thing absurd occurs +in the representation of a tragedy,--so in this real world, the +generality of accidents of a serious nature are accompanied by +circumstances either ridiculous at the moment, or infallibly productive +of subsequent mirth. + +We must observe that the baroness’s eldest daughter, Louisa, a cheerful, +lively, and, at the time of their prosperity, an imperious young lady, +had to endure an unusual degree of suffering. She is said to have been +quite overwhelmed with terror at the first alarm, and, in her +distraction and absence of mind, to have packed together the most +useless things with the greatest seriousness, and actually to have made +an offer of marriage to one of the old servants of the establishment. + +She defended herself for this step with much obstinacy, and would not +allow her intended to be made a subject of ridicule. In her opinion she +suffered enough from her daily fear of the allied army, and from the +apprehension that her wished-for marriage might be delayed, or even +frustrated, by a general engagement. + +Her elder brother, Frederick, who was a youth of decisive character, +executed his mother’s orders with precision and exactitude, accompanied +the procession on horseback, and discharged at times the various duties +of courier, conductor, and guide. The tutor of the baroness’s younger +son, who was a well-educated young man, accompanied her in her carriage; +whilst uncle Charles, and an elderly clergyman, who had long been an +indispensable friend of the family, followed in another vehicle, which +was also occupied by two female relations, one young, the other somewhat +advanced in years. The servants followed in an open carriage; and the +procession was closed by a heavily packed wagon, which occasionally +loitered behind. + +The whole party, as may easily be supposed, had abandoned their +dwellings with great reluctance; but uncle Charles had forsaken his +residence on this side of the Rhine even more unwillingly than the +others, not that he had left his mistress behind, as one might, perhaps, +have conjectured from his youth, his figure, and the warmth of his +nature: he had rather been seduced by the brilliant phantom, which, +under the denomination of freedom, had secured so many adherents, first +in secret, then in public, and which, notwithstanding that she was to +some a harsh mistress, was all the more devotedly honored by the others. + +Just as lovers are generally blinded by their passion, it did happen in +the case of uncle Charles. They pant for the possession of a single +happiness, and fancy that for this they can endure the privation of +every other blessing. Position, fortune, and all advantages, vanish into +nothing, compared with the one benefit which is to supply their place. +Parents, relatives, and friends are now looked upon as strangers. One +desire fills and absorbs their whole being, to which every thing else is +to give way. + +Uncle Charles abandoned himself to the intensity of his passion, and did +not conceal it in his conversation. He thought he might express his +conviction the more freely, because he was of noble birth, and, although +the second son, yet the presumptive heir to a noble fortune. Even this +fortune, which was to be his future inheritance, was at present in the +enemy’s hands, by whom it had been shamefully wasted. But, in spite of +all this, Charles could not hate a nation which promised such advantages +to the world at large, and whose principles he approved, according to +his own admission, and the evidence of some of his associates. He +constantly disturbed the peace of the little community (seldom as they +enjoyed such a blessing) by an indiscriminate praise of every thing, +good or bad, which happened amongst the French, and by his noisy delight +at their success. By this means he irritated his companions, who felt +their own grievances doubly aggravated by the malicious triumphs of +their friend and relation. + +Frederick had already been engaged in frequent disputes with him, and +latterly they had ceased to hold communication with each other. But the +baroness, by her prudent management, had secured his moderation, at +least for a time. Louisa gave him the greatest trouble, for she often +used the most unfair methods to cast a slur upon his character and +judgment. The tutor silently pronounced him right, the clergyman +silently pronounced him wrong: and the female attendants, who were +charmed with his figure and with his liberality, heard him with delight; +because, whilst they listened to his lectures, they could honorably fix +on him those loving eyes, which, until that time, had ever been modestly +bent upon the ground. + +Their daily necessities, the obstacles of the journey, and their +disagreeable quarters, generally led the whole company to a +consideration of their immediate interests; and the great number of +French and German fugitives whom they constantly met, and whose conduct +and fortunes were various, often made them consider how much occasion +existed at such times for the practice of every virtue, but particularly +of liberality and forbearance. + +The baroness, on one occasion, observed aloud, that nothing could show +more clearly the deficiencies of men in these virtues than the +opportunity afforded for their exercise, by occasions of general +confusion and distress. Our whole constitution, she maintained, +resembled a ship chartered in a season of tempest, to convey a countless +crowd of men, old and young, healthy and infirm, across a stormy sea; +but only in the hour of shipwreck could the capabilities of the crew be +displayed,--an emergency when even the good swimmer often perished. + +Fugitives, for the most part, carry their faults and ridiculous +peculiarities along with them; and we wonder at this circumstance. But +as the English traveller never leaves his teakettle behind in any +quarter of the globe; so are the generality of mankind invariably +accompanied by their stock of proud pretensions, vanity, intolerance, +impatience, obstinacy, prejudices, and envy. Thus, the thoughtless +enjoyed this flight as they would have enjoyed a party of pleasure; and +the discontented required, even now in their moments of abject poverty, +that their every want should be supplied. How rare is the display of +that pure virtue which incites us to live and sacrifice ourselves for +others! + +In the mean time, whilst numerous acquaintances were formed, which gave +occasion to reflections of this nature, the season of winter was brought +to a close. Fortune once more smiled on the German arms, the French were +again driven across the Rhine, Frankfort was relieved, and Mainz was +invested. + +Trusting to the farther advance of our victorious troops, and anxious to +take possession of a part of their recovered property, the family we +speak of set out for an estate situated in one of the most beautiful +parts of the country, on the right bank of the Rhine. We can ill +describe the rapture with which they once more beheld the silver stream +flowing beneath their windows, the joy with which they took possession +of every part of their house, and hailed the sight of their well-known +furniture, their old family pictures, and of every trifle they had long +given up as totally lost; and they indulged the fondest anticipations of +finding every thing flourishing as heretofore on their side of the +Rhine. + +The arrival of the baroness had scarcely been announced in the village, +when all her former acquaintances, friends, and dependants hastened to +welcome her, to recount the various vicissitudes of the last few months, +and, in more than one instance, to implore her advice and assistance. + +In the midst of these interviews, she was most agreeably surprised by a +visit from the Privy Councillor S. and his family, a man who, from his +earliest youth, had followed business as a pursuit of pleasure, and who +had both merited and acquired the confidence of his sovereign. His +principles were firm, and he indulged his own peculiar notions upon many +subjects. He was precise, both in his conversation and conduct, and +required others to be so too. A dignified deportment was, in his +opinion, the highest virtue a man could possess. + +His sovereign, his country, and himself had suffered much from the +invasion of the French. He had experienced the despotic character of +that nation who were perpetually boasting of justice, and had felt the +tyranny of men who always had the cry of freedom on their lips. We had +observed, however, the general consistency of character which prevailed, +and had marked how many persons witnessed, with feelings of angry +disappointment, the substitution of mere words for practice, and of +empty appearance for reality. The consequences to be expected from an +unfortunate campaign did not escape his acute penetration any more than +the results of the general maxims and opinions we have quoted, though it +must be admitted his views upon all subjects were neither cheerful nor +dispassionate. + +His wife, who had been an early friend of the baroness, after the +experience of so much adversity found a perfect paradise in the arms of +her former companion. They had grown up together, had been educated +together, and had always shared each other’s confidence. The early +inclinations of their youth, their more important matrimonial interests, +their joys and cares and domestic anxieties, had always been +communicated, either personally or by correspondence, as they had for +years maintained an uninterrupted intimacy with each other; but this was +at length broken by the general troubles of the eventful times. Their +present intercourse was, for this reason, the more affectionate, and +their interviews the more frequent; and the baroness observed with +pleasure, that the intimacy of Louisa with the daughters of her friend +was daily increasing. + +Unfortunately the complete enjoyment of that delightful part of the +country was often disturbed by the roar of cannon, which was heard in +the distance, sometimes loudly and sometimes indistinctly, according to +the point of the wind. Moreover, it was impossible to avoid +conversations upon political subjects, which were introduced by the +perpetual rumors of the day, and which generally disturbed the temporary +tranquillity of society; as the various ideas and opinions of all +parties were usually propounded without reserve. + +And as intemperate men seldom refrain from wine or injurious food on +account of their experience of the evil consequences which such +enjoyments occasion; so, in this instance, the several members of the +society we speak of, in place of imposing restraint upon their +conversation, abandoned themselves to the irresistible impulse of vexing +each other, and thus eventually opened a channel of most disagreeable +reflections. + +We can readily suppose that the privy councillor adopted the opinions of +those who advocated the old _régime_, and that Charles took the opposite +side, in expectation that the approaching changes would heal and +re-animate the old, shattered constitution of the country. + +The conversation was carried on at first with some degree of moderation, +particularly as the baroness sought, by her well-timed and graceful +interruptions, to maintain the balance equal between both parties; but +when the important crisis of the conversation arrived, and the +investment of Mainz was about to change to an actual siege, and the +fears of all increased for that beautiful city and its abandoned +inhabitants, both sides asserted their opinions with unrestrained +violence. + +The members of the clubs who had remained in the town were particularly +discussed; and each expressed his hope of their liberation or +punishment, according as he approved or condemned their conduct. + +Amongst the latter class was the privy councillor, whose observations +were especially displeasing to Charles; as he assailed the sound +judgment of those people, and charged them with a thorough ignorance of +the world and of themselves. + +“What blind dolts they must be!” he exclaimed one afternoon when the +discussion became warm, “to think that a great nation, employed in an +effort to suppress its own internal commotions, and which, in sober +moments, has no other object than its own prosperity, can look down upon +them with any sort of sympathy. Used as temporary tools, they will at +last be thrown away or utterly neglected. How grossly they err in +thinking that they will ever be admitted into the ranks of the French +nation! + +“Nothing seems more ridiculous to the strong and powerful than weakness +and inefficiency setting up its pretensions to equality, wrapped in the +obscurity of its own fancies, and in the ignorance of itself, its +powers, and its qualities. And can you suppose that the great nation, +with that good fortune with which it has been hitherto favored, will be +less haughty and overbearing than any other royal conqueror? + +“Many a person, who now struts about in his municipal robes and gaudy +attire, will heartily curse the masquerade when, after having helped to +oppress his countrymen, by a new and disadvantageous change of things he +finds himself at last, in his new character, despised by those in whom +he wholly confided. Indeed, it is my firm opinion, that upon the +surrender of the town, which must soon take place, those people will be +abandoned or given up to us. I hope they will then receive their reward +in that punishment they so richly deserve, according to my opinion, +which is as unprejudiced as possible.” + +“Unprejudiced!” exclaimed Charles with vehemence: “I beg I may never +hear that word again. How can we so unequivocally condemn these men? +Have they not actually devoted their whole lives to the old pursuit of +serving the more favored classes of mankind? Have they not occupied the +few habitable rooms of the old mansion, and toiled diligently therein? +or, rather, have they not felt the inconvenience of the deserted part of +your state palace, by the obligation of living there in a state of +misery and oppression? Uncorrupted by frivolous pursuits, they do not +consider their own occupation to be alone noble; but in silence they +deplore the prejudice, the irregularity, the indolence and ignorance +upon which your statesmen build their foolish claims to reverence, and +in silence they pray for a more equal division of labor and enjoyment. +And who can deny that their ranks contain at least some such men of +intelligence and virtue, who, if they cannot now realize universal good, +can fortunately aid in modifying evil and in preparing for a happy +future? and, if there be such noble beings amongst them, should we not +deplore the approach of that evil hour which must destroy, perhaps +forever, their fondest anticipations?” + +The privy councillor, upon this, sneered with some degree of bitterness +at certain youths who were in the habit of idealizing upon practical +subjects; whilst Charles was equally severe upon men whose thoughts were +merely formed upon antiquated precedents, and who never adopted any but +compulsory reforms. + +By reciprocal contradictions of this nature, the dispute became +gradually more violent; and every topic was introduced which has for so +many years tended to dismember society. In vain did the baroness +endeavor to establish a truce, if not to make peace, between the +contending parties; and the wife of the privy councillor, who from her +estimable qualities had acquired some influence over Charles’s +disposition, interposed also to no effect, more particularly as her +husband continued to launch his poisoned shafts against youth and +inexperience, and enlarged upon the especial aptitude of children to +play with fire, a dangerous element which they were wholly unable to +control. + +Charles, forgetting prudence in his anger, now declared openly that he +wished every success to the French arms, and called upon all his +countrymen to aid in putting an end to their general slavery; expressing +his conviction that their so-called enemies would protect every noble +German who should join them, would regard them and treat them as their +own countrymen, and crown them with honors, fortune, and rewards, in +place of sacrificing or leaving them in misery. + +But the councillor maintained it was ridiculous to suppose that the +French would bestow a thought upon them, whether they capitulated or +not; that they would probably fall into the hands of the allies, by whom +he hoped they would all be hanged. + +Charles was provoked by this speech, and expressed his wish that the +guillotine might find a rich harvest in Germany, and that no guilty head +might escape. He added some cutting observations which were aimed at the +councillor personally, and were in every sense offensive. + +“I shall take leave of a society,” interrupted the latter, “in which +every thing is now slighted which once seemed worthy of respect. I +lament that I should be for the second time expelled, and now by a +fellow-countryman; but I am well aware that less pity may be expected +from this new foe than from the French themselves: and I find here a +confirmation of the old proverb, that it is better to fall into the +hands of the Turks than of renegades.” + +So saying, he rose, and left the apartment. He was followed by his wife, +and a general silence ensued. The baroness expressed her displeasure in +a few words of strong import. Charles walked up and down the room. The +councillor’s wife returned in tears, and stated that her husband had +given directions for leaving, and had actually ordered the carriage. The +baroness went to pacify him; whilst the young ladies wept, and kissed +each other, distressed beyond measure that they were compelled so +suddenly and so unexpectedly to separate. The baroness returned without +succeeding in her wishes. Gradually all those troubles approached which +it is ever the lot of strangers to encounter. The sad moments of +separation and departure were bitter beyond expression. Hope vanished +with the appearance of the post-horses, and the general sorrow was +redoubled. + +The carriage drove off. The baroness followed it with her eyes full of +tears. She left the window, and sat down to her embroidery-frame. The +silence, and even despair, was universal. Charles showed his sorrow by +sitting in a corner, and intently turning over the leaves of a book, +directing at intervals a melancholy look towards his aunt. At length he +rose, and took his hat, as if about to depart, but turned round on +reaching the door, and approaching his aunt he exclaimed, with a +countenance truly noble, “I have offended you, my dear aunt, I have +distressed you; but pardon my thoughtlessness: I acknowledge my fault, +and am deeply sensible of its sad consequences.” + +“I forgive you,” replied the baroness: “I entertain no ill-feeling +towards you,--you are a good and noble being, but you can never repair +the injury you have done. Your error has deprived me of a friend to +whom, after a long separation, I had been restored by the accident of +our joint misfortunes, and in whose society I have forgotten much of the +misery which has pursued and threatens us. She herself, driven from her +home under most painful circumstances, and long a fugitive, after a +short repose in the society of old and beloved friends, in this +delightful spot and comfortable dwelling, is again compelled to wander +forth; and we lose the company of her husband, who, in spite of some +peculiarities, is a man of noble integrity, possessing an inexhaustible +knowledge of society and of the world, of facts and experiences which he +is ever ready to communicate with the most cheerful and delightful +willingness. Of all these enjoyments we have been deprived by your +fault, and how can you restore what we have lost?” + +_Charles._ Spare me, my dear aunt. I feel deeply the weight of my fault: +cease to explain to me its evident consequences. + +_Baroness._ Rather contemplate them as closely as possible. Talk not of +sparing you: only inquire how your mind may be corrected. It is not the +first time you have thus erred, nor will it be the last. Ye inexplicable +men! Cannot even misery, which brings you together under one roof, and +confines you in one narrow dwelling, induce you to practise forbearance +towards each other? Do you need any additional calamities besides those +which are perpetually bursting upon you? Consider your condition, and +act sensibly and justly towards those who, in truth, would deprive you +of nothing. Restrain your tempers from working and fermenting blindly, +like some storm or other natural phenomenon which disturbs the world. + +Charles made no reply. The tutor advanced from the window, where he had +been standing, towards the baroness, and said his pupil would improve; +that this event would act as a warning, that he should test his progress +daily, that he would remember the distress the baroness had endured, and +would afford convincing evidence of the self-restraint he could +practice. + +_Baroness._ How easily men deceive themselves, especially in this +particular. Authority is so delightful a word, and it sounds so noble to +promise to control ourselves. Men speak of it with pleasure, and would +persuade us that they can seriously practise the virtue. I wish I had +ever known a man capable of subduing himself in the smallest particular. +In indifferent matters they affect resolution, as if the loss occasioned +actual suffering; whilst their real desires are considered as supremely +essential, unavoidable, and indispensable. I have never known a man +capable of enduring the smallest privation. + +_Tutor._ You are seldom unjust, and I have never seen you so overpowered +by anger and disappointment as at present. + +_Baroness._ Well, I need not be ashamed of my anger. When I think of my +friend, who is now pursuing her journey in discomfort, weeping, +probably, at the recollection of our inhospitality, my heart burns with +indignation. + +_Tutor._ In your greatest trouble, I have never seen you so agitated and +exasperated as now. + +_Baroness._ A small evil, which follows closely upon a greater, can fill +the cup; though, in truth, it is no small evil to lose a friend. + +_Tutor._ Be comforted, and rely upon our improvement, and that we will +do all in our power to content you. + +_Baroness._ No: I shall rely upon none of you. But, for the future, I +will demand obedience from all. I will command in my own house. + +“Command, certainly!” exclaimed Charles; “and you shall not have to +complain of our disobedience.” + +“My severity will scarcely be very harsh,” rejoined the baroness, with a +smile, as she recovered herself: “I am not fond of commanding, +particularly democrats; but I will give you some advice, and make one +request.” + +_Tutor._ Both shall we consider as laws to be strictly observed. + +_Baroness._ It would be ridiculous, if I thought to impair the interest +you all take in the great events of the world,--events, the victims of +which we ourselves have become. I cannot change the opinions which exist +and are established in the mind of each of you, according to his +peculiar disposition; and it would be no less harsh than foolish to +require of you to suppress them. But I can demand this, at least, from +the circle in which I live, that those of similar sentiments shall +associate peaceably together, and converse in harmony. In your private +apartments, during your walks, and wherever else you meet, you may +communicate together at will, support your respective opinions, and +enjoy the gratification of an ardent conviction. But, my dear friends, +let us not forget how much we were accustomed to sacrifice of our own +individual opinions, for the sake of general harmony, long before these +new topics became the fashion; and, as long as the world lasts, we must +all, for the general benefit, practise some outward self-control. It is +not, therefore, for the sake of virtue, but in the name of common +politeness, that I implore you now to concede to me a favor which I +think I may safely say you have always granted to the veriest stranger. + +It seems to me strange, continued the baroness, that we should have so +far forgotten ourselves. What has become of our politeness? It used to +be the custom in society to avoid topics disagreeable to others. +Protestants, in the company of Catholics, never asserted that church +ceremonies were ridiculous; and the most bigoted Catholic never +maintained, before a Protestant, that the old religion afforded the only +chance of salvation. In the presence of a mother who had lost her son, +no one displayed the deep delight he took in his children; and an +inappropriate word occasioned general embarrassment. It seemed the duty +of each to repair the accidental evil, but now the very reverse of all +this seems to be the rule. We appear to seek the opportunity of +introducing subjects calculated to give pain. Oh, my dear friends, let +us try and restore the old system! We have much to endure already; and +who knows how soon the smoke of the day, or the flames of the night, may +announce the destruction of our dwellings and of our most valued +possessions? Let us, at least, forbear to announce this intelligence +with triumph: let us cease, by our own bitter observations, to impress +our souls with calamities which it is painful enough to endure in +silence. + +When your father died, was it your habit to renew my grief upon every +opportunity by a reference to the sad subject? Did you not rather avoid +all improper allusion to his memory, and seek by your love, your silent +sympathy, and your incessant attentions, to soften my sorrow and relieve +my pain? Should not we now practise the same kind forbearance, which +often brings more consolation than the offices of active friendship, +more particularly at this time, when ours is not the grief of an +individual in the midst of a happy multitude, where sorrow disappears +amid the general content, but the grief of thousands, where but few +indeed are capable of experiencing an accidental or artificial +consolation? + +_Charles._ My dear aunt, you have sufficiently humiliated us: may we +take your hand in token of reconciliation? + +_Baroness._ Here it is, on condition that you will obey its guidance. We +proclaim a general amnesty, which it is now barely possible to resolve +upon with sufficient speed. + +The young ladies, who had all been dissolved in tears since the event we +have related, now made their appearance, but could not be persuaded to +be reconciled to Charles. + +“You are welcome, children,” said the baroness, addressing them. “We +have just had a serious conversation, which, I trust, will establish +peace and harmony amongst us: perhaps it was never more important that +we should be friends, and enjoy even one brief portion of the day. Let +us make this resolution, to banish from our conversation all reference +to the mere events of the time. How long have we been deprived of all +instruction and entertaining intercourse! How long it seems, dear +Charles, since you have amused us with accounts of distant lands, with +whose productions, inhabitants, manners, and customs, you are so well +acquainted! And you,” continued the baroness, addressing the tutor, “you +have not lately instructed us in history, ancient or modern, in the +comparison of centuries or of remarkable men. And you, young ladies! +where are the pretty poems you used to bring forth from their +hiding-places for the delight of your friends? what has become of all +your free philosophic observations? Have you no more ambition to +surprise us with some wonderful mineral specimen, some unknown plant, or +remarkable insect, brought home from your walks, and affording occasion +for pleasing speculations on the mysterious connection of all the +productions of nature? Let us restore all those charming amusements by +an agreement, a resolution, a rule, to be useful, instructive, and, +above all things, companionable, towards each other; for all these +advantages we can enjoy, even in the most extreme adversity. You +promise, children.” + +They promised eagerly. “And now I dismiss you,” added the baroness: “the +evening is fine, amuse yourselves as you please; and at supper-time let +us enjoy a friendly communion together, after so long an interruption.” + +The company separated. Louisa alone remained with her mother. She could +not so easily forget the misfortune of losing her companion, and allowed +Charles, whom she had invited to accompany her upon a walk, to set out +alone. For some time the baroness and her daughter remained together, +when the clergyman entered, after a long absence, entirely ignorant of +what had, in the mean time, happened. Laying by his hat and stick, he +took a seat, and was about to narrate something, when Louisa, pretending +to continue a conversation with her mother, cut short his intention with +the following observations:-- + +“Some of our company will, I think, find the arrangement we have come to +rather disagreeable. When we lived in the country, it is true, we were +sometimes at a loss for conversation; for it did not happen so often, as +in town, that a girl could be slandered, or a young man traduced: but +still we had an alternative in describing the follies of two great +nations, in finding the Germans as absurd as the French, and in +representing first one, and then the other, as Jacobins and Radicals. +But, if these topics are forbidden, some of our society will be rendered +stupid.” + +“Is this attack aimed at me, young lady?” asked the old clergyman with a +smile. “You know how ready I am to be sacrificed for the benefit of the +company. For though upon all occasions you do credit to your +instructors, and every one finds your society both amiable and +delightful, yet there is a certain little malicious spirit within you, +which, notwithstanding all your efforts, you cannot entirely subdue, and +which prompts you to take your revenge at my expense. Tell me, gracious +lady,” he continued, turning towards the baroness, “what has occurred +during my absence, and what topics have been excluded from our society?” + +The baroness informed him of all that had taken place. He listened +attentively, and then observed that “this regulation would probably +enable many persons to entertain the company better than others.” + +“We shall be able to endure it,” said Louisa. + +“Such an arrangement,” he added, “will not be grievous to those who have +been accustomed to rely upon their own resources: on the contrary, they +will find it pleasant; since they can amuse the company with such +pursuits as they have followed in private. And do not be offended, young +lady, if I attribute to society the very existence of all newsmongers, +spies, and slanderers. For my part, I never see persons so lively and so +animated, either at a learned meeting or at a public lecture convened +for general instruction, as in a society where some piece of scandal is +introduced which reflects on the character of a neighbor. Ask yourself, +or ask others, what invests a piece of news with its greatest charm? Not +its importance, nor its influence, but its mere novelty. Nothing old is +cared for: novelty by itself excites our surprise, awakens the +imagination, gently agitates the feelings, and requires no exertion of +the reasoning powers. Every man can take the most lively interest in a +piece of news with the least trouble to himself: indeed, since a +succession of new events carries us rapidly from one circumstance to +another, nothing is more welcome to the generality of mankind than this +inducement to constant diversion, and this opportunity of venting their +spleen and malice in an agreeable and varied manner.” + +“Well!” exclaimed Louisa, “you show some skill at explanation: just now +you censured individuals, at present you condemn mankind in general.” + +“I do not require,” he answered, “that you should render me justice: but +this I must say, we who depend upon society must act according to its +rules; and it would be safer to provoke its resentment than its _ennui_, +by requiring it to think or reflect. We must avoid every thing that +would tend to this result, and pursue by ourselves in private whatever +would prove unpalatable to the public.” + +“By yourselves in private,” said Louisa, “many a bottle of wine will, I +suppose, be drunk, and many a nap taken in the daytime.” + +“I have never,” continued the old clergyman, “set much value upon my own +actions; for I know how little I have done for others: I am, however, in +possession of something which may, perhaps, afford agreeable relaxation +to this society, circumstanced as it is at present.” + +“To what do you allude?” inquired the baroness. + +“Rely upon it,” interrupted Louisa, “he has made some marvellous +collection of scandals.” + +“You are mistaken,” replied the clergyman. + +“We shall see,” answered Louisa. + +“Let him continue, my dear,” said the baroness: “and do not accustom +yourself to act in a hard and unfriendly manner towards others, even in +jest; as they may take it ill. We have no need to increase our evil +habits by practising them for entertainment. Tell me, my dear friend, of +what does your collection consist? Will it conduce to our amusement? +Have you been long employed about it? Why have you never mentioned it +before?” + +“I will give you an account of the whole matter,” rejoined the old +clergyman. “I have lived long in the world, and have paid much attention +to public occurrences. I have neither talent nor inclination for +chronicling great actions, and worldly affairs in general are +troublesome to me; but amongst the many private histories, true and +false, which sometimes happen in public or are related in private, there +are some which possess a greater attraction than the charm of mere +novelty, some which are calculated to improve us by their moral +application, some which display at a glance the secret springs of human +nature, and others, again, whose very absurdities are amusing. Amongst +the multitude of occurrences which attract our attention and our malice +in ordinary life, and which are as common as the individuals to whom +they relate, I have noted down a few on account of their peculiar +character, because they engaged and excited my attention and feelings; +and the very recollection of them has never failed to produce a +momentary sensation of pure and tranquil pleasure.” + +“I am curious to hear,” said the baroness, “the nature of your +anecdotes, and to learn their peculiar character.” + +“You may easily suppose,” replied the clergyman, “that they are not +about disputes or family matters. Such things have little interest +except for those who are engaged in them.” + +_Louisa._ And what are yours about? + +_Clergyman._ Why, for the most part, they treat of those emotions by +which friends become attached or disunited, happy or miserable, and by +which they are more frequently entangled than improved. + +_Louisa._ Indeed! I suppose you will produce a collection of merry +adventures for our instruction and improvement. Excuse me for making +this observation, dear mamma; it seems so evident: and it is, of course, +allowable to speak the truth. + +_Clergyman._ I suspect that you will not find any thing in the whole +collection which may be styled merry. + +_Louisa._--And what would you consider of that description? + +_Clergyman._ Scandalous dialogues or situations are my abhorrence. I +object equally that common adventures, which are unworthy of engaging +our attention, should be told with exaggerated importance: they excite +our expectations unduly, in place of giving real pleasure to the mind. +They make a mystery of that which should be wholly unveiled, or from +which we should altogether turn our eyes. + +_Louisa._ I do not understand you. You will, however, relate your +stories with some degree of elegance. I hope our ears will not be +offended by any coarse adventures. You must consider us in the light of +a ladies’ seminary, and look for our thanks as your recompense. + +_Clergyman._ Nothing of the sort. But, in truth, you will hear nothing +new, particularly as I have, for some time back, observed that you never +miss the perusal of certain criticisms in some of the learned reviews. + +_Louisa._ You are really too bad. + +_Clergyman._ You are engaged to be married, and I therefore pardon you. +But I am obliged to show that I also possess arrows which I know how to +use. + +_Baroness._ I see your object plainly, but you must let her see it +likewise. + +_Clergyman._ Then, I must repeat what I said at the beginning of this +conversation. But it seems you had not the politeness to pay attention. + +_Louisa._ What is the use of attention or of much argument? Look at the +matter in any light, they will be scandalous stories, in some shape or +other, and nothing else. + +_Clergyman._ Must I repeat, young lady, that a well-regulated mind only +perceives scandal when it reads of wickedness, arrogance, a desire to +injure, and an unwillingness to oblige? and from such spectacles he +should avert his eyes. He finds pleasure in the narration of trifling +faults and failings, and contemplates with satisfaction those points of +the story where good men contend with themselves, with their desires and +their intentions, where silly and conceited mortals are rebuked, +corrected, or deceived, and where hopes, wishes, and designs are +disturbed, interrupted, and frustrated, or unexpectedly fulfilled, +accomplished, and confirmed. But, on those scenes where accident +combines with human weakness and inefficiency, he dwells with the +greatest delight; and none of the heroes whose history he authenticates +has either blame to apprehend or praise to expect from him. + +_Baroness._ Your introduction excites our wish to hear a specimen. We +have spent the greater part of our lifetime in one circle, and have +never experienced any thing worthy to find a place in such a collection. + +_Clergyman._ Much undoubtedly depends upon the observer, and upon the +peculiar view he takes of occurrences. But I will not deny that I have +made large extracts from old books and traditions. Perhaps you will have +no objection to see some of your old friends with new faces. And this +gives me a privilege of which I must not be deprived,--that none of my +tales shall be doubted. + +_Louisa._ But we are not to be prevented from recognizing our friends +and acquaintances, or, if we please, from expounding the enigma. + +_Clergyman._ Certainly not. But you will allow me, under such +circumstances, to produce an old folio, to prove that the identical +occurrence happened, and was made matter of record, some centuries ago. +And I must be permitted to smile, when some narration is pronounced to +be an old fable, though it may have taken place amongst ourselves, +without our being able to recognize the characters. + +_Louisa._ We shall never begin. Had we not better declare a truce for +this evening; and do you commence a story at once, by way of specimen? + +_Clergyman._ Permit me, in this instance, to be guilty of disobedience. +The entertainment is intended for the whole assembled company. We must +not deprive them of it; and I must premise beforehand, that whatever I +have to say possesses no value in itself. But when my audience, after +some serious occupation, wishes for a brief repose, and, already sated +with good things, desires the addition of a light dessert, then I shall +be ready, and only hope that what I shall provide may not prove +unpalatable. + +_Baroness._ In that case, we had better postpone the amusement till +to-morrow. + +_Louisa._ I am beyond measure curious to know what it will be. + +_Clergyman._ You must not be so, young lady; for great expectations are +seldom satisfied. + +That same evening, after dinner, the baroness retired early to her +apartment; whilst the rest of the company remained together, and +discussed the many reports which were current, and the various incidents +which had happened. As is generally the case in such circumstances, few +of them knew what to doubt or what to believe. + +The old clergyman had his remedy for such an emergency. “I propose,” +said he, “as the most convenient plan, that we all believe implicitly +whatever we find pleasant, and that we reject, without ceremony, +whatever we find unpleasant, and that we admit to be true what can be +so.” + +It was then remarked by some one, that men generally acted in this way; +and, after some desultory conversation, they commented upon that strange +propensity of our nature to believe in the marvellous. They talked of +romances and visions: and, when the old clergyman had promised at a +future time to relate some interesting anecdotes upon these subjects, +Louisa exclaimed, “It will be extremely good of you, and you will merit +our gratitude, by telling us a story of that description now; for we are +all in the proper humor for it: we shall pay attention and be thankful.” +Without needing further entreaties, the old clergyman commenced at once, +as follows:-- + +“During my residence in Naples, an event happened which attracted +universal attention, and with regard to which public opinion varied +exceedingly. Some persons maintained that the circumstance had actually +occurred; whilst others asserted, that, though true in general, it was +founded upon a gross deceit. The latter class of persons were at further +variance amongst themselves: they could not agree who was the deceiver. +Others held it to be far from clear that spiritual natures were +incapable of influencing the elements and human bodies, and maintained +that we were not justified in pronouncing every marvellous occurrence to +be a fraud or a delusion. But now to the facts themselves. + +“At the time I speak of, a singer named Antonelli was the favorite of +the Neapolitan public. In the bloom of youth, beauty, and talents, she +was deficient in none of those enchantments by which women can allure +and captivate, and render a certain class of their favorites happy. She +was not insensible to the charms of love and flattery; but, naturally +temperate and sensible, she knew how to enjoy the delights of both, +without losing that self-respect which was so essential to her +happiness. The young, the distinguished, and the rich, flocked to her in +crowds; but she admitted few to her friendship: and, if she pursued her +own inclination in the choice of her admirers, she evinced, upon all +occasions, so firm and resolute a character, that she attached every +person to her. I had an opportunity of observing her upon one occasion, +in consequence of my close intimacy with one of her especial favorites. + +“Some years had elapsed: her friends were numerous; and amongst the +number were many foolish, simple, and fickle personages. It was her +opinion that a lover who, in a certain sense, is every thing to woman, +generally proves deficient in those very emergencies when she most needs +his assistance; as, for example, in the difficulties of life, in +domestic necessities, and upon the occurrence of sudden disasters. In +such times she maintained that his own self-love often proved absolutely +prejudicial to his mistress, and his advice became positively dangerous. + +“Her former attachments were insufficient to satisfy her soul. The void +required to be filled. She wished for a friend; and scarcely had she +felt this want, when she found, amongst those who sought her favors, a +youth upon whom she bestowed her confidence, of which in every respect +he seemed worthy. + +“He was a native of Genoa, and had taken up his residence in Naples, to +transact the mercantile business of a firm to which he belonged. His +natural talents had been improved by a most excellent education. His +knowledge was extensive, his mind and body were sound and active, and +his general conduct might serve as a model; and in his attention to +others he ever seemed forgetful of himself. He was imbued with the +commercial spirit for which his native town was distinguished. All his +speculations were upon a large scale. His condition, however, was none +of the happiest. The firm had entered into some unfortunate +transactions, and became entangled in ruinous law-suits. Time only +increased the difficulties; and the anxiety he endured gave him an air +of melancholy, which was not unbecoming, and made Antonelli still more +desirous of his acquaintance, from the idea that he stood in need of a +friend. + +“Until now he had only seen Antonelli in public: but, at his first +request, she granted him access to her house; even urging him to visit +her, a favor which he did not fail to accept. + +“She lost no time in communicating to him her confidence and her wishes. +He was no less surprised than delighted at her proposals. She implored +him earnestly to be her friend, but to make no pretensions to the +privileges of a lover. She made him acquainted with some embarrassments +in which she had become involved, and his great experience enabled him +to offer advice and assistance for her speedy release. In return for +this confidence, he unfolded to her his own situation: and, whilst she +endeavored to cheer and console him, many new plans occurred to him, +which he had not thought of before; and she thus appeared to be his +adviser: and a reciprocal friendship, founded on the highest regard and +respect, was established between them. + +“Unfortunately, we do not always consider the practicability of the +obligations we incur. He had promised to be her friend, and to make no +pretensions to the privileges of a lover. But he could not deny that +those who came to see her as such were not only unwelcome to, but were +detested by, him; and it was extremely painful to him when she meant to +amuse him with the description of their various characters. + +“It soon happened, fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, that her heart +was again free. This was a source of extreme delight to our young +friend, who lost no time in entreating that the vacant place might be +allotted to him. With some reluctance she listened to his proposals. ‘I +fear,’ she said, ‘that, in making this concession, I shall lose my +friend.’ Her anticipation was correct; for scarcely had he for a short +time filled this double character, when he found her temper change. As +her friend he had been content with her respect; as a lover he demanded +her affection; and, as an intelligent and accomplished man, constant +entertainment. But this was more than Antonelli expected. She was +unwilling to make an entire sacrifice of herself, and had no wish to +surrender her absolute liberty to any one. She soon adopted ingenious +expedients for curtailing the length of his visits, for avoiding his +presence, and for making him sensible that she would not consent to +forego her independence for any consideration. + +“This discovery was to him a source of the greatest misery; and, +unfortunately, the calamity did not come alone. His domestic affairs +became more and more involved; and he found reason for reproaching +himself with having always considered his income as inexhaustible, and +with having neglected his business in order to engage in foreign travel, +and to make a greater figure in the world than he was entitled to do, +from the advantages of his birth and income. The law-suits, from which +he expected so much, were tardy and expensive. They took him frequently +to Palermo; and, upon the occasion of his last journey thither, +Antonelli adopted means to change the nature of her establishment, for +the purpose of becoming gradually disengaged from him. On his return he +found her in another residence, at some distance from his; and he saw +that the Marquis of S., who at that time exercised great influence in +the world of fashion, had unreserved admission to her house. He was +greatly affected by this discovery, which brought on a serious illness. +Upon hearing this sad intelligence, Antonelli hastened to him, attended +him; and, as she was fully aware that his purse was but scantily +supplied, she left a large sum of money, which supplied his necessities +for a considerable time. + +“In consequence of his efforts to restrain her freedom, he had fallen +considerably in her estimation. As her attachment diminished, her +suspicions increased; and she at length began to think that a person who +had managed his own affairs so badly was not entitled to a high +character for good sense. But he was unaware of the great change which +had taken place in her feelings towards him; and he attributed her +anxiety for his recovery, and the constancy of her attentions which +induced her to spend whole days at his bedside, rather to her love for +him than to compassion for his sufferings; and he hoped, upon his +recovery, to find himself once more re-instated in her favor. + +“But he was grievously mistaken. With his restoration to health and +strength, all semblance of affection disappeared; and he now seemed as +odious in her eyes as he had formerly proved agreeable. In addition to +this, his temper had unconsciously become soured and unbearable. He +attributed to others all the blame of his own misfortunes, and justified +himself fully from their evil consequences. He considered himself an +injured and persecuted invalid, and looked for a complete recompense for +all his troubles in the devoted affection of his mistress. + +“With these exalted expectations he visited Antonelli immediately upon +his recovery. He would be satisfied with nothing short of her entire +affection, the dismissal of all her other friends and acquaintances, her +complete retirement from the stage, and her devoting herself to him +alone. She demonstrated the impossibility of complying with these +requests, at first in a playful, and afterwards in a more serious, tone. +At length she communicated to him the sad intelligence that their +connection must end. He left her, and never returned. + +“For several years afterwards he lived in a retired manner, in the house +of a pious old lady, who had a small independence. At this period he +gained his first law-suit, and was soon afterwards successful in +another; but this change of fortune came too late: his health was +undermined, and the joy of his existence had vanished. A slight accident +brought on a relapse, and the physician announced to him his approaching +death. He heard his fate without a murmur, and merely expressed a wish +to see his beautiful friend once more. He sent his servant to her,--the +same messenger who, in happier days, had brought him many a delightful +answer. He entreated an interview: she refused. He sent a second time, +and implored her to consent: she was still inexorable. At length, at +midnight, he sent a third time. She was embarrassed, and communicated +her situation to me; as I had been invited, along with the marquis and +some other friends, to spend the evening at her house. I advised her, +indeed begged of her, to show some last attentions to her friend. She +appeared undecided at first, but, after a short reflection, made up her +mind, and dismissed the servant with a refusal. He did not return. + +“After supper we were all engaged in social conversation, and general +animation and hilarity prevailed. Suddenly, a little after midnight, a +piercing shriek of bitter, painful lamentation was heard. We rose from +the table, looked at each other, and wondered what this strange event +could mean. The sound seemed to come from the middle of the room in +which we were assembled, and die away near the walls. The marquis rushed +to the window; whilst we endeavored to support Antonelli, who had +fainted. By degrees she regained consciousness. She had scarcely opened +her eyes when the jealous and passionate marquis loaded her with the +bitterest reproaches. ‘If you choose to have these mysterious +understandings with your friends,’ said he, ‘at least let them be of a +less fearful nature.’ She replied, with her wonted presence of mind, +‘that, as she had always enjoyed the right of seeing her friends +whenever she pleased, she would scarcely select such appalling sounds as +they had just heard, to indicate approaching happiness.’ + +“And, in truth, the cry had in it something unspeakably appalling. The +long-continued scream of anguish dwelt upon our ears, and made our very +limbs tremble. Antonelli was pale, motionless, and in a continual faint. +We sat with her for half the night, but we heard nothing further. On the +following night, the same company, who had met together not quite so +cheerful as usual, though with a reasonable supply of courage, about the +same hour of midnight heard the same identical loud and appalling +shriek. + +“We had, in the mean time, wearied our imaginations in framing +conjectures as to the cause of the cry, and whence it could proceed. But +why should I weary you? Whenever Antonelli supped at home, at the +self-same hour the same shriek was heard, sometimes louder and sometimes +fainter. It was spoken of all over Naples. The mystery excited universal +attention. The police were called out. Spies were placed in every +direction, to detect the cause of the mystery. To persons in the street, +the shriek appeared to come from the open air; whilst in the house it +seemed to proceed from the very room in which Antonelli was sitting. +When she supped abroad nothing whatsoever occurred; but, as often as she +supped at home, the horrid shriek was invariably heard. + +“But her absence from home did not upon all occasions protect her from +this fearful visitation. Her many personal recommendations secured her a +welcome reception in the most distinguished families. Being a pleasant +companion, she was everywhere well received; and it had lately become +her custom, in order to escape the fearful visitation we have described, +to spend her evenings from home. + +“One evening a gentleman of great respectability, owing to his age and +position, accompanied her to her house in his carriage. When she was +taking leave of him at the door, a loud shriek was heard, which seemed +to come from between them; and the gentleman, who, like many others, had +often heard of this mysterious occurrence, was lifted into his carriage +more like a corpse than a living person. + +“Upon another occasion a young singer, to whom she was partial, drove +through the town with her in the evening, to visit a friend. He likewise +had frequently heard of the wonderful phenomenon we have related, and, +with the spirits of a light-hearted youth, had expressed his doubts of +its reality. They spoke of the circumstance. ‘I wish extremely,’ said +he, ‘that I could hear the voice of your invisible companion; call +him,--perhaps he will come: we are two, and need not fear him.’ From +thoughtlessness, or indifference to danger, I know not which, she called +the spirit: and instantly the piercing shriek issued, as it were, from +the middle of the carriage; three times it was heard, and then died away +gradually. Arrived at the house of their friend, both were found +insensible in the carriage: with difficulty they recovered their senses +sufficiently to relate what had happened. + +“It was some time before Antonelli completely recovered. Her health +became impaired by the constantly recurring fright she sustained: but +when, at length, her fearful visitor appeared to intend that she should +enjoy some repose, she began to hope for a complete cessation of this +annoyance; but this expectation was premature. + +“At the end of the carnival, accompanied by a young female acquaintance +and a servant, she set out upon an excursion of pleasure. It was her +intention to visit a friend in the country. Night came on before she +reached her destination: an accident happened to the carriage; and she +was necessitated to take refuge in a small country inn, and to put up +with the indifferent accommodation it afforded. + +“Her companion had already gone to bed; and the servant, having arranged +the night-light, was about to retire, when her mistress observed +jestingly, ‘I think we are at the end of the world: it is a dreadful +night; I wonder whether he can find us out?’ That very instant the +shriek was heard more piercing and louder than ever. Her companion was +terrified beyond expression, sprang from her bed, rushed down-stairs, +and alarmed the whole house. No one that night closed an eye. It was, +however, the last time the shriek was heard. But the unwelcome visitor +soon found another more frightful mode of indicating his presence. + +“He was quiet for a short time, when one evening, at the accustomed +hour, as Antonelli sat with her companions at table, a shot from a gun, +or from a heavily loaded pistol, was fired in at the window. Every one +heard the report, every one saw the flash; but, upon the closest +inspection, the window was found not to have sustained the slightest +injury. But the circumstance seemed to every one of the most alarming +importance, and all thought that an attempt had been made upon +Antonelli’s life. The police were called, and the neighboring house was +searched; but, as nothing suspicious was found, guards were placed in it +next day from top to bottom. Her own dwelling was carefully examined, +and spies were even dispersed about the streets. + +“But all this precaution was useless. For three months in succession, at +the very same hour, the shot was fired through the same window, without +the slightest injury to the glass; and, what was especially remarkable, +this always took place exactly one hour before midnight: although in +Naples time is counted after the Italian fashion, and the term midnight +is never used. + +“But custom at length reconciled all parties to this occurrence, as it +had done to the previous one; and the ghost began to lose credit by +reason of his very harmless tricks. The shot ceased to alarm the +company, or even to interrupt their conversation. + +“One sultry evening, the day having been very hot, Antonelli opened the +window, without thinking of the hour, and went with the marquis out upon +the balcony. They had scarcely been in the air a couple of minutes when +the shot exploded between them, and drove them back into the house, +where for some time they lay apparently lifeless on the floor. When they +recovered, each felt the pain of a violent blow upon the cheek, one on +the right side, the other on the left; but, as no further injury was +apparent, the singularity of the circumstance was merely the occasion of +a few jocular observations. + +“From this time the shot was not repeated in the house; and Antonelli +thought she was at last completely delivered from her invisible +tormentor, when one evening, upon making a little excursion with a +friend, she was terrified beyond measure by a most unexpected incident. +Her way lay through the Chiaja, where her Genoese friend had formerly +lived. It was bright moonlight. A lady who sat near her asked, ‘Is not +that the house in which Signor ---- died?’--‘As well as I can recollect, +it is one of those two,’ answered Antonelli. The words were scarcely +uttered when the shot was fired from one of the two houses, and +penetrated the carriage. The driver thought he was wounded, and drove +forward with all possible speed. Arrived at their destination, the two +ladies were lifted from the carriage, as though they were dead. + +“But this was the last alarm of that kind. The unseen foe now changed +his plan; and one evening, shortly afterwards, a loud clapping of hands +was heard before the window. As a popular singer and favorite actress, +she was more familiar with sounds of this description. They did not +inspire terror, and might have proceeded, perhaps, from one of her +numerous admirers. She paid no attention to them. Her friends, however, +were more watchful, and distributed their guards as before. They +continued to hear the noise, but saw nobody, and began to indulge a hope +that the unaccountable mystery would soon completely end. + +“After a short time it became changed in character, and assumed the form +of agreeable sounds. They were not, strictly speaking, melodious, but +exceedingly sweet and pleasing. To an accurate observer they seemed to +proceed from the corner of the street, to float about in the empty space +before Antonelli’s window, and there to die away in the most soft and +delightful manner. It seemed as if some heavenly spirit wished, by means +of a beautiful prelude, to draw attention to a lovely melody which he +designed to play. But these sounds also ceased at length, and were heard +no more after this wonderful occurrence had lasted for about a year and +a half.” + +The clergyman pausing for a few moments, the entire company began to +express their opinions, and their doubts about the truth of the tale. + +The narrator answered that the story had to be true, if it were to be +interesting, as a manufactured tale could possess but little merit. Some +one here observed that he thought it singular no one had inquired about +Antonelli’s deceased friend, or the circumstances of his death; as +perhaps some light might by this means have been thrown upon the whole +affair. + +“But this was done,” replied the clergyman: “I was myself curious +enough, immediately after the first mysterious occurrence, to go to the +house under the pretext of visiting the lady who had attended him in his +last moments with a mother’s care. She informed me that the deceased had +been passionately attached to Antonelli; that, during the last hours of +his existence, he had spoken of nothing but her; that at one time he +addressed her as an adorable angel, and at another as little better than +a demon. + +“When his sickness became desperate, his whole thoughts were fixed on +seeing her once more before his death, perhaps in the hope of obtaining +from her an expression of affection, of pity, of attachment, or of love. +Her unwillingness to see him afflicted him exceedingly, and her last +decisive refusal hastened his death. In despair he cried out, ‘No! it +shall not avail her. She avoids me; but, after my death, she shall have +no rest from me.’ In a paroxysm of this kind he expired; and only too +late do we learn, that the dead can keep their word on the other side of +the grave.” + +The company began once more to express their opinions about the story. +At length Fritz observed, “I have a suspicion; but I shall not tell it +till I have thought over all the circumstances again, and put my +combinations to the proof.” + +Being somewhat strongly pressed, he endeavored to avoid giving an +answer, by requesting that he might be allowed to relate an anecdote, +which, though it might not equal the preceding one in interest, was of +the same character, inasmuch as it could not be explained with any +certainty. + +“A gallant nobleman,” he commenced, “who inhabited an ancient castle, +and was the father of a large family, had taken into his protection an +orphan girl, who, when she attained the age of fourteen years, was +employed in attending the mistress of the house in duties immediately +about her person. She gave complete satisfaction, and her whole ambition +seemed to consist in a wish to evince her gratitude to her benefactor by +attention and fidelity. She possessed various charms, both of mind and +person, and was not without suitors. But none of these proposals seemed +likely to conduce to her happiness, and the girl herself did not show +the least inclination to change her condition. + +“On a sudden it happened, that as she went through the house, intent +upon her various duties, she heard sounds of knocking, which came from +about and beneath her. At first this seemed accidental; but as the +knocking never ceased, and beat almost in unison with her footsteps, she +became alarmed, and scarcely left the room of her mistress, where alone +she found she could enjoy security. + +“These sounds were heard by every one who accompanied her or who stood +near her. At first the subject was treated as a jest, but at length it +was regarded in a more serious light. The master of the house, who was +of a cheerful disposition, now took the matter in hand. The knocking was +never heard when the maiden remained motionless, and, when she walked, +was perceived, not so evidently when she put her foot to the ground as +when she raised it to advance another step. But the sounds were often +irregular, and they were observed to be more than usually loud when the +maiden went transversely across a certain large apartment in the castle. + +“The old nobleman, one day having workmen in the house, caused the +flooring to be suddenly raised behind the maiden, when the knocking +sounds were at the loudest. Nothing, however, was found but a couple of +rats, who, disturbed by the search, gave occasion to a chase, and to +considerable uproar in the house. + +“Provoked by this circumstance and by the disappointment, the nobleman +determined upon adopting strong measures. He took down his large whip +from the wall, and swore that he would flog the maiden to death if he +heard the knocking any more. From this time forth she could go through +the house without the slightest molestation, and the knocking was never +heard again.” + +“Whereby,” observed Louisa sagaciously, “we may conclude that the young +maiden was her own ghost, and practised this joke, and played the fool +with the family, to indulge some whim of her own.” + +“Not at all,” answered Fritz; “for those who ascribed the mysterious +occurrence to a ghost, believed that the maiden’s guardian angel wished +her to leave the house, but was anxious also to protect her from injury. +Others took another view, and maintained that one of the girl’s lovers +had the cleverness to occasion these sounds in order to drive her out of +the house into his arms. But, be this as it may, the poor child became +quite ill in consequence, and was reduced to a melancholy spectre; +though she had formerly been the most cheerful and lively and merry +person in the whole establishment. But such a change in personal +appearance can be explained in more ways than one. + +“It is a pity,” observed Fritz, “that these occurrences are not always +more particularly examined, and that, in judging of events which so much +interest us, we are obliged to hesitate between different appearances, +because the circumstances under which they happen have not all been +observed.” + +“True,” replied the old clergyman; “but it is so extremely difficult to +make this examination at the very moment when any thing of the kind +happens, and to take every precaution that nothing shall escape in which +deceit or fraud may be concealed. Can we, for example, detect a conjurer +so easily, though we are perfectly conscious that he is deluding us?” + +He had scarcely finished this observation, when a loud report was +suddenly heard in one corner of the apartment. Every one leaped up; +whilst Charles said jokingly, “Surely the noise does not proceed from +some dying lover.” + +He would willingly have recalled the expression; for Louisa became +suddenly pale, and stammered forth that she felt apprehension about the +safety of her intended. + +Fritz, to divert her attention, took up the light, and went towards a +reading-desk which stood in a corner of the apartment. The semicircular +top of the desk was split through; this, then, was the cause of the +report they had heard: but it immediately occurred to them, that the +reading-desk was of the best workmanship, and had occupied the very same +spot for years; and therefore they were all astonished that it should be +so suddenly split asunder. It had even been praised more than once as a +very model piece of furniture; and how, therefore, could this accident +have occurred, without even the slightest change having taken place in +the temperature? + +“Quick!” said Charles, “let us settle this point at once by examining +the barometer.” The quicksilver maintained the same point it had held +for some days. And even the thermometer had not fallen more than could +be reconciled with the difference of the temperature between day and +night. “It is a pity that we have not an hygrometer at hand,” he +exclaimed, “the very instrument that would be most serviceable!” + +“It seems,” said the old clergyman, “that the most valuable instrument +always fails when we are engaged in supernatural inquiries.” They were +interrupted in their reflections by the entry of a servant, who +announced that a great fire was visible in the heavens; though no one +could say whether it were raging in the town or in the neighborhood. + +The circumstances we have just related made the whole party more +susceptible of terror, and they were therefore much agitated by the +news. Fritz hastened up to the belvedere of the house; where a map of +the adjacent country was suspended, by means of which he was enabled, +even at night, to point out with tolerable accuracy the various +positions of the surrounding places. The rest of the party remained +together, not without some fear and anxiety. + +Fritz announced, upon his return, that he had no good news to tell. “The +fire does not seem to be in the town, but upon the property of our aunt. +I am well acquainted,” said he, “with the locality, and believe I am not +mistaken.” Each one lamented the destruction of the fine building, and +calculated the loss. “A strange thought has just occurred to me,” said +Fritz, “which may quiet our minds as to the mystery of the reading-desk. +Consider how long it is since we heard the report.” They counted the +minutes, and thought it had occurred about half-past twelve. + +“Now, you will probably laugh,” continued Fritz, “when I tell you my +conjecture. You know that our mother, a good many years ago, made our +aunt a present of a reading-desk, in every respect similar to this one. +They were both finished with the greatest care, by the same workman, at +the same time, and cut out of one piece of wood. Both have lasted well +until now: and I will lay a wager, that, at this very instant, the +second reading-desk is actually burning at the house of my aunt; and its +twin brother here is afflicted at the disaster. To-morrow I will set out +and investigate this singular fact as thoroughly as I am able.” + +Whether Frederick really entertained the above opinion, or whether his +wish to tranquillize his sister suggested the idea, we are unable to +decide: they, however, seized the opportunity to speak of many +undeniable sympathies, and ended by discovering that a sympathy actually +existed between pieces of timber formed from one tree, and pronounced it +probable that the same sympathy subsisted between pieces of work +completed by the same hand. They agreed that these things resembled +natural phenomena fully as much as other things which were often +adduced, and which although quite evident, are incapable of explanation. +“And, in my opinion,” added Charles, “every phenomenon, as well as every +fact, is peculiarly interesting for its own sake. Whoever explains it, +or connects it with other circumstances, only makes a jest of it, or +deludes us: this is done, for example, by the natural philosopher and +the historian. But an unconnected fact or event is interesting, not +because it is explicable or probable, but because it is true. When at +midnight the flames consumed your aunt’s reading-desk, the extraordinary +splitting of ours, at the very same time, was a palpable fact, however +explicable or connected with other things it may be.” + +Though night was by this time far advanced, none of the company felt any +inclination to retire; and Charles, in his turn, asked permission to +tell a story, which, though equally interesting, might seem perhaps more +natural and explicable than the previous ones. “Marshal Bassompierre,” +he said, “relates it in his Memoirs; and I may be permitted to tell it +in his name. + +“I had remarked for five or six months, that, whenever I crossed the +little bridge (for at that time the Pont Neuf had not been built), a +very handsome shopkeeper, over the door of whose establishment was +painted the sign of ‘The Two Angels,’ always saluted me with a low and +respectful bow, and followed me with her eyes as far as she could see +me. This conduct surprised me extremely; but I always directed my looks +to her, and saluted her in return. I rode on one occasion from +Fontainebleau to Paris; and, when I had arrived at the little bridge, +she appeared at the door of her shop, and said, ‘Your servant, sir!’ I +returned the salute; and, as I looked back from time to time, I observed +that she was, as usual, leaning forward, to keep me in view as long as +possible. + +“My servant was following with a postilion, as I wished to send some +letters back to some ladies in Fontainebleau the same day. I ordered the +servant to alight, to go to the pretty shopkeeper, and to tell her from +me, that I had noticed her wish to speak to me, and that, if she desired +my acquaintance, I would visit her whenever she wished. She answered +that I could have sent her no more delightful news, that she would meet +me whenever I should appoint, on condition that she might be allowed to +pass a night under the same roof with me. I accepted the proposal, and +asked the servant to find a place where I might appoint an assignation. +He said he would lead me to a friend’s house, but advised me, as fever +was then very prevalent, to provide myself with my own house-linen. When +evening came, I went to the appointed house, where I found a very +beautiful young woman awaiting my arrival. She was attired in a charming +head-dress, and wore the finest linens. Her tiny feet were adorned with +slippers, worked in gold and silk; and her person was covered with a +loose mantle of the softest satin texture. Suffice it to say, that I +never saw a more charming person. In the morning I asked when I could +see her again; as it was then Thursday night, and it was not my +intention to leave the town before the following Sunday. + +“She replied that she was more anxious for a fresh appointment than I +could be, but that it would be impracticable unless I could postpone my +departure; as I could only see her on Sunday night. To this I made some +difficulty, which caused her to complain that I was tired of her, and +therefore wished to set out on Sunday; ‘but,’ she added, ‘you will soon +think of me again, and will be glad to forfeit a day in order to pass a +night with me.’ + +“I was easily persuaded. I promised to stay during Sunday, and to meet +her in the evening at the same place. She answered me as follows: ‘I am +quite aware, that on your account I have come to a house of ill-repute; +but I have done this in obedience to an irresistible desire to enjoy +your society. But so great an indiscretion cannot be repeated. I shall +excite the jealousy of my husband, though one might risk even that for +the satisfaction of an irresistible passion. For your sake I have come +to this house, which has been made respectable by your presence. But, if +you desire to see me again, you must meet me at the residence of my +aunt.’ + +“She described the house with great particularity, and then added, ‘I +shall expect you at ten o’clock. From that time till midnight the door +shall be open. You will find a small entrance, through which you must +advance; as my aunt’s door is at the farther end. You will then see a +flight of stairs opposite to you. They lead to the first floor, and +there I shall be expecting you with open arms.’ + +“I made all my arrangements. I sent away my things, dismissed my +servants, and waited impatiently the arrival of Sunday night, when I was +to see my charming companion once more. At ten o’clock I was at the +appointed place. I found the door she had described, close shut, and +observed lights in the house, which seemed every now and then to blaze +up into a flame. I knocked impatiently in order to announce my arrival, +and was immediately saluted by the hoarse voice of a man inquiring what +I wanted. I retired disappointed, and paced restlessly up and down the +street. At length I returned to the house, and found the door then wide +open. I hurried through the passage, and ascended the stairs. Judge of +my astonishment at finding the room occupied by two men, who were +employed in burning a mattress and some bed-clothes; while I saw before +me two naked corpses stretched upon the floor. I hastened away +instantly, and, in rushing down stairs, knocked against two men carrying +a coffin, who asked me angrily what I wanted. I drew my sword to protect +myself, and finally reached my home in a state of the greatest +excitement. I swallowed half a dozen glasses of wine, as a preservative +against the fever, and on the following day continued my journey. + +“All the inquiries I afterwards instituted to discover who this woman +was were in vain. I even visited the shop where ‘The Two Angels’ were +painted, but the new-comers could not inform who their predecessors had +been. The chief character in this adventure was doubtless a person from +the lower orders; but I can assure you, that, but for the disagreeable +_finale_, it would have proved one of the most delightful incidents that +has ever happened to me, and that I never think of my charming heroine +without feelings of the warmest affection.” + +Charles observed, upon the conclusion of the anecdote, that the mystery +which enveloped the story was not easily explained. The woman might +either have died of the fever, or have kept away from the house on +account of the infection. + +“But, if she were alive,” answered Charles, “she would have met her +lover in the street; as no fear could, under the circumstances, have +kept her from him. I fear,” he added, “that her corpse was stretched on +the floor.” + +“Oh! no more of this,” said Louisa: “this story is too frightful. What a +night we shall pass, if we retire with our imaginations full of these +pictures!” + +“I recollect an anecdote,” interrupted Charles, “which is of a more +cheerful description, and which the same Bassompierre relates of some of +his ancestors. + +“A very beautiful woman, who loved one of her relations passionately, +visited him every Monday at his country-house, where they spent much +time together; his wife believing in the mean while that her husband was +engaged on a hunting-party. Two years uninterruptedly had passed in this +way, when, the wife’s suspicions being roused, she stole one morning to +the country-house, and found her husband asleep with his companion. +Being unwilling or afraid to disturb them, she untied her veil, threw it +over the feet of the sleeping couple, and retired. When the lady awoke, +and observed the veil, she uttered a piercing cry, and with loud +lamentations complained that she would now never be able to see her +lover again. She then took leave of him, having first given him three +presents,--a small fruit-basket, a ring, and a goblet, being a present +for each of his three daughters, and desired him to take great care of +them. They were accepted with thanks, and the children of these three +daughters believe that they are indebted to their respective gifts for +whatever good fortune has attended them.” + +“This somewhat resembles the story of the beautiful Melusina, and +such-like fairy-tales,” observed Louisa. + +“But there is just such a tradition in our family,” said Frederick, “and +we have possession of a similar talisman.” + +“What do you mean?” asked Charles. + +“That is a secret,” replied the former. “It can be told to no one but +the eldest son, and that during the lifetime of his father; and he is +then to hold the charm.” + +“Are you the present possessor?” inquired Louisa. + +“I have told too much already,” answered Frederick, as he lighted his +candle, previous to retiring. + +The family had assembled for breakfast according to their usual custom, +and the baroness afterwards took her seat at her embroidery-frame. After +a short silence the clergyman observed, with a slight smile, “It is +seldom indeed that singers, poets, or story-tellers, who enter into an +agreement to amuse a company, do it at the right time: they often +require pressing, when they should begin voluntarily; whilst, on the +other hand, they are frequently eager and urgent to commence at a time +when the entertainment could be dispensed with. I hope, however, to +prove an exception to this custom; and I shall be glad to know whether +it will prove agreeable to you that I should relate a story.” + +“Particularly so,” answered the baroness; “and I feel sure that I +express the general opinion. But, if it is your intention to relate an +anecdote as a specimen, I will tell you for what sort of story I have no +inclination. + +“I take no pleasure in stories which, like the Arabian Nights, connect +one tale with another, and so confound the interest of both; where the +narrator finds himself compelled to excite our attention by +interruptions, and, instead of satisfying us by detailing a course of +consecutive adventures, seeks to attract us by rare and often unworthy +artifices. I cannot but censure the attempt of converting stories, which +should possess the unity of a poem, into unmeaning puzzles, which only +have the effect of vitiating our taste. I leave you to choose your own +subjects; but I hope you will pay a little attention to the style, since +it must be remembered that we are members of good society. Commence with +some narrative in which but few persons are concerned or few events +described, in which the plot is good and natural, though possessing as +much action and contrivance as is necessary, which shall not prove dull, +nor be confined to one spot, but in which the action shall not progress +too rapidly. Let your characters be pleasing, and, if not perfect, at +least good,--not extravagant, but interesting and amiable. Let your +story be amusing in the narration, in order, that, when concluded, we +may remember it with pleasure.” + +“If I were not well acquainted with you, gracious lady,” said the +clergyman, “I should be of opinion that it is your wish, by thus +explaining how much you require of me, to bring my wares into disrepute +before I have exposed them for sale. I see how difficult it will be to +reach your standard of excellence. Even now,” he continued, after a +short pause, “you compel me to postpone the tale I had intended to +relate till another time; and I fear I shall commit a mistake in +extemporizing an anecdote for which I have always felt some +partiality:-- + +“In a seacoast town in Italy once lived a merchant, who from his youth +had been distinguished for activity and industry. He was, in addition, a +first-rate sailor, and had amassed considerable wealth by trading to +Alexandria, where he was accustomed to purchase or exchange merchandise, +which he afterwards either brought home or forwarded to the northern +parts of Europe. His fortune increased from year to year. Business was +his greatest pleasure, and he found no time for the indulgence of +extravagant dissipation. + +“His life was employed in active pursuits of this nature till he was +fifty years old; and he had been, during all this time, a total stranger +to those social pleasures with which luxurious citizens are accustomed +to diversify their lives. Even the charms of the fair sex had never +excited his attention, notwithstanding the attractions of his +countrywomen. His knowledge of them was confined to their love for +ornaments and jewellery, a taste of which he never failed to take proper +advantage. + +“He was surprised, therefore, at the change which took place in his +disposition, when, after a long voyage, his richly laden ship entered +the port of his native town, upon the occurrence of a great festival in +which the children of the place took a prominent part. The youths and +maidens had attended the church in their gayest attire, and had joined +in the sacred processions. They afterwards mingled through the town in +separate companies, or dispersed through the country in search of +amusements; or they assembled in the large square, engaging in various +active pursuits, and exhibiting feats of skill and dexterity, for which +small prizes were bestowed. + +“The merchant was much pleased with all he saw. But after he had for +some time observed the happiness of the children, and the delight of +their parents, and witnessed so many persons in the full enjoyment of +present bliss and the indulgence of the fondest hopes, he could not help +reflecting upon the wretchedness of his own condition. His own solitary +home began for the first time to be to him a cause of distress, and he +thus gave vent to his melancholy thoughts:-- + +“‘Unhappy being that I am! Why are my eyes opened so late? Why, in my +old age, do I first become acquainted with those blessings which alone +can insure the happiness of mankind? What toil have I endured! What +labors I have borne! And what have they done for me? ’Tis true my +cellars are filled with merchandise, my chests with valuable metals, and +my caskets with jewellery and precious stones; but these treasures can +neither console nor satisfy my heart. The more I have the more I want: +one coin requires another, and one diamond wishes for its fellow. I am +not the master of my riches: they command me in imperious tone. ‘Go and +get more!’ they exclaim. Gold delights in gold, and jewels in their +fellows. They have ruled me all my life; and now I find, too late, that +they possess no real value. Now, when age approaches, I begin for the +first time to reflect, and to complain that I enjoy none of the +treasures I possess, and that no one will enjoy them after me. Have I +ever used them to adorn the person of a beloved wife, to provide a +marriage-portion for a daughter? Have I ever by their means enabled a +son to win and to dower the maiden of his heart? Never! None of these +treasures have ever enriched me or mine; and what I have collected with +so much toil some stranger, after my death, will thoughtlessly +dissipate. + +“‘Oh! with what different feelings will those happy parents whom I see +around me assemble their children this evening, praise their address, +and encourage them to virtue! What joy have I beheld beaming from their +eyes, and what hopes from the happiness of their beloved offspring! And +must I ever be a stranger to hope? Am I grown gray? Is it not enough to +see my error before the final evening of my days arrives? No: in my ripe +years it is not foolish to dream of love. I will enrich a fair maiden +with my wealth, and make her happy. And, should my house ever become +blessed with children, those late fruits will render me happy, instead +of proving a plague and a torment; as they often do to those who too +early receive such gifts from Heaven.’ + +“Thus communing with himself he silently formed his determination. He +then called two of his intimate companions, and opened his mind to them. +They were ever ready to aid him in all emergencies, and were not wanting +upon the present occasion. They hastened, therefore, into the town, to +make inquiries after the fairest and most beautiful maidens; for they +knew their master was a man who, whatever goods he might wish to +acquire, would never be satisfied with any but the best. He was himself +active, went about, inquired, saw, and listened, and soon found what he +sought in the person of a young maiden about sixteen years of age, +accomplished and well educated. Her person and disposition pleased him, +and gave him every hope of happiness. In fact, at this time no maiden in +the whole town was more admired for her beauty. + +“After a short delay, during which the most perfect independence of his +intended bride, not only during his own life, but after his decease, was +secured, the nuptial ceremony was performed with great pomp and triumph; +and from that day the merchant felt himself, for the first time in his +life, in actual possession and enjoyment of his riches. His rarest and +most costly silks were devoted to the adornment of his bride, and his +diamonds gleamed more brilliantly upon the neck and amid the tresses of +his love than they had ever shone in his caskets; and his rings acquired +an inexpressible value from the beauty of the hand by which they were +adorned. And thus he felt that he was not only as wealthy as before, but +even wealthier; and all he possessed acquired a new value from being +shared with her he loved. The happy couple spent a year together in the +most perfect contentment, and he seemed to experience a real joy in +having exchanged his active and wandering course of life, for the calm +content of domestic bliss. But he could not so easily divest himself of +his nature, and found that a habit acquired in early youth, though it +may for a time be interrupted, can never be completely laid aside. + +“After some time the sight of some of his old companions, when they had +safely brought their ships into harbor after a long and perilous voyage, +excited anew the love of his former pursuits; and he began now, even in +the company of his bride, to experience sensations of restlessness and +discontent. These feelings increased daily, and were gradually converted +into so intense a longing for his old course of life, that at last he +became positively miserable; and a serious illness was the result. + +“‘What will now become of me?’ he asked himself. ‘I learn too late the +folly of entering in old age upon a new system of life. How can we +separate ourselves from our thoughts and our habits? What have I done? +Once I possessed the perfect freedom which a bird enjoys in open air, +and now I am imprisoned in a dwelling with all my wealth and jewels and +my beauteous wife. I thought thus to win contentment and enjoy my +riches, but I feel that I lose every thing so long as I cannot increase +my stores. Unjustly are men considered fools who add to their wealth by +ceaseless activity, for activity itself is happiness; and riches +themselves are valueless in comparison with the delight of the toil by +which they are acquired. I am wretched from idleness, sick from +inactivity; and, if I do not determine upon some other course, I may +soon bid farewell to life. + +“‘I know, however, how much I risk in separating from a young and lovely +wife. I know how unjust it is to win the affections of a charming +maiden, and, after a brief possession, to abandon her to the wearisome +society of her own desires and emotions. I know, even now, how many vain +and frivolous youths display their conceited persons before my windows. +I know that in church, and in the public promenades, they seek to +attract the notice and engage the attention of my wife. What may not +take place, then, if I absent myself? Can I hope for the intervention of +some miracle to save her from her almost inevitable fate? It were vain +to expect that at her age and with her warm affections she can withstand +the seductions of love. If I depart, I know that upon my return I shall +have lost the attachment of my wife, and that she will have forfeited +her fidelity, and tarnished the honor of my house.’ + +“These reflections and doubts, to which he for some time had become a +prey, embittered his condition tenfold. His wife, no less than his +relations and friends, sympathized deeply with him, without being able +to comprehend the cause of his illness. At length he sought relief from +his own thoughts, and thus communed with himself: ‘Fool! to distress +myself so much about the protection of a wife whom, if my illness +continues, I must leave behind me for the enjoyment of another. Is it +not better to preserve my life, even though in the effort I risk the +loss of the greatest treasure a woman can possess? How many find their +very presence ineffectual to preserve this treasure, and patiently +endure a privation they cannot prevent! Why cannot you summon up courage +to be independent of so precarious a blessing, since upon this +resolution your very existence depends?’ + +“He felt invigorated by these thoughts, and forthwith summoned together +his former crew. He instructed them to charter a vessel without delay, +to load it, and hold themselves ready to set sail with the first +favorable wind. He then unburdened himself to his wife in the following +terms:-- + +“‘Be not astonished at any commotion you may shortly observe in our +house, but conclude thence that I am making preparations for a journey. +Be not overcome with grief when I inform you that I am once more bent +upon a sea-voyage. The love I bear you is still unchanged, and will +doubtless remain so during my life. I am sensible of the bliss I have +enjoyed in your society, and should feel it still more powerfully, but +for the silent censures of idleness and inactivity with which my +conscience reproves me. My old disposition returns, and my former habits +are still alive. Let me once more visit the markets of Alexandria, to +which I shall repair with the greater joy, because I can there procure +for you the richest merchandise and most valuable treasures. I leave you +in possession of all my fortune and of all my goods: make use of them +without restraint, and enjoy yourself in the company of your relatives +and friends. The period of our separation will pass by, and we shall +meet again with joy.’ + +“Dissolved in tears, his loving wife assured him, with the most tender +endearments, that during his absence she would never be able to enjoy +one happy moment, and entreated him, since she wished neither to control +nor to detain him, that she might, at least, share his affectionate +thoughts during the sad time of their separation. + +“He then gave some general directions on business and household matters, +and added, after a short pause, ‘I have something to say, which lies +like a burden upon my heart; and you must permit me to utter it: I only +implore you earnestly not to misinterpret my meaning, but in my anxiety +for you to discern my love.’ + +“‘I can guess your thoughts,’ interrupted his wife: ‘you are suspicious +of me, I know; and, after the fashion of men, you always rail at the +universal weakness of our sex. I am, it is true, young, and of a +cheerful disposition; and you fear lest, in your absence, I be found +inconstant and unfaithful. I do not find fault with your suspicions; it +is the habit of your sex: but if I know my own heart, I may assure you +that I am not so susceptible of impressions as to be induced lightly to +stray from the paths of love and duty, through which I have hitherto +journeyed. Fear not: you shall find your wife as true and faithful on +your return as you have ever found her hitherto, when you have come to +her arms at evening after a short absence.’ + +“‘I believe the truth of the sentiments you utter,’ added the husband, +‘and I beseech you to be constant to them. But let us conceive the +possibility of the worst. Why should we shrink from it? You know +yourself how the beauty of your person attracts the admiration of all +our young fellow-citizens. During my absence they will be more attentive +to you than ever. They will redouble their efforts to attract and please +you. The image of your husband will not prove as effective as his +presence in banishing them from my doors and from your heart. I know you +are a noble being; but the blandishments of love are powerful, and +oftentimes overcome the firmest resolutions. Interrupt me not. Your very +thoughts of me during my absence may inflame your passions. I may, for +some time, continue to be the object of your dearest wishes; but who can +foretell what opportunities may occur, and allow a stranger to enjoy +those privileges which were destined for me? Be not impatient, I beseech +you, but hear me out. + +“‘Should that time arrive, the possibility of which you deny, and which +I am by no means anxious to hasten, in which you feel that you need +society, and can no longer defer the requirements of love, then make me +one promise. Permit no thoughtless youth to supplant me, whatever may be +the attractions of his person; for such lovers are more dangerous to the +honor than to the virtue of a woman. Incited rather by vanity than by +love, they seek the general favors of the sex, and are ever ready to +transfer their transitory affections. If you wish for the society of a +friend, look out for one who is worthy of the name, whose modesty and +discretion understands the art of exalting the joys of love by the +virtue of secrecy.’ + +“His beautiful wife could suppress her agony no longer, and the tears +which she had till now restrained flowed in copious torrents from her +eyes. ‘Whatever may be your opinion of me,’ she cried, after a +passionate embrace, ‘nothing can be at this hour farther from my +thoughts than the crime you seem to consider, as it were, inevitable. If +such an idea ever suggests itself to my imagination, may the earth in +that instant open, and swallow me up, and forever vanish all hope of +that joy which promises a blessed immortality! Banish this mistrust from +your bosom, and let me enjoy the full and delightful hope of seeing you +again return to these arms.’ + +“Having left untried no effort to comfort and console his wife, he set +sail the next day. His voyage was prosperous, and he soon arrived in +Alexandria. + +“In the mean time our heroine lived in the tranquil enjoyment of a large +fortune, in possession of every luxury; though, with the exception of +her relatives and immediate friends, no person was admitted to her +society. The business of her absent husband was discharged by +trustworthy servants; and she inhabited a large mansion, in whose +splendid rooms she was able to enjoy the daily pleasure of recalling the +remembrance of his love. + +“But, notwithstanding her quiet and retired mode of life, the young +gallants of the town did not long remain inactive. They frequented the +street, passed incessantly before her windows, and in the evening sought +to attract her attention by means of music and serenades. The pretty +prisoner, although she at first found these attentions troublesome and +annoying, gradually became reconciled to the vexation; and, when the +long evenings arrived, she began to consider the serenades in the light +of an agreeable entertainment, and could scarcely suppress an occasional +sigh, which, strictly speaking, belonged to her absent husband. + +“But her unknown admirers, instead of gradually wearying in their +attentions, as she had once expected, became more assiduous in their +devotion. She began, at last, to recognize the oft-repeated instruments +and voices, to grow familiar with the melodies, and to feel curious to +know the names of her most constant serenaders. She might innocently +indulge so harmless a curiosity. She now peeped occasionally through her +curtains and half-closed shutters, to notice the pedestrians, and to +observe more particularly the youths whose eyes were constantly directed +towards her windows. They were invariably handsome, and fashionably +dressed; but their manner and whole deportment were unmistakably marked +by frivolity and vanity. They seemed more desirous of making themselves +remarkable by directing their attention to the house of so beautiful a +woman, than of displaying towards her a feeling of peculiar respect. + +“‘Really,’ the lady would sometimes say to herself in a tone of +raillery, ‘really my husband showed a deal of penetration. The condition +under which he allowed me to enjoy the privilege of a lover excludes all +those who care in the least for me, or to whom I am likely to take a +fancy. He seems to have well understood that prudence, modesty, and +silence are qualities which belong to demure old age, when men can value +the understanding, but are incapable of awakening the fancy or exciting +the desires. I am pretty sure, at least, that, amongst the youths who +lay perpetual siege to my mansion, there is not one entitled to my +confidence; and those who might lay some claim to that virtue fall +lamentably short in other attractions.’ + +“Supported by these reflections, she allowed herself to take daily more +and more pleasure in the music and in the attentions of her young +admirers; till at length, unperceived by herself, there gradually sprung +up in her bosom a restless desire, which she struggled to resist when it +was already too late. Solitude and idleness, combined with comfort and +luxury, gave birth to an unruly passion long before its thoughtless +victim had any suspicion of her danger. + +“Amongst the numerous endowments of her husband, she now saw ample +reason to admire his profound knowledge of the world and of mankind, and +his thorough acquaintance with woman’s heart. She now perceived that +that had occurred, the possibility of which she had formerly so +strenuously denied, and acknowledged his wisdom in preaching the +necessity of prudence and caution. But what could these virtues avail, +where pitiless chance seemed to be in conspiracy with her own +unaccountable passions? How could she select one from a crowd of +strangers? and was she permitted, in case of disappointment, to make a +second choice? + +“Innumerable thoughts of this nature increased the perplexity of our +solitary heroine. In vain she sought recreation, and tried to forget +herself. Her mind was perpetually excited by agreeable objects, and her +imagination thus became impressed with the most delightful pictures of +fancied happiness. + +“In this state of mind, she was informed one day by a relation, amongst +other pieces of news, that a young lawyer who had just finished his +studies at Bologna had lately arrived in his native town. His talents +were the topic of general admiration and encomium. His universal +knowledge was accompanied by a modesty and reserve very uncommon in +youth, and his personal attractions were of a high order. In his office +of procurator he had already won, not only the confidence of the public, +but the respect of the judges. He had daily business to transact at the +court-house, so great was the increase of his professional practice. + +“Our heroine could not hear the talents of this youth so generally +extolled, without feeling a wish to become acquainted with him, +accompanied by a secret hope that he might prove a person upon whom, in +conformity with the permission of her husband, she might bestow her +heart. She soon learned that he passed her dwelling daily, on his way to +the court-house; and she carefully watched for the hour when the lawyers +were accustomed to assemble for the discharge of business. With beating +heart she at length saw him pass; and if his handsome figure and +youthful attractions, on the one hand, excited her admiration, his +apparent reserve and modesty, on the other, gave her much reason for +doubt and anxiety. For several days she watched him silently, till at +length she was no longer able to resist her desire to attract his +attention. She dressed with care, went out upon the balcony, and marked +his approach with feelings of suspense. But she grew troubled, and, +indeed, felt ashamed, when she saw him pass, in contemplative mood, with +thoughtful steps and downcast eyes, pursuing his quiet way, without +deigning to bestow the slightest notice upon her. Vainly did she +endeavor thus to win his attention for several successive days. In the +same undeviating course he continued to pass by, without raising his +eyes, or looking to the right or to the left. But, the more she observed +him, the more did he appear to be the very one she needed. Her wish to +know him now grew stronger, and at length became irresistible. What! she +thought within herself: when my noble, sensible husband actually foresaw +the extremity to which his absence would reduce me, when his keen +perception knew that I could not live without a friend, must I droop and +pine away at the very time when fortune provides me with one whom not +only my own heart, but even my husband, would choose, and in whose +society I should be able to enjoy the delights of love in inviolable +secrecy? Fool should I be, to miss such an opportunity; fool, to resist +the powerful impulses of love! + +“With such reflections did she endeavor to decide upon some fixed +course, and she did not long remain a prey to uncertainty. It happened +with her, as it usually does with every one who is conquered by a +passion, that she looked without apprehension upon all such trifling +objections as shame, fear, timidity, and duty, and came at length to the +bold resolution of sending her servant-maid to the young lawyer at any +risk, and inviting him to visit her. + +“The servant found him in the company of several friends, and delivered +her message punctually in the terms in which she had been instructed. +The procurator was not at all surprised at the invitation. He had known +the merchant previously, was aware of his absence at present, and +presumed that the lady required the aid of his professional services +about some important matter of business. He promised the servant, +therefore, that he would wait upon her mistress without delay. The +latter heard with unspeakable joy, that she would soon be allowed an +opportunity of seeing and speaking to her beloved. She prepared +carefully for his reception, and had her rooms arranged with the utmost +elegance. Orange-leaves and flowers were strewn around in profusion, and +the most costly furniture was displayed for the occasion. And thus the +brief intervening time hastened by, which would otherwise have been +unbearable. + +“Who can describe the emotion with which she witnessed his arrival, or +her agitation upon inviting him to take a seat at her side? She +hesitated how to address him now that he had arrived, and found a +difficulty in remembering what she had to say. He sat still and silent. +At length she took courage and addressed him, not without some visible +perplexity. + +“‘I understand, sir, that you are but lately returned to your native +city; and I learn that you are universally admired as a talented and +incomparable man. I am ready to bestow my utmost confidence upon you, in +a matter of extraordinary importance, but which, upon reflection, would +seem adapted rather for the ear of the confessor than that of the +lawyer. I have been for some years married to a husband who is both rich +and honorable, and who, as long as we have lived together, has never +ceased to tenderly love me, and of whom I should not have a single word +of complaint to utter, if an irresistible desire for travel and trade +had not torn him, for some time, from my arms. + +“‘Being a sensible and just man, he no doubt felt conscious of the +injury his absence must necessarily inflict upon me. He knew that a +young wife cannot be preserved like jewellery and pearls. He knew that +she resembles a garden, full of the choicest fruits, which would be +lost, not only to him, but to every one else, if the door were kept +locked for years. For this reason, he addressed me in serious but +friendly tones before his departure, and assured me, that he knew I +should not be able to live without the society of a friend, and +therefore not only permitted, but made me promise, that I would, in a +free and unrestrained manner, follow the inclination which I should soon +find springing up within my heart.’ + +“She paused for a moment; but an eloquent look, which the young lawyer +directed towards her, encouraged her to proceed. + +“‘One only condition was imposed upon me by my indulgent husband. He +recommended me to use the most extreme caution, and impressed upon me +strongly the necessity of choosing a steady, prudent, silent, and +confidential friend. But you will excuse my continuing,--excuse the +embarrassment with which I must confess how I have been attracted by +your numerous accomplishments, and divine from the confidence I have +reposed in you the nature of my hopes and wishes.’ + +“The worthy young lawyer was silent for a short time, and then replied, +in a thoughtful tone, ‘I am deeply indebted for the high mark of +confidence with which you both honor and delight me. I wish to convince +you that I am not unworthy of your favor. But let me first answer you in +a professional capacity: and I must confess my admiration for your +husband, who so clearly saw the nature of the injustice he committed +against you; for there can be no doubt of this,--that a husband who +leaves his young wife, in order to visit distant countries, must be +viewed in the light of a man who relinquishes a valuable treasure, to +which, by his own conduct, he abandons all manner of claim. And as the +first finder may then lawfully take possession, so I hold it to be +natural and just, that a young woman, under the circumstances you +describe, should bestow her affections and herself, without scruple, +upon any friend who may prove worthy of her confidence. + +“‘But particularly when the husband, as in this case, conscious of the +injustice he himself commits, expressly allows his forsaken wife a +privilege, of which he could not deprive her, it must be clear that he +can suffer no wrong from an action to which he has given his own +consent. + +“‘Wherefore if you,’ continued the young lawyer, with quite a different +look and the most lively emphasis, and the most affectionate pressure of +the hand, ‘if you select me for your servant, you enrich me with a +happiness, of which, till now, I could have formed no conception. And be +assured,’ he added, while at the same time he warmly kissed her hand, +‘that you could not have found a more true, loving, prudent, and devoted +servant.’ + +“This declaration tranquillized the agitated feelings of our tender +heroine. She at once expressed her love without reserve. She pressed his +hand, drew him nearer to her, and reclined her head upon his shoulder. +They had remained but a short time in this position, when he tried to +disengage himself gently, and expressed himself thus, not without +emotion: ‘Did ever happy mortal find himself in such embarrassment? I am +compelled to leave you, and to do violence to myself in the very moment +when I might surrender myself to the most divine enchantment. I cannot +now partake the bliss which is prepared for me, and I earnestly pray +that a temporary postponement may not altogether frustrate my fondest +hopes.’ + +“She inquired hastily the cause of this strange speech. + +“‘When I was in Bologna,’ he replied, ‘and had just completed my +studies, preparing to enter upon the practice of my profession, I was +seized with a dangerous illness, from which it appeared, that, even if I +should escape with my life, my bodily and mental faculties must sustain +irreparable injury. Reduced to despair, and tortured by the pangs of +disease, I made a solemn vow to the Virgin, that, should I recover, I +would persist for one whole year in practising the strictest fast and +abstinence from enjoyment of every description. For ten months I have +already adhered to my vow: and, considering the wonderful favor I have +enjoyed, the time has not passed wearily; and I have not found it +difficult to abstain from many accustomed pleasures. But the two months +which still remain will now seem an eternity; since, till their +expiration, I am forbidden to partake a happiness whose delights are +inconceivable. And, though you may think the time long, do not, I +beseech you, withdraw the favor you have so bountifully bestowed upon +me.’ + +“Not much consoled by this announcement, she felt a little more +encouraged when her friend added, after a few minutes’ reflection, ‘I +scarcely dare to make a proposal, and suggest a plan, which may, +perhaps, release me a little earlier from my vow. If I could only find +some one as firm and resolute as myself in keeping a promise, and who +would divide with me the time that still remains, I should then be the +sooner free; and nothing could impede our enjoyment. Are you willing, my +sweet friend, to assist in hastening our happiness by removing one-half +of the obstacle which opposes us? I can only share my vow with one upon +whom I can depend with full confidence. And it is severe,--nothing but +bread and water twice a day, and at night a few hours’ repose on a hard +bed; and, notwithstanding my incessant professional occupation, I must +devote many hours to prayer. If I am obliged to attend a party, I am not +thereby released from my duty; and I must avoid the enjoyment of every +dainty. If you can resolve to pass one month in the observance of these +rules, you will find yourself the sooner in possession of your friend’s +society, which you will relish the more from the consciousness of having +deserved it by your praiseworthy resolution.’ + +“The beautiful lady was sorry to hear of the difficulty she had to +encounter; but the very presence of her beloved so increased her +attachment, that no trial which would insure the possession of so +valuable a prize appeared to her too difficult. She therefore assured +him, in the most affectionate manner, of her readiness to share the +responsibility of his vow, and addressed him thus: ‘My sweet friend! the +miracle through which you have recovered your health is to me an event +of so much value and importance, that it is not only my duty, but my +joy, to partake the vow by which you are still bound. I am delighted to +offer so strong a proof of my sincerity. I will imitate your example in +the strictest manner; and, until you discharge me from my obligation, no +consideration shall induce me to stray from the path you point out to +me.’ + +“The young lawyer once more repeated the conditions under which he was +willing to transfer to her the obligation of one-half of his vow, and +then took his leave, with the assurance that he would soon visit her +again, to inquire after her constancy and resolution. And she was then +obliged to witness his departure, without receiving so much as one kiss, +or pressure of the hand, and scarcely with a look of ordinary +recognition. She found some degree of happy relief in the strange +employment which the performance of her new duties imposed upon her, for +she had much to do in the preparation for her unaccustomed course of +life. In the first place, she removed all the beautiful exotics and +flowers which had been procured to grace the reception of her beloved. +Then a hard mattress was substituted for her downy bed, to which she +retired in the evening, after having scarcely satisfied her hunger with +a frugal meal of bread and water. The following morning found her busily +employed in plain work, and in making a certain amount of wearing +apparel for the poor inmates of the town hospital. During this new +occupation she entertained her fancy by dwelling upon the image of her +dear friend, and indulging the hope of future happiness; and these +thoughts reconciled her to the greatest privations and to the humblest +fare. + +“At the end of the first week the roses began to fade from her beautiful +cheeks, her person to fall away, and her strength to become weak and +languid; but a visit from her friend imparted new animation and +fortitude. He encouraged her to persist in her resolution, by the +example of his own perseverance, and by showing her the approaching +certainty of uninterrupted happiness. His visit was brief, but he +promised to return soon. + +“With cheerful resignation she continued her new and strict course of +life, but her strength soon declined so much that the most severe +illness could scarcely have reduced her to such extreme weakness. Her +friend, whose visit was repeated at the end of the week, sympathized +with her condition, but comforted her by an assurance that one-half the +period of her trial was already over. But the severe fasting, continual +praying, and incessant work, became every day more unbearable; and her +excessive abstemiousness threatened to ruin the health of one who had +been accustomed to a life of the greatest luxury. At length she found a +difficulty in walking, and was compelled, notwithstanding the sultriness +of the season, to wrap herself up in the warmest clothing, to preserve +even an ordinary degree of heat; till finally she was obliged to take to +her bed. + +“It would be difficult to describe the course of her reflections when +she reflected on her condition and on this strange occurrence, and it is +impossible to imagine her distress when ten tedious days wearily passed +without the appearance of the friend for whose sake she had consented to +make this unheard-of sacrifice. But those hours of trouble sufficed to +recall her to reason, and she formed her resolution. Her friend visited +her after the lapse of some few days more; and seating himself at her +bedside, upon the very sofa which he had occupied when she made her +first declaration of love to him, he encouraged and implored her, in the +most tender and affectionate tones, to persist for a short time longer: +but she interrupted him with a sweet smile, and assured him that she +needed no persuasion to continue, for a few days, the performance of a +vow which she knew full well had been appointed for her advantage. ‘I +am, as yet, too feeble,’ she said, ‘to express my thanks to you as I +could wish. You have saved me from myself. You have restored me to +myself; and I confess, that from this moment I am indebted to you for my +existence. My husband was, indeed, gifted with prudence and good sense, +and well knew the nature of woman’s heart. And he was, moreover, just +enough not to condemn a passion which he saw might spring up within my +bosom, through his own fault; and he was generous enough to make +allowance for the weakness of my nature. But you, sir, are truly +virtuous and good. You have taught me that we possess within us an +antidote equivalent to the force of our passions; that we are capable of +renouncing luxuries to which we have been accustomed, and of suppressing +our strongest inclinations. You have taught me this lesson by means of +hope and of delusion. Neither is any longer necessary: you have made me +acquainted with the existence of that ever-living conscience, which, in +peaceful silence, dwells within our souls, and never ceases with gentle +admonitions to remind us of its presence, till its sway becomes +irresistibly acknowledged. And now farewell. May your influence over +others be as effective as it has been over me. Do not confine your +labors to the task of unravelling legal perplexities, but show mankind, +by your own gentle guidance and example, that within every bosom the +germ of hidden virtue lies concealed. Esteem and fame will be your +reward; and, far better than any statesman or hero, you will earn the +glorious title of father of your country.’” + +“We must all extol the character of your young lawyer,” said the +baroness, at the conclusion of the clergyman’s tale: “polished, wise, +interesting, and instructive, I wish every preceptor were like him, who +undertakes to restrain or recall youth from the path of error. I think +such a tale is peculiarly entitled to be styled a moral anecdote. Relate +some more of the same nature, and your audience will have ample reason +to be thankful.” + +_Clergyman._ I am delighted that my tale has earned your approbation, +but I am sorry you wish to hear more of such moral anecdotes; for, to +say the truth, this is the first and last of the kind. + +_Louisa._ It certainly does not do you much credit, to say that your +best collection only furnishes a single specimen. + +_Clergyman._ You have not understood me. It is not the only moral tale I +can relate; but they all bear so close a resemblance, that each would +seem only to repeat the original. + +_Louisa._ Really, you should give up your paradoxical style, which so +much obscures your conversation, and express yourself more clearly. + +_Clergyman._ With pleasure, then. No anecdote deserves to be called +moral which does not prove that man possesses within himself that power +to subdue his inclinations which may be called out by the persuasion of +another. My story teaches this doctrine, and no moral tale can teach +otherwise. + +_Louisa._ Then, in order to act morally, I must act contrary to my +inclinations? + +_Clergyman._ Undoubtedly. + +_Louisa._ Even when they are good? + +_Clergyman._ No inclinations are abstractedly good, but only so as far +as they effect good. + +_Louisa._ Suppose I have an inclination for benevolence? + +_Clergyman._ Then, you should subdue your inclination for benevolence if +you find that it ruins your domestic happiness. + +_Louisa._ Suppose I felt an irresistible impulse to gratitude? + +_Clergyman._ It is wisely ordained that gratitude can never be an +impulse. But if it were, it would be better to prove ungrateful than to +commit a crime in order to oblige your benefactor. + +_Louisa._ Then, there may be a thousand moral stories? + +_Clergyman._ Yes, in your sense. But none of them would read a lesson +different from the one our lawyer taught, and in this sense there can be +but one story of the kind: you are right, however, if you mean that the +incidents can be various. + +_Louisa._ If you had expressed your meaning more precisely at first, we +should not have disagreed. + +_Clergyman._ And we should have had no conversation. Errors and +misunderstandings are the springs of action, of life, and of amusement. + +_Louisa._ I cannot agree with you. Suppose a brave man saves another at +the risk of his own life: is that not a moral action? + +_Clergyman._ Not according to my mode of thinking. But, suppose a +cowardly man were to overcome his fears and do the same, that would be a +moral action. + +_Baroness._ I wish, my dear friend, you would give us some examples, and +convince Louisa of the truth of your theory. Certainly, a mind disposed +to good must delight us when we become acquainted with it. Nothing in +the world can be more pleasing than a mind under the guidance of reason +and conscience. If you know a tale upon such a subject, we should like +to hear it. I am fond of stories which illustrate a doctrine. They give +a better explanation of one’s meaning than dry words can do. + +_Clergyman._ I certainly can relate some anecdotes of that kind, for I +have paid some attention to those qualities of the human mind. + +_Louisa._ I would just make one observation. I must confess I do not +like stories which oblige us to travel, in imagination, to foreign +lands. Why must every adventure take place in Italy, in Sicily, or in +the East? Are Naples, Palermo, and Smyrna the only places where any +thing interesting can happen? One may transpose the scene of our +fairy-tales to Ormus and Samarcand for the purpose of perplexing the +imagination; but, if you would instruct the understanding or the heart, +do it by means of domestic stories,--family portraits,--in which we +shall recognize our own likeness; and our hearts will more readily +sympathize with sorrow. + +_Clergyman._ You shall be gratified. But there is something peculiar, +too, about family stories. They bear a strong resemblance to each other; +and, besides, we daily see every incident and situation of which they +are capable fully worked out upon the stage. However, I am willing to +make the attempt, and shall relate a story, with some of the incidents +of which you are already familiar; and it will only prove interesting so +far as it is an exact representation of the picture in your own minds. + +“We may often observe in families, that the children inherit, not only +the personal appearance, but even the mental qualities, of their +parents; and it sometimes happens that one child combines the +dispositions of both father and mother in a peculiar and remarkable +manner. + +“A youth, whom I may name Ferdinand, was a strong instance of this fact. +In his appearance he resembled both parents, and one could distinguish +in his mind the separate disposition of each. He possessed the gay, +thoughtless manner of his father, in his strong desire to enjoy the +present moment, and, in most cases, to prefer himself to others; but he +also inherited the tranquil and reflective mind of his mother, no less +than her love for honesty and justice, and a willingness, like her, +perpetually to sacrifice himself for the advantage of others. To explain +his contradictory conduct upon many occasions, his companions were often +reduced to the necessity of believing that he had two souls. I must pass +by many adventures which happened in his youth, and shall content myself +with relating one anecdote, which not only explains his character fully, +but forms a remarkable epoch in his life. + +“His youth was passed in every species of enjoyment. His parents were +affluent, and brought up their children extravagantly. If the father +indulged in unreasonable expenditure, either in company, at the +gaming-table, or in other dissipations, it was the habit of the mother +to restrain her own, and the household expenses, so as to supply the +deficiency; though she never allowed an appearance of want to be +observed. Her husband was fortunate in his business; he was successful +in several hazardous speculations he had undertaken: and, as he was fond +of society, he had the happiness to form many pleasant and advantageous +connections. + +“The children of a family usually copy those members of the household +who seem to enjoy their lives most. They see in the example of a father +who follows such a course, a model worthy of imitation; and, as they are +seldom slow in obeying their inclinations, their wishes and desires +often increase very much in disproportion to their means of enjoyment. +Obstacles to their gratification soon arise: each new addition to the +family forms a new claim upon the capabilities of the parents, who +frequently surrender their own pleasures for the sake of their children; +and, by common consent, a more simple and less expensive mode of living +is adopted. + +“Ferdinand grew up with a consciousness of the disagreeable truth, that +he was often deprived of many luxuries which his more fortunate +companions enjoyed. It distressed him to appear inferior to any of them +in the richness of his apparel, or the liberality of his expenditure. He +wished to resemble his father, whose example was daily before him, and +who appeared to him a twofold model,--first, as a parent, in whose favor +a son is usually prejudiced; and, secondly, as a man who led a pleasant +and luxurious life, and was, therefore, apparently loved and esteemed by +a numerous acquaintance. It is easy to suppose that all this occasioned +great vexation to his mother; but in this way Ferdinand grew up, with +his wants daily increasing, until at length, when he had attained his +eighteenth year, his requirements and wishes were sadly out of +proportion to his condition. + +“He had hitherto avoided contracting debts; for this vice his mother had +impressed him with the greatest abhorrence: and, in order to win his +confidence, she had, in numerous instances, exerted herself to gratify +his desires, and relieve him from occasional embarrassments. But it +happened, unfortunately, that she was now compelled to practise the most +rigid economy in her household expenditure, and this at a time when his +wants, from many causes, had increased. He had commenced to enter more +generally into society, tried to win the affections of a very attractive +girl, and to rival and even surpass his companions in the elegance of +his attire. His mother, being unable any longer to satisfy his demands, +appealed to his duty and filial affection so as to induce him to +restrain his expenses. He admitted the justice of her expostulations, +but, being unable to follow her advice, was soon reduced to a state of +the greatest mental embarrassment. + +“Without forfeiting the object of his dearest wishes, he found it +impossible to change his mode of life. From his boyhood he had been +addicted to his present pursuits, and could alter no iota of his habits +or practices without running the risk of losing an old friend, a +desirable companion, or, what was worse, abandoning the society of his +dearest love. + +“His attachment became stronger; as the love which was bestowed upon him +not only flattered his vanity, but complimented his understanding. + +“It was something to be preferred to a host of suitors by a handsome and +agreeable girl, who was acknowledged to be the richest heiress in the +city. He boasted of the preference with which he was regarded, and she +also seemed proud of the delightful bondage in which she was held. It +now became indispensable that he should be in constant attendance upon +her, that he should devote his time and money to her service, and afford +perpetual proofs of the value he set upon her affection. All these +inevitable results of his attachment occasioned Ferdinand more expense +than he would otherwise have incurred. His ladylove (who was named +Ottilia) had been intrusted by her parents to the care of an aunt, and +no exertions had been spared to introduce her to society under the most +favorable circumstances. Ferdinand exhausted every resource to furnish +her with the enjoyments of society, into all of which she entered with +the greatest delight, and of which she herself proved one of the +greatest attractions. + +“No situation could certainly be more wretched than that to which +Ferdinand was now reduced. His mother, whom he sincerely loved and +respected, had pointed out to him the necessity of embarking in duties +very different from those which he had hitherto practised: she could no +longer assist him in a pecuniary way. He felt a horror at the debts +which were daily becoming more burdensome to him, and he saw before him +the difficult task of reconciling his impoverished condition with his +anxiety to appear rich and practise generosity. No mind could be a prey +to greater unhappiness. + +“His mind was now forcibly impressed with thoughts which had formerly +only indistinctly suggested themselves to his imagination. Certain +unpleasant reflections became to him the source of great unhappiness. He +had once looked upon his father as a model: he now began to regard him +as a rival. What the son wished to enjoy, the parent actually possessed; +and the latter felt none of the anxieties or grievances wherewith the +former was tortured. Ferdinand, however, was in full possession of every +comfort of life; but he envied his father the luxuries which he enjoyed, +and with which he thought he might very well dispense. But the latter +was of a different opinion. He was one of those beings whose desires are +wholly insatiable, and who, for their own gratification, subject their +family and dependants to the greatest privations. His son received from +him a certain pecuniary allowance, but a regular account of his +expenditure was strictly exacted. + +“The eye of the envious is sharpened by restrictions, and dependants are +never more censorious than when the commands of superiors are at +variance with their practice. Thus Ferdinand came to watch strictly the +conduct of his father, particularly upon points which concerned his +expenditure. He listened attentively when it was rumored that his father +had lost heavily at the gambling-table, and expressed great +dissatisfaction at any unwonted extravagance which he might indulge. ‘Is +it not astonishing?’ he would say to himself, ‘that, whilst parents +revel in every luxury that can spring from the possession of a property +which they accidentally enjoy, they can debar their children of those +reasonable pleasures which their season of youth most urgently requires? +And by what right do they act thus? How have they acquired this +privilege? Does it not arise from mere chance? and can that be a right +which is the result of accident? If my grandfather, who loved me as his +own son, were still alive, I should be better provided for. He would not +see me in want of common necessaries, those things, I mean, which we +have had from our birth. He would no more let me want, than he would +approve my father’s extravagance. Had he lived longer, had he known how +worthy his grandchild would prove to inherit a fortune, he would have +provided in his will for my earlier independence. I have heard that his +death was unexpected, that he had intended to make a will; and I am +probably indebted to mere chance for the postponement of my enjoying a +fortune, which, if my father continue his present course, will probably +be lost to me forever.’ + +“With such discontented thoughts did Ferdinand often perplex himself in +those hours of solitude and unhappiness, in which he was prevented, by +the want of money, from joining his companions upon some agreeable party +of pleasure. Then it was that he discussed those dangerous questions of +right and property, and considered how far individuals are bound by laws +to which they have given no consent, or whether they may lawfully burst +through the restraints of society. But all these were mere pecuniary +sophistries; for every article of value which he formerly possessed had +gradually disappeared, and his daily wants had now far outgrown his +allowance. + +“He soon became silent and reserved; and, at such times, even his +respect for his mother disappeared, as she could afford him no +assistance: and he began to entertain a hatred for his father, who, +according to his sentiments, was perpetually in his way. + +“Just at this period he made a discovery, which increased his +discontent. He learned that his father was not only an irregular, but an +improvident, manager of his household. He observed that he often took +money hastily from his desk, without entering it in his account-book, +and that he was afterwards perplexed with private calculations, and +annoyed at his inability to balance his accounts. More than once did +Ferdinand notice this; and his father’s carelessness was the more +galling to him, as it often occurred at times when he himself was +suffering severely from the want of money. + +“Whilst he was in this state of mind, an unlucky accident happened, +which afforded an opportunity for the commission of a crime, to which he +had long felt himself impelled by a secret and ungovernable impulse. + +“His father had desired him to examine and arrange a collection of old +letters. One Sunday, when he was alone, he set to work in a room which +contained his father’s writing-desk, and in which his money was usually +kept. The box of letters was heavy; and, in the act of lifting it from +the ground, he pushed unintentionally against the desk, when the latter +suddenly flew open. The rolls of money lay temptingly displayed before +him. Without allowing time for a moment’s reflection, he took a roll of +gold from that part of the desk where he thought his father kept a +supply of money for his own occasional wants. He shut the desk again, +and repeated the experiment of opening it. He once more succeeded, and +saw that he could now command the treasure as completely as if he had +possessed the key. + +“He soon plunged once more into all those dissipations which he had +lately been obliged to renounce. He became more constant than ever in +his attentions to Ottilia, and more passionate in the pursuit of +pleasure. Even his former graceful animation was converted into a +species of excitement, which, though it was far from unbecoming, was +deficient in that kind attention to others which is so agreeable. + +“Opportunity is to passion what a spark is to gunpowder, and those +desires which we gratify contrary to the dictates of conscience always +rule with the most ungovernable power. Ferdinand’s own convictions +loudly condemned his conduct, but he endeavored to justify himself by +specious arguments; and though his manner became in appearance more free +and unrestrained than before, he was in reality a captive to the +influence of his evil inclinations. + +“Just at this time the wearing of extravagant trifles came into fashion. +Ottilia was fond of personal ornaments, and Ferdinand endeavored to +discover a mode of gratifying her taste without apprising her where her +supply of presents came from. Her suspicions fell upon an old uncle, and +Ferdinand’s gratification was indescribable at observing the +satisfaction of his mistress and the course of her mistaken suspicions. +But, unfortunately for his peace of mind, he was now obliged to have +frequent recourse to his father’s desk, in order to gratify Ottilia’s +fancy and his own inclinations; and he pursued this course now the more +boldly, as he had lately observed that his father grew more and more +careless about entering in his account-book the sums he himself +required. + +“The time now arrived for Ottilia’s return to her parents. The young +couple were overpowered with grief at the prospect of their separation, +and one circumstance added to their sorrow. Ottilia had accidentally +learned that the presents we have spoken of had come from Ferdinand: she +questioned him, and he confessed the truth with feelings of evident +sorrow. She insisted upon returning them, and this occasioned him the +bitterest anguish. He declared his determination not to live without +her, prayed that she would preserve him her attachment, and implored +that she would not refuse her hand as soon as he should have provided an +establishment. She loved him, was moved at his entreaties, promised what +he wished, and sealed her vow with the warmest embraces and a thousand +passionate kisses. + +“After her departure Ferdinand was reduced to sad solitude. The company +in which he had found delight pleased him no more, she being absent. +From the mere force of habit he mingled with his former associates, and +had recourse to his father’s desk to supply those expenses which in +reality he felt but slight inclination to indulge. He was now frequently +alone, and his natural good disposition began to obtain the mastery over +him. In moments of calm reflection he felt astonished how he could have +listened to that deceitful sophistry about justice and right, and his +claim to the goods of others; and he wondered at his approval of those +evil arguments by which he had been led to justify his dishonest +conduct. But in the mean time, before these correct ideas of truth and +uprightness produced a practical effect upon his conduct, he yielded +more than once to the temptation of supplying his wants, in extreme +cases, from his father’s treasury. This plan, however, was now adopted +with more reluctance; and he seemed to be under the irresistible impulse +of an evil spirit. + +“At length he took courage, and formed the resolution of rendering a +repetition of the practice impossible, by informing his father of the +facility with which his desk could be opened. He took his measures +cautiously; and once, in the presence of his father, he carried the box +of letters we have mentioned into the room, pretended to stumble +accidentally against the desk, and astonished his father by causing it +to spring open. They examined the lock without delay, and found that it +had become almost useless from age. It was at once repaired, and +Ferdinand soon enjoyed a return of his peace of mind when he saw his +father’s rolls of money once more in safe custody. + +“But he was not content with this. He formed the resolution of restoring +the money which he had abstracted. He commenced the most economical +course of life for this purpose, with a view of saving from his +allowance all that could possibly be spared from the merest necessities. +It is true that this was but little; but it appeared much, as it was the +commencement of a system of restitution: and there will always be a +wonderful difference between the last guinea borrowed and the first +guinea saved. He had pursued this upright course for but a short time, +when his father determined to settle him in business. His intention was +to form a connection with a manufactory at some distance from his +residence. The design was to establish a company in a part of the +country where labor and provisions were cheap, to appoint an agent, and +extend the business as widely as possible by means of money and credit. +It was determined that Ferdinand should inquire into the practicability +of the scheme, and forward a circumstantial report of his proceedings. +His father furnished him with money for his journey, but placed a +moderate limit upon his expenditure. The supply was, however, sufficient +for his wants; and Ferdinand had no reason to complain of a deficiency. + +“Ferdinand used the utmost economy also upon his journey, and found upon +the closest calculation that he could live upon one-third of his +allowance, by practising strict restraint. He was now anxious to find +means of gradually saving a certain sum, and it soon presented itself; +for opportunity comes indifferently to the good and to the bad, and +favors all parties alike. In the neighborhood which he designed to +visit, he found things more to his advantage than had been expected. No +new habits of expense had as yet been introduced. A moderate capital +alone had been invested in business, and the manufacturers were +satisfied with small profits. Ferdinand soon saw, that with a large +capital, and the advantages of a new system, by purchasing the raw +material by wholesale, and erecting machinery under the guidance of +experienced workmen, large and solid advantages might be secured. + +“The prospect of a life of activity gave him the greatest delight. The +image of his beloved Ottilia was ever before him; and the charming and +picturesque character of the country made him anxiously wish that his +father might be induced to establish him in this spot, commit the +conduct of the new manufactory to him, and thus afford him the means of +attaining independence. His attention to business was secured by the +demands of his own personal interests. He now found an opportunity, for +the first time in his life, for the exercise of his understanding and +judgment, and for exerting his other mental powers. Not only the +beautiful neighborhood, but his business and occupation, were full of +attractions for him: they acted as balm and cordial to his wounded +heart, whenever he recalled the painful remembrance of his father’s +house, in which, influenced by a species of insanity, he had acted in a +manner which now seemed to him in the highest degree criminal. + +“His constant companion was a friend of his family,--a person of strong +mind, but delicate health, who had first conceived the project of +founding this establishment. He instructed Ferdinand in all his own +views and projects, and seemed to take great pleasure in the thorough +harmony of mind which existed between them. This latter personage led a +simple and retired life, partly from choice, and partly because his +health required it. He had no family of his own. His household +establishment was conducted by a niece, who he intended should inherit +his fortune; and it was his wish to see her united to a person of active +and enterprising disposition, who, by means of capital and persevering +industry, might carry on the business which his infirm health and want +of means disqualified him from conducting. His first interview with +Ferdinand suggested that he had found the man he wanted; and he was the +more strongly confirmed in this opinion, upon observing his fondness for +business, and his attachment to the place. His niece became aware of his +intentions, and seemed to approve of them. She was a young and +interesting girl, of sweet and engaging disposition. Her care of her +uncle’s establishment had imparted to her mind the valuable qualities of +activity and decision, whilst her attention to his health had softened +down these traits by a proper union of gentleness and affection. It +would have been difficult to find a person better calculated to make a +husband happy. + +“But Ferdinand’s mind was engrossed with the thoughts of Ottilia’s love: +he saw no attractions in the charms of this country beauty; or, at +least, his admiration was circumscribed by the wish, that, if ever +Ottilia settled down as his wife in this part of the country, she might +have such a person for her assistant and housekeeper. But he was free +and unrestrained in his intercourse with the young lady, he valued her +more as he came to know her better, and his conduct became more +respectful and attentive; and both she and her uncle soon put their own +interpretations upon his behavior. + +“Ferdinand had in the mean time made all the requisite inquiries about +his father’s business. The uncle’s suggestions had enabled him to form +certain projects which, with his usual thoughtlessness, he made the +subject of conversation. He had more than once uttered certain gallant +speeches when conversing with the niece, until her uncle and herself +fancied that he actually indulged intentions which gave them both +unfeigned satisfaction. To Ferdinand’s great joy, he had learned that he +could not only derive great advantage from his father’s plan, but that +another favorable project would enable him to make restitution of the +money he had withdrawn, and the recollection of which pressed like a +heavy burden upon his conscience. He communicated his intentions to his +friend, who tendered, not only his cordial congratulations, but every +possible assistance to carry out his views. He even proposed to furnish +his young friend with the necessary merchandise upon credit, a part of +which offer was thankfully accepted; some portion of the goods being +paid for with what money Ferdinand had saved from his travelling +expenses, and a short credit being taken for the remainder. + +“It would be difficult to describe the joy with which Ferdinand prepared +for his return home. There can be no greater delight than is experienced +by a man who, by his own unaided resources, frees himself from the +consequences of error. Heaven looks down with satisfaction upon such a +spectacle; and we cannot deny the force of the seeming paradox which +assures us that there is more joy before God over one returning sinner, +than over ninety-nine just. + +“But, unfortunately, neither the good resolutions nor the repentance and +improvement of Ferdinand could remove the evil consequences of his +crime, which were destined once more to disturb and agitate his mind +with the most painful reflections. The storm had gathered during his +absence, and it was destined to burst over his head upon his return. + +“We have already had occasion to observe, that Ferdinand’s father was +most irregular in his habits; but his business was under the +superintendence of a clever manager. He had not himself missed the money +which had been abstracted by his son, with the exception of one roll of +foreign money, which he had won from a stranger at play. This he had +missed, and the circumstance seemed to him unaccountable. He was +afterwards somewhat surprised to perceive that several rolls of ducats +could not be found, money which he had some time before lent to a +friend, but which he knew had been repaid. He was aware of the previous +insecurity of his desk, and felt, therefore, convinced that he had been +robbed. This feeling rendered him extremely unhappy. His suspicions fell +upon every one. In anger and exasperation, he related the circumstance +to his wife. The entire household was thereupon strictly examined, and +neither servants nor children were allowed to escape. The good wife +exerted herself to tranquillize her husband: she represented the +discredit which a mere report of this circumstance would bring upon the +family; that no one would sympathize in their misfortune, further than +to humiliate them with their compassion; that neither he nor she could +expect to escape the tongue of scandal; that strange observations would +be made if the thief should remain undiscovered; and she suggested, that +perhaps, if they continued silent, they might recover their lost money +without reducing the wretched criminal to a state of misery for life. In +this manner she prevailed upon her husband to remain quiet, and to +investigate the affair in silence. + +“But the discovery was unfortunately soon made. Ottilia’s aunt had, of +course, been informed of the engagement of the young couple. She had +heard of the presents her niece had received. The attachment was not +approved by her, and she had only maintained silence in consequence of +her niece’s absence. She would have consented to her marrying Ferdinand, +but she did not like uncertainty on such a subject; and as she knew that +he was shortly to return, and her niece was expected daily, she +determined to inform the parents of the state of things, to inquire +their opinion, to ask whether Ferdinand was to have a settlement, and if +they would consent to the marriage. + +“The mother was not a little astonished at this information, and she was +shocked at hearing of the presents which Ferdinand had made to Ottilia. +But she concealed her surprise; and, requesting the aunt to allow her +some time to confer with her husband, she expressed her own concurrence +in the intended marriage, and her expectation that her son would be +advantageously provided for. + +“The aunt took her leave, but Ferdinand’s mother did not deem it +advisable to communicate the circumstance to her husband. She now had to +undertake the sad duty of discovering whether Ferdinand had purchased +Ottilia’s presents with the stolen money. She went straight to the +shopkeeper who dealt in such goods, made some general inquiries, and +said at last, ‘that he ought not to overcharge her, particularly as her +son, who had bought some similar articles, had procured them from him at +a more reasonable charge.’ This the tradesman denied, producing the +account, and further observing that he had even added something for the +exchange; as Ferdinand had paid for the goods partly in foreign money. +He specified the exact nature of the coin; and, to her inexpressible +grief, it was the very same which had been stolen from her husband. She +left the shop with sorrowful heart. Ferdinand’s crime was but too +evident. The sum her husband had lost was large, and she saw in all its +force the extent of the crime and its evil results. But she had prudence +enough to conceal her discovery. She waited for the return of her son, +with feelings of mingled fear and anxiety. Although she wished for an +explanation, she dreaded the consequences of a further inquiry. + +“At length he arrived in the highest spirits. He expected the greatest +praise from the manner in which he transacted his business, and was the +bearer of a sum of money sufficient to make compensation for what he had +criminally abstracted. His father heard his statement with pleasure, but +did not manifest so much delight as the son expected. His late losses +had irritated his temper; and he was the more distressed, because he had +some large payments to make at the moment. Ferdinand felt hurt at his +father’s depression of mind, and his own peace was further disturbed by +the sight of every thing around him: the very room in which he was, the +furniture, and the sight of the fatal desk, those silent witnesses of +his crime, spoke loudly to his guilty conscience. His satisfaction was +at an end. He shrunk within himself, and felt like a culprit. + +“After a few days’ delay he was about to distract his attention from +these thoughts by examining the merchandise he had ordered, when his +mother, finding him alone, reproached him with his fault in a tone of +affectionate earnestness, which did not allow the smallest opportunity +for prevarication. He was overcome with grief. He threw himself at her +feet, imploring her forgiveness, acknowledging his crime, and protesting +that nothing but his affection for Ottilia had misled him: he assured +her, in conclusion, that it was the only offence of the kind of which he +had ever been guilty. He related the circumstances of his bitter +repentance, of his having acquainted his father with the insecurity of +his desk, and finally informed her how, by personal privations and a +fortunate speculation, he was in a condition to make restitution. + +“His mother heard him calmly, but insisted on knowing how he had +disposed of so much money; as the presents would account but for a small +part of the sum that was missing. She produced, to his dismay, an +account of what his father had missed; but he denied having taken, even +so much silver: the missing gold he solemnly protested he had never +touched. His mother became exasperated at this denial. She rebuked him +his attempting to deceive her, and that at a moment when he laid claim +to the virtue of repentance; asserting that if he could be guilty in one +respect, she must doubt his innocence in another. She suggested that he +might perhaps have accomplices amongst his dissipated companions, that +perhaps the business he had carried on was transacted with the stolen +money, and that probably he would have confessed nothing if his crime +had not been accidentally discovered. She threatened him with the anger +of his father, with judicial punishment, with her highest displeasure; +but nothing affected him more than his learning that his projected +marriage with Ottilia had been already spoken of. She left him in the +most wretched condition. His real crime had been discovered, and he was +suspected of even greater guilt. How could he ever persuade his parents +that he had not stolen the gold? He dreaded the public exposure which +was likely to result from his father’s irritable temper, and he now had +time to compare his present wretched condition with the happiness he +might have attained. All his prospects of an active life and of a +marriage with Ottilia were at an end. He saw his utter wretchedness, +abandoned, a fugitive in foreign lands, exposed to every species of +misfortune. + +“But these reflections were not the worst evil he had to encounter; +though they bewildered his mind, wounded his pride, and crushed his +affections. His most severe pangs arose from the thought, that his +honest resolution, his noble intention to repair the past, was +suspected, repudiated, and denied. And, even if these thoughts gave +birth to a feeling resembling despair, he could not deny that he had +deserved his fate; and to this conviction must be added his knowledge of +the fatal truth, that one crime is sufficient to destroy the character +forever. Such meditations, and the apprehension that his firmest +resolutions of amendment might be looked upon as insincere, made life +itself a burden. + +“In this moment of abandonment he appealed to Heaven for assistance. He +sank upon his knees, and, moistening the ground with tears of +contrition, implored help from his divine Maker. His prayer was worthy +of being heard. Man, throwing off his load of crimes, has a claim upon +Heaven. He who has exhausted every effort of his own may, as a last +resource, appeal to God. He was for some time engaged in earnest prayer, +when the door opened, and some one entered his apartment. It was his +mother, who approached him with a cheerful look, saw his agitation, and +addressed him with consoling words. ‘How happy I am,’ she said, ‘to find +that I may credit your assertions, and regard your sorrow as sincere! +The missing sum of gold has been found: your father, when he received it +from his friend, handed it to his secretary, who forgot the circumstance +amid the numerous transactions of the day. And, with respect to the +silver, you are also right; as the amount taken is less than I had +supposed. Unable to conceal my joy, I promised your father to replace +the missing sum if he would consent to forbear making any further +inquiry.’ + +“Ferdinand’s joy was indescribable. He completed at once his business +arrangements, gave his mother the promised money, and in addition +replaced the amount which his father had lost through his own +irregularity. He became gradually more cheerful and happy, but the whole +circumstance produced a serious impression upon his mind. He became +convinced that every man has power to accomplish good, and that our +divine Maker will infallibly extend to him his assistance in the hour of +trial,--a truth which he himself had learned from late experience. He +now unfolded to his father his plan of establishing himself in the +neighborhood from which he had lately returned. He fully explained the +nature of the intended business. His father consented to his proposals, +and his mother at a proper time related to her husband the attachment of +Ferdinand to Ottilia. He was delighted at the prospect of having so +charming a daughter-in-law, and felt additional pleasure at the idea of +being able to establish his son without the necessity of incurring much +expense.” + + +“I like this story,” said Louisa, when the old clergyman had finished +his tale; “and though the incidents are taken from low life, yet the +tone is sufficiently elevated to prove agreeable. And it seems to me, +that if we examine ourselves, or observe others, we shall find that men +are seldom influenced by their own reflections, either to pursue or to +abandon a certain course, but are generally impelled by extraneous +circumstances.” + +“I wish for my part,” said Charles, “that we were not obliged to deny +ourselves any thing, and that we had no knowledge of those blessings +which we are not allowed to possess. But unfortunately we walk in an +orchard where, though all the trees are loaded with fruit, we are +compelled to leave them untouched, to satisfy ourselves with the +enjoyment of the shade, and forego the greatest indulgence.” + +“Now,” said Louisa to the clergyman, “let us hear the rest of the +story.” + +_Clergyman._ It is finished. + +_Louisa._ The _dénoûment_ may be finished, but we should like to hear +the end. + +_Clergyman._ Your distinction is just; and, since you seem interested in +the fate of my friend, I will tell you briefly what happened to him. + +“Relieved from the oppressive weight of so dreadful a crime, and +enjoying some degree of satisfaction at his own conduct, his thoughts +were now directed to his future happiness; and he expected with anxiety +the return of Ottilia, that he might explain his position, and perform +the promise he had given her. She came, accompanied by her parents. He +hastened to meet her, and found her more beautiful than ever. He waited +with impatience for an opportunity of speaking to her alone, and of +unfolding all his future projects. The moment arrived; and with a heart +full of tenderness and love he spoke of his hopes, of his expectations +of happiness, and of his wish to share it with her. But what was his +surprise and astonishment when he found that she heard his announcement +with indifference and even with contempt, and indulged in unpleasant +jokes about the hermitage prepared for their reception, and the interest +they would excite by enacting the characters of shepherd and shepherdess +in a pastoral abode. + +“Her behavior occasioned bitter reflections. He was hurt and grieved at +her indifference. She had been unjust to him, and he now began to +observe faults in her conduct which had previously escaped his +attention. In addition, it required no very keen perception to remark +that a cousin, who had accompanied her, had made an impression upon her, +and won a large portion of her affections. + +“But Ferdinand soon perceived the necessity of struggling with this new +source of sorrow; and, as victory had attended his exertions in one +instance, he hoped to be successful upon a second occasion. He saw +Ottilia frequently, and determined to observe her closely. His conduct +towards her was attentive and affectionate, and her deportment was of a +similar nature; but her attractions had become diminished for him: he +soon found that her professions were not cordial or sincere, and that +she could be affectionate and cold, attractive and repulsive, charming +and disagreeable, according to the mere whim of the moment. He gradually +became indifferent to her, and at length resolved to break the last link +of their connection. + +“But this was more difficult than he had anticipated. He found her one +day alone, and took courage to remind her of their engagement, and of +those happy moments in which, under the influence of the most delightful +feelings, they had discoursed with joyful anticipations of their future +happiness. She was in a tender mood, and he began to hope that he might +perhaps have been deceived in the estimate he had lately formed of her. +He thereupon began to describe his worldly prospects, and the probable +success of his intended establishment. She expressed her satisfaction, +accompanied, however, with regret that their union must on this account +be postponed still longer. She gave him to understand that she had not +the least wish to leave the pleasures of a city life, but expressed her +hopes that he might be able, after some years’ active industry in the +country, to return home, and become a citizen of consequence. She gave +him, moreover, to understand that she expected he would play a more +respectable and honest part in life than his father. + +“Ferdinand saw plainly that he could expect no happiness from such a +union, and yet he felt the difficulty of wholly disengaging himself. In +this state of mind he would probably have parted from her in uncertainty +about the future, had he not been finally influenced by the conduct of +Ottilia’s cousin, towards whom he thought she displayed too much +tenderness. Ferdinand, thereupon, wrote a letter assuring her that it +was still in her power to make him happy, but that it could not be +advisable to encourage indefinite hopes, or to enter into engagements +for an uncertain future. + +“He trusted that this letter would produce a favorable answer; but he +received a reply which his heart deplored, but which his judgment +approved. She released him from his promise, without rejecting his love, +and adverted to her own feelings in the same ambiguous manner. She was +still bound by the sense of her letter, but free by its literal meaning. +But why should I delay communicating the inevitable result? Ferdinand +hastened back to the peaceful abode he had left, and formed his +determination at once. He became attentive and diligent in business, and +was encouraged in this course by the affections of the kind being of +whom we have already spoken, and the exertions of her uncle to employ +every means in his power to render them happy. I knew him afterwards, +when he was surrounded by a numerous and prosperous family. He related +his own story to me himself; and, as it often happens with individuals +whose early life has been marked by some uncommon accident, his own +adventures had become so indelibly impressed upon his mind, that they +exerted a deep influence on his conduct. Even as a man and as a father, +he constantly denied himself the enjoyment of many gratifications in +order not to forget the practice of self-restraint; and the whole course +of his children’s education was founded upon this principle, that they +must accustom themselves to a frequent denial of their most ardent +desires. + +“I once had an opportunity of witnessing an instance of the system he +adopted. One of his children was about to eat something at table, of +which he was particularly fond. His father forbade it, apparently +without reason. To my astonishment, the child obeyed with the utmost +cheerfulness; and dinner proceeded as if nothing had occurred. And, in +this manner, even the eldest members of the family often allowed a +tempting dish of fruit or some other dainty to pass them untasted. But, +notwithstanding this, a general freedom reigned in his house; and there +was at times a sufficient display, both of good and bad conduct. But +Ferdinand was for the most part indifferent to what occurred, and +allowed an almost unrestrained license. At times, however, when a +certain week came about, orders were given for precise punctuality, the +clocks were regulated to the second, every member of the family received +his orders for the day, business and pleasure had their turn, and no one +dared to be a single second in arrear. I could detain you for hours in +describing his conversation and remarks on this extraordinary system of +education. He was accustomed to jest with me upon my vows as a Catholic +priest, and maintained that every man should make a vow to practise +self-restraint, as well as to require obedience from others; but he +observed that the exercise of these vows, in place of being perpetually +demanded, was suitable only for certain occasions.” + +The baroness observed, that she thought Ferdinand was perfectly right; +and she compared the authority of a parent to the executive power in a +kingdom, which being weak, the legislative authority can be of little +avail. + +At this moment Louisa rushed hastily to the window, having heard +Frederick ride past. She ran to meet him, and accompanied him into the +parlor. He seemed cheerful, notwithstanding his just having come from a +scene of trouble and distress. In place of entering into a detailed +description of the fire which had seized the house of his aunt, he +assured the company that he had established beyond doubt the fact that +the desk there had been burned at the very same time when theirs had +been split asunder in so strange a manner. + +He stated, that, when the fire approached the room where the desk was, +one of the servants saved a clock which stood upon it; that, in carrying +it out, some accident had happened to the works, and it had stopped at +half-past eleven; and thus the coincidence of time was placed beyond all +question. The baroness smiled; and the tutor observed, that, although +two things might agree in some particulars, we were not therefore +justified in inferring their mutual dependence. But Louisa took pleasure +in believing the connection of these two circumstances, particularly as +she had received intelligence that her intended was quite well; and, as +to the rest of the company, they gave full scope to the flight of their +imagination. + +Charles inquired of the clergyman whether he knew a fairy-tale. “The +imagination,” he observed, “is a divine gift; but I do not like to see +it employed about the actualities of life. The airy forms to which it +gives birth are delightful to contemplate, if we view them as beings of +a peculiar order; but, connected with truth, they become prodigies, and +are disapproved by our reason and judgment. The imagination,” he +continued, “should not deal in facts, nor be employed to establish +facts. Its proper province is art; and there its influence should be +like that of music, which awakens our emotions, and makes us forget the +cause by which they are called forth.” + +“Continue,” said the old clergyman, “and explain still further your view +of the proper attributes of imaginative works. Another property is +essential to their enjoyment,--that the exercise of imagination should +be voluntary. It can effect nothing by compulsion: it must wait for the +moment of inspiration. Without design, and without any settled course, +it soars aloft upon its own pinions, and, as it is borne forward, leaves +a trace of its wonderful and devious course. But you must allow me to +take my accustomed walk, that I may awaken in my soul the sweet fancies +which, in former years, were accustomed to enchant me. I promise to +relate a fairy-tale this evening that will amuse you all.” + +They at once consented, particularly as they all hoped in the mean time +to hear the news of which Frederick was the bearer. + + + --------------------------------------- + + + A FAIRY TALE. + + +Wearied with the labors of the day, an old Ferryman lay asleep in his +hut, on the bank of a wide river, which the late heavy rains had swollen +to an unprecedented height. In the middle of the night he was awakened +by a loud cry: he listened; it was the call of some travellers who +wished to be ferried over. + +Upon opening the door, he was surprised to see two Will-o’-the-wisps +dancing round his boat, which was still secured to its moorings. +Speaking with human voices, they assured him that they were in the +greatest possible hurry, and wished to be carried instantly to the other +side of the river. Without losing a moment, the old Ferryman pushed off, +and rowed across with his usual dexterity. During the passage the +strangers whispered together in an unknown language, and several times +burst into loud laughter; whilst they amused themselves with dancing +upon the sides and seats of the boat, and cutting fantastic capers at +the bottom. + +“The boat reels,” cried the old man; “and, if you continue so restless, +it may upset. Sit down, you Will-o’-the-wisps.” + +They burst into loud laughter at this command, ridiculed the boatman, +and became more troublesome than ever. But he bore their annoyance +patiently, and they soon reached the opposite bank of the river. + +“Here is something for your trouble,” said the passengers, shaking +themselves, when a number of glittering gold pieces fell into the boat. +“What are you doing?” cried the old man: “some misfortune will happen +should a single piece of gold fall into the water. The river, which has +a strong antipathy to gold, would become fearfully agitated, and swallow +both me and my boat. Who can say even what might happen to yourselves? I +pray you take back your gold.” + +“We can take nothing back which we have once shaken from our persons,” +answered one of them. + +“Then, I shall be compelled,” replied the old boatman, as he stooped, +and collected the gold in his cap, “to take it to the shore and bury +it.” + +The Will-o’-the-wisps had in the mean time leaped out of the boat, upon +which the old man cried, “Pay me my fare.” + +“The man who refuses gold must work for nothing,” answered the +Will-o’-the-wisps. + +“My payment must consist of fruits of the earth,” rejoined the Ferryman. + +“Fruits of the earth? We despise them: they are not food for us.” + +“But you shall not depart,” replied the Ferryman, “till you have given +me three cauliflowers, three artichokes, and three large onions.” + +The Will-o’-the-wisps were in the act of running away, with a laugh, +when they felt themselves in some inexplicable manner fixed to the +earth: they had never experienced so strange a sensation. They then +promised to pay the demand without delay, upon which the Ferryman +released them, and instantly pushed off with his boat. + +He was already far away, when they called after him, “Old man! listen: +we have forgotten something important;” but he heard them not, and +continued his course. When he had reached a point lower down, on the +same side of the river, he came to some rocks which the water was unable +to reach, and proceeded to bury the dangerous gold. Observing a deep +cleft which opened between two rocks, he threw the gold into it, and +returned to his dwelling. This cleft was inhabited by a beautiful green +Dragon, who was awakened from her sleep by the sound of the falling +money. At the very first appearance of the glittering pieces, she +devoured them greedily, then searched about carefully in hopes of +finding such other coins as might have fallen accidentally amongst the +briers, or between the fissures of the rocks. + +The Dragon immediately felt overpowered with the most delightful +sensations, and perceived with joy that she became suddenly shining and +transparent. She had been long aware that this change was possible; but, +entertaining some doubt whether the brilliance would continue, she felt +impelled by curiosity to leave her dwelling, and ascertain, if possible, +to whom she was indebted for the beautiful gold. She found no one; but +she became lost in admiration of herself, and of the brilliant light +which illumined her path through the thick underwood, and shed its rays +over the surrounding green. The leaves of the trees glittered like +emeralds, and the flowers shone with glorious hues. In vain did she +penetrate the solitary wilderness; but hope dawned when she reached the +plains, and observed at a distance a light resembling her own. “Have I +at last discovered my fellow?” she exclaimed, and hastened to the spot. +She found no obstacle from bog or morass; for though the dry meadow and +the high rock were her dearest habitations, and though she loved to feed +upon the spicy root, and to quench her thirst with the crystal dew, and +with fresh water from the spring, yet, for the sake of her beloved gold +and of her glorious light, she was willing to encounter every privation. + +Wearied and exhausted, she reached at length the confines of a wide +morass, where our two Will-o’-the-wisps were amusing themselves in +playing fantastic antics. She made towards them, and, saluting them, +expressed her delight at being able to claim relationship with such +charming personages. The lights played around her, skipped from side to +side, and laughed about in their own peculiar fashion. “Dear aunt!” they +exclaimed, “what does it signify, even though you are of horizontal +form? we are related at least through brilliancy. But look how well a +tall, slender figure becomes us gentry of the vertical shape;” and, so +saying, both the lights compressed their breadth together, and shot up +into a thin and pointed line. “Do not be offended, dear friend,” they +continued; “but what family can boast of a privilege like ours? Since +the first Will-o’-the-wisp was created, none of our race have ever been +obliged to sit down or to take repose.” + +But all this time the feelings of the Dragon in the presence of her +relations were any thing but pleasant: for, exalt her head as high as +she would, she was compelled to stoop to earth again when she wished to +advance; and, though she was proud of the brilliancy which she shed +round her own dark abode, she felt her light gradually diminish in the +presence of her relatives, and began to fear that it might finally be +extinguished. + +In her perplexity she hastily inquired whether the gentlemen could +inform her whence the shining gold had come, which had lately fallen +into the cleft of the rocks hard by; as in her opinion it was a precious +shower from heaven. The Will-o’-the-wisps immediately shook themselves +(at the same time laughing loudly), and a deluge of gold pieces at once +flowed around. The Dragon devoured them greedily. “We hope you like +them, dear aunt,” shouted the shining Will-o’-the-wisps; “we can supply +you with any quantity:” and they shook themselves with such copious +effect, that the Dragon found it difficult to swallow the bright +dainties with sufficient speed. Her brilliancy increased as the gold +disappeared, till at length she shone with inconceivable radiance; while +in the same proportion the Will-o’-the-wisps grew thin and tapering, +without, however, losing the smallest iota of their cheerful humor. + +“I am under eternal obligations to you,” said the Dragon, pausing to +breathe from her voracious meal: “ask of me what you please; I will give +you any thing you demand.” + +“A bargain!” answered the Will-o’-the-wisp: “tell us, then, where the +beautiful Lily dwells. Lead us to her palace and gardens without delay: +we die of impatience to cast ourselves at her feet.” + +“You ask a favor,” replied the Dragon, with a deep sigh, “which it is +not in my power so quickly to bestow. The beautiful Lily lives, +unfortunately, on the opposite bank of the river. We cannot cross over +on this stormy night.” + +“Cruel river, which separates us from the object of our desires! But +cannot we call back the old Ferryman?” said they. + +“Your wish is vain,” answered the Dragon: “for, even were you to meet +him on this bank, he would refuse to take you; as, though he can convey +passengers to this side of the stream, he can carry no one back.” + +“Bad news, indeed! but are there no other means of crossing the river?” + +“There are, but not at this moment: I myself can take you over at +mid-day.” + +“That is an hour,” replied the Will-o’-the-wisps, “when we do not +usually travel.” + +“Then, you had better postpone your intention till evening, when you may +cross in the Giant’s shadow.” + +“How is that managed?” they inquired. + +“The Giant,” replied the Dragon, “who lives hard by, is powerless with +his body: his hands are incapable of raising even a straw, his shoulders +can bear no burden; but his shadow accomplishes all for him. For this +reason he is most powerful at sunrise and at sunset. At the hour of +evening the Giant will approach the river softly; and, if you place +yourself upon his shadow, it will carry you over. Meet me at mid-day, at +the corner of the wood, where the trees hang over the river, when I +myself will take you across, and introduce you to the beautiful Lily. +Should you, however, shrink from the noonday heat, your only alternative +is to apply to the Giant, when evening casts its shadows around; and he +will no doubt prove obliging.” + +With a graceful salutation the young gentlemen took their leave; and the +Dragon rejoiced at their departure, partly that she might indulge her +feelings of pleasure at her own light, and partly that she might satisfy +a curiosity by which she had long been tormented. + +In the clefts of the rocks where she dwelt, she had lately made a +wonderful discovery; for, although she had been obliged to crawl through +these chasms in darkness, she had learned to distinguish every object by +feeling. The productions of Nature, which she was accustomed everywhere +to encounter, were all of an irregular kind. At one time she wound her +way amongst the points of enormous crystals, at another she was for a +moment impeded by the veins of solid silver, and many were the precious +stones which her light discovered to her. But, to her great +astonishment, she had encountered in a rock, which was securely closed +on all sides, objects which betrayed the plastic hand of man. Smooth +walls, which she was unable to ascend; sharp, regular angles, tapering +columns; and, what was even more wonderful, human figures, round which +she had often entwined herself, and which appeared to her to be formed +of brass or of polished marble. She was now anxious to behold all these +objects with her eyes, and to confirm, by her own observation, what she +had hitherto but suspected. She now thought herself capable of +illumining with her own light these wonderful subterranean caverns, and +indulged the hope of becoming thoroughly acquainted with these +astonishing mysteries. She delayed not, and quickly found the opening +through which she was accustomed to penetrate into the sanctuary. + +Arrived at the place, she looked round with wonder; and though her +brilliancy was unable to light the entire cavern, yet many of the +objects were sufficiently distinct. With astonishment and awe, she +raised her eyes to an illumined niche, in which stood the statue of a +venerable King, of pure gold. In size the statue was colossal, but the +figure was rather that of a little than of a great man. His well-turned +limbs were covered with a simple robe, and his head was encircled by an +oaken garland. + +Scarcely had the Dragon beheld this venerable form, when the King found +utterance, and said, “How comest thou hither?” + +“Through the cleft,” answered the Dragon, “in which the gold abides.” + +“What is nobler than gold?” asked the King. + +“Light,” replied the Dragon. + +“And what is more vivid than light?” continued the Monarch. + +“Speech,” said the Serpent. + +During this conversation the Dragon had looked stealthily around, and +observed another noble statue in an adjoining niche. A silver King sat +there enthroned, of figure tall and slender: his limbs were enveloped in +an embroidered mantle; his crown and sceptre were adorned with precious +stones; his countenance wore the serene dignity of pride; and he seemed +about to speak, when a dark vein, which ran through the marble of the +wall, suddenly became brilliant, and cast a soft light through the whole +temple. This light discovered a third King, whose mighty form was cast +in brass: he leaned upon a massive club, his head was crowned with +laurels; and his proportions resembled a rock rather than a human being. + +The Dragon felt a desire to approach a fourth King, who stood before her +at a distance; but the wall suddenly opened, the illumined vein flashed +like lightning, and became as suddenly extinguished. + +A man of middle stature now approached. He was clad in the garb of a +peasant: in his hand he bore a lamp, the flame of which it was +delightful to behold, and which lightened the entire dwelling, without +leaving the trace of a shadow. + +“Why dost thou come, since we have already light?” asked the Golden +King. + +“You know that I can shed no ray on what is dark,” replied the old man. + +“Will my kingdom end?” inquired the Silver Monarch. + +“Late or never,” answered the other. + +The Brazen King then asked, with voice of thunder, “When shall I arise?” + +“Soon,” was the reply. + +“With whom shall I be united?” continued the former. + +“With thine elder brother,” answered the latter. + +“And what will become of the youngest?” + +“He will repose.” + +“I am not weary,” interrupted the fourth King, with a deep but faltering +voice. + +During this conversation the Dragon had wound her way softly through the +temple, surveyed every thing which it contained, and approached the +niche in which the fourth King stood. He leaned against a pillar, and +his handsome countenance bore traces of melancholy. It was difficult to +distinguish the metal of which the statue was composed. It resembled a +mixture of the three metals of which his brothers were formed, but it +seemed as if the materials had not thoroughly blended; as the veins of +gold and silver crossed each other irregularly through the brazen mass, +and destroyed the effect of the whole. + +The Golden King now asked, “How many secrets dost thou know?” + +“Three,” was the reply. + +“And which is the most important?” inquired the Silver King. + +“The revealed,” answered the old man. + +“Wilt thou explain it to us?” asked the Brazen King. + +“When I have learned the fourth,” was the response. + +“I care not,” murmured he of the strange compound. + +“I know the fourth,” interrupted the Dragon, approaching the old man, +and whispering in his ear. + +“The time is come,” exclaimed the latter, with tremendous voice. The +sounds echoed through the temple; the statues rang again: and in the +same instant the old man disappeared towards the west, and the Dragon +towards the east; and both pierced instantly through the impediments of +the rock. + +Every passage through which the old man bent his course became +immediately filled with gold; for the lamp which he carried possessed +the wonderful property of converting stones into gold, wood into silver, +and dead animals into jewels. But, in order to produce this effect, it +was necessary that no other light should be near. In the presence of +another light the lamp merely emitted a soft illumination, which, +however, gave joy to every living thing. + +The old man returned to his hut on the brow of the hill, and found his +wife in the greatest sorrow. She was seated at the fire, her eyes filled +with tears; and she refused all consolation. + +“What a misfortune,” she exclaimed, “that I allowed you to leave home +to-day!” + +“What has happened?” answered the old man, very quietly. + +“You were scarcely gone,” replied she with sobs, “before two rude +travellers came to the door: unfortunately I admitted them; as they +seemed good, worthy people. They were attired like flames, and might +have passed for Will-o’-the-wisps; but they had scarcely entered the +house before they commenced their flatteries, and became at length so +importunate that I blush to recollect their conduct.” + +“Well,” said the old man, smiling, “the gentlemen were only amusing +themselves; and, at your age, you should have considered it as the +display of ordinary politeness.” + +“My age!” rejoined the old woman. “Will you forever remind me of my age? +how old am I, then? And ordinary politeness! But I can tell you +something: look round at the walls of our hut: you will now be able to +see the old stones, which have been concealed for more than a hundred +years. These visitors extracted all the gold more quickly than I can +tell you, and they assured me that it was of capital flavor. When they +had completely cleared the walls, they grew cheerful; and, in a few +minutes, their persons became tall, broad, and shining. They thereupon +again commenced their tricks, and repeated their flatteries, calling me +a queen. They shook themselves, and immediately a profusion of gold +pieces fell on all sides. You may see some of them still glittering on +the floor; but a calamity soon occurred. Our dog Mops swallowed some of +them; and, see! he lies dead in the chimney-corner. Poor animal! his +death afflicts me. I did not observe it till they had departed, +otherwise I should not have promised to pay the Ferryman the debt they +owed him.” + +“How much do they owe?” inquired the old man. + +“Three cauliflowers,” answered his wife, “three artichokes, and three +onions. I have promised to take them to the river at break of day.” + +“You had better oblige them,” said the old man, “and they may perhaps +serve us in time of need.” + +“I know not if they will keep their word,” said she, “but they promised +and vowed to serve us.” + +The fire had, in the mean time, died away; but the old man covered the +cinders with ashes, put away the shining gold pieces, and lighted his +lamp afresh. In the glorious illumination the walls became covered with +gold, and Mops was transformed into the most beautiful onyx that was +ever beheld. The variety of color which glittered through the costly gem +produced a splendid effect. + +“Take your basket,” said the old man, “and place the onyx in it. Then +collect the three cauliflowers, the three artichokes, and the three +onions, lay them together, and carry them to the river. The Dragon will +bear you across at mid-day: then visit the beautiful Lily; her touch +will give life to the onyx, as her touch gives death to every living +thing; and it will be to her an affectionate friend. Tell her not to +mourn; that her deliverance is nigh; that she must consider a great +misfortune as her greatest blessing, for the time is come.” + +The old woman prepared her basket, and set forth at break of day. The +rising sun shone brightly over the river, which gleamed in the far +distance. The old woman journeyed slowly on, for the weight of the +basket oppressed her; but it did not arise from the onyx. Nothing +lifeless proved a burden; for, when the basket contained dead things, it +rose aloft, and floated over her head. But a fresh vegetable, or the +smallest living creature, induced fatigue. She had toiled along for some +distance, when she started, and suddenly stood still; for she had nearly +placed her foot upon the shadow of the Giant, which was advancing +towards her from the plain. Her eye now perceived his monstrous bulk: he +had just bathed in the river, and was coming out of the water. She knew +not how to avoid him. He saw her, saluted her jestingly, and thrust the +hand of his shadow into her basket. With dexterity he stole a +cauliflower, an artichoke, and an onion, and raised them to his mouth. +He then proceeded on his course up the stream, and left the woman alone. + +She considered whether it would not be better to return, and supply the +missing vegetables from her own garden; and, lost in these reflections, +she went on her way until she arrived at the bank of the river. She sat +down, and awaited for a long time the arrival of the Ferryman. He +appeared at length, having in his boat a traveller whose air was +mysterious. A handsome youth, of noble aspect, stepped on shore. + +“What have you brought with you?” said the old man. + +“The vegetables,” replied the woman, “which the Will-o’-the-wisps owe +you;” pointing to the contents of her basket. + +But when he found that there were but two of each kind, he became angry, +and refused to take them. + +The woman implored him to relent, assuring him that she could not then +return home; as she had found her burden heavy, and she had still a long +way to go. But he was obstinate, maintaining that the decision did not +depend upon him. + +“I am obliged to collect my gains for nine hours,” said he, “and I can +keep nothing for myself till I have paid a third part to the river.” + +At length, after much contention, he told her there was still a remedy. + +“If you give security to the river, and acknowledge your debt, I will +take the six articles; though such a course is not devoid of danger. + +“But, if I keep my word, I incur no risk,” she said earnestly. + +“Not the least,” he replied. “Thrust your hand into the river, and +promise that within four and twenty hours you will pay the debt.” + +The old woman complied, but shuddered as she observed that her hand, on +drawing it out of the water, had become as black as a coal. She scolded +angrily; exclaiming that her hands had always been most beautiful, and +that, notwithstanding her hard work, she had ever kept them white and +delicate. She gazed at her hand with the greatest alarm, and exclaimed, +“This is still worse: it has shrunk, and is already much smaller than +the other!” + +“It only appears so now,” said the Ferryman; “but, if you break your +word, it will be so in reality. Your hand will in that case grow +smaller, and finally disappear; though you will still preserve the use +of it.” + +“I would rather,” she replied, “lose it altogether, and that my +misfortune should be concealed. But no matter, I will keep my word, to +escape this black disgrace, and avoid so much anxiety.” Whereupon she +took her basket, which rose aloft, and floated freely over her head. She +hastened after the youth, who was walking thoughtfully along the bank. +His noble figure and peculiar attire had made a deep impression upon her +mind. + +His breast was covered with a shining cuirass, whose transparency +permitted the motions of his graceful form to be seen. From his +shoulders hung a purple mantle, and his auburn locks waved in beautiful +curls round his uncovered head. His noble countenance and his +well-turned feet were exposed to the burning rays of the sun. Thus did +he journey patiently over the hot sand, which, “true to one sorrow, he +trod without feeling.” + +The garrulous old woman sought to engage him in conversation; but he +heeded her not, or answered briefly, until, notwithstanding his beauty, +she became weary, and took leave of him, saying, “You are too slow for +me, sir; and I cannot lose my time, as I am anxious to cross the river, +with the assistance of the Green Dragon, and to present the beautiful +Lily with my husband’s handsome present.” So saying, she left him +speedily, upon which the youth took heart, and followed her without +delay. + +“You are going to the beautiful Lily!” he exclaimed: “if so, our way +lies together. What present are you taking her?” + +“Sir,” answered the woman, “it is not fair that you should so earnestly +inquire after my secrets, when you paid so little attention to my +questions. But, if you will relate your history to me, I will tell you +all about my present.” + +They made the bargain: the woman told her story, including the account +of the dog, and allowed him to view the beautiful onyx. + +He lifted the beautiful precious stone from the basket, and took Mops, +who seemed to slumber softly, in his arms. + +“Fortunate animal!” he exclaimed: “you will be touched by her soft +hands, and restored to life, in place of fleeing from her contact, like +all other living things, to escape an evil doom. But, alas! what words +are these? Is it not a sadder and more fearful fate to be annihilated by +her presence than to die by her hand? Behold me, thus young, what a +melancholy destiny is mine! This armor, which I have borne with glory in +the battle-broil; this purple, which I have earned by the wisdom of my +government,--have been converted by Fate, the one into an unceasing +burden, the other into an empty honor. Crown, sceptre, and sword are +worthless. I am now as naked and destitute as every other son of clay. +For such is the spell of her beautiful blue eyes, that they waste the +vigor of every living creature; and those whom the contact of her hand +does not destroy are reduced to the condition of breathing shadows.” + +Thus he lamented long, but without satisfying the curiosity of the old +woman, who sought information respecting both his mental and his bodily +sufferings. She learned neither the name of his father nor his kingdom. +He stroked the rigid Mops, to whom the beams of the sun and the caresses +of the youth had imparted warmth. He inquired earnestly about the man +with the lamp, about the effect of the mysterious light, and seemed to +expect thence great relief from his deep sorrow. + +So discoursing, they observed at a distance the majestic arch of the +bridge, which stretched from one bank of the river to the other, and +shone splendidly in the beams of the sun. Both were astonished at the +sight, as they had never before seen it so resplendent. + +“What!” cried the Prince, “was it not sufficiently beautiful before, +with its decorations of jasper and opal? Can we now dare to pass over +it, constructed as it is of emerald and chrysolite of varied beauty?” + +Neither had any idea of the change which the Dragon had undergone; for +in truth it was the Dragon, whose custom it was at mid-day to arch her +form across the stream, and assume the appearance of a beauteous bridge, +which travellers crossed with silent reverence. + +Scarcely had they reached the opposite bank, when the bridge began to +sway from side to side, and gradually sank to the level of the water; +while the Green Dragon assumed her accustomed shape, and followed the +travellers to the shore. The latter thanked her for her condescension in +allowing them a passage across the stream; observing, at the same time, +that there were evidently more persons present than were actually +visible. They heard a light whispering, which the Dragon answered with a +similar sound. They listened, and heard the following words: “We will +first make our observations unperceived in the park of the beautiful +Lily, and look for you, when the shadows of evening fall, to introduce +us to such perfect beauty. You will find us on the bank of the great +lake.” + +“Agreed,” answered the Dragon; and a hissing sound died away in the air. + +Our three travellers further consulted with what regard to precedence +they should appear before the beautiful Lily; for, let her visitors be +never so numerous, they must enter and depart singly if they wished to +escape bitter suffering. + +The woman, carrying in the basket the transformed dog, came first to the +garden, and sought an interview with her benefactress. She was easily +found, as she was then singing to the accompaniment of her harp. The +sweet tones showed themselves first in the form of circles upon the +bosom of the calm lake; and then, like a soft breeze, they imparted +motion to the grass and to the tremulous leaves. She was seated in a +secluded nook beneath the shade of trees, and at the first glance +enchanted the eyes, the ear, and the heart of the old woman, who +advanced towards her with rapture, and protested that since their last +meeting she had become more beautiful than ever. Even from a distance +she saluted the charming maiden in these words: “What joy to be in your +presence! What a heaven surrounds you! What a spell proceeds from your +lyre, which, encircled by your soft arms, and influenced by the pressure +of your gentle bosom and slender fingers, utters such entrancing melody! +Thrice happy the blessed youth who could claim so great a favor!” + +So saying, she approached nearer. The beautiful Lily raised her eyes, +let her hands drop, and said, “Do not distress me with your untimely +praise: it makes me feel even more unhappy. And see! here is my +beautiful canary dead at my feet, which used to accompany my songs so +sweetly: he was accustomed to sit upon my harp, and was carefully +instructed to avoid my touch. This morning, when, refreshed by sleep, I +tuned a pleasant melody, the little warbler sang with increased harmony, +when suddenly a hawk soared above us. My little bird sought refuge in my +bosom, and at that instant I felt the last gasp of his expiring breath. +It is true that the hawk, struck by my instantaneous glance, fell +lifeless into the stream; but what avails this penalty to me?--my +darling is dead, and his grave will but add to the number of the weeping +willows in my garden.” + +“Take courage, beautiful Lily,” interrupted the old woman, whilst at the +same moment she wiped away a tear which the narration of the sorrowful +maiden had brought to her eye,--“take courage, and learn from my +experience to moderate your grief. Great misfortune is often the +harbinger of intense joy. For the time approaches: but in truth,” +continued she, “‘the web of life is of a mingled yarn.’ See my hand, how +black it has grown; and, in truth, it has become much diminished in +size: I must be speedy, before it be reduced to nothing. Why did I +promise favors to the Will-o’-the-wisps, or meet the Giant, or dip my +hand into the river? Can you oblige me with a cauliflower, an artichoke, +or an onion? I shall take them to the river, and then my hand will +become so white that it will almost equal the lustre of your own.” + +“Cauliflowers and onions abound, but artichokes cannot be procured. My +garden produces neither flowers nor fruit; but every twig I plant upon +the grave of any thing I love bursts into leaf at once, and grows a +goodly tree. Thus, beneath my eye, alas! have grown these clustering +trees and copses. These tall pines, these shadowing cypresses, these +mighty oaks, these overhanging beeches, were once small twigs planted by +my hand, as sad memorials, in an ungenial soil.” + +The old woman paid but little attention to this speech, but was employed +in watching her hand, which in the presence of the beautiful Lily became +every instant of a darker hue, and grew gradually less. She was about to +take her basket and depart, when she felt that she had forgotten the +most important of her duties. She took the transformed dog in her arms, +and laid him upon the grass, not far from the beautiful Lily. “My +husband,” she said, “sends you this present. You know that your touch +can impart life to this precious stone. The good and faithful animal +will be a joy to you, and the grief his loss causes me will be +alleviated by the thought that he is yours.” + +The beautiful Lily looked at the pretty creature with delight, and +rapture beamed from her eyes. “Many things combine to inspire me with +hope; but, alas! is it not a delusion of our nature to expect that joy +is near when grief is at the worst?” + + + “Ah! what avail these omens all so fair? + My sweet bird’s death, my friend’s hands blackly dyed, + And Mops transformed into a jewel rare, + Sent by the Lamp our faltering steps to guide. + + Far from mankind and every joy I prize, + To grief and sorrow I am still allied: + When from the river will the temple rise? + When will the bridge span it from side to side?” + + +The old woman waited with impatience for the conclusion of the song, +which the beautiful Lily had accompanied with her harp, entrancing the +ears of every listener. She was about to say farewell, when the arrival +of the Dragon compelled her to remain. She had heard the last words of +the song, and on this account spoke words of encouragement to the +beautiful Lily. “The prophecy of the bridge is fulfilled!” she +exclaimed: “this good woman will bear witness how splendidly the arch +now appears. Formerly of untransparent jasper, which only reflected the +light upon the sides, it is now converted into precious jewels of +transparent hue. No beryl is so bright, and no emerald so splendid.” + +“I congratulate you thereupon,” said the Lily, “but pardon me if I doubt +whether the prediction is fulfilled. Only foot-passengers can as yet +cross the arch of your bridge; and it has been foretold that horses and +carriages, travellers of all descriptions, shall pass and repass in +mingled multitudes. Is prediction silent with respect to the mighty +pillars which are to ascend from the river?” + +The old woman, whose eyes were fixed immovably upon her hand, +interrupted this speech, and bade farewell. + +“Wait for one moment,” said the beautiful Lily, “and take my poor +canary-bird with you. Implore the Lamp to convert him into a topaz; and +I will then re-animate him with my touch, and he and your good Mops will +then be my greatest consolation. But make what speed you can; for with +sunset decay will have commenced its withering influence, marring the +beauty of its delicate form.” + +The old woman enveloped the little corpse in some soft young leaves, +placed it in the basket, and hastened from the spot. + +“Notwithstanding what you say,” continued the Dragon, resuming the +interrupted conversation, “the temple is built.” + +“But it does not yet stand upon the river,” replied the beautiful Lily. + +“It rests still in the bowels of the earth,” continued the Dragon. “I +have seen the Kings, and spoken to them.” + +“And when will they awake?” inquired the Lily. + +The Dragon answered, “I heard the mighty voice resound through the +temple, announcing that the hour was come.” + +A ray of joy beamed from the countenance of the beautiful Lily as she +exclaimed, “Do I hear those words for the second time to-day? When will +the hour arrive in which I shall hear them for the third time?” + +She rose, and immediately a beautiful maiden came from the wood, and +relieved her of her harp. She was followed by another, who took the +ivory chair upon which the beautiful Lily had been seated, folded it +together, and carried it away, together with the silver-tissued cushion. +The third maiden, who bore in her hand a fan inlaid with pearls, +approached to tender her services if they should be needed. These three +maidens were lovely beyond description, though they were compelled to +acknowledge that their charms fell far short of those of their beautiful +mistress. + +The beautiful Lily had, in the mean time, surveyed the marvellous Mops +with a look of pleasure. She leaned over him, and touched him. He +instantly leaped up, looked round joyously, bounded with delight, +hastened to his benefactress, and caressed her tenderly. She took him in +her arms, and pressed him to her bosom. “Cold though thou art,” she +said, “and endued with only half a life, yet art thou welcome to me. I +will love thee fondly, play with thee sportively, kiss thee softly, and +press thee to my heart.” She let him go a little from her, called him +back, chased him away again, and played with him so joyously and +innocently, that no one could help sympathizing in her delight and +taking part in her pleasure, as they had before shared her sorrow and +her woe. + +But this happiness and this pleasant pastime were interrupted by the +arrival of the melancholy youth. His walk and appearance were as we have +before described; but he seemed overcome by the heat of the day, and the +presence of his beloved had rendered him perceptibly paler. He bore the +hawk upon his wrist, where it sat with drooping wing as tranquil as a +dove. + +“It is not well,” exclaimed the Lily, “that you should vex my eyes with +that odious bird, which has only this day murdered my little favorite.” + +“Blame not the luckless bird,” exclaimed the youth: “rather condemn +yourself and fate, and let me find an associate in this companion of my +grief.” + +Mops, in the mean time, was incessant in his caresses; and the Lily +responded to his affection with the most gentle tokens of love. She +clapped her hands to drive him away, and then sportively pursued to win +him back. She caught him in her arms as he tried to escape, and chased +him from her when he sought to nestle in her lap. The youth looked on in +silence and in sorrow; but when at length she took him in her arms, and +pressed him to her snowy breast, and kissed him with her heavenly lips, +he lost all patience, and exclaimed in the depth of his despair, “And +must I, whom a sad destiny compels to live in your presence, and yet to +be separated from you, perhaps forever,--must I, who for you have +forfeited every thing, even my own being,--must I look on and behold +this ‘defect of nature’ gain your notice, win your love, and enjoy the +paradise of your embrace? Must I continue to wander and measure my +solitary way along the banks of this stream? No! a spark of my former +spirit still burns within my bosom. Oh that it would for the last time +mount into a flame! If stones may repose within your bosom, then let me +be converted to a stone; and, if your touch can kill, I am content to +receive my death at your hands.” + +He became violently excited; the hawk flew from his wrist; he rushed +towards the beautiful Lily; she extended her arms to forbid his +approach, and touched him undesignedly. His consciousness immediately +forsook him, and with dismay she felt the beautiful burden lean for +support upon her breast. She started back with a scream, and the fair +youth sank lifeless from her arms to the earth. + +The deed was done. The sweet Lily stood motionless, and gazed intently +on the breathless corpse. Her heart ceased to beat, and her eyes were +bedewed with tears. In vain did Mops seek to win her attention: the +whole world had died out with her lost friend. Her dumb despair sought +no help, for help was now in vain. + +But the Dragon became immediately more active. Her mind seemed occupied +with thoughts of rescue; and, in truth, her mysterious movements +prevented the immediate consequence of this dire misfortune. She wound +her serpentine form in a wide circle round the spot where the body lay, +seized the end of her tail between her teeth, and remained motionless. + +In a few moments one of the servants of the beautiful Lily approached, +carrying the ivory chair, and with friendly entreaties compelled her +mistress to be seated. Then came a second, bearing a flame-colored veil, +with which she rather adorned than covered the head of the Lily. A third +maiden offered her the harp; and scarcely had she struck the chords, and +awakened their delicious tones, when the first maiden returned, having +in her hands a circular mirror of lustrous brightness, placed herself +opposite the Lily, intercepted her looks, and reflected the most +enchanting countenance which nature could fashion. Her sorrow added +lustre to her beauty, the veil heightened her charms, the harp lent her +a new grace; and, though it was impossible not to hope that her sad fate +might soon undergo a change, one could almost wish that that lovely and +enchanting vision might last forever. + +Silently gazing upon the mirror, she drew melting tones of music from +her harp; but her sorrow appeared to increase, and the chords responded +to her melancholy mood. Once or twice she opened her lips to sing, but +her voice refused utterance; whereupon her grief found refuge in tears. +Her two attendants supported her in their arms, and the harp fell from +her hands; but the watchful attention of her handmaid caught it, and +laid it aside. + +“Who will fetch the man with the lamp?” whispered the Dragon in low but +audible voice. The maidens looked at each other, and the Lily’s tears +fell faster. + +At this instant the old woman with the basket returned breathless with +agitation. “I am lost and crippled for life!” she exclaimed. “Look! my +hand is nearly withered. Neither the Ferryman nor the Giant would set me +across the river, because I am indebted to the stream. In vain did I +tempt them with a hundred cauliflowers and a hundred onions: they insist +upon the stipulated three, and not an artichoke can be found in this +neighborhood.” + +“Forget your distress,” said the Dragon, “and give your assistance here: +perhaps you will be relieved at the same time. Hasten, and find out the +Will-o’-the-wisps; for, though you cannot see them by daylight, you may, +perhaps, hear their laughter and their motions. If you make good speed, +the Giant may yet transport you across the river, and you may find the +man with the lamp and send him hither.” + +The old woman made as much haste as possible, and the Dragon showed as +much impatience for her return as the Lily. But, sad to say, the golden +rays of the setting sun were shedding their last beams upon the highest +tops of the trees, and lengthening the mountain shadows over lake and +meadow. The motions of the Dragon showed increased impatience, and the +Lily was dissolved in tears. + +In this moment of distress the Dragon looked anxiously round: she feared +every instant that the sun would set, and that decay would penetrate +within the magic circle, and exert its fell influence upon the corpse of +the beautiful youth. She looked into the heavens, and caught sight of +the purple wings and breast of the hawk, which were illumined by the +last rays of the sun. Her restlessness betrayed her joy at the good +omen; and she was not deceived, for instantly afterwards she saw the man +with the lamp sliding across the lake as if he had skates on his feet. + +The Dragon did not alter her position; but the Lily, rising from her +seat, exclaimed, “What good spirit has sent you thus opportunely when +you are so much longed for and required?” + +“The Spirit of my Lamp impels me,” replied the old man, “and the hawk +conducts me hither. The lamp flickers when I am needed; and I +immediately look to the heavens for a sign, when some bird or meteor +points the way I should go. Be tranquil, beautiful maiden: I know not if +I can help you; one alone can do but little, but he can avail who in the +proper hour unites his strength with others. We must wait and hope.” +Then turning to the Dragon, he said, “Keep your circle closed;” and, +seating himself upon a hillock at his side, he shed a light upon the +corpse of the youth. “Now bring the little canary-bird,” he continued, +“and lay it also within the circle.” + +The maiden took the little creature from the basket, and followed the +directions of the old man. + +The sun had set in the mean time; and, as the shades of evening closed +around, not only the Dragon and the Lamp cast their customary light, but +the veil of the Lily was illumined with a soft brilliancy, and caused +her pale cheeks and her white robe to beam like the dawn of morning, and +clothed her with inexpressible grace. They gazed at each other with +silent emotions: anxiety and sorrow were softened by hope of approaching +happiness. + +To the delight of all, the old woman appeared with the lively +Will-o’-the-wisps, who must have led a prodigal life of late, for they +looked wonderfully thin, but behaved all the more politely to the +princess and the other young ladies. With an air of confidence, and much +force of expression, they discoursed upon ordinary topics, and were much +struck by the charm which the shining veil shed over the beautiful Lily +and her companions. The young ladies cast down their eyes with modest +looks, and their beauty was heightened by the praise it called forth. +Every one was happy and contented, not excepting even the old woman. +Notwithstanding the assurance of her husband that her hand would not +continue to wither whilst the Lamp shone upon it, she continued to +assert, that, if things went on thus, it would disappear entirely before +midnight. + +The old man with the lamp had listened attentively to the speech of the +Will-o’-the-wisps, and was charmed to observe that the beautiful Lily +was pleased and flattered with their compliments. Midnight had actually +come before they were aware. The old man looked up to the stars, and +spoke thus: “We are met at a fortunate hour: let each fulfil his office, +let each discharge his duty; and a general happiness will alleviate one +individual trouble, as a universal sorrow destroys particular joys.” + +After these observations a mysterious murmur arose; for every one +present spoke for himself, and mentioned what he had to do: the three +maidens alone were silent. One had fallen asleep near the harp, the +other beside the fan, and the third leaning against the ivory chair: and +no one could blame them; for, in truth, it was late. The +Will-o’-the-wisps, after paying some trivial compliments to the other +ladies, including even the attendants, attached themselves finally to +the Lily, by whose beauty they were attracted. + +“Take the mirror,” said the old man to the hawk, “and illumine the fair +sleepers with the first beams of the sun, and rouse them from their +slumbers by the light reflected from heaven.” + +The Dragon now began to move: she broke up the circle, and in long +windings moved slowly to the river. The Will-o’-the-wisps followed her +in solemn procession, and they might have been mistaken for the most +serious personages. The old woman and her husband took up the basket, +the soft light of which had hitherto been scarcely observed; but it now +became clearer and more brilliant. They laid the body of the youth +within it, with the canary-bird reposing upon his breast, upon which the +basket raised itself into the air, and floated over the head of the old +woman; and she followed the steps of the Will-o’-the-wisps. The +beautiful Lily, taking Mops in her arms, walked after the old woman; and +the man with the lamp closed the procession. + +The whole neighborhood was brilliantly illuminated with all these +various lights. They all observed with astonishment, on approaching the +river, that it was spanned by a majestic arch, whereby the benevolent +Dragon had prepared them a lustrous passage across. The transparent +jewels of which the bridge was composed were objects of no less +astonishment by day than was their wondrous brilliancy by night. The +clear arch above cut sharply against the dark sky; whilst vivid rays of +light beneath shone against the key-stone, revealing the firm pliability +of the structure. The procession moved slowly over; and the Ferryman, +who witnessed the proceeding from his hut, surveyed the brilliant arch +with awe, no less than the wondrous lights as they journeyed across it. + +As soon as they had reached the opposite bank, the bridge began to +contract as usual, and sink to the surface of the water. The Dragon made +her way to the shore, and the basket descended to the ground. The Dragon +now once more assumed a circular shape; and the old man, bowing before +her, asked what she had determined to do. + +“To sacrifice myself before I am made a sacrifice: only promise me that +you will leave no stone on the land.” + +The old man promised, and then addressed the beautiful Lily thus: “Touch +the Dragon with your left hand, and your lover with your right.” + +The beautiful Lily knelt down, and laid her hands upon the Dragon and +the corpse. In an instant the latter became endued with life: he moved, +and then sat upright. The Lily wished to embrace him; but the old man +held her back, and assisted the youth whilst he led him beyond the +limits of the circle. + +The youth stood erect, the little canary fluttered upon his shoulder, +but his mind was not yet restored. His eyes were open; but he saw, at +least he appeared to look on, every thing with indifference. Scarcely +was the wonder at this circumstance appeased, when the change which the +Dragon had undergone excited attention. Her beautiful and slender form +was converted into thousands and thousands of precious stones. The old +woman, in the effort to seize her basket, had struck unintentionally +against her, after which nothing more was seen of the figure of the +Dragon. Only a heap of brilliant jewels lay in the grass. The old man +immediately set to work to collect them into his basket, a task in which +he was assisted by his wife. They both then carried the basket to an +elevated spot on the bank, when he cast the entire contents into the +stream, not, however, without the opposition of his wife and of the +beautiful Lily, who would willingly have appropriated a portion of the +treasure to themselves. The jewels gleamed in the rippling waters like +brilliant stars, and were carried away by the stream; and none can say +whether they disappeared in the distance or sank to the bottom. + +“Young gentlemen,” then said the old man respectfully to the +Will-o’-the-wisps, “I will now point out your path, and lead the way; +and you will render us the greatest service by opening the doors of the +temple through which we must enter, and which you alone can unlock.” + +The Will-o’-the-wisps bowed politely, and took their post in the rear. +The man with the lamp advanced first into the rocks, which opened of +their own accord; the youth followed with apparent indifference; with +silent uncertainty the beautiful Lily lingered slowly behind; the old +woman, unwilling to be left alone, followed after, stretching out her +hand that it might receive the rays of her husband’s lamp; the +procession was closed by the Will-o’-the-wisps, and their bright flames +nodded and blended with each other as if they were engaged in active +conversation. They had not gone far before they came to a large brazen +gate which was fastened by a golden lock. The old man thereupon sought +the assistance of the Will-o’-the-wisps, who did not want to be +entreated, but at once introduced their pointed flames into the lock, +when the wards yielded to their influence. The brass resounded as the +doors flew wide asunder, and displayed the venerable statues of the +kings illuminated by the advancing lights. Each individual in turn bowed +to the reverend potentates with respect, and the Will-o’-the-wisps were +prodigal of their lambent salutations. + +After a short pause the Golden King asked, “Whence do you come?” + +“From the world,” answered the old man. + +“And whither are you going?” inquired the Silver King. + +“Back to the world,” was the answer. + +“And what do you wish with us?” asked the Brazen King. + +“To accompany you,” responded the old man. + +The fourth king was about to speak, when the golden statue thus +addressed the Will-o’-the-wisps, who had advanced towards him: “Depart +from me. My gold is not for you.” + +They then turned towards the Silver King, and his apparel assumed the +golden hue of their yellow flames. “You are welcome,” he said, “but I +cannot feed you. Satisfy yourselves elsewhere, and then bring me your +light.” + +They departed; and, stealing unobserved past the Brazen King, they +attached themselves to the King composed of various metals. + +“Who will rule the world?” inquired the latter in inarticulate tones. + +“He who stands erect,” answered the old man. + +“That is I,” replied the King. + +“Then it will be revealed,” said the old man, “for the time is come.” + +The beautiful Lily fell upon his neck, and kissed him tenderly. “Kind +father,” she said, “a thousand thanks for allowing me to hear this +comforting word for the third time:” and, so saying, she felt compelled +to grasp the old man’s arm; for the earth began to tremble beneath them: +the old woman and the youth clung to each other, whilst the pliant +Will-o’-the-wisps felt not the slightest inconvenience. + +It was evident that the whole temple was in motion; and, like a ship +which pursues its quiet way from the harbor when the anchor is raised, +the depths of the earth seemed to open before it, whilst it clove its +way through. It encountered no obstacle, no rock opposed its progress. +Presently a very fine rain penetrated through the cupola. The old man +continued to support the beautiful Lily, and whispered, “We are now +under the river, and shall soon attain the goal.” Presently they thought +the motion ceased; but they were deceived, the temple still moved +onwards. A strange sound was now heard above them: beams and broken +rafters burst in disjointed fragments through the opening of the cupola. +The Lily and the old woman retreated in alarm: the man with the lamp +stood by the youth, and encouraged him to remain. The Ferryman’s little +hut had been ploughed from the ground by the advance of the temple, and, +in its gradual fall, buried the youth and the old man. + +The women screamed in alarm, and the temple shook like a vessel which +strikes upon a hidden rock. Anxiously the women wandered round the hut +in darkness: the doors were shut, and no one answered their knocking. +They continued to knock more loudly, when at last the wood began to ring +with sounds: the magic power of the lamp, which was enclosed within the +hut, changed it into silver, and presently its very form was altered; +for the noble metal, refusing to assume the form of planks, posts, and +rafters, was converted into a glorious building of artistic workmanship: +it seemed as if a smaller temple had grown up within the large one, or +at least an altar worthy of its beauty. + +The noble youth ascended a staircase in the interior, whilst the man +with the lamp shed light upon his way; and another figure lent him +support, clad in a short white garment, and holding in his hand a silver +rudder: it was easy to recognize the Ferryman, the former inhabitant of +the transformed hut. + +The beautiful Lily ascended the outward steps which led from the temple +to the altar, but was compelled to remain separated from her lover. The +old woman, whose hand continued to grow smaller whilst the light of the +lamp was obscured, exclaimed, “Am I still doomed to be unhappy amid so +many miracles? will no miracle restore my hand?” + +Her husband pointed to the open door, exclaiming, “See, the day dawns! +hasten, and bathe in the river!” + +“What advice!” she answered: “shall I not become wholly black, and +dissolve into nothing? for I have not yet discharged my debt.” + +“Be silent,” said the old man, “and follow me: all debts are wiped +away.” + +The old woman obeyed, and in the same instant the light of the rising +sun shone upon the circle of the cupola. Then the old man, advancing +between the youth and the maiden, exclaimed with a loud voice, “Three +things have sway upon the earth,--Wisdom, Appearance, and Power.” + +At the sound of the first word the Golden King arose; at the sound of +the second, the Silver King; and the Brazen King had risen at the sound +of the third, when the fourth suddenly sunk awkwardly to the earth. The +Will-o’-the-wisps, who had been busily employed upon him till this +moment, now retreated: though paled by the light of the morning, they +seemed in good condition, and sufficiently brilliant; for they had with +much dexterity extracted the gold from the veins of the colossal statue +with their sharp-pointed tongues. The irregular spaces which were thus +displayed remained for some time exposed, and the figure preserved its +previous form; but when at length the most secret veins of gold had been +extracted, the statue suddenly fell with a crash, and formed a mass of +shapeless ruins. + +The man with the lamp conducted the youth, whose eye was still fixed +upon vacancy, from the altar towards the Brazen King. At the foot of the +mighty monarch lay a sword in a brazen sheath. The youth bound it to his +side. “Take the weapon in your left hand, and keep the right hand free,” +exclaimed the King. + +They then advanced to the Silver Monarch, who bent his sceptre towards +the youth; the latter seized it with his left hand: and the King +addressed him in soft accents, “Feed my sheep.” + +When they reached the statue of the Golden King, with paternal +benediction the latter pressed the oaken garland on the head of the +youth, and said, “Acknowledge the highest.” + +The old man had, during this proceeding, watched the youth attentively. +After he had girded on the sword, his breast heaved, his arm was firmer, +and his step more erect; and, after he had touched the sceptre, his +sense of power appeared to soften, and at the same time, by an +inexpressible charm, to become more mighty; but, when his waving locks +were adorned with the oaken garland, his countenance became animated, +his soul beamed from his eye; and the first word he uttered was “Lily!” + +“Dear Lily!” he exclaimed, as he hastened to ascend the silver stairs, +for she had observed his progress from the altar where she stood,--“dear +Lily, what can man desire more blessed than the innocence and the sweet +affection which your love brings me? O my friend!” he continued, turning +to the old man, and pointing to the three sacred statues, “secure and +glorious is the kingdom of our fathers; but you have forgotten to +enumerate that fourth power, which exercises an earlier, more universal, +and certain rule over the world,--the power of love.” + +With these words he flung his arms round the neck of the beautiful +maiden: she had cast aside her veil, and her cheeks were tinged with a +blush of the sweetest and most inexpressible beauty. + +The old man now observed, with a smile, “Love does not rule, but +controls; and that is better.” + +During all this delight and enchantment, no one had observed that the +sun was now high in heaven; and through the open gates of the temple +most unexpected objects were perceived. An empty space, of large +dimensions, was surrounded by pillars, and terminated by a long and +splendid bridge, whose many arches stretched across the river. On each +side was a footpath, wide and convenient for passengers, of whom many +thousands were busily employed in crossing over: the wide road in the +centre was crowded with flocks and herds, and horsemen and carriages; +and all streamed over without impeding each other’s progress. All were +in raptures at the union of convenience and beauty; and the new king and +his spouse were as much charmed with the animation and activity of this +great concourse as they were with their own reciprocal love. + +“Honor the Dragon,” said the man with the lamp: “to her you are indebted +for life, and your people for the bridge whereby these neighboring +shores are animated and connected. Those shining precious stones which +still float by are the remains of her self-sacrifice, and form the +foundation-stones of this glorious bridge, upon which she has erected +herself to subsist forever.” + +The approach of four beautiful maidens, who advanced to the door of the +temple, prevented any inquiry into this wonderful mystery. Three of them +were recognized as the attendants of the beautiful Lily, by the harp, +the fan, and the ivory chair; but the fourth, though more beautiful than +the other three, was a stranger. She, however, played with the others +with sisterly sportiveness, ran with them through the temple, and +ascended the silver stairs. + +“Thou dearest of creatures!” said the man with the lamp, addressing the +beautiful Lily, “you will surely believe me for the future. Happy for +thee, and every other creature, who shall bathe this morning in the +waters of the river!” + +The old woman, who had been transformed into a beautiful young girl, and +of whose former appearance no trace remained, embraced the man with the +lamp with tender caresses, which he returned with affection. + +“If I am too old for you,” he said with a smile, “you may to-day select +another bridegroom; for no tie can henceforth be considered binding +which is not this day renewed.” + +“But are you not aware that you also have become young?” she inquired. + +“I am delighted to hear it,” he replied. “If I appear to you to be a +gallant youth, I take your hand anew, and hope for a thousand years of +happiness.” + +The Queen welcomed her new friend, and advanced with her and the rest of +her companions to the altar: whilst the King, supported by the two men, +pointed to the bridge, and surveyed with wonder the crowd of passengers; +but his joy was soon overshadowed by observing an object which gave him +pain. The Giant, who had just awakened from his morning sleep, stumbled +over the bridge, and gave rise to the greatest confusion. He was, as +usual, but half awake, and had risen with the intention of bathing in +the neighboring cove; but he stumbled instead upon firm land, and found +himself feeling his way upon the broad highway of the bridge. And, +whilst he went clumsily along in the midst of men and animals, his +presence, though a matter of astonishment to all, was felt by none; but +when the sun shone in his eyes, and he raised his hand to shade them, +the shadow of his enormous fist fell amongst the crowd with such +careless violence, that both men and animals huddled together in +promiscuous confusion, and either sustained personal injury, or ran the +risk of being driven into the water. + +The King, observing this calamity, with an involuntary movement placed +his hand upon his sword, but, upon reflection, turned his eyes on his +sceptre, and then on the lamp and the rudder of his companions. + +“I guess your thought,” said the man with the lamp, “but we are +powerless against this monster: be tranquil; he injures for the last +time, and happily his shadow is turned from us.” + +In the mean time the Giant had approached, and, overpowered with +astonishment at what he saw, let his hands sink down: he became +powerless for injury, and, gazing with surprise, entered the court-yard. + +He was moving straight towards the door of the temple, when he felt +himself suddenly held fast to the earth. He stood like a colossal pillar +constructed of red, shining stones; and his shadow indicated the hours, +which were marked in a circle on the ground, not, however, in figures, +but in noble and significant effigies. + +The King was not a little delighted to see the shadow of the monster +rendered harmless; and the Queen was not less astonished, as she +advanced from the altar with her maidens, all adorned with the greatest +magnificence, to observe the strange wonder which almost covered the +whole prospect from the temple to the bridge. + +In the mean time the people had crowded after the Giant, and, +surrounding him as he stood still, had observed his transformation with +the utmost awe. They thence bent their steps towards the temple, of the +existence of which they now seemed to be for the first time aware, and +thronged the doorways. + +The hawk was now observed aloft, towering over the building, and +carrying the mirror, with which he caught the light of the sun, and +turned the rays upon the multifarious group which stood around the +altar. The King, the Queen, and their attendants, illumined by heavenly +light, appeared beneath the dim arches of the temple: their subjects +fell prostrate before them. When they had recovered, and risen again, +the King and his attendants had descended to the altar, in order to +reach his palace by a less obstructed path; and the people dispersed +through the temple to satisfy their curiosity. They beheld with +astonishment the three kings, who stood erect, and were all the more +anxious to know what could be concealed behind the curtain in the fourth +niche; since, whatever kindness might have prompted the deed, a +thoughtful discretion had extended a costly covering over the ruins of +the fallen king, which no eye cared to penetrate, and no profane hand +dared to uplift. + +There was no end to the astonishment and wonder of the people, and the +dense throng would have been crushed in the temple if their attention +had not been attracted once more to the court without. + +To their great surprise, a shower of gold pieces fell as if from the +air, resounding upon the marble pavement, and caused a contest and +commotion amongst the passers-by. Several times this wonder was repeated +in different places, at some distance from each other. It is not +difficult to infer that this feat was the work of the retreating +Will-o’-the-wisps, who, having extracted the gold from the limbs of the +mutilated King, dispersed it abroad in this joyous manner. The covetous +crowd continued their contentions for some time longer, pressing hither +and thither, and inflicting wounds upon each other, till the shower of +gold pieces ceased to fall. The multitude at length dispersed gradually, +each one pursuing his own course; and the bridge, to this day, continues +to swarm with travellers; and the temple is the most frequented in the +world. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + BURT’S HOME LIBRARY. + + + --------------------------------------- + + +[Illustration: line drawing of a book] + +Comprising two hundred and fifty titles of standard works, embracing +fiction, essays, poetry, history, travel, etc., selected from the +world’s best literature, written by authors of world-wide reputation. +Printed from large type, on good paper, and bound in handsome cloth +binding, uniform with this volume, Price, 75 cents per copy. + + + =Adam Bede.= By George Eliot. + + =Æsop’s Fables.= + + =Alhambra, The.= By Washington Irving. + + =Alice Lorraine.= By R. D. Blackmore. + + =All Sorts and Conditions of Men.= By Besant and Rice. + + =Andersen’s Fairy Tales.= + + =Arabian Nights Entertainments.= + + =Armadale.= By Wilkie Collins. + + =Armorel of Lyonesse.= By Walter Besant. + + =Auld Licht Idylls.= By James M. Barrie. + + =Aunt Diana.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.= + + =Averil.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Bacon’s Essays.= By Francis Bacon. + + =Barbara Heathcote’s Trial.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Barnaby Rudge.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Berber, The.= By W. S. Mayo. + + =Betrothed, The.= By Allessandro Manzoni. + + =Bleak House.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Bondman, The.= By Hall Caine. + + =Bride of the Nile, The.= By George Ebers. + + =Burgomaster’s Wife, The.= By George Ebers. + + =Cast up by the Sea.= By Sir Samuel Baker. + + =Caxtons, The.= By Bulwer-Lytton. + + =Charles Auchester.= By E. Berger. + + =Charles O’Malley.= By Charles Lever. + + =Children of the Abbey.= By Regina Maria Roche. + + =Children of Gibeon.= By Walter Besant. + + =Child’s History of England.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Christmas Stories.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Cloister and the Hearth.= By Charles Reade. + + =Confessions of an Opium-Eater.= By Thomas De Quincey. + + =Consuelo.= By George Sand. + + =Corinne.= By Madame De Stael. + + =Countess of Rudolstadt.= By George Sand. + + =Cousin Pons.= By Honore de Balzac. + + =Cranford.= By Mrs. Gaskell. + + =Crown of Wild Olive, The.= By John Ruskin. + + =Daniel Deronda.= By George Eliot. + + =Daughter of an Empress, The.= By Louisa Muhlbach. + + =Daughter of Heth, A.= By Wm. Black. + + =David Copperfield.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Deemster, The.= By Hall Caine. + + =Deerslayer, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Dombey & Son.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Donal Grant.= By George Macdonald. + + =Donald Ross of Heimra.= By William Black. + + =Donovan.= By Edna Lyall. + + =Dream Life.= By Ik. Marvel. + + =East Lynne.= By Mrs. Henry Wood. + + =Egoist, The.= By George Meredith. + + =Egyptian Princess, An.= By George Ebers. + + =Eight Years Wandering in Ceylon.= By Sir Samuel Baker. + + =Emerson’s Essays.= By Ralph Waldo Emerson. + + =Emperor, The.= By George Ebers. + + =Essays of Elia.= By Charles Lamb. + + =Esther.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Far from the Madding Crowd.= By Thos. Hardy. + + =Felix Holt.= By George Eliot. + + =Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World.= By E. S. Creasy. + + =File No. 113.= By Emile Gaboriau. + + =First Violin.= By Jessie Fothergill. + + =For Faith and Freedom.= By Walter Besant. + + =Frederick the Great, and His Court.= By Louisa Muhlbach. + + =French Revolution.= By Thomas Carlyle. + + =From the Earth to the Moon.= By Jules Verne. + + =Goethe and Schiller.= By Louisa Muhlbach. + + =Gold Bug, The, and Other Tales.= by Edgar A. Poe. + + =Gold Elsie.= By E. Marlitt. + + =Great Expectations.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Great Taboo, The.= By Grant Allen. + + =Great Treason, A.= By Mary Hoppus. + + =Green Mountain Boys, The.= By D. P. Thompson. + + =Grimm’s Household Tales.= By the Brothers Grimm. + + =Grimm’s Popular Tales.= By the Brothers Grimm. + + =Gulliver’s Travels.= By Dean Swift. + + =Handy Andy.= By Samuel Lover. + + =Hardy Norseman, A.= By Edna Lyall. + + =Harold.= By Bulwer-Lytton. + + =Harry Lorrequer.= By Charles Lever. + + =Heir of Redclyffe.= By Charlotte M. Yonge. + + =Henry Esmond.= By William M. Thackeray. + + =Her Dearest Foe.= By Mrs. Alexander. + + =Heriot’s Choice.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Heroes and Hero Worship.= By Thomas Carlyle. + + =History of Pendennis.= By William M. Thackeray. + + =House of the Seven Gables.= By Nathaniel Hawthorne. + + =How to be Happy Though Married.= + + =Hunchback of Notre Dame.= By Victor Hugo. + + =Hypatia.= By Charles Kingsley. + + =Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow.= By Jerome K. Jerome. + + =In Far Lochaber.= By William Black. + + =In the Golden Days.= By Edna Lyall. + + =In the Heart of the Storm.= By Maxwell Grey. + + =It is Never Too Late to Mend.= By Charles Reade. + + =Ivanhoe.= By Sir Walter Scott. + + =Jack’s Courtship.= by W. Clark Russell + + =Jane Eyre.= By Charlotte Bronte. + + =John Halifax, Gentleman.= By Miss Muloch. + + =Kenilworth.= By Sir Walter Scott. + + =Kit and Kitty.= By R. D. Blackmore. + + =Kith and Kin.= By Jessie Fothergill. + + =Knickerbocker’s History of New York.= By Washington Irving. + + =Knight Errant.= By Edna Lyall. + + =L’Abbe Constantin.= By Ludovic-Halevy. + + =Lamplighter, The.= By Maria S. Cummins. + + =Last Days of Pompeii.= By Bulwer-Lytton. + + =Last of the Barons.= By Bulwer-Lytton. + + =Last of the Mohicans.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Light of Asia, The.= By Sir Edwin Arnold. + + =Little Dorrit.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Lorna Doone.= By R. D. Blackmore. + + =Louise de la Valliere.= By Alexandre Dumas. + + =Lover or Friend?= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Lucile.= By Owen Meredith. + + =Maid of Sker.= By R. D. Blackmore. + + =Man and Wife.= By Wilkie Collins. + + =Man in the Iron Mask.= By Alexandre Dumas. + + =Martin Chuzzlewit.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Mary St. John.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Master of Ballantrae, The.= By R. L. Stevenson. + + =Master of the Ceremonies, The.= By G. M. Fenn. + + =Masterman Ready.= By Captain Marryat. + + =Merle’s Crusade.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Micah Clarke.= By A. Conan Doyle. + + =Michael Strogoff.= By Jules Verne. + + =Middlemarch.= By George Eliot. + + =Midshipman Easy.= By Captain Marryat. + + =Mill on the Floss.= By George Eliot. + + =Molly Bawn.= By The Duchess. + + =Moonstone, The.= By Wilkie Collins. + + =Mosses from an Old Manse.= By Nathaniel Hawthorne. + + =Mysterious Island, The.= By Jules Verne. + + =Natural Law in the Spiritual World.= By Henry Drummond. + + =Nellie’s Memories.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Newcomes, The.= By William M. Thackeray. + + =Nicholas Nickleby.= By Charles Dickens. + + =No Name.= By Wilkie Collins. + + =Not Like Other Girls.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Old Curiosity Shop.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Old Ma’m’selle’s Secret.= By E. Marlitt. + + =Old Myddelton’s Money.= By Mary Cecil Hay. + + =Oliver Twist.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Only the Governess.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =On the Heights.= By Berthold Auerbac. + + =Our Bessie.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Our Mutual Friend.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Pair of Blue Eyes, A.= By Thomas Hardy. + + =Past and Present.= By Thomas Carlyle. + + =Pathfinder, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Pere Goriot.= By Honore de Balzac. + + =Phantom Rickshaw, The.= By Rudyard Kipling. + + =Phra, the Phœnician.= By Edwin L. Arnold. + + =Picciola.= By X. B. Saintine. + + =Pickwick Papers.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Pilgrim’s Progress.= By John Bunyan. + + =Pilot, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Pioneers, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Prairie, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Pride and Prejudice.= By Jane Austen. + + =Prime Minister, The.= By Anthony Trollope. + + =Princess of Thule, A.= By Wm. Black. + + =Professor, The.= By Charlotte Bronte. + + =Put Yourself in His Place.= By Charles Reade. + + =Queen Hortense.= By Louisa Muhlbach. + + =Queenie’s Whim.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Ralph the Heir.= By Anthony Trollope. + + =Red Rover.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Reproach of Annesley.= By Maxwell Grey. + + =Reveries of a Bachelor.= By Ik. Marvel. + + =Rhoda Fleming.= By George Meredith. + + =Ride to Khiva, A.= By Captain Fred Burnaby. + + =Rienzi.= By Bulwer-Lytton. + + =Robinson Crusoe.= By Daniel Defoe. + + =Rob Roy.= By Sir Walter Scott. + + =Romance of a Poor Young Man.= By Octave Feuillet. + + =Romance of Two Worlds.= By Marie Corelli. + + =Romola.= By George Eliot. + + =Rory O’More.= By Samuel Lover. + + =Sartor Resartus.= By Thomas Carlyle. + + =Scarlet Letter, The.= By Nathaniel Hawthorne. + + =Scottish Chiefs.= By Jane Porter. + + =Search for Basil Lyndhurst.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Second Wife, The.= By E. Marlitt. + + =Self-Help.= By Samuel Smiles. + + =Sense and Sensibility.= By Jane Austen. + + =Sesame and Lilies.= By John Ruskin. + + =Shadow of the Sword.= By Robert Buchanan. + + =Shirley.= By Charlotte Bronte. + + =Silas Marner.= By George Eliot. + + =Silence of Dean Maitland.= By Maxwell Grey. + + =Sketch-Book, The.= By Washington Irving. + + =Social Departure, A.= By Sara Jeannette Duncan. + + =Soldiers Three, etc.= By Rudyard Kipling. + + =Springhaven.= By R. D. Blackmore. + + =Spy, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =St. Katharine’s by the Tower.= By Walter Besant. + + =Story of an African Farm.= By Olive Schreiner. + + =Swiss Family Robinson.= By Jean Rudolph Wyss. + + =Tale of Two Cities.= By Charles Dickens. + + =Talisman, The.= By Sir Walter Scott. + + =Tartarin of Tarascon.= By Alphonse Daudet. + + =Tempest Tossed.= By Theodore Tilton. + + =Ten Years Later.= By Alexandre Dumas. + + =Terrible Temptation, A.= By Charles Reade. + + =Thaddeus of Warsaw.= By Jane Porter. + + =Thelma.= By Marie Corelli. + + =Three Guardsmen.= By Alexandre Dumas. + + =Three Men in a Boat.= By Jerome K. Jerome. + + =Tom Brown at Oxford.= By Thomas Hughes. + + =Tom Brown’s School Days.= By Thomas Hughes. + + =Tom Burke of “Ours.”= By Charles Lever. + + =Tour of the World in Eighty Days, A.= By Jules Verne. + + =Treasure Island.= By Robert Louis Stevenson. + + =Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.= By Jules Verne. + + =Twenty Years After.= By Alexandre Dumas. + + =Twice Told Tales.= By Nathaniel Hawthorne. + + =Two Admirals.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Two Chiefs of Dunboy.= By James A. Froude. + + =Two on a Tower.= By Thomas Hardy. + + =Two Years Before the Mast.= By R. H. Dana, Jr. + + =Uarda.= By George Ebers. + + =Uncle Max.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Uncle Tom’s Cabin.= By Harriet Beecher Stowe. + + =Undine and Other Tales.= By De la Motte Fouque. + + =Vanity Fair.= By William M. Thackeray. + + =Vicar of Wakefield.= By Oliver Goldsmith. + + =Villette.= By Charlotte Bronte. + + =Virginians, The.= By William M. Thackeray. + + =Vicomte de Bragelonne.= By Alexandre Dumas. + + =Vivian Grey.= By Benjamin Disraeli. + + =Water Witch, The.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Waverly.= By Sir Walter Scott. + + =Wee Wifie.= By Rosa N. Carey. + + =Westward Ho!= By Charles Kingsley. + + =We Two.= By Edna Lyall. + + =What’s Mine’s Mine.= By George Macdonald. + + =When a Man’s Single.= By J. M. Barrie. + + =White Company, The.= By A. Conan Doyle. + + =Wide, Wide World.= By Susan Warner. + + =Widow Lerouge, The.= By Emilie Gaboriau. + + =Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship.= By Goethe (Carlyle). + + =Wing-and-Wing.= By James Fenimore Cooper. + + =Woman in White, The.= By Wilkie Collins. + + =Won by Waiting.= By Edna Lyall. + + =Wooing O’t.= By Mrs. Alexander. + + =World Went Very Well Then, The.= By Walter Besant. + + =Wormwood.= By Marie Corelli. + + =Wreck of the Grosvenor, The.= By W. Clark Russell. + + =Zenobia.= By William Ware. + + --------------------------------------- + +_For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on receipt of +price by the publisher, =A. L. BURT, New York=._ + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + THE ALGER SERIES for BOYS + + + =Uniform with This Volume.= + +This series affords wholesome reading for boys and girls, and all the +volumes are extremely interesting.--_Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette._ + + + =JOE’S LUCK; or, A Brave Boy’s Adventure in California.= By HORATIO + ALGER, JR. + + =JULIAN MORTIMER; or, A Brave Boy’s Struggles for Home and Fortune.= By + HARRY CASTLEMON. + + =ADRIFT IN THE WILDS; or, The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked Boys.= By + EDWARD S. ELLIS. + + =FRANK FOWLER, THE CASH BOY.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + =GUY HARRIS, THE RUNAWAY.= By HARRY CASTLEMON. + + =THE SLATE-PICKER; A Story of a Boy’s Life in the Coal Mines.= By HARRY + PRENTICE. + + =TOM TEMPLE’S CAREER.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + =TOM, THE READY; or, Up from the Lowest.= By RANDOLPH HILL. + + =THE CASTAWAYS; or, On the Florida Reefs.= By JAMES OTIS. + + =CAPTAIN KIDD’S GOLD. The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor Boy.= By + JAMES FRANKLIN FITTS. + + =TOM THATCHER’S FORTUNE.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + =LOST IN THE CANON. The Story of Sam Willett’s Adventures on the Great + Colorado of the West.= By ALFRED R. CALHOUN. + + =A YOUNG HERO; or, Fighting to Win.= By EDWARD S. ELLIS. + + =THE ERRAND BOY; or, How Phil Brent Won Success.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + =THE ISLAND TREASURE; or, Harry Darrel’s Fortune.= By FRANK H. + CONVERSE. + + =A RUNAWAY BRIG; or, An Accidental Cruise.= By JAMES OTIS. + + =A JAUNT THROUGH JAVA. The Story of a Journey to the Sacred Mountain by + Two American Boys.= By E. S. ELLIS. + + =CAPTURED BY APES; or, How Philip Garland Became King of Apeland.= By + HARRY PRENTICE. + + =TOM THE BOOT-BLACK; or, The Road to Success.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + =ROY GILBERT’S SEARCH. A Tale of the Great Lakes.= By WILLIAM P. + CHIPMAN. + + =THE TREASURE-FINDERS. A Boy’s Adventures in Nicaragua.= By JAMES OTIS. + + =BUDD BOYD’S TRIUMPH; or, The Boy Firm of Fox Island.= By WILLIAM P. + CHIPMAN. + + =TONY, THE HERO; or, A Brave Boy’s Adventures with a ramp.= By HORATIO + ALGER, JR. + + =CAPTURED BY ZULUS. A Story of Trapping in Africa.= By HARRY PRENTICE. + + =THE TRAIN BOY.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + =DAN THE NEWSBOY.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. + + =SEARCH FOR THE SILVER CITY. A Story of Adventure in Yucatan.= By JAMES + OTIS. + + =THE BOY CRUISERS; or, Paddling in Florida.= By ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE + + --------------------------------------- + +_=The above stories are printed on extra paper, and bound in Handsome +Cloth Binding, in all respects uniform with this volume, at $1.00 per +copy.=_ + + --------------------------------------- + +_For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on receipt of +price, by the publisher, =A. L. BURT, 66 Reade St., New York=._ + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + THE FIRESIDE SERIES FOR GIRLS. + + +[Illustration: line drawing of a book] + + =Uniform Cloth Binding.= + +A carefully selected series of books for girls written by authors of +acknowledged reputation. The stories are deeply interesting in +themselves, and have a moral charm that emanates from the principal +characters; they teach without preaching, are of lively interest +throughout, and will win the hearts of all girl readers. + + + =Esther.= By ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =A World of Girls: The Story of a School.= By L. T. MEADE. Illustrated. + Price, $1.00. + + =The Heir of Redclyffe.= By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. Illustrated. Price, + $1.00. + + =The Story of a Short Life.= By JULIANA HORATIO EWING. Illustrated. + Price, $1.00. + + =A Sweet Girl Graduate.= By L. T. MEADE. Illustrated. Price, 1.00. + + =Our Bessie.= By ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =Six to Sixteen: A Story for Girls.= By JULIANA HORATIO EWING. + Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =The Dove in the Eagle’s Nest.= By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. Illustrated. + Price, $1.00. + + =Giannetta: A Girl’s Story of Herself.= By ROSA MULHOLLAND. + Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =Jan of the Windmill: A Story of the Plains.= By JULIANA HORATIO WING. + Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =Averil.= By ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through a Looking-Glass.= Two volumes in + one. By LEWIS CARROLL. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =Merle’s Crusade.= By ROSA NOUCHETTE CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =Girl Neighbors; or, The Old Fashion and the New.= By SARAH TYTLER. + Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =Polly: A New Fashioned Girl.= By L. T. MEADE. Illustrated. Price, + $1.00. + + =Aunt Diana.= By ROSA N. CAREY. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =The Water Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby.= By CHARLES KINGSLEY. + Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =At the Back of the North Wind.= By GEORGE MACDONALD. Illustrated. + Price, $1.00. + + =The Chaplet of Pearls; or, The White and Black Ribaumont.= By + CHARLOTTE M. YONGE. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + =The Days of Bruce: A Story of Scottish History.= By GRACE AGUILAR. + Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + + --------------------------------------- + +_For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on the receipt +of price by the publisher, =A. L. BURT, New York=._ + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + Useful and Practical Books. + + +=Why, When and Where.= A dictionary of rare and curious information. A +treasury of facts, legends, sayings and their explanation, gathered from +a multitude of sources, presenting in a convenient form a mass of +valuable knowledge on topics of frequent inquiry and general interest +that has been hitherto inaccessible. Carefully compared with the highest +authorities. Edited by ROBERT THORNE, M.A. 500 pages. Cloth, 12mo, price +$1.00. + +“In this book the casual reader will be rejoiced to meet many a subject +he has searched the encyclopedia for in vain. The information is +clearly, fully and yet concisely given.”--_Springfield Republican._ + + +=A Cyclopedia of Natural History.= Comprising descriptions of Animal +Life: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Batrachians and Fishes. Their Structure, +Habits and Distribution. For popular use. By CHARLES C. ABBOTT, M. D. +620 pages. 500 illustrations. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. + +“The author has shown great skill in condensing his abundant material, +while the illustrations are useful in illustrating the information +furnished in the text.”--_Times, Troy._ + + +=The National Standard Encyclopedia.= A Dictionary of Literature, the +Arts and the Sciences, for popular use; containing over 20,000 articles +pertaining to questions of Agriculture, Anatomy, Architecture, +Biography, Botany, Chemistry, Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, +Horticulture, Literature, Mechanics, Medicine, Physiology, Natural +History, Mythology and the various Arts and Sciences. Prepared under the +supervision of a number of Editors, and verified by comparison with the +best Authorities. Complete in one volume of 700 pages, with over 1,000 +illustrations. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. + + +=Law Without Lawyers.= A compendium of Business and Domestic Law, for +popular use. By HENRY B. COREY, LL.B., member of New York Bar. Cloth, +12mo, price $1.00. + +“The volume before us is a very convenient manual for every-day use, +containing a general summary of the law as applied to ordinary business +transactions, social and domestic relations, with forms for all manner +of legal documents.”--_Troy Times._ + + +=Dr. Danelson’s Counselor, with Recipes.= A trusty guide for the family. +An illustrated book of 720 pages, treating Physiology, Hygiene, +Marriage, Medical Practice, etc. By J. E. DANELSON, M. D. Illustrated. +Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. + +“The Counselor is pure and elevating in its morals, and wise and +practical in the application of its counsels. It can but be a helper in +homes following its directions.”--_Rev. J. V. Ferguson, Pastor M. E. +Church, Mohawk, N. Y._ + + +=The National Standard History of the United States.= A complete and +concise account of the growth and development of the Nation, from its +discovery to the present time. By EVERIT BROWN. 600 pages. Illustrated. +Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. + +In this most interesting book our country’s history is told from the +discovery of America down to the election of Benjamin Harrison as +President of the United States. + +=A Dictionary of American Politics.= Comprising accounts of Political +Parties, Measures and Men; Explanations of the Constitution; Divisions +and Practical Workings of the Government, together with Political +Phrases, Familiar Names of Persons and Places, Noteworthy Sayings, etc., +etc. By EVERIT BROWN and ALBERT STRAUSS. 565 pages. Cloth, 12mo, price +$1.00. Paper, 50 cents. + +SENATOR JOHN SHERMAN says: “I have to acknowledge the receipt of a copy +of your ‘Dictionary of American Politics.’ I have looked over it, and +find it a very excellent book of reference, which every American family +ought to have.” + + +=Boys’ Useful Pastimes.= Pleasant and profitable amusement for spare +hours in the use of tools. By PROF. ROBERT GRIFFITH, A. M. 300 +illustrations. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. + +“The author has devised a happy plan for diverting the surplus energy of +the boy from frivolous or mischievous channels into activities that +interest him, while at the same time they train him to mechanical and +artistic skill and better adapt him for success in life.”--_Boston +Journal._ + + +=What Every One Should Know.= A cyclopedia of Practical Information, +containing complete directions for making and doing over 5,000 things +necessary in business, the trades, the shop, the home, the farm, and the +kitchen, giving in plain language recipes, prescriptions, medicines, +manufacturing processes, trade secrets, chemical preparations, +mechanical appliances, aid to injured, business information, law, home +decorations, art work, fancy work, agriculture, fruit culture, +stock-raising, and hundreds of other useful hints and helps needed in +our daily wants. By S. H. BURT. 516 pages. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. + +“A mass of information in a handy form, easy of access whenever occasion +demands.”--_Inter-Ocean, Chicago._ + + +=Readers’ Reference Hand-Book.= Comprising “A HANDY CLASSICAL AND +MYTHOLOGICAL DICTIONARY” of brief and concise explanations of ancient +mythological, historical and geographical allusions commonly met with in +literature and art, also “FAMOUS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES,” a manual of +condensed biographies of the most notable men and women who ever lived. +By H. C. FAULKNER and W. H. VAN ORDEN. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. + +“This book will serve a useful purpose to many readers, and will save +time lost in consulting dictionaries of larger scope.”--_The Churchman._ + + +=Writers’ Reference Hand-Book.= Comprising a manual of the “ART OF +CORRESPONDENCE,” with correct forms for letters of a commercial, social +and ceremonial nature, and with copious explanatory matter. Also “A +HANDY DICTIONARY OF SYNONYMS,” with which are combined the words +opposite in meaning. Prepared to facilitate fluency and exactness in +writing. By JENNIE TAYLOR WANDLE and H. C. FAULKNER. Cloth, 12mo, price +$1.00. + +“Crowded full and even running over with proper and effective words must +be the writer who will not occasionally find this work of great +convenience and assistance to him.”--_The Delineator._ + + +=Etiquette, Health and Beauty.= Comprising “THE USAGES OF THE BEST +SOCIETY,” a manual of social etiquette, and “TALKS WITH HOMELY GIRLS ON +HEALTH AND BEAUTY,” containing chapters upon the general care of the +health, and the preservation and cultivation of beauty in the +complexion, hands, etc. By FRANCES STEVENS and FRANCES M. SMITH. Cloth, +12mo, price $1.00. + +“It is a handy volume to be lying on the table for reference.”--_Zion’s +Herald, Boston._ + + +=The National Standard Dictionary.= A pronouncing lexicon of the English +Language, containing 40,000 words, and illustrated with 700 wood-cuts, +to which is added an appendix of useful and valuable information. 600 +pages. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. + +“A convenient and useful book. Clear in typography, convenient in size. +It contains copious definitions, syllabic divisions, the accentuation +and pronunciation of each word, and an appendix of reference matter of +nearly 100 pages is added, making it the best cheap dictionary we have +ever seen.”--_Courier-Journal, Louisville._ + + +=The Usages of the Best Society.= A manual of social etiquette. By +FRANCES STEVENS. Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents. + +“Will be found useful by all who wish to obtain instruction on matters +relating to social usage and society.”--_Demorest’s Magazine._ + + +=A Handy Dictionary of Synonyms=, with which are combined the words +opposite in meaning. For the use of those who would speak or write the +English language fluently and correctly. By H. C. FAULKNER. Cloth, 16mo, +price 50 cents. + +“Will be found of great value to those who are not experienced in speech +or with pen.”--_Brooklyn Eagle._ + + +=Talks With Homely Girls on Health and Beauty.= Their Preservation and +Cultivation. By FRANCES M. SMITH. Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents. + +“She recommends no practices which are not in accord with hygienic laws, +so that her book is really a valuable little guide.”--_Peterson’s +Magazine._ + + +=A Handy Classical and Mythological Dictionary.= For popular use, with +70 illustrations. By H. C. FAULKNER. Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents. + +“It is often convenient to have a small book at hand in order to find +out the meaning of the classical allusions of the day, when it is +troublesome and cumbersome to consult a larger work. This tasteful +volume fills the desired purpose. It explains the allusions, +pronounces the hard names, and pictures many of the mythological +heroes.”--_Providence Journal._ + + +=Famous People of All Ages.= Who they were, when they lived, and why +they are famous. By W. H. VAN ORDEN. Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents. + +“An excellent hand-book, giving in a compact form biographies of the +persons in whom the student and writer would naturally take most +interest.”--_New York Tribune._ + + +=Friendly Chats With Girls.= A series of talks on manners, duty, +behavior and social customs. Containing sensible advice and counsel on a +great variety of important matters which girls should know. By MRS. M. +A. KIDDER. Illustrated. Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents. + +“Every girl that reads and understands this little book will be all the +wiser and prettier for it, and she will learn that excellent secret that +true beauty comes from within, and is not for sale at the dressmaker’s +or the apothecary’s.”--_Boston Beacon._ + + +=The Art of Letter Writing.= A manual of polite correspondence, +containing the correct forms for all letters of a commercial, social, or +ceremonial nature, with copious explanatory chapters on arrangement, +grammatical forms, punctuation, etc., etc. By JENNIE TAYLOR WANDLE. +Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents. + +“These little works on letter-writing are not to be despised. They often +stimulate ambition, and it is a much better sign for a person who has +had few school advantages to be seen consulting an authoritative volume +of this kind, than to see him plunging heedlessly into letter-writing +with all his ignorance clinging around him.”--_N. Y. Telegram._ + + +=Ladies’ Fancy Work.= New Revised Edition, giving designs and plain +directions for all kinds of Fancy Needle-Work. Edited by JENNY JUNE. 700 +illustrations. Paper cover, price 50 cents. + +“I have examined carefully the beautifully printed manuals edited by +Mrs. Croly [Jenny June], whose work here, as elsewhere, is as careful +and thorough as she has taught us to expect. They will be invaluable to +all needle-workers, and deserve the success they will most undoubtedly +obtain.”--_Mrs. Helen Campbell._ + + +=Knitting and Crochet.= A guide to the use of the Needle and the Hook. +Edited by JENNY JUNE. 200 illustrations. Paper cover, price 50 cents. + +“... I cannot think of a more useful present for young housekeepers and +mothers, who can gain much important information from these books to aid +in decorating their homes and to trim their clothing tastefully.”--_Mrs. +Henry Ward Beecher._ + + +=Needle-Work.= A manual of stitches and studies in embroidery and drawn +work. Edited by JENNY JUNE. 200 illustrations, Paper cover, price 50 +cents. + +“I do not hesitate to pronounce Mrs. Croly’s works on Needle-Work and +Knitting and Crochet the best manuals on those subjects that I have ever +seen. They are charming reading, us well as useful guides to housewife +and needle-woman.”--_Marion Harland._ + + +=Letters and Monograms.= For marking on Silk, Linen and other fabrics, +for individuals and household use. Edited by JENNY JUNE. 1,000 +illustrations. Paper cover, price 50 cents. + +“I am greatly pleased with the Manuals of Art Needle-Work so charmingly +edited by Mrs. Croly [Jenny June]. Mrs. Croly’s manuals will reveal +treasures to many a woman who distrusts herself, but soon the worker +will take courage as her perceptions are cultivated, and with patience +and holding fast to the truths in nature, ‘patterns’ will come of +themselves to fit the uses intended. Embroidery, however, is a real +enjoyment to me, and I am glad to aid all efforts to popularize such +work.”--_Mrs. Gen. Fremont._ + + --------------------------------------- + +_For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on receipt of +price, by the publisher, =A. L. BURT, 66 Reade Street, New York=._ + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + + + + Transcriber’s Notes + + +This file uses _underscores_ to indicate italic text and =equals signs= +to indicate boldface text. New original cover art included with this +eBook is granted to the public domain. Itemized changes from the +original text: + + • p. 9: Changed “iuquire” to “inquire” in phrase “caused him to inquire + concerning objects which, but for this, he would have passed without + notice.” + • p. 9: Added comma after phrase “Felix still never shut the door + behind him.” + • p. 26: Added semicolon after phrase “A love for you, my friend, was + already keen and powerful in her little heart.” + • p. 43: Added comma before phrase “Well, my friend, how it is with + you?” + • p. 43: Added period after phrase “upon the sofa, where he had first + found Natalia.” + • p. 62: Added period after phrase “now appeared to him another piece + of artifice.” + • p. 78: Changed “herelf” to “herself” in phrase “begging of her to be + careful of herself and of her child.” + • p. 78: Added period after phrase “as a sort of sin against nature, as + a sort of incest.” + • p. 93: Changed “clappling” to “clapping” in phrase “clapping both his + hands upon his eyes.” + • p. 98: Changed “answerd” to “answered” in phrase “I know not the + worth of a kingdom, answered Wilhelm.” + • p. 110: Added period after phrase “So she, too, is Mary! said Wilhelm + inwardly.” + • p. 144: Changed “loing” to “lying” in phrase “all at once she was + lying at my feet, had seized my hand, kissed it, and was looking up + to me.” + • p. 145: Changed “imporunate” to “importunate” in phrase “their + presence effaced the image of my importunate petitioner.” + • p. 146: Added period after phrase “at last he became silent + altogether.” + • p. 155: Added period after phrase “Wilhelm admired the figure and its + strange combination.” + • p. 159: Changed “measurement sand” to “measurements and” in phrase + “by copying precise measurements and accurately settled numbers.” + • p. 176: Changed “harpischord” to “harpsichord” in phrase “in the + evening, after supper, Hilaria returned to her harpsichord.” + • p. 201: Removed closing quotation mark after phrase “a perilous + employment to the wild-hay-men.” + • p. 209: Moved comma from before to after “music” in phrase “As, among + the instrumental music, singing was now introduced.” + • p. 210: Changed “moveover” to “moreover” in phrase “Our wanderer was + struck, moreover, by the earnestness.” + • p. 241: Added opening quotation mark before phrase “Next morning, in + high spirits and full of love.” + • p. 262: Changed “afterward sthe” to “afterwards the” in phrase + “directly afterwards the two ladies went out.” + • p. 265: Removed comma in phrase “But as the longest day at last bends + down to evening.” + • p. 266: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “Antoni is gone to + hunt; we will do the same.” + • p. 281: Changed “women” to “woman” in phrase “this was a thing which + no young woman could forgive.” + • p. 298: Added period after phrase “they pray for a more equal + division of labor and enjoyment.” + • p. 298: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “that evil hour + which must destroy, perhaps forever, their fondest anticipations.” + • p. 357: Changed “hopd” to “hoped” in phrase “he hoped to be + successful upon a second occasion.” + • p. 309: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “we shall pay + attention and be thankful.” + • p. 360: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “I promise to + relate a fairy-tale this evening that will amuse you all.” + • p. 367: Added period after phrase “answered the old man, very + quietly.” + • p. 382: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “allowing me to + hear this comforting word for the third time.” + • p. 382: Changed “though” to “through” in phrase “beams and broken + rafters burst in disjointed fragments through the opening of the + cupola.” + • Advertisements: Changed “Willliam” to “William” in listing for “The + Virginians.” + • Advertisements: Changed “Nicarauga” to “Nicaragua” in listing for + “The Treasure-Finders.” + +A number of missing periods, commas and decimal points were also +supplied in the advertisements at the back of the book. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78139 *** diff --git a/78139-h/78139-h.htm b/78139-h/78139-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..519a1e3 --- /dev/null +++ b/78139-h/78139-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,19926 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> + <head> + <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title>Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels, Vol. 2 (of 2) | Project Gutenberg</title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + body { margin-left: 8%; 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} + .speaker p {text-align:center;font-size:0.75em; } + .full hr {width: 100%; margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; height: 4px; border-width: 4px 0 0 0; + border-style: solid; border-color: #000; clear: both; } + .hr2 hr {width: 55%; border: 2px solid #868686; margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both; } + h1 {font-size:250%;font-weight:bold; } + .tp2 {font-size:200%;font-weight:bold; } + .tp3 h2, .tp3 h3 {font-size:200%;font-weight:bold; } + .tp3 h3 {margin-top:inherit; } + .tp4 {font-size:150%; } + .tp5 {font-size:200%;font-weight:bold; } + .scb {font-variant:small-caps;font-weight:bolder } + .scb div {margin-top:0.75em;margin-bottom:0.75em; } + span.tp3 {font-weight:bolder;font-variant:small-caps; } + .back-matter .hx {font-size:150%;font-weight:bold; } + span.small {font-size:80%; } + </style> + </head> + <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78139 ***</div> + +<div class='full'> + +<hr class='c000'> + +</div> +<div> + <h1 class='c001'>WILHELM MEISTER’S<br>APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAVELS.</h1> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c1'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><span class="tp3">TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF GOETHE.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c1'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><span class="tp2">By THOMAS CARLYLE.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='scb'> + +<div class='nf-center-c1'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>COMPLETE IN TWO VOLUMES.</div> + <div>VOLUME II.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<p class='c003'></p> +<p class='c004'></p> +<div class='scb'> + +<div class='nf-center-c1'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>NEW YORK:</div> + <div>A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span></div> +<div class='tp3'> + +<div> + <h2 class='c005'>MEISTER’S APPRENTICESHIP.</h2> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> + +<div class='tp3'> + +<h3 class='c007'>BOOK VIII.</h3> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER I.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>Felix skipped into the garden; Wilhelm followed him +with rapture: a lovely morning was displaying every thing +with fresh charms; our friend enjoyed the most delightful +moment. Felix was new in the free and lordly world, nor +did his father know much more than he about the objects +concerning which the little creature was repeatedly and unweariedly +inquiring. At last they joined the gardener, who +had to tell them the names and uses of a multitude of plants. +Wilhelm looked on nature as with unscaled eyes: the child’s +new-fangled curiosity first made him sensible how weak an +interest he himself had taken in external things, how small +his actual knowledge was. Not till this day, the happiest of +his life, did his own cultivation seem to have commenced: +he felt the necessity of learning, being called upon to teach.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Jarno and the abbé did not show themselves again till +evening, when they brought a guest along with them. Wilhelm +viewed the stranger with amazement; he could scarce +believe his eyes: it was Werner, who likewise, for a moment, +hesitated in his recognition. They embraced each other tenderly: +neither of them could conceal that he thought the +other greatly altered. Werner declared that his friend was +taller, stronger, straighter; that he had become more polished +in his looks and carriage. “Something of his old true-heartedness +I miss, however,” added he. “That, too, will +<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>soon appear again,” said Wilhelm, “when we have recovered +from our first astonishment.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The impression Werner made upon his friend was by no +means so favorable. The honest man seemed rather to have +retrograded than advanced. He was much leaner than of +old; his peaked face appeared to have grown sharper, his +nose longer; brow and crown had lost their hair; the voice, +clear, eager, shrill, the hollow breast and stooping shoulders, +the sallow cheeks, announced indubitably that a melancholic +drudge was there.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm was discreet enough to speak but sparingly of +these great changes; while the other, on the contrary, gave +free course to his friendly joy. “In truth,” cried he, “if +thou hast spent thy time badly, and, as I suppose, gained +nothing, it must be owned thou art grown a piece of manhood +such as cannot fail to turn to somewhat. Do not +waste and squander me this, too, again: with such a figure +thou shalt buy some rich and beautiful heiress.”—“I see,” +said Wilhelm, smiling, “thou wilt not belie thy character. +Scarcely hast thou found thy brother after long absence, +when thou lookest on him as a piece of goods, a thing to +speculate on and make profit by.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Jarno and the abbé did not seem at all astonished at this +recognition: they allowed the two to expatiate on the past +and present as they pleased. Werner walked round and +round his friend, turned him to this side and to that, so as +almost to embarrass him. “No!” cried he, “such a thing +as this I never met with, and yet I know that I am not mistaken. +Thy eyes are deeper, thy brow is broader; thy nose +has grown finer, thy mouth more lovely. Do but look at +him, how he stands; how it all suits and fits together! Well, +idling is the way to grow. But for me, poor devil,” said he, +looking at himself in the glass, “if I had not all this while +been making store of money, it were over with me altogether.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Werner had got Wilhelm’s last letter: the distant trading-house, +in common with which Lothario meant to purchase +the estates, was theirs. On that business Werner had come +hither, not dreaming that he should meet with Wilhelm on +the way. The baron’s lawyer came: the papers were produced; +Werner reckoned the conditions reasonable. “If +you mean well,” said he, “as you seem to do, with this +young man, you will of yourselves take care that our part be +not abridged: it shall be at my friend’s option whether he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>will take the land and lay out a portion of his fortune on +it.” Jarno and the abbé protested that they did not need +this admonition. Scarcely had the business been discussed +in general terms, when Werner signified a longing for a game +at ombre; to which, in consequence, Jarno and the abbé +set themselves along with him. He was now grown so +accustomed to it, that he could not pass the evening without +cards.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The two friends, after supper, being left alone, began to +talk and question one another very keenly, touching every +thing they wished to have communicated. Wilhelm spoke +in high terms of his situation, of his happiness in being received +among such men. Werner shook his head, and said, +“Well, I see, we should believe nothing that we do not see +with our eyes. More than one obliging friend assured me +thou wert living with a wild young nobleman, wert supplying +him with actresses, helping him to waste his money; that, +by thy means, he had quarrelled with every one of his relations.”—“For +my own sake, and the sake of these worthy +gentlemen, I should be vexed at this,” said Wilhelm, “had +not my theatrical experience made me tolerant to every sort +of calumny. How can men judge rightly of our actions, +which appear but singly or in fragments to them; of which +they see the smallest portion; while good and bad take +place in secret, and for most part nothing comes to light but +an indifferent show? Are not the actors and actresses in a +play set up on boards before them; lamps are lit on every +side; the whole transaction is comprised within three hours; +yet scarcely one of them knows rightly what to make of it?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Our friend proceeded to inquire about his family, his +young comrades, his native town. Werner told, with great +haste, of changes that had taken place, of changes that were +still in progress. “The women in our house,” said he, “are +satisfied and happy: we are never short of money. One-half +of their time they spend in dressing, the other in showing +themselves when dressed. They are as domestic as a +reasonable man could wish. My boys are growing up to +prudent youths. I already, as in vision, see them sitting, +writing, reckoning, running, trading, trucking: each of them, +as soon as possible, shall have a business of his own. As +to what concerns our fortune, thou wilt be contented with the +state of it. When we have got these lands in order, thou +must come directly home with me; for it now appears as if +thou, too, couldst mingle with some skill in worldly undertakings, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>thanks to thy new friends, who have set thee on the +proper path. I am certainly a fool: I never knew till now +how well I liked thee;—now when I cannot gape and gaze at +thee enough, so well and handsome thou lookest. That is, in +truth, another form than the portrait which was sent thy sister, +which occasioned such disputes at home. Both mother +and daughter thought young master very handsome indeed, +with his slack collar, half-open breast, large ruff, sleek, pendent +hair, round hat, short waistcoat, and wide pantaloons; +while I, on the other hand, maintained that the costume was +scarce two finger-breadths from that of harlequin. But now +thou lookest like a man; only the cue is wanting, in which I +beg of thee to bind thy hair; else, some time or other, they +will seize thee as a Jew, and demand toll and tribute of +thee.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix, in the mean time, had come into the room; and, as +they did not mind him, he had laid himself upon the sofa, +and was fallen asleep. “What urchin is this?” said Werner. +Wilhelm at that moment had not the heart to tell the +truth, nor did he wish to lay a still ambiguous narrative before +a man who was by nature any thing but credulous.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The whole party now proceeded to the lands, to view them, +and conclude the bargain. Wilhelm would not part with +Felix from his side: for the boy’s sake, he rejoiced exceedingly +in the intended purchase. The longing of the child for +cherries and berries, the season for which was at hand, +brought to his mind the days of his own youth, and the +manifold duties of a father, to prepare, to procure, and to +maintain for his family a constant series of enjoyments. +With what interest he viewed the nurseries and the buildings! +How zealously he contemplated repairing what had been +neglected, restoring what had fallen! He no longer looked +upon the world with the eyes of a bird of passage: an edifice +he did not now consider as a grove that is hastily put together, +and that withers ere one leaves it. Every thing that +he proposed commencing was to be completed for his boy: +every thing that he erected was to last for several generations. +In this sense his apprenticeship was ended: with +the feeling of a father, he had acquired all the virtues of a +citizen. He felt this, and nothing could exceed his joy. “O +needless strictness of morality!” exclaimed he, “while +Nature in her own kindly manner trains us to all that we +require to be. O strange demands of civil society! which +first perplexes and misleads us, then asks of us more than +<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>Nature herself. Woe to every sort of culture which destroys +the most effectual means of all true culture, and directs us +to the end, instead of rendering us happy on the way!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Much as he had already seen in his life, it seemed as if +the observation of the child afforded him his first clear view +of human nature. The theatre, the world, had appeared +before him, only as a multitude of thrown dice, every one +of which upon its upper surface indicates a greater or a +smaller value, and which, when reckoned up together, make +a sum. But here in the person of the boy, as we might say, +a single die was laid before him, on the many sides of which +the worth and worthlessness of man’s nature were legibly +engraved.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The child’s desire to have distinctions made in his ideas +grew stronger every day. Having learned that things had +names, he wished to hear the name of every thing: supposing +that there could be nothing which his father did not know, +he often teased him with his questions, and <a id='tn-inquire'></a>caused him to +inquire concerning objects which, but for this, he would have +passed without notice. Our innate tendency to pry into the +origin and end of things was likewise soon developed in the +boy. When he asked whence came the wind, and whither +went the flame, his father for the first time truly felt the +limitation of his own powers, and wished to understand how +far man may venture with his thoughts, and what things he +may hope ever to give account of to himself or others. The +anger of the child, when he saw injustice done to any living +thing, was extremely grateful to the father, as the symptom +of a generous heart. Felix once struck fiercely at the cook +for cutting up some pigeons. The fine impression this produced +on Wilhelm was, indeed, erelong disturbed, when he +found the boy unmercifully tearing sparrows in pieces and +beating frogs to death. This trait reminded him of many +men, who appear so scrupulously just when without passion, +and witnessing the proceedings of other men.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The pleasant feeling, that the boy was producing so fine +and wholesome an influence on his being, was, in a short +time, troubled for a moment, when our friend observed, that +in truth the boy was educating him more than he the boy. +The child’s conduct he was not qualified to correct: its mind +he could not guide in any path but a spontaneous one. The +evil habits which Aurelia had so violently striven against had +all, as it seemed, on her death, assumed their ancient privileges. +<a id='tn-doorbehind'></a>Felix still never shut the door behind him, he still +<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>would not eat from a plate; and no greater pleasure could +befall him than when he happened to be overlooked, and +could take his bit immediately from the dish, or let the full +glass stand, and drink out of the bottle. He delighted also +very much when he could set himself in a corner with a book, +and say with a serious air, “I must study this scholar stuff!” +though he neither knew his letters, nor would learn them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Thus, when Wilhelm thought how little he had done for +Felix, how little he was capable of doing, there arose at times +a restlessness within him, which appeared to counterbalance +all his happiness. “Are we men, then,” said he, “so selfishly +formed, that we cannot possibly take proper charge of any +one without us? Am I not acting with the boy exactly as I +did with Mignon? I drew the dear child towards me: her +presence gave me pleasure, yet I cruelly neglected her. +What did I do for her education, which she longed for with +such earnestness? Nothing! I left her to herself, and to +all the accidents to which, in a society of coarse people, she +could be exposed. And now for this boy, who seemed so +interesting before he could be precious to thee, has thy heart +ever bid thee do the smallest service to him? It is time that +thou shouldst cease to waste thy own years and those of +others: awake, and think what thou shouldst do for thyself, +and for this good being, whom love and nature have so +firmly bound to thee.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>This soliloquy was but an introduction to admit that he +had already thought and cared, and tried and chosen: he +could delay no longer to confess it. After sorrow, often +and in vain repeated, for the loss of Mariana, he distinctly +felt that he must seek a mother for the boy; and also that +he could not find one equal to Theresa. With this gifted +lady he was thoroughly acquainted. Such a spouse and +helpmate seemed the only one to trust one’s self to in such +circumstances. Her generous affection for Lothario did not +make him hesitate. By a singular destiny, they two had +been forever parted: Theresa looked upon herself as free; +she had talked of marrying, with indifference, indeed, but +as of a matter understood.</p> + +<p class='c009'>After long deliberation he determined on communicating +to her every thing he knew about himself. She was to be +made acquainted with him, as he already was with her. He +accordingly began to take a survey of his history; but it +seemed to him so empty of events, and in general so little to +his credit, that he more than once was on the point of giving +<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>up his purpose. At last, however, he resolved on asking +Jarno for the Roll of his Apprenticeship, which he had noticed +lying in the tower: Jarno said it was the very time for +that, and Wilhelm consequently got it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>It is a feeling of awe and fear which seizes on a man of +noble mind when conscious that his character is just about +to be exhibited before him. Every transition is a crisis, and +a crisis presupposes sickness. With what reluctance do we +look into the glass after rising from a sick-bed! The recovery +we feel: the effects of the past disease are all we see. +Wilhelm had, however, been sufficiently prepared: events +had already spoken loudly to him, and his friends had not +spared him. If he opened the roll of parchment with some +hurry, he grew calmer and calmer the farther he read. He +found his life delineated with large, sharp strokes; neither +unconnected incidents, nor narrow sentiments, perplexed his +view; the most bland and general reflections taught, without +shaming him. For the first time his own figure was presented +to him, not, indeed, as in a mirror, a second self, +but as in a portrait, another self: we do not, it is true, recognize +ourselves in every feature; but we are delighted that +a thinking spirit has so understood us, that such gifts have +been employed in representing us, that an image of what +we were exists, and may endure when we ourselves are +gone.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm next employed himself in setting forth the history +of his life, for the perusal of Theresa: all the circumstances +of it were recalled to memory by what he had been reading; +he almost felt ashamed that to her great virtues he had nothing +to oppose which indicated a judicious activity. He had +been minute in his written narrative: he was brief in the +letter which he sent along with it. He solicited her friendship, +her love if it were possible: he offered her his hand, +and entreated for a quick decision.</p> + +<p class='c009'>After some internal contest, whether it were proper to impart +this weighty business to his friends,—to Jarno and the +abbé,—he determined not to do so. His resolution was so +firm, the business was of such importance, that he could not +have submitted it to the decision of the wisest and best of +men. He was even cautious enough to carry his letter with +his own hand to the nearest post. From his parchment-roll +it appeared with certainty enough, that in very many +actions of his life, in which he had conceived himself to be +proceeding freely and in secret, he had been observed, nay, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>guided; and perhaps the thought of this had given him an +unpleasant feeling: and he wished at least, in speaking to +Theresa’s heart, to speak purely from the heart,—to owe +his fate to her decision and determination only. Hence, in +this solemn point; he scrupled not to give his overseers the +slip.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER II.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>Scarcely was the letter gone, when Lothario returned. +Every one was gladdened at the prospect of so speedily concluding +the important business which they had in hand. +Wilhelm waited with anxiety to see how all these many +threads were to be loosed, or tied anew, and how his own +future state was to be settled. Lothario gave a kindly salutation +to them all: he was quite recovered and serene; he +had the air of one who knows what he should do, and who +finds no hinderance in the way of doing it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>His cordial greeting Wilhelm could scarcely repay. “This,” +he had to own within himself, “is the friend, the lover, bridegroom, +of Theresa: in his stead thou art presuming to intrude. +Dost thou think it possible for thee to banish, to +obliterate, an impression such as this?” Had the letter not +been sent away, perhaps he would not have ventured sending +it at all. But happily the die was cast: it might be, Theresa +had already taken up her resolution, and only distance +shrouded with its veil a happy termination. The winning or +the losing must soon be decided. By such considerations +he endeavored to compose himself, and yet the movements +of his heart were almost feverish. He could give but little +attention to the weighty business, on which, in some degree, +the fate of his whole property depended. In passionate moments +how trivial do we reckon all that is about us, all that +belongs to us!</p> + +<p class='c009'>Happily for him, Lothario treated the affair with magnanimity, +and Werner with an air of ease. The latter, in his +violent desire of gain, experienced a lively pleasure in contemplating +the fine estate which was to be his friend’s. Lothario, +for his part, seemed to be revolving very different +thoughts. “I cannot take such pleasure in the acquirement +of property,” said he, “as in the justness of it.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>“And, in the name of Heaven,” cried Werner, “is not +this of ours acquired justly?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not altogether,” said Lothario.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Are we not giving hard cash for it?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Doubtless,” replied Lothario; “and most probably you +will consider what I am now hinting at as nothing but a +whim. No property appears to me quite just, quite free of +flaw, except it contribute to the state its due proportion.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What!” said Werner. “You would rather that our +lands, which we have purchased free from burden, had been +taxable?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes,” replied Lothario, “in a suitable degree. It is +only by this equality with every other kind of property, that +our possession of it can be made secure. In these new +times, when so many old ideas are tottering, what is the +grand reason why the peasant reckons the possession of the +noble less equitable than his own? Simply that the noble is +not burdened, and lies a burden on him.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But how would the interest of our capital agree with +that?” said Werner.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Perfectly well,” returned the other; “if the state, for a +regular and fair contribution, would relieve us from the feudal +hocus-pocus; would allow us to proceed with our lands according +to our pleasure: so that we were not compelled to +retain such masses of them undivided, so that we might part +them more equally among our children, whom we might thus +introduce to vigorous and free activity, instead of leaving +them the poor inheritance of these our limited and limiting +privileges, to enjoy which we must ever be invoking the ghosts +of our forefathers. How much happier were men and +women in our rank of life, if they might, with unforbidden +eyes, look round them, and elevate by their selection, here a +worthy maiden, there a worthy youth, regarding nothing further +than their own ideas of happiness in marriage! The +state would have more, perhaps better citizens, and would +not so often be distressed for want of heads and hands.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I can assure you honestly,” said Werner, “I never in +my life thought about the state: my taxes, tolls, and tributes +I have paid, because it was the custom.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Still, however,” said Lothario, “I hope to make a worthy +patriot of you. As he alone is a good father who at +table serves his children first; so is he alone a good citizen +who, before all other outlays, discharges what he owes the +state.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>By such general reflections their special business was accelerated +rather than retarded. It was nearly over, when +Lothario said to Wilhelm, “I must send you to a place +where you are needed more than here. My sister bids me +beg of you to go to her as soon as possible. Poor Mignon +seems to be decaying more and more, and it is thought your +presence might allay the malady. Besides telling me in person, +my sister has despatched this note after me: so that +you perceive she reckons it a pressing case.” Lothario +handed him a billet. Wilhelm, who had listened in extreme +perplexity, at once discovered in these hasty pencil-strokes +the hand of the countess, and knew not what to answer.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Take Felix with you,” said Lothario: “the little ones +will cheer each other. You must be upon the road to-morrow +morning early: my sister’s coach, in which my people travelled +hither, is still here; I will give you horses half the +way, the rest you post. A prosperous journey to you! +Make many compliments from me, when you arrive: tell my +sister I shall soon be back, and that she must prepare for +guests. Our grand-uncle’s friend, the Marchese Cipriani, +is on his way to visit us: he hoped to find the old man still +in life; they meant to entertain each other with their common +love of art, and the recollection of their early intimacy. +The marchese, much younger than my uncle, owed to him +the greater part of his accomplishments. We must exert +all our endeavors to fill up, in some measure, the void which +is awaiting him; and a larger party is the readiest means.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lothario went with the abbé to his chamber; Jarno had +ridden off before; Wilhelm hastened to his room. There +was none to whom he could unbosom his distress, none by +whose assistance he could turn aside the project, which he +viewed with so much fear. The little servant came, requesting +him to pack: they were to put the luggage on to-night, +meaning to set out by daybreak. Wilhelm knew not what to +do: at length he cried, “Well, I shall leave this house at +any rate; on the road I may consider what is to be done; +at all events, I will halt in the middle of my journey; I can +send a message hither, I can write what I recoil from saying, +then let come of it what will.” In spite of this resolution, +he spent a sleepless night: a look on Felix resting so +serenely was the only thing that gave him any solace. “Oh, +who knows,” cried he, “what trials are before me! who +knows how sharply by-gone errors will yet punish me, how +often good and reasonable projects for the future shall miscarry! +<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>But this treasure, which I call my own, continue it to +me, thou exorable or inexorable Fate! Were it possible that +this best part of myself were taken from me, that this heart +could be torn from my heart, then farewell sense and understanding; +farewell all care and foresight; vanish thou tendency +to perseverance! All that distinguishes us from the +beasts, pass away! And, if it is not lawful for a man to +end his heavy days by the act of his own hand, may speedy +madness banish consciousness, before death, which destroys +it forever, shall bring on his own long night.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He seized the boy in his arms, kissed him, clasped him, +and wetted him with plenteous tears.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The child awoke: his clear eye, his friendly look, touched +his father to the inmost heart. “What a scene awaits me,” +cried he, “when I shall present thee to the beautiful, unhappy +countess, when she shall press thee to her bosom, +which thy father has so deeply injured! Ought I not to +fear that she will push thee from her with a cry, when a +touch of thee renews her real or fancied pain?” The coachman +did not leave him time for further thought or hesitation, +but forced him into the carriage before day. Wilhelm +wrapped his Felix well; the morning was cold but clear: +the child, for the first time in his life, saw the sun rise. +His astonishment at the first fiery glance of the luminary, +at the growing power of the light; his pleasure and his +strange remarks,—rejoiced the father, and afforded him a +glimpse into the heart of the boy, before which, as over a +clear and silent sea, the sun was mounting and hovering.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In a little town the coachman halted, unyoked his horses, +and rode back. Wilhelm took possession of a room, and +asked himself seriously whether he would stay or proceed. +Thus irresolute, he ventured to take out the little note, which +hitherto he had never had the heart to look on: it contained +the following words: “Send thy young friend very soon: +Mignon for the last two days has been growing rather worse. +Sad as the occasion is, I shall be happy to get acquainted +with him.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The concluding words Wilhelm, at the first glance, had +not seen. He was terrified on reading them, and instantly determined +not to go. “How?” cried he, “Lothario, knowing +what occurred between us, has not told her who I am? +She is not, with a settled mind, expecting an acquaintance, +whom she would rather not see: she expects a stranger,—and +I enter! I see her shudder and start back, I see her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>blush! No, it is impossible for me to encounter such a +scene!” Just then his horses were led out and yoked: +Wilhelm was determined to take off his luggage and remain. +He felt extremely agitated. Hearing the maid running up +stairs to tell him, as he thought, that all was ready, he began +on the spur of the instant to devise some pretext for continuing: +his eyes were fixed, without attention, on the letter +which he still held in his hand. “In the name of Heaven!” +cried he, “what is this? It is not the hand of the countess: +it is the hand of the Amazon!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The maid came in, requested him to walk down, and took +Felix with her. “Is it possible,” exclaimed he, “is it true? +What shall I do? Remain, and wait, and certify myself? +Or hasten, hasten, and rush into an explanation? Thou art +on the way to her, and thou canst loiter? This night thou +mayest see her, and thou wilt voluntarily lock thyself in +prison? It is her hand; yes, it is hers! This hand calls +thee: her coach is yoked to lead thee to her! Now the riddle +is explained: Lothario has two sisters; my relation to +the one he knows, how much I owe to the other is unknown +to him. Nor is she aware that the wounded stroller, who +stands indebted to her for his health, if not his life, has been +received with such unmerited attention in her brother’s +house.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix, who was swinging to and fro in the coach, cried up +to him, “Father! Come, oh come! Look at the pretty +clouds, the pretty colors!”—“Yes, I come,” cried Wilhelm, +springing down-stairs; “and all the glories of the sky, +which thou, good creature, so admirest, are as nothing to the +moment which I look for.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Sitting in the coach, he recalled all the circumstances of +the matter to his memory. “So this is the Natalia, then, +Theresa’s friend! What a discovery! what hopes, what +prospects! How strange that the fear of speaking about the +one sister should have altogether concealed from me the existence +of the other!” With what joy he looked on Felix! +He anticipated for the child, as for himself, the best reception.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Evening at last came on; the sun had set; the road was +not the best; the postilion drove slowly; Felix had fallen +asleep, and new cares and doubts arose in the bosom of our +friend. “What delusion, what fantasies, are these that rule +thee!” said he to himself. “An uncertain similarity of +handwriting has at once assured thee, and given thee matter +<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>for the strangest castles in the air.” He again brought out +the paper; in the departing light he again imagined that he +recognized the hand of the countess: his eyes could no +longer find in the parts what his heart had at once shown +him in the whole. “These horses, then, are running with +thee to a scene of terror! Who knows but in a few hours +they may have to bring thee back again? And if thou +shouldst meet with her alone! But perhaps her husband +will be there, perhaps the baroness! How altered will she +be! Shall I not fail, and sink to the earth, at sight of +her?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Yet a faint hope that it might be his Amazon would often +gleam through these gloomy thoughts. It was now night: +the carriage rolled into a court-yard, and halted; a servant +with a link stepped out of a stately portal, and came +down the broad steps to the carriage-door. “You have +been long looked for,” said he, opening it. Wilhelm dismounted, +took the sleeping Felix in his arms: the first servant +called to a second, who was standing in the door with +a light, “Show the gentleman up to the baroness.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Quick as lightning, it went through Wilhelm’s soul, “What +a happiness! Be it by accident or of purpose, the baroness +is here! I shall see her first: apparently the countess has +retired to rest. Ye good spirits, grant that the moment of +deepest perplexity may pass tolerably over!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He entered the house: he found himself in the most earnest, +and, as he almost felt, the holiest, place that he had +ever trod. A pendent, dazzling lustre threw its light upon a +broad and softly rising flight of stairs, which lay before him, +and which parted into two divisions at a turn above. Marble +statues and busts were standing upon pedestals, and +arranged in niches: some of them seemed known to him. +The impressions of our childhood abide with us, even in their +minutest traces. He recognized a Muse, which had formerly +belonged to his grandfather, not indeed by its form +or worth, but by an arm which had been restored, and some +new-inserted pieces of the robe. He felt as if a fairy-tale +had turned out to be true. The child was heavy in his arms: +he lingered on the stairs, and knelt down, as if to place him +more conveniently. His real want, however, was to get a +moment’s breathing-time. He could scarcely raise himself +again. The servant, who was carrying the light, offered to +take Felix; but Wilhelm could not part with him. He had +now mounted to an ante-chamber, in which, to his still +<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>greater astonishment, he observed the well-known picture of +the sick king’s son hanging on the wall. He had scarcely +time to cast a look on it: the servant hurried him along +through two rooms into a cabinet. Here, behind a light-screen, +which threw a shadow on her, sat a young lady +reading. “Oh that it were she!” said he within himself at +this decisive moment. He set down the boy, who seemed to +be awakening; he meant to approach the lady; but the child +sank together, drunk with sleep; the lady rose and came to +him. It was the Amazon! Unable to restrain himself, he +fell upon his knee, and cried, “It is she!” He seized her +hand, and kissed it with unbounded rapture. The child was +lying on the carpet between them, sleeping softly.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix was carried to the sofa: Natalia sat down beside +him; she directed Wilhelm to the chair which was standing +nearest them. She proposed to order some refreshments; +these our friend declined: he was altogether occupied convincing +himself that it was she, closely examining her +features, shaded by the screen, and accurately recognizing +them. She told him of Mignon’s sickness, in general terms; +that the poor child was gradually consuming under the influence +of a few deep feelings; that with her extreme excitability, +and her endeavoring to hide it, her little heart +often suffered violent and dangerous pains; that, on any +unexpected agitation of her mind, this primary organ of life +would suddenly stop, and no trace of the vital movement +could be felt in the good child’s bosom; that, when such +an agonizing cramp was past, the force of nature would +again express itself in strong pulses, and now torment the +child by its excess, as she had before suffered by its defect.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm recollected one spasmodic scene of that description; +and Natalia referred him to the doctor, who would +speak with him at large on the affair, and explain more circumstantially +why he, the friend and benefactor of the child, +had been at present sent for. “One curious change,” Natalia +added, “you will find in her: she now wears women’s +clothes, to which she had once such an aversion.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“How did you succeed in this?” said Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If it was, indeed, a thing to be desired,” said she, “we +owe it all to chance. Hear how it happened. Perhaps you +are aware that I have constantly about me a number of little +girls, whose opening minds I endeavor, as they grow in +strength, to train to what is good and right. From my +mouth they learn nothing but what I myself regard as true: +<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>yet I can not and would not hinder them from gathering, +among other people, many fragments of the common prejudices +and errors which are current in the world. If they +inquire of me about them, I attempt, as far as possible, to +join these alien and intrusive notions to some just one, and +thus to render them, if not useful, at least harmless. Some +time ago my girls had heard, among the peasants’ children, +many tales of angels, of Knecht Rupert, and such shadowy +characters, who, they understood, appeared at certain times +in person, to give presents to good children, and to punish +naughty ones. They had an idea that these strange visitants +were people in disguise; in this I confirmed them: and, +without entering into explanations, I determined, on the first +opportunity, to let them see a spectacle of that sort. It +chanced that the birthday of two twin-sisters, whose behavior +had been always very good, was near: I promised, +that, on this occasion, the little present they had so well +deserved should be delivered to them by an angel. They +were on the stretch of curiosity regarding this phenomenon. +I had chosen Mignon for the part; and accordingly, at the +appointed day, I had her suitably equipped in a long, light, +snow-white dress. She was, of course, provided with a +golden girdle round her waist, and a golden fillet on her +hair. I at first proposed to omit the wings; but the young +ladies who were decking her insisted on a pair of large +golden pinions, in preparing which they meant to show their +highest art. Thus did the strange apparition, with a lily in +the one hand, and a little basket in the other, glide in among +the girls: she surprised even me. ‘There comes the angel!’ +said I. The children all shrank back: at last they cried, ‘It +is Mignon!’ yet they durst not venture to approach the +wondrous figure.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Here are your gifts,’ said she, putting down the basket. +They gathered around her, they viewed, they felt, they questioned +her.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Art thou an angel?’ asked one of them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘I wish I were,’ said Mignon.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Why dost thou bear a lily?’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘So pure and so open should my heart be: then were I +happy.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘What wings are these? Let us see them?’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘They represent far finer ones, which are not yet unfolded.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And thus significantly did she answer all their other +<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>childlike, innocent inquiries. The little party having satisfied +their curiosity, and the impression of the show beginning +to abate, we were for proceeding to undress the little angel. +This, however, she resisted: she took her cithern; she seated +herself here, on this high writing-table, and sang a little +song with touching grace:—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“‘Such let me seem, till such I be:</div> + <div class='line in2'> Take not my snow-white dress away!</div> + <div class='line'> Soon from this dusk of earth I flee</div> + <div class='line in2'> Up to the glittering lands of day.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'> There first a little space I rest,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Then wake so glad, to scenes so kind:</div> + <div class='line'> In earthly robes no longer drest,</div> + <div class='line in2'> This band, this girdle, left behind.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'> And those calm, shining sons of morn,</div> + <div class='line in2'> They ask not who is maid or boy:</div> + <div class='line'> No robes, no garments, there are worn;</div> + <div class='line in2'> Our body pure from sin’s alloy.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'> Through little life not much I toiled,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Yet anguish long this heart has wrung;</div> + <div class='line'> Untimely woe my blossom spoiled:</div> + <div class='line in2'> Make me again forever young.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>“I immediately determined upon leaving her the dress,” +proceeded Natalia, “and procuring her some others of a +similar kind. These she now wears; and in them, I think, +her form has quite a different expression.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>As it was already late, Natalia let the stranger go: he +parted from her not without anxiety. “Is she married, or +not?” asked he within himself. He had been afraid, at +every rustling, that the door would open, and her husband +enter. The serving-man, who showed him to his room, went +off before our friend had mustered resolution to inquire regarding +this. His unrest held him long awake: he kept +comparing the figure of the Amazon with the figure of his +new acquaintance. The two would not combine: the former +he had, as it were, himself fashioned; the latter seemed as if +it would almost new-fashion <em>him</em>.</p> + +</div> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span></div> +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER III.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>Next morning, while all was yet quiet, he went about, +viewing the house. It was the purest, finest, stateliest piece +of architecture he had ever seen. “True art,” cried he, +“is like good company: it constrains us in the most delightful +way to recognize the measure by which, and up to which, +our inward nature has been shaped by culture.” The impression +which the busts and statues of his grandfather +made upon him was exceedingly agreeable. With a longing +mind he hastened to the picture of the sick king’s son, and +he still felt it to be charming and affecting. The servant +opened to him various other chambers: he found a library, +a museum, a cabinet of philosophical instruments. In much +of this he could not help perceiving his extreme ignorance. +Meanwhile Felix had awakened, and come running after +him. The thought of how and when he might receive +Theresa’s letter gave him pain: he dreaded seeing Mignon, +and in some degree Natalia. How unlike his present state +was his state at the moment when he sealed the letter to +Theresa, and with a glad heart wholly gave himself to that +noble being!</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia sent for him to breakfast. He proceeded to a +room where several tidy little girls, all apparently below ten +years, were occupied in furnishing a table; while another of +the same appearance brought in various sorts of beverage.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm cast his eye upon a picture hung above the sofa: +he could not but recognize in it the portrait of Natalia, little +as the execution satisfied him. Natalia entered, and the +likeness seemed entirely to vanish. To his comfort, it was +painted with the cross of a religious order on its breast; and +he now saw another such upon Natalia’s.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I have just been looking at the portrait here,” said he; +“and it seems surprising that a painter could have been at +once so true and so false. The picture resembles you, in +general, extremely well; and yet it neither has your features +nor your character.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is rather matter of surprise,” replied Natalia, “that +the likeness is so good. It is not my picture, but the picture +of an aunt, whom I resembled even in childhood, though she +was then advanced in years. It was painted when her age +was just about what mine is: at the first glance, every one +imagines it is meant for me. You should have been acquainted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>with that excellent lady. I owe her much. A very +weak state of health, perhaps too much employment with +her own thoughts, and, withal, a moral and religious scrupulosity, +prevented her from being to the world what, in +other circumstances, she might have become. She was a +light that shone but on a few friends, and on me especially.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Can it be possible,” said Wilhelm, after thinking for a +moment, while so many circumstances seemed to correspond +so well, “can it be possible that the fair and noble Saint, +whose meek confessions I had liberty to study, was your +aunt?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You read the manuscript?” inquired Natalia.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes,” said Wilhelm, “with the greatest sympathy, and +not without effect upon my life. What most impressed me in +this paper was, if I may term it so, the purity of being, not +only of the writer herself, but of all that lay round her; that +self-dependence of nature, that impossibility of admitting +any thing into her soul which would not harmonize with its +own noble, lovely tone.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You are more tolerant to this fine spirit,” said Natalia, +“nay, I will say more just, than many other men to whom +the narrative has been imparted. Every cultivated person +knows how much he has to strive against a certain coarseness, +both in himself and others; how much his culture costs +him; how apt he is, after all, in certain cases, to recollect +himself alone, forgetting what he owes to others. How +often has a worthy person to reproach himself for having +failed to act with proper delicacy! And when a fair nature +too delicately, too conscientiously, cultivates, nay, if you +will, overcultivates, itself, there seems to be no toleration, +no indulgence, for it in the world. Yet such persons are, +without us, what the ideal of perfection is within us,—models, +not for being imitated, but for being aimed at. We +laugh at the cleanliness of the Dutch; but would our friend +Theresa be what she is, if some such notion were not always +present to her in her housekeeping?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I see before me, then,” cried Wilhelm, “in Theresa’s +friend, the same Natalia whom her amiable relative was so +attached to; the Natalia, who, from her youth, was so affectionate, +so sympathizing, and helpful! It was only out of +such a line that such a being could proceed. What a prospect +opens before me, while I at once survey your ancestors, +and all the circle you belong to!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes,” replied Natalia, “in a certain sense, the story of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>my aunt would give you the faithfullest picture of us. Her +love to me, indeed, has made her praise the little girl too +much: in speaking of a child, we never speak of what is +present, but of what we hope for.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, in the mean time, was rapidly reflecting that +Lothario’s parentage and early youth were now likewise +known to him. The fair countess, too, appeared before him +in her childhood, with the aunt’s pearls about her neck: he +himself had been near those pearls, when her soft, lovely +lips bent down to meet his own. These beautiful remembrances +he sought to drive away by other thoughts. He ran +through the characters to whom that manuscript had introduced +him. “I am here, then,” cried he, “in your worthy +uncle’s house! It is no house, it is a temple; and you are +the priestess, nay, the Genius, of it: I shall recollect for life +my impression yesternight, when I entered, and the old figures +of my earliest days were again before me. I thought +of the compassionate marble statues in Mignon’s song: but +these figures had not to lament about me; they looked upon +me with a lofty earnestness, they brought my first years into +immediate contact with the present moment. That ancient +treasure of our family, the joy of my grandfather, I find +here placed among so many other noble works of art; and +myself, whom nature made the darling of the good old man, +my unworthy self I find here also, Heavens! in what society, +in what connections!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The girls had, by degrees, gone out to mind their little +occupations. Natalia, left alone with Wilhelm, asked some +further explanation of his last remark. The discovery, that +a number of her finest paintings and statues had at one time +been the property of Wilhelm’s grandfather, did not fail to +give a cheerful stimulus to their discourse. As by that +manuscript he had got acquainted with Natalia’s house; so +now he found himself too, as it were, in his inheritance. At +length he asked for Mignon. His friend desired him to have +patience till the doctor, who had been called out into the +neighborhood, returned. It is easy to suppose that the doctor +was the same little, active man whom we already know, +and who was spoken of in the “Confessions of a Fair +Saint.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Since I am now,” said Wilhelm, “in the middle of your +family circle, I presume the abbé whom that paper mentions +is the strange, inexplicable person whom, after the most singular +series of events, I met with in your brother’s house? +<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>Perhaps you can give some more accurate conception of +him?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Of the abbé there might much be said,” replied Natalia: +“what I know best about him, is the influence which he +exerted on our education. He was, for a time at least, convinced +that education ought, in every case, to be adapted to +the inclinations: his present views of it I know not. He +maintained, that with man the first and last consideration was +activity, and that we could not act on any thing without the +proper gifts for it, without an instinct impelling us to it. +‘You admit,’ he used to say, ‘that poets must be born such; +you admit this with regard to all professors of the fine arts; +because you must admit it, because those workings of human +nature cannot very plausibly be aped. But, if we consider +well, we shall find that every capability, however slight, is +born with us; that there is no vague, general capability in +men. It is our ambiguous, desultory education that makes +men uncertain: it awakens wishes when it should be animating +tendencies; instead of forwarding our real capacities, it +turns our efforts towards objects which are frequently discordant +with the mind that aims at them. I augur better of +a child, a youth, who is wandering astray on a path of his +own, than of many who are walking aright upon paths which +are not theirs. If the former, either by themselves or by +the guidance of others, ever find the right path, that is to +say, the path which suits their nature, they will never leave +it; while the latter are in danger every moment of shaking +off a foreign yoke, and abandoning themselves to unrestricted +license.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is strange,” said Wilhelm, “that this same extraordinary +man should likewise have taken charge of me; should, +as it seems, have, in his own fashion, if not led, at least +confirmed, me in my errors, for a time. How he will answer +to the charge of having joined with others, as it were, to +make game of me, I wait patiently to see.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Of this whim, if it is one,” said Natalia, “I have little +reason to complain: of all the family I answered best with +it. Indeed, I see not how Lothario could have got a finer +breeding: but for my sister, the countess, some other treatment +might have suited better; perhaps they should have +studied to infuse more earnestness and strength into her +nature. As to brother Friedrich, what is to become of him +cannot be conjectured: he will fall a sacrifice, I fear, to this +experiment in pedagogy.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>“You have another brother, then?” cried Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes,” replied Natalia: “and a light, merry youth he is; +and, as they have not hindered him from roaming up and +down the world, I know not what the wild, dissipated boy +will turn to. It is a great while since I saw him. The only +thing which calms my fears is, that the abbé, and the whole +society about my brother, are receiving constant notice where +he is and what he does.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm was about to ask Natalia her opinion more precisely +on the abbé’s paradoxes, as well as to solicit information +about that mysterious society; but the physician entering +changed their conversation. After the first compliments of +welcome, he began to speak of Mignon.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia then took Felix by the hand; saying she would lead +the child to Mignon, and prepare her for the entrance of her +friend.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The doctor, now alone with Wilhelm, thus proceeded: “I +have wondrous things to tell you, such as you are not anticipating. +Natalia has retired, that we might speak with +greater liberty of certain matters, which, although I first +learned them by her means, her presence would prevent us +from discussing freely. The strange temper of the child +seems to consist almost exclusively of deep longing: the +desire of revisiting her native land, and the desire for you, +my friend, are, I might almost say, the only earthly things +about her. Both these feelings do but grasp towards an +immeasurable distance, both objects lie before her unattainable. +The neighborhood of Milan seems to be her home: in +very early childhood she was kidnapped from her parents by +a company of rope-dancers. A more distinct account we +cannot get from her, partly because she was then too young +to recollect the names of men and places, but especially because +she has made an oath to tell no living mortal her abode +and parentage. For the strolling-party, who came up with +her when she had lost her way, and to whom she so +accurately described her dwelling, with such piercing entreaties +to conduct her home, but carried her along with them +the faster; and at night in their quarters, when they thought +the child was sleeping, joked about their precious capture, +declaring she would never find the way home again. On this +a horrid desperation fell upon the miserable creature; but at +last the Holy Virgin rose before her eyes, and promised that +she would assist her. The child then swore within herself a +sacred oath, that she would henceforth trust no human creature, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>would disclose her history to no one, but live and die +in hope of immediate aid from heaven. Even this, which I +am telling you, Natalia did not learn expressly from her, +but gathered it from detached expressions, songs, and childlike +inadvertencies, betraying what they meant to hide.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm called to memory many a song and word of this +dear child, which he could now explain. He earnestly requested +the physician to keep from him none of the confessions +or mysterious poetry of this peculiar being.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Prepare yourself,” said the physician, “for a strange +confession; for a story with which you, without remembering +it, have much to do, and which, as I greatly fear, has +been decisive for the death and life of this good creature.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Let me hear,” said Wilhelm: “my impatience is unbounded.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Do you recollect a secret nightly visit from a female,” +said the doctor, “after your appearance in the character of +Hamlet?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes, I recollect it well,” cried Wilhelm, blushing; “but +I did not look to be reminded of it at the present moment.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Do you know who it was?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I do not! You frighten me! In the name of Heaven, +not Mignon, surely? Who was it? Tell me, pray.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I know it not myself.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not Mignon, then?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“No, certainly not Mignon; but Mignon was intending at +the time to glide in to you, and saw with horror, from a +corner where she lay concealed, a rival get before her.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A rival!” cried our friend. “Speak on: you more and +more confound me.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Be thankful,” said the doctor, “that you can arrive at +the result so soon through means of me. Natalia and I, with +but a distant interest in the matter, had distress enough to +undergo before we could thus far discover the perplexed condition +of the poor, dear creature, whom we wished to help. By +some wanton speeches of Philina and the other girls, by a +certain song which she had heard Philina sing, the child’s +attention had been roused: she longed to pass a night beside +the man she loved, without conceiving any thing to be implied +in this beyond a happy and confiding rest. <a id='tn-keenandpowerful'></a>A love for you, +my friend, was already keen and powerful in her little heart; +in your arms, the child had found repose from many a +sorrow; she now desired this happiness in all its fulness. +If at one time she purposed requesting it as a favor, at +<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>another a secret horror would hold her back. At last that +merry night and the excitement of abundant wine inspired +her with the courage to attempt the adventure, and glide in +to you on that occasion. Accordingly she ran before, to +hide herself in your apartment, which was standing open; +but just when she had reached the top of the stairs, having +heard a rustling, she concealed herself, and saw a female +in a white dress slip into your chamber. You yourself +arrived soon after, and she heard you push the large +bolt.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Mignon’s agony was now unutterable: all the violent +feelings of a passionate jealousy mingled themselves with +the unacknowledged longing of obscure desire, and seized +her half-developed nature with tremendous force. Her +heart, which hitherto had beaten violently with eagerness +and expectation, now at once began to falter and stop; it +pressed her bosom like a heap of lead: she could not draw +her breath, she knew not what to do; she heard the sound of +the old man’s harp, hastened to the garret where he was, +and passed the night at his feet in horrible convulsions.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The physician paused a moment: then, as Wilhelm still +kept silence, he proceeded, “Natalia told me, nothing in +her life had so alarmed and touched her as the state of +Mignon while relating this; indeed, our noble friend accused +herself of cruelty in having, by her questions and management, +drawn this confession from her, and renewed by recollection +the violent sorrows of the poor little girl.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘The dear creature,’ said Natalia, ‘had scarcely come +so far with her recital, or, rather, with her answers to my +questions, when she sank all at once before me on the ground, +and, with her hand on her bosom, piteously moaned that the +pain of that excruciating night was come back. She twisted +herself like a worm upon the floor; and I had to summon all +my composure, that I might remember and apply such means +of remedy for mind and body as were known to me.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is a painful predicament you put me in,” cried Wilhelm, +“by impressing me so vividly with the feeling of my +manifold injustice towards this unhappy and beloved being, +at the very moment when I am again to meet her. If she is +to see me, why do you deprive me of the courage to appear +with freedom? And shall I confess it to you? Since her +mind is so affected, I perceive not how my presence can be +advantageous to her. If you, as a physician, are persuaded +that this double longing has so undermined her being as to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>threaten death, why should I renew her sorrows by my presence, +and perhaps accelerate her end?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My friend,” replied the doctor, “where we cannot cure, +it is our duty to alleviate; and how much the presence of a +loved object tends to take from the imagination its destructive +power, how it changes an impetuous longing to a peaceful +looking, I could prove by the most convincing instances. +Every thing in measure and with purpose! For, in other +cases, this same presence may rekindle an affection nigh +extinguished. But do you go and see the child; behave to +her with kindness, and let us wait the consequence.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia, at this moment coming back, bade Wilhelm follow +her to Mignon. “She appears to feel quite happy with the +boy,” observed Natalia, “and I hope she will receive our +friend with mildness.” Wilhelm followed, not without reluctance: +he was deeply moved by what he had been hearing; +he feared a stormy scene of passion. It was altogether +the reverse that happened on his entrance.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Mignon, dressed in long, white, women’s clothes, with her +brown, copious hair partly knotted, partly clustering out in +locks, was sitting with the boy Felix on her lap, and pressing +him against her heart. She looked like a departed spirit, +he like life itself: it seemed as if Heaven and Earth were +clasping one another. She held out her hand to Wilhelm +with a smile, and said, “I thank thee for bringing back the +child to me: they had taken him away, I know not how; and +since then I could not live. So long as my heart needs any +thing on earth, thy Felix shall fill up the void.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The quietness which Mignon had displayed on meeting +with her friend produced no little satisfaction in the party. +The doctor signified that Wilhelm should go frequently and +see her; that in body as in mind, she should be kept as +equable as possible. He himself departed, promising to return +soon.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm could now observe Natalia in her own circle: one +would have desired nothing better than to live beside her. +Her presence had the purest influence on the girls, and young +ladies of various ages, who resided with her in the house, or +came to pay her visits from the neighborhood.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The progress of your life,” said Wilhelm once to her, +“must always have been very even: your aunt’s delineation +of you in your childhood seems, if I mistake not, still to fit. +It is easy to see that you never were entangled in your path. +You have never been compelled to retrograde.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>“This I owe to my uncle and the abbé,” said Natalia, +“who so well discriminated my prevailing turn of mind. +From my youth upwards, I can recollect no livelier feeling +than that I was constantly observing people’s wants, and +had an irresistible desire to make them up. The child that +had not learned to stand on its feet, the old man that could +no longer stand on his; the longing of a rich family for children, +the inability of a poor one to maintain their children; +each silent wish for some particular species of employment; +the impulse towards any talent; the natural gifts for many little +necessary arts of life,—were sure to strike me: my eyes +seemed formed by nature for detecting them. I saw such +things where no one had directed my attention: I seemed +born for seeing them alone. The charms of inanimate +nature, to which so many persons are exceedingly susceptible, +had no effect on me: the charms of art, if possible, had +less. My most delightful occupation was and is, when a +deficiency, a want, appeared before me anywhere, to set +about devising a supply, a remedy, a help for it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If I saw a poor creature in rags, the superfluous clothes +I had noticed hanging in the wardrobes of my friends immediately +occurred to me; if I saw children wasting for +want of care, I was sure to recollect some lady I had found +oppressed with tedium amid riches and conveniences; if I +saw too many persons crammed into a narrow space, I +thought they should be lodged in the spacious chambers of +palaces and vacant houses. This mode of viewing things +was altogether natural, without the least reflection: so that +in my childhood I often made the strangest work of it, and +more than once embarrassed people by my singular proposals. +Another of my peculiarities was this: I did not learn till late, +and after many efforts, to consider money as a means of +satisfying wants; my benefits were all distributed in kind: +and my simplicity, I know, was frequently the cause of +laughter. None but the abbé seemed to understand me: he +met me everywhere; he made me acquainted with myself, +with these wishes, these tendencies, and taught me how to +satisfy them suitably.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Do you, then,” said Wilhelm, “in the education of your +little female world, employ the method of these extraordinary +men? Do you, too, leave every mind to form itself? Do +you, too, leave your girls to search and wander, to pursue +delusions, happily to reach the goal, or miserably lose themselves +in error?”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>“No,” replied Natalia: “such treatment as that would +altogether contradict my notions. To my mind, he who does +not help us at the needful moment, never helps; he who +does not counsel at the needful moment, never counsels. +I also reckon it essential, that we lay down and continually +impress on children certain laws, to operate as a kind of hold +in life. Nay, I could almost venture to assert, that it is +better to be wrong by rule, than to be wrong with nothing but +the fitful caprices of our disposition to impel us hither and +thither; and, in my way of viewing men, there always seems +to be a void in their nature, which cannot be filled up, except +by some decisive and distinctly settled law.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Your manner of proceeding, then,” said Wilhelm, “is +entirely different from the manner of our friends?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes,” replied Natalia; “and you may see the unexampled +tolerance of these men, from the fact, that they nowise +disturb me in my practice, but leave me on my own path, +simply because it is my own, and even assist me in every +thing that I require of them.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>A more minute description of Natalia’s plans in managing +her children we reserve for some other opportunity.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Mignon often asked to be of their society; and this they +granted her with greater readiness, as she appeared to be +again accustoming herself to Wilhelm, to be opening her +heart to him, and in general to have become more cheerful, +and contented with existence. In walking, being easily +fatigued, she liked to hang upon his arm. “Mignon,” she +would say, “now climbs and bounds no more; yet she still +longs to mount the summits of the hills, to skip from house +to house, from tree to tree. How enviable are the birds! +and then so prettily and socially they build their nests +too!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Erelong it became habitual for her to invite her friend, +more than once every day, into the garden. When Wilhelm +was engaged or absent, Felix had to take his place; and, if +poor Mignon seemed at times quite loosened from the earth, +there were other moments when she would again hold fast to +father and son, and seem to dread a separation from them +more than any thing beside.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia wore a thoughtful look. “We meant,” said she, +“to open her tender little heart, by sending for you hither. +I know not whether we did prudently.” She stopped, and +seemed expecting Wilhelm to say something. To him also +it occurred, that, by his marriage with Theresa, Mignon, in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>the present circumstances, would be fearfully offended: but, +in his uncertainty, he did not venture mentioning his project; +he had no suspicion that Natalia knew of it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>As little could he talk with freedom, when his noble friend +began to speak about her sister, to praise her good qualities, +and to lament her hapless situation. He felt exceedingly +embarrassed when Natalia told him he would shortly see the +countess here. “Her husband,” said she, “has now no +object but replacing Zinzendorf in the Community, and, by +insight and activity, supporting and extending that establishment. +He is coming with his wife, to take a sort of leave: +he then purposes visiting the various spots where the Community +have settled. They appear to treat him as he wishes: +and I should not wonder if, in order to be altogether like his +predecessor, he ventured, with my sister, on a voyage to +America; for, being already well-nigh convinced that a little +more would make a saint of him, the wish to superadd the dignity +of martyrdom has probably enough often flitted through +his mind.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER IV.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>They had often spoken of Theresa, often mentioned her +in passing; and Wilhelm almost every time was minded to +confess that he had offered her his heart and hand. A certain +feeling, which he was not able to explain, restrained +him: he paused and wavered, till at length Natalia, with the +heavenly, modest, cheerful smile she often wore, said to him, +“It seems, then, I at last must break silence, and force myself +into your confidence! Why, my friend, do you keep +secret from me an affair of such importance to yourself, and +so closely touching my concerns? You have made my friend +the offer of your hand: I do not mix uncalled in the transaction; +here are my credentials; here is the letter which she +writes to you, which she sends you through my hands.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A letter from Theresa!” cried he.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes, mein Herr! Your destiny is settled: you are +happy. Let me congratulate my friend and you on your +good fortune.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm spoke not, but gazed out before him. Natalia +looked at him: she saw that he was pale. “Your joy is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>strong,” continued she: “it takes the form of terror, it deprives +you of the power to speak. My participation is not +the less cordial that I show it you in words. I hope you will +be grateful, for I may say my influence on the decision of +your bride has not been small: she asked me for advice; +and as it happened, by a singular coincidence, that you were +here just then. I was enabled to destroy the few scruples she +still entertained. Our messages went swiftly to and fro: +here is her determination; here is the conclusion of the +treaty! And now you shall read her other letters: you shall +have a free, clear look into the fair heart of your Theresa.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm opened the letter, which she handed him unsealed. +It contained these friendly words:—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I am yours, as I am and as you know me. I call you +mine, as you are and as I know you. What in ourselves, +what in our connection, wedlock changes, we shall study to +adjust by reason, cheerfulness, and mutual good will. As it +is no passion, but trust and inclination, for each other that is +leading us together, we run less risk than thousands of others. +You will forgive me, will you not, if I still think often and +kindly of my former friend: in return, I will press your +Felix to my heart, as if I were his mother. If you choose to +share my little mansion straightway, we are lord and master +there; and in the mean while the purchase of your land might +be concluded. I could wish that no new arrangements were +made in it without me. I could wish at once to prove that +I deserve the confidence you repose in me. Adieu, dear, +dear friend! Beloved bridegroom, honored husband! +Theresa clasps you to her breast with hope and joy. My +friend will tell you more, will tell you all.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, to whose mind this sheet recalled the image of +Theresa with the liveliest distinctness, had now recovered +his composure. While reading, thoughts had rapidly alternated +within his soul. With terror he discovered in his heart +the most vivid traces of an inclination to Natalia: he blamed +himself, declaring every thought of that description to be +madness; he represented to himself Theresa in her whole +perfection: he again perused the letter, he grew cheerful, or, +rather, he so far regained his self-possession that he could +appear cheerful. Natalia handed him the letters which had +passed between Theresa and herself: out of Theresa’s we +propose extracting one or two passages.</p> + +<p class='c009'>After delineating her bridegroom in her own peculiar way, +Theresa thus proceeded:—</p> + +<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>“Such is the notion I have formed of the man who now +offers me his hand. What he thinks of himself, thou shalt +see by and by in the papers he has sent me, where he altogether +candidly draws his own portrait: I feel persuaded +that I shall be happy with him.”</p> +<p class='c011'>“As for rank, thou knowest what my ideas have always +been on this point. Some people look on disagreement of +external circumstances as a fearful thing, and cannot remedy +it. I wish not to persuade any one, I wish to act according +to my own persuasion. I mean not to set others an example, +nor do I act without example. It is interior disagreements +only that frighten me: a frame that does not fit what it is +meant to hold, much pomp and little real enjoyment, wealth +and avarice, nobility and coarseness, youth and pedantry, +poverty and ceremonies, these are the things which would +annihilate me, however it may please the world to stamp and +rate them.”</p> +<p class='c011'>“If I hope that we shall suit each other, the hope is chiefly +founded upon this, that he resembles thee, my dear Natalia, +thee whom I so highly prize and reverence. Yes: he has thy +noble searching and striving for the better, whereby we of +ourselves produce the good which we suppose we find. How +often have I blamed thee, not in silence, for treating this or +that person, for acting in this or that case, otherwise than +I should have done; and yet, in general, the issue showed +that thou wert right. ‘When we take people,’ thou wouldst +say, ‘merely as they are, we make them worse: when we +treat them as if they were what they should be, we improve +them as far as they can be improved.’ To see or to act thus, +I know full well is not for me. Skill, order, discipline, direction, +that is my affair. I always recollect what Jarno said: +‘Theresa trains her pupils, Natalia forms them.’ Nay, once +he went so far as to assert that of the three fair qualities, +faith, love, and hope, I was entirely destitute. ‘Instead of +faith,’ said he, ‘she has penetration; instead of love, she has +steadfastness; instead of hope, she has trust.’ Indeed, I will +confess, that, till I knew thee, I knew nothing higher in the +world than clearness and prudence: it was thy presence only +that persuaded, animated, conquered me; to thy fair, lofty +soul I willingly give place. My friend, too, I honor on the +same principle: the description of his life is a perpetual +seeking without finding,—not empty seeking, but wondrous, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>generous seeking; he fancies others may give him what can +proceed from himself alone. So, love, the clearness of my +vision has not injured me on this occasion more than others: +I know my husband better than he knows himself, and I value +him the more. I see him, yet I see not over him: all my +skill will not enable me to judge of what he can accomplish. +When I think of him, his image always blends itself with +thine: I know not how I have deserved to belong to two +such persons. But I will deserve it, by endeavoring to do +my duty by fulfilling what is looked for from me.”</p> +<p class='c011'>“If I recollect of Lothario? Vividly and daily. In the +company which in thought surrounds me, I cannot want him +for a moment. Oh, what a pity for this noble character, related +by an error of his youth to me, that nature has related +him to thee! A being such as thou, in truth, were worthier +of him than I. To thee I could, I would, surrender him. +Let us be to him all we can, till he find a proper wife; and +then, too, let us be, let us abide, together.”</p> + +<p class='c008'>“But what shall we say to our friends?” began Natalia. +“Your brother does not know of it?”—“Not a hint; your +people know as little; we women have, on this occasion, managed +the affair ourselves. Lydia had put some whims into +Theresa’s head concerning Jarno and the abbé. There are +certain plans and secret combinations, with the general +scheme of which I am acquainted, and into which I never +thought of penetrating farther. With regard to these, +Theresa has, through Lydia, taken up some shadow of suspicion: +so in this decisive step she would not suffer any one +but me to influence her. With my brother it had been already +settled that they should merely announce their marriages to +one another, not giving or asking counsel on the subject.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia wrote a letter to her brother: she invited Wilhelm +to subjoin a word or two, Theresa having so desired it. They +were just about to seal, when Jarno unexpectedly sent up his +name. His reception was, of course, as kind as possible: he +wore a sportful, merry air; he could not long forbear to tell +his errand. “I am come,” said he, “to give you very curious +and very pleasing tidings: they concern Theresa. You +have often blamed us, fair Natalia, for troubling our heads +about so many things; but now you see how good it is to +have one’s spies in every place. Guess, and let us see your +skill for once!”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>The self-complacency with which he spoke these words, the +roguish mien with which he looked at Wilhelm and Natalia, +persuaded both of them that he had found their secret. +Natalia answered, smiling, “We are far more skilful than +you think: before we even heard your riddle, we had put the +answer to it down in black and white.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>With these words she handed him the letter to Lothario, +satisfied at having met, in this way, the little triumph and +surprise he had meant for them. Jarno took the sheet with +some astonishment, ran it quickly over, started, let it drop +from his hands, and stared at both his friends with an expression +of amazement, nay, of fright, which, on his countenance, +was rare. He spoke no word.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm and Natalia were not a little struck: Jarno +stepped up and down the room. “What shall I say?” cried +he, “or shall I say it all? But it must come out: the perplexity +is not to be avoided. So secret for secret, surprise +against surprise! Theresa is not the daughter of her reputed +mother! The hinderance is removed: I came to ask you to +prepare her for a marriage with Lothario.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Jarno saw the shock which he had given his friends: they +cast their eyes upon the ground. “The present case,” said +he, “is one of those which are worse to bear in company. +What each has to consider in it, he considers best in solitude: +I, at least, require an hour of leave.” He hastened to the +garden: Wilhelm followed him mechanically, yet without +approaching near.</p> + +<p class='c009'>At the end of an hour they were again assembled. Wilhelm +opened the conversation. “Formerly,” said he, +“while I was living without plan or object, in a state of +carelessness, or, I may say, of levity, friendship, love, affection, +trust, came towards me with open arms, they pressed +themselves upon me; but now, when I am serious, destiny +appears to take another course with me. This resolution, +of soliciting Theresa’s hand, is probably the first that has +proceeded altogether from myself. I laid my plan considerately; +my reason fully joined in it: by the consent of +that noble maiden, all my hopes were crowned. But now +the strangest fate puts back my outstretched hand: Theresa +reaches hers to me, but from afar, as in a dream; I cannot +grasp it, and the lovely image leaves me forever. So fare +thee well, thou lovely image! and all ye images of richest +happiness that gathered round it!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He was silent for a moment, looking out before him: Jarno +<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>was about to speak. “Let me have another word,” cried +Wilhelm, “for the lot is drawing which is to decide the +destiny of all my life. At this moment, I am aided and +confirmed by the impression which Lothario’s presence made +upon me at the first glance, and which has ever since continued +with me. That man well merits every sort of friendship +and affection; and, without sacrifices, friendship cannot +be imagined. For his sake, it was easy for me to delude a +hapless girl; for his sake, it shall be possible for me to give +away the worthiest bride. Return, relate the strange occurrence +to him, and tell him what I am prepared for.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In emergencies like this,” said Jarno, “I hold that +every thing is done, if one do nothing rashly. Let us take +no step till Lothario has agreed to it. I will go to him: wait +patiently for my return or for his letter.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He rode away, and left his friends in great disquiet. They +had time to reconsider these events, to think of them maturely. +It now first occurred to them, that they had taken +Jarno’s statement simply by itself, and without inquiring into +any of the circumstances. Wilhelm was not altogether free +from doubts; but next day their astonishment, nay, their +bewilderment, arose still higher, when a messenger, arriving +from Theresa, brought the following letter to Natalia.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Strange as it may seem, after all the letters I have sent, +I am obliged to send another, begging that thou wouldst +despatch my bridegroom to me instantly. He shall be my +husband, what plans soever they may lay to rob me of him. +Give him the enclosed letter, only not before witnesses, +whoever they may be!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The enclosed letter was as follows: “What opinion will +you form of your Theresa, when you see her all at once insisting +passionately on a union which calm reason alone appeared +to have appointed? Let nothing hinder you from +setting out the moment you have read this letter. Come, my +dear, dear friend; now three times dearer, since they are +attempting to deprive me of you.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What is to be done?” cried Wilhelm, after he had read +the letter.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In no case that I remember,” said Natalia, after some +reflection, “have my heart and judgment been so dumb as +in this: what to do or to advise I know not.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Can it be,” cried Wilhelm vehemently, “that Lothario +does not know of it? or, if he does, that he is but like us, +the sport of hidden plans? Has Jarno, when he saw our +<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>letter, devised that fable on the spot? Would he have told +us something different, if we had not been so precipitate? +What can they mean? What intentions can they have? +What plan can Theresa mean? Yes, it must be owned, +Lothario is begirt with secret influences and combinations: +I myself have found that they are active, that they take a +certain charge of the proceedings, of the destiny, of several +people, and contrive to guide them. The ulterior objects of +these mysteries I know not; but their nearest purpose, that +of snatching my Theresa from me, I perceive but too distinctly. +On the one hand, this prospect of Lothario’s happiness, +which they exhibit to me, may be but a hollow show: +on the other hand, I see my dear, my honored bride inviting +me to her affection. What shall I do? What shall I forbear?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A little patience!” said Natalia: “a little time for +thought. In these singular perplexities I know but this, that +what can never be recalled should not be done in haste. To +a fable, to an artful plan, we have steadfastness and prudence +to oppose: whether Jarno has been speaking true or false +must soon appear. If my brother has actually hopes of a +union with Theresa, it were hard to cut him off forever from +that prospect at the moment when it seems so kindly inviting +him. Let us wait at least till we discover whether he +himself knows any thing of it, whether he believes and +hopes.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>These prudent counsels were confirmed by a letter from +Lothario. “I do not send Jarno,” he wrote: “a line from +my hand is more to thee than the minutest narrative in the +mouth of a messenger. I am certain Theresa is not the +daughter of her reputed mother; and I cannot renounce hope +of being hers, till she, too, is persuaded, and can then decide +between my friend and me, with calm consideration. Let +him not leave thee, I entreat it! The happiness, the life, of +a brother is at stake. I promise thee, this uncertainty shall +not be long.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You see how the matter stands,” said she to Wilhelm, +with a friendly air: “give me your word of honor that you +will not leave the house!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I give it!” cried he, stretching out his hand: “I will +not leave this house against your will. I thank Heaven, and +my better Genius, that on this occasion I am led, and led +by you.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia wrote Theresa an account of every thing, declaring +<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>that she would not let her friend away. She sent Lothario’s +letter also.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Theresa answered, “I wondered not a little that Lothario +is himself convinced: to his sister he would not feign to this +extent. I am vexed, greatly vexed. It is better that I say +no more. But I will come to thee, so soon as I have got +poor Lydia settled: they are treating her cruelly. I fear we +are all betrayed, and shall be so betrayed that we shall +never reach the truth. If my friend were of my opinion, +he would give thee the slip after all, and throw himself into +the arms of his Theresa, whom none shall take away from +him. But I, as I dread, shall lose him, and not regain +Lothario. From the latter they are taking Lydia by showing +him, afar off, the prospect of obtaining me. I will say +no more: the entanglement will grow still deeper. Whether, +in the mean time, these delightful positions in which we +stand to each other may not be so pushed awry, so undermined +and broken down, that, when the darkness passes off, +the mischief can no longer admit of remedy, time will show. +If my friend do not break away, in a few days I myself +will come and seek him out beside thee, and hold him fast. +Thou marvellest how this passion can have gained the +mastery of thy Theresa. It is no passion, but conviction: +it is a belief, that, since Lothario can never be mine, this new +friend will make me happy. Tell him so, in the name of +the little boy that sat with him underneath the oak, and +thanked him for his sympathy. Tell it him in the name of +Theresa, who met his offers with a hearty openness. My +first dream of living with Lothario has wandered far away +from my soul: the dream of living with my other friend is +yet wholly present to me. Do they hold me so light as to +think that it were easy to exchange the former with the +latter?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I depend on you,” said Natalia to Wilhelm, handing him +the letter: “you will not leave me. Consider that the comfort +of my life is in your hands. My being is so intimately +bound and interwoven with my brother’s, that he feels no +sorrow which I do not feel, no joy which does not likewise +gladden me. Nay, I may truly say, through him alone I have +experienced that the heart can be affected and exalted; that +in the world there may be joy, love, and an emotion which +contents the soul beyond its utmost want.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>She stopped: Wilhelm took her hand, and cried, “Oh, +continue! This is the time for a true, mutual disclosure of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>our thoughts: it never was more necessary for us to be well +acquainted with each other.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes, my friend!” said she, smiling, with her quiet, soft, +indescribable dignity: “perhaps it is not out of season, if +I tell you that the whole of what so many books, of what the +world, holds up to us and names love, has always seemed to +me a fable.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You have never loved?” cried Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Never or always!” said Natalia.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER V.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>During this conversation they kept walking up and down +the garden; and Natalia gathered various flowers of singular +forms, entirely unknown to Wilhelm, who began to ask their +names, and occupy himself about them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You know not,” said Natalia, “for whom I have been +plucking these? I intend them for my uncle, whom we are +to visit. The sun is shining even now so bright on the Hall +of the Past, I must lead you in this moment; and I never +go to it without a few of the flowers which my uncle liked +particularly, in my hand. He was a peculiar man, susceptible +of very strange impressions. For certain plants and +animals, for certain neighborhoods and persons, nay, for +certain sorts of minerals, he had an especial love, which he +was rarely able to explain. ‘Had I not,’ he would often +say, ‘from youth, withstood myself, and striven to form my +judgment upon wide and general principles, I had been the +narrowest and most intolerable person living. For nothing +can be more intolerable than circumscribed peculiarity, in +one from whom a pure and suitable activity might be required.’ +And yet he was obliged to confess that life and +breath would, as it were, leave him, if he did not now and +then indulge himself, not from time to time allow himself a +brief and passionate enjoyment of what he could not always +praise and justify. ‘It is not my fault,’ said he, ‘if I have +not brought my inclinations and my reason into perfect harmony.’ +On such occasions he would joke with me, and say, +‘Natalia may be looked upon as happy while she lives: her +nature asks nothing which the world does not wish and use.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>So speaking, they arrived again at the house. Natalia led +him through a spacious passage to a door, before which lay +two granite sphinxes. The door itself was in the Egyptian +fashion, somewhat narrower above than below; and its brazen +leaves prepared one for a serious or even a gloomy feeling. +Wilhelm was, in consequence, agreeably surprised, when his +expectation issued in a sentiment of pure, cheerful serenity, +as he entered a hall where art and life took away all recollection +of death and the grave. In the walls all round, a +series of proportionable arches had been hollowed out, and +large sarcophaguses stood in them: among the pillars in the +intervals between them smaller openings might be seen, +adorned with urns and similar vessels. The remaining spaces +of the walls and vaulted roof were regularly divided; and +between bright and variegated borders, within garlands and +other ornaments, a multitude of cheerful and significant +figures had been painted upon grounds of different sizes. +The body of the edifice was covered with that fine, yellow +marble, which passes into reddish: clear blue stripes of a +chemical substance, happily imitating azure stone, while they +satisfied the eye with contrast, gave unity and combination +to the whole. All this pomp and decoration showed itself +in the chastest architectural forms: and thus every one who +entered felt as if exalted above himself; while the co-operating +products of art, for the first time, taught him what man +is and what he may become.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Opposite the door, on a stately sarcophagus, lay a marble +figure of a noble-looking man, reclined upon a pillow. He +held a roll before him, and seemed to look at it with still attention. +It was placed so that you could read with ease +the words which stood there: <i>Think of living.</i></p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia took away a withered bunch of flowers, and laid +the fresh one down before the figure of her uncle. For it +was her uncle whom the marble represented. Wilhelm +thought he recognized the features of the venerable gentleman +whom he had seen when lying wounded in the green +of the forest. “Here he and I passed many an hour,” said +Natalia, “while the hall was getting ready. In his latter +years, he had gathered several skilful artists round him; and +his chief delight was to invent or superintend the drawings +and cartoons for these pictures.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm could not satisfy himself with looking at the objects +which surrounded him. “What a life,” exclaimed he, “in +this Hall of the Past! One might with equal justice name +<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>it Hall of the Present and the Future. Such all were, such +all will be. There is nothing transitory but the individual +who looks at and enjoys it. Here, this figure of the mother +pressing her infant to her bosom will survive many generations +of happy mothers. Centuries hence, perhaps some +father will take pleasure in contemplating this bearded man, +who has laid aside his seriousness, and is playing with his +son. Thus shame-faced will the bride sit for ages, and, amid +her silent wishes, need that she be comforted, that she be +spoken to; thus impatient will the bridegroom listen on the +threshold whether he may enter.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The figures Wilhelm was surveying with such rapture were +of almost boundless number and variety. From the first +jocund impulse of the child, merely to employ its every limb +in sport, up to the peaceful, sequestered earnestness of the +sage, you might, in fair and living order, see delineated how +man possesses no capacity or tendency without employing +and enjoying it. From the first soft, conscious feeling, when +the maiden lingers in pulling up her pitcher, and looks with +satisfaction at her image in the clear fountain, to those high +solemnities when kings and nations invoke the gods at the +altar to witness their alliances, all was depicted, all was +forcible and full of meaning.</p> + +<p class='c009'>It was a world, it was a heaven, that in this abode surrounded +the spectator; and beside the thoughts which those +polished forms suggested, beside the feelings they awoke, +there still seemed something further to be present, something +by which the whole man felt himself laid hold of. Wilhelm, +too, observed this, though unable to account for it. “What +is this,” exclaimed he, “which independently of all signification, +without any sympathy that human incidents and +fortunes may inspire us with, acts on me so strongly and so +gracefully? It speaks to me from the whole, it speaks from +every part; though I have not fully understood the former, +though I do not specially apply the latter to myself. What +enchantment breathes from these surfaces, these lines, these +heights and breadths, these masses and colors! What is it +that makes these figures so delightful, even when slightly +viewed, and merely in the light of decorations? Yes, I feel +it: one might tarry here, might rest, might view the whole, +and be happy; and yet feel and think something altogether +different from aught that stood before his eyes.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>And certainly, if we were able to describe how happily +the whole was subdivided, how every thing determined by its +<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>place, by combination or by contrast, by uniformity or by +variety, appeared exactly as it should have done, producing +an effect as perfect as distinct, we should transport the reader +to a scene from which he would not be in haste to stir.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Four large marble candelabras rose in the corners of the +hall: four smaller ones were in the midst of it, around a +very beautifully worked sarcophagus, which, judging from +its size, might once have held a young person of middle +stature.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia paused beside this monument: she laid her hand +upon it as she said, “My worthy uncle had a great attachment +to this fine antique. ‘It is not,’ he would often say, +‘the first blossoms alone that drop; such you can keep above, +in these little spaces; but fruits also, which, hanging on their +twigs, long give us the fairest hope, whilst a secret worm +is preparing their too early ripeness and their quick decay.’ +I fear,” continued she, “his words have been prophetic of +that dear little girl, who seems withdrawing gradually from +our cares, and bending to this peaceful dwelling.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>As they were about to go, Natalia stopped, and said, “There +is something still which merits your attention. Observe +these half-round openings aloft on both sides. Here the choir +can stand concealed while singing: these iron ornaments +below the cornice serve for fastening on the tapestry, which, +by order of my uncle, must be hung round at every burial. +Music, particularly song, was a pleasure he could not live +without; and it was one of his peculiarities, that he wished +the singer not to be in view. ‘In this respect,’ he would +say, ‘they spoil us at the theatre: the music there is, +as it were, subservient to the eye; it accompanies movements, +not emotions. In oratorios and concerts, the form of +the musician constantly disturbs us; true music is intended +for the ear alone: a fine voice is the most universal thing +that can be figured; and, while the narrow individual that +uses it presents himself before the eye, he cannot fail to +trouble the effect of that pure universality. The person whom +I am to speak with, I must see; because it is a solitary man, +whose form and character give worth or worthlessness to +what he says: but, on the other hand, whoever sings to me +must be invisible; his form must not confuse me, or corrupt +my judgment. Here it is but one human organ speaking to +another: it is not spirit speaking to spirit, not a thousand-fold +world to the eye, not a heaven to the man.’ On the +same principles, in respect of instrumental music, he required +<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>that the orchestra should as much as possible be hid; because, +by the mechanical exertions, by the mean and awkward gestures +of the performers, our feelings are so much dispersed +and perplexed. Accordingly, he always used to shut his +eyes while hearing music; thereby to concentrate his whole +being on the single pure enjoyment of the ear.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They were about to leave the hall, when they heard the +children running hastily along the passage, and Felix crying, +“No, I! No, I!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Mignon rushed in at the open door: she was foremost, but +out of breath, and could not speak a word. Felix, still at +some distance, shouted out, “Mamma Theresa is come!” +The children had run a race, as it seemed, to bring the news. +Mignon was lying in Natalia’s arms: her heart was beating +vehemently.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Naughty child,” said Natalia, “art thou not forbidden +to make violent exertions? See how thy heart is beating!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Let it break!” said Mignon with a deep sigh: “it has +beat too long.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They had scarcely composed themselves from this surprise, +this sort of consternation, when Theresa entered. She flew +to Natalia, clasped her and Mignon in her arms. Then, +turning round to Wilhelm, she looked at him with her clear +eyes, and <a id='tn-letthemcheatyou'></a>said, “Well, my friend, how it is with you? +You have not let them cheat you?” He made a step towards +her: she sprang to him, and hung upon his neck. “O my +Theresa!” cried he.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My friend, my love, my husband! Yes, forever thine!” +cried she, amid the warmest kisses.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix pulled her by the gown, and cried, “Mamma Theresa, +I am here too!” Natalia stood, and looked before her: +Mignon on a sudden clapped her left hand on her heart, and, +stretching out the right arm violently, fell with a shriek at +Natalia’s feet, as dead.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The fright was great: no motion of the heart or pulse was +to be traced. Wilhelm took her on his arm, and hastily +carried her away: the body hung lax over his shoulders. +The presence of the doctor was of small avail: he and the +young surgeon, whom we know already, strove in vain. The +dear little creature could not be recalled to life.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia beckoned to Theresa: the latter took her friend by +the hand, and led him from the room. He was dumb, not +uttering a word: he durst not meet her eyes. He sat down +with her <a id='tn-foundnatalia'></a>upon the sofa, where he had first found Natalia. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>He thought with great rapidity along a series of fateful incidents, +or, rather, he did not think, but let his soul be worked +on by the thoughts which would not leave it. There are +moments in life when past events, like winged shuttles, dart +to and fro before us, and by their incessant movements +weave a web which we ourselves, in a greater or less degree, +have spun and put upon the loom. “My friend, my love!” +said Theresa, breaking silence, as she took him by the hand, +“let us stand together firmly in this hour, as we perhaps +shall often have to do in similar hours. These are occurrences +which it takes two united hearts to suffer. Think, +my friend, feel, that thou art not alone: show that thou lovest +thy Theresa by imparting thy sorrows to her!” She embraced +him, and drew him softly to her bosom: he clasped +her in his arms, and pressed her strongly towards him. +“The poor child,” cried he, “used in mournful moments to +seek shelter and protection in my unstable bosom: let the +stability of thine assist me in this heavy hour.” They held +each other fast; he felt her heart beat against his breast; +but in his spirit all was desolate and void: only the figures +of Mignon and Natalia flitted like shadows across the waste +of his imagination.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia entered. “Give us thy blessing!” cried Theresa: +“let us, in this melancholy moment, be united before thee!” +Wilhelm had hid his face upon Theresa’s neck: he was so +far relieved that he could weep. He did not hear Natalia +come; he did not see her; but, at the sound of her voice, his +tears redoubled. “What God has joined I will not part,” +she answered, smiling, “but to unite you is not in my power: +nor am I gratified to see that sorrow and sympathy seem altogether +to have banished from your hearts the recollection +of my brother.” At these words, Wilhelm started from +Theresa’s arms. “Whither are you going?” cried the +ladies. “Let me see the child,” said he, “whom I have +killed! Misfortune, when we look upon it with our eyes, is +smaller than when our imagination sinks the evil down into +the recesses of the soul. Let us view the departed angel! +Her serene countenance will say to us that it is well with +her.” As his friends could not restrain the agitated youth, +they followed him; but the worthy doctor with the surgeon +met them, and prevented them from coming near the dead. +“Keep away from this mournful object,” said he, “and +allow me, so far as I am able, to give some continuance to +these remains. On this dear and singular being I will now +<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>display the beautiful art, not only of embalming bodies, but +of retaining in them a look of life. As I foresaw her death, +the preparations are already made: with these helps I shall +undoubtedly succeed. Give me but a few days, and ask not +to see the child again till I have brought her to the Hall of +the Past.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The young surgeon had in his hands that well-known case +of instruments. “From whom can he have got it?” Wilhelm +asked the doctor. “I know it very well,” replied +Natalia: “he has it from his father, who dressed your +wounds when we found you in the forest.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Then, I have not been mistaken! I recognized the band +at once!” cried Wilhelm. “Oh, get it for me! It was this +that first gave me any hint of my unknown benefactress. +What weal and woe will such a thing survive! Beside how +many sorrows has this band already been, and its threads +still hold together! How many men’s last moments has it +witnessed, and its colors are not yet faded! It was near me +in one of the fairest hours of my existence, when I lay +wounded on the ground, and your helpful form appeared +before me, and the child whom we are now lamenting sat +with its bloody hair, busied with the tenderest care to save +my life!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>It was not long that our friends could converse about this +sad occurrence, that Theresa could inquire about the child, +and the probable cause of its unexpected death; for strangers +were announced, who, on making their appearance, proved +to be well-known strangers. Lothario, Jarno, and the abbé +entered. Natalia met her brother: among the rest there was +a momentary silence. Theresa, smiling on Lothario, said, +“You scarcely expected to find me here; of course, it would +not have been advisable that we should visit one another at +the present time: however, after such an absence, take my +cordial welcome.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lothario took her hand, and answered, “If we are to +suffer and renounce, it may as well take place in the presence +of the object whom we love and wish for. I desire no influence +on your determination: my confidence in your heart, +in your understanding, and clear sense, is still so great, that +I willingly commit to your disposal my fate and that of my +friend.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The conversation turned immediately to general, nay, we +may say, to trivial, topics. The company soon separated into +single pairs, for walking. Natalia was with her brother, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>Theresa with the abbé: our friend was left with Jarno in +the castle.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The appearance of the guests at the moment when a heavy +sorrow was oppressing Wilhelm had, instead of dissipating +his attention, irritated him, and made him worse: he was +fretful and suspicious, and unable or uncareful to conceal it, +when Jarno questioned him about his sulky silence. “What +is the use of saying more?” cried Wilhelm. “Lothario with +his helpers is come; and it were strange if those mysterious +watchmen of the tower, who are constantly so busy, did not +now exert their influence on us, to effect I know not what +strange purpose. So far as I have known these saintly +gentlemen, it seems to be in every case their laudable endeavor +to separate the united and to unite the separated. +What sort of web their weaving will produce may probably +to unholy eyes be forever a riddle.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You are cross and bitter,” said the other: “that is as +it should be. Would you get into a proper passion, it were +still better.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That, too, might come about,” said Wilhelm: “I fear +much some of you are in the mind to load my patience, +natural and acquired, beyond what it will bear.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In the mean time,” said the other, “till we see what is +to be the issue of the matter, I could like to tell you somewhat +of the tower which you appear to view with such mistrust.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It stands with you,” said Wilhelm, “whether you will +risk your eloquence on an attention so distracted. My mind +is so engaged at present, that I know not whether I can take +a proper interest in these very dignified adventures.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Your pleasing humor shall not hinder me,” said Jarno, +“from explaining this affair to you. You reckon me a clever +fellow; I want to make you reckon me an honest one: and, +what is more, on this occasion I am bidden speak.”—“I +could wish,” said Wilhelm, “that you did it of yourself, and +with an honest purpose to inform me; but, as I cannot hear +without suspicion, wherefore should I hear at all?”—“If I +have nothing better to do,” said Jarno, “than tell you stories, +you, too, have time to listen to me; and to this you may +perhaps feel more inclined, when I assure you, that all you +saw in the tower was but the relics of a youthful undertaking, +in regard to which the greater part of the initiated were +once in deep earnest, though all of them now view it with +a smile.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>“So, with these pompous signs and words, you do but +mock?” cried Wilhelm. “With a solemn air, you lead us +to a place inspiring reverence by its aspect; you make the +strangest visions pass before us; you give us rolls full of +glorious mystic apothegms, of which, in truth, we understand +but little; you disclose to us, that hitherto we have been +pupils; you solemnly pronounce us free; and we are just as +wise as we were.”—“Have you not the parchment by you?” +said the other. “It contains a deal of sense: those general +apothegms were not picked up at random, though they seem +obscure and empty to a man without experiences to recollect +while reading them. But give me the Indenture, as we call +it, if it is at hand.”—“Quite at hand,” cried Wilhelm: +“such an amulet well merits being worn upon one’s breast.”—“Well,” +said Jarno, smiling, “who knows whether the +contents of it may not one day find place in your head and +heart?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He opened the roll, and glanced over the first half of it. +“This,” said he, “regards the cultivation of our gifts for +art and science, of which let others speak: the second treats +of life; here I am more at home.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He then began to read passages, speaking between whiles, +and connecting them with his remarks and narrative. “The +taste of youth for secrecy, for ceremonies, for imposing +words, is extraordinary, and frequently bespeaks a certain +depth of character. In those years we wish to feel our whole +nature seized and moved, even though it be but vaguely and +darkly. The youth who happens to have lofty aspirations +and forecastings thinks that secrets yield him much, that he +must depend much on secrets, and effect much by means of +them. It was with such views that the abbé favored a +certain society of young men, partly according to his principle +of aiding every tendency of nature, partly out of habit +and inclination; for in former times he had himself been +joined to an association which appears to have accomplished +many things in secret. For this business I was least of +all adapted. I was older than the rest; from youth I +had thought clearly; I wished in all things nothing more +than clearness; I felt no interest in men but to know them +as they were. With the same taste I gradually infected +all the best of our associates, and this circumstance had +almost given a false direction to our plan of culture. For +we now began to look at nothing but the errors and the narrowness +of others, and to think ourselves a set of highly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>gifted personages. Here the abbé came to our assistance: +he taught us that we never should inspect the conduct of +men, unless we at the same time took an interest in improving +it; and that through action only could we ever be in a +condition to inspect and watch ourselves. He advised us, +however, to retain the primary forms of the society: hence +there was still a sort of law in our proceedings; the first +mystic impressions might be traced in the constitution of the +whole. At length, as by a practical similitude, it took the +form of a corporate trade, whose business was the arts. +Hence came the names of apprentices, assistants, and +masters. We wished to see with our own eyes, and to form +for ourselves, a special record of our own experience in the +world. Hence those numerous confessions which in part we +ourselves wrote, in part made others write, and out of which +the several <cite>Apprenticeships</cite> were afterwards compiled. The +formation of his character is not the chief concern with +every man. Many merely wish to find a sort of recipe for +comfort, directions for acquiring riches, or whatever good +they aim at. All such, when they would not be instructed +in their proper duties, we were wont to mystify, to treat with +juggleries, and every sort of hocus-pocus, and at length to +shove aside. We advanced none to the rank of masters, but +such as clearly felt and recognized the purpose they were born +for, and had got enough of practice to proceed along their +way with a certain cheerfulness and ease.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In my case, then,” cried Wilhelm, “your ceremony has +been very premature; for, since the day when you pronounced +me free, what I can, will, or shall do has been more unknown +to me than ever.”—“We are not to blame for this perplexity: +perhaps good fortune will deliver us. In the mean +time, listen: ‘He in whom there is much to be developed will +be later in acquiring true perceptions of himself and of the +world. There are few who at once have Thought and the +capacity of Action. Thought expands, but lames: Action +animates, but narrows.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I beg of you,” cried Wilhelm, “not to read me any +more of that surprising stuff. These phrases have sufficiently +confused me before.”—“I will stick by my story, then,” +said Jarno, half rolling up the parchment, into which, however, +he kept casting frequent glances. “I myself have +been of less service to the cause of our society, and of my +fellow-men, than any other member. I am but a bad school-master: +I cannot bear to look on people making awkward +<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>trials; when I see a person wander from his path, I feel constrained +to call to him, although it were a night-walker going +straight to break his neck. On this point I had a continual +struggle with the abbé, who maintains that error can never +be cured, except by erring. About you, too, we often +argued. He had taken an especial liking to you, and it is +saying something to have caught so much of his attention. +For me, you must admit, that every time we met I told you +just the naked truth.”—“Certainly, you spared me very +little,” said the other; “and I think you still continue faithful +to your principles.”—“What is the use of sparing,” answered +Jarno, “when a young man of many good endowments +is taking a quite false direction?”—“Pardon me,” +said Wilhelm: “you have rigorously enough denied me +any talent for the stage; I confess to you, that, though I +have entirely renounced the art, I cannot think myself entirely +incapable.”—“And with me,” said Jarno, “it is well +enough decided, that a person who can only play himself is +no player. Whoever cannot change himself, in temper and +in form, into many forms, does not deserve the name. Thus +you, for example, acted Hamlet, and some other characters, +extremely well; because, in these, your form, your disposition, +and the temper of the moment, suited. For an amateur +theatre, for any one who saw no other way before him, this +would, perhaps, have answered well enough. But,” continued +Jarno, looking on the roll, “‘we should guard against +a talent which we cannot hope to practise in perfection. +Improve it as we may, we shall always, in the end, when +the merit of the master has become apparent to us, painfully +lament the loss of time and strength devoted to such +botching.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Do not read!” cried Wilhelm: “I entreat you earnestly, +speak on, tell, inform me! So, the abbé aided me in Hamlet: +he provided me a Ghost?”—“Yes; for he asserted +that it was the only way of curing you, if you were curable.”—“And +on this account he left the veil, and bade me flee?”—“Yes: +he hoped, that, having fairly acted Hamlet, your +desire of acting would be satiated. He maintained that you +would never go upon the stage again: I believed the contrary, +and I was right. We argued on the subject that very evening, +when the play was over.”—“You saw me act, then?”—“I +did indeed.”—“And who was it that played the +Ghost?”—“That I cannot tell you: either the abbé or his +twin-brother; but I think the latter, for he is a little taller.”—“You, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>then, have secrets from each other?”—“Friends +may and must <em>have</em> secrets from, but they <em>are</em> not secrets to, +each other.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The very thought of that perplexity perplexes me. Let +me understand the man to whom I owe so many thanks as +well as such reproaches.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What gives him such a value in our estimation,” answered +Jarno, “what, in some degree, secures him the dominion over +all of us, is the free, sharp eye that nature has bestowed on +him, for all the powers which dwell in man, and are susceptible +of cultivation, each according to its kind. Most men, even +the most accomplished, are but limited: each prizes certain +properties in others and himself; these alone he favors, these +alone will he have cultivated. Directly the reverse is the +procedure of our abbé: for every gift he has a feeling; every +gift he delights to recognize and forward. But I must look +into my roll again! ‘It is all men that make up mankind, +all powers taken together that make up the world. These +are frequently at variance; and, as they endeavor to destroy +each other, Nature holds them together, and again produces +them. From the first animal tendency to handicraft attempts, +up to the highest practising of intellectual art; from the inarticulate +crowings of the happy infant, up to the polished +utterance of the orator and singer; from the first bickerings +of boys, up to the vast equipments by which countries are +conquered and retained; from the slightest kindliness, and +the most transitory love, up to the fiercest passion, and the +most earnest covenant; from the merest perception of sensible +presence, up to the faintest presentiments and hopes of +the remotest spiritual future,—all this, and much more also, +lies in man, and must be cultivated, yet not in one, but in +many. Every gift is valuable, and ought to be unfolded. +When one encourages the beautiful alone, and another encourages +the useful alone, it takes them both to form a man. The +useful encourages itself; for the multitude produce it, and no +one can dispense with it: the beautiful must be encouraged; +for few can set it forth, and many need it.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Hold! Hold!” cried Wilhelm: “I have read it all.”—“Yet +a line or two!” said Jarno. “Here is our worthy +abbé to a hair’s-breadth: ‘One power rules another, none +can cultivate another: in each endowment, and not elsewhere, +lies the force which must complete it; this many +people do not understand, who yet attempt to teach and influence.’”—“Nor +do I understand it,” answered Wilhelm.—“You +<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>will often hear the abbé preach on this text; and, +therefore, ‘Let us merely keep a clear and steady eye on +what is in ourselves, on what endowments of our own we +mean to cultivate: let us be just to others, for we ourselves +are only to be valued in so far as we can value.’”—“For +Heaven’s sake, no more of these wise saws! I feel them to +be but a sorry balsam for a wounded heart. Tell me, rather, +with your cruel settledness, what you expect of me, how, +and in what manner, you intend to sacrifice me.”—“For +every such suspicion, I assure you, you will afterwards beg +our pardon. It is your affair to try and choose: it is ours +to aid you. A man is never happy till his vague striving +has itself marked out its proper limitation. It is not to me +that you must look, but to the abbé: it is not of yourself +that you must think, but of what surrounds you. Thus, for +instance, learn to understand Lothario’s superiority; how his +quick and comprehensive vision is inseparably united with +activity; how he constantly advances; how he expands his +influence, and carries every one along with him. Wherever +he may be, he bears a world about with him: his presence +animates and kindles. Observe our good physician, on the +other hand. His nature seems to be directly the reverse. If +the former only works upon the general whole, and at a distance, +the latter turns his piercing eye upon the things that are +beside him: he rather furnishes the means for being active, +than himself displays or stimulates activity. His conduct is +exactly like the conduct of a good domestic manager: he +is busied silently, while he provides for each in his peculiar +sphere; his knowledge is a constant gathering and expanding, +a taking in and giving out on a small scale. Perhaps +Lothario in a single day might overturn what the other had +for years been employed in building up; but perhaps Lothario +also might impart to others, in a moment, strength sufficient +to restore a hundred-fold what he had overturned.”—“It is +but a sad employment,” answered Wilhelm, “to contemplate +the sublime advantages of others, at a moment when we are +at variance with ourselves. Such contemplations suit the man +at ease, not him whom passion and uncertainty are agitating.”—“Peacefully +and reasonably to contemplate is at no +time hurtful,” answered Jarno: “and, while we use ourselves +to think of the advantages of others, our own mind comes insensibly +to imitate them; and every false activity, to which +our fancy was alluring us, is then willingly abandoned. Free +your mind, if you can, from all suspicion and anxiety. Here +<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>comes the abbé: be courteous towards him, till you have +learned still further what you owe him. The rogue! There +he goes between Natalia and Theresa: I could bet he is contriving +something. As in general he rather likes to act the +part of Destiny; so he does not fail to show a taste for making +matches when he finds an opportunity.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, whose angry and fretful humor all the placid +prudent words of Jarno had not bettered, thought his friend +exceedingly indelicate for mentioning marriage at a moment +like the present: he answered, with a smile indeed, but a +rather bitter one, “I thought the taste for making matches +had been left to those that had a taste for one another.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER VI.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>The company had met again: the conversation of our +friends was necessarily interrupted. Erelong a courier was +announced, as wishing to deliver with his own hand a letter +to Lothario. The man was introduced: he had a vigorous +sufficient look; his livery was rich and handsome. Wilhelm +thought he knew him, nor was he mistaken; for it was the +man whom he had sent to seek Philina and the fancied Mariana, +and who never came back. Our friend was about to +address him, when Lothario, who had read the letter, asked +the courier with a serious, almost angry, tone, “What is your +master’s name?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Of all questions,” said the other, with a prudent air, +“this is the one which I am least prepared to answer. I hope +the letter will communicate the necessary information: verbally +I have been charged with nothing.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Be it as it will,” replied Lothario with a smile: “since +your master puts such trust in me as to indite a letter so exceedingly +facetious, he shall be welcome to us.”—“He will +not keep you long waiting for him,” said the courier, with a +bow, and withdrew.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Do but hear the distracted, stupid message,” said Lothario. +“‘As of all guests, Good Humor is believed to be the +most agreeable wherever he appears, and as I always keep +that gentleman beside me by way of travelling companion, I +feel persuaded that the visit I intend to pay your noble lordship +<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>will not be taken ill: on the contrary, I hope the whole +of your illustrious family will witness my arrival with complete +satisfaction, and in due time also my departure; being always, +<i>et cœtera</i>, Count of Snailfoot.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“’Tis a new family,” said the abbé.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A vicariat count, perhaps,” said Jarno.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The secret is easy to unriddle,” said Natalia: “I wager +it is none but brother Friedrich, who has threatened us with +a visit ever since my uncle’s death.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Right, fair and skilful sister!” cried a voice from the +nearest thicket; and immediately a pleasant, cheerful youth +stepped forward. Wilhelm could scarcely restrain a cry of +wonder. “What!” exclaimed he: “does our fair-haired +knave, too, meet me here?” Friedrich looked attentively, and, +recognizing Wilhelm, cried, “In truth, it would not have astonished +me so much to have beheld the famous pyramids, +which still stand fast in Egypt, or the grave of King Mausolus, +which, as I am told, does not exist, here placed before me in +my uncle’s garden, as to find you in it, my old friend, and +frequent benefactor. Accept my best and heartiest service!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>After he had kissed and complimented the whole circle, +he again sprang towards Wilhelm, crying, “Use him well, +this hero, this leader of armies, and dramatical philosopher! +When we became acquainted first, I dressed his hair indifferently, +I may say execrably; yet he afterwards saved me from +a pretty load of blows. He is magnanimous as Scipio, munificent +as Alexander: at times he is in love, yet he never +hates his rivals. Far from heaping coals of fire on the heads +of his enemies,—a piece of service, I am told, which we can +do for any one,—he rather, when his friends have carried off +his love, despatches good and trusty servants after them, +that they may not strike their feet against a stone.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>In the same style he ran along with a volubility which baffled +all attempts to restrain it; and, as no one could reply to +him in that vein, he had the conversation mostly to himself. +“Do not wonder,” cried he, “that I am so profoundly versed +in sacred and profane writers: you shall hear by and by how +I attained my learning.” They wished to know how matters +stood with him,—where he had been; but crowds of proverbs +and old stories choked his explanation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia whispered to Theresa, “His gayety afflicts me: I +am sure at heart he is not merry.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>As, except a few jokes which Jarno answered, Friedrich’s +merriment was met by no response from those about him, he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>was obliged at last to say, “Well, there is nothing left for +me, but, among so many grave faces, to be grave myself. +And as, in such a solemn scene, the burden of my sins falls +heavy on my soul, I must honestly resolve upon a general +confession; for which, however, you, my worthy gentlemen +and ladies, shall not be a jot the wiser. This honorable friend +already knows a little of my walk and conversation; he alone +shall know the rest; and this the rather, as he alone has any +cause to ask about it. Are not you,” continued he to Wilhelm, +“curious about the how and where, the when and +wherefore? And how it stands with the conjugation of the +Greek verb φιλέω, φιλῶ, and the derivatives of that very amiable +part of speech?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He then took Wilhelm by the arm, and led him off, pressing +him and skipping round him with the liveliest air of +kindness.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Scarcely had they entered Wilhelm’s room, when Friedrich +noticed, in the window, a powder-knife, with the inscription, +“Think of me.” “You keep your valuables well laid up!” +said he. “This is the powder-knife Philina gave you, when +I pulled your locks for you. I hope, in looking at it, you +have diligently thought of that fair damsel; I assure you, +she has not forgotten you: if I had not long ago obliterated +every trace of jealousy from my heart, I could not look on +you without envy.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Talk no more of that creature,” answered Wilhelm. “I +confess it was a while before I could get rid of the impression +which her looks and manner made on me, but that was +all.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Fie, Fie!” cried Friedrich. “Would any one deny his +deary? You loved her as completely as a man could wish. +No day passed without your giving her some present; and, +when a German gives, you may be sure he loves. No alternative +remained for me but whisking her away from you, +and in this the little red officer at last succeeded.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What! you were the officer whom we discovered with +her, whom she travelled off with?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes,” said Friedrich, “whom you took for Mariana. +We had sport enough at the mistake.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What cruelty,” cried Wilhelm, “to leave me in such +suspense!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And, besides, to take the courier, whom you sent to +catch us, into pay!” said Friedrich. “He is a very active +fellow: we have kept him by us ever since. And the girl +<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>herself I love as desperately as ever. She has managed me +in some peculiar style: I am almost in a mythologic case; +every day I tremble at the thought of being metamorphosed.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But tell me, pray,” said Wilhelm, “where have you +acquired this stock of erudition? It surprises me to hear the +strange way you have assumed of speaking always with a +reference to ancient histories and fables.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It was by a pleasant plan,” said Friedrich, “that I got +my learning. Philina lives with me at present: we have got +a lease of an old, knightly castle from the farmer in whose +ground it is; and there we live, with the hobgoblins of the +place, as merrily as possible. In one of the rooms we found +a small, but choice, library, consisting of a Bible in folio, +‘Gottfried’s Chronicle,’ two volumes of the ‘Theatrum +Europæum,’ an ‘Acerra Philologica,’ ‘Gryphius’ Writings,’ +and some other less important works. As we now +and then, when tired of romping, felt the time hang heavy +on our hands, we proposed to read some books; and, before +we were aware, the time hung heavier than ever. At last +Philina hit upon the royal plan of laying all the tomes, opened +at once, upon a large table. We sat down opposite to one +another: we read to one another,—always in detached passages, +first from this book, then from that. We had a jolly +time of it. We felt now as if we were in good society, where +it is reckoned unbecoming to dwell on any subject, or search +it to the bottom: we thought ourselves in witty, gay society, +where none will let his neighbor speak. We regularly treat +ourselves with this diversion every day, and the erudition +we obtain from it is quite surprising. Already there is nothing +new for us under the sun: on every thing we see or hear, +our learning offers us a hint. This method of instruction we +diversify in many ways. Frequently we read by an old, spoiled +sand-glass, which runs in a minute or two. The moment it +is down, the silent party turns it round like lightning, and +commences reading from his book; and no sooner is it down +again, than the other cuts him short, and starts the former +topic. Thus we study in a truly academic manner, with this +difference, that our hours are shorter, and our studies extremely +varied.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“This rioting is quite conceivable,” said Wilhelm, “when +a pair like you two are together; but how a pair so full of +frolic stay together does not seem so easily conceivable.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is our good fortune,” answered Friedrich, “and our +bad. Philina dare not let herself be seen,—she cannot bear +<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>to see herself: she is with child. Nothing ever was so ludicrous +and shapeless in the world. A little while before I +came away, she chanced to cast an eye upon the looking-glass +in passing. ‘Faugh!’ cried she, and turned away her face: +‘the living picture of the Frau Melina! Shocking figure! +One looks entirely deplorable!’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I confess,” said Wilhelm, with a smile, “it must be +rather farcical to see a father and a mother, such as you and +she, together.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“’Tis a foolish business,” answered Friedrich, “that I +must at last be raised to the paternal dignity. But she +asserts, and the time agrees. At first that cursed visit which +she paid you after ‘Hamlet’ gave me qualms.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What visit?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I suppose you have not quite slept off the memory of it +yet? The pretty, flesh-and-blood spirit of that night, if you +do not know it, was Philina. The story was, in truth, a hard +dower for me; but, if we cannot be content with such things, +we should not be in love. Fatherhood, at any rate, depends +entirely upon conviction: I am convinced, and so I am a +father. There, you see, I can employ my logic in the proper +season too. And, if the brat do not laugh itself to death so +soon as it is born, it may prove, if not a useful, at least a +pleasant, citizen of this world.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Whilst our friends were talking thus of mirthful subjects, +the rest of the party had begun a serious conversation. +Scarcely were Friedrich and Wilhelm gone, when the abbé +led his friends, as if by chance, into a garden-house, and, +having got them seated, thus addressed them:—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We have in general terms asserted that Fräulein Theresa +was not the daughter of her reputed mother: it is fit that we +should now explain ourselves on this matter, in detail. I +shall relate the story to you, which I undertake to prove and +to elucidate in every point.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Frau von ⸺ spent the first years of her wedlock in +the utmost concord with her husband; but they had this misfortune, +that the children she brought him came into the +world dead: and, on occasion of the third, the mother was +declared by the physicians to be on the verge of death, and +to be sure of death if she should ever have another. The +parties were obliged to take their resolution: they would not +break the marriage; it was too suitable to both, in a civil +point of view. Frau von ⸺ sought in the culture of her +mind, in a certain habit of display, in the joys of vanity, a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>compensation for the happiness of motherhood, which was +refused her. She cheerfully indulged her husband, when +she noticed in him an attachment to a young lady, who had +sole charge of their household, a person of beautiful exterior, +and very solid character. Frau von ⸺ herself, erelong, +assisted in procuring an arrangement, by which the +lady yielded to the wishes of Theresa’s father; continuing +to discharge her household duties, and testifying to the mistress +of the family, if possible, a more submissive zeal to +serve her than before.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After a while she declared herself with child; and both +the father and his wife, on this occasion, though from very +different causes, fell upon the same idea. Herr von ⸺ +wished to have the offspring of his mistress educated in the +house as his lawful child; and Frau von ⸺, angry that +the indiscretion of her doctor had allowed some whisper of +her condition to go abroad, proposed by a supposititious +child to counteract this, and likewise to retain, by such compliance, +the superiority in her household, which otherwise +she was like to lose. However, she was more backward +than her husband: she observed his purpose, and contrived, +without any formal question, to facilitate his explanation. +She made her own terms, obtaining almost every thing that +she required; and hence the will in which so little care was +taken of the child. The old doctor was dead: they applied +to a young, active, and discreet successor; he was well +rewarded; he looked forward to the credit of exposing and +remedying the unskilfulness and premature decision of his +deceased colleague. The true mother not unwillingly consented: +they managed the deception very well; Theresa +came into the world, and was surrendered to a stepmother, +while her mother fell a victim to the plot; having died by +venturing out too early, and left the father inconsolable.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Frau von ⸺ had thus attained her object; in the eyes +of the world she had a lovely child, which she paraded with +excessive vanity: and she had also been delivered from a +rival whose fortune she envied, and whose influence, at least +in prospect, she beheld with apprehension. The infant she +loaded with her tenderness: and by affecting, in trustful +hours, a lively feeling for her husband’s loss, she gained a +mastery of his heart; so that in a manner he surrendered all +to her, laid his own happiness and that of his child in her +hands: nor was it till a short while prior to his death, and, +in some degree, by the exertions of his grown-up daughter, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>that he again assumed the rule in his own house. This, fair +Theresa, was in all probability the secret which your father, +in his last sickness, so struggled to communicate: this is +what I wished to lay circumstantially before you, at a moment +when our young friend, who by a strange concurrence +has become your bridegroom, happens to be absent. Here +are the papers which will prove in the most rigorous manner +every thing that I have stated. You will also see from them +how long I have been following the trace of this discovery; +though, till now, I could never attain certainty respecting it. +I did not risk imparting to my friend the possibility of such a +happiness: it would have wounded him too deeply had this +hope a second time deceived him. You will understand poor +Lydia’s suspicions: I readily confess, I nowise favored our +friend’s attachment to her, when I began again to look forward +to his union with Theresa.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>To this recital no one replied. The ladies, some days afterwards, +returned the papers, not making any further mention +of them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>There were other matters in abundance to engage the +party when they were together; and the scenery around was +so delightful, that our friends, singly or in company, on +horseback, in carriages, or on foot, delighted to explore it. +On one of these excursions, Jarno took an opportunity of +opening the affair to Wilhelm: he delivered him the papers; +not, however, seeming to require from him any resolution in +regard to them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In this most singular position in which I am,” said +our friend, “I need only repeat to you what I said at first, +in presence of Natalia, and with the clear intention to fulfil +it. Lothario and his friends may require of me every sort +of self-denial; I here abandon in their favor all pretension +to Theresa: do you procure me in return a formal discharge. +There requires no great reflection to decide. For some days +I have noticed that Theresa has to make an effort in retaining +any show of the vivacity with which she welcomed me at +first. Her affection is gone from me; or, rather, I have +never had it.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Such affairs are more conveniently explained,” said +Jarno, “by a gradual process, in silence and expectation, +than by many words, which always cause a sort of fermentation +and embarrassment.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I rather think,” said Wilhelm, “that precisely this affair +admits of the most clear and calm decision on the spot. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>I have often been reproached with hesitation and uncertainty: +why will you now, when I do not hesitate, commit +against myself the fault you have often blamed in me? Do +people take such trouble with our training only to let us feel +that they themselves will not be trained? Yes: grant me soon +the cheerful thought that I am out of a mistaken project, +into which I entered with the purest feelings in the world.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Notwithstanding this request, some days elapsed without +his hearing any more of the affair, or observing any further +alteration in his friends. The conversation, on the contrary, +was general, and of indifferent matters.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER VII.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>Jarno and Wilhelm were sitting one day by Natalia. +“You are thoughtful, Jarno,” said the lady: “I have seen +it in your looks for some time.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I am so,” answered Jarno: “a weighty business is before +me, which we have for years been meditating, and +must now begin to execute. You already know the outline +of it: I may speak of it before our friend; for it will depend +on himself whether he, too, shall not share in it. You +are going to get rid of me before long: I mean to take a +voyage to America.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To America?” said Wilhelm, smiling: “such an adventure +I did not anticipate from you, still less that you +would have selected me for a companion.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“When you rightly understand our plan,” said Jarno, +“you will give it a more honorable name, and, perhaps, yourself +be tempted to embark in it. Listen to me. It requires +but a slight acquaintance with the business of the world to +see that mighty changes are at hand, that property is almost +nowhere quite secure.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Of the business of the world I have no clear notion,” +interrupted Wilhelm; “and it is but of late that I ever +thought about my property. Perhaps I had done well to +drive it out of my head still longer: the care of securing it +appears to give us hypochondria.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Hear me out,” said Jarno. “Care beseems ripe age, +that youth may live, for a time, free from care; in the conduct +<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>of poor mortals, equilibrium cannot be restored except +by contraries. As matters go, it is any thing but prudent to +have property in only one place, to commit your money to a +single spot; and yet it is difficult to guide it well in many. +We have, therefore, thought of something else. From our +old tower there is a society to issue, which must spread itself +through every quarter of the world, and to which members +from every quarter of the world shall be admissible. +We shall insure a competent subsistence to each other, in the +single case of a revolution happening, which might drive any +part of us entirely from their possessions. I am now proceeding +to America to profit by the good connections which +our friend established while he staid there. The abbé means +to go to Russia: if you like to join us, you shall have the +choice of continuing in Germany to help Lothario, or of accompanying +me. I conjecture you will choose the latter: +to take a distant journey is extremely serviceable to a young +man.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm thought a moment, and replied, “The offer well +deserves consideration; for erelong the word with me must +be, The farther off, the better. You will let me know your +plan, I hope, more perfectly. It is, perhaps, my ignorance of +life that makes me think so; but such a combination seems +to me to be attended with insuperable difficulties.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The most of which, till now, have been avoided,” answered +Jarno, “by the circumstance that we have been but +few in number, honorable, discreet, determined people, animated +by a certain general feeling, out of which alone the +feeling proper for societies can spring.”—“And if you +speak me fair,” said Friedrich, who hitherto had only listened, +“I, too, will go along with you.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Jarno shook his head.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Well, what objections can you make?” cried Friedrich. +“In a new colony, young colonists will be required; these I +bring with me: merry colonists will also be required; of +these I make you certain. Besides, I recollect a certain +damsel, who is out of place on this side of the water,—the +fair, soft-hearted Lydia. What is the poor thing to do with +her sorrow and mourning, unless she get an opportunity to +throw it to the bottom of the sea, unless some brave fellow +take her by the hand? You, my benefactor,” said he, turning +towards Wilhelm, “you have a taste for comforting forsaken +persons: what withholds you now? Each of us might +take his girl under his arm, and trudge with Jarno.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>This proposal struck Wilhelm offensively. He answered +with affected calmness, “I know not whether she is unengaged; +and, as in general I seem to be unfortunate in courtship, +I shall hardly think of making the attempt.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Brother Friedrich,” said Natalia, “though thy own +conduct is so full of levity, it does not follow that such sentiments +will answer others. Our friend deserves a heart that +shall belong to him alone, that shall not, at his side, be moved +by recollections of some previous attachment. It was only +with a character as pure and reasonable as Theresa’s that +such a venture could be risked.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Risk!” cried Friedrich: “in love it is all risk. In the +grove or at the altar, with a clasp of the arms or a golden +ring, by the chirping of the cricket or the sound of trumpets +and kettle-drums, it is all but a risk: chance does it all.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I have often noticed,” said Natalia, “that our principles +are just a supplement to our peculiar manner of existence. +We delight to clothe our errors in the garb of universal laws, +to attribute them to irresistibly appointed causes. Do but +think by what a path thy dear will lead thee, now that she +has drawn thee towards her, and holds thee fast there.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“She herself is on a very pretty path,” said Friedrich,—“on +the path to saintship. A by-path, it is true, and somewhat +roundabout, but the pleasanter and surer for that. Maria +of Magdala travelled it, and who can say how many more? +But, on the whole, sister, when the point in hand is love, +thou shouldst not mingle in it. In my opinion, thou wilt +never marry, till a bride is lacking somewhere: in that case, +thou wilt give thyself, with thy habitual charity, to be the supplement +of some peculiar manner of existence, not otherwise. +So let us strike a bargain with this soul-broker, and +agree about our travelling-company.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You come too late with your proposals,” answered Jarno: +“Lydia is disposed of.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And how?” cried Friedrich.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I myself have offered her my hand,” said Jarno.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Old gentleman,” said Friedrich, “you have done a feat +to which, if we regard it as a substantive, various adjectives +might be appended; various predicates, if we regard it as a +subject.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I must honestly confess,” replied Natalia, “it appears +a dangerous experiment to make a helpmate of a woman, at +the very moment when her love for another man is like to +drive her to despair.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>“I have ventured,” answered Jarno: “under a certain +stipulation she is to be mine. And, believe me, there is +nothing in the world more precious than a heart susceptible +of love and passion. Whether it has loved, whether it still +loves, are points which I regard not. The love of which +another is the object charms me almost more than that +which is directed to myself. I see the strength, the force, of +a tender soul; and my self-love does not trouble the delightful +vision.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Have you, then, talked with Lydia of late?” inquired +Natalia.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Jarno smiled and nodded: Natalia shook her head, and +said as he rose, “I really know not what to make of you; +but me you shall not mystify, I promise you.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>She was about retiring, when the abbé entered with a letter +in his hand. “Stay, if you please,” said he to her: “I +have a proposal here, respecting which your counsel will be +welcome. The marchese, your late uncle’s friend, whom for +some time we have been expecting, will be here in a day or +two. He writes to me, that German is not so familiar to him +as he had supposed; that he needs a person who possesses +this and other languages, to travel with him; that, as he +wishes to connect himself with scientific rather than political +society, he cannot do without some such interpreter. I can +think of no one better suited for the post than our young friend +here. He knows the language, is acquainted with many +things beside; and, for himself, it cannot but be advantageous +to travel over Germany in such society and such circumstances. +Till we have seen our native country, we have no +scale to judge of other countries by. What say you, my +friend? What say you, Natalia?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Nobody objected to the scheme: Jarno seemed to think +his transatlantic project would not be a hinderance, as he +did not mean to sail directly. Natalia did not speak, and +Friedrich uttered various saws about the uses of travel.</p> + +<p class='c009'>This new project so provoked our friend, that he could +hardly conceal his irritation. He saw in this proposal a +concerted plan for getting rid of him as soon as possible; +and, what was worse, they went so openly to work, and +seemed so utterly regardless of his feelings. The suspicions +Lydia had excited in him, all that he himself had witnessed, +rose again upon his mind: the simple manner in which every +thing had been explained by Jarno <a id='tn-anotherartifice'></a>now appeared to him +another piece of artifice.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>He constrained himself, and answered, “At all events, the +offer will require mature deliberation.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A quick decision may, perhaps, be necessary,” said the +abbé.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“For that I am not prepared,” answered Wilhelm. “We +can wait till the marchese comes, and then observe if we +agree together. One condition must, however, be conceded +first of all,—that I take Felix with me.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“This is a condition,” said the abbé, “which will scarcely +be conceded.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And I do not see,” cried Wilhelm, “why I should let +any man prescribe conditions to me, or why, if I choose to +view my native country, I must go in company with an +Italian.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Because a young man,” said the abbé, with a certain +imposing earnestness, “is always called upon to form connections.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, feeling that he could not long retain his self-command, +as it was Natalia’s presence only which, in some +degree, assuaged his indignation, hastily made answer, +“Give me a little while to think. I imagine it will not be +very hard to settle whether I am called upon to form additional +connections; or ordered irresistibly, by heart and head, +to free myself from such a multiplicity of bonds, which seem +to threaten me with a perpetual, miserable thraldom.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Thus he spoke, with a deeply agitated mind. A glance at +Natalia somewhat calmed him: her form and dignity, in this +impassioned moment, stamped themselves more deeply on +his mind than ever.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes,” said he, so soon as he was by himself, “confess +it, thou lovest her: thou once more feelest what it means to +love with thy whole soul. Thus did I love Mariana, and +deceive myself so dreadfully; I loved Philina, and could not +help despising her; Aurelia I respected, and could not love; +Theresa I reverenced, and paternal tenderness assumed the +form of an affection for her. And now, when all the feelings +that can make a mortal happy meet within my heart, +now I am compelled to flee! Ah! why should these feelings +and convictions be combined with an insuperable longing? +Why, without the hope of its fulfilment, should they utterly +subvert all other happiness? Shall the sun and the world, +society or any other gift of fortune, ever henceforth yield +me pleasure? Wilt thou not forever say, Natalia is not here? +And yet, alas! Natalia will be always present to thee! If +<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>thou closest thy eyes, she will appear to thee: if thou openest +them, her form will flit before all outward things, like the +image which a dazzling object leaves behind it in the eye. +Did not the swiftly passing figure of the Amazon dwell continually +in thy imagination? And yet thou hadst but seen +her, thou didst not know her. Now when thou knowest her, +when thou hast been so long beside her, when she has shown +such care about thee,—now are her qualities impressed as +deeply upon thy soul as her form was then upon thy fancy. +It is painful to be always seeking, but far more painful to +have found, and to be forced to leave. What now shall I +ask for further in the world? What now shall I look for +further? Is there a country, a city, that contains a treasure +such as this? And I must travel on, and ever find inferiority? +Is life, then, like a race-course, where a man must rapidly +return when he has reached the utmost end? Does the good, +the excellent, stand before us like a firm, unmoving goal, from +which, with fleet horses, we are forced away the instant we +appeared to have attained it? Happier are they who strive +for earthly wares! They find what they are seeking in its +proper climate, or they buy it in the fair.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Come, my darling boy!” cried he to Felix, who now ran +frisking towards him: “be thou and remain thou all to me! +Thou wert given me as a compensation for thy loved mother; +thou wert to replace the second mother whom I meant for +thee; and now thou hast a loss still greater to make good. +Occupy my heart, occupy my spirit, with thy beauty, thy +loveliness, thy capabilities, and thy desire to use them!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The boy was busied with a new plaything: his father tried +to put it in a better state for him; just as he succeeded, Felix +had lost all pleasure in it. “Thou art a true son of Adam!” +cried Wilhelm. “Come, my child! Come, my brother! let +us wander, playing without object, through the world, as we +best may.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>His resolution to remove, to take the boy along with him, +and recreate his mind by looking at the world, had now +assumed a settled form. He wrote to Werner for the necessary +cash and letters of credit; sending Friedrich’s courier +on the message, with the strictest charges to return immediately. +Much as the conduct of his other friends had grieved +him, his relation to Natalia remained serene and clear as ever.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He confided to her his intention. She took it as a settled +thing that he would go; and, if this seeming carelessness in +her chagrined him, her kindly manner and her presence made +<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>him calm. She counselled him to visit various towns, that +he might get acquainted with certain of her friends. The +courier returned, and brought the letter which our friend required; +though Werner did not seem content with this new +whim. “My hope that thou wert growing reasonable,” so +the letter ran, “is now again deferred. Where are you all +gadding? And where lingers the lady who thou saidst was +to assist us in arranging these affairs? Thy other friends are +also absent. They have thrown the whole concern upon the +shoulders of the lawyer and myself. Happy that he is as +expert a jurist as I am a financier, and that both of us are +used to business. Fare thee well! Thy aberrations shall be +pardoned thee, since but for them our situation here could +not have been so favorable.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>So far as outward matters were concerned, Wilhelm might +now have entered on his journey; but there were still for his +heart two hinderances that held him fast. In the first place, +they flatly refused to show him Mignon’s body till the funeral +the abbé meant to celebrate; and, for this solemnity, the +preparations were not ready. There had also been a curious +letter from the country clergyman, in consequence of which +the doctor had gone off. It related to the harper, of whose +fate Wilhelm wanted to have further information.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In these circumstances, day or night he found no rest for +mind or body. When all were asleep, he wandered up and +down the house. The presence of the pictures and statues, +which he knew so well of old, alternately attracted and repelled +him. Nothing that surrounded him could he lay hold +of or let go; all things reminded him of all: the whole ring +of his existence lay before him; but it was broken into fragments, +and seemed as if it would never unite again. These +works of art, which his father had sold, appeared to him an +omen that he himself was destined never to obtain a lasting, +calm possession of any thing desirable in life, or always to +be robbed of it so soon as gained, by his own or other people’s +blame. He waded so deep in these strange and dreary +meditations, that often he almost thought himself a disembodied +spirit; and, even when he felt and handled things +without him, he could scarcely keep himself from doubting +whether he was really there and alive.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Nothing but the piercing grief which often seized him, +but the tears he shed at being forced, by causes frivolous as +they were irresistible, to leave the good which he had found, +and found after having lost it, restored him to the feeling of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>his earthly life. It was in vain to call before his mind his +happy state in other respects. “All is nothing, then,” exclaimed +he, “if the one blessing, which appears to us worth +all the rest, is wanting!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The abbé told the company that the marchese was arrived. +“You have determined, it appears,” said he to Wilhelm, +“to set out upon your travels with your boy alone. Get +acquainted with this nobleman, however: he will be useful +to you if you meet him by the way.” The marchese entered. +He was a person not yet very far advanced in years,—a +fine, handsome, pleasing, Lombard figure. In his youth, +while in the army and afterwards in public business, he had +known Lothario’s uncle; they had subsequently travelled +through the greater part of Italy together: and many of the +works of art, which the marchese now again fell in with, had +been purchased in his presence, and under various happy +circumstances, which he still distinctly recollected.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Italians have in general a deeper feeling for the high +dignity of art than any other nation. In Italy, whoever follows +the employment tries to pass at once for artist, master, +and professor; by which pretensions he acknowledges at +least that it is not sufficient merely to lay hold of some transmitted +excellency, or to acquire by practice some dexterity, +but that a man who aims at art should have the power to +think of what he does, to lay down principles, and make apparent +to himself and others how and wherefore he proceeds in +this way or in that.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The stranger was affected at again beholding these productions +when the owner of them was no more, and cheered to +see the spirit of his friend surviving in the gifted persons left +behind him. They discussed a series of works: they found +a lively satisfaction in the harmony of their ideas. The marchese +and the abbé were the speakers; Natalia felt herself +again transported to the presence of her uncle, and could +enter without difficulty into their opinions and criticisms; +Wilhelm could not understand them, except as he translated +their technology into dramatic language. Friedrich’s facetious +vein was sometimes rather difficult to keep in check. +Jarno was seldom there.</p> + +<p class='c009'>It being observed that excellent works of art were very +rare in latter times, it was remarked by the marchese, “We +can hardly think or estimate how many circumstances must +combine in favor of the artist: with the greatest genius, with +the most decisive talent, the demands which he must make +<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>upon himself are infinite, the diligence required in cultivating +his endowments is unspeakable. Now, if circumstances are +not in his favor, if he observe that the world is very easy to +be satisfied, requiring but a slight, pleasing, transitory show, +it were matter of surprise if indolence and selfishness did not +keep him fixed at mediocrity: it were strange if he did not +rather think of bartering modish wares for gold and praises +than of entering on the proper path, which could not fail in +some degree to lead him to a sort of painful martyrdom. +Accordingly, the artists of our time are always offering and +never giving. They always aim at charming, and they never +satisfy: every thing is merely indicated; you can nowhere +find foundation or completion. Those for whom they labor, +it is true, are little better. If you wait a while in any gallery +of pictures, and observe what works attract the many, what +are praised and what neglected, you have little pleasure in +the present, little hope in the future.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes,” replied the abbé: “and thus it is that artists and +their judges mutually form each other. The latter ask for +nothing but a general, vague enjoyment; a work of art is to +delight them almost as a work of nature; they imagine that +the organs for enjoying works of art may be cultivated altogether +of themselves, like the tongue and the palate; they try +a picture or a poem as they do an article of food. They do +not understand how very different a species of culture it requires +to raise one to the true enjoyment of art. The hardest +part of it, in my opinion, is that sort of separation which a +man that aims at perfect culture must accomplish in himself. +It is on this account that we observe so many people partially +cultivated, and yet every one of them attempting to pronounce +upon the general whole.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Your last remark is not quite clear to me,” said Jarno, +who came in just then.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It would be difficult,” replied the abbé, “to explain it +fully without a long detail. Thus much I may say: When +any man pretends to mix in manifold activity or manifold +enjoyment, he must also be enabled, as it were, to make his +organs manifold, and independent of each other. Whoever +aims at doing or enjoying all and every thing with his entire +nature, whoever tries to link together all that is without him +by such a species of enjoyment, will only lose his time in +efforts that can never be successful. How difficult, though +it seems so easy, is it to contemplate a noble disposition, a +fine picture, simply in and for itself; to watch the music for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>the music’s sake; to admire the actor in the actor; to take +pleasure in a building for its own peculiar harmony and +durability. Most men are wont to treat a work of art, +though fixed and done, as if it were a piece of soft clay. +The hard and polished marble is again to mould itself, the +firm-walled edifice is to contract or to expand itself, according +as their inclinations, sentiments, and whims may dictate: +the picture is to be instructive, the play to make us better,—every +thing is to do all. The reason is, that most men are +themselves uninformed, they cannot give themselves and their +being any certain shape; and thus they strive to take from +other things their proper shape, that all they have to do with +may be loose and wavering like themselves. Every thing is, +in the long-run, reduced by them to what they call effect: +every thing is relative, say they; and so, indeed, it is: every +thing with them grows relative, except absurdity and platitude, +which truly are absolute enough.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I understand you,” answered Jarno; “or, rather, I perceive +how what you have been saying follows from the principles +you hold so fast by. Yet with men, poor devils, we +should not go to quest so strictly. I know enow of them +in truth, who, beside the greatest works of art and nature, +forthwith recollect their own most paltry insufficiency; who +take their conscience and their morals with them to the opera; +who bethink them of their loves and hatreds in contemplating +a colonnade. The best and greatest that can be presented +to them from without, they must first, as far as possible, +diminish in their way of representing it, that they may in +any measure be enabled to combine it with their own sorry +nature.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER VIII.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>The abbé called them in the evening to attend the exequies +of Mignon. The company proceeded to the Hall of the +Past: they found it magnificently ornamented and illuminated. +The walls were hung with azure tapestry almost from ceiling +to floor, so that nothing but the friezes and socles, above and +below, were visible. On the four candelabras in the corner +large wax-lights were burning: smaller lights were in the +four smaller candelabras placed by the sarcophagus in the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>middle. Near this stood four boys, dressed in azure with +silver: they had broad fans of ostrich-feathers, which they +waved above a figure that was resting upon the sarcophagus. +The company sat down: two invisible choruses began in a +soft, musical recitative to ask, “Whom bring ye us to the +still dwelling?” The four boys replied with lovely voices, +“’Tis a tired playmate whom we bring you: let her rest in +your still dwelling, till the songs of her heavenly sisters once +more awaken her.”</p> + +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>CHORUS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>“Firstling of youth in our circle, we welcome thee! With +sadness welcome thee! May no boy, no maiden, follow! +Let age only, willing and composed, approach the silent hall, +and in the solemn company, repose this one dear child!</p> +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>BOYS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Ah, reluctantly we brought her hither! Ah, and she is to +remain here! Let us, too, remain: let us weep, let us weep +upon her bier!</p> +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>CHORUS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Yet look at the strong wings; look at the light, clear robe. +How glitters the golden band upon her head! Look at the +beautiful, the noble, repose.</p> +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>BOYS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Ah! the wings do not raise her; in the frolic game, her +robe flutters to and fro no more; when we bound her head +with roses, her looks on us were kind and friendly.</p> +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>CHORUS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Cast forward the eye of the spirit. Awake in your souls +the imaginative power, which carries forth what is fairest, +what is highest, life, away beyond the stars.</p> +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>BOYS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>But, ah! We find her not here; in the garden she wanders +not; the flowers of the meadow she plucks no longer. +Let us weep, we are leaving her here! Let us weep, and +remain with her!</p> +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>CHORUS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Children, turn back into life! Your tears let the fresh air +<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>dry, which plays upon the rushing water. Flee from Night! +Day and Pleasure and Continuance are the lot of the living.</p> +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>BOYS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Up! Turn back into life! Let the day give us labor and +pleasure, till the evening brings us rest, and the nightly sleep +refreshes us.</p> +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>CHORUS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Children! Hasten into life! In the pure garments of +beauty, may Love meet you with heavenly looks and with +the wreath of immortality!”</p> + +<p class='c008'>The boys had retired: the abbé rose from his seat, and +went behind the bier. “It is the appointment,” said he, +“of the man who prepared this silent abode, that each new +tenant of it shall be introduced with a solemnity. After +him, the builder of this mansion, the founder of this establishment, +we have next brought a young stranger hither; +and thus already does this little space contain two altogether +different victims of the rigorous, arbitrary, and inexorable +Death-goddess. By appointed laws we enter into +life: the days are numbered which make us ripe to see the +light, but for the duration of our life there is no law. The +weakest thread will spin itself to unexpected length; and +the strongest is cut suddenly asunder by the scissors of the +Fates, delighting, as it seems, in contradictions. Of the +child whom we have here committed to her final rest, we +can say but little. It is still uncertain whence she came; +her parents we know not; the years of her life we can only +conjecture. Her deep and closely shrouded soul allowed +us scarce to guess at its interior movements: there was +nothing clear in her, nothing open but her affection for the +man who had snatched her from the hands of a barbarian. +This impassioned tenderness, this vivid gratitude, appeared +to be the flame which consumed the oil of her life: the +skill of the physician could not save that fair life, the most +anxious friendship could not lengthen it. But, if art could +not stay the departing spirit, it has done its utmost to +preserve the body, and withdraw it from decay. A balsamic +substance has been forced through all the veins, and now +tinges, in place of blood, these cheeks too early faded. +Come near, my friends, and view this wonder of art and +care!”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>He raised the veil: the child was lying in her angel’s dress, +as if asleep, in the most soft and graceful posture. They +approached, and admired this show of life. Wilhelm alone +continued sitting in his place; he was not able to compose +himself: what he felt he durst not think, and every thought +seemed ready to destroy his feeling.</p> + +<p class='c009'>For the sake of the marchese, the speech had been pronounced +in French. That nobleman came forward with the +rest, and viewed the figure with attention. The abbé thus +proceeded. “With a holy confidence, this kind heart, shut +up to men, was continually turned to its God. Humility, +nay, an inclination to abase herself externally, seemed +natural to her. She clave with zeal to the Catholic religion, +in which she had been born and educated. Often she expressed +a still wish to sleep on consecrated ground; and, +according to the usage of the Church, we have, therefore, +consecrated this marble coffin, and the little earth which is +hidden in the cushion that supports her head. With what +ardor did she, in her last moments, kiss the image of the +Crucified, which stood beautifully figured on her tender arm, +with many hundred points!” So saying, he stripped up her +right sleeve; and a crucifix, with marks and letters round it, +showed itself in blue upon the white skin.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The marchese looked at this with eagerness, stooping +down to view it more intensely. “O God!” cried he, as +he stood upright, and raised his hands to heaven. “Poor +child! Unhappy niece! Do I meet thee here? What a +painful joy to find thee, whom we had long lost hope of; to +find this dear frame, which we had long believed the prey of +fishes in the ocean, here preserved, though lifeless! I assist +at thy funeral, splendid in its external circumstances, still +more splendid from the noble persons who attend thee to thy +place of rest. And to these,” added he, with a faltering +voice, “so soon as I can speak, I will express my thanks.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Tears hindered him from saying more. By the pressure +of a spring, the abbé sank the body into the cavity of the +marble. Four youths, dressed as the boys had been, came +out from behind the tapestry, and lifting the heavy, beautifully +ornamented lid upon the coffin, thus began their song.</p> + +<div class='speaker'> + +<p class='c011'>THE YOUTHS.</p> + +</div> + +<p class='c012'>“Well is the treasure now laid up,—the fair image of the +Past! Here sleeps it in the marble, undecaying: in your +<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>hearts, too, it lives, it works. Travel, travel back into life! +Take along with you this holy earnestness, for earnestness +alone makes life eternity.”</p> + +<p class='c008'>The invisible chorus joined in with the last words, but no +one heard the strengthening sentiment: all were too much +busied with themselves, and the emotions which these wonderful +disclosures had excited. The abbé and Natalia conducted +the marchese out: Theresa and Lothario walked by +Wilhelm. It was not till the music had altogether died +away, that their sorrows, thoughts, meditations, curiosity, +again fell on them with all their force, and made them long +to be transported back into that exalting scene.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER IX.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>The marchese avoided speaking of the matter, but had +long, secret conversations with the abbé. When the company +was met, he often asked for music,—a request to +which they willingly assented, as each was glad to be delivered +from the charge of talking. Thus they lived for some time, +till it was observed that he was making preparations for +departure. One day he said to Wilhelm, “I wish not to +disturb the remains of this beloved child; let her rest in the +place where she loved and suffered: but her friends must +promise to visit me in her native country, in the scene where +she was born and bred; they must see the pillars and statues, +of which a dim idea remained with her. I will lead you to +the bays where she liked so well to roam, and gather pebbles. +You, at least, young friend, shall not escape the gratitude of +a family that stands so deeply indebted to you. To-morrow +I set out on my journey. The abbé is acquainted with the +whole history of this matter: he will tell it you again. He +could pardon me when grief interrupted my recital: as a +third party, he will be enabled to narrate the incidents with +more connection. If, as the abbé had proposed, you like to +follow me in travelling over Germany, you shall be heartily +welcome. Leave not your boy behind: at every little inconvenience +which he causes us, we will again remember your +attentive care of my poor niece.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>The same evening our party was surprised by the arrival +of the countess. Wilhelm trembled in every joint as she entered: +she herself, though forewarned, kept close by her sister, +who speedily reached her a chair. How singularly simple +was her attire, how altered was her form! Wilhelm scarcely +dared to look at her: she saluted him with a kindly air; a +few general words addressed to him did not conceal her sentiments +and feelings. The marchese had retired betimes; +and, as the company were not disposed to part so early, the +abbé now produced a manuscript. “The singular narrative +which was intrusted to me,” said he, “I forthwith put on +paper. The case where pen and ink should least of all be +spared, is in recording the particular circumstances of +remarkable events.” They informed the countess of the +matter; and the abbé read as follows, in the name of the +marchese:—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Many men as I have seen, I still regard my father as a +very extraordinary person. His character was noble and +upright; his ideas were enlarged, I may even say great; to +himself he was severe: in all his plans there was a rigid +order, in all operations an unbroken perseverance. In one +sense, therefore, it was easy to transact and live with him: +yet, owing to the very qualities which made it so, he never +could accommodate himself to life; for he required from the +state, from his neighbors, from his children, and his servants, +the observance of all the laws which he had laid upon himself. +His most moderate demands became exorbitant by his +rigor; and he never could attain to enjoyment, for nothing +ever was completed as he had forecast it. At the moment +when he was erecting a palace, laying out a garden, or acquiring +a large estate in the highest cultivation, I have seen +him inwardly convinced, with the sternest ire, that Fate had +doomed him to do nothing but abstain and suffer. In his +exterior he maintained the greatest dignity: if he jested, it +was but displaying the preponderancy of his understanding. +Censure was intolerable to him: the only time I ever saw +him quite transported with rage was once when he heard that +one of his establishments was spoken of as something ludicrous. +In the same spirit he had settled the disposal of his +children and his fortune. My eldest brother was educated +as a person that had large estates to look for. I was to embrace +the clerical profession: the youngest was to be a +soldier. I was of a lively temper, fiery, active, quick, apt +for corporeal exercises: the youngest rather seemed inclined +<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>to an enthusiastic quietism,—devoted to the sciences, to +music, and poetry. It was not till after the hardest struggle, +the maturest conviction of the impossibility of his +project, that our father, still reluctantly, agreed to let us +change vocations; and, although he saw us both contented, +he could never suit himself to this arrangement, but declared +that nothing good would come of it. The older he grew, the +more isolated did he feel from all society. At last he came +to live almost entirely alone. One old friend, who had served +in the German armies, who had lost his wife in the campaign, +and brought a daughter of about ten years of age along with +him, remained his only visitor. This person bought a fine +little property beside us: he used to come and see my father +on stated days of the week, and at stated hours; his little +daughter often came along with him. He was never heard to +contradict my father, who at length grew perfectly habituated +to him, and endured him as the only tolerable company +he had. After our father’s death, we easily observed that this +old gentleman had not been visiting for naught,—that his +compliances had been rewarded by an ample settlement. He +enlarged his estates: his daughter might expect a handsome +portion. The girl grew up, and was extremely beautiful: +my elder brother often joked with me about her, saying I +should go and court her.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Meanwhile brother Augustin, in the seclusion of his +cloister, had been spending his years in the strangest state of +mind. He abandoned himself wholly to the feeling of a holy +enthusiasm, to those half-spiritual, half-physical emotions +which, as they for a time exalted him to the third heaven, erelong +sank him down to an abyss of powerlessness and vacant +misery. While my father lived, no change could be contemplated: +what, indeed, could we have asked for or proposed? +After the old man’s death, our brother visited us frequently: +his situation, which at first afflicted us, in time became much +more tolerable; for his reason had at length prevailed. But, +the more confidently reason promised him complete recovery +and contentment on the pure path of nature, the more vehemently +did he require of us to free him from his vows. His +thoughts, he let us know, were turned upon Sperata, our fair +neighbor.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My elder brother had experienced too much suffering +from the harshness of our father to look on the condition of +the youngest without sympathy. He spoke with the family +confessor, a worthy old man: we signified to him the double +<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>purpose of our brother, and requested him to introduce and +expedite the business. Contrary to custom he delayed; and +at last, when Augustin pressed us, and we recommended the +affair more keenly to the clergyman, he had nothing left but +to impart the strange secret to us.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Sperata was our sister, and that by both her parents. +Our mother had declared herself with child at a time when +both she and our father were advanced in years: a similar +occurrence had shortly before been made the subject of some +merriment in our neighborhood; and our father, to avoid such +ridicule, determined to conceal this late lawful fruit of love +as carefully as people use to conceal its earlier accidental +fruits. Our mother was delivered secretly: the child was +carried to the country; and the old friend of the family, +who, with the confessor, had alone been trusted with the +secret, easily engaged to give her out for his daughter. The +confessor had reserved the right of disclosing the secret in +case of extremity. The supposed father was now dead: +Sperata was living with an old lady; we were aware that a +love of song and music had already led our brother to her; +and on his again requiring us to undo his former bond, that +he might engage himself by a new one, it was necessary that +we should, as soon as possible, apprise him of the danger he +stood in.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He viewed us with a wild, contemptuous look. ‘Spare +your idle tales,’ cried he, ‘for children and credulous fools: +from me, from my heart, they shall not tear Sperata; she is +mine. Recall, I pray you, instantly, your frightful spectre, +which would but harass me in vain. Sperata is not my sister: +she is my wife!’ He described to us, in rapturous terms, +how this heavenly girl had drawn him out of his unnatural +state of separation from his fellow-creatures into true life; +how their spirits accorded like their voices; how he blessed his +sufferings and errors, since they had kept clear of him women, +till the moment when he wholly and forever gave himself to +this most amiable being. We were shocked at the discovery, +we deplored his situation, but we knew not how to help +ourselves; for he declared, with violence, that Sperata was +with a child by him. Our confessor did whatever duty could +suggest to him, but by this means he only made the evil +worse. The demands of nature and religion, moral rights +and civil laws, were vehemently attacked and spurned at by +our brother. He considered nothing holy but his relation to +Sperata, nothing dignified but the names of father and wife. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>‘These alone,’ cried he, ‘are suitable to nature: all else is +caprice and opinion. Were there not noble nations which +admitted marriage with a sister? Name not your gods! You +never name them but when you wish to befool us, to lead us +from the paths of nature, and, by scandalous constraint, to +transform the noblest inclinations into crimes. Unspeakable +are the perplexities, abominable the abuses, into which you +force the victims whom you bury alive.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘I may speak, for I have suffered like no other,—from +the highest, sweetest feeling of enthusiasm, to the frightful +deserts of utter powerlessness, vacancy, annihilation, and +despair; from the loftiest aspirations of preternatural existence, +to the most entire unbelief,—unbelief in myself. All +these horrid grounds of the cup, so flattering at the brim, I +have drained; and my whole being was poisoned to its core. +And now, when kind Nature, by her greatest gift, by love, +has healed me; now, when in the arms of a heavenly creature +I again feel that I am, that she is, that out of this living +union a third shall arise and smile in our faces,—now ye +open up the flames of your hell, of your purgatory, which +can only singe a sick imagination: ye oppose them to the +vivid, true, indestructible enjoyment of pure love. Meet +us under these cypresses, which turn their solemn tops to +heaven; visit us among those espaliers where the citrons and +pomegranates bloom beside us, where the graceful myrtle +stretches out its tender flowers to us,—and then venture to +disturb us with your dreary, paltry nets which men have +spun!’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Thus for a long time he persisted in a stubborn disbelief +of our story; and when we assured him of its truth, when +the confessor himself asseverated it, he did not let it drive +him from his point. ‘Ask not the echoes of your cloisters, +not your mouldering parchments, not your narrow whims +and ordinances! Ask Nature and your heart: she will teach +you what you should recoil from; she will point out to you +with the strictest finger over what she has pronounced her +everlasting curse. Look at the lilies: do not husband and +wife shoot forth on the same stalk? Does not the flower +which bore them hold them both? And is not the lily the +type of innocence? Is not their sisterly union fruitful? +When Nature abhors, she speaks it aloud; the creature that +shall not be, is not produced; the creature that lives with a +false life, is soon destroyed. Unfruitfulness, painful existence, +early destruction, these are her curses, the marks of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>her displeasure. It is only by immediate consequences that +she punishes. Look around you; and what is prohibited, +what is accursed, will force itself upon your notice. In the +silence of the convent, in the tumult of the world, a thousand +practices are consecrated and revered, while her curse +rests on them. On stagnant idleness as on overstrained toil, +on caprice and superfluity as on constraint and want, she +looks down with mournful eyes; her call is to moderation; +true are all her commandments, peaceful all her influences. +The man who has suffered as I have done, has a right to be +free. Sperata is mine: death alone shall take her from me. +How I shall retain her, how I may be happy, these are your +cares. This instant I go to her, and part from her no more.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He was for proceeding to the boat, and crossing over to +her: we restrained him, entreating that he would not take +a step which might produce the most tremendous consequences. +He should recollect, we told him, that he was not +living in the free world of his own thoughts and ideas, but +in a constitution of affairs, the ordinances and conditions of +which had become as inflexible as laws of nature. The confessor +made us promise not to let him leave our sight, still +less our house: after this he went away, engaging to return +erelong. What we had foreseen took place: reason had +made our brother strong, but his heart was weak; the earlier +impressions of religion rose on him, and dreadful doubts +along with them. He passed two fearful nights and days: +the confessor came again to his assistance, but in vain. His +enfranchised understanding acquitted him: his feelings, religion, +all his usual ideas, declared him guilty.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“One morning we found his chamber empty: on the table +lay a note, in which he signified, that, as we kept him prisoner +by force, he felt himself entitled to provide for his freedom; +that he meant to go directly to Sperata; he expected +to escape with her, and was prepared for the most terrible +extremities should any separation be attempted.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The news, of course, affrighted us exceedingly; but the +confessor bade us be at rest. Our poor brother had been +narrowly enough observed: the boatman, in place of taking +him across, proceeded with him to his cloister. Fatigued +with watching for the space of four and twenty hours, he +fell asleep, as the skiff began to rock him in the moonshine; +and he did not awake till he saw himself in the hands of his +spiritual brethren: he did not recover from his amazement +till he heard the doors of the convent bolting behind him.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>“Sharply touched at the fate of our brother, we reproached +the confessor for his cruelty; but he soon silenced or convinced +us by the surgeon’s reason, that our pity was destructive +to the patient. He let us know that he was not acting +on his own authority, but by order of the bishop and +his chapter; that by this proceeding they intended to avoid +all public scandal, and to shroud the sad occurrence under +the veil of a secret course of discipline prescribed by the +Church. Our sister they would spare: she was not to be +told that her lover was her brother. The charge of her was +given to a priest, to whom she had before disclosed her situation. +They contrived to hide her pregnancy and her delivery. +As a mother she felt altogether happy in her little one. +Like most of our women, she could neither write, nor read +writing: she gave the priest many verbal messages to carry +to her lover. The latter, thinking that he owed this pious +fraud to a suckling mother, often brought pretended tidings +from our brother, whom he never saw; recommending her, +in his name, to be at peace; <a id='tn-carefulofherself'></a>begging of her to be careful of +herself and of her child, and for the rest to trust in God.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Sperata was inclined by nature to religious feelings. +Her situation, her solitude, increased this tendency: the +clergyman encouraged it, in order to prepare her by degrees +for an eternal separation. Scarcely was her child weaned, +scarcely did he think her body strong enough for suffering +agony of mind, when he began to paint her fault to her in +most terrific colors, to treat the crime of being connected +with a priest <a id='tn-sortofincest'></a>as a sort of sin against nature, as a sort of incest. +For he had taken up the strange thought of making +her repentance equal in intensity to what it would have been +had she known the true circumstances of her error. He +thereby produced so much anxiety and sorrow in her mind; +he so exalted the idea of the Church and of its head before +her; showed her the awful consequences, for the weal of all +men’s souls, should indulgence in a case like this be granted, +and the guilty pair rewarded by a lawful union; signifying, +too, how wholesome it was to expiate such sins in time, and +thereby gain the crown of immortality,—that at last, like a +poor criminal, she willingly held out her neck to the axe, +and earnestly entreated that she might forever be divided +from our brother. Having gained so much, the clergy left +her the liberty (reserving to themselves a certain distant +oversight) to live at one time in a convent, at another in +her house, according as she afterwards thought good.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>“Her little girl, meanwhile, was growing: from her earliest +years she had displayed an extraordinary disposition. +When still very young, she could run and move with wonderful +dexterity: she sang beautifully, and learned to play +upon the cithern almost of herself. With words, however, +she could not express herself; and the impediment seemed +rather to proceed from her mode of thought than from her +organs of speech. The feelings of the poor mother to her, +in the mean time, were of the most painful kind: the expostulations +of the priest had so perplexed her mind, that, +though she was not quite deranged, her state was far from +being sane. She daily thought her crime more terrible and +punishable: the clergyman’s comparison of incest, frequently +repeated, had impressed itself so deeply, that her horror was +not less than if the actual circumstances had been known to +her. The priest took no small credit for his ingenuity, with +which he had contrived to tear asunder a luckless creature’s +heart. It was miserable to behold maternal love, ready to +expand itself in joy at the existence of her child, contending +with the frightful feeling that this child should not exist. +The two emotions warred with each other in her soul: love +was often weaker than aversion.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The child had long ago been taken from her, and committed +to a worthy family residing on the seashore. In the +greater freedom which the little creature enjoyed here, she +soon displayed her singular delight in climbing. To mount +the highest peaks, to run along the edges of the ships, to +imitate in all their strangest feats the rope-dancers whom +she often saw in the place, seemed a natural tendency in her.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To practise these things with the greater ease, she liked +to change clothes with boys; and, though her foster-parents +thought this highly blamable and unbecoming, we bade them +indulge her as much as possible. Her wild walks and leapings +often led her to a distance: she would lose her way, +and be long from home, but she always came back. In +general, as she returned, she used to set herself beneath the +columns in the portal of a country house in the neighborhood: +her people now had ceased to look for her; they +waited for her. She would there lie resting on the steps, +then run up and down the large hall, looking at the statues; +after which, if nothing specially detained her, she used to +hasten home.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But at last our confidence was balked, and our indulgence +punished. The child went out, and did not come again: +<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>her little hat was found swimming on the water near the spot +where a torrent rushes down into the sea. It was conjectured, +that, in clambering among the rocks, her foot had slipped: +all our searching could not find the body.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The thoughtless tattle of her housemates soon communicated +the occurrence to Sperata: she seemed calm and +cheerful when she heard it; hinting not obscurely at her +satisfaction that God had pleased to take her poor child to +himself, and thus preserved it from suffering, or causing some +more dreadful misery.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“On this occasion all the fables which are told about our +waters came to be the common talk. The sea, it was said, +required every year an innocent child: yet it would endure +no corpse, but sooner or later throw it to the shore; nay, the +last joint, though sunk to the lowest bottom, must again +come forth. They told the story of a mother, inconsolable +because her child had perished in the sea, who prayed to God +and his saints to grant her at least the bones for burial. The +first storm threw ashore the skull, the next the spine; and, +after all was gathered, she wrapped the bones in a cloth, and +took them to the church: but, oh! miraculous to tell! as she +crossed the threshold of the temple, the packet grew heavier +and heavier; and at last, when she laid it on the steps of the +altar, the child began to cry, and issued living from the cloth. +One joint of the right-hand little finger was alone wanting: +this, too, the mother anxiously sought and found; and, in +memory of the event, it was preserved among the other +relics of the church.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“On poor Sperata these recitals made a deep impression: +her imagination took a new flight, and favored the emotion +of her heart. She supposed that now the child had expiated, +by its death, both its own sins and the sins of its parents; +that the curse and penalty which hitherto had overhung them +all was at length wholly removed; that nothing more was +necessary could she only find the child’s bones, that she +might carry them to Rome, where, upon the steps of the great +altar in St. Peter’s, her little girl, again covered with its +fair, fresh skin, would stand up alive before the people. +With its own eyes it would once more look on father and +mother; and the pope, convinced that God and his saints +commanded it, would, amid the acclamations of the people, +remit the parents their sins, acquit them of their oaths, and +join their hands in wedlock.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Her looks and her anxiety were henceforth constantly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>directed to the sea and the beach. When at night, in the +moonshine, the waves were tossing to and fro, she thought +every glittering sheet of foam was bringing out her child; +and some one about her had to run off, as if to take it up +when it should reach the shore.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“By day she walked unweariedly along the places where +the pebbly beach shelved slowly to the water: she gathered +in a little basket all the bones she could find. None durst +tell her that they were the bones of animals: the larger ones +she buried, the little ones she took along with her. In this +employment she incessantly persisted. The clergyman, who, +by so unremittingly discharging what he thought his duty, +had reduced her to this condition, now stood up for her with +all his might. By his influence the people in the neighborhood +were made to look upon her, not as a distracted person, +but as one entranced: they stood in reverent attitudes as +she walked by, and the children ran to kiss her hand.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To the old woman, her attendant and faithful friend, the +secret of Sperata’s guilt was at length imparted by the +priest, on her solemnly engaging to watch over the unhappy +creature, with untiring care, through all her life. And she +kept this engagement to the last, with admirable conscientiousness +and patience.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Meanwhile we had always had an eye upon our brother. +Neither the physicians nor the clergy of his convent would +allow us to be seen by him; but, in order to convince us of +his being well in some sort, we had leave to look at him as +often as we liked in the garden, the passages, or even through +a window in the roof of his apartment.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After many terrible and singular changes, which I shall +omit, he had passed into a strange state of mental rest and +bodily unrest. He never sat but when he took his harp +and played upon it, and then he usually accompanied it with +singing. At other times he kept continually in motion; +and in all things he was grown extremely guidable and pliant, +for all his passions seemed to have resolved themselves into +the single fear of death. You could persuade him to do any +thing by threatening him with dangerous sickness or with +death.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Besides this singularity of walking constantly about the +cloister, a practice which he hinted it were better to exchange +for wandering over hill and dale, he talked about an apparition +which perpetually tormented him. He declared, +that, on awakening at whatever hour of the night, he saw a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>beautiful boy standing at the foot of his bed, with a bare +knife, and threatening to destroy him. They shifted him to +various other chambers of the convent, but he still asserted +that the boy pursued him. His wandering to and fro became +more unrestful: the people afterwards remembered, too, that +at this time they had often seen him stand at the window, +and look out upon the sea.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Our poor sister, on the other hand, seemed gradually +wasting under the consuming influence of her single thought, +of her narrow occupation. It was at last proposed by the +physician, that, among the bones she had gathered, the fragments +of a child’s skeleton should by degrees be introduced, +and so the hapless mother’s hopes kept up. The experiment +was dubious; but this at least seemed likely to be gained by +it, that, when all the parts were got together, she would cease +her weary search, and might be entertained with hopes of +going to Rome.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It was accordingly resolved on. Her attendant changed, +by imperceptible degrees, the small remains committed to +her with the bones Sperata found. An inconceivable delight +arose in the poor, sick woman’s heart, when the parts began +to fit each other, and the shape of those still wanting could +be marked. She had fastened every fragment in its proper +place with threads and ribbons; filling up the vacant spaces +with embroidery and silk, as is usually done with the relics +of saints.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In this way nearly all the bones had been collected: none +but a few of the extremities were wanting. One morning, +while she was asleep, the physician having come to ask for +her, the old attendant, with a view to show him how his patient +occupied herself, took away these dear remains from +the little chest where they lay in poor Sperata’s bedroom. +A few minutes afterwards they heard her spring upon the +floor: she lifted up the cloth, and found the chest empty. +She threw herself upon her knees: they came, and listened to +her joyful, ardent prayer. ‘Yes,’ exclaimed she, ‘it is true! +it was no dream, it is real! Rejoice with me, my friends! I +have seen my own beautiful, good little girl again alive. She +arose, and threw the veil from off her; her splendor enlightened +all the room; her beauty was transfigured to celestial +loveliness; she could not tread the ground, although she +wished it. Lightly was she borne aloft: she had not even +time to stretch her hand to me. “<em>There!</em>” cried she to me, +and pointed to the road where I am soon to go. Yes, I will +<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>follow her,—soon follow her: my heart is light to think of +it. My sorrows are already vanished: the sight of my risen +little one has given me a foretaste of the heavenly joys.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“From that time her soul was wholly occupied with prospects +of the brightest kind; she gave no further heed to any +earthly object; she took but little food; her spirit by degrees +cast off the fetters of the body. At last this imperceptible +gradation reached its head unexpectedly: her attendants +found her pale and motionless; she opened not her eyes; +she was what we call dead.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The report of her vision quickly spread abroad among +the people; and the reverential feeling, which she had excited +in her lifetime, soon changed, at her death, to the thought +that she should be regarded as in bliss,—nay, as in sanctity.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“When we were bearing her to be interred, a crowd of +persons pressed with boundless violence about the bier: they +would touch her hand, they would touch her garment. In +this impassioned elevation, various sick persons ceased to +feel the pains by which at other times they were tormented: +they looked upon themselves as healed; they declared it; +they praised God and his new saint. The clergy were obliged +to lay the body in a neighboring chapel: the people called +for opportunity to offer their devotion. The concourse was +incredible: the mountaineers, at all times prone to lively and +religious feelings, crowded forward from their valleys; the +reverence, the wonder, the adoration, daily spread, and gathered +strength. The ordinances of the bishop, which were +meant to limit, and in time abolish, this new worship, could +not be put in execution: every show of opposition raised the +people into tumults; every unbeliever they were ready to +assail with personal violence. ‘Did not Saint Borromæus,’ +cried they, ‘dwell among our forefathers? Did not his +mother live to taste the joy of his canonization? Was not +that great figure on the rocks at Arona meant to represent +to us, by a sensible symbol, his spiritual greatness? Do not +the descendants of his kindred live among us to this hour? +And has not God promised ever to renew his miracles among +a people that believe?’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“As the body, after several days, exhibited no marks of +putrefaction, but grew whiter, and, as it were, translucent, +the general faith rose higher and higher. Among the multitude +were several cures which even the sceptical observer +was unable to account for, or ascribe entirely to fraud. The +<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>whole country was in motion: those who did not go to see +it, heard at least no other topic talked of.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The convent where my brother lived resounded, like the +land at large, with the noise of these wonders; and the people +felt the less restraint in speaking of them in his presence, +as in general he seemed to pay no heed to any thing, and his +connection with the circumstance was known to none of them. +But on this occasion it appeared he had listened with attention. +He conducted his escape with such dexterity and cunning, +that the manner of it still remains a mystery. We +learned afterwards, that he had crossed the water with a +number of travellers, and charged the boatmen, who observed +no other singularity about him, above all to have a +care lest their vessel overset. Late in the night he reached +the chapel, where his hapless loved one was resting from her +woes. Only a few devotees were kneeling in the corners of +the place: her old friend was sitting at the head of the corpse; +he walked up to her, saluted her, and asked how her mistress +was. ‘You see it,’ answered she, with some embarrassment. +He looked at the corpse with a sidelong glance. After some +delay he took its hand. Frightened by its coldness, he in +the instant let it go: he looked unrestfully around him; +then, turning to the old attendant, ‘I cannot stay with her at +present,’ said he: ‘I have a long, long way to travel; but +at the proper time I shall be back: tell her so when she +awakens.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With this he went away. It was a while before we got +intelligence of these occurrences: we searched, but all our +efforts to discover him were vain. How he worked his way +across the mountains none can say. A long time after he +was gone we came upon a trace of him among the Grisons, +but we were too late: it quickly vanished. We supposed +that he was gone to Germany, but his weak footprints had +been speedily obliterated by the war.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h4 class='c007'>CHAPTER X.</h4> + +<p class='c008'>The abbé ceased to read. No one had listened without +tears. The countess scarcely ever took her handkerchief +from her eyes: at last she rose, and, with Natalia, left the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>room. The rest were silent, till the abbé thus began: “The +question now arises, whether we shall let the good marchese +leave us without telling him our secret. For who can doubt +a moment that our harper and his brother Augustin are one? +Let us consider what is to be done, both for the sake of that +unhappy man himself and of his family. My advice is, not +to hurry, but to wait till we have heard what news the doctor, +who has gone to see him, brings us back.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>All were of the same opinion; and the abbé thus proceeded: +“Another question, which perhaps may be disposed +of sooner, still remains. The marchese is affected to the +bottom of his heart at the kindness which his poor niece +experienced here, particularly from our young friend. He +made me tell him again and again every circumstance connected +with her, and he shows the liveliest gratitude. ‘Her +young benefactor,’ he said, ‘refused to travel with me, while +he knew not the connection that subsists between us. I am +not now a stranger, of whose manner of existence, of whose +humors, he might be uncertain: I am his associate, his relation; +and, as his unwillingness to leave his boy behind was +the impediment which kept him from accompanying me, let +this child now become a fairer bond to join us still more +closely. Beyond the obligations he has already placed me +under, let him be of service to me on my present journey; +let him, then, return along with me; my elder brother will +receive him as he ought. And let him not despise the heritage +of his unhappy foster-child; for, by a secret stipulation +of our father with his military friend, the fortune which he +gave Sperata has returned to us: and certainly we will not +cheat our niece’s benefactor of the recompense he has merited +so well.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Theresa, taking Wilhelm by the hand, now said to him, +“We have here another beautiful example that disinterested +well-doing yields the highest and best return. Follow the +call which so strangely comes to you, and, while you lay a +double load of gratitude on the marchese, hasten to a fair +land, which has already often drawn your heart and your +imagination towards it.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I leave myself entirely to the guidance of my friends +and you,” said Wilhelm: “it is vain to think, in this world, +of adhering to our individual will. What I purposed to hold +fast, I must let go; and benefits which I have not deserved +descend upon me of their own accord.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Pressing Theresa’s hand, Wilhelm took his own away. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>“I give you full permission,” said he to the abbé, “to +decide about me as you please. Since I shall not need to +leave my Felix, I am ready to go anywhither, and to undertake +whatever you think good.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Thus authorized, the abbé forthwith sketched out his +plan. The marchese, he proposed, should be allowed to depart: +Wilhelm was to wait for tidings from the doctor; he +might then, when they had settled what was to be done, set +off with Felix. Accordingly, under the pretence that Wilhelm’s +preparations for his journey would detain him, he advised +the stranger to employ the mean while in examining the +curiosities of the city, which he meant to visit. The marchese +did in consequence depart, and not without renewed +and strong expressions of his gratitude; of which indeed +the presents left by him, including jewels, precious stones, +embroidered stuffs, afforded a sufficient proof.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, too, was at length in readiness for travelling; and +his friends began to be distressed that the doctor sent them +no news. They feared some mischief had befallen the poor +old harper, at the very moment when they were in hopes of +radically improving his condition. They sent the courier +off; but he was scarcely gone, when the doctor in the evening +entered with a stranger, whose form and aspect were +expressive, earnest, striking, and whom no one knew. Both +stood silent for a space: the stranger at length went up to +Wilhelm, and, holding out his hand, said, “Do you no +longer know your old friend?” It was the harper’s voice, +but of his form there seemed to remain no vestige. He was +in the common garb of a traveller, cleanly and genteelly +equipped; his beard had vanished; his hair was dressed with +some attention to the mode; and what particularly made him +quite irrecognizable was, that in his countenance the look of +age was no longer visible. Wilhelm embraced him with the +liveliest joy: he was presented to the rest, and behaved with +great propriety, not knowing that the party had a little while +before become so well acquainted with him. “You will +have patience with a man,” continued he, with great composure, +“who, grown up as he appears, is entering on the +world, after long sorrows, inexperienced as a child. To this +skilful gentleman I stand indebted for the privilege of again +appearing in the company of my fellow-men.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They bade him welcome: the doctor motioned for a walk, +to interrupt the conversation, and lead it to indifferent topics.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In private the doctor gave the following explanation: “It +<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>was by the strangest chance that we succeeded in the cure +of this man. We had long treated him, morally and physically, +as our best consideration dictated: in some degree the +plan was efficacious; but the fear of death continued powerful +in him, and he would not lay aside his beard and cloak. +For the rest, however, he appeared to take more interest +in external things than formerly; and both his songs and +his conceptions seemed to be approaching nearer life. A +strange letter from the clergyman, as you already know, called +me from you. I arrived: I found our patient altogether +changed; he had voluntarily given up his beard; he had let +his locks be cut into a customary form; he asked for common +clothes; he seemed to have all at once become another man. +Though curious to penetrate the reason of this sudden alteration, +we did not risk inquiring of himself: at last we accidentally +discovered it. A glass of laudanum was missing +from the parson’s private laboratory: we thought it right to +institute a strict inquiry; every one endeavored to ward off +suspicion, and the sharpest quarrels rose among the inmates +of the house. At last this man appeared before us, and +admitted that he had the laudanum: we asked if he had +swallowed any of it. ‘No,’ said he, ‘but it is to this that +I owe the recovery of my reason. It is at your choice to +take the vial from me, and to drive me back, inevitably, +to my former state. The feeling, that it was desirable to see +the pains of life terminated by death, first put me on the +way of cure: before long the thought of terminating them +by voluntary death arose in me, and with this intention I took +the glass of poison. The possibility of casting off my load +of griefs forever gave me strength to bear them; and thus +have I, ever since this talisman came into my possession, +forced myself back into life by a contiguity with death. Be +not anxious lest I use the drug, but resolve, as men acquainted +with the human heart, by granting me an independence +of life, to make me properly and wholesomely dependent +on it.’ After mature consideration, we determined not to +meddle further with him; and he now carries with him, in a +firm little ground-glass vial, this poison, of which he has so +strangely made an antidote.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The doctor was informed of all that had become known in +the mean time: towards Augustin it was determined that they +should observe the deepest silence in regard to it. The abbé +undertook to keep beside him, and to lead him forward on +the healthful path he had entered.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>Meanwhile Wilhelm was to set about his journey over +Germany with the marchese. If it should appear that +Augustin could be again excited to affection for his native +country, the circumstances were to be communicated to his +friends, and Wilhelm might conduct him thither.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm had at last made every preparation for his journey. +At first the abbé thought it strange that Augustin +rejoiced in hearing of his friend and benefactor’s purpose to +depart, but he soon discovered the foundation of this curious +movement. Augustin could not subdue his fear of Felix; +and he longed, as soon as possible, to see the boy removed.</p> + +<p class='c009'>By degrees so many people had assembled, that the castle +and adjoining buildings could scarcely accommodate them all, +and the less, as such a multitude of guests had not originally +been anticipated. They breakfasted, they dined, together: +each endeavored to persuade himself that they were living in +a comfortable harmony; but each, in secret, longed in some +degree to be away. Theresa frequently rode out, attended +by Lothario, and oftener alone: she had already got acquainted +with all the landladies and landlords in the district; +for she held it as a principle of her economy, in which, perhaps, +she was not far mistaken, that it is essential to be in +good acceptance with one’s neighbors, male and female, and +to maintain with them a constant interchange of civilities. +Of an intended marriage with Lothario, she appeared to have +no thought. Natalia and the countess often talked with one +another; the abbé seemed to covet the society of Augustin; +Jarno had frequent conversations with the doctor; Friedrich +held by Wilhelm; Felix ran about wherever he could meet +with most amusement. It was thus, too, that in general they +paired themselves in walking when the company broke up: +when it was obliged to be together, recourse was quickly had +to music, to unite them all by giving each back to himself.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Unexpectedly the count increased the party; intending to +remove his lady, and, as it appeared, to take a solemn farewell +of his worldly friends. Jarno hastened to the coach +to meet him: the count inquired what guests they had; to +which the other answered, in a fit of wild humor that would +often seize him, “We have all the nobility in nature,—marcheses, +marquises, milords, and barons: we wanted nothing +but a count.” They came up-stairs: Wilhelm was the first +who met them in the ante-chamber. “Milord,” said the +count to him in French, after looking at him for a moment, +“I rejoice very much in the unexpected pleasure of renewing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>my acquaintance with your lordship: I am very much mistaken +if I did not see you at my castle in the prince’s suite.” +“I had the happiness of waiting on your Excellence at that +time,” answered Wilhelm; “but you do me too much honor +when you take me for an Englishman, and that of the first +quality. I am a German, and”—“And a fine young +fellow,” interrupted Jarno. The count looked at Wilhelm +with a smile, and was about to make some reply, when the +rest of the party entered, and saluted him with many a +friendly welcome. They excused themselves for being unable +at the moment to show him to a proper chamber, promising +without delay to make the necessary room for him.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Ay, ay!” said he, smiling: “we have left Chance, I +see, to act as our purveyor. Yet with prudence and arrangement, +how much is possible! For the present I entreat you +not to stir a slipper from its place: the disorder, I perceive, +would otherwise be great. Every one would be uncomfortably +lodged; and this no one shall be on my account, if +possible, not even for an hour. You can testify,” said he +to Jarno, “and you, too, Meister,” turning to Wilhelm, +“how many people I commodiously stowed that time in my +castle. Let me have the list of persons and servants; let me +see how they are lodged at present: I will make a plan of +dislocation, such that, with the very smallest inconvenience, +every one shall find a suitable apartment; and there shall be +room enough to hold another guest if one should accidentally +arrive.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Jarno at once offered the count his assistance, procured +him all the necessary information; taking great delight, as +usual, if he could now and then contrive to lead him astray, +and leave him in awkward difficulties. The old gentleman +at last, however, gained a signal triumph. The arrangement +was completed: he caused the names to be written on their +several doors, himself attending; and it could not be denied, +that, by a very few changes and substitutions, the object had +been fully gained. Jarno, among other things, had also managed, +that the persons who at present took an interest in each +other should be lodged together.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Will you help me,” said the count to Jarno, after every +thing was settled, “to clear up my recollections of the young +man there, whom you call Meister, and who you tell me is a +German?” Jarno was silent; for he knew very well that +the count was one of those people who, in asking questions, +merely wish to show their knowledge. The count, accordingly, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>continued, without waiting for an answer, “You, I +recollect, presented him to me, and warmly recommended +him in the prince’s name. If his mother was a German +woman, I’ll be bound for it his father is an Englishman, and +one of rank too: who can calculate the English blood that +has been flowing these last thirty years in German veins! +I will not insist on knowing more: I know you have always +family secrets of that kind, but in such cases it is in vain to +think of cheating me.” He then proceeded to detail a great +variety of things as having taken place with Wilhelm at the +castle, to the whole of which Jarno, as before, made no +reply; though the count was altogether in the wrong, confounding +Wilhelm more than once with a young Englishman +of the prince’s suite. The truth was, the good old gentleman +had in former years possessed a very excellent memory, +and was still proud of being able to remember the minutest +circumstances of his youth; but, in regard to late occurrences, +he used to settle in his mind as true, and utter with the +greatest certainty, whatever fables and fantastic combinations, +in the growing weakness of his powers, imagination might +present to him. For the rest, he was become extremely mild +and courteous: his presence had a very favorable influence +upon the company. He would call on them to read some +useful book together; nay, he often gave them little games, +which, without participating in them, he directed with the +greatest care. If they wondered at his condescension, he +would reply, that it became a man who differed from the +world in weighty matters to conform to it the more anxiously +in matters of indifference.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In these games our friend had, more than once, an angry +and unquiet feeling to endure. Friedrich, with his usual +levity, took frequent opportunity of giving hints that Wilhelm +entertained a secret passion for Natalia. How could he +have found it out? What entitled him to say so? And +would not his friends think, that, as they two were often together, +Wilhelm must have made a disclosure to him,—so +thoughtless and unlucky a disclosure?</p> + +<p class='c009'>One day, while they were merrier than common at some +such joke, Augustin, dashing up the door, rushed in with +a frightful look; his countenance was pale, his eyes were +wild; he seemed about to speak, but his tongue refused its +office. The party were astounded: Lothario and Jarno, supposing +that his madness had returned, sprang up and seized +him. With a choked and faltering voice, then loudly and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>violently, he spoke, and cried, “Not me! Haste! Help! +Save the child! Felix is poisoned!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They let him go; he hastened through the door: all followed +him in consternation. They called the doctor; Augustin +made for the abbé’s chamber; they found the child, +who seemed amazed and frightened, when they called to him +from a distance, “What hast thou been doing?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Dear papa!” cried Felix, “I did not drink from the +bottle, I drank from the glass: I was very thirsty.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Augustin struck his hands together: “He is lost!” cried +he, then pressed through the by-standers, and hastened +away.</p> + +<p class='c009'>They found a glass of almond-milk upon the table, with a +bottle near it more than half empty. The doctor came, was +told what they had seen and heard: with horror he observed +the well-known laudanum-vial lying empty on the table. +He called for vinegar: he summoned all his art to his assistance.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Natalia had the little patient taken to a room: she busied +herself with painful care about him. The abbé had run out +to seek Augustin, and draw some explanation from him. +The unhappy father had been out upon the same endeavor, +but in vain: he returned, to find anxiety and fear on every +face. The doctor, in the mean time, had been examining +the almond-milk in the glass; he found it to contain a powerful +mixture of opium: the child was lying on the sofa, +seeming very sick; he begged his father “not to let them +pour more stuff into him, not to let them plague him any +more.” Lothario had sent his people, and had ridden off +himself, endeavoring to find some trace of Augustin. Natalia +sat beside the child; he took refuge in her lap, and +entreated earnestly for her protection, earnestly for a little +piece of sugar: the vinegar, he said, was biting sour. The +doctor granted his request; the child was in a frightful agitation; +they were obliged to let him have a moment’s rest. +The doctor said that every means had been adopted: he +would continue to do his utmost. The count came near, +with an air of displeasure; his look was earnest, even solemn; +he laid his hands upon the child, turned his eyes to +heaven, and remained some moments in that attitude. Wilhelm, +who was lying inconsolable on a seat, sprang up, and, +casting a despairing look at Natalia, left the room. Shortly +afterwards the count, too, left it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I cannot understand,” said the doctor, having paused a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>little, “how it comes that there is not the smallest trace of +danger visible about the child. At a single gulp he must +have swallowed an immense dose of opium; yet I find no +movement in his pulse but what may be ascribed to our remedies, +and to the terror we have put him into.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>In a few minutes Jarno entered, with intelligence that +Augustin had been discovered in the upper story, lying in his +blood: a razor had been found beside him; to all appearance +he had cut his throat. The doctor hastened out: he met the +people carrying down the body. The unhappy man was laid +upon a bed, and accurately examined: the cut had gone +across the windpipe; a copious loss of blood had been succeeded +by a swoon; yet it was easy to observe that life, that +hope, was still there. The doctor put the body in a proper +posture, joined the edges of the wound, and bandaged it. +The night passed sleepless and full of care to all. Felix +would not quit Natalia; Wilhelm sat before her on a stool; +he had the boy’s feet upon his lap; the head and breast were +lying upon hers. Thus did they divide the pleasing burden +and the painful anxiety, and continue, till the day broke, in +their uncomfortable, sad position. Natalia had given her +hand to Wilhelm; they did not speak a word; they looked +at the child, and then at one another. Lothario and Jarno +were sitting at the other end of the room, and carrying on a +most important conversation,—which, did not the pressure +of events forbid us, we would gladly lay before our readers. +The boy slept softly: he awoke quite cheerful early in the +morning, and demanded a piece of bread and butter.</p> + +<p class='c009'>So soon as Augustin had in some degree recovered, they +endeavored to obtain some explanation from him. They +learned with difficulty, and by slow degrees, that having, by +the count’s unlucky shifting, been appointed to the same +chamber with the abbé, he had found the manuscript in +which his story was recorded. Struck with horror on perusing +it, he felt that it was now impossible for him to live, on +which he had recourse, as usual, to the laudanum: this he +poured into a glass of almond-milk, and raised it to his +mouth; but he shuddered when it reached his lips: he set it +down untasted, went out to walk once more across the garden, +and behold the face of nature; and, on his return, he +found the child employed in filling up the glass out of which +it had been drinking.</p> + +<p class='c009'>They entreated the unhappy creature to be calm: he seized +Wilhelm by the hand with a spasmodic grasp, and cried, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>“Ah! why did I not leave thee long ago? I knew well that +I should kill the boy, and he me.”—“The boy lives!” said +Wilhelm. The doctor, who had listened with attention, now +inquired of Augustin if all the drink was poisoned. “No,” +replied he, “nothing but the glass.”—“By the luckiest +chance, then,” cried the doctor, “the boy has drunk from +the bottle! A benignant genius has guided his hand, that +he did not catch at death, which stood so near and ready for +him.”—“No, no!” cried Wilhelm, with a groan, and <a id='tn-uponhiseyes'></a>clapping +both his hands upon his eyes. “How dreadful are the +words! Felix said expressly that he drank, not from the +bottle, but the glass. His health is but a show: he will die +among our hands.” Wilhelm hastened out: the doctor went +below, and taking Felix up, with much caressing, asked, +“Now, did not you, my pretty boy? You drank from the +bottle, not the glass?” The child began to cry. The doctor +secretly informed Natalia how the matter stood: she also +strove in vain to get the truth from Felix, who but cried the +more,—cried till he fell asleep.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm watched by him: the night went peacefully away. +Next morning Augustin was found lying dead in bed: he +had cheated his attendants by a seeming rest, had silently +loosened the bandages, and bled to death. Natalia went to +walk with Felix: he was sportful as in his happiest days. +“You are always good to me,” said Felix, “you never +scold, you never beat, me: I will tell you the truth, I did +drink from the bottle. Mamma Aurelia used to rap me over +the fingers every time I touched the bottle: father looked so +sour, I thought he would beat me.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>With winged steps Natalia hastened to the castle: Wilhelm +came, still overwhelmed with care, to meet her. “Happy +father!” cried she, lifting up the child, and throwing it +into his arms: “there is thy son again! He drank from +the bottle: his naughtiness has saved him.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They told the count the happy issue; but he listened with +a smiling, silent, modest air of knowingness, like one tolerating +the error of worthy men. Jarno, attentive to all, could +not explain this lofty self-complacency, till, after many +windings, he at last discovered it to be his lordship’s firm +belief, that the child had really taken poison, and that he +himself, by prayer and the laying on of hands, had miraculously +counteracted the effects of it. After such a feat, his +lordship now determined on departing. Every thing, as usual +with him, was made ready in a moment: the fair countess, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>when about to go, took Wilhelm’s hand before parting with +her sister’s; she then pressed both their hands between her +own, turned quickly round, and stepped into the carriage.</p> + +<p class='c009'>So many terrible and strange events, crowding one upon +the back of another, inducing an unusual mode of life, and +putting every thing into disorder and perplexity, had brought +a sort of feverish movement into all departments of the +house. The hours of sleep and waking, of eating, drinking, +and social conversation, were inverted. Except Theresa, +none of them had kept in their accustomed course. The men +endeavored, by increased potations, to recover their good-humor; +and, thus communicating to themselves an artificial +vivacity, they drove away that natural vivacity which alone +imparts to us true cheerfulness, and strength for action.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, in particular, was moved and agitated by the +keenest feelings. Those unexpected, frightful incidents had +thrown him out of all condition to resist a passion which had +so forcibly seized his heart. Felix was restored to him, yet +still it seemed that he had nothing: Werner’s letters, the +directions for his journey, were in readiness; there was nothing +wanting but the resolution to remove. Every thing conspired +to hasten him. He could not but conjecture that +Lothario and Theresa were awaiting his departure, that they +might be wedded. Jarno was unusually silent: you would +have said that he had lost a portion of his customary cheerfulness. +Happily the doctor helped our friend, in some degree, +from this embarrassment: he declared him sick, and +set about administering medicine to him.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The company assembled always in the evening: Friedrich, +the wild madcap, who usually drank more wine than was +meet, took possession of the talk, and by a thousand frolicsome +citations, fantasies, and waggish allusions, often kept +the party laughing, often, also, threw them into awkward +difficulties, by the liberty he took to think aloud.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In the sickness of his friend he seemed to have little faith. +Once, when they were all together, “Pray, doctor,” cried he, +“how is it you call the malady our friend is laboring under? +Will none of the three thousand names with which you decorate +your ignorance apply to it? The disease at least is +not without examples. There is one such case,” continued +he, with an emphatic tone, “in the Egyptian or Babylonian +history.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The company looked at one another, and smiled.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What call you the king?”—cried he, and stopped +<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>short a moment. “Well, if you will not help me, I must +help myself.” He threw the door-leaves up, and pointed to +the large picture in the ante-chamber. “What call you the +goat-beard there, with the crown on, who is standing at the +foot of the bed, making such a rueful face about his sick son? +How call you the beauty who enters, and in her modest, +roguish eyes, at once brings poison and antidote? How call +you the quack of a doctor, who at this moment catches a +glimpse of the reality, and, for the first time in his life, takes +occasion to prescribe a reasonable recipe, to give a drug which +cures to the very heart, and is at once salutiferous and +savory?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>In this manner he continued babbling. The company +took it with as good a face as might be, hiding their embarrassment +behind a forced laugh. A slight blush overspread +Natalia’s cheeks, and betrayed the movements of her heart. +By good fortune she was walking up and down with Jarno: +on coming to the door, with a cunning motion she slipped +out, walked once or twice across the ante-chamber, and retired +to her room.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The company were silent: Friedrich began to dance and +sing,—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Wonders will ye see anon!</div> + <div class='line'> Whatsoever’s done is done,</div> + <div class='line'> Said’s whatever’s said: straightway,</div> + <div class='line'> E’er’t be day,</div> + <div class='line'> Wonders will be shown.”</div> + <div class='c013'>—<i>Editor’s version.</i></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>Theresa had gone out to find Natalia: Friedrich pulled the +doctor forward to the picture, pronounced a ridiculous eulogium +on medicine, and glided from the room.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lothario had been standing all the while in the recess of a +window: he was looking, without motion, down into the garden. +Wilhelm was in the most dreadful state. Left alone +with his friend, he still kept silence for a time; he ran with +a hurried glance over all his history, and at last, with shuddering, +surveyed his present situation: he started up, and +cried, “If I am to blame for what is happening, for what +you and I are suffering, punish me. In addition to my other +miseries, deprive me of your friendship, and let me wander, +without comfort, forth into the wide world, in which I should +have mingled, and withdrawn myself from notice, long ago. +But if you see in me the victim of a cruel entanglement of +chance, out of which I could not thread my way, then give +<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>me the assurance of your love, of your friendship, on a +journey which I dare not now postpone. A time will come +when I may tell you what has passed of late within me. +Perhaps this is but a punishment which I am suffering, +because I did not soon enough disclose myself to you, because +I hesitated to display myself entirely as I was: you +would have assisted me, you would have helped me out in +proper season. Again and again have my eyes been opened +to my conduct; but it was ever too late, it was ever in vain! +How richly do I merit Jarno’s censure! I imagined I had +seized it: how firmly did I purpose to employ it, to commence +another life! Could I, might I, have done so? It +avails not for mortals to complain of fate or of themselves. +We are wretched, and appointed for wretchedness; and what +does it matter whether blame of ours, higher influence or +chance, virtue or vice, wisdom or folly, plunge us into ruin? +Farewell! I will not stay another moment in a house where I +have so fearfully violated the rights of hospitality. Your +brother’s indiscretion is unpardonable: it aggravates my suffering +to the highest pitch, it drives me to despair.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And what,” replied Lothario, taking Wilhelm by the +hand, “what if your alliance with my sister were the secret +article on which depended my alliance with Theresa? This +amends that noble maiden has appointed for you: she has +vowed that these two pairs should appear together at the +altar. ‘His reason has made choice of me,’ said she; ‘his +heart demands Natalia: my reason shall assist his heart.’ +We agreed to keep our eyes upon Natalia and yourself: we +told the abbé of our plan, who made us promise not to +intermeddle with this union, or attempt to forward it, but +to suffer every thing to take its course. We have done so: +Nature has performed her part; our mad brother only shook +the ripe fruit from the branch. And now, since we have +come together so unusually, let us lead no common life: let +us work together in a noble manner, and for noble purposes! +It is inconceivable how much a man of true culture can accomplish +for himself and others, if, without attempting to +rule, he can be the guardian over many; can induce them +to do that in season which they are at any rate disposed +enough to do; can guide them to their objects, which in general +they see with due distinctness, though they miss the +road to them. Let us make a league for this: it is no +enthusiasm, but an idea which may be fully executed, which, +indeed, is often executed, only with imperfect consciousness, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>by people of benevolence and worth. Natalia is a living +instance of it. No other need attempt to rival the plan of +conduct which has been prescribed by Nature for that pure +and noble soul.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He had more to say, but Friedrich with a shout came +jumping in. “What a garland have I earned!” cried he: +“how will you reward me? Myrtle, laurel, ivy, leaves of +oak, the freshest you can find, come twist them: I have +merits far beyond them all. Natalia is thine! I am the +conjurer who raised this treasure for thee.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He raves,” said Wilhelm: “I must go.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Art thou empowered to speak?” inquired Lothario, +holding Wilhelm from retiring.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“By my own authority,” said Friedrich, “and the grace +of God. It was thus I was the wooer, thus I am the messenger: +I listened at the door; she told the abbé every +thing.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Barefaced rogue! who bade thee listen?” said Lothario.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Who bade her bolt the door?” cried Friedrich. “I +heard it all: she was in a wondrous pucker. In the night +when Felix seemed so ill, and was lying half upon her knees, +and thou wert sitting comfortless before her, sharing the +beloved load, she made a vow, that, if the child died, she +would confess her love to thee, and offer thee her hand. +And now, when the child lives, why should she change her +mind? What we promise under such conditions, we keep +under any. Nothing wanting but the parson! He will +come, and marvel what strange news he brings.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The abbé entered. “We know it all,” cried Friedrich: +“be as brief as possible; it is mere formality you come +for,—they never send for you or me on any other score.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He has listened,” said the baron. “Scandalous!” +exclaimed the abbé.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Now, quick!” said Friedrich. “How stands it with the +ceremonies? These we can reckon on our fingers. You +must travel: the marchese’s invitation answers to a hair’s-breadth. +If we had you once beyond the Alps, it will all be +right: the people are obliged to you for undertaking any +thing surprising; you procure them an amusement which +they are not called to pay for. It is as if you gave a free +ball: all ranks partake in it.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In such popular festivities,” replied the abbé, “you +have done the public much service in your time; but to-day, +it seems, you will not let me speak at all.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>“If it is not just as I have told it,” answered Friedrich, +“let us have it better. Come round, come round: we must +see them both together.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lothario embraced his friend, and led him to Natalia, +who, with Theresa, came to meet them. All were silent.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“No loitering!” cried Friedrich. “In two days you +may be ready for your travels. Now, think you, friend,” +continued he, addressing Wilhelm, “when we first scraped +acquaintance, and I asked you for the pretty nosegay, who +could have supposed you were ever to receive a flower like +this from me?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Do not, at the moment of my highest happiness, remind +me of those times!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Of which you need not be ashamed, any more than one +need be ashamed of his descent. The times were very good +times: only I cannot but laugh to look at thee; to my mind +thou resemblest Saul the son of Kish, who went out to seek +his father’s asses, and found a kingdom.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><a id='tn-kingdomworth'></a>“I know not the worth of a kingdom,” answered Wilhelm; +“but I know I have attained a happiness which I have not +deserved, and which I would not change with any thing in +life.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span></div> +<div class='tp2'> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 class='c005'>MEISTER’S TRAVELS;</h2> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='scb'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c010'> + <div>OR,</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='tp4'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div>THE RENUNCIANTS.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c010'> + <div>A NOVEL.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>To travel now the Apprentice does essay,</div> + <div class='line'>And every step is girt with doubt and danger:</div> + <div class='line'>In truth, he uses not to sing or pray;</div> + <div class='line'>But, is his path perplexed, this toilsome ranger</div> + <div class='line'>Does turn an earnest eye, when mist’s above him,</div> + <div class='line'>To his own heart, and to the hearts that love him.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>Scarce could tell you rightly</div> + <div class='line in2'>Whether I’m the same or not,</div> + <div class='line'>If you task me very tightly:</div> + <div class='line in2'>Yes, this is my sense you’ve got,—</div> + <div class='line'>Sense that vexes, then assuages,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Now too light, and now too dark,</div> + <div class='line'>But in some few hundred pages</div> + <div class='line in2'>May again come to the mark.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>Does Fortune try thee? She had cause to do’t:</div> + <div class='line'>She wished thee temperate; obey, be mute!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>What, shap’st thou here at the world! ’tis shapen long ago;</div> + <div class='line'>The Maker shaped it, <em>he</em> thought it best even so:</div> + <div class='line'>Thy lot is appointed, go follow its hest;</div> + <div class='line'>Thy way is begun, thou must walk, and not rest;</div> + <div class='line'>For sorrow and care cannot alter thy case;</div> + <div class='line'>And running, not raging, will win thee the race.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Enweri tells us, a most royal man,</div> + <div class='line'>The deepest heart and highest head to scan:</div> + <div class='line'>“In every place, at every time, thy surest chance</div> + <div class='line'>Lies in decision, justice, tolerance.”</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>My inheritance, how wide and fair!</div> + <div class='line'>Time is my estate: to time I’m heir.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Now it is day: be doing, every one;</div> + <div class='line'>For the night cometh, wherein work can none.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> + +<div class='lg-container-b'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>And so I, in Tale adjoining,</div> + <div class='line'>Lift old treasures into day;</div> + <div class='line'>If not gold or perfect coining,</div> + <div class='line'>They are metals any way:</div> + <div class='line'>Thou canst sort them, thou canst sunder,</div> + <div class='line'>Thou canst melt and make them one;</div> + <div class='line'>Then take that with smiling wonder,</div> + <div class='line'>Stamp it like thyself, my son.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span></div> +<div class='tp5'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c014'> + <div>MEISTER’S TRAVELS.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><b>THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.</b></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>Wilhelm was sitting under the shadow of a huge crag, on +a shaggy, impressive spot, where the steep mountain path +turned abruptly round a corner, down into the chasm. The +sun was still high, and brightening the tops of the pine-trees +in the clefts at his feet. He was looking at something in +his note-book, when Felix, who had been clambering about, +came to him with a stone in his hand. “What is the name +of this stone, father?” said the boy.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I know not,” answered Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Can this be gold that glitters in it so?” said Felix.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“No, no,” replied Wilhelm; “and now I remember, people +call it mica, or cat-gold.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Cat-gold!” said the boy, smiling. “And why?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I suppose, because it is false, and cats are reckoned +false too.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Well, I will note that,” said the son, and put in the +stone beside the rest with which he had already filled his +pockets.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Scarcely was this over when, adown the steep path, a +strange enough appearance came in sight. Two boys, beautiful +as day, in colored jackets which you might have taken +for outer shirts, came bounding down, one after the other; +and Wilhelm had opportunity of viewing them more closely, +as they faltered on observing him, and stopped for a moment. +Round the elder boy’s head waved rich, fair locks, +which you looked at first, on observing him; and then his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>clear blue eyes attracted your attention, which spread itself +with delight over his beautiful shape. The younger, more +like a friend than a brother, was decked with brown, sleek +hair, which hung down over his shoulders, and the reflection +of which appeared to be imaged in his eyes.</p> + +<p class='c009'>These strange, and, in this wilderness, quite unexpected, +beings, Wilhelm had not time to view more narrowly; for he +heard a man’s voice calling down round the corner of the +crag, in a serious, but friendly, tone, “Why do you stand +still? Don’t stop the way.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm looked upwards; and, if the children had surprised +him, what he now saw filled him with astonishment. +A stout, firm-set, not too tall, young man, tucked up for +walking, of brown complexion and black hair, was stepping +firmly and carefully down the rock-way, and leading an ass +behind him, which first presented its glossy, well-trimmed +head, and then the fair burden it bore. A soft, lovely woman +was seated on a large and well-pannelled saddle: in her arms, +within a blue mantle which hung over her, lay an infant, which +she was pressing to her breast, and looking at with indescribable +tenderness. The man did as the children had done,—faltered +for a moment at sight of Wilhelm. The beast slackened +its step, but the descent was too precipitous: the travellers +could not halt; and Wilhelm with astonishment saw +them vanish behind the contiguous wall of rocks.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Nothing was more natural than that this singular procession +should cut short his meditations. He rose in no small curiosity, +and looked from his position towards the chasm, to +see whether they would not again make their appearance +somewhere below. He was just about descending to salute +these strange travellers, when Felix came climbing up, and +said, “Father, may I not go home with these boys to their +house? They want to take me with them. Thou must go +too, the man said to me. Come! They are waiting down +there.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I will speak with them,” answered Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He found them at a place where the path was more level, +and he could not but gaze in wonder at the singular figures +which had so strongly attracted his attention. Not till now +had it been in his power to note the peculiarities of the group. +The young, stout man, he found, had a joiner’s axe on his +shoulder, and a long, thin iron square. The children bore +in their hands large sedge-tufts, like palms; and if, in this +point, they resembled angels, they likewise carried little baskets +<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>with shop-wares in them, thereby resembling the little +daily posts, as they pass to and fro over the mountains. The +mother also, he observed, on looking more leisurely, wore +under her blue mantle a reddish, mild-colored, lower garment: +so that “The Flight into Egypt,” which our friend had so +often seen painted, he now, with amazement, saw bodied +forth before his eyes.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The strangers exchanged salutations; and as Wilhelm, +from surprise and attention, could not speak, the young man +said, “Our children have formed a friendship in these few +moments. Will you go with us to see whether some kind +relation will not spring up between the elder parties also?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm bethought himself an instant, and then answered, +“The aspect of your little family procession awakens trust +and good will, and, to confess it frankly, curiosity no less, +and a lively desire to be better acquainted with you. For, +at the first glance, one might ask himself the question, +Whether you are real travellers, or only spirits that take +pleasure in enlivening these uninhabitable mountains by +pleasant visions?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Then, come home with us to our dwelling,” said the other. +“Come with us!” cried the children, already drawing Felix +along with them. “Come with us!” said the woman, turning +her soft kindliness from the suckling to the stranger.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Without reflecting, Wilhelm answered, “I am sorry, that, +for the present moment, I cannot follow you. This night, at +least, I must spend up at the Border-house. My portmanteau, +my papers,—all is lying up there, unpacked, intrusted +to no one. But, that I may prove my wish and purpose to +satisfy your friendly invitation, take my Felix with you as a +pledge. To-morrow I shall see you. How far is it?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We shall be home before sunset,” said the carpenter; +“and from the Border-house you are but a league and a half. +Your boy increases our household for this night, and to-morrow +we expect you.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The man and the animal set forth. Wilhelm smiled thoughtfully +to see his Felix so soon received among the angels. The +boy had already seized a sedge-tuft, and taken the basket +from the younger of his companions. The procession was +again on the point of vanishing behind a ledge of rock, when +Wilhelm recollected himself, and cried, “But how shall I +inquire you out?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Ask for St. Joseph!” sounded from the hollow; and +the whole vision had sunk behind the blue, shady wall of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>cliffs. A pious hymn, uplifted on a chorus of several voices, +rose echoing from the distance; and Wilhelm thought he +could distinguish the voice of his Felix among the rest.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He ascended the path, and thus protracted the period of +sunset. The heavenly star, which he had more than once +lost sight of, illuminated him afresh as he mounted higher; +and it was still day when he reached his inn. Once more he +delighted himself with the vast mountain prospect, then withdrew +to his chamber, where immediately he seized his pen, +and passed a part of the night in writing.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>Wilhelm to Natalia.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Now at last I have reached the summit,—the summit of the +mountains, which will place a stronger separation betwixt us +than all the tract I had passed over before. To my feeling, +one is still in the neighborhood of those he loves, so long as +the streams run down from him towards them. To-day I +can still fancy to myself that the twig which I cast into the +forest-brook may, perhaps, float down to her, may in a few +days land at her garden; and thus our spirit sends its images +more easily, our heart its sympathies, by the same downward +course. But over on the other side I fear there rises a wall +of division against the imagination and the feelings. Yet +this, perhaps, is but a vain anxiety; for over on the other +side, after all, it will not be otherwise than it is here. What +could part me from thee! From thee, whose own I am forever; +though a strange destiny sunders me from thee, and +unexpectedly shuts the heaven to which I stood so near. I +had time to compose myself; and yet no time could have +sufficed to give me that composure, had I not gained it from +thy mouth, from thy lips, in that decisive moment. How +could I have torn myself away, if the enduring thread had +not been spun which is to unite us for time and eternity? +Yet I must not speak of all this. Thy tender commands I +will not break: on this mountain-top be it the last time that +I name the word Separation before thee! My life is to become +a restless wandering. Strange duties of the wanderer +have I to fulfil, and peculiar trials to undergo. How I often +smile within myself when I read the terms which thou prescribedst +to me, which I prescribed to myself. Many of them +have been kept, many broken; but, even while breaking them, +this sheet is of use to me, this testimonial of my last confession,—of +my last absolution: it speaks to me as an authoritative +<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>conscience, and I again turn to the right path. I watch +myself; and my faults no longer rush like mountain torrents, +one over the other.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Yet I will confess to thee I many times wonder at those +teachers and guides of men who impose on their scholars +nothing but external, mechanical duties. They make the +task light for themselves as well as for the world. For this +very part of my obligations, which at first seemed the heaviest, +the strangest, I now observe with greatest ease, with +greatest satisfaction.</p> + +<p class='c012'>I am not to stay beyond three days under one roof. I am +to quit no inn without removing at least one league from it. +These regulations are, in truth, calculated to make my life a +life of travel, and to prevent the smallest thought of settlement +from taking hold of me. Hitherto I have fulfilled this +condition to the letter, not even using all the liberty it +grants me. This is the first time that I have paused: here, +for the first time, I sleep three nights in the same bed. From +this spot I send thee much that I have heard, observed, laid +up for thee; and early in the morning I descend on the other +side,—in the first place, to a strange family, I might almost +say, a Holy Family, of which, in my journal, thou wilt find +further notice. For the present, farewell; and lay down +this sheet with the feeling that it has but one thing to say, +but one thing which it would say and repeat forever; yet +will not say it, will not repeat it now, till I have once more +the happiness of lying at thy feet, and weeping over thy +hands for all that I renounce.</p> + +<div class='c016'><span class='sc'>Morning.</span></div> + +<p class='c012'>My packing is done. The porter is girding the portmanteau +on his dorsel. As yet, the sun is not up: vapors are +streaming out of all the hollows, but the upper sky is clear. +We step down into the gloomy deeps, which also will soon +brighten over our heads. Let me send my last sigh home to +thee! Let my last look towards thee be yet blinded with +involuntary tears! I am decided and determined. Thou +shalt hear no more complaints from me: thou shalt hear +only what happens to the wanderer. And yet now, when I +am on the point of ending, a thousand thoughts, wishes, +hopes, and purposes come crowding through my soul. Happily +the people force me away. The porter calls me; and +mine host has already in my presence begun sorting the +apartment, as if I were gone: thus feelingless, imprudent +<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>heirs do not hide from the departing testator their preparations +for assuming management.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><b>ST. JOSEPH THE SECOND.</b></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>Already had the wanderer, following his porter on foot, +left the steep rocks behind and above him: already were +they traversing a softer mid-range of hills, and hastening +through many a well-pruned wood, over many a friendly +meadow, forward and forward; till at last they found themselves +on a declivity, and looked down into a beautifully +cultivated valley, begirt on all sides with hills. A large +monastic edifice, half in ruins, half in repair, immediately +attracted their attention. “This is St. Joseph,” said the +porter. “Pity for the fine church! Do but look how fresh +and firm it still holds up its pillars through bush and tree, +though it has lain many hundred years in decay.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The cloister, on the contrary,” said Wilhelm, “I observe, +is kept in good state.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes,” said the other: “there is a <span lang="de"><i>Schaffner</i></span> lives here; +he manages the husbandry, collects the dues and tithes, +which the people far and wide have to pay him.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>So speaking, they had entered through the open gate into +a spacious court, surrounded with earnest-looking, well-kept +buildings, and announcing itself as the residence of some +peaceful community. Among the children playing in the +area, Wilhelm noticed Felix: the other two were the angels +of last night. The friendly trefoil came running towards +him with salutations, and assurances that papa would soon +be back. He, in the mean while, they said, must go into the +hall, and rest himself.</p> + +<p class='c009'>How surprised was Wilhelm when the children led him +into this apartment which they named the hall. Passing +directly from the court, through a large door, our wanderer +found himself in a very cleanly, undecayed chapel, which +however, as he saw well enough, had been fitted up for the +domestic uses of daily life. On the one side stood a table, +a settle, some chairs and benches; on the other side a neatly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>carved dresser, with variegated pottery, jugs, and glasses. +Some chests and trunks were standing in suitable niches: +and, simple as the whole appeared, there was not wanting +an air of comfort; and daily household life looked forth +from it with an aspect of invitation. The light fell in from +high windows on the side. But what most roused the attention +of the wanderer was a series of colored figures painted +on the wall, stretching under the windows, at a considerable +height, round three quarters of the chapel, and hanging +down to the wainscot, which covered the remainder of the +wall to the ground. The pictures represented the history of +St. Joseph. Here you might see him first employed with +his carpentry work: here he meets Mary; and a lily is +sprouting from the ground between them, while angels hover +round observing them. Here his betrothing takes place: +next comes the salutation of the angel. Here he is sitting +disconsolate among his neglected work: he has laid by the +axe, and is thinking to put away his wife. But now appears +the angel to him in a dream, and his situation changes. +With reverence he looks on the new-born child in the stable +at Bethlehem, and prays to it. Soon after this comes a wonderfully +beautiful picture. You observe a quantity of timber +lying dressed: it is just to be put together, and by +chance two of the pieces form a cross. The child has fallen +asleep on the cross; his mother sits by, and looks at him +with heartfelt love; and the foster-father pauses with his +labor, that he may not awaken him. Next follows the flight +into Egypt: it called forth a smile from the gazing traveller, +for he saw here on the walls a repetition of the living figures +he had met last night.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He had not long pursued his contemplations, when the +landlord entered, whom he directly recognized as the leader +of the Holy Caravan. They saluted each other cordially: +much conversation followed, yet Wilhelm’s chief attention +continued fixed on the pictures. The host observed the feeling +of his guest, and began with a smile, “No doubt you +are wondering at the strange accordance of this building +with its inhabitants, whom you last night got acquainted +with. Yet it is, perhaps, still more singular than you suppose: +the building has, in truth, formed the inhabitants. +For, when the inanimate has life, it can also produce what +has life.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes, indeed!” answered Wilhelm: “I should be surprised +if the spirit, which worked so powerfully in this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>mountain solitude long centuries ago, and drew round it +such a mighty body of edifices, possessions, and rights, diffusing +in return the blessings of manifold culture over the +region, could not still, out of these ruins, manifest the force +of its life on some living being. But let us not linger on +general reflections: make me acquainted with your history; +let me know how it can possibly have happened, that, without +affectation and presumption, the past again represents +itself in you, and what was, again is.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Just as Wilhelm was expecting responsive information +from the lips of his host, a friendly voice in the court cried, +“Joseph!” The man obeyed it, and went out.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“So he, too, is Joseph!” said Wilhelm to himself. “This +is strange enough, and yet not so strange as that in his life +he should personate his saint.” At the same time, looking +through the door, he saw the Virgin Mother of last night +speaking with her husband. They parted at last: the woman +walked towards the opposite building. “Mary,” cried +he after her, “a word more.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><a id='tn-inwardly'></a>“So she, too, is Mary!” said Wilhelm inwardly. “Little +would make me feel as if I were transported eighteen hundred +years into the past!” He thought of the solemn and +secluded valley in which he was, of the wrecks and silence +all around; and a strange, antiquarian mood came over him. +It was time for the landlord and children to come in. The +latter called for Wilhelm to go and walk, as the landlord had +still some business to do. And now came in view the ruins +of the church, with its many shafts and columns, with its +high peaks and walls; which looked as if gathering strength +in the influence of wind and weather; for strong trees from +of old had taken root in the broad backs of the walls, and +now, in company with grass, flowers, and moss in great quantities, +exhibited bold hanging gardens vegetating in the air. +Soft sward-paths led you up the banks of a lively brook; and +from a little elevation our wanderer could now overlook the +edifice and its site with more interest, as its occupants had +become still more singular in his eyes, and by their harmony +with their abode had awakened his liveliest curiosity.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The promenaders returned, and found in the religious hall +a table standing covered. At the upper end was an arm-chair, +in which the mistress of the house took her seat. Beside +her she had placed a high wicker-cradle, in which lay +the little infant: the father sat next this on her left hand, +Wilhelm on her right. The three children occupied the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>under space of the table. An old serving-maid brought in +a well-readied meal. Eating and drinking implements alike +pointed to the past. The children afforded matter for talk, +while Wilhelm could not satisfy himself with looking at the +form and the bearing of his saintly hostess.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Their repast over, the company separated. The landlord +took his guest to a shady spot in the ruin, where, from an +elevated station, the pleasant prospect down the valley lay +entire before them; and, farther off, the heights of the lower +country, with their fruitful declivities and woody backs, were +seen protruding one behind the other. “It is fair,” said the +landlord, “that I satisfy your curiosity; and the rather, as +I feel that you can view the strange with seriousness when +you find it resting on a serious ground. This religious foundation, +the remains of which are lying round us, was dedicated +to the Holy Family, and in old times noted as a place +of pilgrimage for many wonders done in it. The church +was consecrated to the Mother and the Son. It has lain +for several centuries in ruins. The chapel, dedicated to the +holy foster-father, still remains, as does likewise the serviceable +part of the cloister. The revenues have for many +years belonged to a temporal prince, who keeps a steward +or <span lang="de"><i>Schaffner</i></span> here: this <span lang="de"><i>Schaffner</i></span> am I, son of the last +<span lang="de"><i>Schaffner</i></span>, who also succeeded his father in the office.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“St. Joseph, though any regular worship of him has long +ceased here, had been so helpful to our family, that it is not +to be wondered at if they felt particularly well inclined +towards him: hence came it that they had me baptized by +the name of Joseph, and thereby, I may say, in some sense +determined my whole future way of life. I grew up; and, +if I used to help my father in managing the dues, I attached +myself as gladly, nay, still more gladly, to my mother, who +cheerfully distributed her bounty according to her fortune, +and for her kindness and good deeds was known and loved +over all the mountains. Erelong she would send me out, +now this way, now that; now to fetch, now to carry, now +direct; and I very speedily began to be at home in this sort +of pious occupation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In general, our mountain life has something more humane +in it than the life of Lowlanders. The inhabitants +here are nearer, and, if you will, more remote also. Our +wants are smaller, but more pressing. Each man is placed +more on his own footing: he must learn to depend on his +own hands, on his own limbs. The laborer, the post, the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>porter, all unite in one person: each of us is more connected +with the other, meets him oftener, and lives with him in joint +activity.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“As I was still young, and my shoulders could not bear +heavy burdens, I fell upon a thought of furnishing a little +ass with panniers, which I might drive before me up and down +the steep foot-paths. In the mountains the ass is no such +despicable animal as in the plain country, where the laborer +that ploughs with horses reckons himself better than he that +turns his furrow with oxen. And I walked behind my beast +with the less hesitation, as I had before observed in the +chapel, that an animal of this same sort had been promoted +to such honor as to carry God and his Mother. This chapel +was not then, however, in the state you now see it in. It +had been treated as a cart-house, nay, almost as a stable. +Firewood, stakes, implements, barrels, and ladders, every +thing that came to hand, lay huddled together in it. Lucky +that the pictures were so high, and the wainscot could stand +some hardships. But even in my childhood I used many a +time to clamber over the wood, and delight myself with looking +at the pictures, which no one could properly explain to +me. However, I knew at least that the saint whose life +stood depicted on these walls was my patron; and I rejoiced +in him as much as if he had been my uncle. I waxed in +stature; and it being an express condition, that whoever +meant to aspire after this post of <span lang="de"><i>Schaffner</i></span> must practise +some handicraft, our family, desiring that I might inherit so +good a benefice, determined on putting me to learn some +trade, and such a one, at the same time, as might be useful +here in our upland way of life.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My father was a cooper, and had been accustomed to supply +of himself whatever was required in that sort; from which +there arose no little profit, both to himself and the country. +But I could not prevail on myself to follow him in this business. +My inclination drew me irresistibly to the joiner +trade, the tools and materials of which I had seen, from infancy +upwards, so accurately and circumstantially painted +beside my patron saint. I signified my wish: nothing could +be objected to it,—the less, as in our frequent buildings the +carpenter is often wanted here; nay, if he have any sleight +in his trade, and fondness for it, especially in forest districts, +the arts of the cabinet-maker, and even of the carver, lie close +beside his province. And what still further confirmed me in +my higher purposes was a picture, which now, alas! is almost +<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>effaced. If once you know what it is meant to represent, +you may still be able to decipher the figures, when I take +you to look at it. St. Joseph had got no lower a commission +than to make a throne for King Herod. The royal seat was +to be erected between two given pillars. Joseph carefully +measures the breadth and height, and fashions a costly +throne. But how astonished is he, how alarmed, on carrying +his finished work to the place: the throne is too high, and +not broad enough. King Herod, as we know, was a man +that did not understand jesting: the pious wright is in +the greatest perplexity. The divine Child, accustomed to +follow him everywhere, and in childlike, humble sport to +carry his tools after him, observes his strait, and is immediately +at hand with advice and assistance. He requires of +his foster-father to take hold of the throne by the one side, +he himself grasps it by the other, and both begin to pull. +Easily and pliantly, as if it had been made of leather, the +carved throne extends in breadth, contracts proportionately +in length, and fits itself to the place with the nicest accuracy, +to the great comfort of the re-assured master, and the perfect +satisfaction of the king.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“This throne was, in my youth, quite distinctly visible; +and by the remains of the one side you will still be able to +discern that there was no want of carving on it,—which, +indeed, must have been easier for the painter than it would +have been for the carpenter, had such a thing been required +of him.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That circumstance, however, raised no scruples in me; +but I looked on the handicraft to which I had devoted myself +in so honorable a light, that I was all impatience to be apprenticed +to it,—a longing which was the easier to fulfil, as a +master of the trade lived in our neighborhood, who worked +for the whole district, and kept several apprentices and +journeymen about him. Thus I continued in the neighborhood +of my parents, and to a certain extent pursued my +former way of life also; seeing I employed my leisure hours +and holidays in doing those charitable messages which my +mother still intrusted to me.”</p> + +</div> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span></div> +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><b>THE VISIT.</b></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>“So passed several years,” continued the narrator. “I +very soon comprehended the principles of my trade; and my +frame, expanded by labor, was equal to the undertaking of +every thing connected with the business. At the same time I +kept managing my ancient service, which my good mother, +or rather the sick and destitute, required at my hands. I +moved with my beast through the mountains, punctually distributed +my lading, and brought back from shopkeepers and +merchants what we needed here at home.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My master was contented with me, my parents also. +Already I enjoyed the satisfaction, in my wanderings, of +seeing many a house which I had helped to raise, or had +myself decorated. For, in particular, that last notching of +the beam-ends, that carving of certain simple forms, that +branding in of pretty figures, that red painting of certain +recesses, by which a wooden house in the mountains acquires +so pleasant an aspect,—these arts were especially intrusted +to me; as I always made the best hand of such tasks, having +Herod’s throne and its ornaments constantly in my head.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Among the help-needing persons whom my mother took +peculiar charge of, were particularly young wives near the +time of their confinement, as by degrees I could well enough +remark; though, in such cases, the commissions given me +were veiled in a certain mystery. My messages, on these +occasions, never reached directly to the party concerned; +but every thing passed through the hands of a good old +woman, who lived down the dale, and was called Frau Elizabeth. +My mother, herself skilful in the art which saves life +to so many at their very entrance into life, constantly maintained +a good understanding with Frau Elizabeth; and I +often heard, in all quarters, that many a one of our stout +mountaineers stood indebted for his existence to these two +women. The secrecy with which Elizabeth received me at +all times, her pointed replies to my enigmatical questions, +which I myself did not understand, awoke in me a singular +reverence for her; and her house, which was extremely clean, +appeared to me to represent a sort of sanctuary.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Meanwhile, by my acquirements and adroitness in my +craft, I had gained considerable influence in the family. As +<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>my father, in the character of cooper, had taken charge of +the cellar and its contents, I now took charge of roof and +room, and repaired many a damaged part in the old building. +In particular, I contrived to make some fallen barns and out-houses +once more serviceable for domestic use; and scarcely +was this done when I set about cleaning and clearing out my +beloved chapel. In a few days it was put in order, almost +as you see it at present; and such pieces of the wainscot as +were damaged or altogether wanting, I had endeavored, as I +went along, to restore in the same fashion as the rest. These +door-leaves of the entrance, too, you might think, were old +enough; yet they are of my workmanship. I passed several +years in carving them at leisure hours, having first mortised +the body of them firmly together out of strong oaken planks. +Whatever of the pictures had not been effaced or injured at +that time, has since continued unimpaired; and I assisted +our glazier in a new house he was erecting, under the condition +of his putting in colored windows here.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If these figures and thoughts on the saint’s life had +hitherto occupied my imagination, the whole impressed itself +on me with much more liveliness, now that I could again regard +the place as a sanctuary, could linger in it, and muse +at leisure on what I saw or conjectured. There lay in me +an irresistible desire to follow in the footsteps of this saint: +and, as a similar history was not to be looked for in these +times, I determined on commencing my resemblance from +the lowest point upwards; as, indeed, by the use of my +beast of burden, I had already commenced it long ago. The +small creature which I had hitherto employed would no longer +content me: I chose for myself a far more stately carrier, +and got a large, stout saddle, which was equally adapted for +riding and packing. A pair of new baskets were also procured; +and a net of many-colored knots, flakes, and tufts, intermixed +with jingling tags of metal, decorated the neck of my long-eared +beast, which might now show itself beside its model +on the wall. No one thought of mocking me when I passed +over the mountains in this equipment: people do not quarrel +with Benevolence for putting on a strange outside.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Meanwhile, war, or rather its consequences, had approached +our district; for dangerous bands of vagabond +deserters had more than once collected, and here and there +practised much violence and wanton mischief. By the good +order of our provincial militia, by patrolling and prompt +watchfulness, the evil was very soon remedied: but we too +<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>quickly relapsed into our former carelessness; and, before +we thought of it, new disorders broke forth.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“For a long time all had been quiet in our neighborhood, +and I had travelled peacefully with my ass along the accustomed +paths; till one day, passing over a newly sown glade +of the forest, I observed a female form sitting, or rather +lying, at the edge of the fence-ditch. She seemed to be asleep +or in a swoon. I endeavored to recall her; and, as she opened +her eyes and sat upright, she cried with eagerness, ‘Where +is he? Did you see him?’ I asked, ‘Whom?’ She replied, +‘My husband.’ Considering her extremely youthful appearance, +I had not been expecting this reply; yet I continued, so +much the more kindly, to assist her, and assure her of my sympathy. +I learned that the two travellers had left their carriage, +the road being so heavy, and struck into a footpath to make +a shorter cut. Hard by they had been overtaken by armed +marauders; her husband had gone off fighting with them; +she, not able to follow him far, had sunk on this spot, and +lain there she knew not how long. She pressingly begged of +me to leave her, and hasten after her husband. She rose to +her feet; and the fairest, loveliest form stood before me: +yet I could easily observe that she was in a situation in which +she might soon require the help of my mother and Frau Elizabeth. +We disputed a while: for I wished, before all, to bring +her to some place of safety; she wished, in the first place, to +have tidings of her husband. She would not leave the trace +of him; and all my arguments would perhaps have been +unavailing, had not a party of our militia, which the tidings +of fresh misdeeds had again called out into service, chanced +to pass that way through the forest. These I informed of +the matter: with them the necessary arrangements were +made, the place of meeting appointed, and so the business +settled for the time. With great expedition I hid my panniers +in a neighboring cave, which had often served me +before as a repository: I adjusted my saddle for easy riding, +and, not without a strange emotion, lifted the fair burden +on my willing beast, which, knowing of itself what path +to choose, left me at liberty to walk by her side.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You can figure to yourself, without my describing it at +large, in what a strange mood I was. What I had long been +seeking I had now found. I felt as if I were dreaming, and +then again as if I were awakening from a dream. That +heavenly form which I saw, as it were, hovering in the air, +and bending aside from the green branches, now seemed to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>me like a dream which had risen in my soul through those +figures in the chapel. Soon those figures themselves seemed +to me to have been only dreams, which were here issuing in +a fair reality. I asked her many things: she answered me +softly and kindly, as beseemed a dignified distress. She +often desired me, when we reached any open height, to stop, +to look round, to listen. She desired me with such grace, +with such a deep, wistful look from under her long black eyelashes, +that I could not but do whatever lay in my power; +nay, at last I climbed to the top of a high, solitary, branchless +pine. Never had this feat of my handicraft been more +welcome to me: never had I, with greater joy, brought down +ribbons and silks from such elevations at festivals and fairs. +But for this time, alas! I came back without booty: above, +as below, I could hear or see nothing. In the end, she herself +called me down, and beckoned to me earnestly with her +hand: nay, at last, as in gliding down I quitted my hold a +considerable way up, and dropped on the ground, she gave +a scream; and a sweet kindliness spread over her face as she +saw me before her unhurt.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Why should I tell you in detail of the hundred attentions +with which I strove the whole way to be pleasing, to divert +her thoughts from her grief? Indeed, how could I? For it +is the very quality of true attention, that, at the moment, +it makes a nothing all. To my feeling, the flowers which +I broke for her, the distant scenes which I showed her, +the hills, the woods, which I named to her, were so many +precious treasures which I was giving her to obtain for +myself a place among her interests, as one tries to do by +presents.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Already she had gained me for my whole life, when we +reached our destination, at that good old woman’s door; and +I saw a painful separation close at hand. Once more I ran +over all her form; and, as my eyes came on her feet, I stooped +as if to adjust something in my girdle, and kissed the daintiest +shoe that I had ever seen, yet without her noticing me. +I helped her down, sprang up the steps, and called in at the +door, ‘Frau Elizabeth, here is a visitor!’ The good old +woman came down: and I looked over her shoulders towards +the house, as the fair being mounted the steps with graceful +sorrow, and inward, painful self-consciousness; till she +gratefully embraced my worthy old woman, and accompanied +her into the better chamber. They shut the door; and I +was left standing outside by my ass, like a man that has +<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>delivered a loading of precious wares, and is again as poor +a carrier as before.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><b>THE LILY-STALK.</b></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>“I was still lingering in my departure, for I knew not +what to do if I were gone, when Frau Elizabeth came to the +door, and desired me to send my mother down to her, and +then to go about, and, if possible, get tidings of the husband. +‘Mary begs you very much to do this,’ said she. ‘Can I +not speak with her again myself?’ replied I. ‘That will not +do,’ said Elizabeth; and we parted. In a short time I +reached our dwelling: my mother was ready that same night +to go over, and be helpful to the young stranger. I hastened +down the country, thinking I should get the surest intelligence +at the <span lang="de"><i>Amtmann’s</i></span>. But the <span lang="de"><i>Amtmann</i></span> himself was +still in uncertainty; and, as I was known to him, he invited +me to pass the night there. It seemed interminably long; +and still I had the fair form before my eyes, as she sat gently +swaying in the saddle, and looking down to me so sorrowful +and friendly. Every moment I hoped for news. To the +worthy husband I honestly wished life and safety, and yet +I liked so well to fancy her a widow! The ranging troops by +little and little collected; and, after many variable rumors, +the certainty at last came to light, that the carriage was +saved, but the hapless traveller dead of his wounds in a +neighboring village. I learned also, that, according to our +first arrangement, some of the party had gone to communicate +the melancholy tidings to Frau Elizabeth: consequently I had +nothing more to do there. Yet a boundless impatience, an +immeasurable longing, drove me over wood and mountain +once more to her threshold. It was dark; the door was +shut; I saw light in the room, I saw shadows moving on the +curtains; and thus I sat watching on a bench opposite the +house; still on the point of knocking, and still withheld by +many considerations.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But why should I go on describing to you what is in +itself of no interest? In short, next morning, too, the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>house was shut against me. They knew the heavy tidings, +they needed me no further; they sent me to my father, to +my work; they would not answer my inquiries; they wanted +to be rid of me.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“For eight days this sort of treatment had continued, +when at last Frau Elizabeth called me in. ‘Step softly, my +friend,’ said she, ‘but enter without scruple.’ She led me +into a trim apartment, where, in the corner, through the +half-opened curtains, I saw my fair one dressed, and sitting +upright in the bed. Frau Elizabeth went towards her as if +to announce me, lifted something from the bed, and brought +it me,—wrapped in the whitest swathings, the prettiest boy! +Frau Elizabeth held it straight betwixt the mother and me; +and just then the lily-stalk occurred to me, which, in the +picture, springs from the ground between Joseph and Mary, +as witness of the purity of their affection. From that +moment I was certain of my cause, certain of my happiness. +I could approach her with freedom, speak with her, bear her +heavenly eye, take the boy on my arm, and imprint a warm +kiss on his brow.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘How I thank you for the love you bear to that orphan +child!’ said the mother. Unthinkingly and briskly I cried, +‘It is no orphan any longer, if you like!’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Frau Elizabeth, more prudent than I, took the child from +my hands, and got me put away.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To this hour, when I chance to be wandering over our +mountains and forests, the remembrance of that time forms +my happiest entertainment. I can still recall the slightest +particulars; which, however, as is fit, I spare you at present. +Weeks passed on: Mary was recovered; I could see her +oftener; my intercourse with her was a train of services and +attentions. Her family circumstances allowed her to choose +a residence according to her pleasure. She first staid with +Frau Elizabeth: then she paid us a visit, to thank my mother +and me for so many and such friendly helps. She liked to +live with us, and I flattered myself that it was partly on +my account. What I wished to tell her, however, and durst +not utter, came to words in a singular and pretty wise, when +I took her into the chapel, which I had then fitted up as a +habitual apartment. I showed her the pictures, and explained +them to her one after the other, and, so doing, unfolded +the duties of a foster-father in so vivid and cordial a +manner that the tears came into her eyes, and I could not +get to the end of my picture exhibition. I thought myself +<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>certain of her affection, though I was not proud enough to +wish so soon to efface the memory of her husband. The +law imposes on widows a year of mourning; and, in truth, +such an epoch, which includes in it the change of all earthly +things, is necessary for a feeling heart, to alleviate the +painful impressions of a great loss. We see the flowers +fade and the leaves fall; but we likewise see fruits ripen, and +new buds shoot forth. Life belongs to the living, and he +who lives must be prepared for vicissitudes.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I now spoke with my mother on the concern which lay +so near my heart. She thereupon disclosed to me how +grievous to Mary the death of her husband had been, and +how she had borne up and gathered courage again, solely +from the thought that she must live for her child. My inclination +was not unknown to the women, and already Mary +had accustomed herself to the idea of living with us. She +staid a while longer in the neighborhood: then she came up +to us, and we lived for a time in the gentlest and happiest +state of betrothment. At last we wedded. That feeling +which had first drawn us together did not fade away. The +duties and joys of the father and the foster-father were +united: and so our little family, as it increased, did certainly +surpass its prototype in number of persons; but the virtues +of that pattern, in respect to faithfulness, and purity of sentiments, +were sacredly maintained and practised by us. And +so also in friendly habitude we keep up the external appearance +which we, by accident, arrived at, and which fits our +internal state so well; for though all of us are good walkers, +and stout bearers of weight, the beast of burden still remains +in our company, when any business or visit takes us through +these mountains and valleys. As you met us last night, so +does the whole country know us; and we feel proud that our +walk and conversation are of such a sort as not to throw +disgrace on the saintly name and figure whose imitators we +profess to be.”</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>Wilhelm to Natalia.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>I now conclude a pleasant, half-marvellous history, which +I have just written down for thee, from the mouth of a very +worthy man. If I have not always given his very words; +if here and there, in describing his sentiments, I have expressed +my own,—this, considering the relationship of mind +I feel with him, was natural enough. His reverence for his +wife, does it not resemble that which I entertain for thee? +<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>And is there not, even in the first meeting of these lovers, +something similar to ours? But that he is fortunate enough +to walk beside his animal, as it bears the doubly beautiful +burden; that he can enter at evenings, with his family possession, +through the old cloister-gate; that he is inseparable +from his own loved ones,—in all this, I may well secretly +envy him. Yet I must not complain of my destiny; seeing +I have promised thee that I will suffer and be silent, as thou +also hast undertaken.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Many a fair feature in the domestic union of these devout +and cheerful persons I have been obliged to omit, for how +could it be depicted in writing? Two days have passed over +me agreeably, but the third warns me to be mindful of my +farther wayfaring.</p> + +<p class='c012'>With Felix I had a little quarrel to-day. He was almost +for compelling me to break through one wholesome regulation, +for which I stand engaged to thee. It has been an +error, a misfortune, in short, an arrangement of Fate with +me hitherto, that, before I am aware, my company increases; +that I take a new burden on my shoulders, which thenceforth +I have to bear, and drag along with me. So, in my +present wanderings, no third party is to become a permanent +associate with us. We are, we will and must continue, Two; +and just now a new, and not very pleasing, connection, +seemed about to be established.</p> + +<p class='c012'>To the children of the house, with whom Felix has gayly +passed these days in sporting, there had joined himself a +little merry beggar-boy, who, submitting to be used or misused +as the play required, had very soon got into favor +with Felix. By various hints and expressions, I now gathered +that the latter had found himself a playmate for the +next stage of our journey. The boy is known in this quarter, +and everywhere tolerated for his lively humor, and now +and then obtains an alms. Me, however, he did not please; +and I desired our host to get him sent away. This likewise +took place; but Felix was angry at it, and we had a little +flaw of discord.</p> + +<p class='c012'>In the course of this affair, I discovered something which +was pleasant to me. In the corner of the chapel, or hall, +stood a box of stones, which Felix, who, since our wanderings +through the mountains, has acquired an excessive fondness +for minerals, eagerly drew forth and examined. Many +pretty eye-catching things were among them. Our landlord +said the child might choose out what he liked: these were the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>remains of a large collection which a friend had despatched +thence a short while ago. He called this person Montan; +and thou wilt easily suppose how glad I was to hear this +name, under which one of our best friends is travelling, one +to whom we owe so much. Having inquired into date and +circumstances, I can now hope to meet him erelong on my +pilgrimage.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>The news that Montan was in the neighborhood had made +Wilhelm reflect. He considered that it ought not to be left +to chance alone whether he should meet with so estimable a +friend, therefore he inquired of his landlord if they did not +know towards what quarter this traveller had turned his +course. No one had any information on this point; and +Wilhelm had determined to pursue his pilgrimage on the former +plan, when Felix cried, “If father were not so strange, +we might soon find Montan.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What way?” said Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix answered, “Little Fitz told us last night that he +could trace out the stranger gentleman, who had many fine +stones with him, and understood them well.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>After some talking, Wilhelm at last resolved on making +the experiment; purposing, in the course of it, to keep so +much the sharper watch on the suspicious boy. Fitz was +soon found; and, hearing what was to be done, he soon +produced mallet and chisel, and a stout hammer, with a little +bag, and set forth, running merrily before the party, in his +mining accoutrements.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The way went to a side, and up the mountains. The +children skipped on together, from crag to crag, over stock +and stone, over brook and bourn; and, without having any +path before him, Fitz pressed rapidly upwards, now looking +to the right hand, now to the left. As Wilhelm, and especially +the laden porter, could not follow so fast, the boys +often ran back and forward, singing and whistling. The +aspect of some new trees arrested the attention of Felix, +who now, for the first time, formed acquaintance with larches +and fir-cones, and curiously surveyed the strange gentian +shrubs. And thus, in their toilsome wandering, there lacked +<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>not from time to time a little entertainment. But all at once +they were fronted by a barricado of trees, which a storm had +hurled together in a confused mass. “This was not in my +reckoning,” said Fitz. “Wait here till I find my way +again, only have a care of the cave up there: no one goes +into it or near it, without getting harm, or having tricks +played on him.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The boy went off in an ascending direction: the porter, +on the other hand, grumbling at the excessive difficulty of +the way, set down his luggage, and searched sidewards and +downwards for some beaten path.</p> + +<p class='c009'>No sooner did Felix see himself alone with his father, +than his curiosity awoke, and he glided softly toward the +cave. Wilhelm, who gave him leave, observed after some +time that the child was no longer in sight. He himself +mounted to the cave, at the mouth of which he had last +seen the boy; and, on entering, he found the place empty. +It was spacious, but could be taken in at a glance. He +searched for some other outlet, and found none. The matter +began to be serious. He took the whistle which he wore at +his button-hole: an answer to his call came sounding out of +the depth, so that he was uncertain whether he should take +it for an echo, when, shortly afterwards, Felix peeped out +of the ground; for the chink through which he looked was +scarcely wide enough to let through his head.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What art thou about there?” cried his father.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Hush!” said Felix: “art thou alone?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Quite alone,” answered Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Then, go quick,” cried the boy, “and fetch me a couple +of strong clubs.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm went to the fallen timber, and, with his hanger, +cut off a pair of thick staves: Felix took them, and vanished, +having first called to his father, “Let no one into the cave!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>After some time Felix cried, “Another pair of staves, +and larger ones!” With these also his father provided +him, and waited anxiously for the solution of his riddle. +At length the boy issued rapidly from the cleft, and brought +a little box with him, not larger than an octavo volume, of +rich, antique appearance: it seemed to be of gold, decorated +with enamel. “Put it up, father,” said the boy, “and let +none see it.” Wilhelm had not time to ask many questions, +for they already heard the call of the returning porter; and +scarcely had they joined him, when the little squire also +began to shout and wave from above.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>On their approach he cried out, “Montan is not far off: +I bet we shall soon meet him.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“How canst thou know this,” said Wilhelm, “in so wild +a forest, where no human being leaves any trace behind +him?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That is my knack,” said Fitz; and, like a Will-o’-wisp, +he hopped off hither and thither, in a side direction, to lead +his masters the strangest road.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix, in the mean while, highly satisfied in the treasure he +had found, highly delighted at possessing a secret, kept close +by his father, without, as formerly, skipping up and down +beside his comrade. He nodded to Wilhelm with sparkling +eyes; glancing towards his companion, and making significant +faces, to indicate how much he was above Fitz now, in +possessing a secret entirely wanting to the other. He carried +it so far at length, that Fitz, who often stopped and +looked about, must very soon have noticed it. Wilhelm +therefore said to Felix, “My son, whoever wishes to keep +a secret must hide from us that he possesses one. Self-complaisance +over the concealed destroys its concealment.” +Felix restrained himself; but his former gay, free manner to +his comrade he could not now attain.</p> + +<p class='c009'>All at once little Fitz stood still. He beckoned the rest to +him. “Do you hear a beating?” said he. “It is the +sound of a hammer striking on the rock.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We hear it,” answered they.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That is Montan,” said he, “or some one who will tell +us of him.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Following the sound, which was repeated from time to +time, they reached an opening in the wood, and perceived a +steep, high, naked rock, towering over all the rest, leaving +even the lofty forest deep beneath it. On the top of it they +descried a man: he was too far off to be recognized. Immediately +the boys set about ascending the precipitous path. +Wilhelm followed with some difficulty, nay, danger: for the +person that climbs a rock foremost always proceeds with +more safety, because he can look out for his conveniences; +he who comes after sees only whither the other has arrived, +but not how. The boys soon reached the top, and Wilhelm +heard a shout of joy. “It is Jarno,” cried Felix to his +father; and Jarno immediately came forward to a rugged +spot, stretched out his hand to his friend, and drew him up. +They embraced, and welcomed each other into the free, skyey +air, with the rapture of old friends.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>But scarcely had they stepped asunder, when a giddiness +came over Wilhelm, not so much on his own account, as at +seeing the boys hanging over the frightful abyss. Jarno observed +it, and immediately bade all sit down. “Nothing is +more natural,” said he, “than that we should grow giddy +at a great sight, which comes unexpectedly before us, to +make us feel at once our littleness and our greatness. But +there is not in the world any truer enjoyment than at the +moment when we are so made giddy for the first time.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Are these, then, down there, the great mountains we +climbed over?” inquired Felix. “How little they look! +And here,” continued he, loosening a crumb of stone from +the rock, “is the old cat-gold again: this is found everywhere, +I suppose?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is found far and wide,” answered Jarno; “and, as +thou art asking after such things, I may bid thee notice that +thou art now sitting on the oldest mountain, on the earliest +rock, of this world.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Was the world not made at once, then?” said Felix.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Hardly,” answered Jarno: “good bread needs baking.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Down there,” said Felix, “is another sort of rock; and +there again another, and still again another,” cried he, pointing +from the nearest mountains to the more remote, and so +downward to the plain.</p> + +<p class='c009'>It was a beautiful day, and Jarno let them survey the +lordly prospect in detail. Here and there stood several other +peaks, similar to the one our travellers were on. A secondary +moderate range of mountains seemed as if struggling +up, but did not by far attain that height. Farther off, the +surface flattened still more; yet again some strangely protruding +forms rose to view. At last, in the remote distance, +lakes were visible, and rivers; and a fruitful country spread +itself out like a sea. And, when the eye came back, it +pierced into frightful depths, sounding with cataracts, and +connected with each other in labyrinthic combination.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix could not satisfy himself with questions, and Jarno +was kind enough to answer all of them; in which, however, +Wilhelm thought he noticed that the teacher did not always +speak quite truly and sincerely. So, after the unstaid boys +had again clambered off, Wilhelm said to his friend, “Thou +hast not spoken with the child about these matters as thou +speakest to thyself.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That, indeed, were a heavy requisition,” answered Jarno. +“We do not always speak, even to ourselves, as we think; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>and it is not fit to tell others any thing but what they can +take up. A man understands nothing but what is commensurate +with him. To fix a child’s attention on what is present; +to give him a description, a name,—is the best thing we +can do for him. He will soon enough begin to inquire after +causes.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“One cannot blame this latter tendency,” observed Wilhelm. +“The multiplicity of objects perplexes every one; +and it is easier, instead of investigating them, to ask directly, +whence and whither?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And yet,” said Jarno, “as children look at what is present +only superficially, we cannot speak with them of origin +and object otherwise than superficially also.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Most men,” answered Wilhelm, “continue all their days +in this predicament, and never reach that glorious epoch +in which the comprehensible appears to us common and insipid.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It may well be called glorious,” answered Jarno; “for +it is a middle stage between despair and deification.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Let us abide by the boy,” said Wilhelm, “who is, at +present, my first care. He has, somehow, got a fondness +for minerals since we began this journey. Canst thou not +impart so much to me as would put it in my power to satisfy +him, at least for a time?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That will not do,” said Jarno. “In every new department +one must, in the first place, begin again as a child: +throw a passionate interest over the subject; take pleasure +in the shell till one has the happiness to arrive at the +kernel.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Tell me, then,” said Wilhelm, “how hast thou attained +this knowledge? For it is not so very long, after all, since +we parted.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My friend,” said Jarno, “we were forced to resign +ourselves, if not forever, at least for a long season. The +first thing that occurs to a stout-hearted man, under such +circumstances, is to begin a new life. New objects will not +suffice him; these serve only for diversion of thought: he +requires a new whole, and plants himself in the middle of +it.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But why, then,” interrupted Wilhelm, “choose this +strangest and loneliest of all pursuits?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Even because of its loneliness,” cried Jarno. “Men +I wished to avoid. To them we can give no help, and they +hinder us from helping ourselves. Are they happy, we must +<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>let them persevere in their stolidities; are they unhappy, we +must save them without disturbing these stolidities; and no +one ever asks whether Thou art happy or unhappy.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is not quite so bad with them, surely,” answered +Wilhelm, smiling.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I will not talk thee out of thy happiness,” said Jarno. +“Go on thy way, thou second Diogenes! Let not thy +lamp in daylight go out! Down on that side lies a new +world before thee; but, I dare wager, things stand there as +in the old one. If thou canst not pimp, and pay debts, thou +availest nothing.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yet they seem to me more entertaining than thy dead +rocks,” said Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not they!” answered Jarno, “for my rocks are at +least incomprehensible.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>The two friends had descended, not without care and +labor, to reach the children, who were now lying in a shady +spot down below. With almost greater eagerness than their +picnic repast, the collected rock specimens were unpacked by +Montan and Felix. The latter had much to ask, the former +much to nominate. Felix was delighted that his new teacher +could give him names for all, and he speedily committed +them to memory. At length he produced another specimen, +and asked, “What do you call this, then?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Montan viewed it with surprise, and said, “Where did +you get it?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Fitz answered promptly, “I found it myself: it is of this +country.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not of this quarter,” said Montan. Felix rejoiced to +see his master somewhat puzzled. “Thou shalt have a +ducat,” said Montan, “if thou bring me to the spot where +it lies.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That is easy to earn,” answered Fitz, “but not immediately.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Then, describe the place to me accurately, that I may +not fail to find it: but the thing is impossible; for this is a +cross-stone, which comes from Santiago in Compostella, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>which some stranger has lost,—if, indeed, thou hast not +stolen it from him, for its curious look.”.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Give your ducat into my master’s hands,” said Fitz, +“and I will honestly confess where I got the stone. In the +ruined church at St. Joseph there is likewise a ruined altar. +Under the top-stones, which are all broken and heaped together, +I discovered a layer of this rock, which has been the +foundation of the other, and broke off from it as much as I +could come at. If the upper stones were cleared away, one +might find much more of it there.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Take thy ducat,” said Montan: “thou deservest it for +this discovery. It is pretty enough. Men naturally rejoice +when inanimate nature produces any likeness of what they +love and reverence. Nature then appears to us in the form +of a sibyl, who has beforehand laid down a testimony of what +had been determined from eternity, and was not to be realized +till late in time. On this rock, as on a sacred, mysterious, +primeval basis, the priests had built their altar.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, who had listened for a while, and observed that +many names, many designations, were repeatedly mentioned, +again signified his former wish, that Montan would impart +to him so much as was required for the primary instruction +of the boy. “Give that up,” replied Montan. “There is +nothing more frightful than a teacher who knows only what +his scholars are intended to know. He who means to teach +others may, indeed, often suppress the best of what he +knows; but he must not be half instructed.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But where are such perfect teachers to be had?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“These thou wilt find very easily,” replied Montan.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Where, then?” said Wilhelm, with some unbelief.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Where the thing thou art wishing to learn is in practice,” +said Montan. “Our best instruction we obtain from +complete conversance. Dost thou not learn foreign languages +best in the countries where they are at home?—where +only these and no other strike thy ear?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And so it was among the mountains,” inquired Wilhelm, +“that thy knowledge of mountains was acquired?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Of course.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Without help from men?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“At least only from men who were miners. There, where +the pygmies, allured by the metallic veins, bore through the +rock, making the interior of the earth accessible, and in a +thousand ways endeavoring to solve the hardest problems,—there +is the place where an inquiring thinker ought to take +<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>his stand. He looks on action and effort, watches the progress +of enterprises, and rejoices in the successful and the +unsuccessful. What is useful forms but a part of the important. +Fully to possess, to command, and rule an object, +we must first study it for its own sake.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Is there such a place in the neighborhood?” said Wilhelm. +“I should like to take Felix thither.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The question I can answer in the affirmative,” replied +Montan, “the project not exactly assent to. At least, I +must first tell thee, that thou hast the power of choosing +among many other branches of activity, of knowledge, of +art, for thy Felix, some of which might, perhaps, suit him +better than this sudden fancy which he has taken up at the +moment, most probably from mere imitation.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Explain thyself more clearly,” interrupted Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Thou must know, then,” said Montan, “that we are +here on the borders of a province, which I might justly call +a Pedagogic Utopia. In the conviction that only one thing +can be carried on, taught, and communicated with full advantages, +several such points of active instruction have been, +as it were, sown over a large tract of country. At each of +these places thou wilt find a little world, but so complete +within its limitation, that it may represent and model any +other of these worlds, nay, the great busy world itself.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I do not altogether comprehend what thou canst mean +by this,” interrupted Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Thou shalt soon comprehend it,” said the other. “As +down, not far from this, among the mountains, thou wilt, in +the first place, find collected round a mass of metalliferous +rocks, whatever is of use for enabling man to appropriate +these treasures of Nature, and, at the same time, to acquire +general conceptions of moulding the ruggedness of inanimate +things more dexterously to his own purposes; so down +in the lowest level, far out on the plain, where the soil +spreads into large meadows and pastures, thou wilt find +establishments for managing another important treasure +which Nature has given to men.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And this?” inquired Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Is the horse,” replied the other. “In that last quarter +thou art in the midst of every thing which can instruct one +on the training, diet, growth, and likewise employment, of +this noble animal. As in these hills all are busy digging, +boring, climbing; so there nothing is more anxiously attended +to than the young brood, springing, as it were, out of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>the ground: and every one is occupied foddering, grazing, +driving, leading, curbing them, mounting their backs, and +in all sorts of movements, natural and artificial, coursing +with them over the plain.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix, who had approached in the deepest attention, exclaimed, +interrupting him, “Oh, thither will we! That is the +prettiest, the best, of all.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is far thither,” answered Jarno; “and thou wilt find +something more agreeable and suitable, perhaps, by the way. +Any species of activity,” continued he, “attracts the fondness +of a child; for every thing looks easy that is practised +to perfection. All beginnings are hard, says the proverb. +This, in a certain sense, may be true: but we might say, +with a more universal application, All beginnings are easy; +and it is the last steps that are climbed most rarely and +with greatest difficulty.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, who had been reflecting in the mean while, now +said to Montan, “Is it actually so, as thou sayest, that these +people have separated the various sorts of activity, both in +the practice and teaching of them?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“They have done it,” said Montan, “and with reason. +Whatever any man has to effect, must emanate from him +like a second self; and how could this be possible, were not +his first self entirely pervaded by it?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yet has not a general culture been reckoned very advantageous?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It may really be so,” replied the other: “every thing in +its time. Now is the time of specialties. Happy he who +understands this, and works for himself and others in that +spirit.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In my spirit it cannot be,” replied Wilhelm; “but tell +me, if I thought of sending Felix, for a while, into one of +these circles, which wouldst thou recommend to me?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is all one,” said Jarno. “You cannot readily tell +which way a child’s capacity particularly points. For me, +I should still advise the merriest trade. Take him to those +horse-subduers. Beginning as a groom is, in truth, little +easier than beginning as an ore-beater: but the prospect is +always gayer; you can hope at least to get through the world +riding.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>It is easy to conceive that Wilhelm had many other doubts +to state, and many further explanations to require: these +Jarno settled in his usual laconic way, but at last he broke out +as follows: “In all things, to serve from the lowest station +<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>upwards is necessary. To restrict yourself to a trade is +best. For the narrow mind, whatever he attempts is still a +trade; for the higher, an art; and the highest, in doing one +thing, does all; or, to speak less paradoxically, in the one +thing which he does rightly, he sees the likeness of all that +is done rightly. Take thy Felix,” continued he, “through +the province: let the directors see him; they will soon judge +him, and dispose of him to the best advantage. The boy +should be placed among his equals, otherwise he seeks them +for himself, and then, in his associates, finds only flatterers or +tyrants.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>The third day being over, the friends, in conformity to +the engagement of our renunciants, had to part; and Jarno +declared he would now fly so far into the waste mountains, +that no one should be able to discover him. “There is nothing +more frightful,” said he, “in a state like ours, than to +meet an old, true friend, to whom we can communicate our +thoughts without reserve. So long as one is by himself, +one fancies there is no end to the novelties and wonders he +is studying: but let the two talk a while together, right from +the heart; one sees how soon all this is exhausted. Nothing +is endless but inanity. Clever people soon explain themselves +to one another, and then they have done. But now +I will dive into the chasms of the rocks, and with them begin +a mute, unfathomable conversation.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Have a care,” said Wilhelm, smiling, “lest Fitz come +upon thy track. This time, at least, he succeeded in finding +thee.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“How didst thou manage that?” said Montan. “After +all, it was only chance.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not in the least,” answered Fitz: “I will tell you my +secret for a fair consideration. You mineralogists, wherever +you go, keep striking to the right and left; from every stone, +from every rock, breaking off a piece, as if gold and silver +were hid in them. One has but to follow this trace; and, +where any corner shows a fresh breakage, there some of you +have been. One notes and notes, forward and forward, and +at last comes upon the man.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>Fitz was praised and rewarded. The friends parted.—Montan +alone, the little caravan in company. Wilhelm had +settled the place they should make for. The porter proposed +a road to it; but the children had taken a fancy for looking, +by the way, at the Giant’s Castle, of which Fitz had talked +so much. Felix was curious about the large, black pillars, +the great door, the cellar, the caves, and vaults, and hoped +he might perhaps find something there,—something of even +greater value than the box.</p> + +<p class='c009'>How he came by this he had, in the interim, informed his +father. Creeping through the cleft, it appeared he had got +down into an open space pretty well lighted, and noticed in +the corner of it a large iron chest, the lid of which, though it +was not locked, he could not lift, but only raise a very little. +To get into this, he had called to his father for the staves, +which he had employed partly as props under the lid, partly as +levers to heave it up, and so at length forcing his way into the +chest, had found it wholly empty, except for the little box +which was lying in one of the nooks. This toy they had +shown Montan, who agreed with them in opinion, that it +should be kept unopened, and no violence done to it; for it +could not be unlocked except by a very complicated key.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The porter declined going with the rest to the Giant’s +Castle, and proceeded down the smooth footpath by himself. +The others toiled after Fitz through moss and tangle, and +at length reached the natural colonnade, which, towering +over a huge mass of fragments, rose black and wondrous +into the air. Yet, without much regarding what he saw +before his eyes, Felix instantly began inquiring for the other +promised marvels; and, as none of them was to be seen, Fitz +could excuse himself no otherwise than by declaring that +these things were never visible except on Sundays and +particular festivals, and then only for a few hours. The +boys remained convinced that the pillared palace was a work +of men’s hands: Wilhelm saw well that it was a work of +Nature, but he could have wished for Montan to speak with +on the subject.</p> + +<p class='c009'>They now proceeded rapidly down hill, through a wood of +high, taper larches, which, becoming more and more transparent, +erelong exposed to view the fairest spot you can +imagine, lying in the clearest sunshine.</p> + +<p class='c009'>A large garden, seemingly appropriated to use, not ornament, +lay richly furnished with fruit-trees, yet open before +their eyes; for the ground, sloping, on the whole, had been +<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>regularly cut into a number of divisions, now raised, now +hollowed in manifold variety, and thus exhibited a complex +waving surface. Several dwelling-houses stood scattered up +and down, so that it seemed as if the space belonged to +several proprietors; yet Fitz assured them that one individual +owned and directed the whole. Beyond the garden +stretched a boundless landscape, beautifully cultivated and +planted, in which lakes and rivers might be distinguished in +the distance.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Still descending, they had approached nearer and nearer, +and were now expecting in a few moments to be in the +garden, when Wilhelm all at once stopped short, and Fitz +could not hide his roguish satisfaction; for a yawning chasm +at the foot of the mountain opened before them, and showed +on the other side a wall which had hitherto been concealed, +steep enough without, though within it was quite filled up +with soil. A deep trench, therefore, separated them from +the garden, into which they were directly looking. “We +have still a good circuit to make,” said Fitz, “before we +get the road that leads in. However, I know an entrance on +this side, which is much shorter. The vaults where the hill-water +in time of rain is let through, in regular quantities, +into the garden, open here: they are high, and broad enough +for one to walk along without difficulty.” The instant Felix +heard of vaults, he insisted on taking this passage and no +other. Wilhelm followed the children; and the party descended +the large steps of this covered aqueduct, which was +now lying quite dry. Down below they found themselves +sometimes in light, sometimes in darkness, according as the +side-openings admitted day, or the walls and pillars excluded +it. At last they reached a pretty even space, and were +slowly proceeding, when all at once a shot went off beside +them; and at the same time two secret iron-grated doors +started out, and enclosed them on both sides. Not, indeed, +the whole of them: Wilhelm and Felix only were caught. +For Fitz, the instant he heard the shot, sprang back; and +the closing grate caught nothing but his wide sleeve: he himself, +nimbly throwing off his jacket, had darted away without +loss of a moment.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The two prisoners had scarcely time to recover from their +astonishment, till they heard voices, which appeared to be +slowly approaching. In a little while some armed men with +torches came forward to the grate, looking with eager eyes +what sort of capture they had made. At the same time they +<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>asked if the prisoners would surrender peaceably. “Surrender +is not the word here,” said Wilhelm: “we are already in +your power. It is rather our part to ask, whether you will +spare us? The only weapon we have, I give up to you.” +And with these words he handed his hanger through the +grate: this opened directly, and the two strangers were led +forward by the party with great composure. After a short +while they found themselves in a singular place: it was a +spacious, cleanly apartment, with many little windows at the +very top of the walls; and these, notwithstanding the thick +iron gratings, admitted light enough. Seats, sleeping-places, +and whatever else is expected in a middling inn, had been +provided; and it seemed as if any one placed here could +want nothing but freedom.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, directly after entering, had sat down to consider +his situation: Felix, on the other hand, on recovering from +his astonishment, broke out into an incredible fury. These +large walls, these high windows, these strong doors, this +seclusion, this restriction, were entirely new to him. He +looked round and round, he ran hither and thither, stamped +with his feet, wept, rattled the doors, struck against them with +his fists, nay, was even on the point of running at them +with his head, had not Wilhelm seized him, and held him +fast between his knees. “Do but look at the thing calmly, +my son,” began he; “for impatience and violence cannot +help us. The mystery will clear up; and I must be widely +mistaken, or we are fallen into no wicked hands. Read these +inscriptions: ‘To the innocent, deliverance and reparation; +to the misled, compassion; and, to the guilty, avenging justice.’ +All this bespeaks to us that these establishments are +works, not of cruelty, but of necessity. Men have but too +much cause to secure themselves from men. Of ill-wishers +there are many, of ill-doers not few; and, to live fitly, well-doing +will not always suffice.” Felix still sobbed; but he +had pacified himself in some degree, more by the caresses +than the words of his father. “Let this experience,” continued +Wilhelm, “which thou gainest so early and so innocently, +remain a lively testimony to thy mind, in how complete +and accomplished a century thou livest. What a journey +had human nature to travel before it reached the point of +being mild, even to the guilty, merciful to the injurious, humane +to the inhuman! Doubtless they were men of godlike +souls who first taught this, who spent their lives in rendering +the practice of it possible, and recommending it to others. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>Of the beautiful, men are seldom capable, oftener of the +good; and how highly should we value those who endeavor, +with great sacrifices, to forward that good among their +fellows!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix, in the course of this consolatory speech, had fallen +quietly asleep on his father’s bosom; and scarcely had the +latter laid him down on one of the ready-made beds, when +the door opened, and a man of prepossessing appearance +stepped in. After looking kindly at Wilhelm for some time, +he began to inquire about the circumstances which had led +him by the private passage, and into this predicament. Wilhelm +related the affair as it stood, produced some papers +which served to explain who he was, and referred to the +porter, who, he said, must soon arrive on the other side, by +the usual road. This being so far explained, the official +person invited his guest to follow him. Felix could not be +awakened, and his father carried him asleep from the place +which had incited him to such violent passion.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm followed his conductor into a fair garden-apartment, +where refreshments were set down, which he was invited +to partake of; while the other went to report the state +of matters to his superior. When Felix, on awakening, perceived +a little covered table, fruit, wine, biscuit, and, at the +same time, the cheerful aspect of a wide-open door, he knew +not what to make of it. He ran out, he ran back; he thought +he had been dreaming; and in a little while, with such dainty +fare and such pleasant sights, the preceding terror and all +his obstruction had vanished like an oppressive vision in the +brightness of morning.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The porter had arrived; the officer, with another man of a +still friendlier aspect, brought him in; and the business now +came to light, as follows: The owner of this property, charitable +in this higher sense, that he studied to awaken all +round him to activity and effort, had, for several years, been +accustomed, from his boundless young plantations, to give +out the small wood to diligent and careful cultivators, gratis; +to the negligent, for a certain price; and to such as wished to +trade in it, likewise at a moderate valuation. But these two +latter classes, also, had required their supplies gratis, as the +meritorious were treated; and, this being refused them, they +had attempted stealing trees. Their attempt succeeded in +many ways. This vexed the owner the more, as not only +were the plantations plundered, but, by too early thinning, +often ruined. It had been discovered that the thieves entered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>by this aqueduct: so the trap-gate had been erected in +the place, with a spring-gun, which, however, was only meant +for a signal. This little boy had, under various pretexts, +often made his appearance in the garden; and nothing was +more natural than that, out of mischief and audacity, he +should lead the stranger by a road which he had formerly +discovered for other purposes. The people could have +wished to get hold of him: meanwhile, his little jacket was +brought in, and put by among other judicial seizures.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm was now made acquainted with the owner and his +people, and by them received with the friendliest welcome. +Of this family we shall say nothing more here, as some further +light on them and their concerns is offered us by the +subsequent history.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>Wilhelm to Natalia.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Man is of a companionable, conversing nature: his delight +is great when he exercises faculties that have been +given him, even though nothing further came of it. How +often in society do we hear the complaint that one will not +let the other speak; and in the same manner, also, we might +say, that one would not let the other write, were not writing +an employment commonly transacted in private and alone.</p> + +<p class='c012'>How much people write, one could scarcely ever conjecture. +I speak not of what is printed, though that, in itself, is +abundant enough, but of all that, in the shape of letters +and memorials and narratives, anecdotes, descriptions of +present circumstances in the life of individuals, sketches, +and larger essays, circulates in secret: of this you can form +no idea, till you have lived for some time in a community of +cultivated families, as I am now doing. In the sphere where +I am moving at present, there is almost as much time employed +in informing friends and relatives of what is transacted +as was employed in transacting it. This observation, +which for several weeks has been constantly forced on me, +I now make with the more pleasure, as the writing tendency +of my new friends enables me, at once and perfectly, to get +<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>acquainted with their characters and circumstances. I am +trusted: a sheaf of letters is given to me, some quires of a +travelling-journal, the confessions of some mind not yet in +unity with itself; and thus everywhere, in a little while, I am +at home. I know the neighboring circle, I know the persons +whose acquaintance I am to obtain: I understand them better, +almost, than they do themselves; seeing they are still +implicated in their situation, while I hover lightly past them, +ever with thy hand in mine, ever speaking with thee about +all I see. Indeed, it is the first condition I make before accepting +any confidence offered me, that I may impart it to +thee. Here, accordingly, are some letters which will introduce +thee into the circle in which, without breaking or evading +my vow, I, for the present, revolve.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><span class='fss'>THE NUT-BROWN MAID.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c017'> + <div><i>Lenardo to his Aunt.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>At last, dear aunt, after three years you receive my first +letter, conformably to our engagement, which, in truth, was +singular enough. I wished to see the world and mingle in it, +and wished, during that period, to forget the home whence I +had departed, whither I hoped to return. The whole impression +of this home I purposed to retain, and the partial and +individual was not to confuse me at a distance. Meanwhile +the necessary tokens of life and welfare have, from time to +time, passed to and fro between us. I have regularly received +money, and little presents for my kindred have been delivered +you for distribution. By the wares I sent, you would +see how and where I was. By the wines, I doubt not my +uncle has tasted out my several places of abode; then the +laces, knick-knacks, steel wares, would indicate to my fair +cousins my progress through Brabant, by Paris, to London; +and so, on their writing-desks, work-boxes, tea-tables, I shall +find many a symbol wherewith to connect the history of my +journeyings. You have accompanied me without hearing of +me, and, perhaps, may care little about knowing more. For +<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>me, on the other hand, it is highly desirable to learn, through +your kindness, how it stands with the circle into which I am +once more entering. I would, in truth, return from strange +countries as a stranger, who, that he may not be unpleasant, +first informs himself about the way and manner of the household; +not fancying, that, for his fine eyes or hair, he shall be +received there quite in his own fashion. Write to me, therefore, +of my worthy uncle, of your fair nieces, of yourself, of +our relations near and distant, of servants also, old and new. +In short, let your practised pen, which for so long a time you +have not dipped into ink for your nephew, now again tint +paper in his favor. Your letter of news shall forthwith be +my credential, with which I introduce myself so soon as I +obtain it. On you, therefore, it depends, whether you will +see me or not. We alter far less than we imagine; and circumstances, +too, continue much as they were. Not only what +has altered, but what has continued, what has by degrees +waxed and waned, do I now wish instantly to recognize at +my return, and so once more to see myself in a well-known +mirror. Present my heartiest salutations to all our people, +and believe, that, in the singular manner of my absence and +my return, there may lie more true affection than is often +found in constant participation and lively intercourse. A +thousand compliments to one and all!</p> + +<p class='c011'><i>Postscript.</i>—Neglect not, also, my dear aunt, to say a +word or two about our dependants,—how it stands with our +stewards and farmers. What has become of Valerina, the +daughter of that farmer whom my uncle, with justice certainly, +but also, as I thought, with some severity, ejected +from his lands when I went away? You see, I still remember +many a particular: I still know all. On the past you shall +examine me when you have told me of the present.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>The Aunt to Julietta.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>At last, dear children, a letter from our three-years’ speechless +traveller. What strange beings these strange men are! +He will have it that his wares and tokens were as good as so +many kind words, which friend may speak or write to friend. +He actually fancies himself our creditor, requires from <em>us</em>, in +the first place, the performance of that service which <em>he</em> so +unkindly refused. What is to be done? For me, I should +<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>have met his wishes forthwith in a long letter, did not this +headache signify too clearly that the present sheet can scarcely +be filled. We all long to see him. Do you, my dears, undertake +the business. Should I be recovered before you have +done, I will contribute my share. Choose the persons and +circumstances, as you like best to describe them. Divide +the task. You will do it all far better than I. The messenger +will bring me back a note from you.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>Julietta to her Aunt.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>We have read and considered, and now send you by the +messenger our view of the matter, each in particular; having +first jointly signified that we are not so charitable as our dear +aunt to her ever perverse nephew. Now, when he has kept +his cards hid from us for three years, and still keeps them +hid, we, forsooth, are to spread ours on the table, and play +an open against a secret game. This is not fair, and yet let +it pass; for the craftiest is often caught, simply by his own +over-anxious precautions. But, as to the way and manner of +transacting this commission, we are not agreed. To write +of our familiars as we think of them is for us, at least, a +very strange problem. Commonly we do not think of them +at all, except in this or that particular case, when they give us +some peculiar satisfaction or vexation. At other times, each +lets his neighbor go his way. You alone could manage it, +dear aunt; for you have both the penetration and the tolerance. +Hersilia, who, you know, is not difficult to kindle, has +just, on the spur of the moment, given me a bird’s-eye view +of the whole family in all the graces of caricature. I wish +it stood on paper, to entice a smile from yourself in your illness, +but not that I would have it sent. My own project is, +to lay before him our correspondence for these three years: +then let him read, if he have the heart; or let him come and +see with his eyes, if he have not. Your letters to me, dear +aunt, are in the best order, and all at your service. Hersilia +dissents from this opinion, excuses herself with the disorder +of her papers, and so forth, as she will tell you herself.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>Hersilia to her Aunt.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>I will and must be very brief, dear aunt; for the messenger +is clownishly impatient. I reckon it an excess of generosity, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>and not at all in season, to submit our correspondence to +Lenardo. What has he to do with knowing all the good we +have said of him, with knowing all the ill we have said of +him, and finding out from the latter, still more than from the +former, that we like him? Hold him tight, I entreat you! +There is something so precise and presumptuous in this demand, +in this conduct, of his,—just the fashion of your +young gentlemen when they return from foreign parts. They +can never look on those who have staid at home as full-grown +persons, like themselves. Make your headache an excuse. +He will come, doubtless; and, if he do not come, we can wait +a little. Perhaps his next idea may be, to introduce himself +in some strange, secret way, to become acquainted with us +in disguise; and who knows what more may be included in +the plan of so deep a gentleman? How pretty and curious +this would be! It could not fail to bring about all manner +of embroilments and developments, far grander than any +that could be produced by such a diplomatic entrance into +his family as he now purposes.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The messenger! The messenger! Bring up your old people +better, or send young ones. This man is neither to be +pacified with flattery nor wine. A thousand farewells!</p> + +<p class='c011'><i>Postscript for Postscript.</i>—What does our cousin want, +will you tell me, with his postscript of Valerina? This question +of his has struck me doubly. She is the only person +whom he mentions by name. The rest of us are nieces, aunts, +stewards,—not persons, but titles. Valerina, our lawyer’s +daughter! In truth, a pretty, fair-haired girl, that may have +glanced in our gallant cousin’s eyes before he went away. +She is married well and happily: this to you is no news; but +to him it is, of course, as unknown as every thing that has +occurred here. Forget not to inform him, in a postscript, +that Valerina grew daily more and more beautiful, and so at +last made a very good match. That she is the wife of a rich +proprietor. That the lovely, fair-haired maid is married. +Make it perfectly distinct to him. But neither is this all, +dear aunt. How the man can so accurately remember his +flaxen-headed beauty, and yet confound her with the daughter +of that worthless farmer, with a wild humble-bee of a brunette, +whose name was Nachodina, and who went away, +Heaven knows whither,—this, I declare to you, remains +entirely incomprehensible, and puzzles me quite excessively. +For it seems as if our pretty cousin, who prides himself on +<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>his good memory, could change names and persons to a very +strange degree. Perhaps he feels this obscurely himself, +and would have the faded image refreshed by your delineation. +Hold him tight, I beg of you! but try to learn, for our +own behoof, how it does stand with these Valerinas and +Nachodinas, and how many more Inas and Trinas have retained +their place in his imagination, while the poor Ettas +and Ilias have vanished. The messenger! The cursed +messenger!</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>The Aunt to her Nieces.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c017'> + <div>(<span class='sc'>Dictated.</span>)</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Why should we dissemble towards those we have to spend +our life with? Lenardo, with all his peculiarities, deserves +confidence. I send him both your letters; from these he will +get a view of you: and the rest of us, I hope, will erelong +unconsciously find occasion to depict ourselves before him +likewise. Farewell! My head is very painful.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>Hersilia to her Aunt.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Why should we dissemble towards those we have to spend +our life with? Lenardo is a spoiled nephew. It is horrible +in you to send him our letters. From these he will get no +real view of us; and I wish, with all my heart, for opportunity +to let him view me in some other light. You give +pain to others, while you are in pain yourself, and blind to +boot. Quick recovery to your head! Your heart is irrecoverable.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>The Aunt to Hersilia.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Thy last note I should likewise have packed in for Lenardo, +had I happened to continue by the purpose which my +irrecoverable heart, my sick head, and my love of ease, suggested +to me. Your letters are not gone. I am just parting +with the young man who has been for some time living in our +circle, who, by the strangest chance, has come to know us +pretty well, and is, withal, of an intelligent and kindly +nature. Him I am despatching. He undertakes the task +with great readiness. He will prepare our nephew, and +send or bring him. Thus can your aunt recollect herself in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>the course of a rash enterprise, and bend into another path. +Hersilia also will take thought, and a friendly revocation +will not long be wanting from her hand.</p> + +<p class='c008'>Wilhelm having accurately and circumstantially fulfilled +this task, Lenardo answered with a smile, “Much as I am +obliged to you for what you tell me, I must still put another +question. Did not my aunt, in conclusion, request you also +to inform me of another, and, seemingly, an unimportant, +matter?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm thought a moment. “Yes,” said he then: “I +remember. She mentioned a lady, named Valerina. Of her +I was to tell you that she is happily wedded, and every way +well.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You roll a stone from my heart,” replied Lenardo. “I +now gladly return home, since I need not fear that my recollection +of this girl can reproach me there.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It beseems not me to inquire what relation you have had to +her,” said Wilhelm: “only you may be at ease if in any way +you feel concerned for her fortunes.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is the strangest relation in the world,” returned Lenardo,—“nowise +a love-matter, as you might, perhaps, conjecture. +I may confide in you, and tell it; as, indeed, there +is next to nothing to be told. But what must you think, +when I assure you that this faltering in my return, this fear +of revisiting our family, these strange preparatives, and +inquiries how things looked at home, had no other object +but to learn, by the way, how it stood with this young +woman?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“For you will believe,” continued he, “I am very well +aware that we may leave people whom we know without finding +them, even after a considerable time, much altered; and +so I likewise expect very soon to be quite at home with my +relatives. This single being only gave me pause: her fortune, +I knew, must have changed; and, thank Heaven, it +has changed for the better.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You excite my curiosity,” said Wilhelm. “There must +be something singular in this.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I, at least, think it so,” replied Lenardo, and began his +narrative as follows:—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To accomplish, in my youth, the grand adventure of a +tour through cultivated Europe was a fixed purpose, which I +had entertained from boyhood; but the execution of which +was, as usually happens in these things, from time to time +<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>postponed. What was at hand attracted me, retained me; +and the distant lost more and more of its charms the more I +read of it or heard it talked of. However, at last, incited +by my uncle, allured by friends who had gone forth into the +world before me, I did form the resolution, and that more +rapidly than any one had been expecting.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My uncle, who had to afford the main requisite for my +enterprise, directly made this his chief concern. You know +him, and the way he has,—how he still rushes with his +whole force on one single object, and every thing else in the +mean while must rest and be silent: by which means, indeed, +he has effected much that seemed to lie beyond the influence +of any private man. This journey came upon him, in some +degree, unawares; yet he very soon took his measures. +Some buildings which he had planned, nay, even begun, were +abandoned; and, as he never on any account meddles with +his accumulated stock, he looked about him, as a prudent +financier, for other ways and means. The most obvious +plan was, to call in outstanding debts, especially remainders +of rent; for this, also, was one of his habits, that he was +indulgent to debtors, so long as he himself had, to a certain +degree, no need of money. He gave his steward the list, +with orders to manage the business. Of individual cases we +learned nothing: only I heard transiently, that the farmer +of one of our estates, with whom my uncle had long exercised +patience, was at last actually to be ejected; his cautionary +pledge, a scanty supplement to the produce of this prosecution, +to be retained, and the land to be let to some other +person. This man was of a religious turn, but not, like +others of his sect among us, shrewd and active withal; for +his piety and his goodness he was loved by his neighbors, +but, at the same time, censured for his weakness, as the +master of a house. After the death of his wife, a daughter, +whom we usually named the Nut-brown Maid, though already +giving promise of activity and resolution, was still too young +for taking a decisive management: in short, the man went +back in his affairs; and my uncle’s indulgence had not +stayed the sinking of his fortune.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I had my journey in my head, and could not quarrel +with the means for accomplishing it. All was ready: packing +and sorting went forward; every moment was becoming +full of business. One evening I was strolling through the +park for the last time, to take leave of my familiar trees +and bushes, when all at once Valerina stepped into my way,—for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>such was the girl’s name: the other was but a by-name, +occasioned by her brown complexion. She stepped +into my way.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lenardo paused for a moment, as if considering. “How +is this, then?” said he. “Was her name really Valerina? +Yes, surely,” he continued; “but the by-name was more +common. In short, the brown maid came into my path, and +pressingly entreated me to speak a good word for her father, +for herself, to my uncle. Knowing how the matter stood, +and seeing clearly that it would be difficult, nay, impossible, +to do her any service at this moment, I candidly told her so, +and set before her the blameworthiness of her father in an +unfavorable light.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“She answered this with so much clearness, and, at the +same time, with so much filial mitigation and love, that quite +gained me; and, had it been my own money, I should +instantly have made her happy by granting her request. +But it was my uncle’s income; these were his arrangements, +his orders: with such a temper as his, to attempt altering +aught that had been done was hopeless. From of old I had +looked on a promise as in the highest degree sacred. Whoever +asked any thing of me embarrassed me. I had so accustomed +myself to refuse, that I did not even promise +what I purposed to perform. This habit came in good stead +in the present instance. Her arguments turned on individuality +and affection, mine on duty and reason; and I will not +deny that at last they seemed too harsh, even to myself. +Already we had more than once repeated our topics without +convincing one another, when necessity made her more eloquent: +the inevitable ruin which she saw before her pressed +tears from her eyes. Her collected manner she entirely lost: +she spoke with vivacity, with emotion; and, as I still kept +up a show of coldness and composure, her whole soul turned +itself outwards. I wished to end the scene; <a id='tn-lyingatmyfeet'></a>but all at once +she was lying at my feet, had seized my hand, kissed it, and +was looking up to me, so good, so gentle, with such supplicating +loveliness, that, in the haste of the moment, I forgot +myself. Hurriedly I said, while raising her from her kneeling +posture, ‘I will do what is possible: compose thyself, my +child!’ and so turned into a side-path. ‘Do what is impossible!’ +cried she after me. I now knew not what I was +saying, but answered, ‘I will,’ and hesitated. ‘Do it!’ +cried she, at once enlivened, and with a heavenly expression +of hope. I waved a salutation to her, and hastened away.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>“To my uncle I did not mean to apply directly; for I +knew too well that with him it was vain to speak about the +partial, when his purpose was the whole. I inquired for +the steward; he had ridden off to a distance: visitors came +in the evening, friends wishing to take leave of me. They +supped and played till far in the night. They continued +next day, and <a id='tn-importunate'></a>their presence effaced the image of my importunate +petitioner. The steward returned: he was busier +and more overloaded than ever. All were asking for him: +he had no time to hear me. However, I did make an effort +to detain him; but scarcely had I named that pious farmer, +when he eagerly repelled the proposal. ‘For Heaven’s sake, +not a word of this to your uncle, if you would not have a +quarrel with him!’ The day of my departure was fixed: I +had letters to write, guests to receive, visits in the neighborhood +to pay. My servants had been hitherto sufficient for +my wants, but were nowise adequate to forward the arrangements +of a distant journey. All lay on my own hands; and +yet, when the steward appointed me an hour in the night before +my departure to settle our money concerns, I neglected +not again to solicit him for Valerina’s father.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Dear baron,’ said the unstable man, ‘how can such a +thing ever come into your head? To-day already I have had +a hard piece of work with your uncle, for the sum you need +is turning out to be far higher than we reckoned on. This +is natural enough, but not the less perplexing. To the old +gentleman it is especially unwelcome, when a business seems +concluded, and yet many odds and ends are found straggling +after it. This is often the case, and I and the rest have to +take the brunt of it. As to the rigor with which the outstanding +debts were to be gathered in, he himself laid down +the law to me: he is at one with himself on this point, and +it would be no easy task to move him to indulgence. Do +not try it, I beg of you! It is quite in vain.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I let him deter me from my attempt, but not entirely. I +pressed him, since the execution of the business depended +on himself, to act with mildness and mercy. He promised +every thing, according to the fashion of such persons, for +the sake of momentary peace. He got quit of me: the +bustle, the hurry of business, increased. I was in my carriage, +and had turned my back on all home concerns.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A keen impression is like any other wound: we do not +feel it in receiving it. Not till afterwards does it begin to +smart and gangrene. So was it with me in regard to this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>occurrence in the park. Whenever I was solitary, whenever +I was unemployed, that image of the entreating maiden, with +the whole accompaniment, with every tree and bush, the place +where she knelt, the side-path I took to get rid of her, the +whole scene, rose like a fresh picture before my soul. It +was an indestructible impression, which, by other images and +interests, might indeed be shaded or overhung, but never +obliterated. Still, in every quiet hour, she came before me; +and, the longer it lasted, the more painful did I feel the blame +which I had incurred against my principles, against my custom, +though not expressly, only while hesitating, and for the +first time caught in such a perplexity.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I failed not, in my earliest letters, to inquire of our +steward how the business had turned. He answered evasively. +Then he engaged to explain this point; then he +wrote ambiguously; <a id='tn-atlastsilent'></a>at last he became silent altogether. +Distance increased; more objects came between me and my +home; I was called to many new observations, many new +sympathies; the image faded away, the maiden herself, almost +to the name. The remembrance of her came more +rarely before me; and my whim of keeping up my intercourse +with home, not by letters, but by tokens, tended +gradually to make my previous situation, with all its circumstances, +nearly vanish from my mind. Now, however, when +I am again returning home, when I am purposing to repay +my family with interest what I have so long owed it, now at +last this strange repentance, strange I myself must call it, +falls on me with its whole weight. The form of the maiden +brightens up with the forms of my relatives: and I dread +nothing more deeply than to learn, that, in the misery into +which I drove her, she has sunk to ruin; for my negligence +appears in my own mind an abetting of her destruction, a +furtherance of her mournful destiny. A thousand times I +have told myself that this feeling was at bottom but a weakness; +that my early adoption of the principle, never to +promise, had originated in my fear of repentance, not in any +noble sentiment. And now it seems as if Repentance, which +I had fled from, meant to avenge herself by seizing this incident, +instead of hundreds, to pain me. Yet is the picture, +the imagination which torments me, so agreeable withal, so +lovely, that I like to linger over it. And, when I think of +the scene, that kiss which she imprinted on my hand still +seems to burn there.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lenardo was silent; and Wilhelm answered quickly and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>gayly, “It appears, then, I could have done you no greater +service than by that appendix to my narrative; as we often +find in the postscript the most interesting part of the letter. +In truth, I know little of Valerina, for I heard of her only +in passing: but, for certain, she is the wife of a prosperous +land-owner, and lives happily; as your aunt assured me on +taking leave.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Good and well,” said Lenardo: “now there is nothing +to detain me. You have given me absolution: let us now to +my friends, who have already waited for me too long.” To +this Wilhelm answered, “Unhappily I cannot attend you; +for a strange obligation lies on me to continue nowhere longer +than three days, and not to revisit any place in less than a +year. Pardon me, if I am not at liberty to mention the +cause of this singularity.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I am very sorry,” said Lenardo, “that we are to lose +you so soon; that I cannot, in my turn, do any thing for you. +But, since you are already in the way of showing me kindness, +you might make me very happy if you pleased to visit +Valerina, to inform yourself accurately of her situation, and +then to let me have in writing or in speech (a place of meeting +might easily be found,) express intelligence for my +complete composure.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>This proposal was further discussed: Valerina’s place of +residence had been named to Wilhelm. He engaged to visit +her: a place of meeting was appointed, to which the baron +should come, bringing Felix with him, who in the mean while +had remained with the ladies.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lenardo and Wilhelm had proceeded on their way for some +time, riding together through pleasant fields, with abundance +of conversation, when at last they approached the highway, +and found the baron’s coach in waiting, now ready to revisit, +with its owner, the spot it had left three years before. Here +the friends were to part; and Wilhelm, with a few kindly +words, took his leave, again promising the baron speedy +news of Valerina.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Now, when I bethink me,” said Lenardo, “that it were +but a small circuit if I accompanied you, why should I not +visit Valerina myself? Why not witness with my own eyes +her happy situation? You were so friendly as to engage to +be my messenger, why should you not be my companion? +For some companion I must have, some moral counsel; as +we take legal counsel to assist us, when we think ourselves +inadequate to the perplexities of a process.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>Wilhelm’s objections, that the friends at home would be +anxiously expecting the long-absent traveller, that it would +produce a strange impression if the carriage came alone, and +other reasons of the like sort, had no weight with Lenardo; +and Wilhelm was obliged at last to resolve on acting the +companion to the baron, a task on which, considering the +consequences that might be apprehended, he entered with no +great alacrity.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Accordingly the servants were instructed what to say on +their arrival, and the two friends now took the road for +Valerina’s house. The neighborhood appeared rich and fertile, +the true seat of agriculture. Especially the grounds of +Valerina’s husband seemed to be managed with great skill +and care. Wilhelm had leisure to survey the landscape accurately, +while Lenardo rode in silence beside him. At last +the latter said, “Another in my place would perhaps try +to meet Valerina undiscovered, for it is always a painful +feeling to appear before those whom we have injured; but I +had rather front this, and bear the reproach which I have to +dread from her first look, than secure myself from it by disguise +and untruth. Untruth may bring us into embarrassment +quite as well as truth; and, when we reckon up how +often the former or the latter profits us, it really seems most +prudent, once for all, to devote ourselves to what is true. +Let us go forward, therefore, with cheerful minds: I will +give my name, and introduce you as my friend and fellow-traveller.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They had now reached the house, and dismounted in the +court. A portly man, plainly dressed, whom you might have +taken for a farmer, came out to them, and announced himself +as master of the family. Lenardo named himself; and +the landlord seemed highly delighted to see him, and obtain +his acquaintance. “What will my wife say,” cried he, +“when she again meets the nephew of her benefactor? She +never tires of recounting and reckoning up what her father +owes your uncle.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>What strange thoughts rushed in rapid disorder through +Lenardo’s mind! “Does this man, who looks so honest-minded, +hide his bitterness under a friendly countenance +and smooth words? Can he give his reproaches so courteous +an outside? For did not my uncle reduce that family to +misery? And can the man be ignorant of this? Or,” so +thought he to himself, with quick hope, “has the business +not been so bad as thou supposest? For no decisive intelligence +<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>has ever yet reached thee.” Such conjectures alternated +this way and that, while the landlord was ordering out +his carriage to bring home his wife, who, it appeared, was +paying a visit in the neighborhood.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If, in the mean while, till my wife return,” said the +latter, “I might entertain you in my own way, and at the +same time carry on my duties, say you walk a few steps +with me into the fields, and look about you how I manage +my husbandry; for, no doubt, to you, as a great proprietor +of land, there is nothing of more near concernment than the +noble science, the noble art, of agriculture.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lenardo made no objection: Wilhelm liked to gather information. +The landlord had his ground, which he possessed +and ruled without restriction, under the most perfect +treatment; what he undertook was adapted to his purpose; +what he sowed and planted was always in the right place; +and he could so clearly explain his mode of procedure, and +the reasons of it, that every one comprehended him, and +thought it possible for himself to do the same,—a mistake +one is apt to fall into on looking at a master, in whose hand +all moves as it should do.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The strangers expressed their satisfaction, and had nothing +but praise and approval to pronounce on every thing they +saw. He received it gratefully and kindly, and at last +added, “Now, however, I must show you my weak side, a +quality discernible in every one that yields himself exclusively +to one pursuit.” He led them to his court-yard, showed +them his implements, his store of these, and, besides this, a +store of all imaginable sorts of farm-gear, with its appurtenances, +kept by way of specimen. “I am often blamed,” +said he, “for going too far in this matter; but I cannot +quite blame myself. Happy is he to whom his business itself +becomes a puppet, who, at length, can play with it, and +amuse himself with what his situation makes his duty.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The two friends were not behindhand with their questions +and examinations. Wilhelm, in particular, delighted in the +general observations which this man appeared to have a turn +for making, and failed not to answer them; while the baron, +more immersed in his own thoughts, took silent pleasure in +the happiness of Valerina, which, in this situation, he reckoned +sure, yet felt underhand a certain faint shadow of dissatisfaction, +of which he could give himself no account.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The party had returned within doors, when the lady’s carriage +drove up. They hastened out to meet her; but what +<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>was Lenardo’s amazement, his fright, when she stepped +forth! This was not the person: this was no nut-brown +maid, but directly the reverse,—a fair, slim form, in truth, +but light-haired, and possessing all the charms which belonged +to that complexion.</p> + +<p class='c009'>This beauty, this grace, affrighted Lenardo. His eyes had +sought the brown maiden: now quite a different figure +glanced before them. These features, too, he recollected; +her words, her manners, soon banished all uncertainty; it +was the daughter of the lawyer, a man who stood in high +favor with the uncle; for which reason also the dowry had +been so handsome, and the new pair so generously dealt +with. All this, and much more, was gayly recounted by the +young wife as an introductory salutation, and with such a +joy as the surprise of an unexpected meeting naturally gives +rise to. The question, whether they could recognize each +other, was mutually put and answered: the changes in look +were talked of, which in persons of that age are found +notable enough. Valerina was at all times agreeable, but +lovely in a high degree when any joyful feeling raised her +above her usual level of indifference. The company grew +talkative: the conversation became so lively that Lenardo +was enabled to compose himself and hide his confusion. +Wilhelm, to whom he had very soon given a sign of this +strange incident, did his best to help him; and Valerina’s +little touch of vanity in thinking that the baron, even before +visiting his own friends, had remembered her, and come to +see her, excluded any shadow of suspicion that another purpose, +or a misconception, could be concerned in the affair.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The party kept together till a late hour, though the two +friends were longing for a confidential dialogue; which, +accordingly, commenced the moment they were left alone in +their allotted chambers.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It appears,” said Lenardo, “I am not to get rid of this +secret pain. A luckless confusion of names, I now observe, +redoubles it. This fair-haired beauty I have often seen playing +with the brunette, who could not be called a beauty; +nay, I myself have often run about with them over the fields +and gardens, though so much older than they. Neither of +them made the slightest impression on me: I have but retained +the name of the one and applied it to the other. +And now her who does not concern me I find happy above +measure in her own way; while the other is cast forth, who +knows whither? into the wide world.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>Next morning the friends were up almost sooner than their +active entertainers. The happiness of seeing her guests had +also awakened Valerina early. She little fancied with what +feelings they came to breakfast. Wilhelm, seeing clearly, +that, without some tidings of the nut-brown maid, Lenardo +must continue in a painful state, led the conversation to old +times, to playmates, to scenes which he himself knew, and +other such recollections; so that Valerina soon quite naturally +came to speak of the nut-brown maid, and to mention +her name.</p> + +<p class='c009'>No sooner did Lenardo hear the name Nachodina, than he +perfectly remembered it; but, with the name, the figure also, +of that supplicant, returned to him with such violence that +Valerina’s further narrative became quite agonizing to him, +as with warm sympathy she proceeded to describe the distrainment +of the pious farmer, his submissive resignation +and departure, and how he went away, leaning on his +daughter, who carried a little bundle in her hand. Lenardo +was like to sink under the earth. Unhappily and happily, +she went into a certain circumstantiality in her details; +which, while it tortured Lenardo’s heart, enabled him, with +help of his associate, to put on some appearance of composure.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The travellers departed amid warm, sincere invitations, on +the part of the married pair, to return soon, and a faint, +hollow assent on their own part. And as a person who +stands in any favor with himself takes every thing in a favorable +light; so Valerina explained Lenardo’s silence, his visible +confusion in taking leave, his hasty departure, entirely to +her own advantage, and could not, although the faithful and +loving wife of a worthy gentleman, help feeling some small +satisfaction at this re-awakening or incipient inclination, as +she reckoned it, of her former landlord.</p> + +<p class='c009'>After this strange incident, while the friends were proceeding +on their way, Lenardo thus addressed Wilhelm: +“For our shipwreck with such fair hopes, at the very entrance +of the haven, I can still console myself in some degree +for the moment, and go calmly to meet my people, when I +think that Heaven has brought me you, you to whom, under +your peculiar mission, it is indifferent whither or how you +direct your path. Engage to find out Nachodina, and to give +me tidings of her. If she be happy, then am I content; +if unhappy, then help her at my charges. Act without reserve; +spare, calculate nothing. I shall return home, shall +<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>endeavor to get intelligence, and send your Felix to you by +some trusty person. Place the boy, as your intention was, +where many of his equals are placed: it is almost indifferent +under what superintendence; but I am much mistaken if, in +the neighborhood, in the place where I wish you to wait for +your son and his attendant, you do not find a man that can +give you the best counsel on this point. It is he to whom I +owe the training of my youth, whom I should have liked so +much to take along with me in my travels, whom, at least, I +should many a time have wished to meet in the course of +them, had he not already devoted himself to a quiet, domestic +life.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The friends had now reached the spot where they were +actually to part. While the horses were feeding, the baron +wrote a letter, which Wilhelm took charge of, yet, for the +rest, could not help communicating his scruples to Lenardo.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In my present situation,” said he, “I reckon it a desirable +commission to deliver a generous man from distress of +mind, and, at the same time, to free a human creature from +misery, if she happen to be miserable. Such an object one +may look upon as a star, towards which one sails, not knowing +what awaits him, what he is to meet, by the way. Yet, +with all this, I must not be blind to the danger which, in +every case, still hovers over you. Were you not a man who +regularly avoids engagements, I should require a promise +from you not again to see this female, who has come to be so +precious in your eyes, but to content yourself when I announce +to you that all is well with her, be it that I actually +find her happy, or am enabled to make her so. But, having +neither power nor wish to extort a promise from you, I conjure +you by all you reckon dear and sacred, for your own +sake, for that of your kindred, and of me, your new-acquired +friend, to allow yourself no approximation to that lost maiden +under what pretext soever; not to require of me that I mention +or describe the place where I find her, or the neighborhood +where I leave her; but to believe my word that she is +well, and be enfranchised and at peace.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lenardo gave a smile, and answered, “Perform this service +for me, and I shall be grateful. What you are willing +and able to do, I commit to your own hands; and, for my +self, leave me to time, to common sense, and, if possible, to +reason.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Pardon me,” answered Wilhelm; “but whoever knows +under what strange forms love glides into our hearts, cannot +<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>but be apprehensive on foreseeing that a friend may come +to entertain wishes, which, in his circumstances, his station, +would, of necessity, produce unhappiness and perplexity.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I hope,” said Lenardo, “when I know the maiden happy, +I have done with her.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The friends parted, each in his own direction.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>By a short and pleasant road, Wilhelm had reached the +town to which his letter was directed. He found it gay and +well built; but its new aspect showed too clearly, that, not +long before, it must have suffered by a conflagration. The +address of his letter let him into the last small, uninjured +portion of the place, to a house of ancient, earnest architecture, +yet well kept, and of a tidy look. Dim windows, +strangely fashioned, indicated an exhilarating pomp of colors +from within. Nor, in fact, did the interior fail to correspond +with the exterior. In clean apartments, everywhere stood +furniture, which must have served several generations, intermixed +with very little that was new. The master of the +house received our traveller kindly in a little chamber similarly +fitted up. These clocks had already struck the hour of +many a birth and many a death: every thing which met the +eye reminded one that the past might, as it were, be protracted +into the present.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The stranger delivered his letter; but the landlord, without +opening it, laid it aside, and endeavored, in a cheerful +conversation, immediately to get acquainted with his guest. +They soon grew confidential; and as Wilhelm, contrary to +his usual habit, let his eye wander inquisitively over the +room, the good old man said to him, “My domestic equipment +excites your attention. You here see how long a thing +may last; and one should make such observations now and +then, by way of counterbalance to so much in the world +that rapidly changes, and passes away. This same teakettle +served my parents, and was a witness of our evening family +assemblages; this copper fire-screen still guards me from the +fire which these stout old tongs still help me to mend; and +so it is with all throughout. I had it in my power to bestow +<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>my care and industry on many other things, as I did not occupy +myself with changing these external necessaries, a +task which consumes so many people’s time and resources. +An affectionate attention to what we possess makes us rich, +for thereby we accumulate a treasure of remembrances connected +with indifferent things. I knew a young man who +got a common pin from his love while taking leave of her, +daily fastened his breast-frill with it, and brought back this +guarded and not unemployed treasure from a long journeying +of several years. In us little men, such little things are +to be reckoned virtue.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Many a one, too,” answered Wilhelm, “brings back, +from such long and far travellings, a sharp pricker in his +heart, which he would fain be quit of.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old man seemed to know nothing of Lenardo’s situation, +though in the mean while he had opened the letter and +read it; for he returned to his former topics.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Tenacity of our possessions,” continued he, “in many +cases, gives us the greatest energy. To this obstinacy in +myself I owe the saving of my house. When the town was +on fire, some people wished to begin snatching and saving +here too. I forbade this, bolted my doors and windows +and turned out, with several neighbors, to oppose the flames. +Our efforts succeeded in preserving this summit of the town. +Next morning all was standing here as you now see it, and +as it has stood for almost a hundred years.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yet you will confess,” said Wilhelm, “that no man +withstands the change which time produces.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That in truth!” said the other; “but he who holds out +longest has still done something.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yes: even beyond the limits of our being, we are able +to maintain and secure; we transmit discoveries, we hand +down sentiments as well as property; and, as the latter was +my chief province, I have for a long time exercised the +strictest foresight, invented the most peculiar precautions; +yet not till lately have I succeeded in seeing my wish fulfilled.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Commonly the son disperses what the father has collected, +collects something different, or in a different way. +Yet if we can wait for the grandson, for the new generation, +we find the same tendencies, the same tastes, again +making their appearance. And so at last, by the care of our +pedagogic friends, I have found an active youth, who, if +possible, pays more regard to old possession than even I, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>has, withal, a vehement attachment to every sort of curiosities. +My decided confidence he gained by the violent exertions +with which he struggled to keep off the fire from our +dwelling. Doubly and trebly has he merited the treasure +which I mean to leave him,—nay, it is already given into +his hands; and ever since that time our store is increasing +in a wonderful way.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not all, however, that you see here is ours. On the +contrary, as in the hands of pawnbrokers you find many a +foreign jewel, so with us, I can show you precious articles, +which people, under the most various circumstances, have +deposited with us for the sake of better keeping.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm recollected the beautiful box, which, at any rate, +he did not like to carry with him in his wanderings, and +showed it to his landlord. The old man viewed it with attention, +gave the date when it was probably made, and showed +some similar things. Wilhelm asked him if he thought it +should be opened. The old man thought not. “I believe, +indeed,” said he, “it could be done without special harm to +the casket; but, as you found it in so singular a way, you +must try your luck on it. For if you are born lucky, and +this little box is of any consequence, the key will doubtless +by and by be found, and in the very place where you are +least expecting it.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“There have been such occurrences,” said Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I have myself experienced such,” replied the old man; +“and here you behold the strangest of them. Of this ivory +crucifix I have had, for thirty years, the body with the head +and feet in one place. For its own nature, as well as for +the glorious art displayed in it, I kept the figure laid up in +my most private drawer: nearly ten years ago I got the cross +belonging to it, with the inscription, and was then induced +to have the arms supplied by the best carver of our day. +Far, indeed, was this expert artist from equalling his predecessor; +yet I let his work pass, more for devout purposes +than for any admiration of its excellence.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Now, conceive my delight! A little while ago the original, +genuine arms were sent me, as you see them here united +in the loveliest harmony; and I, charmed at so happy a coincidence, +cannot help recognizing in this crucifix the fortunes +of the Christian religion, which, often enough dismembered +and scattered abroad, will ever in the end again gather itself +together at the foot of the cross.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><a id='tn-strangecombination'></a>Wilhelm admired the figure and its strange combination. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>“I will follow your counsel,” added he: “let the casket +continue locked till the key of it be found, though it should +lie till the end of my life.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“One who lives long,” said the old man, “sees much collected +and much cast asunder.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The young partner in the house now chanced to enter, and +Wilhelm signified his purpose of intrusting the box to their +keeping. A large book was thereupon produced, the deposit +inscribed in it, with many ceremonies and stipulations; a +receipt granted, which applied in words to any bearer, but +was only to be honored on the giving of a certain token +agreed upon with the owner.</p> + +<p class='c009'>So passed their hours in instructive and entertaining conversation, +till at last Felix, mounted on a gay pony, arrived +in safety. A groom had accompanied him, and was now, +for some time, to attend and serve Wilhelm. A letter from +Lenardo, delivered at the same time, complained that he +could find no vestige of the nut-brown maid; and Wilhelm +was anew conjured to do his utmost in searching her out. +Wilhelm imparted the matter to his landlord. The latter +smiled, and said, “We must certainly make every exertion +for our friend’s sake: perhaps I may succeed in learning +something of her. As I keep these old, primitive household +goods; so, likewise, have I kept some old, primitive friends. +You tell me that this maiden’s father was distinguished by +his piety. The pious have a more intimate connection with +each other than the wicked, though externally it may not +always prosper so well. By this means I hope to obtain +some traces of what you are sent to seek. But, as a preparative, +do you now pursue the resolution of placing your Felix +among his equals, and turning him to some fixed department +of activity. Hasten with him to the great Institution. I +will point out the way you must follow, in order to find the +chief, who resides now in one, now in another, division of his +province. You shall have a letter, with my best advice and +direction.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>The pilgrims, pursuing the way pointed out to them, had, +without difficulty, reached the limits of the province, where +<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>they were to see so many singularities. At the very entrance +they found themselves in a district of extreme fertility,—in +its soft knolls, favorable to crops; in its higher hills, to +sheep-husbandry; in its wide bottoms, to grazing. Harvest +was near at hand, and all was in the richest luxuriance; yet +what most surprised our travellers was, that they observed +neither men nor women, but, in all quarters, boys and youths +engaged in preparing for a happy harvest,—nay, already +making arrangements for a merry harvest-home. Our travellers +saluted several of them, and inquired for the chief, of +whose abode, however, they could gain no intelligence. The +address of their letter was, “To the Chief, or the Three.” +Of this, also, the boys could make nothing: however, they +referred the strangers to an overseer, who was just about +mounting his horse to ride off. Our friends disclosed their +object to this man: the frank liveliness of Felix seemed to +please him, and so they all rode along together.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm had already noticed, that, in the cut and color of +the young people’s clothes, a variety prevailed, which gave +the whole tiny population a peculiar aspect: he was just +about to question his attendant on this point, when a still +stranger observation forced itself upon him; all the children, +how employed soever, laid down their work, and turned, with +singular, yet diverse, gestures, towards the party riding past +them, or rather, as it was easy to infer, towards the overseer, +who was in it. The youngest laid their arms crosswise +over their breasts, and looked cheerfully up to the sky; those +of middle size held their hands on their backs, and looked +smiling on the ground; the eldest stood with a frank and +spirited air; their arms stretched down, they turned their +heads to the right, and formed themselves into a line; whereas +the others kept separate, each where he chanced to be.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The riders having stopped and dismounted here, as several +children, in their various modes, were standing forth to be +inspected by the overseer, Wilhelm asked the meaning of +these gestures; but Felix struck in, and cried gayly, “What +posture am I to take, then?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Without doubt,” said the overseer, “the first posture,—the +arms over the breast, the face earnest and cheerful +towards the sky.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Felix obeyed, but soon cried, “This is not much to my +taste; I see nothing up there: does it last long? But yes!” +exclaimed he joyfully: “yonder are a pair of falcons flying +from the west to the east; that is a good sign too.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>“As thou takest it, as thou behavest,” said the other, +“now mingle among them as they mingle.” He gave a signal; +and the children left their postures, and again betook +them to work or sport as before.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Are you at liberty,” said Wilhelm then, “to explain +this sight, which surprises me? I easily perceive that these +positions, these gestures, are salutations directed to you.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Just so,” replied the overseer: “salutations which, at +once, indicate in what degree of culture each of these boys +is standing.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But can you explain to me the meaning of this gradation?” +inquired Wilhelm; “for that there is one is clear +enough.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“This belongs to a higher quarter,” said the other: “so +much, however, I may tell you, that these ceremonies are not +mere grimaces; that, on the contrary, the import of them, +not the highest, but still a directing, intelligible import, is +communicated to the children; while, at the same time, each +is enjoined to retain and consider for himself whatever explanation +it has been thought meet to give him: they are not +allowed to talk of these things, either to strangers or among +themselves; and thus their instruction is modified in many +ways. Besides, secrecy itself has many advantages; for +when you tell a man at once, and straightforward, the purpose +of any object, he fancies there is nothing in it. Certain +secrets, even if known to every one, men find that they must +still reverence by concealment and silence; for this works on +modesty and good morals.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I understand you,” answered Wilhelm: “why should +not the principle which is so necessary in material things be +applied to spiritual also? But perhaps in another point you +can satisfy my curiosity. The great variety of shape and +color in these children’s clothes attracts my notice; and yet +I do not see all sorts of colors, but a few in all their shades, +from the lightest to the deepest. At the same time I observe +that by this no designation of degrees in age or merit can be +intended; for the oldest and the youngest boys may be alike, +both in cut and color, while those of similar gestures are not +similar in dress.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“On this matter, also,” said the other, “silence is prescribed +to me; but I am much mistaken, or you will not +leave us without receiving all the information you desire.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Our party continued following the trace of the chief, which +they believed themselves to be upon. But now the strangers +<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>could not fail to notice, with new surprise, that, the farther +they advanced into the district, a vocal melody more and +more frequently sounded towards them from the fields. +Whatever the boys might be engaged with, whatever labor +they were carrying on, they accompanied it with singing; +and it seemed as if the songs were specially adapted to their +various sorts of occupation, and in similar cases everywhere +the same. If there chanced to be several children in company, +they sang together in alternating parts. Towards +evening appeared dancers likewise, whose steps were enlivened +and directed by choruses. Felix struck in with them, +not altogether unsuccessfully, from horseback, as he passed; +and Wilhelm felt gratified in this amusement, which gave new +life to the scene.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Apparently,” he said to his companion, “you devote +considerable care to this branch of instruction: the accomplishment, +otherwise, could not be so widely diffused and so +completely practised.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We do,” replied the other: “on our plan, song is the +first step in education; all the rest are connected with it, and +attained by means of it. The simplest enjoyment, as well +as the simplest instruction, we enliven and impress by song; +nay, even what religious and moral principles we lay before +our children are communicated in the way of song. Other +advantages for the excitement of activity spontaneously +arise from this practice: for, in accustoming the children to +write the tones they are to utter in musical characters, and, +as occasion serves, again to seek these characters in the utterance +of their own voice; and, besides this, to subjoin the text +below the notes,—they are forced to practise hand, ear, +and eye at once, whereby they acquire the art of penmanship +sooner than you would expect; and as all this, in the long-run, +is to be effected <a id='tn-measurementsand'></a>by copying precise measurements and +accurately settled numbers, they come to conceive the high +value of mensuration and arithmetic much sooner than in +any other way. Among all imaginable things, accordingly, +we have selected music as the element of our teaching; for +level roads run out from music towards every side.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm endeavored to obtain still further information, +and expressed his surprise at hearing no instrumental music. +“This is, by no means, neglected here,” said the other, +“but practised in a peculiar district, one of the most pleasant +valleys among the mountains; and there again we have arranged +it so that the different instruments shall be taught in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>separate places. The discords of beginners, in particular, +are banished into certain solitudes, where they can drive no +one to despair; for you will confess, that in well-regulated +civil society there is scarcely a more melancholy suffering to +be undergone than what is forced on us by the neighborhood +of an incipient player on the flute or violin.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Our learners, out of a laudable desire to be troublesome +to no one, go forth of their own accord, for a longer or a +shorter time, into the wastes, and strive in their seclusion to +attain the merit which shall again admit them into the inhabited +world. Each of them, from time to time, is allowed +to venture an attempt for admission: and the trial seldom +fails of success; for bashfulness and modesty in this, as in +all other parts of our system, we strongly endeavor to maintain +and cherish. That your son has a good voice I am glad +to observe: all the rest is managed with so much the greater +ease.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They had now reached a place where Felix was to stop and +make trial of its arrangements, till a formal reception should +be granted him. From a distance they had been saluted by +a jocund sound of music: it was a game in which the boys +were, for the present, amusing themselves in their hour of +play. A general chorus mounted up; each individual of a +wide circle striking in at his time with a joyful, clear, firm +tone, as the sign was given him by the overseer. The latter +more than once took the singers by surprise, when, at a +signal, he suspended the choral song, and called on any single +boy, touching him with his rod, to catch by himself the expiring +tone, and adapt to it a suitable song, fitted also to +the spirit of what had preceded. Most part showed great +dexterity: a few who failed in this feat willingly gave in their +pledges without altogether being laughed at for their ill success. +Felix was child enough to mix among them instantly, +and in his new task he acquitted himself tolerably well. +The first salutation was then enjoined on him: he directly +laid his hands on his breast, looked upwards, and truly with +so roguish a countenance that it was easy to observe no +secret meaning had yet, in his mind, attached itself to this +posture.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The delightful spot, his kind reception, the merry playmates, +all pleased the boy so well that he felt no very deep +sorrow as his father moved away; the departure of the pony +was, perhaps, a heavier matter; but he yielded here also, +on learning that in this circle it could not possibly be kept; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>and the overseer promised him, in compensation, that he +should find another horse as smart and well broken at a time +when he was not expecting it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>As the chief, it appeared, was not to be come at, the overseer +turned to Wilhelm, and said, “I must now leave you, +to pursue my occupations; but first I will bring you to the +Three, who preside over our sacred things. Your letter is +addressed to them likewise, and they together represent the +chief.” Wilhelm could have wished to gain some previous +knowledge of these sacred things; but his companion answered, +“The Three will, doubtless, in return for the confidence +you show in leaving us your son, disclose to you, in +their wisdom and fairness, what is most needful for you to +learn. The visible objects of reverence, which I named +sacred things, are collected in this separate circle; are +mixed with nothing, interfered with by nothing; at certain +seasons of the year only are our pupils admitted here, +to be taught in their various degrees of culture by historical +and sensible means; and in these short intervals they carry +off a deep enough impression to suffice them for a time, during +the performance of their other duties.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm had now reached the gate of a wooded vale, surrounded +with high walls: on a certain sign the little door +opened, and a man of earnest and imposing look received +our traveller. The latter found himself in a large, beautifully +umbrageous space, decked with the richest foliage, +shaded with trees and bushes of all sorts; while stately walls +and magnificent buildings were discerned only in glimpses +through this thick, natural boscage. A friendly reception +from the Three, who by and by appeared, at last turned into +a general conversation, the substance of which we now present +in an abbreviated shape.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Since you intrust your son to us,” said they, “it is fair +that we admit you to a closer view of our procedure. Of +what is external you have seen much that does not bear its +meaning on its front. What part of this do you chiefly wish +to have explained?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Dignified yet singular gestures of salutation I have +noticed, the import of which I would gladly learn: with you, +doubtless, the exterior has a reference to the interior, and +inversely; let me know what this reference is.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Well-formed, healthy children,” replied the Three, +“bring much into the world along with them: Nature has +given to each whatever he requires for time and duration; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>to unfold this is our duty; often it unfolds itself better of +its own accord. One thing there is, however, which no child +brings into the world with him; and yet it is on this one thing +that all depends for making man in every point a man. If +you can discover it yourself, speak it out.” Wilhelm thought +a little while, then shook his head.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Three, after a suitable pause, exclaimed, “<em>Reverence</em>!” +Wilhelm seemed to hesitate. “Reverence!” cried +they a second time. “All want it, perhaps you yourself.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Three kinds of gestures you have seen; and we inculcate +a threefold reverence, which, when commingled and formed +into one whole, attains its highest force and effect. The +first is, reverence for what is above us. That posture, the +arms crossed over the breast, the look turned joyfully towards +heaven, that is what we have enjoined on young children; +requiring from them thereby a testimony that there is +a God above, who images and reveals himself in parents, +teachers, superiors. Then comes the second, reverence for +what is under us. Those hands folded over the back, and, +as it were, tied together; that down-turned, smiling look,—announce +that we are to regard the earth with attention and +cheerfulness: from the bounty of the earth we are nourished; +the earth affords unutterable joys, but disproportionate sorrows +she also brings us. Should one of our children do +himself external hurt, blamably or blamelessly; should others +hurt him accidentally or purposely; should dead, involuntary +matter do him hurt,—then let him well consider it; for +such dangers will attend him all his days. But from this +posture we delay not to free our pupil the instant we become +convinced that the instruction connected with it has produced +sufficient influence on him. Then, on the contrary, we bid +him gather courage, and, turning to his comrades, range +himself along with them. Now, at last, he stands forth, +frank and bold, not selfishly isolated: only in combination +with his equals does he front the world. Further we have +nothing to add.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I quite understand it,” said Wilhelm. “Are not the +mass of men so marred and stinted because they take pleasure +only in the element of evil-wishing and evil-speaking? +Whoever gives himself to this, soon comes to be indifferent +towards God, contemptuous towards the world, spiteful +towards his equals; and the true, genuine, indispensable +sentiment of self-estimation corrupts into self-conceit and +presumption. Allow me, however,” continued he, “to state +<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>one difficulty. You say that reverence is not natural to man: +now, has not the reverence or fear of barbarous nations for +violent convulsions of Nature, or other inexplicable, mysteriously +foreboding occurrences, been heretofore regarded as +the germ out of which a higher feeling, a purer sentiment, +was by degrees to be developed?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Fear does accord with Nature,” replied they, “but reverence +does not. Men fear a known or unknown powerful +being: the strong seeks to conquer it, the weak to avoid it; +both endeavor to get quit of it, and feel happy when, for a +short season, they have put it aside, and their nature has, +in some degree, regained freedom and independence. The +natural man repeats this operation millions of times in the +course of his life; from fear he struggles to freedom; from +freedom he is driven back to fear, and so makes no advancement. +To fear is easy, but grievous; to reverence is difficult, +but satisfactory. Man does not willingly submit himself +to reverence; or, rather, he never so submits himself: it is a +higher sense, which must be communicated to his nature; +which only, in some peculiarly favored individuals, unfolds +itself spontaneously, who on this account, too, have of old +been looked upon as saints and gods. Here lies the worth, +here lies the business, of all true religions; whereof there +are, likewise, only three, according to the objects towards +which they direct our devotion.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The men paused: Wilhelm reflected for a time in silence; +but, feeling in himself no pretension to unfold the meaning +of these strange words, he requested the sages to proceed +with their exposition. They immediately complied. “No +religion that grounds itself on fear,” said they, “is regarded +among us. With the reverence to which a man should give +dominion in his mind, he can, in paying honor, keep his own +honor: he is not disunited with himself, as in the former +case. The religion which depends on reverence for what is +above us we denominate the ethnic; it is the religion of the +nations, and the first happy deliverance from a degrading +fear: all heathen religions, as we call them, are of this sort, +whatsoever names they may bear. The second religion, +which founds itself on reverence for what is around us, we +denominate the philosophical; for the philosopher stations +himself in the middle, and must draw down to him all that is +higher, and up to him all that is lower: and only in this +medium condition does he merit the title of Wise. Here, as +he surveys with clear sight his relation to his equals, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>therefore to the whole human race, his relations likewise to +all other earthly circumstances and arrangements, necessary +or accidental, he alone, in a cosmic sense, lives in truth. +But now we have to speak of the third religion, grounded +on reverence for what is beneath us; this we name the +Christian, as in the Christian religion such a temper is with +most distinctness manifested: it is a last step to which mankind +were fitted and destined to attain. But what a task was +it, not only to be patient with the earth, and let it lie beneath +us, we appealing to a higher birthplace, but also to recognize +humility and poverty, mockery and despite, disgrace and +wretchedness, suffering and death,—to recognize these things +as divine,—nay, even on sin and crime to look, not as hinderances, +but to honor and love them as furtherances of +what is holy. Of this, indeed, we find some traces in all +ages: but the trace is not the goal; and, this being now +attained, the human species cannot retrograde: and we may +say, that the Christian religion, having once appeared, cannot +again vanish; having once assumed its divine shape, can +be subject to no dissolution.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To which of these religions do you specially adhere?” +inquired Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To all the three,” replied they; “for in their union they +produce what may properly be called the true religion. Out +of those three reverences springs the highest reverence,—reverence +for one’s self; and those again unfold themselves +from this: so that man attains the highest elevation of which +he is capable, that of being justified in reckoning himself the +best that God and Nature have produced,—nay, of being +able to continue on this lofty eminence, without being again, +by self-conceit and presumption, drawn down from it into +the vulgar level.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Such a confession of faith, developed in this manner, +does not repulse me,” answered Wilhelm: “it agrees with +much that one hears now and then in the course of life; only +you unite what others separate.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>To this they replied, “Our confession has already been +adopted, though unconsciously, by a great part of the +world.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“How, then, and where?” said Wilhelm.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In the creed!” exclaimed they; “for the first article +is ethnic, and belongs to all nations; the second, Christian, +for those struggling with affliction and glorified in affliction; +the third, in fine, teaches an inspired communion of saints, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>that is, of men in the highest degree good and wise. And +should not, therefore, the Three Divine Persons, under the +similitudes and names of which these threefold doctrines and +commands are promulgated, justly be considered as in the +highest sense One?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I thank you,” said Wilhelm, “for having pleased to lay +all this before me in such clearness and combination, as before +a grown-up person, to whom your three modes of feeling +are not altogether foreign. And now, when I reflect that +you communicate this high doctrine to your children, in the +first place as a sensible sign, then with some symbolical +accompaniment attached to it, and at last unfold to them its +deepest meaning, I cannot but warmly approve of your +method.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Right,” answered they; “but now we must show you +more, and so convince you the better that your son is in no +bad hands. This, however, may remain for the morrow: +rest and refresh yourself, that you may attend us in the +morning, as a man satisfied and unimpeded, into the interior +of our sanctuary.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>At the hand of the eldest, our friend now proceeded +through a stately portal into a round, or rather octagonal, +hall, so richly decked with pictures, that it struck him with +astonishment as he entered. All this, he easily conceived, +must have a significant import; though at the moment he +saw not so clearly what it was. While about to question +his guide on this subject, the latter invited him to step forward +into a gallery, open on the one side, and stretching +round a spacious, gay, flowery garden. The wall, however, +not the flowers, attracted the eyes of the stranger: it was +covered with paintings, and Wilhelm could not walk far +without observing that the Sacred Books of the Israelites +had furnished the materials for these figures.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is here,” said the eldest, “that we teach our first +religion,—the religion which, for the sake of brevity, I +named the ethnic. The spirit of it is to be sought for in +the history of the world; its outward form, in the events of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>that history. Only in the return of similar destinies on whole +nations can it properly be apprehended.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I observe,” said Wilhelm, “you have done the Israelites +the honor to select their history as the groundwork of this +delineation; or, rather, you have made it the leading object +there.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“As you see,” replied the eldest: “for you will remark, +that on the socles and friezes we have introduced another +series of transactions and occurrences, not so much of a synchronistic +as of a symphronistic kind; since, among all nations, +we discover records of a similar import, and grounded +on the same facts. Thus you perceive here, while in the +main field of the picture, Abraham receives a visit from his +gods in the form of fair youths, Apollo, among the herdsmen +of Admetus, is painted above on the frieze. From +which we may learn, that the gods, when they appear to +men, are commonly unrecognized of them.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The friends walked on. Wilhelm, for the most part, met +with well-known objects; but they were here exhibited in a +livelier and more expressive manner than he had been used +to see them. On some few matters he requested explanation, +and at last could not help returning to his former question, +Why the Israelitish history had been chosen in preference to +all others?</p> + +<p class='c009'>The eldest answered, “Among all heathen religions,—for +such also is the Israelitish,—this has the most distinguished +advantages, of which I shall mention only a few. At the +ethnic judgment-seat, at the judgment-seat of the God of +nations, it is not asked, Whether this is the best, the most +excellent nation, but whether it lasts, whether it has continued. +The Israelitish people never was good for much, as its +own leaders, judges, rulers, prophets, have a thousand times +reproachfully declared: it possesses few virtues, and most +of the faults of other nations; but in cohesion, steadfastness, +valor, and, when all this would not serve, in obstinate +toughness, it has no match. It is the most perseverant nation +in the world: it is, it was, and will be, to glorify the +name of Jehovah through all ages. We have set it up, +therefore, as the pattern-figure,—as the main figure, to +which the others only serve as a frame.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It becomes not me to dispute with you,” said Wilhelm, +“since you have instruction to impart. Open to me, therefore, +the other advantages of this people, or, rather, of its +history, of its religion.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>“One chief advantage,” said the other, “is its excellent +collection of Sacred Books. These stand so happily combined +together, that, even out of the most diverse elements, +the feeling of a whole still rises before us. They are complete +enough to satisfy, fragmentary enough to excite, barbarous +enough to rouse, tender enough to appease; and for +how many other contradicting merits might not these books, +might not this one book, be praised!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The series of main figures, as well as their relations to the +smaller which above and below accompanied them, gave the +guest so much to think of, that he scarcely heard the pertinent +remarks of his guide, who, by what he said, seemed +desirous rather to divert our friend’s attention than to fix it +on the paintings. Once, however, the old man said, on some +occasion, “Another advantage of the Israelitish religion I +must here mention: it has not embodied its God in any form, +and so has left us at liberty to represent him in a worthy +human shape, and likewise, by way of contrast, to designate +idolatry by forms of beasts and monsters.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Our friend had now, in his short wandering through this +hall, again brought the spirit of universal history before his +mind: in regard to the events, he had not failed to meet with +something new. So likewise, by the simultaneous presentment +of the pictures, by the reflections of his guide, many +new views had risen on him; and he could not but rejoice in +thinking that his Felix was, by so dignified a visible representation, +to seize and appropriate for his whole life those great, +significant, and exemplary events, as if they had actually +been present, and transacted beside him. He came at length +to regard the exhibition altogether with the eyes of the child, +and in this point of view it perfectly contented him. Thus +wandering on, they had now reached the gloomy and perplexed +periods of the history, the destruction of the city +and the temple, the murder, exile, slavery of whole masses +of this stiff-necked people. Its subsequent fortunes were +delineated in a cunning allegorical way: a real historical delineation +of them would have lain without the limits of true art.</p> + +<p class='c009'>At this point the gallery abruptly terminated in a closed +door, and Wilhelm was surprised to see himself already at +the end. “In your historical series,” said he, “I find a +chasm. You have destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem, and +dispersed the people; yet you have not introduced the divine +Man who taught there shortly before, to whom, shortly before, +they would give no ear.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>“To have done this, as you require it, would have been an +error. The life of that divine Man, whom you allude to, +stands in no connection with the general history of the world +in his time. It was a private life, his teaching was a teaching +for individuals. What has publicly befallen vast masses +of people, and the minor parts which compose them, belongs +to the general history of the world, to the general religion of +the world,—the religion we have named the first. What inwardly +befalls individuals belongs to the second religion, the +philosophical: such a religion was it that Christ taught and +practised, so long as he went about on earth. For this +reason the external here closes, and I now open to you the +internal.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>A door went back; and they entered a similar gallery, +where Wilhelm soon recognized a corresponding series of +pictures from the New Testament. They seemed as if by +another hand than the first: all was softer,—forms, movements, +accompaniments, light, and coloring.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Here,” said the guide, after they had looked over a few +pictures, “you behold neither actions nor events, but miracles +and similitudes. There is here a new world, a new exterior, +different from the former; and an interior, which was +altogether wanting there. By miracles and similitudes a new +world is opened up. Those make the common extraordinary, +these the extraordinary common.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You will have the goodness,” said Wilhelm, “to explain +these few words more minutely; for, by my own light, +I cannot.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“They have a natural meaning,” said the other, “though +a deep one. Examples will bring it out most easily and +soonest. There is nothing more common and customary +than eating and drinking; but it is extraordinary to transform +a drink into another of more noble sort, to multiply a +portion of food that it suffice a multitude. Nothing is more +common than sickness and corporeal diseases; but to remove, +to mitigate these by spiritual or spiritual-like means, +is extraordinary; and even in this lies the wonder of the +miracle, that the common and the extraordinary, the possible +and the impossible, become one. With the similitude again, +with the parable, the converse is the case; here it is the +sense, the view, the idea, that forms the high, the unattainable, +the extraordinary. When this embodies itself into +common, customary, comprehensible figure, so that it meets +us as if alive, present, actual, so that we can seize it, appropriate, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>retain it, live with it as with our equal, this is a +second sort of miracle, and is justly placed beside the first +sort,—nay, perhaps preferred to it. Here a living doctrine +is pronounced, a doctrine which can cause no argument: it +is not an opinion about what is right and wrong; it is right +and wrong themselves, and indisputably.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>This part of the gallery was shorter; indeed, it formed +but the fourth part of the circuit enclosing the interior court. +Yet, if in the former part you merely walked along, you here +liked to linger, you here walked to and fro. The objects +were not so striking, not so varied; yet they invited you the +more to penetrate their deep, still meaning. Our two friends, +accordingly, turned round at the end of the space; Wilhelm +at the same time expressing some surprise that these delineations +went no farther than the Supper, than the scene where +the Master and his disciples part. He inquired for the remaining +portion of the history.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In all sorts of instruction,” said the eldest, “in all +sorts of communication, we are fond of separating whatever +it is possible to separate; for by this means alone can the +notion of importance and peculiar significance arise in the +young mind. Actual experience of itself mingles and mixes +all things together: here, accordingly, we have entirely disjoined +that sublime Man’s life from its termination. In life, +he appears as a true philosopher,—let not the expression +stagger you,—as a wise man in the highest sense. He +stands firm to his point; he goes on his way inflexibly; and +while he exalts the lower to himself, while he makes the ignorant, +the poor, the sick, partakers of his wisdom, of his +riches, of his strength, he, on the other hand, in no wise +conceals his divine origin; he dares to equal himself with +God,—nay, to declare that he himself is God. In this manner +is he wont, from youth upwards, to astound his familiar +friends; of these he gains a part to his own cause, irritates +the rest against him, and shows to all men, who are aiming +at a certain elevation in doctrine and life, what they have to +look for from the world. And thus, for the noble portion of +mankind, his walk and conversation are even more instructive +and profitable than his death; for to those trials every +one is called, to this trial but a few. Now, omitting all that +results from this consideration, do but look at the touching +scene of the Last Supper. Here the wise Man, as it +ever is, leaves those that are his own utterly orphaned behind +him; and, while he is careful for the good, he feeds along +<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>with them a traitor by whom he and the better are to be destroyed.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>With these words the eldest opened a door, and Wilhelm +faltered in surprise as he found himself again in +the first hall at the entrance. They had in the mean +while, as he now saw, passed round the whole circuit +of the court. “I hoped,” said Wilhelm, “you were +leading me to the conclusion; and you take me back to +the beginning.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“For the present,” said the eldest, “I can show you +nothing further: more we do not lay before our pupils, more +we do not explain to them, than what you have now gone +through. All that is external, worldly, universal, we communicate +to each from youth upwards; what is more particularly +spiritual, and conversant with the heart, to those only +who grow up with some thoughtfulness of temper; and the +rest, which is opened only once a year, cannot be imparted +save to those whom we are sending forth as finished. That +last religion which arises from the reverence of what is beneath +us; that veneration of the contradictory, the hated, +the avoided,—we give each of our pupils in small portions, +by way of outfit, along with him into the world, merely that +he may know where more is to be had should such a want +spring up within him. I invite you to return hither at the +end of a year, to visit our general festival, and see how far +your son is advanced: then shall you be admitted into the +sanctuary of sorrow.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Permit me one question,” said Wilhelm: “as you have +set up the life of this divine Man for a pattern and example, +have you likewise selected his sufferings, his death, as a +model of exalted patience?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Undoubtedly we have,” replied the eldest. “Of this +we make no secret; but we draw a veil over those sufferings, +even because we reverence them so highly. We hold it a +damnable audacity to bring forth that torturing cross and the +Holy One who suffers on it, or to expose them to the light of +the sun, which hid its face when a reckless world forced such +a sight on it, to take these mysterious secrets, in which the +divine depth of sorrow lies hid, and play with them, fondle +them, trick them out, and rest not till the most reverend of +all solemnities appears vulgar and paltry. Let so much, for +the present, suffice to put your mind at peace respecting your +son, and to convince you, that, on meeting him again, you +will find him trained, more or less, in one department or +<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>another, but at least in a proper way, and, at all events, not +wavering, perplexed, and unstable.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm still lingered, looking at the pictures in this entrance-hall, +and wishing to get explanation of their meaning. +“This, too,” said the eldest, “we must still owe you for a +twelvemonth. The instruction which, in the interim, we give +the children, no stranger is allowed to witness: then, however, +come to us; and you will hear what our best speakers +think it serviceable to make public on these matters.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Shortly after this conversation a knocking was heard at +the little gate. The overseer of last night announced himself; +he had brought out Wilhelm’s horse: and so our +friend took leave of the Three, who, as he set out, consigned +him to the overseer with these words: “This man is now +numbered among the trusted, and thou understandest what +thou hast to tell him in answer to his questions; for, doubtless, +he still wishes to be informed on much that he has seen +and heard while here: purpose and circumstance are known +to thee.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm had, in fact, some more questions on his mind; +and these he erelong put into words. As they rode along they +were saluted by the children as on the preceding evening; +but to-day, though rarely, he now and then observed a boy +who did not pause in his work to salute the overseer, but +let him pass unheeded. Wilhelm asked the cause of this, +and what such an exception meant. His companion answered, +“It is full of meaning, for it is the highest punishment +we inflict on our pupils: they are declared unworthy +to show reverence, and obliged to exhibit themselves as rude +and uncultivated natures; but they do their utmost to get +free of this situation, and in general adapt themselves with +great rapidity to any duty. Should a young creature, on the +other hand, obdurately make no attempt at return and +amendment, he is then sent back to his parents with a brief +but pointed statement of his case. Whoever cannot suit +himself to the regulations must leave the district where they +are in force.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Another circumstance excited Wilhelm’s curiosity to-day +as it had done yesterday,—the variety of color and shape +apparent in the dress of the pupils. Hereby no gradation +could be indicated; for children who saluted differently were +sometimes clothed alike, and others agreeing in salutation +differed in apparel. Wilhelm inquired the reason of this +seeming contradiction. “It will be explained,” said the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>other, “when I tell you, that, by this means, we endeavor to +find out the children’s several characters. With all our general +strictness and regularity, we allow in this point a certain +latitude of choice. Within the limits of our own stores of +cloths and garnitures the pupils are permitted to select what +color they please; and so, likewise, within moderate limits, +in regard to shape and cut. Their procedure in these matters +we accurately note; for, by the color, we discover their +turn of thinking; by the cut, their turn of acting. However, +a decisive judgment in this is rendered difficult by one +peculiar property of human nature,—by the tendency to +imitate, the inclination to unite with something. It is very +seldom that a pupil fancies any dress that has not been +already there: for most part, they select something known, +something which they see before their eyes. Yet this also +we find worth observing: by such external circumstances +they declare themselves of one party or another; they unite +with this or that; and thus some general features of their +characters are indicated; we perceive whither each tends, +what example he follows.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We have had cases where the dispositions of our children +verged to generality, where one fashion threatened to +extend over all, and any deviation from it to dwindle into +the state of exception. Such a turn of matters we endeavor +softly to stop: we let our stores run out; this and that sort +of stuff, this and that sort of decoration, is no longer to be +had: we introduce something new and attractive; by bright +colors, and short, smart shape, we allure the lively; by grave +shadings, by commodious, many-folded make, the thoughtful,—and +thus, by degrees, restore the equilibrium.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“For to uniform we are altogether disinclined: it conceals +the character, and, more than any other species of distortion, +withdraws the peculiarities of children from the eye of +their superiors.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Amid this and other conversation, Wilhelm reached the +border of the province, and this at the point where, by the +direction of his antiquarian friend, he was to leave it, to pursue +his next special object.</p> + +<p class='c009'>At parting, it was now settled with the overseer, that, after +the space of a twelvemonth, Wilhelm should return, when the +grand triennial festival was to be celebrated, on which occasion +all the parents were invited, and finished pupils were +sent forth into the tasks of chanceful life. Then, too, so he +was informed, he might visit at his pleasure all the other +<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>districts, where, on peculiar principles, each branch of education +was communicated, and reduced to practice, in complete +isolation and with every furtherance.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>Hersilia to Wilhelm.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>My valued, and, to speak it plainly, dear friend, you are +wrong, and yet, as acting on your own conviction, not wrong +either. So the nut-brown maid is found, then,—found, +seen, spoken to, known, and acknowledged! And you tell +us further, that it is impossible to wish this strange person, +in her own way, any happier condition, or, in her present +one, to be of any real advantage to her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>And now you make it a point of conscience not to tell us +where that wondrous being lives. This you may settle with +your own conscience, but to us it is unconscionable. You +think to calm Lenardo by assuring him that she is well. He +had said, almost promised, that he would content himself +with this; but what will not the passionate promise for +others and themselves! Know, then, that the matter is not +in the least concluded as it yet stands. She is happy, you +tell us,—happy by her own activity and merit: but the youth +would like to learn the How, the When, and the Where; +and, what is worse than this, his sisters, too, would like to +learn. Half a year is gone since your departure: till the +end of another half-year we cannot hope to see you. Could +not you, like a shrewd and knowing man, contrive to play +your eternal <span lang="fr"><i>Rouge-et-Noir</i></span> in our neighborhood? I have +seen people that could make the knight skip over all the +chess-board without ever lighting twice on one spot. You +should learn this feat: your friends would not have to want +you so long.</p> + +<p class='c012'>But, to set my good will to you in the clearest light, I +now tell you in confidence, that there are two most enchanting +creatures on the road: whence I say not, nor whither; +described they cannot be, and no eulogy will do them +justice. A younger and an elder lady, between whom it +always grieves one to make choice,—the former so lovely, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>that all must wish to be loved by her; the latter so attractive, +that you must wish to live beside her, though she did +not love you. I could like, with all my heart, to see you +hemmed in for three days between these two splendors: +on the morning of the fourth, your rigorous vow would +stand you in excellent stead.</p> + +<p class='c012'>By way of foretaste I send you a story, which, in some +degree, refers to them: what of it is true or fictitious you +can try to learn from themselves.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div>THE MAN OF FIFTY.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>The major came riding into the court of the mansion; +and Hilaria, his niece, was already standing without, to +receive him at the bottom of the stairs which led up to the +apartments. Scarcely could he recognize her; for she had +grown, both in stature and beauty. She flew to meet +him: he pressed her to his breast with the feeling of a +father.</p> + +<p class='c012'>To the baroness, his sister, he was likewise welcome; +and, as Hilaria hastily retired to prepare breakfast, the +major said with a joyful air, “For this time I can come to +the point at once, and say that our business is finished. +Our brother, the chief marshal, has at last convinced himself +that he can neither manage farmers nor stewards. In +his lifetime he makes over the estates to us and our children: +the annuity he bargains for is high, indeed, but we +can still pay it; we gain something for the present, and +for the future all. This new arrangement is to be completed +forthwith. And, as I very soon expect my discharge, I can +again look forward to an active life, which may secure +decided advantages to us and ours. We shall calmly see +our children growing up beside us; and it will depend on +us, on them, to hasten their union.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“All this were well,” said the baroness, “had not I a +secret to inform thee of, which I myself discovered first. +Hilaria’s heart is no longer free: on her side thy son has +little or nothing to hope for.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“What sayest thou?” cried the major. “Is it possible? +While we have been taking all pains to settle economical +concerns, does inclination play us such a trick? +Tell me, love, quick, tell me, who is it that has fettered +Hilaria’s heart? Or is it, then, so bad as this? Is it not, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>perhaps, some transient impression we may hope to efface +again?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thou must think and guess a little first,” replied the +baroness, and thereby heightened his impatience. It had +mounted to the utmost pitch, when the entrance of Hilaria, +with the servants bringing in breakfast, put a negative on +any quick solution of the riddle.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The major himself thought he saw the fair girl with +other eyes than a little while before. He almost felt as if +jealous of the happy man whose image had been able to +imprint itself on a soul so lovely. The breakfast he could +not relish; and he noticed not that all was ordered as he +liked to have it, and as he had used to wish and require it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>In this silence and stagnation Hilaria herself almost lost +her liveliness. The mother felt embarrassed, and led her +daughter to the harpsichord; but Hilaria’s sprightly and +expressive playing scarcely extorted any approbation from +the major. He wished the breakfast and the lovely girl +fairly out of the way; and the baroness was at last obliged +to resolve on breaking up, and proposed to her brother a +walk in the garden.</p> + +<p class='c012'>No sooner were they by themselves, than the major pressingly +repeated his question, to which, after a pause, his +sister answered, smiling, “If thou wouldst find the happy +man whom she loves, thou hast not far to go: he is quite +at hand; she loves <em>thee</em>!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The major stopped in astonishment, then cried, “It were +a most unseasonable jest to trick me into such a thought, +which, if true, would make me so embarrassed and unhappy. +For, though I need time to recover from my amazement, I +see at one glance how grievously our circumstances would +be disturbed by so unlooked-for an accident. The only +thing that comforts me, is my persuasion that attachments +of this sort are apparent merely, that a self-deception lurks +behind them, and that a good, true soul will undoubtedly +return from such mistakes, either by its own strength, or +at least by a little help from judicious friends.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I am not of that opinion,” said the baroness: “by +all the symptoms, Hilaria’s present feeling is a very serious +one.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“A thing so unnatural I should not have expected from +so natural a character,” replied the major.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“So unnatural it is not, after all,” said his sister. “I +myself recollect having, in my own youth, an attachment +<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>to a man still older than thou. Thou art fifty,—not so very +great an age for a German, if, perhaps, other livelier nations +do fail sooner.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But how dost thou support thy conjecture?” said the +major.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is no conjecture, it is certainty. The details thou +shalt learn by and by.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Hilaria joined them; and the major felt himself, against +his will, a second time altered. Her presence seemed to +him still dearer and more precious than before, her manner +more affectionate and tender: already he began to put some +faith in his sister’s statement. The feeling was highly +delightful, though he neither would permit nor confess this +to his mind. Hilaria was, in truth, peculiarly interesting: +her manner blended in closest union a soft shyness as +towards a lover, and a trustful frankness as towards an +uncle; for she really, and with her whole soul, loved him. +The garden lay in all the pomp of spring; and the major, +who saw so many old trees again putting on their vesture, +might also believe in the returning of his own spring. And +who would not have been tempted to it, at the side of this +most lovely maiden.</p> + +<p class='c012'>So passed the day with them; the various household +epochs were gone through in high cheerfulness: <a id='tn-harpsichord'></a>in the +evening, after supper, Hilaria returned to her harpsichord; +the major listened with other ears than in the morning: +one melody winded into another, one song produced a second; +and scarcely could midnight separate the little party.</p> + +<p class='c012'>On retiring to his room, the major found every thing +arranged to suit his old habitual conveniences: some copper-plates, +even, which he liked to look at, had been shifted +from other apartments; and, his eyes being at last opened, +he saw himself attended to and flattered in the most minute +particulars.</p> + +<p class='c012'>A few hours’ sleep sufficed on this occasion: his buoyant +spirits aroused him early. But now he soon found occasion +to observe that a new order of things carries many inconveniences +along with it. His old groom, who also discharged +the functions of lackey and valet, he had not once +reproved during many years, for all went its usual course +in the most rigid order; the horses were dressed and the +clothes brushed at the proper moment: but to-day the master +had risen earlier, and nothing suited as it used to do.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Erelong a new circumstance combined with this to ruffle +<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>him still further. At other times all had been right, as his +servant had prepared it for him: now, however, on advancing +to the glass, he found himself not at all as he wished to +be. Some gray hairs he could not deny, and of wrinkles +also there appears to have been a trace or two. He wiped +and powdered more than usual, and was fain at last to +let matters stand as they could. Then it seemed there were +still creases in his coat, and still dust on his boots. The +old groom knew not what to make of this, and was amazed +to see so altered a master before him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>In spite of all these hinderances, the major got down to the +garden in good time. Hilaria, whom he hoped to find there, +he actually found. She brought him a nosegay; and he had +not the heart to kiss her as usual, and press her to his breast. +He felt himself in the most delightful embarrassment, and +yielded to his feelings without reflecting whither they might +carry him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The baroness soon joined them and, directing her brother +to a note which had just been brought her by a special messenger, +she cried, “Thou wilt not guess whom this announces +to us!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Tell us at once, then,” said the major; and it now +appeared that an old theatrical friend was travelling by a +road not far off, and purposing to call for a moment. “I +am anxious to see him again,” said the major: “he is no +chicken now, and I hear he still plays young parts.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He must be ten years older than thou,” replied the +baroness.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“He must,” said the major, “from all that I remember.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>They had not waited long, when a lively, handsome, courteous +man stepped forward to them. Yet the friends soon +recognized each other, and recollections of all sorts enlivened +the conversation. They proceeded to questions, to +answers, to narratives: they mutually made known their +present situations, and in a short time felt as if they had +never been separated.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Secret history informs us that this person had, in former +days, being then a very elegant and graceful youth, the good +or bad fortune to attract the favor of a lady of rank; that, +by this means, he had come into perplexity and danger, out +of which the major, at the very moment when the saddest +fate seemed impending, had happily delivered him. From +that hour he continued grateful to the brother as well as to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>the sister; for it was she that, by timeful warning, had originated +their precautions.</p> + +<p class='c012'>For a while before dinner the men were left alone. Not +without surprise, nay, in some measure with amazement, had +the major viewed, as a whole and in detail, the exterior +condition of his old friend. He seemed not in the smallest +altered, and it was not to be wondered at that he could still +appear on the stage as an actor of youthful parts. “Thou +inspectest me more strictly than is fair,” said he at last to +the major: “I fear thou findest the difference between this +and by-gone times but too great.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Not at all,” replied the major: “on the contrary, it +fills me with astonishment to find thy look fresher and +younger than mine; though I know thou wert a firm-set man +at the time when I, with the boldness of a callow desperado, +stood by thee in certain straits.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“It is thy own fault,” replied the other: “it is the fault +of all like thee; and, though you are not to be loudly censured +for it, you are still to be blamed. You think only of +the needful: you wish to be, not to seem. This is very well +so long as one is any thing. But when, at last, being comes +to recommend itself by seeming, and this seeming is found to +be even more transient than the being, then every one of +you discovers that he should not have done amiss, if, in his +care for what was inward, he had not entirely neglected what +was outward.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thou art right,” replied the major, and could scarcely +suppress a sigh.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Perhaps not altogether right,” said the aged youth; +“for though in my trade it were unpardonable if one did +not try to parget up the outward man as long as possible, +you people need to think of other things, which are more +important and profitable.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Yet there are occasions,” said the major, “when a man +feels fresh internally, and could wish, with all his heart, that +he were fresh externally too.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>As the stranger could not have the slightest suspicion of +the major’s real state of mind, he took these words in a +soldierly sense, and copiously explained how much depended +on externals in the art military, and how the officer who had +so much attention to bestow on dress might apply a little +also to skin and hair.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“For example,” continued he, “it is inexcusable that +your temples are already gray, that wrinkles are here and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>there gathering together, and that your crown threatens to +grow bald. Now look at me, old fellow as I am! See how +I have held out! And all this without witchcraft, and with +far less pains and care than others take, day after day, in +spoiling, or at least wearying, themselves.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The major found this accidental conversation too precious +an affair to think of ending it soon, but he went to work +softly and with precaution towards even an old acquaintance. +“This opportunity, alas! I have lost,” cried he; +“and it is past recalling now: I must even content myself +as I am, and you will not think worse of me on that account.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Lost it is not,” said the other, “were not you grave +gentlemen so stiff and stubborn, did you not directly call +one vain if he thinks about his person, and cast away from +you the happiness of being in pleasant company, and pleasing +there yourselves.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“If it is not magic,” smiled the major, “that you people +use for keeping yourselves young, it is, at all events, a +secret: or, at least, you have <i>arcana</i>, such as one often sees +bepraised in newspapers; and from these you pick out the +best.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Joke or earnest,” said the other, “thou hast spoken +truth. Among the many things that have been tried for +giving some repair to the exterior, which often fails far +sooner than the interior, there are, in fact, certain invaluable +recipes, simple as well as compound; which, as imparted to +me by brethren of the craft, purchased for ready money, or +hit upon by chance, I have proved, and found effectual. By +these I now hold fast and persevere, yet without abandoning +my further researches. So much I may tell thee, and without +exaggeration: a dressing-box I carry with me beyond all +price! A box whose influences I could like to try on thee, if +we chanced any time to be a fortnight together.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The thought that such a thing was possible, and that this +possibility was held out to him so accidentally at the very +moment of need, enlivened the spirit of the major to such a +degree that he actually appeared much fresher and brisker +already: at table, excited by the hope of bringing head and +face into harmony with his heart, and by eagerness to get +acquainted with the methods of doing so, he was quite +another man; he met Hilaria’s graceful attentions with alacrity +of soul, and even looked at her with a certain confidence, +which, in the morning, he was far from feeling.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>If the dramatic stranger had contrived, by many recollections, +stories, and happy hits, to keep up the cheerful humor +once excited, he so much the more alarmed the major, on +signifying, when the cloth was removed, that he must now +think of setting forth, and continuing his journey. By every +scheme in his power the major strove to facilitate his friend’s +stay, at least for the night; he pressingly engaged to have +horses and relays in readiness next morning: in a word, the +healing toilet was absolutely not to get out of the premises, +till once he had obtained more light on its contents and use.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The major saw very well that here no time must be lost: +he accordingly endeavored, soon after dinner, to take his old +favorite aside and speak with him in private. Not having +the heart to proceed directly to the point, he steered towards +it from afar off, and, taking up the former conversation, signified +that he, for his part, would willingly bestow more +care on his exterior, were it not that people, the moment +they observed a man making such an attempt, marked him +down for vain, and so deducted from him, in regard to moral +esteem, what they felt obliged to yield him in regard to +sensible.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do not vex me with such phrases!” said his friend: +“these are words to which society has got accustomed without +attaching any meaning to them, or, if we take it up +more strictly, by which it indicates its unfriendly and spiteful +nature. If thou consider it rightly, what, after all, is this +same vanity they make so much ado about? Every man +should feel some pleasure in himself, and happy he who feels +it. But, if he does feel it, how can he help letting others +notice it? How shall he hide, in the midst of life, that it +gives him joy to be alive? If good society, and I mean this +exclusively here, only blamed such indications when they +became too violent; when the joy of one man over his existence +hindered others to have joy and to show it over theirs,—it +were good and well; and from this excess the censure has, +in fact, originally sprung. But what are we to make of that +strange, prim, abnegating rigor against a thing which cannot +be avoided? Why should not a display of feeling on +the part of others be considered innocent and tolerable, +which, more or less, we from time to time allow ourselves? +For it is the pleasure one has in himself, the desire to communicate +this consciousness of his to others, that makes a +man agreeable,—the feeling of his own grace that makes him +graceful. Would to Heaven all men were vain! that is, were +<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>vain with clear perception, with moderation, and in a proper +sense: we should then, in the cultivated world, have happy +times of it. Women, it is told us, are vain from the very +cradle; yet does it not become them, do they not please us +the more? How can a youth form himself if he is not vain? +An empty, hollow nature will, by this means, at least contrive +to give itself an outward show; and a proper man +will soon train himself from the outside inwards. As to my +own share, I have reason to consider myself, in this point, a +most happy man: for my trade justifies me in being vain; +and, the vainer I am, the more satisfaction I give. I am +praised when others are blamed, and have still, in this very +way, the happiness and the right to gratify and charm the +public at an age when others are constrained to retire from +the scene, or linger on it only with disgrace.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The major heard with no great joy the issue of these reflections. +The little word vanity, as he pronounced it, had been +meant to serve as a transition for enabling him to introduce, +with some propriety, the statement of his own wish. But +now he was afraid, if their dialogue proceeded thus, he +should be led still farther from his aim: so he hastened to +the point directly.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“For my own part,” said he, “I should by no means +disincline to enlist under thy flag, since thou still holdest it +to be in time, and thinkest I might yet in some degree make +up for what is lost. Impart to me somewhat of thy tinctures, +pomades, and balsams; and I will make a trial of them.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Imparting,” said the other, “is a harder task than you +suppose. Here, for example, it were still to small purpose +that I poured thee out some liquors from my vials, and left +the half of the best ingredients in my toilet: the appliance +is the hardest. You cannot, on the instant, appropriate what +is given you. How this and that suit together; under what +circumstances, in what sequence, things are to be used,—all +this requires practice and study,—nay, study and practice +themselves will scarcely profit, if one bring not to the business +a natural genius for it.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thou art now, it seems, for drawing back,” said the +major. “Thou raisest difficulties when I would have thy +truly somewhat fabulous assertions rendered certain. Thou +hast no mind to let me try thy words by the test of action.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“By such banterings, my friend,” replied the other, “thou +wouldst not prevail on me to gratify thy wish, if it were not +that I entertain such affection for thee, and, indeed, first made +<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>the proposal myself. Besides, if we consider it, man has +quite a peculiar pleasure in making proselytes; in bringing +what he values in himself into view also, without himself, on +others; causing others to enjoy what he enjoys; finding in +others his own likeness, represented and reflected back to +him. In sooth, if this is selfishness, it is of the most laudable +and lovable sort,—that selfishness which has made us +men and keeps us so. From this universal feeling, then, +apart from my friendship to thee, I shall be happy in having +such a scholar in the great youth-renewing art. But, as from +a master it may be expected that he shall produce no botcher +by his training, I confess myself a little at a loss how to set +about it. I told thee already that neither recipes nor instructions +would avail: the practice cannot be taught by universal +rules. For thy sake, and from the wish to propagate my +doctrine, I am ready to make any sacrifice. The greatest +my power for the present moment I will now propose to +thee. I shall leave my servant here,—a sort of waiting-man +and conjurer,—who, if he does not understand preparing +every thing, if he has not yet been initiated into all the +mysteries, can apply my preparations perfectly, and, in the +first stage of the attempt, will be of great use to thee, till +once thou have worked thy way so far into the art, that I +may reveal to thee the higher secrets also.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“How!” cried the major, “thou hast stages and degrees +in thy art of making young? Thou hast secrets, even for +the initiated?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“No doubt of it,” replied the other. “That were but +a sorry art which could be comprehended all at once, the +last point of which could be seen by one just entering its +precincts.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Without loss of time the waiting-man was formally consigned +to the major, who engaged to treat him handsomely. +The baroness was called on for drawers, boxes, glasses, to +what purpose she knew not; the partition of the toilet-store +went forward; the friends kept together in a gay and +sprightly mood till after nightfall. At moonrise, some time +later, the guest took his leave, promising erelong to return.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The major reached his chamber pretty much fatigued. He +had risen early, had not spared himself throughout the day, +and now hoped very soon to get to bed. But here, instead of +one servant, he found two. The old groom, in his old way, +rapidly undressed him; but now the waiting-man stepped +forth, and signified, that, for appliances of a renovating and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>cosmetic nature, the peculiar season was night, that so their +effects, assisted by a peaceful sleep, might be stronger and +safer. The major was obliged to content himself, and let +his head be anointed, his face painted, his eyebrows pencilled, +and his lips tipped with salve. Besides all this, there +were various ceremonies still required; nay, the very night-cap +was not to be put on immediately, not till a net, or even +a fine-leather cap, had been drawn on next the head.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The major laid himself in bed with a sort of unpleasant +feeling, which, however, he had no time to investigate the +nature of; as he very soon fell asleep. But, if we might +speak with his spirit, we should say he felt a little mummy-like, +somewhat between a sick man and a man embalmed. +Yet the sweet image of Hilaria, encircled with the gayest +hopes, soon led him into a refreshing sleep.</p> + +<p class='c012'>In the morning, at the proper hour, the groom was ready +in his place. All that pertained to his master’s equipment +lay in wonted order on the chairs; and the major was just +on the point of rising, when the new attendant entered, and +strongly protested against any such precipitation. He must +rest, he must wait, if their enterprise were to prosper, if they +were to be rewarded for their pains and labor. The major +now learned that he had to rise by and by, to take a slight +breakfast, and then go into a bath, which was already prepared +for him. The regulations were inflexible, they required +a strict observance; and some hours passed away under these +occupations.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The major abridged the resting-time after his bath, and +thought to get his clothes about him: for he was by nature +expeditious, and at present he longed to see Hilaria; but in +this point also his new servant thwarted him, and signified, +that in all cases he must drop the thought of being in a hurry. +Whatever he did, it appeared, must be done leisurely and +pleasurably; but the time of dressing was especially to be +considered as a cheerful hour for conversation with one’s +self.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The valet’s manner of proceeding completely agreed with +his words. But, in return, the major, when, on stepping +forward to the glass, he saw himself trimmed out in the +neatest fashion, really thought that he was better dressed +than formerly. Without many words the conjurer had +changed the very uniform into a newer cut, having spent +the night in working at it. An apparently so quick rejuvenescence +put the major in his liveliest mood; so that he felt +<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>himself as if renovated, both without and within, and hastened +with impatient longing to his friends.</p> + +<p class='c012'>He found his sister engaged in looking at the pedigree +which she had caused to be hung up; the conversation last +night having turned on some collateral relations, unmarried +persons, or resident in foreign countries, or entirely gone +out of sight, from all of whom the baroness and her brother +had more or less hope of heritages for themselves or their +families. They conversed a while on these matters, without +mentioning the circumstance that all their economical cares +and exertions had hitherto been solely directed to their children. +By Hilaria’s attachment the whole of this prospect +had altered, yet neither the major nor his sister could summon +courage to mention it further at this moment.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The baroness left the room: the major was standing alone +before this laconic history of his family; Hilaria stepped in +to him; she leaned herself on him in a kind, childlike way, +looked at the parchment, and asked him whom of all these +he had known, and who of them were still left and living.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The major began his delineation with the oldest of whom +any dim recollection remained with him from childhood. +Then he proceeded farther; painted the characters of several +fathers, the likeness or unlikeness of their children to +them; remarked that the grandfather often re-appeared in +the grandson; spoke, by the way, of the influence of certain +women, wedded out of stranger families, and sometimes +changing the character of whole branches. He eulogized +the virtue of many an ancestor and relative, nor did he hide +their failings. Such as had brought shame on their lineage +he passed in silence. At length he reached the lowest lines. +Here stood his brother, the chief marshal himself, and his +sister, and beneath him his son with Hilaria at his side.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“These two look each other straight enough in the face,” +said the major; not adding what he thought of the matter +in his heart.</p> + +<p class='c012'>After a pause Hilaria answered, in a meek, small tone, +and almost with a sigh, “Yet those, surely, are not to blame +who look upwards.” At the same time she looked up to +him with a pair of eyes out of which her whole love was +speaking.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Do I understand thee rightly?” said the major, turning +round to her.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I can say nothing,” answered she, with a smile, “which +you do not know already.”</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>“Thou makest me the happiest man under the sun,” cried +he, and fell at her feet. “Wilt thou be mine?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“For Heaven’s sake, rise! I am thine forever.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The baroness entered. Though not surprised, she rather +hesitated. “If it be wrong, sister,” said the major, “the +blame is thine: if it be right, we will thank thee forever.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>The baroness from youth upwards had so loved her brother +that she preferred him to all men; and perhaps Hilaria’s +attachment itself had, if not arisen from this sisterly partiality, +at least been cherished by it. All three now united +in one love, in one delight; and thus the happiest hours flew +over them. Yet, at last, their eyes re-opened to the world +around them likewise; and this rarely stands in unison with +such emotions.</p> + +<p class='c012'>They now again bethought them of the son. For him +Hilaria had been destined: this he himself well knew. +Directly after finishing the business with the chief marshal, +the major had appointed his son to expect him in the garrison, +that they might settle every thing together, and conduct these +purposes to a happy issue. But now, by an unexpected +occurrence, the whole state of matters had been thrown out +of joint; the circumstances which before plied into one +another so kindly, now seemed to be assuming a hostile +aspect; and it was not easy to foresee what turn the affair +would take, what temper would seize the individuals concerned +in it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Meanwhile the major was obliged to resolve on visiting +his son, to whom he had already announced himself. Not +without reluctance, not without singular forecastings, not +without pain at even for a short time leaving Hilaria, he at +last, after much lingering, took the road, and, leaving groom +and horses behind him, proceeded with his cosmetic valet, +who had now become an indispensable appendage, towards +the town where his son resided.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Both saluted and embraced each other cordially after so +long a separation. They had much to communicate, yet +they did not just commence with what lay nearest their +hearts. The son went into copious talk about his hopes of +speedy advancement: in return for which the father gave +him precise accounts of what had been discussed and determined +between the elder members of the family, both in +regard to fortune in general, to the individual estates, and +every thing pertaining to them.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The conversation was, in some degree, beginning to flag, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>when the son took heart, and said to his father, with a smile, +“You treat me very tenderly, dear father; and I thank you +for it. You tell me of properties and fortune, and mention +not the terms under which, at least in part, they are to be +mine: you keep back the name of Hilaria; you expect that +I should bring it forth, that I should express my desire to be +speedily united with that amiable maiden.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>At these words the major felt in great perplexity; but as, +partly by nature, partly by old habit, it was his way to collect +the purpose of the man he had to treat with before stating +his own, he now said nothing, and looked at the son +with an ambiguous smile. “You will not guess, father, +what I have to say,” continued the lieutenant: “I will +speak it out briefly, and once for all. I can depend on your +affection, which, amid such manifold care for me, has had +due regard for my true happiness as well as my fortune. +Some time or other it must be said: be it said, then, even +now, Hilaria cannot make me happy! I think of Hilaria as +of a lovely relative, towards whom I would live all my days +with the friendliest feelings; but another has awakened my +affection, another has found my heart. The attachment is +irresistible: you will not make me miserable.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>Not without effort did the major conceal the cheerfulness +which was rising over his face, and, in a tone of mild seriousness, +inquire of the son, Who the person was that had +so entirely subdued him?—“You must see her yourself, +father,” said the other; “for she can as little be described +as comprehended. I have but one fear,—that you yourself +will be led away by her, like every one that approaches her. +By Heaven, it will be so; and I shall see you the rival of +your son!”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“But who is she?” inquired the major. “If it is not in +thy power to delineate her personal characteristics, tell me, at +least, of her outward circumstances: these, at least, may be +described.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Well, then, father,” replied the son; “and yet these +outward circumstances, too, would be different in a different +person, would act otherwise on another. She is a young +widow, heiress of an old, rich man lately deceased; independent, +and well meriting to be so; acquainted with many, +loved by just as many, courted by just as many; yet, if I +mistake not very greatly, in her heart wholly mine.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With joyful vivacity, as the father kept silence, and gave +no sign of disapproval, the son proceeded to describe the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>conduct of the fair widow towards him; told of her all-conquering +grace; recounted one by one her tender expressions +of favor; in which the father truly could see nothing but +the light friendliness of a universally courted woman, who, +among so many, may indeed prefer some one, yet without +on that account entirely deciding for him. Under any other +circumstances he would doubtless have endeavored to warn +a son, nay, even a friend, of the self-deception which might +probably enough be at work here; but, in the present case, +he himself was so anxious for his son’s being right, for the +fair widow’s really loving him, and as soon as possible +deciding in his favor, that he either felt no scruple of this +sort, or banished any such from his mind, perhaps even only +concealed it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“Thou placest me in great perplexity,” began the father, +after some pause. “The whole arrangement between the surviving +members of our family depends on the understanding +that thou wed Hilaria. If she wed a stranger, the whole +fair, careful combination of a fine fortune falls to the ground +again; and thou thyself art not too well provided for. +There is certainly another way still, but one which sounds +rather strange, and by which thou wouldst gain very little: +I, in my old days, might wed Hilaria,—a plan which could +hardly give thee any very high satisfaction.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“The highest in the world!” exclaimed the lieutenant; +“for who can feel a true attachment, who can enjoy or +anticipate the happiness of love, without wishing every +friend, every one whom he values, the like supreme felicity? +You are not old, father; and how lovely is Hilaria! Even +the transient thought of offering her your hand bespeaks +a youthful heart, an unimpaired spirit. Let us take up +this thought, this project, on the spot, and consider and +investigate it thoroughly. My own happiness would be complete +if I knew you happy: I could then rejoice in good +earnest, that the care you had bestowed on my destiny was +repaid on your own by so fair and high a recompense. I +can now with confidence and frankness, and true openness +of heart, conduct you to my fair one. You will approve of +my feelings, since you yourself feel: you will not impede +the happiness of your son, since you are advancing to your +own happiness.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With these and other importunate words the lieutenant +repressed many a scruple which his father was for introducing, +left him no time to calculate, but hurried off with him +<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>to the fair widow, whom they found in a commodious and +splendid house, with a select rather than numerous party, all +engaged in cheerful conversation. She was one of those +female souls whom no man can escape. With incredible address +she contrived to make our major the hero of this evening. +The rest of the party seemed to be her family: the +major alone was her guest. His circumstances she already +knew very well; yet she had the skill to ask about them, as if +she were wishing, now at last, to get right information on the +subject from himself: and so, likewise, every individual of +the company was made to show some interest in the stranger. +One must have known his brother, a second his estates, a +third something else concerned with him; so that the major, +in the midst of a lively conversation, still felt himself to be +the centre. Moreover, he was sitting next the fair one; her +eyes were on him, her smile was directed to him: in a word, +he felt himself so comfortable, that he almost forgot the +cause which had brought him. She herself scarcely ever +mentioned his son, though the young man took a keen share +in the conversation: it seemed as if, in her eyes, he, like all +the rest, was present only on his father’s account.</p> + +<p class='c012'>The guests strolled up and down the rooms, and grouped +themselves into accidental knots. The lieutenant stepped +up to his fair one, and asked, “What say you to my +father?”</p> + +<p class='c012'>With a smile she replied, “Methinks you might well take +him as a pattern. Do but look how neatly he is dressed! +If his manner and bearing are not better than his gentle +son’s!” And thus she continued to cry up and praise the +father at the son’s expense; awakening, by this means, a +very mixed feeling of contentment and jealousy in the +young man’s heart.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Erelong the lieutenant came in contact with his father, +and recounted all this to him. It made the major’s manner +to his fair hostess so much the more friendly; and she, on +her side, began to treat him on a more lively and trustful +footing. In short, we may say, that, when the company +broke up, the major, as well as the rest, already belonged +to her and to her circle.</p> + +<p class='c012'>A heavy rain prevented the guests from returning home +as they had come. Some coaches drove up, into which the +walkers arranged themselves: only the lieutenant, under +the pretext that the carriage was already too crowded, let +his father drive away, and staid behind.</p> + +<p class='c012'><span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>The major, on entering his apartment, felt actually confused +and giddy in mind, uncertain of himself; as is the +case with us on passing rapidly from one state to the opposite. +The land still seems in motion to a man who steps +from shipboard, and the light still quivers in the eye of +him who comes at once into darkness. So did the major +still feel himself encircled with the presence of that fair +being. He wished still to see, to hear her, again to see, +again to hear her: and, after some consideration, he forgave +his son; nay, he thought him happy that he might pretend +to the appropriation of such loveliness.</p> + +<p class='c012'>From these feelings he was roused by the lieutenant, +who, with lively expressions of rapture, rushed into the +room, embraced his father, and exclaimed, “I am the happiest +man in the world!” After several more of such preliminary +phrases, the two at last came to an explanation. +The father remarked, that the fair lady in conversing with +him had not mentioned the son, or hinted at him by a single +syllable. “That is just her soft, silent, half-concealing, +half-discovering way, by which you become certain of your +wishes, and yet can never altogether get rid of doubt. So +was she wont to treat me hitherto; but your presence, +father, has done wonders. I confess it, I staid behind, +that I might see her one moment longer. I found her walking +to and fro in her still shining rooms; for I know it is +her custom, when the company is gone, no light must be +extinguished. She walks alone up and down in her magic +halls, when the spirits are dismissed which she had summoned +thither. She accepted the pretext under cover of +which I came back. She spoke with kind grace, though of +indifferent matters. We walked to and fro through the +open doors, along the whole suite of chambers. We had +wandered several times to the end, into the little cabinet, +which is lighted only by a dim lamp. If she was beautiful +while moving under the blaze of the lustres, she was +infinitely more so when illuminated by the soft gleam of the +lamp. We had again reached the cabinet; and, in turning, +we paused for an instant. I know not what it was that +forced this audacity on me: I know not how I could venture, +in the midst of the most ordinary conversation, all at +once to seize her hand, to kiss that soft hand, and to press +it to my heart. It was not drawn away. ‘Heavenly creature!’ +cried I, ‘conceal thyself no longer from me. If in +this fair heart dwells favor for the happy man who stands +<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>before thee, disclose it, confess it! The present is the best, +the highest time. Banish me, or take me to thy arms!’</p> + +<p class='c012'>“I know not what all I said, what I looked and expressed. +She withdrew not, she resisted not, she answered not. I +ventured to clasp her in my arms, to ask her if she would +be mine. I kissed her with rapture; she pushed me away: +‘Well, yes, then: yes!’ or some such words, said she, in +a faint tone, as if embarrassed. I retired, and cried, ‘I will +send my father: he shall speak for me.’—‘Not a word to +him of this!’ replied she, following me some steps. ‘Go +away: forget what has happened.’”</p> + +<p class='c012'>What the major thought we shall not attempt to unfold. +He said, however, to his son, “What is to be done now, +thinkest thou? To my mind the affair is, by accident, so +well introduced, that we may now go to work a little more +formally; that perhaps it were well if I called there to-morrow, +and proposed in thy name.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>“For Heaven’s sake, no, father!” cried the son: “it +would spoil the whole business. That look, that tone, must +be disturbed and deranged by no formality. It is enough, +father, that your presence accelerates this union without +your uttering a word on the subject. Yes, it is to you that +I owe my happiness! The respect which my loved one +entertains for you has conquered every scruple, and never +would your son have found so good a moment had not his +father prepared it for him.”</p> + +<p class='c012'>These and such disclosures occupied them till far in the +night. They mutually settled their plans: the major, simply +for form’s sake, was to make a parting call, and then set +out to arrange his marriage with Hilaria; the son was to +forward and accelerate his, as he should find it possible.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>Hersilia’s Postscript.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Here I break off, partly because I can write no more at +present, but partly also to fix a thorn in your heart. Now, +answer the question for yourself: How strangely, from all +that you have read, must matters stand with these ladies at +present! Till now they had no mutual relation to each +other: they were strangers, though each seemed to have +the prospect of a marriage which was to approximate them. +And now we find them in company, but by themselves, +without male attendance, and wandering over the world. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>What can have passed, what can be to follow? You, my +worthy sir, will doubtless get quit of the difficulty by mournfully +exclaiming to yourself, “These, also, are renunciants!” +And here you are perfectly right: but expectants +too? This I durst not discover, even if I knew it.</p> + +<p class='c012'>To show you the way how this amiable pair may be met +with on your wandering, I adopt a singular expedient. You +herewith receive a little clipping of a map: when you lay +this in its place on the full map of the country, the magnetic +needle painted here will point with its barb to the spot +whither the desirable are moving. This riddle is not so +very hard to read: but I could wish, that, from time to time, +you would do the like for us, and send a little snip of chart +over hither; we should then, in some measure, understand +to what quarter our thoughts were to be directed: and how +glad should we be if the needle were at last attracted by +ourselves. May all good be given you, and all errors forgiven!</p> + +<p class='c011'>It is said of women, that they cannot send away a letter +without tacking postscripts to the end of it. Whatever +inferences you may draw from the fact, I cannot deny that +this is my second postscript, and the place, after all, where +I am to tell you the flower of the whole matter. This arrow-shaft, +on the little patch of map, Hilaria herself was at the +pains to draw and to decorate with such dainty plumage: +the sharp point, however, was the fair widow’s work. Have +a care that it do not scratch, or perhaps pierce you. Our +bargain is, that whenever you meet, be this where it may, +you are forthwith to present the small shred of paper, and +so be the sooner and more heartily admitted into trust.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c010'> + <div>A WORD FROM THE EDITOR.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>That a certain deficiency, perhaps discernible in the parts, +certainly discernible here and there in the whole, cannot, +henceforth, be avoided, we ourselves take courage to +forewarn the reader, without fearing thereby to thwart his +enjoyment. In the present task, undertaken truly with forethought +and good heart, we still meet with all the inconveniences +which have delayed the publication of these little +volumes for twenty years. This period has altered nothing +for the better. We still find ourselves in more than one way +<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>impeded, at this or that place threatened with one obstruction +or another. For we have to solve the uncertain problem +of selecting from those most multifarious papers what is +worthiest and most important, so that it be grateful to thinking +and cultivated minds, and refresh and forward them in +many a province of life. Now, here are the journals, more +or less complete, lying before us; sometimes communicable +without scruple; sometimes, again by reason of their unimportant, +and likewise of their too important contents, seemingly +unfit for insertion.</p> + +<p class='c009'>There are not even wanting sections devoted to the actual +world, on statistic, technical, and other practical external +subjects. To cut these off as incongruous, we do not determine +without reluctance; as life and inclination, knowledge +and passion, strangely combining together, go on here in the +straitest union.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Then we come on sketches written with clear views and +for glorious objects, but not so consequent and deep searching +that we can fully approve of them, or suppose, that, in +this new and so far advanced time, they could be readable +and influential.</p> + +<p class='c009'>So likewise we fall in with little anecdotes, destitute of connection, +difficult to arrange under heads, some of them, when +closely examined, not altogether unobjectionable. Here and +there we discover more complete narratives, several of which, +though already known to the world, nevertheless demand a +place here, and at the same time require exposition and conclusion. +Of poems, also, there is no want; and yet it is not +always easy, not always possible, to decide where they should +be introduced with best regard to the preserving and assisting +of their true tone, which is but too easily disturbed and +overturned. If we are not, therefore, as we have too often +done in by-gone years, again to stop in the middle of this +business, nothing will remain for us but to impart what we +possess, to give out what has been preserved. Some chapters, +accordingly, the completion of which might have been +desirable, we now offer in their first hurried form, that so +the reader may not only feel the existence of a want here, +but also be informed what this want is, and complete in his +own mind whatever, partly from the nature of the object, +partly from the intervening circumstances, cannot be presented +to him perfectly completed in itself, or furnished +with all its requisite accompaniments. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span></p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>The proposed riddle raised some scruples in Wilhelm’s +mind; yet erelong he began to feel a still attraction in the +matter, an impulse of longing to reach that appointed line, +and follow its direction: as, indeed, we are wont to seize +with eagerness any specific object that excites our imagination, +our active faculties, and to wish that we might accomplish +it and partake of it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>A child that, in asking alms of us, puts into our hand a +card with five lottery numbers written on it, we do not lightly +turn away unserved; and it depends on the moment, especially +if it be shortly before the drawing, whether we shall +not, with accidentally stimulated hope, quite against our +usual custom, stake heavy shares upon these very numbers.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The wanderer now tried on a large map the little fragment +which had been sent him, and stood surprised, amazed, affrighted, +as he saw the needle pointing straight to Mignon’s +native place, to the houses where she had lived. What his +peculiar feelings were, we do not find declared; but whoever +can bring back to memory the end of the <cite>Apprenticeship</cite>, will +in his own heart and mind, without difficulty, call forth the +like.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The chief cause, however, why we meet with scantier records +of this excursion than we could have wished, may +probably be this: that Wilhelm chanced to fall in with a +young, lively companion of his journey, by means of whom +it became easy to retain for himself and his friends a vivid +and strong remembrance of this pious pilgrimage without +any aid of writing. Unexpectedly he finds himself beside a +painter,—one of that class of persons whom we often see +wandering about the world, and still oftener figuring in romances +and dramas, but, in this case, an individual who +showed himself at once to be really a distinguished artist. +The two very soon got acquainted, mutually communicated +their desires, projects, purposes. And now it appears that +this skilful artist, who delights in painting aquatical landscapes, +and can decorate his pieces with rich, well-imagined, +well-executed additions and accompaniments, has been passionately +attracted by Mignon’s form, destiny, and being. +He has often painted her already, and is now going forth to +copy from nature the scenes where she passed her early +<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>years; amid these to represent the dear child in happy and +unhappy circumstances and moments, and thus to make her +image, which lives in all tender hearts, present also to the +sense of the eye.</p> + +<p class='c008'>The friends soon reach the Lago Maggiore: Wilhelm endeavors +by degrees to find out the places indicated. Rural +palaces, spacious monasteries, ferries and bays, capes and +landings, are visited; nor are the dwellings of courageous +and kind-hearted fishermen forgotten, or the cheerfully built +villages along the shore, or the gay mansions on the neighboring +heights. All this the artist can seize, to all of it +communicate, by light and coloring, the feeling suitable for +each scene; so that Wilhelm passes his days and his hours +in heart-searching emotion.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In several of the leaves stood Mignon represented on the +foreground, as she had looked and lived: Wilhelm striving +by correct description to assist the happy imagination of his +friend, and reduce these general conceptions within the +stricter limits of individuality.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And thus you might see the boy-girl set forth in various +attitudes and manifold expression. Beneath the lofty portal +of the splendid country-house she is standing, thoughtfully +contemplating the marble statues in the hall. Here she rocks +herself, plashing to and fro among the waters, in the fastened +boat: there she climbs the mast, and shows herself as a +fearless sailor.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But distinguished beyond all the other pictures was one +which the artist, on his journey hither, and prior to his meeting +with Wilhelm, had combined and painted with all its +characteristic features. In the heart of the rude mountains +shines the graceful seeming-boy, encircled with toppling +cliffs, besprayed with cataracts, in the middle of a motley +horde. Never, perhaps, was a grim, precipitous, primeval +mountain-pass more beautifully or expressively relieved with +living figures. The party-colored, gypsy-looking group, at +once rude and fantastic, strange and common, too loose to +cause fear, too singular to awaken confidence. Stout beasts +of burden are bearing along, now over paths made of trees, +now down by steps hewn in the rock, a tawdry, chaotic heap +of luggage, round which all the instruments of a deafening +music hang dangling to and fro, to affright the ear from time +to time with rude tones. Amid all this the lovely child, self-collected +without defiance, indignant without resistance, led, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>but not dragged. Who would not have looked with pleasure +at this singular and impressive picture? Given in strong +characters, frowned the stern obstruction of these rock-masses, +riven asunder by gloomy chasms, towered up together, +threatening to hinder all outgate, had not a bold +bridge betokened the possibility of again coming into union +with the rest of the world. Nor had the artist, with his +quick feeling of fictitious truth, forgot to indicate the entrance +of a cave, which you might equally regard as the +natural laboratory of huge crystals, or as the abode of a +fabulously frightful brood of dragons.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Not without a holy fear did our friends visit the marchese’s +palace. The old man was still absent on his travels; but, in +this circle also, the two wanderers, knowing well how to apply +and conduct themselves, both towards spiritual and temporal +authorities, were kindly received and entertained.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The absence of the owner also was to Wilhelm very pleasant; +for although he could have wished to see the worthy +gentleman, and would have heartily saluted him, he felt +afraid of the marchese’s thankful generosity, and of any +forced recompense of that true, loving conduct for which he +had already obtained the fairest reward.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And thus our friends went floating in gay boats from shore +to shore, cruising the lake in every direction. It was the +fairest season of the year: and they missed neither sunrise +nor sunset, nor any of the thousand shadings which the heavenly +light first bounteously dispenses over its own firmament, +and from thence over lake and land; not appearing itself in +its perfect glory till imaged back from the waters.</p> + +<p class='c009'>A luxuriant vegetable world, planted by Nature, watched +over and forwarded by Art, on every side surrounded them. +The first chestnut forests they had already greeted with welcome; +and now they could not restrain a mournful smile, as, +lying under the shade of cypresses, they saw the laurel +mounting up, the pomegranates reddening, orange and citron +trees unfolding themselves in blossoms, and fruit at the +same time glowing forth from the dark foliage.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Through means of his vivid associate, Wilhelm had another +enjoyment prepared for him. Our old friend had not +been favored by Nature with the eye of a painter. Susceptible +of visual beauty only in the human form, he now felt, +that by the presence of a companion, alike disposed, but +trained to quite different enjoyments and activities, the surrounding +world also was opened to his sight.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>By viewing, under conversational direction, the changing +glories of the region, and still more by concentrated imitation, +his eyes were opened, and his mind freed from all its +once obstinate doubts. Hitherto all copies of Italian scenery +had seemed to him suspicious: the sky, he thought, was too +blue; the violet tone of those charming distances was lovely, +but untrue; and the abundant, fresh green too bright and +gay; but now he united in his inmost perceptions with his +new friend, and learned, susceptible as he was, to look at +the earth with that friend’s eyes: and, while Nature unfolded +the open secret of her beauty, he could not but feel an +irresistible attraction towards Art as towards her most fit +expositor.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But his pictorial friend quite unexpectedly anticipated his +wishes in another point. The artist had already many times +started some gay song, and thus, in hours of rest, delightfully +enlivened and accompanied their movement when out +in long voyages over the water. But now it happened, that, +in one of the palaces they were visiting, he found a curious, +peculiar stringed instrument,—a lute of small size, strong, +well toned, convenient, and portable: he soon contrived to +tune it, and then handled the strings so pleasantly, and so +well entertained those about him, that, like a new Orpheus, +he subdued by soft harmonies the usually rigorous and dry +castellan, and kindly constrained him to lend the instrument +for a time, under the condition, that, before departing, the +singer should faithfully return it, and, in the interim, should +come back some Sunday or holiday, and again gratify them +by his music.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Quite another spirit now enlivened lake and shore: boat +and skiff strove which should be nearest our friends; even +freight and market barges lingered in their neighborhood; +rows of people on the beach followed their course; when +landing they were encircled by a gay-minded throng; when +departing each blessed them with a heart contented, yet full +of longing.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And now, at last, to any third party who had watched our +friends, it must have been apparent enough that their mission +was, in fact, accomplished: all scenes and localities referring +to Mignon had been, not only sketched, but partly brought +into light, shade, and color, partly in warm, mid-day hours, +finished with the utmost fidelity. In effecting this they had +shifted from place to place in a peculiar way, as Wilhelm’s +vow frequently impeded them: this, however, they had now +<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>and then contrived to evade by explaining it as valid only on +land, and on water not applicable.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Indeed, Wilhelm himself now felt that their special purpose +was attained; yet he could not deny that the wish to +see Hilaria and the fair widow must also be satisfied if he +wished to leave this country with a free mind. His friend, to +whom he had imparted their story, was no less curious, and +already prided himself in the thought, that, in one of his +paintings, there was a vacant space, which, as an artist, he +might decorate with the forms of these gentle persons.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Accordingly, they now cruised to and fro, watching the +points where strangers are wont first to enter this paradise. +Their hope of meeting friends here had already been made +known to the boatmen; and the search had not lasted long +when there came in sight a splendid barge, which they instantly +made chase of, and forbore not passionately to +grapple with on reaching it. The dames, in some degree +alarmed at this movement, soon recovered their composure +as Wilhelm produced his little piece of chart; and the two, +without hesitation, recognized the arrow which themselves +had drawn on it. The friends were then kindly invited to +come on board the ladies’ barge, which they did without an +instant’s delay.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And now let us figure to ourselves these four, as they sit +together in the daintiest apartment, the most blissful world +lying round them, looking in each other’s faces, fanned by +soft airs, rocked on glittering waves. Imagine the female +pair, as we lately saw them described; the male, as they +have together for weeks been leading a wayfaring life; and +after a little reflection we behold them all in the most delightful, +but also the most dangerous situation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>For the three who have before, willingly or unwillingly, +ranked themselves in the number of renunciants, we have +not the worst to fear: the fourth, however, may, probably +enough, too soon see himself admitted into that order, like +the others.</p> + +<p class='c009'>After crossing the lake several times, and pointing out the +most interesting spots, both on the shore and the islands, +our two wanderers conducted their fair friends to the place +they were to pass the night in; where a dexterous guide, +selected for this voyage, had taken care to provide all possible +conveniences. Wilhelm’s vow was now a harsh but +suitable master of the ceremonies; for he and his companion +had already passed three days in this very station, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>exhausted all that was remarkable in the environs. The +artist, not restrained by any vow, begged permission to +attend the dames on shore: this, however, they declined, +and so the party separated at some distance from the harbor.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Scarcely had the singer stepped into his skiff, which hastily +drew back from the beach, when he seized his lute, and gracefully +began raising that strangely plaintive song which the +Venetian gondoliers send forth in clear melody from land to +sea, and from sea to land. Expert enough in this feat, +which in the present instance proceeded with peculiar tenderness +and expression, he strengthened his voice in proportion +to the increasing distance; so that on the shore you +would have thought you heard him still singing in the same +place. He at last laid his lute aside, trusting to his voice +alone, and had the satisfaction to observe that the dames, +instead of retiring into their house, were pleased to linger on +the shore. He felt so inspired that he could not cease, not +even when night and remoteness had withdrawn every thing +from view; till at last his calmer friend reminded him, that, +if darkness did favor his tones, the skiff had already long +passed the limits within which these could take effect.</p> + +<p class='c009'>According to promise, the two parties again met next day +on the open lake. Flying along, they formed acquaintance +with the lovely series of prospects, now standing forth in +separate distinction, then gathering into rows, and seen +behind each other, and at last fading away, as the higher +eclipsed the lower; all which, repeating itself in the waters, +affords in such excursions the most varied entertainment. +Nor, in the course of these sights, did the copies of them, +from our artist’s portfolio, fail to awaken thoughts and anticipations +of what, in the present hour, was not imparted. +For all such matters the still Hilaria seemed to have a free +and fair feeling.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But, towards noon, singularity again came into play: the +ladies landed alone; the men cruised before the harbor. And +now the singer endeavored to accommodate his music to a +shorter distance, where not only the general, soft, and quickly +warbling tone of desire, but likewise a certain gay, graceful +importunity might be expected to tell. And here now and +then some one or other of the songs, for which we stand indebted +to our friends in the “Apprenticeship,” would come +hovering over his strings, over his lips; but out of well-meant +regard to the feelings of his hearers, as well as to his +own, he restrained himself in this particular, and roved at +<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>large in foreign images and emotions, whereby his performance +gained in effect, and reached the ear with so much the +more insinuating blandishment. The two friends, blockading +the harbor in this way, would not have recollected the +trivial concern of eating and drinking, had not the more +provident fair ones sent them over a supply of dainty bits, +to which an accompanying draught of wine had the best +possible relish.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Every separation, every stipulation, that comes in the way +of our gathering passions, sharpens instead of stifling them; +and in this case, as in others, it may be presumed that the +short absence had awakened equal longing in both parties. +At all events, the dames in their gay, dazzling gondola were +very soon to be seen coming back.</p> + +<p class='c009'>This word gondola, however, let us not take up in the +melancholy Venetian meaning: here it signifies a cheerful, +commodious, social bark; which, had our little company +been twice as large, would still have been spacious enough +for them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Some days were spent in this peculiar way, between meeting +and parting, between separation and social union; but, +amid the enjoyment of the most delightful intercourse, departure +and bereavement still hovered before the agitated +soul. In presence of the new friends the old came back into +the mind: were these new ones absent, each could not but +admit that already they had taken deep root in his remembrance. +None but a composed and tried spirit, like our fair +widow, could in such moments have maintained herself in +complete equilibrium.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Hilaria’s heart had been too deeply wounded to admit of +any new entire impression: but as the grace of a fair scene +encircles us of itself with soothing influences; so, when the +mildness of tender-hearted friends conspires with it, there +comes over sense and soul a peculiar mood of softness, that +recalls to us, as in dreaming visions, the past and the absent, +and withdraws the present, as if it were but a show, into +spiritual remoteness. Thus, alternately rocked this way and +that, attracted and repelled, approximated and removed, they +wavered and wended for several days.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Without more narrowly investigating these circumstances, +the shrewd, experienced guide imagined he observed some +alteration in the calm demeanor of his heroines; and when +at last the whimsical part of their predicament became known +to him, he contrived here also to devise the most grateful +<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>expedient. For, as our two shipmen were again conducting +the ladies to their usual place of dinner, they were met by +another gay bark, which, falling alongside of theirs, exhibited +a well-covered table, with all the cheerful invitations of +a festive repast: the friends could now wait in company the +lapse of several hours, and only night decided the customary +separation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Happily the artist and Wilhelm had, in their former voyagings, +neglected, out of a certain natural caprice, to visit the +most highly ornamented of all the islands, and had even yet +never thought of showing to their fair friends the many artificial +and somewhat dilapidated curiosities of the place, before +these glorious scenes of creation were entirely gone through. +At last, however, new light rose on their minds. They took +counsel with the guide: he contrived forthwith to expedite +their voyage, and all looked on it as the most blissful they +had yet undertaken. They could now hope and expect, after +so many interrupted joys, to spend three whole heavenly +days assembled together in a sequestered abode.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And here we cannot but bestow on this guide our high +commendation: he belonged to that nimble, active, dexterous +class, who, in attendance on successive parties, often +travel the same roads; perfectly acquainted with the conveniences +and inconveniences on all of them, they understand +how to use the one and evade the other, and, without leaving +their own profit out of sight, still to conduct their patrons +more cheaply and pleasantly through the country than without +such aid would have been possible.</p> + +<p class='c009'>At this time, also, a sufficient female train, belonging to +our dames, for the first time stepped forth in decided activity; +and the fair widow could now make it one of her conditions, +that the friends were to remain with her as guests, +and content themselves with what she called her moderate +entertainment. In this point, too, all prospered; for the +cunning functionary had, on this occasion as on others, contrived +to make so good a use of the letters and introductions +which his heroines had brought with them, that, the owner of +the place they were now about to visit being absent, both +castle and garden, kitchen included, were thrown open for +the service of the strangers,—nay, some prospect was held +out, even of the cellar. All things co-operated so harmoniously, +that our wanderers from the very first moment felt +themselves as if at home, as if born lords of this paradise.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The whole luggage of the party was now carried to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>island, an arrangement producing much convenience to all; +though the chief advantage aimed at was, that the portfolios +of our artist, now for the first time all collected together, +might afford him means to exhibit in continuous sequence to +his fair hostesses the route he had followed. This task was +undertaken by all parties with delight. Not that they proceeded +in the common style of amateur and artist, mutually +eulogizing: here was a gifted man, rewarded by the most +sincere and judicious praise. But that we fall not into the +suspicion of attempting, with general phrases, to palm on +credulous readers what we could not openly show them, let +us here insert the judgment of a critic, who some years afterwards +viewed with studious admiration both the pieces here +in question, and the others of a like or similar sort by the +same hand.</p> + +<p class='c011'>“He succeeds in representing the cheerful repose of lake-prospects, +where houses in friendly approximation, imaging +themselves in the clear wave, seem as if bathing in its depths; +shores encircled with green hills, behind which rise forest +mountains, and icy peaks of glaciers. The tone of coloring +in such scenes is gay, mirthfully clear; the distances, as if +overflowed with softening vapor, which, from watered hollows +and river valleys, mounts up grayer and mistier, and +indicates their windings. No less is the master’s art to be +praised in views from valleys lying nearer the high Alpine +ranges, where declivities slope down, luxuriantly overgrown, +and fresh streams roll hastily along by the foot of rocks.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“With exquisite skill, in the deep, shady trees of the foreground, +he gives the distinctive character of the several +species; satisfying us in the form of the whole, as in the +structure of the branches and the details of the leaves,—no +less so in the fresh green, with its manifold shadings, where +soft airs appear as if fanning us with benignant breath, and +the lights as if thereby put in motion.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“In the middle ground his lively green tone grows fainter +by degrees, and at last, on the more distant mountain tops, +passing into weak violet, weds itself with the blue of the sky. +But our artist is, above all, happy in his paintings of high +Alpine regions; in seizing the simple greatness and stillness +of their character; the wide pastures on the slopes, clothed +with the freshest green, where dark, solitary firs stand forth +from the grassy carpet; and from high cliffs foaming brooks +rush down. Whether he relieve his pasturages with grazing +cattle, or the narrow, winding, rocky path with mules and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>laden pack-horses, he paints all with equal truth and richness: +still introduced in the proper place, and not in too +great copiousness, they decorate and enliven these scenes +without interrupting, without lessening, their peaceful solitude. +The execution testifies a master’s hand,—easy with +a few sure strokes, and yet complete. In his later pieces he +employed glittering English, permanent colors on paper: +these pictures, accordingly, are of pre-eminently blooming +tone, cheerful, yet, at the same time, strong and sated.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“His views of deep mountain chasms, where round and +round nothing fronts us but dead rock; where, in the abyss, +overspanned by its bold arch, the wild stream rages,—are, +indeed, of less attraction than the former; yet their truth +excites us: we admire the great effect of the whole, produced +at so little cost, by a few expressive strokes, and +masses of local colors.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“With no less accuracy of character can he represent the +regions of the topmost Alpine ranges, where neither tree nor +shrub any more appears; but only, amid the rocky teeth and +snow summits, a few sunny spots clothe themselves with a +soft sward. Beautiful and balmy and inviting as he colors +these spots, he has here wisely forborne to introduce grazing +herds; for these regions give food only to the chamois, and +<a id='tn-perilousemployment'></a>a perilous employment to the wild-hay-men.</p> + +<p class='c012'>“We shall not deviate from our purpose of bringing the +condition of these waste scenes as close as possible to the +conception of our readers, if to this word, wild-hay-man, +or <span lang="de"><i>Wildheuer</i></span>, we subjoin a short explanation. It is a name +given to the poorer inhabitants of the upland Alpine ranges, +who occupy themselves in making hay from such grassy spots +as are inaccessible to cattle. For this purpose they climb, +with cramps on their feet, the steepest and most dangerous +cliffs; or from high crags let themselves down by ropes when +this is necessary, and so reach these grassy patches. The +grass once cut and dried to hay, they throw it down from the +heights into the deeper valleys; where, being collected together, +it is sold to cattle-owners, with whom, on account of +its superior quality, it finds a ready market.”</p> + +<p class='c008'>These paintings, which must have gratified and attracted +any eye, were viewed by Hilaria, in particular, with great +attention; and from her observations it became clear, that, +in this department, she herself was no stranger. To the +artist, least of all, did this continue secret: nor could approval +<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>from any one have been more precious to him than +from this most graceful of all persons. Her companion, +therefore, kept silence no longer, but blamed Hilaria for not +coming forward with her own accomplishment, but lingering +in this case as she always did,—now where the question was +not of being praised or blamed, but of being instructed. A +fairer opportunity, she said, might not easily occur.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And now it came to light, when she was thus forced to +exhibit her portfolios, what a talent was lying hid behind this +still and most lovely nature: the capacity had been derived +from birth, and diligently cultivated by practice. She possessed +a true eye; a delicate hand, such as women, accustomed +to use it in their dressing and decorating operations, +find available in higher art. You might, doubtless, observe +unsureness in the strokes, and, in consequence, a too undecided +character in the objects: but you could not help +admiring the most faithful execution; though the whole was +not seized in its happiest effect, not grouped and adjusted +with the skill of an artist. She is afraid, you would say, of +profaning her object, if she keep not completely true to it: +hence she becomes precise and stiff, and loses herself in +details.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But now, by the great, free talent, by the bold hand of +the artist, she feels rising, awakening within her, whatever +genuine feeling and taste had till now slumbered in her +mind: she perceives that she has but to take heart, and +earnestly and punctually to follow some fundamental maxims +which the artist, with penetrating judgment and friendly +importunity, is repeating, and impressing on her. That +sureness of stroke comes of its own accord; she by degrees +dwells less on the parts than on the whole: and thus the +fairest capability rises on a sudden to fulfilment; as a rosebud, +which in the evening we passed by unobservant, breaks +forth in the morning at sunrise before our face; and the +living, quivering movement of this lordly blossom, struggling +out to the light, seems almost visible before our eyes.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Nor did this intellectual culture remain without moral +effects; for, on a pure spirit, it produces a magic impression +to be conscious of that heartfelt thankfulness natural towards +any one to whom it stands indebted for decisive instruction. +In this case it was the first glad emotion which had risen in +Hilaria’s soul for many a week. To see this lordly world +lying round her day after day, and now at once to feel the +instantly acquired, more perfect gift of representing it! +<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>What delight in figures and tints, to be approaching nearer +the Unspeakable! She felt herself surprised as with a new +youth, and could not refuse a peculiar kindliness to the man +who had procured for her such happiness.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Thus did the two sit together: you could scarcely have +determined whether he were readier in communicating secret +advantages in art, or she in seizing them and turning them +to practice. The happiest rivalry, such as too seldom rises +between scholar and master, here took place. Many a time +you might observe the friend preparing with some decisive +stroke to influence her drawing; which she, on the other +hand, would gently decline, hastening to do the wished, the +necessary, of her own accord, and always to her master’s +astonishment.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The fair widow, in the mean while, walked along the terraces +with Wilhelm, under cypresses and pines, now under +vine, now under orange groves, and at last could not but +fulfil the faintly indicated wish of her new friend, and disclose +to him the strange entanglement by which the two fair pilgrims, +cut off from their former ties, and straitly united to +one another, had been sent forth to wander over the world.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, who wanted not the gift of accurately noting +what he saw, took down her narrative some time afterwards +in writing: this, as he compiled it and transmitted it by +Hersilia to Natalia, we purpose by and by communicating to +our readers.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The last evening was now come; and a rising, most clear, +full moon concealed the transition from day to night. The +party had assembled and seated themselves on one of the +highest terraces, to see distinct and unimpeded, and glittering +in the sheen of east and west, the peaceful lake, hidden +partly in its length, but visible over all its breadth.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Whatever in such circumstances might be talked of, it was +natural once more to repeat the hundred times repeated; +to mention the beauties of this sky, of this water, of this +land, under the influences of a strong sun and milder moon,—nay, +exclusively and lyrically to recognize and describe +them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But what none of them uttered, what each durst scarcely +avow to himself, was the deep, mournful feeling which, +stronger or weaker, but with equal truth and tenderness, was +beating in every bosom. The presentiment of parting diffused +itself over present union: a gradual stagnation was +becoming almost painful.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>Then at last the singer roused himself, summoned up his +resolution; with strong tones, preluding on his instrument; +heedless of the former well-meant reserve. Mignon’s figure, +with the first soft song of the gentle child, were hovering +before him. Passionately hurried over the limits, with longing +touch awakening the sweetly sounding strings, he began to +raise,—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Dost know the land where citrons, lemons, grow,</div> + <div class='line'> Gold oranges ’neath dusky foliage”….</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c018'>Hersilia rose in deepest agitation, and hurried away, veiling +her face: our fair widow, with a motion of refusal, waved +her hand towards the singer; while she caught Wilhelm’s arm +with the other. The perplexed and half-unconscious youth +followed Hilaria: Wilhelm, by his more considerate guide, +was led after them. And now, when they stood all four under +the high moonshine, the general emotion was no longer to +be concealed. The women threw themselves into each other’s +arms; the men embraced each other; and Luna was witness +of the noblest, chastest tears. Some recollection slowly returned: +they forced themselves asunder, silent, under strange +feelings and wishes, from which hope was already cut off. +And now our artist, whom his friend dragged with him, felt +himself here under the void heaven, in the solemn, lovely +hour of night, initiated in the first stage of renunciation, +which those friends had already passed through, though they +now saw themselves again in danger of being sharply tried.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Not till late had the young men gone to rest; awakening +in the early morning, they took heart; thought themselves +now strong enough for a farewell to this paradise; devised +many plans for still, without violation of duty, at least lingering +in the pleasant neighborhood.</p> + +<p class='c009'>While purposing to introduce their projects to this effect, +they were cut short by intelligence, that, with the earliest +break of day, the ladies had departed. A letter from the +hand of our Queen of Hearts gave them more precise information. +You might have doubted whether sense rather +than goodness, love rather than friendship, acknowledgment +of merit rather than soft, bashful favor, was expressed in it. +But, alas! in the conclusion stood the hard request, that our +two wanderers were neither to follow their heroines, nor anywhere +to seek them; nay, if they chanced to see each other, +they were faithfully to avoid meeting.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And now the paradise, as if by the touch of an enchanter’s +<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>rod, was changed for our friends into an utter desert; and +certainly they would have smiled at themselves had they perceived +at this moment how unjust and unthankful they were +on a sudden become to so fair and remarkable a scene. No +self-seeking hypochondriac could so sharply and spitefully +have rated and censured the decay of the buildings, the neglected +condition of the walls, the weathered aspect of the +towers, the grassy obstruction of the walks, the perishing of +the trees, the mossiness and mouldering of the artificial +grottos, and whatever else of that sort was to be observed, +as our two travellers now did. By degrees, however, they +settled themselves as circumstances would admit: the artist +carefully packed up his work; they both set sail; Wilhelm +accompanying him to the upper quarter of the lake, where, +by previous agreement, the former set forth on his way to +Natalia, to introduce her by his fair landscape-papers into +scenes which, perhaps, she might not soon have an opportunity +of viewing with her eyes. He was at the same time commissioned +to inform her confessionally of the late incident, +which had reduced him to a state such that he might be received +with hearty kindness by the confederates in the vow +of renunciation, and with soft, friendly treatment in the +midst of them, be comforted if he could not be healed.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>In this division of our work, the exculpatory “Word from +the Editor” might have been more requisite than even in the +foregoing chapter; for there, though we had not the paintings +of the master and his fair scholar, on which all depended, +to exhibit before our readers, and could neither +make the perfection of the finished artist, nor the commencing +stintedness nor rapid development of the art-loving +beauty, visible to their eyes, yet still the description might +not be altogether inefficient, and many genial and thought-exalting +matters remained to be imparted. But here, where +the business in hand is a great object, which one could have +wished to see treated in the most precise manner, there is, +unhappily, too little noted down; and we cannot hope that a +complete view will be attained from our communications.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>Again, it is to be observed, that in the novel, as in universal +history, we have to struggle with uncertain computations +of time, and cannot always decisively fix what has +happened sooner, and what later. We shall hold, therefore, +by the surest points.</p> + +<p class='c008'>That a year must have passed since Wilhelm left the +pedagogic province is rendered certain by the circumstance +that we now meet him at the festival to which he had been +invited: but as our wandering renunciants sometimes unexpectedly +dive down and vanish from our sight, and then +again emerge into view at a place where they were not +looked for, it cannot be determined with certainty what track +they have followed in the interim.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Now, however, the traveller advances from the side of +the plain country into the pedagogic province: he comes +over fields and pasturages; skirts, on the dry lea, many a +little freshet; sees bushy rather than woody hills; a free +prospect on all sides, over a surface but little undulated. +On such tracks, he did not long doubt that he was in the +horse-producing region; and accordingly he failed not here +and there to observe greater or smaller herds of mares and +foals. But all at once the horizon darkens with a fierce +cloud of dust, which, rapidly swelling nearer and nearer, +covers all the breadth of the space, yet at last, rent asunder +by a sharp side wind, is forced to disclose its interior +tumult.</p> + +<p class='c009'>At full gallop rushes forward a vast multitude of these +noble animals, guided and held together by mounted keepers. +The monstrous hurly-burly whirls past the wanderer: +a fair boy among the keepers looks at him with surprise, +pulls in, leaps down, and embraces his father.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Now commences a questioning and answering: the boy relates +that an agricultural life had not agreed with him; the +harvest-home he had, indeed, found delightful, but the subsequent +arrangements, the ploughing and digging, by no means +so. This the superiors remark, and observe at the same +time that he likes to employ himself with animals: they +direct him to the useful and necessary domestic breeds, try +him as a sequestered herdsman and keeper, and at last promote +him to the more lively equestrian occupation, where +accordingly he now, himself a young foal, has to watch over +foals, and to forward their good nourishment and training +under the oversight of skilful comrades.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>Father and son, following the herd by various lone-lying +spacious farm-yards, reached the town, or hamlet, near which +the great annual market was held. Here rages an incredible +confusion, in which it is hard to determine whether merchants +or wares raise more dust. From all countries, purchasers +assemble here to procure animals of noble blood and +careful training: all the languages of the earth, you would +fancy, meet your ear. Amid all this hubbub, too, rises the +lively sound of powerful wind instruments: every thing bespeaks +motion, vigor, and life.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The wanderer meets his overseer of last year, who presents +him to the others: he is even introduced to one of the Three, +and by him, though only in passing, paternally and expressively +saluted.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm, here again observing an example of exclusive +culture and life-leading, expresses a desire to know in what +else the pupils are practised, by way of counterpoise, that +so in this wild, and, to a certain degree, savage occupation +of feeding animals, the youth may not himself roughen into +an animal. And, in answer, he is gratified to learn, that precisely +with this violent and rugged-looking occupation the +softest in the world is united,—the learning and practising +of languages.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To this,” it was said, “we have been induced by the +circumstance, that there are youths from all quarters of the +world assembled here: now, to prevent them from uniting, as +usually happens when abroad, into national knots, and forming +exclusive parties, we endeavor by a free communication +of speech to approximate them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Indeed, a general acquaintance with languages is here +in some degree rendered necessary; since, in our yearly +market festivals, every foreigner wishes to converse in his +own tones and idiom, and, in the course of cheapening and +purchasing, to proceed with all possible convenience. That +no Babylonish confusion of tongues, however, no corruption +of speech, may arise from this practice, we employ a different +language month by month, throughout the year; according +to the maxim, that, in learning any thing, its first principles +alone should be taught by constraint.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We look upon our scholars,” said the overseer, “as so +many swimmers, who, in the element which threatened to +swallow them, feel with astonishment that they are lighter, +that it bears and carries them forward; and so it is with +every thing that man undertakes.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>“However, if any one of our young men show a special +inclination for this or the other language, we neglect not, in +the midst of this tumultuous-looking life, which nevertheless +offers very many quiet, idly solitary, nay, tedious hours, to +provide for his true and substantial instruction. Our riding +grammarians, among whom there are even some pedagogues +you would be surprised to discover among these bearded and +beardless centaurs. Your Felix has turned himself to +Italian; and, in the monotonous solitude of his herdsman +life, you shall hear him send forth many a dainty song with +proper feeling and taste. Practical activity and expertness +are far more compatible with sufficient intellectual culture +than is generally supposed.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Each of these districts was celebrating its peculiar festival, +so the guest was now conducted to the instrumental +music department. This tract, skirted by the level country, +began from its very border to exhibit kind and beautifully +changing valleys; little trim woods; soft brooks, by the side +of which, among the sward, here and there a mossy crag +modestly stood forth. Scattered, bush-encircled dwellings +you might see on the hillsides: in soft hollows, the houses +clustered nearer together. Those gracefully separated cottages +lay so far apart, that neither tones nor mistones could +be heard from one to the other.</p> + +<p class='c009'>They now approached a wide space, begirt with buildings +and shady trees, where crowded, man on man, all seemed on +the stretch of expectation and attention. Just as the +stranger entered, there was sent forth from all the instruments +a grand symphony, the full, rich power and tenderness +of which he could not but admire. Opposite the spacious +main orchestra was a smaller one, which failed not to attract +his notice: here stood various younger and elder scholars; +each held his instrument in readiness without playing: these +were they who as yet could not, or durst not, join in with +the whole. It was interesting to observe how they stood, as +it were, on the start; and our friend was informed that such +a festival seldom passed over without some one or other of +them suddenly developing his talent.</p> + +<p class='c009'><a id='tn-instrumental'></a>As, among the instrumental music, singing was now introduced, +no doubt could remain that this also was favored. +To the question, What other sort of culture was here +blended in kind union with the chief employment, our wanderer +learned, in reply, that it was poetry, and of the +lyrical kind. In this matter it appeared their main concern +<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>was, that both arts should be developed, each for itself and +from itself, but then also in contrast and combination with +each other. The scholars were first instructed in each +according to its own limitations, then taught how the two +reciprocally limit, and again reciprocally free each other.</p> + +<p class='c009'>To poetical rhythm the musical artist opposes measure +of tone, and movement of tone. But here the mastery of +Music over Poesy soon shows itself; for if the latter, as +is fit and necessary, keep her quantities never so steadily +in view, still for the musician few syllables are decidedly +short or long: at his pleasure he can overset the most conscientious +procedure of the rhythmer,—nay, change prose itself +into song; from which, in truth, the richest possibilities +present themselves: and the poet would soon feel himself +annihilated if he could not, on his own side, by lyrical +tenderness and boldness, inspire the musician with reverence, +and, now in the softest sequence, now by the most +abrupt transitions, awaken new feelings in the mind.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The singers to be met with here are mostly poets themselves. +Dancing also is taught in its fundamental principles, +that so all these accomplishments may regularly spread +themselves into every district.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The guest, on being led across the next boundary, at +once perceived an altogether different mode of building. +The houses were no longer scattered into separation, no +longer in the shape of cottages: they stood regularly united, +beautiful in their exterior, spacious, convenient, and elegant +within; you here saw an unconfined, well-built, stately town, +corresponding to the scene it stood in. Here the plastic +arts, and the trades akin to them have their home; and a +peculiar silence reigns over these spaces.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The plastic artist, it is true, must still figure himself as +standing in relation to all that lives and moves among men; +but his occupation is solitary: and yet, by the strangest +contradiction, there is, perhaps, no other that so decidedly +requires a living accompaniment and society. Now, here, +in that circle, is each in silence forming shapes that are +forever to engage the eyes of men: a holiday stillness +reigns over the whole scene; and did you not here and +there catch the picking of stone-hewers, and the measured +stroke of carpenters, who are now busily employed in finishing +a lordly edifice, the air were unmoved by any sound.</p> + +<p class='c009'><a id='tn-moreover'></a>Our wanderer was struck, moreover, by the earnestness, +the singular rigor, with which beginners, as well as more +<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>advanced pupils, were treated: it seemed as if no one, by +his own power and judgment, accomplished any thing, but +as if a secret spirit, striving towards one single great aim, +pervaded and vivified them all. Nowhere did you observe a +scheme or sketch: every stroke was drawn with forethought. +As the wanderer inquired of his guide the reason of this +peculiar procedure, he was told, “That imagination was, +in itself, a vague, unstable power, which the whole merit of +the plastic artist consisted in more and more determining, +fixing, nay, at last exalting to visible presence.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The necessity for sure principles in other arts was mentioned. +“Would the musician,” it was said, “permit his +scholar to dash wildly over the strings,—nay, to invent bars +and intervals for himself at his own good pleasure? Here +it is palpable that nothing can be left to the caprice of the +learner: the element he is to work in is irrevocably given; +the implement he is to wield is put into his hands; nay, the +very way and manner of his using it, I mean the changing +of the fingers, he finds prescribed to him; so ordered that +the one part of his hand shall give place to the other, and +each prepare the proper path for its follower: by such +determinate co-operation only can the impossible at last +become possible.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But what chiefly vindicates the practice of strict requisitions, +of decided laws, is that genius, that native talent, +is precisely the readiest to seize them, and yield them willing +obedience. It is only the half-gifted that would wish to +put his own contracted singularity in the place of the unconditional +whole, and justify his false attempts under cover +of an unconstrainable originality and independence. To +this we grant no currency: we guard our scholars from all +such misconceptions, whereby a large portion of life, nay, +often the whole of life, is apt to be perplexed and disjointed.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With genius we love most to be concerned, for this is +animated just by that good spirit of quickly recognizing +what is profitable for it. Genius understands that Art is +called Art, because it is <em>not</em> Nature. Genius bends itself +to respect even towards what may be named conventional; +for what is this but agreeing, as the most distinguished men +have agreed, to regard the unalterable, the indispensable, +as the best? And does not such submission always turn to +good account?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Here, too, as in all our departments, to the great assistance +<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>of the teachers, our three reverences and their signs, +with some changes suitable to the nature of the main employment, +have been introduced and inculcated.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The wanderer, in his further survey, was surprised to +observe that the town seemed still extending; street unfolding +itself from street, and so offering the most varied prospects. +The exterior of the edifices corresponded to their +destination: they were dignified and stately, not so much +magnificent as beautiful. To the nobler and more earnest +buildings in the centre of the town the more cheerful were +harmoniously appended; till, farther out, gay, decorated +suburbs, in graceful style, stretched forth into the country, +and at last separated into garden-houses.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The stranger could not fail to remark that the dwellings +of the musicians in the preceding district were by no +means to be compared, in beauty or size, with the present, +which painters, statuaries, and architects inhabited. He +was told that this arose from the nature of the thing. The +musician, ever shrouded in himself, must cultivate his inmost +being, that so he may turn it outwards. The sense +of the eye he may not flatter. The eye easily corrupts +the judgment of the ear, and allures the spirit from the +inward to the outward. Inversely, again, the plastic artist +has to live in the external world, and to manifest his +inward being, as it were, unconsciously, in and upon what +is outward. Plastic artists should dwell like kings and +gods: how else are they to build and decorate for kings +and gods? They must at last so raise themselves above +the common that the whole mass of a people may feel +itself ennobled in and by their works.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Our friend then begged an explanation of another paradox. +Why, at this time, so festive, so enlivening, so +tumultuously excited, in the other regions, the greatest +stillness prevailed here, and all labors were continued?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A plastic artist,” it was answered, “needs no festival. +When he has accomplished something excellent it stands, +as it has long done before his own eye, now at last before +the eye of the world. In his task he needed no repetition, +no new effort, no fresh success; whereas the musician constantly +afflicts himself with all this: and to him, therefore, +the most splendid festival, in the most numerous assemblage, +should not be refused.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yet, at such a season,” replied Wilhelm, “something +<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>like an exhibition might be desirable, in which it would be +pleasant to inspect and judge the triennial progress of your +best pupils.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In other places,” it was answered, “an exhibition may +be necessary: with us it is not. Our whole being and +nature is exhibition. Look round you at these buildings +of every sort, all erected by our pupils, and this not without +plans, a hundred times talked of and meditated; for +the builder must not grope and experiment: what is to +continue standing must stand rightly, and satisfy, if not +forever, yet at least for a long space of time. If we +cannot help <em>committing</em> errors, we must <em>build</em> none.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With statuaries we proceed more laxly, most so of all +with painters: to both we give liberty to try this and that, each +in his own way. It stands in their power to select, in the +interior or exterior compartments of edifices in public places, +some space which they may incline to decorate. They give +forth their ideas; and, if these are in some degree to be approved +of, the completion of them is permitted, and this in +two ways: either with liberty, sooner or later, to remove the +work, should it come to displease the artist; or with the condition +that what is once set up shall remain unalterable in its +place. Most part choose the first of these offers, retaining +in their own hands this power of removal; and in the performance +they constantly avail themselves of the best advice. +The second case occurs seldomer; and we then observe that +the artist trusts less to himself, holds long conferences with +companions and critics, and by this means produces works +really estimable, and deserving to endure.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>After all this our traveller neglected not to ask, What +other species of instruction was combined with the main one +here? and received for answer, that it was poetry, and of +the epic sort.</p> + +<p class='c009'>This to our friend must have seemed a little singular, when +he heard further that the pupils were not allowed to read or +hear any finished poems by ancient or modern poets. “We +merely impart to them,” it was said, “a series of mythuses, +traditions, and legends, in the most laconic form. And now, +from the pictorial or poetic execution of these subjects, we +at once discover the peculiar productive gift of the genius +devoted to the one or the other art. Both poet and painter +thus labor at the same fountain; and each endeavors to draw +off the water to his own side to his own advantage, and attain +his own required objects with it; in which he succeeds +<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>much better than if he attempted again to fashion something +that has been fashioned already.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The traveller himself had an opportunity of seeing how +this was accomplished: several painters were busy in a room; +a gay young friend was relating with great minuteness a very +simple story; so that he employed almost as many words as +the others did pencil-strokes, to complete the same exhibition, +and round it fully off.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He was told, that, in working together, the friends were +wont to carry on much pleasant conversation; and that in +this way several improvisatori had unfolded their gifts, and +succeeded in exciting great enthusiasm for this twofold mode +of representation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Our friend now reverted his inquiries to the subject of +plastic art. “You have no exhibition,” said he, “and +therefore, I suppose, give no prize either?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“No,” said the other, “we do not; but here, close by, +we can show you something which we reckon more useful.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They entered a large hall, appropriately lighted from +above: a wide circle of busy artists first attracted the eye; +and from the midst of these rose a colossal group of figures, +elevated with pleasing effect in the centre of the place. Male +and female forms, of gigantic power, in violent postures, reminded +one of that lordly fight between heroic youths and +Amazons, wherein hate and enmity at last issue in mutually +regretful alliance. This strikingly intertwisted piece of art +presented an equally favorable aspect from every point of +its circuit. In a wide ring round it were many artists sitting +and standing, each occupied in his own way,—the painter at +his easel, the drawer at his sketch-board: some were modelling +it in full, others in bas-relief: there were even architects +engaged in planning the pedestal, on which a similar group, +when wrought in marble, was to be erected. Each individual +was proceeding by his own method in this task; painters +and drawers were bringing out the group to a plain surface, +careful, however, not to destroy its figures, but to retain as +much of it as possible. In the same manner were works in +bas-relief going forward. One man only had repeated the +whole group in a miniature scale, and in certain movements +and arrangements of limbs he really seemed to have surpassed +his model.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And now it came out that this man was the maker of the +model; who, before working it in marble, had here submitted +his performance, not to a critical, but to a practical trial, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>and by accurately observing whatever any of his fellow-artists +in his special department and way of thought might notice, +retain, or alter in the group, was purposing, in subsequent +consideration, to turn all this to his own profit: so that, +when at length the grand work stood finished in marble, +though undertaken, planned, and executed by one, it might +seem to belong to all.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The greatest silence reigned throughout this apartment +also; but the superior raised his voice, and cried, “Is there +any of you, then, who, in presence of this stationary work, +can, with gifted words, so awaken our imagination, that all +we here see concreted shall again become fluid, without losing +its character, and so convince us that what our artist has +here laid hold of was indeed the worthiest?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Called forth on all sides by name, a fair youth laid down +his work, and, as he stepped forward, began a quiet speech, +seemingly intended merely to describe the present group of +figures; but erelong he cast himself into the region of poetry, +plunged into the middle of the action, and ruled this element +like a master: by degrees his representation so swelled and +mounted by lordly words and gestures, that the rigid group +seemed actually to move about its axis, and the number of +its figures to be doubled and trebled. Wilhelm stood enraptured, +and at last exclaimed, “Can we now forbear passing +over into song itself, into rhythmic melody?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“This I should wish to deprecate,” said the overseer; +“for, if our excellent statuary will be candid, he will confess +to us that our poet scarcely pleases him; and this because +their arts lie in the most opposite regions: on the other hand, +I durst bet, that here and there a painter has not failed to +appropriate some living touches from the speech.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A soft, kindly song, however, I could wish our friend to +hear: there is one, for instance, which you sing to an air so +lovely and earnest; it turns on art in general, and I myself +never listen to it without pleasure.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>After a pause, in which they beckoned to each other, and +settled their arrangements by signs, the following heart and +spirit stirring song resounded in stately melody from all +sides:—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“While inventing and effecting,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Artist by thyself continue long:</div> + <div class='line'> The result art thou expecting,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Haste and see it in the throng.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span> Here in others look, discover</div> + <div class='line in2'> What thy own life’s course has been;</div> + <div class='line'> And thy deeds of years past over,</div> + <div class='line in2'> In thy fellow-man be seen.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'> The devising, the uniting,</div> + <div class='line in2'> What and how the forms shall be,</div> + <div class='line'> One thing will the other lighten,</div> + <div class='line in2'> And at last comes joy to thee!</div> + <div class='line'> Wise and true what thou impartest,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Fairly shaped, and softly done:</div> + <div class='line'> Thus of old the cunning artist</div> + <div class='line in2'> Artist-like his glory won.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'> As all Nature’s thousand changes</div> + <div class='line in2'> But one changeless God proclaim;</div> + <div class='line'> So in Art’s wide kingdoms ranges</div> + <div class='line in2'> One sole meaning still the same:</div> + <div class='line'> This is Truth, eternal Reason,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Which from Beauty takes its dress,</div> + <div class='line'> And, serene through time and season,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Stands for aye in loveliness.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'> While the orator, the singer,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Pour their hearts in rhyme and prose,</div> + <div class='line'> ’Neath the painter’s busy finger</div> + <div class='line in2'> Shall bloom forth Life’s cheerful rose,</div> + <div class='line'> Girt with sisters, in the middle,</div> + <div class='line in2'> And with Autumn’s fruitage blent;</div> + <div class='line'> That of life’s mysterious riddle</div> + <div class='line in2'> Some short glimpses may be hent.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'> Thousand-fold and graceful, show thou</div> + <div class='line in2'> Form from forms evolving fair;</div> + <div class='line'> And of man’s bright image know thou</div> + <div class='line in2'> That a God once tarried there:</div> + <div class='line'> And, whate’er your tasks or prizes,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Stand as brethren one and all;</div> + <div class='line'> While, like song, sweet incense rises</div> + <div class='line in2'> From the altar at your call.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>All this Wilhelm could not but let pass, though it must +have seemed paradoxical enough, and, had he not seen it +with his eyes, might even have appeared impossible. But +now, when it was explained and pointed out to him, openly +and freely, and in fair sequence, he scarcely needed to put +any further question on the subject. However, he at last +addressed his conductor as follows: “I see here a most prudent +provision made for much that is desirable in life; but +tell me further, which of your regions exhibits a similar attention +to dramatic poetry, and where could I instruct myself +in that matter? I have looked round over all your +<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>edifices, and observed none that seemed destined for such an +object.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In reply to this question, we must not hide from you, +that, in our whole province, there is no such edifice to be +seen. The drama presupposes the existence of an idle multitude, +perhaps even of a populace; and no such class finds +harbor with us: for birds of that feather, when they do not +in spleen forsake us of their own accord, we soon take care +to conduct over the marches. Doubt not, however, that in +our Institution, so universal in its character, this point was +carefully meditated; but no region could be found for the +purpose, everywhere some important scruple came in the way. +Indeed, who among our pupils could readily determine, with +pretended mirth or hypocritical sorrow, to excite in the rest +a feeling untrue in itself, and alien to the moment, for the +sake of calling forth an always dubious satisfaction? Such +juggleries we reckoned in all cases dangerous, and could not +reconcile with our earnest objects.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is said, however,” answered Wilhelm, “that this far-stretching +art promotes all the rest of whatever sort.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Nowise,” answered the other: “it employs the rest, but +spoils them. I do not blame a player for uniting himself +with a painter; but the painter, in such society, is lost. +Without any conscience, the player will lay hold of whatever +art or life presents him, and use it for his fugitive objects, +indeed, with no small profit: the painter, again, who could +wish in return to extract advantage from the theatre, will +constantly find himself a loser by it; and so also in the like +case will the musician. The combined arts appear to me +like a family of sisters, of whom the greater part were inclined +to good economy, but one was light-headed, and desirous +to appropriate and squander the whole goods and chattels +of the household. The theatre is this wasteful sister: it has +an ambiguous origin, which in no case, whether as art or +trade or amusement, it can wholly conceal.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm cast his eyes on the ground with a deep sigh: for +all that he had enjoyed or suffered on the stage rose at once +before his mind; and he blessed the good men who were wise +enough to spare their pupils such pain, and, out of principle +and conviction, to banish such errors from their sphere.</p> + +<p class='c009'>His attendant, however, did not leave him long in these +meditations, but continued, “As it is our highest and holiest +principle, that no talent, no capacity, be misdirected, we cannot +hide from ourselves, that, among so large a number, here +<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>and there a mimical gift will sometimes decidedly come to +light; exhibiting itself in an irresistible desire to ape the +characters, forms, movements, speech, of others. This we +certainly do not encourage: but we observe our pupil +strictly; and, if he continue faithful to his nature, then we +have already established an intercourse with the great +theatres of all nations; and so thither we send any youth +of tried capability, that, as the duck on the pond, so he on +the boards, may be forthwith conducted, full speed, to the +future quack-quacking, and gibble-gabbling, of his life.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wilhelm heard this with patience, but only with half conviction, +perhaps with some spleen: for so strangely is man +tempered, that he may be persuaded of the worthlessness of +any darling object, may turn away from it, nay, even execrate +it, but yet will not see it treated in this way by others; +and perhaps the spirit of Contradiction, which dwells in all +men, never rouses itself more vehemently and stoutly than +in such cases.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And the editor of these sheets may himself confess that he +lets not this strange passage through his hands without some +touch of anger. Has not he, too, in many senses, expended +more life and faculty than was right on the theatre? And +would these men convince him that this has been an unpardonable +error, a fruitless toil?</p> + +<p class='c009'>But we have no time for appending, in splenetic mood, +such remembrances and after-feelings to the narrative; for +our friend now finds himself agreeably surprised, as one of +the Three, and this a particularly prepossessing one, again +comes before his eyes. Kind, open meekness, announcing +the purest peace of soul, came in its refreshing effluences +along with him. Trustfully the wanderer could approach, +and feel his trust returned.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Here he now learned that the chief was at present in the +sanctuary, instructing, teaching, blessing; while the Three +had separated to visit all the regions, and everywhere, after +most thorough information obtained, and conferences with +the subordinate overseers, to forward what was in progress, +to found what was newly planned, and thereby faithfully discharge +their high duty.</p> + +<p class='c009'>This same excellent person now gave him a more comprehensive +view of their internal situation and external connections; +explained to him the mutual influences of one region +on another; and also by what steps, after a longer or a +shorter date, a pupil could be transferred from the one to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>the other. All this harmonized completely with what he +already knew. At the same time he was much gratified by +the description given of his son, and their further plan of +education met with his entire approval.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He was now, by the assistants and overseer, invited to a +miners’ festival, which was forthwith to be celebrated. The +ascent of the mountains was difficult; and Wilhelm fancied +he observed that his guide walked even slower towards evening, +as if the darkness had not been likely to obstruct their +path still more. But, when deep night came round them, this +enigma was solved: our wanderer observed little flames come +glimmering and wavering forth from many dells and chasms, +gradually stretch themselves into lines, and roll over the summits +of the mountains. Much kindlier than when a volcano +opens, and its belching roar threatens whole countries with +destruction, did this fair light appear; and yet, by degrees, +it glowed with new brightness; grew stronger, broader, more +continuous; glittered like a stream of stars, soft and lovely +indeed, yet spreading boldly over all the scene.</p> + +<p class='c009'>After the attendant had a little while enjoyed the surprise +of his guest,—for they could clearly enough observe each +other, their faces and forms, as well as their path, being illuminated +by the light from the distance,—he began, “You +see here, in truth, a curious spectacle: these lights which, +day and night, the whole year over, gleam and work under +ground, forwarding the acquisition of concealed and scarcely +attainable treasures, these now mount and well forth from +their abysses, and gladden the upper night. Scarcely could +one anywhere enjoy so brave a review as here, where this most +useful occupation, which, in its subterranean concealment, is +dispersed and hidden from the eye, rises before us in its full +completeness, and bespeaks a great secret combination.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Amid such speeches and thoughts they had reached the +spot where these fire-brooks poured themselves into a sea of +flame surrounding a well-lighted insular space. The wanderer +placed himself in the dazzling circle, within which glittering +lights by thousands formed an imposing contrast with +the miners, ranked round it like a dark wall. Forthwith +arose the gayest music as accompaniment to becoming songs. +Hollow masses of rock came forward on machinery, and +opened a resplendent interior to the eye of the delighted +spectator. Mimetic exhibitions, and whatever else at such a +moment can gratify the multitude, combined with all this at +once to excite and to satisfy a cheerful attention.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>But with what astonishment was Wilhelm filled when, on +being introduced to the superiors, he observed friend Jarno +in solemn, stately robes among the number. “Not in vain,” +cried Jarno, “have I changed my former name with the +more expressive title of Montan: thou findest me here initiated +in mountain and cave; and now, if questioned, I could +disclose and explain to thee much that a year ago was still a +riddle to myself.”</p> + +<p class='c008'>At this point our manuscripts forsake us: of the conversation +of these friends there is nothing specified; as little +can we discover the connection of what follows next,—an +incident of which in the same bundle, in the same paper, we +find brief notice: That a meeting had taken place between +our wanderer and Lothario and the abbé. Unhappily, in this, +as in so many other leaves, the date has been neglected.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Some passages, introduced rather in the way of exclamation +than of narrative, point to the high meaning of renunciation, +by which alone the first real entrance into life is +conceivable. Then we come upon a map, marked with several +arrows pointing towards one another; and along with +this we find, in a certain sequence, several days of the month +written down: so that we might fancy ourselves again walking +in the real world, and moderately certain as to the next +part of our friend’s route, were it not that here also various +marks and ciphers, appended in different ways, awoke some +fear that a secret meaning at the bottom of it would forever +lie hid from us.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But what drives us out of all historical composure is the +strange circumstance, that, immediately on all this, there +comes in the most improbable narration, of a sort like those +tales whereby you long keep the hearer’s curiosity on the +stretch with a series of wonders, and at last explain, That +you were talking of a dream. However, we shall communicate +without change what lies before us:—</p> + +<p class='c008'>“If hitherto we had continued in the metalliferous part of +the mountains, which, externally, is soft, and by no means +of a wild aspect, I was now conducted through precipitous +and scarcely passable rocks and chasms: at last I gained the +topmost summit,—a cliff, the peak of which afforded room +only for a single person, who, if he looked down from it +into the horrid depth, might see furious mountain torrents +foaming through black abysses. In the present case I looked +<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>down without giddiness or terror, for I was light of heart; +but now my attention fixed itself on some huge crags rising +opposite me, precipitous like my own, yet offering on their +summits a larger space of level. Though parted by a monstrous +chasm, the jutting masses came so near together that +I could distinctly enough, with the naked eye, observe several +persons assembled on the summit. They were, for most +part, ladies, one of whom, coming forward to the very +verge, awakened in me double and treble anxiety; as I became +completely convinced that it was Natalia herself. The +danger of such an unexpected interview increased every +moment; but it grew boundless when a perspective came +before my eyes, and brought me over to her, and her over to +me. There is something magical at all times in perspectives. +Were we not accustomed from youth to look through them, +we should shudder and tremble every time we put them to +our eyes. It is we who are looking, and it is not we: a +being it is whose organs are raised to a higher pitch, whose +limitations are done away, who has become entitled to +stretch forth into infinitude.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“When, for example, we observe far-distant persons, by +means of such an instrument, and see them in unsuspicious +thoughtlessness following their business as if they were +solitary and unwatched, we could almost feel afraid lest they +might discover us, and indignantly upbraid us for our treacherous +curiosity.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And so likewise did I, hemmed in by a strange feeling, +waver between proximity and distance, and from instant to +instant alternate between the two.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Those others in their turn had observed us, as a signal +with a white handkerchief put beyond a doubt. For a moment +I delayed in my answer to it, finding myself thus close +beside the being whom I adored. This is her pure, benign +form: these are her taper arms, which once so helpfully appeared +before me, after unblessed sorrows and perplexities, +and at last, too, though but for moments, sympathizingly +embraced me.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I saw distinctly enough that she, too, had a perspective, +and was looking over to me; and I failed not, by such +tokens as stood at my command, to express the profession of +a true and heartfelt attachment.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And as experience teaches that remote objects, which we +have once clearly recognized through a perspective, afterwards +appear, even to the naked eye, as if standing shaped +<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>in distinct nearness, be it that more accurate knowledge +sharpens the sense, or that imagination supplies what is +wanting; so now did I see this beloved being as accurately +and distinctly as if I could have touched her, though her +company continued still irrecognizable. And as I was +trampling round my narrow station, struggling towards her +the more, the abyss was like to swallow me, had not a helpful +hand laid hold of mine, and snatched me at once from +my danger and my fairest happiness.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER XV.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>Here at last we again step on firmer ground, the localities +of which we can settle with some probability; though still +here and there on our way there occur a few uncertainties, +which it is not in our power altogether to clear up.</p> + +<p class='c009'>As Wilhelm, in order to reach any point of the line marked +out by the first arrow, had to proceed obliquely through the +country, he found himself necessitated to perform the journey +on foot, leaving his luggage to be carried after him. +For this walk of his, however, he was richly rewarded; meeting +at every step, quite unexpectedly, with loveliest tracts of +scenery. They were of that sort which the last slope of a +mountain region forms in its meeting with the plain country; +bushy hills, their soft declivities employed in domestic use; +all level spaces green; nowhere aught steep, unfruitful, or +unploughed to be noticed. Erelong he reached the main +valley, into which the side-waters flowed; and this, too, was +carefully cultivated, graceful when you looked over it, with +taper trees marking the bends of the river, and of the brooks +which poured into it. On looking at his map, his indicator, +he observed with surprise that the line drawn for him cut +directly through this valley; so that, in the first place, he +was at least on the right road.</p> + +<p class='c009'>An old castle, in good repair, and seemingly built at different +periods, stood forth on a bushy hill, at the foot of which +a gay hamlet stretched along, with its large inn rising prominent +among the other houses. Hither he proceeded, and +was received by the landlord kindly enough, yet with an excuse +that he could not be admitted, unless by the permission +<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>of a party who had hired the whole establishment for a time; +on which account he, the landlord, was under the necessity +of sending all his guests to the older inn, which lay farther +up the hamlet. After a short conference, the man seemed +to bethink himself, and said, “Indeed, there is no one of +them at home even now: but this is Saturday, and the +bailiff will not fail to be here soon; he comes every week to +settle the accounts of the last, and make arrangements for +the next. Truly, there is a fair order reigns among these +men, and a pleasure in having to do with them, though they +are strict enough; for, if they yield one no great profit, it is +sure and constant.” He then desired his new guest to +amuse himself in the large upper hall, and await what further +might occur.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Here Wilhelm, on entering, found a large, clean apartment, +except for benches and tables altogether empty. So +much the more was he surprised to see a large tablet inserted +above one of the doors, with these words marked on it in +golden letters, <span lang="la"><i>Ubi homines sunt modi sunt</i></span>; which in modern +tongue may signify, that, where men combine in society, the +way and manner in which they like to be and to continue +together is directly established. This motto made our +wanderer think: he took it as a good omen; finding here, +expressed and confirmed, a principle which he had often, in +the course of life, perceived for himself to be furthersome +and reasonable. He had not waited long when the bailiff +made his appearance; who, being forewarned by the landlord, +after a short conversation, and no very special scrutiny, admitted +Wilhelm on the following terms: To continue three +days; to participate quietly in whatever should occur; and, +happen what might, to ask no questions about the reason; +and, at taking leave, to ask none about the score. All this +our traveller was obliged to comply with, the deputy not being +allowed to yield in a single point.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The bailiff was about retiring, when a sound of vocal +music rolled up the stairs: two pretty young men entered +singing; and these the bailiff, by a simple sign, gave to +understand that their guest was accepted. Without interrupting +their song, they kindly saluted the stranger, and +continued their duet with the finest grace; showing clearly +enough that they were well trained, and complete masters of +their art. As Wilhelm testified the most attentive interest, +they paused, and inquired, If in his own pedestrian wanderings +no song ever occurred to him, which he went along +<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>singing by himself? “A good voice,” answered Wilhelm, +“Nature has in truth denied me: yet I often feel as if a +secret Genius were whispering some rhythmic words in my +ear; so that, in walking, I move to musical measure; fancying, +at the same time, that I hear low tones accompanying +some song, which, in one way or another, has pleasantly +risen before me.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If you recollect such a song, write it down for us,” said +they: “we shall see if we have skill to accompany your +singing-demon.” He took a leaf from his note-book, and +handed them the following lines:—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“From the mountains to the champaign,</div> + <div class='line in2'> By the glens and hills along,</div> + <div class='line'> Comes a rustling and a tramping,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Comes a motion as of song;</div> + <div class='line'> And this undetermined roving</div> + <div class='line in2'> Brings delight, and brings good heed:</div> + <div class='line'> And thy striving, be ’t with loving,</div> + <div class='line in2'> And thy living, be ’t in deed!”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>After brief study, there arose at once a gay, marching +melody, which, in its repetition and restriction still stepping +forward, hurried on the hearer with it: he was in doubt +whether this was his own tune, his former theme, or one +now for the first time so fitted to the words, that no other +movement was conceivable. The singers had for some time +pleasantly proceeded in this manner, when two stout young +fellows came in, whom, by their accoutrements, you directly +recognized as masons; two others, who followed them, being +as evidently carpenters. These four, softly laying down +their tools, listened to the music, and soon struck in with +sure and decided voices; so that to the mind it seemed as if +a real wayfaring company were stepping along over hill and +valley: and Wilhelm thought he had never heard any thing so +graceful, so enlivening to heart and mind. This enjoyment, +however, was to be increased yet further, and raised to the +highest pitch, by the entrance of a gigantic figure, mounting +the stairs with a hard, firm tread, which, with all his efforts, +he could scarcely moderate. A heavy-laden dorsel he directly +placed in the corner: himself he seated on a bench, which +beginning to creak under his weight, the others laughed, yet +without going wrong in their music. Wilhelm, however, was +exceedingly surprised, when, with a huge bass voice, this +son of Anak joined in also. The hall quivered; and it +<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>was to be observed, that in his part he altered the burden, +and sang it thus:—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Life’s no resting, but a moving:</div> + <div class='line'> Let thy life be deed on deed!”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c018'>Further, you could very soon perceive that he was drawing +down the time to a slower step, and forcing the rest to follow +him. Of this, when at last they were satisfied and had concluded, +they accused him; declaring he had tried to set them +wrong.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not at all!” cried he: “it is you who tried to set me +wrong, to put me out of my own step, which must be measured +and sure, if I am to walk with my loading up hill and +down dale, and yet, in the end, arrive at my appointed hour, +to satisfy your wants.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>One after the other these persons now passed into an adjoining +room to the bailiff, and Wilhelm easily observed that +they were occupied in settling accounts,—a point, however, +as to which he was not allowed at present to inquire further. +Two fair, lively boys in the mean while entered, and began +covering a table in all speed, moderately furnishing it with +meat and wine; and the bailiff, coming out, invited them all +to sit down along with him. The boys waited, yet forgot +not their own concern, but enjoyed their share in a standing +posture. Wilhelm recollected witnessing similar scenes during +his abode among the players; yet the present company +seemed to be of a much more serious cast, constituted, not +out of sport, for show, but with a view to important concerns +of life.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The conversation of the craftsmen with the bailiff added +strength to this conviction. These four active young people, +it appeared, were busy in the neighborhood, where a violent +conflagration had destroyed the fairest village in the country; +nor did Wilhelm fail to learn that the worthy bailiff was employed +in getting timber and other building materials: all +which looked the more enigmatical, as none of these persons +seemed to be resident here, but in all other points announced +themselves as transitory strangers. By way of conclusion +to the meal, St. Christopher—such was the name they gave +the giant—brought out, for good-night, a dainty glass of +wine, which had before been set aside: a gay choral song +kept the party still some time together, after they were out +of sight; and then Wilhelm was at last conducted to a chamber +<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>of the loveliest aspect and situation. The full moon, enlightening +a rich plain, was already up; and in the bosom +of our wanderer it awoke remembrances of similar scenes. +The spirits of all dear friends hovered past him: especially +the image of Lenardo rose in him so vividly, that he might +have fancied the man himself was standing before his eyes. +All this had prepared him with its kind influences for nightly +rest, when, on a sudden, there arose a tone of so strange a +nature, that it almost frightened him. It sounded as from +a distance, and yet seemed to be in the house itself; for the +building quivered many times, and the floors reverberated +when the sound rose to its highest pitch. Wilhelm, though +his ear was usually delicate in discriminating tones, could +make nothing of this: he compared it to the droning roar of +a huge organ-pipe, which, for sheer compass, produces no +determinate note. Whether this nocturnal terror passed away +towards morning, or Wilhelm by degrees became accustomed +to the sound, and no longer heeded it, is difficult to discover: +at any rate, he fell asleep, and was in due time pleasantly +awakened by the rising sun.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Scarcely had one of the boys, who were in waiting, brought +him breakfast, when a figure entered, whom he had already +noticed last night at supper, without clearly ascertaining his +quality. A well-formed, broad-shouldered, yet nimble man, +who now, by the implements which he spread out, announced +himself as barber, and forthwith prepared for performing his +much-desired office on Wilhelm. For the rest, he was quite +silent; and with a light hand he went through his task, without +once having opened his lips. Wilhelm, therefore, began, +and said, “Of your art you are completely master, and I +know not that I have ever had a softer razor on my cheeks: +at the same time, however, you appear to be a strict observer +of the laws of the society.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Roguishly smiling, laying his finger on his lips, the taciturn +shaver glided through the door. “By my sooth!” cried +Wilhelm after him, “I think you must be old Redcloak; if +not himself, at least a descendant of his: it is lucky for you +that you ask no counter service of me; your turn would have +been but sorrily done.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>No sooner had this curious personage retired than the well-known +bailiff came in, inviting our friend to dinner for this +day, in words which sounded pretty strange: the <span class='sc'>Bond</span>, so +said the speaker, expressly, gave the stranger welcome, requested +his company at dinner, and took pleasure in the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>hope of being more closely connected with him. Inquiries +were then made as to the guest’s health, and how he was +contented with his entertainment; to all which he could only +answer in terms of satisfaction. He would, in truth, have +liked much to ask of this man, as previously of the silent +barber, some information touching the horrid sound which +throughout the night had, if not tormented, at least discomposed +him: but, mindful of his engagement, he forbore all +questions; hoping, that without importunity, from the good +will of the society, or in some other accidental way, he +might be informed according to his wishes.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Our friend now, when left alone, began to reflect on the +strange person who had sent him this invitation, and knew +not well what to make of the matter. To designate one or +more superiors by a neuter noun seemed to him a somewhat +precarious mode of speech. For the rest, there was such a +stillness all round that he could not recollect of ever having +passed a stiller Sunday. He went out of doors, and, hearing +a sound of bells, walked towards the village. Mass was +just over; and, among the villagers and country people +crowding out of church, he observed three acquaintances of +last night,—a mason, a carpenter, and a boy. Farther on he +met among the Protestant worshippers the other corresponding +three. How the rest managed their devotion was unknown +to him; but so much he thought himself entitled to +conclude, that in this society a full religious toleration was +practised.</p> + +<p class='c009'>About mid-day, at the castle-gate, he was met by the +bailiff, who then conducted him through various halls into +a large ante-chamber, and there desired him to take a seat. +Many persons passed through into an adjoining hall. Those +already known were to be seen among them; St. Christopher +himself went by: all saluted the bailiff and the stranger. +But what struck our friend most in this affair was, that the +whole party seemed to consist of artisans, all dressed in +the usual fashion, though extremely neat and clean: a few +among the number you might at most, perhaps, have reckoned +of the clerk species.</p> + +<p class='c009'>No more guests now making their appearance, the bailiff +led our friend through the stately door into a spacious hall. +Here a table of immense length had been covered, past the +lower end of which he was conducted towards the head, where +he saw three persons standing in a cross direction. But what +was his astonishment when he approached, and Lenardo, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>scarcely yet recognized, fell upon his neck. From this surprise +he had not recovered when another person, with no less +warmth and vivacity, likewise embraced him; announcing +himself as our strange Friedrich, Natalia’s brother. The +rapture of these friends diffused itself over all present: an +exclamation of joy and blessing sounded along the whole +table. But in a moment, the company being seated, all again +became silent; and the repast, served up with a certain solemnity, +was enjoyed in like manner.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Towards the conclusion of the ceremony Lenardo gave a +sign: two singers rose, and Wilhelm was exceedingly surprised +to hear in this place his yesternight’s song; which +we, for the sake of what follows, shall beg permission to +insert once more:—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“From the mountains to the champaign,</div> + <div class='line in2'> By the glens and hills along,</div> + <div class='line'> Comes a rustling and a tramping,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Comes a motion as of song;</div> + <div class='line'> And this undetermined roving</div> + <div class='line in2'> Brings delight, and brings good heed:</div> + <div class='line'> And thy striving, be ’t with loving,</div> + <div class='line in2'> And thy living, be ’t in deed!”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>Scarcely had this duet, accompanied by a chorus of agreeable +number, approached its conclusion, when two other +singers on the opposite side started up impetuously, and, +with earnest vehemence, inverted rather than continued the +song; to Wilhelm’s astonishment, proceeding thus:—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“For the tie is snapped asunder,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Trust and loving hope are fled!</div> + <div class='line'> Can I tell, in fear and wonder,</div> + <div class='line in2'> With what dangers now bested?</div> + <div class='line'> I, cut off from friend and brother,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Like the widow in her woe,</div> + <div class='line'> With the one and not the other,</div> + <div class='line in2'> On and on, my way must go!”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>The chorus, taking up this strophe, grew more and more +numerous, more and more vociferous; and yet the voice of +St. Christopher, from the bottom of the table, could still be +distinctly recognized among them. The lamentation in the +end rose almost to be frightful: a spirit of dispiritment, +combining with the skilful execution of the singers, introduced +something unnatural into the whole; so that it pained +our friend, and almost made him shudder. In truth, they all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>seemed perfectly of one mind, and as if lamenting their own +fate on the eve of a separation. The strange repetitions, the +frequent resuscitation of a fatiguing song, at length became +dangerous in the eyes of the Bond itself: Lenardo rose; and +all instantly sat down, abruptly breaking off their hymn. +The other, with friendly words, thus began:—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Indeed, I cannot blame you for continually recalling to +your minds the destiny which stands before us all, that so, +at any hour, you may be ready for it. If aged and life-weary +men have called to their neighbors, Think of dying! +we younger and life-loving men may well keep encouraging +and reminding one another with the cheerful words, Think +of wandering! Yet, withal, of a thing which we either voluntarily +undertake, or believe ourselves constrained to, it +were well to speak with cheerfulness and moderation. You +yourselves know best what, in our situation, is fixed, and +what is movable: let us enjoy the former, too, in sprightly +and gay tones; and to its success be this parting cup now +drunk!” He emptied his glass and sat down: the four +singers instantly rose, and in flowing, connected tones, thus +began:—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Keep not standing, fixed and rooted,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Briskly venture, briskly roam:</div> + <div class='line'> Head and hand, where’er thou foot it,</div> + <div class='line in2'> And stout heart, are still at home.</div> + <div class='line'> In each land the sun does visit:</div> + <div class='line in2'> We are gay whate’er betide.</div> + <div class='line'> To give room for wand’ring is it</div> + <div class='line in2'> That the world was made so wide.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>As the chorus struck in with its repetition of these lines, +Lenardo rose, with him all the rest. His nod set the whole +company into singing movement: those at the lower end +marched out, St. Christopher at their head, in pairs through +the hall; and the uplifted wanderers’ song grew clearer and +freer the farther they proceeded; producing at last a particularly +good effect when from the terraces of the castle garden +you looked down over the broad valley, in whose fulness and +beauty you might well have liked to lose yourself. While +the multitude were dispersing this way and that, according +to their pleasure, Wilhelm was made acquainted with the +third superior. This was the <span lang="de"><i>Amtmann</i></span>, by whose kind influence +many favors had been done the society; in particular, +the castle of his patron, the count, situated among several +families of rank, had been given up to their use so long as +they might think fit to tarry here.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>Towards evening, while the friends were in a far-seeing +grove, there came a portly figure over the threshold, whom +Wilhelm at once recognized as the barber of this morning. +To a low, mute bow of the man, Lenardo answered, “You +now come, as always, at the right season, and will not delay +to entertain us with your talent. I may be allowed,” continued +he, turning towards Wilhelm, “to give you some +knowledge of our society, the Bond of which I may flatter +myself that I am. No one enters our circle unless he have +some talents to show, which may contribute to the use or +enjoyment of society in general. This man is an excellent +surgeon; of his skill as a beard-artist you yourself can testify: +for these reasons, he is no less welcome than necessary +to us. Now, as his employment usually brings with it a great +and often burdensome garrulity, he has engaged, for the sake +of his own culture, to comply with a certain condition; as, +indeed, every one that means to live with us must agree to +constrain himself in some particular point, if the greater +freedom be left him in all other points. Accordingly, our +barber has renounced the use of his tongue, in so far as +aught common or casual is to be expressed by it: but, by +this means, another gift of speech has been unfolded in him, +which acts by forethought, cunningly and pleasurably; I +mean the gift of narration.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“His life is rich in wonderful experiences, which he used +to split in pieces, babbling of them at wrong times; but which +he now, constrained by silence, repeats and arranges in his +quiet thought. This also his power of imagination now forwards, +lending life and movement to past occurrences. With +no common art and skill, he can relate to us genuine antique +tales, or modern stories of the same fabulous cast; thereby, +at the right hour, affording us a most pleasant entertainment, +when I loose his tongue for him,—which I now do; giving +him, at the same time, this praise, that, in the considerable +period during which I have known him, he has never once +been guilty of a repetition. I cannot but hope, that in the +present case, for love and respect to our dear guest, he will +especially distinguish himself.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>A sprightly cheerfulness spread over Redcloak’s face; and, +without delay, he began speaking as follows.</p> + +</div> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span></div> +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER XVI.</h3> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><b>THE NEW MELUSINA.</b></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'>“Respected gentlemen! Being aware that preliminary +speeches and introductions are not much to your taste, I shall +without further talk assure you, that, in the present instance, +I hope to fulfil your commission moderately well. From me +has many a true history gone forth already, to the high and +universal satisfaction of hearers; but to-day I may assert, +that I have one to tell which far surpasses the former, and +which, though it happened to me several years ago, still disquiets +me in recollecting it, nay, still gives hope of some +further development.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“By way of introduction, let me confess, that I have not +always so arranged my scheme of life as to be certain of the +next period in it, or even of the next day. In my youth, +I was no first-rate economist, and often found myself in +manifold perplexity. At one time I undertook a journey, +thinking to derive good profit in the course of it; but the +scale I went upon was too liberal: and after having commenced +my travel with extra-post, and then prosecuted it for +a time in the diligence, I at last found myself obliged to front +the end of it on foot.</p> + +<p class='c008'>“Like a gay young blade, it had been from of old my +custom, on entering any inn, to look round for the landlady, +or even the cook, and wheedle myself into favor with her; +whereby, for most part, my shot was somewhat reduced.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“One night at dusk, as I was entering the post-house of +a little town, and purposing to set about my customary operations, +there came a fair double-seated coach with four horses +rattling up to the door behind me. I turned round, and +observed in it a young lady, without maid, without servants. +I hastened to open the carriage for her, and to ask if I could +help her in any thing. On stepping out, a fair form displayed +itself; and her lovely countenance, if you looked at it narrowly, +was adorned with a slight shade of sorrow. I again +asked if there was aught I could do for her. ‘Oh, yes!’ +said she, ‘if you will lift that little box carefully, which +you will find standing on the seat, and bring it in; but I beg +very much of you to carry it with all steadiness, and not to +move or shake it in the least.’ I took out the box with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>great care: she shut the coach-door; we walked up-stairs +together, and she told the servants that she was to stay here +for the night.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We were now alone in the chamber: she desired me to +put the box on the table, which was standing at the wall; +and as, by several of her movements, I observed that she +wished to be alone, I took my leave, reverently but warmly +kissing her hand.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Order supper for us two,’ said she then: and you may +well conceive with what pleasure I executed the commission; +scarcely deigning, in my pride of heart, to cast even a side-look +on landlady and menials. With impatience I expected +the moment that was to lead me back to her. Supper was +served: we took our seats opposite each other; I refreshed +my heart, for the first time during a considerable while, with +a good meal, and no less with so desirable a sight beside +me: nay, it seemed as if she were growing fairer and fairer +every moment.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Her conversation was pleasant, yet she carefully waived +whatever had reference to affection and love. The cloth was +removed: I still lingered, I tried all sorts of manœuvres to +get near her, but in vain; she kept me at my distance, by +a certain dignity which I could not withstand: nay, against +my will, I had to part from her at a rather early hour.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After a night passed in waking or unrestfully dreaming, +I rose early, inquired whether she had ordered horses; and, +learning that she had not, I walked into the garden, saw her +standing dressed at the window, and hastened up to her. +Here, as she looked so fair, and fairer than ever, love, +roguery, and audacity all at once started into motion within +me: I rushed towards her, and clasped her in my arms. +‘Angelic, irresistible being,’ cried I, ‘pardon! but it is impossible!’—With +incredible dexterity she whisked herself +out of my arms, and I had not even time to imprint a kiss +on her cheek. ‘Forbear such outbreakings of a sudden foolish +passion,’ said she, ‘if you would not scare away a happiness +which lies close beside you, but which cannot be laid +hold of till after some trials.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Ask of me what thou pleasest, angelic spirit!’ cried I, +‘but do not drive me to despair.’ She answered, with a +smile, ‘If you mean to devote yourself to my service, hear +the terms. I am come hither to visit a lady of my friends, +and with her I purpose to continue for a time: in the mean +while, I could wish that my carriage and this box were taken +<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>forward. Will you engage with it? You have nothing to +do but carefully to lift the box into the carriage and out, +to sit down beside it, and punctually take charge that it receive +no harm. When you enter an inn, it is put upon a +table, in a chamber by itself, in which you must neither sit +nor sleep. You lock the chamber-door with this key, which +will open and shut any lock, and has the peculiar property, +that no lock shut by it can be opened in the interim.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I looked at her; I felt strangely enough at heart; I +promised to do all, if I might hope to see her soon, and if +she would seal this hope to me with a kiss. She did so, and +from that moment I had become entirely her bondman. I +was now to order horses, she said. We settled the way +I was to take, the places where I was to wait, and expect +her. She at last pressed a purse of gold into my hand, and +I pressed my lips on the fair hand that gave it me. She +seemed moved at parting; and, for me, I no longer knew +what I was doing or was to do.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“On my return from giving my orders, I found the room-door +locked. I directly tried my master-key, and it performed +its duty perfectly. The door flew up: I found the +chamber empty, only the box standing on the table where I +had laid it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The carriage drove up: I carried the box carefully down +with me, and placed it by my side. The hostess asked, ‘But +where is the lady?’ A child answered, ‘She is gone into +the town.’ I nodded to the people, and rolled off in triumph +from the door which I had last night entered with dusty +gaiters. That in my hours of leisure I diligently meditated +on this adventure, counted my money, laid many schemes, +and still now and then kept glancing at the box, you will +readily imagine. I posted right forward, passed several +stages without alighting, and rested not till I had reached a +considerable town, where my fair one had appointed me to +wait. Her commands had been pointedly obeyed,—the box +always carried to a separate room, and two wax candles +lighted beside it; for such, also, had been her order. I +would then lock the chamber, establish myself in my own, +and take such comfort as the place afforded.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“For a while I was able to employ myself with thinking +of her, but by degrees the time began to hang heavy on my +hands. I was not used to live without companions: these I +soon found, at <span lang="fr"><i>tables-d’hôte</i></span>, in coffee-houses, and public +places, altogether to my wish. In such a mode of living, my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>money began to melt away; and one night it vanished entirely +from my purse in a fit of passionate gaming, which I +had not had the prudence to abandon. Void of money, +with the appearance of a rich man, expecting a heavy bill +of charges, uncertain whether and when my fair one would +again make her appearance, I felt myself in the deepest embarrassment. +Doubly did I now long for her, and believe, +that, without her and her gold, it was quite impossible for +me to live.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After supper, which I had relished very little, being +forced for this time to consume it in solitude, I took to walking +violently up and down my room: I spoke aloud to myself, +cursed my folly with horrid execrations, threw myself +on the floor, tore my hair, and indeed behaved in the most +outrageous fashion. Suddenly, in the adjoining chamber +where the box was, I heard a slight movement, and then a +soft knocking at the well-bolted door, which entered from +my apartment. I gather myself, grope for my master-key; +but the door-leaves fly up of themselves, and in the light of +those burning wax candles enters my beauty. I cast myself +at her feet, kiss her robe, her hands; she raises me; I venture +not to clasp her, scarcely to look at her, but candidly +and repentantly confess to her my fault. ‘It is pardonable,’ +said she: ‘only it postpones your happiness and mine. You +must now make another tour into the world before we can +meet again. Here is more money,’ continued she, ‘sufficient +if you husband it with any kind of reason. But, as wine and +play have brought you into this perplexity, be on your guard +in future against wine and women, and let me hope for a +glad meeting when the time comes.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“She retired over the threshold; the door-leaves flew together: +I knocked, I entreated; but nothing further stirred. +Next morning, while presenting his bill, the waiter smiled, +and said, ‘So we have found out at last, then, why you lock +your door in so artful and incomprehensible a way, that no +master-key can open it. We supposed you must have much +money and precious ware laid up by you: but now we have +seen your treasure walking down-stairs; and, in good truth, +it seemed worthy of being well kept.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To this I answered nothing, but paid my reckoning, and +mounted with my box into the carriage. I again rolled +forth into the world, with the firmest resolution to be heedful +in future of the warning given me by my fair and mysterious +friend. Scarcely, however, had I once more reached a large +<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>town, when forthwith I got acquainted with certain interesting +ladies, from whom I absolutely could not tear myself +away. They seemed inclined to make me pay dear for their +favor: for, while they still kept me at a certain distance, they +led me into one expense after the other; and I, being anxious +only to promote their satisfaction, once more ceased to +think of my purse, but paid and spent straightforward, as +occasion needed. But how great was my astonishment and +joy, when, after some weeks, I observed that the fulness of +my store was not in the least diminished, that my purse was +still as round and crammed as ever! Wishing to obtain +more strict knowledge of this pretty quality, I set myself +down to count: I accurately marked the sum, and again +proceeded in my joyous life as before. We had no want of +excursions by land, and excursions by water; of dancing, +singing, and other recreations. But now it required small +attention to observe that the purse was actually diminishing, +as if by my cursed counting I had robbed it of the property +of being uncountable. However, this gay mode of existence +had been once entered on: I could not draw back, and yet +my ready money soon verged to a close. I execrated my +situation; upbraided my fair friend for having so led me into +temptation; took it as an offence that she did not again +show herself to me; renounced in my spleen all duties +towards her; and resolved to break open the box, and see +if peradventure any help might be found there. I was just +about proceeding with my purpose: but I put it off till night, +that I might go through the business with full composure; +and, in the mean time, I hastened off to a banquet, for which +this was the appointed hour. Here again we got into a high +key: the wine and trumpet-sounding had flushed me not a +little, when by the most villanous luck it chanced, that, during +the dessert, a former friend of my dearest fair one, returning +from a journey, entered unexpectedly, placed himself +beside her, and, without much ceremony, set about asserting +his old privileges. Hence, very soon arose ill-humor, quarrelling, +and battle: we plucked out our spits, and I was +carried home half dead of several wounds.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The surgeon had bandaged me and gone away; it was +far in the night; my sick-nurse had fallen asleep; the door +of the side-room went up; my fair, mysterious friend came +in, and sat down by me on the bed. She asked how I was. +I answered not, for I was faint and sullen. She continued +speaking with much sympathy: she rubbed my temples with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>a certain balsam, whereby I felt myself rapidly and decidedly +strengthened,—so strengthened that I could now get angry +and upbraid her. In a violent speech I threw all the blame +of my misfortune on her; on the passion she had inspired +me with; on her appearing and vanishing; and the tedium, +the longing, which, in such a case, I could not but feel. I +waxed more and more vehement, as if a fever had been +coming on; and I swore to her at last, that if she would +not be mine, would not now abide with me and wed me, +I had no wish to live any longer: to all which I required a +peremptory answer. As she lingered and held back with +her explanation, I got altogether beside myself, and tore off +my double and triple bandages in the firmest resolution to +bleed to death. But what was my amazement when I found +all my wounds healed, my skin smooth and entire, and this +fair friend in my arms!</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Henceforth we were the happiest pair in the world. We +both begged pardon of each other without either of us rightly +knowing why. She now promised to travel on along with +me; and soon we were sitting side by side in the carriage, +the little box lying opposite us on the other seat. Of this +I had never spoken to her, nor did I now think of speaking, +though it lay there before our eyes: and both of us, by tacit +agreement, took charge of it, as circumstances might require; +I, however, still carrying it to and from the carriage, and +busying myself, as formerly, with the locking of the doors.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“So long as aught remained in my purse I had continued +to pay; but, when my cash went down, I signified the fact to +her. ‘That is easily helped,’ said she, pointing to a couple +of little pouches fixed at the top, to the sides of the carriage. +These I had often observed before, but never turned to use. +She put her hand into the one, and pulled out some gold +pieces, as from the other some coins of silver; thereby +showing me the possibility of meeting any scale of expenditure +which we might choose to adopt. And thus we journeyed +on from town to town, from land to land, contented +with each other and with the world; and I fancied not that +she would again leave me, the less so that for some time she +had evidently been as loving wives wish to be, a circumstance +by which our happiness and mutual affection was increased +still further. But one morning, alas! she could not be found: +and as my actual residence, without her company, became +displeasing, I again took the road with my box, tried the +virtue of the two pouches, and found it still unimpaired.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>“My journey proceeded without accident. But if I had +hitherto paid little heed to the mysteries of my adventure, +expecting a natural solution of the whole, there now occurred +something which threw me into astonishment, into anxiety, +nay, into fear. Being wont, in my impatience for change +of place, to hurry forward day and night, it was often my +hap to be travelling in the dark, and, when the lamps by any +chance went out, to be left in utter obscurity. Once, in the +dead of such a night, I had fallen asleep; and on awakening +I observed the glimmer of a light on the covering of my +carriage. I examined this more strictly, and found that it +was issuing from the box, in which there seemed to be a +chink, as if it had been chapped by the warm and dry weather +of summer, which was now come on. My thoughts of jewels +again came into my head: I supposed there must be some +carbuncle lying in the box, and this point I forthwith set +about investigating. I postured myself as well as might be, +so that my eye was in immediate contact with the chink. +But how great was my surprise when a fair apartment, well +lighted, and furnished with much taste and even costliness, +met my inspection; just as if I had been looking down +through the opening of a dome into a royal saloon! A fire +was burning in the grate, and before it stood an arm-chair. +I held my breath, and continued to observe. And now there +entered from the other side of the apartment a lady with a +book in her hand, whom I at once recognized for my wife; +though her figure was contracted into the extreme of diminution. +She sat down in the chair by the fire to read; she +trimmed the coals with the most dainty pair of tongs; and, +in the course of her movements, I could clearly perceive that +this fairest little creature was also in the family way. But +now I was obliged to shift my constrained posture a little; +and the next moment, when I bent down to look in again, +and convince myself that it was no dream, the light had +vanished, and my eye rested on empty darkness.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“How amazed, nay, terrified, I was, you may easily conceive. +I started a thousand thoughts on this discovery, and +yet in truth could think nothing. In the midst of this I fell +asleep, and on awakening I fancied that it must have been +a mere dream: yet I felt myself in some degree estranged +from my fair one; and, though I watched over the box but +so much the more carefully, I knew not whether the event of +her re-appearance in human size was a thing which I should +wish or dread.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>“After some time she did actually re-appear. One evening +in a white robe she came gliding in; and, as it was just +then growing dusky in my room, she seemed to me taller +than when I had seen her last: and I remembered having +heard that all beings of the mermaid and gnome species +increased in stature very perceptibly at the fall of night. +She flew as usual to my arms, but I could not with right +gladness press her to my obstructed breast.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘My dearest,’ said she, ‘I now feel, by thy reception of +me, what, alas! I already knew too well. Thou hast seen me +in the interim; thou art acquainted with the state in which, +at certain times, I find myself: thy happiness and mine is +interrupted,—nay, it stands on the brink of being annihilated +altogether. I must leave thee, and I know not whether I +shall ever see thee again.’ Her presence, the grace with +which she spoke, directly banished from my memory almost +every trace of that vision, which, indeed, had already hovered +before me as little more than a dream. I addressed her +with kind vivacity, convinced her of my passion, assured +her that I was innocent, that my discovery was accidental,—in +short, I so managed it that she appeared composed, +and endeavored to compose me.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Try thyself strictly,’ said she, ‘whether this discovery +has not hurt thy love; whether thou canst forget that I live +in two forms beside thee; whether the diminution of my +being will not also contract thy affection.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I looked at her; she was fairer than ever: and I thought +within myself, Is it so great a misfortune, after all, to have +a wife who from time to time becomes a dwarf, so that one +can carry her about with him in a casket? Were it not much +worse if she became a giantess, and put her husband in the +box? My gayety of heart had returned. I would not for +the whole world have let her go. ‘Best heart,’ said I, ‘let +us be and continue ever as we have been. Could either of +us wish to be better? Enjoy thy conveniency, and I promise +thee to guard the box with so much the more faithfulness. +Why should the prettiest sight I have ever seen in my life +make a bad impression on me? How happy would lovers +be, could they but procure such miniature pictures! And, +after all, it was but a picture, a little sleight-of-hand deception. +Thou art trying and teasing me, but thou shalt see +how I will stand it.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘The matter is more serious than thou thinkest,’ said the +fair one; ‘however, I am truly glad to see thee take it so +<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>lightly; for much good may still be awaiting us both. I will +trust in thee, and for my own part do my utmost: only +promise me that thou wilt never mention this discovery by +way of reproach. Another prayer likewise I most earnestly +make to thee: Be more than ever on thy guard against wine +and anger.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I promised what she required; I could have gone on +promising to all lengths: but she herself turned aside the conversation, +and thenceforth all proceeded in its former routine. +We had no inducement to alter our place of residence: +the town was large, the society various; and the fine season +gave rise to many an excursion and garden festival.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In all such amusements the presence of my wife was +welcome, nay, eagerly desired, by women as well as men. A +kind, insinuating manner, joined with a certain dignity of +bearing, secured to her on all hands praise and estimation. +Besides, she could play beautifully on the lute, accompanying +it with her voice; and no social night could be perfect unless +crowned by the graces of this talent.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I will be free to confess that I never cared much for +music: on the contrary, it has always rather had a disagreeable +effect on me. My fair one soon noticed this; and +accordingly, when by ourselves, she never tried to entertain +me by such means: in return, however, she appeared to indemnify +herself while in society, where, indeed, she always +found a crowd of admirers.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And now, why should I deny it? our late dialogue, in +spite of my best intentions, had by no means sufficed to +settle the matter within me: on the contrary, my temper of +mind had by degrees got into the strangest tune, almost +without my being conscious of it. One night, in a large +company, this hidden grudge broke loose, and, by its consequences, +produced to myself the greatest damage.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“When I look back on it now, I, in fact, loved my beauty +far less after that unlucky discovery: I was also growing +jealous of her,—a whim that had never struck me before. +This night at table, I found myself placed very much to my +mind beside my two neighbors, a couple of ladies, who, for +some time, had appeared to me very charming. Amid jesting +and soft small talk, I was not sparing of my wine; while, on +the other side, a pair of musical <span lang="it"><i>dilettanti</i></span> had got hold of my +wife, and at last contrived to lead the company into singing +separately, and by way of chorus. This put me into ill-humor. +The two amateurs appeared to me impertinent; the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>singing vexed me; and when, as my turn came, they even requested +a solo-strophe from me, I grew truly indignant: I emptied +my glass, and set it down again with no soft movement.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The grace of my two fair neighbors soon pacified me, +but there is an evil nature in wrath when once it is set a-going. +It went on fermenting within me, though all things +were of a kind to induce joy and complaisance. On the contrary, +I waxed more splenetic than ever when a lute was +produced, and my fair one began fingering it and singing, to +the admiration of all the rest. Unhappily a general silence +was requested. So, then, I was not even to talk any more: +and these tones were going through me like a toothache. Was +it any wonder that, at last, the smallest spark should blow +up the mine?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The songstress had just ended a song amid the loudest +applauses, when she looked over to me; and this truly with +the most loving face in the world. Unluckily, its lovingness +could not penetrate so far. She perceived that I had just +gulped down a cup of wine, and was pouring out a fresh one. +With her right forefinger she beckoned to me in kind threatening. +‘Consider that it is wine!’ said she, not louder than +for myself to hear it. ‘Water is for mermaids!’ cried I. +‘My ladies,’ said she to my neighbors, ‘crown the cup with +all your gracefulness, that it be not too often emptied.’—‘You +will not let yourself be tutored?’ whispered one of +them in my ear. ‘What ails the dwarf?’ cried I, with a +more violent gesture, in which I overset the glass. ‘Ah, +what you have spilt!’ cried the paragon of women; at the +same time twanging her strings, as if to lead back the attention +of the company from this disturbance to herself. Her +attempt succeeded; the more completely as she rose to her +feet, seemingly that she might play with greater convenience, +and in this attitude continued preluding.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“At sight of the red wine running over the tablecloth, I +returned to myself. I perceived the great fault I had been +guilty of, and it cut me through the very heart. Never till +now had music had an effect on me: the first verse she sang +was a friendly good-night to the company, here as they were, +as they might still feel themselves together. With the next +verse they became as if scattered asunder: each felt himself +solitary, separated, no one could fancy that he was present +any longer. But what shall I say of the last verse? It was +directed to me alone, the voice of injured love bidding farewell +to moroseness and caprice.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>“In silence I conducted her home, foreboding no good. +Scarcely, however, had we reached our chamber, when she +began to show herself exceedingly kind and graceful,—nay, +even roguish: she made me the happiest of all men.</p> + +<p class='c009'><a id='tn-nextmorninginhigh'></a>“Next morning, in high spirits and full of love, I said to +her, ‘Thou hast so often sung, when asked in company; +as, for example, thy touching farewell song last night. Come +now, for my sake, and sing me a dainty, gay welcome to this +morning hour, that we may feel as if we were meeting for +the first time.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘That I cannot do, my friend,’ said she seriously. +‘The song of last night referred to our parting, which must +now forthwith take place; for I can only tell thee, the violation +of thy promise and oath will have the worst consequences +for us both: thou hast scoffed away a great felicity; +and I, too, must renounce my dearest wishes.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“As I now pressed and entreated her to explain herself +more clearly, she answered, ‘That, alas! I can well do; for, +at all events, my continuance with thee is over. Hear, then, +what I would rather have concealed to the latest times. The +form under which thou sawest me in the box is my natural +and proper form; for I am of the race of King Eckwald, the +dread sovereign of the dwarfs, concerning whom authentic +history has recorded so much. Our people are still, as of +old, laborious and busy, and therefore easy to govern. Thou +must not fancy that the dwarfs are behindhand in their +manufacturing skill. Swords which followed the foe, when +you cast them after him; invisible and mysteriously binding +chains; impenetrable shields, and such like ware, in old +times,—formed their staple produce. But now they chiefly +employ themselves with articles of convenience and ornament, +in which truly they surpass all people of the earth. I +may well say, it would astonish thee to walk through our +workshops and warehouses. All this would be right and +good, were it not that with the whole nation in general, but +more particularly with the royal family, there is one peculiar +circumstance connected.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“She paused for a moment, and I again begged further +light on these wonderful secrets; which, accordingly, she +forthwith proceeded to grant.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘It is well known,’ said she, ‘that God, so soon as he +had created the world, and the ground was dry, and the +mountains were standing bright and glorious, that God, I +say, thereupon, in the very first place, created the dwarfs, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>to the end that there might be reasonable beings also, who, +in their passages and chasms, might contemplate and adore +his wonders in the inward parts of the earth. It is further +well known, that this little race by degrees became uplifted +in heart, and attempted to acquire the dominion of the earth; +for which reason God then created the dragons, in order to +drive back the dwarfs into their mountains. Now, as the +dragons themselves were wont to nestle in the large caverns +and clefts, and dwell there; and many of them, too, were in +the habit of spitting fire, and working much other mischief,—the +poor little dwarfs were by this means thrown into exceeding +straits and distress: so that, not knowing what in the +world to do, they humbly and fervently turned to God, and +called to him in prayer, that he would vouchsafe to abolish +this unclean dragon generation. But though it consisted not +with his wisdom to destroy his own creatures, yet the heavy +sufferings of the poor dwarfs so moved his compassion, that +anon he created the giants, ordaining them to fight these dragons, +and, if not root them out, at least lessen their numbers.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Now, no sooner had the giants got moderately well +through with the dragons, than their hearts also began to +wax wanton: and, in their presumption, they practised +much tyranny, especially on the good little dwarfs, who +then once more in their need turned to the Lord; and he, +by the power of his hand, created the knights, who were +to make war on the giants and dragons, and to live in +concord with the dwarfs. Hereby was the work of creation +completed on this side; and it is plain, that henceforth +giants and dragons, as well as knights and dwarfs, have +always maintained themselves in being. From this, my +friend, it will be clear to thee that we are of the oldest race +on the earth,—a circumstance which does us honor, but at +the same time brings great disadvantage along with it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘For as there is nothing in the world that can endure +forever, but all that has once been great must become little +and fade, it is our lot, also, that, ever since the creation of +the world, we have been waning, and growing smaller,—especially +the royal family, on whom, by reason of their pure +blood, this destiny presses with the heaviest force. To +remedy this evil, our wise teachers have many years ago +devised the expedient of sending forth a princess of the +royal house from time to time into the world, to wed some +honorable knight, that so the dwarf progeny may be refected, +and saved from entire decay.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>“Though my fair one related these things with an air of +the utmost sincerity, I looked at her hesitatingly; for it +seemed as if she meant to palm some fable on me. As to +her own dainty lineage I had not the smallest doubt; but +that she should have laid hold of me in place of a knight +occasioned some mistrust, seeing I knew myself too well to +suppose that my ancestors had come into the world by an +immediate act of creation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I concealed my wonder and scepticism, and asked her +kindly, ‘But tell me, my dear child, how hast thou attained +this large and stately shape? For I know few women that +in richness of form can compare with thee.’—‘Thou shalt +hear,’ replied she. ‘It is a settled maxim in the council +of the dwarf kings, that this extraordinary step be forborne +as long as it possibly can; which, indeed, I cannot but +say is quite natural and proper. Perhaps they might have +hesitated still longer had not my brother, born after me, +come into the world so exceedingly small that the nurses +actually lost him out of his swaddling-clothes; and no creature +yet knows whither he is gone. On this occurrence, +unexampled in the annals of dwarfdom, the sages were +assembled; and, without more ado, the resolution was taken, +and I sent out in quest of a husband.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘The resolution!’ exclaimed I, ‘that is all extremely +well. One can resolve, one can take his resolution; but, to +give a dwarf this heavenly shape, how did your sages manage +that?’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘It had been provided for already,’ said she, ‘by our +ancestors. In the royal treasury lay a monstrous gold ring. +I speak of it as it then appeared to me, when I saw it +in my childhood; for it was this same ring which I have +here on my finger. We now went to work as follows.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘I was informed of all that awaited me, and instructed +what I had to do and to forbear. A splendid palace, after +the pattern of my father’s favorite summer residence, was +then got ready,—a main edifice, wings, and whatever else +you could think of. It stood at the entrance of a large +rock-cleft, which it decorated in the handsomest style. On +the appointed day our court moved thither, my parents, +also, and myself. The army paraded; and four and twenty +priests, not without difficulty, carried on a costly litter the +mysterious ring. It was placed on the threshold of the +building, just within the spot where you entered. Many +ceremonies were observed; and, after a pathetic farewell, I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>proceeded to my task. I stepped forward to the ring, laid +my finger on it, and that instant began perceptibly to wax +in stature. In a few moments I had reached my present +size, and then I put the ring on my finger. But now, in +the twinkling of an eye, the doors, windows, gates, flapped +to; the wings drew up into the body of the edifice; instead +of a palace stood a little box beside me, which I forthwith +lifted, and carried off with me, not without a pleasant feeling +in being so tall and strong. Still, indeed, a dwarf to +trees and mountains, to streams, and tracts of land, yet a +giant to grass and herbs, and, above all, to ants, from whom +we dwarfs, not being always on the best terms with them, +often suffer considerable annoyance.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘How it fared with me on my pilgrimage, I might tell +thee at great length. Suffice it to say I tried many, but no +one save thou seemed worthy of being honored to renovate +and perpetuate the line of the glorious Eckwald.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In the course of these narrations my head had now and +then kept wagging, without myself having absolutely shaken +it. I put several questions, to which I received no very +satisfactory answers: on the contrary, I learned, to my +great affliction, that after what had happened she must +needs return to her parents. She had hopes still, she said, +of getting back to me: but, for the present, it was indispensably +necessary to present herself at court; as otherwise, +both for her and me, there was nothing but utter +ruin. The purses would soon cease to pay, and who knew +what all would be the consequences?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“On hearing that our money would run short, I inquired +no further into consequences; I shrugged my shoulders; I +was silent, and she seemed to understand me.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We now packed up, and got into our carriage, the box +standing opposite us; in which, however, I could still see +no symptoms of a palace. In this way we proceeded several +stages. Post-money and drink-money were readily and +richly paid from the pouches to the right and left, till at +last we reached a mountainous district; and no sooner had +we alighted here than my fair one walked forward, directing +me to follow her with the box. She led me by rather steep +paths to a narrow plot of green ground, through which a +clear brook now gushed in little falls, now ran in quiet +windings. She pointed to a little knoll, bade me set the +box down there, then said, ‘Farewell! Thou wilt easily +find the way back; remember me; I hope to see thee again.’</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>“At this moment I felt as if I could not leave her. She +was just now in one of her fine days, or, if you will, her +fine hours. Alone with so fair a being, on the greensward, +among grass and flowers, girt in by rocks, waters murmuring +round you, what heart could have remained insensible! +I came forward to seize her hand, to clasp her in my arms; +but she motioned me back, threatening me, though still +kindly enough, with great danger if I did not instantly +withdraw.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Is there not any possibility,’ exclaimed I, ‘of my +staying with thee, of thy keeping me beside thee?’ These +words I uttered with such rueful tones and gestures, that +she seemed touched by them, and after some thought confessed +to me that a continuance of our union was not +entirely impossible. Who happier than I! My importunity, +which increased every moment, compelled her at last +to come out with her scheme, and inform me, that if I, too, +could resolve on becoming as little as I had once seen her, +I might still remain with her, be admitted to her house, her +kingdom, her family. The proposal was not altogether to +my mind, yet at this moment I positively could not tear +myself away: so, having already for a good while been +accustomed to the marvellous, and being at all times prone +to bold enterprises, I closed with her offer, and said she +might do with me as she pleased.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I was thereupon directed to hold out the little finger +of my right hand: she placed her own against it; then, with +her left hand, she quite softly pulled the ring from her finger, +and let it run along mine. That instant I felt a violent +twinge on my finger: the ring shrunk together, and tortured +me horribly. I gave a loud cry, and caught round +me for my fair one; but she had disappeared. What state +of mind I was in during this moment, I find no words to +express: so I have nothing more to say but that I very +soon, in my miniature size, found myself beside my fair +one in a wood of grass-stalks. The joy of meeting after +this short yet most strange separation, or, if you will, of +this re-union without separation, exceeds all conception. I +fell on her neck: she replied to my caresses, and the little +pair was as happy as the large one.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With some difficulty we now mounted a hill: I say difficulty, +because the sward had become for us an almost impenetrable +forest. Yet at length we reached a bare space; +and how surprised was I at perceiving there a large, bolted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>mass, which, erelong, I could not but recognize for the box +in the same state as when I had set it down.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Go up to it, my friend,’ said she, ‘and do but knock +with the ring: thou shalt see wonders.’ I went up accordingly; +and no sooner had I rapped, than I did, in fact, witness +the greatest wonder. Two wings came jutting out; +and at the same time there fell, like scales and chips, various +pieces this way and that: while doors, windows, colonnades, +and all that belongs to a complete palace, at once came into +view.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If ever you have seen one of Röntgen’s desks,—how, at +one pull, a multitude of springs and latches get in motion, +and writing-board and writing materials, letter and money +compartments, all at once, or in quick succession, start forward,—you +will partly conceive how this palace unfolded itself, +into which my sweet attendant now introduced me. In +the large saloon I directly recognized the fireplace which I +had formerly seen from above, and the chair in which she had +then been sitting. And, on looking up, I actually fancied I +could still see something of the chink in the dome, through +which I had peeped in. I spare you the description of the +rest: in a word, all was spacious, splendid, and tasteful. +Scarcely had I recovered from my astonishment, when I +heard afar off a sound of military music. My better half +sprang up, and with rapture announced to me the approach +of his Majesty her father. We stepped out to the threshold, +and here beheld a magnificent procession moving towards us +from a considerable cleft in the rock. Soldiers, servants, +officers of state, and glittering courtiers, followed in order. +At last you observed a golden throng, and in the midst of it +the king himself. So soon as the whole procession had +drawn up before the palace, the king, with his nearest retinue, +stepped forward. His loving daughter hastened out to him, +pulling me along with her. We threw ourselves at his feet: +he raised me very graciously; and, on coming to stand before +him, I perceived, that in this little world I was still the most +considerable figure. We proceeded together to the palace, +where his Majesty, in presence of his whole court, was +pleased to welcome me with a well-studied oration, in which +he expressed his surprise at finding us here, acknowledged +me as his son-in-law, and appointed the nuptial ceremony to +take place on the morrow.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A cold sweat went over me as I heard him speak of +marriage; for I dreaded this even more than music, which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>had, of old, appeared to me the most hateful thing on earth. +Your music-makers, I used to say, enjoy at least the conceit +of being in unison with each other, and working in concord; +for when they have tweaked and tuned long enough, grating +our ears with all manner of screeches, they believe in their +hearts that the matter is now adjusted, and one instrument +accurately suited to the other. The band-master himself is +in this happy delusion; and so they set forth joyfully, though +still tearing our nerves to pieces. In the marriage state, +even this is not the case; for although it is but a duet, and +you might think two voices, or even two instruments, might +in some degree be attuned to each other, yet this happens +very seldom: for while the man gives out one tone, the wife +directly takes a higher one, and the man again a higher; and +so it rises from the chamber to the choral pitch, and farther +and farther, till at last not even wind-instruments can reach +it. And now, as I loathe harmonical music, it cannot be +surprising that disharmonical should be a thing which I cannot +endure.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Of all the festivities in which the day was spent, I shall +and can not give an account; for I paid small heed to them. +The sumptuous victuals, the generous wine, the royal amusements, +I could not relish. I kept thinking and considering +what I was to do. Here, however, there was but little to be +considered. I determined, once for all, to take myself away, +and hide somewhere. Accordingly, I succeeded in reaching +the chink of a stone, where I intrenched and concealed myself +as well as might be. My first care after this was to get +the unhappy ring off my finger,—an enterprise, however, +which would by no means prosper; for, on the contrary, I +felt that every pull I gave, the metal grew straiter, and +cramped me with violent pains, which again abated so soon +as I desisted from my purpose.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Early in the morning I awoke (for my little person had +slept, and very soundly), and was just stepping out to look +farther about me, when I felt a kind of rain coming on. +Through the grass, flowers, and leaves, there fell, as it were, +something like sand and grit in large quantities; but what +was my horror when the whole of it became alive, and an +innumerable host of ants rushed down on me! No sooner +did they observe me than they made an attack on all sides; +and, though I defended myself stoutly and gallantly enough, +they at last so hemmed me in, so nipped and pinched +me, that I was glad to hear them calling to surrender. I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>surrendered instantly and wholly, whereupon an ant of respectable +stature approached me with courtesy, nay, with +reverence, and even recommended itself to my good graces. +I learned that the ants had now become allies of my father-in-law, +and by him been called out in the present emergency, +and commissioned to fetch me back. Here, then, was little I +in the hands of creatures still less. I had nothing for it but +looking forward to the marriage; nay, I must now thank +Heaven if my father-in-law were not wroth, if my fair one +had not taken the sullens.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Let me skip over the whole train of ceremonies: in a +word, we were wedded. Gayly and joyously as matters +went, there were, nevertheless, solitary hours in which you +were led astray into reflection; and now there happened to +me something which had never happened before,—what, and +how, you shall learn.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Every thing about me was completely adapted to my +present form and wants: the bottles and glasses were in a fit +ratio to a little toper,—nay, if you will, better measure in proportion +than with us. In my tiny palate the dainty tidbits +tasted excellently; a kiss from the little mouth of my spouse +was still the most charming thing in nature; and I will not +deny that novelty made all these circumstances highly agreeable. +Unhappily, however, I had not forgotten my former +situation. I felt within me a scale of by-gone greatness, and +it rendered me restless and cheerless. Now, for the first +time, did I understand what the philosophers might mean by +their ideal, which they say so plagues the mind of man. I +had an ideal of myself, and often in dreams I appeared as +a giant. In short, my wife, my ring, my dwarf figure, and +so many other bonds and restrictions, made me utterly unhappy; +so that I began to think seriously about obtaining +my deliverance.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Being persuaded that the whole magic lay in the ring, I +resolved on filing this asunder. From the court-jeweller, +accordingly, I borrowed some files. By good luck I was left-handed; +as, indeed, throughout my whole life I had never +done aught in the right-handed way. I stood tightly to the +work: it was not small; for the golden hoop, so thin as it +appeared, had grown proportionately thicker in contracting +from its former length. All vacant hours I privately applied +to this task; and at last, the metal being nearly through, I +was provident enough to step out of doors. This was a +wise measure; for all at once the golden hoop started sharply +<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>from my finger, and my frame shot aloft with such violence +that I actually fancied I should dash against the sky; and, +at all events, I must have bolted through the dome of our +palace,—nay, perhaps, in my new awkwardness, have destroyed +this summer residence altogether.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Here, then, was I standing again,—in truth, so much the +larger, but also, as it seemed to me, so much the more stupid +and helpless. On recovering from my stupefaction, I observed +the royal strong-box lying near me, which I found to +be moderately heavy, as I lifted it, and carried it down the +footpath to the next stage, where I directly ordered horses +and set forth. By the road I soon made trial of the two +side-pouches. Instead of money, which appeared to be run +out, I found a little key: it belonged to the strong-box, in +which I got some moderate compensation. So long as this +held out, I made use of the carriage: by and by I sold it, +and proceeded by the diligence. The strong-box, too, I at +length cast from me; having no hope of its ever filling again. +And thus in the end, though after a considerable circuit, I +again returned to the kitchen-hearth, to the landlady and the +cook, where you were first introduced to me.”</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER XVII.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>Lenardo was overwhelmed with business, his writing-office +in the greatest activity; clerks and secretaries finding +no moment’s rest: while Wilhelm and Friedrich, strolling +over field and meadow, were entertaining each other with +the most pleasant conversation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And here, first of all, as necessarily happens between +friends meeting after some separation, the question was +started, How far they had altered in the interim? Friedrich +would have it that Wilhelm was exactly the same as before: +to Wilhelm, again, it seemed that his young friend, though no +whit abated in mirth and discursiveness, was somewhat more +staid in his manner. “It were pity,” interrupted Friedrich, +“if the father of three children, the husband of an exemplary +matron, had not likewise gained a little in dignity of +bearing.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Now, also, it came to light, that all the persons whom we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>got acquainted with in the “Apprenticeship” were still living +and well,—nay, better than before, being now in full and +decisive activity; each, in his own way, associated with +many fellow-laborers, and striving towards the noblest aim. +Of this, however, it is not for the present permitted us to +impart any more precise information; as, in a little book +like ours, reserve and secrecy may be no unseemly qualities.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But whatever, in the course of this confidential conversation, +transpired respecting the society in which we now are, +as their more intimate relations, maxims, and objects, by +little and little, came to view, it is our duty and opportunity +to disclose in this place.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The whim of emigration,”—such was the substance of +Friedrich’s talk on this matter,—“the whim of emigration +may, in straitened and painful circumstances, very naturally +lay hold of men: if particular cases chance to be favored +by a happy issue, this whim will, in the general mind, rise +to the rank of passion; as we have seen, as we still see, and, +withal, cannot deny that we, in our time, have been befooled +by such a delusion ourselves.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Emigration takes place in the treacherous hope of an +improvement in our circumstances, and it is too often counterbalanced +by a subsequent emigration; since, go where you +may, you still find yourself in a conditional world, and, if +not constrained to a new emigration, are yet inclined in secret +to cherish such a desire.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We have, therefore, bound ourselves to renounce all +emigration, and to devote ourselves to migration. Here +one does not turn his back on his native country forever, +but hopes, even after the greatest circuit, to arrive there +again, richer, wiser, cleverer, better, and whatever else such +a way of life can make him. Now, in society, all things are +easier, more certain in their accomplishment, than to an individual; +in which sense, my friend, consider what thou +shalt observe here: for whatever thou mayest see, all and +every part of it is meant to forward a great, movable connection +among active and sufficient men of all classes.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But as where men are, manners are too, I may explain +thus much of our constitution by way of preliminary: When +two of our number anywhere by accident meet, they conduct +themselves towards each other according to their rank and +fashion, according to custom of handicraft or art, or by some +other such mode adapted to their mutual relations. Three +meeting together are considered as a unity, which governs +<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>itself; but, if a fourth join them, they instantly elect the +<span class='sc'>Bond</span>, one chief and three subjects. This Bond, however +many more combine with them, can still only be a single +newly elected person; for, in the great as in the small scale, +co-regents are found to be mutually obstructive.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Thou mayest observe that Lenardo unites, in this way, +more than a hundred active and able men,—unites, employs, +calls home, sends forth; as to-morrow, an important day +with us, thou wilt perceive and understand. Thou wilt then +see the Bond dissolved, the multitude divided into smaller +societies, and the Bond multiplied; all the rest will at the +same time become clear to thee.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But for the present I invite thee to a short bout of reading. +Here, under the shadow of these whispering trees, by +the side of this still-flowing water, let us peruse a story, +this little paper which Lenardo, from the rich treasures of +his collection, has intrusted to me; that so both of us may +see thoroughly what a difference there is between a mad +pilgrimage, such as many lead in the world, and a well-meditated, +happily commenced undertaking like ours, of which +I shall at this time say no more in praise.”</p> + +<p class='c008'>The quaint, fitful, and most dainty story of “The Foolish +Pilgrimess,” with which our two friends now occupied their +morning, we feel ourselves constrained, not unreluctantly, by +certain grave calculations, to reserve for some future and +better season.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER XVIII.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>Lenardo, having freed himself from business for an hour, +took dinner with his friends; and at table he began to explain +to them his family circumstances. His eldest sister +was married. A rich brother-in-law, to the great satisfaction +of the uncle, had undertaken the management of all the +estates; with him Valerina’s husband was stoutly co-operating: +they were laboring on the great scale, strengthening +their enterprises by connection with distant countries and +places.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Here, likewise, our oldest friends once more make their +<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>appearance: Lothario, Werner, the abbé, are on their side +proceeding in the highest diligence; while Jarno occupies +himself with mining. A general insurance has been instituted: +we discern a vast property in land; and on this +depends the existence of a large wandering society, the individual +members of which, under the condition of the greatest +possible usefulness, are recommended to all the world, are +forwarded in every undertaking, and secured against all mischances: +while they again, as scattered colonists, may be +supposed to re-act on their mother country with favorable +influences.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Throughout all this we observe Lenardo recognized as the +wandering Bond: in smaller and greater combinations, he, +for most part, is elected; on him is placed the most unrestricted +confidence.</p> + +<p class='c009'>So far had the disclosure, partly from Lenardo, partly +from Friedrich, proceeded without let, when both of them on +a sudden became silent; each seeming to have scruples about +communicating more. After a short pause, Wilhelm addressed +them, and cried, “What new secret again suddenly +overshadows the friendliest explanation? Will you again +leave me in the lurch?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not at all!” exclaimed Friedrich. “Do but hear me! +He has found the nut-brown maid, and for her sake”—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not for her sake,” interrupted Lenardo.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And just for her sake!” persisted Friedrich. “Do +not deceive yourself: for her sake you are changing yourself +into a lawful vagabond; as some others of us, not, in +truth, for the most praiseworthy purposes, have, in times +past, changed ourselves into lawless vagrants.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Let us go along calmly,” said Lenardo: “our friend +here must be made acquainted with the state of our affairs; +but, in the first place, let him have a little touch of discipline +for himself. You had found the nut-brown maid, but to +me you refused the knowledge of her abode. For this I +will not blame you, but what good did it do? To discover +this secret I was passionately incited; and, notwithstanding +your sagacious caution, I at length came upon the right trace. +You have seen the good maiden yourself: her circumstances +you have accurately investigated, and yet you did not judge +them rightly. It is only the loving who feels and discovers +what the beloved wishes and wants: he can read it in her from +her deepest heart. Let this at present suffice: for explanation +we have no time left to-day. To-morrow I have the hottest +<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>press of business to front: next day we part. But for your +information, composure, and participating interest, accept +this copy of a week from my journal: it is the best legacy +which I can leave you. By reading it you will not, indeed, +become wiser than you are and than I am; but let this for +the present suffice. The nearest future, or a more remote +one, will arrange and direct: that is to say, in this case, as +in so many others, we know not what is to become of us.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>By way of dessert Lenardo received a packet, at the opening +of which he, with some tokens of surprise, handed a letter +to Wilhelm. “What secrets, what speedy concerns, can +sister Hersilia have with our friend? ‘To be delivered instantly +and opened privately, without the presence of any +one, friend or stranger!’ Let us give him all possible convenience, +Friedrich: let us withdraw!” Wilhelm hastily +broke open the sheet, and read,—</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c015'> + <div><i>Hersilia to Wilhelm.</i></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c012'>Wherever this letter may reach you, my noble friend, to a +certainty it will find you in some nook where you are striving +in vain to hide from yourself. By making you acquainted +with my two fair dames, I have done you a sorry service.</p> + +<p class='c012'>But wherever you may be lurking, and doubtless it will +search you out, my promise is, that if, after reading this +letter, you do not forthwith leap from your seat, and, like a +pious pilgrim, appear in my presence without delay, I must +declare you to be the manliest of all men; that is to say, the +one most completely void of the finest property belonging to +our sex: I mean curiosity, which at this moment is afflicting +me in its sharpest concentration.</p> + +<p class='c012'>In one word, then, your casket has now got its key: this, +however, none but you and I are to know. How it came +into my hands let me now tell you.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Some days ago our man of law gets despatches from a +distant tribunal; wherein he was asked if, at such and such +a time, there had not been a boy prowling about our neighborhood +who had played all manner of tricks, and at length, +in a rash enterprise, lost his jacket.</p> + +<p class='c012'>By the way this brat was described, no doubt remained with +us but he was Fitz,—the gay comrade whom Felix talked so +much of, and so often wished back to play with him.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Now, for the present, those authorities request that said +<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>article of dress may be sent to them if it is still in existence; +as the boy, at last involved in judicial examinations, refers +to it. Of this demand our lawyer chances to make mention: +he shows us the little frock before sending it off.</p> + +<p class='c012'>Some good or evil spirit whispers me to grope the breast-pocket: +a little, angular, prickly something comes into my +hand; I, so timorous, ticklish, and startlish as I usually am, +clinch my hand, clinch it, hold my peace; and the jerkin is +sent away. Directly, of all feelings, the strangest seizes me. +At the first stolen glance I saw, I guessed, that it was the key +of your little box. And now came wondrous scruples of conscience, +and all sorts of moral doubts. To discover, to give +back my windfall, was impossible; what have those long-wigged +judges to do with it when it may be so useful to my +friend? And then, again, all manner of questions about right +and duty begin lifting up their voices; but I would not let +them outvote me.</p> + +<p class='c012'>From this you perceive into what a situation my friendship +for you has reduced me: a choice faculty develops itself all +on a sudden for your sake; what an occurrence! May it not +be something more than friendship that so holds the balance +of my conscience? Between guilt and curiosity I am wonderfully +discomposed; I have a hundred whims and stories +about what may follow: law and judgment will not be trifled +with. Hersilia, the careless, and, as occasion served, capricious +Hersilia, entangled in a criminal process; for this is the +scope and tendency of it! And what can I do but think of +the friend for whose sake I suffer all this? I thought of you +before, yet with pauses; but now I think of you incessantly: +now when my heart throbs, and I think of the eighth commandment, +I must turn to you as to the saint who has caused +this sin, and will also procure me an absolution; thus the +opening of the casket is the only thing that can compose me. +My curiosity is growing stronger and doubly strong: come, +and bring the casket with you. To what judgment-seat +it properly belongs we will make out between us: till then +let it remain between us; no one must know of it, be who +he will.</p> + +<p class='c012'>But now, in conclusion, look here, my friend. And tell +me, what say you to this picture of the riddle? Does it not +remind you of arrows with barbs? God help us! But the +box must first stand unopened between you and me, and +then, when opened, tell us further what we have to do. I +wish there were nothing whatever in it; and who knows what +<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>all I wish, and what all I could tell? but do you look at this, +and hasten so much the faster to get upon the road.</p> + +<div class='c010 figcenter id001'> +<img src='images/i255.jpg' alt='An elaborate drawing that looks something like a key.' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>Friedrich returned more gay and lively than he had gone. +“Good news!” cried he: “good luck! Lenardo has received +some pretty letters to facilitate the parting: credit +more than sufficient; and thou, too, shalt have thy share in it. +Fortune herself surely knows not what she is about; for once +in her time she has done wise, worthy fellows a favor.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Hereupon he handed to his friend some clipped fragments +of maps, with directions where they were to be produced, +and changed for hard cash or bills, as he might choose. +Wilhelm was obliged to accept them; though he kept assuring +his companion, that for the present he had no need of such +things. “Then, others will need them!” cried Friedrich: +“constrain not thy good feelings, and, wherever thou art, +appear as a benefactor. But now come along, let us have +a look at this manuscript: it is long till night; one tires of +talking and listening, so I have begged some writing for our +entertainment. Every leaf in Lenardo’s archives is penned +in the spirit of the whole: in giving me this, he said, ‘Well, +take it and read it: our friend will acquire more confidence +in our society and Bond, the more good members he becomes +acquainted with.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The two then retired to a cheerful spot; and Friedrich +read, enlivening with much natural energy and mirth, what +he found set down for him.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>WHO CAN THE TRAITOR BE?</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>“No, no!” exclaimed he, violently and hastily rushing +into the chamber allotted him, and setting down his candle,—“no! +it is impossible! But whither shall I turn? For +the first time I think otherwise than he: for the first time I +feel, I wish, otherwise. O father! couldst thou but be +present invisibly, couldst thou but look through and through +me, thou wouldst see that I am still the same, still thy true, +obedient, affectionate son. Yet to say no! To contradict +my father’s dearest, long-cherished wish! How shall I disclose +it? How shall I express it? No: I cannot marry +Julia! While I speak of it, I shudder. And how shall I +appear before him, tell him this, him, the good, kind father? +He looks at me with astonishment, without speaking: the +prudent, clear-sighted, gifted man can find no words. +Woe is me! Ah! I know well to whom I would confide +this pain, this perplexity, who it is I would choose for my +advocate. Before all others, thou, Lucinda! And I would +first tell thee how I love thee, how I give myself to thee, +and pressingly entreat thee to speak for me, and if thou +canst love me again, if thou wilt be mine, to speak for us +both.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>To explain this short, pithy monologue will require some +details.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Professor N. of N. had an only boy of singular beauty, +whom, till the child’s eighth year, he had left entirely in +charge of his wife. This excellent woman had directed the +hours and days of her son in living, learning, and all good +behavior. She died; and the father instantly felt, that to +prosecute this parental tutelage was impossible. In their +lifetime, all had been harmony between the parents: they +had labored for a common aim, had determined in concert +what was next to be done; and the mother had not wanted +skill to execute wisely, by herself, what the two had planned +together. Double and treble was now the widower’s anxiety; +seeing, as he could not but daily see, that for the sons of +professors, even in universities, it was only by a sort +of miracle that a happy education could be expected.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In this strait he applied to his friend, the <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span> of +R., with whom he had already been treating of plans for a +closer alliance between their families. The <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span> +gave him counsel and assistance: so the son was established +<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>in one of those institutions which still flourish in Germany, +and where charge is taken of the whole man, and body, soul, +and spirit are trained with all attention.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The son was thus provided for: the father, however, felt +himself very lonely, robbed of his wife, shut out from the +cheerful presence of the boy, whom he had seen, without +effort of his, growing up in such desirable culture. But +here, again, the friendship of the <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span> served him in +good stead: the distance of their abodes vanished before his +affection, his desire for movement, for diversion of thought. +In this hospitable home the widowed man of letters found, in +a family circle, motherless like his own, two beautiful little +daughters growing up in diverse loveliness: a state of things +which more and more confirmed the fathers in their purpose, +in their hope, of one day seeing their families united in the +most joyful bonds.</p> + +<p class='c009'>They lived under the sway of a mild, good prince: the +meritorious <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span> was certain of his post during life; +and, in the appointment of a successor, his recommendation +was likely to go far. And now, according to the wise family +arrangement, sanctioned also by the minister, Lucidor +was to train himself for the important office of his future +father-in-law. This in consequence he did, from step to +step. Nothing was neglected in communicating to him all +sorts of knowledge, in developing in him all sorts of activity, +which the state in any case requires,—practice in rigorous +judicial law, and also in the laxer sort, where prudence and +address find their proper field; foresight for daily ways and +means; not excluding higher and more comprehensive views, +yet all tending towards practical life, and so as with effect +and certainty to be employed in its concerns.</p> + +<p class='c009'>With such purposes had Lucidor spent his school years: +by his father and his patron he was now warned to make +ready for the university. In all departments he already +showed the fairest talents; and to nature he was further indebted +for the singular happiness of inclining, out of love +for his father, out of respect for his friend, to turn his capabilities, +first from obedience, then from conviction, on that +very object to which he was directed. He was placed in a +foreign university; and here, both by his own account in his +letters, and by the testimony of his teachers and overseers, +he continued walking in the path that led towards his appointed +goal. It was only objected to him, that in certain +cases he had been too impetuously brave. The father shook +<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>his head at this: the <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span> nodded. Who would +not have been proud of such a son?</p> + +<p class='c009'>Meanwhile the two daughters, Julia and Lucinda, were +waxing in stature and graces. Julia, the younger, waggish, +lovely, unstable, highly entertaining; the other difficult to +portray, for in her sincerity and purity she represented all +that we prize most in woman. Visits were paid and repaid: +and, in the professor’s house, Julia found the most inexhaustible +amusement.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Geography, which he failed not to enliven by topography, +belonged to his province; and no sooner did Julia cast her +eyes on any of the volumes, of which a whole series from +Homann’s warehouse were standing there, than the cities, all +and sundry, had to be mustered, judged, preferred, or rejected: +all havens especially obtained her favor; other towns, +to acquire even a slight approval from her, must stand forth +well supplied with steeples, domes, and minarets.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Julia’s father often left her for weeks to the care of his +tried friend. She was actually advancing in knowledge of +her science; and already the inhabited world, in its main +features, in its chief points and places, stood before her with +some accuracy and distinctness. The garbs of foreign nations +attracted her peculiar attention; and often when her +foster-father asked her in jest, If among the many young, +handsome men who were passing to and fro before her window, +there was not some one or other whom she liked? she +would answer, “Yes, indeed! if he do but look odd enough.” +And, as our young students are seldom behindhand in this +particular, she had often occasion to take notice of individuals +among them; they brought to her mind the costume of +foreign nations: however, she declared in the end, that, if +she was to bestow her undivided attention on any one, he +must be at least a Greek, equipped in the complete fashion +of his country; on which account, also, she longed to be at +some Leipzig fair, where, as she understood, such persons +were to be seen walking the streets.</p> + +<p class='c009'>After his dry and often irksome labors, our teacher had +now no happier moments than those he spent in mirthfully +instructing her; triumphing withal, in secret, that a being +so attractive, ever entertaining, ever entertained, was in the +end to be his own daughter. For the rest, the two fathers +had mutually agreed, that no hint of their purpose should +be communicated to the girls: from Lucidor, also, it was +kept secret.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>Thus had years passed away, as, indeed, they very lightly +pass: Lucidor presented himself completed, having stood all +trials to the joy, even of the superior overseers, who wished +nothing more heartily than being able, with a good conscience, +to fulfil the hopes of old, worthy, favored, and deserving +servants.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And so the business had at length by quiet, regular steps +come so far, that Lucidor, after having demeaned himself in +subordinate stations to universal satisfaction, was now to be +placed in a very advantageous post, suitable to his wishes +and merits, and lying just midway between the university +and the <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann-ship</i></span>.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The father now spoke with his son about Julia, of whom +he had hitherto only hinted, as about his bride and wife, +without any doubt or condition; congratulating him on the +happiness of having appropriated such a jewel to himself. +The professor saw in fancy his daughter-in-law again from +time to time in his house, occupied with charts, plans, and +views of cities: the son recalled to mind the gay and most +lovely creature, who, in times of childhood, had, by her +rogueries as by her kindliness, always delighted him. Lucidor +was now to ride over to the <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann’s</i></span>, to take a +closer view of the full-grown fair one, and, for a few weeks, +to surrender himself to the habitudes and familiarity of her +household. If the young people, as was to be hoped, should +speedily agree, the professor was forthwith to appear, that +so a solemn betrothment might forever secure the anticipated +happiness.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor arrives, is received with the friendliest welcome: +a chamber is allotted him; he arranges himself there, and +appears. And now he finds, besides the members of the +family already known to us, a grown-up son,—misbred certainly, +yet shrewd and good-natured; so that, if you like to +take him as the jesting counsellor of the party, he fitted not +ill with the rest. There belonged, moreover, to the house a +very old, but healthy and gay-hearted, man, quiet, wise, discreet; +completing his life, as it were, and here and there requiring +a little help. Directly after Lucidor, too, there had +arrived another stranger, no longer young, of an impressive +aspect, dignified, thoroughly well-bred, and, by his acquaintance +with the most distant quarters of the world, extremely +entertaining. He was called Antoni.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Julia received her announced bridegroom in fit order, yet +with an excess rather than a defect of frankness: Lucinda, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>on the other hand, did the honors of the house; as her sister +did those of herself. So passed the day, peculiarly agreeable +to all, only to Lucidor not: he, at all times silent, had +been forced, that he might avoid sinking dumb entirely, to +employ himself in asking questions; and in this attitude no +one appears to advantage.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Throughout he had been absent-minded; for at the first +glance he had felt, not aversion or repugnance, yet estrangement, +towards Julia: Lucinda, on the contrary, attracted +him; so that he trembled every time she looked at him with +her full, pure, peaceful eyes.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Thus hard bested, he reached his chamber the first night, +and gave vent to his heart in that soliloquy with which we +began. But to explain this sufficiently, to show how the +violence of such an emphatic speech agrees with what we +know of him already, another little statement will be necessary.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor was of a deep character, and for most part had +something else in his mind than what the present scene +required: hence talk and social conversation would never +prosper rightly with him; he felt this, and was wont to continue +silent, except when the topic happened to be particular, +on some department which he had completely studied, +and of which, whatever he needed was at all times ready. +Besides this, in his early years at school, and later at the +university, he had been deceived in friends, and had wasted +the effusions of his heart unhappily: hence every communication +of his feelings seemed to him a doubtful step, and +doubting destroys all such communication. With his father +he was used to speak only in unison: therefore his full heart +poured itself out in monologues, as soon as he was by himself.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Next morning he had summoned up his resolution; and +yet he almost lost heart and composure again, when Julia +met him with still more friendliness, gayety, and frankness +than ever. She had much to ask,—about his journey by +land and journeys by water; how, when a student, with his +knapsack on his back, he had roamed and climbed through +Switzerland,—nay, crossed the Alps themselves. And now +of those fair islands on the great Southern Lake she had +much to say: and then backwards, the Rhine must be accompanied +from his primary origin; at first, through most +undelicious regions, and so downwards through many an +alternation, till at length, between Maynz and Coblenz, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>you find it still worth while respectfully to dismiss the old +River from his last confinement, into the wide world, into +the sea.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor, in the course of this recital, felt much lightened +in heart; he narrated willingly and well: so that Julia at +last exclaimed in rapture, “It is thus that our other self +should be!” At which phrase Lucidor again felt startled +and frightened, thinking he saw in it an allusion to their +future pilgrimage in common through life.</p> + +<p class='c009'>From his narrative duty, however, he was soon relieved; +for the stranger, Antoni, very speedily overshadowed all +mountain streams, and rocky banks, and rivers, whether +hemmed in or left at liberty. Under his guidance you now +went forward to Genoa; Livorno lay at no great distance; +whatever was most interesting in the country you took with +you as fair spoil; Naples, too, was a place you should see +before you died; and then, in truth, remained Constantinople, +which also was by no means to be neglected. Antoni’s +descriptions of the wide world carried the imagination of +every hearer along with him, though Antoni himself introduced +little fire into the subject. Julia, quite enraptured, +was still nowise satisfied: she longed for Alexandria, Cairo, +and, above all, for the pyramids; of which, by the lessons +of her intended father-in-law, she had gained some moderate +knowledge.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor, next night (he had scarcely shut his door, the candle +he had not put down), exclaimed, “Now, bethink thee, +then: it is growing serious! Thou hast studied and meditated +many serious things: what avails thy law-learning if +thou canst not act like a man of law? View thyself as a +delegate, forget thy own feelings, and do what it would behoove +thee to do for another. It thickens and closes round +me horribly! The stranger is plainly come for the sake of +Lucinda; she shows him the fairest, noblest social and hospitable +attentions: that little fool would run through the +world with any one for any thing or nothing. Besides, she +is a wag: her interest in cities and countries is a farce, by +which she keeps us in silence. But why do I look at the +affair so perplexedly, so narrowly? Is not the <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span> +himself the most judicious, the clearest, the kindest +mediator? Thou wilt tell him how thou feelest and thinkest; +and he will think with thee, if not likewise feel. With +thy father he has all influence. And is not the one as well +as the other his daughter? What would this Antoni the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>traveller with Lucinda, who is born for home, to be happy +and to make happy? Let the wavering quicksilver fasten +itself to the Wandering Jew: that will be a right match.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Next morning Lucidor came down with the firm purpose +of speaking with the father, and waiting on him expressly +to that end, at the hour when he knew him to be disengaged. +How great was his vexation, his perplexity, on +learning that the <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span> had been called away on +business, and was not expected till the day after the morrow! +Julia, on this occasion, seemed to be expressly in +her travelling-fit; she kept by the world wanderer, and, +with some sportive hits at domestic economy, gave up Lucidor +to Lucinda. If our friend, viewing this noble maiden +from a certain distance, and under one general impression, +had already, with his whole heart, loved her, he failed not +now in this nearest nearness to discover with double and +treble vividness in detail all that had before as a whole +attracted him.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The good old friend of the family now brought himself forward +in place of the absent father: he, too, had lived, had +loved, and was now, after many hard buffetings and bruises +of life, resting at last, refreshed and cheerful, beside the +friend of his youth. He enlivened the conversation, and +especially expatiated on perplexities in choice of wives; +relating several remarkable examples of explanations, both +in time and too late. Lucinda appeared in all her splendor. +She admitted, that accident in all departments of life, and +so likewise in the business of marriage, often produced the +best result; yet that it was finer and prouder when one could +say he owed his happiness to himself, to the silent, calm +conviction of his heart, to a noble purpose and a quick determination. +Tears stood in Lucidor’s eyes as he applauded +this sentiment: <a id='tn-afterwardsthe'></a>directly afterwards the two ladies went out. +The old president liked well to deal in illustrative histories; +and so the conversation expanded itself into details of pleasant +instances, which, however, touched our hero so closely +that none but a youth of as delicate manners as his could +have refrained from breaking out with his secret. He did +break out so soon as he was by himself.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I have constrained myself!” exclaimed he: “with such +perplexities I will not vex my good father; I have forborne +to speak, for I see in this worthy old man the substitute of +both fathers. To him will I speak, to him disclose the +whole: he will surely bring it about; he has already almost +<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>spoken what I wish. Will he censure in the individual case +what he praises in general? To-morrow I visit him: I must +give vent to this oppression.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>At breakfast the old man was not present: last night he +had spoken, it appeared, too much, had sat too long, and +likewise drunk a drop or two of wine beyond his custom. +Much was said in his praise: many anecdotes were related, +and precisely of such sayings and doings as brought Lucidor +to despair for not having forthwith applied to him. This +unpleasant feeling was but aggravated when he learned, that, +in such attacks of disorder, the good old man would often not +make his re-appearance for a week.</p> + +<p class='c009'>For social converse a country residence has many advantages, +especially when the owners of it have, for a course +of years, been induced, as thinking and feeling persons, to +improve the natural capabilities of their environs. Such +had been the good fortune of this spot. The <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span>, +at first unwedded, then in a long, happy marriage, +himself a man of fortune, and occupying a lucrative post, +had, according to his own judgment and perception, according +to the taste of his wife,—nay, at last according to the +wishes and whims of his children,—laid out and forwarded +many larger and smaller decorations; which, by degrees, being +skilfully connected with plantations and paths, afforded to +the promenader a very beautiful, continually varying, characteristic +series of scenes. A pilgrimage through these our +young hosts now proposed to their guest; as in general we +take pleasure in showing our improvements to a stranger, +that so what has become habitual in our eyes may appear +with the charm of novelty in his, and leave with him, in permanent +remembrance, its first favorable impression.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The nearest, as well as the most distant, part of the +grounds was peculiarly appropriate for modest decorations, +and altogether rural individualities. Fertile hills alternated +with well-watered meadows, so that the whole was visible +from time to time without being flat; and, if the land seemed +chiefly devoted to purposes of utility, the graceful, the attractive, +was by no means excluded.</p> + +<p class='c009'>To the dwelling and office houses were united various +gardens, orchards, and green spaces; out of which you +imperceptibly passed into a little wood with a broad, clear +carriage-road, winding up and down through the midst of +it. Here, in a central spot, on the most considerable elevation, +there had been a hall erected, with side-chambers +<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>entering from it. On coming through the main door you +saw, in a large mirror, the most favorable prospect which +the country afforded, and were sure to turn round that instant, +to recover yourself on the reality from the effect of +this its unexpected image; for the approach was artfully +enough contrived, and all that could excite surprise was +carefully hid till the last moment. No one entered but felt +pleasurably tempted to turn from the mirror to nature, and +from nature to the mirror.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Once in motion in this fairest, brightest, longest day, our +party made a spiritual campaign of it, over and through the +whole. Here the daughters pointed out the evening-seat of +their good mother, where a stately box-tree had kept clear +space all round it. A little farther on Lucinda’s place of +morning prayer was half-roguishly exhibited by Julia, close +to a little brook, between poplars and alders, with meadows +sloping down from it, and fields stretching upwards. It +was indescribably pretty. You thought you had seen such +a spot everywhere, but nowhere so impressive and so perfect +in its simplicity. In return for this the young master, +also half against Julia’s will, pointed out the tiny groves, +and child’s gardens which, close by a snug-lying mill, were +now scarcely discernible: they dated from a time when Julia, +perhaps in her tenth year, had taken it into her head to become +a milleress; intending, after the decease of the two old +occupants, to assume the management herself, and choose +some brave millman for her husband.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That was at a time,” cried Julia, “when I knew nothing +of towns lying on rivers, or even on the sea,—nothing of +Genoa, of Naples, and the like. Your worthy father, Lucidor, +has converted me: of late I come seldom hither.” She +sat down with a roguish air, and on a little bench, that was +now scarcely large enough for her, under an elder-bough, +which had bent deeply towards the ground. “Fie on this +cowering!” cried she, then started up, and ran off with her +gay brother.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The remaining pair kept up a rational conversation, and +in these cases reason approaches close to the borders of feeling. +Wandering over changeful, simple, natural objects, to +contemplate at leisure how cunning, scheming man contrives +to gain some profit from them; how his perception of what +is laid before him, combining with the feeling of his wants, +does wonders, first in rendering the world inhabitable, then +in peopling it, and at last in over-peopling it,—all this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>could here be talked of in detail. Lucinda gave account +of every thing; and, modest as she was, she could not +hide that these pleasant and convenient combinations of +distant parts by roads had been her work, under the proposal, +direction, or favor of her revered mother.</p> + +<p class='c009'><a id='tn-asthelongest'></a>But as the longest day at last bends down to evening, our +party were at last forced to think of returning: and, while +devising some pleasant circuit, the merry brother proposed +that they should take the short road; though it commanded +no fine prospects, and was even in some places more difficult +to get over. “For,” cried he, “you have preached all day +about your decorations and reparations, and how you have +improved and beautified the scene for pictorial eyes and feeling +hearts: let me, also, have my turn.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Accordingly, they now set forth over ploughed grounds, by +coarse paths, nay, sometimes picking their way by stepping-stones +in boggy places; till at last they perceived, at some +distance, a pile of machinery towering up in manifold combination. +More closely examined, it turned out to be a +large apparatus for sport and games, arranged, not without +judgment, and in a certain popular spirit. Here, fixed at +suitable distances, stood a large swing-wheel, on which the +ascending and the descending riders might still sit horizontally +and at their ease; other seesaws, swing-ropes, leaping-poles, +bowling and ninepins courses, and whatever can be +fancied for variedly and equally employing and diverting a +crowd of people gathered on a large common. “This,” cried +he, “is my invention, my decoration! And though my father +found the money, and a shrewd fellow the brain necessary +for it, yet without me, whom you often call a person of no +judgment, money and brain would not have come together.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>In this cheerful mood the whole four reached home by +sunset. Antoni also joined them; but the little Julia, not +yet satisfied with this unresting travel, ordered her coach, +and set forth on a visit to a lady of her friends, in utter +despair at not having seen her for two days. The party left +behind began to feel embarrassed before they were aware: +it was even mentioned in words that the father’s absence +distressed them. The conversation was about to stagnate, +when all at once the madcap sprang from his seat, and in a +few moments returned with a book, proposing to read to the +company. Lucinda forbore not to inquire how this notion +had occurred to him, now for the first time in a twelvemonth. +“Every thing occurs to me,” said he, “at the proper +<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>season: this is more than you can say for yourself.” He +read them a series of genuine antique tales, such as lead +man away from himself, flattering his wishes, and making +him forget all those restrictions between which, even in the +happiest moments, we are still hemmed in.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What shall I do now?” cried Lucidor, when at last he +saw himself alone. “The hour presses on: in Antoni I +have no trust; he is an utter stranger; I know not who +he is, how he comes to be here, nor what he wants: Lucinda +seems to be his object; and, if so, what can I expect of him? +Nothing remains for me but applying to Lucinda herself: +she must know of it, she before all others. This was my +first feeling: why do we stray into side-paths and subterfuges? +My first thought shall be my last, and I hope to +reach my aim.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>On Saturday morning Lucidor, dressed at an early hour, +was walking to and fro in his chamber, thinking and conning +over his projected address to Lucinda, when he heard a +sort of jestful contention before his door; and the door +itself directly afterwards went up. The mad younker was +shoving in a boy before him with coffee and baked ware +for the guest: he himself carried cold meats and wine. +“Go thou foremost,” cried the younker, “for the guest +must be first served: I am used to serve myself. My +friend, to-day I am entering somewhat early and tumultuously: +but let us take our breakfast in peace; then we +shall see what is to be done, for of our company there is +nothing to be hoped. The little one is not yet back from +her friend: they two have to pour out their hearts together +every fortnight, otherwise the poor, dear hearts would burst. +On Saturdays Lucinda is good for nothing: she balances +her household accounts for my father; she would have had +me taking share in the concern, but Heaven forbid! When +I know the price of any thing, no morsel of it can I relish. +Guests are expected to-morrow; the old man has not yet got +refitted: <a id='tn-dothesame'></a>Antoni is gone to hunt; we will do the same.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Guns, pouches, and dogs were ready as our pair stepped +down into the court; and now they set forth over field and +hill, shooting at best a leveret or so, and perhaps here +and there a poor, indifferent, undeserving bird. Meanwhile +they kept talking of domestic affairs, of the household, +and company at present assembled in it. Antoni was +mentioned, and Lucidor failed not to inquire more narrowly +about him. The gay younker, with some self-complaisance, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>asserted, that strange as the man was, and much mystery +as he made about himself, he, the gay younker, had already +seen through him and through him. “Without doubt,” +continued he, “Antoni is the son of a rich mercantile +family, whose large partnership concern fell to ruin at the +very time when he, in the full vigor of youth, was preparing +to take a cheerful and active hand in their great undertakings, +and, withal, to share in their abundant profits. +Dashed down from the summit of his hopes, he gathered +himself together, and undertook to perform for strangers +what he was no longer in a case to perform for his relatives. +And so he travelled through the world, became thoroughly +acquainted with it and its mutual traffickings; in the mean +while not forgetting his own advantage. Unwearied diligence +and tried fidelity obtained and secured for him unbounded +confidence from many. Thus in all places he +acquired connections and friends: nay, it is easy to see +that his fortune is as widely scattered abroad as his acquaintance; +and, accordingly, his presence is from time to +time required in all quarters of the world.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>These things the merry younker told in a more circumstantial +and simple style, introducing many farcical observations, +as if he meant to spin out his story to full length.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“How long, for instance,” cried he, “has this Antoni +been connected with my father? They think I see nothing +because I trouble myself about nothing; but for this very +reason I see it better, as I take no interest in it. To my +father he has intrusted large sums, who, again, has deposited +them securely and to advantage. It was but last night that +he gave our old dietetic friend a casket of jewels; a finer, +simpler, costlier piece of ware I never cast my eyes on: +though I saw this only with a single glance, for they make +a secret of it. Most probably it is to be consigned to the +bride for her pleasure, satisfaction, and future security. +Antoni has set his heart on Lucinda! Yet, when I see them +together, I cannot think it a well-assorted match. The hop-skip +would have suited him better: I believe, too, she would +take him sooner than the elder would. Many a time I see +her looking over to the old curmudgeon, so gay and sympathetic, +as if she could find in her heart to spring into the +coach with him, and fly off at full gallop.” Lucidor collected +himself; he knew not what to answer; all that he +heard obtained his internal approbation. The younker proceeded, +“All along the girl has had a perverted liking for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>old people: I believe, of a truth, she would have skipped +away and wedded your father as briskly as she would his +son.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor followed his companion over stock and stone, as +it pleased the gay youth to lead him: both forgot the chase, +which, at any rate, could not be productive. They called at a +farmhouse, where, being hospitably received, the one friend +entertained himself with eating, drinking, and tattling; the +other again plunged into meditations and projects for turning +this new discovery to his own profit.</p> + +<p class='c009'>From all these narrations and disclosures Lucidor had +acquired so much confidence in Antoni, that, immediately on +their return, he asked for him, and hastened into the garden +where he was said to be. In vain! No soul was to be seen +anywhere. At last he entered the door of the great hall: +and strange enough the setting sun, reflected from the mirror, +so dazzled him that he could not recognize the two persons +who were sitting on the sofa; though he saw distinctly that +it was a lady and a man, which latter was that instant +warmly kissing the hand of his companion. How great, +accordingly, was Lucidor’s astonishment when, on recovering +his clearness of vision, he beheld Antoni sitting by +Lucinda. He was like to sink through the ground; he +stood, however, as if rooted to the spot, till Lucinda, in +the kindest, most unembarrassed manner, shifted a little to +a side, and invited him to take a seat on her right hand. +Unconsciously he obeyed her; and while she addressed him, +inquiring after his present day’s history, asking pardon for +her absence on domestic engagements, he could scarcely +hear her voice. Antoni rose, and took his leave: Lucinda, +resting herself from her toil as the others were doing, invited +Lucidor to a short stroll. Walking by her side he was silent +and embarrassed: she, too, seemed ill at ease; and, had he +been in the slightest degree self-collected, her deep-drawn +breathing must have disclosed to him that she had heartfelt +sighs to suppress. She at last took her leave as they +approached the house: he, on the other hand, turned round +at first slowly, then at a violent pace, to the open country. +The park was too narrow for him: he hastened through the +fields, listening only to the voice of his heart, and without +eyes for the beauties of this loveliest evening. When he +found himself alone, and his feelings were relieving their +violence in a shower of tears, he exclaimed,—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Already in my life, but never with such fierceness, have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>I felt the agony which now makes me altogether wretched,—to +see the long-wished-for happiness at length reach me, +hand in hand and arm in arm unite with me, and at the +same moment announce its eternal departure! I was sitting +by her, I was walking by her, her fluttering garment +touched me; and I have lost her! Reckon it not over, +torture not thy heart with it, be silent and determine!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He laid a prohibition on his lips: he held his peace, and +planned and meditated; stepping over field and meadow +and bush, not always by the smoothest paths. Late at +night, on returning to his chamber, he gave voice to his +thoughts for a moment, and cried, “To-morrow morning I +am gone: another such day I will not front.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>And so, without undressing, he threw himself on the bed. +Happy, healthy season of youth! He was already asleep: +the fatiguing motion of the day had earned for him the +sweetest rest. Out of bright morning dreams, however, the +earliest sun awoke him: this was the longest day in the year, +and for him it threatened to be too long. If the grace of the +peaceful evening star had passed over him unnoticed, he felt +the awakening beauty of the morning only to despair. The +world was lying here as glorious as ever; to his eyes it was +still so, but his soul contradicted it: all this belonged to him +no longer; he had lost Lucinda.</p> + +<p class='c009'>His travelling-bag was soon packed; this he was to leave +behind him; he left no letter with it: a verbal message in +excuse of absence from dinner, perhaps also from supper, +might be left with the groom, whom, at any rate, he must +awaken. The groom, however, was awake already: Lucidor +found him in the yard, walking with large strides before the +stable-door. “You do not mean to ride?” cried the usually +good-natured man, with a tone of some spleen. “To you I +may say it, but young master is growing worse and worse. +There was he driving about far and near yesterday: you +might have thought he would thank God for a Sunday to rest +in. And see if he does not come this morning before daybreak, +rummages about in the stable, and, while I am getting +up, saddles and bridles your horse, flings himself on it, and +cries, ‘Do but consider the good work I am doing! This +beast keeps jogging on at a staid, juridical trot: I must see +and rouse him into a smart life-gallop.’ He said something +just so, and other strange speeches besides.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor was doubly and trebly vexed: he liked the horse, +as corresponding to his own character, his own mode of life; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>it grieved him to figure his good, sensible beast in the hands +of a madcap. His plan, too, was overturned,—his purpose +of flying to a college friend with whom he had lived in cheerful, +cordial union, and in this crisis seeking refuge beside +him. His old confidence had been awakened, the intervening +miles were not counted: he had fancied himself already +at the side of his true-hearted and judicious friend, finding +counsel and assuagement from his words and looks. This +prospect was now cut off, yet not entirely, if he could venture +with the fresh, pedestrian limbs which still stood at his +command to set forth towards the goal.</p> + +<p class='c009'>First of all, accordingly, he struck through the park; +making for the open country, and the road which was to lead +him to his friend. Of his direction he was not quite certain, +when, looking to the left, his eye fell upon the hermitage, +which had hitherto been kept secret from him,—a strange +edifice, rising with grotesque joinery through bush and tree; +and here, to his extreme astonishment, he observed the good +old man, who for some days had been considered sick, standing +in the gallery under the Chinese roof, and looking blithely +through the soft morning. The friendliest salutation, the +most pressing entreaties to come up, Lucidor resisted with +excuses and gestures of haste. Nothing but sympathy with +the good old man, who, hastening down with infirm step, +seemed every moment in danger of falling to the bottom, +could induce him to turn thither, and then suffer himself to +be conducted up. With surprise he entered the pretty little +hall; it had only three windows, turned towards the park,—a +most graceful prospect: the other sides were decorated, or, +rather, covered, with hundreds of portraits, copper-plate or +painted, which were fixed in a certain order to the wall, and +separated by colored borders and interstices.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I favor you, my friend, more than I do every one: this +is the sanctuary in which I peacefully spend my last days. +Here I recover myself from all the mistakes which society +tempts me to commit: here my dietetic errors are corrected, +and my old being is again restored to equilibrium.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor looked over the place; and, being well read in +history, he easily observed that an historical taste had presided +in its arrangement.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Above, there, in the frieze,” said the old virtuoso, “you +will find the names of distinguished men in the primitive +ages; then those of later antiquity; yet still only their +names, for how they looked would now be difficult to discover. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>But here, in the main field, comes my own life into +play: here are the men whose names I used to hear mentioned +in my boyhood. For some fifty years or so the name +of a distinguished man continues in the remembrance of the +people: then it vanishes, or becomes fabulous. Though of +German parentage, I was born in Holland; and, for me, +William of Orange, Stadtholder, and King of England, is the +patriarch of all common great men and heroes.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Now, close by William, you observe Louis Fourteenth +as the person who”—How gladly would Lucidor have cut +short the good old man, had it but been permitted him, as it +is to us the narrators: for the whole late and latest history +of the world seemed impending; as from the portraits of +Frederick the Great and his generals, towards which he was +glancing, was but too clearly to be gathered.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And though the kindly young man could not but respect +his old friend’s lively sympathy in these things, nor deny that +some individual features and views in this exhibitory discourse +might be interesting; yet at college he had heard the +late and latest history of Europe already: and, what a man +has once heard, he fancies himself to know forever. Lucidor’s +thoughts were wandering far away: he heard not, he +scarcely saw, and was just on the point, in spite of all +politeness, of flinging himself out, and tumbling down the +long, fatal stair, when a loud clapping of hands was heard +from below.</p> + +<p class='c009'>While Lucidor restrained his movement, the old man +looked over through the window; and a well-known voice +resounded from beneath, “Come down, for Heaven’s sake, +out of your historic picture-gallery, old gentleman! Conclude +your fasts and humiliations, and help me to appease +our young friend, when he learns it. Lucidor’s horse I have +ridden somewhat hard: it has lost a shoe, and I was obliged +to leave the beast behind me. What will he say? He is too +absurd, when one behaves absurdly.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Come up,” said the old man, and turned in to Lucidor. +“Now what say you?” Lucidor was silent, and the wild +blade entered. The discussion of the business lasted long: +at length it was determined to despatch the groom forthwith, +that he might seek the horse, and take charge of it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Leaving the old man, the two younkers hastened to the +house; Lucidor, not quite unwillingly, submitting to this arrangement. +Come of it what might, within these walls the +sole wish of his heart was included. In such desperate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>cases, we are, at any rate, cut off from the assistance of our +free will; and we feel ourselves relieved for a moment, +when, from any quarter, direction and constraint take hold +of us. Yet, on entering his chamber, he found himself in +the strangest mood,—like a man who, having just left an +apartment of an inn, is forced to return to it by the breaking +of an axle.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The gay younker fell upon the travelling-bag, unpacking it +all in due order; especially selecting every article of holiday +apparel, which, though only on the travelling scale, was to +be found there. He forced Lucidor to put on fresh shoes +and stockings: he dressed for him his clustering brown +locks, and decked him at all points with his best skill. Then +stepping back, and surveying our friend and his own handiwork +from head to foot, he exclaimed, “Now, then, my +good fellow, you do look like a man that has some pretensions +to pretty damsels, and serious enough, moreover, to +spy about you for a bride! Wait one moment! You shall +see how I, too, can produce myself, when the hour strikes. +This knack I learned from your military officers, the girls +are always glancing at them: so I likewise have enrolled myself +among a certain soldiery; and now they look at me, too, +and look again; and no soul of them knows what to make of +it. And so, from this looking and re-looking, from this surprise +and attention, a pretty enough result now and then +arises; which, though it were not lasting, is worth enjoying +for the moment.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But come along, my friend, and do the like service for +me. When you have seen me case myself by piecemeal in +my equipment, you will not say that wit and invention have +been denied me.” He now led his friend through several +long, spacious passages of the old castle. “I have quite +nestled myself here,” cried he. “Though I care not for +hiding, I like to be alone: you can do no good with other +people.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They were passing by the office-rooms just as a servant +came out with a patriarchal writing apparatus, black, massive, +and complete: paper, too, was not forgotten.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I know what it is to be blotted here again,” cried the +younker: “go thy ways, and leave me the key. Take a look +of the place, Lucidor: it will amuse you till I am dressed. +To a friend of justice, such a spot is not odious, as to a +tamer of horses.” And, with this, he pushed Lucidor into +the hall of judgment.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>Lucidor felt himself directly in a well-known and friendly +element: he thought of the days when he, fixed down to +business, had sat at such a table, and, listening and writing, +had trained himself to his art. Nor did he fail to observe, +that in this case an old, stately, domestic chapel had, under +the change of religious ideas, been converted to the service +of Themis. In the repositories he found some titles and acts +already familiar to him: in these very matters he had co-operated +while laboring in the capital. Opening a bundle of +papers, there came into his hands a rescript which he himself +had dictated; another of which he had been the originator. +Handwriting and paper, signet and president’s signature, +every thing recalled to him that season of juridical effort, of +youthful hope. And here, when he looked round, and saw +the <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann’s</i></span> chair, appointed and intended for himself; +so fair a place, so dignified a circle of activity, which +he was now like to cast away and utterly lose,—all this oppressed +him doubly and trebly, as the form of Lucinda +seemed to retire from him at the same time.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He turned to go out into the open air, but found himself a +prisoner. His gay friend, heedlessly or roguishly, had left +the door locked. Lucidor, however, did not long continue +in this durance; for the other returned, apologized for his +oversight, and really called forth good-humor by his singular +appearance. A certain audacity of color and cut in his +clothes was softened by natural taste, as even to tattooed +Indians we refuse not a certain approbation. “To-day,” +cried he, “the tedium of by-gone days shall be made good to +us. Worthy friends, merry friends, are come; pretty girls, +roguish and fond; and my father, to boot; and, wonder on +wonder! your father too. This will be a festival truly: they +are all assembled for breakfast in the parlor.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>With Lucidor, at this piece of information, it was as if he +were looking into deep fog: all the figures, known and unknown, +which the words announced to him, assumed a spectral +aspect; yet his resolution, and the consciousness of a +pure heart, sustained him: and in a few seconds he felt himself +prepared for every thing. He followed his hastening +friend with a steady step, firmly determined to await the +issue, be what it might, and explain his own purposes, come +what come might.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And yet, at the very threshold of the hall, he was struck +with some alarm. In a large half-circle, ranged round by +the windows, he immediately descried his father with the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span><span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span>, both splendidly attired. The two sisters, Antoni, +and others known and unknown, he hurried over with +a glance, which was threatening to grow dim. Half wavering, +he approached his father, who bade him welcome with +the utmost kindness, yet in a certain style of formality which +scarcely invited any trustful application. Standing before +so many persons, he looked round to find a place among them +for a moment; he might have arranged himself beside Lucinda: +but Julia, contrary to the rigor of etiquette, made +room for him; so that he was forced to step to her side. +Antoni continued by Lucinda.</p> + +<p class='c009'>At this important moment Lucidor again felt as if he were +a delegate; and, steeled by his whole juridical science, he +called up in his own favor the fine maxim, That we should +transact affairs delegated to us by a stranger as if they were +our own; why not our own, therefore, in the same spirit? +Well practised in official orations, he speedily ran over what +he had to say. But the company, ranged in a formal semi-circle, +seemed to outflank him. The purport of his speech he +knew well: the beginning of it he could not find. At this +crisis he observed on a table, in the corner, the large ink-glass, +and several clerks sitting round it: the <span lang="de"><i>Oberamtmann</i></span> +made a movement as if to solicit attention for a speech; +Lucidor wished to anticipate him: and, at that very moment, +Julia pressed his hand. This threw him out of all self-possession, +convinced him that all was decided, all lost for +him.</p> + +<p class='c009'>With the whole of these negotiations, these family alliances, +with social conventions, and rules of good manners, he +had now nothing more to do: he snatched his hand from +Julia’s, and vanished so rapidly from the room, that the +company lost him unawares; and he out of doors could not +find himself again.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Shrinking from the light of day, which shone down upon +him in its highest splendor; avoiding the eyes of men; dreading +search and pursuit,—he hurried forwards, and reached +the large garden-hall. Here his knees were like to fail him: +he rushed in, and threw himself, utterly comfortless, upon the +sofa beneath the mirror. Amid the polished arrangements +of society, to be caught in such unspeakable perplexity! It +dashed to and fro like waves about him and within him. +His past existence was struggling with his present: it was a +frightful moment.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And so he lay for a time, with his face hid in the cushion +<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>on which last night Lucinda’s arm had rested. Altogether +sunk in his sorrow, he had heard no footsteps approach: +feeling some one touch him, he started up, and perceived +Lucinda standing by his side.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Fancying they had sent her to bring him back, had commissioned +her to lead him with fit, sisterly words into the assemblage +to front his hated doom, he exclaimed, “You they +should not have sent, Lucinda; for it was you that drove me +away. I will not return. Give me, if you are capable of +any pity, procure me, convenience and means of flight. For, +that you yourself may testify how impossible it was to bring +me back, listen to the explanation of my conduct, which to +you and all of them must seem insane. Hear now the oath +which I have sworn in my soul, and which I incessantly repeat +in words: with you only did I wish to live, with you to +enjoy, to employ my days, from youth to old age, in true, +honorable union. And let this be as firm and sure as aught +ever sworn before the altar,—this, which I now swear, now +when I leave you, the most pitiable of all men.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He made a movement to glide past her, as she stood close +before him; but she caught him softly in her arms. “What +is this?” exclaimed he.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Lucidor!” cried she, “not pitiable as you think: you +are mine, I am yours; I hold you in my arms; delay not to +throw your arms about me. Your father has agreed to all: +Antoni marries my sister.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>In astonishment he recoiled from her. “Can it be?” Lucinda +smiled and nodded: he drew back from her arms. +“Let me view once more, at a distance, what is to be mine +so nearly, so inseparably!” He grasped her hands: “Lucinda, +are you mine?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>She answered, “Well, then, yes,” the sweetest tears in +the truest eyes: he clasped her to his breast, and threw his +head behind hers; he hung like a shipwrecked mariner on +the cliffs of the coast; the ground still shook under him. +And now his enraptured eye, again opening, lighted on the +mirror. He saw her there in his arms, himself clasped in +hers: he looked down and again to the image. Such emotions +accompany man throughout his life. In the mirror, +also, he beheld the landscape, which last night had appeared +to him so baleful and ominous, now lying fairer and brighter +than ever; and himself in such a posture, on such a background! +Abundant recompense for all sorrows!</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We are not alone,” said Lucinda; and scarcely had he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>recovered from his rapture, when, all decked and garlanded, +a company of girls and boys came forward, carrying wreaths +of flowers, and crowding the entrance of the hall. “This is +not the way,” cried Lucinda: “how prettily it was arranged, +and now it is all running into tumult!” A gay march +sounded from a distance, and the company were seen coming +on by the large road in stately procession. Lucidor hesitated +to advance towards them: only on her arm did he seem +certain of his steps. She staid beside him; expecting from +moment to moment the solemn scene of meeting, of thanks +for pardon already given.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But by the capricious gods it was otherwise determined. +The gay, clanging sound of a postilion’s horn from the opposite +side seemed to throw the whole ceremony into rout. +“Who can be coming?” cried Lucinda. The thought of a +strange presence was frightful to Lucidor, and the carriage +seemed entirely unknown to him. A double-seated, new, +spick-and-span new, travelling-chaise! It rolled up to the +hall. A well-dressed, handsome boy sprang down, opened +the door; but no one dismounted; the chaise was empty. +The boy stepped into it: with a dexterous touch or two +he threw back the tilts; and there, in a twinkling, stood +the daintiest vehicle in readiness for the gayest drive, before +the eyes of the whole party, who were now advancing to the +spot. Antoni, outhastening the rest, led Julia to the carriage. +“Try if this machine,” said he, “will please you; +if you can sit in it, and, over the smoothest roads, roll +through the world beside me: I will lead you by no other +but the smoothest; and, when a strait comes, we shall know +how to help ourselves. Over the mountains sumpters shall +carry us, and our coach also.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You are a dear creature!” cried Julia. The boy came +forward, and, with the quickness of a conjurer, exhibited all +the conveniences, little advantages, comforts, and celerities +of the whole light edifice.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“On earth I have no thanks,” cried Julia; “but from this +little moving heaven, from this cloud, into which you raise +me, I will heartily thank you.” She had already bounded +in, throwing him kind looks, and a kiss of the hand. “For +the present you come not hither; but there is another whom +I mean to take along with me in this proof-excursion,—he +himself has still a proof to undergo.” She called to Lucidor, +who, just then occupied in mute conversation with his +father and father-in-law, willingly took refuge in the light +<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>vehicle, feeling an irresistible necessity to dissipate his +thoughts in some way or other, though it were but for a +moment. He placed himself beside her: she directed the +postilion where he was to drive. Instantly they darted off, +enveloped in a cloud of dust, and vanished from the eyes +of the amazed spectators.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Julia fixed herself in the corner as firmly and commodiously +as she could wish. “Now do you shift into that one, +too, good brother; so that we may look each other rightly in +the face.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> You feel my confusion, my embarrassment. I +am still as if in a dream. Help me out of it.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> Look at these gay peasants. How kindly they salute +us! You have never seen the Upper Hamlet yet, since +you came hither. All good, substantial people there, and +all thoroughly devoted to me. No one of them so rich that +you cannot, by a time, do a little kind service to him. This +road, which we whirl along so smoothly, is my father’s doing,—another +of his benefits to the community.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> I believe it, and willingly admit it; but what +have these external things to do with the perplexity of my +internal feelings?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> Patience a little! I will show you the riches of +this world, and the glory thereof. Here now we are at the +top. Do but look how clear the level country lies all round +us, leaning against the mountains. All these villages are +much, much indebted to my father; to mother and daughters +too. The grounds of yon little hamlet are the border.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> Surely you are in a very strange mood: you do +not seem to be saying what you meant to say.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> But now look down to the left. How beautifully +all this unfolds itself! The church, with its high lindens; +the <span lang="de"><i>Amthaus</i></span>, with its poplars, behind the village knoll. +Here, too, are the garden and the park.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The postilion drove faster.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> The Hall up yonder you know. It looks almost +as well here as this scene does from it. Here, at the tree, +we shall stop a moment. Now, in this very spot our image +is reflected in the large mirror: there they see us full well, +but we cannot see ourselves.—Go along, postilion! There, +some little while ago, two people, I believe, were reflected at +a shorter distance, and, if I am not exceedingly mistaken, +to their great mutual satisfaction.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor, in ill-humor, answered nothing. They went on +<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>for some time in silence, driving very hard. “Here,” said +Julia, “the bad road begins,—a service left for you to do +some day. Before we go lower, look down once more. My +mother’s box-tree rises with its royal summit over all the +rest. Thou wilt drive,” continued she, to the postilion, +“down this rough road: we shall take the footpath through +the dale, and so be sooner at the other side than thou.” In +dismounting, she cried, “Well, now, you will confess the +Wandering Jew, this restless Antoni the Traveller, can +arrange his pilgrimages prettily enough for himself and his +companions. It is a very beautiful and commodious carriage.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>And with this she tripped away down hill. Lucidor followed +her in deep thought: she was sitting on a pleasant +seat; it was Lucinda’s little spot. She invited him to sit by +her.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> So now we are sitting here, and one is nothing to +the other. Thus it was destined to be. The little Quicksilver +would not suit you. Love it you could not: it was hateful +to you.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor’s astonishment increased.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> But Lucinda, indeed! She is the paragon of all +perfections, and the pretty sister was once for all cast out. +I see it: the question hovers on your lips, Who has told us +all so accurately?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> There is treachery in it!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> Yes, truly! There has been a traitor at work in +the matter.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> Name him.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> He is soon unmasked: You! You have the praiseworthy +or blameworthy custom of talking to yourself; and +now, in the name of all, I must confess that in turn we have +overheard you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor</i> (starting up). A sorry piece of hospitality, to +lay snares for a stranger in this way!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> By no means. We thought not of watching you +more than any other. But you know your bed stands in the +recess of the wall: on the opposite side is another alcove, +commonly employed for laying up household articles. Hither, +some days before, we had shifted our old man’s bed, being +anxious about him in his remote hermitage; and here, the +first night, you started some such passionate soliloquy, which +he next morning took his opportunity of rehearsing.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Lucidor had not the heart to interrupt her. He withdrew.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span><i>Julia</i> (rising and following him). What a service this +discovery did us all! For I will confess, if you were not +positively disagreeable, the situation which awaited me was +not by any means to my mind. To be Frau Oberamtmannin,—what +a dreadful state! To have a brave, gallant husband, +who is to pass judgment on the people, and, for sheer +judgment, cannot get to justice; who can please neither +high nor low, and, what is worst, not even himself. I know +what my poor mother suffered from the incorruptibility, +the inflexibility, of my father. At last, indeed, but not till +her death, a certain meekness took possession of him: he +seemed to suit himself to the world, to make a truce with +those evils which till then he had vainly striven to conquer.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor</i> (stopping short, extremely discontented with the +incident, vexed at this light mode of treating it). For the +sport of an evening this might pass, but to practise such a +disgracing mystification day and night against an unsuspicious +stranger is not pardonable.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> We are all equally deep in the crime, we all hearkened +you; yet I alone pay the penalty of eavesdropping.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> All! So much the more unpardonable. And +how could you look at me, throughout the day, without +blushing, whom at night you were so contemptuously overreaching? +But I see clearly with a glance that your arrangements +by day were planned to make mockery of me. A +fine family! And where was your father’s love of justice all +this while?—And Lucinda—</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> And Lucinda! What a tone was that! You +meant to say, did not you, how deeply it grieved your heart +to think ill of Lucinda, to rank her in a class with the rest +of us?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> I cannot understand Lucinda.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> In other words, this pure, noble soul; this peacefully +composed nature, benevolence, goodness itself; this +woman as she should be,—unites with a light-minded company, +with a freakish sister, a spoiled brother, and certain +mysterious persons. That is incomprehensible!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> Yes, indeed, it is incomprehensible!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> Comprehend it, then! Lucinda, like the rest of +us, had her hands bound. Could you have seen her perplexity, +how fain she would have told you all, how often she was +on the very eve of doing it, you would now love her doubly +and trebly, if, indeed, true love were not always tenfold and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>hundred-fold of itself. I can assure you, moreover, that all +of us at length thought the joke too long.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> Why did you not end it, then?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> That, too, I must explain. No sooner had my +father got intelligence of your first monologue, and seen, as +was easy to do, that none of his children would object to +such an exchange, than he determined on visiting your father. +The importance of the business gave him much anxiety. A +father alone can feel the respect which is due to a father. +“He must be informed of it in the first place,” said mine, +“that he may not in the end, when we are all agreed, be +reduced to give a forced and displeased consent. I know +him well: I know how any thought, any wish, any purpose, +cleaves to him; and I have my own fears about the issue. +Julia, his maps and pictures, he has long viewed as one thing; +he has it in his eye to transport all this hither, when the +young pair are once settled here, and his old pupil cannot +change her abode so readily: on us he is to bestow his holidays; +and who knows what other kind, friendly things he +has projected? He must forthwith be informed what a trick +Nature has played us, while yet nothing is declared, nothing +is determined.” And, with this, he exacted from us all the +most solemn promise that we should observe you, and, come +what might, retain you here till his return. How this return +has been protracted; what art, toil, and perseverance it has +cost to gain your father’s consent,—he himself will inform +you. In short, the business is adjusted: Lucinda is yours.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And thus had the two promenaders, sharply removing from +their first resting-place, then pausing by the way, then speaking, +and walking slowly through the green fields, at last +reached the height, where another well-levelled road received +them. The carriage came whirling up: Julia in the mean +while turned her friend’s attention to a strange sight. The +whole machinery, of which her gay brother had bragged so +much, was now alive and in motion: the wheels were already +heaving up and down a multitude of people; the seesaws +were flying; maypoles had their climbers; and many a bold, +artful swing and spring over the heads of an innumerable +multitude you might see ventured. The younker had set all +a-going, that so the guests, after dinner, might have a gay +spectacle awaiting them. “Thou wilt drive through the +Nether Hamlet,” cried Julia: “the people wish me well, and +they shall see how well I am off.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The hamlet was empty: the young people had all run to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>the swings and seesaws; old men and women, roused by +the driver’s horn, appeared at doors and windows; every one +gave salutations and blessings, exclaiming, “Oh, what a +lovely pair!”</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> There, do you hear? We should have suited well +enough together after all: you may rue it yet.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> But now, dear sister—</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> Ha! Now dear, when you are rid of me!</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Lucidor.</i> One single word. On you rests a heavy accusation: +what did you mean by that squeeze of the hand, when +you knew and felt my dreadful situation? A thing so radically +wicked I have never met with in my life before.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Julia.</i> Thank Heaven, we are now quits; now all is pardoned: +I had no mind for <em>you</em>, that is certain; but that you +had utterly and absolutely no mind for me, <a id='tn-youngwoman'></a>this was a thing +which no young woman could forgive: and the squeeze of +the hand, observe you, was for the rogue. I do confess it +was almost too roguish: and I forgive myself, because I forgive +you; and so let all be forgotten and forgiven! Here +is my hand.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He took it: she cried, “Here we are again! In our park +again; and so, in a trice, we whirl through the wide world, +and back too: we shall meet again.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They had reached the garden-hall; it seemed empty: the +company, tired of waiting, had gone out to walk. Antoni, +however, and Lucinda, came forth. Julia, stepping from the +carriage, flew to her friend: she thanked him in a cordial embrace, +and restrained not the most joyful tears. The brave +man’s cheeks reddened, his features looked forth unfolded; +his eye glanced moist; and a fair, imposing youth shone +through the veil.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And so both pairs moved off to join the company, with +feelings which the finest dream could not have given them.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>CHAPTER LAST.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>“Thus, my friends,” said Lenardo, after a short preamble, +“if we survey the most populous provinces and kingdoms +of the firm earth, we observe on all sides, that wherever +an available soil appears, it is cultivated, planted, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>shaped, beautified, and, in the same proportion, coveted, +taken into possession, fortified, and defended. Hereby we +bring home to our conceptions the high worth of property in +land, and are obliged to consider it as the first and best +acquirement that can be allotted to man. And if, on closer +inspection, we find parental and filial love, the union of countrymen +and townsmen, and therefore the universal feeling of +patriotism, founded immediately on this same interest in the +soil, we cannot but regard that seizing and retaining of +space, in the great or the small scale, as a thing still more important +and venerable. Yes, Nature herself has so ordered it! +A man born on the glebe comes by habit to belong to it: the +two grow together, and the fairest ties are spun from their +union. Who is there, then, that would spitefully disturb this +foundation-stone of all existence; that would blindly deny +the worth and dignity of such precious and peculiar gifts of +Heaven?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And yet we may assert, that if what man possesses is of +great worth, what he does and accomplishes must be of still +greater. In a wide view of things, therefore, we must look +on property in land as one small part of the possessions +that have been given us. Of these the greatest and the +most precious part consists especially in what is movable, +and in what is gained by a moving life.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Towards this quarter we younger men are peculiarly +constrained to turn; for, though we had inherited from our +fathers the desire of abiding and continuing, we find ourselves +called by a thousand causes nowise to shut our eyes +against a wider out-look and survey. Let us hasten, then, +to the shore of the ocean, and convince ourselves what +boundless spaces are still lying open to activity, and confess, +that, by the bare thought of this, we are roused to new +vigor.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yet, not to lose ourselves in these vast expanses, let us +direct our attention to the long and large surface of so many +countries and kingdoms combined together on the face of +the earth. Here we behold great tracts of land tenanted by +Nomades, whose towns are movable, whose life-supporting +household goods can be transferred from place to place. +We see them in the middle of the deserts, on wide green +pasturages, lying, as it were, at anchor in their desired +haven. Such movement, such wandering, becomes a habit +with them, a necessity: in the end they grow to regard the +surface of the world as if it were not bulwarked by mountains, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>were not cut asunder by streams. Have we not seen +the North-east flow towards the South-west; one people driving +another before it, and lordship and property altogether +changed?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“From over-populous countries, a similar calamity may +again, in the great circle of vicissitudes, occur more than +once. What we have to dread from foreigners, it may be +difficult to say; but it is curious enough, that, by our own +over-population, we ourselves are thronging one another in +our own domains, and, without waiting to be driven, are driving +one another forth, passing sentence of banishment each +against his fellow.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Here now is the place and season for giving scope in +our bosoms, without spleen or anger, to a love of movement; +for unfettering that impatient wish which excites us to +change our abode. Yet whatever we may purpose and intend, +let it be accomplished, not from passion, or from any +other influence of force, but from a conviction corresponding +to the wisest judgment and deliberation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It has been said, and over again said, Where I am well +is my country! But this consolatory saw were better worded, +Where I am useful is my country! At home you may be +useless, and the fact not instantly observed: abroad in the +world, the useless man is speedily convicted. And now, if I +say, Let each endeavor everywhere to be of use to himself +and others, this is not a precept or a counsel, but the utterance +of life itself.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Cast a glance over the terrestrial ball, and for the present +leave the ocean out of sight: let not its hurrying fleets +distract your thoughts, but fix your eye on the firm earth, +and be amazed to see how it is overflowed with a swarming +ant-tribe, jostling and crossing, and running to and fro forever! +So was it ordained of the Lord himself, when, obstructing +the Tower of Babel, he scattered the human race +abroad into all the world. Let us praise his name on this +account, for the blessing has extended to all generations.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Observe now, and cheerfully, how the young, on every +side, instantly get into movement. As instruction is not +offered them within doors, and knocks not at their gates, +they hasten forthwith to those countries and cities whither the +call of science and wisdom allures them. Here, no sooner have +they gained a rapid and scanty training, than they feel themselves +impelled to look round in the world, whether here and +there some profitable experience, applicable to their objects, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>may not be met with and appropriated. Let these try their +fortune! We turn from them to those completed and distinguished +men, those noble inquirers into nature, who wittingly +encounter every difficulty, every peril, that to the +world they may lay the world open, and, through the most +impassable, pave easy roads.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But observe also, on beaten highways, how dust on dust, +in long, cloudy trains, mounts up, betokening the track of +commodious, top-laden carriages, in which the rich, the +noble, and so many others, are whirled along; whose varying +purposes and dispositions Yorick has most daintily explained +to us.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“These the stout craftsman, on foot, may cheerily gaze +after; for whom his country has made it a duty to appropriate +foreign skill, and not, till this has been accomplished, +to revisit his paternal hearth. In still greater numbers do +traffickers and dealers meet us on our road: the little trader +must not neglect, from time to time, to forsake his shop, +that he may visit fairs and markets, may approach the great +merchant, and increase his own small profit, by example and +participation of the boundless. But yet more restlessly do +we descry cruising on horseback, singly, on all high and by +ways, that multitude of persons whose business it is, in lawful +wise, to make forcible pretension to our purses. Samples +of all sorts, prize catalogues, invitations to purchase, pursue +us into town-houses and country-houses, and wherever we +may seek refuge: diligently they assault us and surprise us; +themselves offering the opportunity, which it would have entered +no man’s mind to seek. And what shall I say of that +people which, before all others, arrogates to itself the blessing +of perpetual wandering, and, by its movable activity, contrives +to overreach the resting and to overstep the walking? +Of them we must say neither ill nor good,—no good, because +our League stands on its guard against them; no ill, because +the wanderer, mindful of reciprocal advantage, is bound to +treat with friendliness whomsoever he may meet.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But now, above all, we must mention with peculiar affection +the whole race of artists; for they, too, are thoroughly +involved in this universal movement. Does not the painter +wander, with palette and easel, from face to face? and are +not his kindred laborers summoned now this way, now that, +because in all places there is something to be built and to be +fashioned? More briskly, however, paces the musician on +his way: for he peculiarly it is that for a new ear has provided +<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>new surprise, for a fresh mind fresh astonishment. +Players, too, though they now despise the cart of Thespis, +still rove about in little choirs; and their moving world, +wherever they appear, is speedily enough built up. So likewise, +individually, renouncing serious, profitable engagements, +these men delight to change place with place, according +as rising talents, combined with rising wants, furnish pretext +and occasion. For this success they commonly prepare themselves +by leaving no important stage in their native land +untrodden.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Nor let us forget to cast a glance over the professorial +class: these, too, you find in continual motion, occupying +and forsaking one chair after the other, to scatter richly +abroad on every side the seeds of a hasty culture. More +assiduous, however, and of wider aim, are those pious souls +who disperse themselves through all quarters of the world to +bring salvation to their brethren. Others, on the contrary, +are pilgriming to seek salvation for themselves: they march +in hosts to consecrated, wonder-working places, there to ask +and receive what was denied their souls at home.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And if all these sorts of men surprise us less by their +wandering, as, for most part, without wandering, the business +of their life were impossible, of those, again, who dedicate +their diligence to the soil, we should certainly expect +that they, at least, were fixed. By no means! Even without +possession, occupation is conceivable; and we behold the +eager farmer forsaking the ground which for years had +yielded him profit and enjoyment: impatiently he searches +after similar or greater profit, be it far or near. Nay, the +owner himself will abandon his new-grubbed clearage so soon +as, by his cultivation, he has rendered it commodious for a +less enterprising husbandman: once more he presses into the +wilderness, again makes space for himself in the forests,—in +recompense of that first toiling a double and treble space; +on which also, it may be, he thinks not to continue.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“There we shall leave him, bickering with bears and other +monsters, and turn back into the polished world, where we +find the state of things no whit more stationary. Do but +view any great and regulated kingdom: the ablest man is +also the man who moves the oftenest; at the beck of his +prince, at the order of his minister, the Serviceable is transferred +from place to place. To him also our precept will +apply, Everywhere endeavor to be useful, everywhere you +are at home. Yet if we observe important statesmen leaving, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>though reluctantly, their high stations, we have reason to deplore +their fate; for we can neither recognize them as emigrators, +nor as migrators,—not as emigrators, because they +forego a covetable situation without any prospect of a better +even seeming to open; not as migrators, because to be useful +in other places is a fortune seldom granted them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“For the soldier, again, a life of peculiar wandering is appointed: +even in peace, now this, now that, post is intrusted +to him; to fight, at hand or afar off, for his native country, +he must keep himself perpetually in motion, or readiness to +move; and not for immediate defence alone, but also to fulfil +the remote purposes of nations and rulers, he turns his +steps towards all quarters of the world; and to few of his +craft is it given to find any resting-place. And as in the +soldier courage is his first and highest quality, so this must +always be considered as united with fidelity; and, accordingly, +we find certain nations famous for trustworthiness, called +forth from their home, and serving spiritual or temporal regents +as body-guards.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Another class of persons indispensable to governments, +and also of extreme mobility, we see in those negotiators +who, despatched from court to court, beleaguer princes and +ministers, and overnet the whole inhabited world with their +invisible threads. Of these men, also, no one is certain of +his place for a moment. In peace, the ablest of them are +sent from country to country; in war, they march behind the +army when victorious, prepare the way for it when fugitive: +and thus are they appointed still to be changing place for +place; on which account, indeed, they at all times carry with +them a stock of farewell cards.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If hitherto at every step we have contrived to do ourselves +some honor, declaring, as we have done, the most +distinguished portion of active men to be our mates and +fellows in destiny, there now remains for you, my beloved +friends, by way of termination, a glory higher than all the +rest, seeing you find yourselves united in brotherhood with +princes, kings, and emperors. Think first, with blessings and +reverence, of the imperial wanderer Hadrian, who on foot, +at the head of his army, paced out the circle of the world +which was subject to him, and thus in very deed took possession +of it. Think then with horror of the Conqueror, that +armed wanderer, against whom no resistance availed, no +wall or bulwark could shelter armed nations. In fine, accompany +with honest sympathy those hapless exiled princes who, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>descending from the summit of the height, cannot even be +received into the modest guild of active wanderers.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And now, while we call forth and illustrate all this to +one another, no narrow despondency, no passionate perversion, +can rule over us. The time is past when people rushed +forth at random into the wide world: by the labors of scientific +travellers, describing wisely and copying like artists, we +have become sufficiently acquainted with the earth to know +moderately well what is to be looked for everywhere.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Yet, for obtaining perfect information, an individual will +not suffice. Our society is founded on the principle that +each in his degree, for his purposes, be thoroughly informed. +Has any one of us some country in his eye, towards which +his wishes are tending, we endeavor to make clear to him, +in special detail, what was hovering before his imagination +as a whole: to afford each other a survey of the inhabited +and inhabitable world is a most pleasant and most profitable +kind of conversation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Under this aspect we can look upon ourselves as members +of a Union belonging to the world. Simple and grand +is the thought, easy is its execution by understanding and +strength. Unity is all-powerful; no division, therefore, no +contention, among us! Let a man learn, we say, to figure +himself as without permanent external relation: let him seek +consistency and sequence, not in circumstances, but in himself; +there will he find it; there let him cherish and nourish +it. He who devotes himself to the most needful will, in all +cases, advance to his purpose with greatest certainty: others, +again, aiming at the higher, the more delicate, require greater +prudence even, in the choice of their path. But let a man be +attempting or treating what he will, he is not, as an individual, +sufficient for himself; and, to an honest mind, society +remains the highest want. All serviceable persons ought to +be related with each other; as the building proprietor looks +out for an architect, and the architect for masons and carpenters.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“How and on what principle this Union of ours has been +fixed and founded is known to all. There is no man among +us who at any moment could not to proper purpose employ +his faculty of action, who is not assured that in all places +whither chance, inclination, or even passion may conduct +him, he will be received, employed, assisted,—nay, in adverse +accidents, as far as possible, refitted and indemnified.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Two duties we have most rigorously undertaken,—first, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>to honor every species of religious worship; for all of them +are comprehended more or less directly in the Creed: secondly, +in like manner to respect all forms of government, +and, since every one of them induces and promotes a calculated +activity, to labor according to the wish and will of constituted +authorities, in whatever place it may be our lot to +sojourn, and for whatever time. Finally, we reckon it our +duty, without pedantry or rigor, to practise and forward decorum +of manners and morals, as required by that reverence +for ourselves which arises from the three reverences, whereto +we universally profess our adherence; having all had the +joy and good fortune, some of us from youth upwards, to +be initiated likewise in the higher general wisdom taught in +certain cases by those venerable men. All this, in the solemn +hour of parting, we have thought good once more to recount, +to unfold, to hear and acknowledge, as also to seal with a +trustful farewell.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Keep not standing, fixed and rooted,</div> + <div class='line in2'> Briskly venture, briskly roam:</div> + <div class='line'> Head and hand, where’er thou foot it,</div> + <div class='line in2'> And stout heart, are still at home.</div> + <div class='line'> In each land the sun does visit:</div> + <div class='line in2'> We are gay whate’er betide.</div> + <div class='line'> To give space for wand’ring is it</div> + <div class='line in2'> That the world was made so wide.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c010'> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span> + <h2 class='c005'>THE RECREATIONS<br> <br><span class="small">OF</span><br> <br>THE GERMAN EMIGRANTS.</h2> +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c010'> +</div> + +<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span></div> +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='tp4'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c014'> + <div><span class='sc'>The Recreations of the German Emigrants.</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> + +<p class='c008'>At that unhappy period, so fruitful in disasters to Germany, +to Europe, and, indeed, to the whole world, when the +French army overran the Continent, a family of distinction +was compelled to forsake their property on the first invasion, +and to flee across the Rhine. They sought to escape those +calamities to which persons of noble birth were inevitably +exposed, in whom it was considered criminal to be descended +from an honorable line of ancestors, and to inherit those +privileges and possessions which the virtues or the valor of +their forefathers had bequeathed to them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Baroness of C⸺, a widow lady of middle age, distinguished +for every domestic virtue which could promote the +comfort or independence of her family, evinced, upon the occasion +of this unforeseen calamity, the most noble spirit of +activity and resolute determination. Brought up amidst a +wide circle of acquaintances, and, to some extent, already +experienced in the reverses of life, she was considered perfect +in her private and domestic character, and was remarkable +for the real delight she ever felt in the active employment of +her faculties. Indeed, the great purpose of her life seemed +to consist in rendering services to others; and it is easy to +suppose that her numerous friends never failed to provide +her with employment. She was summoned, at the time we +speak of, to take the lead of a little band of emigrants. +Even for this duty she was prepared; and the same solicitous +though cheerful temper, which had invariably distinguished +her at home, did not forsake her in this hour of +general terror and distress. But cheerfulness was not an +entire stranger to our band of fugitives: many an unexpected +incident and strange event afforded occasion for the indulgence +<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>of mirth and laughter, of which their easily excited +minds readily took advantage. The very flight itself was +a circumstance well calculated to call out each individual’s +peculiar character in a remarkable manner. The mind of +one, for instance, was distracted by vain fear and terror; +another fell a prey to idle apprehensions; and the extravagances +and deficiencies, the weakness, irresolution, or impetuosity, +which were displayed on all sides, produced so many +instances of vexation and bad temper, that the real trouble +of the whole party afforded more mirth than an actual pleasure +trip could possibly have occasioned.</p> + +<p class='c009'>As we may sometimes preserve our composure, even during +the performance of a farce, without smiling at the most +positive drolleries; though we find it impossible to restrain +our laughter when any thing absurd occurs in the representation +of a tragedy,—so in this real world, the generality of +accidents of a serious nature are accompanied by circumstances +either ridiculous at the moment, or infallibly productive +of subsequent mirth.</p> + +<p class='c009'>We must observe that the baroness’s eldest daughter, +Louisa, a cheerful, lively, and, at the time of their prosperity, +an imperious young lady, had to endure an unusual +degree of suffering. She is said to have been quite overwhelmed +with terror at the first alarm, and, in her distraction +and absence of mind, to have packed together the most +useless things with the greatest seriousness, and actually +to have made an offer of marriage to one of the old servants +of the establishment.</p> + +<p class='c009'>She defended herself for this step with much obstinacy, +and would not allow her intended to be made a subject of +ridicule. In her opinion she suffered enough from her daily +fear of the allied army, and from the apprehension that her +wished-for marriage might be delayed, or even frustrated, +by a general engagement.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Her elder brother, Frederick, who was a youth of decisive +character, executed his mother’s orders with precision and +exactitude, accompanied the procession on horseback, and +discharged at times the various duties of courier, conductor, +and guide. The tutor of the baroness’s younger son, who +was a well-educated young man, accompanied her in her +carriage; whilst uncle Charles, and an elderly clergyman, +who had long been an indispensable friend of the family, +followed in another vehicle, which was also occupied by two +female relations, one young, the other somewhat advanced +<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>in years. The servants followed in an open carriage; and +the procession was closed by a heavily packed wagon, which +occasionally loitered behind.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The whole party, as may easily be supposed, had abandoned +their dwellings with great reluctance; but uncle Charles +had forsaken his residence on this side of the Rhine even more +unwillingly than the others, not that he had left his mistress +behind, as one might, perhaps, have conjectured from his +youth, his figure, and the warmth of his nature: he had +rather been seduced by the brilliant phantom, which, under +the denomination of freedom, had secured so many adherents, +first in secret, then in public, and which, notwithstanding +that she was to some a harsh mistress, was all the more +devotedly honored by the others.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Just as lovers are generally blinded by their passion, it +did happen in the case of uncle Charles. They pant for the +possession of a single happiness, and fancy that for this +they can endure the privation of every other blessing. Position, +fortune, and all advantages, vanish into nothing, compared +with the one benefit which is to supply their place. +Parents, relatives, and friends are now looked upon as strangers. +One desire fills and absorbs their whole being, to +which every thing else is to give way.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Uncle Charles abandoned himself to the intensity of his +passion, and did not conceal it in his conversation. He +thought he might express his conviction the more freely, +because he was of noble birth, and, although the second son, +yet the presumptive heir to a noble fortune. Even this fortune, +which was to be his future inheritance, was at present +in the enemy’s hands, by whom it had been shamefully +wasted. But, in spite of all this, Charles could not hate a +nation which promised such advantages to the world at +large, and whose principles he approved, according to his +own admission, and the evidence of some of his associates. +He constantly disturbed the peace of the little community +(seldom as they enjoyed such a blessing) by an indiscriminate +praise of every thing, good or bad, which happened +amongst the French, and by his noisy delight at their success. +By this means he irritated his companions, who felt +their own grievances doubly aggravated by the malicious +triumphs of their friend and relation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Frederick had already been engaged in frequent disputes +with him, and latterly they had ceased to hold communication +with each other. But the baroness, by her prudent +<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>management, had secured his moderation, at least for a +time. Louisa gave him the greatest trouble, for she often +used the most unfair methods to cast a slur upon his character +and judgment. The tutor silently pronounced him +right, the clergyman silently pronounced him wrong: and +the female attendants, who were charmed with his figure +and with his liberality, heard him with delight; because, +whilst they listened to his lectures, they could honorably +fix on him those loving eyes, which, until that time, had +ever been modestly bent upon the ground.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Their daily necessities, the obstacles of the journey, and +their disagreeable quarters, generally led the whole company +to a consideration of their immediate interests; and +the great number of French and German fugitives whom +they constantly met, and whose conduct and fortunes were +various, often made them consider how much occasion existed +at such times for the practice of every virtue, but particularly +of liberality and forbearance.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The baroness, on one occasion, observed aloud, that nothing +could show more clearly the deficiencies of men in these +virtues than the opportunity afforded for their exercise, +by occasions of general confusion and distress. Our whole +constitution, she maintained, resembled a ship chartered in +a season of tempest, to convey a countless crowd of men, +old and young, healthy and infirm, across a stormy sea; but +only in the hour of shipwreck could the capabilities of the +crew be displayed,—an emergency when even the good +swimmer often perished.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Fugitives, for the most part, carry their faults and ridiculous +peculiarities along with them; and we wonder at this +circumstance. But as the English traveller never leaves his +teakettle behind in any quarter of the globe; so are the +generality of mankind invariably accompanied by their stock +of proud pretensions, vanity, intolerance, impatience, obstinacy, +prejudices, and envy. Thus, the thoughtless enjoyed +this flight as they would have enjoyed a party of pleasure; +and the discontented required, even now in their moments of +abject poverty, that their every want should be supplied. +How rare is the display of that pure virtue which incites us +to live and sacrifice ourselves for others!</p> + +<p class='c009'>In the mean time, whilst numerous acquaintances were +formed, which gave occasion to reflections of this nature, +the season of winter was brought to a close. Fortune once +more smiled on the German arms, the French were again +<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>driven across the Rhine, Frankfort was relieved, and Mainz +was invested.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Trusting to the farther advance of our victorious troops, +and anxious to take possession of a part of their recovered +property, the family we speak of set out for an estate situated +in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, on the +right bank of the Rhine. We can ill describe the rapture +with which they once more beheld the silver stream flowing +beneath their windows, the joy with which they took possession +of every part of their house, and hailed the sight of +their well-known furniture, their old family pictures, and +of every trifle they had long given up as totally lost; and +they indulged the fondest anticipations of finding every +thing flourishing as heretofore on their side of the Rhine.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The arrival of the baroness had scarcely been announced +in the village, when all her former acquaintances, friends, +and dependants hastened to welcome her, to recount the +various vicissitudes of the last few months, and, in more +than one instance, to implore her advice and assistance.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In the midst of these interviews, she was most agreeably +surprised by a visit from the Privy Councillor S. and his +family, a man who, from his earliest youth, had followed +business as a pursuit of pleasure, and who had both merited +and acquired the confidence of his sovereign. His principles +were firm, and he indulged his own peculiar notions upon +many subjects. He was precise, both in his conversation and +conduct, and required others to be so too. A dignified deportment +was, in his opinion, the highest virtue a man could +possess.</p> + +<p class='c009'>His sovereign, his country, and himself had suffered much +from the invasion of the French. He had experienced the +despotic character of that nation who were perpetually boasting +of justice, and had felt the tyranny of men who always +had the cry of freedom on their lips. We had observed, +however, the general consistency of character which prevailed, +and had marked how many persons witnessed, with +feelings of angry disappointment, the substitution of mere +words for practice, and of empty appearance for reality. +The consequences to be expected from an unfortunate campaign +did not escape his acute penetration any more than +the results of the general maxims and opinions we have +quoted, though it must be admitted his views upon all subjects +were neither cheerful nor dispassionate.</p> + +<p class='c009'>His wife, who had been an early friend of the baroness, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>after the experience of so much adversity found a perfect +paradise in the arms of her former companion. They had +grown up together, had been educated together, and had +always shared each other’s confidence. The early inclinations +of their youth, their more important matrimonial interests, +their joys and cares and domestic anxieties, had always +been communicated, either personally or by correspondence, +as they had for years maintained an uninterrupted intimacy +with each other; but this was at length broken by the general +troubles of the eventful times. Their present intercourse +was, for this reason, the more affectionate, and their interviews +the more frequent; and the baroness observed with +pleasure, that the intimacy of Louisa with the daughters of +her friend was daily increasing.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Unfortunately the complete enjoyment of that delightful +part of the country was often disturbed by the roar of +cannon, which was heard in the distance, sometimes loudly +and sometimes indistinctly, according to the point of the +wind. Moreover, it was impossible to avoid conversations +upon political subjects, which were introduced by the perpetual +rumors of the day, and which generally disturbed the +temporary tranquillity of society; as the various ideas and +opinions of all parties were usually propounded without +reserve.</p> + +<p class='c009'>And as intemperate men seldom refrain from wine or injurious +food on account of their experience of the evil consequences +which such enjoyments occasion; so, in this instance, +the several members of the society we speak of, in place +of imposing restraint upon their conversation, abandoned +themselves to the irresistible impulse of vexing each other, +and thus eventually opened a channel of most disagreeable +reflections.</p> + +<p class='c009'>We can readily suppose that the privy councillor adopted +the opinions of those who advocated the old <span lang="fr"><i>régime</i></span>, and +that Charles took the opposite side, in expectation that the +approaching changes would heal and re-animate the old, +shattered constitution of the country.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The conversation was carried on at first with some degree +of moderation, particularly as the baroness sought, by her +well-timed and graceful interruptions, to maintain the balance +equal between both parties; but when the important crisis +of the conversation arrived, and the investment of Mainz +was about to change to an actual siege, and the fears of all +increased for that beautiful city and its abandoned inhabitants, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>both sides asserted their opinions with unrestrained +violence.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The members of the clubs who had remained in the town +were particularly discussed; and each expressed his hope of +their liberation or punishment, according as he approved or +condemned their conduct.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Amongst the latter class was the privy councillor, whose +observations were especially displeasing to Charles; as he +assailed the sound judgment of those people, and charged +them with a thorough ignorance of the world and of themselves.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What blind dolts they must be!” he exclaimed one +afternoon when the discussion became warm, “to think that +a great nation, employed in an effort to suppress its own +internal commotions, and which, in sober moments, has no +other object than its own prosperity, can look down upon +them with any sort of sympathy. Used as temporary tools, +they will at last be thrown away or utterly neglected. How +grossly they err in thinking that they will ever be admitted +into the ranks of the French nation!</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Nothing seems more ridiculous to the strong and powerful +than weakness and inefficiency setting up its pretensions +to equality, wrapped in the obscurity of its own fancies, and +in the ignorance of itself, its powers, and its qualities. +And can you suppose that the great nation, with that good +fortune with which it has been hitherto favored, will be less +haughty and overbearing than any other royal conqueror?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Many a person, who now struts about in his municipal +robes and gaudy attire, will heartily curse the masquerade +when, after having helped to oppress his countrymen, by a +new and disadvantageous change of things he finds himself +at last, in his new character, despised by those in whom he +wholly confided. Indeed, it is my firm opinion, that upon +the surrender of the town, which must soon take place, those +people will be abandoned or given up to us. I hope they will +then receive their reward in that punishment they so richly +deserve, according to my opinion, which is as unprejudiced +as possible.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Unprejudiced!” exclaimed Charles with vehemence: +“I beg I may never hear that word again. How can we +so unequivocally condemn these men? Have they not actually +devoted their whole lives to the old pursuit of serving +the more favored classes of mankind? Have they not +occupied the few habitable rooms of the old mansion, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>toiled diligently therein? or, rather, have they not felt the +inconvenience of the deserted part of your state palace, +by the obligation of living there in a state of misery and +oppression? Uncorrupted by frivolous pursuits, they do not +consider their own occupation to be alone noble; but in +silence they deplore the prejudice, the irregularity, the indolence +and ignorance upon which your statesmen build their +foolish claims to reverence, and in silence <a id='tn-equaldivision'></a>they pray for a +more equal division of labor and enjoyment. And who can +deny that their ranks contain at least some such men of +intelligence and virtue, who, if they cannot now realize +universal good, can fortunately aid in modifying evil and +in preparing for a happy future? and, if there be such noble +beings amongst them, should we not deplore the approach +of <a id='tn-destroyforever'></a>that evil hour which must destroy, perhaps forever, their +fondest anticipations?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The privy councillor, upon this, sneered with some degree +of bitterness at certain youths who were in the habit of +idealizing upon practical subjects; whilst Charles was equally +severe upon men whose thoughts were merely formed upon +antiquated precedents, and who never adopted any but compulsory +reforms.</p> + +<p class='c009'>By reciprocal contradictions of this nature, the dispute +became gradually more violent; and every topic was introduced +which has for so many years tended to dismember +society. In vain did the baroness endeavor to establish a +truce, if not to make peace, between the contending parties; +and the wife of the privy councillor, who from her estimable +qualities had acquired some influence over Charles’s disposition, +interposed also to no effect, more particularly as her +husband continued to launch his poisoned shafts against +youth and inexperience, and enlarged upon the especial aptitude +of children to play with fire, a dangerous element which +they were wholly unable to control.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Charles, forgetting prudence in his anger, now declared +openly that he wished every success to the French arms, +and called upon all his countrymen to aid in putting an end +to their general slavery; expressing his conviction that their +so-called enemies would protect every noble German who +should join them, would regard them and treat them as their +own countrymen, and crown them with honors, fortune, +and rewards, in place of sacrificing or leaving them in +misery.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But the councillor maintained it was ridiculous to suppose +<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>that the French would bestow a thought upon them, whether +they capitulated or not; that they would probably fall into +the hands of the allies, by whom he hoped they would all +be hanged.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Charles was provoked by this speech, and expressed his +wish that the guillotine might find a rich harvest in Germany, +and that no guilty head might escape. He added +some cutting observations which were aimed at the councillor +personally, and were in every sense offensive.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I shall take leave of a society,” interrupted the latter, +“in which every thing is now slighted which once seemed +worthy of respect. I lament that I should be for the second +time expelled, and now by a fellow-countryman; but I am +well aware that less pity may be expected from this new foe +than from the French themselves: and I find here a confirmation +of the old proverb, that it is better to fall into the +hands of the Turks than of renegades.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>So saying, he rose, and left the apartment. He was followed +by his wife, and a general silence ensued. The +baroness expressed her displeasure in a few words of strong +import. Charles walked up and down the room. The councillor’s +wife returned in tears, and stated that her husband +had given directions for leaving, and had actually ordered +the carriage. The baroness went to pacify him; whilst the +young ladies wept, and kissed each other, distressed beyond +measure that they were compelled so suddenly and so unexpectedly +to separate. The baroness returned without +succeeding in her wishes. Gradually all those troubles +approached which it is ever the lot of strangers to encounter. +The sad moments of separation and departure were bitter +beyond expression. Hope vanished with the appearance of +the post-horses, and the general sorrow was redoubled.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The carriage drove off. The baroness followed it with +her eyes full of tears. She left the window, and sat down +to her embroidery-frame. The silence, and even despair, +was universal. Charles showed his sorrow by sitting in a +corner, and intently turning over the leaves of a book, +directing at intervals a melancholy look towards his aunt. +At length he rose, and took his hat, as if about to depart, +but turned round on reaching the door, and approaching his +aunt he exclaimed, with a countenance truly noble, “I have +offended you, my dear aunt, I have distressed you; but +pardon my thoughtlessness: I acknowledge my fault, and +am deeply sensible of its sad consequences.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>“I forgive you,” replied the baroness: “I entertain no ill-feeling +towards you,—you are a good and noble being, but +you can never repair the injury you have done. Your error +has deprived me of a friend to whom, after a long separation, +I had been restored by the accident of our joint +misfortunes, and in whose society I have forgotten much of +the misery which has pursued and threatens us. She herself, +driven from her home under most painful circumstances, +and long a fugitive, after a short repose in the +society of old and beloved friends, in this delightful spot +and comfortable dwelling, is again compelled to wander +forth; and we lose the company of her husband, who, in +spite of some peculiarities, is a man of noble integrity, +possessing an inexhaustible knowledge of society and of +the world, of facts and experiences which he is ever ready +to communicate with the most cheerful and delightful willingness. +Of all these enjoyments we have been deprived by +your fault, and how can you restore what we have lost?”</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Charles.</i> Spare me, my dear aunt. I feel deeply the +weight of my fault: cease to explain to me its evident +consequences.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> Rather contemplate them as closely as possible. +Talk not of sparing you: only inquire how your +mind may be corrected. It is not the first time you have +thus erred, nor will it be the last. Ye inexplicable men! +Cannot even misery, which brings you together under one +roof, and confines you in one narrow dwelling, induce you to +practise forbearance towards each other? Do you need any +additional calamities besides those which are perpetually +bursting upon you? Consider your condition, and act sensibly +and justly towards those who, in truth, would deprive +you of nothing. Restrain your tempers from working and +fermenting blindly, like some storm or other natural phenomenon +which disturbs the world.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Charles made no reply. The tutor advanced from the +window, where he had been standing, towards the baroness, +and said his pupil would improve; that this event would act +as a warning, that he should test his progress daily, that he +would remember the distress the baroness had endured, and +would afford convincing evidence of the self-restraint he +could practice.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> How easily men deceive themselves, especially +in this particular. Authority is so delightful a word, +and it sounds so noble to promise to control ourselves. Men +<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>speak of it with pleasure, and would persuade us that they +can seriously practise the virtue. I wish I had ever known +a man capable of subduing himself in the smallest particular. +In indifferent matters they affect resolution, as if the loss +occasioned actual suffering; whilst their real desires are considered +as supremely essential, unavoidable, and indispensable. +I have never known a man capable of enduring the +smallest privation.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Tutor.</i> You are seldom unjust, and I have never seen you +so overpowered by anger and disappointment as at present.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> Well, I need not be ashamed of my anger. +When I think of my friend, who is now pursuing her journey +in discomfort, weeping, probably, at the recollection of +our inhospitality, my heart burns with indignation.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Tutor.</i> In your greatest trouble, I have never seen you +so agitated and exasperated as now.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> A small evil, which follows closely upon a +greater, can fill the cup; though, in truth, it is no small evil +to lose a friend.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Tutor.</i> Be comforted, and rely upon our improvement, +and that we will do all in our power to content you.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> No: I shall rely upon none of you. But, for +the future, I will demand obedience from all. I will command +in my own house.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Command, certainly!” exclaimed Charles; “and you +shall not have to complain of our disobedience.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My severity will scarcely be very harsh,” rejoined the +baroness, with a smile, as she recovered herself: “I am not +fond of commanding, particularly democrats; but I will give +you some advice, and make one request.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Tutor.</i> Both shall we consider as laws to be strictly +observed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> It would be ridiculous, if I thought to impair +the interest you all take in the great events of the world,—events, +the victims of which we ourselves have become. I +cannot change the opinions which exist and are established +in the mind of each of you, according to his peculiar disposition; +and it would be no less harsh than foolish to require +of you to suppress them. But I can demand this, at +least, from the circle in which I live, that those of similar +sentiments shall associate peaceably together, and converse +in harmony. In your private apartments, during your walks, +and wherever else you meet, you may communicate together +at will, support your respective opinions, and enjoy the gratification +<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>of an ardent conviction. But, my dear friends, let +us not forget how much we were accustomed to sacrifice of +our own individual opinions, for the sake of general harmony, +long before these new topics became the fashion; and, +as long as the world lasts, we must all, for the general benefit, +practise some outward self-control. It is not, therefore, +for the sake of virtue, but in the name of common politeness, +that I implore you now to concede to me a favor which I +think I may safely say you have always granted to the veriest +stranger.</p> + +<p class='c009'>It seems to me strange, continued the baroness, that we +should have so far forgotten ourselves. What has become of +our politeness? It used to be the custom in society to avoid +topics disagreeable to others. Protestants, in the company +of Catholics, never asserted that church ceremonies were +ridiculous; and the most bigoted Catholic never maintained, +before a Protestant, that the old religion afforded the only +chance of salvation. In the presence of a mother who had +lost her son, no one displayed the deep delight he took in his +children; and an inappropriate word occasioned general embarrassment. +It seemed the duty of each to repair the +accidental evil, but now the very reverse of all this seems to +be the rule. We appear to seek the opportunity of introducing +subjects calculated to give pain. Oh, my dear friends, +let us try and restore the old system! We have much to +endure already; and who knows how soon the smoke of the +day, or the flames of the night, may announce the destruction +of our dwellings and of our most valued possessions? Let +us, at least, forbear to announce this intelligence with triumph: +let us cease, by our own bitter observations, to impress +our souls with calamities which it is painful enough to +endure in silence.</p> + +<p class='c009'>When your father died, was it your habit to renew my grief +upon every opportunity by a reference to the sad subject? +Did you not rather avoid all improper allusion to his memory, +and seek by your love, your silent sympathy, and your incessant +attentions, to soften my sorrow and relieve my pain? +Should not we now practise the same kind forbearance, which +often brings more consolation than the offices of active friendship, +more particularly at this time, when ours is not the +grief of an individual in the midst of a happy multitude, +where sorrow disappears amid the general content, but the +grief of thousands, where but few indeed are capable of experiencing +an accidental or artificial consolation?</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span><i>Charles.</i> My dear aunt, you have sufficiently humiliated +us: may we take your hand in token of reconciliation?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> Here it is, on condition that you will obey its +guidance. We proclaim a general amnesty, which it is now +barely possible to resolve upon with sufficient speed.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The young ladies, who had all been dissolved in tears since +the event we have related, now made their appearance, but +could not be persuaded to be reconciled to Charles.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You are welcome, children,” said the baroness, addressing +them. “We have just had a serious conversation, which, +I trust, will establish peace and harmony amongst us: perhaps +it was never more important that we should be friends, +and enjoy even one brief portion of the day. Let us make +this resolution, to banish from our conversation all reference +to the mere events of the time. How long have we been deprived +of all instruction and entertaining intercourse! How +long it seems, dear Charles, since you have amused us with +accounts of distant lands, with whose productions, inhabitants, +manners, and customs, you are so well acquainted! +And you,” continued the baroness, addressing the tutor, +“you have not lately instructed us in history, ancient or modern, +in the comparison of centuries or of remarkable men. +And you, young ladies! where are the pretty poems you used +to bring forth from their hiding-places for the delight of your +friends? what has become of all your free philosophic observations? +Have you no more ambition to surprise us with +some wonderful mineral specimen, some unknown plant, or +remarkable insect, brought home from your walks, and affording +occasion for pleasing speculations on the mysterious +connection of all the productions of nature? Let us restore +all those charming amusements by an agreement, a resolution, +a rule, to be useful, instructive, and, above all things, +companionable, towards each other; for all these advantages +we can enjoy, even in the most extreme adversity. You +promise, children.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They promised eagerly. “And now I dismiss you,” +added the baroness: “the evening is fine, amuse yourselves +as you please; and at supper-time let us enjoy a friendly +communion together, after so long an interruption.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The company separated. Louisa alone remained with her +mother. She could not so easily forget the misfortune of +losing her companion, and allowed Charles, whom she had +invited to accompany her upon a walk, to set out alone. +For some time the baroness and her daughter remained together, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>when the clergyman entered, after a long absence, +entirely ignorant of what had, in the mean time, happened. +Laying by his hat and stick, he took a seat, and was about +to narrate something, when Louisa, pretending to continue +a conversation with her mother, cut short his intention with +the following observations:—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Some of our company will, I think, find the arrangement +we have come to rather disagreeable. When we lived +in the country, it is true, we were sometimes at a loss for +conversation; for it did not happen so often, as in town, +that a girl could be slandered, or a young man traduced: +but still we had an alternative in describing the follies of +two great nations, in finding the Germans as absurd as the +French, and in representing first one, and then the other, as +Jacobins and Radicals. But, if these topics are forbidden, +some of our society will be rendered stupid.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Is this attack aimed at me, young lady?” asked the old +clergyman with a smile. “You know how ready I am to be +sacrificed for the benefit of the company. For though upon +all occasions you do credit to your instructors, and every +one finds your society both amiable and delightful, yet there +is a certain little malicious spirit within you, which, notwithstanding +all your efforts, you cannot entirely subdue, and +which prompts you to take your revenge at my expense. +Tell me, gracious lady,” he continued, turning towards the +baroness, “what has occurred during my absence, and what +topics have been excluded from our society?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The baroness informed him of all that had taken place. +He listened attentively, and then observed that “this regulation +would probably enable many persons to entertain the +company better than others.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We shall be able to endure it,” said Louisa.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Such an arrangement,” he added, “will not be grievous +to those who have been accustomed to rely upon their own +resources: on the contrary, they will find it pleasant; since +they can amuse the company with such pursuits as they have +followed in private. And do not be offended, young lady, +if I attribute to society the very existence of all newsmongers, +spies, and slanderers. For my part, I never see persons +so lively and so animated, either at a learned meeting +or at a public lecture convened for general instruction, as in +a society where some piece of scandal is introduced which +reflects on the character of a neighbor. Ask yourself, or +ask others, what invests a piece of news with its greatest +<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>charm? Not its importance, nor its influence, but its mere +novelty. Nothing old is cared for: novelty by itself excites +our surprise, awakens the imagination, gently agitates the +feelings, and requires no exertion of the reasoning powers. +Every man can take the most lively interest in a piece of +news with the least trouble to himself: indeed, since a succession +of new events carries us rapidly from one circumstance +to another, nothing is more welcome to the generality +of mankind than this inducement to constant diversion, and +this opportunity of venting their spleen and malice in an +agreeable and varied manner.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Well!” exclaimed Louisa, “you show some skill at +explanation: just now you censured individuals, at present +you condemn mankind in general.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I do not require,” he answered, “that you should render +me justice: but this I must say, we who depend upon +society must act according to its rules; and it would be safer +to provoke its resentment than its <span lang="fr"><i>ennui</i></span>, by requiring it to +think or reflect. We must avoid every thing that would +tend to this result, and pursue by ourselves in private whatever +would prove unpalatable to the public.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“By yourselves in private,” said Louisa, “many a bottle +of wine will, I suppose, be drunk, and many a nap taken in +the daytime.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I have never,” continued the old clergyman, “set much +value upon my own actions; for I know how little I have +done for others: I am, however, in possession of something +which may, perhaps, afford agreeable relaxation to this +society, circumstanced as it is at present.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To what do you allude?” inquired the baroness.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Rely upon it,” interrupted Louisa, “he has made some +marvellous collection of scandals.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You are mistaken,” replied the clergyman.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We shall see,” answered Louisa.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Let him continue, my dear,” said the baroness: “and +do not accustom yourself to act in a hard and unfriendly +manner towards others, even in jest; as they may take it ill. +We have no need to increase our evil habits by practising +them for entertainment. Tell me, my dear friend, of what +does your collection consist? Will it conduce to our amusement? +Have you been long employed about it? Why have +you never mentioned it before?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I will give you an account of the whole matter,” rejoined +the old clergyman. “I have lived long in the world, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>and have paid much attention to public occurrences. I have +neither talent nor inclination for chronicling great actions, +and worldly affairs in general are troublesome to me; but +amongst the many private histories, true and false, which +sometimes happen in public or are related in private, there +are some which possess a greater attraction than the charm +of mere novelty, some which are calculated to improve us by +their moral application, some which display at a glance the +secret springs of human nature, and others, again, whose +very absurdities are amusing. Amongst the multitude of +occurrences which attract our attention and our malice in +ordinary life, and which are as common as the individuals +to whom they relate, I have noted down a few on account +of their peculiar character, because they engaged and excited +my attention and feelings; and the very recollection of +them has never failed to produce a momentary sensation +of pure and tranquil pleasure.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I am curious to hear,” said the baroness, “the nature +of your anecdotes, and to learn their peculiar character.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You may easily suppose,” replied the clergyman, “that +they are not about disputes or family matters. Such things +have little interest except for those who are engaged in +them.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> And what are yours about?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Why, for the most part, they treat of those +emotions by which friends become attached or disunited, +happy or miserable, and by which they are more frequently +entangled than improved.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> Indeed! I suppose you will produce a collection +of merry adventures for our instruction and improvement. +Excuse me for making this observation, dear mamma; +it seems so evident: and it is, of course, allowable to speak +the truth.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> I suspect that you will not find any thing in +the whole collection which may be styled merry.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i>—And what would you consider of that description?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Scandalous dialogues or situations are my +abhorrence. I object equally that common adventures, which +are unworthy of engaging our attention, should be told with +exaggerated importance: they excite our expectations unduly, +in place of giving real pleasure to the mind. They +make a mystery of that which should be wholly unveiled, or +from which we should altogether turn our eyes.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span><i>Louisa.</i> I do not understand you. You will, however, +relate your stories with some degree of elegance. I hope our +ears will not be offended by any coarse adventures. You +must consider us in the light of a ladies’ seminary, and look +for our thanks as your recompense.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Nothing of the sort. But, in truth, you will +hear nothing new, particularly as I have, for some time back, +observed that you never miss the perusal of certain criticisms +in some of the learned reviews.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> You are really too bad.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> You are engaged to be married, and I therefore +pardon you. But I am obliged to show that I also +possess arrows which I know how to use.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> I see your object plainly, but you must let +her see it likewise.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Then, I must repeat what I said at the beginning +of this conversation. But it seems you had not the +politeness to pay attention.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> What is the use of attention or of much argument? +Look at the matter in any light, they will be scandalous +stories, in some shape or other, and nothing else.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Must I repeat, young lady, that a well-regulated +mind only perceives scandal when it reads of +wickedness, arrogance, a desire to injure, and an unwillingness +to oblige? and from such spectacles he should avert his +eyes. He finds pleasure in the narration of trifling faults +and failings, and contemplates with satisfaction those points +of the story where good men contend with themselves, with +their desires and their intentions, where silly and conceited +mortals are rebuked, corrected, or deceived, and where +hopes, wishes, and designs are disturbed, interrupted, and +frustrated, or unexpectedly fulfilled, accomplished, and confirmed. +But, on those scenes where accident combines with +human weakness and inefficiency, he dwells with the greatest +delight; and none of the heroes whose history he authenticates +has either blame to apprehend or praise to expect from +him.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> Your introduction excites our wish to hear a +specimen. We have spent the greater part of our lifetime +in one circle, and have never experienced any thing worthy +to find a place in such a collection.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Much undoubtedly depends upon the observer, +and upon the peculiar view he takes of occurrences. +But I will not deny that I have made large extracts from old +<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>books and traditions. Perhaps you will have no objection +to see some of your old friends with new faces. And this +gives me a privilege of which I must not be deprived,—that +none of my tales shall be doubted.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> But we are not to be prevented from recognizing +our friends and acquaintances, or, if we please, from +expounding the enigma.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Certainly not. But you will allow me, under +such circumstances, to produce an old folio, to prove that +the identical occurrence happened, and was made matter of +record, some centuries ago. And I must be permitted to +smile, when some narration is pronounced to be an old fable, +though it may have taken place amongst ourselves, without +our being able to recognize the characters.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> We shall never begin. Had we not better declare +a truce for this evening; and do you commence a story +at once, by way of specimen?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Permit me, in this instance, to be guilty of +disobedience. The entertainment is intended for the whole +assembled company. We must not deprive them of it; and +I must premise beforehand, that whatever I have to say possesses +no value in itself. But when my audience, after some +serious occupation, wishes for a brief repose, and, already sated +with good things, desires the addition of a light dessert, then +I shall be ready, and only hope that what I shall provide +may not prove unpalatable.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> In that case, we had better postpone the +amusement till to-morrow.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> I am beyond measure curious to know what it +will be.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> You must not be so, young lady; for great +expectations are seldom satisfied.</p> + +<p class='c009'>That same evening, after dinner, the baroness retired early +to her apartment; whilst the rest of the company remained +together, and discussed the many reports which were current, +and the various incidents which had happened. As is generally +the case in such circumstances, few of them knew what +to doubt or what to believe.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old clergyman had his remedy for such an emergency. +“I propose,” said he, “as the most convenient plan, that we +all believe implicitly whatever we find pleasant, and that we +reject, without ceremony, whatever we find unpleasant, and +that we admit to be true what can be so.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>It was then remarked by some one, that men generally +<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>acted in this way; and, after some desultory conversation, +they commented upon that strange propensity of our nature +to believe in the marvellous. They talked of romances and +visions: and, when the old clergyman had promised at a +future time to relate some interesting anecdotes upon these +subjects, Louisa exclaimed, “It will be extremely good of +you, and you will merit our gratitude, by telling us a story +of that description now; for we are all in the proper humor +for it: <a id='tn-payattention'></a>we shall pay attention and be thankful.” Without +needing further entreaties, the old clergyman commenced at +once, as follows:—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“During my residence in Naples, an event happened which +attracted universal attention, and with regard to which public +opinion varied exceedingly. Some persons maintained +that the circumstance had actually occurred; whilst others +asserted, that, though true in general, it was founded upon +a gross deceit. The latter class of persons were at further +variance amongst themselves: they could not agree who +was the deceiver. Others held it to be far from clear that +spiritual natures were incapable of influencing the elements +and human bodies, and maintained that we were not justified +in pronouncing every marvellous occurrence to be a fraud or +a delusion. But now to the facts themselves.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“At the time I speak of, a singer named Antonelli was the +favorite of the Neapolitan public. In the bloom of youth, +beauty, and talents, she was deficient in none of those enchantments +by which women can allure and captivate, and +render a certain class of their favorites happy. She was +not insensible to the charms of love and flattery; but, +naturally temperate and sensible, she knew how to enjoy +the delights of both, without losing that self-respect which +was so essential to her happiness. The young, the distinguished, +and the rich, flocked to her in crowds; but she +admitted few to her friendship: and, if she pursued her own +inclination in the choice of her admirers, she evinced, upon +all occasions, so firm and resolute a character, that she +attached every person to her. I had an opportunity of observing +her upon one occasion, in consequence of my close +intimacy with one of her especial favorites.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Some years had elapsed: her friends were numerous; +and amongst the number were many foolish, simple, and +fickle personages. It was her opinion that a lover who, in +a certain sense, is every thing to woman, generally proves +deficient in those very emergencies when she most needs his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>assistance; as, for example, in the difficulties of life, in +domestic necessities, and upon the occurrence of sudden disasters. +In such times she maintained that his own self-love +often proved absolutely prejudicial to his mistress, and +his advice became positively dangerous.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Her former attachments were insufficient to satisfy her +soul. The void required to be filled. She wished for a +friend; and scarcely had she felt this want, when she found, +amongst those who sought her favors, a youth upon whom +she bestowed her confidence, of which in every respect he +seemed worthy.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He was a native of Genoa, and had taken up his residence +in Naples, to transact the mercantile business of a firm +to which he belonged. His natural talents had been improved +by a most excellent education. His knowledge was +extensive, his mind and body were sound and active, and his +general conduct might serve as a model; and in his attention +to others he ever seemed forgetful of himself. He was imbued +with the commercial spirit for which his native town +was distinguished. All his speculations were upon a large +scale. His condition, however, was none of the happiest. +The firm had entered into some unfortunate transactions, +and became entangled in ruinous law-suits. Time only increased +the difficulties; and the anxiety he endured gave +him an air of melancholy, which was not unbecoming, and +made Antonelli still more desirous of his acquaintance, from +the idea that he stood in need of a friend.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Until now he had only seen Antonelli in public: but, at +his first request, she granted him access to her house; even +urging him to visit her, a favor which he did not fail to accept.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“She lost no time in communicating to him her confidence +and her wishes. He was no less surprised than delighted at +her proposals. She implored him earnestly to be her friend, +but to make no pretensions to the privileges of a lover. She +made him acquainted with some embarrassments in which +she had become involved, and his great experience enabled +him to offer advice and assistance for her speedy release. +In return for this confidence, he unfolded to her his own +situation: and, whilst she endeavored to cheer and console +him, many new plans occurred to him, which he had not +thought of before; and she thus appeared to be his adviser: +and a reciprocal friendship, founded on the highest regard +and respect, was established between them.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>“Unfortunately, we do not always consider the practicability +of the obligations we incur. He had promised to be +her friend, and to make no pretensions to the privileges of +a lover. But he could not deny that those who came to see +her as such were not only unwelcome to, but were detested +by, him; and it was extremely painful to him when she +meant to amuse him with the description of their various +characters.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It soon happened, fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, +that her heart was again free. This was a source of extreme +delight to our young friend, who lost no time in +entreating that the vacant place might be allotted to him. +With some reluctance she listened to his proposals. ‘I +fear,’ she said, ‘that, in making this concession, I shall +lose my friend.’ Her anticipation was correct; for scarcely +had he for a short time filled this double character, when he +found her temper change. As her friend he had been content +with her respect; as a lover he demanded her affection; +and, as an intelligent and accomplished man, constant entertainment. +But this was more than Antonelli expected. She +was unwilling to make an entire sacrifice of herself, and had +no wish to surrender her absolute liberty to any one. She +soon adopted ingenious expedients for curtailing the length +of his visits, for avoiding his presence, and for making him +sensible that she would not consent to forego her independence +for any consideration.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“This discovery was to him a source of the greatest +misery; and, unfortunately, the calamity did not come alone. +His domestic affairs became more and more involved; and +he found reason for reproaching himself with having always +considered his income as inexhaustible, and with having +neglected his business in order to engage in foreign travel, +and to make a greater figure in the world than he was entitled +to do, from the advantages of his birth and income. +The law-suits, from which he expected so much, were tardy +and expensive. They took him frequently to Palermo; and, +upon the occasion of his last journey thither, Antonelli +adopted means to change the nature of her establishment, +for the purpose of becoming gradually disengaged from him. +On his return he found her in another residence, at some +distance from his; and he saw that the Marquis of S., who +at that time exercised great influence in the world of fashion, +had unreserved admission to her house. He was greatly affected +by this discovery, which brought on a serious illness. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>Upon hearing this sad intelligence, Antonelli hastened to +him, attended him; and, as she was fully aware that his +purse was but scantily supplied, she left a large sum of +money, which supplied his necessities for a considerable +time.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In consequence of his efforts to restrain her freedom, he +had fallen considerably in her estimation. As her attachment +diminished, her suspicions increased; and she at length +began to think that a person who had managed his own +affairs so badly was not entitled to a high character for good +sense. But he was unaware of the great change which had +taken place in her feelings towards him; and he attributed +her anxiety for his recovery, and the constancy of her attentions +which induced her to spend whole days at his bedside, +rather to her love for him than to compassion for his sufferings; +and he hoped, upon his recovery, to find himself once +more re-instated in her favor.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But he was grievously mistaken. With his restoration to +health and strength, all semblance of affection disappeared; +and he now seemed as odious in her eyes as he had formerly +proved agreeable. In addition to this, his temper had unconsciously +become soured and unbearable. He attributed to +others all the blame of his own misfortunes, and justified +himself fully from their evil consequences. He considered +himself an injured and persecuted invalid, and looked for +a complete recompense for all his troubles in the devoted +affection of his mistress.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With these exalted expectations he visited Antonelli immediately +upon his recovery. He would be satisfied with +nothing short of her entire affection, the dismissal of all +her other friends and acquaintances, her complete retirement +from the stage, and her devoting herself to him alone. She +demonstrated the impossibility of complying with these requests, +at first in a playful, and afterwards in a more serious, +tone. At length she communicated to him the sad intelligence +that their connection must end. He left her, and +never returned.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“For several years afterwards he lived in a retired manner, +in the house of a pious old lady, who had a small independence. +At this period he gained his first law-suit, and was +soon afterwards successful in another; but this change of +fortune came too late: his health was undermined, and the +joy of his existence had vanished. A slight accident brought +on a relapse, and the physician announced to him his approaching +<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>death. He heard his fate without a murmur, and +merely expressed a wish to see his beautiful friend once +more. He sent his servant to her,—the same messenger +who, in happier days, had brought him many a delightful +answer. He entreated an interview: she refused. He +sent a second time, and implored her to consent: she was +still inexorable. At length, at midnight, he sent a third +time. She was embarrassed, and communicated her situation +to me; as I had been invited, along with the marquis +and some other friends, to spend the evening at her house. +I advised her, indeed begged of her, to show some last attentions +to her friend. She appeared undecided at first, but, +after a short reflection, made up her mind, and dismissed the +servant with a refusal. He did not return.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After supper we were all engaged in social conversation, +and general animation and hilarity prevailed. Suddenly, a +little after midnight, a piercing shriek of bitter, painful +lamentation was heard. We rose from the table, looked at +each other, and wondered what this strange event could +mean. The sound seemed to come from the middle of the +room in which we were assembled, and die away near the +walls. The marquis rushed to the window; whilst we endeavored +to support Antonelli, who had fainted. By degrees +she regained consciousness. She had scarcely opened her +eyes when the jealous and passionate marquis loaded her with +the bitterest reproaches. ‘If you choose to have these +mysterious understandings with your friends,’ said he, ‘at +least let them be of a less fearful nature.’ She replied, with +her wonted presence of mind, ‘that, as she had always enjoyed +the right of seeing her friends whenever she pleased, +she would scarcely select such appalling sounds as they had +just heard, to indicate approaching happiness.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And, in truth, the cry had in it something unspeakably appalling. +The long-continued scream of anguish dwelt upon +our ears, and made our very limbs tremble. Antonelli was +pale, motionless, and in a continual faint. We sat with her +for half the night, but we heard nothing further. On the +following night, the same company, who had met together +not quite so cheerful as usual, though with a reasonable +supply of courage, about the same hour of midnight heard +the same identical loud and appalling shriek.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We had, in the mean time, wearied our imaginations in +framing conjectures as to the cause of the cry, and whence +it could proceed. But why should I weary you? Whenever +<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>Antonelli supped at home, at the self-same hour the same +shriek was heard, sometimes louder and sometimes fainter. +It was spoken of all over Naples. The mystery excited +universal attention. The police were called out. Spies +were placed in every direction, to detect the cause of the +mystery. To persons in the street, the shriek appeared to +come from the open air; whilst in the house it seemed to +proceed from the very room in which Antonelli was sitting. +When she supped abroad nothing whatsoever occurred; but, +as often as she supped at home, the horrid shriek was invariably +heard.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But her absence from home did not upon all occasions +protect her from this fearful visitation. Her many personal +recommendations secured her a welcome reception in the +most distinguished families. Being a pleasant companion, +she was everywhere well received; and it had lately become +her custom, in order to escape the fearful visitation we have +described, to spend her evenings from home.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“One evening a gentleman of great respectability, owing +to his age and position, accompanied her to her house in his +carriage. When she was taking leave of him at the door, +a loud shriek was heard, which seemed to come from between +them; and the gentleman, who, like many others, had often +heard of this mysterious occurrence, was lifted into his +carriage more like a corpse than a living person.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Upon another occasion a young singer, to whom she was +partial, drove through the town with her in the evening, to +visit a friend. He likewise had frequently heard of the +wonderful phenomenon we have related, and, with the spirits +of a light-hearted youth, had expressed his doubts of its +reality. They spoke of the circumstance. ‘I wish extremely,’ +said he, ‘that I could hear the voice of your +invisible companion; call him,—perhaps he will come: we +are two, and need not fear him.’ From thoughtlessness, +or indifference to danger, I know not which, she called the +spirit: and instantly the piercing shriek issued, as it were, +from the middle of the carriage; three times it was heard, +and then died away gradually. Arrived at the house of +their friend, both were found insensible in the carriage: +with difficulty they recovered their senses sufficiently to relate +what had happened.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It was some time before Antonelli completely recovered. +Her health became impaired by the constantly recurring +fright she sustained: but when, at length, her fearful visitor +<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>appeared to intend that she should enjoy some repose, she +began to hope for a complete cessation of this annoyance; +but this expectation was premature.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“At the end of the carnival, accompanied by a young +female acquaintance and a servant, she set out upon an +excursion of pleasure. It was her intention to visit a friend +in the country. Night came on before she reached her +destination: an accident happened to the carriage; and she +was necessitated to take refuge in a small country inn, and +to put up with the indifferent accommodation it afforded.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Her companion had already gone to bed; and the servant, +having arranged the night-light, was about to retire, when +her mistress observed jestingly, ‘I think we are at the end +of the world: it is a dreadful night; I wonder whether he +can find us out?’ That very instant the shriek was heard +more piercing and louder than ever. Her companion was +terrified beyond expression, sprang from her bed, rushed +down-stairs, and alarmed the whole house. No one that +night closed an eye. It was, however, the last time the +shriek was heard. But the unwelcome visitor soon found +another more frightful mode of indicating his presence.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He was quiet for a short time, when one evening, at the +accustomed hour, as Antonelli sat with her companions at +table, a shot from a gun, or from a heavily loaded pistol, +was fired in at the window. Every one heard the report, +every one saw the flash; but, upon the closest inspection, the +window was found not to have sustained the slightest injury. +But the circumstance seemed to every one of the most +alarming importance, and all thought that an attempt had +been made upon Antonelli’s life. The police were called, +and the neighboring house was searched; but, as nothing +suspicious was found, guards were placed in it next day +from top to bottom. Her own dwelling was carefully examined, +and spies were even dispersed about the streets.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But all this precaution was useless. For three months in +succession, at the very same hour, the shot was fired through +the same window, without the slightest injury to the glass; +and, what was especially remarkable, this always took place +exactly one hour before midnight: although in Naples time +is counted after the Italian fashion, and the term midnight +is never used.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But custom at length reconciled all parties to this occurrence, +as it had done to the previous one; and the ghost +began to lose credit by reason of his very harmless tricks. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>The shot ceased to alarm the company, or even to interrupt +their conversation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“One sultry evening, the day having been very hot, Antonelli +opened the window, without thinking of the hour, and +went with the marquis out upon the balcony. They had +scarcely been in the air a couple of minutes when the shot +exploded between them, and drove them back into the house, +where for some time they lay apparently lifeless on the floor. +When they recovered, each felt the pain of a violent blow +upon the cheek, one on the right side, the other on the left; +but, as no further injury was apparent, the singularity of the +circumstance was merely the occasion of a few jocular observations.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“From this time the shot was not repeated in the house; +and Antonelli thought she was at last completely delivered +from her invisible tormentor, when one evening, upon making +a little excursion with a friend, she was terrified beyond +measure by a most unexpected incident. Her way lay +through the Chiaja, where her Genoese friend had formerly +lived. It was bright moonlight. A lady who sat near her +asked, ‘Is not that the house in which Signor ⸺ died?’—‘As +well as I can recollect, it is one of those two,’ answered +Antonelli. The words were scarcely uttered when +the shot was fired from one of the two houses, and penetrated +the carriage. The driver thought he was wounded, +and drove forward with all possible speed. Arrived at their +destination, the two ladies were lifted from the carriage, as +though they were dead.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But this was the last alarm of that kind. The unseen foe +now changed his plan; and one evening, shortly afterwards, +a loud clapping of hands was heard before the window. As +a popular singer and favorite actress, she was more familiar +with sounds of this description. They did not inspire terror, +and might have proceeded, perhaps, from one of her numerous +admirers. She paid no attention to them. Her friends, +however, were more watchful, and distributed their guards +as before. They continued to hear the noise, but saw nobody, +and began to indulge a hope that the unaccountable +mystery would soon completely end.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After a short time it became changed in character, and +assumed the form of agreeable sounds. They were not, +strictly speaking, melodious, but exceedingly sweet and +pleasing. To an accurate observer they seemed to proceed +from the corner of the street, to float about in the empty +<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>space before Antonelli’s window, and there to die away in +the most soft and delightful manner. It seemed as if some +heavenly spirit wished, by means of a beautiful prelude, to +draw attention to a lovely melody which he designed to play. +But these sounds also ceased at length, and were heard no +more after this wonderful occurrence had lasted for about a +year and a half.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The clergyman pausing for a few moments, the entire +company began to express their opinions, and their doubts +about the truth of the tale.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The narrator answered that the story had to be true, if it +were to be interesting, as a manufactured tale could possess +but little merit. Some one here observed that he thought it +singular no one had inquired about Antonelli’s deceased +friend, or the circumstances of his death; as perhaps some +light might by this means have been thrown upon the whole +affair.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But this was done,” replied the clergyman: “I was +myself curious enough, immediately after the first mysterious +occurrence, to go to the house under the pretext of +visiting the lady who had attended him in his last moments +with a mother’s care. She informed me that the deceased +had been passionately attached to Antonelli; that, during +the last hours of his existence, he had spoken of nothing but +her; that at one time he addressed her as an adorable angel, +and at another as little better than a demon.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“When his sickness became desperate, his whole thoughts +were fixed on seeing her once more before his death, perhaps +in the hope of obtaining from her an expression of affection, +of pity, of attachment, or of love. Her unwillingness to see +him afflicted him exceedingly, and her last decisive refusal +hastened his death. In despair he cried out, ‘No! it shall +not avail her. She avoids me; but, after my death, she shall +have no rest from me.’ In a paroxysm of this kind he expired; +and only too late do we learn, that the dead can keep +their word on the other side of the grave.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The company began once more to express their opinions +about the story. At length Fritz observed, “I have a suspicion; +but I shall not tell it till I have thought over all the +circumstances again, and put my combinations to the +proof.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Being somewhat strongly pressed, he endeavored to avoid +giving an answer, by requesting that he might be allowed to +relate an anecdote, which, though it might not equal the preceding +<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>one in interest, was of the same character, inasmuch +as it could not be explained with any certainty.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A gallant nobleman,” he commenced, “who inhabited +an ancient castle, and was the father of a large family, had +taken into his protection an orphan girl, who, when she attained +the age of fourteen years, was employed in attending +the mistress of the house in duties immediately about her +person. She gave complete satisfaction, and her whole ambition +seemed to consist in a wish to evince her gratitude to +her benefactor by attention and fidelity. She possessed various +charms, both of mind and person, and was not without +suitors. But none of these proposals seemed likely to conduce +to her happiness, and the girl herself did not show the +least inclination to change her condition.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“On a sudden it happened, that as she went through the +house, intent upon her various duties, she heard sounds of +knocking, which came from about and beneath her. At first +this seemed accidental; but as the knocking never ceased, and +beat almost in unison with her footsteps, she became alarmed, +and scarcely left the room of her mistress, where alone she +found she could enjoy security.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“These sounds were heard by every one who accompanied +her or who stood near her. At first the subject was treated +as a jest, but at length it was regarded in a more serious +light. The master of the house, who was of a cheerful disposition, +now took the matter in hand. The knocking was +never heard when the maiden remained motionless, and, when +she walked, was perceived, not so evidently when she put her +foot to the ground as when she raised it to advance another +step. But the sounds were often irregular, and they were +observed to be more than usually loud when the maiden +went transversely across a certain large apartment in the +castle.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The old nobleman, one day having workmen in the house, +caused the flooring to be suddenly raised behind the maiden, +when the knocking sounds were at the loudest. Nothing, +however, was found but a couple of rats, who, disturbed by +the search, gave occasion to a chase, and to considerable +uproar in the house.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Provoked by this circumstance and by the disappointment, +the nobleman determined upon adopting strong measures. +He took down his large whip from the wall, and +swore that he would flog the maiden to death if he heard the +knocking any more. From this time forth she could go +<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>through the house without the slightest molestation, and the +knocking was never heard again.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Whereby,” observed Louisa sagaciously, “we may conclude +that the young maiden was her own ghost, and practised +this joke, and played the fool with the family, to indulge +some whim of her own.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not at all,” answered Fritz; “for those who ascribed +the mysterious occurrence to a ghost, believed that the +maiden’s guardian angel wished her to leave the house, but +was anxious also to protect her from injury. Others took +another view, and maintained that one of the girl’s lovers +had the cleverness to occasion these sounds in order to drive +her out of the house into his arms. But, be this as it may, +the poor child became quite ill in consequence, and was reduced +to a melancholy spectre; though she had formerly been +the most cheerful and lively and merry person in the whole +establishment. But such a change in personal appearance +can be explained in more ways than one.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is a pity,” observed Fritz, “that these occurrences are +not always more particularly examined, and that, in judging +of events which so much interest us, we are obliged to +hesitate between different appearances, because the circumstances +under which they happen have not all been observed.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“True,” replied the old clergyman; “but it is so extremely +difficult to make this examination at the very moment +when any thing of the kind happens, and to take every +precaution that nothing shall escape in which deceit or fraud +may be concealed. Can we, for example, detect a conjurer +so easily, though we are perfectly conscious that he is deluding +us?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He had scarcely finished this observation, when a loud report +was suddenly heard in one corner of the apartment. +Every one leaped up; whilst Charles said jokingly, “Surely +the noise does not proceed from some dying lover.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He would willingly have recalled the expression; for +Louisa became suddenly pale, and stammered forth that she +felt apprehension about the safety of her intended.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Fritz, to divert her attention, took up the light, and went +towards a reading-desk which stood in a corner of the apartment. +The semicircular top of the desk was split through; +this, then, was the cause of the report they had heard: +but it immediately occurred to them, that the reading-desk +was of the best workmanship, and had occupied the very +<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>same spot for years; and therefore they were all astonished +that it should be so suddenly split asunder. It had even +been praised more than once as a very model piece of furniture; +and how, therefore, could this accident have occurred, +without even the slightest change having taken place in the +temperature?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Quick!” said Charles, “let us settle this point at once +by examining the barometer.” The quicksilver maintained +the same point it had held for some days. And even the +thermometer had not fallen more than could be reconciled +with the difference of the temperature between day and +night. “It is a pity that we have not an hygrometer at +hand,” he exclaimed, “the very instrument that would be +most serviceable!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It seems,” said the old clergyman, “that the most +valuable instrument always fails when we are engaged in +supernatural inquiries.” They were interrupted in their reflections +by the entry of a servant, who announced that a +great fire was visible in the heavens; though no one could +say whether it were raging in the town or in the neighborhood.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The circumstances we have just related made the whole +party more susceptible of terror, and they were therefore +much agitated by the news. Fritz hastened up to the belvedere +of the house; where a map of the adjacent country +was suspended, by means of which he was enabled, even at +night, to point out with tolerable accuracy the various positions +of the surrounding places. The rest of the party +remained together, not without some fear and anxiety.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Fritz announced, upon his return, that he had no good +news to tell. “The fire does not seem to be in the town, +but upon the property of our aunt. I am well acquainted,” +said he, “with the locality, and believe I am not mistaken.” +Each one lamented the destruction of the fine +building, and calculated the loss. “A strange thought has +just occurred to me,” said Fritz, “which may quiet our +minds as to the mystery of the reading-desk. Consider how +long it is since we heard the report.” They counted the +minutes, and thought it had occurred about half-past twelve.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Now, you will probably laugh,” continued Fritz, “when +I tell you my conjecture. You know that our mother, a good +many years ago, made our aunt a present of a reading-desk, +in every respect similar to this one. They were both finished +with the greatest care, by the same workman, at the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>same time, and cut out of one piece of wood. Both have +lasted well until now: and I will lay a wager, that, at this +very instant, the second reading-desk is actually burning at +the house of my aunt; and its twin brother here is afflicted +at the disaster. To-morrow I will set out and investigate +this singular fact as thoroughly as I am able.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Whether Frederick really entertained the above opinion, +or whether his wish to tranquillize his sister suggested the +idea, we are unable to decide: they, however, seized the +opportunity to speak of many undeniable sympathies, and +ended by discovering that a sympathy actually existed +between pieces of timber formed from one tree, and pronounced +it probable that the same sympathy subsisted +between pieces of work completed by the same hand. They +agreed that these things resembled natural phenomena fully +as much as other things which were often adduced, and which +although quite evident, are incapable of explanation. “And, +in my opinion,” added Charles, “every phenomenon, as well +as every fact, is peculiarly interesting for its own sake. Whoever +explains it, or connects it with other circumstances, only +makes a jest of it, or deludes us: this is done, for example, +by the natural philosopher and the historian. But an unconnected +fact or event is interesting, not because it is explicable +or probable, but because it is true. When at midnight +the flames consumed your aunt’s reading-desk, the extraordinary +splitting of ours, at the very same time, was a palpable +fact, however explicable or connected with other things it +may be.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Though night was by this time far advanced, none of the +company felt any inclination to retire; and Charles, in his +turn, asked permission to tell a story, which, though equally +interesting, might seem perhaps more natural and explicable +than the previous ones. “Marshal Bassompierre,” he said, +“relates it in his Memoirs; and I may be permitted to tell +it in his name.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I had remarked for five or six months, that, whenever I +crossed the little bridge (for at that time the Pont Neuf had +not been built), a very handsome shopkeeper, over the door +of whose establishment was painted the sign of ‘The Two +Angels,’ always saluted me with a low and respectful bow, +and followed me with her eyes as far as she could see me. +This conduct surprised me extremely; but I always directed +my looks to her, and saluted her in return. I rode on one +occasion from Fontainebleau to Paris; and, when I had arrived +<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>at the little bridge, she appeared at the door of her +shop, and said, ‘Your servant, sir!’ I returned the salute; +and, as I looked back from time to time, I observed that she +was, as usual, leaning forward, to keep me in view as long +as possible.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My servant was following with a postilion, as I wished +to send some letters back to some ladies in Fontainebleau +the same day. I ordered the servant to alight, to go to the +pretty shopkeeper, and to tell her from me, that I had noticed +her wish to speak to me, and that, if she desired my +acquaintance, I would visit her whenever she wished. She +answered that I could have sent her no more delightful news, +that she would meet me whenever I should appoint, on condition +that she might be allowed to pass a night under the +same roof with me. I accepted the proposal, and asked the +servant to find a place where I might appoint an assignation. +He said he would lead me to a friend’s house, but advised +me, as fever was then very prevalent, to provide myself with +my own house-linen. When evening came, I went to the +appointed house, where I found a very beautiful young +woman awaiting my arrival. She was attired in a charming +head-dress, and wore the finest linens. Her tiny feet were +adorned with slippers, worked in gold and silk; and her +person was covered with a loose mantle of the softest satin +texture. Suffice it to say, that I never saw a more charming +person. In the morning I asked when I could see her again; +as it was then Thursday night, and it was not my intention +to leave the town before the following Sunday.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“She replied that she was more anxious for a fresh appointment +than I could be, but that it would be impracticable +unless I could postpone my departure; as I could only see +her on Sunday night. To this I made some difficulty, which +caused her to complain that I was tired of her, and therefore +wished to set out on Sunday; ‘but,’ she added, ‘you will +soon think of me again, and will be glad to forfeit a day in +order to pass a night with me.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I was easily persuaded. I promised to stay during +Sunday, and to meet her in the evening at the same place. +She answered me as follows: ‘I am quite aware, that on +your account I have come to a house of ill-repute; but I have +done this in obedience to an irresistible desire to enjoy your +society. But so great an indiscretion cannot be repeated. +I shall excite the jealousy of my husband, though one might +risk even that for the satisfaction of an irresistible passion. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>For your sake I have come to this house, which has been +made respectable by your presence. But, if you desire to see +me again, you must meet me at the residence of my aunt.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“She described the house with great particularity, and +then added, ‘I shall expect you at ten o’clock. From that +time till midnight the door shall be open. You will find a +small entrance, through which you must advance; as my +aunt’s door is at the farther end. You will then see a flight +of stairs opposite to you. They lead to the first floor, and +there I shall be expecting you with open arms.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I made all my arrangements. I sent away my things, +dismissed my servants, and waited impatiently the arrival of +Sunday night, when I was to see my charming companion +once more. At ten o’clock I was at the appointed place. I +found the door she had described, close shut, and observed +lights in the house, which seemed every now and then to +blaze up into a flame. I knocked impatiently in order to +announce my arrival, and was immediately saluted by the +hoarse voice of a man inquiring what I wanted. I retired +disappointed, and paced restlessly up and down the street. +At length I returned to the house, and found the door then +wide open. I hurried through the passage, and ascended the +stairs. Judge of my astonishment at finding the room occupied +by two men, who were employed in burning a mattress +and some bed-clothes; while I saw before me two naked +corpses stretched upon the floor. I hastened away instantly, +and, in rushing down stairs, knocked against two +men carrying a coffin, who asked me angrily what I wanted. +I drew my sword to protect myself, and finally reached my +home in a state of the greatest excitement. I swallowed +half a dozen glasses of wine, as a preservative against the +fever, and on the following day continued my journey.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“All the inquiries I afterwards instituted to discover who +this woman was were in vain. I even visited the shop +where ‘The Two Angels’ were painted, but the new-comers +could not inform who their predecessors had been. The +chief character in this adventure was doubtless a person +from the lower orders; but I can assure you, that, but for +the disagreeable <i>finale</i>, it would have proved one of the +most delightful incidents that has ever happened to me, and +that I never think of my charming heroine without feelings +of the warmest affection.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Charles observed, upon the conclusion of the anecdote, +that the mystery which enveloped the story was not easily +<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>explained. The woman might either have died of the fever, +or have kept away from the house on account of the infection.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But, if she were alive,” answered Charles, “she would +have met her lover in the street; as no fear could, under the +circumstances, have kept her from him. I fear,” he added, +“that her corpse was stretched on the floor.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Oh! no more of this,” said Louisa: “this story is too +frightful. What a night we shall pass, if we retire with our +imaginations full of these pictures!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I recollect an anecdote,” interrupted Charles, “which +is of a more cheerful description, and which the same Bassompierre +relates of some of his ancestors.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A very beautiful woman, who loved one of her relations +passionately, visited him every Monday at his country-house, +where they spent much time together; his wife believing in +the mean while that her husband was engaged on a hunting-party. +Two years uninterruptedly had passed in this way, +when, the wife’s suspicions being roused, she stole one morning +to the country-house, and found her husband asleep with +his companion. Being unwilling or afraid to disturb them, +she untied her veil, threw it over the feet of the sleeping +couple, and retired. When the lady awoke, and observed +the veil, she uttered a piercing cry, and with loud lamentations +complained that she would now never be able to see +her lover again. She then took leave of him, having first +given him three presents,—a small fruit-basket, a ring, and +a goblet, being a present for each of his three daughters, +and desired him to take great care of them. They were accepted +with thanks, and the children of these three daughters +believe that they are indebted to their respective gifts +for whatever good fortune has attended them.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“This somewhat resembles the story of the beautiful +Melusina, and such-like fairy-tales,” observed Louisa.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But there is just such a tradition in our family,” said +Frederick, “and we have possession of a similar talisman.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What do you mean?” asked Charles.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That is a secret,” replied the former. “It can be told +to no one but the eldest son, and that during the lifetime of +his father; and he is then to hold the charm.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Are you the present possessor?” inquired Louisa.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I have told too much already,” answered Frederick, +as he lighted his candle, previous to retiring.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>The family had assembled for breakfast according to their +usual custom, and the baroness afterwards took her seat at +her embroidery-frame. After a short silence the clergyman +observed, with a slight smile, “It is seldom indeed that +singers, poets, or story-tellers, who enter into an agreement +to amuse a company, do it at the right time: they often require +pressing, when they should begin voluntarily; whilst, +on the other hand, they are frequently eager and urgent to +commence at a time when the entertainment could be dispensed +with. I hope, however, to prove an exception to +this custom; and I shall be glad to know whether it will +prove agreeable to you that I should relate a story.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Particularly so,” answered the baroness; “and I feel +sure that I express the general opinion. But, if it is your +intention to relate an anecdote as a specimen, I will tell you +for what sort of story I have no inclination.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I take no pleasure in stories which, like the Arabian +Nights, connect one tale with another, and so confound the +interest of both; where the narrator finds himself compelled +to excite our attention by interruptions, and, instead of satisfying +us by detailing a course of consecutive adventures, +seeks to attract us by rare and often unworthy artifices. I +cannot but censure the attempt of converting stories, which +should possess the unity of a poem, into unmeaning puzzles, +which only have the effect of vitiating our taste. I leave +you to choose your own subjects; but I hope you will pay a +little attention to the style, since it must be remembered that +we are members of good society. Commence with some +narrative in which but few persons are concerned or few +events described, in which the plot is good and natural, +though possessing as much action and contrivance as is +necessary, which shall not prove dull, nor be confined to one +spot, but in which the action shall not progress too rapidly. +Let your characters be pleasing, and, if not perfect, at least +good,—not extravagant, but interesting and amiable. Let +your story be amusing in the narration, in order, that, when +concluded, we may remember it with pleasure.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If I were not well acquainted with you, gracious lady,” +said the clergyman, “I should be of opinion that it is your +wish, by thus explaining how much you require of me, to +bring my wares into disrepute before I have exposed them +for sale. I see how difficult it will be to reach your standard +of excellence. Even now,” he continued, after a short +pause, “you compel me to postpone the tale I had intended +<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>to relate till another time; and I fear I shall commit a mistake +in extemporizing an anecdote for which I have always +felt some partiality:—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In a seacoast town in Italy once lived a merchant, who +from his youth had been distinguished for activity and +industry. He was, in addition, a first-rate sailor, and had +amassed considerable wealth by trading to Alexandria, where +he was accustomed to purchase or exchange merchandise, +which he afterwards either brought home or forwarded to +the northern parts of Europe. His fortune increased from +year to year. Business was his greatest pleasure, and he +found no time for the indulgence of extravagant dissipation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“His life was employed in active pursuits of this nature +till he was fifty years old; and he had been, during all this +time, a total stranger to those social pleasures with which +luxurious citizens are accustomed to diversify their lives. +Even the charms of the fair sex had never excited his +attention, notwithstanding the attractions of his countrywomen. +His knowledge of them was confined to their love +for ornaments and jewellery, a taste of which he never +failed to take proper advantage.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He was surprised, therefore, at the change which took +place in his disposition, when, after a long voyage, his richly +laden ship entered the port of his native town, upon the +occurrence of a great festival in which the children of the +place took a prominent part. The youths and maidens had +attended the church in their gayest attire, and had joined in +the sacred processions. They afterwards mingled through +the town in separate companies, or dispersed through the +country in search of amusements; or they assembled in the +large square, engaging in various active pursuits, and exhibiting +feats of skill and dexterity, for which small prizes +were bestowed.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The merchant was much pleased with all he saw. But +after he had for some time observed the happiness of the +children, and the delight of their parents, and witnessed so +many persons in the full enjoyment of present bliss and the +indulgence of the fondest hopes, he could not help reflecting +upon the wretchedness of his own condition. His own solitary +home began for the first time to be to him a cause of +distress, and he thus gave vent to his melancholy thoughts:—</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Unhappy being that I am! Why are my eyes opened +so late? Why, in my old age, do I first become acquainted +with those blessings which alone can insure the happiness +<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>of mankind? What toil have I endured! What labors +I have borne! And what have they done for me? ’Tis +true my cellars are filled with merchandise, my chests with +valuable metals, and my caskets with jewellery and precious +stones; but these treasures can neither console nor satisfy +my heart. The more I have the more I want: one coin +requires another, and one diamond wishes for its fellow. I +am not the master of my riches: they command me in +imperious tone. ‘Go and get more!’ they exclaim. Gold +delights in gold, and jewels in their fellows. They have +ruled me all my life; and now I find, too late, that they +possess no real value. Now, when age approaches, I begin +for the first time to reflect, and to complain that I enjoy +none of the treasures I possess, and that no one will enjoy +them after me. Have I ever used them to adorn the person +of a beloved wife, to provide a marriage-portion for a +daughter? Have I ever by their means enabled a son to win +and to dower the maiden of his heart? Never! None of +these treasures have ever enriched me or mine; and what I +have collected with so much toil some stranger, after my +death, will thoughtlessly dissipate.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Oh! with what different feelings will those happy +parents whom I see around me assemble their children this +evening, praise their address, and encourage them to virtue! +What joy have I beheld beaming from their eyes, and what +hopes from the happiness of their beloved offspring! And +must I ever be a stranger to hope? Am I grown gray? Is +it not enough to see my error before the final evening of +my days arrives? No: in my ripe years it is not foolish to +dream of love. I will enrich a fair maiden with my wealth, +and make her happy. And, should my house ever become +blessed with children, those late fruits will render me happy, +instead of proving a plague and a torment; as they often do +to those who too early receive such gifts from Heaven.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Thus communing with himself he silently formed his +determination. He then called two of his intimate companions, +and opened his mind to them. They were ever +ready to aid him in all emergencies, and were not wanting +upon the present occasion. They hastened, therefore, into +the town, to make inquiries after the fairest and most beautiful +maidens; for they knew their master was a man who, +whatever goods he might wish to acquire, would never be +satisfied with any but the best. He was himself active, +went about, inquired, saw, and listened, and soon found +<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>what he sought in the person of a young maiden about +sixteen years of age, accomplished and well educated. Her +person and disposition pleased him, and gave him every +hope of happiness. In fact, at this time no maiden in the +whole town was more admired for her beauty.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After a short delay, during which the most perfect independence +of his intended bride, not only during his own +life, but after his decease, was secured, the nuptial ceremony +was performed with great pomp and triumph; and from that +day the merchant felt himself, for the first time in his life, +in actual possession and enjoyment of his riches. His +rarest and most costly silks were devoted to the adornment +of his bride, and his diamonds gleamed more brilliantly +upon the neck and amid the tresses of his love than they +had ever shone in his caskets; and his rings acquired an +inexpressible value from the beauty of the hand by which +they were adorned. And thus he felt that he was not only +as wealthy as before, but even wealthier; and all he possessed +acquired a new value from being shared with her he +loved. The happy couple spent a year together in the most +perfect contentment, and he seemed to experience a real joy +in having exchanged his active and wandering course of life, +for the calm content of domestic bliss. But he could not so +easily divest himself of his nature, and found that a habit +acquired in early youth, though it may for a time be interrupted, +can never be completely laid aside.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After some time the sight of some of his old companions, +when they had safely brought their ships into harbor after +a long and perilous voyage, excited anew the love of his +former pursuits; and he began now, even in the company of +his bride, to experience sensations of restlessness and discontent. +These feelings increased daily, and were gradually +converted into so intense a longing for his old course of life, +that at last he became positively miserable; and a serious +illness was the result.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘What will now become of me?’ he asked himself. +‘I learn too late the folly of entering in old age upon a +new system of life. How can we separate ourselves from +our thoughts and our habits? What have I done? Once I +possessed the perfect freedom which a bird enjoys in open +air, and now I am imprisoned in a dwelling with all my +wealth and jewels and my beauteous wife. I thought thus +to win contentment and enjoy my riches, but I feel that I +lose every thing so long as I cannot increase my stores. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>Unjustly are men considered fools who add to their wealth +by ceaseless activity, for activity itself is happiness; and +riches themselves are valueless in comparison with the delight +of the toil by which they are acquired. I am wretched +from idleness, sick from inactivity; and, if I do not determine +upon some other course, I may soon bid farewell to life.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘I know, however, how much I risk in separating from +a young and lovely wife. I know how unjust it is to win +the affections of a charming maiden, and, after a brief possession, +to abandon her to the wearisome society of her own +desires and emotions. I know, even now, how many vain +and frivolous youths display their conceited persons before +my windows. I know that in church, and in the public +promenades, they seek to attract the notice and engage the +attention of my wife. What may not take place, then, if I +absent myself? Can I hope for the intervention of some +miracle to save her from her almost inevitable fate? It were +vain to expect that at her age and with her warm affections +she can withstand the seductions of love. If I depart, I +know that upon my return I shall have lost the attachment +of my wife, and that she will have forfeited her fidelity, and +tarnished the honor of my house.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“These reflections and doubts, to which he for some time +had become a prey, embittered his condition tenfold. His +wife, no less than his relations and friends, sympathized +deeply with him, without being able to comprehend the cause +of his illness. At length he sought relief from his own +thoughts, and thus communed with himself: ‘Fool! to distress +myself so much about the protection of a wife whom, +if my illness continues, I must leave behind me for the +enjoyment of another. Is it not better to preserve my life, +even though in the effort I risk the loss of the greatest treasure +a woman can possess? How many find their very presence +ineffectual to preserve this treasure, and patiently +endure a privation they cannot prevent! Why cannot you +summon up courage to be independent of so precarious a +blessing, since upon this resolution your very existence +depends?’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He felt invigorated by these thoughts, and forthwith +summoned together his former crew. He instructed them +to charter a vessel without delay, to load it, and hold +themselves ready to set sail with the first favorable wind. +He then unburdened himself to his wife in the following +terms:—</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>“‘Be not astonished at any commotion you may shortly +observe in our house, but conclude thence that I am making +preparations for a journey. Be not overcome with grief +when I inform you that I am once more bent upon a sea-voyage. +The love I bear you is still unchanged, and will +doubtless remain so during my life. I am sensible of the +bliss I have enjoyed in your society, and should feel it still +more powerfully, but for the silent censures of idleness and +inactivity with which my conscience reproves me. My old +disposition returns, and my former habits are still alive. +Let me once more visit the markets of Alexandria, to which +I shall repair with the greater joy, because I can there procure +for you the richest merchandise and most valuable +treasures. I leave you in possession of all my fortune and +of all my goods: make use of them without restraint, and +enjoy yourself in the company of your relatives and friends. +The period of our separation will pass by, and we shall meet +again with joy.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Dissolved in tears, his loving wife assured him, with the +most tender endearments, that during his absence she would +never be able to enjoy one happy moment, and entreated +him, since she wished neither to control nor to detain him, +that she might, at least, share his affectionate thoughts +during the sad time of their separation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He then gave some general directions on business and +household matters, and added, after a short pause, ‘I have +something to say, which lies like a burden upon my heart; +and you must permit me to utter it: I only implore you +earnestly not to misinterpret my meaning, but in my anxiety +for you to discern my love.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘I can guess your thoughts,’ interrupted his wife: ‘you +are suspicious of me, I know; and, after the fashion of men, +you always rail at the universal weakness of our sex. I am, +it is true, young, and of a cheerful disposition; and you fear +lest, in your absence, I be found inconstant and unfaithful. +I do not find fault with your suspicions; it is the habit of +your sex: but if I know my own heart, I may assure you +that I am not so susceptible of impressions as to be induced +lightly to stray from the paths of love and duty, through +which I have hitherto journeyed. Fear not: you shall find +your wife as true and faithful on your return as you have +ever found her hitherto, when you have come to her arms at +evening after a short absence.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘I believe the truth of the sentiments you utter,’ added +<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>the husband, ‘and I beseech you to be constant to them. +But let us conceive the possibility of the worst. Why should +we shrink from it? You know yourself how the beauty of +your person attracts the admiration of all our young fellow-citizens. +During my absence they will be more attentive to +you than ever. They will redouble their efforts to attract +and please you. The image of your husband will not prove +as effective as his presence in banishing them from my doors +and from your heart. I know you are a noble being; but +the blandishments of love are powerful, and oftentimes overcome +the firmest resolutions. Interrupt me not. Your very +thoughts of me during my absence may inflame your passions. +I may, for some time, continue to be the object of +your dearest wishes; but who can foretell what opportunities +may occur, and allow a stranger to enjoy those privileges +which were destined for me? Be not impatient, I beseech +you, but hear me out.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Should that time arrive, the possibility of which you +deny, and which I am by no means anxious to hasten, in +which you feel that you need society, and can no longer defer +the requirements of love, then make me one promise. +Permit no thoughtless youth to supplant me, whatever may +be the attractions of his person; for such lovers are more +dangerous to the honor than to the virtue of a woman. Incited +rather by vanity than by love, they seek the general +favors of the sex, and are ever ready to transfer their transitory +affections. If you wish for the society of a friend, look +out for one who is worthy of the name, whose modesty and +discretion understands the art of exalting the joys of love by +the virtue of secrecy.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“His beautiful wife could suppress her agony no longer, +and the tears which she had till now restrained flowed in copious +torrents from her eyes. ‘Whatever may be your +opinion of me,’ she cried, after a passionate embrace, ‘nothing +can be at this hour farther from my thoughts than the +crime you seem to consider, as it were, inevitable. If such +an idea ever suggests itself to my imagination, may the earth +in that instant open, and swallow me up, and forever vanish +all hope of that joy which promises a blessed immortality! +Banish this mistrust from your bosom, and let me enjoy the full +and delightful hope of seeing you again return to these arms.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Having left untried no effort to comfort and console his +wife, he set sail the next day. His voyage was prosperous, +and he soon arrived in Alexandria.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>“In the mean time our heroine lived in the tranquil enjoyment +of a large fortune, in possession of every luxury; +though, with the exception of her relatives and immediate +friends, no person was admitted to her society. The business +of her absent husband was discharged by trustworthy +servants; and she inhabited a large mansion, in whose splendid +rooms she was able to enjoy the daily pleasure of recalling +the remembrance of his love.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But, notwithstanding her quiet and retired mode of life, +the young gallants of the town did not long remain inactive. +They frequented the street, passed incessantly before her +windows, and in the evening sought to attract her attention +by means of music and serenades. The pretty prisoner, +although she at first found these attentions troublesome and +annoying, gradually became reconciled to the vexation; and, +when the long evenings arrived, she began to consider the +serenades in the light of an agreeable entertainment, and +could scarcely suppress an occasional sigh, which, strictly +speaking, belonged to her absent husband.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But her unknown admirers, instead of gradually wearying +in their attentions, as she had once expected, became +more assiduous in their devotion. She began, at last, to +recognize the oft-repeated instruments and voices, to grow +familiar with the melodies, and to feel curious to know the +names of her most constant serenaders. She might innocently +indulge so harmless a curiosity. She now peeped occasionally +through her curtains and half-closed shutters, to +notice the pedestrians, and to observe more particularly the +youths whose eyes were constantly directed towards her +windows. They were invariably handsome, and fashionably +dressed; but their manner and whole deportment were unmistakably +marked by frivolity and vanity. They seemed +more desirous of making themselves remarkable by directing +their attention to the house of so beautiful a woman, than of +displaying towards her a feeling of peculiar respect.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Really,’ the lady would sometimes say to herself in a +tone of raillery, ‘really my husband showed a deal of penetration. +The condition under which he allowed me to enjoy +the privilege of a lover excludes all those who care in the +least for me, or to whom I am likely to take a fancy. He +seems to have well understood that prudence, modesty, and +silence are qualities which belong to demure old age, when +men can value the understanding, but are incapable of +awakening the fancy or exciting the desires. I am pretty +<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>sure, at least, that, amongst the youths who lay perpetual +siege to my mansion, there is not one entitled to my confidence; +and those who might lay some claim to that virtue +fall lamentably short in other attractions.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Supported by these reflections, she allowed herself to +take daily more and more pleasure in the music and in the +attentions of her young admirers; till at length, unperceived +by herself, there gradually sprung up in her bosom a restless +desire, which she struggled to resist when it was +already too late. Solitude and idleness, combined with comfort +and luxury, gave birth to an unruly passion long before +its thoughtless victim had any suspicion of her danger.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Amongst the numerous endowments of her husband, she +now saw ample reason to admire his profound knowledge of +the world and of mankind, and his thorough acquaintance +with woman’s heart. She now perceived that that had occurred, +the possibility of which she had formerly so strenuously +denied, and acknowledged his wisdom in preaching the +necessity of prudence and caution. But what could these +virtues avail, where pitiless chance seemed to be in conspiracy +with her own unaccountable passions? How could +she select one from a crowd of strangers? and was she permitted, +in case of disappointment, to make a second choice?</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Innumerable thoughts of this nature increased the perplexity +of our solitary heroine. In vain she sought recreation, +and tried to forget herself. Her mind was perpetually +excited by agreeable objects, and her imagination thus became +impressed with the most delightful pictures of fancied +happiness.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“In this state of mind, she was informed one day by a relation, +amongst other pieces of news, that a young lawyer +who had just finished his studies at Bologna had lately arrived +in his native town. His talents were the topic of general +admiration and encomium. His universal knowledge +was accompanied by a modesty and reserve very uncommon +in youth, and his personal attractions were of a high order. +In his office of procurator he had already won, not only the +confidence of the public, but the respect of the judges. He +had daily business to transact at the court-house, so great +was the increase of his professional practice.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Our heroine could not hear the talents of this youth so +generally extolled, without feeling a wish to become acquainted +with him, accompanied by a secret hope that he +might prove a person upon whom, in conformity with the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>permission of her husband, she might bestow her heart. She +soon learned that he passed her dwelling daily, on his way to +the court-house; and she carefully watched for the hour when +the lawyers were accustomed to assemble for the discharge +of business. With beating heart she at length saw him +pass; and if his handsome figure and youthful attractions, on +the one hand, excited her admiration, his apparent reserve +and modesty, on the other, gave her much reason for doubt +and anxiety. For several days she watched him silently, +till at length she was no longer able to resist her desire to +attract his attention. She dressed with care, went out upon +the balcony, and marked his approach with feelings of suspense. +But she grew troubled, and, indeed, felt ashamed, +when she saw him pass, in contemplative mood, with +thoughtful steps and downcast eyes, pursuing his quiet way, +without deigning to bestow the slightest notice upon her. +Vainly did she endeavor thus to win his attention for several +successive days. In the same undeviating course he continued +to pass by, without raising his eyes, or looking to the +right or to the left. But, the more she observed him, the +more did he appear to be the very one she needed. Her wish +to know him now grew stronger, and at length became irresistible. +What! she thought within herself: when my +noble, sensible husband actually foresaw the extremity to +which his absence would reduce me, when his keen perception +knew that I could not live without a friend, must I +droop and pine away at the very time when fortune provides +me with one whom not only my own heart, but even my +husband, would choose, and in whose society I should be +able to enjoy the delights of love in inviolable secrecy? Fool +should I be, to miss such an opportunity; fool, to resist the +powerful impulses of love!</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With such reflections did she endeavor to decide upon +some fixed course, and she did not long remain a prey to uncertainty. +It happened with her, as it usually does with every +one who is conquered by a passion, that she looked without +apprehension upon all such trifling objections as shame, fear, +timidity, and duty, and came at length to the bold resolution +of sending her servant-maid to the young lawyer at any risk, +and inviting him to visit her.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The servant found him in the company of several friends, +and delivered her message punctually in the terms in which +she had been instructed. The procurator was not at all surprised +at the invitation. He had known the merchant previously, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>was aware of his absence at present, and presumed +that the lady required the aid of his professional services +about some important matter of business. He promised the +servant, therefore, that he would wait upon her mistress +without delay. The latter heard with unspeakable joy, that +she would soon be allowed an opportunity of seeing and speaking +to her beloved. She prepared carefully for his reception, +and had her rooms arranged with the utmost elegance. +Orange-leaves and flowers were strewn around in profusion, +and the most costly furniture was displayed for the occasion. +And thus the brief intervening time hastened by, which would +otherwise have been unbearable.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Who can describe the emotion with which she witnessed +his arrival, or her agitation upon inviting him to take a seat at +her side? She hesitated how to address him now that he had +arrived, and found a difficulty in remembering what she had +to say. He sat still and silent. At length she took courage +and addressed him, not without some visible perplexity.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘I understand, sir, that you are but lately returned to +your native city; and I learn that you are universally admired +as a talented and incomparable man. I am ready to bestow +my utmost confidence upon you, in a matter of extraordinary +importance, but which, upon reflection, would seem +adapted rather for the ear of the confessor than that of the +lawyer. I have been for some years married to a husband +who is both rich and honorable, and who, as long as we have +lived together, has never ceased to tenderly love me, and of +whom I should not have a single word of complaint to utter, +if an irresistible desire for travel and trade had not torn him, +for some time, from my arms.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Being a sensible and just man, he no doubt felt conscious +of the injury his absence must necessarily inflict upon +me. He knew that a young wife cannot be preserved like +jewellery and pearls. He knew that she resembles a garden, +full of the choicest fruits, which would be lost, not only to +him, but to every one else, if the door were kept locked for +years. For this reason, he addressed me in serious but +friendly tones before his departure, and assured me, that he +knew I should not be able to live without the society of a +friend, and therefore not only permitted, but made me promise, +that I would, in a free and unrestrained manner, follow +the inclination which I should soon find springing up within +my heart.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“She paused for a moment; but an eloquent look, which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>the young lawyer directed towards her, encouraged her to +proceed.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘One only condition was imposed upon me by my indulgent +husband. He recommended me to use the most extreme +caution, and impressed upon me strongly the necessity +of choosing a steady, prudent, silent, and confidential friend. +But you will excuse my continuing,—excuse the embarrassment +with which I must confess how I have been attracted +by your numerous accomplishments, and divine from +the confidence I have reposed in you the nature of my hopes +and wishes.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The worthy young lawyer was silent for a short time, and +then replied, in a thoughtful tone, ‘I am deeply indebted +for the high mark of confidence with which you both honor +and delight me. I wish to convince you that I am not unworthy +of your favor. But let me first answer you in a professional +capacity: and I must confess my admiration for +your husband, who so clearly saw the nature of the injustice +he committed against you; for there can be no doubt of this,—that +a husband who leaves his young wife, in order to +visit distant countries, must be viewed in the light of a man +who relinquishes a valuable treasure, to which, by his own +conduct, he abandons all manner of claim. And as the first +finder may then lawfully take possession, so I hold it to be +natural and just, that a young woman, under the circumstances +you describe, should bestow her affections and herself, +without scruple, upon any friend who may prove worthy +of her confidence.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘But particularly when the husband, as in this case, conscious +of the injustice he himself commits, expressly allows +his forsaken wife a privilege, of which he could not deprive +her, it must be clear that he can suffer no wrong from an +action to which he has given his own consent.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘Wherefore if you,’ continued the young lawyer, with +quite a different look and the most lively emphasis, and the +most affectionate pressure of the hand, ‘if you select me for +your servant, you enrich me with a happiness, of which, till +now, I could have formed no conception. And be assured,’ +he added, while at the same time he warmly kissed her hand, +‘that you could not have found a more true, loving, prudent, +and devoted servant.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“This declaration tranquillized the agitated feelings of our +tender heroine. She at once expressed her love without +reserve. She pressed his hand, drew him nearer to her, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>reclined her head upon his shoulder. They had remained but +a short time in this position, when he tried to disengage himself +gently, and expressed himself thus, not without emotion: +‘Did ever happy mortal find himself in such embarrassment? +I am compelled to leave you, and to do violence to +myself in the very moment when I might surrender myself +to the most divine enchantment. I cannot now partake the +bliss which is prepared for me, and I earnestly pray that a +temporary postponement may not altogether frustrate my +fondest hopes.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“She inquired hastily the cause of this strange speech.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“‘When I was in Bologna,’ he replied, ‘and had just +completed my studies, preparing to enter upon the practice +of my profession, I was seized with a dangerous illness, from +which it appeared, that, even if I should escape with my life, +my bodily and mental faculties must sustain irreparable injury. +Reduced to despair, and tortured by the pangs of +disease, I made a solemn vow to the Virgin, that, should I +recover, I would persist for one whole year in practising the +strictest fast and abstinence from enjoyment of every description. +For ten months I have already adhered to my +vow: and, considering the wonderful favor I have enjoyed, +the time has not passed wearily; and I have not found it +difficult to abstain from many accustomed pleasures. But +the two months which still remain will now seem an +eternity; since, till their expiration, I am forbidden to +partake a happiness whose delights are inconceivable. +And, though you may think the time long, do not, I beseech +you, withdraw the favor you have so bountifully bestowed +upon me.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not much consoled by this announcement, she felt a +little more encouraged when her friend added, after a few +minutes’ reflection, ‘I scarcely dare to make a proposal, and +suggest a plan, which may, perhaps, release me a little +earlier from my vow. If I could only find some one as firm +and resolute as myself in keeping a promise, and who would +divide with me the time that still remains, I should then be +the sooner free; and nothing could impede our enjoyment. +Are you willing, my sweet friend, to assist in hastening our +happiness by removing one-half of the obstacle which opposes +us? I can only share my vow with one upon whom I +can depend with full confidence. And it is severe,—nothing +but bread and water twice a day, and at night a few +hours’ repose on a hard bed; and, notwithstanding my incessant +<span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>professional occupation, I must devote many hours to +prayer. If I am obliged to attend a party, I am not thereby +released from my duty; and I must avoid the enjoyment of +every dainty. If you can resolve to pass one month in the +observance of these rules, you will find yourself the sooner +in possession of your friend’s society, which you will relish +the more from the consciousness of having deserved it by +your praiseworthy resolution.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The beautiful lady was sorry to hear of the difficulty she +had to encounter; but the very presence of her beloved so +increased her attachment, that no trial which would insure +the possession of so valuable a prize appeared to her too +difficult. She therefore assured him, in the most affectionate +manner, of her readiness to share the responsibility of +his vow, and addressed him thus: ‘My sweet friend! the +miracle through which you have recovered your health is to +me an event of so much value and importance, that it is not +only my duty, but my joy, to partake the vow by which you +are still bound. I am delighted to offer so strong a proof +of my sincerity. I will imitate your example in the strictest +manner; and, until you discharge me from my obligation, +no consideration shall induce me to stray from the path you +point out to me.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The young lawyer once more repeated the conditions +under which he was willing to transfer to her the obligation +of one-half of his vow, and then took his leave, with the assurance +that he would soon visit her again, to inquire after +her constancy and resolution. And she was then obliged to +witness his departure, without receiving so much as one kiss, +or pressure of the hand, and scarcely with a look of ordinary +recognition. She found some degree of happy relief in the +strange employment which the performance of her new duties +imposed upon her, for she had much to do in the preparation +for her unaccustomed course of life. In the first place, she +removed all the beautiful exotics and flowers which had been +procured to grace the reception of her beloved. Then a hard +mattress was substituted for her downy bed, to which she +retired in the evening, after having scarcely satisfied her hunger +with a frugal meal of bread and water. The following +morning found her busily employed in plain work, and in +making a certain amount of wearing apparel for the poor inmates +of the town hospital. During this new occupation she +entertained her fancy by dwelling upon the image of her dear +friend, and indulging the hope of future happiness; and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>these thoughts reconciled her to the greatest privations and +to the humblest fare.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“At the end of the first week the roses began to fade +from her beautiful cheeks, her person to fall away, and her +strength to become weak and languid; but a visit from her +friend imparted new animation and fortitude. He encouraged +her to persist in her resolution, by the example of his +own perseverance, and by showing her the approaching certainty +of uninterrupted happiness. His visit was brief, but +he promised to return soon.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With cheerful resignation she continued her new and +strict course of life, but her strength soon declined so much +that the most severe illness could scarcely have reduced +her to such extreme weakness. Her friend, whose visit was +repeated at the end of the week, sympathized with her condition, +but comforted her by an assurance that one-half the +period of her trial was already over. But the severe fasting, +continual praying, and incessant work, became every +day more unbearable; and her excessive abstemiousness +threatened to ruin the health of one who had been accustomed +to a life of the greatest luxury. At length she found +a difficulty in walking, and was compelled, notwithstanding +the sultriness of the season, to wrap herself up in the warmest +clothing, to preserve even an ordinary degree of heat; +till finally she was obliged to take to her bed.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It would be difficult to describe the course of her reflections +when she reflected on her condition and on this strange +occurrence, and it is impossible to imagine her distress when +ten tedious days wearily passed without the appearance of +the friend for whose sake she had consented to make this +unheard-of sacrifice. But those hours of trouble sufficed to +recall her to reason, and she formed her resolution. Her +friend visited her after the lapse of some few days more; and +seating himself at her bedside, upon the very sofa which he +had occupied when she made her first declaration of love to +him, he encouraged and implored her, in the most tender and +affectionate tones, to persist for a short time longer: but she +interrupted him with a sweet smile, and assured him that she +needed no persuasion to continue, for a few days, the performance +of a vow which she knew full well had been appointed +for her advantage. ‘I am, as yet, too feeble,’ she +said, ‘to express my thanks to you as I could wish. You +have saved me from myself. You have restored me to myself; +and I confess, that from this moment I am indebted to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>you for my existence. My husband was, indeed, gifted with +prudence and good sense, and well knew the nature of woman’s +heart. And he was, moreover, just enough not to condemn +a passion which he saw might spring up within my +bosom, through his own fault; and he was generous enough +to make allowance for the weakness of my nature. But you, +sir, are truly virtuous and good. You have taught me that +we possess within us an antidote equivalent to the force of +our passions; that we are capable of renouncing luxuries to +which we have been accustomed, and of suppressing our +strongest inclinations. You have taught me this lesson by +means of hope and of delusion. Neither is any longer +necessary: you have made me acquainted with the existence +of that ever-living conscience, which, in peaceful silence, +dwells within our souls, and never ceases with gentle admonitions +to remind us of its presence, till its sway becomes +irresistibly acknowledged. And now farewell. May your +influence over others be as effective as it has been over me. +Do not confine your labors to the task of unravelling legal +perplexities, but show mankind, by your own gentle guidance +and example, that within every bosom the germ of hidden +virtue lies concealed. Esteem and fame will be your reward; +and, far better than any statesman or hero, you will earn the +glorious title of father of your country.’”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We must all extol the character of your young lawyer,” +said the baroness, at the conclusion of the clergyman’s tale: +“polished, wise, interesting, and instructive, I wish every +preceptor were like him, who undertakes to restrain or recall +youth from the path of error. I think such a tale is peculiarly +entitled to be styled a moral anecdote. Relate some +more of the same nature, and your audience will have ample +reason to be thankful.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> I am delighted that my tale has earned your +approbation, but I am sorry you wish to hear more of such +moral anecdotes; for, to say the truth, this is the first and +last of the kind.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> It certainly does not do you much credit, to say +that your best collection only furnishes a single specimen.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> You have not understood me. It is not +the only moral tale I can relate; but they all bear so close +a resemblance, that each would seem only to repeat the +original.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> Really, you should give up your paradoxical +<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>style, which so much obscures your conversation, and express +yourself more clearly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> With pleasure, then. No anecdote deserves +to be called moral which does not prove that man possesses +within himself that power to subdue his inclinations which +may be called out by the persuasion of another. My story +teaches this doctrine, and no moral tale can teach otherwise.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> Then, in order to act morally, I must act contrary +to my inclinations?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Undoubtedly.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> Even when they are good?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> No inclinations are abstractedly good, but +only so as far as they effect good.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> Suppose I have an inclination for benevolence?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Then, you should subdue your inclination +for benevolence if you find that it ruins your domestic +happiness.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> Suppose I felt an irresistible impulse to gratitude?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> It is wisely ordained that gratitude can +never be an impulse. But if it were, it would be better to +prove ungrateful than to commit a crime in order to oblige +your benefactor.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> Then, there may be a thousand moral stories?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Yes, in your sense. But none of them +would read a lesson different from the one our lawyer taught, +and in this sense there can be but one story of the kind: +you are right, however, if you mean that the incidents can +be various.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> If you had expressed your meaning more precisely +at first, we should not have disagreed.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> And we should have had no conversation. +Errors and misunderstandings are the springs of action, of +life, and of amusement.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> I cannot agree with you. Suppose a brave +man saves another at the risk of his own life: is that not a +moral action?</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Not according to my mode of thinking. +But, suppose a cowardly man were to overcome his fears and +do the same, that would be a moral action.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Baroness.</i> I wish, my dear friend, you would give us +some examples, and convince Louisa of the truth of your +theory. Certainly, a mind disposed to good must delight +us when we become acquainted with it. Nothing in the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>world can be more pleasing than a mind under the guidance +of reason and conscience. If you know a tale upon such +a subject, we should like to hear it. I am fond of stories +which illustrate a doctrine. They give a better explanation +of one’s meaning than dry words can do.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> I certainly can relate some anecdotes of +that kind, for I have paid some attention to those qualities +of the human mind.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> I would just make one observation. I must +confess I do not like stories which oblige us to travel, in +imagination, to foreign lands. Why must every adventure +take place in Italy, in Sicily, or in the East? Are Naples, +Palermo, and Smyrna the only places where any thing interesting +can happen? One may transpose the scene of our +fairy-tales to Ormus and Samarcand for the purpose of perplexing +the imagination; but, if you would instruct the +understanding or the heart, do it by means of domestic stories,—family +portraits,—in which we shall recognize our +own likeness; and our hearts will more readily sympathize +with sorrow.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> You shall be gratified. But there is something +peculiar, too, about family stories. They bear a +strong resemblance to each other; and, besides, we daily see +every incident and situation of which they are capable fully +worked out upon the stage. However, I am willing to make +the attempt, and shall relate a story, with some of the incidents +of which you are already familiar; and it will only +prove interesting so far as it is an exact representation of +the picture in your own minds.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We may often observe in families, that the children inherit, +not only the personal appearance, but even the mental +qualities, of their parents; and it sometimes happens that +one child combines the dispositions of both father and +mother in a peculiar and remarkable manner.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A youth, whom I may name Ferdinand, was a strong +instance of this fact. In his appearance he resembled both +parents, and one could distinguish in his mind the separate +disposition of each. He possessed the gay, thoughtless +manner of his father, in his strong desire to enjoy the present +moment, and, in most cases, to prefer himself to others; +but he also inherited the tranquil and reflective mind of his +mother, no less than her love for honesty and justice, and a +willingness, like her, perpetually to sacrifice himself for the +advantage of others. To explain his contradictory conduct +<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>upon many occasions, his companions were often reduced to +the necessity of believing that he had two souls. I must +pass by many adventures which happened in his youth, and +shall content myself with relating one anecdote, which not +only explains his character fully, but forms a remarkable +epoch in his life.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“His youth was passed in every species of enjoyment. His +parents were affluent, and brought up their children extravagantly. +If the father indulged in unreasonable expenditure, +either in company, at the gaming-table, or in other dissipations, +it was the habit of the mother to restrain her own, +and the household expenses, so as to supply the deficiency; +though she never allowed an appearance of want to be observed. +Her husband was fortunate in his business; he was +successful in several hazardous speculations he had undertaken: +and, as he was fond of society, he had the happiness +to form many pleasant and advantageous connections.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The children of a family usually copy those members of +the household who seem to enjoy their lives most. They +see in the example of a father who follows such a course, +a model worthy of imitation; and, as they are seldom slow +in obeying their inclinations, their wishes and desires often +increase very much in disproportion to their means of enjoyment. +Obstacles to their gratification soon arise: each new +addition to the family forms a new claim upon the capabilities +of the parents, who frequently surrender their own +pleasures for the sake of their children; and, by common +consent, a more simple and less expensive mode of living +is adopted.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Ferdinand grew up with a consciousness of the disagreeable +truth, that he was often deprived of many luxuries which +his more fortunate companions enjoyed. It distressed him +to appear inferior to any of them in the richness of his +apparel, or the liberality of his expenditure. He wished to +resemble his father, whose example was daily before him, +and who appeared to him a twofold model,—first, as a parent, +in whose favor a son is usually prejudiced; and, secondly, as +a man who led a pleasant and luxurious life, and was, therefore, +apparently loved and esteemed by a numerous acquaintance. +It is easy to suppose that all this occasioned great +vexation to his mother; but in this way Ferdinand grew up, +with his wants daily increasing, until at length, when he had +attained his eighteenth year, his requirements and wishes +were sadly out of proportion to his condition.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>“He had hitherto avoided contracting debts; for this vice +his mother had impressed him with the greatest abhorrence: +and, in order to win his confidence, she had, in +numerous instances, exerted herself to gratify his desires, +and relieve him from occasional embarrassments. But it +happened, unfortunately, that she was now compelled to +practise the most rigid economy in her household expenditure, +and this at a time when his wants, from many causes, +had increased. He had commenced to enter more generally +into society, tried to win the affections of a very attractive +girl, and to rival and even surpass his companions in the +elegance of his attire. His mother, being unable any longer +to satisfy his demands, appealed to his duty and filial affection +so as to induce him to restrain his expenses. He admitted +the justice of her expostulations, but, being unable to follow +her advice, was soon reduced to a state of the greatest mental +embarrassment.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Without forfeiting the object of his dearest wishes, he +found it impossible to change his mode of life. From his +boyhood he had been addicted to his present pursuits, and +could alter no iota of his habits or practices without running +the risk of losing an old friend, a desirable companion, or, +what was worse, abandoning the society of his dearest love.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“His attachment became stronger; as the love which was +bestowed upon him not only flattered his vanity, but complimented +his understanding.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It was something to be preferred to a host of suitors by +a handsome and agreeable girl, who was acknowledged to +be the richest heiress in the city. He boasted of the preference +with which he was regarded, and she also seemed +proud of the delightful bondage in which she was held. It +now became indispensable that he should be in constant +attendance upon her, that he should devote his time and +money to her service, and afford perpetual proofs of the +value he set upon her affection. All these inevitable results +of his attachment occasioned Ferdinand more expense than +he would otherwise have incurred. His ladylove (who was +named Ottilia) had been intrusted by her parents to the care +of an aunt, and no exertions had been spared to introduce +her to society under the most favorable circumstances. +Ferdinand exhausted every resource to furnish her with the +enjoyments of society, into all of which she entered with +the greatest delight, and of which she herself proved one +of the greatest attractions.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>“No situation could certainly be more wretched than that +to which Ferdinand was now reduced. His mother, whom +he sincerely loved and respected, had pointed out to him the +necessity of embarking in duties very different from those +which he had hitherto practised: she could no longer assist +him in a pecuniary way. He felt a horror at the debts which +were daily becoming more burdensome to him, and he saw +before him the difficult task of reconciling his impoverished +condition with his anxiety to appear rich and practise generosity. +No mind could be a prey to greater unhappiness.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“His mind was now forcibly impressed with thoughts which +had formerly only indistinctly suggested themselves to his +imagination. Certain unpleasant reflections became to him +the source of great unhappiness. He had once looked upon +his father as a model: he now began to regard him as a rival. +What the son wished to enjoy, the parent actually possessed; +and the latter felt none of the anxieties or grievances wherewith +the former was tortured. Ferdinand, however, was in +full possession of every comfort of life; but he envied his +father the luxuries which he enjoyed, and with which he +thought he might very well dispense. But the latter was of +a different opinion. He was one of those beings whose +desires are wholly insatiable, and who, for their own gratification, +subject their family and dependants to the greatest +privations. His son received from him a certain pecuniary +allowance, but a regular account of his expenditure was +strictly exacted.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The eye of the envious is sharpened by restrictions, and +dependants are never more censorious than when the commands +of superiors are at variance with their practice. Thus +Ferdinand came to watch strictly the conduct of his father, +particularly upon points which concerned his expenditure. +He listened attentively when it was rumored that his father +had lost heavily at the gambling-table, and expressed great +dissatisfaction at any unwonted extravagance which he might +indulge. ‘Is it not astonishing?’ he would say to himself, +‘that, whilst parents revel in every luxury that can spring +from the possession of a property which they accidentally +enjoy, they can debar their children of those reasonable +pleasures which their season of youth most urgently requires? +And by what right do they act thus? How have +they acquired this privilege? Does it not arise from mere +chance? and can that be a right which is the result of accident? +If my grandfather, who loved me as his own son, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>were still alive, I should be better provided for. He would +not see me in want of common necessaries, those things, I +mean, which we have had from our birth. He would no +more let me want, than he would approve my father’s extravagance. +Had he lived longer, had he known how worthy +his grandchild would prove to inherit a fortune, he would +have provided in his will for my earlier independence. I +have heard that his death was unexpected, that he had intended +to make a will; and I am probably indebted to mere +chance for the postponement of my enjoying a fortune, +which, if my father continue his present course, will probably +be lost to me forever.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With such discontented thoughts did Ferdinand often +perplex himself in those hours of solitude and unhappiness, +in which he was prevented, by the want of money, from joining +his companions upon some agreeable party of pleasure. +Then it was that he discussed those dangerous questions of +right and property, and considered how far individuals are +bound by laws to which they have given no consent, or +whether they may lawfully burst through the restraints of +society. But all these were mere pecuniary sophistries; for +every article of value which he formerly possessed had gradually +disappeared, and his daily wants had now far outgrown +his allowance.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He soon became silent and reserved; and, at such times, +even his respect for his mother disappeared, as she could +afford him no assistance: and he began to entertain a hatred +for his father, who, according to his sentiments, was perpetually +in his way.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Just at this period he made a discovery, which increased +his discontent. He learned that his father was not only +an irregular, but an improvident, manager of his household. +He observed that he often took money hastily from his desk, +without entering it in his account-book, and that he was +afterwards perplexed with private calculations, and annoyed +at his inability to balance his accounts. More than once did +Ferdinand notice this; and his father’s carelessness was the +more galling to him, as it often occurred at times when he +himself was suffering severely from the want of money.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Whilst he was in this state of mind, an unlucky accident +happened, which afforded an opportunity for the commission +of a crime, to which he had long felt himself impelled by a +secret and ungovernable impulse.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“His father had desired him to examine and arrange a collection +<span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>of old letters. One Sunday, when he was alone, he +set to work in a room which contained his father’s writing-desk, +and in which his money was usually kept. The box +of letters was heavy; and, in the act of lifting it from the +ground, he pushed unintentionally against the desk, when +the latter suddenly flew open. The rolls of money lay temptingly +displayed before him. Without allowing time for a +moment’s reflection, he took a roll of gold from that part of +the desk where he thought his father kept a supply of money +for his own occasional wants. He shut the desk again, and +repeated the experiment of opening it. He once more succeeded, +and saw that he could now command the treasure as +completely as if he had possessed the key.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He soon plunged once more into all those dissipations +which he had lately been obliged to renounce. He became +more constant than ever in his attentions to Ottilia, and more +passionate in the pursuit of pleasure. Even his former +graceful animation was converted into a species of excitement, +which, though it was far from unbecoming, was deficient +in that kind attention to others which is so agreeable.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Opportunity is to passion what a spark is to gunpowder, +and those desires which we gratify contrary to the dictates of +conscience always rule with the most ungovernable power. +Ferdinand’s own convictions loudly condemned his conduct, +but he endeavored to justify himself by specious arguments; +and though his manner became in appearance more free and +unrestrained than before, he was in reality a captive to the +influence of his evil inclinations.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Just at this time the wearing of extravagant trifles came +into fashion. Ottilia was fond of personal ornaments, and +Ferdinand endeavored to discover a mode of gratifying her +taste without apprising her where her supply of presents +came from. Her suspicions fell upon an old uncle, and Ferdinand’s +gratification was indescribable at observing the +satisfaction of his mistress and the course of her mistaken +suspicions. But, unfortunately for his peace of mind, he was +now obliged to have frequent recourse to his father’s desk, +in order to gratify Ottilia’s fancy and his own inclinations; +and he pursued this course now the more boldly, as he had +lately observed that his father grew more and more careless +about entering in his account-book the sums he himself +required.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The time now arrived for Ottilia’s return to her parents. +The young couple were overpowered with grief at the prospect +<span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>of their separation, and one circumstance added to their +sorrow. Ottilia had accidentally learned that the presents we +have spoken of had come from Ferdinand: she questioned +him, and he confessed the truth with feelings of evident +sorrow. She insisted upon returning them, and this occasioned +him the bitterest anguish. He declared his determination +not to live without her, prayed that she would +preserve him her attachment, and implored that she would +not refuse her hand as soon as he should have provided +an establishment. She loved him, was moved at his entreaties, +promised what he wished, and sealed her vow with +the warmest embraces and a thousand passionate kisses.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After her departure Ferdinand was reduced to sad solitude. +The company in which he had found delight pleased +him no more, she being absent. From the mere force of +habit he mingled with his former associates, and had recourse +to his father’s desk to supply those expenses which +in reality he felt but slight inclination to indulge. He was +now frequently alone, and his natural good disposition began +to obtain the mastery over him. In moments of calm +reflection he felt astonished how he could have listened to +that deceitful sophistry about justice and right, and his claim +to the goods of others; and he wondered at his approval of +those evil arguments by which he had been led to justify his +dishonest conduct. But in the mean time, before these correct +ideas of truth and uprightness produced a practical +effect upon his conduct, he yielded more than once to the +temptation of supplying his wants, in extreme cases, from +his father’s treasury. This plan, however, was now adopted +with more reluctance; and he seemed to be under the irresistible +impulse of an evil spirit.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“At length he took courage, and formed the resolution of +rendering a repetition of the practice impossible, by informing +his father of the facility with which his desk could be +opened. He took his measures cautiously; and once, in the +presence of his father, he carried the box of letters we have +mentioned into the room, pretended to stumble accidentally +against the desk, and astonished his father by causing it to +spring open. They examined the lock without delay, and +found that it had become almost useless from age. It was +at once repaired, and Ferdinand soon enjoyed a return of his +peace of mind when he saw his father’s rolls of money once +more in safe custody.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But he was not content with this. He formed the resolution +<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>of restoring the money which he had abstracted. He +commenced the most economical course of life for this purpose, +with a view of saving from his allowance all that could +possibly be spared from the merest necessities. It is true +that this was but little; but it appeared much, as it was the +commencement of a system of restitution: and there will +always be a wonderful difference between the last guinea +borrowed and the first guinea saved. He had pursued this +upright course for but a short time, when his father determined +to settle him in business. His intention was to form +a connection with a manufactory at some distance from his +residence. The design was to establish a company in a part +of the country where labor and provisions were cheap, to +appoint an agent, and extend the business as widely as possible +by means of money and credit. It was determined +that Ferdinand should inquire into the practicability of the +scheme, and forward a circumstantial report of his proceedings. +His father furnished him with money for his journey, +but placed a moderate limit upon his expenditure. The +supply was, however, sufficient for his wants; and Ferdinand +had no reason to complain of a deficiency.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Ferdinand used the utmost economy also upon his journey, +and found upon the closest calculation that he could live +upon one-third of his allowance, by practising strict restraint. +He was now anxious to find means of gradually saving a certain +sum, and it soon presented itself; for opportunity comes +indifferently to the good and to the bad, and favors all parties +alike. In the neighborhood which he designed to visit, +he found things more to his advantage than had been expected. +No new habits of expense had as yet been introduced. A +moderate capital alone had been invested in business, and +the manufacturers were satisfied with small profits. Ferdinand +soon saw, that with a large capital, and the advantages +of a new system, by purchasing the raw material by wholesale, +and erecting machinery under the guidance of experienced +workmen, large and solid advantages might be secured.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The prospect of a life of activity gave him the greatest +delight. The image of his beloved Ottilia was ever before +him; and the charming and picturesque character of the +country made him anxiously wish that his father might be +induced to establish him in this spot, commit the conduct of +the new manufactory to him, and thus afford him the means +of attaining independence. His attention to business was +secured by the demands of his own personal interests. He +<span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>now found an opportunity, for the first time in his life, for +the exercise of his understanding and judgment, and for +exerting his other mental powers. Not only the beautiful +neighborhood, but his business and occupation, were full of +attractions for him: they acted as balm and cordial to his +wounded heart, whenever he recalled the painful remembrance +of his father’s house, in which, influenced by a species of +insanity, he had acted in a manner which now seemed to him +in the highest degree criminal.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“His constant companion was a friend of his family,—a +person of strong mind, but delicate health, who had first +conceived the project of founding this establishment. He +instructed Ferdinand in all his own views and projects, and +seemed to take great pleasure in the thorough harmony of +mind which existed between them. This latter personage +led a simple and retired life, partly from choice, and partly +because his health required it. He had no family of his own. +His household establishment was conducted by a niece, who +he intended should inherit his fortune; and it was his wish +to see her united to a person of active and enterprising disposition, +who, by means of capital and persevering industry, +might carry on the business which his infirm health and want +of means disqualified him from conducting. His first interview +with Ferdinand suggested that he had found the man +he wanted; and he was the more strongly confirmed in this +opinion, upon observing his fondness for business, and his +attachment to the place. His niece became aware of his intentions, +and seemed to approve of them. She was a young +and interesting girl, of sweet and engaging disposition. Her +care of her uncle’s establishment had imparted to her mind +the valuable qualities of activity and decision, whilst her +attention to his health had softened down these traits by a +proper union of gentleness and affection. It would have +been difficult to find a person better calculated to make a +husband happy.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But Ferdinand’s mind was engrossed with the thoughts +of Ottilia’s love: he saw no attractions in the charms of this +country beauty; or, at least, his admiration was circumscribed +by the wish, that, if ever Ottilia settled down as his wife in +this part of the country, she might have such a person for +her assistant and housekeeper. But he was free and unrestrained +in his intercourse with the young lady, he valued +her more as he came to know her better, and his conduct +became more respectful and attentive; and both she and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>her uncle soon put their own interpretations upon his behavior.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Ferdinand had in the mean time made all the requisite +inquiries about his father’s business. The uncle’s suggestions +had enabled him to form certain projects which, with his +usual thoughtlessness, he made the subject of conversation. +He had more than once uttered certain gallant speeches when +conversing with the niece, until her uncle and herself fancied +that he actually indulged intentions which gave them both +unfeigned satisfaction. To Ferdinand’s great joy, he had +learned that he could not only derive great advantage from +his father’s plan, but that another favorable project would +enable him to make restitution of the money he had withdrawn, +and the recollection of which pressed like a heavy +burden upon his conscience. He communicated his intentions +to his friend, who tendered, not only his cordial congratulations, +but every possible assistance to carry out his views. +He even proposed to furnish his young friend with the +necessary merchandise upon credit, a part of which offer was +thankfully accepted; some portion of the goods being paid +for with what money Ferdinand had saved from his travelling +expenses, and a short credit being taken for the remainder.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It would be difficult to describe the joy with which Ferdinand +prepared for his return home. There can be no +greater delight than is experienced by a man who, by his +own unaided resources, frees himself from the consequences +of error. Heaven looks down with satisfaction upon such a +spectacle; and we cannot deny the force of the seeming paradox +which assures us that there is more joy before God over +one returning sinner, than over ninety-nine just.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But, unfortunately, neither the good resolutions nor the +repentance and improvement of Ferdinand could remove the +evil consequences of his crime, which were destined once more +to disturb and agitate his mind with the most painful reflections. +The storm had gathered during his absence, and it +was destined to burst over his head upon his return.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We have already had occasion to observe, that Ferdinand’s +father was most irregular in his habits; but his business +was under the superintendence of a clever manager. He had +not himself missed the money which had been abstracted by +his son, with the exception of one roll of foreign money, +which he had won from a stranger at play. This he had +missed, and the circumstance seemed to him unaccountable. +He was afterwards somewhat surprised to perceive that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>several rolls of ducats could not be found, money which he +had some time before lent to a friend, but which he knew had +been repaid. He was aware of the previous insecurity of +his desk, and felt, therefore, convinced that he had been +robbed. This feeling rendered him extremely unhappy. +His suspicions fell upon every one. In anger and exasperation, +he related the circumstance to his wife. The entire +household was thereupon strictly examined, and neither servants +nor children were allowed to escape. The good wife +exerted herself to tranquillize her husband: she represented +the discredit which a mere report of this circumstance would +bring upon the family; that no one would sympathize in +their misfortune, further than to humiliate them with their +compassion; that neither he nor she could expect to escape +the tongue of scandal; that strange observations would be +made if the thief should remain undiscovered; and she suggested, +that perhaps, if they continued silent, they might recover +their lost money without reducing the wretched criminal +to a state of misery for life. In this manner she prevailed +upon her husband to remain quiet, and to investigate the +affair in silence.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But the discovery was unfortunately soon made. Ottilia’s +aunt had, of course, been informed of the engagement of the +young couple. She had heard of the presents her niece had +received. The attachment was not approved by her, and +she had only maintained silence in consequence of her niece’s +absence. She would have consented to her marrying Ferdinand, +but she did not like uncertainty on such a subject; +and as she knew that he was shortly to return, and her niece +was expected daily, she determined to inform the parents of +the state of things, to inquire their opinion, to ask whether +Ferdinand was to have a settlement, and if they would consent +to the marriage.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The mother was not a little astonished at this information, +and she was shocked at hearing of the presents which +Ferdinand had made to Ottilia. But she concealed her surprise; +and, requesting the aunt to allow her some time to +confer with her husband, she expressed her own concurrence +in the intended marriage, and her expectation that her son +would be advantageously provided for.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The aunt took her leave, but Ferdinand’s mother did not +deem it advisable to communicate the circumstance to her +husband. She now had to undertake the sad duty of discovering +whether Ferdinand had purchased Ottilia’s presents +<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>with the stolen money. She went straight to the shopkeeper +who dealt in such goods, made some general inquiries, and +said at last, ‘that he ought not to overcharge her, particularly +as her son, who had bought some similar articles, had +procured them from him at a more reasonable charge.’ This +the tradesman denied, producing the account, and further +observing that he had even added something for the exchange; +as Ferdinand had paid for the goods partly in foreign +money. He specified the exact nature of the coin; and, to +her inexpressible grief, it was the very same which had been +stolen from her husband. She left the shop with sorrowful +heart. Ferdinand’s crime was but too evident. The sum +her husband had lost was large, and she saw in all its force +the extent of the crime and its evil results. But she had +prudence enough to conceal her discovery. She waited for +the return of her son, with feelings of mingled fear and +anxiety. Although she wished for an explanation, she +dreaded the consequences of a further inquiry.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“At length he arrived in the highest spirits. He expected +the greatest praise from the manner in which he transacted +his business, and was the bearer of a sum of money +sufficient to make compensation for what he had criminally +abstracted. His father heard his statement with pleasure, +but did not manifest so much delight as the son expected. +His late losses had irritated his temper; and he was the more +distressed, because he had some large payments to make at +the moment. Ferdinand felt hurt at his father’s depression +of mind, and his own peace was further disturbed by the +sight of every thing around him: the very room in which he +was, the furniture, and the sight of the fatal desk, those +silent witnesses of his crime, spoke loudly to his guilty conscience. +His satisfaction was at an end. He shrunk within +himself, and felt like a culprit.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“After a few days’ delay he was about to distract his attention +from these thoughts by examining the merchandise he +had ordered, when his mother, finding him alone, reproached +him with his fault in a tone of affectionate earnestness, which +did not allow the smallest opportunity for prevarication. He +was overcome with grief. He threw himself at her feet, imploring +her forgiveness, acknowledging his crime, and protesting +that nothing but his affection for Ottilia had misled +him: he assured her, in conclusion, that it was the only offence +of the kind of which he had ever been guilty. He +related the circumstances of his bitter repentance, of his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>having acquainted his father with the insecurity of his desk, +and finally informed her how, by personal privations and a fortunate +speculation, he was in a condition to make restitution.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“His mother heard him calmly, but insisted on knowing +how he had disposed of so much money; as the presents +would account but for a small part of the sum that was missing. +She produced, to his dismay, an account of what his +father had missed; but he denied having taken, even so much +silver: the missing gold he solemnly protested he had never +touched. His mother became exasperated at this denial. She +rebuked him his attempting to deceive her, and that at a moment +when he laid claim to the virtue of repentance; asserting +that if he could be guilty in one respect, she must doubt his +innocence in another. She suggested that he might perhaps +have accomplices amongst his dissipated companions, that +perhaps the business he had carried on was transacted with +the stolen money, and that probably he would have confessed +nothing if his crime had not been accidentally discovered. +She threatened him with the anger of his father, with judicial +punishment, with her highest displeasure; but nothing affected +him more than his learning that his projected marriage with +Ottilia had been already spoken of. She left him in the +most wretched condition. His real crime had been discovered, +and he was suspected of even greater guilt. How could +he ever persuade his parents that he had not stolen the gold? +He dreaded the public exposure which was likely to result +from his father’s irritable temper, and he now had time to +compare his present wretched condition with the happiness +he might have attained. All his prospects of an active life +and of a marriage with Ottilia were at an end. He saw his +utter wretchedness, abandoned, a fugitive in foreign lands, +exposed to every species of misfortune.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But these reflections were not the worst evil he had to +encounter; though they bewildered his mind, wounded his +pride, and crushed his affections. His most severe pangs +arose from the thought, that his honest resolution, his noble +intention to repair the past, was suspected, repudiated, and +denied. And, even if these thoughts gave birth to a feeling +resembling despair, he could not deny that he had deserved +his fate; and to this conviction must be added his knowledge +of the fatal truth, that one crime is sufficient to destroy the +character forever. Such meditations, and the apprehension +that his firmest resolutions of amendment might be looked +upon as insincere, made life itself a burden.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>“In this moment of abandonment he appealed to Heaven +for assistance. He sank upon his knees, and, moistening +the ground with tears of contrition, implored help from his +divine Maker. His prayer was worthy of being heard. Man, +throwing off his load of crimes, has a claim upon Heaven. +He who has exhausted every effort of his own may, as a +last resource, appeal to God. He was for some time engaged +in earnest prayer, when the door opened, and some one +entered his apartment. It was his mother, who approached +him with a cheerful look, saw his agitation, and addressed +him with consoling words. ‘How happy I am,’ she said, +‘to find that I may credit your assertions, and regard your +sorrow as sincere! The missing sum of gold has been found: +your father, when he received it from his friend, handed it +to his secretary, who forgot the circumstance amid the +numerous transactions of the day. And, with respect to the +silver, you are also right; as the amount taken is less than I +had supposed. Unable to conceal my joy, I promised your +father to replace the missing sum if he would consent to +forbear making any further inquiry.’</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Ferdinand’s joy was indescribable. He completed at +once his business arrangements, gave his mother the promised +money, and in addition replaced the amount which his +father had lost through his own irregularity. He became +gradually more cheerful and happy, but the whole circumstance +produced a serious impression upon his mind. He +became convinced that every man has power to accomplish +good, and that our divine Maker will infallibly extend to him +his assistance in the hour of trial,—a truth which he himself +had learned from late experience. He now unfolded to his +father his plan of establishing himself in the neighborhood +from which he had lately returned. He fully explained the +nature of the intended business. His father consented to his +proposals, and his mother at a proper time related to her +husband the attachment of Ferdinand to Ottilia. He was +delighted at the prospect of having so charming a daughter-in-law, +and felt additional pleasure at the idea of being able +to establish his son without the necessity of incurring much +expense.”</p> + +<p class='c008'>“I like this story,” said Louisa, when the old clergyman +had finished his tale; “and though the incidents are taken +from low life, yet the tone is sufficiently elevated to prove +agreeable. And it seems to me, that if we examine ourselves, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>or observe others, we shall find that men are seldom +influenced by their own reflections, either to pursue or to +abandon a certain course, but are generally impelled by +extraneous circumstances.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I wish for my part,” said Charles, “that we were not +obliged to deny ourselves any thing, and that we had no +knowledge of those blessings which we are not allowed to +possess. But unfortunately we walk in an orchard where, +though all the trees are loaded with fruit, we are compelled +to leave them untouched, to satisfy ourselves with the enjoyment +of the shade, and forego the greatest indulgence.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Now,” said Louisa to the clergyman, “let us hear the +rest of the story.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> It is finished.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Louisa.</i> The <i>dénoûment</i> may be finished, but we should +like to hear the end.</p> + +<p class='c009'><i>Clergyman.</i> Your distinction is just; and, since you seem +interested in the fate of my friend, I will tell you briefly what +happened to him.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Relieved from the oppressive weight of so dreadful a +crime, and enjoying some degree of satisfaction at his own +conduct, his thoughts were now directed to his future happiness; +and he expected with anxiety the return of Ottilia, that +he might explain his position, and perform the promise he +had given her. She came, accompanied by her parents. +He hastened to meet her, and found her more beautiful than +ever. He waited with impatience for an opportunity of +speaking to her alone, and of unfolding all his future projects. +The moment arrived; and with a heart full of tenderness +and love he spoke of his hopes, of his expectations +of happiness, and of his wish to share it with her. But +what was his surprise and astonishment when he found that +she heard his announcement with indifference and even with +contempt, and indulged in unpleasant jokes about the hermitage +prepared for their reception, and the interest they +would excite by enacting the characters of shepherd and +shepherdess in a pastoral abode.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Her behavior occasioned bitter reflections. He was hurt +and grieved at her indifference. She had been unjust to +him, and he now began to observe faults in her conduct +which had previously escaped his attention. In addition, it +required no very keen perception to remark that a cousin, +who had accompanied her, had made an impression upon her, +and won a large portion of her affections.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span>“But Ferdinand soon perceived the necessity of struggling +with this new source of sorrow; and, as victory had +attended his exertions in one instance, <a id='tn-hoped'></a>he hoped to be successful +upon a second occasion. He saw Ottilia frequently, +and determined to observe her closely. His conduct towards +her was attentive and affectionate, and her deportment was of +a similar nature; but her attractions had become diminished +for him: he soon found that her professions were not cordial +or sincere, and that she could be affectionate and cold, +attractive and repulsive, charming and disagreeable, according +to the mere whim of the moment. He gradually became +indifferent to her, and at length resolved to break the last +link of their connection.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But this was more difficult than he had anticipated. He +found her one day alone, and took courage to remind her +of their engagement, and of those happy moments in which, +under the influence of the most delightful feelings, they had +discoursed with joyful anticipations of their future happiness. +She was in a tender mood, and he began to hope that he +might perhaps have been deceived in the estimate he had +lately formed of her. He thereupon began to describe his +worldly prospects, and the probable success of his intended +establishment. She expressed her satisfaction, accompanied, +however, with regret that their union must on this account +be postponed still longer. She gave him to understand that +she had not the least wish to leave the pleasures of a city +life, but expressed her hopes that he might be able, after +some years’ active industry in the country, to return home, +and become a citizen of consequence. She gave him, moreover, +to understand that she expected he would play a more +respectable and honest part in life than his father.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Ferdinand saw plainly that he could expect no happiness +from such a union, and yet he felt the difficulty of wholly +disengaging himself. In this state of mind he would probably +have parted from her in uncertainty about the future, +had he not been finally influenced by the conduct of Ottilia’s +cousin, towards whom he thought she displayed too much +tenderness. Ferdinand, thereupon, wrote a letter assuring +her that it was still in her power to make him happy, but +that it could not be advisable to encourage indefinite hopes, +or to enter into engagements for an uncertain future.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He trusted that this letter would produce a favorable +answer; but he received a reply which his heart deplored, +but which his judgment approved. She released him from +<span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span>his promise, without rejecting his love, and adverted to her +own feelings in the same ambiguous manner. She was still +bound by the sense of her letter, but free by its literal meaning. +But why should I delay communicating the inevitable +result? Ferdinand hastened back to the peaceful abode he +had left, and formed his determination at once. He became +attentive and diligent in business, and was encouraged in +this course by the affections of the kind being of whom we +have already spoken, and the exertions of her uncle to employ +every means in his power to render them happy. I knew +him afterwards, when he was surrounded by a numerous +and prosperous family. He related his own story to me +himself; and, as it often happens with individuals whose +early life has been marked by some uncommon accident, +his own adventures had become so indelibly impressed upon +his mind, that they exerted a deep influence on his conduct. +Even as a man and as a father, he constantly denied himself +the enjoyment of many gratifications in order not to +forget the practice of self-restraint; and the whole course +of his children’s education was founded upon this principle, +that they must accustom themselves to a frequent denial of +their most ardent desires.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I once had an opportunity of witnessing an instance of the +system he adopted. One of his children was about to eat +something at table, of which he was particularly fond. His +father forbade it, apparently without reason. To my astonishment, +the child obeyed with the utmost cheerfulness; and +dinner proceeded as if nothing had occurred. And, in this +manner, even the eldest members of the family often allowed +a tempting dish of fruit or some other dainty to pass them +untasted. But, notwithstanding this, a general freedom +reigned in his house; and there was at times a sufficient display, +both of good and bad conduct. But Ferdinand was for +the most part indifferent to what occurred, and allowed an +almost unrestrained license. At times, however, when a +certain week came about, orders were given for precise +punctuality, the clocks were regulated to the second, every +member of the family received his orders for the day, business +and pleasure had their turn, and no one dared to be a +single second in arrear. I could detain you for hours in +describing his conversation and remarks on this extraordinary +system of education. He was accustomed to jest with +me upon my vows as a Catholic priest, and maintained that +every man should make a vow to practise self-restraint, as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>well as to require obedience from others; but he observed +that the exercise of these vows, in place of being perpetually +demanded, was suitable only for certain occasions.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The baroness observed, that she thought Ferdinand was +perfectly right; and she compared the authority of a parent +to the executive power in a kingdom, which being weak, the +legislative authority can be of little avail.</p> + +<p class='c009'>At this moment Louisa rushed hastily to the window, having +heard Frederick ride past. She ran to meet him, and +accompanied him into the parlor. He seemed cheerful, notwithstanding +his just having come from a scene of trouble +and distress. In place of entering into a detailed description +of the fire which had seized the house of his aunt, he +assured the company that he had established beyond doubt +the fact that the desk there had been burned at the very same +time when theirs had been split asunder in so strange a +manner.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He stated, that, when the fire approached the room where +the desk was, one of the servants saved a clock which stood +upon it; that, in carrying it out, some accident had happened +to the works, and it had stopped at half-past eleven; and +thus the coincidence of time was placed beyond all question. +The baroness smiled; and the tutor observed, that, although +two things might agree in some particulars, we were not +therefore justified in inferring their mutual dependence. But +Louisa took pleasure in believing the connection of these two +circumstances, particularly as she had received intelligence +that her intended was quite well; and, as to the rest of the +company, they gave full scope to the flight of their imagination.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Charles inquired of the clergyman whether he knew a fairy-tale. +“The imagination,” he observed, “is a divine gift; +but I do not like to see it employed about the actualities of +life. The airy forms to which it gives birth are delightful to +contemplate, if we view them as beings of a peculiar order; +but, connected with truth, they become prodigies, and are disapproved +by our reason and judgment. The imagination,” +he continued, “should not deal in facts, nor be employed to +establish facts. Its proper province is art; and there its +influence should be like that of music, which awakens our +emotions, and makes us forget the cause by which they are +called forth.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Continue,” said the old clergyman, “and explain still +further your view of the proper attributes of imaginative +<span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span>works. Another property is essential to their enjoyment,—that +the exercise of imagination should be voluntary. It can +effect nothing by compulsion: it must wait for the moment +of inspiration. Without design, and without any settled +course, it soars aloft upon its own pinions, and, as it is borne +forward, leaves a trace of its wonderful and devious course. +But you must allow me to take my accustomed walk, that I +may awaken in my soul the sweet fancies which, in former +years, were accustomed to enchant me. <a id='tn-amuseyouall'></a>I promise to relate +a fairy-tale this evening that will amuse you all.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They at once consented, particularly as they all hoped in +the mean time to hear the news of which Frederick was the +bearer.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<h3 class='c007'>A FAIRY TALE.</h3> + +<p class='c008'>Wearied with the labors of the day, an old Ferryman lay +asleep in his hut, on the bank of a wide river, which the late +heavy rains had swollen to an unprecedented height. In +the middle of the night he was awakened by a loud cry: he +listened; it was the call of some travellers who wished to be +ferried over.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Upon opening the door, he was surprised to see two Will-o’-the-wisps +dancing round his boat, which was still secured +to its moorings. Speaking with human voices, they assured +him that they were in the greatest possible hurry, and wished +to be carried instantly to the other side of the river. Without +losing a moment, the old Ferryman pushed off, and rowed +across with his usual dexterity. During the passage the +strangers whispered together in an unknown language, and +several times burst into loud laughter; whilst they amused +themselves with dancing upon the sides and seats of the boat, +and cutting fantastic capers at the bottom.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The boat reels,” cried the old man; “and, if you continue +so restless, it may upset. Sit down, you Will-o’-the-wisps.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They burst into loud laughter at this command, ridiculed +the boatman, and became more troublesome than ever. But +he bore their annoyance patiently, and they soon reached the +opposite bank of the river.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Here is something for your trouble,” said the passengers, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span>shaking themselves, when a number of glittering gold +pieces fell into the boat. “What are you doing?” cried the +old man: “some misfortune will happen should a single piece +of gold fall into the water. The river, which has a strong +antipathy to gold, would become fearfully agitated, and swallow +both me and my boat. Who can say even what might +happen to yourselves? I pray you take back your gold.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“We can take nothing back which we have once shaken +from our persons,” answered one of them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Then, I shall be compelled,” replied the old boatman, as +he stooped, and collected the gold in his cap, “to take it to +the shore and bury it.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Will-o’-the-wisps had in the mean time leaped out of +the boat, upon which the old man cried, “Pay me my fare.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The man who refuses gold must work for nothing,” +answered the Will-o’-the-wisps.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My payment must consist of fruits of the earth,” rejoined +the Ferryman.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Fruits of the earth? We despise them: they are not +food for us.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But you shall not depart,” replied the Ferryman, “till +you have given me three cauliflowers, three artichokes, and +three large onions.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Will-o’-the-wisps were in the act of running away, +with a laugh, when they felt themselves in some inexplicable +manner fixed to the earth: they had never experienced so +strange a sensation. They then promised to pay the demand +without delay, upon which the Ferryman released them, and +instantly pushed off with his boat.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He was already far away, when they called after him, +“Old man! listen: we have forgotten something important;” +but he heard them not, and continued his course. +When he had reached a point lower down, on the same side +of the river, he came to some rocks which the water was +unable to reach, and proceeded to bury the dangerous gold. +Observing a deep cleft which opened between two rocks, he +threw the gold into it, and returned to his dwelling. This +cleft was inhabited by a beautiful green Dragon, who was +awakened from her sleep by the sound of the falling money. +At the very first appearance of the glittering pieces, she +devoured them greedily, then searched about carefully in +hopes of finding such other coins as might have fallen accidentally +amongst the briers, or between the fissures of the +rocks.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span>The Dragon immediately felt overpowered with the most +delightful sensations, and perceived with joy that she became +suddenly shining and transparent. She had been long aware +that this change was possible; but, entertaining some doubt +whether the brilliance would continue, she felt impelled by +curiosity to leave her dwelling, and ascertain, if possible, to +whom she was indebted for the beautiful gold. She found +no one; but she became lost in admiration of herself, and +of the brilliant light which illumined her path through the +thick underwood, and shed its rays over the surrounding +green. The leaves of the trees glittered like emeralds, and +the flowers shone with glorious hues. In vain did she penetrate +the solitary wilderness; but hope dawned when she +reached the plains, and observed at a distance a light resembling +her own. “Have I at last discovered my fellow?” +she exclaimed, and hastened to the spot. She found no +obstacle from bog or morass; for though the dry meadow +and the high rock were her dearest habitations, and though +she loved to feed upon the spicy root, and to quench her +thirst with the crystal dew, and with fresh water from the +spring, yet, for the sake of her beloved gold and of her glorious +light, she was willing to encounter every privation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Wearied and exhausted, she reached at length the confines +of a wide morass, where our two Will-o’-the-wisps were +amusing themselves in playing fantastic antics. She made +towards them, and, saluting them, expressed her delight at +being able to claim relationship with such charming personages. +The lights played around her, skipped from side to +side, and laughed about in their own peculiar fashion. +“Dear aunt!” they exclaimed, “what does it signify, even +though you are of horizontal form? we are related at least +through brilliancy. But look how well a tall, slender figure +becomes us gentry of the vertical shape;” and, so saying, +both the lights compressed their breadth together, and shot +up into a thin and pointed line. “Do not be offended, dear +friend,” they continued; “but what family can boast of a +privilege like ours? Since the first Will-o’-the-wisp was +created, none of our race have ever been obliged to sit +down or to take repose.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>But all this time the feelings of the Dragon in the presence +of her relations were any thing but pleasant: for, exalt her +head as high as she would, she was compelled to stoop to +earth again when she wished to advance; and, though she +was proud of the brilliancy which she shed round her own +<span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>dark abode, she felt her light gradually diminish in the presence +of her relatives, and began to fear that it might finally +be extinguished.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In her perplexity she hastily inquired whether the gentlemen +could inform her whence the shining gold had come, +which had lately fallen into the cleft of the rocks hard by; as +in her opinion it was a precious shower from heaven. The +Will-o’-the-wisps immediately shook themselves (at the same +time laughing loudly), and a deluge of gold pieces at once +flowed around. The Dragon devoured them greedily. “We +hope you like them, dear aunt,” shouted the shining Will-o’-the-wisps; +“we can supply you with any quantity:” and +they shook themselves with such copious effect, that the +Dragon found it difficult to swallow the bright dainties with +sufficient speed. Her brilliancy increased as the gold disappeared, +till at length she shone with inconceivable radiance; +while in the same proportion the Will-o’-the-wisps grew thin +and tapering, without, however, losing the smallest iota of +their cheerful humor.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I am under eternal obligations to you,” said the Dragon, +pausing to breathe from her voracious meal: “ask of me +what you please; I will give you any thing you demand.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“A bargain!” answered the Will-o’-the-wisp: “tell us, +then, where the beautiful Lily dwells. Lead us to her palace +and gardens without delay: we die of impatience to cast +ourselves at her feet.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You ask a favor,” replied the Dragon, with a deep sigh, +“which it is not in my power so quickly to bestow. The +beautiful Lily lives, unfortunately, on the opposite bank of +the river. We cannot cross over on this stormy night.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Cruel river, which separates us from the object of our +desires! But cannot we call back the old Ferryman?” said +they.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Your wish is vain,” answered the Dragon: “for, even +were you to meet him on this bank, he would refuse to take +you; as, though he can convey passengers to this side of the +stream, he can carry no one back.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Bad news, indeed! but are there no other means of +crossing the river?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“There are, but not at this moment: I myself can take +you over at mid-day.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That is an hour,” replied the Will-o’-the-wisps, “when +we do not usually travel.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>“Then, you had better postpone your intention till evening, +when you may cross in the Giant’s shadow.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“How is that managed?” they inquired.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The Giant,” replied the Dragon, “who lives hard by, is +powerless with his body: his hands are incapable of raising +even a straw, his shoulders can bear no burden; but his +shadow accomplishes all for him. For this reason he is +most powerful at sunrise and at sunset. At the hour of +evening the Giant will approach the river softly; and, if you +place yourself upon his shadow, it will carry you over. +Meet me at mid-day, at the corner of the wood, where the +trees hang over the river, when I myself will take you across, +and introduce you to the beautiful Lily. Should you, however, +shrink from the noonday heat, your only alternative +is to apply to the Giant, when evening casts its shadows +around; and he will no doubt prove obliging.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>With a graceful salutation the young gentlemen took their +leave; and the Dragon rejoiced at their departure, partly that +she might indulge her feelings of pleasure at her own light, +and partly that she might satisfy a curiosity by which she +had long been tormented.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In the clefts of the rocks where she dwelt, she had lately +made a wonderful discovery; for, although she had been +obliged to crawl through these chasms in darkness, she had +learned to distinguish every object by feeling. The productions +of Nature, which she was accustomed everywhere to +encounter, were all of an irregular kind. At one time she +wound her way amongst the points of enormous crystals, at +another she was for a moment impeded by the veins of solid +silver, and many were the precious stones which her light +discovered to her. But, to her great astonishment, she had +encountered in a rock, which was securely closed on all sides, +objects which betrayed the plastic hand of man. Smooth +walls, which she was unable to ascend; sharp, regular angles, +tapering columns; and, what was even more wonderful, +human figures, round which she had often entwined herself, +and which appeared to her to be formed of brass or of polished +marble. She was now anxious to behold all these objects +with her eyes, and to confirm, by her own observation, +what she had hitherto but suspected. She now thought +herself capable of illumining with her own light these wonderful +subterranean caverns, and indulged the hope of +becoming thoroughly acquainted with these astonishing +mysteries. She delayed not, and quickly found the opening +<span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>through which she was accustomed to penetrate into the +sanctuary.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Arrived at the place, she looked round with wonder; and +though her brilliancy was unable to light the entire cavern, +yet many of the objects were sufficiently distinct. With +astonishment and awe, she raised her eyes to an illumined +niche, in which stood the statue of a venerable King, of pure +gold. In size the statue was colossal, but the figure was +rather that of a little than of a great man. His well-turned +limbs were covered with a simple robe, and his head was +encircled by an oaken garland.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Scarcely had the Dragon beheld this venerable form, when +the King found utterance, and said, “How comest thou +hither?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Through the cleft,” answered the Dragon, “in which +the gold abides.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What is nobler than gold?” asked the King.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Light,” replied the Dragon.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And what is more vivid than light?” continued the +Monarch.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Speech,” said the Serpent.</p> + +<p class='c009'>During this conversation the Dragon had looked stealthily +around, and observed another noble statue in an adjoining +niche. A silver King sat there enthroned, of figure tall and +slender: his limbs were enveloped in an embroidered mantle; +his crown and sceptre were adorned with precious stones; +his countenance wore the serene dignity of pride; and he +seemed about to speak, when a dark vein, which ran through +the marble of the wall, suddenly became brilliant, and cast a +soft light through the whole temple. This light discovered +a third King, whose mighty form was cast in brass: he leaned +upon a massive club, his head was crowned with laurels; and +his proportions resembled a rock rather than a human being.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Dragon felt a desire to approach a fourth King, who +stood before her at a distance; but the wall suddenly opened, +the illumined vein flashed like lightning, and became as suddenly +extinguished.</p> + +<p class='c009'>A man of middle stature now approached. He was clad +in the garb of a peasant: in his hand he bore a lamp, the +flame of which it was delightful to behold, and which lightened +the entire dwelling, without leaving the trace of a +shadow.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Why dost thou come, since we have already light?” +asked the Golden King.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span>“You know that I can shed no ray on what is dark,” +replied the old man.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Will my kingdom end?” inquired the Silver Monarch.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Late or never,” answered the other.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Brazen King then asked, with voice of thunder, +“When shall I arise?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Soon,” was the reply.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With whom shall I be united?” continued the former.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“With thine elder brother,” answered the latter.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And what will become of the youngest?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He will repose.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I am not weary,” interrupted the fourth King, with a +deep but faltering voice.</p> + +<p class='c009'>During this conversation the Dragon had wound her way +softly through the temple, surveyed every thing which it contained, +and approached the niche in which the fourth King +stood. He leaned against a pillar, and his handsome countenance +bore traces of melancholy. It was difficult to distinguish +the metal of which the statue was composed. It +resembled a mixture of the three metals of which his brothers +were formed, but it seemed as if the materials had not +thoroughly blended; as the veins of gold and silver crossed +each other irregularly through the brazen mass, and destroyed +the effect of the whole.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Golden King now asked, “How many secrets dost +thou know?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Three,” was the reply.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And which is the most important?” inquired the Silver +King.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The revealed,” answered the old man.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Wilt thou explain it to us?” asked the Brazen King.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“When I have learned the fourth,” was the response.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I care not,” murmured he of the strange compound.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I know the fourth,” interrupted the Dragon, approaching +the old man, and whispering in his ear.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The time is come,” exclaimed the latter, with tremendous +voice. The sounds echoed through the temple; the statues +rang again: and in the same instant the old man disappeared +towards the west, and the Dragon towards the east; and +both pierced instantly through the impediments of the rock.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Every passage through which the old man bent his course +became immediately filled with gold; for the lamp which he +carried possessed the wonderful property of converting stones +into gold, wood into silver, and dead animals into jewels. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span>But, in order to produce this effect, it was necessary that no +other light should be near. In the presence of another +light the lamp merely emitted a soft illumination, which, +however, gave joy to every living thing.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old man returned to his hut on the brow of the hill, +and found his wife in the greatest sorrow. She was seated +at the fire, her eyes filled with tears; and she refused all +consolation.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What a misfortune,” she exclaimed, “that I allowed +you to leave home to-day!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What has happened?” <a id='tn-veryquietly'></a>answered the old man, very quietly.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You were scarcely gone,” replied she with sobs, “before +two rude travellers came to the door: unfortunately I admitted +them; as they seemed good, worthy people. They were +attired like flames, and might have passed for Will-o’-the-wisps; +but they had scarcely entered the house before they +commenced their flatteries, and became at length so importunate +that I blush to recollect their conduct.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Well,” said the old man, smiling, “the gentlemen were +only amusing themselves; and, at your age, you should have +considered it as the display of ordinary politeness.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“My age!” rejoined the old woman. “Will you forever +remind me of my age? how old am I, then? And ordinary +politeness! But I can tell you something: look round at +the walls of our hut: you will now be able to see the old +stones, which have been concealed for more than a hundred +years. These visitors extracted all the gold more quickly +than I can tell you, and they assured me that it was of capital +flavor. When they had completely cleared the walls, they +grew cheerful; and, in a few minutes, their persons became +tall, broad, and shining. They thereupon again commenced +their tricks, and repeated their flatteries, calling me a queen. +They shook themselves, and immediately a profusion of gold +pieces fell on all sides. You may see some of them still +glittering on the floor; but a calamity soon occurred. Our +dog Mops swallowed some of them; and, see! he lies dead in +the chimney-corner. Poor animal! his death afflicts me. I +did not observe it till they had departed, otherwise I should +not have promised to pay the Ferryman the debt they owed +him.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“How much do they owe?” inquired the old man.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Three cauliflowers,” answered his wife, “three artichokes, +and three onions. I have promised to take them to +the river at break of day.”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>“You had better oblige them,” said the old man, “and +they may perhaps serve us in time of need.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I know not if they will keep their word,” said she, “but +they promised and vowed to serve us.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The fire had, in the mean time, died away; but the old man +covered the cinders with ashes, put away the shining gold +pieces, and lighted his lamp afresh. In the glorious illumination +the walls became covered with gold, and Mops was +transformed into the most beautiful onyx that was ever beheld. +The variety of color which glittered through the costly +gem produced a splendid effect.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Take your basket,” said the old man, “and place the +onyx in it. Then collect the three cauliflowers, the three +artichokes, and the three onions, lay them together, and +carry them to the river. The Dragon will bear you across at +mid-day: then visit the beautiful Lily; her touch will give +life to the onyx, as her touch gives death to every living +thing; and it will be to her an affectionate friend. Tell her +not to mourn; that her deliverance is nigh; that she must +consider a great misfortune as her greatest blessing, for the +time is come.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old woman prepared her basket, and set forth at break +of day. The rising sun shone brightly over the river, which +gleamed in the far distance. The old woman journeyed +slowly on, for the weight of the basket oppressed her; but it +did not arise from the onyx. Nothing lifeless proved a +burden; for, when the basket contained dead things, it rose +aloft, and floated over her head. But a fresh vegetable, or +the smallest living creature, induced fatigue. She had toiled +along for some distance, when she started, and suddenly stood +still; for she had nearly placed her foot upon the shadow of +the Giant, which was advancing towards her from the plain. +Her eye now perceived his monstrous bulk: he had just +bathed in the river, and was coming out of the water. She +knew not how to avoid him. He saw her, saluted her jestingly, +and thrust the hand of his shadow into her basket. +With dexterity he stole a cauliflower, an artichoke, and an +onion, and raised them to his mouth. He then proceeded on +his course up the stream, and left the woman alone.</p> + +<p class='c009'>She considered whether it would not be better to return, and +supply the missing vegetables from her own garden; and, +lost in these reflections, she went on her way until she arrived +at the bank of the river. She sat down, and awaited +for a long time the arrival of the Ferryman. He appeared +<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span>at length, having in his boat a traveller whose air was mysterious. +A handsome youth, of noble aspect, stepped on +shore.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What have you brought with you?” said the old man.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The vegetables,” replied the woman, “which the Will-o’-the-wisps +owe you;” pointing to the contents of her +basket.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But when he found that there were but two of each kind, +he became angry, and refused to take them.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The woman implored him to relent, assuring him that she +could not then return home; as she had found her burden +heavy, and she had still a long way to go. But he was obstinate, +maintaining that the decision did not depend upon him.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I am obliged to collect my gains for nine hours,” said +he, “and I can keep nothing for myself till I have paid a +third part to the river.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>At length, after much contention, he told her there was +still a remedy.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If you give security to the river, and acknowledge your +debt, I will take the six articles; though such a course is not +devoid of danger.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But, if I keep my word, I incur no risk,” she said earnestly.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Not the least,” he replied. “Thrust your hand into the +river, and promise that within four and twenty hours you will +pay the debt.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old woman complied, but shuddered as she observed +that her hand, on drawing it out of the water, had become +as black as a coal. She scolded angrily; exclaiming that +her hands had always been most beautiful, and that, notwithstanding +her hard work, she had ever kept them white +and delicate. She gazed at her hand with the greatest alarm, +and exclaimed, “This is still worse: it has shrunk, and is +already much smaller than the other!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It only appears so now,” said the Ferryman; “but, if +you break your word, it will be so in reality. Your hand will +in that case grow smaller, and finally disappear; though you +will still preserve the use of it.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I would rather,” she replied, “lose it altogether, and that +my misfortune should be concealed. But no matter, I will +keep my word, to escape this black disgrace, and avoid so +much anxiety.” Whereupon she took her basket, which rose +aloft, and floated freely over her head. She hastened after +the youth, who was walking thoughtfully along the bank. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>His noble figure and peculiar attire had made a deep impression +upon her mind.</p> + +<p class='c009'>His breast was covered with a shining cuirass, whose transparency +permitted the motions of his graceful form to be +seen. From his shoulders hung a purple mantle, and his auburn +locks waved in beautiful curls round his uncovered head. +His noble countenance and his well-turned feet were exposed +to the burning rays of the sun. Thus did he journey patiently +over the hot sand, which, “true to one sorrow, he +trod without feeling.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The garrulous old woman sought to engage him in conversation; +but he heeded her not, or answered briefly, until, notwithstanding +his beauty, she became weary, and took leave of +him, saying, “You are too slow for me, sir; and I cannot +lose my time, as I am anxious to cross the river, with the +assistance of the Green Dragon, and to present the beautiful +Lily with my husband’s handsome present.” So saying, she +left him speedily, upon which the youth took heart, and followed +her without delay.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“You are going to the beautiful Lily!” he exclaimed: +“if so, our way lies together. What present are you taking +her?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Sir,” answered the woman, “it is not fair that you +should so earnestly inquire after my secrets, when you paid so +little attention to my questions. But, if you will relate your +history to me, I will tell you all about my present.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They made the bargain: the woman told her story, including +the account of the dog, and allowed him to view the +beautiful onyx.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He lifted the beautiful precious stone from the basket, and +took Mops, who seemed to slumber softly, in his arms.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Fortunate animal!” he exclaimed: “you will be touched +by her soft hands, and restored to life, in place of fleeing +from her contact, like all other living things, to escape an +evil doom. But, alas! what words are these? Is it not a +sadder and more fearful fate to be annihilated by her presence +than to die by her hand? Behold me, thus young, what +a melancholy destiny is mine! This armor, which I have +borne with glory in the battle-broil; this purple, which I have +earned by the wisdom of my government,—have been converted +by Fate, the one into an unceasing burden, the other +into an empty honor. Crown, sceptre, and sword are worthless. +I am now as naked and destitute as every other son of +clay. For such is the spell of her beautiful blue eyes, that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>they waste the vigor of every living creature; and those +whom the contact of her hand does not destroy are reduced +to the condition of breathing shadows.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Thus he lamented long, but without satisfying the curiosity +of the old woman, who sought information respecting both +his mental and his bodily sufferings. She learned neither +the name of his father nor his kingdom. He stroked the +rigid Mops, to whom the beams of the sun and the caresses +of the youth had imparted warmth. He inquired earnestly +about the man with the lamp, about the effect of the mysterious +light, and seemed to expect thence great relief from his +deep sorrow.</p> + +<p class='c009'>So discoursing, they observed at a distance the majestic +arch of the bridge, which stretched from one bank of the +river to the other, and shone splendidly in the beams of the +sun. Both were astonished at the sight, as they had never +before seen it so resplendent.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What!” cried the Prince, “was it not sufficiently beautiful +before, with its decorations of jasper and opal? Can +we now dare to pass over it, constructed as it is of emerald +and chrysolite of varied beauty?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Neither had any idea of the change which the Dragon +had undergone; for in truth it was the Dragon, whose custom +it was at mid-day to arch her form across the stream, +and assume the appearance of a beauteous bridge, which +travellers crossed with silent reverence.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Scarcely had they reached the opposite bank, when the +bridge began to sway from side to side, and gradually sank +to the level of the water; while the Green Dragon assumed +her accustomed shape, and followed the travellers to the +shore. The latter thanked her for her condescension in +allowing them a passage across the stream; observing, at the +same time, that there were evidently more persons present +than were actually visible. They heard a light whispering, +which the Dragon answered with a similar sound. They +listened, and heard the following words: “We will first +make our observations unperceived in the park of the beautiful +Lily, and look for you, when the shadows of evening +fall, to introduce us to such perfect beauty. You will find us +on the bank of the great lake.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Agreed,” answered the Dragon; and a hissing sound +died away in the air.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Our three travellers further consulted with what regard to +precedence they should appear before the beautiful Lily; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>for, let her visitors be never so numerous, they must enter +and depart singly if they wished to escape bitter suffering.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The woman, carrying in the basket the transformed dog, +came first to the garden, and sought an interview with her +benefactress. She was easily found, as she was then singing +to the accompaniment of her harp. The sweet tones +showed themselves first in the form of circles upon the +bosom of the calm lake; and then, like a soft breeze, they +imparted motion to the grass and to the tremulous leaves. +She was seated in a secluded nook beneath the shade of +trees, and at the first glance enchanted the eyes, the ear, +and the heart of the old woman, who advanced towards her +with rapture, and protested that since their last meeting she +had become more beautiful than ever. Even from a distance +she saluted the charming maiden in these words: “What +joy to be in your presence! What a heaven surrounds you! +What a spell proceeds from your lyre, which, encircled by +your soft arms, and influenced by the pressure of your +gentle bosom and slender fingers, utters such entrancing +melody! Thrice happy the blessed youth who could claim +so great a favor!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>So saying, she approached nearer. The beautiful Lily +raised her eyes, let her hands drop, and said, “Do not +distress me with your untimely praise: it makes me feel +even more unhappy. And see! here is my beautiful canary +dead at my feet, which used to accompany my songs so +sweetly: he was accustomed to sit upon my harp, and was +carefully instructed to avoid my touch. This morning, when, +refreshed by sleep, I tuned a pleasant melody, the little warbler +sang with increased harmony, when suddenly a hawk +soared above us. My little bird sought refuge in my bosom, +and at that instant I felt the last gasp of his expiring +breath. It is true that the hawk, struck by my instantaneous +glance, fell lifeless into the stream; but what avails +this penalty to me?—my darling is dead, and his grave +will but add to the number of the weeping willows in my +garden.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Take courage, beautiful Lily,” interrupted the old woman, +whilst at the same moment she wiped away a tear which the +narration of the sorrowful maiden had brought to her eye,—“take +courage, and learn from my experience to moderate +your grief. Great misfortune is often the harbinger of +intense joy. For the time approaches: but in truth,” continued +<span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>she, “‘the web of life is of a mingled yarn.’ See +my hand, how black it has grown; and, in truth, it has +become much diminished in size: I must be speedy, before +it be reduced to nothing. Why did I promise favors to the +Will-o’-the-wisps, or meet the Giant, or dip my hand into +the river? Can you oblige me with a cauliflower, an artichoke, +or an onion? I shall take them to the river, and +then my hand will become so white that it will almost equal +the lustre of your own.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Cauliflowers and onions abound, but artichokes cannot +be procured. My garden produces neither flowers nor fruit; +but every twig I plant upon the grave of any thing I love +bursts into leaf at once, and grows a goodly tree. Thus, +beneath my eye, alas! have grown these clustering trees +and copses. These tall pines, these shadowing cypresses, +these mighty oaks, these overhanging beeches, were once +small twigs planted by my hand, as sad memorials, in an +ungenial soil.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old woman paid but little attention to this speech, but +was employed in watching her hand, which in the presence +of the beautiful Lily became every instant of a darker hue, +and grew gradually less. She was about to take her basket +and depart, when she felt that she had forgotten the most +important of her duties. She took the transformed dog in +her arms, and laid him upon the grass, not far from the +beautiful Lily. “My husband,” she said, “sends you this +present. You know that your touch can impart life to this +precious stone. The good and faithful animal will be a joy +to you, and the grief his loss causes me will be alleviated by +the thought that he is yours.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The beautiful Lily looked at the pretty creature with delight, +and rapture beamed from her eyes. “Many things +combine to inspire me with hope; but, alas! is it not a delusion +of our nature to expect that joy is near when grief is +at the worst?”</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c010'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Ah! what avail these omens all so fair?</div> + <div class='line'> My sweet bird’s death, my friend’s hands blackly dyed,</div> + <div class='line'> And Mops transformed into a jewel rare,</div> + <div class='line'> Sent by the Lamp our faltering steps to guide.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'> Far from mankind and every joy I prize,</div> + <div class='line'> To grief and sorrow I am still allied:</div> + <div class='line'> When from the river will the temple rise?</div> + <div class='line'> When will the bridge span it from side to side?”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>The old woman waited with impatience for the conclusion +of the song, which the beautiful Lily had accompanied with +her harp, entrancing the ears of every listener. She was +about to say farewell, when the arrival of the Dragon compelled +her to remain. She had heard the last words of the +song, and on this account spoke words of encouragement +to the beautiful Lily. “The prophecy of the bridge is fulfilled!” +she exclaimed: “this good woman will bear witness +how splendidly the arch now appears. Formerly of untransparent +jasper, which only reflected the light upon the sides, +it is now converted into precious jewels of transparent hue. +No beryl is so bright, and no emerald so splendid.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I congratulate you thereupon,” said the Lily, “but pardon +me if I doubt whether the prediction is fulfilled. Only +foot-passengers can as yet cross the arch of your bridge; +and it has been foretold that horses and carriages, travellers +of all descriptions, shall pass and repass in mingled multitudes. +Is prediction silent with respect to the mighty pillars +which are to ascend from the river?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old woman, whose eyes were fixed immovably upon +her hand, interrupted this speech, and bade farewell.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Wait for one moment,” said the beautiful Lily, “and +take my poor canary-bird with you. Implore the Lamp to +convert him into a topaz; and I will then re-animate him +with my touch, and he and your good Mops will then be my +greatest consolation. But make what speed you can; for +with sunset decay will have commenced its withering influence, +marring the beauty of its delicate form.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old woman enveloped the little corpse in some soft +young leaves, placed it in the basket, and hastened from the +spot.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Notwithstanding what you say,” continued the Dragon, +resuming the interrupted conversation, “the temple is built.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But it does not yet stand upon the river,” replied the +beautiful Lily.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It rests still in the bowels of the earth,” continued the +Dragon. “I have seen the Kings, and spoken to them.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And when will they awake?” inquired the Lily.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Dragon answered, “I heard the mighty voice resound +through the temple, announcing that the hour was come.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>A ray of joy beamed from the countenance of the beautiful +Lily as she exclaimed, “Do I hear those words for the +second time to-day? When will the hour arrive in which I +shall hear them for the third time?”</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>She rose, and immediately a beautiful maiden came from +the wood, and relieved her of her harp. She was followed +by another, who took the ivory chair upon which the beautiful +Lily had been seated, folded it together, and carried it +away, together with the silver-tissued cushion. The third +maiden, who bore in her hand a fan inlaid with pearls, approached +to tender her services if they should be needed. +These three maidens were lovely beyond description, though +they were compelled to acknowledge that their charms fell +far short of those of their beautiful mistress.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The beautiful Lily had, in the mean time, surveyed the +marvellous Mops with a look of pleasure. She leaned over +him, and touched him. He instantly leaped up, looked round +joyously, bounded with delight, hastened to his benefactress, +and caressed her tenderly. She took him in her arms, and +pressed him to her bosom. “Cold though thou art,” she +said, “and endued with only half a life, yet art thou welcome +to me. I will love thee fondly, play with thee sportively, +kiss thee softly, and press thee to my heart.” She let him +go a little from her, called him back, chased him away again, +and played with him so joyously and innocently, that no one +could help sympathizing in her delight and taking part in her +pleasure, as they had before shared her sorrow and her woe.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But this happiness and this pleasant pastime were interrupted +by the arrival of the melancholy youth. His walk +and appearance were as we have before described; but he +seemed overcome by the heat of the day, and the presence +of his beloved had rendered him perceptibly paler. He bore +the hawk upon his wrist, where it sat with drooping wing as +tranquil as a dove.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“It is not well,” exclaimed the Lily, “that you should vex +my eyes with that odious bird, which has only this day murdered +my little favorite.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Blame not the luckless bird,” exclaimed the youth: +“rather condemn yourself and fate, and let me find an associate +in this companion of my grief.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Mops, in the mean time, was incessant in his caresses; and +the Lily responded to his affection with the most gentle tokens +of love. She clapped her hands to drive him away, and then +sportively pursued to win him back. She caught him in her +arms as he tried to escape, and chased him from her when he +sought to nestle in her lap. The youth looked on in silence +and in sorrow; but when at length she took him in her arms, +and pressed him to her snowy breast, and kissed him with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>her heavenly lips, he lost all patience, and exclaimed in the +depth of his despair, “And must I, whom a sad destiny +compels to live in your presence, and yet to be separated +from you, perhaps forever,—must I, who for you have +forfeited every thing, even my own being,—must I look on +and behold this ‘defect of nature’ gain your notice, win +your love, and enjoy the paradise of your embrace? Must I +continue to wander and measure my solitary way along the +banks of this stream? No! a spark of my former spirit still +burns within my bosom. Oh that it would for the last +time mount into a flame! If stones may repose within +your bosom, then let me be converted to a stone; and, +if your touch can kill, I am content to receive my death +at your hands.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>He became violently excited; the hawk flew from his +wrist; he rushed towards the beautiful Lily; she extended +her arms to forbid his approach, and touched him undesignedly. +His consciousness immediately forsook him, and with +dismay she felt the beautiful burden lean for support upon +her breast. She started back with a scream, and the fair +youth sank lifeless from her arms to the earth.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The deed was done. The sweet Lily stood motionless, and +gazed intently on the breathless corpse. Her heart ceased +to beat, and her eyes were bedewed with tears. In vain did +Mops seek to win her attention: the whole world had died +out with her lost friend. Her dumb despair sought no help, +for help was now in vain.</p> + +<p class='c009'>But the Dragon became immediately more active. Her +mind seemed occupied with thoughts of rescue; and, in truth, +her mysterious movements prevented the immediate consequence +of this dire misfortune. She wound her serpentine +form in a wide circle round the spot where the body lay, +seized the end of her tail between her teeth, and remained +motionless.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In a few moments one of the servants of the beautiful Lily +approached, carrying the ivory chair, and with friendly entreaties +compelled her mistress to be seated. Then came a +second, bearing a flame-colored veil, with which she rather +adorned than covered the head of the Lily. A third maiden +offered her the harp; and scarcely had she struck the chords, +and awakened their delicious tones, when the first maiden +returned, having in her hands a circular mirror of lustrous +brightness, placed herself opposite the Lily, intercepted her +looks, and reflected the most enchanting countenance which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>nature could fashion. Her sorrow added lustre to her beauty, +the veil heightened her charms, the harp lent her a new +grace; and, though it was impossible not to hope that her sad +fate might soon undergo a change, one could almost wish +that that lovely and enchanting vision might last forever.</p> + +<p class='c009'>Silently gazing upon the mirror, she drew melting tones of +music from her harp; but her sorrow appeared to increase, +and the chords responded to her melancholy mood. Once +or twice she opened her lips to sing, but her voice refused +utterance; whereupon her grief found refuge in tears. Her +two attendants supported her in their arms, and the harp fell +from her hands; but the watchful attention of her handmaid +caught it, and laid it aside.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Who will fetch the man with the lamp?” whispered the +Dragon in low but audible voice. The maidens looked at +each other, and the Lily’s tears fell faster.</p> + +<p class='c009'>At this instant the old woman with the basket returned +breathless with agitation. “I am lost and crippled for life!” +she exclaimed. “Look! my hand is nearly withered. +Neither the Ferryman nor the Giant would set me across the +river, because I am indebted to the stream. In vain did I +tempt them with a hundred cauliflowers and a hundred +onions: they insist upon the stipulated three, and not an +artichoke can be found in this neighborhood.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Forget your distress,” said the Dragon, “and give your +assistance here: perhaps you will be relieved at the same +time. Hasten, and find out the Will-o’-the-wisps; for, though +you cannot see them by daylight, you may, perhaps, hear +their laughter and their motions. If you make good speed, +the Giant may yet transport you across the river, and you +may find the man with the lamp and send him hither.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old woman made as much haste as possible, and the +Dragon showed as much impatience for her return as the Lily. +But, sad to say, the golden rays of the setting sun were shedding +their last beams upon the highest tops of the trees, and +lengthening the mountain shadows over lake and meadow. +The motions of the Dragon showed increased impatience, and +the Lily was dissolved in tears.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In this moment of distress the Dragon looked anxiously +round: she feared every instant that the sun would set, and +that decay would penetrate within the magic circle, and exert +its fell influence upon the corpse of the beautiful youth. She +looked into the heavens, and caught sight of the purple wings +<span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>and breast of the hawk, which were illumined by the last +rays of the sun. Her restlessness betrayed her joy at the +good omen; and she was not deceived, for instantly afterwards +she saw the man with the lamp sliding across the lake +as if he had skates on his feet.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Dragon did not alter her position; but the Lily, rising +from her seat, exclaimed, “What good spirit has sent you +thus opportunely when you are so much longed for and required?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“The Spirit of my Lamp impels me,” replied the old man, +“and the hawk conducts me hither. The lamp flickers when +I am needed; and I immediately look to the heavens for a +sign, when some bird or meteor points the way I should go. +Be tranquil, beautiful maiden: I know not if I can help you; +one alone can do but little, but he can avail who in the proper +hour unites his strength with others. We must wait and +hope.” Then turning to the Dragon, he said, “Keep your +circle closed;” and, seating himself upon a hillock at his +side, he shed a light upon the corpse of the youth. “Now +bring the little canary-bird,” he continued, “and lay it also +within the circle.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The maiden took the little creature from the basket, and +followed the directions of the old man.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The sun had set in the mean time; and, as the shades of +evening closed around, not only the Dragon and the Lamp +cast their customary light, but the veil of the Lily was illumined +with a soft brilliancy, and caused her pale cheeks and +her white robe to beam like the dawn of morning, and +clothed her with inexpressible grace. They gazed at each +other with silent emotions: anxiety and sorrow were softened +by hope of approaching happiness.</p> + +<p class='c009'>To the delight of all, the old woman appeared with the +lively Will-o’-the-wisps, who must have led a prodigal life of +late, for they looked wonderfully thin, but behaved all the +more politely to the princess and the other young ladies. +With an air of confidence, and much force of expression, +they discoursed upon ordinary topics, and were much struck +by the charm which the shining veil shed over the beautiful +Lily and her companions. The young ladies cast down their +eyes with modest looks, and their beauty was heightened by +the praise it called forth. Every one was happy and contented, +not excepting even the old woman. Notwithstanding +the assurance of her husband that her hand would not +continue to wither whilst the Lamp shone upon it, she continued +<span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span>to assert, that, if things went on thus, it would disappear +entirely before midnight.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old man with the lamp had listened attentively to the +speech of the Will-o’-the-wisps, and was charmed to observe +that the beautiful Lily was pleased and flattered with their +compliments. Midnight had actually come before they were +aware. The old man looked up to the stars, and spoke thus: +“We are met at a fortunate hour: let each fulfil his office, +let each discharge his duty; and a general happiness will alleviate +one individual trouble, as a universal sorrow destroys +particular joys.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>After these observations a mysterious murmur arose; for +every one present spoke for himself, and mentioned what he +had to do: the three maidens alone were silent. One had +fallen asleep near the harp, the other beside the fan, and the +third leaning against the ivory chair: and no one could blame +them; for, in truth, it was late. The Will-o’-the-wisps, +after paying some trivial compliments to the other ladies, +including even the attendants, attached themselves finally to +the Lily, by whose beauty they were attracted.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Take the mirror,” said the old man to the hawk, “and +illumine the fair sleepers with the first beams of the sun, and +rouse them from their slumbers by the light reflected from +heaven.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Dragon now began to move: she broke up the circle, +and in long windings moved slowly to the river. The Will-o’-the-wisps +followed her in solemn procession, and they +might have been mistaken for the most serious personages. +The old woman and her husband took up the basket, the soft +light of which had hitherto been scarcely observed; but it +now became clearer and more brilliant. They laid the body +of the youth within it, with the canary-bird reposing upon his +breast, upon which the basket raised itself into the air, and +floated over the head of the old woman; and she followed +the steps of the Will-o’-the-wisps. The beautiful Lily, taking +Mops in her arms, walked after the old woman; and the +man with the lamp closed the procession.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The whole neighborhood was brilliantly illuminated with +all these various lights. They all observed with astonishment, +on approaching the river, that it was spanned by a +majestic arch, whereby the benevolent Dragon had prepared +them a lustrous passage across. The transparent jewels of +which the bridge was composed were objects of no less astonishment +by day than was their wondrous brilliancy by night. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span>The clear arch above cut sharply against the dark sky; whilst +vivid rays of light beneath shone against the key-stone, +revealing the firm pliability of the structure. The procession +moved slowly over; and the Ferryman, who witnessed the +proceeding from his hut, surveyed the brilliant arch with +awe, no less than the wondrous lights as they journeyed +across it.</p> + +<p class='c009'>As soon as they had reached the opposite bank, the bridge +began to contract as usual, and sink to the surface of the +water. The Dragon made her way to the shore, and the +basket descended to the ground. The Dragon now once more +assumed a circular shape; and the old man, bowing before +her, asked what she had determined to do.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To sacrifice myself before I am made a sacrifice: only +promise me that you will leave no stone on the land.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old man promised, and then addressed the beautiful +Lily thus: “Touch the Dragon with your left hand, and +your lover with your right.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The beautiful Lily knelt down, and laid her hands upon +the Dragon and the corpse. In an instant the latter became +endued with life: he moved, and then sat upright. The +Lily wished to embrace him; but the old man held her back, +and assisted the youth whilst he led him beyond the limits of +the circle.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The youth stood erect, the little canary fluttered upon his +shoulder, but his mind was not yet restored. His eyes were +open; but he saw, at least he appeared to look on, every +thing with indifference. Scarcely was the wonder at this circumstance +appeased, when the change which the Dragon had +undergone excited attention. Her beautiful and slender form +was converted into thousands and thousands of precious +stones. The old woman, in the effort to seize her basket, +had struck unintentionally against her, after which nothing +more was seen of the figure of the Dragon. Only a heap of +brilliant jewels lay in the grass. The old man immediately +set to work to collect them into his basket, a task in which he +was assisted by his wife. They both then carried the basket +to an elevated spot on the bank, when he cast the entire contents +into the stream, not, however, without the opposition of +his wife and of the beautiful Lily, who would willingly have +appropriated a portion of the treasure to themselves. The +jewels gleamed in the rippling waters like brilliant stars, and +were carried away by the stream; and none can say whether +they disappeared in the distance or sank to the bottom.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_381'>381</span>“Young gentlemen,” then said the old man respectfully +to the Will-o’-the-wisps, “I will now point out your path, +and lead the way; and you will render us the greatest service +by opening the doors of the temple through which we must +enter, and which you alone can unlock.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Will-o’-the-wisps bowed politely, and took their post +in the rear. The man with the lamp advanced first into the +rocks, which opened of their own accord; the youth followed +with apparent indifference; with silent uncertainty the beautiful +Lily lingered slowly behind; the old woman, unwilling +to be left alone, followed after, stretching out her hand that +it might receive the rays of her husband’s lamp; the procession +was closed by the Will-o’-the-wisps, and their bright +flames nodded and blended with each other as if they were +engaged in active conversation. They had not gone far before +they came to a large brazen gate which was fastened by +a golden lock. The old man thereupon sought the assistance +of the Will-o’-the-wisps, who did not want to be entreated, +but at once introduced their pointed flames into the lock, when +the wards yielded to their influence. The brass resounded +as the doors flew wide asunder, and displayed the venerable +statues of the kings illuminated by the advancing lights. +Each individual in turn bowed to the reverend potentates +with respect, and the Will-o’-the-wisps were prodigal of +their lambent salutations.</p> + +<p class='c009'>After a short pause the Golden King asked, “Whence do +you come?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“From the world,” answered the old man.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And whither are you going?” inquired the Silver King.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Back to the world,” was the answer.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“And what do you wish with us?” asked the Brazen +King.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“To accompany you,” responded the old man.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The fourth king was about to speak, when the golden statue +thus addressed the Will-o’-the-wisps, who had advanced +towards him: “Depart from me. My gold is not for +you.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They then turned towards the Silver King, and his apparel +assumed the golden hue of their yellow flames. “You are +welcome,” he said, “but I cannot feed you. Satisfy yourselves +elsewhere, and then bring me your light.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>They departed; and, stealing unobserved past the Brazen +King, they attached themselves to the King composed of +various metals.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_382'>382</span>“Who will rule the world?” inquired the latter in inarticulate +tones.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“He who stands erect,” answered the old man.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“That is I,” replied the King.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Then it will be revealed,” said the old man, “for the +time is come.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The beautiful Lily fell upon his neck, and kissed him +tenderly. “Kind father,” she said, “a thousand thanks for +<a id='tn-comfortingword'></a>allowing me to hear this comforting word for the third time:” +and, so saying, she felt compelled to grasp the old man’s arm; +for the earth began to tremble beneath them: the old woman +and the youth clung to each other, whilst the pliant Will-o’-the-wisps +felt not the slightest inconvenience.</p> + +<p class='c009'>It was evident that the whole temple was in motion; and, +like a ship which pursues its quiet way from the harbor when +the anchor is raised, the depths of the earth seemed to open +before it, whilst it clove its way through. It encountered no +obstacle, no rock opposed its progress. Presently a very fine +rain penetrated through the cupola. The old man continued +to support the beautiful Lily, and whispered, “We are now +under the river, and shall soon attain the goal.” Presently +they thought the motion ceased; but they were deceived, the +temple still moved onwards. A strange sound was now +heard above them: <a id='tn-disjointedbeams'></a>beams and broken rafters burst in disjointed +fragments through the opening of the cupola. The +Lily and the old woman retreated in alarm: the man with +the lamp stood by the youth, and encouraged him to remain. +The Ferryman’s little hut had been ploughed from the ground +by the advance of the temple, and, in its gradual fall, buried +the youth and the old man.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The women screamed in alarm, and the temple shook like +a vessel which strikes upon a hidden rock. Anxiously the +women wandered round the hut in darkness: the doors were +shut, and no one answered their knocking. They continued +to knock more loudly, when at last the wood began to ring +with sounds: the magic power of the lamp, which was enclosed +within the hut, changed it into silver, and presently its +very form was altered; for the noble metal, refusing to assume +the form of planks, posts, and rafters, was converted into a +glorious building of artistic workmanship: it seemed as if +a smaller temple had grown up within the large one, or at +least an altar worthy of its beauty.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The noble youth ascended a staircase in the interior, whilst +the man with the lamp shed light upon his way; and another +<span class='pageno' id='Page_383'>383</span>figure lent him support, clad in a short white garment, and +holding in his hand a silver rudder: it was easy to recognize +the Ferryman, the former inhabitant of the transformed +hut.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The beautiful Lily ascended the outward steps which led +from the temple to the altar, but was compelled to remain +separated from her lover. The old woman, whose hand continued +to grow smaller whilst the light of the lamp was obscured, +exclaimed, “Am I still doomed to be unhappy amid +so many miracles? will no miracle restore my hand?”</p> + +<p class='c009'>Her husband pointed to the open door, exclaiming, “See, +the day dawns! hasten, and bathe in the river!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“What advice!” she answered: “shall I not become +wholly black, and dissolve into nothing? for I have not yet +discharged my debt.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Be silent,” said the old man, “and follow me: all debts +are wiped away.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old woman obeyed, and in the same instant the light +of the rising sun shone upon the circle of the cupola. Then +the old man, advancing between the youth and the maiden, +exclaimed with a loud voice, “Three things have sway upon +the earth,—Wisdom, Appearance, and Power.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>At the sound of the first word the Golden King arose; at +the sound of the second, the Silver King; and the Brazen +King had risen at the sound of the third, when the fourth +suddenly sunk awkwardly to the earth. The Will-o’-the-wisps, +who had been busily employed upon him till this +moment, now retreated: though paled by the light of the +morning, they seemed in good condition, and sufficiently brilliant; +for they had with much dexterity extracted the gold +from the veins of the colossal statue with their sharp-pointed +tongues. The irregular spaces which were thus displayed +remained for some time exposed, and the figure preserved its +previous form; but when at length the most secret veins of +gold had been extracted, the statue suddenly fell with a crash, +and formed a mass of shapeless ruins.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The man with the lamp conducted the youth, whose eye +was still fixed upon vacancy, from the altar towards the +Brazen King. At the foot of the mighty monarch lay a +sword in a brazen sheath. The youth bound it to his side. +“Take the weapon in your left hand, and keep the right +hand free,” exclaimed the King.</p> + +<p class='c009'>They then advanced to the Silver Monarch, who bent his +sceptre towards the youth; the latter seized it with his left +<span class='pageno' id='Page_384'>384</span>hand: and the King addressed him in soft accents, “Feed my +sheep.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>When they reached the statue of the Golden King, with +paternal benediction the latter pressed the oaken garland on +the head of the youth, and said, “Acknowledge the highest.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old man had, during this proceeding, watched the youth +attentively. After he had girded on the sword, his breast +heaved, his arm was firmer, and his step more erect; and, +after he had touched the sceptre, his sense of power appeared +to soften, and at the same time, by an inexpressible charm, +to become more mighty; but, when his waving locks were +adorned with the oaken garland, his countenance became animated, +his soul beamed from his eye; and the first word he +uttered was “Lily!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Dear Lily!” he exclaimed, as he hastened to ascend the +silver stairs, for she had observed his progress from the altar +where she stood,—“dear Lily, what can man desire more +blessed than the innocence and the sweet affection which your +love brings me? O my friend!” he continued, turning to +the old man, and pointing to the three sacred statues, “secure +and glorious is the kingdom of our fathers; but you have +forgotten to enumerate that fourth power, which exercises an +earlier, more universal, and certain rule over the world,—the +power of love.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>With these words he flung his arms round the neck of the +beautiful maiden: she had cast aside her veil, and her cheeks +were tinged with a blush of the sweetest and most inexpressible +beauty.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old man now observed, with a smile, “Love does not +rule, but controls; and that is better.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>During all this delight and enchantment, no one had observed +that the sun was now high in heaven; and through the +open gates of the temple most unexpected objects were perceived. +An empty space, of large dimensions, was surrounded +by pillars, and terminated by a long and splendid bridge, +whose many arches stretched across the river. On each side +was a footpath, wide and convenient for passengers, of whom +many thousands were busily employed in crossing over: the +wide road in the centre was crowded with flocks and herds, +and horsemen and carriages; and all streamed over without +impeding each other’s progress. All were in raptures at the +union of convenience and beauty; and the new king and his +spouse were as much charmed with the animation and activity +<span class='pageno' id='Page_385'>385</span>of this great concourse as they were with their own reciprocal +love.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Honor the Dragon,” said the man with the lamp: “to +her you are indebted for life, and your people for the bridge +whereby these neighboring shores are animated and connected. +Those shining precious stones which still float by +are the remains of her self-sacrifice, and form the foundation-stones +of this glorious bridge, upon which she has erected +herself to subsist forever.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The approach of four beautiful maidens, who advanced to +the door of the temple, prevented any inquiry into this wonderful +mystery. Three of them were recognized as the +attendants of the beautiful Lily, by the harp, the fan, and +the ivory chair; but the fourth, though more beautiful than +the other three, was a stranger. She, however, played with the +others with sisterly sportiveness, ran with them through the +temple, and ascended the silver stairs.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“Thou dearest of creatures!” said the man with the lamp, +addressing the beautiful Lily, “you will surely believe me +for the future. Happy for thee, and every other creature, +who shall bathe this morning in the waters of the river!”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The old woman, who had been transformed into a beautiful +young girl, and of whose former appearance no trace remained, +embraced the man with the lamp with tender caresses, which +he returned with affection.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“If I am too old for you,” he said with a smile, “you +may to-day select another bridegroom; for no tie can henceforth +be considered binding which is not this day renewed.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>“But are you not aware that you also have become +young?” she inquired.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I am delighted to hear it,” he replied. “If I appear to +you to be a gallant youth, I take your hand anew, and hope +for a thousand years of happiness.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>The Queen welcomed her new friend, and advanced with +her and the rest of her companions to the altar: whilst the +King, supported by the two men, pointed to the bridge, and +surveyed with wonder the crowd of passengers; but his joy +was soon overshadowed by observing an object which gave +him pain. The Giant, who had just awakened from his +morning sleep, stumbled over the bridge, and gave rise to +the greatest confusion. He was, as usual, but half awake, +and had risen with the intention of bathing in the neighboring +cove; but he stumbled instead upon firm land, and found +himself feeling his way upon the broad highway of the bridge. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_386'>386</span>And, whilst he went clumsily along in the midst of men and +animals, his presence, though a matter of astonishment to all, +was felt by none; but when the sun shone in his eyes, and he +raised his hand to shade them, the shadow of his enormous +fist fell amongst the crowd with such careless violence, that +both men and animals huddled together in promiscuous confusion, +and either sustained personal injury, or ran the risk +of being driven into the water.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The King, observing this calamity, with an involuntary +movement placed his hand upon his sword, but, upon reflection, +turned his eyes on his sceptre, and then on the lamp +and the rudder of his companions.</p> + +<p class='c009'>“I guess your thought,” said the man with the lamp, “but +we are powerless against this monster: be tranquil; he injures +for the last time, and happily his shadow is turned +from us.”</p> + +<p class='c009'>In the mean time the Giant had approached, and, overpowered +with astonishment at what he saw, let his hands +sink down: he became powerless for injury, and, gazing with +surprise, entered the court-yard.</p> + +<p class='c009'>He was moving straight towards the door of the temple, +when he felt himself suddenly held fast to the earth. He +stood like a colossal pillar constructed of red, shining stones; +and his shadow indicated the hours, which were marked in a +circle on the ground, not, however, in figures, but in noble +and significant effigies.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The King was not a little delighted to see the shadow of +the monster rendered harmless; and the Queen was not less +astonished, as she advanced from the altar with her maidens, +all adorned with the greatest magnificence, to observe the +strange wonder which almost covered the whole prospect from +the temple to the bridge.</p> + +<p class='c009'>In the mean time the people had crowded after the Giant, +and, surrounding him as he stood still, had observed his transformation +with the utmost awe. They thence bent their steps +towards the temple, of the existence of which they now +seemed to be for the first time aware, and thronged the +doorways.</p> + +<p class='c009'>The hawk was now observed aloft, towering over the building, +and carrying the mirror, with which he caught the light +of the sun, and turned the rays upon the multifarious group +which stood around the altar. The King, the Queen, and +their attendants, illumined by heavenly light, appeared beneath +the dim arches of the temple: their subjects fell prostrate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_387'>387</span>before them. When they had recovered, and risen +again, the King and his attendants had descended to the +altar, in order to reach his palace by a less obstructed path; +and the people dispersed through the temple to satisfy their +curiosity. They beheld with astonishment the three kings, +who stood erect, and were all the more anxious to know what +could be concealed behind the curtain in the fourth niche; +since, whatever kindness might have prompted the deed, a +thoughtful discretion had extended a costly covering over the +ruins of the fallen king, which no eye cared to penetrate, +and no profane hand dared to uplift.</p> + +<p class='c009'>There was no end to the astonishment and wonder of the +people, and the dense throng would have been crushed in +the temple if their attention had not been attracted once more +to the court without.</p> + +<p class='c009'>To their great surprise, a shower of gold pieces fell as if +from the air, resounding upon the marble pavement, and +caused a contest and commotion amongst the passers-by. +Several times this wonder was repeated in different places, at +some distance from each other. It is not difficult to infer +that this feat was the work of the retreating Will-o’-the-wisps, +who, having extracted the gold from the limbs of the +mutilated King, dispersed it abroad in this joyous manner. +The covetous crowd continued their contentions for some +time longer, pressing hither and thither, and inflicting wounds +upon each other, till the shower of gold pieces ceased to fall. +The multitude at length dispersed gradually, each one pursuing +his own course; and the bridge, to this day, continues +to swarm with travellers; and the temple is the most frequented +in the world.</p> + +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> + +<div class='back-matter'> + +<div class='hx'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c014'> + <div>BURT’S HOME LIBRARY.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c006'> + +</div> +<div class='c010 figright id002'> +<img src='images/home-library.jpg' alt='line drawing of a book' class='ig001'> +</div> +<p class='c009'>Comprising two hundred and +fifty titles of standard works, embracing +fiction, essays, poetry, +history, travel, etc., selected from +the world’s best literature, written +by authors of world-wide reputation. +Printed from large type, +on good paper, and bound in +handsome cloth binding, uniform +with this volume, <span class='large'>Price, +75 cents per copy.</span></p> + <ul class='ul_1 c010'> + <li><b>Adam Bede.</b> By George Eliot. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Æsop’s Fables.</b> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Alhambra, The.</b> By Washington Irving. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Alice Lorraine.</b> By R. D. Blackmore. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>All Sorts and Conditions of Men.</b> By Besant and Rice. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Andersen’s Fairy Tales.</b> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Arabian Nights Entertainments.</b> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Armadale.</b> By Wilkie Collins. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Armorel of Lyonesse.</b> By Walter Besant. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Auld Licht Idylls.</b> By James M. Barrie. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Aunt Diana.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.</b> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Averil.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Bacon’s Essays.</b> By Francis Bacon. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Barbara Heathcote’s Trial.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Barnaby Rudge.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Berber, The.</b> By W. S. Mayo. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Betrothed, The.</b> By Allessandro Manzoni. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Bleak House.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Bondman, The.</b> By Hall Caine. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Bride of the Nile, The.</b> By George Ebers. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Burgomaster’s Wife, The.</b> By George Ebers. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Cast up by the Sea.</b> By Sir Samuel Baker. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Caxtons, The.</b> By Bulwer-Lytton. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Charles Auchester.</b> By E. Berger. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Charles O’Malley.</b> By Charles Lever. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Children of the Abbey.</b> By Regina Maria Roche. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Children of Gibeon.</b> By Walter Besant. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Child’s History of England.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Christmas Stories.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Cloister and the Hearth.</b> By Charles Reade. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Confessions of an Opium-Eater.</b> By Thomas De Quincey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Consuelo.</b> By George Sand. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Corinne.</b> By Madame De Stael. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Countess of Rudolstadt.</b> By George Sand. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Cousin Pons.</b> By Honore de Balzac. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Cranford.</b> By Mrs. Gaskell. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Crown of Wild Olive, The.</b> By John Ruskin. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Daniel Deronda.</b> By George Eliot. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Daughter of an Empress, The.</b> By Louisa Muhlbach. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Daughter of Heth, A.</b> By Wm. Black. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>David Copperfield.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Deemster, The.</b> By Hall Caine. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Deerslayer, The.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Dombey & Son.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Donal Grant.</b> By George Macdonald. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Donald Ross of Heimra.</b> By William Black. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Donovan.</b> By Edna Lyall. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Dream Life.</b> By Ik. Marvel. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>East Lynne.</b> By Mrs. Henry Wood. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Egoist, The.</b> By George Meredith. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Egyptian Princess, An.</b> By George Ebers. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Eight Years Wandering in Ceylon.</b> By Sir Samuel Baker. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Emerson’s Essays.</b> By Ralph Waldo Emerson. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Emperor, The.</b> By George Ebers. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Essays of Elia.</b> By Charles Lamb. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Esther.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Far from the Madding Crowd.</b> By Thos. Hardy. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Felix Holt.</b> By George Eliot. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World.</b> By E. S. + Creasy. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>File No. 113.</b> By Emile Gaboriau. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>First Violin.</b> By Jessie Fothergill. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>For Faith and Freedom.</b> By Walter Besant. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Frederick the Great, and His Court.</b> By Louisa + Muhlbach. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>French Revolution.</b> By Thomas Carlyle. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>From the Earth to the Moon.</b> By Jules Verne. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Goethe and Schiller.</b> By Louisa Muhlbach. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Gold Bug, The, and Other Tales.</b> by Edgar A. Poe. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Gold Elsie.</b> By E. Marlitt. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Great Expectations.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Great Taboo, The.</b> By Grant Allen. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Great Treason, A.</b> By Mary Hoppus. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Green Mountain Boys, The.</b> By D. P. Thompson. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Grimm’s Household Tales.</b> By the Brothers Grimm. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Grimm’s Popular Tales.</b> By the Brothers Grimm. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Gulliver’s Travels.</b> By Dean Swift. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Handy Andy.</b> By Samuel Lover. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Hardy Norseman, A.</b> By Edna Lyall. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Harold.</b> By Bulwer-Lytton. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Harry Lorrequer.</b> By Charles Lever. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Heir of Redclyffe.</b> By Charlotte M. Yonge. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Henry Esmond.</b> By William M. Thackeray. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Her Dearest Foe.</b> By Mrs. Alexander. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Heriot’s Choice.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Heroes and Hero Worship.</b> By Thomas Carlyle. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>History of Pendennis.</b> By William M. Thackeray. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>House of the Seven Gables.</b> By Nathaniel Hawthorne. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>How to be Happy Though Married.</b> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Hunchback of Notre Dame.</b> By Victor Hugo. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Hypatia.</b> By Charles Kingsley. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow.</b> By Jerome K. Jerome. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>In Far Lochaber.</b> By William Black. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>In the Golden Days.</b> By Edna Lyall. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>In the Heart of the Storm.</b> By Maxwell Grey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>It is Never Too Late to Mend.</b> By Charles Reade. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Ivanhoe.</b> By Sir Walter Scott. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Jack’s Courtship.</b> by W. Clark Russell + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Jane Eyre.</b> By Charlotte Bronte. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>John Halifax, Gentleman.</b> By Miss Muloch. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Kenilworth.</b> By Sir Walter Scott. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Kit and Kitty.</b> By R. D. Blackmore. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Kith and Kin.</b> By Jessie Fothergill. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Knickerbocker’s History of New York.</b> By Washington + Irving. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Knight Errant.</b> By Edna Lyall. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>L’Abbe Constantin.</b> By Ludovic-Halevy. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Lamplighter, The.</b> By Maria S. Cummins. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Last Days of Pompeii.</b> By Bulwer-Lytton. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Last of the Barons.</b> By Bulwer-Lytton. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Last of the Mohicans.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Light of Asia, The.</b> By Sir Edwin Arnold. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Little Dorrit.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Lorna Doone.</b> By R. D. Blackmore. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Louise de la Valliere.</b> By Alexandre Dumas. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Lover or Friend?</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Lucile.</b> By Owen Meredith. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Maid of Sker.</b> By R. D. Blackmore. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Man and Wife.</b> By Wilkie Collins. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Man in the Iron Mask.</b> By Alexandre Dumas. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Martin Chuzzlewit.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Mary St. John.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Master of Ballantrae, The.</b> By R. L. Stevenson. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Master of the Ceremonies, The.</b> By G. M. Fenn. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Masterman Ready.</b> By Captain Marryat. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Merle’s Crusade.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Micah Clarke.</b> By A. Conan Doyle. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Michael Strogoff.</b> By Jules Verne. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Middlemarch.</b> By George Eliot. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Midshipman Easy.</b> By Captain Marryat. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Mill on the Floss.</b> By George Eliot. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Molly Bawn.</b> By The Duchess. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Moonstone, The.</b> By Wilkie Collins. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Mosses from an Old Manse.</b> By Nathaniel Hawthorne. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Mysterious Island, The.</b> By Jules Verne. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Natural Law in the Spiritual World.</b> By Henry + Drummond. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Nellie’s Memories.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Newcomes, The.</b> By William M. Thackeray. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Nicholas Nickleby.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>No Name.</b> By Wilkie Collins. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Not Like Other Girls.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Old Curiosity Shop.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Old Ma’m’selle’s Secret.</b> By E. Marlitt. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Old Myddelton’s Money.</b> By Mary Cecil Hay. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Oliver Twist.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Only the Governess.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>On the Heights.</b> By Berthold Auerbac. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Our Bessie.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Our Mutual Friend.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Pair of Blue Eyes, A.</b> By Thomas Hardy. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Past and Present.</b> By Thomas Carlyle. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Pathfinder, The.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Pere Goriot.</b> By Honore de Balzac. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Phantom Rickshaw, The.</b> By Rudyard Kipling. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Phra, the Phœnician.</b> By Edwin L. Arnold. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Picciola.</b> By X. B. Saintine. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Pickwick Papers.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Pilgrim’s Progress.</b> By John Bunyan. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Pilot, The.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Pioneers, The.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Prairie, The.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Pride and Prejudice.</b> By Jane Austen. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Prime Minister, The.</b> By Anthony Trollope. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Princess of Thule, A.</b> By Wm. Black. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Professor, The.</b> By Charlotte Bronte. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Put Yourself in His Place.</b> By Charles Reade. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Queen Hortense.</b> By Louisa Muhlbach. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Queenie’s Whim.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Ralph the Heir.</b> By Anthony Trollope. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Red Rover.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Reproach of Annesley.</b> By Maxwell Grey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Reveries of a Bachelor.</b> By Ik. Marvel. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Rhoda Fleming.</b> By George Meredith. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Ride to Khiva, A.</b> By Captain Fred Burnaby. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Rienzi.</b> By Bulwer-Lytton. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Robinson Crusoe.</b> By Daniel Defoe. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Rob Roy.</b> By Sir Walter Scott. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Romance of a Poor Young Man.</b> By Octave Feuillet. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Romance of Two Worlds.</b> By Marie Corelli. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Romola.</b> By George Eliot. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Rory O’More.</b> By Samuel Lover. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Sartor Resartus.</b> By Thomas Carlyle. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Scarlet Letter, The.</b> By Nathaniel Hawthorne. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Scottish Chiefs.</b> By Jane Porter. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Search for Basil Lyndhurst.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Second Wife, The.</b> By E. Marlitt. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Self-Help.</b> By Samuel Smiles. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Sense and Sensibility.</b> By Jane Austen. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Sesame and Lilies.</b> By John Ruskin. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Shadow of the Sword.</b> By Robert Buchanan. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Shirley.</b> By Charlotte Bronte. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Silas Marner.</b> By George Eliot. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Silence of Dean Maitland.</b> By Maxwell Grey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Sketch-Book, The.</b> By Washington Irving. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Social Departure, A.</b> By Sara Jeannette Duncan. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Soldiers Three, etc.</b> By Rudyard Kipling. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Springhaven.</b> By R. D. Blackmore. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Spy, The.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>St. Katharine’s by the Tower.</b> By Walter Besant. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Story of an African Farm.</b> By Olive Schreiner. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Swiss Family Robinson.</b> By Jean Rudolph Wyss. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Tale of Two Cities.</b> By Charles Dickens. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Talisman, The.</b> By Sir Walter Scott. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Tartarin of Tarascon.</b> By Alphonse Daudet. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Tempest Tossed.</b> By Theodore Tilton. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Ten Years Later.</b> By Alexandre Dumas. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Terrible Temptation, A.</b> By Charles Reade. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Thaddeus of Warsaw.</b> By Jane Porter. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Thelma.</b> By Marie Corelli. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Three Guardsmen.</b> By Alexandre Dumas. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Three Men in a Boat.</b> By Jerome K. Jerome. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Tom Brown at Oxford.</b> By Thomas Hughes. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Tom Brown’s School Days.</b> By Thomas Hughes. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Tom Burke of “Ours.”</b> By Charles Lever. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Tour of the World in Eighty Days, A.</b> By Jules Verne. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Treasure Island.</b> By Robert Louis Stevenson. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.</b> By Jules + Verne. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Twenty Years After.</b> By Alexandre Dumas. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Twice Told Tales.</b> By Nathaniel Hawthorne. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Two Admirals.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Two Chiefs of Dunboy.</b> By James A. Froude. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Two on a Tower.</b> By Thomas Hardy. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Two Years Before the Mast.</b> By R. H. Dana, Jr. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Uarda.</b> By George Ebers. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Uncle Max.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Uncle Tom’s Cabin.</b> By Harriet Beecher Stowe. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Undine and Other Tales.</b> By De la Motte Fouque. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Vanity Fair.</b> By William M. Thackeray. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Vicar of Wakefield.</b> By Oliver Goldsmith. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Villette.</b> By Charlotte Bronte. + </li> + <li class='c002'><a id='tn-william'></a><b>Virginians, The.</b> By William + M. Thackeray. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Vicomte de Bragelonne.</b> By Alexandre Dumas. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Vivian Grey.</b> By Benjamin Disraeli. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Water Witch, The.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Waverly.</b> By Sir Walter Scott. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Wee Wifie.</b> By Rosa N. Carey. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Westward Ho!</b> By Charles Kingsley. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>We Two.</b> By Edna Lyall. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>What’s Mine’s Mine.</b> By George Macdonald. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>When a Man’s Single.</b> By J. M. Barrie. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>White Company, The.</b> By A. Conan Doyle. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Wide, Wide World.</b> By Susan Warner. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Widow Lerouge, The.</b> By Emilie Gaboriau. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship.</b> By Goethe + (Carlyle). + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Wing-and-Wing.</b> By James Fenimore Cooper. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Woman in White, The.</b> By Wilkie Collins. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Won by Waiting.</b> By Edna Lyall. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Wooing O’t.</b> By Mrs. Alexander. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>World Went Very Well Then, The.</b> By Walter Besant. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Wormwood.</b> By Marie Corelli. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Wreck of the Grosvenor, The.</b> By W. Clark Russell. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Zenobia.</b> By William Ware. + </li> + </ul> +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c019'> + +</div> +<p class='c020'><i>For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on receipt of price by +the publisher, <b>A. L. BURT, New York</b>.</i></p> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> +<div class='hx'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c014'> + <div>THE ALGER SERIES for BOYS</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c010'> + <div><b>Uniform with This Volume.</b></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>This series affords wholesome reading for boys and girls, and all the +volumes are extremely interesting.—<cite>Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette.</cite></p> + + <ul class='ul_1 c010'> + <li><b>JOE’S LUCK; or, A Brave Boy’s Adventure in California.</b> By <span + class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>JULIAN MORTIMER; or, A Brave Boy’s Struggles for Home + and Fortune.</b> By <span class='sc'>Harry Castlemon</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>ADRIFT IN THE WILDS; or, The Adventures of Two + Shipwrecked Boys.</b> By <span class='sc'>Edward S. Ellis</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>FRANK FOWLER, THE CASH BOY.</b> By <span + class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>GUY HARRIS, THE RUNAWAY.</b> By <span class='sc'>Harry + Castlemon</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>THE SLATE-PICKER; A Story of a Boy’s Life in the Coal + Mines.</b> By <span class='sc'>Harry Prentice</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>TOM TEMPLE’S CAREER.</b> By <span class='sc'>Horatio + Alger, Jr.</span> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>TOM, THE READY; or, Up from the Lowest.</b> By <span + class='sc'>Randolph Hill</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>THE CASTAWAYS; or, On the Florida Reefs.</b> By <span + class='sc'>James Otis</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>CAPTAIN KIDD’S GOLD. The True Story of an Adventurous + Sailor Boy.</b> By <span class='sc'>James Franklin Fitts</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>TOM THATCHER’S FORTUNE.</b> By <span class='sc'>Horatio + Alger, Jr.</span> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>LOST IN THE CANON. The Story of Sam Willett’s Adventures + on the Great Colorado of the West.</b> By <span class='sc'>Alfred R. Calhoun</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>A YOUNG HERO; or, Fighting to Win.</b> By <span + class='sc'>Edward S. Ellis</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>THE ERRAND BOY; or, How Phil Brent Won Success.</b> By + <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>THE ISLAND TREASURE; or, Harry Darrel’s Fortune.</b> By + <span class='sc'>Frank H. Converse</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>A RUNAWAY BRIG; or, An Accidental Cruise.</b> By <span + class='sc'>James Otis</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>A JAUNT THROUGH JAVA. The Story of a Journey to the + Sacred Mountain by Two American Boys.</b> By <span class='sc'>E. S. Ellis</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>CAPTURED BY APES; or, How Philip Garland Became King of + Apeland.</b> By <span class='sc'>Harry Prentice</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>TOM THE BOOT-BLACK; or, The Road to Success.</b> By + <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>ROY GILBERT’S SEARCH. A Tale of the Great Lakes.</b> By + <span class='sc'>William P. Chipman</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><a id='tn-nicaragua'></a><b>THE TREASURE-FINDERS. A Boy’s + Adventures in Nicaragua.</b> By <span class='sc'>James Otis</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>BUDD BOYD’S TRIUMPH; or, The Boy Firm of Fox Island.</b> + By <span class='sc'>William P. Chipman</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>TONY, THE HERO; or, A Brave Boy’s Adventures with a + ramp.</b> By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>CAPTURED BY ZULUS. A Story of Trapping in Africa.</b> By + <span class='sc'>Harry Prentice</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>THE TRAIN BOY.</b> By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, + Jr.</span> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>DAN THE NEWSBOY.</b> By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, + Jr.</span> + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>SEARCH FOR THE SILVER CITY. A Story of Adventure in + Yucatan.</b> By <span class='sc'>James Otis</span>. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>THE BOY CRUISERS; or, Paddling in Florida.</b> By <span + class='sc'>St. George Rathborne</span> + </li> + </ul> +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c019'> + +</div> +<p class='c020'><i><b>The above stories are printed on extra paper, and bound in +Handsome Cloth Binding, in all respects uniform with this +volume, at $1.00 per copy.</b></i></p> +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c000'> + +</div> +<p class='c009'><i>For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on receipt of price, by the +publisher, <b>A. L. BURT, 66 Reade St., New York</b>.</i></p> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> +<div class='hx'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c014'> + <div>THE FIRESIDE SERIES FOR GIRLS.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='c010 figright id002'> +<img src='images/fireside-girls.jpg' alt='line drawing of a book' class='ig001'> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><b>Uniform Cloth Binding.</b></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c009'>A carefully selected series of books +for girls written by authors of acknowledged +reputation. The stories are +deeply interesting in themselves, and +have a moral charm that emanates +from the principal characters; they +teach without preaching, are of lively +interest throughout, and will win the +hearts of all girl readers.</p> + <ul class='ul_1 c010'> + <li><b>Esther.</b> By <span class='sc'>Rosa Nouchette Carey</span>. Illustrated. Price, + $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>A World of Girls: The Story of a School.</b> By <span + class='sc'>L. T. Meade</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>The Heir of Redclyffe.</b> By <span class='sc'>Charlotte + M. Yonge</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>The Story of a Short Life.</b> By <span + class='sc'>Juliana Horatio Ewing</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>A Sweet Girl Graduate.</b> By <span class='sc'>L. T. + Meade</span>. Illustrated. Price, 1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Our Bessie.</b> By <span class='sc'>Rosa Nouchette + Carey</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Six to Sixteen: A Story for Girls.</b> By <span + class='sc'>Juliana Horatio Ewing</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>The Dove in the Eagle’s Nest.</b> By <span + class='sc'>Charlotte M. Yonge</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Giannetta: A Girl’s Story of Herself.</b> By <span + class='sc'>Rosa Mulholland</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Jan of the Windmill: A Story of the Plains.</b> By <span + class='sc'>Juliana Horatio wing</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Averil.</b> By <span class='sc'>Rosa Nouchette + Carey</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through a + Looking-Glass.</b> Two volumes in one. By <span class='sc'>Lewis Carroll</span>. + Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Merle’s Crusade.</b> By <span class='sc'>Rosa Nouchette + Carey</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Girl Neighbors; or, The Old Fashion and the New.</b> By + <span class='sc'>Sarah Tytler</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Polly: A New Fashioned Girl.</b> By <span class='sc'>L. + T. Meade</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>Aunt Diana.</b> By <span class='sc'>Rosa N. + Carey</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>The Water Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby.</b> By + <span class='sc'>Charles Kingsley</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>At the Back of the North Wind.</b> By <span + class='sc'>George Macdonald</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>The Chaplet of Pearls; or, The White and Black + Ribaumont.</b> By <span class='sc'>Charlotte M. Yonge</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + <li class='c002'><b>The Days of Bruce: A Story of Scottish History.</b> By + <span class='sc'>Grace Aguilar</span>. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + </li> + </ul> +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c019'> + +</div> +<p class='c009'><i>For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on the receipt of price by +the publisher, <b>A. L. BURT, New York</b>.</i></p> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> +<div class='hx'> + +<div class='nf-center-c0'> +<div class='nf-center c014'> + <div>Useful and Practical Books.</div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<p class='c008'><b>Why, When and Where.</b> A dictionary of rare and curious +information. A treasury of facts, legends, sayings and their explanation, +gathered from a multitude of sources, presenting in a convenient +form a mass of valuable knowledge on topics of frequent inquiry +and general interest that has been hitherto inaccessible. Carefully +compared with the highest authorities. Edited by <span class='sc'>Robert Thorne</span>, +M.A. 500 pages. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“In this book the casual reader will be rejoiced to meet many a subject he +has searched the encyclopedia for in vain. The information is clearly, fully +and yet concisely given.”—<cite>Springfield Republican.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>A Cyclopedia of Natural History.</b> Comprising descriptions of +Animal Life: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Batrachians and Fishes. +Their Structure, Habits and Distribution. For popular use. By +<span class='sc'>Charles C. Abbott</span>, M. D. 620 pages. 500 illustrations. Cloth, +12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“The author has shown great skill in condensing his abundant material, +while the illustrations are useful in illustrating the information furnished in +the text.”—<cite>Times, Troy.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>The National Standard Encyclopedia.</b> A Dictionary of Literature, +the Arts and the Sciences, for popular use; containing over +20,000 articles pertaining to questions of Agriculture, Anatomy, Architecture, +Biography, Botany, Chemistry, Engineering, Geography, +Geology, History, Horticulture, Literature, Mechanics, Medicine, +Physiology, Natural History, Mythology and the various Arts and +Sciences. Prepared under the supervision of a number of Editors, +and verified by comparison with the best Authorities. Complete in +one volume of 700 pages, with over 1,000 illustrations. Cloth, 12mo, +price $1.00.</p> +<p class='c008'><b>Law Without Lawyers.</b> A compendium of Business and Domestic +Law, for popular use. By <span class='sc'>Henry B. Corey</span>, LL.B., member of +New York Bar. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“The volume before us is a very convenient manual for every-day use, containing +a general summary of the law as applied to ordinary business transactions, +social and domestic relations, with forms for all manner of legal documents.”—<i>Troy +Times.</i></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Dr. Danelson’s Counselor, with Recipes.</b> A trusty guide for +the family. An illustrated book of 720 pages, treating Physiology, +Hygiene, Marriage, Medical Practice, etc. By <span class='sc'>J. E. Danelson</span>, M. D. +Illustrated. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“The Counselor is pure and elevating in its morals, and wise and practical +in the application of its counsels. It can but be a helper in homes following +its directions.”—<cite>Rev. J. V. Ferguson, Pastor M. E. Church, Mohawk, N. Y.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>The National Standard History of the United States.</b> A complete +and concise account of the growth and development of the +Nation, from its discovery to the present time. By <span class='sc'>Everit Brown</span>. +600 pages. Illustrated. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>In this most interesting book our country’s history is told from the discovery +of America down to the election of Benjamin Harrison as President of the +United States.</span></p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_388'>388</span><b>A Dictionary of American Politics.</b> Comprising accounts of +Political Parties, Measures and Men; Explanations of the Constitution; +Divisions and Practical Workings of the Government, together +with Political Phrases, Familiar Names of Persons and Places, Noteworthy +Sayings, etc., etc. By <span class='sc'>Everit Brown</span> and <span class='sc'>Albert Strauss</span>. +565 pages. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. Paper, 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'><span class='sc'>Senator John Sherman</span> says: “I have to acknowledge the receipt of a copy +of your ‘Dictionary of American Politics.’ I have looked over it, and find it a +very excellent book of reference, which every American family ought to have.”</span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Boys’ Useful Pastimes.</b> Pleasant and profitable amusement for +spare hours in the use of tools. By <span class='sc'>Prof. Robert Griffith</span>, A. M. +300 illustrations. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“The author has devised a happy plan for diverting the surplus energy of +the boy from frivolous or mischievous channels into activities that interest +him, while at the same time they train him to mechanical and artistic skill and +better adapt him for success in life.”—<cite>Boston Journal.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>What Every One Should Know.</b> A cyclopedia of Practical +Information, containing complete directions for making and doing +over 5,000 things necessary in business, the trades, the shop, the +home, the farm, and the kitchen, giving in plain language recipes, +prescriptions, medicines, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, +chemical preparations, mechanical appliances, aid to injured, business +information, law, home decorations, art work, fancy work, +agriculture, fruit culture, stock-raising, and hundreds of other useful +hints and helps needed in our daily wants. By <span class='sc'>S. H. Burt</span>. 516 +pages. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“A mass of information in a handy form, easy of access whenever occasion +demands.”—<cite>Inter-Ocean, Chicago.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Readers’ Reference Hand-Book.</b> Comprising “<span class='sc'>A Handy Classical +and Mythological Dictionary</span>” of brief and concise explanations +of ancient mythological, historical and geographical allusions +commonly met with in literature and art, also “<span class='sc'>Famous People of +All Ages</span>,” a manual of condensed biographies of the most notable +men and women who ever lived. By <span class='sc'>H. C. Faulkner</span> and <span class='sc'>W. H. +Van Orden</span>. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“This book will serve a useful purpose to many readers, and will save time +lost in consulting dictionaries of larger scope.”—<cite>The Churchman.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Writers’ Reference Hand-Book.</b> Comprising a manual of the +“<span class='sc'>Art of Correspondence</span>,” with correct forms for letters of a +commercial, social and ceremonial nature, and with copious explanatory +matter. Also “<span class='sc'>A Handy Dictionary of Synonyms</span>,” with +which are combined the words opposite in meaning. Prepared to +facilitate fluency and exactness in writing. By <span class='sc'>Jennie Taylor +Wandle</span> and <span class='sc'>H. C. Faulkner</span>. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“Crowded full and even running over with proper and effective words must +be the writer who will not occasionally find this work of great convenience +and assistance to him.”—<cite>The Delineator.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Etiquette, Health and Beauty.</b> Comprising “<span class='sc'>The Usages of +the Best Society</span>,” a manual of social etiquette, and “<span class='sc'>Talks with +Homely Girls on Health and Beauty</span>,” containing chapters upon +the general care of the health, and the preservation and cultivation of +beauty in the complexion, hands, etc. By <span class='sc'>Frances Stevens</span> and +<span class='sc'>Frances M. Smith</span>. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“It is a handy volume to be lying on the table for reference.”—<cite>Zion’s Herald, +Boston.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>The National Standard Dictionary.</b> A pronouncing lexicon of +the English Language, containing 40,000 words, and illustrated with +700 wood-cuts, to which is added an appendix of useful and valuable +information. 600 pages. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“A convenient and useful book. Clear in typography, convenient in size. +It contains copious definitions, syllabic divisions, the accentuation and pronunciation +of each word, and an appendix of reference matter of nearly 100 +pages is added, making it the best cheap dictionary we have ever seen.”—<cite>Courier-Journal, +Louisville.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>The Usages of the Best Society.</b> A manual of social etiquette. +By <span class='sc'>Frances Stevens</span>. Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“Will be found useful by all who wish to obtain instruction on matters relating +to social usage and society.”—<cite>Demorest’s Magazine.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>A Handy Dictionary of Synonyms</b>, with which are combined +the words opposite in meaning. For the use of those who would +speak or write the English language fluently and correctly. By <span class='sc'>H. +C. Faulkner</span>. Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“Will be found of great value to those who are not experienced in speech or +with pen.”—<cite>Brooklyn Eagle.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Talks With Homely Girls on Health and Beauty.</b> Their Preservation +and Cultivation. By <span class='sc'>Frances M. Smith</span>. Cloth, 16mo, +price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“She recommends no practices which are not in accord with hygienic laws, +so that her book is really a valuable little guide.”—<cite>Peterson’s Magazine.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>A Handy Classical and Mythological Dictionary.</b> For popular +use, with 70 illustrations. By <span class='sc'>H. C. Faulkner</span>. Cloth, 16mo, +price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“It is often convenient to have a small book at hand in order to find out the +meaning of the classical allusions of the day, when it is troublesome and cumbersome +to consult a larger work. This tasteful volume fills the desired purpose. +It explains the allusions, pronounces the hard names, and pictures +many of the mythological heroes.”—<cite>Providence Journal.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Famous People of All Ages.</b> Who they were, when they lived, +and why they are famous. By <span class='sc'>W. H. Van Orden</span>. Cloth, 16mo, +price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“An excellent hand-book, giving in a compact form biographies of the persons +in whom the student and writer would naturally take most interest.”—<cite>New +York Tribune.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Friendly Chats With Girls.</b> A series of talks on manners, duty, +behavior and social customs. Containing sensible advice and counsel +on a great variety of important matters which girls should know. +By <span class='sc'>Mrs. M. A. Kidder</span>. Illustrated. Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“Every girl that reads and understands this little book will be all the wiser +and prettier for it, and she will learn that excellent secret that true beauty +comes from within, and is not for sale at the dressmaker’s or the apothecary’s.”—<cite>Boston +Beacon.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>The Art of Letter Writing.</b> A manual of polite correspondence, +containing the correct forms for all letters of a commercial, +social, or ceremonial nature, with copious explanatory chapters on +arrangement, grammatical forms, punctuation, etc., etc. By <span class='sc'>Jennie +Taylor Wandle</span>. Cloth, 16mo, price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“These little works on letter-writing are not to be despised. They often +stimulate ambition, and it is a much better sign for a person who has had few +school advantages to be seen consulting an authoritative volume of this kind, +than to see him plunging heedlessly into letter-writing with all his ignorance +clinging around him.”—<cite>N. Y. Telegram.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Ladies’ Fancy Work.</b> New Revised Edition, giving designs and +plain directions for all kinds of Fancy Needle-Work. Edited by +<span class='sc'>Jenny June</span>. 700 illustrations. Paper cover, price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“I have examined carefully the beautifully printed manuals edited by Mrs. +Croly [Jenny June], whose work here, as elsewhere, is as careful and thorough +as she has taught us to expect. They will be invaluable to all needle-workers, +and deserve the success they will most undoubtedly obtain.”—<cite>Mrs. Helen +Campbell.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Knitting and Crochet.</b> A guide to the use of the Needle and the +Hook. Edited by <span class='sc'>Jenny June</span>. 200 illustrations. Paper cover, +price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“… I cannot think of a more useful present for young housekeepers +and mothers, who can gain much important information from these books to +aid in decorating their homes and to trim their clothing tastefully.”—<cite>Mrs. +Henry Ward Beecher.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Needle-Work.</b> A manual of stitches and studies in embroidery +and drawn work. Edited by <span class='sc'>Jenny June</span>. 200 illustrations, Paper +cover, price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“I do not hesitate to pronounce Mrs. Croly’s works on Needle-Work and +Knitting and Crochet the best manuals on those subjects that I have ever seen. +They are charming reading, us well as useful guides to housewife and needle-woman.”—<cite>Marion +Harland.</cite></span></p> +<p class='c008'><b>Letters and Monograms.</b> For marking on Silk, Linen and other +fabrics, for individuals and household use. Edited by <span class='sc'>Jenny June</span>. +1,000 illustrations. Paper cover, price 50 cents.</p> + +<p class='c009'><span class='small'>“I am greatly pleased with the Manuals of Art Needle-Work so charmingly +edited by Mrs. Croly [Jenny June]. Mrs. Croly’s manuals will reveal treasures +to many a woman who distrusts herself, but soon the worker will take courage +as her perceptions are cultivated, and with patience and holding fast to the +truths in nature, ‘patterns’ will come of themselves to fit the uses intended. +Embroidery, however, is a real enjoyment to me, and I am glad to aid all +efforts to popularize such work.”—<cite>Mrs. Gen. Fremont.</cite></span></p> +<div class='hr2'> + +<hr class='c000'> + +</div> +<p class='c009'><i>For sale by all Booksellers, or will be sent post-paid on receipt of price, by the publisher, +<b>A. L. BURT, 66 Reade Street, New York</b>.</i></p> + +</div> + +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c002'> +</div> +<div> + +<p class='c004'></p> + +</div> +<div class='transcribers-notes'> + +<div class='nf-center-c1'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <div><span class='xlarge'>Transcriber’s Notes</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c021'>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain. Itemized changes from the original text:</p> + <ul class='ul_2'> + <li><a href='#tn-inquire'>p. 9</a>: Changed “iuquire” to “inquire” in phrase “caused him to inquire + concerning objects which, but for this, he would have passed without notice.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-doorbehind'>p. 9</a>: Added comma after phrase “Felix still never shut the door + behind him.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-keenandpowerful'>p. 26</a>: Added semicolon after phrase “A love for you, my friend, + was already keen and powerful in her little heart.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-letthemcheatyou'>p. 43</a>: Added comma before phrase “Well, my friend, how it is + with you?” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-foundnatalia'>p. 43</a>: Added period after phrase “upon the sofa, where he had first + found Natalia.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-anotherartifice'>p. 62</a>: Added period after phrase “now appeared to him another + piece of artifice.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-carefulofherself'>p. 78</a>: Changed “herelf” to “herself” in phrase “begging of her + to be careful of herself and of her child.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-sortofincest'>p. 78</a>: Added period after phrase “as a sort of sin against nature, + as a sort of incest.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-uponhiseyes'>p. 93</a>: Changed “clappling” to “clapping” in phrase “clapping both + his hands upon his eyes.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-kingdomworth'>p. 98</a>: Changed “answerd” to “answered” in phrase “I know not the + worth of a kingdom, answered Wilhelm.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-inwardly'>p. 110</a>: Added period after phrase “So she, too, is Mary! said Wilhelm + inwardly.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-lyingatmyfeet'>p. 144</a>: Changed “loing” to “lying” in phrase “all at once she was + lying at my feet, had seized my hand, kissed it, and was looking up to me.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-importunate'>p. 145</a>: Changed “imporunate” to “importunate” in phrase “their + presence effaced the image of my importunate petitioner.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-atlastsilent'>p. 146</a>: Added period after phrase “at last he became silent + altogether.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-strangecombination'>p. 155</a>: Added period after phrase “Wilhelm admired the figure + and its strange combination.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-measurementsand'>p. 159</a>: Changed “measurement sand” to “measurements and” in + phrase “by copying precise measurements and accurately settled numbers.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-harpsichord'>p. 176</a>: Changed “harpischord” to “harpsichord” in phrase “in the + evening, after supper, Hilaria returned to her harpsichord.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-perilousemployment'>p. 201</a>: Removed closing quotation mark after phrase “a + perilous employment to the wild-hay-men.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-instrumental'>p. 209</a>: Moved comma from before to after “music” in phrase “As, + among the instrumental music, singing was now introduced.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-moreover'>p. 210</a>: Changed “moveover” to “moreover” in phrase “Our wanderer was + struck, moreover, by the earnestness.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-nextmorninginhigh'>p. 241</a>: Added opening quotation mark before phrase “Next + morning, in high spirits and full of love.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-afterwardsthe'>p. 262</a>: Changed “afterward sthe” to “afterwards the” in phrase + “directly afterwards the two ladies went out.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-asthelongest'>p. 265</a>: Removed comma in phrase “But as the longest day at last + bends down to evening.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-dothesame'>p. 266</a>: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “Antoni is gone to + hunt; we will do the same.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-youngwoman'>p. 281</a>: Changed “women” to “woman” in phrase “this was a thing which + no young woman could forgive.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-equaldivision'>p. 298</a>: Added period after phrase “they pray for a more equal + division of labor and enjoyment.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-destroyforever'>p. 298</a>: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “that evil hour + which must destroy, perhaps forever, their fondest anticipations.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-hoped'>p. 357</a>: Changed “hopd” to “hoped” in phrase “he hoped to be successful + upon a second occasion.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-payattention'>p. 309</a>: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “we shall pay + attention and be thankful.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-amuseyouall'>p. 360</a>: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “I promise to + relate a fairy-tale this evening that will amuse you all.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-veryquietly'>p. 367</a>: Added period after phrase “answered the old man, very + quietly.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-comfortingword'>p. 382</a>: Added closing quotation mark after phrase “allowing me to + hear this comforting word for the third time.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-disjointedbeams'>p. 382</a>: Changed “though” to “through” in phrase “beams and + broken rafters burst in disjointed fragments through the opening of the cupola.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-william'>Advertisements</a>: Changed “Willliam” to “William” in listing for “The + Virginians.” + </li> + <li><a href='#tn-nicaragua'>Advertisements</a>: Changed “Nicarauga” to “Nicaragua” in listing for “The + Treasure-Finders.” + </li> + </ul> + +<p class='c003'>A number of missing periods, commas and decimal points were also supplied in the advertisements at the back of the book.</p> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78139 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57i (with regex) on 2026-03-08 12:28:53 GMT --> +</html> diff --git a/78139-h/images/cover.jpg b/78139-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9454a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/78139-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/78139-h/images/fireside-girls.jpg b/78139-h/images/fireside-girls.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea1f33b --- /dev/null +++ b/78139-h/images/fireside-girls.jpg diff --git a/78139-h/images/home-library.jpg b/78139-h/images/home-library.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..64ae219 --- /dev/null +++ b/78139-h/images/home-library.jpg diff --git a/78139-h/images/i255.jpg b/78139-h/images/i255.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..12fae28 --- /dev/null +++ b/78139-h/images/i255.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c72794 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..eb9bc63 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook #78139 +(https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78139) |
