\"But，ifheknowsnothingofhisfather’scompact，ofwhatinterestisthis？\"
\"Oh，nothing！OnlyIthoughtitmightleadtosomething。\"
Mrs。Rightbodysuspectedthat\"something，\"andaskedsharply，\"AndprayhowdidYOUfinditout？Youdidnotspeakofitinthevalley。\"
\"Oh！Ididn’tfinditouttillto-day，\"saidMissAlice，walkingtothewindow。\"Hehappenedtobehere，and——toldme。\"
PARTIV。
IfMrs。Rightbody’sfriendshadbeenastoundedbyhersingularandunexpectedpilgrimagetoCaliforniasosoonafterherhusband’sdecease，theywerestillmoreastoundedbytheinformation，ayearlater，thatshewasengagedtobemarriedtoaMr。Ryder，ofwhomonlythescanthistorywasknown，thathewasaCalifornian，andformercorrespondentofherhusband。Itwasundeniablethatthemanwaswealthy，andevidentlynomereadventurer;itwasrumoredthathewascourageousandmanly：buteventhosewhodelightedinhisoddhumorwereshockedathisgrammarandslang。
ItwassaidthatMr。Marvinhadbutoneinterviewwithhisfather-
in-lawelect，andreturnedsosupremelydisgusted，thatthematchwasbrokenoff。Thehorse-stealingstory，moreorlessgarbled，founditswaythroughlipsthatpretendedtodecryit，yeteagerlyrepeatedit。OnlyonememberoftheRightbodyfamily——andanewone——savedthemfromutterostracism。ItwasyoungMr。Ryder，theadoptedsonoftheprospectiveheadofthehousehold，whoseculture，manners，andgeneralelegance，fascinatedandthrilledBostonwithanewsensation。ItseemedtomanythatMissAliceshould，inthevicinityofthisrareexotic，forgetherformerenthusiasmforaprofessionallife;buttheyoungmanwaspitiedbysociety，andvariousplansfordivertinghimfromanymesalliancewiththeRightbodyfamilywereconcocted。
Itwasawintrynight，andthesecondanniversaryofMr。Rightbody’sdeath，thatalightwasburninginhislibrary。Butthedeadman’schairwasoccupiedbyyoungMr。Ryder，adoptedsonofthenewproprietorofthemansion;andbeforehimstoodAlice，withherdarkeyesfixedonthetable。
\"Theremusthavebeensomethinginit，Joe，believeme。Didyouneverhearyourfatherspeakofmine？\"
\"Never。\"
\"Butyousayhewascollege-bred，andbornagentleman，andinhisyouthhemusthavehadmanyfriends。\"
\"Alice，\"saidtheyoungmangravely，\"whenIhavedonesomethingtoredeemmyname，andwearitagainbeforethesepeople，beforeYOU，itwouldbewelltorevivethepast。Buttillthen——\"
ButAlicewasnottobeputdown。\"Iremember，\"shewenton，scarcelyheedinghim，\"that，whenIcameinthatnight，papawasreadingaletter，andseemedtobedisconcerted。\"
\"Aletter？\"
\"Yes;but，\"addedAlice，withasigh，\"whenwefoundhimhereinsensible，therewasnoletteronhisperson。Hemusthavedestroyedit。\"
\"Didyoueverlookamonghispapers？Iffound，itmightbeaclew。\"
Theyoungmanglancedtowardthecabinet。Alicereadhiseyes，andanswered，——
\"Oh，dear，no！Thecabinetcontainedonlyhispapers，allperfectlyarranged，——youknowhowmethodicalwerehishabits，——andsomeoldbusinessandprivateletters，allcarefullyputaway。\"
\"Letusseethem，\"saidtheyoungman，rising。
Theyopeneddrawerafterdrawer;filesuponfilesoflettersandbusinesspapers，accuratelyfoldedandfiled。SuddenlyAliceutteredalittlecry，andpickedupaquaintivorypaper-knifelyingatthebottomofadrawer。
\"Itwasmissingthenextday，andnevercouldbefound：hemusthavemislaidithere。Thisisthedrawer，\"saidAliceeagerly。
Herewasaclew。Butthelowerpartofthedrawerwasfilledwitholdletters，notlabelled，yetneatlyarrangedinfiles。Suddenlyhestopped，andsaid，\"Putthemback，Alice，atonce。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Someoftheselettersareinmyfather’shandwriting。\"
\"ThemorereasonwhyIshouldseethem，\"saidthegirlimperatively。
\"Here，youtakepart，andI’lltakepart，andwe’llgetthroughquicker。\"
Therewasacertaindecisionandindependenceinhermannerwhichhehadlearnedtorespect。Hetooktheletters，andinsilencereadthemwithher。Theywereoldcollegeletters，sofilledwithboyishdreams，ambitions，aspirations，andutopiantheories，thatI
fearneitheroftheseyoungpeopleevenrecognizedtheirparentsinthedeadashesofthepast。Theywerebothgrave，untilAliceutteredalittlehystericalcry，anddroppedherfaceinherhands。
Joewasinstantlybesideher。
\"It’snothing，Joe，nothing。Don’treadit，please;please，don’t。
It’ssofunny！it’ssoveryqueer！\"
ButJoehad，afteraslight，half-playfulstruggle，takentheletterfromthegirl。Thenhereadaloudthewordswrittenbyhisfatherthirtyyearsago。
\"Ithankyou，dearfriend，forallyousayaboutmywifeandboy。
Ithankyouforremindingmeofourboyishcompact。Hewillbereadytofulfilit，Iknow，ifhelovesthosehisfatherloves，evenifyoushouldmarryyearslater。Iamgladforyoursake，forbothoursakes，thatitisaboy。Heavensendyouagoodwife，dearAdams，andadaughter，tomakemysonequallyhappy。\"
JoeSilsbielookeddown，tookthehalf-laughing，half-tearfulfaceinhishands，kissedherforehead，and，withtearsinhisgraveeyes，said，\"Amen！\"……
IaminclinedtothinkthatthissentimentwasechoedheartilybyMrs。Rightbody’sformeracquaintances，when，ayearlater，MissAlicewasunitedtoaprofessionalgentlemanofhonorandrenown，yetwhowasknowntobethesonofaconvictedhorse-thief。AfewrememberedthepreviousCalifornianstory，andfoundcorroborationtherefor;butamajoritybelieveditajustrewardtoMissAliceforherconducttoMr。Marvin，and，asMissAlicecheerfullyaccepteditinthatlight，IdonotseewhyImaynotendmystorywithhappinesstoallconcerned。
ALEGENDOFSAMMTSTADT。
ItwasthesacredhourofnoonatSammtstadt。Everybodywasatdinner;andtheseriousKellnerof\"DerWildemann\"glancedinmildreproachatMr。JamesClinch，who，disregardingthatfactandtheinvitatorytabled’hote，steppedintothestreet。ForMr。ClinchhadeatenalatebreakfastatGladbach，wasdyspepticandAmerican，and，moveover，preoccupiedwithbusiness。Hewasconsequentlyindignant，onenteringthegarden-likecourtandcloister-likecounting-houseof\"VonBecheret，Sons，Uncles，andCousins，\"tofindthecomptoirdesertedevenbytheporter，andwasfuriousatthemaidservant，whoofferedthesacredshibboleth\"Mittagsessen\"
asareasonableexplanationofthesolitude。\"Acountry，\"saidMr。
Clinchtohimself，\"thatstopsbusinessatmid-daytogotodinner，andemployswomen-servantstotalktobusiness-men，isplayedout。\"
HesteppedfromthesilentbuildingintotheequallysilentKronprinzenStrasse。Notasoultobeseenanywhere。Rowsonrowsoftwo-storied，gray-stuccoedbuildingsthatmightbedwellings，ormightbeoffices，allshowingsometracesoffemininetasteandsupervisioninafloweroracurtainthatbeliedthelegended\"Comptoir，\"or\"Direction，\"overtheirportals。Mr。ClinchthoughtofBostonandStateStreet，ofNewYorkandWallStreet，andbecamecoldlycontemptuous。
YettherewasclearlynothingtodobuttowalkdowntheformalrowsofchestnutsthatlinedthebroadStrasse，andthenwalkbackagain。Atthecornerofthefirstcross-streethewasstruckwiththefactthattwomenwhowerestandinginfrontofadwelling-
houseappearedtobeasinconsistent，andoutofproportiontothesilenthouses，asweretheactorsonastagetothepaintedcanvasthoroughfaresbeforewhichtheystrutted。Mr。Clinchusuallyhadnofancies，hadnoeyeforquaintness;besides，thiswasnotaquaintnorromanticdistrict，onlyanentrepotforsilksandvelvets，andMr。Clinchwashere，notasatourist，butasapurchaser。TheguidebookshadignoredSammtstadt，andhewastoogoodanAmericantowastetimeinlookingupuncataloguedcuriosities。Besides，hehadbeenhereoncebefore，——anentireday！
Oneo’clock。Stillafullhourandahalfbeforehisfriendwouldreturntobusiness。Whatshouldhedo？TheVereinwherehehadoncebeenentertainedwasdesertedevenbyitswaiters;thegarden，withitsostentatiousout-of-doortables，lookedbleakandbare。
Mr。Clinchwasnotartisticinhistastes;butevenhewasquicktodetecttheaffrontputuponNaturebythiscontinental，theatricalgardening，andturneddisgustedlyaway。Bornneara\"lake\"largerthantheGermanOcean，heresentedapoolofwatertwenty-fivefeetindiameterunderthatalluringtitle;and，afrequenteroftheAdirondacks，hecouldscarcecontainhimselfoverabitofrock-
worktwelvefeethigh。\"Acountry，\"saidMr。Clinch，\"that——\"buthereherememberedthathehadonceseeninaparkinhisnativecityanimitationoftheDrachenfelsinplaster，onascaleoftwoinchestothefoot，andcheckedhisspeech。
Heturnedintotheprincipalalleeofthetown。Therewasalongwhitebuildingatoneend，——theBahnhof：attheotherendherememberedadye-house。Hehad，ayearago，metitshospitableproprietor：hewouldcalluponhimnow。
Butthesamesolitudeconfrontedhimashepassedtheporter’slodgebesidethegateway。Thecounting-house，halfvilla，halffactory，musthaveconvokeditshumanityinsomeout-of-the-wayrefectory，forthehallsandpassagesweretenantless。Forthefirsttimehebegantobeimpressedwithacertainforeignquaintnessinthesurroundings;hefoundhimselfalsorecallingsomethinghehadreadwhenaboy，aboutanenchantedpalacewhoseinhabitantsawokeonthearrivalofalong-predestinedPrince。Toassurehimselfoftheabsoluteridiculousnessofthisfancy，hetookfromhispocketthebusiness-cardofitsproprietor，asampleofdye，andrecalledhisownpersonalityinaletterofcredit。
Havingdismissedthisideafromhismind，heloungedonagainthrougharusticlanethatmighthaveledtoafarmhouse，yetwasstill，absurdlyenough，apartofthefactorygardens。Crossingaditchbyacauseway，hepresentlycametoanotherditchandanothercauseway，andthenfoundhimselfidlycontemplatingamassive，ivy-
clad，venerablebrickwall。Asamerewallitmightnothaveattractedhisattention;butitseemedtoenterandburyitselfatrightanglesintheside-wallofaquitemodern-lookingdwelling。
Aftersatisfyinghimselfofthisfact，hepassedonbeforethedwelling，butwasamazedtoseethewallreappearontheothersideexactlythesame——old，ivy-grown，sturdy，uncompromising，andridiculous。
Coulditactuallybeapartofthehouse？Heturnedback，andrepassedthefrontofthebuilding。Theentrancedoorwashospitablyopen。Therewasahallandastaircase，but——byallthatwaspreposterous！——theywerebuiltOVERandAROUNDthecentralbrickintrusion。Thewallactuallyranthroughthehouse！\"A
country，\"saidMr。Clinchtohimself，\"wheretheybuildtheirhousesoverruinstoaccommodatethem，orsavethetroubleofremoval，is，——\"butaverypleasantvoiceaddressinghimherestoppedhisusualhastyconclusion。
\"GutenMorgen！\"
Mr。Clinchlookedhastilyup。Leaningontheparapetofwhatappearedtobeagardenontheroofofthehousewasayounggirl，red-cheeked，bright-eyed，blond-haired。Thevoicewassoft，subdued，andmellow;itwaspartofthenewimpressionhewasreceiving，thatitseemedtobeinsomesortconnectedwiththeivy-cladwallbeforehim。Hishatwasinhishandasheanswered，——
\"GutenMorgen！\"
\"WastheHerrseekinganything？\"
\"TheHerrwasonlywaitingalongtime-comingfriend，andhadstrayedheretospeakwiththebefore-knownproprietor。\"
\"So？But，thebefore-knownproprietorsleepingwellatpresentafterdinner，wouldtheHerrontheterracestillawhilelinger？\"
TheHerrwould，butlookedaroundinvainforthemeanstodoit。
Hewasthinkingofascaling-ladder，whentheyoungwomanreappearedattheopendoor，andbadehimenter。
Followingtheyouthfulhostess，Mr。Clinchmountedthestaircase，but，passingthemysteriouswall，couldnotforbearanallusiontoit。\"Itisold，veryold，\"saidthegirl：\"itwasherewhenI
came。\"
\"Thatwasnotverylongago，\"saidMr。Clinchgallantly。
\"No;butmygrandfatherfounditheretoo。\"
\"Andbuiltoverit？\"
\"Whynot？Itisvery，veryhard，andSOthick。\"
Mr。Clinchhereexplained，withmasculinesuperiority，theexistenceofsuchmodernagentsasnitro-glycerineanddynamite，persuasiveintheireffectsupontime-honoredobstructionsandencumbrances。
\"Buttherewasnotthenwhatyoucall——this——ni——nitro-glycerine。\"
\"Butsincethen？\"
Theyounggirlgazedathimintroubledsurprise。\"Mygreat-
grandfatherdidnottakeitawaywhenhebuiltthehouse：whyshouldwe？\"
\"Oh！\"
Theyhadpassedthroughahallanddining-room，andsuddenlysteppedoutofawindowuponagravelledterrace。Fromthisafewstonestepsdescendedtoanotherterrace，onwhichtreesandshrubsweregrowing;andyet，lookingovertheparapet，Mr。Clinchcouldseetheroadsometwentyfeetbelow。Itwasnearlyonalevelwith，andpartof，thesecondstoryofthehouse。Hadanearthquakeliftedtheadjacentground？orhadthehouseburrowedintoahill？Mr。Clinchturnedtohiscompanion，whowasstandingclosebesidehim，breathingquiteaudibly，andleavinganimpressiononhissensesasofagentleandfragrantheifer。
\"Howwasallthisdone？\"
Themaidendidnotknow。\"Itwasalwayshere。\"
Mr。Clinchreascendedthesteps。Hehadquiteforgottenhisimpatience。Possiblyitwasthegentle，equablecalmofthegirl，who，butforherreadycolor，didnotseemtobemovedbyanything;
perhapsitwasthepeacefulreposeofthismausoleumofthedeadandforgottenwallthatsubduedhim，buthewasquitewillingtotaketheold-fashionedchairontheterracewhichsheofferedhim，andfollowhermotionswithnotaltogethermechanicaleyesasshedrewoutcertainbottlesandglassesfromamysteriousclosetinthewall。Mr。Clinchhadtheweaknessofamajorityofhissexinbelievingthathewasagoodjudgeofwineandwomen。Thelatter，asshowninthespecimenbeforehim，hewouldhaveinvoicedasafairsampleofthemiddle-classGermanwoman，——healthy，comfort-
loving，home-abiding，theverygeniusofdomesticity。Eveninhervirginoutlinesthefuturewholesomematronwasalreadyforecast，fromthecurvesofherbroadhips，totheflatlinesofherbackandshoulders。Ofthewinehewastojudgelater。THATrequiredanevenmoresubtleandunimpassionedintellect。
Sheplacedtwobottlesbeforehimonthetable，——one，thetraditionallong-necked，amber-coloredRheinflasche;theother，anold，quaint，discolored，amphorax-patternedglassjug。Thefirstsheopened。
\"This，\"shesaid，pointingtotheother，\"cannotbeopened。\"
Mr。Clinchpaidhisrespectsfirsttotheopenedbottle，agoodqualityofNiersteiner。Withhisintellectthusclarified，heglancedattheother。
\"Itisfrommygreat-grandfather。Itisoldasthewall。\"
Mr。Clinchexaminedthebottleattentively。Itseemedtohavenocork。Formedofsomeobsolete，opaqueglass，itstwistedneckwasapparentlyhermeticallysealedbythesamematerial。Themaidensmiled，asshesaid，——
\"Itcannotbeopenednowwithoutbreakingthebottle。Itisnotgoodlucktodoso。Mygrandfatherandmyfatherwouldnot。\"
ButMr。Clinchwasstillexaminingthebottle。Itsneckwasflattenedtowardsthemouth;butacloseinspectionshoweditwasclosedbysomeequallyhardcement，butnotglass。
\"IfIcanopenitwithoutbreakingthebottle，haveIyourpermission？\"
AmischievousglancerestedonMr。Clinch，asthemaidenanswered，——
\"Ishallnotobject;butforwhatwillyoudoit？\"
\"Totasteit，totryit。\"
\"Youarenotafraid？\"
TherewasjustenoughobviousadmirationofMr。Clinch’saudacityinthemaiden’smannertoimpelhimtoanyrisk。Hisonlyanswerwastotakefromhispocketasmallsteelinstrument。Holdingtheneckofthebottlefirmlyinonehand，hepassedhisthumbandthesteeltwiceorthricearoundit。Afaintrasping，scratchingsoundwasallthewonderinggirlheard。Then，withasudden，dexteroustwistofhisthumbandfinger，toherutterastonishmenthelaidthetopoftheneck，neatlycutoff，inherhand。
\"There’sabetterandmoremodernbottlethanyouhadbefore，\"hesaid，pointingtothecleanly-dividedneck，\"andanycorkwillfititnow。\"
Butthegirlregardedhimwithanxiety。\"Andyoustillwishtotastethewine？\"
\"Withyourpermission，yes！\"
Helookedupinhereyes。Therewaspermission：therewassomethingmore，thatwasflatteringtohisvanity。Hetookthewine-glass，and，slowlyandinsilence，filleditfromthemysteriousflask。
Thewinefellintotheglassclearly，transparently，heavily，butstillandcoldasdeath。Therewasnosparkle，nocheapebullition，noevanescentbubble。Yetitwassoclear，that，butforafaintamber-tinting，theglassseemedempty。Therewasnoaroma，noetherealdiffusionfromitsequablesurface。Perhapsitwasfancy，perhapsitwasfromnervousexcitement;butaslightchillseemedtoradiatefromthestillgoblet，andbringdownthetemperatureoftheterrace。Mr。Clinchandhiscompanionbothinsensiblyshivered。
Butonlyforamoment。Mr。Clinchraisedtheglasstohislips。
Ashedidso，herememberedseeingdistinctly，asinapicturebeforehim，thesunlitterrace，theprettygirlintheforeground，——
anamusedspectatorofhissacrilegiousact，——theoutlyingivy-
crownedwall，thegrass-grownditch，thetallfactorychimneysrisingabovethechestnuts，andthedistantpoplarsthatmarkedtheRhine。
Thewinewasdelicious;perhapsaTRIFLE，onlyatrifle，heady。Hewasconsciousofaslightexaltation。Therewasalsoasmileuponthegirl’slipandaroguishtwinkleinhereyeasshelookedathim。
\"Doyoufindthewinetoyourtaste？\"sheasked。
\"Fairenough，Iwarrant，\"saidMr。Clinchwithponderousgallantry;
\"butmethinks’tisnothingcomparedwiththenectarthatgrowsonthoserubylips。Nay，bySt。Ursula，Iswearit！\"
Nosoonerhadthissolemnlyridiculousspeechpassedthelipsoftheunfortunatemanthanhewouldhavegivenworldstohaverecalledit。Heknewthathemustbeintoxicated;thatthesentimentandlanguagewereutterlyunlikehim，hewasmiserablyaware;thathedidnotevenknowexactlywhatitmeant，hewasalsohopelesslyconscious。Yetfeelingallthis，——feeling，too，theshameofappearingbeforeherasamanwhohadlosthissensesthroughasingleglassofwine，——neverthelessheroseawkwardly，seizedherhand，andbysheerforcedrewhertowardshim，andkissedher。Withanexclamationthatwashalfacryandhalfalaugh，shefledfromhim，leavinghimaloneandbewilderedontheterrace。
ForamomentMr。Clinchsupportedhimselfagainsttheopenwindow，leaninghisthrobbingheadonthecoldglass。Shame，mortification，anhystericalhalf-consciousnessofhisutterridiculousness，andyetanodd，undefinedterrorofsomething，byturnspossessedhim。
Washeeverbeforeguiltyofsuchperfectfolly？Hadheeverbeforemadesuchaspectacleofhimself？Wasitpossiblethathe，Mr。
JamesClinch，thecoolestheadatalatesupper，——he，theAmerican，whohadrepeatedlydrunkFrenchmenandEnglishmenunderthetable——couldbetransformedintoasentimental，stageyidiotbyasingleglassofwine？Hewasconscious，too，ofaskinghimselftheseveryquestionsinastiltedsortofrhetoric，andwitharisingbrutalityofangerthatwasnewtohim。Andtheneverythingswambeforehim，andheseemedtoloseallconsciousness。
Butonlyforaninstant。Withastrongeffortofhiswillheagainrecalledhimself，hissituation，hissurroundings，and，aboveall，hisappointment。Herosetohisfeet，hurriedlydescendedtheterrace-steps，and，beforehewellknewhow，foundhimselfagainontheroad。Oncethere，hisfacultiesreturnedinfullvigor;hewasagainhimself。Hestrodebrisklyforwardtowardtheditchhehadcrossedonlyafewmomentsbefore，butwassuddenlystopped。Itwasfilledwithwater。Helookedupanddown。Itwasclearlythesameditch;butaflowingstreamthirtyfeetwidenowseparatedhimfromtheotherbank。
Theappearanceofthisunlooked-forobstaclemadeMr。Clinchdoubtthefullrestorationofhisfaculties。Hesteppedtothebrinkofthefloodtobathehisheadinthestream，andwashawaythelastvestigesofhispotations。Butasheapproachedtheplaciddepths，andkneltdownheagainstartedback，andthistimewithafullconvictionofhisownmadness;forreflectedfromitsmirror-likesurfacewasafigurehecouldscarcelycallhisown，althoughhereandtheresometraceofhisformerselfremained。
Hisclose-croppedhair，trimmedalamode，hadgivenwaytolong，curlinglocksthatdroppeduponhisshoulders。Hisneatmustachewasfrightfullyprolonged，andcurledupattheendsstiffly。HisPiccadillycollarhadchangedshapeandtexture，andreached——amassoflace——toapointmidwayofhisbreast！Hisboots，——whyhadhenotnoticedhisbootsbefore？——thesetriumphsofhisParisianbootmaker，werelostinhideousleatherncasesthatreachedhalfwayuphisthighs。Inplaceofhisformerhighsilkhat，therelayuponthegroundbesidehimtheawfulthinghehadjusttakenoff，——
amassofthickenedfelt，flap，feather，andbucklethatweighedatleastastone。
Asingleterribleideanowtookpossessionofhim。Hehadbeen\"sold，\"\"takenin，\"\"donefor。\"Hesawitall。Inastateofintoxicationhehadlosthisway，hadbeendraggedintosomevileden，strippedofhisclothesandvaluables，andturnedadriftuponthequiettowninthisshamelessmasquerade。Howshouldhekeephisappointment？howinformthepoliceofthisoutrageuponastrangerandanAmericancitizen？howestablishhisidentity？Hadtheysparedhispapers？Hefeltfeverishlyinhisbreast。Ah！——
hiswatch？Yes，awatch——heavy，jewelled，enamelled——and，byallthatwasridiculous，FIVEOTHERS！Heranhishandsintohiscapacioustrunkhose。Whatwasthis？Brooches，chains，finger-
rings，——onelargeepiscopalone，——ear-rings，andahandfulofbatteredgoldandsilvercoins。Hispapers，hismemorandums，hispassport——allproofsofhisidentity——weregone！Intheirplacewastheunmistakableomniumgatherumofanaccomplishedknightoftheroad。Notonlywashispersonality，buthischaracter，goneforever。
ItwasapartofMr。Clinch’ssingularexperiencethatthislaststrokeofillfortuneseemedtoreviveinhimsomethingofthebrutalinstincthehadfeltamomentbefore。Heturnedeagerlyaboutwiththeintentionofcallingsomeone——thefirstpersonhemet——toaccount。Butthehousethathehadjustquittedwasgone。
Thewall！Ah，thereitwas，nolongerpurposeless，intrusive，andivy-clad，butpartofthebuttressofanothermassivewallthatroseintobattlementsabovehim。Mr。ClinchturnedagainhopelesslytowardSammtstadt。TherewasthefringeofpoplarsontheRhine，thereweretheoutlyingfieldslitbythesamemeridiansun;butthecharacteristicchimneysofSammtstadtweregone。Mr。
Clinchwashopelesslylost。
Thesoundofahornbreakingthestillnessrecalledhissenses。Henowforthefirsttimeperceivedthatalittledistancebelowhim，partlyhiddeninthetrees，wasaqueer，tower-shapedstructurewithchainsandpulleys，thatinsomestrangewayrecalledhisboyishreading。Adrawbridgeandportcullis！Andonthebattlementafigureinamasqueradingdressasabsurdashisown，flourishingabannerandtrumpet，andtryingtoattracthisattention。
\"WaswollenSie？\"
\"Iwanttoseetheproprietor，\"saidMr。Clinch，chokingbackhisrage。
Therewasapause，andthefigureturnedapparentlytoconsultwithsomeonebehindthebattlements。Afteramomenthereappeared，andinaperfunctorymonotone，withanoccasionalbreathingspellonthetrumpet，began，——
\"Youdogivewarrantyasagoodknightandtrue，aswellasbythebonesoftheblessedSt。Ursula，thatyoubearnoillwill，secretenmity，wickedmispriseorconspiracy，againstthebodyofournoblelordandmasterVonKolnsche？Andyoubringwithyounoambush，siege，orsurpriseofretainers，neithersecretwarrantnorlettresdecachet，norcarryonyourknightlypersonpoisoneddagger，magicring，witch-powder，norenchantedbullet，andthatyouhaveenteredintonounhallowedalliancewiththePrinceofDarkness，gnomes，hexies，dragons，Undines，Loreleis，northelike？\"
\"Comedownoutofthat，youd————doldfool！\"roaredMr。Clinch，nowperfectlybesidehimselfwithrage，——\"comedown，andletmein！\"
AsMr。Clinchshoutedoutthelastwords，confusedcriesofrecognitionandwelcome，notunmixedwithsomeconsternation，rosefromthebattlements：\"AchGott！\"\"MutterGott——itishe！ItisJann，DerWanderer。Itishimself。\"Thechainsrattled，theponderousdrawbridgecreakedanddropped;andacrossitamedleyofmotleyfiguresrushedpellmell。But，foremostamongthem，theverymaidenwhomhehadleftnottenminutesbeforeflewintohisarms，andwithacryofjoyfulgreetingsankuponhisbreast。Mr。Clinchlookeddownuponthefairheadandlongbraids。Itcertainlywasthesamemaiden，hiscruelenchantress;butwheredidshegetthoseabsurdgarments？
\"Willkommen，\"saidastoutfigure，advancingwithsomeauthority，andseizinghisdisengagedhand，\"wherehastthoubeensolong？\"
Mr。Clinch，bynomeansplacated，coldlydroppedtheextendedhand。
ItwasNOTtheproprietorhehadknown。ButtherewasasingularresemblanceinhisfacetosomeoneofMr。Clinch’sownkin;butwho，hecouldnotremember。\"MayItakethelibertyofaskingyourname？\"heaskedcoldly。
Thefiguregrinned。\"Surely;but，ifthoustandestuponpunctilio，itisforMEtoaskthine，mostnobleFreiherr，\"saidhe，winkinguponhisretainers。\"WhomhaveIthehonorofentertaining？\"
\"MynameisClinch，——JamesClinchofChicago，Ill。\"
Ashoutoflaughterfollowed。InthemidstofhisrageandmortificationMr。Clinchfanciedhesawashadeofpainandannoyanceflitacrossthefaceofthemaiden。Hewaspuzzled，butpressedherhand，inspiteofhislateexperiences，reassuringly。
Shemadeagestureofsilencetohim，andthenslippedawayinthecrowd。
\"SchamesK’l’n’schevonSchekargo，\"mimickedthefigure，totheunspeakabledelightofhisretainers。\"So！THATisthelatestFrenchstyle。HolySt。Ursula！Harkye，nephew！Iamnotatravelledman。SincetheCrusadeswesimpleRhinegentlemenhavestaidathome。ButIcallmyselfKolnscheofKoln，atyourservice。\"
\"Verylikelyyouareright，\"saidMr。Clinchhotly，disregardingthecautionofhisfaircompanion;\"but，whoeverYOUare，Iamastrangerentitledtoprotection。Ihavebeenrobbed。\"
IfMr。Clinchhadutteredanexquisitejokeinsteadofaveryangrystatement，itcouldnothavebeenmorehilariouslyreceived。Hepaused，grewconfused，andthenwentonhesitatingly，——
\"InplaceofmypapersandcredentialsIfindonlythese。\"Andheproducedthejewelryfromhispockets。
Anothershoutoflaughterandclappingofhandsfollowedthissecondspeech;andthebaron，withawinkathisretainers，prolongedthegeneralmirthbysaying，\"Bytheway，nephew，thereislittledoubtbuttherehasbeenrobbery——somewhere。\"
\"Itwasdone，\"continuedMr。Clinch，hurryingtomakeanendofhisexplanation，\"whileIwasinadvertentlyovercomewithliquor，——
druggedliquor。\"
Thelaughterherewassouproariousthatthebaron，albeitwithtearsoflaughterinhisowneyes，madeaperemptorygestureofsilence。Thegesturewaspeculiartothebaron，efficaciousandsimple。Itconsistedmerelyinknockingdownthenearestlaugher。
Havingthusrestoredtranquillity，hestrodeforward，andtookMr。
Clinchbythehand。\"BySt。Adolph，Ididdoubttheeamomentago，nephew;butthislastfrankconfessionofthineshowsmeIdidtheewrong。WillkommenzuHause，Jann，drunkorsober，willcommenzuCracowen。\"
Moreandmoremystified，butconvincedofthefollyofanyfurtherexplanation，Mr。Clinchtooktheextendedhandofhisallegeduncle，andpermittedhimselftobeledintothecastle。Theypassedintoalargebanqueting-halladornedwitharmorandimplementsofthechase。Mr。Clinchcouldnothelpnoticing，that，althoughtheappointmentswereliberalandpicturesque，theventilationwasbad，andthesmokefromthehugechimneymadetheairmurky。Theoakentables，massiveincarvingandrichincolor，wereunmistakablygreasy;andMr。Clinchslippedonapieceofmeatthatoneofthedozenhalf-wilddogswhowereoccupyingtheroomwastearingonthefloor。Thedog，yelping，ranbetweenthelegsofaretainer，precipitatinghimuponthebaron，whoinstantly，withthe\"equalfoot\"offate，kickedhimandthedogintoacorner。
\"Andwhencecameyoulast？\"askedthebaron，disregardingthelittlecontretemps，andthrowinghimselfheavilyonanoakensettle，whilehepushedaqueer，uncomfortable-lookingstool，withlegslikeaSiamese-twin-connecteddoubleX，towardshiscompanion。
Mr。Clinch，whohadquitegivenhimselfuptofate，answeredmechanically，——
\"Paris。\"
Thebaronwinkedhiseyewithunutterable，elderlywickedness。
\"AchGott！itisnothingtowhatitwaswhenIwasyourage。Ah！
therewasManon，——SieurManonweusedtocallher。Isupposeshe’sgettingoldnow。Howgoesonthefeudbetweenthestudentsandthecitizens？Eh？DidyougotothebalinlaCite？\"
Mr。ClinchstoppedtheflowofthoseJustice-Shallow-likereminiscencesbyanuneasyexclamation。Hewasthinkingofthemaidenwhohaddisappearedsosuddenly。Thebaronmisinterpretedhisnervousness。\"Whatho，withinthere！——Max，Wolfgang，——lazyrascals！Bringsomewine。\"
AtthebalefulwordMr。Clinchstartedtohisfeet。\"Notforme！
Bringmenoneofyourbody-and-soul-destroyingpoison！I’veenoughofit！\"
Thebaronstared。Theservitorsstaredalso。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidMr。Clinch，recallinghimselfslowly;
\"butIfearthatRhinewinedoesnotagreewithme。\"
Thebarongrinned。Perceiving，however，thatthethreeservitorsgrinnedalso，hekickedtwoofthemintoobscurity，andfelledthethirdtothefloorwithhisfist。\"Harkye，nephew，\"hesaid，turningtotheastonishedClinch，\"giveoverthisnonsense！BythemitreofBishopHatto，thouartasbigafoolashe！\"
\"Hatto，\"repeatedClinchmechanically。\"What！heoftheMouseTower？\"
\"Ay，oftheMouseTower！\"sneeredthebaron。\"Iseeyouknowthestory。\"
\"WhyamIlikehim？\"askedMr。Clinchinamazement。
Thebarongrinned。\"HEpunishedtheRhenishwineasthoudost，withoutjudgment。Hehad——\"
\"Thejim-jams，\"saidMr。Clinchmechanicallyagain。
Thebaronfrowned。\"Iknownotwhatgibberishthousayestby’jim-
jams’;buthehad，likethee，thewildestfantasiesandimaginings;
sawsnakes，toads，rats，inhisboots，butprincipallyrats;saidtheypursuedhim，cametohisroom，hisbed——achGott！\"
\"Oh！\"saidMr。Clinch，withasuddenreturntohisfirmerselfandhisnativeinquiringhabits;\"thenTHATisthefactaboutBishopHattoofthestory？\"
\"Hisenemiesmadeitthesubjectofavileslanderofanoldfriendofmine，\"saidthebaron;\"andthosecursedpoets，whobelieveeverything，andthenpersuadeotherstodoso，——maytheDevilflyawaywiththem！——keptitup。\"
HerewerefactsquitetoMr。Clinch’sscepticalmind。Heforgothimselfandhissurroundings。
\"AndthatstoryoftheDrachenfels？\"heaskedinsinuatingly，——\"thedragon，youknow。Washetoo——\"
Thebarongrinned。\"AboartransformedbythedrunkenbrainsoftheBauersoftheSiebengebirge。AchGott！Ottefriedhadmanyaheartylaughoverit;anditdidhim，asthouknowest，goodservicewiththenervousmotherofthesillymaiden。\"
\"AndthesevensistersofSchonberg？\"askedMr。Clinchpersuasively。
\"’Schonberg！Sevensisters！’Whatofthem？\"demandedthebaronsharply。
\"Why，youknow，——themaidenswhoweresocoytotheirsuitors，and——
don’tyouremember？——jumpedintotheRhinetoavoidthem。\"
\"’Coy？JumpedintotheRhinetoavoidsuitors’？\"roaredthebaron，purplewithrage。\"Harkye，nephew！Ilikenotthisjesting。
ThouknowestImarriedoneoftheSchonberggirls，asdidthyfather。How’coy’theywereisneitherherenorthere;butmayhapWEmighttellanotherstory。Thyfather，asweakafellowasthouartwhereapetticoatisconcerned，couldnotasagentlemandootherthanhedid。AndTHISishisreward？AchGott！’Coy！’AndTHIS，Iwarrant，isthewaythestoryisdeliveredinParis。\"
Mr。Clinchwouldhaveansweredthatthiswasthewayhereaditinaguidebook，butcheckedhimselfatthehopelessnessoftheexplanation。Besides，hewasontheeveofhistoricinformation;
hewas，asitwere，interviewingthepast;and，whetherhewouldeverbeabletoprofitbytheopportunityornot，hecouldnotbeartoloseit。\"AndhowabouttheLorelei——isshe，too，afiction？\"
heaskedglibly。
\"Itwassaid，\"observedthebaronsardonically，\"thatwhenthoudisappearedwiththegamekeeper’sdaughteratObercassel——Heavenknowswhere！——thouwastswallowedupinawhirlpoolwithsomecreature。AchGott！Ibelieveit！Butatrucetothisbalderdash。Andsothouwantesttoknowofthe’coy’sistersofSchoenberg？Harkye，Jann，thatcousinofthineisaSchonberg。
Callyouher’coy’？DidInotseethygreeting？Eh？BySt。
Adolph，knowingtheeasshedoestoberobberandthief，callyouhergreeting’coy’？\"
FuriousasMr。Clinchinwardlybecameundertheseepithets，hefeltthathisexplanationwouldhardlyrelievethemaidenfromdeceit，orhimselffromweakness。Butoutofhisveryperplexityandturmoilabrightideawasborn。Heturnedtothebaron，——
\"ThenyouhavenofaithintheRhinelegends？\"
Thebarononlyrepliedwithacontemptuousshrugofhisshoulders。
\"ButwhatifItoldyouanewone？\"
\"You？\"
\"Yes;apartofmyexperience？\"
Thebaronwascurious。Itwasearlyintheafternoon，justafterdinner。Hemightbeworsebored。
\"I’veonlyonecondition，\"addedMr。Clinch：\"theyounglady——I
mean，ofcourse，mycousin——musthearittoo。\"
\"Oh，ay！Isee。Ofcourse——theoldtrick！Well，callthejade。
Butmarkye，SirNephew，noenchantedmaidensandknights。Keeptothyself。Beasthouart，vagabondJannKolnische，knightoftheroad。——Whathothere，scoundrels！CalltheLadyWilhemina。\"
ItwasthefirsttimeMr。Clinchhadheardhisfairfriend’sname;
butitwasnot，evidently，thefirsttimeshehadseenhim，astheverydecidedwinkthegentlemaidendroppedhimtestified。
Nevertheless，withhandslightlyclaspedtogether，anddowncasteyes，shestoodbeforethem。
Mr。Clinchbegan。Withoutheedingthebaron’sscornfulgrin，hegraphicallydescribedhismeeting，twoyearsbefore，withaLorelei，herusualpressinginvitation，andhissubsequentplungeintotheRhine。
\"Iamfreetoconfess，\"addedMr。Clinch，withanaffectingglancetoWilhelmina，\"thatIwasnotenamouredofthegracesofthelady，butwasactuatedbymydesiretotravel，andexplorehithertounknownregions。Iwishedtotravel，tovisit——\"
\"Paris，\"interruptedthebaronsarcastically。
\"America，\"continuedMr。Clinch。
\"What？\"——\"America。\"
\"’Tisagnome-likesoundingname，thisMeriker。Goon，nephew：
tellusofMeriker。\"
Withthecharacteristicfluencyofhisnation，Mr。Clinchdescribedhislandingonthoseenchantedshores，viz，theRhineWhirlpoolandHellGate，EastRiver，NewYork。Hedescribedtherailways，tram-
ways，telegraphs，hotels，phonograph，andtelephone。Anoccasionaloathbrokefromthebaron，buthelistenedattentively;andinafewmomentsMr。Clinchhadtheraconteur’ssatisfactionofseeingthevasthallslowlyfillingwithopen-eyedandopen-mouthedretainershanginguponhiswords。Mr。Clinchwentontodescribehisastonishmentatmeetingontheseveryshoressomeofhisownbloodandkin。\"Infact，\"saidMr。Clinch，\"herewerearacecallingthemselves’Clinch，’butallclaimingtohavedescendedfromKolnische。\"
\"Andhow？\"sneeredthebaron。
\"ThroughJamesKolnischeandWilhelminahiswife，\"returnedMr。
Clinchboldly。\"TheyemigratedfromKolnandCrefeldtoPhiladelphia，wherethereisaquarternamedCrefeld。\"Mr。Clinchfelthimselfshakyastohischronology，butwiselyrememberedthatitwasachronologyofthefuturetohishearers，andtheycouldnotdetectananachronism。WithhiseyesfixeduponthoseofthegentleWilhelmina，Mr。Clinchnowproceededtodescribehisreturntohisfatherland，buthisastonishmentatfindingtheveryfaceofthecountrychanged，andacitystandingonthosefieldshehadplayedinasaboy;andhowhehadwanderedhopelesslyon，untilheatlastsatwearilydowninahumblecottagebuiltupontheruinsofalordlycastle。\"Soutterlytravel-wornandweakhadI
become，\"saidMr。Clinch，withadroitlysimulatedpathos，\"thatasingleglassofwineofferedmebythesimplecottagemaidenaffectedmelikeaprolongeddebauch。\"
Along-drawnsnorewasallthatfollowedthisaffectingclimax。
Thebaronwasasleep;theretainerswerealsoasleep。Onlyonepairofeyesremainedopen，——arch，luminous，blue，——Wilhelmina’s。
\"ThereisasubterraneanpassagebelowustoLinn。Letusfly！\"
shewhispered。
\"Butwhy？\"
\"Theyalwaysdoitinthelegends，\"shemurmuredmodestly。
\"Butyourfather？\"
\"Hesleeps。Doyounothearhim？\"
Certainlysomebodywassnoring。But，oddlyenough，itseemedtobeWilhelmina。Mr。Clinchsuggestedthistoher。
\"Fool，itisyourself！\"
Mr。Clinch，struckwiththeidea，stoppedtoconsider。Shewasright。ItcertainlyWAShimself。
Withastruggleheawoke。Thesunwasshining。Themaidenwaslookingathim。Butthecastle——thecastlewasgone！
\"Youhavesleptwell，\"saidthemaidenarchly。\"EverybodydoesafterdinneratSammtstadt。Fatherhasjustawakened，andiscoming。\"
Mr。Clinchstaredatthemaiden，attheterrace，atthesky，atthedistantchimneysofSammtstadt，atthemoredistantRhine，atthetablebeforehim，andfinallyattheemptyglass。Themaidensmiled。\"Tellme，\"saidMr。Clinch，lookinginhereyes，\"isthereasecretpassageundergroundbetweenthisplaceandtheCastleofLinn？\"
\"Anundergroundpassage？\"
\"Ay——whencethedaughterofthehousefledwithastrangerknight。\"
\"Theysaythereis，\"saidthemaiden，withagentleblush。
\"Canyoushowittome？\"
Shehesitated。\"Papaiscoming：I’llaskhim。\"
Ipresumeshedid。AtleasttheHerrConsulatSammtstadtinformsmeofamarriage-certificateissuedtooneClinchofChicago，andKolnischeofKoln;andthereisanamusingstoryextantintheVereinatSammtstadt，ofanAmericanconnoisseurofRhinewines，whomistookaflaskofCognacandrock-candy，usedfor\"craftilyqualifying\"lowergradesofwinetotheAmericanstandard，fortherarestRudesheimerberg。
VIEWSFROMAGERMANSPION
Outsideofmywindow，twonarrowperpendicularmirrors，parallelwiththecasement，projectintothestreet，yetwithacertainunobtrusivenessofanglethatenablesthemtoreflectthepeoplewhopass，withoutanyreciprocaldisclosureoftheirown。Themenandwomenhurryingbynotonlydonotknowtheyareobserved，but，whatisworse，donotevenseetheirownreflectioninthishypocriticalplane，andareconsequentlyunable，throughitsaid，tocorrectanycarelessnessofgarb，gait，ordemeanor。Atfirstthisseemstobetakinganunfairadvantageofthehumananimal，whoinvariablyassumesanattitudewhenheisconsciousofbeingunderhumanfocus。ButIobservethatmyneighbors’windows，rightandleft，haveasimilarapparatus，thatthiscustomisevidentlyalocalone，andthelocalityisGerman。BeinganAmericanstranger，Iamquitewillingtoleavethemoralityofthetransactionwiththelocality，andadaptmyselftothecustom：indeed，Ihadthoughtofofferingit，figuratively，asanexcuseforanyunfairnessofobservationImightmakeinthesepages。ButmyGermanmirrorsreflectwithoutprejudice，selection，orcomment;andtheAmericaneye，Ifear，isbutmortal，andlikeallmortaleyes，figurativelyaswellasinthatliteralfactnotedbyaneminentscientificauthority，infinitelyinferiortotheworkofthebestGermanopticians。
Andthisleadsmetomyfirstobservation，namely，thatamajorityofthosewhopassmymirrorhaveweakeyes，andhavealreadyinvokedtheaidoftheoptician。Whyarethesepeople，physicallyinallelsesomuchstrongerthanmycountrymen，deficientineyesight？Or，toomitthepassingtestimonyofmySpion，andtakemyownpersonalexperience，whydoesmyyoungfriendMax，brightestofallschoolboys，whoalreadywearsthecapthatdenotesthehighestclass，——whydoesheshockmebysuddenlydrawingforthapairofspectacles，thatuponhisfresh，rosyfacewouldbeanobviousmockingimitationoftheHerrPapa——ifGermanchildrencouldever，byanypossibility，beirreverent？OrwhydoestheFrauleinMarie，hissister，pinkasAurora，roundasHebe，suddenlyveilherblueeyeswithagoldenlorgnetteinthemidstofourpolyglotconversation？Isittoevadethedirect，admiringglanceoftheimpulsiveAmerican？DareIsayNO？DareIsaythatthatfrank，clear，honest，earnestreturnoftheeye，whichhasontheContinentmostunfairlybroughtmyfaircountrywomenundercriticism，isquiteascommontohermorecarefully-guarded，tradition-hedgedGermansisters？No，itisnotthat。Isitanythingintheseemeraldandopaltintedskies，whichseemsounrealtotheAmericaneye，andforthefirsttimeexplainwhatseemedtheunrealityofGermanart？inthesemysteriousyetrestfulRhinefogs，whichprolongthetwilight，andhangthecurtainofromanceevenovermid-day？Surelynot。Isitnotrather，OHerrProfessorprofoundinanalogyandphilosophy！——isitnotratherthisabominableblack-letter，thiselsewhere-discarded，uncouth，slowly-
decayingtextknownastheGermanAlphabet，thatplucksoutthebrighteyesofyouth，andbristlesthegatewaysofyourlanguagewithachevauxdefriseofsplinteredrubbish？WhymustIhesitatewhetheritisanaccidentoftheprinter’spress，orthepoorqualityofthepaper，thatmakesthislettera\"k\"ora\"t\"？WhymustIhaltinanemotionorathoughtbecause\"s\"and\"f\"aresonearlyalike？IsitnotenoughthatI，animpulsiveAmerican，accustomedtodoathingfirst，andreflectuponitafterwards，mustgropemywaythroughablindalleyofsubstantivesandadjectives，onlytofindtheverbofactioninanobscurecorner，withoutruiningmyeyesightinthegroping？
ButIdismisstheseabstractreflectionsforafreshandactiveresentment。ThisisthefifthorsixthdogthathaspassedmySpion，harnessedtoasmallbarrow-likecart，andtuggingpainfullyataburdensoludicrouslydisproportionatetohissize，thatitwouldseemaburlesque，butforthepoordog’ssadsincerity。
PerhapsitisbecauseIhavethebarbarian’sfondnessfordogs，andfortheirlawless，gentle，lovinguselessness，thatIrebelagainstthisunnaturalservitude。Itseemsasmonstrousasifachildwereputbetweentheshafts，andmadetocarryburdens;andIhavecometoregardthosemenandwomen，whointheweakestperfunctorywayaffecttoaidthepoorbrutebylayingidlehandsonthebarrowbehind，asIwouldunnaturalparents。PegasusharnessedtotheThracianherdsman’sploughwasnomoreofadesecration。Ifancythepoordogseemstofeelthemonstrosityoftheperformance，and，insheershameforhismaster，forgivinglytriestoassumeitisPLAY;andIhaveseenalittle\"colley\"runningalong，barking，andendeavoringtoleapandgambolintheshafts，beforealoadthatanyoneoutofthislocalitywouldhavethoughtthedirestcruelty。
Nordotheolderormorepowerfuldogsseemtobecomeaccustomedtoit。Whenhiscrueltaskmasterhaltswithhiswares，instantlythedog，eitherbysittingdowninhisharness，orcrawlingovertheshafts，orbysomeunmistakabledog-liketrick，utterlyscattersanysuchdelusionofeventhehabitofservitude。Thefewofhisracewhodonotworkinthisducalcityseemtohavelosttheirdemocraticcaninesympathies，andlookuponhimwithsomethingofthatindifferentcalmwithwhichyonderofficereyestheroad-
menderintheditchbelowhim。Heloseseventhecharacteristicsofspecies。Thecommoncurandmastifflookalikeinharness。Theburdenlevelsalldistinctions。Ihavesaidthathewasgenerallysincereinhisefforts。Irecallbutoneinstancetothecontrary。
Irememberayoungcolleywhofirstattractedmyattentionbyhispersistentbarking。Whetherhedidthis，astheplough-boywhistled，\"forwantofthought，\"orwhetheritwasarunningprotestagainsthisoccupation，Icouldnotdetermine，untilonedayInoticed，that，inbarking，heslightlythrewuphisneckandshoulders，andthatthetwo-wheeledbarrow-likevehiclebehindhim，havingitsweightevenlypoisedonthewheelsbythetrucksinthehandsofitsdriver，enabledhimbythismovementtocunninglythrowthecenterofgravityandthegreaterweightontheman，——afactwhichthatlesssagaciousbruteneverdiscerned。PerhapsIamusingastrongexpressionregardinghisdriver。Itmaybethatthepurelyanimalwantsofthedog，inthewayoffood，care，andshelter，aremorebountifullysuppliedinservitudethaninfreedom;becomingavaluableandusefulproperty，hemaybecaredforandprotectedassuch（anoddrecollectionthatthisargumenthadbeenusedforciblyinregardtohumanslaveryinmyowncountrystrikesmehere）;buthispicturesquenessandpoetryaregone，andIcannothelpthinkingthatthepeoplewhohavelostthisgentle，sympathetic，characteristicfigurefromtheirdomesticlifeandsurroundingshavenotacquiredanequalgainthroughhisharshlabors。
TotheAmericaneyethereis，throughoutthelengthandbreadthofthisforeigncity，nomorenotableandstrikingobjectthantheaverageGermanhouse-servant。ItisnotthatshehaspassedmySpionadozentimeswithinthelasthour，——forheresheismessenger，porter，andcommissionnaire，aswellashousemaidandcook，——butthatsheisalwaysaphenomenontotheAmericanstranger，accustomedtobeabusedinhisowncountrybyhisforeignIrishhandmaiden。Herpresenceisasrefreshingandgratefulasthemorninglight，andasinevitableandregular。WhenIaddthatwiththenoveltyofbeingwellservediscombinedthesatisfactionofknowingthatyouhaveinyourhouseholdanintelligentbeingwhoreadsandwriteswithfluency，andyetdoesnotabstractyourbooks，norcriticiseyourliterarycomposition;whoiscleanlyclad，andneatinherperson，withoutthesuspicionofhavingborrowedhermistress’sdresses;whomaybegood-lookingwithouttheleastimputationofcoquetryoradditiontoherfollowers;whoisobedientwithoutservility，politewithoutflattery，willingandrepletewithsupererogatoryperformance，withouttheexpectationofimmediatepecuniaryreturn，whatwonderthattheAmericanhouseholdertranslatedintoGermanlifefeelshimselfinanewEdenofdomesticpossibilitiesunrealizedinanyothercountry，andbeginstobelieveinapresentandfutureofdomestichappiness！
WhatwonderthattheAmericanbachelorlivinginGermanlodgingsfeelshalftheterrorsoftheconjugalfutureremoved，andrushesmadlyintolove——andhousekeeping！WhatwonderthatI，along-
sufferingandpatientmaster，whohavebeenservedbythereticentbuttooimitativeChinaman;whohavebeen\"Massa\"tothechildlikebutuntruthfulnegro;whohavebeentherecipientofthebrotherlybutuncertainministrationsoftheSouth-SeaIslander，andhavebeenproudlydisregardedbytheAmericanaborigine，onlyinduetimetomeetthefateofmycountrymenatthehandsofBridgettheCelt，——whatwonderthatIgladlyseizethisopportunitytosingthepraisesofmyGermanhandmaid！Honortothee，Lenchen，whereverthougoest！Heavenblesstheeinthywalksabroad！whetherwiththattightly-bootedcavalrymaninthySundaygownandbest，orinbluepolka-dottedapronandbareheadasthoutrottestnimblyonmineerrands，——errandswhichBridgeto’Flahertywouldscorntoundertake，or，undertaking，wouldhopelesslyblunderin。Heavenblessthee，child，inthyearlyrisingsandinthylatersittings，atthyfestiveboardoverflowingwithEssigandFett，inthemysteriesofthyKuchen，inthefulnessofthyBier，andinthynightlysuffocationsbeneathmountainousandmultitudinousfeathers！Good，honest，simple-minded，cheerful，duty-lovingLenchen！Havenotthybrothers，stronganddutifulasthou，lenttheirgravityandearnestnesstosweetenandstrengthenthefierceyouthoftheRepublicbeyondtheseas？andshallnotthychildreninheritthebroadprairiesthatstillwaitforthem，anddiscoverthefatnessthereof，andsendaportiontransmutedinglitteringshekelsbacktothee？
AlmostasnotablearethechildrenwhoseroundfaceshaveasfrequentlybeenreflectedinmySpion。WhetheritisonlyafancyofminethattheaverageGermanretainslongerthananyotherracehischildishsimplicityandunconsciousness，orwhetheritisbecauseIammoreaccustomedtotheextremeself-assertionandearlymaturityofAmericanchildren，Iknownot;butIaminclinedtobelievethatamongnootherpeopleischildhoodasperennial，andtobestudiedinsuchcharacteristicandquaintandsimplephasesashere。ThepicturesquenessofSpanishandItalianchildhoodhasafaintsuspicionofthepantomimeandtheconsciousattitudinizingoftheLatinraces。Germanchildrenarenotexuberantorvolatile：theyareserious，——aseriousness，however，nottobeconfoundedwiththegravereflectivenessofage，butonlytheabstractwondermentofchildhood;forallthosewhohavemadealovingstudyoftheyounghumananimalwill，Ithink，admitthatitsdominantexpressionisGRAVITY，andnotplayfulness，andwillbesatisfiedthatheerredpitifullywhofirstascribed\"light-
heartedness\"and\"thoughtlessness\"aspartofitsphenomena。TheselittlecreaturesImeetuponthestreet，——whetherinquaintwoodenshoesandshortwoollenpetticoats，orneatlybootedandfurred，withschoolknapsacksjauntilyborneuponlittlesquareshoulders，——
allcarrylikewiseintheirroundchubbyfacestheirprofoundwondermentandastonishmentatthebigbusyworldintowhichtheyhavesolatelystrayed。IfIstoptospeakwiththislittlemaidwhoscarcelyreachestothetop-bootsofyondercavalryofficer，thereislessofbashfulself-consciousnessinhersweetlittlefacethanofgravewonderattheforeignaccentandstrangewaysofthisnewfigureobtrudeduponherlimitedhorizon。Sheanswershonestly，frankly，prettily，butgravely。ThereisaremotepossibilitythatImightbite;and，withthissuspicionplainlyindicatedinherroundblueeyes，shequietlyslipsherlittleredhandfrommine，andmovessolemnlyaway。Irememberoncetohavestoppedinthestreetwithafaircountrywomanofminetointerrogatealittlefigureinsabots，——theonequaintobjectinthelong，formalperspectiveofnarrow，graybastard-ItalianfacadedhousesofaRhenishGermanStrasse。Thesweetlittlefigureworeadark-bluewoollenpetticoatthatcametoitsknees;
graywoollenstockingscoveredtheshapelylittlelimbsbelow;anditsveryblondehair，thecolorofabrightdandelion，wastiedinapatheticlittleknotatthebackofitsroundhead，andgarnishedwithanabsurdgreenribbon。Now，althoughthisgentlewoman’ssympathieswerecatholicanduniversal，unfortunatelytheirexpressionwaslimitedtoherownmother-tongue。Shecouldnothelppouringoutuponthechildthematernallovethatwasinherownwomanlybreast，norcouldshewithholdthe\"baby-talk\"throughwhichitwasexpressed。But，alas！itwasinEnglish。Henceensuedacolloquy，tenderandextravagantonthepartoftheelder，graveandwonderingonthepartofthechild。Buttheladyhadanaturalfemininedesireforreciprocity，particularlyinthepresenceofouremotion-scorningsex，andasalastresourcesheemptiedthesmallsilverofherpurseintothelapofthecoymaiden。Itwasadeclarationoflove，susceptibleoftranslationatthenearestcake-shop。Butthelittlemaid，whosedressandmannercertainlydidnotbetrayanhabitualdisregardofgiftsofthiskind，lookedatthecointhoughtfully，butnotregretfully。
Someinnatesenseofduty，equallystrongwiththatofbeingpolitetostrangers，filledherconsciousness。Withtheutterlyunexpectedremarkthatherfather’didnotallowhertotakemoney’，thequeerlittlefiguremovedaway，leavingthetwoAmericanscoveredwithmortification。TherareAmericanchildwhocouldhavedonethiswouldhavedoneitwithanattitude。ThislittleGermanbourgeoisediditnaturally。IdonotintendtorushtothedeductionthatGermanchildrenofthelowerclasseshabituallyrefusepecuniarygratuities：indeed，Iremembertohavewickedlysuggestedtomycompanion，that，toavoidimpoverishmentinaforeignland，sheshouldnotrepeatthestorynortheexperiment。
ButIsimplyofferitasafact，andtoanAmerican，athomeorabroad，anovelone。
Iowetotheselittlefiguresanotherexperiencequiteasstrange。
Itwasatthecloseofadullwinter’sday，——adayfromwhichallout-of-doorfestivityseemedtobenaturallyexcluded：therewasabalefulpromiseofsnowintheairandadismalreminiscenceofitunderfoot，whensuddenly，instrikingcontrastwiththedreadfulbleaknessofthestreet，ahalfdozenchildren，maskedandbedizenedwithcheapribbons，spangles，andembroidery，flashedacrossmySpion。Iwasquicktounderstandthephenomenon。ItwastheCarnivalseason。OnlythenightbeforeIhadbeentothegreatopeningmasquerade，——afamousaffair，forwhichthisart-lovingcityisnoted，andtowhichstrangersaredrawnfromallpartsoftheContinent。Iremembertohavewonderedifthepleasure-lovingGermaninAmericahadnotbrokensomeofhisconventionalshacklesinemigration;forcertainlyIhadfoundtheCarnivalballsofthe\"LiederKranzSociety\"inNewYork，althoughdecorousandfashionabletotheAmericantaste，tobewilddissipationscomparedwiththepracticalseriousnessofthisnativeperformance，andI
hailedthepresenceofthesechildrenintheopenstreetasapromiseofsomeextravagance，real，untrammelled，andcharacteristic。
Iseizedmyhatand——OVERCOAT，——adreadfulincongruitytothespanglesthathadwhiskedby，andfollowedthevanishingfiguresroundthecorner。Heretheywerere-enforcedbyadozenmenandwomen，fantastically，butnotexpensivelyarrayed，lookingnotunlikethesupernumerariesofsomeprovincialoperatroupe。
Followingthecrowd，whichalreadybegantopourinfromtheside-streets，inafewmomentsIwasinthebroad，grove-likeallee，andinthemidstofthemasqueraders。
Iremembertohavebeentoldthatthiswasacharacteristicannualcelebrationofthelowerclasses，anticipatedwitheagerness，andachievedwithdifficulty，indeed，oftenonlythroughthealternativeofpawningclothingandfurnituretoprovidethemeansforthisephemeraltransformation。Irememberbeingwarned，also，thatthebuffoonerywascoarse，andsomeoftheslanghardlyfitfor\"earspolite。\"ButIamafraidthatIwasnotshockedattheprodigalityofthesepoorpeople，whopurchasedaholidayonsuchhardconditions;and，astothecoarsenessoftheperformance，I
feltthatIcertainlymightgowherethesechildrencould。
Atfirstthemasqueradingfiguresappearedtobemainlycomposedofyounggirlsofagesvaryingfromninetoeighteen。Theircostumes——
ifwhatwasoftenonlytheadditionofabroad，bright-coloredstripetothehemofashortdresscouldbecalledaCOSTUME——wereplain，andseemedtoindicatenoparticularhistoricalepochorcharacter。Ageneralsuggestionofthepeasant’sholidayattirewasdominantinallthecostumes。Everybodywascloselymasked。
Allcarriedashort，gayly-stripedbatonofsplitwood，calledaPritsche，which，whenstrucksharplyonthebackorshouldersofsomespectatororsister-masker，emittedaclattering，raspingsound。Towanderhandinhanddownthisbroadallee，tostrikealmostmechanically，andoftenmonotonously，ateachotherwiththeirbatons，seemedtobetheextentofthatwilddissipation。
Thecrowdthickened。Youngmenwithfalsenoses，hideousmasks，cheapblackorredcottondominoes，soldiersinuniform，crowdedpasteachother，upanddownthepromenade，allcarryingaPritsche，andexchangingblowswitheachother，butalwayswiththesameslowseriousnessofdemeanor，which，withtheirsilence，gavetheperformancetheeffectofareligiousrite。Occasionallysomeoneshouted：perhapsadozenyoungfellowsbrokeoutinsong;buttheshoutwasprovocativeofnothing，thesongfalteredasifthesingerswerefrightenedattheirownvoices。Oneblithefellow，withabear’sheadonhisfur-cappedshoulders，begantodance;
but，onthecrowdstoppingtoobservehimseriously，heapparentlythoughtbetterofit，andslippedaway。Nevertheless，thesolemnbeatingofPritschenovereachother’sbackswenton。IrememberthatIwasfollowedthewholelengthofthealleebyalittlegirlscarcelytwelveyearsold，inabrightstripedskirtandblackmask，whofromtimetotimestruckmeovertheshoulderswitharegularityandsadpersistencythatwaspeculiarlyirresistibletome;themoreso，asIcouldnothelpthinkingthatitwasnothalfasamusingtoherself。OnceonlydidtheordinarybrusquegallantryoftheCarnivalspiritshowitself。Amanwithanenormouspairofhorns，likeahalf-civilizedsatyr，suddenlyseizedayounggirlandendeavoredtokissher。Aslightstruggleensued，inwhichIfanciedIdetectedinthegirl’sfaceandmannertheconfusionandembarrassmentofonewhowasobligedtooverlook，orseemtoaccept，afamiliaritythatwasdistasteful，ratherthanbelaughedatforprudishnessorignorance。Buttheincidentwasexceptional。Indeed，itwasparticularlynotabletomyAmericaneyestofindsuchdecorumwheretheremighteasilyhavebeenthegreatestlicense。IamafraidthatanAmericanmobofthisclasswouldhavescarcelybeenasorderlyandcivilunderthecircumstances。Theymighthaveshownmorehumor;buttherewouldhaveprobablybeenmoreeffrontery：theymighthavebeenmoreexuberant;theywouldcertainlyhavebeendrunker。Ididnotnoticeasinglemasqueraderundulyexcitedbyliquor：therewasnotawordormotionfromthelightersexthatcouldhavebeenconstruedintoanimpropriety。Therewassomethingalmostpathetictomeinthisattempttowrestgayetyandexcitementoutofthesedullmaterials;tofightagainsttheblacknessofthatwintrysky，andthestubbornhardnessofthefrozensoil，withthesepaintedsticksofwood;tomockthedrearinessoftheirpovertywiththeseflauntingraiments。Itdidnotseemlikethem，orrather，consistentwithmyideaofthem。Therewasincongruitydeeperthantheirbizarreexternals;ahalf-melancholy，half-crazyabsurdityintheiraction，thesubstitutionofagrimspasmodicfrenzyforlevity，thatrightlyorwronglyimpressedme。Whentheincreasinggloomoftheeveningmadetheirfiguresundistinguishable，Iturnedintothefirstcross-street。AsIliftedmyhattomypersistentyoungfriendwiththePritsche，Ifanciedshelookedasrelievedasmyself。If，however，Iwasmistaken;ifthatchild’spathwaythroughlifebestrewnwithrosyrecollectionsoftheunresistingbackofthestrangerAmerican;ifanyburden，OGretchen！laiduponthyyoungshoulders，belighterforthetriflingonethoudidstlayuponmine，——know，then，thatI，too，amcontent。
Andso，daybyday，hasmySpionreflectedthevariouschangingformsoflifebeforeit。Ithasseenthefirstflushofspringinthebroadallee，whentheshadowsoftinyleafletsoverheadwerebeginningtocheckerthecool，squareflagstones。Ithasseentheglareandfulnessofsummersunshineandshadow，theflyingofNovembergoldthroughtheair，thegauntlimbs，andstark，rigid，death-likewhitenessofwinter。Ithasseenchildrenintheirqueer，wickerbaby-carriages，oldmenandwomen，andoccasionallythatgrimusherofdeath，insablecloakandcockedhat，——abalefulfigureforthewanderinginvalidtouristtomeet，——whoactsasundertakerforthisducalcity，andmarshalsthelastmelancholyprocession。Iwellremembermyfirstmeetingwiththisominousfunctionary。Itwasanearlyautumnalmorning;soearly，thatthelongformalperspectiveoftheallee，andthedecorous，smoothvanishing-linesofcream-and-grayfrontedhouses，wereunrelievedbyasinglehumanfigure。Suddenlyatallblackspectre，astheatricalandasunrealasthepaintedscenicdistance，turnedthecornerfromacross-street，andmovedslowlytowardsme。Alongblackcloak，fallingfromitsshoulderstoitsfeet，floatedoutoneithersidelikesablewings;acockedhattrimmedwithcrape，andsurmountedbyahearse-likefeather，coveredapassionlessface;
anditseyes，lookingneitherleftnorright，werefixedfatefullyuponsomedistantgoal。StrangerasIwastothisContinentalceremonialfigure，therewasnomistakinghisfunctionsasthegrimmessenger，knocking\"withequalfoot\"oneverydoor;and，indeed，soperfectlydidheactandlookhisrole，thattherewasnothingludicrousintheextraordinaryspectacle。Facialexpressionanddignityofbearingwereperfect;thewholemanseemedsaturatedwiththeacceptedsentimentofhisoffice。Recallingthehalf-
confusedandhalf-consciousostentatioushypocrisyoftheAmericansexton，theshamelessabsurditiesoftheEnglishmutesandmourners，Icouldnothelpfeeling，that，ifitweredemandedthatGriefandFateshouldbepersonified，itwerebetterthatitshouldbewelldone。AnditisoneobservationofmySpion，thatthissincerityandbeliefisthecharacteristicofallContinentalfunctionaries。
ItispossiblethatmySpionhasshownmelittlethatisreallycharacteristicofthepeople，andthefewobservationsIhavemadeIofferonlyasanillustrationoftheimpressionsmadeupontwo-
thirdsofAmericanstrangersinthelargertownsofGermany。
Assimilationgoesonmorerapidlythanweareledtoimagine。AsI
haveseenmyfriendKarl，freshandawkwardinhisfirstuniform，lounginglaterdownthealleewiththeblaselistlessnessofafull-blownmilitaire，soIhaveseenAmericanandEnglishresidentsgraduallylosetheirpeculiarities，andmeltandmergeintothegeneralmass。ReturningtomySpionafteraflyingtripthroughBelgiumandFrance，asIlookdownthelongperspectiveoftheStrasse，IamconsciousofrecallingthesamestyleofarchitectureandhumanityatAachen，Brussels，Lille，andParis，andaminclinedtobelievethat，evenasIwouldhavemet，inajourneyofthesamedistancethroughaparallelofthesamelatitudeinAmerica，agreaterdiversityoftypeandcharacter，andamoredistinctflavoroflocality，evensowouldIhavemetamoreheterogeneousandpicturesquedisplayfromaclubwindowonFifthAvenue，NewYork，orMontgomeryStreet，SanFrancisco。
