Cambridge, and, if ever I were obliged to be in his company, to treat him with a cool and studied civility which would leave him no pretext for forcing a quarrel upon me. On the other hand, if they should think it imperative upon me to go out with him, then indeed was the prospect a gloomy one. Wilford, whose ruthless disposition was so well known as to have become as it were a by-word among the set he mixed with, was not a man to be offended with impunity, and as, moreover, I had made up my mind not to return his fire, the chances were strongly against my escaping with life. I am no coward; on the contrary, like most men whose physical energy is unimpaired, I am constitutionally fearless, and in moments of danger and excitement have never found myself wanting; still it would be affectation to deny that the prospect of a sudden and violent death, thus unexpectedly forced upon me, impressed my mind with a vague sensation of terror, mingled with regret for the past, and sorrow for the future. To be thus cut off in the bright spring-time of vigorous manhood, when the warm blood of youth dances gladly through the veins, and every pulse throbs with the instinct of high and noble daring-to die with hopes unattained, wishes ungratified, duties unperformed,-to leave those we love, without one parting look or word, to struggle on through this cold unsympathizing world alone and unprotected, and, above all, to lose one's life in an act the lawfulness of which was more than questionable, all these things contributed to form a picture, which it required either a very steadfast, or an utterly callous heart, to enable one to gaze upon without quailing. I thought of the misery I should entail upon my family; how, instead of fulfilling my father's dying injunctions to take his place, and devote myself to comfort and protect them, I should wound my mother's heart anew, and spread the dark mist of sorrow over the fair prospect of my sister's young existence; and I cursed my fastidious folly in objecting to the toast, to which, in my self-accusation, I traced all that had afterwards occurred. Then, with the inconsistency of human nature, I began to speculate upon what would be Clara Saville's feelings, were she to learn that it was to prevent the slightest breath of insult being coupled with her name that I was about to peril, not only my life, but, for aught I knew, my hopes of happiness here and hereafter. As the last awful possibility occurred to me, the burden of my misery became too great for me to bear, and, retiring to the privacy of my own chamber, I flung myself on my knees, and poured forth an earnest prayer for pardon and assistance. When I again returned to my sitting-room, my mind had nearly recovered its usual tone, and I felt prepared to meet and to go through whatever might be before me, with calmness and determination. As I was uncertain how long it might be before Lawless would arrive, I resolved, in order to avoid the horrors of suspense, to employ myself, and taking up the mathematical treatise upon which I was engaged, and by a vigorous effort of mind compelling my attention, I read steadily for about half an hour, at the end of which time the sound of hasty footsteps was heard ascending the stairs, and in another minute the door was flung open, and Lawless and Archer entered the apartment. "Reading mathematics, as I'm a slightly inebriated Christian !" exclaimed Archer, taking the book out of my hands; "well, if that is'nt pretty cool for a man who may be going to be shot at six o'clock to-morrow morning, for anything he knows to the contrary, I'm no judge of temperature." "Oh! bother mathematics," rejoined Lawless, flinging the book which Archer held out to him at a bust of Homer adorning the top of my book shelves, which it fortunately missed-" Frank, old boy! it's all right— you're not to have a bullet through your lungs this time-shake hands, old fellow I'm so glad about it that I've-" "Drunk punch enough to floor any two men of ordinary capacity," interposed Archer. "Of course I have," continued Lawless," and I consider I've performed a very meritorious act in so doing; there was the punch, all the other fellows were gone away, somebody must have drunk it, or that young reprobate Shrimp would have got hold of it, and I promised the venerable fish-fag his mother to take especial care of his what do ye call 'ums-morals is'nt it? and instil by precept, and-and-" "Example," suggested Archer. a "Yes, all that sort of thing," continued Lawless, taste for, that is, an unbounded admiration of, the sublime and beautiful, as exemplified under the form of "Rum punch, and lashings of it," chimed in Archer; "but suppose you were to tell Fairlegh what has been going on since he came away, or let me do it for you, whichever you like best.” "Oh! you tell him, by all means,-I like to encourage ingenuous youth; fire away, Archer, my boy!" Thus urged, Archer informed me, that upon my departure there had been a somewhat stormy discussion, in which the events of the evening were freely canvassed; and, at last, they came to a unanimous decision, that any man was at liberty to withdraw if a toast was proposed to which he objected, and that if the toastmaster preferred giving it up rather than allow him to leave the party, he had a perfect right to do so. This being the case, they agreed that Wilford, having been in the wrong, ought to confess that he had spoken hastily, and that, if he would do so, and would add that he had meant nothing offensive either to me or Oaklands, there the matter might rest. This for a long time he positively refused to do; at length, finding he could get no one to support him, he said, that as I had owned I was wrong in attempting to prevent his expressing his opinion, as to whether Lawless should give up the toast or not, he considered that, in all other respects, I had behaved in a gentlemanly way; therefore, if he had said anything which implied the contrary, he was willing to withdraw it. But that, as regarded Mr. Oaklands, he thought he had interfered in a very uncalled for manner, and he could only repeat that, if that gentleman felt himself aggrieved by anything he had said, the remedy was in his own hands. As soon as he had spoken he withdrew. The question was again debated, and at length they came to the conclusion, that what Wilford had said amounted to an ample apology as far as I was concerned, which I was bound to accept; and that Oaklands, having agreed to consider the quarrel mine, could not take any farther notice of it, therefore the affair was at an end. Well," said I, as he finished his recital, "I must ever feel grateful to you both for the trouble you have taken on my account, and the kind feeling you have shown towards me throughout. I will not pretend to deny that I am very glad the matter has been amicably arranged, for, circumstanced as I am, with everything depending upon my own exertions, a duel would have been ruin to me; but I must say, I think the whole business thoroughly unsatisfactory, and it is only my conviction that a duel would make matters worse, instead of mending them, which leads me to agree to the arrangement. I sincerely hope Oaklands will not hear what Wilford said about hiin, for he is fearfully irritated against him already." "I'll tell you what it is," interrupted Lawless; "it's my belief that Wilford's behaviour to you to-night was only assumed for the sake of provoking Oaklands. Master Stephen hates him as he does the very Old Gentleman himself, and would like nothing better than to pick a quarrel with him, have him out, and, putting a brace of slugs into him, leave him-" Quivering on a daisy," said Archer, completing the sentence. Really I think," he continued, "what Lawless says is very true; you see Oaklands's careless, nonchalant manner, which is always exactly the same whether he is talking to a beggar or a lord, gives "Foxington accepted the bet gladly, reckoning himself continual offence to Wilford, who has contrived some- safe to pocket the 500 guineas. The affair was to come how to exact a sort of deference and respect from all off the next morning at Foxington's stables at eleven the men he associates with, till he actually seems to o'clock. His lordship had invited all the men who had consider it his right. Then, Wilford's overbearing man- been present when the bet was made, to come and witner irritates Oaklands, and so, whenever they have met, ness the event, expecting a complete triumph over the breach has gone on widening, till now they posi-Wilford. While they were standing about, waiting, tively hate one another." Foxing ton told them of his own attempt, and his con "How is it you are so intimate with him?" asked I; viction, from the experience he had then gained, that "for nobody seems really to like him." "but the thing could not be done, and the general opinion Well, hang me if I can tell," replied Lawless; was that Wilford, under the influence of wine, had foolyou see he has some good points about him, after all; ishly boasted of what he would not be able to accomfor instance, I never saw him out with the hounds yet, plish, and was certain to lose his money. As the time that he didn't take a good place, aye, and keep it too, drew near, and he did not make his appearance, an idea however long the run, and difficult the country. I began to gain ground that he meant to shirk the thing killed the best horse I had in my stables, trying to altogether, and Foxington was becoming exceedingly follow him one day in Leicestershire last season; my irate, when, just as the clock was on the stroke of eleven, horse fell with me, going over the last fence but one, the sound of a horse's feet was heard, and Wilford canand never rose again. Wilford and one of the whipstered quietly up, looking as if he felt no personal who was merely a feather-weight, were the only men in interest whatever in the event. On his arrival they at the death. I offered him 300 guineas for the horse proceeded at once to the stable in which the mare he rode, but he only gave me one of his pleasant looks, stood. She was kept in a loose box, with her clothes on, but her head entirely free. and said he wasn't for sale." "You've seen that jet black mare he rides now, haven't you, Fairlegh?" asked Archer. Yes, what a magnificent creature it is," was my reply. "Did you ever hear how he came by it?" On my answering in the negative, Archer continued, "Well, I wonder at that, for it was in .everybody's mouth at one time: it's worth hearing, if it were but to show the determined character of the man. The mare belonged to Lord Foxington, Lord Sellborough's eldest son; I believe he gave 500 guineas for her; she was a splendid animal, high couraged, but temperate; in fact, when you were on her, she hadn't a fault; but in the stable she was a perfect devil; there was only one man who dared go near her, and he had been with her from a filly so that, when Foxington bought her, he was forced to hire the groom too. The most difficult thing of all was putting on the bridle; it was generally half an hour's work before she would let even this groom do it. After dinner, one day, Foxington began talking about this animal, saying what a brute she was to do anything with, and adding what I have just told you, as to the impossibility of putting on the bridle, when Wilford, who was present, made some remark, which showed he did not believe in the impossibility; upon which Foxington inquired whether he doubted the fact he had just heard. "Wilford replied, that he did not doubt his lordship fully believed in the truth of what he had just stated, but, for his own part, he had so often found impossibilities of this nature yield to a little courage and determination, that he confessed he was somewhat sceptical. I ought, by-the-bye," said Archer, interrupting himself," to have told you, that I had the account from a man who was there the whole time, and saw it all. Well, as soon as they went into the stable, the mare left off feeding, and turning round so as to face them, stood with her ears pricked up, gazing wildly at them. "Wilford just glanced at her, and then leisurely divested himself of his coat, waistcoat, and neckcloth, turned up the wristbands of his shirt, and taking the bridle from the groom, announced that he was ready. As soon as the door was open, Wilford fixed his eyes sternly on the mare, and walked towards her;-to the surprise of every one, the animal allowed him to approach quietly, and pat her, without showing any symptoms of vice; men began to exchange inquiring glances with each other, and those who had betted heavily against him trembled for their money, but Foxington, who was better acquainted with the animal, exclaimed, yet.' Wait a minute, he has not tried to touch her head "Wilford now moved his hand forward along the neck, patting her, and speaking soothingly to her, as he advanced; but, as he approached the head, she became impatient and fidgety, and when he attempted to take hold of the ear, in order to put on the bridle, she flung up her head, reared, and ran back a few steps, where she stood, shaking her mane, and pawing the ground. After remaining in this position a few seconds, she suddenly laid back her ears, and showing the whites of her eyes, ran at Wilford with her mouth wide open, and as soon as she got within distance made a ferocious Now it so happened, that Foxington, soon after he bite at him. By springing on one side with great bought the mare, had thought just as Wilford did, and agility, he just contrived to avoid it, then, dropping the determined that he would put the bridle on; accord-bridle, he threw himself into a sparring attitude, (you ingly he attempted it, and the matter ended by his getting regularly driven out of the stable by the animal, with a tolerably severe bite in the fleshy part of the shoulder. Wilford's remark, therefore, as may be imagined, rather nettled him, and he inquired somewhat tartly, whether Wilford believed he could put the bridle on and if so, whether he were willing to try? "Wilford replied in his usual cool tone, that he had very little doubt he could do so, but that he had no particular inclination to try, as it would probably be some trouble, and the weather was too hot to render active exertion desirable. "At this Foxington laughed derisively, saying, that it sounded very like a put off. "Not at all,' returned Wilford; and to show you that I never say a thing without being ready to act up to it, I am willing to stake 500 guineas against the mare herself, that I go up to her, and put the bridle on, without any assistance, and without a stick, or anything whatsoever in my hands.' know he's a capital boxer,) and, as the mare again ran at him, hit out, and striking her just on a particular spot by the car, brought her down like a bullock. As soon as she recovered her legs she renewed the attack, and Wilford received her as before, delivering his blow with the same coolness and precision. When the animal rose the second time, she seemed partially stunned, and stood for a moment with her head hanging down, and her cars drooping; but on Wilford's making a step towards her, she again plunged forward, and attempted to seize him with her teeth. Once more did Wilford evade her bite, by springing on one side, and seizing his opportunity, succeeded in planting his hit, and for the third time felled her to the ground. When she again rose, however, she showed no disposition to renew the attack, but stood trembling violently, with the perspiration running down her sides. She now allowed Wilford to approach her, to stroke her head, pull her ears, and finally to put the bridle on, and lead her out, completely conquered; and so my Lord Fox ington lost the best horse in his stables, and Wilford gained his bet, and added to his character for invincibility, which, by the way, he cared about much the most." "1 "It was a bold deed," returned I, as Archer concluded his story," but one does not like the man the better for having done it; there scems to me a degree of wanton cruelty in punishing an animal so severely, unless he had been actually forced to do it; public executioners may be necessary for the prevention of crime, but that is no reason why one need volunteer as an amateur hangman." "Everybody thought it a very plucky thing at the time, and there was an immense fuss made with him afterwards," replied Archer.-" Why Lawless, are you asleep? rouse up man-to bed-to bed.-Good night, Fairlegh, you'll sleep all the better for knowing you are not to be shot at cock-crow." So saying he took Lawless by the arm and marched him off, though it must be confessed, his gait, as he descended the stairs, was somewhat unsteady. TRUTTA. Translated from the German of Langbein. Ar the time when Doctor Faust rode out of Auerbach's cellar in Leipzig on the wine cask, there lived there a celebrated merchant named Altmayer, the worst of whose possessions was his only son. His father's wish of making him a clever active man of business failed entirely. He devoted himself, it is true, to Mercury, but not as the God of commerce, but as the God of thieves, for it is well known, that the messenger of the Gods was not only the protector and patron of the latter, but that he was not quite free from the imputation of pilfering himself. His example was followed by Valentine Altmayer; and he, like his master, conducted his affairs with becoming decency. Stranger's goods were perfectly safe with him; he touched none but his father's property, because he considered himself as already joint possessor, and looked upon these secret purloinings as a lawful fore-enjoyment of his future inheritance. What he obtained in this manner he did not employ like the saint who stole leather to make shoes for the poor, but he spent it in low houses, among a set of young men of his own stamp, who, by their profligacy, were very likely to be shortly without shoes to their feet. He lavished the produce of his robbery in every kind of dissipation. His father, who soon found out his bad practices, broke many a stick on the hopeful staff of his old age, and as this had not the desired effect, he procured him admittance into the house of correction, where he cooled his blood, which had been heated by strong wine, with cold water, and restored the healthy tone of his stomach, which had been injured by savoury viands and pastry, by a wholesome hunger cure. After he had passed six months here, and showed much sorrow and repentance, his father pardoned him, and took him home. "But what shall I do with you now?" said he, "you are too stupid for commerce." (1) The author has been credibly informed, that the feat here ascribed to Wilford, was actually performed by a groom employed in the stables of the late Lord S- -, not many years since, and that the horse, previously an unmanageable animal, was completely tamed by the discipline. Valentine reddened, and muttered between his teeth. "Yes! yes! too stupid," said his father, "for I call it the height of stupidity for a man not to use all his endeavours to get on in the world." "Well then, let me be a student," said Valentine insolently. "You are right! That is the surest way not to get on," said his father; but the proposal met his approbation, because, like many others, he was of opinion that a good for nothing, useless fellow, would always be cunning enough to be a learned man. But when, on being questioned what he would study, Valentine declared for the law, Here Altmayer shook his head, and said, "That will never do for you; a lawyer's business is much too important. It concerns fortune and property, and if, as an advocate, you spoil or lose a law-suit, you will have to pay the costs, and will injure yourself for ever. You had much better turn your attention to physic; there is less harm to be done there.-All men must die once, and if by your quackery, you send an invalid or two out of the world a little sooner than they should go, what does it signify? no one will care, and your fault will be honourably buried." and freedom of a student, made no objections, and Valentine, whose only concern was for the title he was enrolled in the list of students. He passed some time in the different lecture-rooms, but dry study did not please him. The noble vapour of the wine cellar suited him better, and for some time he lived more under the earth than upon it. It so happened, that when Doctor Faust performed his extraordinary feat on the wine cask, which has been celebrated by Goethe in his Faust, our Altmayer was present in Auerbach's wine cellar. He is immortalized by having been one of the jovial guests who arrogantly presumed to insult the doctor, who punished their insolence by turning them all into ridicule with a delusion of the black art. "Slowly before their wondering eyes, A vineyard, fruitful with delicious grapes, arose. The glorious vision vanished. And oh, indignity unheard of! each held within his grasp, This piece of magic pleased young Altmayer ex- "I wish to learn the art of making gold," said he, "and I would speak with the doctor about it." Trutta. 'If you seek my master for nothing else," said, Wagner, "you will find no learning. He will not condescend to discover the philosopher's stone to unworthy meu, who would only become rich to pass their days in idleness. And that such is your wish is written on your brow." "Well, well, don't blame me," said Valentine," "It is no crime to try to live at ease." "No, if it were not such a milksop as you who talked of it," said Wagner. "Go and learn a trade, or an art, and labour till you are old and grey; then you may honourably and peacefully enjoy what you have gained." "Indeed!" said Valentine, ironically. "Methinks it is too late to have bread when death is about to rob us of it. Why should I pine so long? Are there not thousands of others who are no older than I am, who can sit with their hands in their pockets and enjoy themselves. I ask no more." "You have my permission to do so," said the Famulus, with frosty indifference, "Only don't expect help or assistance from us. Yet, stay, I will give you one piece of advice.-Go to the Rusengeberg, to Rübezahl, or into the Black Forest, where a much richer, and more powerful spirit is said to dwell, though he is not so well known. These are the patrons for you, and the like of you." Valentine would have nothing to do with Rübezahl, because it was well known that this capricious being gave gold with one hand, and dealt blows with the other; or gratified his fickle disposition in some other way. Wagner told him he knew nothing of this Kobold, but that he was called Mammart, or Mammelack; that he lived in a ruined castle; that he appeared on his name being called, and that if he happened to be in good humour, he gave all that was required of him with tolerable politeness. Valentine thanked him for the information, and prepared for a journey to the Black Forest. He had no money, but his father had a full strong box, and the son had an excellent skeleton key. He made use of it now more unscrupulously than ever, because he was on the point of possessing great treasures, and could restore tenfold the few handfuls of ducats he had stolen. With this honest resolution he took French leave. An easy journey on foot, of from four to five weeks, brought him to the borders of the Black Forest. He wandered about in all directions, until he came to a ruined castle, which had exactly the appearance of a ghost's dwelling. Confident that the rich man lived here, he went to the gate, looked in, and saw in the court-yard a forest of thistles, which shook their heads all together as though they would have warned him to go no farther. But this he did not think proper to do. He remained outside the door in expectation of being invited to enter. After waiting for some hours without seeing a living soul, he began to be impatient, and called in a loud voice, "Mammelack, Mammelack!" Suddenly he felt box after box on the ear from an invisible hand; he started back, crying, "these are pretty gifts! does the gentleman receive visits in this manner? Why do I deserve to be treated so rudely? did not I call him by his right name? I'll tear my tongue from my throat if Wagner did not call him Mammelack." He had scarcely said this when a fresh shower of blows descended, and a man's voice, accompanied by the barking of dogs, was heard from behind the wall, saying, "Go! seek the devil in hell, you obstinate fool, but not me; if I hear that nickname again I'll beat you to a mummy." Valentine recollected with horror that Wagner had mentioned two different names to him, but he could by no means remember the other, and he cursed his memory; which, like a sieve, allowed the useful corn to fall through, and retained only the worthless chaff. What was to be done now? it would take him too long to go back to Leipsig to find out the name he had forgotten; he preferred playing the sentinel before the castle as long as his provisions would last, and waiting patiently to see if the spirit would appear uncalled. Four and twenty hours elapsed, and neither spirit, 314 "Take this chest, young man," said Mammart, "it contains all your heart desires." Valentine looked narrowly at this simple thing, took it in both his hands, examined its weight, and then shook his head, saying, man,nor beast appeared, with the exception of a raven | something like a pedlar's pack, reeled and stagthat came out of the ruins, and walked backwards gered over the thorns and thistles in the court, and forwards before the door. Valentine pursued without any visible impulse. It stood still before him out of pure idleness. The raven allowed him- the horseman and awaited his orders. self to be caught without much trouble, but then he defended himself with his beak and claws, and Sudcried, as if for help, "Mammart, Mammart!" denly a man's voice called out, "Let him go, you cowardly fool!" and a horseman came galloping out of the desolate castle. He was dressed like a hunter, and seated on a tabby-coloured horse with three legs. Valentine set the prisoner free and fled, but he had scarcely gone a hundred steps when he heard laughter behind him, and he began to be ashamed of his cowardice, and thought that by his departure he should altogether ruin his fortune. He therefore returned slowly, saluted the horse"Pardon me, Sir, I did not know man, and said, that the bird belonged to you, or I would not have touched him." "You should have paid dearly for it, if you had known it," said the horseman; "but you don't look as though you would willingly lay hands on stranger's property, and yet you certainly did not come from Leipsig, where the wine is so excellent, into this desolate black forest without an object. What you seek here?" do 66 Happiness," said Valentine, in a low voice. “Do you seek the happiness of the wise or of fools?" "The wise; by all means, the wise," said the student, encouraged by the hunter's mildness. "You speak very laudably, my son," said the subtle spirit. "Go home, be an honest man, labour diligently, rule your passions, live within your means, and mark every day with some good deed; you will then be happy, contented, honoured, and beloved all your life." "It is light enough; if it is not full of Heckthaler's I shall not long be able to keep open house. And where's the lovely maiden I asked you for? It is impossible that she could live in this box." "Never look a gift horse in the mouth," said It's no Mammart. "Take the chest or leave it. matter to me." He Valentine fingered the chest irresolutely. would willingly have opened it, to see what was inside, but the Wood Spirit, tired of his delay and hesitation, decided the bargain by saying, "Pack If you have no up the chest, or pack off with you. It contains more good than you think for. confidence in me and my words, go to the devil without it." This speech had the desired effect. 66 'Anything is better than nothing," thought the student. So taking the chest on his back, he thanked Mammart coldly, and withdrew with hasty steps from the presence of the watchful spirit, to examine his treasure undisturbed. He had not proceeded far, before he fancied he heard something moving in the chest. It became louder, and he distinguished a smothered coughing inside. He turned his head round to see what it The cover of the chest slowly rose, and a was. little old woman, with a sharp crooked nose, put her head out, and bent over his shoulder with a horrid smile. For one minute he stood as though Valentine made a grimace, and said, "Sir, your he was petrified; the next, with horrid oaths and doctrine is without blemish; I have known it by curses, he endeavoured to throw it from his back, but heart long ago; and I was lately reminded of it in vain; it seemed glued to him. And, after trying afresh by Dr. Faust's celebrated Famulus; but to for some time to no purpose, the goblin threatened tell you the truth, it does not suit my taste to be him with a ladle she had in her hand; and cried, "Cease, you good-for-nothing fellow, you will not labouring for ever, and after all to have nothing but vegetables to my soup. I wish to have a good pro-be so fortunate as to get rid of me; we are bound toperty, that I may be raised above all care or drud- gether as though we were married, and we will live gery, and to live comfortably and decently; for if very merrily." one has plenty of money, it is but a child's play to be honest." "You have very convenient ideas; carry them out if you can; I shall not interfere with them." "You speak exactly," muttered Valentine, "as though you had agreed with the pedantic Wagner what to say. Or what use is your quietness to me? I would have you take an active part in this affair; a open a rich spring of gold for me; give me maiden of heavenly beauty for my wife; and endow me so richly that I shall have nothing left to wish for." Mammart laughed scornfully, to think that a man who had offended him in calling him by his nickname, should make such extravagant demands of him. He flatly refused to grant him his wishes, and turned his three-footed beast towards the interior of the castle. But Valentine put himself in the way, and entreated so earnestly, that at last Mammart promised, though somewhat ambiguously, to give him something. He clapped his hands, and called across the court in a language which Valentine did not understand. A door opened, and a long box, Valentine's hair stood on end. He strove again to get rid of his would-be wife; he leaped like a restive horse who would unscat his rider, and ran with his back against the trees, either to dash the meagre chest in pieces, or to loosen it from his shoulders. But he gained nothing but tremendous blows on the head from the goblin's sceptre, while the malicious forest spirit laughed so loudly that the wood rang again. Breathless, and exhausted, Valentine threw himself on the ground, and prayed for death. "For shame!" said the old woman, "you are I am ready to acting like a tormented husband, who has been married these twenty years. separate, it only depends on one condition, which you must fulfil." Name it instantly," said Valentine; "I agree to it beforehand." 66 "That is just like you," said the old woman, you always rush blindly into everything without consideration, but we will talk further of this affair when we are housed for the night; evening is coming on, and the night air may do me injury." |