wood, in order to be near my workmen. They also built huts there; and we lived very much like American backwoodsmen. The peasants shook their heads at my foolish undertaking. One acre after another of wood was changed into ashes; and in a twelvemonth some hundred acres were laid bare. The potash thus procured found a ready sale, and was sent far and wide. From the produce of half the forest I gained enough to pay the remainder of the purchase-money; and besides possessing the land, I had now a large capital in my hands.

“I built a small house upon my land, with stabling and barns, bought cattle, laid the ground out in fields and meadows, and carried on farming as well as my potash manufactory. I discovered not far from my house a mineral spring; and as there were no baths near Hard, I built an inn, and published in all the newspapers the medicinal properties of the waters, the beauty of the neighbourhood, and the accommodation for visitors. Many people came; and in a year or two I was obliged to add a wing to the hotel.

"I gave the management of the baths to an honest and diligent family. My capital increased rapidly. I divided three hundred acres into several parts, and built dwellings; for I had wood and limestone in abundance; and as soon as a house was ready, I placed a farmer therein. I chose those who were skilful in their business, and made the leases as advantageous to my tenants as possible. I became, in fact, the lawgiver to my colonists. These found so much advantage in settling on my land, that they would not willingly disobey me; and my unyielding severity towards certain faults soon banished them from my empire, for all feared my displeasure. Look there, dear Rödern; all those buildings behind us on the hill, fourteen in number, are the extent of my colony.

X.

ELEVATION OF RANK.

"Among the strangers who yearly visited the baths were many of high rank, with whom I became acquainted. Had I been dressed as they were, my knowledge would not have attracted any attention; but in my peasant's frock, I appeared to them a very clever and admirable man. I was supposed to be enor mously rich; and after the death of the old village mayor, was named his successor. In fact my elevation of rank gave me as much joy as being chosen governor or minister of state would have done in former days. Now I had attained my pur pose, and my wishes were accomplished. I knew the ingrati tude of the inhabitants of Hard. What else could be expected from such idle, mean-spirited, ignorant people? I must have

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made them human, before I could expect noble feelings from them.

"I carried on my design, assisted by the curé Bode and the schoolmaster Lebrecht. I continued my conversations with the youths of the village. I knew, from eight years' experience, all the sources of evil in the place, and I tried to stay them. One of the most important was the love of going to law. I made myself their attorney. I examined all the claims of the peasants, put an end to their quarrels by means of friendly advice, and from that time all the law-loving peasants came to me as judge. I was now so placed as to adjust all matters, and to frustrate all the endeavours of the country lawyers to produce quarrels. This was an unspeakably great advantage to the village. But, in the midst of all this, something happened of which I had often thought, but had never yet experienced-something which for some time turned my brain, and put all plans of reformation out of my head.

"I was going one day with a load of potash to Berg, a markettown, about six miles distant, and where my agent lived. I had laid a sack of beans on the top of the load, and just as I entered Berg, it fell off. A boy who was passing saw the sack lying in the road, told me of my loss, and I took it upon my back, in order to carry it to the wagon. Just at this moment a pretty town-clad maiden passed me, and as I looked at her, a strange feeling came over me. My hat had fallen off, and having the sack on my back, I could not stoop to pick it up. She saw my dilemma, and kindly taking it up, gave it me. Whether I thanked her or not, I do not even now know, but I followed my wagon into the town as if in a dream: I could not forget her smile.

"I had a little bedroom at my agent's house always ready for me, for I was often obliged to remain all night at Berg. This day, however, I had finished my business early, and had intended to return home; but I could not resist remaining at Berg, in the hope of seeing the maiden again. I could not quit the window, and stood gazing into the street, until I was called to dinner. To my surprise, on joining the family at table, I found the maiden there. I sat in the place of honour, as usual, and she was opposite me. I could not eat. I saw only her black eyes instead of my food. 'Who is your visitor?' said I to my friend after she was gone. It is a poor girl that my sister, the cure's wife, has educated,' replied my agent's wife. My brother-in-law is just dead, and as my sister is going to leave the vicarage, she sent this girl to me for a short time.' This answer pleased me much; but no part of it more than the word poor. Then I may hope,' thought I. I was not poor, nor very ugly, and only two-and-thirty years old; but I was a potash manufacturer, and she an elegant city maiden. My spirit was troubled.

"Soon after, in passing by the kitchen, I saw the maiden busy at the fire. Her kitchen apron made her more lovely than ever. My courage returned. In the evening I heard the sound of music as I sat in my own room: it was she playing on a miserable pianoforte. I entered the room whence the sounds came: she was alone, and her face became crimson when she saw me. I begged leave to tune the piano for her; and after I had done this, she played to me. Never had music so delighted me. She showed great taste and capability, and I felt as if in heaven. She was surprised that I knew anything of music, and that my language was not that of a common countryman. 'Are all the peasants in your neighbourhood as well educated as yourself, sir?' asked she smilingly; at which I smiled in return. I proposed a walk, and she consented. She looked more beautiful now; for the air changed the paleness and sorrowful expression of her features into cheerfulness, and almost merriment. We sat together at supper, and afterwards spent an hour pleasantly at the piano.

"I could not close my eyes that night. I remained the next day at Berg. I felt confused and embarrassed: my heart ached: and the third day, when I returned to Hard, I was really ill.

XI.

THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE WORK.

"All my business was now at a stand; at least my zeal was gone, for I thought of nothing but adorning my house. I bought an excellent piano, and made many additions to my furniture. The next week, when I went with my potash to Berg, I dressed myself more carefully; and when I saw the church spire of the town, my heart beat violently. My agent and his wife received me kindly, as usual, and the maiden greeted me as an old acquaintance: from her blushes, I thought she was glad to see me. The piano was opened, and I whispered to her that I had bought an excellent one, and should like much to hear her play upon it. I dared not say more. We walked together, and talked on every subject but one. I passed another sleepless night, stayed the next day, and when I bade her adieu, she said, 'Shall we see you again next week?' I promised to visit Berg the following Thursday, and left, reproaching myself that I had not had courage to say more. I wandered through my colony at Hard; I considered all I had done; but nothing pleased me. I could not contentedly say that all I had done was good there was something wanting the consecration of my work by beauty and love.

"I went to Berg as I had promised, and the kindness of my reception gave me courage. During our walk, I told her how long the time had appeared since my last visit, and how much I

had longed to see her again. She answered innocently that she was always glad to see me; that she was lonely there; and found no sympathy from those around her. I drew her arm within mine, and there was a long silence; for I had overstepped the boundaries of custom. She withdrew her arm; and I said tremblingly, 'How can people be unsympathising towards you?' I could say no more: we returned to the house; and I invited my agent and his family to pass a day at Hard. 'Mademoiselle Augusta must also go with us,' said he; 'she goes back next week to my sister-in-law.' He showed me the letter, in which the day for her return was fixed. My happiness was

gone.

"In the evening, as I sat by her at the piano, I said, 'Do you really leave us?' Her hands fell from the keys as she answered in the affirmative. I was gloomy and miserable; and when I bade her good-night, I kissed her hand, and the tears came into my eyes. I remained at Berg till Saturday, when the whole family accompanied me back to Hard. When the beautiful girl sprang from the coach, and trod my land, then a change came over me, and I felt that my work was sanctified by beauty and love. The strength and energy of man can do much in the world. Woman sanctifies all his efforts by love. She wakes in him the sense of the beautiful, and crowns him with the victor's wreath of domestic happiness.

XII.

THE GREAT DAY OF REJOICING.

"My guests took up their abode in the new hotel, and I gave orders that they should be made as comfortable as possible. The agent's wife made many comments on my house, and wanted to know why I did not live more luxuriously. 'I could do so as well as others,' said I, not without a little vanity; 'but I do not want luxuries to make me happy. I will do without them, in order to have enough to give to those who are in want.' My agent shook his head, and said, 'You are a wonderful man!' The maiden looked at me with sympathising eyes, and was the only one who defended me. 'Who wants luxuries where perfect neatness reigns?' said she. 'Does the possession of mahogany tables, china cups, or silver spoons, add one mite to our happiness?' I led my defender to the piano; I showed her various valuable little trifles; and at last conducted her into my garden. She looked round with delight, and exclaimed, 'How beautiful it is here!' And will you leave all this?' said I. Do you think it will be as beautiful when you are gone?' She was silent. "Stay here,' continued I; 'you are loved here more than you will be anywhere else.' Tears filled her eyes: she looked at me. 'Stay,' repeated I; 'for without you I cannot be happy.' She

saw my agitation, and answered, 'I would willingly remain here. Here is true happiness!' 'Share it then with me,' cried I. 'You are an orphan, and there is no one to oppose your giving your hand and heart to me.' 'Truly I have no parents; I am very poor; but what I have promised I will fulfil. I will take no important step without the consent of my kind fostermother, and also of one man whom I honour above all on the earth.' 'Who is that man?' asked I anxiously. The noblest in the world. My father died miserably, and had, by his indiscretion, made this man unhappy. I was forsaken by all, but this young man took pity on me. He chose me a guardian, and spent the little he had upon my education. I honour him as a father. He kept his residence secret from me, but my guardian knew where he was. I wrote two letters to thank him for all he had done, but I have received no answer. I will do nothing without his consent.' 'What is his name? I will seek him, even if he be in America.' 'Engelbert!' she replied. I lost my speech; but at last I stammered, 'Are you Augusta Lenz!' Yes,' she replied with much surprise. I took her hand, led her to my desk, and showed her her two letters. 'How did you obtain these letters?' she asked. 'I am Engelbert, and your father was my guardian,' I replied. She sank on her knees at my feet, kissed my hand, and would not let me raise her up. 'Let me lie here,' said she; I have often wished to thank my bene factor.' 'Will you leave me?' said I. 'Nobody but you has a right to control me,' she replied. 'What you command is my will.' And if I command nothing-if I were not Engelbert, and if Engelbert opposed us, would you leave me?' She turned her face to mine. It was the happiest moment of my life, for we were now betrothed.

"The agent and his wife were astonished when they heard all this. There is more than one Engelbert in the world, said they we should never have dreamt of this.' 'If I had heard your name at Berg,' said Augusta, 'I should have discovered you long ago; but you were only called "Mayor"

there.'

"I took her through my colony, I related the history of my life, explained to her all my intentions, and confided to her all my thoughts. I declared she should not again leave Hard; and the curé Bode published the banns in the church next day. Augusta wrote to the cure's widow who had brought her up; and I added a few lines to her letter, saying that the sum should be paid as usual till her death. Augusta remained at the hotel. There was much to be done in my house, and she arranged everything according to her own taste. The following Sunday entered my room, dressed in peasant's clothing. She had laid aside her city elegancies, and appeared in the costume of a country maiden. A fortnight after, the curé joined our hands

at the altar.