My greatest consolation, in case of failure, will be that I have neglected no business or duty for the purpose of scribbling; it has only been with me the means of beguiling some idle hours, with no pretension to any other object; the wish to give a slight sketch of German characters and life, such as I have myself, in the course of many years, been familiar with, or have heard them described by others, can scarcely be considered a more serious occupation.

I have, perhaps, seen and heard enough to furnish me with ample materials for something better. That I cannot use them for the benefit of either myself or others, is my misfortune, not my fault. With this excuse, (if it be one,) I commend myself to my publisher; and, supposing so adventurous a person to be found, through him to the public.


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER PAGE
I.The Letter[7]
II.The Initials[29]
III.A. Z.[36]
IV.A Walk of no Common Description[45]
V.An Alp[61]
VI.Secularised Cloisters[71]
VII.An Excursion and Return to the Secularised Cloisters[89]
VIII.An Alpine Party[108]
IX.Salzburg[129]
X.The Return to Munich[139]
XI.The Betrothal[143]
XII.Domestic Details[160]
XIII.A Truce[176]
XIV.A New Way to Learn German[187]
XV.The October Fête, and a Lesson on Propriety of Conduct[195]
XVI.The Au Fair, and the Supper at the Brewery[220]
XVII.Lovers’ Quarrels[235]
XVIII.The Churchyard[247]
XIX.German Soup[251]
XX.The Warning[263]
XXI.The Struggle[268]
XXII.The Departure[281]
XXIII.The Long Day[286]
XXIV.The Christmas-Tree, and Midnight Mass[292]
XXV.The Garret[310]
XXVI.The Discussion[318]
XXVII.The Sledge[323]
XXVIII.A Ball at the Museum Club[339]
XXIX.A Day of Freedom[353]
XXX.The Masquerade[362]
XXXI.Where is the Bridegroom?[374]
XXXII.The Wedding au Troisième[381]
XXXIII.A Change[388]
XXXIV.The Arrangement[395]
XXXV.The Difficulty Removed[403]
XXXVI.The Iron Works[407]
XXXVII.An Unexpected Meeting and its Consequences[414]
XXXVIII.The Experiment[423]
XXXIX.The Recall[436]
XL.Hohenfels[442]
XLI.The Scheiben-Schiessen (Target Shooting Match)[450]
XLII.A Discourse[459]
XLIII.Another Kind of Discourse[464]
XLIV.The Journey Home Commences[468]
XLV.What Occurred at the Hotel d’Angleterre in Frankfort[474]
XLVI.Halt![481]
XLVII.Conclusion[495]

THE INITIALS.


I.
THE LETTER.