"That he was," said I.
Some people may ask the question, Where are Pumpelhagen and Rexow and Gurlitz? Well, you will look in vain for them on the map, and yet they are situated in our German Fatherland, and I hope they are to be found in more places than one. Everywhere, where a nobleman resides, who does not think himself better than his fellow-men, and who recognizes the lowest of his laborers as his brother, and himself as a fellow-worker,--there is Pumpelhagen. Wherever there is a clergyman, who does not demand, in his self-conceit, that everybody shall believe precisely as he does, who makes no difference between poor and rich, who not only preaches, but is ready with kind words, and wise counsel, and substantial help, when it is needed,--there is Gurlitz. Wherever a burgher is active and energetic, and is driven by an impulse to become wiser and more capable, and thinks more of the general welfare than of his own pecuniary advantage,--there is Rexow. And wherever these three are united, through the love of sweet womanhood, and the hopes of fresh, joyous childhood, there are, also, all three villages together.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1]: Du (thou) is the common form of address between friends; Sie (third person plural) being used with strangers, and on formal occasions.
[Footnote 2]: Bräsig probably means "Douche." "Tüsche" is Indian-ink.
[Footnote 3]: A Pächter is one who rents a farm.
[Footnote 4]: A Mecklenburg Schilling is equal to an English penny.
[Footnote 5]: "Hug me and kiss me, but don't tumble my curls."
[Footnote 6]: "Cross buns and cracknels."