“As in a dream he noddeth,
Then wakes he, heavy-eyed,
And calls, with lifted finger,
A stripling to his side.
“‘Dwarf, get thee to the gateway,
And tidings bring, if still
Their course the ancient ravens
Are wheeling round the hill.
“‘For if the ancient ravens
Are flying still around,
A hundred years to slumber
By magic spell I’m bound.’”
Friedrich Rückert.
The seven evenings with historic places on the Rhine had proved a source of profitable entertainment to the Club. It was proposed to continue the plan, and to follow Mr. Beal’s and the boys’ journey to the North.
“Let us add to these entertainments,” said Charlie Leland,—
“(1) A Night in Northern Germany. We will call it a Hamburg Night.
“(2) A Night in Denmark.
“(3) A Night in Sweden and Norway.”
The proposal was adopted, and Master Beal was asked to continue the narrative of travel, and all the members of the Club were requested to collect stories that illustrate the history, traditions, manners, and customs of these countries.