Hoffmann.--There I differ. Past pain is pleasant in memory, and past pleasure is pleasure both future and present Thus, it is only present and future pain that troubles us; a strong presumption of a sensible preponderance of enjoyment in the world, which is augmented by this circumstance, that we are constantly endeavouring to create enjoyment, whose fruition we can, in many cases, foretell with tolerable certainty, while, on the contrary, future pain can be much seldomer prognosticated exactly.
"Yes, to be sure! That is now clear, and I understand it," said Von Kronen, who had caught the end of this demonstration, "but that on which I have been reflecting is not yet clear to me. Perhaps you gentlemen who to-day are in so philosophical a mood can enlighten me upon it."
Freisleben.--What will come of it then?
Von Kronen.--The phenomenon is one of the most mysterious in nature. Yet--
Hoffmann.--Only out with it!
Von Kronen.--Tell me then how it comes to pass that cats have holes in their skins exactly where their eyes are?
Hoffmann.--Thou whimsical herring!
Von Kronen.--Without a joke, this is one of the three riddles that I will lay before you. If you can solve them, you shall smoke the whole evening genuine Havanna cigars, that I have received from Hamburgh as a Christmas present.
Freisleben.--That's worth something!
Hoffmann.--Samiel, help!