striking, even when it is in the highest degree ridiculous, has something in it very attractive for young people, who have not yet reflected upon themselves or the world. This was the case at Grünwiesel in regard to the nephew and his peculiar manners. When youngsters from fifteen

to seventeen saw how welcome he was with his awkward gait, his rude laugh, his senseless chatter, his coarse answers to his elders; that such conduct, instead of being censured, was prized as indicative of a daring, independent, or finelytouched spirit this was the conclusion to which they came: "There will be no great difficulty in becoming a spirited clown like him." In past years, they had prided themselves in being studious and clever scholars; but now their cry was, "What's the use of learning, when ignorance is so much more successful?" So they threw away their books, visited places of general resort, and drove their horses up and down the streets full speed. Heretofore they had been gentlemanly in their deportment, and courteous to every one; they had waited till their opinion was asked, and then made answer with grace and modesty; but now they looked upon themselves as having attained the rank of men, stood chatting with them as with equals, advanced

their opinions with confident assurance, and, when the burgomaster made a remark, laughed in his face, telling him, with effrontery, that they understood all that much better.

Formerly, the youth of Grünwiesel had shrunk with horror from all rude and vulgar behavior. Now, they sung all sorts of indecent songs, made use of monstrous pipes in smoking, and got into tavern brawls and embarrassments; they bought them huge spectacles, when they could see perfectly well without them, set them astride their nose, and now fancied themselves to be made men; for they were accoutred just like the famous nephew. Both at home and when they were visiting abroad, they stretched themselves on the sofa in their boots and spurs, rocked their chairs in good company, or, resting their elbows on the table, supported their heads with both hands a sight most charming to see. It was of no avail that their mothers and friends represented to them the folly and impropriety of all this; they appealed to the illustrious example of the nephew. It was of no use to tell them that a certain national rudeness was excusable in the nephew, as a young Englishman; the youngsters of Grünwiesel maintained that they had just as good a right to be ill mannered, in a spirited

way, as the best Englishman in England; in short, it was a calamity that the good manners and old-school usages of Grünwiesel were, by the nephew's bad example, completely undermined.

X.

But the joy with which the young novices viewed their wild, unrestrained freedom, was of short continuance; for an event took place, which at once changed the whole scene. The enjoyments of the winter were to close with a grand concert, which was to be partly performed by the musicians of the town, and partly by the musical amateurs of Grünwiesel. The burgomaster played the violoncello; the doctor touched the bassoon with uncommon skill; the apothecary, although he was not accounted much of a player, blew the flute; some young ladies of Grünwiesel had learnt airs, songs, and sonatas; and every thing was in the most promising preparation. The old stranger then observed, that a concert of this kind would certainly be delightful, but that a duet was evidently wanting, since a duet was viewed, in every regular concert, as indispensable. This observation caused no little perplexity: the daughter of the burgomaster, it is true, sung like a nightingale; but

where should they get a gentleman who could sing a duet with her? Allusion was at last made to the old organist, who had once sung an excellent bass; but the stranger remarked, that this was not at all necessary, as his nephew was quite remarkable for his musical attainments. All were much astonished at this new discovery in the gifted young man; they pressed him to give them a specimen of his vocal powers, and with the exception of some peculiarities of manner, which were regarded as English, he sung like an angel. A duet was learnt with all speed, and the evening at length arrived, on which the ears of the people of Grünwiesel were to be ravished by the concert.

The old stranger, we regret to say, was unable to witness the triumph of his nephew, owing to indisposition; but he gave the burgomaster, who called to see him an hour before, some directions how to manage his nephew. "He is

a fine fellow, that nephew of mine," said he; "but now and then he falls into a whirl of the wildest vagaries, and then his mad scampering commences. I am therefore sorry that I cannot be present at the concert; for before me he takes good heed to himself, and he well knows for what reason. This, too, I must say to his

credit,

that his freaks do not spring from a wayward viciousness of mind, but purely from an exuberance of animal spirits, that is inherent in his nature. Would you be so kind, Mr. Burgomaster, should he chance to fall into his wild humors, jumping upon the music-desk, attempting to manage the bass, or the like, - would you just loosen his high neckcloth, or, if that should not bring him to order, take it wholly off, you will see how gentle and well behaved he will be."

The burgomaster thanked the sick man for the confidence he had reposed in him, and promised, in case of necessity, to do as he had advised him.

The concert hall was excessively crowded, for all Grünwiesel and its vicinity were there. All the huntsmen, ministers, officers, landlords, and the like, within the circuit of three leagues, came pressing in with their numerous families, to share this rare enjoyment with the inhabitants of Grünwiesel. The town musicians performed excellently well; next to them ranked the burgomaster, who played the violoncello, accompanied by the apothecary, who blew the flute; after these, the organist gave a solemn chant with universal applause; and even the doctor