[43] Birmingham accepts, with the child-like confidence due by one able Editor to another, the report of Brighton. But all Mr. Hansard’s friends are furious with me for “spreading it;” and I beg at once, on their authority, to contradict it in all essential particulars; and to apologize to Mr. Hansard for ever having suspected him of such things. [44] Moutard—not -arde; but I can’t give better than this English for it. [45] Fate, and the good novelist, thus dismiss poor grandmamma in a passing sentence,—just when we wanted her so much to live a little longer, too! But that is Fors’s way, and Gotthelf knows it. A bad novelist would have made her live to exactly the proper moment, and then die in a most instructive manner, and with pathetic incidents and speeches which would have filled a chapter. [46] This paragraph implies, of course, the existence of all modern abuses,—the story dealing only with the world as it is. [47] A minute Evangelical fragment—dubitable enough. [48] Primarily, because it is untrue. The respect of a child for its parent depends on the parent’s own personal character; and not at all, irrespective of that, on his religious behaviour. Which the practical good sense of the reverend novelist presently admits. [49] We keep the metaphor in the phrase, to ‘give a dressing,’ but the short verb is better. [50] Untranslateable. [51] It was unworthy of Gotthelf to spoil his story by this vulgar theatrical catastrophe; and his object (namely, to exhibit the character of Hansli in riches as well as poverty,) does not justify him; for, to be an example to those in his own position, Hansli should have remained in it. We will, however, take what good we can get: several of the points for the sake of which I have translated the whole story, are in this part of it. [52] “Fidèle à toute épreuve.” [53] “Patraque,”—machine out of repair, and useless. [54] I am reprinting this pamphlet word for word as it was first issued from the press. Mr. Allen will have it ready for distribution by the first of September. [55] Compare my Birmingham correspondent’s opinion of David’s “twangling on the harp,” page 10, Letter VI. [56] ‘Sesame and Lilies,’ page 53. [57] Compare Letter XXIV., page 20; and Dante, Paradiso, xxiv. 16: “Cosi, quelle carole differente— Mente danzando, della sua ricchezza Mi si facean stimar, veloci e lente.” [58] Compare Letter VIII., p. 16; and Letter IX., p. 17. [59] This will be added to by future Masters of the Company, with the farther means of specification indicated in pages 4 and 5 of Letter XXI. [60] Missing, in the phrase ‘that our hearts may be set to obey,’ the entire sense of the balanced clause in the original,—namely, that the Law of God is given to be the shield and comfort of the soul against spiritual enemies, as the merciful angels encamp round us against earthly ones.