In all transitions, as in an interregnum, it appears as if a higher spiritual power were revealing itself; and as, upon the surface of our earth, the countries, richest both in subterraneous and super-terraneous treasures, lie between wild, inhospitable, hoary rocks, and immense plains; so also a deep-reflecting, romantic period made its appearance between the rough ages of barbarism, and the cultivated, enlightened, and wealthy age, which under a coarse garb conceals a still more beautiful form. Who does not love to wander at twilight, when the light of day and the deep shades of night mingle together in deep coloring? On this principle, we are glad to carry ourselves, in imagination, back to the years when Henry lived, who now went to meet the new circumstances, which might encompass him, with a swelling heart. He took leave of his companions and his instructer, the old and wise preacher, who knew the fertility of Henry's genius, and who bade him farewell, with a feeling heart and a silent prayer. The countess was his grandmother. He had often visited her at Wartburg. He now separated from his protectress, who gave him good counsel, and a golden chain, and who took leave of him with expressions of friendship. It was with a sad heart that Henry left his father and his birthplace. He now experienced for the first time what separation was. His imaginings as to the journey had not been accompanied with that peculiar feeling, which now filled his breast, when, for the first time, the scenes of his youth were snatched from his view, and he was cast, as it were, upon a foreign shore. Great indeed is our youthful sorrow at this first experience of the instability of earthly things, an experience necessary and indispensable to the inexperienced mind, firmly connected with and certain as our own existence. Our first separation remains, like the first announcement of death, never to be forgotten, and becomes, after it has long terrified us like a nightly vision, when at last joy at the appearance of a new day decreases, and the longing after a fixed, safer world increases, a friendly guide and a consoling and familiar idea. It comforted the young man much, that his mother was with him. The world he was leaving did not yet appear entirely lost, and he embraced her with redoubled fondness. It was early in the day, when the travellers rode from the gates of Eisenach, and the fresh daybreak was favorable to Henry's excited mood. The clearer the day grew, the more remarkable seemed to him the new and unknown scenes which surrounded him; and when upon a hill, just as the landscape behind him was illuminated by the rays of the rising sun, there occurred to him in the gloomy change of his thoughts some of the old melodies he knew by heart. He found himself in the swell of the distance, towards which he had often gazed from the neighboring mountains, where he had often wished himself in vain, and which he had painted to himself with peculiar colors. He was