on the point of dipping himself in its blue flood. The wonderful flower stood before him, and he looked towards Thuringia, which he now left behind him, with the strong idea, that he was returning to his fatherland, after long wanderings from the country, towards which they now were travelling, and as if in reality he was journeying homewards. The company, which at first had been silent from similar causes, began by degrees to wake up, and to shorten the time by various conversation and stories. Henry's mother felt it her duty to rouse him from the dreamings, in which she saw him sunken; and began to tell him of her father's land, of her father's house, and of the pleasant life in Swabia. The merchants joined in, and confirmed what his mother said. They praised the hospitality of the old man Swaning, and could not sufficiently extol the beauteous fair ones of the country of their travelling companion. "You do well," said they, "in taking your son thither. The customs of your native country are of the most refined and pleasing character. They know how to attend to what is useful, without despising the agreeable. Every one endeavors to satisfy his wants in a social and charming way. The merchant is well treated and respected. The arts and mechanics are increased and ennobled; work appears easier to the industrious man, because it helps him to many pleasures, and because, as a reward for steady industry, he is sure to enjoy the manifold fruits of various and profitable employments. Money, industry, and goods reciprocally produce each other, and float along in busy circles. The country, as well as the cities, flourishes. The more industriously the day is employed, the more exclusively is the evening devoted to the charming pleasures drawn from the fine arts, and to social intercourse. The mind seeks recreation and change; and where could it find it more proper or more attractive, than in those unchecked diversions, and in those productions of its noblest power, the power of embodying its conceptions into realities. Nowhere can you have such sweet singers, or find such excellent painters, or see in the dancing halls more graceful movements or lovelier forms. The neighborhood of Switzerland is distinguished for the ease of its manners and conversation. Your race adorns society; and without fear of being talked about, can excite by their charming behavior a lively emulation to chain the attention. The stern fortitude and the wild jovialty of the men make room for a mild vivacity and a tender and modest joy, and love in a thousand forms becomes the leading spirit of their happy companies. Far is it from the truth, that dissoluteness or unseemly principles are by this course of conduct developed. It seems as if the evil spirit shunned the approach of innocent or graceful amusements, and certainly there are in no part of Germany more irreproachable maidens, or more faithful wives, than in Swabia.