First, as to the castles. Here and there along the banks of the River Rhine, as well as elsewhere throughout the country, the traveller is constantly finding himself near some massive stone ruin. It seems ever ready to tell stories of long ago,--of brave knights who defended its walls, of beautiful princesses saved from harm, of sturdy boys and sweet-faced girls who once played in its gardens. For Germany is the home of an ancient and brave people, who have often been called upon to face powerful enemies. Next, as to the fairies. It seems as though the dark forests of Germany, the quiet valleys, and the banks of the beautiful rivers, were the natural homes of the fairy-folk, the gnomes and the elves, the water-sprites and the sylphs. Our German cousins listen with wonder and delight to the legends of fearful giants and enchanted castles, and many of the stories they know so well have been translated into other languages for their cousins of distant lands, who are as fond of them as the blue-eyed children of Germany. As to the music, it seems as though every boy and girl in the whole country drew in the spirit of song with the air they breathe. They sing with a love of what they are singing, they play as though the tune were a part of their very selves. Some of the finest musicians have been Germans, and their gifts to the world have been bountiful. As for soldiers, we know that every man in Germany must stand ready to defend his country. He must serve his time in drilling and training for war. He is a necessary part of that Fatherland he loves so dearly. Our fair-haired German cousins are busy workers and hard students. They must learn quite early in life that they have duties as well as pleasures, and the duties cannot be set aside or forgotten. But they love games and holidays as dearly as the children of our own land. Contents CHAPTER PAGE I. CHRISTMAS 1 II. TOY-MAKING 10 III. THE WICKED BISHOP 23 IV. THE COFFEE-PARTY 40 V. THE BEAUTIFUL CASTLE 48 VI. THE GREAT FREDERICK 60 VII. THE BRAVE PRINCESS 71 VIII. WHAT THE WAVES BRING 83 IX. THE MAGIC SWORD 94 List of Illustrations PAGE BERTHA _Frontispiece_ BERTHA'S FATHER AND MOTHER 11 THE RATS' TOWER 28 COURTYARD OF HEIDELBERG CASTLE 52 STATUE OF FREDERICK THE GREAT 63 BERTHA'S HOME 83 Our Little German Cousin CHAPTER I. CHRISTMAS "DON'T look! There, now it's done!" cried Bertha. It was two nights before Christmas. Bertha was in the big living-room with her mother and older sister. Each sat as close as possible to the candle-light, and was busily working on something in her lap.