My greatest consolation, in case of failure, will be that I have neglected no business or duty for the purpose of scribbling; it has only been with me the means of beguiling some idle hours, with no pretension to any other object; the wish to give a slight sketch of German characters and life, such as I have myself, in the course of many years, been familiar with, or have heard them described by others, can scarcely be considered a more serious occupation. I have, perhaps, seen and heard enough to furnish me with ample materials for something better. That I cannot use them for the benefit of either myself or others, is my misfortune, not my fault. With this excuse, (if it be one,) I commend myself to my publisher; and, supposing so adventurous a person to be found, through him to the public. --------------------- CONTENTS. ---------------------------- CHAPTER PAGE I. THE LETTER 7 II. THE INITIALS 29 III. A. Z. 36 IV. A WALK OF NO COMMON DESCRIPTION 45 V. AN ALP 61 VI. SECULARISED CLOISTERS 71 VII. AN EXCURSION AND RETURN TO THE 89 SECULARISED CLOISTERS VIII. AN ALPINE PARTY 108 IX. SALZBURG 129 X. THE RETURN TO MUNICH 139 XI. THE BETROTHAL 143 XII. DOMESTIC DETAILS 160 XIII. A TRUCE 176 XIV. A NEW WAY TO LEARN GERMAN 187 XV. THE OCTOBER FÊTE, AND A LESSON ON 195 PROPRIETY OF CONDUCT XVI. THE AU FAIR, AND THE SUPPER AT THE 220 BREWERY XVII. LOVERS’ QUARRELS 235 XVIII. THE CHURCHYARD 247 XIX. GERMAN SOUP 251 XX. THE WARNING 263 XXI. THE STRUGGLE 268 XXII. THE DEPARTURE 281 XXIII. THE LONG DAY 286 XXIV. THE CHRISTMAS-TREE, AND MIDNIGHT MASS 292 XXV. THE GARRET 310 XXVI. THE DISCUSSION 318 XXVII. THE SLEDGE 323 XXVIII. A BALL AT THE MUSEUM CLUB 339