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quite alive, and cleaner and merrier than he | where the old dalesmen all sleep side by ever had been. The fairies had washed him, side, between the limestone crags. And the you see, in the swift river, so thoroughly, dame decked it with garlands every Sunday, that not only his dirt, but his whole husk till she grew so old that she could not stir and shell had been washed quite off him, abroad; then the little children decked it and the pretty little real Tom was washed for her. And always she sung an old, old out of the inside of it, and swam away, as a song, as she sat spinning what she called her caddis does when its case of stones and silk wedding-dress. The children could not is bored through, and away it goes on its understand it, but they liked it none the back, paddling to the shore, there to split less for that; for it was very sweet and very its skin, and fly away as a caperer, on four sad, and that was enough for them. And fawn-colored wings, with long legs and horns. these are the words of it :They are foolish fellows, the caperers, and fly into the candle at night, if you leave the door open. We will hope Tom will be wiser, now he has got safe out of his sooty old shell.

But good Sir John did not understand all this, not being a fellow of the Linnæan Society; and he took it into his head that Tom was drowned. When they looked into the empty pockets of his shell, and found no jewels there, nor money-nothing but three marbles, and a brass button with a string to it-then Sir John did something as like crying as ever he did in his life, and blamed himself more bitterly than he ought. So he cried, and the groom-boy cried, the huntsman cried, and the dame cried, and the little girl cried, and the dairymaid cried, and the old nurse cried, for it was somewhat her fault, and my lady cried, for though people have wigs, that is no reason why they should not have hearts: but the keeper did not cry, though he had been so good-natured to Tom the morning before, for he was so dried up with running after poachers, that you could no more get tears out of him than milk out of leather; and Grimes did not cry, for Sir John gave him ten pounds, and he drank it all in a week. Sir John sent far and wide to find Tom's father and mother: but he might have looked till doomsday for them, for one was dead and the other was in Botany Bay. And the little girl would not play with her dolls for a whole week, and never forgot poor little Tom. And soon my lady put a pretty little tombstone over Tom's shell, in the little churchyard in Vendale,

SONG.

When all the world is young, lad,
And all the trees are green;
And every goose a swan, lad,
And every lass a queen;
Then hey for boot and horse, lad,
And round the world away:
Young blood must have its course, lad,
And every dog his day.

When all the world is old, lad,

And all the trees are brown;
And all the sport is stale, lad,

And all the wheels run down;
Creep home, and take your place there,
The spent and maimed among:
God grant you find one face there,
You loved when all was young.

Those are the words, but they are but the body of it; the soul of the song was the dear old woman's sweet face and sweet voice, and the sweet old air to which she sang; and that, alas! one cannot put on paper. And, at last, she grew so stiff and lame, that the angels were forced to carry her; and they helped her on with her weddingdress, and carried her up over Harthover Fells, and a long way beyond that too; and there was a new schoolmistress in Vendale, and we will hope that she was not certificated.

And all the while Tom was swimming about in the river, with a pretty little lace collar of gills about his neck, as lively as a grig, and as clean as a fresh-run salmon.

And if you don't like my story, then go to the schoolroom, and learn your multiplication table, and see if you like that better. Some people, no doubt would do so. So much the better for us, if not for them. It takes all sorts, they say, to make a world.

From The Spectator.

A GERMAN PEPYS.*

with Herr Councillor Johannes Schulze. A "Took a promenade along the Linden banker, an acquaintance of S., ran against us in great excitement, lamenting the result of the preliminary elections to the National Assembly. Even in Pomerania and the Marches, he said, no nobles, landed proprietors, or other superior people' had been chosen as electors, but mere cottagers, tradeshad no idea how my heart rejoiced at this men, and peasants. The beast of a banker news."

The poor

olutionary agitation. The diarist shows how there is not the shadow of a government in THE two concluding volumes of Varnha- Prussia; the king alternately crying and gen's diary, which have been published quite cursing; his eldest brother, heir to the recently, are distinguished from the first four throne, forcibly "studying constitutional life books by far greater boldness of utterance in England," and the Chiefs of the Ancient and prevailing bitterness of tone. The irri- Bureaucracy secreting themselves in all sorts tation produced by the Slough of Despond of holes and corners. Old Varnhagen is in of Prussian politics, even on a calm philo- immense glee, but hides his satisfaction unsophic mind like that of the writer, is reflected der the demure privy-councillor look. Unin the progress of the work, and while the der May 5th he writes:first part of it is tolerably measured in criticism, the succeeding chapters show more and more of inward agitation, while the close is marked by a very whirlwind of anger and disappointment. With wonted perspicacity, the Prussian police has acknowledged these nice gradations of treason. Volumes one and two were confiscated pro tempore, and after a while set afloat again; three and four had the honor of a bona fide prosecution, with condemnation of the able editress to a year's imprisonment, which distinction the niece of Varnhagen had the good sense to "beast was evidently frightescape, by an early excursion to Switzer- ened at the course of events, but there was land; and five and six are at this moment really no danger whatever in the situation, hunted after with considerable fury, extend- notwithstanding the extreme anarchy in the ing to the invasion of private property, and Government. Never was a victorious poputhe wholesale ransacking of booksellers' lace more quiet and moderate in their destores. These judicious measures have had mands than these good Berlinese at the time the ordinary effect of producing an extraor- of the revolution; and never property more dinary sale of the work. Throughout the safe in the Prussian capital than in the spring length and breadth of the dominions of Wil- of 1848, when there was not a soldier nor liam I., the diary of the old Geheimrath, who gendarme within the walls, and the fat citiall his life long passed for a sound Conserv-zens in ill-fitting Landwehr coats stood senative, and now shows himself in utter demo- tinel at the gates. The only thing approachcratic nakedness, is read with immense eager- ing to a tumult occurred late on the evening ness and unalloyed satisfaction. The relish of the 12th of May, when a rumor arose of is properly fanned by the skilful manage- the return of the exiled Prince of Prussia, ment of the Herr Polizeidirector of Berlin, which had the effect of drawing a vast crowd who, as soon as there is a lull in the zeal of to the front of his palace, on which the words readers, orders a new razzia in the metropol-"National property" were inscribed on the itan book-shops, which is certain to end with the seizure of some half a dozen well-thumbed volumes on an unguarded shelf, and the introduction of some hundred others from Leipsic. They are such intensely clever people, these Prussians!

Varnhagen's fifth volume begins on the 1st of May, 1848, in the very zenith of the rev

Tagebücher von K. A. Varnhagen von Ense (Diary of Varnhagen von Ense). Vols. V. and VI. Leipsic; F. A. Brockhaus. London: Trüb

ner and Co.

For notice of Vols. I. to IV., see Living Age. No.

948.

19th of March, but afterwards effaced. Laboring under the impression that if the inscription were replaced, the hated heir apparent would not show himself again, the multitude surrounded the royal residence, and a number of patriotic masons were on the point of commencing the writing with hammer and chisel when a company of the National Guard arrived.

"Many thousands of people filled the place, and the citizen-guard commanded by General Ashoff, was ranged round the sides. Some orators addressed the crowd, speaking

with great presence of mind and with much | his consort had been busy weaving a netapplause, which induced the general to come work of intrigue against him, tending to his also forth as a speaker. On the recommen- exclusion from the right of succession, and dation of these gentlemen, the crowd soon dispersed in the best possible humor, crying merrily, Good-night! Good-night!' It was then half-past one in the morning."

It was clear from the beginning that the revolutionary good-humor was going a little too far, and was, in fact, nothing more than want of energy, combined with political ig

norance. Even the obtuse ancient aristocracy began to perceive this before long, and took its measures accordingly. The troops were soon called back to Berlin, as well as the police, the Prince of Prussia and the old women of the camarilla; and before the summer was over, events were going fast back

into the much-admired bureaucratic direc

tion. However, the whole was a mere patch

ing up of old materials, the real cement of which had disappeared, without possibility of finding a substitute. The king, his brothers, his ministers, the army, the official hierarchy, and the national representation, formed so many elements opposed to each other, in the struggle of which the open anarchy of the revolution was only changed into the chaos of political intrigue. Frederick William IV. secretly trembled before his eldest brother, the hope of the feudal-aristocratic party; and he again was afraid of Prince Charles, the next heir in the order of royal lineage, who were zealously coquetting with the democrats and ultra-radicals. It is stated in the diary :

"Prince Charles of Prussia is working with great zeal to create a party for himself. His intentions seem decidedly to exclude his brother, the Prince of Prussia, and son, from the succession to the throne, for the benefit of himself and family. Such conflicts in royal houses ordinarily mark their dissolu

tion."

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the ultimate advent to the throne of her son, in whose name she hoped to reign as queenregent. The prince reproached her in the most violent way; and although the princess tried hard to talk herself out of the scrape, she was not very successful.”

Bettina von Arnim-Goethe's "Child "— with Frederick William IV., told Varnhagen for a long time in intimate correspondence in the middle of August that great efforts the king to abdicate, for the purpose of elewere made by the aristocratic party to bring vating to the throne the Prince of Prussia The latter, about this time put himself in open antagonism to his royal brother, by heading every movement of the reaction, and separatist Prussian policy, in opposition to becoming the advocate in particular of a cording to the diarist, "the king was quite the ruling German-unity tendencies. Acwilling to acknowledge Archduke John as Lord Protector of the German Empire; but Prince of Prussia of a military insurrection.” was prevented doing so by the threats of the Somewhat later, Varnhagen notes a new set of tactics for gaining friends to the prince. Under Sept. 9, he enters in his journal :—

"It is very curious that within the last few days the news has been rapidly spreading that the Prince of Prussia has become a liberal, and is not only entirely with the people, but the only one who can be trusted and confided in. The story is told in public houses and markets; servants and tradesHeld (a well-known stump orator of the men repeat it to each other. Some suspect time) to be the originator of the tale; while others mention the name of the Count von Pfeil, who has recently visited the prince several times. Another, Dr. Cohnfeld, who does a little in cockney fine writing under the nom de plume of Buddelmeyer, was until recently in the most abject poverty, but on a sudden has been travestied into a genIt is generally known that the prince is tleman-as is said, by his royal highness. spending large sums at present."

The sequel follows but a few days after; under April 11 :

"Held is said to have got a sound hiding to-day, at the Linden, where he was holding forth... The position of the Prince of Prussia must be desperate to lean upon such people. First chief of the feudal aristocracy, next of the rabble; will it do?"

"The King of Hanover threatens to run away to England with his whole court. What a good job it would be if he were to carry out his intention, inducing some of his crowned friends to keep him company. There then might still be a hopeful future in store for us."

"You speak of sacred rights of sovereigns. Very good; but how did the now existing sacred rights' originate? Was it other

The king would have had a splendid op- of reaction fell upon him with fatal effect, portunity about this period, to make himself entirely disturbing the equanimity of his the most popular man in the country; for mind. Some of the entries show that he was the intrigues of his own relations were be- getting savage at times, and near becoming ginning to create general disgust, and much a convert to republicanism, eminently unbepity, akin to sympathy, was felt for him. fitting to a privy councillor. Under FebruUnhappily, his majesty did nothing to de-ary 22d he writes:serve confidence, but much to lose it. He made a dreadful pother about the decree of the National Assembly depriving him of his titular "By the grace of God;" and at the same moment played pranks not to be excused in a schoolboy. One of the ladies of honor to the queen, returning to her rooms after a short absence, found them in the most When, in a little more than a month after, painful disorder; petticoats strown about, Frederick William IV. was chosen Emperor stockings, garters, and other unmentionable of Germany by the professorial Parliament things, even "allerlei kleines Geräth." Af- of Frankfort, Varnhagen had a long discuster a moment's perplexity, a light dawned sion with a patriotic Prussian count, defendupon the fair one. "Ah!" she ejaculated, ing the election :"the king has been here." The new edition of the old play, "Le Roi s'amuse," was, it appears, well known at the court of Frederick William IV. The royal jokes were un-wise than at the Kaiser's power and the libfortunately not always of the harmless boudoir nature; but assumed at times a vexatious practical shape. His majesty had a way of substituting his boot-heels for arguments, which, however impressive, gained him no friends; no more than the halfhaughty and half-silly manner in which he was wont to address his ministers, or occasional parliamentary deputations. It was on receiving one of the latter and giving evasive replies to questions and remonstrances of very serious import, that Jacoby directed the famous words to Frederick William, "It is the misfortune of kings that they will not listen to truth." The phrase created an immense sensation at the time, was productive of unpleasant challenges, and pleasant garlands, and addresses of all sorts, and gave rise finally to a monster torchlight procession in honor of the bold Hebrew deputy. The political influence of the Jews, always in favor of democracy, became strongly visible in Prussia about this period.

The last volume of Varnhagen's diary, containing entries from the 1st of January to the last of December, 1849, is full of mournful reminiscences and bitter criticisms on the men and events of the time. The hopes of the poor old philosopher and Geheimrath had been raised so high in the volcanic days of the preceding year, that the natural course

erty of the German people; not to speak of of the French Napoleon? Let us see how open treachery and perfidy, in the service our own dear Prussian kings have grown up. Brandenburg and the electoral dignity were bought for ready cash; and the royal ermine was obtained by bribery, cunning, and artful diplomacy. Talk of history; yes, history is a very funny thing."

The sketch of the arrival of the deputation from Frankfort, with the imperial crown in their hands, forms a number of striking chapters in Varnhagen's diary. The weakness and imbecility of the king were never more apparent than on this occasion. Frederick William had the greatest desire to call himself emperor instead of king; but was trembling in his heart in fear of the opposition he might encounter among the German princes, and therefore sought to gain time and courage by temporizing. To the direct offer of the imperial crown he gave no direct manly answer, and yet managed to offend every member of the Frankfort deputation by his vacillation and occasional impertinent remarks. To Frederick von Raumer he said, sneering, "Oh, you offer me what is not your own;" to Herr Beseler, "I believe your brother is King of Holstein; " and to Dr. Riesser, the eloquent Hebrew orator and deputy of Hamburg, "I hope you will agree with me that I must not accept a circumcised

ment :

crown." As may be expected, the men of | may be accepted as true at the present moFrankfort, as well practised as any in witty parley, owed nothing to his majesty, and the conversation at some of the interviews was

of the warmest. According to Bettina von Arnim :

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"The king one day was trembling for rage that a baptized Jew (Simson) should have dared to put himself at the head of a deputation, coming to offer the imperial crown to a great king.' He professed to be angry with the whole of the Frankfort rabble, which may go to the d-1. To a few of the deputation he made the most insolent as well as stupid remarks; among others, to the deputy of Mecklenburg, to whom he said: "I have learned a sacred truth in these unholy times; the only cure for democrats are soldiers (Gegen demokraten helfen nur Soldaten). To this I will conform.' All the while his majesty was burning for eagerness to get the imperial crown and sceptre."

The deputies from Frankfort were not slow to see through the whole misery of the spectacle before them as being nothing more than a combination of bluster and weakness. One of the members expressed the disappointment which all felt, in the words, "We had come to Berlin in the hope of finding a king, but are sorry to see only an old woman in breeches." It seems strange that the learned professors of Frankfort should not have known much of what they learnt at Berlin, long before they decided by solemn vote to give their crown away.

The state of Prussia, towards the end of 1849, is summed up by Varnhagen in the following words which, to a great extent,

"Who reigns now in Prussia? The king certainly not, for his will has effect only when swimming with a certain stream. It is in reality the aristocratic military party which rules, that old incarnate Prussiadom (Preussengeist) which sees the state in the army, though it is compelled at the present moment to move in new forms, the old ones having been broken to pieces. The sovereign's power itself is lost, even as far as regards the troops. The monarchy in good truth is without a monarch, and the kingless government has become a mere oligarchy. Perhaps it is something to discover that the country can do without a king; but then it is useless to prate still about the Prussia of the Hohenzollerns. It seems but too clear that the aristocratic reaction itself has become a revolution."

The fifth and sixth volumes of the "Tagebücher," as already mentioned, conclude the work; but there is a rumor in German literary circles that a good many more of Varnhagen's manuscripts remain behind, to be given before long to the world by the indefatigable Miss Ludmilla Assing, the editress of the present publication. But the matter, consisting of letters, notes, and short articles, is stated to be so awfully treasonable, that even the printers of Leipsic, otherwise bold enough (in the German sense of the word) refuse to print it, and it will have to be carried probably to the Swiss republic of letters, to see the light of day untouched by censor pens, but bountifully adorned by typographical blunders.

of the Crimean war, and thinks that the Sebastopol cannon, now sprinkled over the country, ought to be called in, like the old copper coinage, Mr. Punch begs to modify his original strain, and to make it polite, in honor of a brave soldier no longer an enemy :

1854 AND 1862.-Among the distinguished | heard on such a subject), objects to memorials visitors who are just now honoring us with their presence in this country (come, Punch can do the elegant thing when he likes) is that gallant Russian officer, General Liprandi, who is shooting in Scotland. The valiant commander's name was, a few years ago, associated with a day on which he tried, in the service of his own sovereign, to do us all the mischief he could, and he went at his work like a man, and it is no discredit to him that the result was not quite satisfactory to the Emperor of all the Russias. Mr. Punch commemorated the event in a little poem destined to live to all time, but as that tremendous hero, Colonel North (whose unutterably glorious military achievements entitle him to be

"Remember, remember The Fifth of November, Inkermann, powder, and shot,

When General Liprandi Fought John, Pat, and SandyAnd-gave it 'em awfully hot."

-Punch.

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