Chapter X: Part 10

[17] to press right on, +schne-ll vor´dringen+; to = and; to carry a fortress by pure force of arms, +eine Festung durch Waffengewalt ein´nehmen+.

[18] = will; avail, +nützen+; but = only; bulwarks, +Befestigungen+.

[19] +suchen.+

[20] ‘to bear oneself’, here +sich halten+, str. v. refl.

[21] +so die Geführten.+

[22] +Verruchter Feigling!+

[23] = to give way, +zurückweichen+, sep. comp. str. v.; helm = rudder, +Steuerruder+, n.

[24] highest = strongest. =The relative superlative of adverbs= is formed by placing +=am=+ before the superlative of the adjective, and giving it the dative termination +=en=+, like the predicative form of adjectives. Comp. S. 120, N. 14.

_Section 184._

REBECCA DESCRIBES THE SIEGE OF TORQUILSTONE TO THE WOUNDED IVANHOE.

II.

“He blenches not! he blenches not!” said Rebecca, “I see him now; he leads a body of men[1] close under the outer barrier[2] of the barbican. They pull down the piles and palisades; they hew down the barriers with axes.—His high black plume floats abroad over the throng[3], like a raven over the field of the slain[4].—They have made a breach in the barriers—they rush in—they are thrust back! Front-de-Bœuf heads the defenders; I see his gigantic form above the press[5]. They throng[6] again to (S. 72, N. 4) the breach, and the pass is disputed hand to hand and man to man[7]. God of Jacob! it is the meeting of two fierce tides—the conflict of two oceans moved by adverse winds[8]!”

She turned her head from the lattice, as if (S. 27, N. 7) unable longer to endure a sight so terrible (S. 128, N. 11).

“Look forth again, Rebecca,” said Ivanhoe, mistaking[9] the cause of her retiring; “the archery must in some degree[10] have ceased, since they are now fighting hand to hand.—Look again, there is[11] now less danger.”

Rebecca again looked forth, and almost immediately exclaimed: “Help, O prophets of the law! Front-de-Bœuf and the Black Knight fight hand to hand on[12] the breach, amid[13] the roar of their followers[14], who watch[15] the progress of the strife.—Heaven strike[16] (App. § 34) _with_ the cause (+Sache+, f.) of the oppressed and the captive!”

She then[17] uttered a loud shriek, and exclaimed: “He is down[18]!—He is down!”

[1] +eine Schar Kämpfer.+

[2] ‘barrier’ may here be rendered by +Befestigungen+, +Schanzpfähle+, or +Verschanzungen+. Every Gothic castle and city had, beyond the outer walls, a fortification composed of palisades, called the barriers, which were often the scene of severe skirmishes, as these had necessarily to be carried before the walls themselves could be approached. The ‘barbacan’ or ‘_barbican_’ was the outer wall of an ancient castle or town, and may be rendered by ‘+Zwingmauer+, f.’

[3] +flattert hoch über der Menge in der Luft umher.+

[4] = battle-field.

[5] +Gedränge+, n.

[6] to throng = to press forward, +sich vorwärts drängen+, sep. comp. w. v. refl.

[7] and — man = they fight for (+um+) the pass (+Durchgang+, m.) and struggle (+kämpfen+) man against man.

[8] it — winds = it is like the meeting (+Aneinanderstoßen+) of two fierce tides (+Sturmflut+, f.), like the conflict (+Zusammenfließen+, n.) of two oceans (+Weltmeer+, n.) which are moved (+fort´treiben+, sep. comp. str. v.) by adverse (+entgegengesetzt+) winds.

[9] +unrichtig deuten+. Construe accord. to S. 16, N. 4; of her retiring = of this movement.

[10] in some degree = almost.

[11] there is, +es ist ... vorhanden+. Comp. S. 104, N. 19.

[12] +vor+.

[13] +während+, with Gen.

[14] +Anhänger.+

[15] +mit Aufmerksamkeit verfolgen.+

[16] = defend, v. tr.

[17] = hereupon, which place first. To utter a shriek, +einen Schrei ausstoßen+.

[18] = fallen.

_Section 185._

REBECCA DESCRIBES THE SIEGE OF TORQUILSTONE TO THE WOUNDED IVANHOE.

III.

“Who is down?” cried Ivanhoe; “for[1] our dear Lady’s sake, tell me who has fallen?”

“The Black Knight,” answered Rebecca faintly[2]; then instantly again shouted with joyful eagerness[3]: “But[4] no—but no!—the name of the Lord of hosts be blessed[5]!—he is on foot[6] again, and fights as if there were twenty men’s strength in his single arm[7].—His sword is broken—he snatches[8] an axe from a yeoman—he presses[9] Front-de-Bœuf with blow on blow.—The giant stoops and totters like an oak under the steel of the woodman[10]—he falls—he falls!”

“Front-de-Bœuf?” exclaimed Ivanhoe.

“Front-de-Bœuf!” answered the Jewess; “his men[11] rush to the rescue[12], headed (S. 102, N. 3) by (+von+) the haughty Templar[13]—their united force compels the champion[14] to pause.—They drag Front-de-Bœuf within the walls[15].”

“The assailants have won[16] the barriers, have they not?” said Ivanhoe.

“They have—they have[17]!” exclaimed Rebecca—“and they press[18] the besieged hard upon the outer wall; some plant ladders[19], some swarm like bees (S. 3, N. 2) and endeavour to ascend upon the shoulders of each other[20]—down go[21] stones, beams, and trunks of trees upon their heads, and as fast as they bear the wounded to the rear[22], fresh men[23] supply their places in the assault.—Great God, hast thou given men thine own image[24], that (S. 183, N. 6) it should be thus cruelly defaced[25] by[26] the hands of their brethren?”

[1] = for the sake of (+um ... willen+) the holy Virgin.

[2] +mit schwacher Stimme.+

[3] then — eagerness = but cried immediately (+gleich darauf+) with joyful surprise.

[4] +Doch.+

[5] +gepriesen.+

[6] to be on foot, +auf den Beinen sein+.

[7] as — arm = as if (+als ob+) his arm possessed (Impf. Subj. App. § 33) the strength of 20 men.

[8] to snatch a thing from a person, +einem etwas entrei´ßen+, insep. comp. str. v. tr.; a yeoman, ein +Freisasse+, m. Comp. App. § 5; ‘axe’, here = battle-axe, +Streitaxt+, f.

[9] ‘to press’, here +weiter zurück´drängen+, sep. comp. w. v. tr.; with blow on blow, +mit jedem Schlage+.

[10] = wood-cutter.

[11] +Leute.+

[12] He rushed to my rescue, +er eilte mir zu Hülfe+.

[13] +Der Tempelherr war Brian de Bois-Guilbert.+ Comp. S. 183, N. 1.

[14] = hero; to pause = to stop fighting, +mit dem Fechten in´nezuhalten+.

[15] ‘within the walls’ may be briefly rendered by +hinein+.

[16] = taken, +ein´nehmen+, sep. comp. irreg. v. tr.; turn ‘barriers’ by +Verschanzungen+; have they not? +nicht wahr?+

[17] +Ja—ja!+

[18] here +bedrängen+; hard, +heftig+; upon, +auf+, with Dat.

[19] to plant ladders, +Leitern an die Mauer stellen+.

[20] = of the others.

[21] down go, +es werden ... herniedergeworfen+. Comp. S. 104, N. 19.

[22] and — rear = and as soon as (+so wie+) the wounded are carried away (+hinweg´tragen+). Comp. S. 2, N. 1.

[23] = other combatants (+Streiter+). He supplied my place in the assault of the castle, +er nahm meine Stelle bei der Erstürmung des Schlosses wieder ein+.

[24] Say ‘hast thou created men (S. 134, N. 9) after thy own image (+Bild+, n.)’.

[25] +entstellen+, insep. comp. w. v.; Use the Pres. Subj. of the Passive voice, and comp. App. §§ 29 and 35.

[26] =by= = =through=, +=durch=+; the hands = the hand.

_Section 186._

REBECCA DESCRIBES THE SIEGE OF TORQUILSTONE TO THE WOUNDED IVANHOE.

IV.

“Think not of that (S. 4, N. 5, _B_),” said Ivanhoe; “this is[1] no time for such thoughts. Who yield? Who push their way[2]?”

“The ladders are thrown down,” replied Rebecca shuddering; “the soldiers lie grovelling[3] under them like crushed reptiles. The besieged have the better[4].”

“Saint George, strike[5] for us!” exclaimed the Knight; “do the false yeomen give way[6]?”

“No!” exclaimed Rebecca, “they bear[7] themselves right yeomanly—the Black Knight approaches the postern with his huge axe—the thundering blows which he deals[8] you may[9] hear _them_ above all the din[10] and shouts of the battle.—Stones and beams are hailed down[11] on the bold champion—he regards them no more than if they were[12] thistle-down[13] or feathers!”

“By Saint George,” said Ivanhoe, raising (S. 111, N. 6) himself joyfully on his couch, “methought[14] there was (S. 82, N. 7, and App. § 33) but one man in England that[15] might do such a deed!”

“The postern gate shakes[16],” continued Rebecca; “it crashes—it is splintered by[17] his blows—they rush in—the outwork is won[18].—O God, they hurl the defenders from the battlements—they throw them into the moat.—O men, if ye[19] be indeed men, spare them that can resist no longer!”

“The bridge—the bridge which communicates with the castle—have they won[20] that pass?” exclaimed Ivanhoe.

“No,” replied Rebecca, “the Templar has destroyed the plank on which they crossed[21]—few[22] of the defenders escaped with him into the castle—the shrieks and cries[23] which you hear tell the fate of the others.—Alas! I see it is still more difficult to look upon[24] victory (S. 3, N. 2) than upon battle.”—SIR WALTER SCOTT, “IVANHOE.”

[1] = we have; for, +zu+.

[2] to push one’s way, +vorwärts dringen+.

[3] +auf dem Bauche.+

[4] to have the better, +die Oberhand haben+.

[5] = fight.

[6] +zurück´weichen.+

[7] ‘to bear oneself’, here +sich halten+; right yeomanly = like true (+echt+) yeomen.

[8] to deal blows, +Streiche führen+.

[9] = can; See S. 92, N. 5 and App. § 14; above, +über ... hinaus+.

[10] +Getöse+, n.

[11] = thrown down.

[12] than — were = than he would regard (+beachten+).

[13] +Distelwolle.+

[14] = I thought; see S. 64, N. 11; but = only.

[15] +der einer solchen That fähig wäre!+

[16] +wackeln.+

[17] +von.+

[18] = taken, +ein´nehmen+, sep. comp. irreg. v. tr.

[19] +ihr+; to spare a man, +~eines~ Menschen schonen+; render ‘them’ by the Gen. of the demonstr. pron.; that — longer = who can defend themselves no longer.

[20] +erkämpft+; that pass, +diesen Durchgang+.

[21] to cross on a plank, +über eine Planke schreiten+.

[22] = only few; escaped = have escaped (+entkom´men+, insep. comp. irreg. v., S. 29, N. 3).

[23] +das laute Schreien und Klagen+; you = thou; tell, +verrät+.

[24] ‘to look upon a thing’, here +etwas mit an´sehen+, v. tr.

_Section 187._

THE FAVOURITE HARES[1].

I.

In the year 1774, being (S. 55, N. 1) much indisposed both in mind and body[2], incapable of diverting myself either[3] with company or books, and yet in a condition[4] that made some diversion necessary[5], I was glad of anything that would engage my attention[6], without fatiguing it.

The children of a neighbour of mine had a leveret given them for a play-thing[7]; it was at that time about three months old. Understanding better how to tease the poor creature than to feed it, and soon becoming weary of their charge[8], they readily consented[9] that their father, who saw it pining[10] and growing leaner every day, should offer[11] it to my acceptance. I was willing enough to take the prisoner under my protection, perceiving that (S. 66, N. 15), in the management[12] of such an animal, and in the attempt to tame it, I should find just that sort of employment which my case required[13]. It was soon known among the neighbours that I was pleased[14] with the present, and the consequence of it was, that[15] in a short time I had as many leverets offered to me as would have stocked a paddock[16]. I undertook the care[17] of three, which it is necessary that I should here distinguish by the names I gave them[18]: Puss, Tiny, and Bess. Notwithstanding the two feminine appellatives, I must inform[19] you they were all males.

[1] +Die in dieser und den drei darauf folgenden Abschnitten gegebene interessante Erzählung ist den Schriften des wohlbekannten englischen Dichters und Schriftstellers William Cowper entnommen, welcher am 26. November 1731 im Pfarrhause von Great Berkhampstead in Hertfordshire geboren wurde und am 25. April 1780 starb. Seine beste Schöpfung ist unstreitig die von ihm mit dem Titel+: ‘The Task’ +benannte Dichtung, durch welche er seinen Ruf als Dichter begründete, und welche von keinem seiner späteren Werke übertroffen wurde.+

[2] to be much indisposed both in mind and body, +sowohl geistig als auch körperlich zerrüttet sein+.

[3] incapable — either = and could neither divert myself (+sich zerstreuen+); with, +durch+, which repeat before books; or = nor.

[4] +mich aber dabei so befand+.

[5] that — necessary = that some diversion was necessary.

[6] I shall be glad of anything that will engage my attention, +ich werde gern alles ergreifen, was meine Aufmerksamkeit fesseln kann+.

[7] +zum Spielen+, which place after the auxiliary ‘had’; given them, +geschenkt erhalten+.

[8] to become weary of one’s charge, +seines Schützlings überdrüssig werden+.

[9] I readily consented, +ich hatte nichts dagegen+.

[10] +sich ab´zehren+.

[11] should offer = offered it. We offered it to his acceptance, +wir boten es ihm zum Geschenk an+.

[12] = treatment.

[13] I hope he will find just that sort of employment which his case requires, +ich hoffe, er wird gerade die für seinen Zustand passende Beschäftigung finden+.

[14] My father will be greatly pleased with the picture, +das Bild wird meinem Vater große Freude machen+.

[15] Read App. § 21. In order to avoid a repetition of the conjunction +daß+, it is advisable to construe the clause ‘that — me’ = there were (+es wurden+, S. 104, N. 19) offered to me in _a_ short time so many leverets. ‘To offer’, here +zum Geschenk anbieten+.

[16] as — paddock, +daß ich einen Wildpark damit hätte ausrüsten können+.

[17] +Pflege.+

[18] which — them = the names of which I must mention (+an´führen+) here, in order to distinguish them from one another; I called them.

[19] +bemerken+; you = to the reader; they = the little animals (for which use the diminutive).

_Section 188._

THE FAVOURITE HARES.

II.

Immediately commencing carpenter, I built[1] them houses to sleep in. Each leveret had a separate apartment, so contrived[2] that it could be kept perfectly sweet and clean[3]. In the daytime[4] the animals had the range[5] of the hall, and at night[6] retired each to his own bed, never intruding into that of another[7].

Puss grew presently familiar, would leap[8] into my lap, raise himself[9] upon his hinder feet, and bite the hair from my temples. He would suffer[10] me to take him up, and to carry him about in my arms, and has more than once fallen fast asleep upon my knees. He was ill three days, during which time I nursed him, kept him apart from his fellows, that[11] they might not molest him (for, like many other wild animals, they persecute[12] one of their own species that is sick), and by constant care[13], and with a variety of herbs, restored him to perfect health[14]. No creature could be more grateful than (S. 104, N. 19) my patient after his recovery, a sentiment which he most significantly expressed by licking[15] my hand, first the back of it[16], then the palm, then every finger separately[17], then[18] between all _the_ fingers, as if (S. 27, N. 7) anxious to leave no part of it unsaluted; a ceremony[19] which he _never_ performed but once again[20] upon a similar occasion.

[1] I became at once _a_ carpenter and made, etc.

[2] +ein´richten+; see S. 7, N. 3, _B_.

[3] +rein und sauber.+

[4] +Des Tages.+

[5] We had the range of the whole house, +wir konnten im ganzen Hause umher´laufen+.

[6] +des Nachts.+

[7] never — other = and none ever (+je+) went (+sich begeben+) into the bed of another.

[8] would leap = leapt. Comp. S. 101, N. 22.

[9] = placed himself.

[10] = He allowed (+gestatten+) me; has fallen = fell; to fall asleep, +ein´schlafen+.

[11] = in order that, +damit+; might = could.

[12] = torment, +quälen+; one — sick = the sick _ones_ of their own species (+Gattung+, f.).

[13] = nursing, +Pflege+, f.; with a variety = various.

[14] He restored me to perfect health, +er stellte meine Gesundheit ganz wieder her+.

[15] +durch das Belecken.+

[16] +und zwar beleckte er zuerst den Rücken derselben.+

[17] = singly, adj., to be placed before ‘finger’.

[18] = and finally he licked even, +beleckte er mich auch+.

[19] here +Förmlichkeit+, f.

[20] but once again, +nur noch einmal+; upon, +bei+.

_Section 189._

THE FAVOURITE HARES.

III.

Finding him extremely tractable, I made it my[1] custom to carry him always after breakfast into the garden, where he hid himself generally under the leaves of a vine, sleeping[2] or chewing the cud till evening; in the leaves also of that vine he found a favourite repast[3]. I had not long habituated him to _this taste of_ liberty, before[4] he began to be impatient for the return of the time[5] when he might enjoy it[6]. He would invite me to the garden[7] by drumming (S. 111, N. 6) upon my knee, and by (S. 185, N. 26) a look of such expression[8] as it was not possible to misinterpret. If the[9] rhetoric did not immediately succeed, he would take the skirt of my coat (S. 36, N. 7, _A_) between his teeth, and pull it with all _his_ force[10]. Thus Puss might be said to be perfectly tamed[11]; the shyness of his nature was done away[12], and, on the whole[13], it was visible by many symptoms, which I have not room to enumerate[14], that he was happier in human society than when (S. 27, N. 7) shut up with[15] his natural companions.

Not so Tiny; upon him the kindest[16] treatment had not the least effect. He too was sick, and in his sickness had an equal share of my attention[17]; but when, after his recovery, I took the liberty to stroke him, he would grunt, strike with his fore feet, spring forward, and bite[18]. He was, however[19], entertaining in his way; even his surliness was matter of mirth[20], and in his play he preserved such an air of gravity[21], and performed his feats with such solemnity of manner[22], that in (+an+) him too I had an agreeable companion.

[1] +zur.+

[2] Use this and the following verb in the Imperfect, preceded by ‘and’; to chew the cud, +sein Futter wiederkäuen+.

[3] in — repast, +auch aß er die Blätter des Weinstocks besonders gern+.

[4] = when; insert the adv. +schon+ after ‘he’.

[5] to — time = to long impatiently for the time.

[6] when — it = when (S. 131, N. 4) he could again enjoy this liberty.

[7] = to come into the garden with him.

[8] Render ‘of such expression’ by the adj. ‘expressive’; as = that, followed by +man+ and the active form of the verb.

[9] = his; and construe according to the following example: He will never succeed, +er wird nie seinen Zweck erreichen+.

[10] Supply the adv. ‘forward’ after this noun.

[11] Say ‘And so (+somit+) I may (+dürfen+) perhaps (+wohl+) say of “Puss” that he was quite tamed’.

[12] = his natural shyness was conquered.

[13] +überhaupt+; visible = clear.

[14] = which (S. 66, N. 15) on account of want of (+an+) room I cannot enumerate here.

[15] ‘to be shut up’, here +sich ausschließlich befinden+; with, +bei+.

[16] +liebreich+.

[17] in — attention = and during his sickness I nursed him with equal (+gleich+) attention.

[18] Supply ‘at (+nach+) me’ here.

[19] Supply ‘also’ here; in, +auf+.

[20] = amusing.

[21] = such a grave air (+Miene+, f.).

[22] = solemn dignity.

_Section 190._

THE FAVOURITE HARES.

IV.

Bess, who died soon after he was full grown[1], and whose death was occasioned by his being turned (S. 161, N. 21, and S. 87, N. 6) into his box, which had been washed, while it was yet damp[2], was a hare of great humour and drollery[3]. Puss was tamed by gentle usage; Tiny was not to be tamed at all; and Bess had a[4] courage and confidence that made him tame from the beginning[5]. I always admitted them into the parlour after supper, when (S. 131, N. 4), the[6] carpet affording their feet a firm hold, they would frisk, _and_ bound, and play _a_ thousand gambols, in[7] which Bess, being remarkably strong and fearless, was always superior to the rest. One evening, the cat being in the room, it had the hardiness to pat Bess upon the cheek, an indignity which[8] he resented by drumming upon her (S. 43, N. 9, _B_) back with such violence that the cat was happy to escape from _under_ his paws, and[9] hide herself.

I describe the animals as having had each a character of his own[10]. Such they were in fact[11], and their countenances were so expressive of that character, that, when I looked only on the face of either, I immediately knew which it was[12].—WILLIAM COWPER, “THE GENTLEMAN’S MAGAZINE, 1784.”

[1] +völlig ausgewachsen sein.+

[2] which — damp = which after having been washed (+nach der Reinigung+) was yet damp.

[3] = was a very facetious _and_ droll hare.

[4] = so much.

[5] = that he became tame from the very (+gleich im+) beginning.

[6] Place the clause ‘the — hold’ after ‘they — gambols’: To play gambols, +possierliche Luftsprünge machen+.

[7] in which = in (+bei+) which games.

[8] an indignity which = which offence.

[9] Say ‘and to be able to hide herself’.

[10] as — own = as if each of the same had had (Pluperf. Subj.) his own character.

[11] = That was however (+aber auch+) really the case.

[12] that — was = that from (+aus+) the face of each I could at once distinguish (+erkennen+) who it (= he) was.

_Section 191._

PRINCE BISMARCK’S HOME[1].

After crossing the threshold I found myself in a small, plain apartment—the reception-room—in the centre of which stands a simple little polished table with four legs. This is a relic of historical significance. A brass plate let into the square top[2] bears _the_ following inscription: “At this table the preliminaries of peace between Germany and France were signed, February 26th, 1871, at Versailles, No. 14 Rue de Provence.” In the centre of the table is[3] a round piece _of_ green cloth, and on it are visible a number of spots[4] caused by (S. 185, N. 26) the drippings[5] from the candles used on the momentous occasion of the negotiations between the Chancellor and Jules Favre[6]. The table was the property of the lady in whose house the Chancellor was quartered[7], and of whom he bought it. In the same room stands a gigantic wardrobe richly sculptured[8], and a second wardrobe (S. 5, N. 2), according to Castellan (S. 10, N. 2) Hackmack’s explanation, was made from[9] the wood of a linden tree, in the shade of which Prince Bismarck, when a[10] merry student at Göttingen, had frequently reposed. The adjoining room is the Prince’s study. A bookcase contains a small library[11] for immediate use and for reference, among its books being a French account of[12] the peace negotiations of 1871. The writing-desk occupies the centre of the room. A polished fire-screen, highly[13] ornamented and of Asiatic origin, is a present from the Chinese Embassy in Berlin. On the mantel-piece stands a bronze statuette, about three feet high, representing the Grand Elector—a present from the Emperor. A slip of paper attached to the Marshal’s baton in the Elector’s outstretched hand, bears the Imperial autograph[14]: “To[15] Prince Bismarck—Christmas, 1880,—W.” On the wall, behind the statuette, hangs, in a richly gilt frame, a painting by[16] Hünten, representing the attack of dragoons of the guard on French infantry at Mars-la-Tour; the Chancellor’s two sons, Herbert and William, being[17] in the midst of the fight.—THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE LONDON “DAILY NEWS.”

[1] here +Hauseinrichtung+.

[2] here +Tisch+; the plate was let into the table, +die Platte war in den Tisch hineingelegt+.

[3] = lies.

[4] and — spots = and upon the same one sees still some spots.

[5] +das Lecken+; render ‘from the’ by the Gen. of the def. art., and turn ‘used — negotiations’ by ‘during the momentous negotiations’.

[6] +~Jules Favre~, geboren den 21. März 1809 zu Lyon, machte sich zuerst als Redner und gewandter Advokat einen Namen, beschäftigte sich jedoch später auch mit der Politik, wo er stets zur demokratischen Partei gehörte. Nach der Februarrevolution von 1848 wurde er Generalsekretär im Ministerium des Innern, dann Mitglied der Nationalversammlung, in der er als Gegner des zum Präsidenten gewählten Prinzen Ludwig Napoleon auftrat. Im Jahre 1858 in den gesetzgebenden Körper gewählt, wurde er nach dem Sturze des Kaiserreichs und der Erklärung der Republik Mitglied der Regierung der Nationalverteidigung und Minister des Äußern, als welcher er im Jahre 1871 zu Versailles und Frankfurt a/M mit dem Fürsten Bismarck über den Frieden unterhandelte. Am 2. August 1871 zog er sich jedoch vom politischen Leben zurück und starb am 19. Januar 1880.+

[7] = lived (S. 116, N. 17).

[8] richly sculptured, +mit reicher Bildhauerarbeit verziert+, which use attributively, as explained in S. 7, N. 3, _A_; ‘wardrobe’, here +Wandschrank+.

[9] +aus+.

[10] when a = as.

[11] Supply ‘intended’ (+bestimmt+) here, and place the words ‘intended for (+zu+, contracted with the def. art.) — reference’ before ‘library’.

[12] +über+.

[13] +höchst künstlerisch+; and — origin = and made (+verfertigen+) in Asia, all to be placed before ‘screen’.

[14] +trägt die vom Kaiser eigenhändig geschriebenen Worte.+

[15] +Dem.+

[16] +von.+

[17] = are, +sich befinden+.

_Section 192._

ROYAL BENEVOLENCE.

Frederick the Great, King of Prussia[1], once rang the bell[2] of his cabinet; but as nobody answered[3], he opened the door of the ante-chamber, and there found his page fast asleep[4] upon a chair[5]. He went up to awake him, but, coming nearer, he observed a paper in his pocket, upon which something was written[6]. This excited his curiosity. He pulled it out, and found that it was a letter from the page’s mother, the contents of which were nearly as follows[7]: “She returned her son many thanks[8] for the money he had saved out of his salary and sent to her, which had proved a very timely assistance[9]. God would certainly reward him for it, and if he continued to serve God and his king faithfully and conscientiously, he could not fail of success[10] and prosperity in this world[11].” Upon reading (S. 55, N. 1) this, the king stepped softly into his closet, fetched a rouleau[12] _of_ ducats, and put it with the letter into the page’s pocket (S. 43, N. 9, _B_). He then rang again till the page awoke and came into his closet. “You have[13] been asleep, I suppose?” said the king. The page could not deny it, stammered out an excuse[14], put, in his embarrassment, his hand into his pocket, and felt the rouleau _of_ ducats. He immediately pulled it out, turned[15] pale, and looked at the king with tears in his eyes. “What is the matter with you?” said the king. “Oh!” replied the page, “somebody has contrived[16] my ruin: I know nothing of this money.” “What God bestows[17],” resumed the king, “He bestows in sleep. Send the money to your mother (App. § 5), give my respects to her[18], and inform her that I will take care[19] of both her and you.”—W. BUCK.

[1] +=Friedrich der Große=, König von Preußen, wurde am 24. Januar 1712 in Berlin geboren und war der Sohn des Königs Friedrich Wilhelm I, der den den Künsten und Wissenschaften ergegeben Jüngling oft tyrannisch und hart behandelte und ihn selbst gegen seine Neigung im Jahre 1733 mit der Prinzessin Elisabeth Christine von Braunschweig-Bevern vermählte. Nach dem Tode seines Vaters bestieg er am 31. Mai 1740 den preußischen Thron, auf dem er bald Gelegenheit fand, seine bedeutenden Talente als Staatsmann und Feldherr zu bethätigen. Die Geschichte nennt ihn wohl mit Recht den größten Fürsten, Feldherrn und Staatsmann seiner Zeit, und als er am 17. August 1786 auf seinem Lustschlosse zu Sanssouci starb, hinterließ er seinem Nachfolger ein um 1325 Quadratmeilen vergrößertes Reich, einen Schatz von über 70 Millionen Thalern, eine Armee von 200,000 Mann und einen kräftig emporblühenden Staat.+

[2] to ring the bell, +die Glocke ziehen+; of = in.

[3] = appeared.

[4] +in tiefem Schlafe+.

[5] Supply here +sitzen+.

[6] The clause ‘upon — written’ may be briefly rendered by ‘+beschrieben+’, to be placed before paper, inflected as an adj.

[7] were ... as follows, +folgendermaßen lautete+.

[8] to return a person many thanks, +einem vielmals danken+. Construe this and the following passages according to App. §§ 28, 30 and 31.

[9] Place the words ‘sent to her’ before ‘money’, attributively, and render ‘which — assistance’ by +und ihr sehr gelegen gekommen sei+.

[10] You cannot fail of success, +das Glück kann dir nicht fehlen+.

[11] = life.

[12] +Rolle+, f.

[13] = Thou hast, after which place the adv. +wohl+ = I suppose.

[14] = stammered some words of (+der+) excuse.

[15] = became.

[16] +ersonnen+.

[17] = gives.

[18] give — her, +grüße sie von mir+.

[19] to take care of a person, +für einen sorgen+; of — you = of both of you. He saw both of us, +Er sah uns beide+.

_Section 193._

TELEGRAPHY (S. 3, N. 2) AMONG BIRDS.

I watch[1] a flock[2] _of_ crows who, by some own correspondent of theirs, have learned that Farmer Blyth will hold a ploughing match on his grounds[3], and have in consequence summoned their brethren[4] to a diet _of_ worms. How unconcerned they look, as if worms were nothing to them[5]! How grave, as if it were an Ecclesiastical Convocation[6], and they had no thought of earthly things[7]! Yet point[8] a gun, or anything like it towards them, and in a moment (App. § 14) the young birds even whose backs seemed turned to you[9] will give a flutter[10] of their wings, which appears an involuntary struggle[11], but in reality is as significant a danger-signal as a red flag on a railway[12], and is sufficient to clear the field. Nor [= And yet ... not] are those crows exceptionally wise. All their feathered brethren[13] have made a sacred compact[14] that never with their consent shall salt be put upon their tails. The sparrows are not so idle that[15] they do not pass the word to each other when crumbs are falling thick[16] from some rich man’s table. The doves, though they look so innocent (S. 27, N. 8) do not spend[17] all their time in cooing love-songs and cradle-lullabies[18], or in pruning their rainbow-feathers. They have a Telegraphy of their own[19], and[20] by a mere peck, or a [+das+] ruffle of their feathers, can direct each other to the fields where the autumn wheat[21] is germinating best, or[22] the garden where the green peas are fullest and brightest[23].—PROFESSOR C. WILSON.

[1] +beobachten.+

[2] +Schar+, f.

[3] to hold a ploughing match on one’s grounds, +auf seinem Felde pflügen lassen+.

[4] = friends; ‘diet’, here +Gericht+, n.

[5] This is nothing to me, +dies geht mich nichts an+. See App. § 33.

[6] +Kirchenversammlung+, f.

[7] to have no thought of earthly things, +an nichts Irdisches denken+.

[8] The huntsman pointed a gun towards me, +der Jäger richtete eine Flinte auf mich+.

[9] whose — you = that apparently seemed to turn their (S. 43, N. 9, _B_) back to thee.

[10] to give a flutter, +eine leichte flatternde Bewegung machen+; of = with.

[11] an involuntary struggle = quite involuntary (+unwillkürlich+).

[12] = in the railway-service (S. 36, N. 7, _A_).

[13] = All birds.

[14] Supply ‘among (+unter+) one another’ here.

[15] +als daß+; to pass the word = to give a hint.

[16] to fall thick, +im Überflusse auf die Erde fallen+.

[17] +verbringen.+

[18] in — lullabies, +mit dem Girren von Liebes- und Wiegenliedern+.

[19] We have a library of our own, +wir haben unsere eigene Bibliothek+.

[20] Here follows the verb ‘can’; supply ‘with the beak’ after ‘peck’.

[21] = where the wheat in autumn.

[22] The prep. ‘to’ must be repeated here.

[23] = stand thickest and best (+schön+). See S. 183, N. 24.

_Section 194._

THE HANSE[1].

I.

About the end of the twelfth century commerce began to extend towards the north of Europe. Along the German shores of the Baltic (S. 36, N. 7, _A_) sprang up[2] thriving towns, which sent out ships to (S. 72, N. 4) Russia, Norway, England, and other parts, and exchanged the raw materials which they thus acquired (S. 48, N. 6) for the merchandise of Southern Europe and the Levant, which reached them both by land and sea[3]. Before[4] _the_ middle of the thirteenth century, this trade had become so valuable as to excite[5] the rapacity, not only of numerous pirates who infested[6] the seas, but[7] of princes (S. 3, N. 2) and nobles, who exacted arbitrary and excessive tolls.

To defend their interests against these assailants, the chief[8] ports entered into a league, binding themselves[9] to [+zu+] _afford_ mutual aid and protection. Lübeck and Hamburg stood at the head of this association; Bremen ranked next[10]; and one after another the principal towns gave in their adhesion, the movement spreading from east to west[11]. The numbers of the league[12] fluctuated, but at one time it is known (S. 4, N. 4, +man+) to have comprised more than ninety different towns. In the fourteenth century its authority[13] extended greatly, for[14] it rallied around it the chief commercial towns of the interior, such as Cologne, Dortmund, Münster, Brunswick, Magdeburg, etc. The Hanse had for its object the protection and development of commerce, the maintenance of existing and the acquisition of new privileges[15]. The association was governed by a Diet[16], to which each town sent representatives, and which met once in three years[17] in Lübeck. As the confederation expanded, it became necessary to divide it into several provinces[18], of which the capitals were Lübeck, Cologne, Brunswick, and Dantzic.

[1] +Die Hansa.+

[2] +entstehen+, insep. comp. irreg. v.

[3] +welche sie sowohl auf dem Land- als auch auf dem Seewege bezogen.+

[4] = Already before.

[5] = that it excited; place ‘not only’ before ‘rapacity’.

[6] +unsicher machen.+

[7] = but also that (to agree with ‘rapacity’).

[8] = most important; to enter into a league, +ein Bündnis mit einander schließen+.

[9] = whereby they bound themselves (+sich verpflichten+). Aid and protection, +Schutz und Trutz+.

[10] = hereupon came Bremen.

[11] and — west = and afterwards one great town after the other joined the league, which expanded (+sich aus´breiten+) from east to west.

[12] Liter. = The number of the towns in the league.

[13] = power.

[14] for — it, +denn es traten ihm ... bei+.

[15] The — privileges = The protection and the development of commerce, the maintenance of existing and the acquisition of new privileges were the object (+Zweck+, m.) of the Hanse.

[16] = The business (+Angelegenheiten+, pl.) of the league was conducted by (+durch+) a Diet (here +den Hansetag+).

[17] +alle drei Jahre einmal+.

[18] here +Bezirke+ (_or_ +Quartiere+).

_Section 195._

THE HANSE.

II.

In Russia the Hanse found a valuable and most virgin field[1] for its commercial enterprises. Thence it drew[2] large supplies of timber, flax, hemp, ropes, skins, furs, wax, and tallow; bestowing in return[3] (for the trade was only one of barter), salt, herrings, and coarse cloth, for the mass of the peasants; and[4] brocades, jewels, wines, and other articles of luxury, for the wealthy boyards and princes. A factory at Novgorod conducted these transactions. Another factory at Bergen placed the Hanse in direct contact[5] with Norway and Sweden. This was an establishment of considerable magnitude, comprising twenty-two courts, and serving not only as a lodging for the staff of agents and clerks[6], but as a warehouse[7] _for the goods_. The chief exports from this quarter were[8] timber, resin, sperm oil, _and_, above all[9], salted fish—a (S. 53, N. 9) commodity[10] in great demand at a time when Europe was still Catholic and fasted faithfully on the appointed days. The Hanse had[11] two other large factories, one in Bruges, employing three hundred agents, and another in London.

Year by year[12] the Hanse grew more rich and powerful. New branches of business were opened up, new factories _were_ founded. Kings and princes were glad[13] to be on good terms with so influential a body. Ambassadors from the Kings of England, France, Sweden, and Denmark, and even from the Emperor himself, waited on[14] the Diet, to ask[15] favours, and to offer trading privileges in return. The original object of the league—mutual protection—was reasonable and legitimate, but was gradually expanded into[16] a policy of forcible aggression and imperious monopoly. Not only were foreigners, in[17] their voyages to (S. 72, N. 4) the Hanse towns, compelled to employ Hanseatic ships, but[18] the commerce of the north-east and west of Europe was almost exclusively in the hands of the league.

[1] and most virgin field = and hitherto quite unused field.

[2] +beziehen+, insep. comp. irr. v. tr.

[3] bestowing in return = Liter. which it (+sie+, to agree with +die Hansa+) for (+gegen+) ... exchanged. The verb stands, of course, after ‘princes’, and the clause ‘for — barter’ is best placed after it.

[4] Repeat the preposition +gegen+ here.

[5] Place ‘in — contact’ after ‘Sweden’.

[6] for — clerks, +den Beamten und Unterbeamten+, which place after ‘only’. Render ‘as a’ by +zu+, contracted with the dat. of the def. art.

[7] = but was also used _as a_ (+als+) warehouse.

[8] +bestanden aus+.

[9] = but especially. The prep. +aus+ must be repeated here.

[10] +Artikel+, m.; in — demand, +welcher ... in großer Nachfrage stand+.

[11] Supply the adv. +noch+ here.

[12] +Von Jahr zu Jahr.+

[13] +froh+; to be on good terms, +auf freundschaftlichem Fuß stehen+; with — body, +mit dem mächtigen Städtebunde+, which place after ‘glad’.

[14] = appeared before (+vor+).

[15] +erbitten+; favours, +Gunstbezeugungen+; in return, +dafür+.

[16] +zu+; of — monopoly, +der Gewaltherrschaft und des Monopols+; ‘to expand’, here +umgestalten+.

[17] +auf+.

[18] but ... was, +sondern es befand sich auch+; of = in.

_Section 196._

THE HANSE.

III.

There were no bounds to its greed and selfishness[1]. It did its utmost to crush all growing trade[2], navigation, and even manufactures, which in the least interfered with its gains[3]. It warned away[4] all strangers[5] from the Baltic; and when it found them there, it seized and destroyed their vessels[6]. In order to maintain this monopoly, it[7] was ready to make[8] the greatest sacrifices, to equip fleets, and sustain long and costly campaigns. With Denmark it waged a desperate war; and it also came into collision[9] with Sweden and Norway. From[10] these contests it came off victorious, and the whole of Scandinavia was compelled to acknowledge its commercial supremacy[11]. It[12] had a rupture also with the Netherlands, whose flag it banished from the Baltic[13].

These unbounded pretensions naturally excited a great deal of ill feeling[14] against the Hanse, and, in the end, proved fatal[15] to it. One after another[16], the markets which it had been accustomed to regard as its own private estates, threw off their allegiance, and admitted[17] the traders of other nations. Then[18] _it was that_ the league began to suffer in another way from its narrow-minded selfishness. As long as it had exclusive command of[19] foreign sources of supply, it did not trouble itself to develop the resources of Germany—indeed it rather endeavoured[20] to repress them, when it thought that others were likely to profit by them; but when one by one its monopolies exploded[21], it found reason to repent that it had neglected to cultivate[22] the productive powers of its own country.

These causes, combined[23] with the change[24] of route to India, led to the gradual decline of this famous confederation[25]; and at the last general assembly, held at Lübeck in 1630, the deputies from the several cities appeared merely to declare their secession[26]. In a modified form[27], however, the Hanse lingered on[28] till the beginning of the present century—the[29] shadow of a great name. The Free Cities of Lübeck, Hamburg, Bremen, and Frankfort-on-the-Maine, are now only nominally the representatives of the Hanse.—J. H. FYFE.

[1] = Its greed and selfishness had no bounds.

[2] to crush all growing trade, +allen Handel ... im Keime zu ersticken+; the adj. ‘all’ must be repeated before the two following nouns.

[3] which — gains, +sobald die Interessen des Bundes im geringsten dadurch beeinträchtigt wurden+.

[4] = drove away.

[5] = foreign ships.

[6] their vessels = them. The passage ‘and — vessels’ is best rendered by the Passive Voice. ‘To seize’, here +mit Beschlag belegen+.

[7] = the league.

[8] to make a sacrifice, +ein Opfer bringen+.

[9] to come into collision with a person, +sich mit einem entzweien+.

[10] +Aus+; to come off, +hervorgehen+; it = the same.

[11] +dessen kommerzielle Überlegenheit.+

[12] It is better, for the sake of distinctness, to change the pronoun ‘it’ into ‘the league’.

[13] Use the Passive Voice to render ‘whose — Baltic’.

[14] a — feeling = great hatred.

[15] to prove fatal = to become dangerous.

[16] Place ‘one — another’ after ‘threw’, and commence the sentence with ‘The markets’; it = the same; as — estates, +als ihre eigenen Gebiete+; threw off their allegiance, +warfen ... das ihnen aufgedrungene Joch von sich+.

[17] ‘to admit a person’, here +einem den Zutritt gestatten+.

[18] = Upon that.

[19] +Herrschaft über+; sources of supply, +Zufuhrquellen+.

[20] +er bemühte sich vielmehr.+

[21] but — exploded = but when its monopolies (+Handelsprivilegien+) were one after another taken away (+entreißen+) from it (+ihm+, to be placed after ‘monopolies’).

[22] to cultivate = the cultivation (+Pflege+, f.); ‘the — country’ may be briefly rendered by +der inländischen Produktionskraft+.

[23] = in combination.

[24] +Verlegung+, f.; route, +Landweg+, m.

[25] +Städtebund+, m.

[26] +der Austritt aus dem Bunde+.

[27] +beschränkt.+

[28] however, the Hansa lingered on, +fristete die Hansa jedoch noch ... ein kümmerliches Dasein+.

[29] = the mere.

_Section 197._

COMING TO TERMS[1].

One of the most distinguished artists in Paris[2] painted for a lady occupying a brilliant position in society her portrait[3], with[4] the intention of placing it in an exhibition afterwards. The lady, although a long time celebrated for her beauty[5], had arrived at that age[6] which is seldom admitted (fifty years), but[7] endeavoured to conceal it through cosmetics, and showed herself as beautiful and captivating as in her younger days [= years]. Paris is full of resources, and ointments are to be obtained there[8] to heal the wounds of time.

Our heroine had her portrait taken[9] in the most graceful attitude; splendidly dressed, and leaning on an arm-chair, she looked smiling into the glass, which should return[10] her the most amiable compliments. The painter made[11] a most striking likeness, but this was a great mistake—a flattering one was expected[12], _and the lady_ subsequently[13] declared that she did not recognise herself (App. § 28) in this painting, and the portrait was left on the painter’s hands[14]. The artist, feeling himself hurt in his pride, was too good a philosopher to keep a portrait worth three thousand francs quietly on his hands[15], and an idea of vengeance presented itself to his mind[16], which he put into execution at once.

_A_ short time before the day fixed for[17] the opening of the art-exhibition at the Louvre[18], the lady was secretly informed that her portrait was ornamented with certain accessories rather compromising her[19]. She went immediately to the artist. There was the portrait! It was the same striking likeness certainly; but the painter had thinned the hair, and the lady so faithfully painted[20] held in her hand two large tresses of false hair. On the toilet table were several small bottles, labelled thus[21]: “White-Wash,” “Vegetable Red,” “Cosmetic[22], to efface wrinkles,” “Lotion, to dye the hair in a minute[23].”

“It is abominable,” said the lady, greatly excited.

“Of what do you complain?” coolly replied the artist. “Did you not declare (S. 48, N. 2, and App. § 28) that it was not your portrait? You are right, it is a mere fancy sketch[24], and as such I shall send it to the exhibition.”

“What, Sir, do you intend to exhibit this painting?”

“Certainly[25], Madam; but as _a_ cabinet picture[26], since the catalogue will indicate it under the title _of_ ‘The Coquette of Fifty Years.’”

At this the lady fainted, but soon recovered, and then paid at once for the portrait[27]. The accessories were effaced[28] in her presence, the portrait was restored to its original state, and the three thousand francs were transferred[29] to the purse of the painter.—THE YOUNG LADIES’ JOURNAL.

[1] = The Compromise.

[2] An artist in Berlin, +ein Berliner Künstler+.

[3] ‘painted — portrait’ may be briefly rendered = painted the portrait of a high-placed (+hochgestellt+) lady.

[4] +in.+

[5] = Although the lady was for a long time (+seit lange+) celebrated for (+wegen+) her beauty (see S. 27, N. 8).

[6] = she had now reached that age; admitted = confessed (+eingestanden+).

[7] = however, to be placed after ‘endeavoured’.

[8] and — time = and offers (+darbieten+) ointments, which heal all _the_ wounds of time.

[9] to have one’s portrait taken, +sich malen lassen+.

[10] = tell.

[11] +schaffen+, str. v. tr.; a most striking likeness, +ein höchst ähnliches Bild+.

[12] = the lady expected one that flattered her (S. 48, N. 6).

[13] +mithin+, to be placed after ‘declared’.

[14] and — hands = and refused the acceptance of the same (to agree with ‘painting’).

[15] to keep a portrait quietly on one’s hands, +ein Portrait ganz ruhig bei sich liegen lassen+.

[16] and — mind = and devised a plan of vengeance (S. 36, N. 7, _A_).

[17] +zu+.

[18] +im Louvre+.

[19] +daß ihr Portrait mit gewissen sie kompromittierenden Zusätzen verziert sei.+

[20] +und die treu nach der Natur gemalte Dame+; a tress of false hair, +eine falsche Haarflechte+.

[21] = with _the_ following labels (+Etikette+, f.).

[22] +Schönheitswasser.+

[23] +Haartinktur zum augenblicklichen Färben der Haare.+

[24] = it is only the production of my fancy.

[25] +Allerdings.+

[26] +als Genrebild+, the first component of which being pronounced as in French.

[27] for — portrait = the price of the picture.

[28] +beseitigen.+

[29] +ein´verleiben+, p. p. +einverleibt+.

_Section 198._

FALSE PRIDE.

Have pity on[1] the youth who is ashamed to be seen carrying[2] a parcel. Such a youth will never climb the hill[3]; he will never be honoured and respected by sensible, respectable[4] men. And yet how many there are (S. 82, N. 7) who have the failing[5]. Do you know the story of the young man who came _down_ from a country town of New Hampshire, and entered the great wholesale establishment of the Lawrences—Abbot and Amos—in Boston[6]? He was a young merchant who had just commenced business[7]. He had money enough _with which_ to purchase a certain quantity _of_ goods, and wished to get as many more on credit[8], if they (S. 134, N. 4) would trust[9] him.

Mr. Lawrence shook his head. The young man could offer no security, and the old[10] merchants did not consider it good _policy_ to give credit to an unknown and untried young man. The youthful customer did not blame them. He said he should probably do the same himself by one whom he did not know[11]. “However,” he added, “I hope I may grow into your confidence one of these days[12].”

Then he paid _for_ the goods he had purchased; and when they had been done up[13], he was asked where he would have them sent[14]. “I will take[15] them myself,” was the answer. “But the parcel is heavy,” said the clerk. “And I am young and strong,” answered the customer. “No, I will take the parcel on my shoulder. I cannot earn half a dollar more easily or more honestly.” And he had taken the parcel on his shoulder, and had approached the door, when Mr. Lawrence came out of his office, where[16] he had been a spectator of the scene, and called the youth back. “You can have all _the_ goods you want, young man[17],” he said. “Make your own selection, and set your own time for payment[18]. He who is willing to help himself, will not betray[19] those who are willing to help him.”

And the old merchant was not mistaken. That young man became one of his most valuable customers, and one of his valued[20] friends.

When Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte, son of (S. 25, N. 5) King Jerome of Westphalia and nephew of the Emperor Napoleon I., was a student of[21] Harvard College, in Cambridgeshire, he was one day carrying a bundle of clothing[22] from his washer-woman’s to his dormitory[23], when he was met by a companion[24], who asked him, with much surprise, why he had not had the bundle sent to his room.

“Why should I do that?” asked the prince. “Why[25],” said his companion with a little touch of embarrassment, “you know it doesn’t look well to carry one’s own bundle like a common labourer.”

“Bah[26],” cried Jerome, laughing, “I trust I shall never be ashamed to be seen bearing[27] anything (S. 3, N. 7) that belongs to a Bonaparte!”—THE NEW YORK HERALD.

[1] +mit.+

[2] = with.

[3] = Such a one will never get on (+vorwärts kommen+).

[4] +solide+.

[5] = this fault.

[6] from — Boston = from (+aus+) a small town in N. H. to Boston, and there entered the great (+großartig+) wholesale establishment (+Warenlager+) of Messrs. Lawrence—Abbot and Amos?

[7] I have just commenced business, +ich habe mich soeben etabliert+.

[8] to get a thing on credit, +etwas auf Kredit entnehmen+; as many more, +noch einmal so viele+.

[9] to trust a person, +einem Vertrauen schenken+.

[10] = experienced.

[11] by — know, +einem Unbekannten gegenüber+, to be placed after ‘should’ and the grammatical object ‘+es+’. To do the same oneself, +es auch so machen+.

[12] I may — days = that I shall gain (+sich erwerben+) one of these days (+dermaleinst+) your confidence.

[13] = were packed.

[14] = where they should be sent.

[15] = carry.

[16] +von wo+; to be a spectator of a scene, +eine Scene mit an´sehen+.

[17] +Herr+.

[18] to set one’s own time for payment, +den Zahlungstermin selbst bestimmen+.

[19] +betrügen+.

[20] = best.

[21] was — of = studied in.

[22] +mit Wäsche+.

[23] = ‘lodging’ here.

[24] I was met by a companion, +ein Freund begegnete mir+.

[25] +Ei+; his = the; with — embarrassment, +etwas verlegen+; you know, +doch+, to be placed after the verb; to carry = if one carries.

[26] = Nonsense!

[27] to be seen bearing = to bear.

_Section 199._

ANECDOTES OF[1] GREAT STATESMEN.

I.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN[2].

The night previous to the meeting of the Convocation[3] of Chicago, Mr. Lincoln did not get home until[4] eleven o’clock _at night_. In the morning[5] Mrs. Lincoln, who possessed a most amiable disposition, remonstrated with her good husband at breakfast. She kindly, but firmly, informed him[6] that politics[7] were leading him into bad habits, especially (S. 87, N. 6) to keeping late hours[8] and drinking at the rum shops. She did not like it; she had to sit up[9], and also the children were kept awake[10]. “And now, Abraham,” she continued, “let me tell you[11] that to-night I will go to bed at ten o’clock. If you come before that hour, well and good[12]; if not[13], I will not get up and let you in[14].” Ten o’clock came that night, and true to her word, Mrs. Lincoln went to bed with her children[15]. About an hour later Mr. Lincoln knocked at[16] the door. He knocked once, twice, and even three times before[17] an upper window was raised and the nightcap of a female looked out. “Who is there?” “I.” “You know what I told you, Abraham?” “Yes, but, wife, I have _got_ something very particular to tell you. Let me in!” “I don’t want to hear. It is political stuff[18].” “Wife, it is very important. There is[19] a telegraphic despatch, and I have been nominated for the Presidency[20].” “Oh, Abraham, this is awful! Now I know you have been drinking. I only suspected it before, and you may just go and sleep where you got your liquor[21]!” And down went the window with a slam[22]. The next day confirmed the truth of the news that the humble husband had been nominated to rule[23] over millions.—THE NEW YORK HERALD.

II.

PRINCE BISMARCK (S. 138, N. 12) AND LORD BEACONSFIELD[24].

Amongst a number of amusing anecdotes of Lord Beaconsfield is one of[25] the State banquet given at Berlin at the time of the Congress, when[26] he sat next to Prince Bismarck and opposite to the crown Princess of Germany. Near to him was a trophy of “bonbons,” on the papers of which were[27] miniature photographs of the German Emperor and other members of the Prussian royal family. After the feast was over[28], the lord was busily engaged (S. 87, N. 6) in securing[29] some of these sweets to take home as a [+zum+] remembrance of the occasion[30], when Prince Bismarck suddenly caught him by the arm and so startled him that he dropped his spoil and exclaimed: “I see, not only does Prince Bismarck give nothing away, but (S. 6, N. 10) he does not allow anybody to help himself.” The German Chancellor, on discovering (S. 55, N. 1) that he had interrupted Lord Beaconsfield in a feat of annexation[31], burst into a hearty laugh, and retorted: “It is true that[32] I give nothing away; but, as you see, I am always ready for an honest alliance.” So saying, he turned to the table and executed an energetic raid upon[33] the “bonbons,” part of which he handed over to his British colleague.—THE CORRESPONDENT OF “THE LONDON DAILY TELEGRAPH.”

[1] +über+, with Acc.