the Queen of Prussia. Two years
afterwards he entered the army, which he left in 1806 to go to
France, returning to Berlin in the following year. In 1810 he
proceeded to France once more, and thence to Geneva, where he
began his study of natural history. In 1815 he went with Otto
von Kotzehue on a tour round the world, and on his return he
settled in Berlin, having obtained a post in the Botanical
Gardens. He wrote several important books on botany,
topography, and ethnology, but became even more famous through
his poems, ballads and romances. "Peter Schlemihl," which was
written in 1813 was published in the following year by
Chamisso's friend Fouque, and achieved so great a success that
it was translated into most languages. Chamisso died in Berlin
on August 21, 1838.

_I.--The Grey Man_

Having safely landed after a fatiguing journey, I took my modest
belongings to the nearest cheap inn, engaged a garret room, washed, put
on my newly-turned black coat, and proceeded to find Mr. Thomas John's
mansion. After a severe cross-examination on the part of the
hall-porter, I had the honour of being shown into the park where Mr.
John was entertaining a party. He graciously took my letter of
introduction, continuing the while to talk to his guests. Then he broke
the seal, still joining in the conversation, which turned upon wealth.
"Anyone," he remarked, "who has not at least a million is, pardon the
word, a rogue." "How true," I exclaimed; which pleased him, for he asked
me to stay. Then, offering his arm to a fair lady, he led the party to
the rose-clad hill. Everybody was very jolly; and I followed behind, so
as not to make myself a nuisance.

The beautiful Fanny, who seemed to be the queen of the day, in trying to
pick a rose, had scratched her finger, which caused much commotion. She
asked for some plaster, and a quiet, lean, tall, elderly man, dressed in
grey, who walked by my side, put his hand in his coat pocket, pulled out
a pocket-book, and, with a deep bow, handed the lady what she wanted.
She took it without thanks, and we all continued to ascend the hill.

Arrived at the top, Mr. John, espying a light spot on the horizon,
called for a telescope. Before the servants had time to move, the grey
man, bowing modestly, had put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a
beautiful telescope, which passed from hand to hand without being
returned to its o