ruction of stories of this kind," said Lothair. "Tieck, the
profound and glorious master--the creator of the most delightful
works of the 'tale' class--has only placed a very few scattered,
instructive hints on the subject in the mouths of the characters in his
'Phantasus.' According to them, the conditions are, a quietly
progressive tone of the narrative; a certain guilelessness in the
relation, which, like gently fantasising music, enters the soul without
noise or din. There should be no bitter after-taste left behind by it,
but only a sense of enjoyment, echoing on. But is this sufficient to
define the only admissible tone for this species of literature?
However, I don't wish to think any more about my 'Nutcracker.' I feel
that it is pervaded by what I may call 'overflowing spirits' to too
great an extent; and I have thought too much of grown-up people and
their ways and doings; for the rest, I have had to promise the little
critics in my sister's nursery to get another story ready for them by
next Christmas, and I undertake to keep it in a quieter tone. For
to-day, I think we ought to be thankful that I have summoned you
up out of the dreadful mine-shaft at Falun to the light of day, and
restored you to the good humour and good spirits which become Serapion
Brethren--particularly at the moment of parting, for I hear the clock
striking twelve."

"May Serapion continue to protect and aid us," cried Theodore, rising
and elevating his glass, "and enable us to describe what we have seen
with the eye of the spirit, in graphic and apposite words."

The Brethren drank the toast, and parted.

* * * * *

SECTION THIRD.

"There can be no question," said Lothair, when the Serapion Brethren
were next assembled, "that our Cyprian--just as was the case on the St.
Serapion's Day when our Brotherhood was founded--has something strange
occupying his mind and thoughts. He is pale and disturbed; listens to
our conversation with only half an ear; and seems, though present in
the body, to be far away in spirit."

"Then," said Ottmar, "the best thing he can do is to out with the story
of the madman whose name-day he is probably celebrating."

"And discharge the contents of his brain in eccentric sparks just
as he pleases," added Theodore; "for I know that he will then become
humanly-minded again, and come back to our circle, which he will have
to content himself