were repugnant
to me, but I will not deny having entertained secretly a hope that some
female heart might be gracious to me; but pale and thin as I was, I
often seriously doubted the possibility of it.

"The expression of quiet melancholy in the eyes of L. v. D. attracted
me early; I had the greatest pleasure in talking to her, and she was
the only one of my sisters' playfellows with whom I walked, when we
rambled about the garden. But she left Zittau soon, and never did a
word escape my lips--and how could it? In 1788, I saw her again once;
after that time never again.

"My first school occupations drove away all such thoughts, although I
was teased as well as others, when I had danced more with one maiden
than another at the school balls. Sometimes undoubtedly there were
moments, when from braggadocio, I made it appear as if there was
something in question, where certainly there was nothing.

"But shortly before my departure--at a school ball--I met with Lorchen
L., who was destined by my stars, to be the companion of my life, and
entered into conversation with her. Even then I was much charmed with
her! and danced oftener and with greater pleasure, than with any other
maiden. It made me uneasy to feel that in some months I should be away.
The impression upon me was not concealed from my class, and they
bantered me; and I looked gloomy. Even during more than six years'
absence, her image ever rose before me. If there are inward voices,
this was one for me!

"The day dawned on which I was to take leave of Zittau, and my sister
was to accompany me to Leipzig. With tears I parted from Mueller, and
with emotion from all the teachers. In the evening I took a lonely walk
in the open air, the evening sky shone bright, the reflection fell on
my mother's grave. Tears burst from me: 'Yes, mother! I vowed that I
would be good!' With hasty steps I went home. 'Now we shall never
more,' said my brother, 'never more,' wander together, he would have
said, but tears choked his voice.

"We slept little, talking almost the whole night, and early, about four
o'clock, our travelling carriage rolled out of Zittau."

Thus does a sensible man of the time of our fathers and grandfathers,
relate the boy-life in a citizen's family, honourable and serious, of
strict morality, and no common strength of intellect. Still, with depth
of feeling is united a sentimentality which will perhaps excite a
smile, perhaps touch the heart. It is the s