.

ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO.

_Kunersdorf_, 27 _Sept._, 1813.

CHAPTER I.

At last, after a fortunate, but to me most tedious passage, we reached
our destined haven. As soon as the boat had landed me on the shore, I
loaded myself with my little possessions, and forcing my way through the
swarming crowd, entered the first and meanest house distinguished by a
sign-board. I ordered a chamber; the waiter measured me with a glance,
and sent me up to the garret.

I ordered fresh water, and inquired for the abode of Mr. Thomas Jones.
"Near the North gate, the first country house on the right-hand side; a
large new house of red and white marble, supported by many pillars."
Well; it was yet early; I opened my bundle, laid out my newly-turned
black coat, clad myself in my sprucest garments, put my letter of
introduction into my pocket, and bent my way to the man, who, I modestly
hoped, was destined to befriend me.

After I had gone through the long North-street, and reached the gate, I
saw the columns glimmering through the green trees. "It is here, then,"
I thought. I wiped the dust from my feet with my pocket-handkerchief,
arranged my cravat, and rung the bell. The door flew open, the servants
narrowly examined me in the hall, but the porter at last announced me,
and I had the honour to be summoned into the park, where Mr. Jones was
walking with a small company. I knew him instantly by his portly self-
complacency. He received me tolerably well--as a rich man is wont to
receive a poor dependent devil; looked towards me, but without turning
from the rest of the company, and took from me the letter I held in my
hand. "Aye, aye! from my brother; I have not heard from him a long time.
Is he well? There"--he continued, addressing the company without waiting
for an answer, and pointed with the letter to a hill, "There I have
ordered a new building to be erected." He broke the seal, but not the
conversation, of which wealth became the subject. "He who is not the
master of at least a million," he interposed, "forgive the expression, is
a ragamuffin."--"That is true, indeed," exclaimed I, with full,
overflowing feeling. He must have been pleased with the expression of my
concurrence, for he smiled on me and said, "Remain here, young friend: I
shall perhaps have time to tell you, by and by, what I think of it." He
pointed to the letter, put it into his pocket, and turned again to the
company. He then offered his