length. It was in vain that I offered to plead
guilty, and pay the penalty, whatever it might be, so that we might be
allowed to proceed on our journey. I was solemnly reminded, that it
was not for me to interrupt the course of justice, but to await its
decision with patience. I saw they were determined to prevent our
departure as long as possible; and, judging that the only way to
assist in the completion of the unlucky business, was to interpose no
obstacle to its natural course, I henceforth held my peace, conjuring
my companion on no account to give directions for dinner. After a
sitting of nearly seven hours on the second day, when everything that
could be lugged into connection with the silly affair had been said
and reiterated ten times over, the notary in attendance read over his
condensed report of the whole, and I was called upon for my defence. I
told them plainly that I did not choose to make any; that I was sick
of the company of fools; that since it was a crime to speak the truth
in their good town, I was willing to pay the penalty for so doing, for
the privilege of leaving it; that I was astonished and disgusted at
the spectacle of a company of grave men siding with such a beggarly
_raeuber_ (I believed that term was not proscribed in their precious
statute) as Karl Gurtler was, and taking advantage of the law, of
which a stranger must necessarily be ignorant, to obstruct him on his
journey, and levy a contribution on his purse; and I added, finally,
for I had talked myself into an angry mood, that if the farce were not
immediately brought to a conclusion, I should despatch my friend
forthwith to Berlin, and lay a report of their proceedings before the
British ambassador. I could perceive something like consternation in
the broad visage of the burgermeister as I concluded my harangue; but
without attempting to answer it, the Solons on the bench laid their
heads together, and after a muttering of a few minutes' duration, the
schoolmaster pronounced the sentence of the court, which was, that I
should indemnify the plaintiff to the amount of one dollar, and pay
the costs of the proceedings, which amounted to three more. I could
scarce forbear laughing at the mention of a sum so ludicrous. Fifteen
shillings for penalty and costs of a trial which had lasted nearly two
days! I threw down the money, and was hastening from the court, when
the notary called upon me to stop for one moment, while he concluded
his re