every climate, of every soil, of every
quarter of the globe, blend into enjoyment within us. Who does not
perceive in an oyster, if at least he is gifted with a true sense for
it, the might and the freshness of the sea! O asparagus, he that has
not the wit to enjoy thee, can know nothing of the mysteries which the
dreaming world of plants reveals to us! Can one understand anything of
the history of the world or of poetry, if one is a stranger to all
these natural elementary feelings, and incapable of doing justice to
the worth of a snipe, or even of a turbot?"

The other guests had already retired; the dinner was quite over; and
only counsellor Helbach and his two nearest and most intimate friends
were still sitting engaged in this and the like conversation.

"I am quite surprised," one of them began, "at the buoyant youthful
spirit which you still retain, at your jovial animation, your lively
poetical playfulness. All the rest of us have grown so old, and the
weight of years presses so heavily upon us, while you are still
jesting, and pleasure has lost none of its freshness or charms with
you."

"We are all alone now," said the counsellor, "and I may therefore
speak more from my heart to such old friends. It is true, this sensual
enjoyment gives me pleasure, and will console me at times for the want
of much: but I am not the frivolous person you take me for, perhaps
never was so. Almost everybody has a mask; and this is mine. I move
about in it lightly and with ease, and so most people take it for my
real character. My youth was a very sad one: my parents displayed all
their weaknesses, their extravagance and ostentation, so glaringly to
me and to all the world, that I could not look upon them with esteem;
and this to a young man is of all feelings the most terrible. Poverty
and distress, privations of every kind may be borne much more easily:
but a calamity like mine crushes the heart before it is yet grown up.
I had to play the part of a rich man, to squander money, to give
myself airs. When one puts on the semblance of anything for a time, it
will soon become a portion of our nature. Imitate a stutterer for a
while, and you will have to keep diligent watch over yourself not to
stammer in earnest. I fell in love, and was on the point of changing
into a totally different person; for my passion was sincere and
ardent. But new distress. The noble being who soon became my wife,
could never give me her heart. The stron