sor at the University, found him a
position as teacher in the family of Count Itzenplitz, where he taught
French and botany. He was sufficiently near to the capital to be kept
acquainted with the gradual development of the all-important crisis,
and yet remained free from any unpleasant personal contact with it!
Here, at Kunnersdorf, the family seat of Count Itzenplitz, scarcely a
day's journey from Berlin, while occupied with the study of botany and
other sciences, Chamisso conceived the idea of "The Shadowless Man,"
and with rapid pen completed the story.

One day, to divert himself and to amuse the wife and children of his
friend Hitzig, whom Heine calls _Der Dekan der Schlemihle_, he wrote
Peter Schlemihl.

In 1814, this wonderful narrative was brought to the notice of Baron de
la Motte Fouque, the celebrated author of _Undine_, under whose
auspices the book was published with the following letter from de la
Motte Fouque to Julius Edward Hitzig, by way of introduction:--

FROM THE BARON DE LA MOTTE FOUQUE TO JULIUS EDWARD
HITZIG.

We should take care, my dear Edward, not to expose the history of poor
Schlemihl to eyes unfit to look upon it. That would be a bad
experiment. Of such eyes there are plenty; and who is able to predict
what may befall a _manuscript_, which is almost more difficult to guard
than spoken language? Like a person seized with vertigo, therefore,
who, in the paroxysm of his feelings, leaps into the abyss, I commit
the story to the press.

And yet there are better and more serious reasons for the step I have
taken. If I am not wholly deceived, there are in our dear Germany many
hearts both capable and worthy of comprehending poor Schlemihl,
although a smile will arise on the countenance of many among our honest
countrymen at the bitter sport which was death to him and to the
innocent being whom he drew along with him. And you, Edward, when you
have seen the estimable work and reflected on the number of unknown and
sympathising bosoms who, with ourselves, will learn to love it,--you
will then, perhaps, feel that some drops of consolation have been
instilled into those wounds inflicted on you, and on all who love you,
by death.

To conclude: I have become convinced, by repeated experience, that a
guardian angel watches over books, places them in proper hands, and if
not always, yet often, prevents them from falling into improper. In any
case, he e