ng the genius displayed in his other works, the
"Fairytales" will always be regarded as the most precious legacy which
the great author has bequeathed to posterity; and of these "The Cold
Heart" holds undoubtedly the first place in popular esteem. Unlike the
majority of his fairy-tales, it owes something of its origin to
folk-lore, as it is based on an old Black Forest Legend. But the human
figures in the story are Hauff's very own; those conversant with the
master's works will recognise in Charcoal Peter and Fat Ezekiel
characters which only Hauff could have created.

As in all his fairy-tales the human element is supreme, even Dutch
Michael and the Glassmanikin evince more human characteristics than
supernatural, and though they came from a mythological source they
never appear to us pale and colourless as the supernatural beings in
the fairy-tales of the brothers Grimm. Having chosen the groundwork of
his story, Hauff developed it with all the force of his vivid
imagination, fantastic humour and rare talent for narration.

H. ROBERTSON MURRAY.

THE COLD HEART

PART I.

He who travels through Suabia should not pass without seeing something
of the Black Forest; not because of the trees, although such countless
masses of stately pines are not to be met with everywhere; but because
of the people, who differ remarkably from their neighbours on every
side. They are broad-shouldered and strong-limbed and taller than the
generality of human beings; it is as if the invigorating air, which
blows every morning through the pines, has endowed them with a freer
respiration, a clearer eye and a firmer though, perhaps, rougher
courage than is possessed by the dwellers in valley and on plain.
And not only in bearing and stature, but also in customs and dress
they form a marked contrast to those who live beyond the confines
of the forest. The costume of the Baden Black Forester is the
more picturesque: with full-grown beards, as in accordance with
Nature's intention, the men, in their black jerkins, their enormous
narrow-pleated breeches, their red stockings and their peaked,
broad-brimmed hats, have an air somewhat strange, but, at the same
time, serious and dignified. These people are mostly occupied in
glassblowing; but they are also noted for the manufacture of clocks,
which are exported to all parts of the wo