selves to
me for the solution of their doubts. The questions with which they have
besieged me have made me blush on account of my ignorance. I have
therefore been induced to devote myself to the investigation of a
matter not hitherto the subject of my studies; and I now beg to submit
to the world the result of my learned researches:

"'_Concerning Shadows._--A dark body can only be partially illuminated
by a bright one. The dark space which lies in the direction of the
un-illuminated part is what we call a _shadow_. Properly speaking,
shadow signifies a bodily space, the form of which depends upon the
form of the illuminating body, and upon their opposite position with
regard to each other. The shadow thrown on a surface situated before
the shadow-projecting body is therefore nothing else than the
intersection of this surface by the bodily space [in French, _le
solide_, on which word _solid_ the whole force of the humour turns],
which we before designated by the word shadow.'

"The question in this wonderful history of Peter Schlemihl relates
entirely to the last-mentioned quality, _solidity_. The science of
finance instructs us sufficiently as to the value of money: the value
of a shadow is less generally acknowledged. My thoughtless friend was
covetous of money, of which he knew the value, and forgot to think of
solid substance. It was his wish that the lesson which he had paid for
so dearly should be turned to our profit; and his bitter experience
calls to us with a loud voice. Think of the solid--the substantial!"

In Peter Schlemihl, it is practically admitted by all literary critics,
Chamisso drew his own portrait, not only with regard to external
appearance but also in a moral sense. He is supposed to have described
his own sufferings, the sufferings of a man who has lost his fatherland
and nationality, and is an exile. Peter Schlemihl, the shadowless man,
at last finds consolation and reconciliation in wandering over the face
of earth. Here again the author mirrors his own yearning in a moment
when--in the tumult of war--he, a German Frenchman or a French German,
finds no proper place in countries limited by political boundaries. He
strove therefore to rise above the quarrels of the human race and to
wander forth into the vast space of nature, or plunge into the depths
of science! His dream soon became realised, when he found himself on
board the Rurik. It was in the early part of 1815 when Chamisso
gladly ac