rned his most serious attention to the mental education of his
dearly beloved son. A certain Doctor Cesar Polidori, a renowned
linguist, a distinguished chemist, learned historian, and deeply versed
in the study of all the exact and physical sciences, was entrusted with
the charge of cultivating and improving the rich but virgin soil so
carefully and well prepared by Murphy. This time the Grand Duke's choice
was a most unfortunate one, or, rather, his religious feelings were
infamously imposed upon by the person who introduced the doctor to him,
and caused him to think on Polidori as the preceptor of the young
prince. Atheist, cheat, and hypocrite, full of stratagem and trick,
concealing the most dangerous immorality, the most hardened scepticism,
under an austere exterior, profoundly versed in the knowledge of human
nature, or, rather, only having tried the worst side,--the disgraceful
passions of humanity,--Doctor Polidori was the most hateful Mentor that
could have been entrusted with the education of a young man.

Rodolph left with the deepest regrets the independent and animating life
which he had hitherto led with Murphy to go and become pale with the
study of books, and submit himself to the irksome ceremonies of his
father's court, and he at once entertained a strong prejudice against
his tutor. It could not be otherwise.

On quitting his young friend, the poor squire had compared him, and with
justice, to a young wild colt, full of grace and fire, carried off from
his native prairies, where he had dwelt, free as air, and joyous as a
bird, to be bridled and spurred, that he might under that system learn
how to moderate and economise those powers which, hitherto, he had only
employed in running and leaping in any way he pleased.

Rodolph began by telling Polidori that he had no taste for study, but
that he greatly preferred the free exercise of his arms and legs, to
breathe the pure air of the fields, to traverse the woods and the
mountains, and that a good horse and a good gun were preferable to all
the books in the universe. The doctor was prepared for this antipathy,
and was secretly delighted at it, for, in another way, the hopes of this
man were as ambitious as those of Sarah. Although the grand duchy of
Gerolstein was only a secondary state, Polidori indulged the idea of
being one day its Richelieu, and of making Rodolph play the part of the
do-nothing prince. But, desirous above all things of currying fav