hills, and in the rocky vales of Tyrol, Austria, and
Bavaria. I might have been a rich man, if I had taken with me what I
might only have picked up and broken off. In many places I saw myself
as in a magic garden. On every side costly and skilfully framed metals
met my sight. From the beautiful tresses and branches of silver hung
glittering, ruby-red, transparent fruits; and the heavy-laden shrubs,
stood upon crystal ground of inimitable workmanship. One can scarcely
trust his senses in these wonderful regions, and can never grow weary
of rambling through these charming solitudes, or of gloating over their
jewels. I have seen much that is wonderful during my present journey,
and certainly in other lands the earth is equally plentiful and
fruitful."

"When," said the unknown, "one remembers the treasures which are hidden
in the East, he cannot doubt what you remark; and have not distant
India, Africa, and Spain been distinguished even from antiquity, by the
richness of their soil? Though a soldier is not apt to take very exact
notice of the veins and the clefts of mountains, yet at times I have
reflected upon these shining tracts of land, which, like rare birds,
indicate an unexpected bloom and fruit. How little did I imagine, when
I passed these dark dwellings joyously by the light of day, that I
should ever finish my life in the bosom of a mountain! My love carried
me proudly above the surface of the earth, and I hoped in later years
to fall asleep in her embrace. The war having ended, I returned home,
full of glad expectations of a refreshing harvest. But the spirit of
the war seemed to have become the spirit of my fortune. My Maria had
borne me two children in the East. They were the joy of our existence.
The voyage and the rough air of the West destroyed their bloom; they
were buried a few days after my arrival in Europe. Sorrowfully I
carried my disconsolate wife to our home. A silent grief weakened the
thread which bound her to life. During a journey which I was obliged to
take, and on which, as was her wont, she accompanied me, she gently but
suddenly expired in my arms. It was near this place, where her earthly
pilgrimage was finished. My resolution was taken in a moment; I found,
what I had never expected; a heavenly illumination came over me; and
from the day when I buried her here with my own hands, a divine hand
freed my heart from all sorrow. Since then I have caused this monument
to be erected. An event of