; but to descend to be a spy! For what else can it be
called? To seize the papers of this gentleman, the private papers of a
stranger, the toil of a life, perhaps--to open, and to read them. And
what have we to do with books? The Herr Doctor might perhaps be asked
for his advice; but we have no _index expurgatorius_ in Grunewald. Had
we but that, we should be the most absolute parody and farce upon this
tawdry earth.'

Yet, even while Otto spoke, he had continued to unfold the roll; and now,
when it lay fully open, his eye rested on the title-page elaborately
written in red ink. It ran thus:

MEMOIRS
OF A VISIT TO THE VARIOUS
COURTS OF EUROPE,
BY
SIR JOHN CRABTREE, BARONET.

Below was a list of chapters, each bearing the name of one of the
European Courts; and among these the nineteenth and the last upon the
list was dedicated to Grunewald.

'Ah! The Court of Grunewald!' said Otto, 'that should be droll reading.'
And his curiosity itched for it.

'A methodical dog, this English Baronet,' said Gotthold. 'Each chapter
written and finished on the spot. I shall look for his work when it
appears.'

'It would be odd, now, just to glance at it,' said Otto, wavering.

Gotthold's brow darkened, and he looked out of window.

But though the Prince understood the reproof, his weakness prevailed. 'I
will,' he said, with an uneasy laugh, 'I will, I think, just glance at
it.'

So saying, he resumed his seat and spread the traveller's manuscript upon
the table.

CHAPTER II--'ON THE COURT OF GRUNEWALD,' BEING A PORTION OF THE
TRAVELLER'S MANUSCRIPT

It may well be asked (_it was thus the English traveller began his
nineteenth chapter_) why I should have chosen Grunewald out of so many
other states equally petty, formal, dull, and corrupt. Accident, indeed,
decided, and not I; but I have seen no reason to regret my visit. The
spectacle of this small society macerating in its own abuses was not
perhaps instructive, but I have found it exceedingly diverting.

The reigning Prince, Otto Johann Friedrich, a young man of imperfect
education, questionable valour, and no scintilla of capacity, has fallen
into entire public contempt. It was with difficulty that I obtained an
interview, for he is frequently absent from a court where his presence is
unheeded, an