itself into one close and impervious veil. To such appearances as
these must legends of elves and fairies owe their origin."

It is something rather new for an author to introduce into his book a
criticism of another work on the same subject. This, Mr Boas, who
appears to be a bold man, tolerably confident in his own capabilities
and acquirements, has done, and in a very amusing, although not
altogether an unobjectionable manner. He must be sanguine, however, if
he expects his readers to place implicit faith in his impartiality.
Under the title of "A Tour in the North," he devotes a long chapter to a
bitter attack on the Countess Hahn-Hahn's book of that name. Here is its
commencement:--

"A year previously to myself, Ida, Countess Hahn-Hahn, had visited
Sweden, and the fruit of her journey was, as is infallible with
that lady, a book. When I arrived at Stockholm, people were just
reading it, and I found them highly indignant at the nonsense and
misrepresentations it contains. When a German goes to Sweden he is
received as a brother, with a warmth and heartiness which should
make a doubly pleasing impression, if we reflect how important it
is in our days to preserve a mutual confidence and good-will
between nations. When meddling persons make the perfidious attempt
to embitter a friendly people by scoffing and abuse, there should
be an end to forbearance, and it becomes a duty to strike in with
soothing words. We must show the Swedes how such scribblings are
appreciated in Germany, lest they should think we take a pleasure
in ridiculing what is noble and good."

And thereupon, Mr Boas does "strike in," as he calls it; but however
soothing his words may prove to his ill-used Swedish friends, we have
considerable doubts as to their emollient effect upon the Countess,
supposing always that she condescends to read them. He hits that lady
some very hard knocks, not all of them, perhaps, entirely undeserved;
makes out an excellent case for the Swedes, and proves, much more
satisfactorily to himself than to us, that Madame Hahn-Hahn is of a very
inferior grade of bookmaking tourists.

"In the first place" he says, "I declare that her work on Sweden is no
original, but a dull imitation of Gustavus Nicolai's notorious book,
'Italy, as it really is.' Like that author, the Countess labours
assiduously to collect together all the darkest shades and