nation had dawned upon him in the Artus Hof, and that some of the
figures had told him, in looks full of life, as well as in distinct
words, that he was a mighty master himself, and able to make and form
like him from whose mysterious _atelier_ they had proceeded.

"Herr Elias really looked, if possible, even a greater ass than usual
when the youngster spoke these lofty words; but the uncle, with a
strange, slightly sneering smile, said:

"'I repeat what I said before, that I can't understand how you should
be a man of business, and not devote yourself to art altogether.' The
man was excessively antipathetic to Traugott, somehow; and he
therefore, during the walk, kept to the nephew, who was very pleasant
and friendly.

"'Ah, Heavens!' the nephew said, 'how I envy you that talent of yours!
If I could only draw like you! I really have a great turn for it; I've
drawn some capital eyes, and ears and noses, and two or three heads
even; but oh!--the office, you know,--the office!'

"'I thought,' said Traugott, 'that when one was conscious of a real
gift--a true calling--for art, one ought to devote one's self to it
altogether.'

"'Be an artist, you mean? How can you say such a thing? Look here, my
dear fellow; I've thought over this subject perhaps more than most
people; indeed I have such a reverence for art that I've gone deeper
into this, almost, than I can explain, so that I can only give you a
hint or two of what I mean.'

"He looked so learned and so profoundly thoughtful as he said this,
that Traugott really felt a sort of veneration for him.

"'You'll admit,' said the nephew, when he had taken a pinch of snuff,
and sneezed a couple of times, 'that the function of art is to weave
flowers into life. Amusement--recreation after the serious business of
life--is the delightful end and object of all artistic effort; and this
is attained exactly in proportion as the productions of art are
satisfactory. This goal of art is distinctly perceptible in actual
life, because it is only those who practise art on this principle who
enjoy that comfort and prosperity which flies away for ever from those
who (against the true principles of things) look upon art as the
primary object and highest aim of life. Therefore, my dear sir, don't
you pay any attention to what my uncle said, nor let that lead you
astray from the serious business of life, to an occupation which can no
more stand alone than a helpless infant learning to wal