t has drawn in the way I have just
instanced, appear to _costume_ themselves of their own accord, just in
the way most appropriate to their characters."

"Yes," said Ottmar, "and that is the case in actual life as well.
Doubtless we have all felt most distinctly, with respect to characters
we have met, that those people could not have been dressed differently,
to be in keeping with their inner being; that such and such a man could
not have had on another sort of hat or coat than he actually had. That
this is the case is not so wonderful, as that we should see that it is
so."

"But don't you think it is only because we notice it, that it happens?"
interrupted Cyprian.

"Oh! unapproachable subtlety!" cried Vincent.

"I cordially agree with all that Lothair has maintained on this
subject," cried Sylvester. "Don't forget, however, that--besides our
meetings and conversations--there is another source of enjoyment which
I miss in the country--one which greatly penetrates and elevates me. I
mean the musical performances, the renderings of the glorious works of
musicians. This very day I heard Beethoven's Mass in C in the Catholic
Church. It made a deep impression on me."

"And that," said Cyprian, moodily, "does not surprise me, just because
to have to do without things of the kind makes one enjoy them the more.
Hunger is the best sauce. To speak candidly, Beethoven--in his Mass in
C--has given us a very charming, I may, perhaps, say a genial, work;
but it is not a Mass. Where is the strict ecclesiastical style?"

"I know, Cyprian," said Theodore, "you only care for the old composers,
and are horrified at the sight of a black note in a church-score; and
that you are unjustly strict and severe in your opinions about the more
modern church music."

"At the same time," said Lothair, "I think there is too much of the
jubilant--of earthly rejoicing--in Beethoven's Mass. I should very much
like to know wherein the utter diverseness of the spirit in which the
masters have composed the different portion of the Mass lies; they
contrast with each other in their treatment of it so completely!"

"Exactly," said Sylvester, "that is what has so often struck me, too,
as inexplicable. One would suppose, for example, that the words,
'_Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini_' could only be set in the same
sort of pious, tranquil style. Yet, I not only know that they have been
set in the most diverse manners by the greatest masters, but