this absurd stuff, must torment
poor Berthold, who, in the irony of despair, attacked the notion of any
favourable influence from a higher region, and how he must plunge
pointed daggers into wounds still fresh and bleeding. The evening at
last came, and the professor put a few sheets of manuscript into my
hand, with the words: "There, my dear enthusiast, is the student's
handy work. It is not badly written but very odd, and the author,
against all rule, thrusts in discourses of the painter, word for word,
without any notice to the reader. I will make you a present of the
work, of which I have a right to dispose by virtue of my office, for I
know perfectly well that you are no writer. The author of the
"Fantasie-Stuecke in Callot's Manier,"[1] (fancy pieces in the style of
Callot) would have cut it according to his own mad fashion, and would
have printed it at once. I have nothing of the sort to expect from
you."

Professor Aloysius Walter did not know that he really stood before the
"travelling enthusiast," although he might have found it out, and thus,
gentle reader, I am enabled to give you the Jesuit-student's short
history of the painter, Berthold. It thoroughly explains the manner in
which he conducted himself in my presence, and thou, reader, wilt be
able to see how the strange spirit of destiny often plunges us into
destructive error.

* * * * *

"'Only let your son make up his mind and go to Italy. He is already a
clever artist, and here at D---- there is no lack of opportunity for
studying after excellent originals in every class, but here he must not
stay. The free life of an artist must dawn upon him in the cheerful
land of art, his studies will there first take a living form, and
produce individual thoughts. Mere copying is now of no further use to
him. The growing plant requires more sun to thrive and bring forth its
blossoms and fruit. Your son has a really artistical temperament, so
you may be perfectly satisfied about all the rest!' Thus said the old
painter, Stephan Birkner, to Berthold's parents. The latter scraped
together all that their slender means would allow to fit out the youth
for his long journey, and thus was Berthold's warmest wish--that of
travelling to Italy--accomplished.

"'When Birkner told me the decision of my parents, I literally jumped
for joy. I wandered about as in a dream till the time of my departure.
I was not able to make a single