1771; and, after the completion of his
juvenile education, travelled about with a company of strolling
players. Becoming reconciled with his relations, after this vagabond
life, he went to the University at Frankfort on the Oder, where he
studied in a desultory manner. After travelling through Germany,
Switzerland, and France, he settled in the Grisons, and took a most
active part in Swiss politics, to follow which would exceed the bounds
of a sketch of this sort. His _History of Switzerland_ is a standard
work; and his collection of tales, copious as it is, forms a vast
treasury of fiction for his admirers. The account which Zschokke
himself gives of his _Alamontade_, is added to that tale.[4]

* * * * *

Here closes this imperfect sketch. It is not intended to convey any
new information to those who are acquainted with German literature; but
it may, at least, be of use in conveying a few facts and dates to the
general English reader.

[1] The fact that Schiller's "Ghost Seer" is so familiar in an English
garb, that it is almost an English novel, is a sufficient reason that
it does not appear in this collection. Almost the same may be said of
the more celebrated romance of La Motte Fouque.

[2] This has been especially the case with "Libussa," which is often
indelicate in the original. An oversight in the translation of that
tale should, however, be corrected. The provincial word, "Imme,"
should be translated "Queen-bee," not "ant." Vide p. 14, line 5 from
the bottom.

[3] An admirable paper on Novalis is in Mr. Carlyle's _Miscellanies_.

[4] To Zschokke is attributed the religious work _Stunden der Andacht_,
a judicious selection from which has been translated by Mr. Haas.

TALES FROM THE GERMAN.

LIBUSSA.

BY J. H. MUSAEUS.

Deep in the Bohemian forest, of which now only a shadow remains, dwelt
years ago, when it spread itself far and wide into the country, a
little spiritual people, aeriel, uncorporeal, and shunning the light.
They were of a finer nature than mankind, which is formed out of gross
clay, and were therefore imperceptible to the coarser sense; but to the
more refined they were half visible by moonlight, being well known to
the poets under the name of the Dryads, and to the old bards under the
name of the Elves. From time immemorial they had lived undisturbed
here, until the forest suddenly resounded with the tumult of war; Duke
Czech, of Hunga