en misunderstood because not heard to the
end. He perceived how difficult it is to lead an assemblage of grown
persons through the profound and exhaustive analysis of any subject.
But, leaving this train of thought, he soon suffered himself to suppose
that he had met with that phase of barbarism which consists not in the
absence of polish, but in the conceited disdain of culture and
refinement. He was much mortified. The resolution to confine himself
exclusively to the companionship of docile childhood and of uncorrupted
nature was confirmed in his mind.

Next day (Saturday) the teacher called on the councilmen, but found
none of them at home. His last errand was to the old schoolmaster,
whose house he found at the lower end of a pretty garden which opened
on the road. The beds were measured with lead and string, and skirted
with box; the hedge of beech which enclosed the whole was smoothly
shorn, and, at regular intervals, little stems rose over the hedge,
crowned with spherical foliage. In the midst was a rotunda, forming a
natural basin, girt with box and garnished with all sorts of buds and
flowers. At the foot of the garden, near the arbor, voices were heard
in conversation. Advancing in that direction, he said to the two men
whom he found there,--

"Can I see Mr. Schoolmaster?"

"Two of 'em: ha, ha!" said the elder, who was without a coat, and had a
hoe in his hand.

"I mean the old schoolmaster."

"That's me; and this is the Jew teacher: ha, ha!" answered the man with
the hoe, pointing to his companion, who was dressed as befits the
Sabbath.

"I am glad to have the pleasure of meeting you also. Have we not seen
each other before?"

"Yes,--when you were conversing with the squire."

The old gentleman threw away his hoe, took his pipe out of his mouth,
and seized his coat, for the purpose of putting it on,--a design
against the execution of which our friend interfered.

"We must not stand upon ceremony," said he: "we are colleagues. I am
the new teacher. Is this garden your property?"

"Ha, ha! 'should think it was," replied he. Every word he said was
accompanied with a peculiar chuckle, which appeared to come from his
inmost soul. "Welcome to Nordstetten," he added, extending his hand,
and shaking that of the newcomer with a grip which reminded him of
Goetz von Berlichingen.

[Illustration: I am the new teacher.]

The Jewish teacher stood rubbing his hands in great embarrassment. He
knew not wheth