that, if only on Hedwig's account, he must cultivate this
acquaintance. The old man never walked out, as his gardening afforded
him all the exercise he needed; but our friend's invitation appeared to
him an honor not to be refused.

It was long before a subject of conversation could be presented to the
old man's mind which did not hang fire. His interest in every thing
invariably went out as soon as his pipe,--for which he struck fire
every five minutes. The young man did not wish to begin with Hedwig,
but rather to study a little of the niece's character by the uncle's.

"Do you read much now?" he inquired.

"Nothing at all, scarcely. What would I make by it if I did? I've got
my pension."

"Yes," replied the young man; "but we don't improve our minds only
to make our money with, but to attain a more elevated mental
existence,--to study deeper and understand more clearly. Every thing on
earth--and intellectual life above all things--must first be its own
purpose----"

The old gentleman stopped to light his pipe with great composure, and
our friend paused in the midst of an exposition which had but recently
presented itself to his own mind. They walked side by side without
speaking for a time, until the younger began again:--"But you still
practise your music, don't you?"

"I should think so. I sometimes fiddle for half a night at a time. I
need no light, I don't damage my eyes, and I don't miss anybody's
conversation."

"And you try to perfect yourself in it as far as you can?"

"Why not? Of course."

"And yet you don't make any thing by it."

The old man looked at him in astonishment. Our friend went on:--"Just
as your perfection in music gives you pleasure without making you
richer, so, methinks, it ought to be the case with reading and study.
But in this respect many people are just like those who neglect their
dress and personal appearance the moment they have no special interest
in attracting some particular person. The other day I heard a young
fellow scold a young married woman for her slatternly attire. 'Oh,'
said she, 'where's the difference now? I'm bought and sold, and my old
man must have me for better or for worse.' As if there was merely an
external object in dressing ourselves neatly and it was not required
for our own sakes, to preserve our self-respect. This is just the view
many people take of education: they carry it on to subserve an external
purpose, and the moment this incentive fails