led from the eyes that are not to look
into it. This is a disagreeable business; for of such eyes there is a
multitude, and what mortal can decide what shall be the fate of a MS.
which is more hard to guard than even an uttered word. In truth, I feel
as if my head were turning round, and in my anguish jump into the
abyss--let the whole affair be printed!

But, Edward! there are really stronger and better grounds for this
decision. Unless I am wholly deceived, there beat in our beloved Germany
many hearts which are able and worthy to understand poor Schlemihl, and a
tranquil smile will light upon the countenance of many an honest
countryman of ours at the bitter sport in which life with him--and the
simple sport in which he with himself is engaged. And you, Edward, you,
looking into this so sincerely-grounded book, and thinking how many
unknown hearts this may learn with us to love it--you will let a drop of
balsam fall into the deep wound, which death hath inflicted upon you and
all that love you.

And to conclude: there is--I know there is, from manifold experience--a
genius that takes charge of every printed book and delivers it into the
appropriate hands, and if not always, yet very often keeps at home the
undeserving: that genius holds the key to every true production of heart
and soul, and opens and closes it with never-failing dexterity.

To this genius, my much beloved Schlemihl! I confide thy smiles and thy
tears, and thus to God commend them.

FOUQUE.

_Neunhausen_, _May_ 31, 1814.

To Fouque, from Hitzig

We have done, then, the desperate deed: there is Schlemihl's story which
we were to preserve to ourselves as our own secret, and lo! not only
Frenchmen and Englishmen, Dutchmen and Spaniards have translated it, and
Americans have reprinted it from the English text, as I announced to my
own erudite Berlin, but now in our beloved Germany a new edition appears
with the English etchings, which the illustrious Cruikshank sketched from
the life, and wider still will the story be told. Not a word didst thou
mutter to me in 1814, of the publication of the MS., and did I not deem
thy reckless enterprise suitably punished by the complaints of our
Chamisso, in his Voyage round the World from 1815 to 1818--complaints
urged in Chili and Kamtschatka, and uttered even to his departed friend
Tameramaia of Owahee, I should even now demand of you crowning
retribution.

However--this by the by--bygones ar