his chemical laboratory, to which,
however, he admits no stranger. Besides many curious books, he
possesses a number of manuscripts, partly Arabic, Coptic, and some of
them in strange characters which belong not to any known tongue. These
he wishes to have copied properly; and for this purpose he requires
a man who can draw with the pen, and so transfer these marks to
parchment, in Indian ink, with the highest strictness and fidelity.
The work is carried on in a separate chamber of his house, under his
own oversight; and besides free board during the time of business, he
pays his man a specie-dollar, daily, and promises a handsome present
when the copying is rightly finished. The hours of work are from
twelve to six. From three to four, you take rest and dinner.

"Herr Archivarius Lindhorst having in vain tried one or two young
people for copying these manuscripts, has at last applied to me to
find him an expert drawer; and so I have been thinking of you,
dear Herr Anselmus, for I know that you both write very neatly, and
likewise draw with the pen to great perfection. Now, if in these bad
times, and till your future establishment, you would like to earn a
speziesthaler in the day, and this present over and above, you can go
tomorrow precisely at noon, and call upon the Archivarius, whose house
no doubt you know. But be on your guard against any blot! If such a
thing falls on your copy, you must begin it again; if it falls on the
original, the Archivarius will think nothing of throwing you out of
the window, for he is a hot-tempered gentleman."

The student Anselmus was filled with joy at Registrator Heerbrand's
proposal; for not only could the student write well and draw well
with the pen, but this copying with laborious calligraphic pains was
a thing he delighted in beyond aught else. So he thanked his patron in
the most grateful terms, and promised not to fail at noon tomorrow.

All night the student Anselmus saw nothing but clear speziesthalers,
and heard nothing but their lovely clink. Who could blame the poor
youth, cheated of so many hopes by capricious destiny, obliged to take
counsel about every farthing, and to forego so many joys which a young
heart requires! Early in the morning he brought out his black-lead
pencils, his crow-quills, his Indian ink; for better materials,
thought he, the Archivarius can find nowhere. Above all, he mustered
and arranged his calligraphic masterpieces and his drawings, to show