surprised to perceive such an appearance of comfort in this
part of Germany. I had formed a conception of the tyranny of the petty
potentates that had thrown a gloomy veil over the face of the whole
country in my imagination, that cleared away like the darkness of night
before the sun as I saw the reality. I should probably have discovered
much lurking misery, the consequence of ignorant oppression, no doubt,
had I had time to inquire into particulars; but it did not stalk abroad
and infect the surface over which my eye glanced. Yes, I am persuaded
that a considerable degree of general knowledge pervades this country,
for it is only from the exercise of the mind that the body acquires the
activity from which I drew these inferences. Indeed, the King of
Denmark's German dominions--Holstein--appeared to me far superior to any
other part of his kingdom which had fallen under my view; and the robust
rustics to have their muscles braced, instead of the, as it were, lounge
of the Danish peasantry.

Arriving at Sleswick, the residence of Prince Charles of Hesse-Cassel,
the sight of the soldiers recalled all the unpleasing ideas of German
despotism, which imperceptibly vanished as I advanced into the country. I
viewed, with a mixture of pity and horror, these beings training to be
sold to slaughter, or be slaughtered, and fell into reflections on an old
opinion of mine, that it is the preservation of the species, not of
individuals, which appears to be the design of the Deity throughout the
whole of Nature. Blossoms come forth only to be blighted; fish lay their
spawn where it will be devoured; and what a large portion of the human
race are born merely to be swept prematurely away! Does not this waste
of budding life emphatically assert that it is not men, but Man, whose
preservation is so necessary to the completion of the grand plan of the
universe? Children peep into existence, suffer, and die; men play like
moths about a candle, and sink into the flame; war, and "the thousand
ills which flesh is heir to," mow them down in shoals; whilst the more
cruel prejudices of society palsy existence, introducing not less sure
though slower decay.

The castle was heavy and gloomy, yet the grounds about it were laid out
with some taste; a walk, winding under the shade of lofty trees, led to a
regularly built and animated town.

I crossed the drawbridge, and entered to see this shell of a court in
miniature, mounting ponderous