also think us too severe; but I must add that the more I
saw of the manners of Hamburg, the more was I confirmed in my opinion
relative to the baleful effect of extensive speculations on the moral
character. Men are strange machines; and their whole system of morality
is in general held together by one grand principle which loses its force
the moment they allow themselves to break with impunity over the bounds
which secured their self-respect. A man ceases to love humanity, and
then individuals, as he advances in the chase after wealth; as one
clashes with his interest, the other with his pleasures: to business, as
it is termed, everything must give way; nay, is sacrificed, and all the
endearing charities of citizen, husband, father, brother, become empty
names. But--but what? Why, to snap the chain of thought, I must say
farewell. Cassandra was not the only prophetess whose warning voice has
been disregarded. How much easier it is to meet with love in the world
than affection!

Yours sincerely.

LETTER XXIV.

My lodgings at Altona are tolerably comfortable, though not in any
proportion to the price I pay; but, owing to the present circumstances,
all the necessaries of life are here extravagantly dear. Considering it
as a temporary residence, the chief inconvenience of which I am inclined
to complain is the rough streets that must be passed before Marguerite
and the child can reach a level road.

The views of the Elbe in the vicinity of the town are pleasant,
particularly as the prospects here afford so little variety. I attempted
to descend, and walk close to the water's edge; but there was no path;
and the smell of glue, hanging to dry, an extensive manufactory of which
is carried on close to the beach, I found extremely disagreeable. But to
commerce everything must give way; profit and profit are the only
speculations--"double--double, toil and trouble." I have seldom entered
a shady walk without being soon obliged to turn aside to make room for
the rope-makers; and the only tree I have seen, that appeared to be
planted by the hand of taste, is in the churchyard, to shade the tomb of
the poet Klopstock's wife.

Most of the merchants have country houses to retire to during the summer;
and many of them are situated on the banks of the Elbe, where they have
the pleasure of seeing the packet-boats arrive--the periods of most
consequence to divide their week.

The moving picture, consisting of la