tomed task, to appease his longing for knowledge. Approaching
manhood had not changed him in this regard. He was punctual to the
hours of business, and labored with zeal and interest, to the great joy
of his father. He recreated himself with music and, painting, or by a
walk in the open country, for whose beauties he had a keen
appreciation. The few shades of his character were, a proud
haughtiness, an unyielding perseverance in his determinations, and a
strength of conviction difficult to overcome. But perhaps these shades
were, after all, great qualities, which were to brighten up and polish
his maturity. This obstinacy the father was now considering, and, in
reference to his singular view of marriage, it filled him with great
anxiety.

"But, Richard," began Herr Frank again, "how did you come to this
singular conclusion?"

"By observation, and reflection--and also by experience, although you
deny my years this right."

"What have you experienced and observed?"

"I have observed woman as she is, and found that such a creature would
only make me miserable. What occupies their minds? Fineries, pleasures;
and trifles. The pivot of their existence turns on dress, ornaments,
balls, and the like. We live in an age of crinoline, and you know how I
abominate that dress; I admit my aversion is abnormal, perhaps
exaggerated, but I cannot overcome it. When I see a woman going through
the streets with swelling hoops, the most whimsical fancies come into
my mind. It reminds me of an inflated balloon, whose clumsy swell
disfigures the most beautiful form. It reminds me of a drunken gawk,
who swaggers along and carries the foolish gewgaw for a show. The
costume is indeed expressive. It reveals the interior disposition.
Crinoline is to me the type of the woman of our day--an empty, vain,
inflated something. And this type repels me."

"Then you believe our women to be vain, pleasure-seeking, and destitute
of true womanhood, because they wear crinoline?"

"No, the reverse. An overweening propensity to show and frivolity
characterizes our women, and therefore they wear crinoline in spite of
the protestations of the men."

"Bah! Nonsense; you lay too much stress on fashion. I know many women
myself who complain of this fashion."

"And afterward follow it. This precisely confirms my opinion. Women
have no longer sufficient moral force to disregard a disagreeable
restraint. Their vanity is still stronger than their inclinations t