ary manners of the
students, and at their language, so different from that of every
rational German. He remarks: "Over a glass of beer they often fell
into singularly transcendental investigations, of which I understood
little or nothing. However, I observed the principal words, and when
drawn into a conversation, replied with a grave air--'Freedom,
Fatherland, Nationality.'" He attends the lectures of a celebrated
professor, whose profundity of thought and terseness of style are so
astounding, that the German world set him down as possessed; the
critical student, however, differs somewhat from that conclusion,
observing--

"I have borne a great deal in the world. I have even entered into
swine," ("The devil," said Luther, "knows Scripture well and he uses
it in argument") "but into such a philosopher? No, indeed! I had
rather be excused."

The episode here reprinted occurred in a hotel in Frankfort, where our
incognito is known as Herr von Natas (which, it will be noticed, is
his more familiar name read backwards). His brilliant powers of
conversation, his adroit flattery, courteous gallantry, and elegant,
though wayward flights of imagination, soon rendered him the delight
of the whole _table d'hote_. All guests, including our author, were
fascinated by the mysterious stranger. But we will let the author
himself tell his story.

ST. JOHN'S EVE

BY NIKOLAI VASILEVICH GOGOL

This story, taken from _Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka_, a series of
sketches of the life of the Ukrainian peasants, offers a good
illustration of the author's art, which was a combination of the
romantic and realistic elements. In these pages Gogol wished to record
the myths and legends still current among the plain folk of his
beloved Ukrainia. The devil naturally enough peeps out here and there
through the pages of this book. Gogol's devil is a product of the
Russian soil, "the spirit of mischief and cunning, whom Russian
literature is always trying to outplay and overcome" (Mme. Jarintzow,
_Russian Poets and Poems_).

According to European superstition St. John's Eve is the only evening
in the year when his Satanic Majesty reveals himself in his proper
shape to the eyes of men. If you wish to behold his Highness face to
face, stand on St. John's Eve at midnight near a mustard-plant. It is
suggested by Sir James Frazer in his _Golden Bough_ that, in the
chilly air of the upper world, this prince from a warmer clime may be
attra