With such sentiments, with such a feeling of his own situation, it is natural that religion, belief in God, and pious hope in his Providence, should be deeply seated in his soul, which so much requires consolation. He is now pious, in the genuine sense of the word, speaks with devotion of the Almighty, and derives great satisfaction from proper works of religious instruction. He would not, however, subscribe to any articles of faith, and still less would he feel at home in the society of fanatics.*

Taken very early from his nurse, and from the tales which she may have related to him, buried as a child, and restored in the maturity of youth to the world, he brought with him a mind destitute of notions, but also free from all prejudices, and from every superstition. He who at first could not, without much difficulty, become conscious of the existence of his own soul, can still less be disposed to believe the reality of ghosts. The belief in them is considered by him as the most foolish of all follies, and he dreads only the unseen and murderous hand which secretly pursues him. If he had the satisfaction of being secured from that danger, he would not fear at

* He was educated in the Lutheran religion, which is professed by the majority of the inhabitants of Nuremberg.

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any hour of the night to enter a churchyard, and to sleep amongst the tombs.

His mode of life is now nearly similar to that which is usual with other persons, and he eats, with the exception of pork, almost all kinds of food, which are not seasoned with hot spices. Fennel, aniseed, and cumins, still continue to be his favourite spices. Water is still his only beverage, but, in the morning, he takes a cup of plain chocolate. All fermented liquors, beer, wine, as well as tea and coffee, are still objects of aversion to him; and were he obliged to take even a few drops of them, he would infallibly become indisposed.

The extraordinary, and almost supernatural acuteness of his senses, has also very much declined, and is reduced nearly to the ordinary level. He sees to a certain degree in the dark, so that for him there is no real night, but only twilight; he is, however, no longer able, as formerly, to read in the dark, or to recognize in it small objects at a great distance. (62) Formerly, he saw much better in the darkness of night than by daylight, but now the case is reversed. Similar to other persons, he now not only tolerates, but likes sunshine, which does not any longer injure his eyes. His wonderful memory,

and his other astonishing peculiarities, have also disappeared. In him there is at present nothing very extraordinary, except his most extraordinary fate, and his indescribable amiability and goodness. (63)

NOTES

BY THE TRANSLATOR.

(1) The Hallerthörchen is a small gate at Nuremberg for foot passengers only, and at which no sentinel is stationed. In going from thence to the Unschlittplatz, it is necessary to cross a river, either by a chain bridge, or (after passing along the Promenade) by a stone bridge which is more remote. The spot on which Kaspar was found is by the court wall of a brewery, directly opposite to which is a short street leading to the walls of the town.

(2) Those who are unacquainted with the German language may require to be informed, that "Well Born" is a title given to those who are not of a noble family, but in the situation of Gentlemen, and may be considered to correspond with that of Esquire.

(3) This statement was altogether improbable, even under the supposition that Kaspar was an impostor, as he would not, at the very commencement, have forgotten the character which he intended to assume.

(4) The Vestnor Thor is one of the gates of Nuremberg.

(5) If Kaspar could be considered an impostor, the supposition must be admitted, which seems utterly absurd, that he aspired only to become a common soldier, a situation which certainly is not attended with such ease, or emolument, or advantage of any kind, as renders it an object of ambition, or difficult of attainment. He must, besides, have been aware that his hopes of success would be altogether destroyed by his pretending to be unable to speak, or to walk. Merker, a Police Officer at Berlin, has written two pamphlets, which attempt to shew that Kaspar's statement is unfounded; and in the last of those publications it is gravely maintained that he came to Nuremberg with no other view than that of being enlisted in the Light Horse. Perhaps, when Merker engages Policemen, he selects those in preference who are deaf, or dumb, or lame, or have other infirmities.