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classes, is to give weight to dogmas and doctrines; the architecture of our country; and while conto make the precepts of individuals and the dicta templating our mountain ranges, vast rivers with of schools superior to the principles of truth; and their teeming vallies; our ocean lakes, broad and it is only by such influence that these usages, au- fertile prairies, or listening to the thunders of thority and exclusive classes can maintain their Niagara's flood, may every member of the repubposition, and hence it is inculcated as a greater lic be urged to make our country's noble architecmerit to adhere to long established and prescribed ture the type of its future moral and political views, than to be guilty of the heresy of showing destiny. forth their weakness or error. The continuance of despotic governments and governmental religions depends upon the suppression of the freedom of thought and investigation. The influence of democracy, on the contrary, is to send forth all minds boldly in search of those truths and facts which contribute most to the general good and happiness. So untrammelled are men's minds, that many strange and novel ideas, theories and plans may be presented, as is seen in the sphere of mechanical invention, but none will become permanent but such as stand the test of the general welfare.

THE ICELAND LETTER.

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.

Frau Stoben possessed the handsomest estate in the whole country. She was fond of retirement, but for a whole month, had her castle now been the rendezvous of the gay world. A high festival was being held therein, and Frau Stoben appeared in the joyous tumult to grow young again. But it was neither the feast, the garlands, nor the dance, that refreshed her heart and spirit; these were always within her reach, for, as we have already hinted, she was the richest person in the

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In connection with this part of our subject, we will notice another charge often brought against the practicability of democratic governments; the want of permanency and stability in their measures. We think, that from the very nature of whole place. democracy; its being a law of God, established She was more than rich, she was a tender and among men; and the same in all ages; having at happy mother. Her son, Theodore, had just all times the same ultimate object in view; and come home from his travels; for three long years that object the universal good of the human race, had he been absent, and she had begun to fear that that its measures are those alone which will be his love of roaming would prevent his ever returnpermanent and stable. True, measures and policy ing to her again; for no other desire appeared to must be experimental and varying until those possess him but that of visiting strange and distant which are in exact accordance with the principle lands. She therefore exhausted her invention for of democracy are discovered, and none can exist means to inspire him with love for his ancestral but those which have this accordance. Measures, abode, and left nothing untried which she thought which are now the settled and permanent policy would bind him to his home.

of our country, have had to struggle into existence through the discord of opposing influences; and measures, which are now subjects of doubt, contest and opposition, will eventually be acknowledged as the true fruit of democratic principles and claim a general reception. The spirit of democracy is ever onward, it cannot recede, and none can see its limits or its end. The influences, at which we have glanced, are constantly acting and re-acting upon each other, imparting new impulses, and giving and receiving new strength. Every elevation and every dignity, won for the mass, gives it a claim to higher elevation and higher dignity. Already is conceded to the people a respect and a position which, in former days, would not have been conceded to many of the influential and exclusive classes. As the advance of democracy tends to the general welfare of man, and as this welfare is founded in virtue alone, no human power can rise superior to it, and it must finally lead to the establishment of laws and usages consistent with the principles of virtue.

But the noisy festivities, the glittering assembly attracted him not; he was enchained by that gentle and devoted mother-heart, for such a heart he had never found in any zone, among dark men or white, olive, or copper colored.

"Oh, mother! dear mother, I am so happy here," cried he, as he ardently kissed the precious hand which caressed him; "who could wish for more than a love so pure, so sincere, so ardent? Never will I leave you again."

This was repeated many times, yet did his mother doubt, and thought to herself, "ah! this is but the charm of novelty; when that wears off he will again wish to roam ;" and all her observations, only served to confirm her suspicions. How could she otherwise account for his fixed and earnest attention, when the conversation turned upon foreign lands? How otherwise explain the fact, that from the whole library of Herr Habbakuk, (the pastor of the neighboring village,) he would select only the travels and leave the rest unread, although comprising the most moral and entertaining works

The spirit of democracy has a fitting temple in of the new and the old world.

VOL. IX-85

Therese, (her daughter and wife of the Lan-" drath Kulm,) had also been with her some weeks. Her husband and herself had come the distance of fifteen miles to partake in the general hilarity; and both endeavored to quiet the apprehensions of the anxious parent.

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'Let Theodore marry," said the Landrath, “and then he will certainly remain with you; nothing fetters one more effectually to home and fatherland, than a happy marriage."

"If," remarked Therese, "he has not fallen in love with some fair Laplander, he will not fail to settle here."

"But think, my child," said Frau Stoben, “he has for the last month seen all the maidens in our vicinity, far and near, and they all pass before him like so many paper dolls. He is meanwhile very melancholy, and if you would have him converse at all, you must talk to him of Norway, or some far distant region."

"Melancholy is he?" asked Therese, "do you know whether the Lapland girls are pretty or not?" Certainly," answered her husband, “remarkably so for people who love to drink train oil.”

Frau Stoben pondered over these suspicious words of her son-in-law, and sought in vain for a clue to unravel this entangled skein.

"What sort of people are they who are fond of drinking train oil?" asked she. "You must take me for an ignorant old woman, thus to mock me, my son."

"They are Laplanders, mother," replied the Landrath, as he laughingly threw back his head. "Are there none but Laplanders who are fond of that delightful beverage ?" inquired Therese.

The Landrath again laughed: but the Frau Stoben retired to her chamber sadly disquieted, and summoned to her presence the faithful Amos, who had been the trusty servant and travelling companion of her son.

"Amos," said she, as she laid her hand familiarly on his shoulder, "thou knowest thy master well; thou knowest him better than I do; thou hast seen him daily for several years, while he has been absent from me."

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"Seen and conversed!" answered Amos. "Thou wast with him in Lapland ?" "Yes, by Heaven! and a sorry life it was; sometimes thought we had reached the lower regions."

"And what thought thy master?"

"He could scarcely be moved from the place; he would creep into their huts, in comparison to which, our hog-styes are lordly castles, and at other times guided the sleigh, in which I frequently lay like a log and half frozen besides."

"Does your master love train-oil?” "How do you mean madame ?" "Does he drink it ?"

"Eh! Heaven forbid! not a drop ever went over his lips, or mine."

"Are you in earnest ?"

"If you would prove it, madame, place the oil flask before him."

"But when he turned his foot-steps home, did you observe no discontent, no disquiet in him? Was he entirely satisfied? As he neared his fatherland did not his heart sometimes wander to the strange countries he had left ?"

"You have guessed rightly, Madame Stoben; he was very often sorrowful, and, at such times, nothing appeared to give him pleasure. He regretted, too, not having visited Iceland, or Greenland, but Iceland seemed to run most in his head. There was a certain lady there who had somehow warmed his heart."

"Who was it?"

"I only know her name was Ottilia."

"Was she handsome? Does he still sigh for Iceland ?"

"Only yesterday, madam,-worthy sir,' observed I, 'is not everything about us here, much better than in Iceland? if the lords of that Island would crown me emperor, I would make them a low bow-and run away.' Upon this my master grumbled very discontentedly and said, I shall, during my whole life, regret being so near and not visiting it.'"

"Thou shouldst not remind him of Iceland." "Eh! if Ottilia does not remind him of it, I, for my part, shall be particularly careful not to do so." Is she married or single?"

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"I cannot tell you; but he occasionally receives letters from her, and she must, sometimes, write very sorrowfully to him. I cannot read, but I know her writing, envelope and seal, for upon the last there is an altar, with a flame, such as you see in the Bible, where Abraham is offering up Isaac; and when my master receives one of these letters, his whole countenance glows with joy, and the bright tears come into his eyes; had I learned to read or write I should certainly obtain letters from Iceland."

"Does my son still receive letters from there?" "Aye! Blessed Heaven! certainly, One came only last Sunday, and he was so happy the whole day, you would have supposed the shoemaker had put wings to the soles of his shoes; he seemed scarcely to tread the earth. Ah, my dear lady, Iceland must be a noble place, at least to judge from the letters. Could I but read, I would receive such or none at all; and one can get them here so cheap too; in Kaarlstrong I had to pay as

"And tell me, are the Lapland maidens hand- many guilders, as I have to give kreutzers here. some."

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The post is much better arranged in this place, than in Norway, or Lapland.

Frau Stoben dismissed the chattering Amos, but foolish, is no longer love. her soul was deeply troubled. She had heard only too much the letters from Iceland destroyed her peace.

Therese first drew from her mother the secret of the Iceland correspondent, then determined to solve the mystery; and intent on this purpose, one morning entered her brothers apartment, and as Theodore sprang to meet her, she threw her arms around his neck, while she said, in a caressing tone, “you will remain with us, will you not? are you not free to do so? Does any magnet draw you

hence ?"

Theodore colored, but Therese still held him fast in her arms, and fixed her eyes searchingly upon his face, till he looked down and smiled; "Thou hast answered," continued she.

"How? I understand you not!"

"But on with your

story; was not my own wooing like a fairy tale." "I will tell thee all, and thou shalt advise me; perhaps thou knowest the maiden."

"Then she cannot belong to Iceland."
"No, Therese, to the city of Grauenburg."
"Where is that? not certainly in Norway."
"Thirty hours ride from here,-fifteen from the
metropolis."

"And where have you met her?"
"No where."

"No where! So then, you are not acquainted with her?"

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"Then I am cleverer than you. Thou lovest; fair nor wealthy." I know it."

"You are mocking me Therese."

"Not fair! Oh that is nothing; you say you have never met, and if thy Donna is merely an

"No, indeed! but why bringest thou not thy ideal being, it remains with your fancy to make her lady love with thee?"

"Who?"

fair or otherwise."

"She is pale and marked with the small pox." "In Heaven's name! how do you know? you have never seen her."

"Never; but this is her likeness," and Theodore drew from his bosom an ivory minature. Therese looked at it a long time; her brother had truly spoken.

"The fair letter-writer in-where is the place? Iceland, I think; confide in me, Theodore, I am a woman; I too have loved, but have not certainly, from that cause, been forced to travel in Lapland." Theodore gazed upon his sister with astonishment, but she went on. "Now, dear Theodore, discard this mystery, our mother, all of us wish to "There are a variety of tastes," said she at last, see you happy. Thou lovest-well-make the" and some of them are, indeed, surprising, dear maiden thy wife; only give up this unhappy desire brother; thy saint is certainly no beauty, but there of going to Iceland. Our mother would die of is a look of amiability, which is rather attractive; grief, and I should not survive her loss. Theo- and that, no doubt, is what you love in this picture." dore thou wast ever a good son, a good brother, wilt thou be so no longer? tell me, thou art in love; is it not so ?"

"I know not."

"That is indeed amusing, our young man knows not whether he loves or not! I can tell better-if I were to present you a letter, sealed with a flaming altar, would you not at least blush?"

"No! no! I do not love any thing in this picture; but sit down on this sofa; it is yet early, and we can converse without interruption. will be secrét."

"As a fish."

You

Therese seated herself, and Theodore began.
"When our father died, now nearly four years

He did so as she spoke, and she kissed his glow-since, thou knowest that, for the consolation of my ing cheek and laughed.

mother, as well as ourselves, I composed a monody

"Ah, Therese! it is nothing after all, but folly." to his memory, and the music thereto. They were "What is ?"

"This love affair of which thou speakest." "Oh you lords of creation, of what follies are you not guilty, when once we poor women bewitch you."

printed, and six months subsequently, I received a letter which came from a lady, signing herself Ottilia Wangen; but you must hear the letter, that you may not falsely judge the maiden, and, saying this, Theodore drew from his desk the following

"You will not laugh at me, Therese, if I tell epistle." you.”

"No! I will pity you.”

"Then you shall know all; but you will laugh; I myself feel that the whole affair is preposterous, romantic, foolish."

"Sir: It is, perhaps, most unbecoming in me thus to address you; but pardon a maiden who, in the overflow of her gratitude, forgets, for once, what is due to propriety. You have saved my life; I have lost my adored father! I loved him too well; "You are too reasonable for a lover; a love I became ill, my mind became deranged, and the that has nothing in it preposterous, romantic, or physicians feared that my distraction would remain

incurable. My soul dwelt in dreams, and I wan-[ed. I have known many maidens, but none who, dered through a chaotic world, seeking the clear for an instant, could make me forget my charming morning light, which I never could reach. Much invisible. What did I find among them all? Beings did I suffer. The realities that surrounded me I more bone and flesh than spirit; beings, the love knew not, and the forms which I thought encom- of whom but fires the fancy and consumes the passed me, glided about like spirits, and fettered heart even when the torch of Hymen is but newly and hindered me from reaching the holy light, the lighted. Beings who, after the first novelty of light of a better world. Once, in my deep sor- love has passed, dream only of coquetry, and think row, I heard music; I will only tell you it was the of the equipage and fortune of man, more than of requiem you composed; Ah! you, too, have lost his heart." a father; you too have suffered like myself. The "And who are not one jot better, or worse, than music, which I believed came from heaven, en- man," interrupted the Landrathine; "I must meretirely subdued me, I dissolved in tears, and as they ly, in passing, remark to you, Theodore, that you fell, the deep anguish of my frozen heart, thawed are very rude, and remind you that you must not beneath their genial influence, the winter world of forget, while seated by your sister, that she is a my dream vanished, all became bright, and the woman; but I will allow you to proceed." morning red beamed nearer to me; the wandering "I said but the truth." spirit shapes transformed themselves into my weeping relatives; fever ensued, but, through the usual remedies, I was easily cured.

"And I too, dear brother; thou lovest the image thy fancy has created, and no spirit; thou ravest, and in so doing, form no exception to the legion of "But you, sir! you have saved me; your filial lovers, who, year after year, and under every silver offering to the dead, recalled my soul from the dark moon, rave of a new object. Believe me, Theomidnight of mute, overwhelming, despairing mad- dore, thou art no angel, as little is thy sainted Ot ness. Often since then, have I relapsed into deep tilia one; mankind has been the same from all sorrow, but even in my grief, I am happy. I live eternity,-following the same round which powerin your music, amid your reflections; perhaps it is ful nature compels them. What you imagine, have only a new mania. Be it so, my father deserved many others also fancied, and each believed himit all; ah! that my ashes were laid with his. These self a remarkable being, who alone made the grand are the first lines I have written for one year; I exception to all others of his kind. We are all made a vow, and now I have fulfilled it. I thank-wrong, only each one errs with regard to the other; only forgive me. but you understand not what I preach, Mr. Philosopher, and to do so, you must become a married man."

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OTTILIA WANGEN.”

"This is not so bad," said Therese smiling, we women might possibly weep over such a letter as this, but you, with your stern souls, are more philosophical."

"And you, in your turn, do not comprehend me. Think what you will, I know Ottilia; you shall read her letters, and then you will change your opinion. Do you think I should love Ottilia less, if she were married? Do you think my affection for her would be diminished, if I this day stood before the altar with another?”

"One courtesy brought on another; could I be silent to the address of so loving, so sensitive a creature? I answered her letter, I mourned with her, I consoled her and myself. This drew a short answer from her; I wrote again, and we became "I mean that you are both enthusiasts, and enengaged in so many questions and answers, that thusiasm is a fire that must consume itself; rain there appeared no end to our correspondence. Un- but refreshes, the wind but increases its flames. consciously we won each others love, each new And neither of you has ever felt any wish to see letter was a new step to confidence; our spirits the other?" harmonized, and formed an union which differed wholly from all the common connections of life. For us was no worldliness, no selfishness, no passion. If the dwellers in heaven loved, and told their love; their feelings and affections could not be purer than were our own. It is true, this spiritual communion, this pure love of soul, differs wholly from that which the world calls friendship, -"But though I take a long and distant journey, love, intimacy; it is something unknown, differ- loved Ottilia, still I part not from thee. How part ent, perhaps, as thou sayest, romantic; be it so, from that from which I cannot be separated if a name neither elevates nor degrades it; each feels thirty or a thousand hours, if a brook, or an ocean it in his own way, and calls it after his own sensa- separate our persons, our souls still remain unitions. Oh! Therese, this unknown Ottilia has ted. Distance can but delay the exchange of our taken from me all inclination for, all susceptibility feelings, we lose something, but not all; we are at to the charms of those with whom I am acquaint- least certain that our spirits are together, and let

“I, you know, travelled to the north of Europe, but we remained correspondents, and were always sincerest friends. Here is the copy of my letter, wherein I informed her of my departure, but it is too long; I will read only the most important part, that you may become, in some measure, acquainted with the spirit of our friendship.

us now, in the most solemn manner in which the forwarded them to me, wherever I might be, and lifeless lines of a letter can convey it, whisper to he always sent her mine which were invariably each other, 'I love thee now and forever! Yes, dated from the same place." Otillia, thou incomparable maiden, I love thee! "I perceive that your innocent spirits appear Ah! permit me when I address thee, to use the pretty well versed in manoeuvering, but sir, you simple familiar thou;' I am mistaken indeed if I have not advanced quite so far as you suppose. have not raised the veil, which concealed the whole You have called on me as adviser in your spiritual soul of Ottilia. I love only thee, think only of adventure, and I have therefore an inclination to thee; the farther I remove, the more strongly am be heard, and thou shalt take no step without my I bound to thee;-yes, Ottilia, be whom thou knowledge and approval. Thou art in my power; mayest, remain only what thou appearest to be. thou hast given me the address of thy unknown A prophetic spirit whispers me, that we shall meet, one; I have a messenger, and can write." that I shall see thee, that we shall see each other; "Wilt thou betray me?" Oh, beloved Ottilia! I tremble for that moment, I "Thou hast met, Theodore, the fate of all great almost wish that it may never arrive. Ottilia, we personages. Thou must either be advised, or beare human, we are now happy in each other, but trayed; in the former case I will stand faithfully woe! if, when we meet, we should not please; if by you, but proceed cautiously, in order to go sewe have involuntarily created an image in our curely. The happiness of thy life hangs upon thoughts, and find in each other something which what thou wouldst do precipitately. Thou lovest our imaginations had not taught us to expect, shall no maiden, only the created image of thy phanwe not then be the destroyers of our own happiness? tasy. Thy lordly highness knows not woman; our "We love each other, we are united as brother hearts must have something to engage them, it is and sister, the secret of our sympathy is known to us, our hearts are exhibited, without veil or concealment; think then, Ottillia, of our personal meeting for the first time-how then? We have never seen each other before, and we suddenly become strangers; I should not venture to approach the unknown form, which contains the fair soul which I love, and which loves me; the familiar 'thou which we use with the pen, would die unuttered on our lips, and we should find meeting hand to hand, far different from meeting soul to soul.

"Ottilia, were we personally to see each other, it would be with us, as with two lovers, whose spirits meet in another world, under another form; we should see each other and still be strangers; I should ask if thine were the mouth from which spake the spirit I had loved? and would you recognize in me the being I had before appeared to you?

"Certainly our destiny, Ottilia, is a singular one; we, full of tenderness and truth, shun, with terror, the moment which all others anticipate with intense eagerness. We are spirits brought into contact, and who tremble for the body, that contains them; farewell Ottilia, if I dwell on this theme I shall grow melancholy."

Theodore ceased, and Therese laughed as she said, "your spiritual love is a very charming piece of nonsense; but how did the spirit, Ottilia, bear thy absence; did it not become a little vexed?"

absolutely necessary; thine ethereal Ottilia is a very different person in her home, from what she is in her letters, which are easily written, and as easily defaced. This heavenly spirit, which has inspired you with such divine enthusiasm, eats and drinks like every other human being, aye, and thinks too of marriage, her mirror and the altar." "In Heaven's name! Therese, I beseech you, you will drive me away."

"But believest thou truly, that the good Ottilia is composed entirely of air and light? My heavens! why should not a maiden think of marriage? it is so natural: but we will not quarrel, I am out of all reason curious to hear, how Ottilia received the news of your departure, let me at least hear what she says on that point."

Theodore obediently opened his port-folio, but with a gloomy countenance, and read as follows: "You depart on your journey, and expect to be absent for two or three years; my beloved friend, how much will our correspondence be increased. I do not permit myself to question your proceedings, but if I dared—I would not have it thus-my heart is used to deprivations, Ah, dear friend, would I were severed from all-would I were with my father! I am a poor creature, yet still possess too much; I would loosen all my worldly ties, I have no longer the wish to win love, for I have not the courage to lose it. Go, and be happy,-you will "I shall have to read you the whole of our vo- be so: ah! my friend, you were an angel who deluminous correspondence; but now sister, our time livered me from darkness; you have finished your is too short; I will say but one word, and then I good works, your letters abound in consolation and will go hence to Grauenburg; I will see Ottilia, instruction; you remain the same to me, that you she does not know that I have returned, nor do I appeared even in my terrible madness; my harintend that she shall, but she shall see without rassed spirit, with a sisterly tenderness, inclines knowing me, for I will assume a false name. Her itself to yours. What difference can it make letters, though directed to Copenhagen, went always where you abide? Write to me distant or near, I first to L., where dwells my friend Müller, who shall know then that you do not forget me, know

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