SPIRIT OF ACCUMULATION,

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them, who spoke English, to attend me a few minutes to the post-house, that I might endeavour to overtake my friends. The hoary merchant, with an immoveable countenance, coldly looked at me, and briefly replied, "It is our post day;" and, without saying another word, returned to his accompts.. It reminded me of Gadshill and the Carrier, in the first part of Henry the Fourth :

"Gad. I pray thee, lend me thy lantern, to see my gelding in the stable. "Car. Lend thee my lantern, quotha! Marry, I'll see thee hanged first."

This Englishman had grown old in the traffic of Dantzig, and the generous spirit of his country had been indurated into the selfishness of accumulation.

The little Swede was now in the lowest state of depreciation: the post-master thought her unworthy of being drawn by a Prussian prancer, and absolutely refused to put a horse into the shafts; at the same time he offered me a ducat, that is, nine shillings and sixpence, for her. I would have set fire to her, sooner than that he should have had her. The god of gold seemed to have made this spot his favourite temple, to have constituted a bag of corn his chosen altar, and to have recorded his oracles in a ledger: the ramparts of the town seem preserved only to repel hospitality and generosity. The Dantzickers keep a cash account of civilities, and never indulge in festivity without resorting to calculation. A calculating countenance

under a little bob-wig, shining brushed cocked-hat that has seen good service, a brown coat, waistcoat and breeches of the same colour, worsted stockings, a pair of shining little silver buckles, and an ivory-headed cane, denote the thrifty Dantzicker: the very beggar in the streets seems to expect a double proportion of bounty for his misfortune, aud for the trouble of asking relief. As I was purchasing some articles at a grocer's for my journey, his wife held a little child in her arms, not old enough to speak, to whom I gave a pear, and presently after I presented him with a gulden, a little coin, which he griped, apparently with the same instinct that would induce a young bear to rifle a honey jar, and dropped the fruit. The little grocer seemed much pleased with his son's preference; and, in German, as well as I could understand him, exclaimed, "that he would make a brave tradesman.”

In this place, where there were so many of my own countrymen settled, accident led me to the civilities of a polite and amiable young Dutchman, who had not staid long enough in Dantzig to lose every liberal sentiment. "How strange," said I, "that amongst the residents of this place you alone "should wish to serve an unfortunate solitary Englishman; " and that, too, whilst our respective countries are at war!" "It is true, our countries are at war," said he, in good English; "but what is that to us? every man whom I can serve is my countryman."

Through the medium of this gentleman, I hired a man to go with me all the way to Berlin (who, on such occasions, is called a fuhrman), instead of going post, to avoid as much as possible the galling pressure of Prussian imposition. To the friendly Dutchman I sold the little Swede for ten ducats, which he vowed he would brush up and paint, and drive with into the country. On the day preceding my departure, my Dutch friend related the following story. Being at church one Sunday, at Alkmaar, when that town was in the possession of the English forces, previous to the sermon the preacher prayed very fervently for the long life of his Majesty George III., and the prosperity of England. Scarcely had he finished this pious compliment, before an inhabitant entered, and announced that the English forces were retiring, and that the French were about to resume the protection of the place: upon hearing which, this Dutch Vicar of Bray explained to his audience, that the supplication which they had just heard was coerced; but that now, being able to follow the spontaneous emotions of his own heart, he begged them to unite with him in offering up a prayer to the throne of grace, to bless and preserve General Brune and the French

armies!

Before I met with the courteous Dutchman, the only consolation which I found, was in sitting in the same room with the young Maitresse d'hotel de Lion Blanc, where, without

knowing each other's language, we contrived to pass away the hours not unpleasantly. The beauty and sprightliness of this young woman produced the following jeu d'esprit :

The sign of the house should be chang'd, I'll be sworn,
Where enchanted we find so much beauty and grace;

Then quick from the door let the lion be torn,

And an angel expand her white wings in his place.

The young Dutchman translated it into German, and presented it to the fair one.

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CHAP. XXII.

REFLECTIONS UPON A STUHLWAGGON-PRUSSIAN VILLAGES-MILITARY MANŒUVRES-IRISH REBEL-BERLIN-LINDEN WALK-TOLERATION-PRUSSIAN DINNER-CHEAP LIVING-THE PALACECADET CORPS.

THE traveller going to Germany will be under the necessity of changing his money as under :

Twenty-four good, or ninety Prussian groschen, are equal to one dollar, or three Prussian guilders.

N. B. Six Prussian dollars are equal to one pound English.

When the stuhlwaggon, that was to carry me to Berlin, a distance of upwards of three hundred English miles, in the stipulated time of eight days, drove up to the door, I observed that it had no springs, consequently I could not be detained on the road by their breaking; that I should be nearly jolted to death, but that would be an admirable substitute for want of exercise; that I should not be able to sleep by day, consequently I should sleep the better by night; that my driver