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Moltke, their countryman, they crossed the Alps to Unterseen, and arrived there extremely fatigued. They hired a boat to cross the lake of Thun; and, at the moment when the waterman was pushing off the boat; a young female and an old man made their appearance; the girl in a white dress, a green hat, and with a stick in her hand, and seemed to be about twenty. Her countenance was pleasing and friendly. She approached, and nimbly jumped into the boat; and, with a friendly bon jour, Messieurs, addressed the travellers, who sat hanging down their heads, like knights of the melancholy figure. They were surprised at this unexpected appearance, and stared, now at the girl, now at each other, and almost forgot to return the compliment of their charming stranger. However, Becker, who is a man deserving of credit, assures me they answered her tolerably well, though the Count stammered at the second word, and he and Baggesen were struck quite dumb. By degrees, when they were at a considerable distance from shore, they fell into conversation. The girl told the Danes, that she had been at her uncle's at Unterseen, to visit her good nurse, who was very ill, and that she was now returning to Berne. “How did you leave the patient?" asked the sympathizing travellers, with great eagerness. "God be thanked! she is better," replied the fair stranger. She then enquired the names and residence of her fellow travellers; and, when she learned that the Count was the grandson of the late Danish minister, she began to speak of that venerable man, and the history of his time, in such a manner, that it was evident she was acquainted with the history and relations of the powers of Europe. They landed at

Thun. The Count gave her his hand, and accompanied her, together with his fellow-travellers, to the inn, where they found a room. Here they learned from the hostess, that their charming companion was a granddaughter of the celebrated philosopher and poet Haller. Baggesen leaped for joy, and instantly hastened to her, to recommend himself anew to her favour, and to assure her of the unbounded regard which he entertained for her grandfather. "Ah! you should have known him more intimately," said she, in a tone of the highest sensibility. "Even in his old age, he fascinated great and small by his amiable disposition. I cannot refrain from tears when I recollect with what gaiety and familiarity he played with us small children, in his leisure hours, after the most serious labours for the welfare of mankind. How often did he take me on his knee, kiss me, at the same time calling me his dear Sophia!"

The amiable Sophia dried her tears, and Baggesen wept with her. Our travellers forgot their fatigues, and passed the whole evening with Sophia Haller. As they intended to set off the next morning early for Berne, and Sophia and her uncle were going to make some stay at Thun, they took leave of them." Shall it be for ever," said the young Count; and, full of expectation, fixed his eyes on Sophia's; Baggesen's looks, animated by the most lively expression of tenderness, lingered on her lips, and Becker stretched forward his head. She smiled, and, presenting her card to the count, "This," said she, "is the address of my family, who will be very happy to receive such amiable travellers."

The Danes thanked her with warmth, and retired to the room which had been prepared for them....

.... The day after their arrival in Berne, they hastened to pay their respects to Miss Haller. They found her not at home, but were received very politely by the uncle and aunt. "Will Miss Haller not soon return? Will Miss Sophia be from home long? Shall we soon have the pleasure of seeing our amiable fellow traveller?" To all these questions the uncle and aunt were obliged to answer a hundred times. At length she returned. The Danes could not forbear the most joyful exclamations. She welcomed them as acquaintances, which made her appear in their eyes still more charming and amiable. The Count, Baggesen, and Becker, all wanted to speak to her; all put questions to her at the same time. She replied to one with words, to the other by a smile, and the third by a nod; and all three were satisfied. Towards evening a walk was proposed. Male and female friends assembled; but the Danes saw and heard only Sophia. At length they parted, after having made the appointment to see each other again the next day. The second, third, and fourth day, were spent in the same way. At last Becker perceived he was not the first in the favour of Sophia. He moderated his warmth in conversation with her, and resigned all claims to her partiality. The count, who, perhaps, preceived the same, became dull, and soon entirely ceased his visits to Sophia. To dissipate his melancholy, he sought all kinds of social amusements. As to Baggesen, perhaps, only the poetess of Lesbos loved her Phaon with such a passion as he loved his

Sophia; and scarcely could the inspired Pythia, on her golden tripod, have been so beside herself as our young poet, when his lips hung upon her hand. Each of his words was animated by profound sensibility, when he spoke of her, and that sensibility was like a powerful flame. He durst not tell her, I love you; but the tender Sophia understood him, and did not remain indifferent. Her gaiety and vivacity diminished; she was frequently lost in deep thought, and her eyes sparkled. They often walked out in the evening in the avenues of the platform, and the thick foliage of the chesnut trees, and the rays of the full moon, witnessed their virtuous intercourse; till at length the Platonic lover, one of these fine evenings, threw himself on his knees before Sophia, seized her hand, and exclaimed, "It is mine!-thy heart is made for mine!-we will be happy." It is thine," replied Sophia, with a look of tenderness,"it is thine, and I hope to be happy with thee!"

I leave to abler hands the description of this moment! The same evening the family of Haller embraced Baggesen, as Sophia's bridegroom, and their friend. The wedding day was fixed. The poet now enjoys the beauteous dawn of that happiness which awaits him in the arms of his beloved wife; and praises, in raptures, the lake of Thun, where his eyes first beheld her, and where his heart loved her at first sight. Mean time Count Moltke has become quite tranquil, and rejoices at the felicity of his friend, as does Becker too, who related to me this history as I have written it to you.....

FAIR ELLEN, OR THE MANIAC.

"Hark how she mouths the Heav'ns, and mates the gods:
Her blazing eyes darting the wand'ring stars,
While with her thund'ring voice she threatens high,
And ev'ry accent twangs with smarting sorrow."—LEB.

STRANGER, if sight of human woe,
Thy gentle bosom swelling,
E'er taught soft Pity's tear to flow,
'Twill stream for lovely Ellen!
Yonder wood conceals the maid,
Tenant of the rural shade,
A fairer nature never made,

Than beauteous, love-lorn Ellen!

Her tale would melt a heart of stone;
Sad it is-ah! past expressing;
Insanity usurps the throne

Of reason, Heav'n's supremest blessing.
O, death! thou dreadful, sad alloy

Of human bliss-thou foe to joy,
How couldst thou, cruel, thus destroy
The hopes of blooming Ellen!.

The day was fix'd, the village throng,
With pipe and tabor, hail the dawn?
But, ah! the sprightly nuptial song,

With funeral plaints, too soon, they mourn.
How near is grief to mirth allied!-

The cup

of bliss was dash'd aside,
For that same morn young Henry dy'd,
The joy and hope of Ellen!

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