Rummel (Ake Sparrsköld's superior), whom the rest of the young gentlemen seemed to regard with a degree of admiration, but with no less of envy, particularly distinguished himself. His domestic arrangements were described as a pattern of "comfort and elegance," and commended as a household model for bachelors. They adverted especially to his bed-room, his costly toilet, and to his own portrait which was suspended over his bed. (To me this appeared like a little idolatrous temple, where self is the deified object of worship, and I felt a sort of contempt rise within me.) The next thing for which he was extolled, was his connoisseurship in the delicacies of the table. But in this matter he courteously resigned the palm to the Chamberlain, who accepted it modestly while he remarked, that although in Sweden people were generally more "gourmand" than "gourmet," he nevertheless belonged to the latter class. Felix coincided with him in the declared sentiment, that in roast veal there were only three mouthfuls that were "really eatable." At last they began to set up a sort of "tableau" of what in the present day are the requisites for a comfortable life. (From what I know of certain connections of Captain Rummel, I am, however, inclined to suspect that certain conditions to this happy life were passed over in silence on account of the ladies then present.) Felix sighed deeply at the computation of the sums of money which were found to be necessary to satisfy all these

wants.

In the mean time Lennartson, who was sitting at some distance, had occupied himself with glancing over several newspapers; but I was convinced in my own mind that he had heard every thing that had been

talked of in the room. All at once he exclaimed, rising and smiling as he approached the company:

"See, here is a picture too of the wants of a manwhich is tolerably original. Will the gentlemen please to hear it?"

And from a newspaper he held in his hand he read the following article from Hernösand:

"The learned mathematician, Lector Aurén, died here last month, at the age of eighty-one. * He was author of many learned works, which he published at his own expense. Notwithstanding he saved from his scanty salary as a schoolmaster, on which he lived, and during the latter part of his life shared with an assistant the sum of 8000 Riks-daler. † This, of course, he could not have realised unless by a total self-denial of all earthly comfort and enjoyments. To what extent he carried those sacrifices is proved by the fact, that his needy dwelling was never heated or lighted even in the severest season. As soon as it grew dark he would lay himself on his bed and computed, or when the firmament was unclouded, contemplated his favouritesthe stars-which were sufficient society for him. That he was not actuated hereto by any sordid selfish motives, is evidenced by the relief which during his life-time he secretly afforded to many who were in distress, as well as the noble-minded manner in which he disposed of his bequests. He bestowed four thousand eight hundred Riks-daler on two endowments. A settlement in the city he has presented to an old man, whose wife had tenderly and carefully nursed him during the closing

* February, 1842.

+ Four four-ninths Riks-daler Specie are equal to one pound sterling English.

years of his life. The rest of his property falls to poor relatives." *

When Lennartson concluded, a brief silence ensued in the room. Selma's bright eyes were directed on the

reader, while his eyes rested on Felix.

A low murmur then arose. "Well, yes; an allchorite-a hermit; but in this way nobody can live, that lives in the world, and wishes to pass his days in society."

"That I admit," replied Lennartson. "But the question is, whether the system of Lector Aurén is not better calculated for obtaining peace and happiness during a long life, than that just before recommended in this room."

"I would rather die to-morrow," exclaimed Felix, "than pass a long life thus devoid of all human joys."

"And I," cried Skutenjhelm, "would rather blow my brains out to-morrow, than doom myself to cold and darkness for ten long years. If a man is to be buried it is better for him to be dead first."

"You forget," said Lennartson, smiling, "that Auren saw the star-bespangled firmament above him, and doubtless found more pleasure in the contemplation of the same than we in the wax tapers in our saloon. And as to human joys," continued he, looking at Felix, "I am sorry that a young man has no desire to comprehend that joy that Aurén experienced-the joy of useful activity-the joy of doing good."

There was a something so serious in Lennartson's countenance and voice while uttering these last words, that Felix evidently felt himself struck by them. Tears

*The Swedish Bee, 1842.

started into his eyes; he went aside, took up a book, and sat down at a table. Selma's looks followed him with visible inmost sympathy. Lennartson regarded her attentively.

Shortly afterwards, while St. Orme was pursuing the interrupted discourse with the junior gentlemen, and communicating to them some thing about Parisian life and its attractions, Lennartson went up to Selma, seated himself beside her, and in a whispering tone asked:

"Was I too severe, Fräulein Selma?"

"Oh, no!" answered she, vivaciously. "You were right in what you said, but

"But what? what 'but'?"

"I think that your words really did wrong to his heart, and he thinks so highly of you!"

Lennartson said nothing; but after a while I saw him go up to Felix and lay his hand on his shoulder. Felix blushed deeply, when looking up he met that look of full-beaming kindness which Lennartson fixed on him with an expression of cordial love.

"I have not seen you at my house for such a length of time, Felix," said Lennartson, in a friendly manner. "Will you come and dine with me to-morrow?-I do not promise you," continued he, pleasantly jesting "any thing like an O**sköld repast, but I give you my word not to treat you with an Aurén's fare. I confess that I myself should be little satisfied with it."

Half embarrassed, half rejoiced, Felix accepted the invitation.

After the visitors had left, we-especially my stepmother and I-made our "reflexions chretiennes et morales" on Aurén's and St. Orme's ideal of life. I

grew warm in advocating the former. My stepmother, however, threw cold water on it, spoke of "exaggera. tion," ," "exaltation,” and “extravagance," and said, that people might be "very good," though, like others, participating in the pleasures of the world, and enjoying its luxuries. My stepmother was in favour of the maxim of Queen Christina-"The just medium," (which she herself, however, seemed entirely to forget.) Flora grew thoughtful, and said:

"When in my childhood and my early youth I had at times such Aurénian or Pythagorean fancies; I dreamed of-but I was pretty soon taught to laugh at imaginary schemes and look for others. But perhaps these are far more dreams and phantoms than the former! Ah!" continued Flora, with a sudden vent-giving of sad feelings, "that one could be born again, and become a child again!"

She melted into tears.

Selma clasped her in her arms and began to weep with her. My stepmother looked quite in consternation, and playfully rallied them about this "lamentabile." Selma came over to my side, and so we ended "scherzando."

December 14th.

We have spent several days in visiting the laboratories of art, academies, and various public institutions of the capital. To several of them I mean to pay frequent visits, for I have seen much in them of great interest to me. And wherein indeed consists the worth of a well-grounded education, if not in teaching us to comprehend and appreciate all the various useful operations of human ingenuity, and opening our eyes