PART IV.

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Feb. 14th. Before supper dear Sister Z. walked

and down with me a long time, arguing the point of working for the poor on the Sabbath, she being "for" and I "against" it. How hard it is to make a foreigner enter into our views on the subject! It seems to me like doing evil that good may come of it; for disobedience to the express command, "Thou shalt do no manner of work" on the Sabbath, is in my eyes a sin, though working for the poor is in itself good and right. Sister Z. cited our Saviour's example in healing the sick on the Sabbath, and his illustration of pulling the ox and the ass out of the pit; and maintained that aiding the poor by knitting a stocking on the Sabbath day (in doing which the thoughts could be raised to God), could not be displeasing in His sight. I might have replied, "The Lord loveth

obedience better than sacrifice."

However, the

Apostle tells us that what one does to his condemnation, another does to his salvation; and it may be that the Lord graciously accepts from such as Sister Z., who have certainly nothing but a sincere desire to live to His glory, their works of charity. and love; but it would be highly sinful for me and others, who have been vouchsafed what I believe to be a clearer light on this matter, to conform to their practice in this respect. I find it requires some strength of mind to hold out against the opinion of one not only much older, but whom I know to be much wiser than myself; and yet this, too, may have its advantage for me. "Prove all things-hold fast that which is good." It is, however, my own fault if I get into an argument of this kind, for Sister Z. never does anything but answer in self-defence.

15th, Sunday. We took a long walk after dinner along the St. Georgien road. The weather was delightful, and the glassy slipperiness of the path in many parts did not lessen our enjoyment, though poor Mathilde fell down, and could not rise again without assistance. I had an interesting conver

sation with Julie, who is beginning to think with seriousness on serious subjects, which she was far from doing when she first came here. F. seems a gay little place, and she has seen as much of the world as she well could in a small town, without many restraining influences to counteract its effects. She now wishes it had been otherwise, and only fears that her return home may efface the impressions now made on her heart.

17th. Frau M. has arrived to take home poor Auguste, whose health is in a very anxious state. There is something very attractive about Fräu M., she is so lady-like, and looks so very kind. Brother W. came this evening, to give the first class a singing lesson on Haydn's Te Deum, which we are to sing at the approaching examination. Herr Inspector was present, and sang bass.

19th. At eight o'clock this morning Auguste came round to all the classes, to say good-bye. Poor child she cried very much, and her mother, too, regrets the necessity of taking her away, as she would have wished her to remain here till her confirmation. They took a post-chaise from hence to Offenburg, about nine hours' journey, as Frau M.

feared night travelling in the diligence might be injurious to Auguste.

The boys are to have a concert to-night, and will sing Schiller's Glocke. I have so troublesome a cold that Sister Z. threatens not to let

me go.

20th. I went, however. Herr Inspector and a little boy named Courvoisier sang the solos. One little fellow was pointed out to me as a countryman of mine the only English boy in the school; he has been here three or four years. The Inspectress's birthday is really to be kept to-morrow, and there is to be a grand rehearsal of L'Avare and Les Femmes Savantes to-night; but Sister Z. has just sent Pauline to say that she will by no means allow me to take part in it, as I am quite hoarse, and am not to make myself ill for the sake of a play! Hum!

21st. The grand and long-promised treat is over, and I have been able to participate in it, at the trifling expense of a bad headache. The party

was so large as to be separated into three rooms. In the first were all the grown-up grandees, and a dozen or so of us, who drew lots to decide on the

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favoured few. The entertainment began at halfpast two, and ended at six. After coffee and sweetcake, we sang Lobe den Herrn, which we of the first class have been getting up so long. Then came L'Avare, the principal parts being taken by Louise P., Lea M., and Pauline. Emma G. then acted a charming little scene of a countrywoman (in Margräfler costume), singing at her spinningwheel, while her child slept in its cradle, and then dressing her humble Christmas-tree, while the watchman was heard in the distance. Then came

Les Femmes Savantes, performed by Lea, Louise, Pauline, Elfride, and Emilie; and after that, Das Modefräulein (the Young Lady of Fashion), moimême, with Julie as my aunt, Elfride as my uncle, Caroline as my brother, Emma as dancing-master, and Caroline G. as lady's-maid. There was a little break-down in the middle; but, on the whole, I think it amused. Then we acted a French and a German charade; and, when all the grand folks had taken leave, we, the company in another sense, were treated to apple-tourte. I must say the Inspector's merry laugh was heard pretty often during our acting-a very grateful sound to the