the congregation alternately took part. The feast consisted of very sweet tea, flavoured with cinnamon, and large buns, which were served to us by two Sisters, who went round to all the female members of the feast, carrying a large basket between them, while two Brothers did the same on the men's side. This may seem very flat to those who expected something remarkable to take place; but it was a simple feast of fraternal commemoration, and nothing more.

28th. I need not recapitulate our usual studies. At nine o'clock was the literature class; after which, we practised our piece for the Kinder Fest (Children's Feast). I hope we shall sing it well. At Neuwied there used to be rivalry between the boys and girls on the occasion. During our afternoon walk, Emma G. mentioned to me the Kartoffel Fest, or Feast of Potatoes, which they hold here in September. The boys have it first, because they build the ovens in the forest in which the potatoes and other things are cooked; afterwards the girls have their turn. Sister B. gives each of them a supply of potatoes, eggs, flour, sugar, &c., out of which materials they make whatever they like or

whatever they can. The feast is spread in the forest; and I am told the inspectors and teachers partake of the cheer.

The Inspector gave us a most interesting physical lecture at two o'clock. In the afternoon, various gymnastic exercises took place in the gallery.

30th. This is the day appointed for the younger girls to begin their excursion. I was to have joined them, but was disappointed. I was up

at half-past four, as I wanted to see them start; and heard the girls whose "week" it is (i. e., for various little domestic duties), come down to fetch the coffee. I opened my shutters and looked out : it was a delightfully clear, happy-looking morning. Presently, a nicely-cushioned van drove up to the door, and I heard much scuffling and running along the passage. I went out to wish them all a happy excursion, and they in return expressed themselves sorry that I could not go with them. After a good deal of jumping up and down and settling themselves, they and three Sisters were all packed in. Then the Inspector got in; and off they drove, at a quarter past five. I sat at the window, knitting and learning German poetry, till breakfast, after

which we carried our work and books into the

forest.

31st. The month has ended pleasantly. At seven this morning, Sister E. took us all to breakfast in the "plantation," a part of the forest belonging to the community, which they have fitted up with summer-houses and seats. A very good path leads through it, and at the end there is an open space cleared and smoothly gravelled, which is where the "potato-feast" is held, and which is used as a sort of playground. Thither we repaired, I carrying a huge coffee-pot, another a great can of boiled milk, two others bearing between them a basket of bread, another with butter, others with cups, saucers, plates, and spoons in a basket, and a damp cloth to wipe the table with when breakfast was over. Others, again, carried sugar-boxes, or little waiters, with tiny coffee-pots and milk-jugs on them, containing enough for one person. Sister E. brought up the rear, with Bernhard R., the Inspector's little boy, just six years old. A merry party we truly were! Sister E. is full of cheerfulness and drollery: there are never dull looks to be seen among her companions.

After breakfast Sister E. read aloud the texts for the day, and then gave out a hymn, which we sang. All then amused themselves till nine o'clock, chiefly by a famous game of "Robbers and Nuns." In the afternoon we assembled in the gallery, and worked whilst one of us read aloud Hoffman's Blumen Mädchen (flower-girl). After vesper I practised in the dining-room on a little, old-fashioned piano, of about four octaves, with black keys and white semi-tones. Then I helped Sister Z. to trim her rose-bushes, and after that we went to the Bible-reading in the church.

Aug. 1st. Such a hot day-and yet such a pleasant one! Again we breakfasted in the plantation, but in a different part. After breakfast we gathered heath, to deck the rooms for the reception of our excursionists, who are to return to-night. (People deserve to be rewarded for spending their time agreeably). Besides that, each is to have a garland round her plate at tea; and "Welcome, you dear ones!" inscribed over the door.

On returning from the forest I practised and worked, and heard we were to make an excursion in the afternoon to Stockberg, about four miles

from hence. We started, under the care of Sister E. and Fräulein M., and had a delightful walk— up hill and down dale-through forest and fieldpaths, every now and then pausing to refresh ourselves with bilberries, which grew in profusion.

At length we reached the Black Forest cottage, where we were to have coffee. We had taken our own coffee and bread with us, and the milk was boiled by the old woman of the cottage, who came out smiling to receive us, looking very picturesque in her short petticoats, blue stockings, and full white sleeves. The old man, her husband, looked quite patriarchal; he was a fine specimen of a Black Forester. The cottage was beautifully neat and clean; though, on looking through a little grating in the wall, we were amused to find the close proximity of the chicken-house to the room in which we were drinking coffee. There was afterwards a good deal of laughter occasioned by a noisy play, which may be described as a German version of "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper," each trying to repeat a string of long and perplexing words without drawing breath, such as, "Der Metzger wetzt sein metgrer Messer." After