按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
probably two ideas in his brain； and was thinking of nothing。
Consequently I felt rather ashamed of wasting my powers of divination
〃in anima vili；〃of a doltish financier。
While I was thus making； at a dead loss； these phrenological
observations； the worthy German had lined his nose with a good pinch
of snuff and was now beginning his tale。 It would be difficult to
reproduce it in his own language； with his frequent interruptions and
wordy digressions。 Therefore； I now write it down in my own way；
leaving out the faults of the Nuremburger； and taking only what his
tale may have had of interest and poesy with the coolness of writers
who forget to put on the title pages of their books： 〃Translated from
the German。〃
THOUGHT AND ACT
Toward the end of Venemiaire； year VII。； a republican period which in
the present day corresponds to October 20； 1799； two young men；
leaving Bonn in the early morning； had reached by nightfall the
environs of Andernach； a small town standing on the left bank of the
Rhine a few leagues from Coblentz。 At that time the French army；
commanded by Augereau； was manoeuvring before the Austrians； who then
occupied the right bank of the river。 The headquarters of the
Republican division was at Coblentz； and one of the demi…brigades
belonging to Augereau's corps was stationed at Andernach。
The two travellers were Frenchmen。 At sight of their uniforms； blue
mixed with white and faced with red velvet； their sabres； and above
all their hats covered with a green varnished…cloth and adorned with a
tricolor plume； even the German peasants had recognized army surgeons；
a body of men of science and merit liked； for the most part； not only
in our own army but also in the countries invaded by our troops。 At
this period many sons of good families taken from their medical
studies by the recent conscription law due to General Jourdan； had
naturally preferred to continue their studies on the battle…field
rather than be restricted to mere military duty； little in keeping
with their early education and their peaceful destinies。 Men of
science； pacific yet useful； these young men did an actual good in the
midst of so much misery； and formed a bond of sympathy with other men
of science in the various countries through which the cruel
civilization of the Republic passed。
The two young men were each provided with a pass and a commission as
assistant…surgeon signed Coste and Bernadotte； and they were on their
way to join the demi…brigade to which they were attached。 Both
belonged to moderately rich families in Beauvais； a town in which the
gentle manners and loyalty of the provinces are transmitted as a
species of birthright。 Attracted to the theatre of war before the date
at which they were required to begin their functions； they had
travelled by diligence to Strasburg。 Though maternal prudence had only
allowed them a slender sum of money they thought themselves rich in
possessing a few louis； an actual treasure in those days when
assignats were reaching their lowest depreciation and gold was worth
far more than silver。 The two young surgeons； about twenty years of
age at the most； yielded themselves up to the poesy of their situation
with all the enthusiasm of youth。 Between Strasburg and Bonn they had
visited the Electorate and the banks of the Rhine as artists；
philosophers； and observers。 When a man's destiny is scientific he is；
at their age； a being who is truly many…sided。 Even in making love or
in travelling； an assistant…surgeon should be gathering up the
rudiments of his fortune or his coming fame。
The two young had therefore given themselves wholly to that deep
admiration which must affect all educated men on seeing the banks of
the Rhine and the scenery of Suabia between Mayenne and Cologne；a
strong； rich； vigorously varied nature； filled with feudal memories；
ever fresh and verdant； yet retaining at all points the imprints of
fire and sword。 Louis XIV。 and Turenne have cauterized that beautiful
land。 Here and there certain ruins bear witness to the pride or rather
the foresight of the King of Versailles； who caused to be pulled down
the ancient castles that once adorned this part of Germany。 Looking at
this marvellous country； covered with forests； where the picturesque
charm of the middle ages abounds； though in ruins； we are able to
conceive the German genius； its reverie； its mysticism。
The stay of the two friends at Bonn had the double purpose of science
and pleasure。 The grand hospital of the Gallo…Batavian army and of
Augereau's division was established in the very palace of the Elector。
These assistant…surgeons of recent date went there to see old
comrades； to present their letters of recommendation to their medical
chiefs； and to familiarize themselves with the first aspects of their
profession。 There； as elsewhere； they got rid of a few prejudices to
which we cling so fondly in favor of the beauties of our native land。
Surprised by the aspect of the columns of marble which adorn the
Electoral Palace； they went about admiring the grandiose effects of
German architecture； and finding everywhere new treasures both modern
and antique。
From time to time the highways along which the two friends rode at
leisure on their way to Andernach； led them over the crest of some
granite hill that was higher than the rest。 Thence； through a clearing
of the forest or cleft in the rocky barrier； they caught sudden
glimpses of the Rhine framed in stone or festooned with vigorous
vegetation。 The valleys； the forest paths； the trees exhaled that
autumnal odor which induced to reverie； the wooded summits were
beginning to gild and to take on the warm brown tones significant of
age； the leaves were falling； but the skies were still azure and the
dry roads lay like yellow lines along the landscape； just then
illuminated by the oblique rays of the setting sun。 At a mile and a
half from Andernach the two friends walked their horses in silence； as
if no war were devastating this beautiful land； while they followed a
path made for the goats across the lofty walls of bluish granite
between which foams the Rhine。 Presently they descended by one of the
declivities of the gorge； at the foot of which is placed the little
town； seated coquettishly on the banks of the river and offering a
convenient port to mariners。
〃Germany is a beautiful country！〃 cried one of the two young men； who
was named Prosper Magnan； at the moment when he caught sight of the
painted houses of Andernach； pressed together like eggs in a basket；
and separated only by trees； gardens； and flowers。 Then he admired for
a moment the pointed roofs with their projecting eaves； the wooden
staircases； the galleries of a thousand peaceful dwellings； and the
vessels swaying to the waves in the port。
＇At the moment when Monsieur Hermann uttered the name of Prosper
Magnan； my opposite neighbor seized the decanter； poured out a