Transcriber's Notes:
1. Page scan source:
http://www.archive.org/details/talesfromgerman00greegoog
2. Footnote is located at the end of the book.
Most men, whatever the nature of their avocations, have, ormay have,occasional hours of leisure and relaxation. To spend those hoursprofitably as well as pleasantly, should be a study: to spend themharmlessly, is a duty. Among other recent employments of the littleleisure afforded me by absorbing official occupations, has been anattempt to gain some knowledge of the language and literature ofGermany; and among the results of that attempt, are manuscripttranslations of several pleasant and interesting tales from variousGerman authors, some of which I have been led to suppose might proveacceptable to our reading public. Those now presented are taken almostat random from the thirteen volumes of Van der Velde's works, of whichthey are a fair specimen. Their principal value consists in theirfaithful illustration of interesting portions of history not generallyfamiliar. They have, besides, the merit of a peculiarly simple andunpretending style, that gives them an additional charm, and which Ihave endeavored to preserve in the translation. Whether that endeavorhas been successful, however, and whether the English dress I havesubstituted for the graceful German garb, is worthy of the author andsuited to the public taste, are questions upon which I feel somewhatdoubtful and apprehensive. Should the reader answer them in theaffirmative, I shall have the consolation of feeling that the leisuredevoted to the work has been harmlessly, if not profitably, employed.
It is proper to add, that in a few cases I have taken theliberty toomit some passages, and to alter others, that were deemed incompatiblewith the ideas of propriety and decorum prevalent in this country.
Boston, November, 1837.
In October of the year 1718, the royal counsellor, Nils countGyllenstierna, was sitting before his desk in his cabinet at Stockholm.Behind him stood Arwed, his son, a tall Swedish youth with blue eyesand golden hair, whose rosy countenance wore a decided expression ofcourage and resolution. The father suddenly turned his moveable chairso as to face the youth.
'One word is as good as a thousand!' cried he, angrily;'dismiss forthe present your heroic aspirations. You are too young for this war.'
'Not younger than our king was,' quickly answered Arwed, 'whenhe beatthe Danes by Humblebeck and the Muscovites by the Narva!'
'It is a great misfortune for a land when its king is a DonQuixote,'grumbled the senator; 'every fool in the kingdom quotes his example asauthority.'
'O, do not calumniate the hero,' entreated Arwed, feelingly.'Swedenhas had no greater king since Gustavus Adolphus.'
'Nor has sh