eventually deemed it more in accordance with his dignity to make
a home of his own. A friend of his, of the same age as himself,
the sister of the aesthete Wendt of Leipzig, who afterwards
became famous, was chosen by him to keep house for him. Without
saying a word to Jeannette, instead of going for his usual
afternoon walk he went to the church with his chosen bride, and
got through the marriage ceremonies as quickly as possible; and
it was only on his return that he informed us he was leaving, and
would have his things removed that very day. He managed to meet
the consternation, perhaps also the reproaches, of his elderly
friend with quiet composure; and to the end of his life he
continued his regular daily visits to 'Mam'selle Thome,' who at
times would coyly pretend to sulk. It was only poor Friederike
who seemed obliged at times to atone for her brother's sudden
unfaithfulness.

What attracted me in my uncle most strongly was his blunt
contempt of the modern pedantry in State, Church, and School, to
which he gave vent with some humour. Despite the great moderation
of his usual views on life, he yet produced on me the effect of a
thorough free-thinker. I was highly delighted by his contempt for
the pedantry of the schools. Once, when I had come into serious
conflict with all the teachers of the Nicolai School, and the
rector of the school had approached my uncle, as the only male
representative of my family, with a serious complaint about my
behaviour, my uncle asked me during a stroll round the town, with
a calm smile as though he were speaking to one of his own age,
what I had been up to with the people at school. I explained the
whole affair to him, and described the punishment to which I had
been subjected, and which seemed to me unjust. He pacified me,