THE ROMANCE OF THE SELF. 581 



came heaps of burning ashes. The shuddering earth was rent in 

 twain, and the peasant's cottage and the noble's castle were hurled 

 indiscriminately into its womb. These, and numerous other pranks, 

 were at least ascribed to him by his neighbours, and he would indeed 

 have been deemed a sceptic who had dared to doubt the truth of their 

 assertions. It was also said, amongst the peasantry (and for the 

 veracity of this assertion my tale will vouch), that Grimerius would 

 grant a man any thing he desired, provided he^would'consent.to have a 

 self; that is, a figure of the wizard's creation, exactly like the person 

 who acceded to his terms, and animated by the same feelings and 

 impulses. What could be his motive for wishing to indulge this 

 strange whim was beyond his neighbours' comprehension. It is true 

 many explanations were given of the mystery, quite clear and satis- 

 factory to their respective authors ; but as they were all different, I 

 shall not trespass upon the reader's patience by stating them. I can- 

 didly confess my own inability to throw any light upon the subject, 

 and therefore the mystery is likely to remain one for me. Thus far, 

 however, all accounts agreed : the wizard was extremely desirous 

 of accomplishing his object, yet could not create the being he wished, 

 without the previous consent of the person in whose likeness it was 

 to appear. Hubert had long pondered over this matter, and had 

 often thought of applying to Grimerius for " further particulars." 

 A tradition existed, that the wizard's terms had once been accepted, 

 and that he who accepted them soon grew so weary of the unearthly 

 companion, who was ever by his side, that, in a fit of despair, he put 

 an end to his existence. This was the principal reason that had 

 hitherto deterred the wood-cutter from making an application to the 

 wizard, though, as will be- seen by his preceding soliloquy, he now 

 determined, reckless of consequences, to subscribe to the conditions 

 of the/magician, be they what they might. 



It was near midnight, and the lamps of heaven burned brightly 

 over the head of Hubert as he knocked at the door of the wizard's 

 habitation. A clear and full-toned voice bade him come in. The 

 room into which he entered was dark and spacious, and a faint 

 light, emitted by a single taper, vainly struggled to dissipate the 

 surrounding gloom, and only served to render " darkness visible." 

 The walls were ornamented, or rather defaced, with drawings of gro- 

 tesque and hideous forms, whose distended eyes, seen through the 

 imperfect light, seemed to glare fearfully on the intruder, and around 

 were scattered various necromantic implements. The magician was 

 seated at a desk of ebony, intently perusing a ponderous volume, 

 inscribed with strange and mystic characters. Several minutes 

 elapsed, and still he continued his studies, apparently unconscious 

 of his visitor's presence, the wavering of whose purpose be- 

 gan to be indicated by the trembling of his limbs, and his fre- 

 quent glances towards the closed door. His prolific imagination, 

 aided by the objects around him, had succeeded in conjuring up 

 such a train of terrific fancies that he was just on the point of 

 effecting an escape, when he beheld the wizard raise his head slowly 

 from the book he was perusing, and fix upon him his piercing gaze. 

 He paused ere he spoke, and the wood-cutter had leisure to survey 



