The Park in Muskau 175 



out, and immediately at our feet we can overlook, 

 as on a map, high above the roofs of the town, 

 the streets in all their detail, the castle (whose 

 towers do not rise to the level of our feet), 

 the lake Lucie, the flower gardens with the 

 "pleasure-ground," and now the sky is covered 

 with thick clouds, which only permit a glimpse 

 of the distance. A little garden of grass and fruit 

 surrounds the house, in whose precincts stands 

 the ruins of the oldest church in the Oberlausitz, 

 for the upkeep of which help was asked in Rome 

 in the last century. Although small, from an 

 architectural point of view it is not without in- 

 terest, and is very picturesquely placed in the 

 middle of the old churchyard under the shade 

 of tall limes. (See for this view Plate XXXII.) 

 Even in my grandfather's time there stood on 

 this point an old tree surrounded with benches, 

 to make the most of this pleasant spot, and 

 it often serves me, I gladly acknowledge, as a 

 double memento, first of thanks to God, who 

 gave me the sense to rejoice as a child in his 

 sublime works, and second, in recognition of 

 that simplicity which, even though by a con- 

 ceited person it is considered only momentarily, 

 is yet the condition in which peaceful happiness 

 smiles most, and from which evil cares stay far- 

 thest. The road along this whole tour was very 

 difficult to make, as the many ravines and deep 

 bays could only be made passable by bridges. 

 Luckily wood here is cheap and superabundant, 

 as in many other places in the Fatherland. With- 



