BARON HENRI VON S . 241 



appendages, affording ample play for both arms, and the full 

 grasp of each hand to manipulate with effect and satisfaction. 

 His costume was usually a short and rather tight-fitting 

 sporting vest of Lincoln green, with trousers to match, and 

 neat shako indicative of his profession in which an auerhafm 

 feather was generally jauntily stuck. A double-barrelled 

 gun was invariably slung at all times and seasons across his 

 shoulders, and he was usually attended by one or more 

 dogs. The expression of his features and manner was that 

 of stolid determination, total independence and insouciance, 

 and this hypothesis was verified by his actions. Many 

 were the anecdotes related of the baron's coolness and 

 skill, either in connexion with sporting matters or affaires 

 d'honneur. 



The first time I made his acquaintance was during a visit 

 I paid to a celebrated china manufactory at the little town 

 of Zell, situated amongst the mountains bordering the Kin- 

 zigthal, and where I was invited to dinner by the hospitable 

 proprietor, subsequently to which, and whilst we were 

 sipping some exquisite Johannisberg, the baron made his 

 appearance in my host's drawing-room with his usual accom- 

 paniments of gun and dogs ; and throwing himself into the 

 easiest bergere he could select, began first to light his pipe, 

 and then take a part in our potations without any useless 

 waste of words or excuses; indeed (although a very bad 

 German scholar myself), I could easily perceive that his sen- 

 tences were always brief and to the purpose. 



Shortly afterwards we adjourned to the village cafe, or 

 rather beer garden and skittle ground, to which symposium 

 the greater part of the inhabitants of the quiet little town 

 were accustomed to retire after the fatigues of the day, 

 and smoke innumerable pipes, and drink unnumbered 

 sckoppen of beer in dignified silence. After seating our- 

 selves before one of the little tables, and calling for some 



B 



