io8 MORE POT-POURRI 



force you one step beyond what you think right and 

 proper in this respect. I only wish to say one word 

 upon the two or three books I am venturing to send 

 you. I was delighted with your intention of continuing 

 German, because I am convinced that you will derive 

 great pleasure and benefit from your study of it. It is 

 a language which, from its power of expressing abstract 

 ideas, to say nothing of its structure and the facility 

 which exists in it of forming endless combinations of 

 words, is of a much higher order than any other 

 European language. It approaches nearest to the 

 Greek, and is no bad substitute to those who have never 

 had an opportunity of studying that language. No 

 foreigner can learn it without acquiring many new ideas 

 and rendering clearer some which he possessed before. 

 There is much, too, in the mind of the Germans as 

 reflected in their literature, the high tone of sentiment 

 in their moral writings, and the constant reference to 

 the ideal in their philosophy, which could not fail to be 

 interesting and attractive to you. Unfortunately, I do 

 not know how far you are advanced in your study of the 

 language, but I think I remember your telling me that 

 you had but just begun it. I have therefore sent you 

 " Klauer's Manual," the best book for self -tuition 

 which has been published, and I have marked in the 

 Index a few of the selections which are perhaps the 

 easiest to begin with. There is this advantage in the 

 book, that should you be so far advanced as not to need 

 the interlinear translation, the selections which are 

 given without it contain some admirable passages from 

 the best authors. Should you be but just beginning, I 

 should advise you to learn by heart only the articles, 

 y® five personal pronouns, and y^ three auxiliary 

 verbs : and then, looking over the conjugation of the 

 regular verb, proceed at once to read the pieces in the 



