62/*^- 1 /f/&. BERKELEY LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BUCAXXOV LIBHr LA t«flabetten-Hnftalt, unb ^rofeffor an ber JtBnigl. flcieggsSKabemie &u Berlin. ®er 3Serfaffer. 722 PREFACE. The ultimate object of learning a living language is to be able to speak it. In this all are agreed. But how to attain so desirable an object, is to many people as yet a much debated question. There are still many people who fancy that a knowledge of a modern language is most easily i( picked up " by a short residence abroad. This is a strange delusion. Surely, it is easier to get your grammar ready-made than to construct it for yourself out of a mass of heterogeneous material, regular and irregular, correct and incorrect, presented all at the same time. For my own part, I have never known a person who, in this manner, had acquired a correct knowledge of any modern language. But I have known many who had acquired a slovenly manner of thinking and speaking, and who had become utterly indifferent to grammatical correctness. A residence abroad is, no doubt, desirable, but re- quires, at all times, to be supplemented by careful and unremitting study. First, there is the great difficulty of understanding the words spoken by others, and then the difficulty of expressing one's own thoughts and feelings in the same way as foreigners do. In learning our native language we learn first the spoken language, and then the written language. But both must be learned. The order is inverted when we learn a foreign language. Those who fancy that either process may be avoided by either going abroad for some time, or by an exclusive study of the grammar and the written language, are viii Preface. equally mistaken, and propose to do a thing which nobody would think of doing in the teaching and learn- ing of his mother-tongue. It is true, the systematic teaching of the spoken language has been greatly neg- lected of late years. This has been an unavoidable result of the manner of conducting examinations in modern languages, which has been done exclusively by papers, and consisting, in most cases, of little more than a translation from a prescribed book. But this kind of examining has been found to be a delusion, and now several of the English Examining Boards not only re- quire a proficiency in the use of the spoken language, but even refuse to give credit for the written examination when the candidate fails to satisfy the examiners in the oral examination. Conversation has, therefore, to be studied as much as any other subject of examination. The word " study " implies a graduated and systematic progress from the easier to the more difficult. In the present book I have endeavoured to construct a series of lessons on this plan. These lessons ought to be begun as soon as the pupil has mastered the ordinary accidence, including, of course, the strong verbs and the most elementary rules of syntax, say, after the 28th lesson of my Public School German Grammar, to which this publication forms a supplement. My thanks are due to several friends who have kindly assisted me in the revision of the proof-sheets, and espe- cially to Mr. Robert Dods, B.A., of the Royal Acade- mical Institution, Belfast. A. L. MEISSNER. Queen's College, Belfast, June, 1888. DIKECTIONS TO THE TEACHER. Each Lesson is to be gone through at least three times. The first time each sentence is read, translated, and parsed, until the teacher is satisfied that the pupils have fully mastered the vocabulary and grammar of the lesson, and are able to pronounce every word correctly. The second time the pupils shut their books. The teacher puts the questions in the first part of the lesson, and the pupils answer in turn. The teacher should not read the questions from the book, but, having read them to himself, should put the questions looking straight at his pupils. And this for a very good reason. There is a wide difference between the intonation of a reader and of a speaker, and the pupil is to get accustomed to the sound of the language as it is heard in conversation. The teacher should beware of uttering his questions in separate words. He should remember that we speak in breath-groups, and that this is the cause why we find such difficulty in catching a sentence uttered in a foreign tongue. The student is in the habit of breaking up a sentence into the various grammatical parts of speech, just as he puts it laborious'y together out of the several parts of speech. A breath-group consists of all the words x Directions to the Teacher. we utter with one expiration. The breath-groups of a good speaker will group together all the words logically connected, so that they will sound like one word. This produces on the ear of a foreigner the impression of rapidity of utterance. Thus an Englishman imagines that a Frenchman speaks faster and clips his words more than an Englishman, whilst the Frenchman believes the same of an Englishman. Mistakes in grammar or pronunciation should be cor- rected by the teacher, and the pupil should be made to repeat the sentence in the corrected form. But all gram- matical discussions and explanations should be avoided in the conversation lesson. The third time the pupil puts the questions, and the teacher answers. The answers will be this time in a great many instances very different from what they were, when the questions were addressed by the teacher to the pupil. Not only all questions of a personal nature, relating to name, country, age, past life, studies, amusements, &c., will be different, but a good many others. So that here a beginning is made in real conversation. The second part of the lesson contains a few sen- tences, which the teacher may read, if he likes, but it will be better if he delivers them in the same manner in which he has uttered the questions and answers of the first part. He next puts the subjoined questions, and the pupils give the answers in German; the whole process being reversed subsequently, i.e., the pupils will read (or speak) the sentence and ask the questions, and the master will answer them. Directions to the Teacher. xi The third part of the lesson contains a connected nar- rative. This having been read, parsed, and translated on a previous day, the teacher repeats it in his own words, all books being shut. The teacher may put questions, if he thinks proper, as in the previous part of the lesson. But the proper object of this part of the lesson is to accustom the ear of the pupil to hear a connected nar- rative of some length, and to give him afterwards an opportunity of making a lengthened statement, all the facts, words, and phrases required being known to him. Further practice in conversation may be had by the pupils putting the questions of Parts i and 2 to each other, and answering them under the superintendence of the teacher. The three different parts of each lesson should be in- troduced and connected by the teacher in some such manner as I have indicated. Questions as to time and other arrangements will arise at the end of every lesson, and should be made the subject of conversation. It is of the utmost importance that in every instance the pupil should be made to give a complete answer. Thus, when the question is : " Who discovered America ? " the answer is not : " Columbus ; " but "Columbus discovered America." Or: "What is the colour of grass?" the answer is not: "Green;" but "Grass is green," or " The colour of grass is green." SDeutfdjc (Sptedjiibuitgett. PRACTICAL LESSONS IN GERMAN CONVERSATION. 1 2)umm tft, toer fttf> in bcr SBelt nidjt iurerfjtfinben fann. Seutfcpe ©jwdmbunp. 2Bir fangen bie Seftion mit einigen (eid)tcn ftragcn an. Sffier ift 3ftr bcutfdjer ?ef)rer ? 2Ber ftnb bie beften @df)itfer $>m Piaffe ? 2Ber toar ber Secret ^Ue^anber be3 ©rogcn ? 2Ber toar ber ©djitter be3 2Iriftote(e£ ? Sffier toaren bie erften 9Kenfcf)en ? 2Ber toar ber ©oljn ^Ibraljam^ ? SSer toaren bie ©ofyne $faaF3 ? SBer fjat bie SBett erfdjaffen ? Sffier i)at bie 23ud)bnt(f erfunft erfunbcn ? 2Ber entbed te 5tmeri!a ? SBer erfd)(ug feinen Sruber 2Ibc( ? 2Ber wax grower, ©oliat^ ober $>amb ? 2Ber foflte ben airmen beifteljen ? 2Ber mnft ben SDffigteren gefyordfyen ? 2Ba3 fottten rotr bem |mngrigen gebcn ? 2Ba3 fottten tuir bem £)nrftigen geben ? 2£a3 fottten toir bem scigen, ber fid) fcerlanf en fyat ? 2Ba3 ftnb toir nnfern ©(tern fc^utbig ? SBeffen ©filler ftnb ©ie? SBeffen bentfcfye ©rammattf gebrandjen ©ie ? SBeffen ©d)it(er mar SUe^anber ber ©ro£e ? 2£effen $ftad)fo(ger tear $onig ©eorg II.? SBeffen 33i(bni3 befmbet fid) cmf bm engftfdjen (amerfc* fanifdjen, bentfdjen) SMn^en ? SBeffen ©oljn tear Slbet? 2Beffen £od)ter toar bk ®imigin ©lifabetl) ? SBeffen ©ofyne toaren $afob unb ©fan ? PRACTICAL LESSONS IN GERMAN CONVERSATION. We begin the lesson with a few easy questions. Who is your German teacher? Who are the best pupils in your class ? Who was the teacher of Alexander the Great ? Who was the pupil of Aristotle ? Who were the first men (human beings) ? Who was the son of Abraham ? Who were the sons of Isaac? ■ Who created the world ? Who invented the art of printing ? Who discovered America? Who slew his brother Abel ? Who was the taller, Goliath or David ? Who ought to assist the poor ? Who must obey the officers ? What should we give to the hungry ? What should we give to the thirsty ? What should we show to him who has lost his way ? What do we owe to our parents ? Whose pupil are you ? Whose German grammar do you use ? Whose pupil was Alexander the Great ? Whose successor was King George II. ? Whose image is on the English (American, German) coins ? Whose son was Abel ? Whose daughter was Queen Elizabeth ? Whose sons were Jacob and Esau ? £)cat)d)e ©predjitbungen. £)urd) toeffcn ©tnflu§ ttmrbe SljontaS 35cdett gum Sty btftfjof gemad)t ? 23on tocffen ©nabe ^angt ba3 2cben einc3 2>crbre* d)er3 ab ? $n toeffen ©cbiete tiegt 9J}annl)etm ? £Bem gefjort bte $nfe( §e(golanb ? 2Bem follte ber 9?cid)e beiftefjen ? 2Bem joflten tt>tr ben red)ten 2Beg inctfcn ? 2Bem fottten four ettoaS ju effen gebcn ? 2Bem fottten ttrir ettoa3 §u trinlcn gcbcn ? 2Bcnt finb toir £)anl unb ©efyorfam fdjulbtg ? 28em ntiiffen bte ©otbatcn gcfyordjcn ? 2Bem fottten tour einen gcfunbencn ©egcnftanb jurui* geben ? SBem ftanben bte ^rcufccn in ber ©d;(ad)t bet SBaterfoo bet? 2Ben imterrtdjtct ber Scorer ? 2Bcn fobt ber 8el)rer, unb men lann er ntcfjt loben ? SBcn befiegte fjricbrtd^ ber ©roj^e bet SRofcbadj ? 2Ben fatten ©ie fitr ben groftten beutfdjen £)id)ter ? (<$clb* fyerrn, $aifer, 3Rufi!er 7) 2Ben fd)lugen bte g-rangofen bti $ena ? $3en fegnete $faaf anftatt feine3 dtteren ©oljneS ? 2Ben fitrdjten bte £)afen ? 2Bentotete$ain? SDer Seljrer fprtdjt: SBaS tft Me Ul)r ? ©tauter: e<3 tft ... 8 ej) r e r : $d) glaube, toir I)aben nod) 3^ 5 U etntgen anbern Ubungen. $d) mid !gf)nen \z%t etntge lurge ©a^e oorfagen, unb barauf oerfd)iebene $ragen itber bte* felben an ©ie ridjten. SKfo paffen ©ie auf : „2Ber einen 2£agen fjat, lann fafjren ; toer ein ^ferb fjat, lann reiten; toer ©elb I)at, lann 2£agen unb ^ferbe laufen." 2Ber lann faljren ? 2Ber lann reiten ? SBer lann 2£agen unb ^ferbe laufen ? 2$a3 lann ber tljun, ber einen 2Bagen Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 5 Through whose influence was Thomas a Becket made archbishop ? On whose mercy does the life of a criminal depend ? In whose territory is Mannheim situated ? To whom does the island of Heligoland belong ? Whom should the rich assist ? To whom should we show the right way ? To whom should we give something to eat ? To whom should we give something to drink ? To whom do we owe gratitude and obedience ? Whom must the soldiers obey ? To whom should we return an object found ? Whom did the Prussians assist in the battle of Water- loo? Whom does the teacher instruct ? Whom does the teacher praise, and whom can he not praise ? Whom did Frederick the Great conquer in the battle of Rossbach ? Whom do you consider the greatest German poet ? (general, emperor, musician)? Whom did the French beat at (near) Jena? W T hom did Isaac bless instead of his elder son ? Of whom are hares afraid? Whom did Cain kill ? The teacher says: What o'clock is it? Pupil-, it is... Teacher-. I think we have yet time for some other exercises. I will now repeat to you a few short sentences, and then ask (address to) you various questions upon them. — ■ Now then, be attentive : " He who has a carriage, may go in a carriage ; he who has a horse, may go on horseback; he who has money, can buy carriage and horses ? Who can go in a carriage ? Who can ride on horseback? Who can buy carriage and horses ? What can he do who 6 Deutfdje ©predjitbungcn. §at ? 2Ba3 fann ber tfjun, ber em ^ferb §at ? 2$a3 famt ber, ber ©e(b l)at ? 2Ber lann nidjt fafjren ? 2Ber faun nidfjt reiten ? $e£t paffen ©ie auf ; id) toitt $l)nen etma^ anbereS er* ^a^Ien : „$ar( gtng auf 3 @te, fid unb brad} fid) ben 2lrm." 2Bar $ar( auf bo^ GEte gegangen, urn fid) ben $lrm jit bredjen? 2Ba3 toar bte golge Don $arte gall? #atte $arl fid) ben 5trm gebrodjen, aud) toenn er nidjt auf 3 ®te gegangen totire ? 2Be3l)a(b fattt man letdjtcr auf bem @ije ate auf bem Sanbe ? 3um ©djfaffe bicfer Jeftion ttJtfl tdj $*) ncn etne $abe( erjaljlen. Da ©ie btefetbc bcrcitS in SBudjern getefen fyaben, fo iDtrb e3 $f)nen nic^t \dpcv toerben, meinen Morten §u fotgen. (Sin Sotoe ^atte fid) rnube gdattfcn unb (egte fid) unter einen 33aum unb fd)(ief ein. 33a(b barauf lief ifjm eine ffeine SJJauS itber bte 5Wafe unb mcdte il)n auf. 3 orn *9 9 r *ff & er Sott)e nad) feincm 9lu()cftorer. Da er aber fal), toie flein er toar, jo liefe er ifyn laufcn. $ur$e 3dt natter ttmrbe ber Sotoe in einem ftarlen SRe^e im 2Batbe gefangen. SHIc feinc ©tarfe tear nidjt grog genug, ifyn §u befreien. Sluf fein ©ebritfl eilte bk SD?au§ fyerbei unb ate fie il)ren 3BoI)(tfjater gefangen fal), nagte fie fo (ange an bem Sftefce, bte t§ jcrrig unb ber Some fret gefefct ttmrbe. $onnen @ie mtr bte $abe( t)om 2otoen unb Don ber 9Jiau3 ttrieberfjoten, bte id) 3$nen in ber uorigen Seftion erjafylte ? $e|t fangen ttrir bk jturite Seftion an. Seanttoorten @ie juerft fotgenbe kidjk ^ragen ♦ 2£a3 luttC ber ipungrige ? 2$a3 toitt ber Durftige ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 7 has a carriage? What can he do who has a horse? What can he do who has money ? Who cannot go in a carriage? Who cannot go on horseback? Now, pay attention. I am going to tell you something else: " Charles went upon the ice, fell down, and broke his arm." Did Charles go upon the ice for the purpose of break- ing his arm? What was the consequence of Charles* fall ? Would Charles have broken his arm, even if he had not gone upon the ice ? Why do people more easily fall upon the ice than upon the land ? At the end of this lesson I will tell you a fable. As you have read it before in books, you will find no difficulty in following my words. A lion had tired himself running, and lay down under a tree and went to sleep. Soon after a little mouse ran over his nose and awoke him. Angrily the lion seized the disturber of his rest. But when he saw how small it was, he let it run away. A short time after, the lion was caught in a strong net in the wood. All his strength was not sufficient to set him free. Attracted by his roaring, the mouse ran up, and when it saw its benefactor a prisoner, it kept on gnawing at the net until it was torn, and the lion was set free. II. Can you repeat to me the fable of the lion and the mouse which I told you in the former lesson ? Now we begin the second lesson. First, answer the following easy questions : What do the hungry want ? What do the thirsty want ? £>eutfdje ©prectyubungen. 2Ba§ terifl ber @d)(afrige ? SBa* toift ber SKftbe? SBaS foil ber Urmriffenbe ? SBaS modjte ber $ranfe gem ? SBer ttritt effen ? SBer loiU trinfcn ? SBer toitt fid) auSruljen ? SBer foil ctma^ lernen ? SBer morfjtc gem gcfunb merbcn ? SBaS lann ber 23linbe nid)t ? SBa3 lann ber £aube ntdjt ? SBa3 fonnen tie ©tummcn ntdjt ? SBaS fonnen Me £aubftummen nidjt ? $£a$ f ann ber 8al)ine nid)t ? SBer nid)t fefyen fann, ben nennt man — ? SBcr nid)t l)oren fann, ben nennt man — ? SBer nid)t fpredjen fann, ben nennt man — ? SBie nennt man cincn SDienfdjcn, ber lucbcr fprcdjcn nod) t)5ren fann ? SBie nennt man einen SDicnfdjcn, ber nidjt gerabe gcfycti fann ? SBomit fefjen lt»tr ? SBomit fyoren toir ? SBomit fpredjen luir ? SBomit riedjen toir ? SBogu bienen Me 2lugen ? SBogu bienen beat 2ftenf djen Me Dljrert r SBogu bient bte 3unge ? SBop bient Me 02afc ? ®ie 2lugen braudjt man §um — ? £)ie Dljren braudjt man gum — ? £)ie Sftafe braucfyt man gum — ? $)ie Seine braucfyt man gum — ? SBogu gebraud)t man 2Re(fer unb ©abel ? SBogu gebraud)t man einen 8offel ? SBogu gebraudjt man SBaffer unb ©eife ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 9 What do the sleepy want ? What do the weary want ? What ought the ignorant to do ? What would the sick man like ? Who wants to eat ? Who wants to drink ? Who wants to sleep ? Who wants to take rest ? Who ought to learn something ? Who would like to get well ? What can the blind man not do ? What can the deaf man not do ? What can the dumb not do ? What can the deaf-and-dumb not do t What can the lame man not do ? He who cannot see, is called — ? He who cannot hear, is called — ? He who cannot speak, is called — ? What do we call a man who can neither speak nor hear? What do we call a man who cannot walk straight ? What do we see with ? What do we hear with ? What do we speak with ? What do we smell with ? Of what use are the eyes ? Of what use to man are the ears ? Of what use is the tongue ? Of what use is the nose ? The eyes we use for — ? The ears we use for — ? The nose we use for — ? The legs we use for — ? What do we use knife and fork for ? What do we use a spoon for ? What do we use water and soap for ? 10 ©eutfdje @pred)ubnngen. SBo^u gcbrand)t man em £)anbtud) ? SS05U gebrandjt man papier, geber unb £inte ? 2Ba3 gebrand)t man nm ©njtye §n effen ? 2Ba3 gebrandjt man nm fjlcifd^ 511 effen ? 9Sa£ gebrandjt man nm fid) §n mafdijen ? 2Ba3 gebrand)t man nm fid) abjutrocfnen ? 2Ba3 gebrandjt man gum ©djreiben ? $)er Setter fprtcfjt : $efet foollcn mir mieber einige <3d£e analtyfieren. £)5ren ©ie be^fjalb aufmcrffam ju, nm orbcnttid) gu t>erftel)cn, tt>a3 id) fage : „@m reid)er Sftann Ijatte einen armen, aber fcl)r fleigigen unb adjtbarert Sruber. SDer rcid)e 2Kann mar fo ftolg, bag •er ftd) feineS armen SrubcrS fd)dmte. @r fjatte Dietmeljr fid) feiner feibft fdjdmcn follen." 2Ber fyattt einen armen Srnber ? 2Bar bcr reid)e 2ttann ftolg anf feinen armen 33mber ? 2Ba3 mar ber Sfjaraftcr biefe3 armen SruberS ? 2Borauf mar ber rcid)e 9JJann ftolg ? 2Be3f)a(b fd)dmte fid) ber rcid)e SWann feine3 33ruber3? SBcffcn Ijatte ber reid)e 9J?ann ftd) t)ielmel)r fd)dmen miiffen ? „$)ie milben Here, tueld^c in SBalbern leben, fudjen fid) feibft ifyre SMjnmg ; aber bk gasmen Xiere miiffen Don ben 9)tenfd)en gefitttert merben." 2Bo fool)nen Me milben Stiere ? JBofynen Me gasmen £iere aud) in SBalbern ? 2Ber fiittert bie milben £iere ? a3 @a(g toar ncimtid) gcfdjmofacn unb flojs mtt bcm 2£af* fcr ab. 2(fe er ba(b barauf mtt titter neucn Saft bcnfetben 2Bcg ge()cn mufcte, tvabtc er frofjtidj bte er an bag 2Baffer !am. Qefet, bad)te er, ate er mitten fan $tuffe mar, mitt id) mir bk crrn bic grau* famftcn ^ri'tget unb nutate fro!) fete, fcin I'cbcn £U retten. 2£er aufmcrffam ( ytgcl)6rt l)at, mirb mir in ber uadjftcn ©tunbe bicfc g-abct micber erjft^Icn fonncn. **\?f- (Sfje mir ba$ ^enfum bcr nadjftcn Scftion burdigcljcn, mod)te id) jitetft bic ^abd turn bcm GEfet, ber ben ©aljfact unb bic ©djmammc tntg, micber Ijorcn. Qe^t bcantmortcn ©ic # bic fotgenben g-ragen : 33on metier gavbe ift ba§ ©ra3 ? $on metier §arbc ift bcr .fnmmct ? $on metd)er garbc ift bie Xinte ? $on meldjer garbe finb bic Sfteger ? 2£a3 ift Me garbe bcr ftrttbe ? $on mctd)er $arbe finb bie $ebcnt ber Sraljcn ? 2£a3 ift bie garbe be3 ©otbcS ? 2£a3 ift bk garbc bcr gfet ? Sftenncn ©ie mir cinige ©egenftcinbe, bie grim finb. Sftenncn ©ie mir einige ©cgenftiinbe, bit mci§ finb. ^ennen ©ie mir einige ©egenftaube, bk fdjmar^ au3* fet)en. 2Bie fct)cn bie $6de ber engtifdjen ©otbaten au3 ? 2£ie fetjen bie SRocfe ber preufcifdjen ©otbaten au£ ? ©iebt t§> ©djtoane, bk nid)t toeijj finb ? ©iebt e3 and) Einte, bk nidjt fdjfoar j ift ? 2Betd)en Sag nennen mir ben gritnen £)onncr3tag ? 2Bie Ijeijjt ber £ag Dor bcm ftitten greitag ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 1 3 with the water. When he, soon after, had to go the same way with another load, he trotted merrily until he came to the water. Now, thought he, when he was in the middle of the river, I will make it easier for myself. He lay down, but unfortunately his load grew every moment heavier. His master had given him this time a load of sponges which imbibed (absorbed) the water. He got from his master a most cruel beating, and could only be thankful to get off with his life. He who has listened attentively will be able to repeat to me this fable in our next lesson. III. Before we go through the business of the next lesson, I should first like to hear again the fable of the ass that carried the sack of salt and the sponges. Now answer the following questions : Of what colour is grass ? Of what colour is the sky ? Of what colour is ink ? Of what colour are the negroes? What is the colour of chalk ? Of what colour are the feathers of crows ? What is the colour of gold ? What is the colour of asses ? Name some objects which are green. Name some objects which are white. Name some objects which are black. Of what colour are the coats of English soldiers ? Of what colour are the coats ot Prussian soldiers ? Are there swans which are not white ? Is there ink which is not black ? What day do we call Maunday Thursday ? How do we call the day which precedes Good Friday ? 14 £)eutfd)e ©predjubungcn. 2Ba<8 {ft fdjneller, ber ©djafl ober bag gidfjt ? 2£a3 fafyrt fdjneller, ein $)ampfboot ober em ©eget* boot? 2$er ift ftcirfer, ber Sfefant ober ba$ ^ferb ? 2Ba3 ift leister, SBIct ober ©Ubcr ? 2Ba3 ift fd)toerer, (gifen ober §0(5 ? 2Celcf)e^ Canb ift grower, ©panien ober Portugal ? 2Beld)e3 8anb ift ba3 groftte 8anb in ©uropa ? SBdd)e3 ift bie groftte ®tabt (SnglanbS ? SCSe(d)e^ ift ber fyocfyfte 93cvg in ©uropa ? 2£a3 bebeutct SKontblanc auf bcutfd) ? 28o fommen bie ncucftcn SDiobcn Ijcr ? 2Bo fommen bie 2tpfe(fincn ()cr ? SBofjer f)at ba£ 9iotfcf)W)cn fcincn SWamen ? £abcn ©ic bie ©efd)id)te t)om SRotfappdjen gefjort ? ffir* jafylen ©ie mir, toa3 ©ie baoon toiffcn ? SBer null mir bie ©efdjidjte 00m ^Rotfappdjen erjctljtcn ? £)er Secret fprid^t : „2Bir feljen, bag bie ©onne fjcller fd)cint ate ber 2Ronb ; toir fyoren, baft ber $anonenbonner ianter fdjallt ate ein ^iftolenfnalf ; toir fitfylen, ba§ ein ^entner (Centner) fdfytoerer ift ate ein ^funb." %&a§ fcf)emt fetter ate ber 2Bonb ? %£a$ fdfjattt lauter ate ein ^iftolenfnall ? 2£a3 ift fd)tterer ate ein $funb ? SBoljer ttnffen toir, baft bk ©onne feller fdieint ate ber Sftonb ? 25er ober toaS fagt un3, baft ein $anonenfd)uft Ianter fdjallt ate ein ^iftolenfdjuft ? SKJo^er toiffen ttrir, baft ein $entner fdjtoerer ift ate ein ^funb ? SBeldje Xfyat* fatten oewel)men tote burd) bk 2lugen ? 2Ba£ fiir ©rfdjci* nnngen nefymen toir burd) bk Dfjren toaljr ? 25eld)e Xfyat* fadjen neljmen ttrir burdj ba£ ©efiiljl toal)r ? „®ie Corner lernten juerft fdjreiben unb bann lefen. $efet lernen tt>tr juerft lefen unb bann fd)reiben." 5Ba£ lernen bk $inber juerft in ber ©djule, lefen ober fdjreiben? 2£ar e3 ebenfo bd bm alten Sftomern? SBarum Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 15 Which is the more rapid, sound or light ? Which travels more quickly, a steamboat or a sailing- boat ? Which is the stronger, the elephant or the horse ? Which is the lighter, lead or silver ? Which is the heavier, iron or wood ? Which country is the larger, Spain or Portugal ? Which country is the largest in Europe ? Which is the largest town in England ? Which is the highest mountain in Europe ? What is the meaning of ' Mont Blanc ' in German ? Whence do the latest fashions come ? Whence do oranges come ? From what has the redbreast its name ? Have you heard the story of Little Red Riding Hood ? Tell me what you know of it ? Who will tell me the story of Little Red Riding Hood ? The teacher says : "We see that the sun shines brighter than the moon; we hear that the thunder of cannon sounds louder than a pistol-shot; we feel that a hundredweight is heavier than a pound." What shines brighter than the moon ? What sounds louder than a pistol-shot? What is heavier than a pound ? How do we know that the sun shines brighter than the moon? "Who or what tells us that a cannon-shot sounds louder than a pistol-shot? How do we know that a hundredweight is heavier than a pound ? Which facts^ do we perceive with the eyes? What phenomena do we perceive through the ears ? What facts do we perceive by the sense of touch ? " The Romans learned first to write and then to read. At the present day we learn first to read and then to write." What do children learn first at school, to read or to write ? Was it the same with the ancient Romans ? 16 ©eutfdje ©predjitbungen. ntuf^ten bic alien Corner ntit ©djrcibcn anfangen ? — (Sic miffen e£ nidjt. %lun foof)f, fo mill id) e3 Qfynen fagen. 9)ian Ijatte feme ©d)ulbitd)er. 23itd)cr marcn 511 fcltcn unb p teuer. (£3 mar aber lcid)t, einen 93ud)ftaben an bie £afel $u fd)reiben unb nadjfdjrcibcn 311 laffcn. — Sonncn ©ie ntir jefct ben ©runb fagen ? v $e£t mill idj Q$ nen nod) ein ttrineS ©rcigrtiS ergafytcn, ba3 neulid) in eincr ©djule paffierte. SBitfjelm mar ein fauler nub ungeljorfamcr $nabe. 2£cbcr frfjrctben nod) Icjen mollte er fcrnen. ©r ijattc fein $cr* gnitgen an ber @d)ttle unb feme &fjrer fjatten fetn S3er* gnitgen an tfym. (5ine3 £agc$ fagte etncr febter 8cf)rer gu ifjin : „2Btfljefot, SStflljefat, bit mirft e$ ntc bod) brtugen unb nte auf einen gri'men 3 lr) eig fommen." ©obalb bte ©djttle au§ mar, lief SBttfjefat in ben ©d)ttlgartcn nub flcttcrte auf einen Ijofjen 23aum. „©cf)t," rief cr fcincn 2)tttfrf)ufern gu, fftak balb id} auf einen griinen gmeig gefommen bin unb tote f)od) id) e£ fd)on gebracfyt fyahc ! Slber id) mid nod) l)6f)cr fteigen, bent alten 932urr!opf gum Zxot$ \ u $n bemfelbcn 2lugenblide fd)mang er fid) auf einen ber bitnnften 3^*9* bz§> Saunter. £)cr 2lft bradj, SHMtfjelm ftel Ijcrunter unb brad) fid) ein 93ein. Qu fpat bcreuete er nun bit golgen fete SJormifceS. £>• SBer milt ntir je|t, el)e mir ba§ fjeuttge ^enfum burd)- nel)mcn, bte ©efd)id)te Don bent nafemeifen SBifljetm er* galjlen ? $e^t beantmorten ©ie ntir fotgenbe teidjte gragen • 2Ba3 ntad)t ber ©d)ul)mai3jer ? 2Ba3 tnadjt ber Ufyrmadjer ? 2Ba3 mad)t ber §anbfd)ul)madjer ? 2Ba3 ntad)t ber £ifd)ler ? 2Ba3 mad)t ber 33ud)bruder ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 17 Why were the ancient Romans obliged to begin with writing ? — You do not know. Well, I will tell you. They had no school-books. Books were too rare and too dear. But it was easy to write a letter on the black- board, and to have it copied. — Can you now tell me the reason? Now I will tell you a littleaccident which lately hap- pened in a school. William was an idle and disobedient boy. He would learn neither to read nor to write. He took no pleasure in (going to) school, and his teachers had no pleasure with him. One day one of his teachers said to him : "William, William, you will never rise in the world and prosper (literally: get upon a green branch)." As soon as school was over, William ran into the school garden, and climbed upon a high tree. "Look," he called out to his fellow-scholars, " how well I have got on, and how high I have risen in the world. But I mean to rise still higher, in spite of the old grumbler." At the same moment he swung himself upon one of the slenderest branches of the tree. The branch broke, William fell down, and broke a leg. Too late did he now repent the con- sequences of his rashness. IV. Who will now, before we go through to-day's lesson, tell me the story of saucy William ? Now answer the following easy questions : What does the shoemaker make ? What does the watchmaker make ? What does the glover make ? What does the joiner make ? What does the printer do ? C 18 Seutfdje ©pred)iibungen. 2Ba3 mad)t ber Drgelbauer ? 2£a3 mad)t ber 93ud)binber ? 2Ba3 mad)t ber ©djneiber ? SBer madjt ©cfyufje unb ©tiefeln ? SBer madjt lUjrcn ? ^Ber madjt fianbfdpt^e? 2Bcr mad)t SEtfdje, (gtfiljk unb SBanfe? 3Ber brudt SJitdjer ? 2Berbinbet«itd)er? ffier tout @dpfft? ^erbaut^Bagen? ^Bcr madjt aflerfei ftlcibungSftucfc, ate ba fmb : 9iocfe, #ofcu, SBeften ? JBorauS »crben Srfjufjc unb ©ttcfcl gcmadfjt ? SBorauS matfjt ber £ifrf)(cr Xifdjc unb SMttit? 3Borau3 mad)t ber ©djneiber atlerlei StetbungSftiufe ? 5Ba3 fabri^icrt ber Xucfymadjcr ? SBorauS totrb £ud) fabrt^icrt ? 2Ba<3 fabrijicrt ber ©cibentoaarenfabrifant ? 3Ba3 fabri^iert ber ©etfenjieber ? 2Bomtt l)anbe(t ber ?cbcrfjanbfer ? 2Bomtt fyanbelt ber ^[erbefyanbter ? 3Bomit fyanbelt ber ©etreibefjanbler ? Wa$ berfauft ber 23ud)f)tinbler ? 2Ba3 Dcrlauf t ber 2£cinF>anb(er ? 2£a3 dcrfaitft ber !Qol$tcfe fagte nun eineut $eben \va§ er gerne l)oren mod)te. £)em ©inen tociSfagte fie eine reidc)e ©rbfdfjaft, bent Slnbem eine glucflidfje §eirat u. f. to., bafttr tourbe fie audj Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 21 Who gives instruction in gymnastics? Who gives French lessons ? Who gives German lessons ? Who gives writing lessons ? The teacher says : Now that you have answered these questions, we will analyse again a few sentences. There- fore attention ! "A rich man dreamed that he had given all his pro- perty to the poor. This dream terrified him so that he awoke, fell ill with fright, and died." What did a rich man dream ? Did this dream make him happy ? What was the consequence of this dream ? Of what good were his riches to the rich man after his death ? For what purpose should the rich use their wealth ? Do you remember the rich American, Peabody ? What did he do with his money? Did he give his money to the poor when it was of no more use to himself? " Children and birds awake with the dawn, and go to sleep with the evening twilight." When do children and birds awake ? Who go to sleep with the evening twilight ? Children awake at the same time with what animals ? In what part of the heavens does the dawn appear? What do we call the time between sunrise and sunset ? Now, to end with, a little story. A gipsy woman came into a village, and wished to tell the people their fortunes for money. Some people were really so silly and superstitious that they paid attention to the words of the cunning woman. She, on her part, told every one what he wished most to hear. To the one she prophesied a rich legacy, to the other a rich wife or hus- band, and so forth. And for this she received ample 22 £)cutfd)C ©prcdjitbungcn. rctcf)tt(^ befdjcnft. Untcrbe^ fjattc bte foli^ci oon bicfer 93c* tritgerin gefyort unb tarn unermarteter SBcifc fie gu arrcttcretu $atte fie nun hrirf(id) tie 3ufunft Dormer nriffen fonncn, fo toitrbe fie aud) ifyre eigne ©efangenncfymung Dormer genmtft fyaben unb berfclbcn burd) bte 3r(ttd)t entgangen fcin. Zvoi*, atte bent gfoubtcn bte mriftcn ba§, tva$ ifjnen bie gigeunerin gcjagt fyatte ; barum, tocH fie nntnfdjtcn, ba§ c3 ttmfyr fcin mod)te. Unb bic3 fd)(ug Men p ifjrcm groftcn SRodjtdf au3. (Sic t>ernad)(afftgtcn xljx ©cfdjaft, in ber Doffnung, balb ofjne SKitfje reidf) §u merben. 2JHc gctoofynlid), fangen ftrir aud) btcfe ©runbe mit bcr SSHebcrljolung bcr (Sr^aijlung an, toetdje ben ©d)(uft unfrcr ktytn Settion mad)te. 2Bcr totfl mir bie ©cfd)id)tc Hon ber 3tgeunertn cr^afytcn ? 2Bcnn fid) fcincr baju metbet, fo nmjs id) fd)on ciuen bet Sftamcn aufrufen. £)cn Slnfang bicfer fi'mftcn ?c!tion ntadjen tutr toieber mtt etnigen Sfragcn, bie |eber ©dji'ttcr obcr |ebe ©djitferin ofyne 3Kitfye bcantmorten fann. Sa3 fitr Vidjtcr geben cin beffcreS £id)t, Xa(g(id)tcr obcr 2$ad)3(id)ier? 2Ba3 fitr cin ©djattfpid ift ?cffing£ 2Jitnna, ein Srcmcr* fptel obcr ein tfufifptel ? Sfcf toa$ fitr ©d)iffcn fatten ©ie ant (iebften, auf ©egc(* fd)iffen ober auf £)ampffd)iffcn ? 2lu3 \va$ fitr §0(3 finb bie £ifd)e unb 93dnle bcr ©d)u(* [tube gcntad)t ? 2£a3 fitr Cucflcn finb bie £)cifqucttcn 3U 5Iad)cn ? ©int> fie fait ober toarm ? 2Ba3 ntad)t ber Sitrftcnbinber ? 2Bogu brautfjt man einc $leiberbitrfte ? 9&03U braud)t man einc gafjnbitrfte ? 2£osu braud)t man ©d)uf)bitrften ? 2£omit burftet man ben ©taub t)on ben ^leibern ? SBomit reinigt man fid) bit galjne ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 23 presents. Meanwhile the police had received notice of this impostor, and appeared unexpectedly to arrest her. Now if she had been really able to know the future before hand, she would also have known about her own arrest before it happened, and have escaped by flight. In spite of this, most people believed what the gipsy had told them, for the reason that they wished it to be true. And this turned out to the great disadvantage of all concerned. They neglected their business in the hope of soon be- coming rich without exertion. V. As usual, we begin this lesson with the repetition of the story which formed the conclusion_of our last lesson. Who will tell me the story of the gipsy? If no one volunteers, I must call upon some one by name, whether I like it or no. This fifth lesson we begin again with a few questions which every school-boy or school-girl can answer without difficulty. What sort of candles give better light, tallow candles or wax candles ? What kind of play is Lessing's Minna ? Is it a tragedy or a comedy? By what kind of ships do you prefer to travel, by sail- ing boats, or by steam-boats ? Of what kind of wood are the tables and benches of the school-room ? What kind of springs are the medicinal springs at Aix- la-Chapelle ? Are they cold or hot ? What does the bruslwnaker make ? What do we use a clothes-brush for? What do we use a tooth-brush for ? What do we use a shoe-brush for? With what do we brush the dust from our clothes ? With what do we clean our teeth ? v*; 24 ©entfdje ©pred)iibnngen. ©omit reinigt ber ©rifjutjpufeer bie ©djulje ? ©a3 mad)t ber Sdcfer ? Satan* tuirb 93rot gebaden ? ©er mafjlt ba$ ©etreibc ? ©o maf)lt ber SKiffler ba<§ ©etreibe? (S3 giebt toerftfjicbene Slrtcn Don 9ftiil)len. ©a3 ift cine ©inbmitfyle ? ©a3 ift eine ©affermitfjle? ©a3 ift eine $)ampfmnf)le ? SBBie fjeifet cine 2>Jit^(c, bie Dom ©inbe getrieben hrfrb ? ©ie fyeijjt eine Sftiiljle, bk bnrd) ©affcr getrieben nrirb ? ©ie Ijeijjt eine 2D?uI)fe, bie bnrd) Sampf getrieben totrb ? 2)?aurer, gimmerlente un ^ Stadj* ober ©djteferbedcr ftnb bie £)anbU)erfcr, toetdje £anfer bancn. ©a£ ift ba3 ©efd)df t be3 SDtourerS ? ©a£ ift ba$ ©efdjaft be3 3immermann3 * m ® nu e * ne ^ #aufe3 ? ©a3 ift ba$ ©efdjaft eineS £)ad)bcdcr3 ober ©d)iefer* bedtitf ? ©er f i'tgt bie 9Kanerfteine ^tfammen ? ©er f itgt bie 93alfen nnb ©parren ^ufammen ? ©er becft bo^ $au3 ntit ^tcgcln °^ er ©djiefcrtafefn ? ©e£l)alb ivirb ber $)ad)berfer ober ©djicferbedcr and) $a* toeiten 3i e 9^er genannt ? £)er Seljrer fpridjt: $e£t gefjen totr 3m* jtoettat ©eftion nnfrer Ijentigcn 21nfgabe iiber. 2Ufo paffen ©ie anf. rr S r ^ foltte jeinem $ater ein 3Wcffcr an3 ber $iid)e fjolen, al3 e3 fdjon finfter toar. Stimm ein 8tcf;t ntit, fagte ber $ater. 2lber gri£ meinte, er fonne ba§ SKeffcr and) im grinftcrn finben, nnb lief oljne 8itf)t fort. (£3 banerte lanm einen Slngenbtid, fo l)5rte ifjn ber SSater fallen, ©dpcll lam er mit bem 8id)te Ijerbeigelanfen. g-riij wax im ginftern iiber ein ©tiid $otj gefallen, ba$ anf bent gnpoben lag. ©litdltdjer* toeife fyatte er fid) leinen ©djaben getfyan, nnb tear mit bem blopen ©d)t*ed baoongefommen." Practical Lessons in German Conversation* 25 With what does the shoeblack clean our shoes ? What does the baker do ? What is bread made of? Who grinds the corn ? Where does the miller grind the corn? There are various kinds of mills. What is a windmill ? What is a water-mill ? W T hat is a steam-mill ? What do you call a mill that is moved by the wind ? What do you call a mill that is moved by water? What do you call a mill that is moved by steam ? Masons, carpenters, and slaters are the artisans that build houses. What is the business (duty) of a mason ? What is the business of a carpenter in the building of a house ? What is the business of a slater? Who puts the bricks together ? Who joins the beams and spars ? Who covers the house with tiles or slates ? Why is the slater sometimes called a tiler ? The teacher speaks: Now we pass on to the second section of our lesson ; therefore, be attentive. " Fred was to fetch a knife for his father from the kitchen after it had got dark. Take a candle (with you), said his father. But Fred thought that he could find the knife even in the dark, and ran away without a candle. Scarcely a moment had passed when his father heard him fall. Quickly he ran up with a light. Fred had stumbled in the dark over a piece of wood which lay on the floor. Fortunately he had not hurt himself and had escaped with a mere fright." y 26 £>cutfd)e ©prcd;ubungctt. $3a3 folftc %x\% fcincm 33ater tjolcn? SBoljer fofltc cr ba0 SKeffcr I)o(en? SBarunt riet il)m fctn $atcr cin ?td)t mityt* nefjmen? SBoljcr fain c3, bag gMfc e ^ ncn S a ^ t^at? 2Ba£ tfjat gnfeenS ^3 a ter r ate cr ifyn fallen Ijdrte? £atte fid) gri£ im gftnftcrn ©djaben gctfjan? „T)ie Donmi ift bet ctnjtgc beutfdje ©trom, tocldjer Don SScftcn nad) Often ffieft Slfle ubrirjat bcntfd)cn ©trome fttcjsen in bcr ^id)tung Don ©iiben nad) !Morbcn." Qfn toetdjet Midjtnng ffiefjt bit Station? gfltcjscn nod) anbre bcutfd)c ©troinc in bcr Midjtung Don SBcftcu nad) Often? 2£c(d)c bcutjdjc gliiffe fftefcen in bcr 9Ud)tung Don ©i'tben nad) SRorben? ©te frenen fid) gctotfe Ijcr^id), ntctnc licbcn ©d)i't(cr (nnb ©d)ft(crinncn), ha§ nrir cnblid) bod brittc ©tabiiun bicfer 8efc tion crrcid)t Ijabcn. -Nun, id) will Derfudjen, ntit cincr rcdjt Icidjtcn ©cfd)id)tc 311 fd)licf;cn. (Sin ftcincr $nabc cdjtctt Don fcincm ©roffrater 511 fcincm ©cburt^tagc cin ©clbgcfdjcuf. SWun ttjuptc cr nid)t£ eiligcr gn tljnn, a(3 in Me <&tabt ;n (anfen, nnb in aftc 8dben 311 gnden, wo man ftinberfpietyug Dcrtanftc. ©nblid) fa!) cr cine $feife, bic i()nt fo tuoI)( geftel, bafj cr all fctn @clb bafi'tr fjtn* gab. 23crgnitgt dik cr nuebcr nad) $aufe, burd)3og pfeifenb ba$ gan^c §ou£; auS cincm gimmcr in ba§ anbre, Xxt$p' anf unb£repp' ab pftff cr in cincm fort, fo ba§ bie'pfeife feincn Eltcrn nnb ©cfefyniftern cbenfo Diet Unannc()m(id)£eit a(3 tfjm 2>ergnngcn Dcrnrfad)tc. $ii$ er cnMid) feinen ©rftbem nnb ©d)U)cftcrn er^iiijttc, ttucDiel cr fitr feinc ^fcife gegeben, nnb biefe tijm fagtcn, ha% er Diet mcfyr bafitr gegeben fycttte, ate fie ftert toare, fo Derlor cr atfe 8uft an bcr ^feife. $m ©cgen* tetl, bcr ©ebanfe einen bnmmcn ©tretd) begangen 3U fyaben, mad)te ifyn drgerlidj. $e£t bereute er, §u Dtel fur feme ^Pfeife bejai)(t ju fyaben. Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 27 What was Fred to fetch for his father ? Whence was he to bring the knife ? Why did his father advise him to take a candle ? How happened it that Fred fell down ? What did Fred's father do when he heard him fall ? Had Fred hurt himself in the dark ? * The Danube is the only German river which flows from west to east. All other German rivers direct their course from south to north." In what direction does the Danube flow ? Do any other German rivers flow in the direction of west to east ? Which German rivers flow in the direction of south to north ? You are, no doubt, heartily glad, my dear pupils, that we have, at last, reached the third stage of this lesson. Well, I will try to end with a very easy story. A little boy received from his grandfather on his birth- day a present of money. Now he thought there was nothing more pressing to be done than to run into the town and to peep into all the shops where children's play- things were sold. At last he saw a whistle which pleased him so well that he gave all his money for it. Delighted, he went home, marched whistling through the whole house, from one room into onother, up the stairs and down the stairs, he whistled incessantly, so that the whistle caused his parents and his brothers and sisters as much unpleasantness as it gave pleasure to himself. When he at last told his brothers and sisters how much he had given for his whistle, and they told him that he had given a great deal more for it than it was worth, he lost all his pleasure in his whistle. On the contrary, the thought of having done a silly thing put him out of temper. He repented now of having paid too dearly for his whistle. ^ 28 ©eutfd^e ©predji'tbungen. VI. 2Bicberf)oten ©ie mit furscn Morten tie ©efd)id)te Dom $naben ber feme ^fcife gu teuer bqa^ltc. 2)er Scorer fprid)t: ©rofe ift in £)eutfd)(anb, ebenfo n>tc in gnglanb, ba$ ©efdjfedfjt bcr ©d)tniebe. £)a ift gucrft ber ©robfdjmicb, getodljnlid) nnr ©c^mieb genannt. $ n feiner ©d)micbe*@ffe mad)t er ba§ ©ifen glnfjcnb nnb fdjmicbet e<§ bann mit feinem jammer auf ban Slmbog. (Sin grower 93(afeba(g bient t^nt bajtt, ba$ gcucr in bcr (Sffe ^u unter* Ijaftat. £)er |>uffdf)micb kfd)(dgt bie s ^3ferbe mit |mfeifcn ; bcr SWageffdjmieb uerfcrtigt 5Wagc(; bcr Supfcrfrfjmicb mad)t $effet unb onbre grofee nnb Heine ©cfa§c au$ ftupfcr. 2Ba3 SBaffen*, SIKeffcr* unb ©olbfdjmiebc finb, braudjc id) $I)nen nid)t toeiter $u erflaren. S c k* rotten ttrft fcljcn, ob ©ie mid) mid) rcd)t t)erftanben fjaben. Scantmorten ©ie mir folgenbe (cid)te fjragen : SBie nennt man bic 3Berfftatt einc£ ©cfymicb'S? 2Ba3 fur ^anbmcr^eug fyat bcr ©djmtcbin feincr©d)miebe? 2Bo$u bicnt ber Slafebatg? bcr Slmbofc? ber jammer? 2Ba3 ift bic befonbre 23cfd)dftigung eineS $ufftf)mieb'3? 2Ba3 mad)t ber $upferfd)mteb ? $&o fiifyrt man ein ^ferb f)tn, toenn e3 ein Jg>ufeifen &er* foren ijat ? 2Ba3 Ijeifet auf engftfd) „cin Spfcrb k[d)(agen"? 3Ber madjt SDceffer, ©abeln unb bcrgicidjcn ? 2$a3 fitr ©dfjmiebearkit madjt bcr Sftagelfdjmieb ? ber SBaff enfd)mieb ? iftennen ©ie mir einige ©egenftdnbe bit t)on ©o(bfd)mteben derfcrttgt toerben. y&etyalb finbet man in {ebon £)orfe eincn ©djmieb ? „9tan nod) einige 3fragen uber &erfd)iebene ©egenftdnbe, nm bic gorm be3 *Paffto3 $u uben." 23on toem ftmrbe $lmerifa entbeeft ? 3Bo luerben bit mciften Ul)ren fabri^iert ? 38eld)e3 8anb nmrbe toon 2£itfye(m L, ^er^og Don ber Sftormanbie, erobert ? 'H. *-**-/">* ~f ~ f t ■ » TU Vt "W W W / Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 2d VI. Repeat to me briefly the story of the boy who paid too dearly for his whistle. The teacher says : Great is in Germany, as well as in England, the race of the smiths. There is, first of all, the blacksmith, usually called simply the smith. In his smithy he makes the iron red hot, and then strikes it with his hammer on the anvil. A great pair of bellows serves him for keeping up the fire on the hearth. The farrier shoes horses, the nailer manufactures nails, and the coppersmith makes kettles, and other large and small vessels out of copper. What armourers, cutlers, and gold- smiths are, I need not explain to you more particularly. But now we will see whether you have understood me properly. Answer, therefore, the following easy questions r What name do people give to the workshop of a smith ? What tools has the smith in his smithy ? Of what use are the bellows? the anvil? the hammer? What is the special business of a farrier ? What does the coppersmith make ? Where do you take a horse to, when it has lost a shoe ? What is the English for em $ferb bejtylagen (to shoe a horse) ? Who makes knives, forks, and the like ? What kind of smith's work does the nailer do ? — the armourer ? Name some objects which are made by goldsmiths. Why do you find a smith in every village ? "Now a few questions on various matters, in order to practise the form of the Passive." By whom was America discovered ? Where are most watches manufactured ? What country was conquered by William I., duke of Normandy ? 30 Dcutfdje 5ge() tin ©bttet criif? SSSotatt nmrutt man fid), menn einem fait ift ? ®er 2cl)ter fprid)t: r ,S)te Sotcn fitr^tcn fit^ Dor 9?te* ntanb. @inc£ £agc£ iucrben roir olle tot, abcr barnm nod) feme £)clbcn feat." 2Ber fitrd)tct SWtcmanb? gatrdjtct M ^ cr 9#uttge t)or fctnen gctnbenV SjBer cut gutcS ©emiffen fjat, l)at ber ©rirnb fid) ju fitrdjtcn? £a fid) Me £otcn oor Sftiemanb furdjtcn, madjt barnm ber Sob alle % 2ftcnfd)cn $n £)clben? „$n (Snglanb gicbt t§> rcidje 8eute, bie reiser finb ate bte $Retd)ftcn in £>cntfd)lanb. W)tx oicle Xanfcnbe finb in (Snglanb firmer ate bie Stanftra in GDeutfd^tanb." $n tocld)cm Canbe fbtbet man rcidjere 8ente ate in £)cntfd)- lanb? ©inb alle (Sngtcmbcr reicf)? ©inb bie bentfdjen airmen fo arm mie bie Written in (Snglanb? „$& erften 23 $af>re feiner 9icgtcrung l)at gricbrtd) ber ©rofee ®rieg gcfi'tfjrt. Inbcre 23 ftafjre l)at er fricblid) itber fein SSolf gefycrrf d)t." SBie lange regierte gricbrid) ber ©rofec? 2£a3 tljat er toafjrenb ber erften 23 $al)re feiner SRegterung? 2Bie lange fyerrfdjte griebridj fricblid) itber fein SJoH? Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 31 By whom are horses shod ? By whom was Jerusalem destroyed ? By whose cunning was Troy taken ? By whom were the Prussians beaten at Jena ? By whom are children baptized ? By what means is a water-mill set in motion ? By what are animals distinguished from plants? In what season does the earth adorn itself with flowers ? Into what sea does the Elbe flow ? What do oxen defend themselves with, when they are attacked ? Which star turns round the earth ? In what countries do migratory birds sojourn in winter? Where do you warm yourself when you feel cold ? The teacher says: "The dead are afraid of no man. Some day we shall all be dead ; but for all that we shall be no heroes." Who is afraid of no man ? Is the courageous man afraid of his enemies ? Has he who has a good conscience any cause to be afraid ? As the dead are not afraid of any man, does death on this account make all men heroes ? u In England there are rich people who are richer than the richest people in Germany. But many thousand people in England are poorer than the poorest in Ger- many." In what country do we find richer people than in Ger- many? Are all Englishmen rich? Are the poor in Germany as poor as the English poor ? "The first 23 years of his reign Frederick the Great passed in wars. Other 23 years he reigned peacefully over his people." How long did Frederick the Great reign ? What did he do during the first 23 years of his reign? How long did Frederick rule peacefully over his people ? 32 Dcntfdjc ©prcdjitbnngen. Die 2(ncfbote, bie id) ;gl)nen je(3t ergaljlen mill, ift feljr o(t ; fo alt, ba# fle an3 ben gcmoljnlidjen ©djulbitdjcrn fdjott Derfdjmunbcn ift. gin jnnger Sftenfd), ber forge $cit im 31n3lanbe gemefen mar, glanbte fid) bci fcinen ftmofljttttcn tin grofje£ 2(nfcl)cn )tt geben, inbem cr mcl oon ben SBunbcrn itttb ©eltfantfcitcn erotic, bte er auf fcinen tteifen gcfcljcn Ijattc. (SineS £agc3, ate er mit fetttem Cater nad) titter benadjbartett ©tabt ging, critic cr bcmfclbcn, tote cr cinft gu Viffabon cincn $unb gefcljcn f)abc, ber grower mar a(S tin ^fcrb. „Da3 mar auerbittflS tin ntcrfmi'trbigcr fiunb/' fagtc ber 23ater. „Dtt frfjeinft baron $n jmcifelu," bemerftc ber ^unge. „Durd)* anS nid)t," antmortcte ifjm feat Cater, „c£ gicbt in ber 9?ahtr t>ictc Dingc, bic bci mcitcm merf'mitrbigcr nnb faft nnglanblid) ftnb. ©o toerben mir 3. 93. (gum 53cifpicl) balb an einc SBrftdt fonnncn, mcldjc bic fonberbare (Stgcnfdjaft ijat, baj; berjentge, melcfyer Ijinnbcr gcl)t nnb am fclbigcn £agc gclogcn f)at, anf ber SDiittc bcrfclbcn cut 93ein bridjt." Der ^nngc mar cine gtit lang ntanSdjcnftill, bann fprad) er : „Die 2Bal)rf)cit git fagen, Cater, ber pttttb, toon bent id) fprad), mar nid)t griper al£ ctn @fe(." „©emij3," fagte ber 9>ater, „ba3 mar immerljin ein I)dd)ft ntcrfmi'trbigcr £mnb." ©0 gingen bte bciben eine $cit lang fcfymeigenb meiter. Da fprad) ber ^imgling : ff Viebcr $ater, gel)' nid)t fo rafd), id) ntbdjte nod) gern einen ftrrtrntt berid)tigen, efye mir an bic 93ri'tde lomnten. Der |ntnb, ben id) $n Ciffabon falj, mar ntd)t grower al3 ein £alb." „<&§ frent mid)/ 1 fagte ber $ater, „baj} bn fo mal)rl)eit3liebenb nnb gemiffenfjaft bift ; benn ftelje, l)ier liegt bid)t Dor nn£ bk fatafe Crude." Da lonnte fid) ber ^unge nid)t langer fatten nnb rtef angftlitf) au3 : „2$ater, id) mill e3 nnr geftefyen, ber £mnb mar nidjt grower al£ anbre §nnbe ftnb." „©o ift and) biefe Critde," fprad) ldd)elnb ber $ater, „mie alle anbere Critden ftnb, nnb bn lannft rufjig l)inubergcl)cn, ofjne ju fitrd)ten, ein Cein jit brcdjen." Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 83 The anecdote which I am going to tell you, is very old ; so old, that it has even disappeared from the ordinary school-books. A young man, who had passed a short time in foreign parts, thought he appeared a man of great importance to his countrymen, when he related to them a great deal about the marvellous and strange things which he had seen on his travels. One day, when he was going with his father to a neighbouring town, he told him how one day he had seen at Lisbon a dog which was larger than a horse. ' "Most certainly," said the father, "that was a remarkable dog." "You seem to doubt it," observed the youth. "By no means/' replied his father, "there are many things in nature which are far more remarkable and almost incredible. So, for instance, we shall soon come to a bridge which has the strange property that he who passes over it, and has told a lie on the same day, breaks his leg, when he has reached the middle of it." The boy was for some time as quiet as a mouse ; then he said : "To tell the truth, father, the dog of which I spoke, was not bigger than a donkey." "Surely," said the father, "that was a most remarkable dog, anyhow." Thus the two went on for some time in silence. Then the youth said : " Dear father, do not go so fast, I should like to rectify an error before we come to that bridge. The dog which I saw at Lisbon, was not bigger than a calf." "I am glad," said the father, "that you are so truthful and conscientious, for look, here close before us is the fatal bridge." Then the boy could restrain himself no longer, and exclaimed full of trouble : "Father, I will confess it, without reservation; the dog was not bigger than other dogs are." "And so/' said his father with a smile, "this bridge too is just as all other bridges are, and you may walk calmly across it without being afraid of breaking your leg." D 34 ©cutftfje ©prcdjitbungcn. VII. Molten Sic gefcifligft guerft bie Kerne ©efd)id)te imebcr* eraafjfen, momit id) bie kfcte Ceftton kfdjlog. $)er crftc Stcil bet Veftion kftcljt toicber au3 ffetnen gfragett. SBttte, gckn Sic auf jebe grage imntcr cine \>olU ftcinMgc Wnttuort. 2$Hc f)ei|cu ©ie ? SBie tycifit $l)r beutfcT)cr flcljrcr ? SHHc l)cifu bie ©trajjc, in ber ©ie toofjnen ? 8Bie l)cif;t ber regierenbe $ai|cr Don ©cutfdjfanb ? Kttc |eift bie ,\>upt[tabt bed bcutfdjen $cid)e£? 85k kifn bag Vanb, fcettfje* bie g-ran^ofen kmofjncn ? 8Bfe l)cifu baS Vanb, ktfddpd bie Sfhtffen bciuoljncnV SBic kijtt ba£ (atctnijdje feort mensa auf beutjd) ? ffiie l)cifu „^erbotcncr gtngang" anf cnglifd) ? fiJtt l)ei[;t ' No Admittance ' auf bcutfd) ? 2Bic Ijcijscn bie uicr $Mtgcgcubcn ? 8Me l)cif;cn bie trier (S&angefiftcn ? ©ic l)ic| ber $atcr Sfaaf 3 ? SQSic l)icf;eu bie ©ofync j^foaf '« ? ffiie l)ie| granfreid) jwr Beit Safari ? SBte fyiefjen bie erften ©nmofyner t)on 93rittannien ? i SBeldjeS Vanb l)iefc friiljer ©allien ? 2Bie ^et^t ber |)anbtoerfer, ber ©d)(offer unb ©djtitffct mad)t? 2Ba3 ntat^t ber ©djtoffer ? SBo^u bicnen ©d)(offer unb ©cfjf iiffet ? SComit fd)(ie^en mir ba3 |)au3 gu ? 2£omit fdjiieBen nrir bie ©tube auf ? SWan i)at alfo £l)or*, Xtyfir*, ©tukn=, ftammer* unb nod) anbere ©djtuffel. 2Bonad) toerben bie Derfdfjtebertett Slrtcn t)on ©d)(uffe(n knannt ? SBonttt gtefjt man bie Ufyr auf ? (S3 gicbt Ufjren, bie man ofync ©dfjlitffet aufgtefyen lann. 9ftan nennt fotdje Ufjren auf beutfd) mit einem frangofifefjen SBorte SJemontoteUfyren. Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 85 VII. Will you kindly first repeat the little story with which I closed the last lesson. The first part of our lesson consists of a few little ques- tions. Pray, always give a complete answer to every question. What is your name ? W T hat is the name of your German teacher ? What is the name of the street in which you live ? What is the name of the present emperor of Germany ? What is the name of the capital of the German empire ? What is~ the name of the country in which the French live? What is the name of the country which the Russians inhabit ? What is the German word for the Latin mensa ? How do you express in English : 2krbotner (h'ngcmg? What is the German for " No Admittance ?" What are the names of the four cardinal points of the compass ? What are the names of the four Evangelists ? What was the name of the father of Isaac ? What were the names of the sons of Isaac ? What was France called in Caesar's time ? What were the first inhabitants of Britain called ? W 7 hat country was formelly called Gaul ? What do you call the workman who makes locks and keys ? What does the locksmith make ? Of what use are locks and keys ? What do we lock the house with ? What do we open the lock of the room with ? Thus, you see, we have keys for gates, for doors, for rooms, and closets, &c. What do the various kinds of keys take their names from ? With what do you wind your watch up ? There are watches which can be wound up without a key. Such watches are called in German by a French word : RemontoirAX\)XZ\\ (keyless watches). 36 £)entftf;e ©predjitbnngcn. $efet fagen @ic mir, toa3 ift eine $emontoir*Ul)r ? 2Ber gu ^ariS gcboren ift, ift em — ? 2Ber ju Scrlin geborcn ift, ift cm — ? 2Ber ift eine ^Jarifcrin ? 2Ber ift eine Serlincrin ? 2Ber ift ein geborner 9iuffe ? SBer ift ein geborner £)eutfd)cr ? 2Ber ift ein granjofe ? (£3 gicbt and) gran^ofcn, tie nidjt in fjranfretdf) geboren finb, bie feine geborne grangofen \™b, fonbern tie bnrd) ^ftaturaftfagion bie fHcc^te cincd granjofcn ertoorben fjaben. 2Bie Ijeiften biefe Cente ? 2Ba3 ift ein natnrattftertcr ©nglanber ? 2Bar ©eorg I., $iwig Don ffingtanb, ein geborner ©ng* fanber ? 2Bar ber gelbmarfdjatf $cttfj ein geborner ^renf^e ? $)er SSater ber gran Don ©tact Ijicjj Reefer. Die grew Don ©tact war atfo eine gcb — ? @d)itfer Ijciratcte eine Xodjter ber gran Don Sengefctb. £)ie gran ©djitfer luar alfo cine — ? 2Bie ^te§ ber $ater ber gran Don (Stad ? SBie IjteS bit SKuttcr ber gran ©d)ifler? 2£en nennt man einen gebornen 2Imerifaner ? 2Ben nennt man eincn natnralifterten 2lmerifaner ? p- ®er Secret fprtdjt: |)5ren ©ie, toa3 idfj $f)nen ju trjfifjfen fyabe : „(Sin Sttann Dermadjte fein bebentenbe3 SSermbgen bem 2Baifenl)anfe nnb ben airmen in feiner SSaterftabt. (£r Ijatte jebod^ me^rere tonrbige nnb in grower £)nrftigfeit (ebenbe Skrtoanbte." Qft e3 bie ^flidjt eine£ jeben Sftenfdjen, fidj ber 5lrmen an^nnefjmen ? SBer fottte fid) befonberS ber airmen anne^ men ? $ft c§ redfyt, toenn ein fttodjer ben airmen ettoa3 in feinem £eftamente &ennad()t ? 2ln toe(d)e Strmc fottte ber Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 37 Now, tell me, what is a keyless watch ? A man that is born in Paris is a — ? A man that is born at Berlin is a — ? What is a Paris woman ? What is a Berlin woman ? Who is a Russian by birth ? Who is a German by birth ? Who is a Frenchman ? There are also Frenchmen who are not born in France, who are not Frenchmen by birth, but who have obtained the rights of Frenchmen by naturalization. What do you call such people ? What is a naturalized Englishman ? Was George I., king of England, an Englishman by birth ? Was Fieldmarshall Keith a Prussian by birth ? The name of Madame de StaeTs father was Necker. Madame de StaeTs maiden name was therefore — ? Schiller married a daughter of Frau von Lengefeld. The maiden name of Schiller's wife was therefore — ? What was the name of Madame de Stael's father? What was the name of Frau Schiller's mother ? Whom do we call an American by birth ? Whom do we call a naturalized American ? The teacher says : Listen to what I have to tell you : "A man willed his considerable property to the orphanage and the poor of his native town. He had, however, several deserving relatives who lived in great poverty." Is it every man's duty to consider the poor? Who more especially should consider the poor? Is it right when a rich man leaves in his will something to the poor ? Whom, among the poor, should the rich man remember 38 £)eutfd)e ©prcdjitbungcn. $eid)e fid) jucrft erinncnt? Q# e ^ *#fc f c ' ne e *B nm 33ertoanbten, bic arm finb, §u Dernadjtajfigcn ? 2Ba3 bcnfcn ©ie Don einein Sftanne, ber fo l)anbetn fonnte ? „£)er banifdje 8nftfpietMd)ter |)otberg ti)ar eine gejt tang ?ct)rer ber fran^ofijdjcn @prad)e ju Sljrifttanftabt in Sftov* megen. 31(3 er aber fpater nad) ^arte lam, fonnte 9?temaub fein gran^ofifd) Derftefyen." SBoburd) t)at fief) £)otbcrg beritfjmt gemadjt ? 2£a3 fitr eta Vaubdmamt nnvr V)olbcrg ? $Bo luar £>otbcrg cine Acit tang 8cl)rer ? $8a3 lefjrte cr ? SRacf) metier ©tabt marfjte .poiberg cine Wfffe, narfjbcm cr cin bcrit()intcr $)id)ter gc- mortal wax ? SBeldje Spradjc nmfstc £>otbcrg in ftott fpredjen ? $onnten bic ^artjer £)otbergS SfranjSjtfdj Dcr* ftcljcn ? Unb $a£ war poiberg trofcbcm frittjcr gemefen? $)er £el)rcr fpridjt: gotgenbe fteine (Sr3al)(ung ttrirb ^[jnen ben Untcrfrtjicb anrifefjen ©parfamt'ett uno ©cig an einem 33cifpicl fiar madjen. 3ftt cincr ftcincu &tabt nmrben Don ber Cbrigfeit einige gntbenfenbe 33itrgcr Don §au3 $u $au$ l)eruingc|d)idt, urn mttbc ®aben fitr bie Snnen ber ©tabt ein^ujammeln. ©te famen nntcr anbern fri'tbmorgenS auf ben £)of rated toofjt* l)abenbcn SJaucrS. ©ie f anben ifjn Dor bem ©taltc Itrtb borten, nne er einem $ned)te eifrig DeruneS, ba$ ^ferbegefd)irr fiber ^ftadjt fan s Jtegcn gefaffen unb nicf)t in3 Xrocfne gebradjt gu baben. „D tod) ! ber 9ftann ift genau!" fprad) (gtner gum Anbern, t fym toirb e£ nid)t Diet gcben." „2Btr molten eS menigften* Derfudjen," fagte ein SInberer, unb fie gingen nal)er. S)er $txx empfing bie gremben fel)r freunbfid), unb inbem er mit il)nen in fein fianS ging, bradjten fie il)re SBtttc Dor. 2£ie grog mar il)re SJernmnberung, ate er itjnen fefjr bereiturittig ein anfef)ntid)e3 ©cfdjenf an <&db gab, unb nod) Derfprad), er tootte atte $at)re urn biejetbe fttit eben fo Diet geben. ®ie Sittftctter lonnten fid) ntdjt entfyatten, bem toof)U / Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 89 first ? Is it right to neglect one's own relatives, when they are poor? What do you think of a man who could act thus ? " The Danish comic poet, Holberg, was for some time teacher of the French language at Christianstadt, in Norway. But when he, at a subsequent period, came to Paris, nobody could understand his French." By what has Holberg made himself famous? What countryman was Holberg? Where was Holberg for some time a teacher? What did he teach? To what town did Holberg go after he had become a famous poet ? What language had Holberg to speak in Paris? Could the Parisians understand Holberg's French ? And what, in spite of that, had Holberg been formerly ? The teacher says : The following little story will make clear to you, by an example, the difference between economy and avarice. In a little town some kind citizens were sent round from house to house, by the authorities in order to collect charitable contributions for the poor of the town. Among others, they came, early in the morning, to the farm of a well-to-do agriculturist. They found him in front of the stable, and heard him earnestly re- primand a servant for having left the horses' harness during the night out in the rain, and for not having placed it in a dry place. " Oh, dear, that man is stingy," said one, "we shall not get much here." "At least, we will try/' said another, and they went nearer. The gentleman received the strangers very kindly, and, whilst going with them into his house, they presented their petition. How great was their astonish- ment when he readily gave them a considerable present of money, and, moreover, promised that he would give the V 40 ©cutfdje ©predjiibungen. tfyatigcn 2R«me $u gcftcljen, bag feme greigebigfeit ifynett gan£ uncrtoartet fri, tnbem ber 23crtoei3, ben er ttorfyin bcm $ned)te tocgen cincr $(einigfcit gcgcbcn fjdtte, fte auf ben 2lrgU)of)n gebradjt Ijabc, ba$ cr tooljl fel)r gcnan fein mitffe. „8icbc grcunbc," mar feme SInttoort, „cbcn baburd), ba§ id) ba§ 9ftcinigc fefa 311 Watt ffidt, tarn id) in ben glMlidjen ^uftanb, n)oI)(tf)dtig fein p (fatten." „£)enn tt>cr bcbacfjt ift auf ba§ ©cine, £)er forgt erft red)t fiir'3 2U(gemcine." VIII. SBoften ©ie mir Me ©efdjidjtc toon bcm fparfamcn 93atter iDteberer^cifjtcn ? ©ie mcrben bemcrft fyabcn, ba# t)on bent 93auer a(3 toon cinem „|)crrn" gcfprodjcn nrirb, unb au£ fciner ^anbfangStocifc mcvbcn a nun aber etn ^Reifenber intnterfort §u rcdjnen i)at, benn cr mug s ^ed)nungen beaten, 23UIctte (ofen, ©elb toedjfeln, fid) nad) Ibfafyrt, Stnfunft unb 2lufentl)alt3* gett ber 3itge erfunbigen, fo tootfen nrir in ben nadjften id* tioncn eiuige (eidjte Ubungen im ^Redjnen unb ©cbraudfy ber 3al)(en anftcften. ffiir fangen natitrlid) mit ben aflerfeicJj* teften Sfragen an. Wit t)ie( fi&tbc fyaben ©ie ? 28ie trirf ginger fjabat ©ie an jebcr ^)anb ? Fraciicai Lessons in German Conversation. 41 same sum every year about the same time. The peti- tioners could not help confessing to the kind man that his liberality was quite unexpected to them, inasmuch as the reprimand which he had given just before to the servant, had led them to suspect that he must be very stingy. " Dear friends," he replied, " it was just by always taking great care of everything belonging to- me, that I attained the happy position of being able to be charitable." " For he who is careful of his own, Cares also for the common weal." VIII. 4 Will you repeat to me the story of the careful farmer? You will have observed that the 33auer is spoken of as a fytXX (or gentleman), and, from his manner of acting, you will easily infer that he could really behave like a gentle- man. The teacher says: If it is difficult to express one's thoughts in a foreign language, the matter is made more difficult when we are to perform, at the same time, some- other mental operation. This is at once apparent when we attempt to do the easiest sum in a foreign language. Many people, who have passed the greater part of their lives in foreign countries, and have almost forgotten their mother-tongue, begin immediately to use their mother- tongue as soon as they have to count or to reckon. But as every traveller has constantly to reckon, for he must pay bills, take tickets, change money, enquire about the arrival and departure of trains, and how long they stop, so we will have, in the next lessons, a few easy exercises in arithmetic, and the use of numbers. Of course, we begin with the very easiest questions. How many hands have you ? How many fingers have you on each hand ? 42 ©eutfdje Spredjitbitngen. Unb JDte me( ^ n 9 e ^' an betbcn ,£anbcn jufammcu ? $3ic Did gfitjjc ijat bcr 3#enfd) ? 2Bie Diet $ef)en f)Ot ber -Jftenfd) an jebcm gutfe ? Unb nrie Diet 3 c ^) cn W beiben gitjjcn jufammcn ? SDJcrfcn ©ie fid) fotgcnben £inbcrrcim : @£ fdjrieb cm 3Rann an feine SBanb 3ef)n finger f)ab' icf> an jcber §anb giinf unb jmanjtg an |)anben unb gfitgen. 2Ber bieS Heft, nrirb getd^ai fi$en mitffen. s ^o merben ©tc fyier Me Sommata fefecn miiffen, urn ben ved)ten ©inn fjerau^ubriugen ? ©ie utet ©drifting madjen ein SJSfuxib ©terttng ? 2Iu§ tuie utclcu 23(attcrn bcftcljt ciu &leeb(att ? 2Ba3 ift cin £>reied? cm Sieved? ein giinfed? ein ©ed)3ed? ein 2ld)tecf? ffiaS tft cin gtcid)fcitigc<§ Dreiec! ? $3a3 tft cin Quabrat ober g(cid)fcitigc£, redjttuinKige^ tiered ? 3Bie uie( 9)ionate finb im fyfyt, nrie tricl SBodjen in eincm Sftonat unb lute met £age in einer 2Bod)e ? 9S>ic Ijcifwn btc ^uolf donate? btc ftcbett £age bcr 2$od)e ? 2Bie Diet ©tunben fjat ein £ag ? 2Bie met 3Kinuten madjen cine ©tunbe ? 3at)(en @ie Don 1 bte 30. 2Ba3 ift einc gevabe $al)i ? 2Ba3 tft einc ungerabe ftafy ? Iftennen ©ie ntir bk geraben Qciijkn b\§ auf 20. Bennett ©ie ntir bk ungeraben ftaljkn bi§ auf 19. 2£e(d)e3 tft ber erfte 23ud)ftabe bc3 alphabets ? 8Betd)e3 tft ber Icfetc Sudjftabc be3 alphabets ? 2Bie fyetftt ein £)reied, in bem afte brei ©eiten g(cid) finb? 2£ie fjei&t einc gftgur, bie bier ©eiten tjat ? unb uric fjeijH fie, tDcnn bk trier (Bdkn cinanber gteid) unb ifyre SBinfel redjte SBtufet finb ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 43 And how many fingers on both hands together ? How many feet has a man ? How many toes has a man on each foot ? And how many toes on both feet together ? Remember the following nursery rhyme : There was a man who wrote on his wall Ten fingers have I on each hand Five and twenty on hands and feet together. He who reads this will have to put the stops. Where will you have to put the commas here, in order to make the proper meaning plain ? How many shillings go to a pound sterling ? Of how many leaves does a trefoil (clover leaf) consist? What is a triangle? a quadrangle? a pentagon? a hexagon? an octagon? What is an equilateral triangle ? What is a square, or an equilateral rectangular parallel- ogram ? How many months are there in a year ? how many weeks in a month ? and how many days in a week ? What are the names of the twelve months ? of the seven days of the week ? How many hours are there in (has) a day ? How many minutes are there in (make) an hour ? Count from i to 30. What is an even number ? What is an odd number ? Say the even numbers up to 20. Say the odd numbers up to 19. Which is the first letter of the alphabet ? Which is the last letter of the alphabet ? What is a triangle called whose three sides are all equal? What is a figure called which has four sides ? what is it called when its four sides are all equal, and its angles right angles ? 44 $)eutfd)e ©predjubungen. 2Bie Ijetgt cine gigur bfa fedjS ©eiten Ijat ? unb n)ie Ijeijjt fie, rucnn bie fed)3 ©eiten g(cid) finb ? 2Bann ftefyen ©ie gcmobn(id) auf ? Urn mldjt ftcit gefjcn ©ic gemdi)n(id) £U SJctt ? 2Bie (ange fcfjlafcn ©ic gcttjdljntttf)? £)en toieoicltcn Ijabcn toft Ijcute? $)cn hrieoidrcn fatten nrir gcftcrn? $)er ttrieuicltc Xtii eincr SBodje ift ein Sag? Der Sefjrer fpridjt: £>a mir in Mcfcr Settfaffl fo rfetmtt 3al)(cn p tljun gcfjabt Ijabcn, fo miff id) in ben 3U anatyfie* renben ©ci(3cn affe 3^^cn tiermcibcn. „£)a3 nengcborene Stftb ift ein IjtlffofcS SBcfen. @<3 miiftte jammcrlid) $u ©runbc c\c\)c\\, menu nid)t bic 3Ruttcr fid) feincr erbarmtc, iljin Sftafjrung fpcnbctc nnb c£ Ijegte nnb pflegte." 2Ber ift ein IjilflofeS SBefcn? 2£a§ toftrbc w# ctucm Hat* gcborcnen $inbe of)ue fcinc Gutter merbcn? IBeffen crbarmt fief) bk DJJutter? Stan fpenbet bic 3)Zuttcr SMjrung? Son mem mirb ba3 $inb gefyegt nnb gepflcgt? „3)ie 2Wutter majd)t ban ftiaibc ben $opf mit ©cife." 2Ber toflfdjt? 2BaS tljut bic Gutter? SBcn ober maS mcifdf)t bic 2Rutter? 2£em toafdjt bte Gutter ben $opf? SBomtt maf d)t bie Gutter bem ilinbe ben ffapf? gur 2lbmed)i§tung jefct eine Inr^e gabel Don einer 9Rau3, bie Hug fern moffte. rr @inc 9Kau§ lam au3 iljrem 8ocf)C unb fafj eine gaffe. 2Hja! fagte fie, ba fteljt eine gaffe. $)ie ftugen 2Renfd)en! £)a fteffen fie mit brei ^ol^djen eiuen fd)meren ^iegelftein aufredjt, unb an ba$ eine ^b^djen ftecfen fie ein ©titdefyen ©pe& £)a& uennen fie eine 2Raufefaffe. %ja, menu mir 3Jiau3df)en tttdfjt fiuger maren! 2Btr miff en moI)I, menu man ben ©ped freffert miff, flapp! fdfft ber 3ic§d urn unb fdjlagt ba3 WlauSfym tot. Sftein, nein, id) lenne cure Sift." „$lber, ful)r ba3 SKfiuSdjcti fort, ried)en barf man fdr)ott baron; Dom blopen SRiedjen lann bie gaffe nidjt jufaffen. Unb Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 45 What is the name of a figure which has six sides ? and what do you call it, when its six sides are all equal? When do you rise generally ? At what time do you usually go to bed ? How long do you usually sleep? What day of the month have we to-day ? What day of the month had we yesterday ? What part of the week is a day ? As we have had so much to do with figures in this lesson, I will avoid all figures in the sentences to be analysed; " The new born child is a helpless being, it would have to perish most miserably if its mother did not have mercy upon it, and did not give it food and protect and foster it." What is a helpless being ? What would become of a new born child without its mother ? On whom has a mother mercy ? To whom does the mother give nourish- ment ? By whom is the child guarded and fostered ? " The mother washes the child's head with soap." Who washes ? What does the mother ? Whom or what does the mother wash ? Whose head washes the mother? With what does the mother wash the child's head? Now, for a change, a short fable of a mouse which thought to be very wise. A mouse came out of its hole and saw a trap. " Aha," it said, " there is a trap ! Those clever men ! There they put up a heavy brick on three little pieces of wood, and •on one of the little pieces of wood they stick a little piece of bacon. That they call a mouse trap. As if we little mice were not more knowing. We know very well that when anyone tries to eat the bacon, bang ! goes the brick, and kills the mouse. No, no, I know your cunning." "But," continued the mouse, "there is no harm in smelling it a little ; the trap cannot fall by merely smelling 46 £)eutfdje ©predjubungcn. id) rterfje ben ©petf bod) fitr ntein Scbcn gent. (Sin bi£d)cn riedjen mufs id) baran." (b lief unter bie gaffe unb roc^ on bent Sped. ®te gaffe toar abcr gan$ fofe geftettt, unb fnunt bcritf)rte e3 nut bent SRaSdjenben ©pecf, fiapp! fo fid bic 9Jcaufefatfc jufammen, unb ba$ ti'tfterne 2)Mu3d)en toar jerquctfefjt! IX. ®er Secret fpridjf: gabefn finb t)on ben dfteften 3dten tjer ein ^ulfSnttttct tm Untcrrtdjt gemefen. S)ie ©riedjen unb SRdtner bebicnten fief) bcrjclbeu bean Unrcrridjtc in bar 9t$e* tori!. SDiefem gutcn Seifpiefe fo(gen oud) ttrtr. SBtcbcrljolcn ©ic mir bttyalb §uerft bk gabd Don bem (uftcrnen 3)Mu^- djen. 9^ad)bent ein ©filler bie gabcf er^dfyft f)at, faljrt ber fearer fort $u fpred)en: „%tyt rt)oflcn luir fortfafjren, bic 3al)(en ein^iutben. ®ie fjeutige Seftion luirb tt\va$ frfjiuercr fein afs bie fe^te." $n toetdjem ^afyrfjunberte feben mir? 2£e(d)e£ ^al)r nadj Efjrifti ©eburt fd)reiben U)ir jc^t? £)en nrieDieften Ijaben tr»tr Ijeute? $)en ttriemelten fatten toir geftern? $)er toieoielte Xeif einer ©tunbe finb breitjig SNhtutcn? £)er toieDiefte Xeif einer ©tunbe finb 15 SRumten? £)er toieDidte £eif eineS ^funbeS Sterling finb 10 ©jilting? £)er toiemefte Xeif eine3 £l)afer£ ift eine 3Rarf ? $err £mbert l)at brei £od)ter unb t»ter ©dfjne. 2Bie Diefe fiutber f)at er? SBemt ein ^funb ftaffee anbert^alb 3Jfarf foftet, UrieDief (often brei ^funb? «He oft gef)t 3 in 12? mt oft gefjt 6 in 18? SBie oft gel)t 7 in 21? S5ie oft geljt 9 in 72? SBie Did ift 6 mat 2? • mt Did ift 8 mat 3? Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 47 it. And, of all things in the world, I like the smell of bacon. I must just have a little sniff at it." It ran under the mouse trap and smelled the bacon. But the trap had been put up very lightly, and scarcely did it touch the bacon with its little nose, when, bang I went the mouse trap, and the covetous little mouse was crushed. IX. The teacher says : Fables have been, from the oldest time, a means of imparting instruction. The Greeks and Romans used them in the teaching of rhetoric* And, in this matter, we follow their good example. Therefore, repeat to me first the fable of the covetous little mouse. The fable, having been told by a pupil, the teacher continues : " Now we will go on, and have some more exercises in the use of the numerals. To-day's lessor* will be a little more difficult than the last one." In which century do we live ? What year after the birth of Christ do we write at present ? What day of the month is to-day ? What day of the month was yesterday ? W 7 hat part of an hour are thirty minutes ? What part of an hour are fifteen minutes ? What part of a pound sterling are ten shillings ? What part of a dollar is a mark ? Mr. Hubert has three daughters and four sons. How many children has he ? If a pound of coffee costs one and a half marks, how much do three pounds cost ? How many times does 3 go into 12? How many times does 6 go into 18 ? How many times does 7 go into 21? How many times does 9 go into 72 ? How much is 6 times 2 ? How much is 8 times 3 ? 48 £)eutfdf)e ©pretfjitbungen. 6 mat 4 tft — ? 2 mat 7 tft — ? 10 mat 8 tft — ? 2Bie oft gel)t 3 in 15? mt oft gcW 7 far 14? mt oft geljt 8 in 80? $)imbieren ©ie 60 mit 6, toa3 fommt IjcrauS? 2)imbiercn ©ie 15 mit 2, toaS fommt ijerauS? aMttyli^ieren ©ie 4 mit 3, toaS fommt IjcrauS? 2Mtij)lt3icren ©ie 7 mit 6, toa3 fommt tycrauS ? 2Bie t)ic( s D?arf madden eincn 2$Qfar? SBenn ein 93itfet gum ^on^ert eine 2J?arf 25 pfennig loftet, tote Diet f often 2 23i(fettc? 9?eun 336gc( ftfecn auf etnem 93aum. ©in $dgcr fommt itnb fcfjtcjst ^toei Remitter. 3Bte triele bleibcn fi^en? — Reiner ; Me anbern fieben fliegen toeg, ba$ tft ein alter £dgertoife. ©in 33itfet britter $(affe Don 93er(in nacf) Stipgig foftet 7 3Karf 20 pfennig, ^d) be£al)(e am ©dfjaltcr (an ber fiaffe, -an ber 93ittetau3gabe) ein 3toan3tg*2Rart@tu(f. 2Bie oie( muj} tdfj ljerauSfrtegen ? ©in 93ittet gtoeiter Maffe Don £>annooer nadfy ?tnben foftet 45 pfennig. $d) bejafyle am ©falter eine 2Rarf. 2Bie Diet mufj id) l)erau3friegen? ©in ©ngldnber gel)t gum ©e(btoeci)3(er unb toedfjfelt eine 5 ^funbnote. SBieoiel 3)iarf erfjalt er ? $)er Celjrer fpridfjt: gdj *)°ff e > ^ e f e fietnen #ted£)en* e^empel Ijaben ©ie nidfyt gu fefyr angeftrengt. 2tl3 alter tya* bagoge fjabe idfy folgenben ©runbfa^ burcfj bk ©rfaljrung be* ftdtigt gefunben: n $n ber ©dfjute toerben bie £inber getoofyntici) fur t»tet bummer gefyaften, al£ fie toirf lid) finb; toafjrotb ifjre £atente im elterfidjen £>aufe fefyr uberfdjd^t toerben. " 9Bo toerben bie £alente ber $inber getoofyn(idf) unterfcf)d£t? SBer f)att $inber getoofyntidj fitr bummer aU fie mxtiid) finb? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 49 6 times 4 are — ? Twice 7 is — ? 10 times 8 is — ? How many times does 3 go into 15 ? How many times does 7 go into 14? How many times does 8 go into 80 ? Divide sixty by six ; what is the result ? Divide 15 by 2; what is the result ? Multiply 4 by 3; what is the result ? Multiply 7 by 6 ; what is the result ? How many marks make a thaler ? If one ticket for a concert costs one mark 25 pfennig (is. 3d.), how much do two tickets cost? Nine birds sit upon a tree ; a sportsman kills two ; how many remain sitting upon the tree? — None, the other seven fly away. That is an old sportsman's joke. A third class ticket from Berlin to Leipzig costs 7 marks 20 pfennigs. I pay at the ticket-office a 20 mark- piece. How much change do I get ? A second class ticket from Hannover to Linden costs 45 pfennigs. I pay at the ticket-office 1 mark. What change do I get ? An Englishman goes to a money-changer and changes a five-pound note. How many marks does he get ? The teacher says : I hope it has not required too great an effort on your part to do these little sums. As an old teacher, I have found the following maxim confirmed by experience : "At school children are usually considered more stupid than they really are; whilst their talents are greatly over-rated at home (in the house of their parents)." Where are the talents of children usually under- rated ? Who generally takes children to be more stupid than they are ? Who usually over-rate the talents of £ 50 T)cutfd)c ©prcdjitbungcn. 2£er fifcetfdjfifet gcmofm(id) Me £a(cntc bet fttnbet ? fiber* fdjcu^e id) ^()re £rbcit$fraft: — gcbc id) gotten gu Did }tt tfyun ? ginbcn ©ic nid)t, baj$ ©ie gortfdjrittc fan ntuuMidjen ©cbraurf)c bet bcutfd)cn ©pradje madjenr Hub madjt $()ncn ba$ bine Jrcubc unb Vitft inciter ju arbcitcn? ff 5luf ben |)M)cn be§ ©cf)toar5toa(bc§ crnaljren fid) 13,000 9)?cnfd)cn, b. f). (ba$ fjcitft) 20% (siuan^ig ^rojent) bet (Sin* luofyncr burd) bic Berfertigmtg fjdigetnet Ufyrcn." 933orau3 toerben bic ©d)manma(bcr lUjrcu gcmad)t? S3?crbcn bic fpdljernen Ubrcn meiftettf in ben STjalcrn bcS ©djuw^ralbe* ucrfcrtigt? ©ie uiclc 3)?cnfcf)cn crnciljrcn fid) int ©rfmw^imlbc burd) bic Setfettigtmg IjWjmtet lltyrcn? ©ie uicl ^rojettf bcr 93cuolfcrung ntadjt ba$? ®er ?cf)rcr fprtdjt: 92adj cincr fo fdjnricrigcn Seftton toitf id) Qbncn cine nm fo (cid)tcre ©cfrfjidjte er^afylcn. 3 um kid)tcrcn &erftftttbni£ bcrfclben bemerfe id) mm 93or6uS, ba$ ba$ 2£ort „©d)UHumn", toc(d)c3 ttrfr frftfjet in bcr 23cbcutung Don sponge fatten, f)tcr mushroom bebcutct. £)ie SOtuttcr fd)idtc cinft bic Heine StaSfoxmt in ben 2Mb, ©d)tt>ammc obcr ^i($c jn l)o(cn, bte ber $ater fcljr gem aft. „9Ruttcr", ricf ba$ 2ftabd)cn, ate fie jurueffam, „bie£ma( l)ab' id) recf)t }d)onc ©djttmmme (^t^c) gefunben. £)a fief) nur, fagte fie unb offnete ba$ ®orbd)en; fie finb atfe fo fdjon rot unb toie ntit $erlen befe^t. (£3 gab tool)! nod) Don jenen grauen, Don benen bu neulid) bracfjtcft; fie toaren tnir aber $u fd)(cdjt unb id) tteg fie ftcljcn." „£) bn einfci(tige3, tfjorirfjteS $inb,"rief Me erfd)rodene 9Jhrtter, „Mefe fdjonen ©djroamme finb giftig, unb toet baDon ifjt, ber muft ftcrben. $ene grauen, Me bn nidjt modjteft, finb bd atfem fd)(ed)ten 2(nfel)cn ben- nod) bic beftcn. Unb fo, KebeS ftinb, ift e£ nod) not Dielcn £>tngen in ber 2Mt. ©3 giebt £ugenben, bte tocnig $luf- fefjen ntadjen, unb glan^enbe $el)(er, bic ber Zl)ov bemunbert. £ie ©itnbe fetbft fudjt burd) ongcncljmen ©djein $u Dcr* fubrcn." Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 51 children ? Do I over-rate your capacity for work?— do I give you toe much to do ? Do you not find that you make progress in the oral use of the German language ? And does that not give you pleasure and a desire to go on working ? "On the heights of the Black Forest, 13,000 men, that is 20 per cent, of the population, earn their living by making wooden clocks." What are the Black Forest clocks made of? Are wooden clocks manufactured chiefly in the valleys of the Black Forest ? How many people in the Black Forest earn their living by making wooden clocks ? How^ many per cent of the population is that ? /2d^' ' ' The teacher says : After such a difficult lesson, I will tell you a story which will appear all the easier. In order that you may the more easily understand it, I observe before- hand that the word @a)tt>amm, which we have had before with the signification "sponge," here means a "mushroom. " Little Kate was sent one day by her mother into the wood, in order to fetch some mushrooms which her father was very fond of. "Mother," exclaimed the girl when she returned, "this time I have found most beautiful mushrooms. Look here," she said, opening her little basket, "they are all so beautifully red and as it were studded with pearls. There were, indeed, still some of those grey ones, of which you lately brought some; but they did not seem to me good enough, and I left them." "Oh, you silly, foolish child," exclaimed her frightened mother, "these beautiful mushrooms are poisonous, and he who eats of them must die. Those grey ones which you did not like are, in spite of their unpromising appearance, the best. And thus it is, my dear child, with many other things in this world. There are virtues which attract little attention, and dazzling faults which fools admire. Sin itself endeavours (tries) to seduce us by (putting on) a pleasing appearance." 52 £)cutfd)c ©predjitbungen. X. $)er ?ef)rer fprtd)t: gcfct crjd^Icn ©ic mir Me ©e* fd)td)te t)on ber ftcinen $atf)arine unb ben giftigen ^i^en. £)cr Scorer fafyrt fort: 2(n mclen Drten £)eutfd)fanb3, befonberS in Dftcrreid), l)at man in 3Birt^f)dufern befonbere QatyttUmv, lucltfje bit Sqaljlung ber SRcdjnungen in @m* pfang ncljmcn, njiifyrcnb bic anbcrn £ellncr mit ber 2luf* martung gn tljun Ijabcn. 2Bcnn man bic Ofrdjnung bejaljfcn ttntf, fo ruft man gctt)51)nlid) nnr: „£cllner, aatylcn!" ober: „@ie ba, jaljlcn!" £)icr ift eine Heine |)otctrcd)mmg, bic ttrir ^urn ©cgcn- ftanbe unfrer Unterfyaltung madden rootfcn. £atberftabt, ben 11. (September 1887. ^burner Sir. 6. £) o t e ( 3 u m © d) marten 33 a r e n Don griebrid) ©cfyraber. $fted)tmng fitr £>errn ^oljannc^ @d)it^c. 2)er §au3fnecfyt unb ber $ortier finb nict?t mit In bem Service beredmet. ©Cpt. 10. 2 ?id)ter Omnibus 2Rarf. 1 75 1 Dmetette 75 1 Seeffteaf i 9flofcl 8ogi3 ©ermce 1 1 2 ... 1 50 25 50 1 $affee 1 $)iner 1 3 50 i SKofcI 8ogi3 unb ©ermce ... 1 3 25 50 ©ept. 11. 18 — pr. acquit %. ©djraber. 9Jeffama3ionen finb bircft an ben ©gefttumcr 311 xidjicn. Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 53 X. The teacher says : Now tell me the story of little Kate and the poisonous mushrooms. The teacher continues : In many places of Germany, especially in Austria, there are in hotels special waiters, called ^yiltViXitXf who receive payment of the bills, whilst the other waiters have only to do with the attendance. When any one wishes to pay the bill, he generally calls out simply : " Waiter, pay ! ,? or " You there, pay ! " Here is a little hotel bill, which we will make the subject of our conversation. Halberstadt, Sept. n, 1887. Room No. 6. Black Bear Inn, Proprietor : Friedrich Schrader. Bill for Mr. Johannes Schulze. Boots and Porter are not included in the charge for service. Mark. Pfg. Sept. 10. 2 Candles ... Omnibus ... 1 Omelette ... 1 Beefsteak ... Half-a-bottle of Mosel Room Attendance Sept. 11. 1 Coffee 1 Dinner Half-a-bottle of Moselle Room and Attendance Paid F. Schrader. Complaints are to be addressed direct to the proprietor. I — 75 75 I 50 I 25 2 ... I 50 I 5o 3 — 1 25 3 18 50 54 IDeutfdje ©pred)ubungen. SBie ruft man ben $cttner, menu man tie SRedjnung be* jafjten milt ? 2$eltf)e £)ienfte merben in ben £ote(red)nungen nidjt in bem ©eroice mitbered)net ? 3Bie Did, benfen ©ie, miirbe fur ben ^ortier unb ben fom&ffifrift genug fein ? $)a3 i'idjt tr»irb oft auf beutfdjen Sftedjnungen bougie ge* nannt. 2Biet)ie( ift fjier fitr ba$ Vidjt berecijnet ? £)a3 fd)eint uiel. £)od) fefjcn ©ie nadj, ob e£ am jtoeiten ffagc micbcr berecfjnet mirb ? S)a bie Vtdjter nid)t atle Xagc nut einer 2ttarf angcfrfjric* ben merben, fo faun man fid) nidjt bcflagen. $)od), mie Diet foftet bcr Omnibus oon ber ©ta$ion nad) bem |)otel ? S)a3 ift ganj genug, unb marc bte |)dlfte fdjon genug gemefen. 2Iber, mie Diet foftet bie fyalbe fjlafdjc 2Wofe(mein ? Serai c3 ein guteS ©ctran! mar, fo mar ba§ bittig genug. SBic Did miirbe bemnad) eine gan§e gtafdje foften ? £)er Sein in ben ganjen $faftf) c n ift immcr beffer ate ber in ben Ijalbcn. $d) fage bie3 nicfyt, urn ©ie $u ber* fiifyren. — 9?un fagen ©ie mir, mie Diet foftete ber Uftorgen* fiaff ee ? SBte Did ift fur ba§ 9ttittag3effen beredjnet ? SDtit mie Dtel ift ba$ dimmer angefdjrieben ? $In men foflten SReftama^ionen geridjtet merben ? 2lu3genommen menn ein mtrfltdjer $rrtum Dorliegt, miirbe id) $fynen nidjt raten, irgenb mddje StcKama^ion 5U ma* djen. $)ie 2Birte fyaben ifyre feften ^reife fur jeben foften, unb ma3 ©ie §u beaten fyaben, bc%afyt jeber anbere ©aft. 2Ba3 ift bie ©umme biefer SRedjnung ? 2Benn nun |>err $ofyanne£ ©dju^e ein ^Dan^ig 2Karf* ftiid in 3 a ^ un 9 &% toiwid friegt er fjerauS ? £)amit faun er §au^fned)t unb ^ortier be^aljlen. ®er Sefjrer fpridjt : £)ie erfte 93rMe, mefdje iiber ben SRfyein gebaut murbe, mar bie fyotgerne 23ritde be3 $uliu£ ©afar. S)a bk madjtige ©tromung afle fyo^ernen Sruden megrifs, fo behalf man fid) mit ©dn'ffbruden. 2Kit 2Bagen Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 55 How do you call the waiter when you want to pay the bill? What services are not included in the hotel-bills in the charge for attendance ? How much, do you think, would be sufficient for the Porter and Boots ? Lights are frequently called in German bills " Bougie." How much is here charged for lights ? That seems a good deal. Just see whether they have charged it again on the second day ? As the candles are not charged a mark every separate day, there is no room for complaint. But tell me, how much is charged for the omnibus from the station to the hotel ? That is quite enough, and half of it would have been quite enough. But, tell me, what is the charge for half- a-bottle of Moselle ? If it was a sound wine, it is cheap enough. What would, according to this, be the price of a whole bottle ? The wine in pint-bottles is always better than that in half-pints. I do not say that to tempt you. — Now, tell me, what was the charge for coffee in the morning ? How much has been charged for dinner ? How much has been charged for the room ? To whom should complaints be addressed ? Except when there is a palpable error, I should not advise you to make any complaints whatever. Inn-keepers have fixed prices for every item, and what you have to pay, every other stranger pays. What is the sum total of this bill ? Now, if Mr. John Schulze tenders in payment a twenty- mark piece, how much change does he get? That will do to pay Boots and the Porter. The teacher says: The first bridge which was built over the Rhine was the wooden bridge of Julius Caesar. As the powerful current carried away all wooden bridges, people had to manage with bridges of boats as a substitute. 5G ©cutfdjjc ©prcdjiibungen. unb *?Pferbcn obcr §u $uft gc^t man nod) Ijeut^utage iiber ben Sftfjcin auf ben ©d)iffbritcfen j$u $btn, Soblens nnt> ©trafjburg ($eljf). ©cit (Srfiubung bcr gtfenbaljncn Ijat man ju S)uffe(borf, fififa, $obfat$, SRainj unb ©tragburc* eifcrne 93rikfcn fiber ben SRfjcm gcbaut. S?er baute btc crfte Sriicfc fiber ben SRfjctn ? 2(u3 trcl- rfjem Material mar bicjc SBrfide gcbaut ? 2£oburd) murbc btefc Ijoljcntc Sritcfe yrftdr t ? 2£o beftnben fid) ©cijiff* briicfen itber ben 9if)rin ? £)aben ©tc jc eine ©d)iffbri'tcfe gefefyen ? ©ott id) $f)ncn cine ©d)iffbritcfc befdjreiben ? 9lu§ mctdjem Material finb btc Sifenbafynbritcfcn gcbaut ? 93ci mctd)cn ©tdbtcn beftnben fid) bicfe eifcrnen 93ritdcn ? Hermann fd)rcibt fcincm 23ruber, ba# er morgen in 95crlin anfommen mirb." 2Bcr fd)rcibt fcincm 23rubcr? 5ln men fdjreibt |>er* maun ? 28a3 fdjrcibt Hermann fcincm 23rubcr ? 2Bo mitt Hermann morgen anfommen? Skmn mill Hermann fas Berlin anfommen ? ^e^t mitt id) ^^ncn cine Heine ©cfd)id)tc au3 ber bcutfd)en 93pr$ett cr^afylen. ©3 mar mitten fan Winter be£ $afyrc3 1140, a(3 $aifer $onrab III. im Srtege mit £)er£og 2Belf Don Saiern (93at)ern) bie ©tabt unb S3urg fficin^berg belagerte, meit fie e§ mit 2Betf gefjaften fyatte. (SnMid) murben bic 93e^ iagerten gc^mungen, fid) 5U ergeben. ©er $aifer aber tier* fprad) bci bcr llbcrgabe, baft Me $rauen freien 2Ib§ug fjaben fotttcn, unb ba|3 jebe Don ifinen au3 ber ©tobt mitnefjmcit biirfte, fo met fie tragen fonnte. Site nun btc £l)ore ber ©tabt geoffnet murben, ba famen btc graucn ljerau«3, }ebe i()ren SJiann (Sfjemann) auf bem SRitdcn tragenb. ®aruber mar man benn in be<3 $aifer3 ©efotge ungef)a(ten unb rief, ba^ fei 33etrug unb nidjt bk SWetnung bc3 $ertrag§. $on* rab aber freute fidj bicfer fteincn Sift unb fprad) : „$d) ljab'3 ifynen uerfprodjen ; be£ $5nig3 SBort barf nidjt gebrodjen Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 57 Even at • the present day, you pass across the Rhine with carriage and horses, or on foot on the bridges of boats at Cologne, Coblence, and Strassburg. Since the invention of railways, iron bridges have been built across the Rhine at Diisseldorf, Cologne, Coblence, Mayence, and Strassburg. Who built the first bridge across the Rhine ? Of what material was this bridge built ? By what means was this wooden bridge destroyed? Where are there bridges of boats across the Rhine ? Have you ever seen a bridge of boats? Shall I describe to you a bridge of boats? Of what material are the railway bridges built ? Near what towns are these iron bridges ? " Hermann writes to his brother that he will arrive to- morrow in Berlin." Who writes to his brother ? To whom does Hermann write ? What does Hermann write to his brother ? At what place is Hermann going to arrive to-morrow ? When is Hermann going to arrive at Berlin ? Now I will tell you a little story of the old days gone by of Germany. It was in the midst of winter in the year 1140 that the emperor Conrad III., in his war with duke Guelph of Bavaria, besieged the town and castle of Weinsberg, because they had espoused the cause of Guelph. At last the besieged were compelled to surrender. But the emperor promised, in the terms (at the time) of the capitulation, that the women should be allowed to depart without let or hindrance, and that each one might take with her out of the town as much as she could carry. Now, when the gates of the town were opened, the women came out, each one carrying her husband on her back. At this the people in the emperor's suite were indignant, and exclaimed that it was fraud, and not within the meaning of the treaty. But Conrad was pleased with 58 Deutfcfje ©prcdjitbungen. toerben." Sllfo famcn Mc $rauen mit ifyren 9ftannern bq* Don ; bie ©tabt abcr nmrbe bem $rieg3&olf $ur s $li'mberung itbergebcn. 3 um Sfabcnfcn an btcfe fyclbcnmittige Xfyat ber grauen fyeigt nod) bte gum fjcutigen £age bie Surg $u 2Bein3bcrg bie SBeibertreu, XL 9Btt ffiieberfyolung ber ©efd)id)te t)on ber ^etbertreu ju 2£ein3bcrg macfyen toir Ijeutc ben 2lnfang. 9Ufo, .^err — (^raulein — ) toollen ©ie un3 biefelbe geffilligft ergafylen. £)amt fdfjrt ber 8el)rer fort : $om ©prcd)cn l)at bie ©pradje ifyren Seamen. l&cutc toollen ttrir cin toenig Don ©pracfyen fprcdjen. $or alien Dingcn bcantmorten ©ie mir folgcnbe 5 ra 9 en : ©pred)en atle 9J?enjd)cn biefelbe ©pradje ? SBetdje ©pradje fprid)t man in ©nglanb, in granfreid), in 9lu61anb ? 2Bie fjcifet bk ©pradje ber £)eutfd)en, ber ©panier, ber Gfyineicn, ber 'portugiejen ? Die $taliener fprcdjen — ? Die Dancn fprcdjen — ? Die Dcutfdjcn fprcdjen — ? unb ©nglanbcr fpredjen — ? 2£etd)e ©pradjc nennt man bie -BZutterfpradje eine£ 3Ken)d)cn? SBetdje ©prad)e ift Qftre 9flutter|prad)e ? SMdje ©pradjen nennt man frcmbe ©pradjen ? Semen ©ie nod) anbre frembe ©pradjen auger Deutfdj ? 2)ian teilt bit ©prad)en aud) in lebenbe unb tote. 2Ba3 ift eine lebenbe ©pradje? — 2Ba3 ift eine tote ©pradje ? $u toeldjen ©prad)en tocrben ©an£frit, £ebraifdfj, ©riedjifdj unb Sateinijdj geredjnet ? 2Bo unb tme Ijaben ©ie (£nglifd) gelernt ? (Sdt toann lernen ©ie Deutfd) ? SBie triele beutfdje ©tunben nefjmen ©ie toodjentlid) ? Sftefjmen ©ie Qfyre beutfd)en ©tunben DormittagS ober nadjmittagS ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 59 this little stratagem, and said: "I have promised them; the king's word must not be broken." Thus the women escaped with their husbands, but the town was delivered up to the soldiers for plunder. In memory of this heroic deed of the women, the castle of Weinsberg is called to this present day the " Weibertreu" (" Women's fidelity"). XI. To-day we begin by repeating the story of the Weibertreu at Weinsberg. Therefore, Mr. — (Miss — ) will you kindly tell it. Then the teacher continues : Speech derives its name from speaking. To-day we will speak a little of languages. First of all answer the following questions : Do all men speak the same language ? What language is spoken in England, in France, in Russia? What do you call the language of the Germans, the Spaniards, the Chinese, and the Portuguese ? The Italians speak — ? The Danes speak — ? The Germans speak — ? and the English speak — ? Which language do we call the mother-tongue of a person ? Which language is your mother-tongue ? What languages do we call foreign languages ? Do you learn any other foreign languages besides German ? Languages are also divided into living languages and dead languages. What is a living language? What is a dead language ? With what languages do you class Sanskrit, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin? Where and how have you learned English ? How long have you been learning German ? How many German lessons do you take a week ? Do you take your German lessons in the morning or in the afternoon ? CO Scutfdjc ©precpbnngen. Wit tocftfjem Stomal bttfxtytd man gctoofjntid) Me Stun* ben, in benen ©prcd)itbungcn oorgenommen toerben ? SJie bide &om>erfa§ton$ftunhen nefjmen ©ie modjcntlid) ? tfa mc(d)cn ©orfjentagen ncljmcn ©ie ^[)rc bcutfdjcn ^onoerfajion^ftnnben ? 35>c(fcn ©rannnati! gebrantfjen ©ie? SBcffcn 2335rtcr= bud) gebraudjen ©tc ? 2£o mn]] man cin JBort auffudjen, loam man Ml 33c* bentung bcffclbcn nid)t koetg ? ^n mctdjer Orbuuug finb bic Sorter fan ©drterbud) auf* gcfiiljrt ? llntcr lucldjcm (XitfangS*) 93urfiftabcn misfj man nad)* fd)(agcn, tortus man im ©flrterbudjc ba$ BJort „©pred)* ftunbe" fud)t ? {Bad ift bte ©prcdjftuube cines Slates? efated 5(buo^ faten ? 2Ba3 fjcijU auf bcutfd) a consultation hour ? SBte nennt man alfo auf bcutfrf) bic $cit, su ber ein 2lrjt ober Ibuofat £U fprcdicn ift ? ®icbt e^ aud) 3Rttt$at> bie nid)t fprcdjen fonnen? S53tc nennt man bicjclbcn? 3£a3 fonncn bie £auben ntdjt ? 5Ba^ fonncn bie ©turn* men nid)t ? 2BaS fonnen bie Xaubftummen nidjt ? 933a3 ift bie ©cberben- obcr 3cid)enfprad)e ? 2£a3 ift bie @d)rift ober ©djriftfpradje ? $Iuf tr»elcf)c 2Beife fonncn nrir bafycr unfere ©ebanfen einanber mittciten, ofjnc cin tautcg 333ort gu fpredjen ? 2Boran erlennt man gcmofynlid) ben gremben, toenn er cine frembe ©prad)e fprid)t ? ©eben ©ie fid) bafycr afte Sffiitlje cine forreftc unb beuttidje 2(u3fprad)e $u erlangen. 91ennen ©ie mir bie beutfdjen £aute, meldje ej§ $fynen fdjmer toirb, au3urd) ffctjsige Ubung roerben ©ie balb atte ©cfjroierigfeiten iiber* ininben. Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 61 By what name are the lessons usually called in which the object is to have practical exercises in speaking? How many conversation lessons do you take a week ? On which days of the week do you take your German conversation lessons ? Whose grammar do you use ? Whose dictionary do you use ? Where must you look for a word when you do not know the meaning of it ? In what order are the words arranged in a dictionary ? What initial letter must you turn up when you look for the word ©pred;ftunbe in the dictionary ? What is meant by the ©precfyfhmbe of a physician ? of a barrister ? What is the German for a consultation hour ? What do you call, in German, the time at which a physician, or barrister, may be seen (consulted) ? Are there people who are unable to speak ? What do you call them ? W T hat can the deaf not do ? What can the dumb not do ? What can the deaf and dumb not do ? What is the language of gestures or signs ? What is writing, or written language ? In what manner can we communicate our thoughts to each other without uttering a word aloud ? By what do we generally recognise a stranger when he speaks in a foreign tongue ? For this reason take great care to obtain a correct and distinct pronunciation. Tell me which are the German sounds that you find difficult to utter. With constant practice you will soon overcome all difficulties. 62 ©eutftfje ©precfyiibnngcn. $cite( an ifyn, nnb 2lbolf I)atte babcr aftcS, load er fid) nnr nntnfdjcn fonnte : gute $(cibcr, atfe Xage gnt ju effen nnb mantfjcS 23crgnitgen. W)cv eben barnm, mctt c$ ifym 511 gnt ging, tourbc cr imgcnugfam nnb un;ufrtcbcn." gBa* fur Ventc toaren bie (Sltcnt StootfS ? fatten 8botf$ Cltcrn mcfc.ftinbcr? 2Ba3 tljatcu fie fitr iljrcn einigen ©ofyn? gcl)(te c3 Sttbotf an gntcn ftfetbern? £atte er genng jn effen ? 2£ar 8boCf mit foment ©d)itffa( 3ufricbcn ? 2£a3 madjte ifjn ungeni'tgfant nnb unjufricben ? „2£cnn tr>tr mit ber Gifcttbaljn burdj einen 3Bafb fafyrcn, fo fdjchtt e8 rat$, rite ob ttrir ftillc fftjjen, nnb bie 33aume atfe cincr nad) bem anbern lief en." Xnf tucMjc 333ctfc fonnen nnr mid fdjnefl Don eincm Orte jum anbern Ijtnbcgcbcn ? SBarat frfjeint c3 nn3, ba§ nrir tro(5 ber (5d)ncftigfcit ber Scmcgung, ftitfe fajjert ? 2Ba£ fdjeint fid) im ©egentctf fdjnctf 3U betuegen ? 9^a(^ bem ttm§ idj $l) ncn jefct cr ( v-ib(cn toerbe, fonnen Sie fid) einen Segriff Don bem einfamen Vcbcn ber *pirten anf bm [)ol)en SUpen madjcn. $n einigen ©egenben oon ^iemont nnb (Satiotyen, in benen bie 33ett>ol)ner anf ben ijofjen 2Upen gerftreut ate §irten toofynen, f)crrfd)t eine fd^one, frormnc @ttte,toeMje ben Sirica einigen Srfafc fitr ba§ gcfellige 8eben in Ujrer ©infamfett oer* fd)afft. SBenn bie ©onn; ba3 £l)al Dcrlaffen §at nnb ifjre le^tcn @traf)len nod) fdjroarf) bie fd)nccigen ©ipfel ber Serge toergotben, nimmt ber £)irt, beffen ^ittte anf bem fyodjften ^nnfte fiegt, fein 2Ilpenl)orn nnb raft, tote bnrd) ein ©prad)* roijr: „8obct ben 4?errn!" 2ltfe benadjbartcn .pirten, an ber Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 63 Now we shall have again a little exercise in grammatical analysis. For this the following sentences will serve us : "Adolphus had wealthy and very kind parents. As they had but one son, they spent a great deal on him, and Adolphus had, therefore, everything he could wish for : good clothing, plenty to eat every day, and many a pleasure. But, for this very reason that he was too well off, he became unreasonable and discontented." What sort of people were the parents of Adolphus ? Had Adolphus' parents many children ? What did they do for their only son ? Was Adolphus in want of good clothing ? Had he enough to eat ? Was Adolphus satis- fied with his lot ? What made him unreasonable and discontented ? "When we go by train through a wood, it seems to us as if we sat still, and the trees were all running after each other." In what manner can we transfer ourselves (go) quickly from one place to another ? When does it seem to us, in spite of the rapidity of motion, that we sit still ? W T hat, on the contrary, seems to move rapidly ? From what I am going to tell you now, you may form some idea of the lonely life of the shepherds on the high Alps. In some parts of Piedmont and Savoy, in which the inhabitants live scattered upon the high Alps as shep- herds, there prevails a beautiful religious custom which affords to the shepherds some compensation for the want of social life in their solitude. When the sun has left the valley, and its last beams gild but feebly the snowy mountain tops, then the shepherd, whose hut is situ- ated on the highest point, takes his horn and calls, as through a speaking trumpet, " Praise the Lord ! " All the neighbouring shepherds, standing at the door of their 64 ©eutfdje ©preefjiibungen. Sljftr U)rcr fefttten ftc^enb, uricbcrljotcn bcr $cil)e nad) ben JJfctf, f curie fie ifyn ncntcbmcn; unb fo crtont cine 3?tertc(= ftunbe fang oon gcl$ ^u 3ftfe, uon fftcfc 3U SRefe, fid) immer in tneitcrcr fycrnc ucrlicrcnb, ba$ (Scf)o: „?obet ben fterrn!' 4 (Sine fcicrlid)c ©tide folgt ben let* ten Xoucn bc§ £)orttS, unb bann fallen alfe £rirtcn nut entbloftfcm fianpt ottf t>k Jhtiee niebcr. Hub toatn enblid) g'iiiftcrni^ bie Serge umljiillt, fo erfdjattt ba£ £)orn Don ncuem mit einem traultcf)cn „©utc 9?arf)t!" unb in fjricben jieljen fie!) nun bie $)irten in i()rc ciufainen &>ol)nungcn guriid^ um au^uruljcn Don ben Wiiljtn bc3 Stage*. XII. ®er Secret fprtd)t: 99?ad)cn ©ie alle Me Sitter ju unb l)5ren Sic Qijrcm Sftitfdjuler — (Sf) rcr 2ftttftf)ulerin grautein — ) 311, ber (bie) un3 eine 93efd)reibung ber 2(benb* anbad)t bcr fdjtocijer |)irtcn gcben ttrirb. ^ricrauf fal)rt ber Sefjrer fort mit f olgenben gragen : ^aben ©ie mitunter ©elcgenfycit, beutfd) $u fpredjen ? beutfd)e ^rcbigtcn ober SRebcn an5itf)6ren ? 3u toeldjem Qmdt lerncn ©ie beutfd) ? Scretten ©ie fid) auf ein E^amen Dor ? SBollen ©ie in £)eutfd)lanb reifen ? 2Birb e3 $l)ncn tcid)ter, beutfd §u lefen unb gu fd)reiben, ate $u toerftefyen unb $u fpredjen ? ©predje id) $l)nen $u fdntcll? ©oil id) langfamer fpredjen ? ©ie muffen fid) nid)t fitrd^ten, gebfer ^u madjen. 5Bie nennt man einen geljler, ^ en man un ©predjen madjt ? 2Bie nennt man einen geljler, ben man im ©d)reiben mad)t? 2£ie nenrt man einen gcfyler gegen bie Drtfyograpfjte ? gcgen bie ©rammati! ? 2£a3 tft ein ©pradjf eljlcr ? ein ©djreibf d)ler ? ein ortl)o* grapfjtfd)cr £yef)fer ober ©dnukcr? ein grammatilalifdjer getter ober ©djnifcer ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 65 huts, repeat in turns the call, as soon as they hear it ? and thus, for a quarter of an hour, from rock to rock, from height to height, gradually dying away in the distance, the echo repeats : " Praise the Lord ! " A solemn stillness follows the last sounds of the horn, and then all the shepherds, their heads bare, fall on their knees, and when at last darkness envelops the mountains, the horn resounds once more with a kindly "Good night! " and peacefully the shepherds withdraw to their lonely dwellings in order to rest from the labours of the day. XII. 4 The teacher says : Shut your books, all of you, and listen to your fellow scholar — , who will give you a descrip- tion of the evening devotion of the Swiss shepherds. After this the teacher goes on to put the following questions : . Have you sometimes an opportunity of speaking German ? of hearing German sermons or speeches ? With what object do you learn German ? Are you preparing for an examination ? Do you wish to travel in Germany ? Do you find it easier to read and write German than to understand and to speak it ? Do I speak too fast for you ? Shall I speak more slowly ? You must not be afraid of making mistakes. What do you call a mistake that is made in speaking ? What do you call a mistake that is made in writing? What do you call a mistake that is made in ortho- graphy ? in grammar ? What is a mistake in speaking ? a mistake in writing ? an orthographical mistake or blunder? a grammatical mistake or blunder ? 66 Deutjdje Gpredjitbungen. 2£obttrd) fann ein ber ©pradje Unfunbigcr fid) im 2lu3* lanbc ncrftauMid) ntadjcn ? ©ic babcn bie 2(ncfbotc con bent Gnglcinbcr ge^drt, bcr gu ^ari3 in ciu Mcftaurant ging, toie cin $afjn frafjtc unb babci bic 9lrmc tote gti'tget betoegte, unb bann ben ginger bt ben s JJhmb ftccftc ? 2£a3 tootfte er tr>of)t bamit fagen ? 9tid)ttg. SfttH erj&fjfen ©ic inir bie ©cfd)id)tc nod) ctnmat. 2Ba3 tijat bcr Sttglftttbcr, urn 311 fagen, bap cr cin gcbratcnc$ §nl)itd)cu baben toottte ? ©djrctbcu bit reutfdjen mtt bcnjclbcn 33ud)ftabcn tote bic ©nglanbcr ? ©inb bcutfrtjc S3itd)cr mit bcnjclbcn Ccttcrn gcbrudt tote bie cnglifd)cn ? ©djrcibm ©ic aud) bcutfd)c (Srcr^ittcn? 3Bic totcfc bic 5E>ori)c ? .storrigicrt fie g$t Vdjrcr nad) bcr nenen obcr nad) ber altcn Drtljograpljic ? SWcnncn ©ie mir cinigc bcr "pauptuntcrfdjiebe jtoifdjen bcr altcn unb nenen Crtfjograpbtc. £)ic ncucCrtljograpljte totrb aud) bie offtjicttc genannt, toetl fie in famtlid)cu Mcgicrung3'33urcau3, in amtlidicn 23e* fanntmadjungcu unb 2Btttetlunaen gebraud)t totrb. ©ie totrb aud) oft bic ©d)ul Crtbograpbic genannt, tocit fie in ffimfc Ud)cn ©d)it(cu obtigatorijd) ift.— %ct$t errtcircn ©tc mir, toarum bie neue Crtljograpljic aud) bie offtjtefle genannt toirb ? SBeSljafl) toirb fie oft bic ©d)ul*Drtl)ograpf)ic genannt ? ©tubicrcn ©ic agfar bem £>eutfd)en nod) eine frcntbe ©prad)e? g-inben ©ie bicjclbc jd)tocrer obcr leidjter al£ £)eutfd) ? 2Bie tocit jinb ©ie in ber ©rammatif gelomnten ? 2£eld)e3 tfejebud) gebraud)cn ©tc ? £)aben ©ie and) ©ebid)te gefefen ? unb toeldje ? ©pred)cn ©ie lieber fran^oftjd) ober bcutjd) ? SBeldje ©pradje fpredjen ©ie am liebften ? £>er Scorer f prtdjt: golgcnbeS gaftum totrb Qfljnen bie ncrfd)iebcne 2lnfd)auung3toctje oerfdjtcbener Golfer ber* anjd)au(tdjcn. Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 67 How can a man who does not know the language, make himself understood in foreign parts ? You have heard the anecdote of the Englishman who went into a restaurant in Paris, crowed like a cock, and at the same time moved his arms like wings, and then put his fingers into his mouth. What do you think he wanted to express by that ? Just so. Now tell me that story again. What did the Englishman do in order to express that he wanted a roast fowl ? Do the Germans use the same letters in writing as the English ? Are German books printed in the same characters as English ones? Do you write German exercises (in addition to your other lessons) ? How many a week ? Does your teacher correct them in accordance with the old or new orthography? Mention some of the principal differences between the old and new orthography. The new orthography is also called the official, because it is used in all government offices, in official proclama- tions and communications. It is also called the ortho- graphy of the schools, because it is obligatory in all the schools. Now explain to me why the new orthography is called the official. Why is it often called the school orthography ? Do you study any other foreign tongue besides German? Do you find this language more difficult or easier than German ? How far have you got in grammar? Whose reader do you use ? Have you also read poems, and which ? Do you prefer speaking French or German ? Which language do you like most to speak ? The teacher says: The following fact will give you an insight into the various ways of looking at things among various nations. 68 £)cutfd)e ©predjubuttgctt. „£>er Corner fennt ben Huftnuf 95?utterfpi*ad)e ntd)t. (Sr fprid)t t)on sermo patrius, obfrf)ou ba§ &inb feme ©pradje in ben erftcn ftafyrcu bauptfadjlirf) torn bcr Stutter unb bcr ?(mme ober SBartcriu icrnt." tont ber 9'iomcr bcu ausbrmf SDfuttcrfprartjc ? 9)1 it h)c(d)cm 2lu3brudc lu^cidjnetc bcr :)ibiucr bie ©pradje bc3 geborcnen 8Wmer$? {fon incut (ernt ba3 Smb. feme ©pradje in ben erftcn $al)rcu? StatytfQ) Ijat bcr ©ater cincn gcrin* gent Glutei! ait bcr (Sr^icfjung bed StnbeS in bcu erftcn $af)rcn? 8Ba£ fiir ciu Vidjt toirft bcr SfaSbrucf sermo patrius anf bic folate nub polittfrfjc ©tcttimg bcS Skibc3 ? „$)ic tiefftc ©timmfagc bcr Maimer bqcidjitcn imr be* fannttid) mit 33a&, cine bbfycre ntit Sartyton, bic [jodjfte mtt £enor. £)ic tiefcrcn ©ttmmcn bc3 2Bcibc3, bc$tcl)ung3n)cife bc£ Snabcn, bc^eidjucu luir ntit %it, bic ijbljcrcn ntit ©o* pran obcr £)tefant." Wit h)c(tf)cn tauten bcuennen totr bic brci ©tintntftttfen bcr 9Jtdnncr ? Wit lucldjcn tauten benennen toir bic jtoei ©timudagen ber Tyvattcu unbSnabcn? 2£a3 ift cin ©o* pran? ait? SJafe ? ©afljtoit? 2enor? ®te folgcubc Heine ©cfdjirbte cntfjdtt cin SBortfpiet, feet d)c3 fid) fcfyr gut anf cng(ifd) abcr nidjt attf fran^oftfd) ttnebcrgeben fftft (Sin £>crr, lucldjcr oft Don etnem tangtociligen 33cfud)cr betaftigi luorben tear, gab feinent S)iener ben 23cfcl)(, biefen 9J2cnfd)cn nid)t toieber bor^utaffen, fonbern tljn fjoflid^ ah* •^unxifen. 23alb lain and) bcr lumntffommene ©aft unb fragte ben ®icncr, ob fcin §err ju £>aufe fci. ^em," ant* lDortete bcr $)iener, „er ift au^gegangen." „Qn biefcm gotte/ 1 bcntcrlte ber 23efud)er, „ntod)te id) ^t)re $errto fefyen; id) fyabe if)r etaxtf §n fagen." „©ie ift and) tit&> gcgangen," anttoortete ber Wiener. „©ut, id) merbe attf fie toarten; aber ba e3 latt ift, toerbe id) neben bent geuer tin @a(on ^plafe neljmen." „£)a£ ift aud) attSgegangcn," fagte mit ber grbjHen 9?ul)e ber £)icner. Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 69 "The Roman does not know the expression "mother- tongue," he speaks of a sermo patriuSj although the child learns its language, during its early years, chiefly from its mother, and the nurse or female attendant. " Does the Roman know the expression "mother- tongue?" By what name does the Roman call the native language of the Romans ? Of whom does the child learn to talk during its infancy (early years)? Why does the father take a lesser part in the education of the child during its early years? What light does the expression sermo patrius throw upon the social and political condition of women ? " The lowest register of the male voice we call, as is well known, bass, the higher one we call baritone, and the highest, tenor. The lower portions of the compass of the female voice, and of boys, respectively, we call alto, and the higher ones, soprano, or treble." By what names do we call the three registers of male voices ? By what names do we call the two registers of female, or boys' voices ? What is a soprano ? An alto ? a bass ? baritone ? tenor ? The following little story contains a play on words which may be very easily reproduced in English, but not in French. A gentleman, who had been frequently molested by a tiresome visitor, gave orders to his servant not to admit this person again, but to deny him admittance in a polite manner. Soon after the unwelcome guest came, and inquired of the servant whether his master was at home. " No," answered the servant, "he has gone out." "In that case," observed the visitor, " I should like to see your mistress, I have something to tell her." M She has also gone out," replied the servant." " Very well, I will wait for her ; but as it is cold, I will sit by the fire in the drawing-room." " That has also gone out/ said the servant, with the greatest imperturbability. 70 ©eutfdje ©prcdjitbungcn. XIII. SXtun, tooflcn ®ie mir jucrft Me ©cfdjidjte Don bent tut* nnltfonuucncn ©afte er^aljlut. £)cr ?el)rcr fpridjt : @£ ift an bcr $t\t, ba$ ©ic bic Qciuoljnlidjcn £)dftid}teit$formdn bcr bcutfdjcn ©pradje (er* ucn. Q$ luill fie §fytten uorjageu, unb ©ic toerbeii bicjetbcn alfobalb itt£ (iitglijdjc itbcrfc^cu : ®utai SRorgett, ntciu $m. ©utcn £ag, ntetn g-raulciu. ©uten Hbcnb, SDtabam. 3$ nninjdjc Qijuat einen gutm Bftorgen, nicinc perron unb Domett. Site gcljt'S? SKie gcl)t c3 ^()itcit ? ©ic [tcfyf £ ntit Qftrer ©cfunbljcit ? SBaS madjen ©ic? 3$ befntbe mirf) rcd)t njoljl, ©ott fei £)anf! SSie Ijabcn ©ic biefe iMadjt gcjdjlafcn? .sjaben ©ie Mcfc 97ad)t gut gcfd)tafcu ? SBt&ttfdje, moljl gcruljt ju (jaben. D }a, id) l)abc rcdjt gut gefdjfafen. gcfjlt Qfyncn cm>a3 ? $8a3 fcf)lt £$nen? Vcibcn ©ie an 3ie bcutfdjen ©ittcn meidjen in mandjen Segie^imgen Don ben engiifdjen ah. (8$ ift fejjr nottg, fid) ntit biefen WiWd* djungen befaunt 511 ntad)cn unb fid) barnad) §u ridjten. SBJerat ein §err unb eine £)ame einanber begegnen, fo gtftfci in £)cutfdt)(anb ber |>err guerft ; in ©nglanb bie ©ante. Scanner nefjmen in £>cutfd)lanb ben |)ut ab, toenn fie in citt &ffenfltdje$ gofaf, cincn 8aben, ein Sitreau treten. @3 ift flcgclljaft ben £mt auf^ubefyaften. SBcmt man fid) an bk SBirtStafel (table d'hote) fefet, fo t)erbcugt man fid) fybfu'd) gegen [eine £i|d)nad)bara red^td unb tinfS. $8cr biefe $6flidjfeit3formet unterXa^t, faun fid) Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 71 XIII. Now then, will you first repeat to me the story of the unwelcome guest. The teacher says: It is time that you should learn the ordinary formulae of politeness of the German language. I will first repeat them and you will listen, and immediately translate them into English. Good morning, Sir. Good day, Miss X. Good evening,, Madam. I wish you a good morning, ladies and gentlemen. How are you ? How are you getting on ? How is your health ? How do you do ? I am very well, thank God ! How have you passed the night ? Did you sleep well last night ? I hope you have had a good rest. Oh, indeed, I have slept very soundly. Is anything the matter with you ? What is the matter with you? Do you suffer from toothache ? head-ache? Have you got toothache ? a headache ? I have caught a cold. I am sorry for that. Good night, a good night's rest to you. Good-bye, till we meet again. Now I will read to you the same formulae in English, and you shall give me promptly in return the German phrases. German customs differ, in some respects, from English customs. It is most necessary to make one's self acquainted with these differences, and to regulate one's conduct accordingly. When a lady and gentleman meet in the street, the gentleman salutes first in Germany j in England, the lady. Men take off their hats when they enter a public room, a shop or an office. It is boorish to keep on one's hat. When taking one's seat at the table d'hote, it is customary to bow politely to those seated to the right and left. He who omits this form of politeness must not be 72 ©entfdje ©prcd)itbnngen. ntcljt nnmbcrn, tocnn er Don ber ^onucrfagion au§gefd)foffctt Udbt nnb a(3 nid)t c^tfttcrcitb bel)anbelt totrb. SScnn man toon ber 3Birt3tafet aufftdjt, fo tocrbengt man fid) huebcr. (£3 ift gciuofynlid) babct $n fagcn : „©efcgnctc SDtalj^cit," ober and) nnr rf 3Ra^(jett 4i Sftorf) cinige £)of(id)fctt§formc(n finb : Sntjdfjutbtgen ©ie mid), f&ttot, entfd)ittbtgcn ©ic mift. Serjettyen ©ic, ntcin Ijfrttv. SBerjeUjen ©ic, tucnn id) mir bie gfretfjeit nc()inc. SMauben ©ic mix, ©ic 311 fragen. $d) bin Sfyncn fcbr derbunben. ©djoncn ©imf. fteine ttrfadfje. 9iid)t Urfad)', (bittc). ©riiftcn ©ie Qfyrcn fiernt $atcr, bte Jyran SWuttcr. tenpfefyten ©ie mid) beftenS $l)rer $ran ©cmaljltn. ©vitjscn ©te atte $rcmtbc nnb ©efaratte Don mir. $d> empfebk mid) ^l)ttcn. 3Rcin ^l>atcr (apt fid) ^()ttcn empfefyten. Stun rinige 3fragcn $nr 33canttoortung. S3?cr grftfct juerft in £)cntfd)(anb, tt>cnn fid) cin £)crr nnb eine SDaute begegnen ? 2Bic nntcrfd)cibet fid) bicfe ©ctDo[)it()cit toon ber engtifdjen ©itte ? SMdjc #iegc( bcobadjtcn bic £eutfd)cn im £mtabncl)men ? 2Bc(d)e fidpidjIetiSbejettgung fotftc man an ber SBirtStafct bcobad)len ? JBemi ^cmanb an bic £f)itrc ffopft, fo rnfen toir — ? Sftem ttntn|d)cn tmx eine glitcfftdje 9icifc, eine gtitcflidje tiberfatjrt, eine balbige SBieberfdjr ? SBann rnfen toir „£)ercin !° 2£ie begrft|lcn bte ©d)iffe cittanber ? SBie totrb cm gitrft bd fcincr 9Irifunft begriifjt ? SBetdje ©d)it(cr totrb cin bcntfdjer Secret mit „®n" nnb tocltfjc intt „©te" anrcben? 2Bie rebct man cinen f^ih-ftcn an ? — $d) rottt e<3 ^fjnett fagen ; man rebet tl;n gar nid)t an, fonbern roartet bi3 man angerebet itoirb. Practical Lessotis in German Conversation, 7& surprised when he is excluded from the conversation, and is treated as non-existent, his presence not noticed. On rising from the table d'hote you again bow. It is customary to say, at the same time, M (The Lord) bless your meal," or simply 9Ra{>I$ett. A few more formulae of politeness are the following : Pardon me. Pray, pardon me. Excuse me, Sir. Excuse me, if I take the liberty. Allow me to ask you. I am much obliged to you. My best thanks. Don't mention it. Pray, don't mention it. My compliments to- your father, to your mother. My kindest regards to Mrs. N. Remember me to all friends and acquaintances. Good bye (literally, I recommend myself to you). My father wishes to be kindly remembered to you (he sends, his compliments to you). Now a few questions for you to answer. Who salutes first in Germany when a lady and gentle- man meet ? How does this custom differ from English manners ? What rule do Germans observe in taking oif the hat? What form of politeness should people observe at the table d'hote ? When a person knocks at the door, we call — ? To whom do we wish a pleasant journey, a prosperous voyage, a speedy return ? When do we call out " Come in " ? By what means do ships salute each other ? How is a prince saluted on his arrival ? Which pupils does a German teacher address with "thou," and which with "you?" How do you speak to a prince? — I will tell you. You do not speak to him at all, but wait until you are spoken to. 74 £)entfd)e ©pred)itbnngen. Stufgcpagt : „$n I)bf)erent fitter t»erttert Me menfd)ttd)e ©tintnte nid)t mtr an Sraft nnb 2Bof)(ffang, fonbcnt and) an Untfang. $m Slttgemctncn erfjofjt fid) bte ©tintnte bcr be* jafyrtcn banner, roafyrcnb tie ©tintnte ber bejaf)rtcn SBeiber fid) ucrtieft." SKcibt bie ©tintnte bc3 SJJienfdjcn fein ?ebc(ang unucr* iinbcrt ? 2£a3 oertiert bte ©tintnte mit Dorri'tdcnbcm SKtet ? SSJeffen ©timnte totrb ticfcr init juneljmcnbcm 2Htcr ? SBcffcn ©tintnte hrfrb bnrd) ba$ SHter cr()5()t ? „3$crfd)tcbcnc Zim, Jtfifer, ©rtttcn, §ctmd)cn, crjcugcn £5ne, bte mir fitr ©ttntmen fatten, inbem fie gtorf ratine SEettc bc£ ftdtperS gegen cinanber reiben, a(jntid) une man tb ©aiten cuter SBtoline babttrd) junt Gotten bringt, ba$ man fie rait bem ranfjen 83ogcn ftrcidjt. ©o reiben bte Written nnb £)cimd)cn cincn Stitgct gegen ben anbern. ®ie {jemctne gclbljcufdjrccfe reibt tm CberfdjenM gegen bie 2Bte brtngt man bie ©aiten cincr 23iottne gnm Soncn ? SBctdje Zxtitt bringen Zbm anf afynfidje SSctfc Ijcruor ? ©inb tuefe Sone cigcntUdjc Xierftimmcn ? £>a3 3* r P cn oer $dw* djen nnb ba$ ©ingen ber ©ritfen tft oft Don £)td)tem be* fnngen tuorben ; \vk brtngen bie ©rtUcn nnb ,£)ciind)cn biefe £one fycroor ? 2$ie brtngt bie $eufdjrec£e ifjre fcfytarrenben £bne fyeroor ? 2Bof)er l)at bie ^cufdjred e tfjren Sftamen ? — 3Son § eu uno uon Aicm ocrattctcn SSorte fcfyricfen, tt)e(d)e3 fo Die! toie fpringen bebentet. §cnjd)rccfe ift bafjer toortftd) baffelbe ttne ba$ franjdjtfdje sauterelle. Sftadjbem ferir fo did oon SJienfdjcn* nnb £ierfthmnen ge- f)5rt fyaben, tottt id) $l)ncn eine ^Incf'bote Don SNofeS 2Ren* befefoljn, bem ©ropater be£ beri'tfymten JDiuftferS (ftam* pomften) 2)?cnbetefol)n*33artf)o(bty zqfifylttt. 2Rofc£ 9Kenbe(^fof)n mar ^anbhmgSbicncr bei einem Saufmann, toeldjer b&3 ^ttlocr nid)t erfnnben f)atte. 2Bof«S tuar tin fefyr frommer nnb roeifee 2ftamt. £)e3l)atb nmrbe Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 75 Attention ! " With increasing age the human voice loses, not only a portion of its strength and melody, but also a portion of its compass. Generally speaking, the voice of aged men rises to a higher key, whilst the voice of old women gets lower. ,, Does the voice of men remain the same all their lives long? What does the human voice lose with the advance of age? Whose voice gets lower with the advance of age? Whose voice is raised by age to a higher key ? "Various animals, beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets produ.ce sounds, which we take for voices, by rubbing two rough parts of their bodies against each other, similarly as the strings of a violin are made to sound by being rubbed with a rough bow. Thus grasshoppers and crickets rub one of their wings against the other. The common grasshopper (locust) rubs his thigh against his wings. " How do you make the strings of a violin sound ? What animals produce sounds in a similar manner ? Are these sounds, strictly speaking, voices of animals ? The chirruping of crickets, and the song of the cicadae has often been sung by poets. How do the cicadae produce these sounds ? How does the locust produce its harsh sounds ? Whence does the ^eufdjrecf e derive its (German) name ? From £>eu, hay, and an obsolete word, fdjvtcfett/ which means " to jump." £citfcl;recfe is therefore, liter- ally, the same as the French sauterelle. After having heard so much of the voices of men and animals, I will tell you an anecdote of Moses Mendels- sohn, the grandfather of the famous composer, Mendels- sohn Bartholdy. Moses Mendelssohn was employed as a clerk by a merchant who was not particularly clever. Moses was a very gentle and wise man. For this reason he was highly 76 ©eutfdjc ©prcdjituungen. er Don ben gclcl)rtcn SDKmteni fcfater 3«t f)od)gcad)ret imb geftebt 8* t>er(or akr feme Qicftfjeibcnljcit nicfyt, nnb mar ftctg nut feincm ©djidfale jufrieben. (Sinc3 £agc3 fain citt grcunb $u tljm, att er cbcu an titter fcfyr fcijiuercn fauf* miinnifdjcn 9icd)cuaufgabc arbcttctc. „(&3 ift bod) frljabe, gutcr -KtofeS, 1 ' fagtc biefer, f,&ajj cm fo au^gqeidjneter JJapf, lute $f)r feib, cinem iWannc unt'd SBrot bienen mu&, bcr ©ud) ba3 Staffer nid)t rctdit. fiobt ^()r nid)t metjr SBetefjeit in (Surcnt flciucn ginger aw er im ganjen Vetbc ?" -HftofeS fteeftc bte geber (pnter'£ Cl)r, fa() fciuen greuub rnljig an nub fagtc : „®8 ift fcf)r gut fo, rote c3 ift. ®ic Sorfdpmg l)at c£ lucifc cingcridjtct ; benu fo t'aun nieiu $)crr Don ntcinen Dienften Scutum jtcl)en, nub id) Ijabc ju leben. ©dre id) bcr £)crr unb er nieiu ©djreiber, id) fouutc if)U nid)t braucfjen." XIV. ©ie toerben bentcrft Ijabcn, bail in bcr Kttefbote, bte id) $l)nen ba§ (external erjftfjfte, 3Rop lUcubclesfoljn utit ,,3^ angcrcbet tirirb. ©0 rebctc man Vcitte feincS ©tanbcS im Dorigcn ^al)r[)unbert an. ^eutjutage tourbc man „©ie" fagen. Qfcfet crja^fen ©ie ntir bie @5cfd)id)te Don SDZofoS 2)?en* befefo|n. gteidjen ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 77 esteemed and greatly beloved by men of learning of his time. But he did not lose his modesty, and was always satisfied with his lot. One day a friend came to see him, when he was just working at a hard commercial problem. " It is a pity, my good Moses," said his friend, " that such a clever fellow as you should serve, for his daily bread, a man who is not fit to clean your boots. Have you not more wisdom in your little finger than he in his whole body ? " Moses put the pen behind his ear, looked quietly at his friend and said, " Things are very well as they are ; Providence has wisely ordained it so, for, as it is, my master profits by my service, and I earn my living. If I were the master and he my clerk, I should not be able to employ him." XIV. You will have observed that in the anecdote I told you last time, Moses Mendelssohn was addressed with the pronoun ^fyv. This was the proper mode of addressing people in his position in the last century. At the present day we should say &ie. Now tell me the story about Moses Mendelssohn. To-day we will speak of Time and the Seasons. What are the names of the four seasons ? In what season are we now ? Which season is the coldest ? Which season is the warmest ? The life of man has often been compared to the seasons. With what season is youth compared ? With what old age ? With what season may the age of manhood be com- pared ? 78 ©cutfdje ©prcdjitbungen. Qfn toettfjer Qfrfjre$$ett ncfjmcn bic £agc a6 ? rnib in tocld&er ^aljrc^^ctt nefpnen ftc gu ? Qfn toehfjem donate fyaben uur ben mciftcn 9?cgcn unb Ijaufige Sftcbd ? SBoburd) fann man fid) t)or bem Jftcgcn frfjftfecn? SBaS tljim toir urn un3 gegen bk ftftta $u frfjit^cn ? Qfrt lucldjcr ^afyvc^cit fyaben inir bic mciftcn ©emitter ? SBeStyatb t>crfcl)cn imt itnS mtt 9tegenf($mnen unb maffcr* bidjtcu 3Rfitttc(n obcr ilbcrrMcu ? 2£ann ^icljcn tntr mtirmcrc JWeibcr an ? SBoburrf) fctjiii^t man ©ebciubc gegen bad @infd)(agcn bc3 SBtifceS ? feer (jat ben 93(t(3ab(ctter crfitnbcn ? SBer fann mir erjaljfcn, tote £yranf(in auf bicfc Srfiubung gctcitct tourbe ? 2Ba3 fftt ©jrpcrimente mad)te cr ? SBic crnmrmen toir fan ©inter bic 8uft unferer JBofyn* ftuben ? 3n t> Sng(anb l)at man Jtatmnfeuer, in Dcutfdjfanb l)at man Sfcn jum ©nfycijen. SJcfdjrcibcn Sic bicfe beiben Irtcn bee (Sintjcijung. 2Be(d)e3 $nftrument fonfutticrcn tnti% urn 311 crfaljrcn, ob ba§ ^Better beftanbig ift ober fid) batb anbern ltnrb ? 2Ba3 fitr ^Better fonnen toir crtoartcn, toenn ba§ 23aro* meter (obcr 2Bettergta§) ptofettd) fcitft? 2Ba3 fitr ^Better jctgt ba$ ©teigen bc<§ 53aromcter£ an? 2Ba<§ jctgt ba$ Sfyermometer (^utoctfen auf beutfdj bcr SBcirmemcffcr genannt) an ? S3on tt)e(d)em ©reignte batiercn bic Stjrtften iijre QdU rcd)nung ? 3KU tocldjem SretgniS beginnt bie maljomebanifdje 3citrcd)mmg ? §abcn bie Sluffen benfclben Salcnber intc h)tr ? gtotfdjen bem $atenbcr attcn ©tifcs unb bem £alcnber ncuen ©rtte finb 12 £agc Unterfd)ieb. SBarum toctgevn fid) bic SRuffcn ben grcgorianifdjen Satcnber ansunefjmen ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation* 79 In what season do the days decrease ? and in what season do they increase ? In what months do we have the most rain and frequent fogs ? By what means can we protect ourselves from rain ? What do we do in order to protect ourselves from cold ? In what season have we most thunderstorms ? Why do we provide ourselves with umbrellas, water- proof-cloaks, or overcoats ? When do we put on warmer clothing ? By r what means do we protect buildings from lightning ? Who invented the lightning conductor ? Who can tell me how Franklin was gradually brought to the idea of this invention ? What experiments did he make ? How do we warm, in winter, the air of our sitting- rooms ? In England people have open fires, in Germany they have stoves for heating. Describe to me these two methods of heating. What instrument do we consult in order to know whether the weather is settled, or will change soon ? What kind of weather may we look out for when the barometer suddenly falls ? What kind of weather is indicated by the rising of the barometer ? What is indicated by the thermometer ? From what event do Christians date their era ? With what event does the Mahometan era begin ? Do the Russians use the same calendar as we do ? There are twelve days of difference between the calendar of the old style and the calendar of the new style. Why- do the Russians refuse to accept the Gregorian Ca- lender ? 80 ©cutfdje ©predjitbungcn. SMdfjcn 3cttrmtm bcjcidjucn mir hn £)cutfd)cn oft burr!) „ad)t Stage" ? IDieincn teir bomit nnvflid) arfjt Eogc ? S33a^ Xjcigt „|ettte itbcr atfjt Sage" auf cng(ifd) ? 9?un fagcn ©ic mtr nod) ftfjnctf : Hue biel Neonate finb in cittern $al)rc, tote bid Sage in cincut SRottate, tote bid Sage in cuter SSocfje, toie bid Sage in cittern ^abrc, itttb tine bid Sage fa cinein ©d;a(tj;af;rc ? ilnb ben tiucoicltcn Ijabctt loir ijeutc ? £)er Scorer fprtcfjt : Urn gu toiffen, ob bet TOonb 3U* ttbmttt obcr abnimint, gicbt man in $)etttfd)toib ben ftmbern folgenbc 8fefte( : 2£cnn bie (Sidjcl ta8 iWonbe3 fo auSficfjt, ba$ man cin beutfdjeS i barau* madden faun, fo nimmt bcr '9)ionb $u ; loenn man aber cin a barans iitadjcit torn, fo nimmt cr ab. SBoratt erfennen bie ftinber in £)cutfd)(anb ben gnnc^ menben "JJionb ? SBoran ert'eunen eic ben abnefymenben 3Ronb ? „©u(cn nnb .^a^cn fdjfafcn bet Sage nnb gcl)cn bci Wafyt auf 3laub au3." ©tfyfofen attc Sieve unb 9Rcnfd)en bci %lad)t ? 2Ba3 tfjun bie (Men unb $atjen hd ffladft ? 2£cld)c 2ftenfdjen gkidjen tljnen bavin? SBoburd) nutcvfd)eiben fid) Sftenfdjcn unb Sieve, bit bet Sag auf $vaub auSgeljcn, bon benett, bie bet Sftadjt auf 9laub au^geljen? $ft ber Unterfdjieb ein pfytyfifdjer obev ein moraftfdjer? — toerai man bei Staubem bon 9Kora( fpvedjen barf. ©er Setter fprid)t: Dime gmcifel ma fy ^ $fjnen ntefyr 33crgnitgen, furgiDcitigc Snefbeten 31: fyorcn. £)ann unb tt>ann tx0)k id) $f)ncn and) eine mit bem grofctcn $er* gnitgen. ^Inelboten madjen aber nur einen fefjr geringen Seit bcr gefetffdjafttidjen Untcr()a(tung oh& ©crooljnltd) fpridjt man bon atttciglidjen (Sreigntffcn, nnb c£ ift in Qftrerc Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 81 What space of time is frequently expressed in German by "eight days" ? Do we really mean eight days by that expression? What is "this day week" in German? Now, in addition to what you have told me, tell me quickly: How many months are in a year? How many days in a month ? How many days in a week ? How many days in a common year ? and how many days in a leap-year ? and what day of the month have we to-day ? The Jeacher says: In order to know whether the moon is increasing or decreasing the following rule is given to children in Germany : When the crescent of the moon appears so that you can form it into a German 3, then the moon is increasing; but when you can form it into an a, then it is decreasing. By what sign do children in Germany know that the moon is increasing ? By what sign do they know that the moon is decreasing? " Owls and cats sleep by day, and go out to seek their prey by night." Do all animals and men sleep by night ? What do owls and cats do by night ? What men resemble them in that ? How do men and animals, who go out to seek their prey by day, differ from those who go out to prey by night ? Is the difference a physical one or a moral one ? — if we may speak of morals in the case of robbers. The teacher says: No doubt, it gives you greater pleasure to listen to amusing anecdotes. For the matter of that, I will tell you one now and then with the greatest pleasure. But anecdotes form but a very small portion of our conversation in society. People usually speak of every-day occurrences, and it is in your interest, if, this G 82 £)eutfd)e ©precfjubungen. $ntercffe, toenn id) $f)nen je£t toieber cine atttciglidje ©efd)id)te ergafyle, unb ©ie bitte, mtr btefefbc nadjguer* jafylen." §an3 unb $fau3 gingen an cincm fcljr fatten ©inter* tage mit etnanber fiber ge(b. 5(n ber ©trajse fanben fie cutcu unbelannten SKenfdjen im @d)nce tiegen, meldfycr feft p fd)tafen fd)ien. £an3 *) at * c 3JKtfdbat mit il)iu unb au£ $3c* forgniS, bag cr crfricrcn mod)te, fudjte cr if)n gu toctfen. 2Iber fo Diet er il)n aud) ritttdte, fo erft)ad)te er bod) nid)t. „$)en lannft bu fange riitteln," rief £(au3 (ad)cnb, „cr nrirb nid)t aufiuadjen, er ift betrunfen ; lag ben ®erl (iegen unb fomm ; e3 ift fait." „9?ein," anttoortete $an$, „fo unbarm* Ijergig fann id) nid)t fein ; toie (eid)t fonnte ber ormc -Jftcnfdj erfriercn ; unb mag er immerfyin betrunfen fein, er ift ehx 3)ienfd), unb giMr ein l)itf3beburftiger 2)?enfd). ^d) toil! tl)un, toa3 id) fann, um ifjm ba3 8eben §u retten." ^un, fo ntadje \va§ bu nrittft," rief SfouS untoitlig, id) ntag nidfjt Icinger I)ier fte()en unb frieren ;" unb bamit ging cr tucker. £)an3 bebedtc nun eitigft ben @d)(afenbcn mit ©djnee, mil er gel)5rt Ijatk, ba§ ber ©djnee toarme, unb ticf bann fo fd)ncfl mie moglid) nad) bem ndd)ften ®orfe, um cinen SBagen gu f)ofen. ©fudlid)erU)eife fanb cr einen menfd)enfreunb(id)en 83auer, ber eben au3 ber ©tabt gefafjren fam unb au^fpannen toottte. Wit feiner fifilfc ^olte er ben Ijatbtoten grcmben in3 S)orf unb bracf)te ifjn aud) batb in3 8eben gurudL grol)* lid) toanberte er bann, in bem SBettmjjtfein feine ^3flid)t getfjan ju fyaben, nad) £cmfe. XV. ®er 8el)rer fpridjt : ©3 tfyut mtr (eib, ©tc mit ctner fo atttaglidjen ©efd)id)te, tote bie toon §an3 unb $fau£ ge* langtoeift gu fjaben. 2tber ba3 Seben ber mciften 3Kenfd)en ift nun einmaf nid)t l)eroifd). SBotfen ©ie bc^^afb fo gut fein, unb bu ©efd)id)te Dom gutcn £an3 nod) einmaf ergafyfen. $an3 ift StMurjung Don 3°f)amte3 unb $te uon SftifolauS. Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 83 time again, I tell you a common-place story, and ask you to repeat it after me. John and Nicholas were walking, on a cold winter's day, across the country. By the road-side they found a strange man lying in the snow, who seemed to be fast asleep. John had compassion on him, and apprehending that he might be frozen to death, he tried to wake him up. But however much he shook him, he did not wake up. "You may shake that fellow a long time," exclaimed Nicholas laughing, "he will not wake up; he is drunk; let the- fellow lie, and come along; it is cold." "No," answered John, "I cannot be so cruel; how easily might the poor fellow be killed by the frost. Never mind, if he is drunk, he is after all a man, and in sooth a man in need of help. I will do what I can in order to save his life." "Well, do as you like," exclaimed Nicholas peevishly, "I don't want to stand here any longer in the cold ; " and saying this, he went on. John now hastily covered the sleeping man with snow, because he had heard that snow is warming, and then he ran as fast as pos- sible to the nearest village in order to fetch a vehicle. Fortunately he found a humane farmer who was just coming back from the town, and was about to take the horses out. With this man's assistance he carried the half- dead stranger into the village, and soon brought him back to life. Happy in the consciousness of having done his duty, he then pursued his way homeward. XV. The teacher says: I am sorry to have taken up your time with such a dull common-place story as that of John and Nicholas. But the truth is, the life of most men is not heroic. Will you now be so good as to repeat the story of good John. Hans in an abbreviation of Johannes, and Klaus of Nicholas. 84 £)entfdje ©predjUbnngcn. ffS e W fci^ren toir fort mit nnferm ©efprcidf) fiber bit Qdt imb bie Qafjre^citen." SBeldjeS 3feft feiern toir am 25ften Dqcmbcr ? $ft 2Bei|nad)tcn ein bctoegtidjeS ober unbetoegltdfjcS Sfeft? 2Bc(d)e£ tft ba3 f)auptfdd)Iicf)e betoeglidje fjcft r nad) bcm tic gfeier after anbern betoegtidjcn gefte fid) ridjtct (regnliert •toirb) ? 2$ie triete £age nadj Dftern fommt ^fmgftcn ? ^aben @te gn 2£etf)nad)tcn unb §u Dftern $erien ? 5fi3te lange bauem bie 95ktfjnadjt3f erten ? bie Cftcrfcrtcn ? 2Betd)e3 (Srcignte feiern bie Eljrtftctt $n Dftern? gu IJJfmgften ? Sfficldje donate l)abcn brei^ig £age ? £)entfd)cn $inbcrn pragt man ba§ SBort Apjunseno ein, toe(d)e3 an3 ben 2ln* fang3fty(ben ber t>icr donate jnfammcngefe^t ift, tocldje \t breiftig £age fjaben : Slprtl, $uni, September nnb !>fto* member. 2ftan fpridjt fotool)! fan Snglifdjcn toie im £>cutfd)cn Don Styrilnarrcn. 2Ba3 luilt ba3 bebcnten ? 3Bie Ijetjst anf BtflKfdj : „^emanben in ben Stprtl fdjiden" ? 2$ie fciert ba3 33off in ocrfdjiebenen ©egenbcn ben erften 2M? SMdjer £ag ift ber fattgfte £ag im ^a^re ? (S3 giebt §toet $of)anni3tage im $afjre. SBeffen $eft feiern tore am 24ften $uni ; nnb toeffen am 27ften Member ? Um toetdje 3^t tft ba$ ^Better immer fefjr ftitrmifd) ? SBetcfje ©tiirme nennen toir bk SqutnofttaKStitntte ? 2Befd)cn £ag fatten toir oorgeftern ? SMdjen £ag toerben ttrir itbermorgen fjaben ? Sim tmeoielten biefeS 9ttonat3 toerben imr 33ottmonb fjaben ? SBetdjen £ag be3 $al)re<§ nennen totr ben Sfteu}al)r3tag ? §Ba3 toimfdjen ttrir einanber am erften £age be3 $afyre3? 28a3 tft ein ©djattjaljr ? 2Bie oft fommt ein ©d)altjal)r ? $n toeld)en 2JJonat totrb ber ©djatttag eingefd)a(tet ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 85 "Now we continue our conversation about Time and the Seasons " What feast do we celebrate on the 25th December? Is Christmas a moveable or an immoveable feast ? Which is the principal moveable feast, according to which the date of all other moveable feasts is regulated ? How many days after Easter comes Whitsuntide ? Have you holidays at Christmas and Easter ? How long do the Christmas holidays last ? The Easter holidays ? What . event do Christians celebrate at Easter ? at Whitsuntide ? Which months have thirty days ? — In Germany teachers impress on the memory of children the word Apjunseno which is composed of the first syllable of the names of the four months which have thirty days, viz. : April, June, September, and November. In English as well as in German people speak of April fools. What is the meaning of that ? What is the German for " to make an April fool of some one ?" How do the people celebrate, in various parts, the first of May ? Which day is the longest day in the year? There are two St. John's days in the year. Whose feast do we celebrate on the 24th June ? and whose on the 27th December? About what time is the weather usually very stormy ? What gales do we call the equinoctial gales ? What day had we the day before yesterday ? What day shall we have the day after to-morrow ? On what day of this month shall we have a full-moon ? What day of the year do we call New-Year's Day ? What do people wish each other the first day of the year? What is a leap-year ? How often do we have a leap- year ? To what month is the additional day added ? 86 ®eutfd;e ©predjitbungcn. Um toefdje Xage^eit toirb e£ jeijt bunfel ? SBann mu|l man bie 8id)ter anftecfen ? SBonn (6jd)en ©ie bie Stater au£ ? JBann fefycn toir etttetl s D?egenbogcn ? 2Ba3 fc^mitgt im £autoetter ? 2Ba3 friert, toenn ba3 Xljermometer uutcr Sftutt Ijerab* finft? 2Iu3 toeldjer ©egcnb lommt (toefyt) Ijeute bcr SBinb? fiommt er au3 Sftorben, ©i'tbcn, Often obcr SBeften ? SBSic fjeijH ber 28inb ber au3 bem SWorbcn fommt ? SBie fyeijst ber 2Binb ber au3 bem @ub*S33eften lommt ? SBrfdjer SBinb bringt un3 SRegen ? 2Be(d)er SBinb ift ber faltefte? „2Benn totr auf freiem gelbe obcr auf bem $erbecf cineS ©cfyiffeS jur @ce ftcljcn unb un3 umfefjen, fo er[d)cint un3 bie @rbc a(3 cine freiSrunbe ©bene, toctefye Don ber fidjtbarcn tmmct ? $ann man bie[c(bcn ©rfdjeimmgen aud) mitten in eincr ©tabt beobad)ten ? 2Barum nidjt ? SBer nie §ur ©ee getoefen ift, lann aber biefelben Er* fdfjeinungen bcobadjten — too ? „£)te 95i(berfd)rift ift cine alterc ©rfinbung ai$ bie 23ud)* ftaben) thrift. u %Ra§ ift cine 93tfberfd)rif t ? 2$a3 ift eine 23ud)ftabenjd)rift ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 87 About what time of the day does it grow dark at present ? At what time must the candles be lighted ? When do you put out the lights ? When do we see a rainbow ? What melts when it thaws ? What freezes when th e the rmometer falls below zero (32 ° Fahrenheit) ? From what quarter does the wind blow r to-day ? Does it blow from the north, south, east, or west ? What do you call the wind that blows from the north ? What do you call the wind which blows from the south- west ? What wind brings rain in these parts ? Which wind is the coldest ? " When we stand in an open field, or on the deck of a ship at sea, and look around us, then the world appears to us as a circular plane, over which the visible half of the heavenly sphere rises as a vault. We ourselves are seemingly in the middle of this plane, and in the centre of the celestial vault." Have you ever stood on the deck of a ship and looked around you ? Of what sh: p did the world then appear to you ? In what point did you yourself seem to be ? What shape did the heavens appear to have ? Can you observe the same phenomena also within a town ? Why not ? But he who has never been at sea can observe the same phenomena — where ? " Picture-writing is an older invention than writing with letters." What is picture-writing ? What is writing with letters (alphabetical writing) ? 88 ©entfdje ©prccpbungcn. ©ebrattdjcn atfe SSoIfcr biefelbe Sudjftaknfdjrift ? Better ©djrtft bebientcn fid) bie alten (£gt)pter ? SBetdje t)on bicjen beiben ©djreibartcn ift bie dltere ? ©cbraudjen toir biefelbcn Sudjftabcn ira £)rucf toie in bcr ©djrift ? 2£a£ ift cin ©d)reibebudj ? 2£a3 ift ein Sejcbud) ? S333te man burdj ba§ 23i(b fid) mitunter Dcrftdnbigcn hnn r toenn attc anbre SBWttet fefjtfdjfagcn, bauon gicbt un£ fot- genber SSorfall im geben cinc3 bcruljmtcn bcutjdjen s J)£aler£ ein (djjrreidp* ScijpicL Site $an§ ^olbcin ber jitngere nad) ©ngfanb lam, toanbte er fid) perft an ben bamaligen ^an^ler, Stomas 2ftoru§, an toetdjen cr ein ©mpfcljlungSfdjrcibcn Don bent bcriifjmten ©elefyrtcn Sra3mu3 Don Stottcrbam mitgebradjt fyattc. £f)o* ma3 2Roru3 nafym ben grofjen $unft(er mtt ber grotften ©a|> frennblid)t'eit anf nnb gab ttjm mc()r ate $mi $al)rc (ang SBoljmutg in fcinem £)aufc. (5inc£ £age£ crjd^ltc tljm £o& bein, tote er $u 93afct bie SJcfanntfdjaf t cinc3 cngltfrficn ©raf en gemadjt Ijabe, ber tljn and) eingelabcn I)abc, i()n in (Sngtanb- gu befudjen. Sttber fct il)m ber 9?ame biefeS ©rafen nidjt langer im ©ebdefytnte. 2)2oru3 erfunbtgte fid), hue ber ©raf tooljt auSgcfefycn fyabc. |)o(bcin befdjvieb, nnb 9Koru3 net. Umfonft. (Snbltdj nafym ^olbein einen Stetfttft nnb cin ©turf papier nnb gctdfjnete in toenigen 3 u 9 en ^a3 33ili>m^ bc£ ©rafen. ©ogtcid) rief ber ^air^er ben Stamen „$IrunbeI" au£, nnb ^oioein ftimmte ein, bag bic3 ber SKame fcine£ @5nner3 fei. XVI. sfttdjt $eber ift ein SDMer tote £>an3 £)o(betn. ©r^afjten ©ie mir, toie feine $unft einmal feinem fd)toad)cn ©ebddjtnte ju ^iilfe fam. Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 89 Do all nations use the same letters in writing ? What writing did the ancient Egyptians use ? Which of these two ways of writing is the older one ? Do we use the same letters in printing and in writing ? What is a copy-book ? What is a reading-book (reader) ? ^ The following incident in the life of a famous German painter gives us an instructive example of the manner in which people may convey information by means of a picture, when all other means have failed. When Hans Holbein the younger came to England, he applied, in the first instance, to the then Chancellor* Thomas More, to whom he had brought with him a letter of recommendation from the famous scholar, Erasmus of Rotterdam. Thomas More received the great artist with the greatest hospitality, and gave him apartments in his own house for more than two years. One day Holbein told him how he had made at Basle the acquaintance of an English earl, who had also invited him to pay him a visit in England. Un- fortunately, he no longer remembered the name of the earl. More inquired what the earl had looked like. Holbein described him, and More went on guessing. But in vain. At last Holbein took a pencil and a piece of paper, and drew, in a few strokes, the portrait of the earl. Immediately the chancellor uttered the name " Arundel," and Holbein agreed that this was the name of his patron. XVI. Not everybody is a painter like Hans Holbein. Tell me how his art, one day, aided his bad memory. 90 ©entfdje ©prcdji'tbnngcn. £)er Se^rer fa^rt fort : 2Ba3 tft Me UJjt ? SBiebtet Wjr ift e<§ ? ©djiiter (ftefjt nad) ber Uf)r) : @3 tft — 8ef)ter : 2Bie Diet SDtinuten Ijaben koir atfo nod^ $eit urn unjer ^euttgeS ^enfnm bnrd^narbeiten ? ©el)t Qftre Uljr and) ridjtig ? ©et)t fie tocber Dor nod) nad) ? £)aben ©ie $fjre Ul)r mit ber 23al)nl)of3nI)r Dergtidjen ? ©timmt fie mit berfetben itberein ? JBann mu§ man eine Uf)r Dorftctten ? SBanu roup man cine Ufjr nadfjftetten ? SUfo, man ftettt eine Ufjr Dor, menn fie — nnb man ftettt fie nad), toeim fie — |)aben ©ie eine gotbne ober fitberne Ul)r ? SSann aiefjen ©ie Qjfjre Ul)r anf ? Wan fotttc bie Ufjr immer gu berfetben 3cit anfgieljen, nnb elje fie abgetanfcn ift. Saffen ©ie Ql)re Ufjr mitnntcr abfanfen ? SBatm pajfierte c3 $t)nen ba$ tefcte 9M ? 2Bie lam e3, ba§ ©ie Dergaften, Qfyre Ufjr aufjujteljen ? 2Ba3 ift eine ©onnennfjr ? eine ©anbnfyr ? eine 2Baffer* uljr ? eine £nrmnf)r ? eine SBanbufjr ? eine ©tn^nfjr ? 2Bie tyifo eine 2Banbnf)r anf engtijd)? \vk eine Xa* fdfjennfjr ? SKUffen ©tn^nfjren atte Sage anfgegogen toerben ? 2Bogn bient ein Ufjrfdjlitffet ? SSerben atte Ufjren mit einem ©dtjtitffef anfgegogen ? 2Bie nennt man bk jcfjtuffettofen Ufjren gemofyntidj mit einem frangdftfdjcn 9lamen in SDeutfdjfaub ? 2Bann ftefjt eine Uljr ftifl ? S33ie Diet Qci^tx fefyen ©ie anf bem gifferbtatt ? 2Bie Diet geit brandjt ber SZinntengeiger, urn iiber ba3 WW 3^ff er ^ a ^ 3 U foufen ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 91 The teacher continues : What o'clock is it ? What is the time ? Pupil (looking at his watch): It is — Teacher : How many minutes have we therefore for getting through to-day's lesson ? Does your watch go right ? Does it go neither too fast nor too slow ? Have you compared your watch with the clock at the railway station ? Does it agree with it ? When must you put on a clock (watch) ? When must you put back a watch (clock) ? Thus then, you put on a watch when it — And you put it back when it — Have you a gold or a silver watch ? When do you wind up your watch ? You should always wind up your watch at the same time, and before it has run down. Do you sometimes let your watch run down ? When did it happen the last time ? How did it happen that you forgot to wind up your watch ? What is a sun-dial ? an hour-glass (sand-glass) ? a clepsydra? a turret clock? a pendulum clock? a drawing- room (dining-room) clock ? What is the German word for a timepiece that is hung on the wall ? for a watch ? Do drawing-room clocks require to be wound up every day ? For what purpose does a watch key serve ? Are all watches wound up with a key ? By what French name are keyless watches usually called in Germany ? When does a watch stop ? How many hands are there on the face of a watch or clock ? How much time does the minute-hand require in order to pass over the whole face of the watch ? 92 ©eutfdjc ©predjitbungen. 2Bte biel $eft braudjt ber ©tunbe^ctgcr, um itber ba$ gan^e gtfferblatt $u faufen ? $at $I)re Ufyr and) etncn ©efunben^ctger ? 2Bo ift bcrfetbe angebrad)t ? SBefcfjcr 3etgcr ift bw fcingcrc, bcr ©tunben^etgcr obcr bcr SDctnutcn^ctger ? 2£te oft tduft bcr ©tunbcn^ctger in 24 ©tunben fiber ba$ 3tffcrMati ? tote oft ber ^mutcn^ctger ? 2Bol)er tjat ber ©tunbenjeiger fetnen tauten ? SBofjcr Ijat ber SDHnutcnjctger fetnen tauten ? * 2£a3 jctgt bcr (cingcrc 3cigcr an ? rca3 bcr fftrjere ? SBann fteljcn ©tc gemofynttd) anf ? 2affcn ©te fief) lucdctt ober l)aben ©te etncn Reefer (etnc 2$ccfcntf)r) ? ©teften ©tc ben Reefer otte Jtbenb ? &er SSRcnfd) gcroofjut ftcf) an s Me3. $ennen ©tc Scute, bte fid) fogar an ben gravid) fdjnarrcnbcn 8firw eincr ffiedfa> nfjr getoofynt fyaben ? £)er Seljrer fprtd)t: Set £age fef)en ttrir Me ©onne gfcm^cnb ant btauen £)tmine( ftefyen ; fobatb fie utttcrgegangen ift, nrirb bte garbe bc£ £)immel3 aUmcU)ltg bunftcr/unb nun crfdjeint etne -Jftenge funfehtber ©terne, bcren nut fo ntcl)r ftdjtbar tucrben, je bunfler ba$ £)iutmc(3gemotbe nrirb. $£a§ fcljcn ttrir bet £age am $tmme(? $on roctdjer %aibt ift ber |)imme( bet £age ? 2£o fefyen roir bte ©onne bet £age ? SBann ttrirb bte garbe bc3 ftimmdS a((mal)(ig bunfler ? 2$a3 erfdjetnt ant $tmmet, fobatb bte ©onne un* t:rgcgangen ift ? Motion fyangt bte Qaty ber fitytbax roer* b:nben ©terne ab ? 4Bann roerben bte ©terne am £tmmet fidjtbar ? £)a3 ©pridjroort fagt : „£)te $a£e fangt bte 9flaufe ntdjt ntit £)anbfcfml)en." 2Sa3 fangt bte $a£e ? 2Ber fangt 3ttaufe ? 2Ber jtc^t ^anbfdjufye an ? SBop jte^t man |)anbfd)ul)e an ? giefjt tie $a£e |)anbfd)ul)e an ? $Ra$ bebcutet MefeS ©pridjtoort. Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 93 How much time does the hour-hand require in order to pass over the whole face of the watch or clock? Has your watch also a hand to mark the seconds ? Where is the second-hand placed ? Which hand is the longer one, the one that shows the hours, or the one that shows the minutes ? How often does the hour-hand pass over the dial in twenty-four hours ? how often the minute-hand ? Whence has the hour-hand its name ? Whence has the minute-hand its name ? What does the longer hand show ? what the shorter ? At what time do you generally get up ? Do you get yourself called, or have you an alarum ? Do you regulate your alarum every evening ? Man gets accustomed to everything. Do you know any people who have got accustomed to the horribly rattling noise of an alarum ? The teacher says : By day we see the sun stand in the blue sky in all its brightness As soon as it has set, the blue colour of the sky becomes gradually darker, and then appears a multitude of glittering stars, of which the more become visible as the vault of heaven grows darker. What do we see by day in the sky ? Of what colour is the sky by day? Where do we see the sun by day? When does the colour of the sky grow gradually darker ? What makes its appearance in the sky as soon as the sun has set? On what circumstance does the number of the stars which become visible depend ? When do the stars become visible in the sky ? A proverb says: "The cat does not put on gloves to catch mice." What do cats catch ? What animal catches mice ? Who puts on gloves? Why do people put on gloves? Do cats put on gloves ? What is the meaning of this proverb ? 94 ®entfd)e ©precljubnngcn. ®cr bnrdj feme 2?erbinbnng nut ben grojstcn beutfdjcn £)id)tcrn befannte 8a s #od)e l)ic|3 urfpri'mglid) granf unb ttar bcr ©ol)n einc3 gefdjicftcn Gljirurgcn, ber aber fritl) ftarb. ©raf ©tabion nal)m fid) bc3 $naben an, ben er auf folgcube 2£eife lenncn (crnte. ©raf ©tabion f)iett fid) emrnat cincn ©inter tang mit fcincr gamilie rat ©d)toffc bc3 $urfitrften Don 2)?atnj gu £anberbifd)of3f)etm anf. 2lm Ijeiligcn Sbettfa nntrben bte Sinber bc3 DrteS gur Sfjrtftbcfdjcrung anf ba3 ©djlof? cin* gclaben, luobet fid) ber ©raf mtt jcbcm $inbe untcrl)iclt. llntcr bcufclbcn befanb fid) bcr brolligc, fimfjaljrige 33tid)acl granl, bcr mtter alien fttnbmt am mciftcn ©eift gu Ijaben fdjicn nnb anf alle gragen trcff(td)cn 23cfd)cib touftte. £)c£= toegen nutrbe cr uom ©rafen ntcfir a(3 etn anbrcr befdjenft, fo ba£ em 23ebicnter baran 311 tragen f)attc. Skim SBeggcfyen fagte bcr ©raf: „$ftun, 9)Jirf)cl, fomm balb toiebcr gu mir." £>ie£ totrfte bet bem $lcincn fo, bajj cr bet SageSaubrudj bie 9?ad)tjade fcincr Gutter angog, tr>et( er feine JWeiber nid)t fanb, nnb in biefcm Snjug f)cimlid) uad) bem ©d)loft lief, too cr burdjauS 511m gndbigen ©rafen gclaffcn gu merben tierlangte. $luf fein glefyen nnb S3ittcn ging bcr hammer- btencr ttnrflid) in£ ©djlafgimmcr nnb ergciljlte fcincm crtoa* d)enben §errn ba$ fteine 21benteuer. „33ring mir ben ^ungen fjercin," fagte ©tabion, nnb balb baranf trat bcr fleine 3ftid)el gang erftarrt nnb blan fcor groft gum ©rafen an£ 93ett. ,$ttttfle," fagte ber ©raf, „biefe 8iebe mill id) Mr ge* benfen." ©oglcid) l)ob cr il)n gu ftd) in£ 23ett, too er, nad)* bem er eine £affe ilaffee getrnnfen f)atte, fid) balb toieber ertoSrmte. Sftod) an bemfclben £ag fefcte ber ©raf ber SJJuttcr fo lange gu, bi£ fie tf)m ba3 $inb gang liberties, nnb mm Dertrat ©tabion felbft SSaterftefie nnb gab bem $ungen Un* terridjt im 8efen, ©djreiben nnb ben ©pradjen. 23on biefer Qtit an fjtejs er nid)t mcl)r gran!, fonbern 8 a Sftodje, nnb tourbe fpater, anf ©tabionS SJertoenben, toom fiaifer in beit Stbelftanb erl)oben. Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 95 La Roche, who is so well known by his intimacy with the greatest German poets, was originally called Frank, and was the son of an able surgeon who, however, died young. Count Stadion took charge of the boy, whose acquaintance he made in the following manner. Count Stadion was residing, once upon a time, with his family for a whole winter in the castle of the Elector of Mayence, at Tauberbischofsheim. On Christmas Eve the children of the place were invited to the castle to a Christmas tree and distribution of presents, on which oc- casion the Count had some talk with each of the children. Among these was the droll Michael Frank, then five years old, who seemed to have more wit than the rest of the children, and showed great cleverness in answering all questions. For this reason he received from the Count more presents than any other child, so that a servant had enough to do to carry them. On his going away, the Count said : "Well, Mike, come soon again to see me." This had such an effect on the little fellow that, at break of day, he put on his mother's night-jacket, as he did not find his own clothes, and, in this guise, ran secretly to the castle, where he insisted on being admitted to see his lordship. On his continual praying and entreating, the valet at last went into the bed-room of his master, who was just waking up, and related to him the little adventure. "Bring the little fellow in," said Stadion, and immediately after little Mike, blue and stiff with cold, stepped to the Count's bedside. ''This love of yours, my boy," said the Count, "I will never forget." At the same time he lifted him up into his bed, where he soon got warm again after having drunk a cup of coffee. That very day the Count pressed the boy's mother until she gave up the child to him entirely. After this Stadion himself took the place of a father to the boy and gave him instruction in reading, writing, and languages. From this time he was no longer called Frank, but La Roche, and was subse- quently, through the influence of Stadion, knighted by the emperor. 96 ©eutfdje Spred)itbungcn. XVII. $)er Setter fpridjt : „£)ie gratt bc§ 9tta£ 2a SRodfo urie er fpater genannt ttmrbe, tear Me bcriifymte ©opfyie 8a SKodje, bie greunbin ®6tf)c8, ©djtttcrS unb befonbcr§ 2$ie(anb3. 3Rel)rere iljrcr Sftomane ttmrbcn in<8 ©nglifdje ubcrfe^t unb erfreutcn fid) ciuer grotfcn ^opufaritcit. — $c£t tr^aljlen ©ie mir, tocr 8a SRodje cigentlid) tear unb tote er gum ©rafen ©tabion lam. 2)ie nadjften $ragen ft n & ^on c ^ ner pcrfon(id)en 8rt $dj module ntd)t gem inbtefrct fetn. $)e3f)a(b rid)ten ©ie guerft bit gragcn an mid) unb, tocnn t§> ^Ijnen nadjfjcr bcltebt, tt>ilt f id) biefelben gragcn an ©ie rtdjten. (£3 gefd)icf)t nur gur Ubung, unb etmaige iubtefrete gragcn fonnen ©ie un* bcanttoortet laffett. SSte l)eij$en ©ie mit $l)rem $ornamen (£aufnamcn) ? 2Bie fyetfien ©ie mit $l)rcm gunamen (gami(ien^amen) ? 2Ber fyat 3*) ncn bk\z\\ 5Sornamen gegcben ? SJurben ©ie nad) einem $ertt>anbten obcr greunbe 5 er $amifte fo genannt ? 2Be3l)a(b nennt man ben 3Sornamen aud) £aufnamcn ? SBeSfyalb nennt man ben ^unamen and) ben gamilien* Stamen ? $n toetd)em $al)re finb ©ie geboren ? SBann ift Qftr ©eburtstag ? 2Sie alt finb ©ie ? ©inb ©ie auf bem Sanbe ober in einer ^Btabt geboren ? SSie fyei^t bk ©tabt (ba3 2)orf) in ber (in bem) ©ie ge* feoren finb ? Siegt $l)r ©eburtSort ($l)re 23aterftabt) an einem gluffe ? tm ©ebirge ? in einer ©bene ? ©inb $I)r ©rofftater unb ^) re ©ro^mutter nod) am Seben ? §aben ©ie and) ©efdjtmfter ? trie trie! Sriibcr ? trie Diet ©djtoeftern ? P?'actical Lessons in German Conversation. 97 XVII. The teacher says : The wife of Max La Roche, as he was called subsequently, was the famous Sophia La Roche, the friend of Goethe, Schiller, and especially of Wieland. Several of her novels were translated into English, and enjoyed great popularity. — Now, tell me, who La Roche really was, and how he came to Count Stadion. The questions which now follow are of a personal nature. .1 should not like to be indiscreet. Will you, for this reason, first put these questions to me, and afterwards, if you like, I will put the same questions to you. It is only for the sake of practice, and if any of the questions should be indiscreet, you need not answer them. What is your Christian name ? What is your family name ? Who has given you your Christian name ? Were you called so after a relative or friend of the family ? Why is a Christian name sometimes called the baptismal name? Why is the surname frequently called the family name ? In what year were you born ? On what day is your birthday ? How old are you ? Were you born in the country or in a town ? W 7 hat is the name of the town (village) in which you were born ? Is your birth-place situated on a river ? in the moun- tains ? or on a plain ? Are your grandfather and grandmother still alive ? Have you any brothers and sisters? How many brothers ? how many sisters ? H 98 ©cutfdje ©predjitbungcu. ©inb $l)re ©efdjtoifter alter obcr jimger ate ©ie ? ©inb @ie fdfyon eingejegnet (f onftrmtert) ? $n toeldfjem 8eben3jaljre ftnbet bie (Sinfegnung ber $on* firmanben bet g^nen gu 8anbe gctoofynttd) ftatt ? SDKt toetdjem ^a^re toerben bie jungcn Scute fyier gu Sanbe mitnbig (majorenn, groftafyrig) ? 2Ba3 ift eiu SSormunb auf englifd) ? SBcm gicbt man ehten $ormunb ? 2Ben ucuut man eine minorenne ober unmiinbige ^crfon ? SBetdje ^Stabt nennen @ie $f)re 25aterftabt, unb toc(d)e£ Canb nennen ©ie $ljr SJaterianb ? Qft ba$ ®eburt3(anb aud) immcr ba$ 23ater(anb ? ©inb bie $inber engtiftfjer Sltcrn, bie in 9lfrifa geboren ftnb, 2lfrifaner ? $ur tote alt fjatten ©ie mid) ? SBetcIjer Sonfeffion geboren ©ie an ; [tub ©ie eoangetifd) ober fat^oltfcf) ? SKerfen ©ie fid), ba§ man in £)eutfd)(anb gctoofjnlid) fogt f ,et>cmgettfd)" unb nidjt f f protcftanttf d^. " £>a£ 2Bort eoange* ttfd) Ijat nidjt gan£ biejelbe Scbcutung toie ba$ engtijdje SSort evangelical. ffiaSift^r ©efdjaft? SBeldjem ©efdjafte tooften ©ie fid) toibmen ? 2Bo l)aben ©ie $l)re fe^ten fjertcn $ugebrad)t ? 2Bo fjoffen ©ie Qijre nad)ften gerien sugubringen ? ©ie Qfnquifijton ift ju ©rtbe. f$fyt ttxva$ 2Inbere3. „2Benn man toon einem £urme ober einem Serge am Ufer auf ba$ offene Stteer fjtnau3fd)aut, fo ftefjt man t)on einem fid) nafyernben ©djiffe guerft nur bk ©pi^en ber 2Kaften ober be3 ©djornfteineS. 2Benn fid) ba§ ©d)iff bem 33eobad)ter nafjert, fo fcfyeint t§> aflmafylig au3 bem SBaffer auf^utaudjen, bfe e3 cnb(id) Dottftanbtg ftdjtbar totrb. ®iefe ©rfdjeimmg geigt offenbar, ba£ bte 9tteere3oberftcid)e gefritmmt ift." Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 99 Are your brothers and sisters older or younger than yourself. Have you been confirmed ? At what age are people usually confirmed in your country ? In what year of their lives are young people of age in this part of the world ? What is the German for " a guardian " ? To whom do people appoint a guardian ? Who is called a minor or a person under age ? What town do you call your native town ? and what country do you call your native country ? Is the country of a person's birth always the country he owes allegiance to ? Are children born in Africa of English parents Africans ? How old do you take me to be ? To what religious denomination do you belong ? Are you a Protestant or a Catholic ? Remember that in Germany people usually say Evan- gelical and not Protestant. The word ettCtngeltfcfy has not exactly the same meaning as the English word evangeli- cal. What is your business ? To what occupation do you intend to devote yourself ? Where did you pass your last holidays ? Where do you hope to pass your next holidays ? There is an end to these inquisitorial questions. Now to something else. " When you look out upon the open sea from a tower or a hill on the shore, and observe an approaching ship, you see at first the tops of the masts or of the chimney. As the ship gets nearer to the observer, it seems gradually to rise from the water, until at last it becomes completely visible. This phenomenon clearly demonstrates that the surface of the sea is curved." 100 ®entfd)e ©predjiibnngen. 2Bo mn§ man fjinanffteigen, toenn man eint gute 2tu3ftd)t fjaben ttrift ? 2Benn ein ©d)iff fid) bem Sanbe nci^ert, fo ficl;t man juerft U)dd)e SLette beff etben ? $3a3 bemerfcn ttrir, je nafjer ba3 ©djiff bem Sanbe !ommt ? 2Ba£ ober bemerfen ttrir, toenn fid) ba3 ©d)iff ttricbcr entf ernt ? 2£a3 betoeift biefe (£rfd)einung ? „93Barum foil id) mcincn geinbcn ttribcrfprcd)en?" fagte $einrtd) £)cine. f ,^n toenigen ^afjrcn bin id) tot, nnb bann mnft id) mir atfe 8itgen bod) gef alien faff en." $onnen ttrir ermartcn, baft nnfere gfcinbe ©nte3 Don un3 reben ? $idt §eine e3 ber 9JW)e ttiert, feincn geinben jn ttribcr* fprcdjen ? $ann man feinen geinben nad) bem lobe toiberfprecfjen ? 2Ba3 mnft man fid) nad) bem Xobe Don feinen geinben gef alien laffen ? 2Ba3 toar §eine'3 2tteinnng ? ©raf Dbo Sftnffefl, ber engtifdjc ©efanbte am bentfdjen ftofe, befud)te eineS £age£ ben giirften 23i3mard: in beffen folate in ber 2Bitt)elm^©tra|e §n 93er(in. 9lad) einer tdngeren Unter^altnng bemerlte ber ©raf, ba% ein Wlann ttrie ber 9tetd)3fan3ter tool)! red)t oft Don langtoeiligen 2)?en* fd)en mit 33efud)en geplagt toerbe. „$)a£ fet ©ott geftagt," t)erfe£te fenf^enb ber gitrft. „©ie fjaben aber bod) jeben* fattt ba3 eine ober ba$ anbre Sftittel, fid) fo!d)e £ente ttom $a!fe §u f^affen/' bemerlte ber ©raf. ,,(£ifreiitd)/' fd)mnn* gelte 23i3mar(i „(£in3 meiner beften ift, bag i(^ mid) burd) meine gran nnter biefem ober jenem $ortoanbe abrnfen laffe. Sftatiirlid) lann bann ber 93efnd)er nid)t langer bleiben." $anm ()atte ber gurft biefe SSSortc gefprod)en, q(3 bie gfiirftin Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 101 Where must one climb to if one wishes to have a good view ? When a ship gets near the shore, what parts of it do you see first ? What do we observe the nearer the ship approaches the shore ? But what do we observe when the ship sails away again ? What does this phenomenon prove ? " Why should I contradict my enemies ? " said Heinrich Heine, " in a few years I shall be dead and shall have to submit to all sorts of lies." Can we expect that our enemies should speak well of us? Did Heine think it worth his while to contradict his enemies ? Is it possible to contradict one's enemies after one's death ? What must we submit to at the hands of our enemies after our death ? What was Heine's opinion ? Lord Odo Russell, the English ambassador at the Ger- man court, one day paid a visit to Prince Bismarck, in his mansion in the Wilhelms Strasse, in Berlin. After a somewhat protracted conversation, Lord Odo observed that a man like the chancellor of the empire was, in all probability, often bothered by the visits of tiresome people. "God knows, that is only too true," replied the prince with a sigh. u But, surely you have some means or other," observed Lord Odo, " to get rid of such people." "Why surely," replied Bismarck, with a knowing smile; "one of my best dodges is to have myself called out by my wife under some pretext or other ; then, of course, the visitor cannot stop any longer." Scarcely had the prince uttered these words when the princess 102 £>eutfd)e ©predjitbungen. Ijereintrat, unb ntit ber unfdjutbigften SD^tcnc toon ber Skft fagte : „Dtto, c£ ift an ber ftcit, beine 2Kebt3tn %n ncljmcn. 33ergtg e3 ntdjt." 3u ntdjt gcringem (Srftauncn ber giirfttn, brad) ©raf £)bo bet biefen Morten in em fd)atfenbe3 ®e* latter au£. 2H§ cm SBeftmamt fagtc er tie ©arfje toon ber Ijcitern ©cite auf, naljm feincn $ut unb empfal)l fid). XVIII. 2Iuf toctdjc SBctfc fucf)t fid) gurft 23i3marcf toon (dfttgett 33efud)ern $u befreicn ? ©r^cifylen ©ie mir ba§. 2B05U braudjt man papier, g-cber unb Xintc ? 2Ber fdjrcibt nut ctnem ©djieferftift auf cine ©djiefcr* tafel ? 2Bomit fdjreibt ber Scfjrcr an bic 2£anbtafcl ? $on tocldjer $arbe ift bic 2£anbtafe( ? SEBomit fdjreibt man, toenn man fcinc SEtnte unb gcber bci ber $anb Ijat, 3. 93. toenn man eine SRbti] in fein 9?oti^ budj eintragen it)i(t ? SBorauf fd)reibt man ? 2Borein taudjt man bic $ebcr ? 2Ba3 ift cin Sintenfafe ? ©djreiben ©ie fteber mit ©taf)(febem obcr mit ©anfe* febern ? %$a$ fiir papier bvau&jt man gctoofynlid) §um 23rief* fdjreiben ? Sffite lonnen inir un3 mit unfern abtoefenben $reunbcn unterfjalten ? 2Ba3 fitr ©djreibmaterialicn gebraudjen bic flcincn $inber bet iljren erften ©cfyreibiibungen ? 2Ber fdjreibt mit $reibe ? SBorauf fd)rcibt ber Seljrer mit ®reibe ? SBontit lofdfjt er ba3 ©efdjriebcne au3 ? 2£ann fdjreibt man mit cinem 23(etfttf te ? SSorin ift Me £inte ? 5ln men fdjreiben trtr 95rtefc, unb 3U toetrfjem $m$t ? 2£enn man ben Srief gefdjrieben I)at, fo ftedt man iljn in cin $outoert. 2Ba3 frfjreibt man auf ba$ $outoert ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 103 entered, and, with the most innocent air in the world said, " Otto, it is time to take your medicine, don't forget it." To the no small astonishment of the princess, Lord Odo burst out into a loud laugh at these words. As a man of the world, he looked at the humorous aspect of the matter, took his hat, and — his leave. XVIII. Tell me in what manner Prince Bismarck tries to get rid of troublesome visitors ? What do we use paper, pen, and ink for ? Who writes with a slate pencil upon a slate ? With what does the teacher write on the black board ? Of what colour is the black board ? What do we write with when we have no pen and ink conveniently at hand, for instance, when we want to enter a note in our pocket-books ? What do you write upon ? What do you dip your pen in ? What is an inkstand ? Do you prefer to write with steel pens or goose quills ? What kind of paper do people generally use for writing letters ? How can we converse with our absent friends ? What sort of writing materials do little children use for their first exercises in writing ? Who writes with chalk? On what does the teacher write with chalk ? With what does he wipe out what he has written ? When do people write with a pencil ? What is the ink in ? To whom do we write letters, and for what purpose ? When you have written a letter you put it into an envelope. What do you write upon the envelope ? 104 ©eutftfje ©pretfjubungen. SBie franfiert man einen 33rtcf ? 2Bie nennt man einen 33rtef fur ben ba$ ?orto boraa^ fcejaljtt ift ? 2Bie t>tel barf ein einfarfjer 93rief fur's ^nlanb ftriegen ? SBie me( barf etn einfacfyer 33rief fftr'S 2Iu3(anb toiegcn ? S33ie Diet bcga^It ber ©mpfanger fur einen unfranftcrten 93rief? SfiSte t>tet betragt ba3 ^orto fur einen boppetten Srief nad) bem 2lu3(anb ? 2Ba3 ift ein unfranlierter 33rief ? 2Bo !ann id) 93riefmarfen (3freimarfen) kfommcn ? SSorauf mu§ man bie Sriefmarfen flebcn ? 2Bo ift ba$ ^oftamt ? ^ft e3 meit t)on fjicr ? SBo ift ber ncirf)fte S3rief!aften (23riefeinttmrf) ? 2Bie oft tt»trb ber 23rieffaftcn gcleert ? SBann ftnbet bk ncidjftc, uub luanu hie tc^te 2(ufnaf)me (2lbf)oiung) ber Sriefe ftatt ? 2Ba3 fottte man mit Srtcfen tfyun, bie 2Bertfad)en ent* fatten ? SBofjin fann man feine 93riefe abreffieren laffen, toenn man leine beftimmte Slbreffe in einer <&tabt fyat ? 2£a£ ift ein cingefdjricbencr (rcfommanbierter) 93rief ? 2Ba3 ift ein pofttagernber 93rief ? $riiljer fdjrieb man auf 93riefe, tocldje auf bem 'poftamte tiegen bleiben foftten bis Slbreffat fie abfyotte : poste restante. SBaS ift ber je^ige offt^iefte 2lu£brud: fur poste restante im beutfd)en Vitifyt ? 2B03U bient ber ^oftftempel ? £)ient berfelbe nur jur ©ntmertung ber Sriefmarlen ? 2Bofjer lonnen tirir toiffen, toann ein 33rief fcom 2T6fenber auf bie ^oft abgegeben toorben ift, unb toann er am 33e* fttmmungSorte angelommen ift ? |)ier ift ein 23rief. (£)er &l)rer Jjanbigt bem ©djuler einen Srief). 5ln toen ift berfelbe abreffiert ? Practical Zessons in German Conversation. 105 How do you prepay a letter ? What do you call a letter on which the postage has been prepaid ? What weight must a single letter for the United King- dom not exceed ? What weight must a single letter for foreign parts not exceed ? How much has the person to pay who receives an un- paid letter ? What is the (amount of) postage for a double letter for foreign parts ? What is an unpaid letter ? Where can I get postage-stamps ? What must you fix the postage-stamps on ? Where is the post-office ? Is it far from here ? Where is the nearest letter-box ? How often is the letter-box cleared ? When will the letter-box be cleared next time ? And when for the last time ? What ought we to do with letters which contain valu- ables ? Where may you have your letters addressed when you have no certain address in a town ? What is a registered letter ? What is a letter " addressed to the post-office ?" Formerly people wrote upon letters, which were to be kept at the post-office till the addressee called for them, poste restante. What is at present the official expression in the German Empire for poste restante? What is the use of the office-stamp of the post-office ? Is it merely used to deface the stamps ? How can we know when a letter has been posted by the writer, and when it has arrived at the place of its destination ? Here is a letter. (The teacher hands to the pupil a letter). To whom is this letter addressed ? 106 ©eutfdje ©predjitbangen. 2Bo fommt ber 33rief fjer ? 2In toeldjem £age tft er auf ber $oft abgcgcbcn toorbcn ? Sin foetdfjem Sage tft er on ben Slbreffaten abgeliefert toorbcn ? 2£ie btetc 33riefau3gaben fyat man l)ier am Drte ? 2Bann fommt ber SSricftragcr (93rtefbote) ba£ crfte 2Rat ? ba3 lefete 2M ? Sftuft man eincn ^aft ober fonftige Segitima^ionSpapicrc Dor§eigen, toenn man poftlagerubc 23riefe Don ber ^oft ab* Ijolen will ? $at man fid) in nenerer $eit and) ber 33rieftauben be* bient ? 2Ba§ tft cm 33rtefmarfcnfammfer ? 9Ba3 fatten ©ie Don btefer Vtcb!)abcrei ? SBetcfjen SWufcen l)at fie ? SBetdje 83rtcfntarfen tncrben fur befonberS toerttJoH ge* fatten ? @in 93ud), toeld)e3 eine SInlcttung §um 33rieffd)reiben giebt, fjetfjt ein SBrteffteflcr. SBer fyat einen 93rtefftctter notig ? %Ra§ finbet man in einem Srief ftefler ? £)er Seljrer fpridjt: Urn fid) am gefttrnten $tmmel $u ortentteren, gefyt man gctoofynlid) t)om ©ternbilbe be£ groften Sdren au3, mld)c$ am n5rbttd)en 4?immet §u alien ^eiten tettfjt aufgefunben toerben !ann. 2Md)e£ ©ternbttb (apt fid) am (eid)teften am £)immet finben ? 3ft e§ $\ mand)en Qdten fd)mer §u finben ? 2£enn man ftd) am gefttrnten £>tmmel $ured)t finben nritt, fo nimmt man gett)ofyn(icf) toe(d)e3 ©ternbttb §um 2lu3* gangSpunft ? Seftnbet fid) ber grofte 95dr in ber norb(id)en ober fitb* ttd^en ^emi^p^are be£ £)imme(3 ? SLWjer ©tern ift ber Ijettfte ©tern im grofsen 33aren? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 107 Where does this letter come from ? On what day has it been posted ? On what day has it been delivered to the person addressed ? How many deliveries are there in this place ? When does the postman come the first time ? the last time ? Is it necessary to produce a passport or other papers of identification, when one wishes to obtain at the post office letters addressed poste restante ? Have pigeon carriers been used in modern times ? What is a postage-stamp collector ? What do you think of this craze ? What is the use of it ? What postage stamps are considered particularly valu- able ? A book which gives instruction in writing letters, is called a " letter- writer." Who requires a letter- writer ? What do you find in a letter- writer ? The teacher says : In order to find their way in the starry sky, people generally start from the constellation of the Great Bear, which is always easily to be found in the northern sky. Which constellation is the most easily found in the sky? Is it sometimes difficult to find it ? From what constellation do people generally start, when they wish to find their way in the starry sky? Is the Great Bear in the northern or southern hemi- sphere of the heavens ? What star is the brightest star in the Great Bear ? 108 ©eutfdje ©predfjftbungett. „$n $ftnften unb ©rfinbungen ftel)t baat feme ©d)u(e. SBorin roerben bic £)eutfd;en Don anbern 2>o(fem iiber* troffen ? 2Md)e SBoffer fmb reiser ? 2Be(d)e Ijaben grofeere gotten ? ©roftere unb aaljtreidjere $o(oniecn ? $n metier Se^iefjung ftefyt ba3 beutfdje 93o(f ben ®ng* lanbern unb grangofen nicfjt nad) ? SBorin gel)t e£ ben anbern $otfern t)oran ? 2Be(d)e ©teltung nimmt £)eutfdj(anb ein, toa3 bic 23olf3* fcilbung anbetangt ? 2Bo finbet man ©rfjuten in £)eutfd)(anb ? ©el)en atte ®inbcr in £)entfd)(anb in bie ©dfjute ? 33i3 h n tocld^cm Sebcn^ia^rc ? 3nm ©djtuffe biefer ?e!tion toitt id) $fjnen ein norbifdjeS 9Jiard)en er^afylen. (Sin Sftebljuljn lam au3 bem 2Mbe gcflogen. ®a be* gegnete ifym ein ^dger. „2ld), (ieber ^agcr," fagte ba3 &ebfyul)n, „tl)ue bod) meinen $inbern %lid)ts %u leib." Unb ber Qager gab jur 5tnttr>ort : „2Boran foil id) beine $inber erlennen ; fjabe id) fie bod) nie gefefyen." „£)u njtrft fie teidjt erfemtert," fagte ba3 Sftebf)ufyn, „fie finb gar fo fdjon ; getoitf, fie finb bk }d)5nften $bge( im SMbe." „^fhm gut/' fagte ber $ager, „toenn id) beine $inber fefyen foftte, fo toitt id> fie fcfyonen." ®a flog ba$ Sftebfyufyn frofy(id) I)inau<8 auf bai getb. 21m $benbe, ate e3 jurudttam, traf e<3 ben $aget ttneber unb fal), tt>ie er afte ifyre lleinen ^ebfyiifyner tot am ©urtet trug. „2Id), bu falfdjer unb graufamer $ager," iammerte ba$ ^tebljufyn, „toarum ^aft bu mir meine ^ungen Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 109 " In arts and inventions the German people are not inferior to the English and French ; in education and science it surpasses other nations ; in the instruction of the people it occupies incontestably the highest place, for even the smallest village has its school." In what do other nations surpass the Germans ? Which nations are richer ? Which have larger fleets ? Larger and more numerous colonies ? In what respect is the German people not inferior to» the English and French ? In what does it surpass other nations ? What position does Germany occupy with regard to popular education ? Where do you find schools in Germany ? Do all children go to school in Germany ? Up to what year of their age ? At the end of this lesson I will tell you a Norse story ? A partridge came flying out of the wood ; then she met a sportsman. " Ah, dear sportsman," said the part- ridge, "do no harm to my children ;" and the sportsman answered: "How shall I know your children? You know I have never seen them." "You will easily recognize them," said the partridge, " they are so very pretty ; indeed, they are the most beautiful birds in the wood." "Very well," said the sportsman, " if I should see your children I will do them no harm." After that the partridge flew merrily over the plain. In the evening, when she came back, she met the sportsman again, and saw him carrying all her little ones hanging dead from his girdle. " Ah ! You false and cruel sportsman," said the partridge lamenting, " why have you killed all 110 ©eutfdje ©predjitbungen. gefdjoffen? $d), meine $inber! meine armcn ®inber!" Wotx ber $dger fpradj) : „£)u I)aft mtr ja gefagt, beine $ungen feten bie fd^onften 23ogel im 2Mbe, unb irf) fyak nur bie fjajtfidjften gcfd^offcn." £)a fprarf) ba3 9^ebf)u^n : „28eif$t bu benn nid)t, bap jcber flutter i^re eigenen $inber bie fdjonften finb ?" XIX. Wx fangett bie Scftion, tote getool)niid), bamit an, ba§ cin ©fitter bie gabel obcr ©cfdjidjtc ber (efctcn fcttion in beutfd)er ©pradje ttuebererjctylt. 2l(fo — 2Baren ©ie Dorigen ©ountag in ber ®irdje ? 2Ber f>at geprebigt ? Urn tocldje Qtit fangt ber 9JJorgcngotte3bicnft an ? Um toddjje geit fdngt ber $ftadjmittag3gottc£bienft an ? 3Cie lange banerte bit ^rebigt ? 2Bie gefiet $l)nen bit* fetbe ? 2Ba£ nmr ber Zqt ber $rebigt ? .giefjen ©ie eine htr^e ^rebigt einer langen Dor ? §aben ©ie aud) eine gnte Drgel in ^Ijrer ®ird)e ? 2Bie fyeiftt ber Drganift ? $ft bit $irdje cinfd)ifftg ? breifdjiffig ? freu^formig ? 2Mdje fird)tid)en £>anMungcn, aujser bem ©ottc^bienfte, finben in ber iftrdje ftatt ? $Ber ttrirb in ber $ird)e getanft ? 2Mdje $inber erljatten bie 9?ottaufe ? 2Bie triefe ?aten (ober ^atinnen) giebt man getoofyntid) bem £aufling ? 9Kerlen ©ie fid), ba§ ©efcatter nid)t godfather §ti$t, wit atle beutfdje @(ementarbiid)er nnb 2£orterbitdjer gum ©e* brand) ber gnglanbcr t% fyaben, aufjer in bem Slu^brucf „ ©eoatter ftefyen." ©ettatter ift gossip, co-sponsor, auf frangofijdj) compere, b. \). tin Wlom, ber mit un3 gufatnmen ^att eineS $inbe3 ift. Sttfo jefct fagen ©ie mir : 2Ba3 ift cin £aufling ? ein ^3ate ? eine ^atin ? ein ©euatter ? 2Ba3 l)eij3t „@eoatterftefjen" auf ftigOfdj ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. Ill my young ones ? alas ! my children, my poor children !" But the sportsman said : "Surely, you told me that your young ones were the prettiest birds in the wood, and I have shot none but the ugliest." Then said the part- ridge : " Don't you know that to every mother her own children are the most beautiful ? " XIX. As usual we begin the lesson with the repetition, in German, of the fable or story of the preceding lesson, by one of the pupils. Now — Were you at church last Sunday ? Who was the preacher? At what time does the morning-service begin ? At what time does the evening-service begin ? How long was the sermon? How did you like it? What was the text of the sermon ? Do you prefer a short sermon to a long one ? Have you a good organ in your church ? What is the name of the organist ? Has the church one aisle ? or three aisles ? is it cruciform ? What other religious ceremonies, besides divine service, take place in church ? Who is baptized in church ? What children are baptized privately ? How many godfathers or godmothers are usually given to a child that is to be baptized ? Remember that ©ettatter does not mean "godfather," as it is stated in all German elementary books and dictionaries for the use of Englishmen, except in the expression " to stand godfather." ©chattel* means Gossipy co-sponsor, in French compere, i.e., a man who, jointly with us, is godfather of a child. Now tell me, what do you call a child which is to be baptized ? What is a godfather ? A godmother ? a gossip (or co-sponsor) ? What is in German : to stand godfather (godmother) ? 112 ©eutfdjc ©prcdjubungcn. 5£Ste oft mug cm 93rautpaar aufgebotcn toerben, elje e£ in ber $ird)e gctraut toerben !ann ? 33cmcrfen ©ie Met ben Unterfdjieb in bem ©cbraudje be& beutfdjcn 2Borte£ SBraut unb bc£ englifd^en ffiorto bride. SKorin beftefjt biefer Unterfdjicb ? $ann man eine £>i3penfa§ion bom Slufgebot erfaufen ? SBeldje firdjltdje ^anblungen mug ber ^farrer in ba$ $irdjenbud) eintragen ? 2Ba3 ift cine 93crfobung ? SBcrben 33ertobungen and} in ber $irdje gefeiert ? 2Bie toerben biefelben in £)eutftfjfanb angc^cigt ? SBurbe fcorigen ©onntag eine SoKeftc in ber $irdje ge* mad)t? $n tueffen 93cftem ? 2£irb bit Siturgie ober ein Sett bcrfclben don ben ©eift* tidjen unb bem Sfjore pfafotobiert ? SBerben bit ^faftnen nad) bem gregorianifdjen $irdjen* gefange pfafatobiert ? Sa3 fur ein Untcrfdjieb ift jtoifdjen eincm ©efangbud) unb einem Sieberbud)? 3ft and) ein ie ftufybm ftnb namlidj enttoeber §u aufmerffam auf bit ^rebigt, ober fie ftnb eingefd)(afen. 2£er gu befonbern milben ober firdj* lidjen fttot&tn beifteuern toifl, finbet an ben $ird)cntljurcn bit $irdjenftode fur bie Slrmen, ba3 £)ofyita(, u. f. to. — Qe^t fagen ©ie mir : 2Cer gefjt mit bem Stingebeutet Ijerum ? 2£ann gel)t ber $ufter mit bem $(ingebeutet Ijerum ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 113 How often must the banns be published before a couple can be married in church ? Observe the difference in the meaning of the German word 23rctiit and of the English word bride. What is the difference ? Can a dispensation from the publication of banns be had for money ? The performance of what ecclesiastical ceremonies must the clergyman of the parish enter in the parish- register ? What is a betrothal ? Are betrothals also celebrated in church? In what manner are they made public in Germany ? Was a collection made at church last Sunday ? For what object ? Do the clergy and the choir chant the liturgy or a portion of it ? Are the psalms sung according to the Gregorian chant? What difference is there between a hymn-book and a song-book ? Is there a parsonage near your church ? Who lives in the parsonage ? In many churches in Germany the sacristan goes round with the collection-bag in order to collect the offertory during the sermon. The ®li\\Qebeutcl is a bag fixed to a long pole, so long that the sacristan may thrust it up to the end of the pews. A little bell is fastened to the bag, and this the sacristan shakes in order to attract the atten- tion of the people attending church. For the people are either too much intent on listening to the sermon or they have gone to sleep. He who wishes to contribute to any special charitable or ecclesiastical object, finds at the church-doors collecting-boxes for the poor, the hospital, and so forth. — Now tell me : Who goes round with the collecting- bag? When does the sacristan go round with the collecting- bag? 114 ©eutfdjc ©predjitbungen. 2Ba3 toirft man in ben $(ingc(beute( ? 2Ba3 ift etn Sirdjcnftocf ? 2Bo ftefyen bic £ird)cnftocfc ? 2$ie ftefjt ein filingdbeutct au3 ? „®ie ®onau cntfpringt auf bem ©d)toar3toa(bc bet bem ©tdbtd)en $)onaucfd)ingcn. ©ie fKcfct in J)eutfd)lanb bttrd) ^ofyengottem, SBiirtemberg unb 33at)crn, bann flicjH (tc bnrd) Dftreid) unb Ungarn, unb ergicjst fid; in bet Xitriet in ba$ fdjroarflc SRcer." SBetdjer glufe entfpringt auf bem ©d)toar$toa(be ? Sftafyc bet tuefdjer ©tabt cntfpringt bic £)onau ? £mrd) toeltfje bcutfd)e ©taatcn fficfct bie ®onau ? 5)nrd) toetdje aufeerbeutfdje ©taaten fKcfct bic S)onau ? $n ft>eld)c3 Stteer ergiefct fid) bie ®onau ? 3ft bie £)onau in Hjrcr gotten Sangc fd)iffbar ? Nennen ©ie mir cinigc ©tcibte, bic an ber $)onau liegen. „$m s Mgemcincn ift ba§ $(ima ber ncitcn ©eft falter, ate in ben unter gtcidjen ©raben (iegenben ^cinbern ber altcn ®ett" 2Be(d)en ©rbtett nennen roir bie ncuc SSett ? 2Md)e (Srbteite nennen toir bic alte ffiett ? $ft bk £)i£e ober $a(te unter ben gleicfyen ©raben ber atten 2Mt unb ber neuen 2Be(t biefelbe? 8t)on unb 9Bontrca( Uegen fo giemttc^ unter bemfetben Skeitegrabe ; toa3 ift aber ber Unterfdfjieb stoifrfjen bem $tima toon 8tyon unb Montreal ? £)ie3mat ttrift id) Q^nen ^toei Heine ©cfd)id)tcn cr^afjlcn. 3$ Ijabe fie in bent ©djafcfaftlein be3 djrinifdfjen §au<^ freunbe£ toon ^ofyann SJ3eter |>ebet gefunben. $n ber ©tabt 2lad)en ift cine gfabrif, in toetdjer ntcf)t^ ate Sfttiljnabeln gemadjt toerben. (Sin grember beftcfjtigte cinft bicfe $abrif, unb ttmnberte fid), ba§ e3 moglidfy fei, in bie atterfeinften ^abctn mit eineut nod) fcinercn ^nftrument Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 115 What do people put into the collecting-bag ? What is a collection-box ? Where are the collection-boxes placed ? What does a ^Itncjebeutel look like ? " The Danube rises in the Black Forest near the little town of Donaueschingen. It flows, in Germany, through Hohenzollern, Wiirtenberg, and Bavaria; then it flows through Austria, Hungary and Turkey into the Black Sea." What river rises in the Black Forest ? Near what town does the Danube rise? Through which German States does the Danube flow ? Through which non-German states does the Danube flow? Into what sea does the Danube flow ? Is the Danube navigable in its whole (length) course ? Mention a few towns which are situated on the Danube. "Generally speaking, the climate of the New World is colder than that of the countries in the same latitude in the Old World." What part of the world do we call the New World ? Which parts of the world do we call the Old World ? Is the heat or the cold the same under the same latitudes in the Old and the New World ? Lyons and Montreal are situated pretty much under the same degree of latitude ; but what is the difference between the climate of Lyons and Montreal ? This time I will tell you two little stories. I have found them in the " Treasury of the Rhenish Family Friend," by Johann Peter Hebel. In the city of Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) is a factory in which nothing is manufactured but needles. A stranger one day inspected this factory, and was astonished that it should be possible to punch a hole into the finest needle with a still finer instrument, a hole so small that 11G £>cutfd)e ©predjubungcn. ein Sod) gu ftcdjcn, burd) toe(dje3 nur ber atferfeinfte, foft unfid)tbare gaben gegogen toerben fann. £)a 309 fid) cin s 3JMb* djen, bent ber $rembe eben aufdjaute, ein lange3 §aar au£ bem $opfe, ftad) mit einer ber feinften ^abcln eine Dffnuug baburd), mijm bap eine (Snbe bcs |)aarc3, bog c£ urn, unb gog e3 burd) bie Dffnung gu cincr artigcn <3d)(eife. S)iefc3 fo titnft(id) berfdjfangcne $aar bot fie ban Jyrcmbcn ^urn Slnbcnfen, unb befam bafixr ein artigcn ©cfdjcnf. 21(3 ©eitenftiicf ba$u erjaljtt |)cbe( : ®3 fear einmat cin Sagebicb, ber Ijaite nid)t§ in ber SSelt gelernt, nnb fid) nnr burner gcitbt, (Srbfen au3 cincr gettriffen (Sntfemnng burd) ein flcincS Sodjridjen §u tterfcn. SKit biefer $unft 309 er t>on (Btabt ju ©tabt nnb (ieft fid) fitr ®e(b fefyen. ©0 lain cr aud) nad) s Jtom nnb erlangte gule^t (Srtaubnte feine $nnft Dor bem ^apfte jn jeigen. 2Bie frente fid) ber (Sfyarlatan, a(3 ber hammerer be3 ^apftc^ il)m ein ftramm gefi'tftteS ©cidlein iibcrreicfyte. SItletn ina3 toar barin ? ©in 2ftaft (£rbfen, foe(d)e3 ifjm ber roetfe ^apft gur Selofjnung nnb 2Iufmunterung ubermadjen (ie§, bamit er fid) in feiner $unft nod) ferner itben nnb immer grbftere gortfdjritte mad)en lonnte. XX. £>iefe beiben fteinen ©rjaljfangcn tjat ^etcr §cbcl nnter ber Uberfd)rift „brot(ofe ®unft" gufammengefajfr 23a3 tft ber Unterfd)ieb gnrifdjen bem Shtnftftftd bc3 2Jiabd)en3 §u $ladjen unb bem be3 (J^artatan^ ? SBomit Derbiente ba3 9)Mbd)en Ujr 23rot ? SBomit ber 9ttarft|d)reier ? — $e£t ergafjlen ©ie mir bie beiben %\\&* boten nod) einmol. 2Bo lanfen ©ie $f)re Sitter ? SBo tft ber 8aben %$u% SudjljanblerS ? $erfauft er nnr englifdje, ober and) beutfdje nnb franco* fifdje Sutler ? 2Biet>ie( fjaben @ie fur $l)re bcutfdje ©rammatil gegebcn? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 117 only the finest, almost invisible thread, can be drawn through it. Then a girl, whom the stranger was watching, pulled a long hair off her head, pricked a hole through it, with one of the finest needles, took one end of the hair, bent it, and drew it through the hole so as to form a pretty bow. This so cunningly entwined hair she offered to the stranger as a memento, and received in return a handsome present. As a counterpart to this story, Hebel relates another: There was once a lazy fellow who had learned nothing whatever, and done nothing at any time but practised throwing peas from a certain distance through a little hole. With this trick, he wandered from town to town, and exhibited himself for money. In this way he came to Rome, and at last obtained permission to exhibit his skill in presence of the Pope. How delighted was the Mountebank when the Pope's chamberlain handed to him a tightly filled little bag. But, what was in it ? A measure of peas, which the wise Pope had ordered to be given him as a reward and encouragement to continue practising his art, and to go on making still greater progress. XX. Peter Hebel has put these two little stories together under the heading : "Useless Art." What is the difference between the performance of the girl at Aix-la-Chapelle and that of the charlatan ? How did the girl earn her bread ? And how the mountebank ? — Now repeat to me the two anecdotes. Where do you buy your books ? Where is the shop of your bookseller ? Does he sell only English books, or does he sell also German and French books ? How much did you give for your German grammar ? 118 Seutfdje ©predjitbungen. 2Bie bererfjnet cr $f)nen ben franc unb Me Wlavt ? $aufen ©ie 30 re 33iid)er brofdjiert, gef>cftet, ober ge* buuben ? $n toeldjem 3uftanbe ftnb beutfdje 93iid^cr getobfynlid) ? 23ei toem laffen ©ie $I)re S3itd)er btnben ? SSie tuel gafylen ©ie fftr einen £)albfran^33anb ? 28a3 toirb immer auf bem Jttelblatte angcgcbcn ? SBeffen SWamen finbet man gemoljnlid) auf ber $ef)rfcite be3 £itelblatte3 ober auf ber tefctm ©cite be£ 33ud)e3 ? $ier ift em 93ut^ (l)ier giebt ber Server bem ©fitter ein beliebige3 83ud)), nefjmen ©ie e£ unb fagen ©ie mir : 1. SBer ift ber SBerfaffer Mefetf 23ud)c3 ? 2. 2Betd)en ©egen* ftanb bel)anbc(t ba§ 93ud) ? 3. Ml c3 bie erfte, ober ^ucite, ober eine nod) fpdtere Sluflage bc3 SJudjeS ? 4. SBer ift ber 85er? leger be3 23ud)c3 ? 5. $n tocldjcm ^afjre ift ba£ 93ud) IjerauSgefommcn ? 6. 2Ba3 ift bie ©eiten^af)! be<§ 33ud)c£ ? 7. 2Bo unb oon toem ift ba§ 23ud) gebrudt ? 8. ginben ©tc ein ^nfyaltgoer^eidjniS ? 9. 9ln toetdjer ©telle finbet man getoofynlid) ba$ $nl)att3t)cr$eid)ni3 fnmjdftfdjer Sitter? 10. 5(n toeldjcm or(cfen ? ©ut, tt>olten ©ie mir jefct biefe ©telle iiberfe^en ? Unb jefct feien ©ie fo gut unb geben mir ben $nl)att ber ©telle auf beutfd), ol)ne ba$ 23ud) anjufe^en. SBerben alle beutfdje 83itd)er mit beutfdjen Settern ge* brudt ? SBeldje 23itd)er brucft man jefct oor^ugSineife mit lateinifdjen Cettern ? SBogu ttrirb ber Umfd)tag brofdjierter Sitter getobfynlid) fcom 93ud)f)anbler gebraud)t ? 2Bo fimbigt ber 23ud)l)anbler neue Siidjcr (Sftotritaten oom S3ud)crmartt) an ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 119 At what rate of exchange does he calculate the franc and the mark ? Do you buy your books in paper covers, stitched or bound? In what state are German books usually ? By whom do you get your books bound ? How much do you pay for a half-calf binding? What is usually stated on the title-page? Whose name do you generally find on the reverse of the title-page, or on the last page of the book ? Here is a book (the teacher gives the pupil some book or other), take it and tell me : i. Who is the author of this book? 2. What subject is treated of in this book ? 3. Is it the first, or the second, or even a later edition of the book ? 4. Who is the pub- lisher of the book? 5. In what year has the book been published? 6. How many pages are in this book? 7. Where has the book been printed and by whom? 8. Is there a table of contents ? a register ? 9. In what place do you usually find the table of contents of French books ? 10. In what place do you usually find the table of contents of German and English books ? 11. Where do you find the table of errata ? Is there one in this book? 12. Where is the alphabetical register? Is there a register to this volume? 13. How many pages does this volume contain ? 14. Will you now open the book at page (here the teacher names some page of the book), and read to me the passage beginning at the — th line, down to the — th line. Very well ; will you now translate this passage ? And now be so kind as to give me the contents of the passage in German, without looking at the book. Are all German books printed in German character ? What kind of books are now more frequently printed in the Roman character ? To what object do booksellers usually devote the cover of stitched books ? Where do booksellers announce their new publications ? 120 ©eutfd)e ©predjiibungen. 9Ran fagt: „2Ba3 gcbrucft ift, mujs toaljr fein," unb „er tiigt toie em 23ud)." 2Bie erflaren ©ie biefe bciben ftdj hriberfpredjenben fprid)tt)5rtlid)en SRebcn3arten ? 2Sa3 ift ein 9tad)brut bte Drigina(^u3gabe gemofynUd) bcffer au3ge* ftattet ate ber $Rad)brud ? SBer ift ber befte $Intiquar Ijier am Drte ? 3Bie nimmt $l)r 2Intiquar SReftama^ionen auf, toenn man il)m befdjabtgte ober unDotfftanbige ©£cmplare juritd fcfjitft ? „@£ ift aftgemein betannt, ba§ man einen SRegenbogcn fiefjt, toenn man eine regnenbe 2Bo(fe Dor fid) unb bte (Sonne im SRtiden l)at. Untcr ben angegebenen 23ebingungen erfdjeint ber SRegenbogcn aud) in bem ©taubrcgen ber 2Baf* ferfatte unb ©pringbrunncn." 2Bann fie()t man einen SRegenbogen? 2Bo mug man ftefyen, urn einen 9icgcnbogen %u fefyen? $eigt fid) ber SRegenbogen nur am ^inuuel ? 2£o !ann man einen SRegen* bogen fef)en, felbft toenn e3 ntcf)t regnet ? „2Borm3 toar fritljer eine mdd)tige ?Reid^^ftabt unb ga^lte in ber £eit feiner Slutc 70,000 (Sintooljner; Jefet leine 15,000." 2Ba£ ift ungefafjr bte je^ige ©intDo^nerja^I Don 2Borm3 ? 3Bie Die! (lintooljner jafjlte 2£orm3 gur $dt feiner SBttite ? 2Ba3 fonnen ©ie mir fonft Don 2Borm3 erjaljlen ? £)er 8el)rer fpridjt : 2Ba3 fid) atfe Stage ereignet, ift ein afttagfidjeS (SreigniS. ©in fotdjeS ©reignte l)at nid)t ben SRei-^ ber liReufyeit, aber eS ift ber getoofynlidje ©egen* ftanb unfrer Unterfyaltung. @3 ift nur, inbem mir fotdje all* tdgtidje £>inge befpred)cn, bap toir bte gctoofjnlidje ©pradje Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 121 People say : "What is printed must be true," and " he lies like a book." How do you explain these two con- tradictory proverbial expressions ? What is a pirated edition ? In what country are pirated editions of English books published ? How does the get-up of a pirated edition usually differ from the copyright edition ? Is not the copyright edition usually better got-up than the pirated edition ? Who is the best second-hand bookseller in this place ? What does your second-hand bookseller say to com- plaints., when you return to him damaged or imperfect copies ? Everybody knows that we see a rainbow when we have a rain-cloud in front of us, and the sun at our backs. Under these conditions, a rainbow shows itself also in the spray of waterfalls and fountains." When do we see a rainbow? Where must we stand in order to see a rainbow ? Do we see rainbows only in the sky? Where can we see a rainbow even when it does not rain ? " Worms was formerly a powerful imperial city, and, at the time of its prosperity, numbered 70,000 inhabitants, but, at present, it numbers less than 15,000." What is, roughly stated, the present number of the inhabitants of Worms ? What was the number of the inhabitants of Worms at the time of its prosperity ? What can you tell me, besides that, about Worms ? The teacher says : What happens every day is an every-day occurrence. Such an event has not the charm of novelty, but forms the staple subject of our conversa- tion. It is only in talking about such common things that we practice the language of ordinary life, and learn to 122 ©eutfdje ©pred)itbungcn. be£ 8eben<§ itben unb gcbraudjen fcrnen. 2£a3 id) %fynm je£t ergal)(en toerbe, F>at fidf) fdjon oft gugetragcn, unb nrirb fid) nod) oft gutragcn, fo (ange bie 2Mt ftefjt. 9Kori£ toar ber eingige ©ol)n etnc^ reic^en ©ut3befi(3er3. ©cm 23ater, ber il)n gdrtttd^ liebte, lieft tfjm in alien £)ingen feinen SSiHen. ©o fam e3, bap attorifc in ber ©d)it(e imauf* mcrffam wax unb feme I)au3(id)cn 2lufgaben t)cruad)(dffigte. ©pielen, Sftcitcn, gifdjen marcn if)in (icbcr ati Smart SBenn er ermaljnt tomrbe, flcifng 511 fete, fo fagte er : „3d) toerbe ein Sanbuurt, uub ber braudjt nid)t otel gu briffen ; lucun id) lefen, fdjrcibcn unb rcdjucn fann, fo bin id) gefefjieft genug ; unb baju fyabc id) nod) tamer $eit !" ©0 ging ein $al)r nad) bent anbern l)in, unb lucil cr gfaubtc, tamer nod) geit genug gu fyaben, fo Icrntc cr aud) baS 8efen, ©djrcibcu unb SRedjnen mtr fcfjr ntittclinafug. 21(3 s itfori£ in bie $al)re trat, too er bk ©rintlc ncrlaffcn mu^te, ruoUte i()it fcin SJatcr gur Sanbnrirtfdjaft anlcitcn, unb trug il)in balb biefe, balb [cue ©efdjciftc auf. tHbcr SDtorifc ging (ieber fetnen genwfytten ikluftigungcn nad). SEnftatt auf bent gclbe gu fcin unb bie .ttnccljtc gur Arbeit angutrciben, ritt er in bk ©tabt gu feincn SBcfannten, fpiette, unb liefj bie $ned)te arbcitcn fo t)ie( ober fo toenig fie tooftten. £>er 23ater fcfjalt il)n gttmr beStocgcn, aber c3 fjalf ntdjts. (Snbiitf) ftarb ber SJater unb nun wax Wloxty |)crr be3 ©ute£ unb fonnte gang nad) feincin 2$il(cn fyanbeht. %lad) bem ©prid)* toort : jung geiuofyut, alt getfyan, b(ieb er berfclbe, kbit in ben £ag fyiucut, ofyne fid) unt bie 2Birtfd)aft gu befum* mern, unb in ein paar 3ja|ren wax ba$ ©ut fo fcerfdjufbet, bag e£ offentlid) uerlauft toerben mufjte. ®a3 ©c(b Don bem toerfauften ©ute reid)te laum gu, 3Korifcen3 ©djulben gu begal)(cn. ©0 fan! er tamer tiefer, bi§ iijm gulefct bie nbtigen 8cben§mittel fefytten. Sfttdjt^beftotoeniger Ukb er berfefbe (eidjtfmnige 9)?enfd). ®inc3 Sftorgens ta grilling fal) er cine ©djiualbe. „^un ift ber ©ommer ba," rief er fro()(id) au3, „toogu braud)e id) nod) einen ^ftod." 5I(fo Der^ laufte er fetnen 9tod, ging injp SBirt^^au^ unb betranl fid) Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 128 use it. What I am going to tell you now has happened often in the past, and will happen frequently in time to come, as long as the world lasts. Maurice was the only son of a rich landed proprietor. His father, who loved him tenderly, let him have his own way in everything. The result was that Maurice was inattentive at school, and neglected his home lessons. He preferred playing, riding, and fishing to learning. When he was exhorted to be industrious, he said, " I shall one day be an agriculturist, and as such need not know -much ; if I learn reading, writing, and arithmetic, I am clever enough, and for that I have plenty of time, and to spare." Thus one year after another passed by, and, as he believed that there was still plenty of time, he acquired but a mediocre knowledge of reading, writing, and ciphering. When Maurice came to the age when he had to leave school, his father wished to instruct him in farming, and entrusted to him now this, now that task. But Maurice preferred to attend to his accus- tomed amusements. Instead of being in the fields, and keeping the farm labourers to their work, he rode into the town to his acquaintances, gambled, and let the labourers work as much or as little as they liked. It is true, his father scolded him for it, but it did no good. At last his father died, and now Maurice was master of the property, and could act entirely according to his own will. But the proverb says, " as the twig is bent the tree will grow," and so he remained the same, lived recklessly on without minding the farm, and in a few years the estate was so encumbered with debt that it had to be sold by public auction. The money raised by the sale of the estate was scarcely sufficient to pay the debts of Maurice. Thus he went on in the downward path, until he at last was in want of the necessaries of life. Nevertheless, he remained the same careless fellow. One morning in spring he saw a swallow. " Now summer has 124 £)eutfd()e ©predjnbnngen. in ©djnapS. 2lber be£felbigen £agc3 fain abenbd etn fjroft ttnb ttefer ©d)nee, unb ba man il)n auS bent SBirtSljaufe fyinanSmarf, blieb tf)m %l\d)t$ itbvig, aid tm 2lrmenl)anfe dne 3 U P U ^^ 3 U fndfjen. XXI, „$Be3f)atb er^cifjle id) $fjncn mitnntcr foldje etnfadje ©e* fd)id)ten ? $d) I)offe, ©ie toerben nnn fd)on fo trctt fortgefdjritten fetn, ba§ ©ie nttr ofyne grofte 2Inftrengnng bie ®efd)id)te t)on bcm Ieid)tfinnigcn !3ttorife merben nad)er3cil)Ien fonnen." Sefen ©te bte ^cttungcn regelmapig ? 2BeId)e3 Slatt fatten ©te? 3ft c£ etn Sftorgcnblatt, obcr cut 2lbenbblatt ? etn Sodden- fclatt, obcr cm £agcblatt ? Urn tt>eld)e Ufjr roerben bte 2florgenbIattcr an^gegeben ? Urn toeld)e Ufjr toerbett btc Sibenbblcittcr au^gegeben ? $amt man ein^elne Stummcrn anf ber @traj$e nnb anf ten S3af)nt)5fen fanfen ? 3 U toeldfjcm ^retfe ? ©tnb ©te anf cine 3ettftf)rift abonntcrt ? SStetotet bctrdgt t>a3 Slbomtement mcrteljafyrlid) ? fyalbjdbrlid) ? jd^rUd^ ? $n ®entfd)Ianb fann man bet alien ^oftdmtern auf etne ^ettnng abonnieren, tnbem man ben Sctrag ber ©nb* fcrip^ion praenumerando be^afjlt. $ann man ba§ anc^ in anbern Sanbern ? Sftnn fagen ©ie mtr, too lann man fid) in £>entfd)Ianb anf cin $onmal abonnieren ? feat bicfe 3 e ^ un 9 titdjtige $orrefponbenten tm 2tu3* tanbe? 2BeId)e andfoartige Sorrefponbeng interefficrt ©ie am meiftcn? Sringt Qftre 3 e tom9 aud) literarifdje Slrtifel ? 9?e3cn* ftonen Don Sitdjern? 23erid)te itber Sweater, ^on^erte, ®nnftan3ftellmtgen ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 125 come," he exclaimed joyfully, "of what use is a coat to me now ? " So he sold his coat, went into an inn, and got drunk with spirits. But on the evening of the same day came frost and a heavy snowfall, and when he was turned out of the inn, nothing remained to him but to take refuge in the poor-house. XXL Why do I now and then tell you such simple stones ? I hope you have by this time made so much progress that you will be able to repeat, without any great effort,, the story of thoughtless Maurice. Do you read the newspapers regularly ? What paper do you take in ? Is it a morning paper or an evening paper ? A weekly or a daily paper ? At what o'clock are the morning papers published ? At what o'clock are the evening papers published ? Are single numbers sold in the streets and at the rail- way stations ? At what price ? Do you subscribe to any periodical? What is the amount of subscription for the quarter ? for six months ? for the year ? In Germany you may become a subscriber to a news- paper at any post-office, by paying the amount of the subscription in advance. Can the same thing be done in other countries ? Now, tell me, where can you pay your subscription to a journal in Germany ? Has this newspaper good correspondents in foreign parts ? In what foreign correspondence do you take most interest ? Does your paper (the paper you take in) also publish literary articles ? Reviews of books ? Reports of theatrical performances ? Concerts ? Art exhibitions ? 1*36 ©eutfdje ©prcdjitbungen. SDiandje beutfdje geitnngen, ttrie 5. 33. bic 2Ing§bnrger Mgcmcine geitnng, pnbli^ieren cm fogcnanntcS 93etb(att. 2Ba3 ift genwfyniid) ber Qnfyatt bcr 83ciblattcr ? 3)tan fprtdjt toon ,3eitnng3bentfd), aud) oon gcitnngS* fran^bfifd) unb gettung^cngltfd). Qft ba3 toetl man bic 3eitnng3fprad)c fftr befonberS forrclt fyalt ? 3Co folt atfo ber ©djuter feine 3Kuftcr be3 ©titcS fndjen ? 2Bo finbet man ben ^amen be£ DruderS nnb be£ oerant- t*oort(id)en s Jtcbacteur3 ciner 3 c ^ tun 9 ? Sftenncn ©ie mir cine bentfdje ober eng(i|d)e SDJonatS- fdjrift ; cine SMcrtcIjafjrSfdjrtft. 2£a3 uerftcfyen mir nntcr ^re^f retfjeit ? %&a$ ift cin ^refeDcrgcljcn ? 2Ba3 l)ciBt anf ©nglifd) : £)a§ 93ud) ift nnter ber ^reffe; ba^ 33nd) foinmt cben au3 ber ^reffc ? Sftad) 2Irt bcr fran^bfifdjen 3 c ^ un 9 cn bringen mandje bcntfdje 3citnngcn auc *) c ^ n fJcuiUeton. 2Be(d)cn 9taum nimmt ba§ gcuiHcton in ber 3 c ^ un 9 c ^ n ? 2Ba3 ift ber gctoofynlidje ^nfyatt be£ $enitteton3 ? &kU c3 eine Setybibliotfjcf nnb 8efe$immer (Sefefabinctt) fjier am Orte ; id) mbd)te (mid)) abonnieren. $80 finb fie ? SBie triet foftet ba3 2lbonnement ? $ft cine bffenttidje Sibftotfjef ()ier ? $n toetdfyer ©trafee befinbet fid) bit offcntlicf»e 33ib(iotf)rf ? $n meldjen £agen nnb gu toddjen ©tnnben ift bit bffent* ttdje Sibliot^el off en ? SBcrben andj SJitdjer au3ge(iel)en ? nnb nnter toetdjen 23ebingnngen ? 2Bie met Sdnbe lann man mit nad) $aufe ndjmen ? 5Bie oiet Qtit toirb fur Me Ceftitre eine3 23anbe3 be* ttittigt? 2DJu§ man ein ^fanb bepontcrcn ($angion geben) ? ©rljalt man eincn ©djcin iiber bag ^fanb ? 3Bie Diet ©trafe be^afylt man, toenn man ein 33udj iibcr tie beftimmte fttit befjatt ? SBie oft lann man bic 33itd)er tt>ed)fe(n ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 127 Some German newspapers, for instance, The General Gazette, of Augsburg, publish a so-called " supplement." What are usually the contents of the supplements ? People talk of newspaper German, of newspaper French, and newspaper English. Do people say so because they consider the language of newspapers particularly correct ? Where then is a pupil to look for his models of style ? Where do you find the name of the printer, and of the responsible editor of a newspaper ? Mention some German or English Monthly, Quarterly. What is meant by the liberty of the press ? What is an offence against the press laws ? What is the German of : The book is in the press ; the book has just been published ? Many German papers contain, after the manner of French papers, &feuilleton. What place in the newspaper does the feuille ton occupy? What is usually the subject-matter of the feuille ton? Is there a circulating library and a reading-room in this place ? I should like to subscribe. Where are they ? t What is the amount of the subscription ? Is there a public library here ? In what street is the public library ? On what days and during what hours is the public library open ? Are books lent out ? and on what conditions ? How many volumes may one take home? What time is allowed for the reading of a volume ? Must a deposit be paid ? Does one get a receipt for the deposit ? What fine is to be paid for keeping a book beyond the time allowed ? How often can one change the books ? 128 ©eutfdfje ©predjitbungcn. SBerben im Sefefabinctte and) fomifdje unb tCfuftrtertc $ouma(e geljatten ? 3ft ba3 gefcjtmmer bequem ? £)cr Secret fpridjt: „2inben finb Ijauftg gcpffan^t toorben, unb toerben nod) fjeutc gepflanjt, urn irgcnb cm merftourbtgcS ober frof)e3 ©reigniS gu bcaeidjnen. ftu SCItorf ftcfjt cine 8inbe an ber ©telle, too Sell feinen 2lpfcl* fd)itg getfyan fyabcn fott." SBcfrf)cr 93aum toirb oft gcpflan§t, urn ba§ 2(nbenfcn an cm merftoitrbigc<3 unb froljcS (Sreignte toad) ju crfyalten? 3u toe(d)cm gtoecfe l)at man oft Sinben gcpflan§t ? SBoburd) toirb man in SHtorf an Iclf S Slpfelfdjug er* innert ? Gotten ©ie mir bie ©efd)id)te bom Sell craaljfen ? „2Ber nur SBiid^cr fiber 8iteraturgefd)id)te lieft, ift tote cm 9Kenfd), ber nur bie 2luffd)riften an ben Stkgtoeifern lieft, oljne ben $£eg fctbft §u toanbem." 2Ba3 ift eine 8iteraturgefd)id)tc ? 2Ba3 tft cm SBegtoeifer ? SSorin gleicfyen cine 8iteraturgcfd)id)te unb cm 2Begtoeifet cmanber ? 2Ber ift tote ein 2Kann, ber nur bie 2luffdjriften an ben SBegtoeifern lieft ? $$a§ fitr einem 9JJanne gteidjt berjenige, toeldjer nur 23iid)er itber 8iteraturgefd)id)te tieft ? $n etner ©d)ule toaren gtoei $naben, Sorcnj unb gfcrbt* nanb, toe(d)e con ifyren (Sftern feljr fdjlecfjt ergogen tourben, unb ba^er eine greube barin fanben, uberatt ©d)aben an§u- ridjten, unb nu^lidje £)inge $u oerberben. $n ber ©dfjute fdfynitten fie Ijetmfidj atfertei fjtgurcn unb Sftamen in bk £tfd)e unb 93dn!e, fudjten ifyren 9?ad)barn bk ©d)reibebltd)er ntit £inte $u befd)mu£en, ifjnen bk gfebern anf^ufpaltcn, Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 129 Are comic and illustrated papers also taken in at the reading-room ? Is the reading-room comfortable ? The teacher says: Lime-trees have been frequently planted, and are planted, even at the present day, in order to commemorate some remarkable or happy event. At Altorf, a lime-tree stands on the spot where Tell is reported to have shot at the apple. What tree is frequently planted in order to keep up the memory of some remarkable or happy event ? For ' what object have lime-trees been frequently planted ? What reminds us at Altorf that here Tell shot at the apple ? Will you tell me the story of Tell ? M He who reads nothing but books about literary history is like a man who confines himself to reading the names on the guide-posts, without going over the way himself." What is a history of literature ? What is a guide-post ? In what respect do a history of literature and a guide- post resemble each other ? Who is like a man who merely reads the names inscribed on a finger-post ? What man is he like who reads only books on literary history ? At a school there were two boys, Lawrence and Ferdi- nand, who were badly brought up by their parents, and felt a pleasure in doing mischief everywhere, and in spoiling useful articles. At school they cut, on the sly, all sorts of figures and names in the tables and benches, sought to stain with ink the copy-books of the boys near them, to split their- pens and to hide their things. In the K 130 £)eutfd)e ©precpbuugen. unb ttjrc ©adjen gu oerftectcu. 2Iuf ber ©trage marten fie c§ uidjt beffer. £)eu grud)tbanb(crinucn, toddjc auf bent Mavitz fatfeu, toarfa| fie tie $orbe urn, obcr bctuarfen fie fjmterliftig mit ©djmufe unb $ot. ©ingen fie &e$ Sttenb* auf bcr ©trafte, fo fdjlugcu fie mit groftcn ©tocfen an Me ^enfterfaben, urn bie Seute ju erfcijreden, obcr £ogcn an bat $(ingetu bcr £)aufcr, uub Uefcu bauu fdjnctf fort uub oer- ftecfteu fid). 2lber ebcu bti bicfem nrnttoifligen ©trcidje nmrben fie ctnft ertappt. ©in Wlann, ben fie frijou fcljr oft burd) 3lnfrf)(agcn an bie ^enftcrtaben crjdjrcet't fatten, (Wfj ifyneu mcfyrcre 2(benbe fyintcrcinanber aufpaffcu, uub cnbtid) getaug c3 iljm, fie auf bcr £f)at jn crgrcifcu. ffir iibcrltcfcrtc fie ber Dbrigfeit uub fie t crljicttcn nun bie Strafe, bie fie laugft oerbicut fatten. ftberbieS nmrben ftc jum ©efpottc iljrcr 3Bttfd)it(er, bie fie fo tauge oeprt fatten. £)er $rug gefyt fo lauge aunt Gaffer bi£ er jerbrirfjt. XXII. $Bte benafyncu fid) bie bcibeu ungc3ogcncu $naben, Soreuj unb gcrbiuaub, uub hrie cubigte gule^t ifyr SDiuttoifle unb fd)(ed)tc§ SSetragcu ? SBo tiegt bit ^nfef £>c(gotaub ? Urn nad) £)rf gotaub gu getangeu, ntuf; mau itber Hamburg retfen. §icr tft eiu ©ommer*3raI)rplau bcr 23erbiubung 3iotfd)eu f)amburg unb §elgo(aub. Unterrlbifdje difenbaljn v.* N.f v.* N.f Hamburg . . . ah Warburg . . . ™J ©tabe ™ &uv$abtn, 33fy. an „ §afen an Samfrfer . . . ah an fcor §elgo!anb 7.48 8.05 8.12 9.09 9.H 10.19 10.26 10.30 1.30 1.55 2.12 2.15 3.11 3.16 4.22 4.29 4.35 7^30 Sampfer £eU golanb . . . ah (Susfyafcen. . . in ©uE§a»en£)fn. ah Wl ah ©tabe ™ §arburg . . . ™ Hamburg . . . an 9.oo 11.50 12.18 12.25 1.36 141 2.28 2.45 3.02 3.45 6.45 7.™ 7^28 SM 8.43 9.45 9.48 10.05 * Sagltdj. 1 9tur 9ttontag, Stenftag unb ©onnabeub. * "Jinx yjiontag, Sienftag unb ©onnabenb. t Saglta). Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 131 streets they did not behave any better. They upset the baskets of the apple-women who sat in the market, or furtively threw filth and dirt at them. When they walked of an evening in the streets they knocked with big sticks against the shutters in order to frighten people, or they pulled the bells of the houses, and then ran quickly away and hid. But one day, just as they were playing this very naughty trick, they were caught. A man, whom they had repeatedly frightened by knocking at his shutters, had them watched for several successive evenings, and succeeded at last in catching them in the act. He handed them over to the magistrates, and they now received the punishment which they had long merited. And besides, they were jeered at by their fellow scholars whom they had teased such a long time. The pitcher goes often to the well, but comes home broken at last. XXII. What was the conduct of the two naughty boys, Lawrence and Ferdinand, and how did their mis- chievousness and bad conduct at last come to an end ? Where is the island of Heligoland situated ? In order to get to Heligoland you must go by way of Hamburg. Here is a time-table of the summer-trains of the service between Hamburg and Heligoland. In the time-table the following abbreviations are used : V. 3?ormtttag, morning. N. -ftac^mtttag, afternoon. ah, off, departure. 0f, station ; £ftt., £afett r harbour. yjlOXlU, fflOXltaQ, Monday. 2)ien£r v 2)tengtag, Tuesday. The _ under the figures indicates night-service. 132 £)eutfdje ©predjiibnngcn. Um toeldje gett geljt ber SSormittag§5ug Don Hamburg ah? Um toeldje $cit 9 e ^ to Sftadjmittag^ng Don £>ambnrg ah? ©eljen bcibe gftge a ^ e ^ a 9 e toa^renb ber ©ommcr* faifon ? 2Bann fommt ber SBormittagSsng in £>arbnrg an ? 2Bann gel)t er toteber ab ? 2Bie lange ffilt ber gug in £>arbnrg on ? 2Bann fommt ber ^ormittog^jng in ©tabc an ? SSann gcfjt er Don ©tabe iDteber ab ? 2Bie tange ^lufcnt^alt ? 2£ann fommt ber 7.48 3^9 ^uf bem 93a^nf;of $n £up l)aDen an? ©tcigen bie ^affagicre nad) £>e(go(anb I)tcr au3 ? 2Bie (ange fafyrt ber 3ng & on SujfjaDen 33af)nl)of nad) Gtn^aDen |>afen ? 2Bie Die! fttit fjat man in Sn^aDen nm an Sorb &u gefjen ? 2Bann fafjrt ba$ Stantpffdjiff Don GTn^aDen ah ? SDBann fommt ber Stantpfer in £>e(golanb an ? 3Bie tange banert alfo bie Uberfafjrt ? SBenn man mtt bem 1.55 3 U 9 & on ^ambnrg abfafjrt, toann fommt man in |>e(gofanb an ? $n D)e(d)er gett fann man bie 9tuelgolanb ? 2Be(d)e3 finb bie garben ber beutfdjcn glagge ? ^Beld^e^ finb bit garben ber englifdjen (banifdjen, franjo^ ftfdjen, italienifdjen) glagge ? £)er Seljrer f pridjt : „£)ie Dberfladje be3 SD&eceS §ctgt ein regetmtij3ige§ unb periobifd^eS ©teigen unb fatten be£ SBafferftanbeS, todfycS unter bem tauten, &hbt nnb glut belannt ift. Ungefaljr 6 ©tunben lang fteigt ba§ SSReer, ba$ ift bie glut ; bann fallt e<§ toieber in ben nadjften 6 ©tun- ben, unb biefeS ©inlen toirb bit dbbt genannt. $tn jebem £age finbet gtoetmat &bt unb atoeimal glut ftatt." 3ft ber SBafferftanb be3 Wlmt& 5U alien geiten berfelbe ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation, 135 What is the meaning of the abbreviation N. ? Can one get a bed on board ship in case one should be sea-sick? Are there beds of different quality ? How many beds are there usually in each cabin ? Can a person have a cabin all to himself? Are the boats paddle-boats or screw-boats ? By which kind of boats is it pleasanter to travel ? Who carries the luggage on board ? Who carries the luggage on shore ? Can anything to eat be had on board ? When and where should people eat who are easily made sea-sick ? Do you think it is better to go on board fasting or after having taken a good meal ? What is your own experience in this matter ? Do you prefer to stop on deck, when you are sea-sick or do you prefer to go down into the cabin ? Do you prefer the fresh sea-breeze on deck to the stifling air of the cabin ? Under what flag do the boats between Cuxhaven and Heligoland sail ? What are the colours of the German flag ? What are the colours of the English (Danish, French, Italian) flag ? The teacher says: The surface of the sea exhibits a regular and periodical rising and falling of the water, which is known by the names of ebb and flood, or low and high water. For about six hours the sea rises, that is the flood, then it falls again for the next six hours, and this falling is called ebb. Twice a-day we have ebb-tide, and twice a-day flood-tide." Is the water of the sea always at the same height ? 136 ®eutfd)e ©prcdjitDungen. SC3te (ange bauert ba3 ©teigcn bcr gffot ? 2Bie fange bauert ba£ fatten ber 6bbc ? 2Bie t)te( mat bc3 XageS fyaben toir ®bbt unb lute oft 3ftot? „3n toarmeren £anbcrn ift Me fjarbc bef ^tmntete ttefcr btau ate in fotdjen, toeldje Better &om Equator eutfernt Kegen." $on toetdjer $arbe ift ber $immet ? 3ft ba£ 33(au be£ ipimmcte attcnttjalbcn Don bcrfctben £iefe? $n toctdjen ©egenben ift ber fiimmel Don einem tteferen 931au? ©in gimmermann fic§ fcinc 2lyt in cincn ticfen ©trom fatten. ©r bat ben S3affcrnt£ (fo nennt man in £)eutfd)(anb ben 3ffaj$geift), tym biefetbe totcber fyeraufeubrtngen, ba er feljr arm fei. £)er SBafferniy ftieg aud) auf unb bra^te eine golbne 2lyt mit, bk er ban armen ^tmmcrmann anbot. „£)a3 ift meine 31ft nidjt" fprad) ber gimmcrmann. £)er ©eift taudjte unter unb erfdjien halb tnteber nut rater fit* bernen 3ljt. „3Me gefyort mir and) nidjt," rief ber Xrme au3. £)er ^lu^gott Dcrfdjtoaub rutcber unb ate er gum britten 2Me erfdjien, brad)te er eine 2I$t toon (Kfen mit 1)61* gernem ©ttele mit. „$a, ba3 ift bte rcrfjte, ba3 ift bk mei* nige!" rief ber gimmermann frofyKd). „©ut," fprad) ber SBaffermy, „idj fel)e bu bift ebenfo toaljrfjaft ate arm. gur Selo^nung fottft bu fie atte brei fjaben." — Dicfc ©efd&tdjte tourbe balb in ber gangen ©egenb belannt. ©in £augenid)t3, ber fid) t)or jeber Arbeit fdjeute, glaubte ein Wittd entbedt 3U fjaben, ol)ne grofte 9KuI)e einen (B^at*. gu fyeben. ©r Keg baljer eine ^t mit Sttten in ben ©trom fatten, flefjte gum gtuftgott unb l)atte bie greube if)n auffteigen gu fefyen. ©r ftagtc ifym feinen 93erfaft, unb ber SBafferniy bradjte, tote ba$ fcorige 3)M, eine golbne %$t fjeroor. „$ft fie ba$, mein Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 137 How long does the tide rise ? How long does the tide fall ? How often have we ebb-tide in a day, and how often flood-tide ? "In countries which are warmer, the colour of the sky is a deeper blue than in countries which are situated at a greater distance from the equator. " Of what colour is the sky ? Is the blue colour of the sky everywhere of the same hue ? In what regions is the sky always of a deeper blue ? A carpenter let his axe fall into a deep river. He begged the water-nix (that is what they call the water- spirit in Germany) to bring it up to him, as he was a very poor man. The water-spirit rose to the surface, and brought a golden axe with him which he offered to the carpenter. " That is not my axe," said the carpenter. The spirit dived and soon appeared again with a silver axe. " That does not belong to me either," exclaimed the poor man. The river-god disappeared again, and when he appeared a third time, he brought with him an iron axe with a wooden handle. " Yes, that is the right one, that is mine," joyfully exclaimed the carpenter. u Very well," said the water-spirit, " I see you are as truthful as you are poor. As a reward you shall have them all three." This occur- rence soon became known in the whole neighbourhood. A good-for-nothing fellow, who abhorred every kind of work, thought he had discovered a means of getting a treasure without much trouble. He, therefore, intentionally dropped an axe into the stream, addressed his prayer to the river-god, and had the pleasure of seeing him rise. He plaintively communicated to him his loss, and the water-spirit produced, as on the former occasion, a golden axe. "Is that it, my son?" he inquired. "Indeed, 138 £>eutfd)e ©prcdjubuugcu. ©oljn?" fragte er. „$a, ja, to* *ft fj&t 41 ricf bcr fttgner unb tooflte fie fdjon ergreifen. „£)a(t, 9M)t3hritrbigcr/' er* fcfyotf nun bte ©timme be£ er^itmten ©ciftc3, „f)(tftft bu e3 fitr fo (eid)t mid) £U fyintergcljen ? gur ©trafc bebteS 23e* trugS fcerticre aud) ba3, ma3 bi31)er bein Wax !" Unb ofjne Sl^t mufste bcr Citgner nad) £aufe toaubern XXIII. SRadjbcm rots $I)r aBUfd^fflto ($fjre SKttfdJflfebi) — bie ©efd)id)te Don ben giuci %tcn toiebereraafjtt fjat, molten tt)ir fortfal)ren, ba£ $ur3bud) (SourSbudfy) $u ftubicvcn. . $)ie3ma( tooltcn hrir bie 3 il 9 e bctradjtcu, rncfdjc ba<§ oft* tidje ©uropa mit bem tocftlidjcn ttcrbiubcn : bie Sdjncl^itgc, lDcld^e t)on 2)?o3fau, Petersburg nnb 33cr(in nad) S3riiffcf, GTataiS, ^arte unb SDJabrib ofjnc Untcrbrcdjung gefyen. i>tr luoften un^ aber auf bie ©trede befdjranfen, tocldfje 3*mfd)en SJertin unb ®t)btful)ncn on bcr ruffifdfjen ©rengc liegt. gu* erft mill id) einige SfrftQcn au @^ e vidjten, urn $u fefjen, ob ©ie ntidf) aud) rcd)t derftanbett l)aben. 2Ufo : 2Bie nennt man ba£ 33ud), in tr>ctcfjcnt bie gfafjrpfane ber ©ifenbaljnen unb ©ampffdjiffe Der^eidinet ftnb ? 2Ba3 ift em JhtrSbud) (GourSbudj) ? 2Md)en groften ©djuettjug tooflen toix je£t ftubieren ? 5Iuf toetd)e ©trede tooflen ttrir un3 jcbod) befefyrdnfen ? 2Bo ttegt (St)btM)nen ? Sftennen ©ie mir bie ^auptftdbte toon SRuftfanb, $)eutfd)* (anb, SMgien, (Sngfanb, grantretd^, ©panien unb Portugal. ffiaStft rinSWatfjtjug? 2Ba3 ift ein ©d)tafmagcn? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 139 indeed, it is !" exclaimed the liar, and was about to seize it. " Stop you rascal !" rang out the voice of the indignant spirit, "do you think it so easy to deceive me? Asa punishment of your deception you shall lose even that which was up to this time your own." And the liar had to go home without his axe. XXIII. After your fellow-scholar (Mr. — Miss — ) has repeated to us the story of the two axes, we will continue to study the Railway Guide. This time we will examine the trains which connect Eastern Europe with Western Europe; the fast trains which go through from Moscow, Petersburg, and Berlin to Brussels, Calais, Paris, and Madrid. But we will confine ourselves to that part of the road which is situated between Berlin and Eydtkuhnen on the Russian frontier. In the first place, I will put a few questions, to see whether you have understood me properly. Now then : What do you call the book in which the time-tables of railways and steamboats are entered ? What is a railway-guide ? What (through) express train are we going to study now? But to what part of the road shall we confine our- selves ? Where is Eydtkuhnen situated ? Name the capitals of Russia, Germany, Belgium, England, France, Spain and Portugal, What is a night-train ? What is a sleeping-carriage ? 140 £>entfd)e @*>red)itbnngen. JBerlin— flonifc— 6t)bt= futmnt* N. Pf. s. C. (Sbartottenburg ab 8.18 10.£> Serttn, 3ooI. ©arten 8.24 10.51 — griebr.-©tr. 8.38 11.5 — Slejanb.^I. 8. 46 ll.£5 — ©cfrlcf. 8$f. 9- 340 ©iiffcin an 10.27 12.52 ab 10.33 W.B 7-60 flreuj an 12.34 2.51 ab 12.64 2.59 990 6d&neibemii§l an 1.51 3.57 ab 1.59 4.J m 1320 flonife an 3.23 ab 3.29 <2 1710 2)trfd&au an 5. e 8.38 ab 5.14 8.56 1780 •JJtarienburg an 5.38 9.20 ab 5.41 9.24 2120 23raun3berg an 7.9 10.53 ab 7.14 10.59 2360 $onig§berg an 8.20 12. 6 ab 8.32 12.36 2720 Snfterburg an 10."6 2.25 ab 10.12 2.40 2970 (Stybtfuljnen an 11.15 3.52 (SrjMfufoien— Jtonifr- SSerlin. Kilo 62 152 214 298 316 413 496 554 659 742 744 746 751 753 Gfybtfutynen Snfterburg ftonigSberg 33raun3berg 9flarienburg 2)trfa;au flontfc ab an ab an ab an ab an ab an ab an ab ©a)neibemii§lan ab flreuj an ab (Eiiftrm an ab SBertin, ©d&lef. 8a$n$of — Sliejanb.^I — griebr.-©tr. — 3ooI. ©arten (Sfyarlottenburg V. N. s. a 7. 2 7.58 8. 4 9.25 9.40 10.40 10.43 12.5 12. 8 12.31 12.39 2.15 2.23 3.35 3.55 4.49 4.55 6.43 6.49 8.12 8 8.30 8.44 8.50 2.22 3.29 3.39 5.14 5.39 6.45 6.49 8.0 8.22 8.4* »3 1.16 1.29 2.29 2.39 4.34 4.42 6.H 6.22 6.30 6.44 6.80 £)er 8.18 Qu§ mm Scrim nadfy ©tybtfuljncn, unb ber 7.2 3ug Don ©tybtfnijnen finb ©tfjnettjitge, unb toerben in ben $nr3bnd£)ern fnr$ mit S be^et^net. £)er 10.45 3^9 Don Skriin nadj ©tybtfnljnen, nnb ber 2.22 $ng &m (5fybtfttl)nen nadj Seritn finb Eourierjuge, nnb auf ben gafyrplanen getobfynlicfj nnr mtt C. be^etdfynet. 2Ba3 ift ein ©djnettgug anf englifdj ? 2Ba3 ift ein Kourterpg anf engltfd) ? 3)a bie beiben Kourterjnge hex Sftadfjt gefjen, fo tirirb man am kqnemften anf toeWje S&eife f afjren ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 143 * [Note. — The time-table, on the opposite page, gives in the first column for the down-trains the fares in German pfennigs, so that, when you have three or more figures, the two last give pfennigs and the other the marks. The first column for the up-trains contains the distances in kilometers. A kilometer =0*62 mile. The abbreviations of the several railway-stations at Berlin stand for : goologifd^er ©arten grtebrttf)^mrcife cmgeben ? 2Beld)c3 fhtb tatylfc bte beftcn ©ta3ioncn, nm iradjtt* ftctgen nnb fid) $u erfrifdjen ? $3ie langc Ijalt ber $ug auf bicfen ©tajtoncn an ? $efct gcben ©te mir an bte 3 C ^ &« 2lbfal)rt nnb bcr 2In* fuuft, fonuc bte £)aucr bc3 2(ufcntf)a(tc3 auf ben Derfdjtc* •bencn ©ta^toncn fi'ir bic SRudfafjrt mtt bem ©djnel^nge 7.2 Don @t)bt!ul)ncn nad) 33erlin. £Bo toerben toir alfo auf ber 9?M rcife au3fteigen unb @r* frifdjungen ctnncljmcn founcn ? $Bie tange 2htfentf)alt auf btcfen ©ta^toncn ? §at man ftcit in 23raun3berg au^uftetgen ? &ie langc fd^rt ber ©djncllsug Don SSerlin nadj (£\)bt* tu^nen ? 2Bie lange bauert bic $al)rt mtt bem Eourterjuge ? $dj modjtc biz $al)rt Don 23crlin nad) ^eter^burg in $onig3berg unterbredjen. Wat meldjen ^itgen ra * en ®* e mir §u fa^ren ? SBie diet 3cit toerbe id) bann fyaben, nm mir $imig£berg im^nfe^en ? 2Ba3 giebt e3 9Kerfn>itrbige3 in ®onig£berg ? 2Bte lange bauert bte galjrt Don $onig£berg bi$ $t)bt* fufynen ? gal)ren bie Eourier^itge uber $oni£ ? galjren bte ©djnell^itge itber 23romberg ? ,§iel)en ©te e3 Dor, mit bem Eouricr* obcr mtt bent ©djnet^ugc 311 retfen ? 2lu£ toeld^en ©runben ? gafjren ©te lieber in einem ,Quge (o^ne Unterbredfjung) fort, ober jieljen ©te e3 Dor, eine fo langc 3ietfe ju wrier* fcredjen ? Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 143 Since the two express trains go by day, it is necessary to study the time-table a little beforehand, in order to know where you will have time to get out to have refresh- ments. Will you tell me the time of departure and of arrival, as well as the time of stoppage at the various stations between Berlin and Eydtkuhnen by the down- train ? Which are, therefore, the best stations for getting out and taking refreshments ? How long does the train stop at these stations ? Now, tell me the time of departure and arrival, as well as the time of stoppage, at the various stations, for the up-train by the 7.2 express from Eydtkuhnen to Berlin ? Where shall we, therefore, be able, on our return journey, to get out and take refreshments ? How long does the train stop at these stations ? Is there time to get out at Braunsberg ? What time does the express take from Berlin to Eydt- kuhnen ? What time does the journey take by the mail-train ? I should like to break the journey from Berlin to Petersburg at Konigsberg. By what trains do you advise me to travel ? What time shall I have then for seeing Konigsberg ? What is there remarkable in Konigsberg ? What time does the journey take from Konigsberg to Eydtkuhnen ? Do the mail-trains go by way of Konitz ? Do the express trains go by Bromberg ? Do you prefer to go by the mail or by the express ? For what reasons ? Do you prefer to travel through by the same train, or do you prefer to break such a long journey ? 144 ©cutfcije ©predfjiibungcn. $d) mbdjtc gern ba$ berufymte ©djtoft gu 9Raricnburg fe^en. £f)ue idj bic3 bcffer auf ber |)in* ober SRitdrcifc ? 2Rtt tocldjem guge iticirc e3 am bcften bt^ nad) Sftaricn* burg Ijingufafyren, unb mtt toeldjem 3uge bann better ? 2Bie met 3^ fiicbt ba3 mir, urn ba3 ©d)toft $u be* fid)tigen ? $n ber nddjften Scftion Pollen toir bicfe fRetfc tDcttcr be* fpredjen. $efet geljen mir jum jtocitcn £ei( unferer Scftion: itber. „$n ©uropa ftnb im altgemchtcn bte ©itbtoefttotnbe aud) bie Sftegenttrinbe, h)ei( fie, Don todrmcren Sftcercn fommcnb, mtt SBaffcrbampf gefdttigt finb, toctdjer fid) nad) unb nad) fcerbidjtct unb ate SRegen nieberfdltt, menu ber ffiJtnb §u immer fdlteren ©egenben getangt." 2Md)c 2Binbe bringen in (Suropa getooljntid) SRegen ? 2Bol)er fontmen bte ©itbtoeftroinbe §u un£ ? £)a fie au£ todrmeren ©egenben unb fcom 9fteere fommen, fo fi'tljren fie ba$ Staffer in toetdjer ©eftatt mit ftd) ? $Ba£ toirb au3 bem SBafferbampf, menu er &erbid)tet toirb ? 2Ba3 berbid)tet ben SBaffcrbampf ? 2Bo ttrirb ber SBafferbampf aunt SRegen t>crbtd^tct ? „£)ie ©ifenbafjnbritde itber bte 2Beid)fel bet £)irfd)au ift eine ber langften 33ritden in ber 2Bett." mifyv g(u& fliefet bei SMrfdjau ? SRennen @ie mir einige anbre Stable, bk an ber 2Bcidjfef ttegen ? 2£oburd) ift bie ©ifenbafjnbritde hd ©irftfjau beritfjmt ? £)a tt»tr Jefct, fo gu fagen, auf ber SRetfe bon Berlin nadj Petersburg finb, fo ttritfid) ^mn ba$ 2lbenteuer erjaljten, toe(d)e§ bem SSaron 9ftimd$aufen auf thtn biefer SReife paf* fiert fein foil. $)er 35aron 9Kitnd)f)aufen trat feine SReife nad) Stugtanb mitten im Winter an. $u feiner 3ctt gab e£ nod) leine ©fenbafynen, unb er §og e3 t>or, §u ^ferbe 3U reifen, anftatt Practical Lessons in German Conversation. 145 I should like to see the famous castle at Marienburg. Can I do that more easily on the journey out or back ? By what train had I better go as far as Marienburg ? and by what train go on ? How much time do I thus get for seeing the castle ? In the next lesson we will have some further talk about this journey. For to-day we will pass on to the second part of our lesson. " In Europe the south-westerly winds are usually the rain winds, because coming from warmer seas they are saturated with watery vapour which is gradually con- densed, and falls in the form of rain as the wind reaches colder and colder regions." What winds usually bring rain in Europe? Whence do the south-west winds come to us ? Since coming from warmer regions and from the sea they bring water with them, in what form do they bring it ? What is the watery vapour changed into when it is con- densed ? What condenses the watery vapour ? Where are the watery vapours condensed into rain ? " The railway bridge across the Vistula near Dirschau is one of the longest bridges in the world. " What river flows by Dirschau ? Mention some other towns which are situated on the Vistula. For what is the railway bridge near Dirschau famous ? As we are at present, so to say, on our journey from Berlin to St. Petersburgh, I will tell you an adventure which is said to have happened to Baron Miinchhauser* on this very same journey. Baron Miinchhausen set out on a journey to Russia in the midst of winter. In his day, there were no railways, and he preferred travelling on horse-back to driving in a L 146 ©eutfdjc ©pred)itbungcn. in ber ^oftfutfdje gu faljren unb Don cittern burftigcn $oft& (on Dor jebe ©d)cnfe gefd)leppt $u tocrben. 8U£ er nad) $ftuf#anb lam, fanb er ote 3£ege afte Derfdjncit unb fo ritt cr