Though the distance between the two
capitals was fully fifteen leagues, every foot of the ground was travelled
over by one or the other of the parties, either in commendation of its
beauties, or in questions that touched its interests.
"We come equally of Teutonic fathers, Herr Chatelain," concluded the
bailiff, as the whole party placed themselves at table, after the
reverences and homages were thoroughly exhausted, "though Providence has
cast our fortunes in different countries. I swear to thee, that the sound
of thy German is music to my ears! Thou hast wonderfully escaped
corruptions, though compelled to consort so much with the bastards of
Romans, Celts, and Burgundians, of whom thou hast so many in this portion
of thy states. It is curious to observe,"--for Peterchen had a little of
an antiquarian flavor among the other crude elements of his
character--"that whenever a much-trodden path traverses a country, its
people catch the blood as well as the opinions of those who travel it,
after the manner that tares are scattered and sown by the passing winds.
Here has the St.
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