I catch the hamlet's stir and cheer,
The people's genuine heaven is here !
Here great and small shoot glad and free,
Here Vm a man— here may one be !
17



194 RURAL AND

The Kirchweihs which in the neighbourhood of Heidelberg
are the most noted, are those of Neckarsteinach and Kirscheim.
Thither, some years ago, some of the most conspicuous burger
families were accustomed to make an annual rustic pilgrimage
of pleasure. This glory is gone by; yet we would recommend
the latter still as the best place in which for the stranger to
witness this folks'-feast, if so we may term it We follow the
sound of obstreperous music, and enter a garden, where a mot-
ley multitude presents itself to our sight All the tables are
filled ; people eat and drink, chatter and smoke, laugh and sing,
all in one chaos of merry confusion. Hither and thither, where
an impatient guest thumps vigorously on the table with his
glass, run the waiters — in the student's tongue, Faxe. At one
table an honest burger company has planted itself, and over a
glass of wine, weigh seriously whether the European balance -
of power can be maintained, and criticise the government of
the city.
No, no^ I like him not; oar 8pan*new burgermaster,
As he's 80 bold already, he'll come it thick and faster.
