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rather than be restricted to mere military duty； little in keeping
with their early education and their peaceful destinies。 Men of
science； pacific yet useful； these young men did an actual good in the
midst of so much misery； and formed a bond of sympathy with other men
of science in the various countries through which the cruel
civilization of the Republic passed。
The two young men were each provided with a pass and a commission as
assistant…surgeon signed Coste and Bernadotte； and they were on their
way to join the demi…brigade to which they were attached。 Both
belonged to moderately rich families in Beauvais； a town in which the
gentle manners and loyalty of the provinces are transmitted as a
species of birthright。 Attracted to the theatre of war before the date
at which they were required to begin their functions； they had
travelled by diligence to Strasburg。 Though maternal prudence had only
allowed them a slender sum of money they thought themselves rich in
possessing a few louis； an actual treasure in those days when
assignats were reaching their lowest depreciation and gold was worth
far more than silver。 The two young surgeons； about twenty years of
age at the most； yielded themselves up to the poesy of their situation
with all the enthusiasm of youth。 Between Strasburg and Bonn they had
visited the Electorate and the banks of the Rhine as artists；
philosophers； and observers。 When a man's destiny is scientific he is；
at their age； a being who is truly many…sided。 Even in making love or
in travelling； an assistant…surgeon should be gathering up the
rudiments of his fortune or his coming fame。
The two young had therefore given themselves wholly to that deep
admiration which must affect all educated men on seeing the banks of
the Rhine and the scenery of Suabia between Mayenne and Cologne；a
strong； rich； vigorously varied nature； filled with feudal memories；
ever fresh and verdant； yet retaining at all points the imprints of
fire and sword。 Louis XIV。 and Turenne have cauterized that beautiful
land。 Here and there certain ruins bear witness to the pride or rather
the foresight of the King of Versailles； who caused to be pulled down
the ancient castles that once adorned this part of Germany。 Looking at
this marvellous country； covered with forests； where the picturesque
charm of the middle ages abounds； though in ruins； we are able to
conceive the German genius； its reverie； its mysticism。
The stay of the two friends at Bonn had the double purpose of science
and pleasure。 The grand hospital of the Gallo…Batavian army and of
Augereau's division was established in the very palace of the Elector。
These assistant…surgeons of recent date went there to see old
comrades； to present their letters of recommendation to their medical
chiefs； and to familiarize themselves with the first aspects of their
profession。 There； as elsewhere； they got rid of a few prejudices to
which we cling so fondly in favor of the beauties of our native land。
Surprised by the aspect of the columns of marble which adorn the
Electoral Palace； they went about admiring the grandiose effects of
German architecture； and finding everywhere new treasures both modern
and antique。
From time to time the highways along which the two friends rode at
leisure on their way to Andernach； led them over the crest of some
granite hill that was higher than the rest。 Thence； through a clearing
of the forest or cleft in the rocky barrier； they caught sudden
glimpses of the Rhine framed in stone or festooned with vigorous
vegetation。 The valleys； the forest paths； the trees exhaled that
autumnal odor which induced to reverie； the wooded summits were
beginning to gild and to take on the warm brown tones significant of
age； the leaves were falling； but the skies were still azure and the
dry roads lay like yellow lines along the landscape； just then
illuminated by the oblique rays of the setting sun。 At a mile and a
half from Andernach the two friends walked their horses in silence； as
if no war were devastating this beautiful land； while they followed a
path made for the goats across the lofty walls of bluish granite
between which foams the Rhine。 Presently they descended by one of the
declivities of the gorge； at the foot of which is placed the little
town； seated coquettishly on the banks of the river and offering a
convenient port to mariners。
〃Germany is a beautiful country！〃 cried one of the two young men； who
was named Prosper Magnan； at the moment when he caught sight of the
painted houses of Andernach； pressed together like eggs in a basket；
and separated only by trees； gardens； and flowers。 Then he admired for
a moment the pointed roofs with their projecting eaves； the wooden
staircases； the galleries of a thousand peaceful dwellings； and the
vessels swaying to the waves in the port。
＇At the moment when Monsieur Hermann uttered the name of Prosper
Magnan； my opposite neighbor seized the decanter； poured out a glass
of water； and emptied it at a draught。 This movement having attracted
my attention； I thought I noticed a slight trembling of the hand and a
moisture on the brow of the capitalist。
〃What is that man's name？〃 I asked my neighbor。
〃Taillefer；〃 she replied。
〃Do you feel ill？〃 I said to him； observing that this strange
personage was turning pale。
〃Not at all；〃 he said with a polite gesture of thanks。 〃I am
listening；〃 he added； with a nod to the guests； who were all
simultaneously looking at him。
〃I have forgotten；〃 said Monsieur Hermann； 〃the name of the other
young man。 But the confidences which Prosper Magnan subsequently made
to me enabled me to know that his companion was dark； rather thin； and
jovial。 I will； if you please； call him Wilhelm； to give greater
clearness to the tale I am about to tell you。〃
The worthy German resumed his narrative after having； without the
smallest regard for romanticism and local color； baptized the young
French surgeon with a Teutonic name。＇
By the time the two young men reached Andernach the night was dark。
Presuming that they would lose much time in looking for their chiefs
and obtaining from them a military billet in a town already full of
soldiers； they resolved to spend their last night of freedom at an inn
standing some two or three hundred feet from Andernach； the rich color
of which； embellished by the fires of the setting sun； they had
greatly admired from the summit of the hill above the town。 Painted
entirely red； this inn produced a most piquant effect in the
landscape； whether by detaching itself from the general background of
the town； or by contrasting its scarlet sides with the verdure of the
surrounding foliage； and the gray…blue tints of the water。 This house
owed its name； the Red Inn； to this external decoration； imposed upon
it； no doubt from time immemorial by the caprice of its founder。 A
mercantile superstition； natural enough to the different possessors of
the building； far…famed among the sailors of the Rhine； had made them
scrupulous to preserve the title。
Hearing the sound of horses' hoofs； the master of the Red Inn came out
upon the threshold of his door。
〃By heavens！ gentlemen；〃 he cried； 〃a little later and you'd have had
to sleep beneath the stars； like a good many more of your compatriots
who are bivouacking on the other side of Andernach。 Here every room is
occupied。 If you want to sleep in a good bed I have only my own room
to offer you。 As for your horses I can litter them down in a corner of
the courtyard。 The stable is full of people。 Do these gentlemen come
from France？〃 he added after a slight pause。
〃From Bonn；〃 cried Prosper； 〃and we have eaten nothing since morning。〃
〃Oh！ as to provisions；〃 said the innkeeper； nodding his head； 〃people
come to the Red Inn for their wedding feast from thirty miles round。
You shall have a princely meal； a Rhine fish！ More； I need not say。〃
After confiding their weary steeds to the care of the landlord； who
vainly called to his hostler； the two young men entered the public
room of the inn。 Thick white clouds exhaled by a numerous company of
smokers prevented them from at first recognizing the persons with whom
they were thrown； but after sitting awhile near the table； with the
patience practised by philosophical travellers who know the inutility
of making a fuss； they distinguished through the vapors of tobacco the
inevitable accessories of a German inn： the stove； the clock； the pots
of beer； the long pipes； and here and there the eccentric
physiognomies of Jews； or Germans； and the weather…beaten faces of
mariners。 The epaulets of several French officers were glittering
through the mist； and the clank of spurs and sabres echoed incessantly
from the brick floor。 Some were playing cards； others argued； or held
their tongues and ate； drank； or walked about。 One stout little woman；
wearing