Ludwig Tieck

“ His father, so the old gentleman's story ran, was a rich man, who left behind him a large property; he had a passion for our art of an intensity of which few men certainly are capable. He devoted to it a great part of his fortune, and his collection might justly be called incomparable. In his attention to it however he neglected rather too much, it must be owned, the education of this his only son; hence on the old man's death the youth thought of nothing but spending his money in the company of parasites and low people, and keeping women and equipages. ”

“ He has now, I believe, pretty nearly run through every thing except the house, which is a handsome one, though that too may perhaps be encumbered with debts; knowledge he has scarcely acquired any; employment is insupportable to him; and so one cannot help seeing with concern how he is advancing towards his ruin.
— The every-day history of numbers, observed the stranger, and the common course of a paltry vanity, that leads men gaily into the arms of dishonour. ”

“ It was assuredly the intention, proceeded the stranger; it is an old stale trick, which it has not been thought worth while even to face with a new invention. I saw at the picture-dealer's that so-called Salvator; the owner thought it genuine, and was confirmed in his belief when a traveller, who by his dress seemed a man of high quality, offered a large price for the picture: he meant to call again on his return, and begged the dealer not to let the piece go out of his hands for a month at least. ”

“ How a man can have patience with these lifeless pictures, and exist in and for them alone! so he continued his silent meditations. Does not it seem as if these enthusiasts lose themselves in a realm of enchantment? ”

“ I cannot help feeling surprised at this presumption! exclaimed Edward, entirely losing his self-command. In the collection my father left behind him were none but good and original pictures; for he and Mr. Walther always passed for the best judges in the town. And what would you have? In the shop of our celebrated picture-dealer Erich there hangs the pendant to this Salvator, for which a traveller a few days ago offered a very large sum. Let them be compared together, and it will be seen that they are works of the same master, and fellows. ”

“ One must always be the first, said the stranger with cool bitterness; he has at all events paid to-day his scholar's fee, and will either reform or learn the necessity of managing his matters more prudently, and in no case losing his temper. ”