THE STORY
WITHOUT AN END.
THE
STORY
WITHOUT AN END.
FROM THE GERMAN OF F. W. CAROVÉ,
By SARAH AUSTIN.
ILLUSTRATED BY WILLIAM HARVEY.
LONDON:
PUBLISHED BY
EFFINGHAM WILSON, ROYAL EXCHANGE.
1834.
TO MY DAUGHTER.
MY DEAR CHILD,
THE story you love so much in German, Idedicate to you in English. It was in compliancewith your earnest wish that other children mightshare the delight it has so often afforded you, that Itranslated it; so that it is, in some sort, yours of right.Let us hope that your confident expectations of sympathyin your pleasure may not be disappointed; orthat, if others think the story less beautiful thanyou do, they may find compensation in the gracefuldesigns it has inspired.
You have often regretted that it left off so soon,and would, I believe, “have been glad to hear moreand more, and for ever.” The continuation you havelonged for lies in a wide and magnificent book, which[vi]contains more wonderful and glorious things than allour favourite fairy-tales put together. But to readin that book, so as to discover all its beautiful meanings,you must have pure, clear eyes, and a humble,loving heart; otherwise you will complain, as somedo, that it is dim and puzzling; or, as others, that itis dull and monotonous.
May you continue to read in it with new curiosity,new delight, and new profit; and to find it, as longas you live, the untiring “Story without an End.”
Your affectionate Mother,
S. A.London,
Nov. 16th, 1833.
THE STORY
WITHOUT AN END.
I.
THERE was once a Child wholived in a little hut, and inthe hut there was nothingbut a little bed and a looking-glasswhich hung in a dark corner.Now the Child cared nothing at allabout the looking-glass; but as soon asthe first sunbeam glided softly through[10]the casement and kissed his sweet eyelids,and the finch and the linnet wakedhim merrily with