One of the most innocent, and, at the same time, amusing, parties of pleasure in which I engaged with different companies of young people, was this,—­that we seated ourselves in the Hoechst market-ship, observed the strange passengers packed away in it, and bantered and teased, now this one, now that, as pleasure or caprice prompted.  At Hoechst we got out at the time when the market-boat from Mentz arrived.  At a hotel there was a well-spread table, where the better sort of travellers, coming and going, ate with each other, and then proceeded, each on his way, as both ships returned.  Every time, after dining, we sailed up to Frankfort, having, with a very large company, made the cheapest water-excursion that was possible.  Once I had undertaken this journey with Gretchen’s cousins, when a young man joined us at table in Hochst, who might be a little older than we were.  They knew him, and he got himself introduced to me.  He had something very pleasing in his manner, though he was not otherwise distinguished.  Coming from Mentz, he now went back with us to Frankfort, and conversed with me of every thing that related to the internal arrangements of the city, and the public offices and places, on which he seemed to me to be very well informed.  When we separated, he bade me farewell, and added, that he wished I might think well of him, as he hoped on occasion to avail himself of my recommendation.  I did not know what he meant by this, but the cousins enlightened me some days after.  They spoke well of him, and asked me to intercede with my grandfather, as a moderate appointment was just now vacant, which this friend would like to obtain.  I at first wished to be excused, as I had never meddled in such affairs; but they went on urging me until I resolved to do it.  I had already many times remarked, that in these grants of offices, which unfortunately were regarded as matters of favor, the mediation of my grandmother or an aunt had not been without effect.  I was now so advanced as to arrogate some influence to myself.  For that reason, to gratify my friends, who declared themselves under every sort of obligation for such a kindness, I overcame the timidity of a grandchild, and undertook to deliver a written application that was handed in to me.

One Sunday, after dinner, while my grandfather was busy in his garden, all the more because autumn was approaching, and I tried to assist him on every side, I came forward with my request and the petition, after some hesitation.  He looked at it, and asked me whether I knew the young man.  I told him in general terms what was to be said, and he let the matter rest there.  “If he has merit, and, moreover, good testimonials, I will favor him for your sake and his own.”  He said no more, and for a long while I heard nothing of the matter.