comported strangely enough with so stern a man.  But he did not suffer his composure to be put out by it:  he drilled us in the positions and steps in a manner the most precise; and, when he had brought us far enough to dance a minuet, he played for us something easily intelligible in three-four time, on a flute-douce, and we moved to it as well as we could.  On the French theatre, likewise, I had seen from my youth upwards, if not ballets, yet pas seuls and pas de deux, and had noticed in them various strange motions of the feet, and all sorts of springs.  When we had had enough of the minuet, I requested my father to play some other dance-music, of which our music-books, in their jigs and murkies, [Footnote:  A “murki” is defined as an old species of short composition for the harpsichord, with a lively murmuring accompaniment in the bass.—­TRANS.] offered us a rich supply; and I immediately found out, of myself, the steps and other motions for them, the time being quite suitable to my limbs, and, as it were, born with them.  This pleased my father to a certain degree; indeed, he often, by way of joke for himself and us, let the “monkies” dance in this way.  After my misfortune with Gretchen, and during the whole of my residence in Leipzig, I did not make my appearance again on the floor:  on the contrary, I still remember, that when, at a ball, they forced me into a minuet, both measure and motion seemed to have abandoned my limbs, and I could no longer remember either the steps or the figures; so that I should have been put to disgrace and shame if the greater part of the spectators had not maintained that my awkward behavior was pure obstinacy, assumed with the view of depriving the ladies of all desire to invite me and draw me into their circle against my will.

During my residence in Frankfort I was quite cut off from such pleasures; but in Strasburg, with other enjoyments of life, there soon arose in my limbs the faculty of keeping time.  On Sundays and week-days one sauntered by no pleasure-ground without finding there a joyous crowd assembled for the dance, and for the most part revolving in the circle.  Moreover, there were private balls in the country houses; and people were already talking of the brilliant masquerades of the coming winter.  Here, indeed, I should have been out of my place, and useless to the company, when a friend, who waltzed very well, advised me to practise myself first in parties of a lower rank, so that afterwards I might be worth something in the highest.  He took me to a dancing-master, who was well known for his skill.  This man promised me, that, when I had in some degree repeated the first elements and made myself master of them, he would then lead me farther.  He was one of your dry, ready French characters, and received me in a friendly manner.  I paid him a month in advance, and received twelve tickets, for which he agreed to give me certain hours’ instruction.  The man was strict and precise, but not pedantic; and, as I already had some previous practice, I soon gave him satisfaction, and received his commendation.