SYBEL, THE GERMAN TEACHER:  ga9

from a mountain-top, he opened his eyes on the glorious
prospect, amidst the swell of hundreds of voices, united
inthe morning-hymn. At this period, Sybel is described
as a boy of lovely form and aspect. His complexion
was fair and ruddy, and his blonde hair flowed grace-
fully over a high and ample forehead, while a light blue
eye spoke out the fresh and jocund eartnestness of his
nature. The murder of Kotzebue, by Sand, and the
animadversion of the government on Jahn, put an end
to the patriotic associations, and left Sybel to the
ordinary influences of domestic and academic life.
He was already a poet, and he was rapidly advancing
in his classical career. Between the age of seventeen
and twenty, we find him agitated with religious emotion ;
though, as he afterwards found, this was more the
religion of poetical mysticism than of the gospel. Yet
it tended to form his peculiar character ; and, though
remote from what we see at home, it is not uninterest-
ing as a study. His biographer admits that “ Christ
was still in the background of the picture.” After
being confirmed and admitted to the communion,
according to the Lutheran rite, the ardent youth thus
writes: “ Brother, itis done! The Lord has blessed
me! With godly sorrow and deep emotion, I have
received the blessing, and rendered to the Lord my vow.
By the grace of our Father, I received the holy Supper
on Sunday, with reverent awe, and espoused myself
entirely to Jesus. My dear friend, the Church has now