Religion he, of course, had none.  He possessed naturally a very amiable character, and his thoughts and conduct were as pure as though guided by the soundest system of morality.  But he knew nothing of a God, and one of the greatest difficulties Daumer had to encounter was instructing him on this point.  His untutored mind could not master the doctrines of theology, and he was constantly puzzled by questions which he himself suggested, and which his instructor often found it impossible to answer satisfactorily.

Physically he was very weak.  The shortest walk would fatigue him.  At first he could scarcely shuffle along at all, on account of the tenderness of his feet, and because his body had always been kept in one position.  He so far overcame this, however, as to be able to walk a little, though always with an effort.  But on horseback he never became tired.  From the first time that he mounted a horse, he showed a love for the exercise, and a power of endurance utterly at variance with all other exhibitions of his strength; and he very soon acquired a degree of skill which made him an object of envy to all the cavalry-officers stationed in the neighborhood.  So inconsistent and incomprehensible was everything about Caspar Hauser!

In October, 1829, while residing in the family of Professor Daumer, an attempt was made upon his life, which was only so far successful as to give a very violent shock to his delicate constitution.  The perpetrator of the crime was never discovered.  Caspar was afterwards adopted by the Earl of Stanhope, and by him removed to Anspach.  Feuerbach gives a very interesting description of him, as he appeared at this time.

“In understanding a man, in knowledge a little child, and in many things more ignorant than a child, the whole of his language and demeanor shows often a strangely contrasted mingling of manly and childish behavior.  With a serious countenance and in a tone of great importance, he often utters things which, coming from any other person of the same age, would be called stupid or silly, but which, coming from him, always force upon us a sad, compassionate smile.  It is particularly farcical to hear him speak of the future plans of his life,—­of the manner in which, after having learned a great deal and earned money, he intends to settle himself with his wife, whom he considers as an indispensable part of domestic furniture.”

“Mild and gentle, without vicious inclinations, and without passions and strong emotions, his quiet mind resembles the smooth mirror of a lake in the stillness of a moonlight night.  Incapable of hurting an animal, compassionate even to the worm, which he is afraid to tread upon, timid even to cowardice, he will nevertheless act regardless of consequences, and even without forbearance, according to his own convictions, whenever it becomes necessary to defend or to execute purposes which he has once perceived and acknowledged to be right.  If he feels himself