I ought to mention, among the social gratifications, of which I partook at Manheim, that arising from the kind attentions of M. ACKERMANN; a gentleman, retired from business, and residing in the place or square:—­devoting the evening of a bachelor’s life to the amusement resulting from a small but well chosen collection of coins and medals.  He shewed me several of surprising delicacy and finish ... more especially of the sixteenth century, executed at Nuremberg—­and tempted me to become a purchaser of the Gold Royal of our Edward IV., for which I offered him five louis.  As he thought himself handsomely paid, he presented me, in addition, with a beautiful silver medal of the sixteenth century—­struck at Nuremberg—­of which particular mention has been made in a preceding, page.[186] One of my visits to M. Ackermann was diversified by the sight of a profusion of fine grapes, of both colours, which had been just gathered from his garden—­within the suburbs of the town:—­where, indeed, a number of finely trimmed gardens, belonging to the citizens of Manheim, are kept in the highest state of cultivation.  The vintage had now set through-out Germany and France; and more delicious grapes than those presented to me by M.A., could seldom be partaken of.  Yet I know not if they were quite equal to those of Ratisbon and Heilbrunn.  Passing along a very extensive vineyard, we stopped—­requesting the valet to alight, and try to procure us some of the tempting fruit in view ... in order to slake our thirst during a hot journey.  In a second he disappeared, and in a minute reappeared—­with a bunch of black grapes—­so large, full, and weighty ... that I question if Van Huysum or De Heem ever sat down to such a model for the exercise of their unrivalled pencils.  The juice of this bunch was as copious and delicious as the exterior was downy and inviting.  We learnt, however, that these little acts of depredation were not always to be committed with impunity; for that, in the middle of extensive fields, when the grape was ripe enough to be gathered, watch-boxes were placed—­and keepers within these boxes were armed with carbines, loaded with something more weighty than powder!

It only remains to mention, that, having left particular directions with the house of M. Artaria, to forward all the cases which had been consigned to me, at their own house, from Vienna and Nuremberg, to that of Messrs. Arch and Co., booksellers, Cornhill, I had nothing to do but renew my letter of credit, and pass over the Rhine into France.  I started immediately after dinner, from M. Artaria’s house; horses having been brought to the door.

MANHEIM TO PARIS.