for Melchior one day partaking rather too freely of a rich liquor at a city feast, died suddenly, without having time even to make his will. His son, however, having just attained the age of manhood, succeeded to the whole of the property.
Frank was a noble-spirited youth, endowed with some excellent qualities. He was well made, strong, and very good-humoured, as if the old French wine and hung beef, of which he had partaken largely, had produced such happy results upon his constitution. Health glowed upon his cheek, while content and animation shone in his dark hazel eyes. He grew like a vigorous plant, which only requires water and a hardier soil to bear noble fruit, but which shoots to waste in too luxuriant ground. The father’s prosperity, as it often happens, was the son’s ruin; for no sooner did he find himself possessed of so princely a fortune, than he contrived how he could best get rid of it: and instead of smiling in scorn at the parable of the rich man, he imitated his example to a hair, and clothed and fared most sumptuously every day.
The feasts of the court bishops were far exceeded in superfluity and splendour by these he gave; nor will the good city of Bremen ever behold such substantial and magnificent proofs of hospitality, as long as it is a city, again: for each citizen was
