We fell unconsciously into the habit of judging of a man's station in life by this outward and eloquent sign.

Sometimes we said, "Here is a poor devil, this is manifest." When we saw a stately accumulation, we said, "Here is a banker." When we encountered a country-seat surrounded by an Alpine pomp of manure, we said, "Doubtless a duke lives here." The importance of this feature has not been properly magnified in the Black Forest stories.

Manure is evidently the Black-Forester's main treasure--his coin, his jewel, his pride, his Old Master, his ceramics, his bric-a-brac, his darling, his title to public consideration, envy, veneration, and his first solicitude when he gets ready to make his will.

The true Black Forest novel, if it is ever written, will be skeletoned somewhat in this way: SKELETON FOR A BLACK FOREST NOVEL Rich old farmer, named Huss.
Has inherited great wealth of manure, and by diligence has added to it.
It is double-starred in Baedeker.

[1] The Black forest artist paints it--his masterpiece.