A horizontal decorative typographic ornament consisting of a central stylized shell or leaf flourish flanked by floral motifs and horizontal bars.

Preliminary Note.

The following writing, along with its preface, came into my hands by chance during a journey to S. last year. I found it so remarkable The German "merkwürdig" here carries its older meaning of "worthy of note" rather than just "strange." that I cannot refrain from presenting it to the unbiased eyes of the public. I cannot be accused of any betrayal, as I am a profane outsider profane; from the Latin 'profanus,' referring to someone who stands "outside the temple" and is not initiated into secret rites regarding all possible mysteries, and I entered into no obligations or oaths when obtaining this manuscript. My