A high and gallant young fellow, left fatherless in childhood;
perhaps he came too early into power:--he came, at any rate, in
very volcanic times, when Germany was all in convulsion; the Old
Religion and the New having at length broken out into open battle,
with huge results to be hoped and feared; and the largest game
going on, in sight of an adventurous youth. How Albert staked in
it; how he played to immense heights of sudden gain, and finally
to utter bankruptcy, I cannot explain here: some German delineator
of human destinies, "Artist" worth the name, if there were any,
might find in him a fine subject.

He was ward of his Uncle George; and the probable fact is, no
guardian could have been more faithful. Nevertheless, on
approaching the years of majority, of majority but not discretion,
he saw good to quarrel with his Uncle; claimed this and that,
which was not granted: quarrel lasting for years. Nay matters ran
so high at last, it was like to come to war between them, had not
George been wiser. The young fellow actually sent a cartel to his
Uncle; challenged him to mortal combat,--at which George only
wagged his old beard, we suppose, and said nothing. Neighbors
interposed, the Diet itself interposed; and the matter was got
quenched again. Leaving Albert, let us hope, a repentant young
man. We said he was full of fire, too much of it wildfire.

His profession was Arms; he shone much in war; went slashing and
fighting through those Schmalkaldic broils, and others of his
time; a distinguished captain; cutting his way towards something
high, he saw not well what. He had great comradeship with Moritz
of Saxony in the wars: two sworn brothers they, and comrades in
arms:--it is the same dexterous Moritz, who, himself a Protestant,