"The beginning has been already made; it is only necessary to continue our efforts," replied the Berlin gentleman.

"See with what regularity everything proceeds with us," asserted Rasumowski. "All the wheels of state are controlled by the will of one man, of our gracious sovereign, the emperor "—and he made a reverence before the marble statue of the czar. "Whoever does not obey the will of the sovereign will be surely crushed into atoms."

A servant announced dinner. The party entered the dining-room, where a magnificent banquet was served. The whole attention of Adolph was absorbed by Alexandra, and Edward saw with deep regret his burning passion for a creature who was unworthy of his noble-minded friend.

"As I said before, gentlemen, with us everything moves with regularity," said Rasumowski.

"We do not permit the least contradiction. The word liberty has no meaning with us; for unconditional obedience is with us the fundamental law of the empire, and whoever does not wish to obey must go to Siberia.”

"As far as I can understand, there does not exist in Russia any fundamental law of state," said Beck. "Or am I wrong?"

nothing about it. The sovereign law is the will of the emperor. Nothing but what the emperor commands has legal power. The meeting of Deputies, Chambers, and of Diets is unheard of in Russia. The almighty will of the czar answers instead of it. All laws and decrees, no matter how long they have existed, can be abolished by the emperor with one stroke of the pen. To him, as the sovereign, everything belongs: the country and the people, the peasants and the nobility, the church and the state. In fact, it can be said that the only fundamental law of state in the holy Russian Empire is absolute obedience to the will of the czar."

"Excellent!" said Schulze. "If we had only made the same progress in our new German Empire !"

"It is to be questioned whether this manner of government can be introduced into Germany," replied Beck. "There the people have a will which makes itself heard in the Chambers."

"Bah! of what account are the Diet and the Chambers ?" exclaimed Schulze contemptuously. "Acknowledge candidly, Herr Beck, what a miserable rôle our Chambers have recently played. Is not the will of the chancellor the only law? Is not everything possible to the diplomatic wisdom of Bismarck? Do the Deputies, Chambers, or Diet dare to contradict the all-powerful minister? No! They only make such laws as are pleasing to their master. Therefore I am right when I say that the people no longer have a voice in the new German Empire. Wait a little while, and the antiquated folly of Chambers and Diets will be also abolished."

"Your view is not entirely correct," said Adolph von Sempach. "A strong party in the Diet is opposed to the designs of Bismarck."

ed Schulze. "But we are prepared for them; we will conquer this rebellious set, so hostile to the empire!" he exclaimed, with an angry flash of his eyes. "The ultramontanes in Germany form only a rapidly disappearing minority, and this rabble, so dangerous to the state, will soon be exterminated. Liberalism reigns supreme in the new German Empire; Bismarck depends upon its support. Every right-thinking man will see that in a well-organized state but one will must be paramount, and not two or even three wills. The emperor alone must rule. Therefore away with the will of the people, away with the will of the church! The form of the Russian government alone is sound; for here the emperor is the head of the state and of the church. The civil officers rule according to the command of the emperor-in a word, everything is done, as the governor has correctly remarked, with regularity. And whoever does not obey will be sent to the mines of Siberia."

Von Sempach, whose countenance gave evidence of his disapproval, wished to reply, but, at a sign from his friend, he remained silent.

"Yes, indeed, Siberia is a splendid place!" exulted the Russian. "The new German Empire must also have a Siberia, to which her rebellious subjects can be sent."

"If German affairs continue to shape themselves so closely after the example of Russia, we will undoubtedly have a Siberia very soon," said the professor, with an ambiguous smile.

"Without Siberia, what would we have done with the unruly Poles ?" exclaimed the charming daughter of the governor. "There in the mines, in want and misery, the wretches can penance for their presumption,

VOL. XVII.-3

At hearing her remarks, all color forsook Adolph's face; he looked with amazement at his beautiful betrothed. Beck, however, noticed with secret delight the impression she had made upon his friend.

"I am really anxious to learn," said he, "how the people of the holy Russian Empire live, and if they are so supremely happy."

"You shall have proofs of it this afternoon," said the governor. "We will drive in half an hour to a village in the vicinity of the city. The village is inhabited by Roman Catholics; but even there you will find that the will of the emperor is respected."

All now rose from the table; the guests retired to their rooms; but Adolph, who seemed greatly depressed, sought the society of his friend. "How do you like Alexandra?" "She is, in truth, imperially beautiful," answered Beck.

"But you heard her cruel remarks about the poor Poles ?"

"Yes, I heard what she said, and am not astonished that a Russian lady, whose father is governor, should think as he does; it is very natural," replied the professor.

Adolph appeared to be overwhelmed with sadness.

"Will you not go with us on our tour of inspection?" asked Edward.

"After such a painful exhibition of Alexandra's sentiments, I need something to distract my thoughts."

"Have you noticed that the bust and portrait of the emperor, seated on his throne, is to be seen in every corridor, chamber, and salon of the palace?" remarked Edward. "He is like an idol in the house, before which even the lovely head of Alexandra bows in reverence. This fact is of the highest interest to me. Man must have a god, a sovereign being,

to serve. In Russia, the emperor is this sovereign; and Almighty God in heaven is, as the Russians imagine, the vassal of the emperor; for bishops, priests, and popes can only teach and preach that which the imperial sovereign commands and permits. And such a sovereign is to sit upon the throne of the new German Empire! A glorious prospect for us!" "Ridiculous nonsense! exclaimed the young nobleman. "The German nation would never submit to such a yoke of tyranny. Germans will never become slaves!"

"Do not be too confident, Von Sempach! A keen observer has said that the Germans are a most servile people."

"But they never will be the slaves of a Russian czar," replied Von Sempach. "The German people, two years ago, gave ample proofs of what they can do. Like our imaginary Michael, who for a long time allowed himself to be kicked about and abused, but who suddenly shook off his lethargy, and fought like a lion, so will it be with Germany, which seems to have fallen into a state of good-humored torpor, during which cunning men have taken advantage of her apparent indifference to deprive her gradually of her ancient privileges; but let the Germans once feel the weight of Russian despotism, and you will see with what fury they will break loose the chains that bind them."

Ten minutes later, the carriage of the governor rolled through the streets of the city. He had given orders to be driven over a well-paved public road to a neighboring village. At a short distance from the carriage followed four Cossacks, mounted on small horses from Tartary. One of them carried in the belt of his sabre a very pecu

A name given in derision to the German nation.

liar instrument. Attached to a strong wooden handle were nailed seven straps of leather, which terminated ir hard knots. It was commonly called "the pleti," and was, by the command of the Emperor Nicholas, used as a substitute for the notorious knout.

Just as the village became visible behind the rows of trees that bordered the public road, the governor commanded the driver to stop. In looking from the window, he had observed, upon a lately cleared space, a collection of wooden huts which were situated a short distance from the road.

"What is the meaning of this? Who has dared to build these huts?" he exclaimed, in amazement.

"They look very much like our barracks in Berlin," said Schulze. "Some poor wretches built huts outside of the city because they could not earn enough to pay house-rent. The fact of their being permitted to remain so near Berlin is a disgrace to the intelligence of the capital of the new empire. It will be quite difficult to remove them."

"I shall not tolerate such things in my district," said the Russian abruptly.

The carriage proceeded on its way, and stopped before a handsome house, the residence of the mayor, who was the only person in the village who belonged to the Russian state Church. This man had very small eyes and an immense mustache; and it was evident, from the odor of his breath, that he had been imbibing freely. When summoned before the governor, he assumed a most abject appearance, and his form seemed really to shrink while in the presence of the powerful official.

"What huts are those outside of the village?" said Rasumowski, addressing him roughly..

"To reply, with your honor's per

mission, they are the dwellings of some poor people who have settled there. They are very orderly, pay their taxes punctually, and support themselves by mending kettles, by grinding scissors, by making rat and mouse traps, and such means."

Who gave them permission to settle there?"

"The parish, your honor. The ground upon which the huts stand belongs to the parish."

"Listen, and obey my orders!" said the governor. "These huts must be taken down without delay; for the emperor has not given this ground to peasants, that they may propagate like vermin. If the rabble cannot rent houses in the village, then they must go further, perhaps to Siberia, where there is plenty of work in the mines."

he must appear before me, and bring his sermon with him!"

The mayor made an humble obei

sance.

"Did the priest presume to say anything about the Pope ?"

66

No, your honor; since the Ro Iman Catholic priests who preached about the Pope were sent to Siberia, nothing is said about him."

"With regard to other matters, how are things progressing in the vil lage ?"

"Admirably, your honor! After the twenty Catholic families were sent to Siberia, all the inhabitants are willing to die in obedience to our good emperor. The people are all satisfied; no one wishes to go into exile."

"In how many villages of Germany," said the governor to his

Beck watched his friend Adolph, who seemed greatly revolted at the inhuman command.

Herr Schulze, of Berlin, on the contrary, looked as though he had heard something that would prove of incalculable benefit to mankind.

"On what text did the Catholic pastor preach last Sunday ?" asked the governor.

"With the permission of your honor, his sermon was on redemphon through Jesus Christ."

contented and ready to give their lives in obedience to our good emperor? The form of government in the holy Russian Empire works miracles. Now, gentlemen, follow me to the schoolhouse, so that you may see how Russia educates her subjects."

They left the mayor's residence, and crossed the street to the schoolhouse.

"I must tell you in advance," observed Rasumowski, “that in Russia we do not cultivate a fancy for

"No, your honor."

are only entitled to be taught three things: to obey, to work, and to pay

"No, your honor."

"Go at once, and bring the priest before me!"

"I beg pardon, your honor, but he has gone to visit a sick person at some distance."

"Then send him to me in the city. To-morrow, at nine in the morning,

ledge; it is the axis around which revolves our national education."

He opened the school door. About one hundred children, dirty and poorly clad, sat upon the benches. The schoolmaster, who had already espied the arrival of the governor, bowed in fear and trembling.