tion. The
theory of socialistic teaching, namely, the conditions of production
and distribution, could be constantly remodeled just as other human
institutions, i.e. the customs of governments and societies, the laws,
ideas of beauty and morality, knowledge of nature, and views of
society. His sympathies went out to those who were convinced that the
present economical organization had lived out its time, and were
endeavoring to remove it.

Wilhelm's friends interested themselves warmly in this new sphere of
thought. Paul was a member of the National Liberal Election Society,
and was enthusiastic about Bennigsen and Lasker, who possessed enough
statesmanlike wisdom to surrender fearlessly to the opposition, and
determine to go with the government. To these present experiences Dr.
Schrotter joined the half-forgotten training of '48, and agreed to
belong to a society of the district; he had soon an official
appointment, and placed his experience and knowledge at the disposal of
the sick and poor of the town. He did not interest himself at first in
political strife. He was very uneasy about the turn things were taking,
and considered that it was not right to rebel against the existing
conditions of things, which to the majority of people were agreeable
enough.

"You have fought and bled for the new empire," he said; "I left it
while I was in India to get on as best it could; if the others think
themselves well off, I don't see why they should not have the
satisfaction of the results of their work, just because of the sulky
temper of criticism."

Wilhelm had often taken one or other of them to his society, but
without their being much interested in the meetings. One day he asked
his friend whether he would not go with him to a social democratic
meeting. Schrotter was quite prepared, as he saw that Wilhelm was
really in earnest, and was trying to come in contact with the realities
of life. Paul abominated the social democrats, but he sacrificed
himself to spend an hour there with Wilhelm.

The meeting they were to attend was at the Tivoli. It was a
disagreeable evening in April, with gusts of wind and frequent showers.
The sky was full of clouds chasing each other in endless succession,
the flames of gas flickered and flared, and the streets were covered
with mud which splashed up under the horses' feet. The three friends
went in spite of bad weather to the Tivoli on foot. In the Belle
Alliance Strasse they came upon gr