rs of civilization, for they are not inheritors
of the beautiful human form as it has been handed down to us from
Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and so cannot become cultivators of the
plastic arts; and art alone is the ennobler of humanity. They cannot
create the beautiful after their likeness; and as it is said, 'God made
man after his image,' so man fashions his gods after his own likeness,
which the negroes cannot do. Perhaps in the coming time they will
create something for themselves, but not for others; and they are
therefore not partakers of the inheritance, for they are not included
in the great human brotherhood, which is not to be entered by force."

Sonnenkamp looked up; his whole countenance expanded. This is the
utterance of a man whose love of humanity is not to be questioned.

"That is a fact!" he interposed. "There is no sentimentalism in
America: our plain common-sense views are declared heterodox indeed by
pedantic wisdom, and branded as inhumanity, but there is a priesthood
of so-called humanity; and it has its inquisition as well as the other
priesthood."

Sonnenkamp spoke with a concentrated scorn, with a repelling violence,
which clearly showed how unsuitable he considered the topic introduced
by the Prince, although he had done it in a most civil manner. Clodwig
thought that he ought to come to his assistance, and he began in a low
tone but became more animated as he went on.

"Whoever considers historical facts with coolness and impartiality sees
that the Idea is continually unfolding, working long in stillness, but
without cessation; and this silent working goes on, until some
unexpected fact which has nothing in common with the Idea brings it
into clear light and perfect development. The Idea only prepares the
way by setting the tune; the fact is irrefragable, and performs an
actual part."

Bella said something in a low tone to the Prince on her right, but
Clodwig was well aware that it was meant for an apology for his
somewhat heavy and abstract statement; with a hardly perceptible twinge
of his face, and his lips drawn somewhat pointedly together, he
resumed:--

"I am of the conviction, that without Sebastopol the emancipation of
the peasants would not have been brought about, and in the way it has
been; and who knows when and how it could have been accomplished in any
other way? Saul goes forth to-day, as of old, to look for an ass, and
finds a kingdom,--the kingdom of a regal, all-powerfu