uggested
Pranken.

"I have done; only one word more. A piece of music always leaves a
painful impression if we have not heard the final cadence, and,
therefore, let me say, in a few words, that I consider the raising of a
citizen to the ranks of the nobility a historical absurdity, to use no
harsher term. The man who leaves the ranks of the citizens is a
deserter, an apostate, I will not say a traitor and a fool also, for
forsaking the conquering banner of the people. I understand the
temptation; they want to secure their possessions to their family, to
establish the right of entail; the sons want to be knights; but it is a
stinted race after all, a mongrel stock, from which no good tree can
grow."

Clodwig had several objects in view in speaking thus; he wanted to make
a direct appeal to his companions in rank, and he wanted, once for all,
to divert from their purpose Sonnenkamp and the Banker, who he knew had
also been induced to aspire to a title.

Perceiving a peculiar expression in the countenance of his old friend,
he turned to him, and said:--

"I see you have something on your mind you would like to say."

"Nothing of any consequence," replied the Banker, with a shrug of his
shoulders, offering his gold snuff-box to Clodwig and Sonnenkamp. "Our
host is a perfect example of what is called in America 'a self-made
man,' a term of great distinction. There is no term in our language
which exactly expresses it. To have inherited nothing, but to have won
everything by his own effort, is the greatest pride of an American.
'Self made man' is, so to speak, the motto upon his shield. Their
president elect, Abraham Lincoln, is the best example of this class,
who, from being a rail-splitter and a boatman, has attained the highest
honor. Are you personally acquainted with Lincoln?"

"I have not the honor," replied Sonnenkamp.

Roland here approached the gentlemen, and requested them to join the
rest of the company, as the plan was to have the band play, while all
walked together to the place where they had left the carriages. All
arose from table. The nobles from the various German principalities
stared at one another in amazement, and if any magical change could
have come over them, would certainly have been turned into stone, as
the bridal procession had been. The long lieutenant and the sleepy
Court-marshal would have made most grotesque figures. How was it that a
nobleman, a Count von Wolfsgarten, could use such