a recognized obligation, between nobility and people.
I understand by people, not only those who labor with the hands, but
also the men of science, of art, and even of the church. The people
have work; this moneyed class does not wish for honor, and only wants
labor so far as it can have others labor for it, and appropriate to
itself the product of their labor. What does it want? gold. What does
it want to do with the gold? procure enjoyment. Who guarantees this?
the State. What does it do for the State? There's the whole question!
Have you any answer?"

Eric's lips trembled, and he replied:--

"If the nobility feels itself obliged and entitled to assume the
leadership in the army for war, then are the young men of wealth to
feel themselves called to become leaders in the army of peace; and they
are to make good their position to the community, to their own circle,
and to their fellows, serving without compensation, and actively
engaged in entire subjection to authority, as a protection of the whole
State, and a sacrifice in all works of beneficence."

"Stop!" cried the priest; "the last is our work. You will never be able
to organize that without religion; you will never be able to effect,
that people, out of their opulence, out of their luxury, or, as you
would denominate it, out of purely humane emotions, shall visit the
dying in the huts of the poor, the helpless, the sick, and the
abandoned."

As if the ecclesiastic had invoked this high duty of his office, the
sacristan now came, and said that an old vine-dresser desired extreme
unction. The priest was speedily ready, and Eric departed.

When he came out into the road, and breathed the fresh air, he felt its
influence anew. Did he not come out of the atmosphere of incense? No,
here was more; here was a mighty power, which placed itself face to
face with the great riddle of existence.

Eric sauntered away, lost in thought, and it occurred to him again how
much more easy was the task of those who can impart some fixed dogmatic
principles which they do not originate, but receive; he, however, must
create all out of himself, out of his own cognition.

And can what comes out of your own cognition become a part of the
cognition of another?

Eric stood still, and the thought that he would educate himself while
educating another made his cheeks glow; the youth should acquire
knowledge from himself; for what is all culture which must be imparted
from one to anoth