only the firmly-bound, countless order of constellations,
which move in their orbits, attracting and repelling each other.

Then came another man, who said, "There is no man on earth, who,
sitting on his throne, holds in himself the eternal spirit which gives
him the right to teach and dictate what men shall believe and hope."
Dissension appeared in the Church, and tore the civilized world
asunder.

"And still another man, with his companions, entered a ship, sailed
towards the north and discovered a new world. In the house which we
inhabit, an immeasurably large room was suddenly opened, wherein dwelt
men who knew nothing of our life, while we, on the other hand, were
ignorant of the endless variety of plants and animals, of boundless
forests and rushing torrents, that existed there. The discoveries of
Copernicus, of Luther, and of Columbus, must have produced a revolution
in the minds of men at that period, to which nothing in our age can be
compared. If we should be told now that all private property was to be
given up, so that no one should longer possess anything for himself
alone, the revolution in our minds would not be greater than it was in
men's minds at that time."

Roland sat gazing in wonder at the man, who placed him upon such a
height that he could see all life and being forming itself anew, and
unfolding before his eyes. Eric paused, in order that the vivid
impression, which it was evident he had made upon his pupil, should not
be disturbed and effaced by further speech. The question arose in his
mind, whether he had not given to the boy ideas and suggestions which
he was not able to grasp; but he comforted himself with the example of
the Church. She gives the young soul what it does not yet desire, what
it is not yet able to understand; but she gives it in the hope that it
will bear fruit in riper years. May we not--must we not do the same?

The quiet thought of the two, reaching out towards the infinite, was
disturbed, by the architect, who came to tell them that a Roman tomb
had been discovered, and in it, an urn, a chair, and a skeleton. Eric
went with Roland, and this disinterment of a man so long dead gave the
boy a shock. What is the world? What is life? A future age finds the
skeleton of a man which it passes by with indifference, and only
asks,--"Are there, withal, the remains of the industry of former
times?"

What is life?

As if waking from sleep, Roland heard Eric express his joy at t