"We are acting upon it, however," replied Klingemann; "for it is upon that principle we are claiming Schleswig from Denmark, and Limburg from the crown of Holland. But for that principle we should be clearly wrong, since it is admitted that, in all past time, the Eyder has been the boundary of Germany. All territorial limits, however, must yield to unity of race." "May I ask if there are many members of the German parliament who favour the same theory?" "A good many--at least of the left section." "They must be an enlightened set of legislators! Take my word for it, professor, you will have enough to do in settling the affairs of Germany Proper, without meddling with any of your neighbours." "It must be owned," said the professor, "that we still require a good deal of internal arrangement. We have our fleet to build." "A fleet!--what can you possibly want with a fleet? And if you had one, where are your harbours?" "That is a point for after consideration," replied Klingemann. "I am not much acquainted with maritime matters, because I never have seen the sea; but we consider a fleet as quite essential, and are determined to build one. Then there is the settlement of religious differences. That, I own, gives me some anxiety." "Why should it, in a country where three-fourths of the population, thanks to metaphysics, are rationalists?" "I do not know. There is a proposal to construct a pantheon, somewhat on the principle of the Valhalla, in which men of all sects may worship; but I am strongly impressed with the propriety of a unity of creed as well as a unity of race." "And this creed you would make compulsive?" "To be sure. We expect obedience to the laws--that is, to our laws, when we shall have made them; and I cannot see why a law of worship should be less imperative than a law which binds mankind to the observance of social institutions." Shade of Doctor Martin Luther!--this in thy native land! "Well, professor," said I, "you have given me enough to think on for one night at least. Perhaps to-morrow you will be kind enough to take me to the parliament, and point out some of the distinguished men who are about to regenerate the world." "Willingly, my dear boy," said the professor; "it is your parliament as well as mine, for you are clearly of the Saxon race." "Which," interrupted I, "I intend to repudiate as soon as the partition begins; for, whatever may be doing elsewhere, there are at least no symptoms of barricades in the Highlands."