I duly kept my engagement at the Swan, and was introduced by the Professor to Zitz, Gervinus, and some more of the radical party. The dinners at the Swan are unexceptionable; indeed, out of Paris, it is impossible to discover better. "What do you think of our German parliament?" asked a deputy of the name of Neukirch, next whom I was seated. "It must be an interesting sight for an Englishman to behold the aspirations of our rising freedom." "Oh, charming!" I replied: "and such splendid oratory--we have nothing like it in the House of Commons." "Do you really think so?" said Neukirch, looking absurdly gratified. "I do indeed. The speech which I had the privilege of hearing this morning from the gentleman opposite--" here I bowed to Simon of Treves, who was picking the backbone of a pike--"was equal to the most elaborate efforts of our greatest orator, Mr Chisholm Anstey. It is not often that one has the fortune to listen to such talent combined with patriotism!" "You speak like a man of sense," said the flattered Simon. "I believe that I have given those infernal princes their gruel. Lichnowsky had better hold his peace, for the time is coming when a sharp reckoning must be held between the aristocrats and the people." "_Potz tausend!_" cried Zitz, "do they think to lord it over us longer with their stars and ribbons? I hold myself to be as good a man as any grand-duke of them all, and a great deal better than some I could name who would give a trifle to be out of Germany." "And how does the cause of democracy progress in England?" asked Neukirch. "We are somewhat surprised to find that, after all the preparation, there has been no revolution in London." "As to that," said I, "you must hardly judge us too rashly. Two distinguished patriots, called Ernest Jones and Fussell, were desirous of raising barricades; but, somehow or other, the plan was communicated to Government, the troops refused to fraternise, and the attempt was postponed for the present." "I see!" cried Zitz, "Russian influence has been at work in England too. Nicholas has been sowing his gold, and the fruit is continued tyranny." "The fact is," said I, "though I would not wish it to be repeated, that a good many of us are of opinion that we have no tyranny at all, but rather more freedom than is absolutely necessary for our happiness." "No tyranny!" shouted Zitz; "is there not a chamber of peers?" "Too much freedom!" roared Simon of Treves; "have you not an Established Church?" "Is not your sovereign a niece of the odious despot of Hanover?" asked Neukirch. "Is there not a heavy tax on tobacco?" inquired my friend and preceptor Klingemann.