His confession of faith. Further development. Candidacy for the Reichstag. From his address to the electors. On the fear of revolution. Idealists in act. My first meeting with Egidy. Visit at his home. Consistency of preaching and practice. A letter from Egidy. XXXVI. VARIOUS OPINIONS 414 Letters from Alphonse Daudet, Paul Heyse, the Bishop of Durham, Ruggero Bonghi, and Count Kamarofski. XXXVII. THE BERN SESSIONS 420 Journey to Switzerland. Poem by Count Hoyos. Letter from Prince Camillo Starhemberg. Opening of the Congress. First impulse to arbitration treaties, from America. League of European states. Social life of the Congressists. Arturo de Marcoartu. Alfred Nobel complies with my invitation. On the lake of Lucerne. A parable by Ruchonnet. Protest against distorted reports. A lively debate. Arrival of the Interparliamentarians. The Conference. A prophetic toast. XXXVIII. VISIT TO ALFRED NOBEL 435 Arrival at Zurich. Nobel begins to take an interest in the peace movement, and joins us. Trips on the lake. A glimpse into his views of life. His first project for an act in furtherance of the cause of peace. XXXIX. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GERMAN PEACE SOCIETY IN BERLIN 440 PART ONE 1843–1861 I CHILDHOOD My certificate of baptism · The revolution of 1848 · Landgrave Fürstenberg · The Feather Ball · Castle Matzen What gives me some justification for publishing my experiences is the fact that I have met many interesting and distinguished contemporaries, and that my participation in a movement which has gradually grown to be of historic consequence has given me many glimpses into the political affairs of our time; and that hence, all in all, I have something to say that is really worth publishing. Of course, if I meant to tell only of this period of my life, I should have to confine myself to the history of the past fifteen or twenty years, and wholly forego conjuring up pictures from my youth; and I should have to deny myself the writing down of those personal recollections which my whole changeful life has stamped upon my memory. But I will not deny myself this. Now that I have been induced by the above-mentioned reason to write my memoirs, it shall be a genuine record of a life. Once again shall the stages of the long journey come in due order before my inward eye, and from them what seems to me suitable for reproduction shall be photographed on these pages. So, without further exordium, let us begin: The beginning of all human life is birth. Where and when and in what environment I came into the world is most authentically shown by my certificate of baptism. Here is the copy of that document: CERTIFICATE OF BAPTISM