Here, then, is the origin of that philosophical method which appeared immediately after Kant, and which is made up of clap-trap, of mystification, of imposture, of deception, and of throwing dust in the eyes. This era will be known one day in the History of Philosophy as "The Period of Dishonesty." For it was signalised by the disappearance of the characteristic of honesty, of searching after truth in common with the reader, which was well marked in the writings of all previous philosophers. The philosophaster's object was not to instruct, but to befool his hearers, as every page attests. At first Fichte and Schelling shine as the heroes of this epoch; to be followed by the man who is quite unworthy even of them, and greatly their inferior in point of talent--I mean the stupid and clumsy charlatan Hegel. The Chorus is composed of a mixed company of professors of philosophy, who in solemn fashion discourse to their public about the Endless, the Absolute, and many other matters of which they can know absolutely nothing. As a stepping-stone to raise Reason to her prophetic throne a wretched _jeu d'esprit_ was actually dragged in, and made to serve. It was asserted that, as the word _Vernunft_ (Reason) comes from _vernehmen_ (to comprehend), therefore _Vernunft_ means a capacity to =comprehend= the so-called "Supersensuous," _i.e._, _Νεϕελοκοκκυγία_,[15] or Cloud-cuckoo-town. This pretty notion met with boundless, approval, and for the space of thirty years was constantly repeated in Germany with immense satisfaction; indeed, it was made the foundation of philosophic manuals. And yet it is as clear as noon-day that of course _Vernunft_ (Reason) comes from. _vernehmen_ (to comprehend), but only because Reason makes man superior to animals, so that he not only hears, but also =comprehends= (_vernimmt_)--by no means, what is going on in Cloud-cuckoo-town--but what is said, as by one reasonable person to another, the words spoken being =comprehended= (_vernommen_) by the listener; and this capacity is called _Reason_ (_Vernunft_).