I happen to become an ear-witness of a conversation between two old patriots — they were evidently both hard of hearing and consequently spoke all the louder.

“HE has as much, and knows as much, philosophy as a peasant or a corps-student,” said the one — ”he is still innocent. But what does that matter nowadays! It is the age of the masses: they lie on their belly before everything that is massive. And so also in politicis. A statesman who rears up for them a new Tower of Babel, some monstrosity of empire and power, they call ‘great’ — what does it matter that we more prudent and conservative ones do not meanwhile give up the old belief that it is only the great thought that gives greatness to an action or affair. Supposing a statesman were to bring his people into the