becomes indeed a political sin when a people, by its
cultivation, has become constitutionally fit for freedom.

In the background of the whole picture of the disordered and sickly
condition of our social circumstances here so vividly presented, the
author has plainly discerned Dante's noble proverb--

"Di liberta indipendenza e primo grado."

The existence of independent citizen-families qualified and ready for
every public service, though beyond the need of such employment--this is
the fundamental condition of a healthy development of political freedom,
alike impregnable by revolution and reaction; this is the only sure
ground and basis on which a constitutional form of government can be
reared and administered with advantage to every class, repressing alike
successfully absolutism and democracy.

And now we have reached the point where we are enabled to gather up, and
to express to the reader, without desiring to forestall his own
judgment, or to load him with axioms and formulas beyond his
comprehension, the beautiful fundamental idea of the book, clearly and
simply.

We would express it thus: The future of all European states depends
mainly on three propositions, and the politics of every statesman of our
period are determined by the way in which he views them.

These propositions are,

1st. The fusion of the educated classes, and the total abolition of
bureaucracy, and all social barriers between the ancient nobility and
the educated classes in the nation, especially the industrial and
mercantile population.

2d. The just and Christian bearing of this united body toward the
working-classes, especially in towns.

3d. The recognition of the mighty fact that the educated middle classes
of all nations, but especially of those of Germany, are perfectly aware
that even the present, but still more the near future, is their own, if
they advance along the legal path to a perfect constitutional monarchy,
resisting all temptations to the right hand or to the left, not with
imbittered feelings, but in the cheerful temper of a moral
self-confidence.

* * * * *

It is faith in truths such as these that has inspired our author in the
composition of the work which is here offered to the English reading
public. It is his highest praise, however, that he has imbodied this
faith in a true work of art, which speaks for itself. He has thereby
enkindled or strengthened a like faith in many t