trial the judge purposely selected
a small room, though four times larger than what now circumscribes the
dignity of this Honorable Court; he did not wish the people to hear
Gervinus's defence. But I will read you some extracts from the preface
to the English translation of his book:--

"I offer nothing purely theoretical or speculative, and as
few opinions and conclusions as can possibly be given in a
historical narrative. The work finally reaches a period
when the Present and the Future become its subject, and when
therefore it can no longer relate any events of history
which have been completed; and is confined to the simple
statement of _the Fact_ that opposite opinions exist, and
may yet be advanced, concerning the problem of the Future.
These opinions are themselves weighed against one another,
but their value is not determined by dogmas, or phrases, or
declamations, but simply by facts. If the balance incline
towards a more liberal form of government, towards
democratic institutions, and therefore towards
self-government, and the participation of the many rather
than of the few in the affairs of the State, I am not to
blame, nor is it my ordinance, but that of History and of
Providence. My work is only (what all historical narrative
should be) a vindication of the decrees of Providence; and
to revolt against them appears to me neither pious in a
moral point of view, nor wise in a political. That which is
proved by the most remarkable facts of History, will not be
altered in the smallest degree by the suppression of my
work, or by my condemnation. The charge on this head is an
absurdity, since no rational end can be attained by it. It
aims at the suppression of a truth which, should _I_ not
tell it, will be ever louder and louder proclaimed by the
_Facts of History_.

"To believe such a thing possible is a proof how limited an
idea exists of the eager inquiry going on after
knowledge--and truth, the source and origin of all
knowledge. There will always be so eager a demand for a
history of the Present time, that, even should _I_ be
prevented, ten others would arise, only to proclaim the
louder, and to repeat the oftener, the truth which is here
suppressed. To believe that the philosophy of History can be
silenced by persecution, ar