endour,
and with all the delights, and none of the dangers, of
universal love."

I expected the proclamation to be followed by an outburst of applause;
but instead the whole multitude sat calm and motionless. Looking round
I was struck by the hideous appearance of mankind. It was especially
revolting to look at the ears of the soldiers in front, who had their
backs turned to me. These stuck out from the bullet-like heads, and
made the men look like two-handled teapots on stands. Yet here and
there appeared in the galleries some woman's countenance beautified by
the sorrows of our race, or some tall youth whose eyes expressed the
darkest determination. The silence seemed to gather in folds. I was
studying drowsily the Asiatic dresses and the nude people from
Melanesia, when I heard a noise which I thought was that of the Wind.
But I saw it was the King, who had begun to laugh. It was a very
strange noise indeed, and very strange laughter.

III

THE MUTUAL EXTERMINATION CLUB

"You would perhaps like to stay here some time," said the Wind, "and
look around. You will then understand the significance of this
generation more clearly, and you may observe some interesting
incidents."

I was standing with one or two other people outside a pseudo-Chinese
erection, which I at first took to be a cricket pavilion, and then saw
to be the headquarters of a rifle club. I apprehended from the
placards that I was in Germany, and inquired in the language of the
country, which I understand very well, what was the object of this
rifle practice, and whether there was any thought of war.

The man to whom I addressed myself, an adipose person with iron-rimmed
spectacles and a kindly, intelligent face, seemed surprised at my
question.

"You must be a stranger," he said. "This is our very notable
_Vertilgungsverein_."

I understood: it was a Club for Mutual Extermination.

I then noticed that there were no ordinary targets, and that the
cadets were pointing their rifles at a bearded man who stood with a
covered pipe in his mouth, leaning against a tree some two hundred
yards away.

After the report the bearded man held up both hands.

"That is to signify that he has been completely missed," said the fat
gentleman. "One hand, wounded; two hands, missed. And that is
reasonable (_vernuenftig_), because if he were dead he could not raise
either."

I approved the admirable logic of the rule, and supposed that the m