sual Tusculum. The cause of the concourse did not appear to him
worthy of inquiring. What did it matter to him, that those ants
swarmed. He only thought to himself: "Mankind would have been more
supportable, had the Deity set a limit to the quantum." As the great
man reached the Hirsch, Parson Willing whispered to him: "Philosopher!
the movement is taking place, let us endow it with thought." Horrified
at such familiarity, the Aristotelian knit his brows, but had not quite
come to an end with this awe-inspiring performance ere the nimble
Parson had ascended the front steps leading to the Hirsch and requested
silence by signs and gestures. "The town preacher wishes to speak," was
now heard on all sides. "Silence, silence for Parson Willing."

"Beloved Countrymen! Palatines! Citizens of Heidelberg!" began the
Parson in a stentorian tone, his wrinkled face beaming with humor,
whilst at the same time he rubbed his hands together with that soaping
movement peculiar to him in the pulpit.

"He washes his hands in innocence," said the Baptist Werner to his
neighbours.

"I have only asked for a hearing, my dear friends," cried the Parson,
"to beg you to return quietly to your homes." A mocking laugh followed
those words evidently spoken ironically. "Remember," continued the
Parson, "that it is Saturday, and that Olevianus wishes to study his
sermon of to-morrow, and if you make such a noise it is impossible for
him to prepare himself and you know that a Professor must learn
everything by heart before that he can speak in public." A fresh burst
of laughter followed. "Thus you can plainly see, my dear children that
you must be quiet. You also know well that Herr Olevianus is a pompous
man, and that in the whole land none, but those he will, dare snort." A
hail-storm of abusive words was now heard on all sides. "Then remember
likewise that another clerical gentleman dwells in the neighbourhood.
Parson Zankus ..."[2] "Zanchius," corrected the tall Aristotelian in
his magisterial voice.

"Well, I mean the little mannikin, who always begins a row, and then
weeps in the pulpit; I cannot keep all their foreign names in my head,
but he is just now taking his midday nap, so as to be better able to
spy out at night, who may be tippling over much, therefore be still,
else he will wake up and begin to cry. You know very well what is
prescribed by the new discipline of the Church."

"No, we know nothing about it, we want no Church discip