onstitution in the world is
there that has not been the work, in a great measure, of accidental
circumstances_? Since Solon and Lycurgus, only the Constituent
National Assembly in France, and the stupid Cortes in Spain, have
dreamed of such a thing as constitution-making, and the work of both
has been blown, as we see, to the four winds. 'Tis true England is
trying something of the same kind just now in the Sicilies; but God
preserve us from such a mistaken course! Your criticism on our
constitution is, indeed, altogether too severe; from the principles
of the Teutonic constitution, all public liberty in Europe originally
sprang. The contest in which we are engaged will certainly not end in
a '_farce_;' but why you should go back into private life, preferring
to be rather the grave-digger than the physician of our present
political state, I really cannot conceive. Let us rather endeavour
after what is practically attainable, than grasp at splendid
theoretical possibilities. You are fond of English authorities; let
me, therefore, remind you of him who said--_the practice of a
constitution is frequently very different from its theory_. There is
much that I like in Arndt's book, and its author I highly esteem; but
the way of amelioration (_Verbesserung_) which I propose to follow,
seems to present some prospect of success, where your _revolutionary_
projects bring with them a risk of losing all.

"You say that the _dynasties_ are a matter of indifference to you. To
me they are not. There lives in them a spirit which one can trace
through ages. Read only what Mueller in his _Fuerstenbund_ says of the
Guelphs. 'Need I mention the fame of the Guelphs, whose spirit of
unbending independence has made their name a watchword for liberty?'
Even England has never been so free as under the three Georges, and
the fourth George brings the same sentiments with him to the throne.
Compare with this your slavish Prussian system! I respect Frederick
the Great, but he caused the ruin of Germany by his aggrandizement,
and the ruin, let me add, of his own state too, by creating a body
that only his great soul could animate, and which, after his death,
lay helpless. When I showed the Prince Regent your remarks on the
dynasties, he exclaimed--If Stein is quite indifferent to them