24 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



*Before proceeding with the description of Berlin in the 

 beginning of the Hamburg letter, which I am convinced 

 will impress the reader from more than one point of view, 

 let it be remembered that our young author, as is quite 

 common with young, wide-awake students, had inhaled 

 the teachings of political world-saviors, so-called. In his 

 particular case it was Karl Marx, the shrewd German 

 socialist, whose doctrines were being expounded by able 

 agitators throughout the Fatherland and the dangerous 

 effects of which had clearly manifested themselves in the 

 March Revolution of 1848. 



While the Prussian government seemed quite well in- 

 formed as to the progress of the brewing trouble in the 

 provinces, and prepared to meet it, the probability of an 

 early outbreak in the very heart of Berlin seemed not to 

 have been given any credence in highest circles. How- 

 ever, they soon realized their mistake, when it was dis- 

 covered that, notwithstanding the great vigilance of their 

 police, a number of political offenders, who had been ex- 

 iled from the kingdom, had re-entered the Capital and 

 systematically agitated the working classes and student 

 bodies, sowing discontent wherever they found a chance. 

 Young people, particularly in sentimental Germany, are 

 always quick in accepting a method offered which has for 

 its seeming purpose the redemption of all ills, the 

 ''wronged classes" are said to be heir to. Is it then so 

 surprising that such brilliant minds, as that of young Le- 

 couvreur, should have become greatly enthused over the 

 teachings of men like Karl Marx, the Moses of Socialism, 

 Etienne Cabet, the French pedagogue and communist, 

 and his followers, Louis Blanc and Buchez, whose motto: 

 "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity" had electrified even 

 the "German Michel?" One who had learned to admire 

 such writers as Borne, Heine and Freiligrath, could not 

 fold his hands in idleness during this history-making pe- 

 riod. Notwithstanding the fact that King Frederick Wil- 

 liam IV. tried his utmost to pacify the people, there oc- 



*Remarks by translator. 



