Page:Stories Translated from the German.djvu/211

 this gross impertinence yourselves. It would be impossible, even for the most vulgar German to write thus, unless it were intentionally to insult a declared enemy, whom he wished to humble to extremity. Read it, gentleman; here it begins with thanks, admiration, the most beautiful French phrases—and quite sentimental upon the subject of my bonhomie; and here about my system, not without some view; and now, only for me, only for a German, would it be possible, d'unir cette profondeur à une stupidité sans exemple.—

"What do you say to that, gentlemen? Is not such a piece of shameless insolence without a parallel?"

All were silent through astonishment. Every one took up the letter, every one examined it, read the obnoxious sentence over and over again, and when they were all perfectly convinced, that this abominable libel upon their much adored master existed, there arose a tumultuous uproar, during which, every person endeavoured to vent his anger, by uttering the most contradictory imprecations, mingled with the most pathetic exclamations.

At length, when silence was momentarily restored, the professor exclaimed: