Ladislaus felt himself between two fires, and hastened to suggest another theme. “I know,” he said, “that my learned and skillful friend, the honored Rabbi Solomon, whom I am personally glad to welcome, will I trust enlighten us respecting the methods of promoting the internal peace of kingdoms, and the mutual accord of the nationalities that inhabit then.”
Solomon, arrayed in his dark flowing robe, drew his athletic figure to its full height; and being a master of dialectics, and trained in a school of orators, he well understood the advantage of an impressive manner. Assuming his gravest aspect, and speaking with clear intonation, he said, calmly surveying the king and his lords, and keeping them, as a wise orator always will, full in his eye, so that they at once felt his look, and he observed their emotions:
“By the especial grace of your highness I am accorded an opportunity such as has been rarely presented to a student of society, and least of all to an individual of my own nation. To the kingly solicitude of your highness, to the human laws and constitution of Hungary, especially those that form the main structure of its jurisprudence, and to the courtesy accorded to my friendly mission I must attribute this great opportunity.
“At this epoch I observe two conflicting tendencies in the progress of European nations. One of these is of a twofold character, and is composed in part of the active efforts of my own people in furtherance of their ancient mercantile proclivities and habits, and
