You must win
over the people. Work on a little longer, and then invite them all from
far and near to a public examination. If this test wins over the crowd
to your side, then, and only then, are you out of harm's reach." I went
home, and we followed this counsel. The examination was held on a lovely
day in autumn. A great crowd from several cantons flocked together, and
there appeared delegates from the authorities of Zuerich, of Bern, and
other cantons. Our contest with the clerical party, which had been
commented upon in most of the Swiss journals, had drawn all eyes upon
us. We scored a great victory with our examination. The children
developed so much enthusiasm, and answered so readily, that all were
agreeably surprised, and rewarded us with loud applause. From seven in
the morning till seven in the evening lasted this examination, closing
with games and gymnastic exercises performed by the whole school. We
rejoiced within ourselves; for our undertaking might now be regarded as
fairly floated. The institution was spoken of in the great Council of
the Canton, and most glowing speeches were delivered in our favour by
Herr Pfyffer, Herr Amrhyn, and others.
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