In a postscript, I wrote: "I beg my honoured examiners to remember the
time during which this treatise was written, a time more eventful than
any other young men can have been through, and during which I, for my
part, have for days at a time been unable to work, and should have been
ashamed if I could have done so."
In explanation of this statement, the following jottings, written down
at the time on a sheet of paper:
_Sunday, Jan. 17th_. Received letter telling me I may fetch my
leading question to-morrow at 5 o'clock.
_Monday, Feb. 1st_. Heard to-day that the Germans have passed the
Eider and that the first shots have been exchanged.
_Saturday, Feb. 6th_. Received to-day the terrible,
incomprehensible, but only too certain news that the Danevirke has been
abandoned without a blow being struck. This is indescribable,
overwhelming.
_Thursday, Feb. 28th_. We may, unfortunately, assume it as certain
that my dear friend Jens Paludan-Mueller fell at Oversoe on Feb. 5th.
_Feb. 28th_. Heard definitely to-day.--At half-past one this night
finished my essay.
XV.
I thought about this time of nothing but my desire to become a competent
soldier of my country. There was nothing I wanted more, but I felt
physically very weak. When the first news of the battles of Midsunde and
Bustrup arrived, I was very strongly inclined to follow Julius Lange to
the Reserve Officers' School.
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