The Shadow of Great Britain

In an instant, it seemed even the wind at the dock paused for a beat.

Seven professors stood at the end of the gangway, enveloped by the cheers of the London citizens.

They exchanged a very subtle glance, not for deliberation but for confirmation.

The passion that the media had previously stirred up seemed to have accumulated to its peak among the citizens, and several supporters wearing blue ribbons immediately stepped forward. They were marked with symbols representing various reform societies in London, clearly volunteers in charge of today’s reception.

Professor Dalman, the leader of the Seven Gentlemen, was the first to step down the gangway and received several bouquets from the hands of the city representatives, carefully prepared by the London Practical Knowledge Acquisition and Dissemination Society, the London and Westminster Constitutional Society, and the Charity Electoral Reform Society.

”Vielen Dank.”

He thanked them softly in German. Although his tone was not loud, it made the citizens presenting the flowers stand a little straighter.

Following closely, the Green Brothers, William Weber, and others nodded in acknowledgment to the flower givers.

Perhaps due to the fatigue of the journey, the professors were not as enthusiastic as the supporters imagined; instead, they were very polite and restrained.

However, it was precisely this scholarly self-restraint that made the already noisy dock even more clamorous.

”Mr. Dalman! Please... please do step onto the platform over here!”

A young gentleman leading the way was so excited he almost stammered, and he had squeezed his top hat out of shape: ”We have prepared a brief opportunity for a speech for the gentlemen! Friends in London are all waiting for you!”

Another elder gentleman from the Royal Literary Foundation arranged the ribbon on his chest with respect and added, ”Professor, could you say a few words to the London citizens? Your courage has inspired the entire Britain.”

A chorus of agreement arose around them.

”Yes, do say a few words, Professor!”

”For academic freedom!”

”For Germany’s constitutional cause!”

This kind of excitement was almost fervent.

Quite a few young students were already eagerly casting their gaze toward the makeshift wooden podium on the dock. It was not a high platform, but it had been wiped clean and covered with a layer of light brown felt. Though it appeared simple, it was arranged with considerable care.

Dalman did not immediately agree, nor did he show any signs of difficulty.

He merely raised his hand slightly, signaling for silence, and then began to speak in somewhat halting English: ”Addressing the London citizens who love freedom is certainly indispensable because it is due to your support that our journey to Britain was possible.”

The surrounding crowd burst into instant jubilation; someone even raised their hat high, as if witnessing a historic moment.

Yet, before the cheers could completely die down, Dalman added, ”But, I’m sorry, please wait for me a few minutes.”

The students were taken aback.

The journalists paused their pens.

The volunteers in charge of the reception stood slightly agape, evidently not expecting this statement: ”Of... of course...”

Dalman turned gently, his gaze bypassing the crowd and landing on a young man in the distance who had once fought alongside him for the Hanover constitutional reform in 1833.

The Green Brothers exchanged a glance, while Weber lifted his cane with a playful wave at the man.

The seven professors moved almost simultaneously.

Dalman walked at the front, his steps unhurried yet firm, followed by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm, Weber, Gevinus, Albrecht, and Ewald.

The crowded dock spontaneously parted a path for the seven professors, but they did not head toward the podium; instead, they crossed through the gathered people, heading toward the unwanted Scotland Yard police squad.

The crowd had just begun moving toward the podium, and the cheers were spreading, but at this moment, everyone instinctively stopped.

Even the dockworkers took a brief break, laying down their loads to watch the spectacle.

Finally, the seven professors stopped in front of Arthur.

The winter wind stirred Dalman’s long coat; he paused in silence for two seconds.

Then,

he raised his hand...

and slowly removed his hat.

”Sir.” Dalman’s voice was not loud, yet it pierced through the silence of the entire dock: ”For academic freedom, for us being able to stand here today, we salute you.”

Following him, the Green Brothers also removed their hats: ”It’s a pleasure to see you again, Sir.”

William Weber couldn’t help but tease, ”I heard the professorship of experimental physics at the University of London is currently held by Mr. Wheatstone, have you invited me here intending for me to teach astronomy? To be honest, that’s a direction I’m not skilled in.”

Albrecht, Gevinus, and Ewald all chimed in with their jokes.

”Has the University of London established a chair for Roman law?”

”I’m not that picky; I can accept either a chair in history or classical literature.”

”I guess the University of London probably doesn’t have a Theological Seminary, but no matter, if your Philosophy College is willing to open a field in Oriental languages, I can still find my place here. Whether it is Sanskrit or Indian literature, I am quite adept.”

There was a sudden yet brief intake of breath on the dock.

Although the professors were speaking German to Arthur, this did not prevent the citizens from seeing the close relationship between the professors and Arthur.

Those who had been holding newspapers, flowers, or even satirical cartoons were all stunned on the spot, as if someone had pressed the pause button.