an unusual degree, points back with all its memories to the imperial city patriciate that was so closely associated with the glorious era of the Holy Roman Empire; and Prussia’s entire position seems to him a revolutionary usurpation, which has played the most material part in the destruction of the privileges of the Holzhausens.  His wealth leads me to assume that the ties that bind him to Austria are merely ambitious tendencies—­such as the desire for an imperial order or for the elevation of the family to the rank of Austrian counts—­and not pecuniary interests, unless his possession of a large quantity of [Austrian] mining shares is to be regarded in the latter light.

If your Excellency will permit me, in closing, to sum up the results of my report, they amount to what follows:—­

The only envoys in the Federal Diet who are devoted to our interests as regards their personal views are Herren von Fritsch, von Scherff, and von Oertzen.  Herein the first of these follows at the same time the instructions of the government which he represents.  Personally assured to Austria, on the other hand, without it being possible to make the same assertion as regards the governments they represent, are Herren von Eisendecher and von Holzhausen, and von Dungern as representing Brunswick.  On the Austrian side, besides these, are almost always, in accordance with the instructions of their governments, Herr von Nostitz, Herr von Reinhard, Herr von Muench, Herr von Trott (who, however, displays greater moderation than his Darmstadt colleague), and Herr von Dungern as representing Nassau.

A position in part more independent, in part more mediatory, is assumed by Herren von Schrenk, von Bothmer, von Buelow, von Marschall, and by the representatives of the Free Cities; and yet in the attitude of these envoys also, Austrian influences are not infrequently noticeable.

FROM A SPEECH ON THE MILITARY BILL

IN THE GERMAN IMPERIAL DIET, FEBRUARY 6TH, 1888

When I say that we must constantly endeavor to be equal to all contingencies, I mean by that to claim that we must make greater exertions than other powers in order to attain the same result, because of our geographical position.  We are situated in the middle of Europe.  We have at least three fronts of attack.  France has only its eastern frontier, Russia only its western frontier, on which it can be attacked.  We are, moreover, in consequence of the whole development of the world’s history, in consequence of our geographical position, and perhaps in consequence of the slighter degree of internal cohesion which the German nation as compared with others has thus far possessed, more exposed than any other people to the risk of a coalition.  God has placed us in a situation in which we are prevented by our neighbors from sinking into any sort of indolence or stagnation.  He has set at our side the most