The inconsistency relating to his time arises from the contrast between the real and the seeming character of the reign.  For, strikingly and anomalously enough, while the Emperor has been steadily pursuing an economic policy, a policy of peace, his entire reign, as one turns over the pages of its history, seems to resound, during almost every hour, with martial shoutings, confused noises, the clatter of harness, the clash of swords, and the tramp of armies.  From moment to moment it recalls those scenes from Shakespearean drama in which indeed no dead are actually seen upon the stage, but at intervals the air is filled with battle cries, “with excursions and alarms,” with warriors brandishing their weapons, calling for horses, hacking at imaginary foes, and defying the world in arms.

And yet in reality it has been a period of domestic peace throughout.  Though there has been incessant talk of war, and at times war may have been near, it never came, unless the South West African and Boxer expeditions be so called.  Commerce and trade have gone on increasing by leaps and bounds.  The population has grown at the rate of nearly three-quarters of a million a year.  Emperor William the First’s social policy has been closely followed.  The navy has been built, the army strengthened, the Empire’s finances reorganized; in whatever direction one looks one finds a record of solid and substantial and peaceful progress and prosperity.  A great deal of it is owing, admittedly, to the Germans themselves, but no small share of it is due to the “impulsive” Emperor’s consistency of character and conduct.

Probably the inconsistencies are only apparent.  Germany and her Emperor have grown, not developed, if by development is meant a radical alteration in structure or mentality, and if regard is had to the real Germany and the real Emperor, not to the Germany of the tourist, and not to the Emperor of contemporary criticism.  It has been seen that the Emperor’s nature and policy have not altered.  The Constitution of Germany has not altered, nor her Press, nor her political parties, nor her social system, nor, indeed, any of the vital institutions of her national life.  With one possible exception—­the navy.  The navy is a new organic feature, and, like all organisms, is exerting deep and far-reaching influences.  Germany, of course, is in a process of development, a state of transition.  But nations are at all times in a state of transition, more or less obvious; and it will require yet a good many years to show what new forms and fruits the development now going on in Germany is to bring.  The Emperor, it is safe to say, will remain the same, mediaeval in nature, modern in character, to the end of his life.