The Englishman in Germany often attributes German shortsightedness to the Gothic character of German print.  It is more probable that the long hours of study spent poring over books without fresh-air exercise, judiciously interposed, is responsible for it.

It has been said that every one, like the Emperor, has his own theory of education, but there is one passage in the Emperor’s speech with which almost all men will agree—­that, namely, in which he urges that knowledge is not the only—­perhaps not the chief—­thing, but that young people must be educated for the practical affairs of life.  Unfortunately, as to how we are successfully to do this, the Emperor is silent; and it may be that there is no certain or exact way.  One could, of course—­but we are concerned with the Emperor.

The difference of opinion between the Emperor and Bismarck regarding the Emperor’s visit to Russia seems to have left no permanent ill-will in the Emperor’s mind, for on returning in October, 1889, from visits to Athens, where he attended the wedding of his sister Sophie with the Heir-Apparent of Greece, Prince Constantine (now King Constantine), and Constantinople, where he was allowed to inspect the Sultan’s seraglio, he sent a letter to the Chancellor praying God to grant that the latter’s “faithful and experienced counsel might for many years assist him in his difficult and responsible office.”  In January, 1890, however, the question of renewing the Socialist Laws, which would expire shortly, came up for settlement.  A council of Ministers, under the Emperor’s presidency, was called to decide it.  When the council met, Bismarck was greatly surprised by a proposal of the Emperor to issue edicts developing the principles laid down by his grandfather for working-class reform instead of renewing the Socialist Laws.  The Reichstag took the Emperor’s view and voted against the renewal of the Laws.  It only now remained to give effect to the Emperor’s edicts.  They were considered at a further council of Ministers, at which the Emperor exhorted them to “leave the Social Democracy to me, I can manage them alone.”  The Ministers agreed, and Bismarck was in a minority of one.  This, however, was only the beginning of the end.  Bismarck decided to continue in office until he had carried through Parliament a new military Bill, which was to come before it in May or June.  Meanwhile fresh matters of controversy between the Emperor and the Chancellor arose regarding the grant of imperial audiences to Ministers other than the Chancellor.  Bismarck insisted that the Chancellor alone had the right to be received by the Emperor for the discussion of State affairs.