¶ Bismarck laid the foundation in this way: He reminded the reluctant William of the glories of Hohenzollern; how each Hohenzollern had added to the common family fortunes, ever-widening estates and power. He told William how King Fr: Wm. IV had acquired Hohenzollern and the Jande District; Fr: Wm. III, the Rhine Province; Fr: Wm. II, Poland; Fr: II, Silesia; Fr: Wm. I, Old Hinter Pomerania; the Great Elector, Further Pomerania, etc.; "and I encouraged the King to do likewise." ¶ Is it too much to say that in this great National crisis, Bismarck was more than servant of the King? In many respects Bismarck was the King's master. "If you only knew how I had to struggle to make the King go to war with Austria!" is a significant comment Bismarck once made in a moment of confidence. It is a question whether he loved the King more, or himself less. * * * * * ¶ "My party consisted solely of the King and myself," wrote Bismarck many years later, "and my only aim was the restoration and aggrandizement of the German Empire and the defense of monarchial authority." ¶ He always had a contempt for parliaments and for parties. This fact is so clear that we pass it without further comment. In short, Bismarck measures up to these lines in Tennyson: "Ah, God! for a man with heart, head, hand Like some of the simple great ones gone Forever and ever by; One still strong man in a blatant land, Whatever they call him, what care I, Aristocrat, democrat, autocrat--" ¶ However, in this world all things are relative; the finest coat has its reverse side, where the ugly seams show; and Bismarck is no exception. He has all the strong man's virtues, and vices. Make the most of it. It is a solemn fact that, in his unfailing loyalty to his country, Bismarck showed little consideration for men who chanced to oppose his own principles--but what would you, pray? Man at best is a curious animal; he indulges in great wars and he is capable of great mercies; he is all things by turn and nothing long; on the same day he loves and he hates, he commits crimes and he goes to church; he has his way and having it, is still dissatisfied. ¶ And Bismarck was no exception. * * * * * ¶ He always expected absolute obedience. "My ambassadors," he once said to one of them, "must wheel round like non-commissioned officers, at a word of command, without knowing why." * * * * * ¶ "There are indeed," says Sir Spencer Walpole, "few things more remarkable in modern history than Bismarck's determined disregard, from 1863 to 1866 of the decisions of Parliament and his readiness to stake his own life and that of his sovereign on the issue of the contest." * * * * *