¶ As for Napoleon, he, of course, took the lion's share; but a diamond necklace to a soldier's wife is indeed a powerful argument on the importance of the new democratic era, in which peasants' sons wear gold lace and their womankind ride in carriages. Also, many of the generals of France were sons of peasants; and an account of Napoleon's marshals would show the humble origin of men of the hour, sons of soap boilers, tavern keepers, stable-bosses. ¶ One may imagine the result of such surprising overturnings of caste, in old-world conditions. Henceforth the peasants of all lands will naturally regard their respective kings as so many dogs, to be shot to death at the first splendid opportunity! And Germany is no exception. ¶ Forward march, ye sons of the soil, there are stormy days ahead for you, through your "new" ideas. CHAPTER VI Prussia's De Profundis 16 Humiliations heaped upon her by France; the strange combination, the lash and the kiss! ¶ First, let us quote from Bismarck, who looking backward after his amazing politico-military triumph at Koeniggraetz, (1866), tells a French interviewer for "Le Siecle" this root-fact about Germans, their weakness and their power: ¶ "No government, however it may act, will be popular in Prussia; the majority in the country will always be opposed to it; simply from its being the Government;--and holding authority over the individual, the central authority is always doomed to be constantly opposed by the moderates, and decried and despised by the ultras. This has been the common fate of all successive governments since the beginning of the dynasty. Neither liberal ministers, nor reactionary ministers have found favor with our Prussian politicians. ¶ "Frederick William III, surnamed the Just, had succeeded as little as Frederick William IV in satisfying the Prussian nation. ¶ "They shouted themselves hoarse at the victories of Frederick the Great, but at his death they rubbed their hands at the thought of being delivered from the tyrant! Despite this antagonism, there exists a deep attachment to the royal house. No sovereign or minister, no government, can win the favor of Prussian individualism. Yet all cry from the depths of their hearts, 'God save the King!' And they obey when the King commands." * * * * * ¶ With this clue from the master before us, the thing to do is, clearly, to reach out after this German Unity idea in a broad way. ¶ Napoleon's armies had marched everywhere, during all those victorious years, and each soldier had been a living exemplar of the power of National glory.