I earnestly hope they will wait. The Germans are a slow people; but they will move in time. Every German I see believes this.... 'We without them cannot be made perfect,' seems to me the clue to European oppressions. While stupid barbarism exists in masses, it will be the tool of tyranny against the more educated and refined and wealthy.... "Ever yours, "F. W. Newman." In November, 1855, he discusses public affairs, with relation to Louis Napoleon, with Dr. Nicholson:-- "....I should indeed like to have the talk on public affairs which you suggested; but things have moved on since then! Friends of mine dread that the difficulties of French finance will precipitate Louis N. into a base peace. I argue,--it will then be into one so base that the French will not endure it. For the Russians _know_ the French difficulties; and if proposals of peace come first from France, or if they see French action become slacker, they will yield _nothing_, and make sure of a peace which saves all their territory and reserves all their free action.... Only yesterday came the news of Omar Pasha's 5th November victory. Even if it be exaggerated, still the repulse at Kars and this new defeat make it impossible for Russia to make peace _now_ without a humiliation such as L. N. cannot attempt to remove. It _may_ so be that L. N. will be blown up by his finance and by popular discontent; it may also be that his difficulties will lead him to make popular concessions to the spirit of freedom, as is usual when great sacrifices are demanded of a nation; or it may be that he will get through with a struggle, putting French finance on a healthier footing than has ever been yet. But I think, if he stands, he _must_ carry on the war; and the more he feels his dangers, the more vehemently will he resolve to stick at nothing necessary for success, and will bid high to get Sweden to join us, which means to despoil Russia of Finland and Poland. "And if he is overthrown all Italy will rise, and after it Hungary, and after it Germany and Poland....