"Berlin has a population of seven hundred and two thousand, and is the fifth city of Europe. Next to it is Breslau, with one hundred and seventy-two thousand. Cologne has one hundred and twenty-five thousand; Königsberg, one hundred and six thousand. All the others have less than a hundred thousand. New York has a larger German population than any German city except Berlin. "The money of Prussia is in thalers, silver, or new _grosschen_ and _pfennings_. A thaler is about seventy cents of our money. Thirty new grosschen, of two and one third cents each, make a thaler, and twelve pfennings make a new grosschen. "And now, young gentleman, I will close with a brief statement in regard to the Germanic Confederation, which is a union of states for certain purposes, similar to that of the United States. In modern times the two most powerful members have been Austria and Prussia; but the events of 1866 broke up the confederation, and caused the expulsion of Austria, leaving Prussia as the ruling power. The North German Confederation, consisting of twenty states, was then formed under the leadership of Prussia. The six remaining states, the principal of which are Bavaria, Baden, and Würtemberg, cannot be said to be united. Prussia had ratified treaties with the three states mentioned, by which each of the contracting powers guarantees the integrity of the others' territory. In other words, in case of war, each is to assist the others; but it is stipulated that Prussia is to have the command of the armies. "A German Parliament, elected by the people, at the rate of one member for every hundred thousand inhabitants, met at Berlin in 1867, and adopted a charter, or constitution, drawn up by the Prussian government, which means Bismarck."