William I. and the German Empire: A Biographical and Historical Sketch

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER HI. PEINCB OF PRUSSIA. The new King was not long in discovering that conflicting elements were at work in Prussia. The spirit of freedom had touched most European peoples, and its influence was felt to some extent already in Germany. The nation had formed high expectations of Frederick William IV., and was looking forward to sweeping Constitutional reforms. These hopes were doomed to be disappointed. The King reverted to the old policy of the Prussian sovereigns, and became enamoured as were his predecessors of absolutist ideas. For two years he pursued a course of dubiety and indecision, and in 1842 crossed over to England for a change of scene, leaving the Prince of Prussia as Eegent during his absence. In 1844 Prince William had an important interview with Baron Bunsen at Berlin, in reference to the impending Constitutional struggle. ' The Prince spoke with me more than an hour,' says Bnnsen; ' in the first place about England, then on the great question?the Constitution. I told him all that I had said to the King of facts that I had witnessed. Upon his question, what my opinion was? I requested time for consideration, as I had come hither to learn and to hear ; but so much I could perceive and openly declare, that it would be impossible longer to govern with Provincial Assemblies alone,?it was as if the solar system should be furnished with centrifugal powers only. The Prince stated to me his own position relative to the great question, and to the King, with a clearness, precision, self- command, and openness which delighted me He is quitelike his father; throughout a noble-minded Prince of Brandenburg?of that house which has created Prussia.' In July, 1844, the Prince of Prussia visited England, with Bunsen as his guide. He was received by the Queen and P...

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