not seem to have been easily digested. The middle class is suffering
from the bad condition of the market, and the increase of taxation; the
lower classes are hungry.

Impassive in his majesty, the Emperor contemplates himself upon the
throne. Now you will find him copying Louis XIV and writing in the
golden book of the city of Münich _Regis volontas suprema lex_. And
again he will imitate St. Louis, but not finding any oak tree within his
reach, he administers justice on the public highway, as in the
Skinkel-Platz. He is having his own statue made of marble, to be placed
alongside of his throne. Great Heavens! If some day, this were to be
for him the avenging Commander's statue! [16]

But no, it cannot be, for has he not been converted? Is he not the
_summus episcopus_, who conducts the service in person? Has he not
composed psalms? Could anybody be more pious, a more resolute foe of
those vices which he pursues with such energy? Could any one be more
determined to be a pillar of the Church? In his interviews with the
delegates of the synod of the United Prussian Church, has not the
_summus_ said that the Reformation drew its strength from the hearts of
princes? True, you may say, that this does not sound very like a humble
Christian; but then humility had never anything to do with William.

At the administration of the oath to new recruits, after having held
forth to them on the subject of the hardships at the beginning of a
soldier's life, he added, "It shall be your reward when you have learnt
your trade, to manoeuvre before me."