SEVERAL English friends have invited me to state my opinion of the advantages to European civilization which may be expected from the consolidation of Germany, and the comparative depression of France. I have the more pleasure in complying with this request, because no one would be more grieved than myself, that the prevalence of erroneous views on this subject should prevent a hearty understanding between England and my own country.

I may remark, by way of preface, that in consequence of the extent and the rapidity of the latest development of affairs in Europe, our political parties, as such, have not yet assumed a definite attitude in the main questions arising from it. Nay, it is extremely probable that they will for the most part be dissolved and assume new forms, under the influence of the altered circumstances. What I am about to say, therefore, can only be NEW SERIES.-VOL. XIII., No. 3.

regarded as expressing my own individual opinions, and not as the programme of a large and united party. To make up for this, I have the advantage of being free to express my personal convictions unfettered by the trammels of party. And there exists at present such an unanimity of feeling in Germany that it is hardly possible to mistake its nature and direction.

When we are asked what effect the recent developinent of German power will have on the progress of civilization in Europe, the answer will be, perhaps, most fitly introduced by the opposite question, What would have been the consequences to Europe, if Napoleon or the French Republic had remained master of the field, and, as in this case was inevitable, Germany and Prussia had been thrust back into their former condition of impotence and division? What political and religious tendencies would have been thereby fostered? Doubtless those which had

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