astated every province of
the German Empire, and such was the misery and anarchy that in many
parts the people had reverted to savagery and cannibalism.[7] And
hardly had the country recovered from the horrors of the wars of
religion, when repeated French invasions laid waste the rich provinces
of the Rhine and Palatinate. So completely did German rulers of the
eighteenth century betray their duty to the people that some Princes
degraded themselves to the point of selling their soldiers to the
Hanoverian Kings in order to fight the battles of England in America.

[7] See Arvede Barine's "Madame: Mere du Regent."

'Whilst the German Princes were thus squandering the treasure and
life-blood of their subjects, there was growing up in the North a
little State which was destined from the most unpromising beginnings
for the most glorious future. It is true that the little Prussian
State was wretchedly poor; for that very reason the Prussian rulers
had to practise strict economy and unrelenting industry. It is true
the country was always insecure and constantly threatened by powerful
neighbours; for that very reason the people had to submit to a rigid
discipline and a strong military organization. It is true the country
was depopulated; for that very reason the rulers had to attract
foreign settlers by a just, wise, and tolerant government.'

A patriotic German might illustrate in the following simple parable
the complex and strange relations between Germany and Prussia:

'The German people a century ago might be compared to the heirs and
owners of an ancient estate. The estate was rich and of romantic
beauty. The heirs were clever, adventurous, and universally popular.
But although devoted to each other, they could not get on together.
Their personality was too strong, and they were always quarrelling.
Nor could they turn to advantage their vast resources, and the natural
wealth of the estate only served to attract outside marauders. They
were so extravagant and so unpractical that they would lay out
beautiful parks and build magnificent mansions whilst neglecting to
drain the land and to repair the fences. They would spend lavishly on
luxuries, but they would grudge food to the cattle and manure to the
fields. Thus, with all their splendid possessions, the German heirs
were always on the verge of bankruptcy.

'To extricate themselves, they decided to accept the services of a
factor and manager. The factor was the Pr