; and if at any
moment the jealousies of the greater courts should neutralise each
other, an active policy might double the principality both in population
and extent. Certainly at least the scheme is entertained in the court of
Mittwalden; nor do I myself regard it as entirely desperate. The
margravate of Brandenburg has grown from as small beginnings to a
formidable power; and though it is late in the day to try adventurous
policies, and the age of war seems ended, Fortune, we must not forget,
still blindly turns her wheel for men and nations. Concurrently with,
and tributary to, these warlike preparations, crushing taxes have been
levied, journals have been suppressed, and the country, which three
years ago was prosperous and happy, now stagnates in a forced inaction,
gold has become a curiosity, and the mills stand idle on the mountain
streams.

On the other hand, in his second capacity of popular tribune, Gondremark
is the incarnation of the free lodges, and sits at the centre of an
organised conspiracy against the state. To any such movement my
sympathies were early acquired, and I would not willingly let fall a
word that might embarrass or retard the revolution. But to show that I
speak of knowledge, and not as the reporter of mere gossip, I may
mention that I have myself been present at a meeting where the details
of a republican Constitution were minutely debated and arranged; and I
may add that Gondremark was throughout referred to by the speakers as
their captain in action and the arbiter of their disputes. He has taught
his dupes (for so I must regard them) that his power of resistance to
the Princess is limited, and at each fresh stretch of authority
persuades them, with specious reasons, to postpone the hour of
insurrection. Thus (to give some instances of his astute diplomacy) he
salved over the decree enforcing military service, under the plea that
to be well drilled and exercised in arms was even a necessary
preparation for revolt. And the other day, when it began to be rumoured
abroad that a war was being forced on a reluctant neighbour, the Grand
Duke of Gerolstein, and I made sure it would be the signal for an
instant rising, I was struck dumb with wonder to find that even this had
been prepared and was to be accepted. I went from one to another in the
Liberal camp, and all were in the same story, all had been drilled and
schooled and fitted out with vacuous argument. "The lads had better see
some r