town there was a large majority opposed to the Government.  Headed by the capital, they began a series of addresses to the King; public meetings were organised; at Cologne a great festival was arranged to welcome Sybel and the other representatives from the Rhine.  It was more serious that in so monarchical a country the discontent with the personal action of the King found public expression.  The Crown Prince was at this time on a tour of military inspection in East Prussia; town after town refused the ordinary loyal addresses; they would not welcome him or take part in the usual ceremonies; the ordinary loyal addresses to the King and other members of the Royal Family were refused.  It was no longer a conflict between the Ministry and the Parliament, but between the King and the country.

Suddenly the country learned that the Crown Prince himself, the Heir Apparent to the throne, was on their side.  He had always disliked Bismarck; he was offended by the brusqueness of his manner.  He disliked the genial and careless bonhommie with which Bismarck, who hated affectation, discussed the most serious subjects; he had opposed his appointment, and he now held a position towards his father’s Government similar to that which ten years before his father had held towards his own brother.  He was much influenced by his English relations, and the opinion of the English Court was strongly unfavourable to Bismarck.  Hitherto the Crown Prince had refrained from any public active opposition; he had, however, not been asked his opinion concerning the Press ordinances, nor had he even received an invitation to the council at which they were passed.  Bitterly offended at this slight upon himself, seriously alarmed lest the action of the Government might even endanger the dynasty, on his entry into Danzig he took occasion to dissociate himself from the action of the Government.  He had not, he said, been asked; he had known nothing about it; he was not responsible.  The words were few and they were moderate, but they served to shew the whole of Germany what hitherto only those about the Court had known, that the Crown Prince was to be counted among the opponents of the Government.

An incident followed a few days later which could only serve to increase the breach.  After his speech at Danzig, the Crown Prince had offered to surrender all his official positions; the King had not required this of him, but had strictly ordered him not again to come into opposition to his Government.  The Crown Prince had promised obedience, but continued his private protests against “these rude and insolent Ministers.”  The letters on both sides had been affectionate and dignified.  A few days later, however, the Berlin correspondent of the Times was enabled to publish the contents of them.  It is not known who was to blame for this very serious breach of confidence; but the publication must have been brought about by someone very closely connected with the Crown Prince; suspicion was naturally directed towards the Court of Coburg.  It was not the last time that the confidence of the Crown Prince was to be abused in a similar manner.