“It is only in trifles and matters of secondary importance that one occasionally has reason to find fault with him, as, for instance, in the form of his State declarations—­but that is youthful vivacity which time will correct.  Better too much than too little fire.”

Busch relates, under date of April 6, 1888, Bismarck’s birthday, how Prince William came to offer his congratulations, and, having done so, invited himself to dinner.  The meal over, he made a speech toasting Bismarck, in which he said: 

“The Empire is like an army corps that has lost its commander-in-chief in the field, while the officer who is next to him in rank lies severely wounded.  At this critical moment forty-six million loyal German hearts turn with solicitude and hope to the standard, and the standard-bearer in whom all their expectations are centred.  The standard-bearer is our illustrious Prince, our great Chancellor.  Let him lead us.  We will follow him.  Long may he live!”

Prince Hohenlohe’s references to Prince William as Emperor are frequent and full, but he has little to say about his character as Prince William beyond noting, when there was some talk of the Prince directly succeeding Emperor William, that he was “too young.”  On an occasion subsequently Prince Hohenlohe amusingly notes that the Emperor shook hands with him until his fingers “nearly cracked.”  This is still a genial gesture of the Emperor’s.

One document, however, is available to show the spirit of religious tolerance which then animated our young Lutheran Prince, as it has animated him, it may be added, ever since.  Pius IX had been succeeded in the Papacy by the more liberal Leo XIII, and the Kulturkampf had come to an end.  Prince William, writing to an uncle, Cardinal Hohenlohe, says:—­

“That this unholy Kulturkampf is at an end is a thing which rejoices me beyond expression.  Of late many eminent Catholics, among them Kopp (afterwards Cardinal) have frequently visited me and honoured me with a confidence at once complete and gratifying.  I was often so happy as to be able to be the interpreter of their wishes (to the Emperor and Bismarck, presumably) and do them some service.  So it has been granted to my youth to co-operate in this work of peace.  This has given me great pleasure and happiness.

     “Give my regards to Galimberti and lay my respects at the
     feet of the Pope.

     “Thy devoted nephew,

     “WILLIAM OF PRUSSIA.”

With his future subjects Prince William was brought into close relations only in a very limited way.  No one, save perhaps Bismarck, seems to have known or suspected his true character and aims.  This was natural enough, since it is not until a man comes to occupy some influential or prominent position that the public begins to take an interest in him.  His father would be Emperor before him, and fate might have it that he himself would not live to come to the