He is a good rider.  His quick and very intelligent spirit seizes every detail at a glance, and he possesses a wonderful memory.”  The Emperor was now nominated an honorary Admiral of the British navy and as a return compliment made Queen Victoria honorary “Chef” of his own First Dragoon Guards.  At the naval review a journalist asked an English naval officer what would happen if the Emperor, in command of a German fleet, should meet a British fleet in time of war between England and Germany?—­“Would the British fleet have to salute the Emperor?” “Certainly,” replied the naval officer; “it would fire 100 guns at him.”

Next year the Emperor was again in England, this time to be present at the Cowes regatta, which he took part in regularly during the four succeeding years, noting, doubtless, all that might prove useful for the development of the Kiel yachting “week,” the success of which he had then, as always since, particularly at heart.  He was received by Queen Victoria with the simple and homely words, “Welcome, William!”

A State visit to the City of London followed, when he was accompanied by the Empress, and was entertained to a luncheon given by the City Fathers in the Guildhall.  The entertainment, which took place on July 10, 1891, was remarkable for a speech delivered by the Emperor in English, in which, besides declaring his intention of maintaining the “historical friendship” between England and Germany, he proclaimed that his great object “above all” was the preservation of peace, “since peace alone can inspire that confidence which is requisite for a healthy development of science, art, and commerce.”  On the same occasion he expressed his feeling of “being at home” in England—­“this delightful country”—­and spoke of the “same blood which flows alike in the veins of Germans and English.”  Shortly afterwards he attended a review of volunteers at Wimbledon, and, as he said, was “agreeably astonished at the spectacle of so many citizen-soldiers in a country that had no conscription.”

The Emperor returned from England to receive the visit of his chief Triplice ally, the Emperor Franz Joseph, and to discuss with him doubtless the European situation.  Bismarck has been pictured as sitting at the European chessboard pondering the moves necessary tor Germany to win the game of which the great prize was the hegemony of Europe.  The chief opposing Pieces, whose aid or neutrality was desirable, were for long France, Russia, Austria, and Italy; but in 1883, with the conclusion of the Triple Alliance, Austria and Italy needed less to be considered, and the only two really important opposing pieces left were France and Russia.  Still, Germany, through her allies of the Triplice, might be dragged into war, and consequently the doings of Austria and Italy, both in relation to one another and to France and Russia were, as they now are, of great importance to her.