It was indeed a very individual and new shade of German character which appeared in the Hohenzollern princes and their people on the territory conquered from the Slavs, and forced recognition with sharp challenge.  It seemed that the characters there embraced greater contrasts; for the virtues and faults of the rulers, the greatness and the weakness of their policies, stood forth in sharp contradiction, every limitation appeared more striking, every discord more violent, and every achievement more astonishing.  This State could apparently produce everything that was strange and unusual, but could not endure one thing—­peaceful mediocrity, which elsewhere may be so comfortable and useful.

With this the situation of the country had much to do.  It was a border land, making head at once against the Swedes, the Slavs, the French, and the Dutch.  There was hardly a question of European diplomacy which did not affect the weal and woe of this State; hardly an entanglement which did not give an active prince the opportunity to validate his claim.  The decadent power of Sweden and the gradual dissolution of Poland opened up extensive prospects; the superiority of France and the distrustful friendship of Holland urged armed caution.  From the very first year, in which Elector Frederick William had been obliged to take possession of his own fortresses by force and cunning, it was evident that there on the outskirts of German territory a vigorous, cautious, warlike government was indispensable for the safety of Germany.  And after the beginning of the French War in 1674, Europe recognized that the crafty policy which proceeded from this obscure corner was undertaking also the astonishing task of heroically defending the western boundary of Germany against the superior forces of the King of France.

There was perhaps also something remarkable in the racial character of the Brandenburg people, in which princes and subjects shared alike.  Down to Frederick’s time, the Prussian districts had given to Germany relatively few scholars, writers, and artists.  Even the passionate zeal of the Reformation seemed to be subdued there.  The people who inhabited the border land, mostly of the Lower Saxon strain, with a slight tinge of Slavic blood, were a tough, sturdy race, not specially graceful in social manners, but with unusual keenness of understanding and clearness of judgment.  Those who lived in the capital had been glib of tongue and ready to scoff from time immemorial:  all were capable of great exertions; industrious, persistent, and of enduring strength.

[Illustration:  From the Painting by Adolph von Menzel FREDERICK THE GREAT AND HIS ROUND TABLE]