ing, 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]

But the character of the princes was a more potent factor than the
location of their country or the race-character of their people; for
the way in which the Hohenzollerns molded their state was different
from that of any other princes since the days of Charlemagne. Many a
princely family can show a number of rulers who have successfully
built up their state--the Bourbons, for instance, united a wide
expanse of territory into one great political body;--or who have been
brave warriors through several generations,--there never were any
braver than the Vasas or the Protestant Wittelsbachs in Sweden. But
none have been the educators of their people as were the early
Hohenzollerns, who as great landed proprietors in a devastated
country drew new men into their service and guided their education;
who for almost a hundred and fifty years, as strict managers, worked,
schemed, and endured, took risks, and even did injustice--all that
they might build up for their state a people like themselves--hard,
economical, clever, bold, with the highest civic ambitions.

In this sense we are justified in admiring the providential
character of the Prussian Stat