The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-16 00:00:00

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SPEECH OF THE KING OF PRUSSIA.

The King of Prussia recently gave audience to
the General Superintendent and President of the
Protestant Consistory, and replied to that dignitary
in the following terms :
I am especially glad of the opportunity of receiving
under present circumstances the representative of the na.

tional church. The period we are now passing through 11
serious ant:Weeklye for the future of the country. I have
only determined with an anxious heart and after long and
mature reflection upon ordering military preparations. I
My government and I do not desire war, and it la not our
fault that the ally which made a campaign in common
with Prussia two years ago now assumes a hostile attitude.
The minion of the great German Powers is to
act in concert for the welfare of Germany. I have not
provoked the existing complication, but there are circum-
stances in which peace cannot possibly be maintained.
Neither I nor any one can desire peace at any price. I
have the full consciousness of my grave responsibility
before God and the country, but I shall pursue wit
perfect confidence the way by which God is pleased to
conduct me. The clergy should spread among the people a
correct acquaintance with the situation, and pray for the
King and the country. It is still possible that peace maybe
maintained, but it is necessary to look the future courage-
("wily in the face. In dismissing the General Superin.
tendent, his Majesty added, " I trust that we may meet
again in time of peace."

A numerously attended meeting of the
and friends of this association wax held yesterday
noon at St. James's-hall ; the Archbishop of You im
chair, Amongst those present were the feri of
the Bishop ofOxford, Dean Stanley, Prokesor Paw
BiolinmhPro:.:P'ffeaeorLiefeterbP:wsrc:inghrrr44:ruis,:i4:ssupportingitiall°::::,er
618::11i:ticovit:
self was to speak on that occasion ; but he was
that he might do some slight good to vim
ware blind by taking part in the proceedings ed the
ing, and when that was the ease he r
thoughttpgo
feelings should not be consulted. (A
personal
not entirely believe in the isolatioa which was
buted to blind persons. After he was afflicted
n6.loomeosateiglit Lyeanpow.agoerhine nature, ,thaltdthehenthoughwill :Oa%
would enable him to cling to the same habits, to
the same ambition, to indulge the same tastes aid
enjoy the same Weems as if this affliction had net
pelted
to him. o=a-imoe led him to the behef
where a parson was afflkted with blindneas the wog h
came more concentrated, the hearing more se 1t
touch more delicate, and, in fact, every other
seemed to acquire new activity. He had never ali-e-e;
his course of reading after his misfortune. Re mast
from the pegs of the book at which he left ea Demo.
to his getting blind, and enjoyed his eid
of angling as formerly. He enjoyed the
beauties of nature as much as ever, and cdrabil*whee
society, when describing some beautiful river, dohm.
to think whether he had really seen it, Or If it had
described to him. He thought he enjoyed as much Upp,
MU as most people, and he believed every bled woo,
would derive equal enjoyment if brought maratii
same inspiring influences. the same amodalioas, aa4
made to participate as far as possible in the gams NINO
which other people enjoyed. (Applause.)