The American patriot., 1854-12-27
THE CAPITAL OF PRUSSIA.

THE CAPITAL OF PRUSSIA.
PeussrA ia the most important OF the secohu-
rate continental states, and its political influence
ia verv considerable. In pending events 1t mas
hitherto taken the part Of Russia, ana lts pony
has in NO slight degree embarrassed tne acuo ~,
the western powers and Obliged Ausm,a ~ ~ H her
instincts and opposed to both the letter ana sPlr'
of the engagements into which she has entered.
But some excuse may be found for the CONDUCT OF
the Prussian government. Its king is allied oy
marriage and friendship to the Emperor OF RUSSIA
and he cannot have any sympathy with T rlance'
or feel much interested in the fate OF turkey.
Occupying central position in Europe
with whom it is absolutely necessary, indeed es-
sental to it's existence that it should be on terms
of amity and concord. o sgg., 49,.
A glance at the map will show that Prussia is
yery awkwardly situated, should It provoke the
ire Of the northern despot. It is about one nun,
dred and eighty miles in length and one hundreo
in breadth Itis bounded on the north by the
Baltic. on the east and south by the Russian pos
sessions in Lthuania and Poland, and on the west
by the minor German states; SO that Prussia is
litterally hemmed in, having only one outiet-tne
Baltic.which until this year was for more than
century merely Russian lake. A temporislng
policy then seems natural to Prussia, especia1iy
after the bitter experiences OF the wars Win va
poleon; and, in presenting our readers with ANEW
of the magnificent palace of its kings, some ac-
count of this interesting country-the theatre,
probably, of some early warlike events-will no
doubt be acceptable. -...,,.. ISL
We have given its boundaries and dimensions,
and have to state that it is one Of the most fertile
countries in Europe, producing max, hemp, ana
corn in abundance. 1t possesses also numerous
ocks and herds and its horses are among the finest
in the world. Its export trade is very considera-
ble: and it is celebrated for its yellow amber-for
the sake of procuring which the Romans penetra-
ted into and subdued the country. The inhabi-
tants are mixture of native Prussians, Lithuan-
ians, and Poles; but the Prussian or genuine Ger
man element predominates-for the Teuconlc or
d er had sovereignty in Prussia about three hum
dred years. after which the territory passed under
the dominion of the electoral house of Branden-
F., burg and in 1904 was raised to the dignity OF q
kingdom by the Elector Frederick-who with his
. own hands put the crown on his head and on that
Of his consort, OF Koningsburg. The Great Fred
erick, by the spoilation of Poland, enlarged the
country to its present dimensions, and ever since
II has f1ourished and taken leading part in the
> politics of Europe.
The capital is Berlin-a fortified city, and one
Of the handsomest in Europe. 1t stands on the
banks Of the River Spree, andby means Of canals
cut to the Oder and the Elbe, has water commu-
f nication both with the Baltic Sea and the German
Ocean. ... .if.I
It's public buildings especially its churches, ac
cademies, and arsenal-are on a scale Of great
! spendor; but the finest structure unquestionably
. is the ROyal Palace, which was commenced BY
I, the first elector, and finished by the father of th'
q reigning sovereign. 5..-Ie..
From this magnificent centre Russian intrigue'
radiate through Germany, and as the King o
q Prussia is Just now rBther important parsonage
we will rapidly sketch the principal events Of hi
! life. Frederick William w. was born October
15, 1895; and his father, anxious to make him .
q worthy ruler of state whose existence is peculi-
" arly dependent on arms and Intellectual stamina
!. placed him under the care OF the most dlstln
guished men Of the day
n The military science, philosophy law, and lit
% erature each had commensurate share Of atten
tom and it is said that the young prince rapid.
gave promise of future excellence. His boyhoo
,f was passed amid the detection and degradation
- which followed the Battle of Jenai but the wa
of liberation and the revival of Prussian national
ity occurred while he was still youth. He wa
4 present at most of the great battles of 1918 an
:" 1874, although not intrusted with any command
At suitable age he was admitted into the COun
Gil of State where the affairs of the state wer
discussed prior to the establishment of the parla
mentary system. Called to the throne by the dc
cease Of his father, on the 7th of June, 1910, h
- system of government. He issued an amnesty 70
=, political offences, and recalled many scholars an
" professors who had been displaced for politca
20 reasons among whom may be mentioned tn
80 brothers Grimm. At the same time he surround
- ed his throne with men eminent in literature an
" art-such as Schlegc Tieck, and Mendelssoh
=, Bartholdy-thc latter name dear and familiar
J" the British public. The press was emancipate
n, and Prussia began to breathe more freely. Tn
u" king however delayed granting the constitutio
which had been promised in 1915; in an evil hou
he began to repent of his liberal tendencies, an
y in the convulsons of 1846 the exasperated Pru
y SLAMS broke out into open rebellion. The event
~ y of that revolutionary year are too well known
y be recapitulatcd in this place. The streets Of Be-
ss lin were deluged with blood and in the melee tn
y Royal Palace narrowly escaped destruction.
3 was saved by miracle of forbearance on the pa
es of the insurgents, and is now the abode of
10 monarch who through being the brother-in-law
q that bad man, Nicholas of Russia, holds himse
IL aloof from the alliance of the Western Power
le s and oblges Austria, who could do SO much an
VI from whom so much was expected, to hesitate
q the presence Of the enemy Of all Europe. Tin
Y will show whether this policy of Frederick Wi
liam was either honest or expedient.-Engti'
i, Paper. "a. ---.l ..t....
IL BEAUTy.-Let any man look around at Il
o. numerous fond couples of his acquaintance wh
ar are peacefully smiling in each others faces,
he defiance of realities and the common verdict
ne mankind, and he must acknowledge that beaut
an is but name and ugliness chimera In efe
there are are no such things. Poverty, and no
els and romances, have made certain combin