The record-union., 1894-09-08

readers knowledge. 1t speaks of the
wonderful history OF Caligula's family,
OF the strange circumstances of the death
OF the young rulers father (Friedrich p.
OF the fathers popularity and fame, of his
inactive life during the grandfather's rule
and OF the disappointment at Germanicus'
(Frledrich) death. THUS the hope of a
whole generation was sunk i'll the grave
with Germanicus."
"Once in power, the young KAISER"
continues the pamphlet, twas proble-
matte phenomenon. There was,
perhaps, dread of his self-wil, of a ten
dency to abuse SO much power, of the in
fiuence OF immature ideas, and there
were rumors of an early development of
certain brutality. But much depend
enee was placed in the restraining in
tluence of those about him." Then came
the first disappointment. "The leading
statesman bismarck p seemed very soon
to fall into disfavor, his influence weak
ened, the Kaiser (the authors word
seized the reins of government. =
The people applauded for an
era of reform seemed to have begun"
After celebrating on the folly of the
dismissal of the chief Minister, the
shrewd critic notes the disappointment OF
the Liberals and shows that Caligula was
only exercising his young imperial func-
tions. ut was (only) the Intoxicating
sense of power, the consciousness now
suddenly of attaining the first place in
the nation, the wish 10 do something great,
and, above all, the eagerness 10 shine in
the histories of the world, that urged Cali
gula on. At the same time seri-
Gus qualities showed themselves. There
was lacking the sound basis to be found
only in a hard-won conception OF life;
the principle motive of all his acts was
not the wish to do something good, but
the ambition, as supporter of popular
ideas, to be marvelled at, and to
pass on to the future as a great
man; nervous haste, the incessant hur-
rying from one subject TO an
other, and most dangerous
will to do everything himself were
prominent characteristics of his early
years. The Kaiser could not
bear to have near him any independent
men; he would be his own Minister; and
not only that, in all departments must he
forsooth act alone. For this, however,
there was failing In his narrow nature the
knowledge. talent, calm and seIf-control." !"
All this, says Herr Quidde, is but in
sanity; and he goes on to show the vari-
Gus forms of madness In Roman rulers,
returning to Caligula TO note the pecu-
liarly emphasized development of the
mental disease. Caiigula's passion for
display and extravaganza, he says, was
satisfied in balls, banquets, presents in
dress, residences, and in the "iDape91Gt
yachts" 1t happens that Caligula was
eager for military and naval triumphs,
which were ''ridiculously childish" lie
mad theatrical maneuvers with his SOL
diers. and played General frequently;
while at sea not only his yacht, bat his
navy, was made the stage for his laugha-
Die performances.
Another province in which Caligula
sought to shine was that of speech-mak-
ing; he spoke gladly and often IN public,
and it is said that he had a certain talent
in this direction, especially III the art of
wounding and III giving insult" And
Quidde quotes in Greek two well-known
sayings of Wilhelm H., as used by Calig-
ula: "One alone is ruler here; there is
but one King" and "Let them tthe peo-
ple) but hate if they will only fear"
Ii the account of Caligula is correct the
parallel is wonderful historical coinci-
dence, but as one reads the little paper it
is very evident that the author had Will
helm more often than Caligula III his
mind. Anyway the readers saw and en-
joyed the free-spoken scorn of the Kais-
ers faults III this ingeniously concealed
TRADE. The newspapers took it up and
by quoting extracts vented their feelings
and satisfied for the moment the SEEM
ingly universal demand for free speech.
l have quoted good deal of the pamphlet
to show what the feeling is. But it was
referred TO as an illustration of the popu-
lar demand for that outspok en-, often ex-
aggerated, criticism which other peoples
are sometimes believed to have too much
OF.
1t shows, too that in the people there
is some crude thinking going on which
will make volcanic success of any book
that expresses it. A still better example
of this is book, Rembrandt ais Erzil-