Lectures on Natural and Experimental Philosophy, Considered in It's Present State of Improvement. Describing, in a Familiar and Easy Manner,

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 edition. Excerpt: ...such an alliance. The New Fremden Blatt, which is said to be a semi-official organ of the chancellor of the empire, thinks that there is no need of a Busso-Prussian alliance to incite an understanding between France and Austria. The cause of that understanding is of a date more recent; it dates from the treaty of Prague, which, it is true, is a mere convention concluded between Austria and Prussia, but the tenor of which is of an importance entirely European. (This is to say that Austria, having succumbed before Prussia, it is now prepared to seek the aid of France, or any other European power, to be reinstated.) The peace of Prague has created in the very centre of Europe a power unknown there since the great emperors of Germany. It is true that, till now, it has been contended that a great and powerful state in the middle of Europe was necessary to maintain peace on the Continent; but in that case it would be desirable that such a state should be animated with pacific ideas. Such event would have occurred had Germany (i.e. Austria) succeeded in recovering her ancient grandeur, for Germany i.e. Austria) is an empire of civilisation and progress--an empire of peace. Instead of a united Germany, there rose a great and powerful Prussia, which has thus become a new danger for the peace of Europe. It is a fact that the Hohenzollems must be logically aggressive, because a pause from Prussia would amount to a backward step. After Frederick the Great, that pause brought on Jena; the pause of the Holy Alliance brought on Olmiitz. Prussia must be active; in other words, she must aim at conquests, and never cease to disquiet Europe. Unfortunately, close to her are numerous morsels such as excite her appetite. Germany is at the present time under...