Every act of the Prussian King in respect of "
constitutional" questions would be ludicrous, were it not that he and his father have for thirty years been making fools of a great nation—to say nothing of their Majesties. When Frederick William the Fourth as- cended the throne, he was industrious in spreading abroad several assurances that seemed meant to raise a belief of his intention to accomplish the " constitution" promised in 1815. Afterwards he had the face to say that those promises had been abrogated by the establishment of the Provincial Diets. Quite recently we are reassured that he has all these years been busily engaged in framing a constitution, only he has not the heart to promulgate -it. And now, within the month, at the closing of-the Diet in the metropolitan province he is on the other tack. The Diet requested that publicity might be given to its proceedings,- complained of the rigour of the censorship against the press ; and, while express- ing full confidence that the King meant to fulfil the promises [his own as well as his father's] respecting the constitution, informed him that several petitions for that boon had been received. Fre- derick William's reply partakes largely of that quality which in private men is called impudence or effrontery. The desired pub- licity is refused. It is admitted that reform of the censorship is needed, and a promise is given that the Diet shall be consulted on measures to make it mare rigorous ! And as to the constitu- tion, the King says-
" We have seen with satisfaction, by the address of the 10th of March last, that our loyal States, confiding in the promise contained in the recess of 1843, have deemed it useless to draw up fresh proposals for the development of representative institutions. But, by reason of that very promise, it was perfectly superfluous to make us acquainted with the petitions addressed to the Diet. This has been ad- mitted by the minority of the assembly in a separate vote, inspired by sentiments of confidence and devotion; for which we deem it our duty to give them an en- tirely special assurance of our satisfaction."
Imagine Queen Victoria thus lecturing the majority in some English quasi-Parliament, and thanking the defeated. minority In permany Prussia represents Liberalism, as Austria does des- potism ; Frederick William is ex officio the natural antagonist of Prince Metternich : but he has not the heart to carry out the dis- tinctive policy of his own Government, and is, it appears, emulous of being its victim rather than its leader.
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