NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE funeral of the Emperor William, the grandest of all melancholy pageants since the Duke of Wellington died, will have taken place before these lines reach our readers, and the world will be speculating upon the policy of the Emperor Frederick. His programme is contained in a letter to the Chancellor, pub- lished in Germany on Monday. The Emperor commences by saying that "it is necessary" for him to turn to Prince Bismarck, the "muck-trusted counsellor" of his father, who gave to his policy its aim and form, and secured its complete fulfilment. "Yon I am in duty bound to thank for the maintenance of _my House." The Emperor desires that "the ordinances of the Constitution and Right of the Empire and of Prussia" should be consolidated by time, and that, therefore, "the concussions which frequent changes of State regulations and measures bring about should be avoided." In the Empire, "the constitutional rights of all the Federal Governments must be as conscientiously respected as those of the Reichstag, but from both a similar respect for the rights of the Emperor must be expected." For himself, the Emperor is determined to conduct the government of both Empire and Kingdom "with a conscientious observance of the provisions of the Constitution of each." He desires that religious toleration shall be complete for all subjects, "of what- ever religions community and of whatever creed," and will warmly support all efforts to improve his people's economic condition, "without, however, raising expectations as if it were possible to put an end to all the ills of society by the inter- vention of the State." He would also make efforts to educate on a higher scale, but dreads partial education, "and the awakening of demands which the economic powers of the nation cannot satisfy." To satisfy those demands, "nothing is useful but the fear of God and simplicity of manners," and therefore" it is my will" that disproportionate expenditure be everywhere discouraged.
