The Prussians are learning one of the consequences of war.
They thought the £200,000,000 taken from France would enrich them for ever, but the Royal speech on November 19th is de- voted in great part to financial difficulties. The military con- tributions have increased, and the interest on the public debt, while all extraordinary resources have been exhausted, and re- trenchment is almost impossible, unless important interests are neglected. There is, therefore, a total deficit of £3,500,000 for the coming year, which must be met ultimately by imposts, the Prussian Government adhering to its sound principles of finance. In the present condition of trade, however, new imposts are most obnoxious to the people, who are, moreover, aware that the cause of the deficit is the ever-growing expenditure of the Military Department. As Prussia has scarcely any Debt, the -deficit is not financially formidable ; but it deepens the prevailing discontent, and increases the direct authority of Parliament.
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