The Prussian Ministry is playing with edged tools. The Minis-
ter of War, Herr von Boon, on the 21st inst. tried to convince the Deputies that a great army was essential to Prussia, and as one argument pointed to the danger from France. "I do not believe," he said, "that it is the intention of the Emperor of the French to declare war against us either to-morrow or the next day, or even at any early period, but he will do so as soon as his interests demand such a course." In other words, the Emperor Napoleon is an unscrupulous person against whom Prussia must arm. That may be very true, but the etiquette which pro- hibits statesmen from abasing each other is of political value, and the Court which indulges in language of this kind will soon - find itself sent to Coventry. It is possible to carry frankness to brutality, and Prussia will probably find that Bonapartes are not safe people to treat in the Prussian official style.
