Kiel on October 8th, and on the 7th inst. the
Emperor went down from Berlin to that port, a railway journey of ten hours, expressly that he might welcome its arrival. This he did by lunching on board Admiral Baird's ship, dressed in his own uniform as Honorary Admiral of the (British) Fleet. The compliment is a marked one, and is supposed in Germany to convey a hint to Russia that in certain contingencies Germany and Britain might be found acting together. There is per- haps some disposition to make too much of these international courtesies ; but it cannot be denied that they have a marked effect upon international temper. Democracy is terribly sensitive to any rudeness, and by no means above the effect of a little international flattery. Unfortunately, there is another side to the picture, viz., the jealous vexation with which such courtesies are viewed in France, which is nearer to us than Germany, and at least as important.
