Between the action of the Diet and of M. Reuter
it is not in mortal brain to decide what the minor German Powers are about. The popular statements are that Saxony, Hanover, Bavaria, Wur- temburg, and their colleagues, are enraged at the Austro-Prussian decision; that they have protested, and received explanations ; thlt they have, nevertheless, pushed their troops to the extreme north-east frontier of Holstein; that they intend either to raise a popular war, or to fight Austria and Prussia, or to form a separate confederation, under the protection of the Emperor of the French. All this looks exceedingly dreamy,*and it seems at least as probable that the minor Powers will back sulkily out of the fray, will ana- thematize Austria and Prussia, will refuse to accede to any arrange- ment finally adopted, and will a century or two hence find another opportunity for re-opening negotiations. The Germans will dis- like that postponement, but the dislike of a nation which cannot rid itself of nine and thirty kings when it only wants one is not of very great political import. The Germans are a great people, but they want motive power.
