Germany has been greatly agitated by the illness of the
Crown Prince, who, as the world almost forgets, is now fifty-six years of age. He has been suffering for some months from an affection of the throat, which involved persistent hoarseness, and some of his physicians attributed its origin to cancer, and advised an operation which, even if successful, would have made his voice inaudible for the rest of his life. Dr. Virchow, however, and others took a different view, the Chancellor flung in a strong word against the operation, and Dr. Morel Mackenzie was summoned from London to decide. He agreed with Dr. Virchow that the growth on the vocal chord which he found to exist was not malignant, and could be extirpated by cauterisation. The first operation has been per- formed, and the Prince is now officially reported out of danger. The news is most welcome to all Germans, not only because the Crown Prince is universally liked, but because his son is felt to be still too young for the immense position which, on his grand- father's and father's death, must devolve on him. The final authority of the Emperor is the key-stone of the German Monarchy, and it needs an experienced, as well as a strong man, to exercise it wisely.
