3 JANUARY 1874, Page 11

The Emperor of Germany intends, it is said, to invest

Mr. Carlyle with the Prussian Order of Merit. Is it in commemora- tion of his unequalled literary services to the House of Hohen- zollern? or is it from the sense that the Apostle of Force ought to be recognised by the Sovereign who has used force so success- fully that he at last avows his confidence in it, stands on Charle- raagnm's throne with cannon-balls for feet, and thinks that fine and imprisonment will put down a religion?