The German Emperor has recovered his power of loud speech,
and we congratulate both him and his countrymen ; but it is a pity that his first use of his recovery has been to wound the historic pride' of Great Britain. Speaking at Hanover on December 19th, it was natural that William IL should praise the " German Legion " which assisted at Waterloo, and fought so heroically in defence of La Haye Sainte ; but it was neither accurate nor polite, having regard to the usual etiquette of nations, to declare that that Legion, four hundred strong, in conjunction with Bliicher, " saved the English army from destruction." The Duke of Wellington always admitted that Waterloo was "a close shave," and coald not have been a great victory but for Bliieher's advance, but the British were winning before the advance had been realised. Emperors, of all men, should never exaggerate, for their words have already an unnatural weight. The truth is, we suppose, that any reference/ to an act of heroism by Germans carries the Emperor off his feet. He is Germany, he thinks, and the double impulse of hot patriotism and self-assertion sweeps away statesmanlike caution. We must add in fairness that we do not see why the Emperor's relationship to the British dynasty accentuates his indiscretion. Kings have no relations, and very often, indeed, disbelieve even in their brothers.
