NEWS OF THE WEEK
THE resignation of Prince Bismarck is an accomplished fact. He took leave of the Emperor on Tuesday, and returned, it is said, from an interview of more than an hour with a look of satisfaction on his face. In returning, he received an ovation from the people of Berlin, who escorted -him home in thousands, and desired to take the horses from his carriage. He retires at once to Friedrichsruhe, to watch affairs from the seclusion of country life. It begins, however, to be understood that his retirement was involuntary; that the Emperor was determined to issue orders without consult- ing his Minister; that his Majesty refused to waive his legal right of communicating with each department direct ; and that the Chancellor, who had for twenty years been the real head of the State, considered this equivalent to his effacement. He will not, therefore, be consulted in his retirement. The agita- tion caused in the European Governments by this great change increases, therefore, rather than diminishes, and is said to be manifested in the German provinces far more than in Berlin. It is deepened by rumours of the great changes which the Emperor intends to effect, and by a growing impression that his Majesty's great energy is rendered almost dangerous by a certain impulsiveness. He has become by far the most conspicuous figure in Europe. and will for some time to come live under the microscope.
