My psychological
education in Danish literature, with its idolising of "thoroughness" had
imprinted on my mind that whoever thoroughly understood how to observe a
man, woman and child in a Copenhagen backyard had quite sufficient
material whence to brew a knowledge of human nature. It now dawned upon
me that comparative observation of a Mexican and a North German family,
together with their opinions and prejudices, might nevertheless
considerably advance one's knowledge of human nature, should such
comparisons constantly obtrude themselves upon one.
The same man let fall an observation which set me thinking. When the
conversation turned upon the strained relations between France and
Prussia since the battle of Koeniggratz, and I expressed myself confident
that, in the event of a war, France would be victorious, as she
generally was victorious everywhere, he expressed well-supported doubts.
Prussia was a comparatively young state, extremely well organised and
carefully prepared for war; antiquated routine held great sway in the
French army; the Emperor himself, the esteem in which he was held, and
his management were on the down grade. These were words that I had never
heard in Denmark. The possibility of France being defeated in a war with
Prussia was not even entertained there.
Pages:
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366