"The Prussians are cruel by nature; civilization will make them
ferocious."--_Goethe._
"The Prussians ... Nature made them stupid, science has made them
wicked."--_Heinrich Heine._
"Christianity has to a certain extent softened this brutal, belligerent
ardour of the Teutons, but it has not been able to destroy it; and
when the Cross--the talisman that fetters it--shall be broken, then
the ferocity of the old-time fighters, the frenzied exultation of the
Berserkers, whose praises are still sung by the poets of the North,
will again burst forth. Then--and alas! this day will surely come--the
old war gods will arise from their legendary tombs and wipe the dust
of ages from their eyes; Thor will arise with his gigantic hammer and
demolish the Gothic Cathedral."--_Heinrich Heine._
* * * * *
After the mephitic horrors of the German war-spirit, let us be
refreshed by a breeze from the shores of America, and gratefully
recognize a characteristic American flavour in the following address
from Major-General Pershing to his troops in France. The report is from
a French paper, and while, through its double translation, it may not
be verbally exact, its fine spirit is evident.
"You are now in France, to expel an enemy that has invaded this
beautiful land. Your first duty is to fight against this foe, and
protect our Ally. You are here also to lift a shield above the poor
and weak. You will be kind, therefore, to the aged and the invalid.
You will be courteous to all women, and never have so much as an evil
thought in your mind. You will be very tender and gentle with little
children. You will do well, therefore, to forswear the use of all
liquors. You will do your duty like brave men. Fear God. Honour your
country. Defend liberty. God have you in His keeping."
V