“The present situation of the German body neither good for the countries themselves nor for Europe.
“Should a part of it be englobé by the two great Powers, or a third great State formed in the middle of Germany? This can scarce be thought of, from its injustice to so many Princes of the Empire.
“Could a more concentrated Federative Government be formed out of the different States; and should not in that case both Austria and Prussia be separated from it?
“Principle of mediation being to precede war.
“Intimate union necessary between England and Russia, who are the only Powers that for many years can have no jealousy or opposite interests.”
Napoleon.
“I see various and opposite qualities—all the great and all the little passions unfavourable to public tranquillity—united in the breast of one man, and of that man, unhappily, whose personal caprice can scarce fluctuate for an hour without affecting the destiny of Europe. I see the inward workings of fear struggling with pride in an ardent, enterprising, and tumultuous mind. I see all the captious jealousy of conscious usurpation dreaded, detested, and obeyed—the giddiness and intoxication of splendid but unmerited success—the arrogance, the presumption, the self-will of unlimited and idolized power, and—more dreadful than all in the plenitude of authority—the restless and incessant activity of guilty but unsated ambition.”
GUN-BOATS FOR DEFENCE (1803).
Source.—Diaries ... of the Right Hon. George Rose, 1860. P. 69.
Mr. Pitt to Mr. Rose.
Margate,
Oct. 18th, 1803.