It was, however, one of the first actions of the Prince Regent to request Manteuffel's resignation; he formed a Ministry of moderate Liberals, choosing as President the Prince of Hohenzollern, head of the Catholic branch of his own family.
The _new era_, as it was called, was welcomed with delight by all parties except the most extreme Conservatives.

No Ministry had been so unpopular as that of Manteuffel.

At the elections which took place immediately, the Government secured a large majority.

The Prince and his Ministers were able to begin their work with the full support of Parliament and country.
Bismarck did not altogether regret the change; his differences with the dominant faction at Court had extended to the management of home as well as of foreign affairs; for the last two years he had been falling out of favour.

He desired, moreover, to see fresh blood in the Chamber.
"The disease to which our Parliamentary life has succumbed, is, besides the incapacity of the individual, the servility of the Lower House.