The situation, in fact, was this, that the Ministry were obliged to collect the money though they were not authorised in spending it.

To this we must add that the country was very prosperous; the revenue was constantly increasing; there was no distress.

The socialist agitation which was just beginning was directed not against the Government but against society; Lassalle found more sympathy in Bismarck than he did with the Liberal leaders.

He publicly exhorted his followers to support the Monarchy against these miserable Bourgeois, as he called the Liberals.

Except on the one ground of the constitutional conflict, the country was well governed; there was no other interference with liberty of thought or action.
Moreover, there was a general feeling that things could not last long; the Liberals believed that the future was with them; time itself would bring revenge.