ACTIVITY AFTER THE WAR OF 1866. 329 



After these digressions I resume the thread of 

 my narrative with my retirement from political activity. 



The war of 1866 had removed the obstacles 

 which opposed the longed-for unity of Germany, and 

 had at the same time restored internal peace in Prussia. A 

 new support was thereby given to the national idea, and 

 the hitherto vague tentative efforts, as it were, of German 

 patriots now obtained a firm foundation and definite 

 direction. It is true, the Main boundary still divided 

 Germany into a Northern and a Southern half, but 

 no one doubted that its removal was only a question 

 of time, if it was not rigidly fixed by external force. 

 That France would make that attempt appeared certain, 

 but there was a growing confidence, that Germany 

 would successfully stand this trial also. As a conse- 

 quence of this great revolution of popular sentiment 

 there resulted the general endeavour to consolidate 

 quickly what had been attained, to strengthen the 

 feeling of solidarity of North and South despite the 

 Main boundary and to prepare for the coming struggle. 



This buoyant feeling was evidenced by increased 

 activity in all departments of life, nor did it fail to 

 react on our business affairs. Magneto-electric mine- 

 exploders, electric range-finders, electric apparatus for 

 steering unmanned boats, furnished with explosives, 

 against hostile ships, as well as numerous improve- 

 ments of military telegraphy, were the off-spring of 

 this stirring time. 



I will here only give a detailed account of a 

 non-military invention of this time, as it has become 



