The aged monarch clung to the title King of Prussia; but if the title of Emperor was a political necessity, he preferred the title "Emperor of Germany"; nevertheless, the Chancellor tactfully but firmly pointed out that this would imply a kind of feudal over-lordship of all German lands, and that the title "German Emperor", as that of chief of the nation, was far preferable.

In the end the King yielded, but he retained a sore feeling against his trusted servant for some time on this matter.

It seems that at one time he even thought of abdicating in favour of his son rather than "see the Prussian title supplanted[73]." However, he soon showed his gratitude for the immense services rendered by Bismarck to the Fatherland.

On his next birthday (March 22) he raised the Chancellor to the rank of Prince and appointed him Chancellor of the Empire.
[Footnote 73: E.Marcks, _Kaiser Wilhelm I._ (Leipzig, 1900), pp.
337-343.] It will be well to give here an outline of the Imperial Constitution.

In all essentials it was an extension, with few changes, of the North German federal compact of the year 1866.