The Prince had the generosity and humility to value this trait of Stockmar's very highly, to such an extent that Stockmar's influence possessed if anything too great a preponderance.

Stockmar had jealously nursed two profound political ideals--the unity of Germany under Prussia, and the establishment of close relations between Germany and England.

He induced Prince Albert, heavily burdened as he was with work, to devote almost too much time and thought to the former of these aims.

Stockmar was a profound student of social and constitutional questions.

He had made a close study of English political institutions; but though he grasped the constitutional theory of the English Throne, and saw that the first necessity for the Sovereign was to hold a position independent of party, he never clearly understood that the Monarch should keep as far as possible clear of political details.