FERDINAND LASSALLE. 
47 
In 1859 he published a pamphlet entitled “The Italian War 
and the Mission of Prussia.” In it he exhibited to the 
democracy of Germany the very plan of campaign that Prince 
Bismarck submitted to the King of Prussia, and, as Chancellor, 
put into execution seven years afterwards. 
Alarmed by the victories of the French arms in Lombardy, 
the King of Prussia, it may be remembered, was on the point 
of marching an army on the Rhine in response to the urgent 
appeals of the Emperor of Austria. “Absurd policy ! ” exclaimed 
Lassalle. “ Let not our hatred of despotism blind us. Napo 
leon III. is fighting the battle of democracy and of Germany. 
In favouring the construction of Italian unity he is hastening the 
birth of German unity. Austria is the deadly and irreconcilable 
foe of a united Germany. Prussia should therefore ally herself 
with France against Austria, and should profit by this alliance 
to gather all the German nations together under her hegemony.” 
Lassalle even made a journey to Italy, in company with 
the Countess Hatzfeld, in order to see Garibaldi and to urge 
him to march on Vienna, so that Italian and German unity 
might both arise on the ruins of Austria. The King of Prussia, 
faithful to his ally of the Confederation, did not relish these 
ideas, although they were urged upon him by Bismarck ; and 
Napoleon III. was forced to make the peace of Villafranca. In 
1866, however. Lassaile's programme was realized step by step. 
His friends the democrats opposed him, understanding him no 
better than King William understood Bismarck in 1859. 
About this time he left Dusseldorf for Berlin. As, however 
by reason of his condemnation, he was forbidden to live there 
he entered the town disguised as a carter. Subsequently, 
through Humboldt, he obtained from the king permission to 
reside there, in spite of Manteuffel’s opposition. His devoted 
friend. Countess Hatzfeld, followed him there, and they both 
set themselves seriously to work, while enjoying at the same 
time the society of scholars, men of letters, and philosophers. 
Lassalle was elected member of the Society of Philosophy on 
account of the merits of his work on Heraclitus of Ephesus, and 
to him was assigned the duty of delivering an address on the 
occasion of the fêtes given in honour of Fichte. He drew a