“YourmajestypointedoutAustriaasthecatwatchingforpreyinGermany。Prussia，onthecontrary，astheshepherd\'sdog，whichshouldwatchthenativeherd，andoccasionallybitethosewhowanderfromtheflock。Thecomparisonisapt，andclearlyexposesthenaturalhostilityofthetwonations。Naturehasplacedthecatandthedogineternalenmity，andthereisnocompromisetobethoughtof，tosaynothingoffriendship。Theremay，nowandthen，beatruce；thecatmaydrawinherclaws，andthedogmayceasetohowlandgrowl，butthecombatwillrenewitself，andneverend，butinthedeathofoneparty，andthevictorioustriumphoftheother。”
“Youareright，“saidtheking，noddingslightly。“Fromthisnaturalhostilitywillproceedmanycombatsandstormsforourland，andmuchbloodwillbeshedonitsaccount。Letuslooktothefuture，andtrytowardoffthecomingevil，inerectinghighbarriersagainstthecat-likespringsoftheenemy。IwillthinkoutasecurityforGermany。Butfirst，moncherami，wehavetocareforourowncountryandpeople。Thewarhasgreatlyinjuredmypoorsubjects。Industryisprostratedandprosperitydisturbed。Wemustseeknewsourcesofacquisition，andsustainthosewhichareexhausted。Forthis，wemustthinkoffreshtaxes，andothersourcesofincome。”
“Sire，“saidHerzberg，shrugginghisshoulders，“thetaxesarealreadysoheavythatitwillbedifficulttoincreasethem。”
“Youaregreatlymistaken，“criedtheking，withincreasedanimation。“Iwillimposeataxuponthosethingswhicharenowexempt，andestablishacapableadministrationforthepurpose。
Bread，flour，meat，andbeer，thesustenanceofthepoor，shallremainastheyare，forIwillnotthattheyshallpaymore。Buttobacco，coffee，andtea，aresuperfluousthings，whichtheprosperousandrichconsume。Whoeverwillsmoke，anddrinkteaorcoffee，canandshallpayforbeingagourmand！“