Nothing can efface¹ this memory, nothing can efface the whole impression of Germany; in retrospect² this picture rises clear—the fair aspect and order of the country and the cities, the well-being³ of the people, their contented⁴ faces, their grave adequacy, their kindliness⁵; and, crowning all material prosperity, the feeling for beauty as shown by their gardens, and, better and more important still, the reverent⁶ value for their great native poets and musicians, so attentive⁷, so cherishing, seeing to it that the young generation began early its acquaintance with the masterpieces that are Germany's heritage of inspiration.  
Such was the splendor⁸ of this empire as it unrolled before me through May and June, 1914, that by contrast the state of its two great neighbors, France and England, seemed distressing⁹ and unenviable. Paris was shabby and incoherent, London full of unrest. Instead of Germany's order, confusion prevailed in France; instead of Germany's placidity¹⁰, disturbance¹¹ prevailed in England; and in both Fra............