For a Prussian patriot it can be nothing less than highly pleasing to perceive the great advantages which his fatherland enjoys by virtue of this system [of neutrality]; this system has also provided the long years of tranquillity with which to restore the inner strengths of the state. While the other great empires exhausted and destroyed themselves in an interminable war, Prussia remained in the fortunate situation of being able to recuperate from her previous military exertions – an advantage which was, relatively speaking, increased by the fact that the other states continued to exhaust themselves. Prussia remained capable of cultivating all branches of her domestic administration and economy, her trades and manufactures. While those of many other countries sometimes entirely stagnated, Prussian trades and manufactures boomed; her trade and shipping flourished under the protection of her neutral flag – the only one in the whole of Europe during the last year.