Page:Brandes - Poland, a Study of the Land, People, and Literature.djvu/147

Rh for this they had to thank Koscielski. There is no doubt that his winning personality and his political tact had gained more ground for them than they had conquered since the time of Frederick William IV., whereas the voting of an extra ship or two to the fleet did them not the slightest harm. But the Poles have never been tacticians, and Koscielski's diplomacy brought him contumely rather than popularity. He went by the name of Admiralski ever afterwards. It was a nickname that every one could understand, and that the meanest wit could grasp. Whenever he voted in favour of a Government measure, he was looked upon with suspicion. Like all Poles, he had a certain love of splendour, and he was perhaps not altogether unaffected by the civilities shown him at Court. The Poles never ceased to impress upon him that his personal vanity was at the bottom of his activity in Berlin, and that he sacrificed national interests to his own. He accordingly resigned in the spring.

He justly estimated that the Poles, having nothing to hope for from France, should now do their best to obtain concessions from Germany.