to Poland, and it was more apparent in Poland simply because of the total absence of any Middle Class, owing to the poverty of the country, and owing to the insecurity of war. It is only in our own generation that we have witnessed in Poland the gradual emergence of a Middle Class. Even to-day trade and industry are largely in the hands of the Jews, to whom, for historical reasons, Poland has become a country of refuge, and a second Palestine. About five million Jews are living within the limits of the old Kingdom.
In any case, those accusations against Polish anarchy, against the unruly Polish aristocracy, were only a thinly veiled pretence on the part of the conquerors to excuse their crime. Those excuses were merely used to deceive public opinion. In his moments of cynical outspokenness, Frederic, yclept "the Great," never concealed his real motive for the annexation of Poland, which was the same as his motive for the annexation of Silesia, namely, self-aggrandisement and the lust of territory.
IV
It is, then, under such flimsy pretences, which added insult to violence, that Poland was di-
