192 WILHELM DER SIEGREICHE
institution of insurance against accidents. In the midst
of this activity for the welfare of his people, two attempts
were made on bis life. The indignation of the GCerman
people at these dastardly crimes and their sympathy with
the sufferings of their beloved sovereign in these days of
trial, comforted the old emperor beyond measure. On
June 11, 1870, he celebrated his golden wedding. On
the occasion of the seventieth anniversa#fy of his military
service, the Crown-prince congratulated him in the name
of the army. The emperor's ninetieth birthday was cele-
brated throughiont Germany with the greatest enthusiasm,
and to his very great joy he learnt on that day that the
bill which provided for an increase of the army by 41,000
men had been passed by the Imperial Parliament. He
then concluded an alliance with Austria, which was soon
joined by ltaly, to secure the peace of the Fatherland.
However, the last Fear of his life was Fet to be laden
with sorrow; for the Ccrown-prince, his only son, became
seriousIy ill with an affection of the larynx which proved
to be Cancer of the throat. This blow, and the necessary
absence of the crown-prince from Cermany, impaired the
emperors own health, and on March 9, 1888, he passed
away. The last audible word he whispered was “ Fritz,
the Crown-prince’'s name.
