Onthisweroseandwentintothegarden。Aswestoppedforaninstanttoenablehimtotakedownhismilitarycap，Inoticedtwolargephotographswithautographsbeneaththem，——oneofLordBeaconsfield，andtheotherofKingVictorEmmanuel，——and，asIglancedatthelatter，I
　　noticedaninscriptionbeneathit:
　　AlmiocarocuginoBismarck。
　　VITTORIOEMANUELE。
　　Bismarck，seeingmelookatit，said:``Hecallsme`cousin’
　　becausehehasgivenmehisOrderoftheAnnunciata。’’
　　Thisremarkforamomentsurprisedme。ItwashardformetoconceivethatthegreatestmaninEuropecouldcarewhetherhewasentitledtoweartheAnnunciataribbonornot，orwhetheranykingcalledhim``cousin’’ornot。Heseemed，foramoment，todescendtoasomewhatlowerplanethanthatuponwhichhehadbeenstanding;but，aswecameoutintotheopenandwalkedupanddowntheavenuesinthepark，heresumedhisdiscussionofgreaterthings。Duringthis，hewentatconsiderablelengthintothecauseswhichledtothepartialdemonetizationofsilverintheempire;whereuponMr。Kelly，interruptinghim，said:``But，prince，ifyoufullybelievedinusingboththepreciousmetals，whydidyouallowthedemonetizationofsilver？’’``Well，’’saidBismarck，``Ihadagreatmanythingstothinkofinthosedays，andaseverybodysaidthatCamphausenand————weregreatfinanciers，andthattheyunderstoodallaboutthesequestions，Iallowedthemtogoon;butIsoonlearned，asourpeasantssayofthosewhotrytoimposeupontheirneighbors，thattheyhadnothingbuthotwaterintheirdinner—pots，afterall。’’Hethenwentondiscussingthemistakesofthoseandothergentlemenbeforehehimselfhadputhishandtotheworkandreversedtheirpolicy。Therewerecuriousallusionstovariousindividualswhoseideashadnotsuitedhim，mostofthemhumorous，butsomesarcastic。Atlast，afterawalkofabouttwentyminutes，bearinginmindtheministerswhohadbeensolongwaitingfortheirchief，I
　　insistedthatwemustgo;whereupontheprinceconductedustothegate，andmostcordiallytookleaveofus。
　　Aswelefttheplace，IsaidtoMr。Kelly，knowingthathesometimeswrotelettersforpublication:``Ofcourse，inwhateveryoumaywritetoAmerica，youwillbecarefulnottomentionnamesofpersons。’’``Certainly，’’hesaid;
　　``that，ofcourse，Ishallneverthinkofdoing。’’Butalasforhisgoodresolutions！Inhiszealforprotectionandthedoublestandard，allwereforgotten。Aboutafortnightlatertherecamebackbycableafullstatementregardinghisinterview，thenamesallgiven，andBismarck’sreferencestohiscolleaguesbroughtoutvividly。TheresultwasthatalargeportionoftheGermanpresswasindignantthatBismarckshouldhavespokeninsuchamannertoaforeignerregardingGermansofsucheminence，whohadbeenhistrustedcolleagues，andwhohadrenderedtothecountryverygreatservices;sothat，forsomedays，the``AffaireKelly’’madelargedemandsuponpublicattention。IthadhardlysubsidedwhentherecamenoticetomefromtheStateDepartmentatWashingtonthataveryeminentAmericanfinancierwasabouttobesenttoBerlin;andIwasinstructedtosecureforhimanaudiencewiththechancellor，inorderthatsomearrangementsmightbearrivedatregardingthedoublestandardofvalue。Imustconfessthat，inviewofthe``AffaireKelly，’’theseinstructionschilledme。Fortunately，BismarckwasjustthentakinghisusualcureatKissingen，duringwhichhealwaysrefusedtoconsideranymatterofbusiness;but，onhisreturntoBerlin，IsenthimanoterequestinganaudienceforthisspecialAmericanrepresentative。Thisbroughtaverykindanswerexpressingregretthatthechancellorwassopressedwitharrearsofbusinessthathedesiredtobeexcused;butthattheministeroffinanceandvariousothermembersofthecabinethadbeeninstructedtoreceivetheAmericanagentandtocommunicatewithhimtothefullestextent。Thatwasallverywell，butthereweremyinstructions;andIfeltobligedtowriteagain，makingamoreearnestrequest。
　　Thereuponcameananswerthatsettledthequestion:thechancellorregrettedthathewastoomuchoverwhelmedwithworktomeetthegentleman;butsaidthathewouldgladlyseetheAmericanministeratanytime，andmust，forthepresent，beexcusedfrommeetinganyunaccreditedpersons。
　　Ofcourse，afterthattherewasnothingtobesaid;andthespecialAmericanagentwasobligedtocontenthimselfwithwhathecouldobtainininterviewswithvariousministers。
　　Mr。Kellyurged，ashisexcuseforpublishingpersonaldetailsinhisletters，thatitwasessentialthatthewholeworldshouldknowjustwhatthegreatchancellorhadsaidonsoimportantasubject。Asitturnedout，Mr。Kelly’szealdefeatedhispurpose;for，hadthespecialagentbeenenabledtodiscussthematterwiththechancellor，thereislittledoubtthatGermanywouldhaveatleastendeavoredtoestablishapermanentdoublestandardofvalue。
　　Eachyear，duringmystay，BismarckgaveadinnertothediplomaticcorpsontheEmperor’sbirthday。Thetablewassetthen，asnow，inthegreathallofthechancellor’spalace——thehallinwhichtheConferenceofBerlinwasheldaftertheRusso—TurkishWar。Theculminatingpointofeachdinnerwasnearitsclose，whenthechancellorrose，and，afterabriefspeechinFrench，proposedthehealthoftheheadsofallthestatesthererepresented。ThiswasfollowedbyatoasttothehealthoftheEmperor，givenbytheseniormemberofthediplomaticcorps，andshortlyaftercameanadjournmentforcoffeeandcigars。Onethingwas，atfirstsight，somewhatstartling;for，asBismarckarosetoproposethetoast，thebigblackheadofaDanishdogappeareduponthetableoneithersideofhim;butthebearingofthedogswassosolemnthattheyreallydetractednothingfromthedignityoftheoccasion。
　　Inthesmoking—roomtheguestswerewonttogatherinsquads，asmanyofthemaspossibleintheimmediateneighborhoodofourhost。DuringoneoftheseassemblagesheaskedmetoexplainthegreatsuccessofCarlSchurzinAmerica。Myanswerwasthat，beforetheLincolnpresidentialcampaign，inwhichSchurztooksolargeapart，slaverywasalwaysdiscussedeitherfromaconstitutionaloraphilanthropicpointofview，oratorsseekingtoshoweitherthatitwasatvariancewiththefundamentalprinciplesofourgovernmentoranoffenseagainsthumanity;
　　butthatSchurzdiscusseditinanewway，andmainlyfromthephilosophicpointofview，showing，notmerelyitshostilitytoAmericanideasoflibertyandthewrongitdidtotheslaves，but，moreespecially，theinjuryitwroughtuponthecountryatlarge，and，aboveall，upontheslaveStatesthemselves;andthat，intreatingallpublicquestions，hewasphilosophic，eloquent，andevidentlysincere。BismarckheardwhatIhadtosay，andthenanswered:``AsaGerman，IamproudofCarlSchurz。’’
　　Thiswasindeedaconfession;foritiscertainthat，ifBismarckcouldhavehadhiswaywithCarlSchurzin1848
　　or1849，hewouldhavehangedhim。
　　Thechancellor’sdiscussionsatsuchtimeswerefrequentlyofahumoroussort。Heseemed，mostofall，todelightinlivelyreminiscencesofvariouspublicmeninEurope。Nothingcouldbemorecordialandheartythanhisbearing;butthathecouldtakeadifferenttonewasfoundoutbyoneofmycolleaguesshortlyaftermyarrival。ThiscolleaguewasHerrvonRudhardt，thediplomaticandparliamentaryrepresentativeofBavaria。I
　　rememberhimwellasalarge，genialman;andthebeautyandcordialmannerofhiswifeattractedgeneraladmiration。
　　OnedaythisgentlemanmadeaspeechorcastavotewhichdispleasedBismarck，andshortlyafterwardwenttooneofthechancellor’sparliamentaryreceptions。
　　Ashe，withhiswifeleaningonhisarm，approachedhishost，thelatterbrokeoutintoastormofreproaches，denouncingtheminister’sconduct，andthreateningtocomplainofittohisroyalmaster。Thereuponthediplomatistsimplybowed，madenoanswer，returnedhomeatonce，andsenthisresignationtohisgovernment。AlltheeffortsoftheEmperorWilliamwereunabletoappeasehim，andhewasshortlyafterwardsenttoSt。Petersburgasministeratthatcourt。ButthescenewhichseparatedhimfromBerlinseemedtogivehimafatalshock;heshortlyafterwardlosthisreason，andatlastaccountswaslivinginaninsaneasylum。
　　OnanotheroccasionIhadanopportunitytoseehowthechancellor，sokindinhisgeneraldealingswithmenwhomheliked，couldacttowardthosewhocrossedhispath。
　　BeingoneeveningatareceptiongivenbytheDukeofRatibor，presidentofthePrussianHouseofLords，hesaidtome:``Isawyouthisafternooninthediplomaticbox。Ourproceedingsmusthaveseemedverystupid。’’I
　　answeredthattheyhadinterestedmemuch。Onthisheputhislipstomyearandwhispered:``Cometo—morrowatthesamehour，andyouwillhearsomethingofrealinterest。’’Ofcourse，whenthetimearrived，Iwasinmyseat，wonderingwhatthematterofinterestcouldbe。
　　SoonIbegantosuspectthatthedukehadmadesomemistake，forbusinessseemedfollowingtheordinaryroutine;
　　butpresentlyabillwasbroughtinbyoneoftheleadingPrussianministers，amemberofoneofthemosteminentfamiliesinGermany，amanofthemostattractivemanners，andgreatlyinfavorwiththeEmperorWilliamandthecrownprince，afterwardtheEmperorFrederick。Thebillwasunderstoodtogiveaslightextensionofsuffrageinthechoiceofcertainleadingelectedofficials。Thequestionbeingaskedbysomeoneonthefloorwhethertheheadoftheministry，PrinceBismarck，approvedthebill，thisleadingminister，whohadintroducedit，answeredintheaffirmative，andsaidthat，thoughPrinceBismarckhadbeenkeptawaybyillnessfromthesessionsinwhichithadbeendiscussed，hehadagainandagainshownthathewasnotopposedtoit，andtherecouldbenoquestiononthesubject。Atthisamemberroseandsolemnlydeniedthecorrectnessofthisstatement;declaredthathewasinpossessionofinformationtotheveryoppositeeffect;andthenreadapaper，claimingtoemanatedirectlyfromthechancellorhimself，totheeffectthathehadnothingwhatevertodowiththebillanddisapprovedit。UponBismarck’scolleaguesintheministry，whothoughtthathissilencehadgivenconsent，thiscamelikeathunderbolt;
　　andthosewhohadespeciallyadvocatedthemeasuresawatoncethattheyhadfallenintoatrap。Thegeneralopinionwasthattheillnessofthechancellorhadbeenastratagem;thathissuddendisclaimer，afterhisleadingcolleagueshadthuscommittedthemselves，wasintendedtodrivethemfromtheministry;andthathewasdeterminedtopreventtheministerwhohadmoststronglysupportedthebillfromsecuringpopularitybyit。Thisminister，then，andtheothermembersofthecabinetatonceresigned，givingplacetomenwhomthechancellordidnotconsidersolikelytoruncountertohisideasandinterests。
　　Indeed，itmustbeconfessedthatthegreatstatesmannotinfrequentlyshowedthedefectsofhisqualities。AsoneoutofmanycasesmaybecitedhistreatmentofEduardLasker。Thisstatesmanduringseveralyearsrenderedreallyimportantservices。ThoughanIsraelite，heshowednoneofthegraspingpropensitiessooftenascribedtohisrace。Heseemedtocarenothingforwealthorshow，livedverysimply，anddevotedhimselftothepublicgoodasheunderstoodit。Manycapitalists，bankers，andpromotersinvolvedinthefinancialscandalswhichfollowedtheFranco—PrussianWarwereofhisrace;butthismadenodifferencewithhim:inhisgreatonslaughtonthecolossalscoundrelismofthattime，heattackedJewandGentilealike;andhedeservedwellofhiscountryforaidingtocleanseitofallthatfraudandfolly。Onamultitudeofotherquestions，too，hehadbeenveryserviceabletothenationandtoBismarck;but，towardtheendofhiscareer，hehad，fromtimetotime，opposedsomeofthechancellor’smeasures，andthisseemedtoturnthelattercompletelyagainsthim。
　　AttheopeningoftheNorthernPacificRailway，Laskerwasoneoftheinvitedguests，butsoonshowedhimselfdesperatelyill;and，oneday，walkingalongastreetinNewYork，suddenlydroppeddead。
　　Agreatfuneralwasgivenhim;and，ofalltheceremoniesIhaveeverseen，thiswasoneofthemostremarkableforitssimplicityandbeauty。Mr。CarlSchurzandmyselfwereappointedtomakeaddressesontheoccasioninthetempleoftheIsraelitesonFifthAvenue;andweagreedinthinkingthatwehadneverseenaceremonyofthekindmoreappropriatetoagreatstatesman。
　　AtthenextsessionofCongress，aresolutionwasintroducedcondolingwiththegovernmentofGermanyonthelossofsodistinguishedapublicservant。Thisresolutionwaspassedunanimously，andinperfectgoodfaith，everypersonpresent——and，indeed，everycitizeninthewholecountrywhogavethematteranythought——supposingthatitwouldbewelcomedbytheGermanGovernmentasafriendlyact。
　　Buttheresultwasastounding。Bismarcktookituponhimself，whentheresolutionreachedhim，totreatitwiththeutmostcontempt，andtosenditbackwithoutreallylayingitbeforehisgovernment，thusgivingtheAmericanpeopletounderstandthattheyhadinterferedinamatterwhichdidnotconcernthem。Foratime，thisseemedlikelytoprovokeabitteroutbreakofAmericanfeeling;
　　but，fortunately，thewholematterwasallowedtodriftby。
　　AmongthestrikingcharacteristicsofBismarckwashisevidentantipathytoceremonial。HewasneverpresentatanyofthegreatcourtfunctionssavethefirstreceptiongivenatthegoldenweddingoftheEmperorWilliamI，andatthegalaoperaafeweveningsafterward。
　　Thereasongenerallyassignedforthisabstentionwasthatthechancellor，owingtohisincreasingweightandweakness，couldnotremainlongonhisfeet，aspeopleareexpectedtodoonsuchoccasions。NordoIrememberseeinghimatanyofthefestivitiesattendingthemarriageofthepresentEmperorWilliam，whowasthenmerelythesonofthecrownprince。Onereasonforhisabsence，perhaps，washisreluctancetotakepartintheFackeltanz，amostcurioussurvival。Inthisceremony，theministersofPrussia，infullgaladress，withflaringtorchesintheirhands，precedethebrideorthegroom，asthecasemaybe，asheorshesolemnlymarchesaroundthegreatwhitehallofthepalace，againandagain，tothesoundofsolemnmusic。Thebridefirstgoestothefootofthethrone，andiswelcomedbytheEmperor，whogravelyleadsheroncearoundthehall，andthentakeshisseat。Thegroomthenapproachesthethrone，andinvitestheEmpresstomarchsolemnlyaroundtheroomwithhiminthesamemanner，andshecomplieswithhisrequest。Thenthebridetakestheroyalprincenextinimportance，who，inthisparticularcase，happenedtobethePrinceofWales，atpresentKingEdwardVII;thegroom，thenextprincess;andsoon，untileachofthespecialenvoysfromthevariousmonarchsofEuropehasgonethroughthissolemnfunction。Soitisthattheministers，someofthemnearlyeightyyearsofage，marcharoundtheroomperhapsascoreoftimes;anditisveryeasytounderstandthatBismarckpreferredtoavoidsuchanordeal。
　　Fromtimetotime，thetown，andeventheempire，wasarousedbynewsthathewasinafitofillnessorillnature，andinsistingonresigning。OnsuchoccasionstheoldEmperorgenerallydrovetothechancellor’spalaceintheWilhelmstrasse，and，inhislarge，kindly，heartyway，gotthegreatmanoutofbed，puthimingoodhumor，andsethimgoingagain。Ononeoftheseoccasions，happeningtomeetRudolfvonGneist，whohadbeen，duringapartofBismarck’scareer，onveryconfidentialtermswithhim，Iaskedwhattherealtroublewas。``Oh，’’saidGneist，``hehaseatentoomanyplover’seggs（Ach，erhatzuvielKibitzeiergegessen）。’’ThishadreferencetothefactthatcertainadmirersofthechancellorintheneighborhoodoftheNorthSeawereaccustomedtosendhim，eachyear，alargebasketofplovers’eggs，ofwhichhewasveryfond;andthisdiethasneverbeenconsideredfavorabletodigestion。
　　ThisremindsmethatGneistononeoccasiontoldmeanotherstory，whichthrowssomelightonthechancellor’shabits。GneisthadespecialclaimsonAmericans。AsthemostimportantprofessorofRomanlawattheuniversityhehadwelcomedalongsuccessionofAmericanstudents;
　　asamemberoftheimperialparliament，ofthePrussianlegislature，andoftheBerlintowncouncil，hehadshownmanykindnessestoAmericantravelers;andastherepresentativeoftheEmperorWilliaminthearbitrationbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritainonournorth—
　　westernboundary，hehadprovedajustjudge，decidinginourfavor。Thereforeitwasthat，ontheoccasionofoneofthegreatThanksgivingdinnerscelebratedbytheAmericancolony，hewaspresentasoneoftheprincipalguests。
　　NearhimwasplacedabottleofHermitage，ratheraheavy，headywine。Shortlyaftertakinghisseat，hesaidtomewithasignificantsmile，``ThatissomeofthewineIsenttoBismarck，anditdidnotturnoutwell。’’``Howwasthat？’’Iasked。``Well，’’hesaid，``onedayImetBismarckandaskedhimabouthishealth。Heanswered，`Itiswretched;Icanneithereatnorsleep。’Ireplied，`Letmesendyousomethingthatwillhelpyou。IhavejustreceivedalotofHermitage，andwillsendyouadozenbottles。IfyoutakeaCOUPLEOFGLASSESeachdaywithyourdinner，itwillbethebestpossibletonic，andwilldoyougreatgood。’Sometimeafterward，’’continuedGneist，``Imethimagain，andaskedhowthewineagreedwithhim。`Oh，’saidBismarck，`notatall;itmademeworsethanever。’`Why，’saidI，`howdidyoutakeit？’
　　`Justasyoutoldme，’repliedBismarck，`ACOUPLEOF
　　BOTTLESeachdaywithmydinner。’’’
　　Bismarck’sconstantstruggleagainstthediseaseswhichbesethimbecamepathetic。HeonceaskedmehowImanagedtosleepinBerlin;andonmyansweringhimhesaid——``Well，IcanneversleepinBerlinatnightwhenitisquiet;butassoonasthenoisebegins，aboutfouro’clockinthemorning，Icansleepalittleandgetmyrestfortheday。’’
　　ItwasfrequentlymadeclearthattheEmperorWilliamandtheGermanofficialswerenottheonlyonestoexperiencetheresultsofBismarck’sillhealth:thediplomaticcorps，andamongthemmyself，hadsometimestotakeitintoaccount。
　　BismarckwasespeciallykindtoAmericans，and，aboveall，totheAmericandiplomaticrepresentatives。Tothistherewasbutoneexception，myimmediatesuccessor，andthatwasacaseinwhichnofaultneedbeimputedtoeitherside。ThatBismarck’sfeelingtowardAmericansgenerallywasgoodisabundantlyproven，andespeciallybysuchwitnessesasAbeken，SidneyWhitman，andMoritzBusch，thelastofwhomhasshownthat，whilethechancellorwasverybitteragainstsundryGermanprinceswholingeredaboutthearmyandlivedinVersaillesatthepublicexpense，heseemedalwaystorejoiceinthepresenceofGeneralSheridanandothercompatriotsofourswhowereattachedtotheGermanheadquartersbyatieofmuchlessstrength。
　　But，asIhavealreadyhinted，therewasonethingwhichwasespeciallyvexatioustohim;andthiswastheevasion，asheconsideredit，ofdutytotheGermanFatherlandbysundryGerman—Americans。OnedayIreceivedaletterfromayoungmanwhostatedhiscaseasfollows:
　　HehadlefthisnativetowninAlsace—Lorrainejustbeforearrivingatthemilitaryage;hadgonetotheUnitedStates;hadremainedthere，notlongenoughtolearnEnglish，butjustlongenoughtoobtainnaturalization;andhadthenlostnotimeinreturningtohisnativetown。Hehadbeenimmediatelythrownintoprison;andthencehewroteme，expressinghisdevotiontotheAmericanflag，hisprideinhisAmericancitizenship，——andhisdesiretoliveinGermany。Iimmediatelywrotetotheministerofforeignaffairs，statingtheman’scase，andshowingthatitcameundertheBancrofttreaties，oratleastundertheconstructionofthemwhichtheGermanGovernmentuptothattimehadfreelyallowed。TothisIreceivedananswerthattheBancrofttreaties，havingbeenmadebeforeAlsace—Lorrainewasannexedtotheempire，didnotapplytothesenewprovinces，andthattheyouthwasdetainedasadeserter。TothisIrepliedthat，althoughtheminister’sstatementwasstrictlytrue，thepointhadbeenwaivedlongbeforeinourfavor;thatinnolessthaneightcasestheGermanGovernmenthadextendedthebenefitoftheBancrofttreatiesoverAlsace—Lorraine;andthatinoneofthesecasestheactingministerofforeignaffairshaddeclaredtheintentionofthegovernmenttomakethisextensionpermanent。
　　Butjustatthisperiod，afterthedeathofBaronvonBlow，whohadbeenmostkindlyinallsuchmatters，thechancellorhadfallenintoacuriouswayofsummoningeminentGermandiplomatistsfromvariouscapitalsofEuropeintotheministryofforeignaffairsforalimitedtime——tryingthemon，asitwere。Thesegentlemenweregenerallyveryagreeable;butonthisoccasionIhadtodealwithonewhohadbeensummonedfromserviceatoneofthelesserGermancourts，andwhowasyoungerthanmostofhispredecessors。Tomysurprise，hebrushedasidealltheprecedentsIhadcited，andalsothefactthataformeractingministerofforeignaffairshaddistinctlystatedthat，asamatterofcomity，theGermanGovernmentproposedtoconsidertheBancrofttreatiesasapplyingpermanentlytoAlsace—Lorraine。Neithernotesnorverbalremonstrancesmovedhim。Hewasperfectlycivil，andansweredmyarguments，ineverycase，asifhewereabouttoyield，yetalwaysclosedwitha``but’’——anddidnothing。
　　Heseemedparalyzed。Thecauseofthedifficultywassoonevident。ItwasnaturalthatBismarckshouldhaveafeelingthatayoungmanwhohadvirtuallydesertedtheGermanflagjustbeforereachingthemilitaryagedeservedtheworsttreatmentwhichthelawallowed。Hisownsonshadservedinthearmy，andhadplungedintothethickestofthefight，oneofthemreceivingaseriouswound;andthatthisyoungAlsatianIsraeliteshouldthusescapeservicebyatrickwasevidentlyhatefultohim。Thatthechancellorhimselfgavethefinaldecisioninthismatterwastheonlyexplanationofthefactthatthisparticularactingministerofforeignaffairsnevergavemeanimmediateanswer。
　　Thematterbecamemoreandmoreserious。TheletterofthelawwasindeedonBismarck’sside;buttheyoungmanwasanAmericancitizen，andtheideaofanAmericancitizenbeingheldinprisonwasanythingbutpleasanttome，andIknewthatitwouldbeanythingbutpleasanttomyfellow—citizensacrossthewater。Ithoughtontheproudwords，``civisRomanussum，’’andoftheanalogyinvolvedinthiscase。Mypositionwasespeciallydifficult，becauseIdarednotcommunicatethecasefullytotheAmericanStateDepartmentofthatperiod。Variousprivatedespatcheshadgotoutintotheworldandmadetroublefortheirauthors，andevensoeminentadiplomatistasMr。GeorgeP。MarshatRomecameverynearbeingupsetbyone。Mypredecessor，BayardTaylor，wasverynearlywreckedbyanother;anditwastheescapeandpublicationofaprivatedespatchwhichplungedmyimmediatesuccessorintohisquarrelwithBismarck，andmadehisfurtherstayinGermanyuseless:IthereforestoppedshortwithmyfirstnotificationtotheStateDepartment——totheeffectthatanaturalizedAmericanhadbeenimprisonedfordesertioninAlsace—Lorraine，andthatthelegationwasdoingitsbesttosecurehisrelease。
　　Tosaymorethanthisinvolveddangerthattheaffairmightfallintothehandsofsensation—mongers，andresultinhowlsandthreatsagainsttheGermanGovernmentandBismarck;andIknewwellthat，ifsuchhowlsandthreatsweremade，BismarckwouldneverletthisyoungIsraeliteoutofprisonaslongashelived。
　　Itseemedhardlytheproperthing，seriousasthecasewas，toaskformypassports。Itwascertainthat，ifthisweredone，therewouldcomeachorusofblamefrombothsidesoftheAtlantic。Deciding，therefore，toimitatetheexampleoftheoldmanintheschool—book，who，beforethrowingstonesattheboyinhisfruit—tree，threwturfandgrass，IsecuredfromWashingtonbycablealeaveofabsence，but，beforestarting，sawsomeofmydiplomaticcolleagues，whowerewonttocirculatefreelyandtalkmuch，statedthemainfeaturesofthecasetothem，andsaidthatIwas``goingofftoenjoymyself’’;thatthereseemedlittleuseforanAmericanministerinacountrywhereprecedentsandagreementsweresoeasilydisregarded。NextdayIstartedfortheFrenchRiviera。
　　Thejourneywastakenleisurely，withinterestinghaltsatCologneandAix—la—Chapelle;and，asIreachedthehotelinParis，atelegramwashandedme——``YourmaninAlsace—Lorraineisfree。’’Itwasevidentthatthechancellorhadfeltbetterandhadthoughtmorelenientlyofthematter，andIhadneveranotherdifficultyofthesortduringtheremainderofmystay。
　　ThewholeweightoftestimonyasregardsBismarck’soccasionalseverityistotheeffectthat，sternandpersistentashewas，hehadmuchtendernessofheart;butastotheimpossibilityofanynation，government，orpressscaringordrivinghim，Inoticedcuriousevidencesduringmystay。ItwaswellknownthathewasnotunfriendlytoRussia;indeed，hemorethanoncemadedeclarationswhichledsomeoftheWesternpowerstothinkhimtooreadytomakeconcessionstoRussianpolicyintheEast;
　　buthisrelationstoPrinceGortchakoff，theformerRussianchancellor，werenotofthebest;andaftertheBerlinConferencethedisappointmentofRussialedtovariousunfriendlyactionsbyRussianauthoritiesandindividualsofallsorts，fromtheCzardown。TherewasageneralfeelingthatitwasdangerousforGermanytoresentthis，andastatesmanofanothermoldwouldhavedeprecatedtheseattacks，orsoughttomitigatethem。NotsoBismarck:hedeterminedtogiveasgoodaswassent;
　　and，foraveryconsiderabletimehelostnochancetoshowthatthedayoftrucklingbyGermanytoherpowerfulneighborwaspast。Thisbecameatlastsomarkedthatbitter，andevendefiant，presentationofunpalatabletruthsregardingRussia，inthepressinspiredfromthechancery，seemedtheusualforminwhichallRussianstatesmen，andespeciallymembersoftheimperialhouse，werewelcomedinBerlin。Onemorning，takingupmycopyofthepapermostdirectlyinspiredbythechancellor，IfoundanarticleontheshortcomingsofRussia，especiallypungent——almostvitriolic。ItatonceoccurredtometolookamongthedistinguishedarrivalstoseewhatMuscovitewasintown;andmysearchwasrewardedbythediscoverythattheheirtotheimperialcrown，afterwardAlexanderIII，hadjustarrivedandwasstayingadayortwointhecity。
　　WhenBismarckutteredhisfamoussaying，``WeGermansfearGodandnaughtbeside，’’hesimplyprojectedintothehistoryofGermanyhisowncharacter。Fearlessnesswasamaincharacteristicofhisfromboyhood，anditneverlefthiminanyoftheemergenciesofhislaterlife。
　　Hisactivitythroughthepressinterestedmemuchattimes。Itwasnotdifficulttodiscernhisworkinmanyofthe``inspired’’editorialsandotherarticles。Ihaveinmypossessionsundryexamplesoftheoriginalsofthese，——eachpageisdividedintotwocolumns，——thefirsttheworkofoneofhischosenscribes，thesecondcopiouslyamendedinthechancellor’sownhand，andalwayswithagaininlucidityandpungency。
　　Ofthevariousmatterswhicharosebetweenus，oneisperhapsworthyofmention，sinceithasrecentlygivenrisetoacontroversybetweenaGerman—AmericanjournalistandBismarck’sprincipalbiographer。
　　Onemorning，asIsatindismaybeforemywork—table，loadedwithdespatches，notes，andletters，besidesfutilitiesofeverysort，therecameinthecardofLotharBucher。Everythingelsewas，ofcourse，thrownaside。
　　Buchernevermadesocialvisits。Hewasthepilot—fishofthewhale，andavisitfromhim``meantbusiness。’’
　　Hardlyhadheenteredtheroomwhenhisbusinesswaspresented:thechancellorwishedtoknowiftheUnitedStateswouldjoinGermanyandGreatBritaininrepresentationscalculatedtostoptheinjuriestothecommerceofallthreenationscausedbythewarthengoingonbetweenChileandPeru。
　　MyanswerwasthattheUnitedStatescouldnotjoinotherpowersinanysucheffort;thatourgovernmentmightthinkitbesttotakeseparateaction;andthatitwouldnotinterferewithanypropereffortsofotherpowerstosecuresimpleredressforactualgrievances;butthatitcouldnotmakecommoncausewithotherpowersinanysuchefforts。Toclinchthis，IcitedthefamouspassageinWashington’sFarewellAddressagainst``entanglingallianceswithforeignpowers’’asAmericangospel，andaddedthatmygovernmentwouldalsobeunalterablyopposedtoanythingleadingtopermanentoccupationofSouthAmericanterritorybyanyEuropeanpower，andforthisreferredhimtothedespatchesofJohnQuincyAdamsandthedeclarationsofPresidentMonroe。
　　Heseemedalmostdumfoundedatthis，andtothisdayIamunabletodecidewhetherhissurprisewasrealoraffected。Heseemedtothinkitimpossiblethatwecouldtakeanysuchground，orthatsucharemote，sentimentalinterestcouldoutweighmaterialinterestssopressingasthoseinvolvedinthemonkey—and—parrotsortofwargoingonbetweenthetwoSouthAmericanrepublics。Ashewasevidentlyinclinedtodwellonwhatappearedtohimthestrangenessofmyanswer，Isaidtohim:``WhatIstatetoyouiselementaryinAmericanforeignpolicy;andtoprovethisIwillwrite，inyourpresence，acabledespatchtotheSecretaryofStateatWashington，andyoushallseeitandtheansweritbrings。’’
　　Ithentookacableblank，wrotethedespatch，andshowedittohim。Itwasasimplestatementofthechancellor’sproposal，andonthatheleftme。Intheeveningcametheanswer。ItwasvirtuallymystatementtoBucher，andIsentittohimjustasIhadreceivedit。
　　Thatwasthelastofthematter。Nofurthereffortwasmadeinthepremises，sofarasIeverheard，eitherbyGermanyorGreatBritain。Ithasrecentlybeenstated，inanAmericanmagazinearticle，thatBismarck，towardtheendofhislife，characterizedthepositiontakenbyMr。ClevelandregardingEuropeanacquisitionofSouthAmericanterritoryassomethingutterlynewandunheardof。Tothis，Poschinger，theeminentBismarckbiographer，hasrepliedinawaywhichincreasesmyadmirationfortheGermanForeignOffice;foritwouldappearthathefoundinthearchivesofthatdepartmentamostexactstatementoftheconversationbetweenBucherandmyself，andoftheactionwhichfollowedit。SoprecisewashisaccountthatitevenrecalledphrasesandotherminutiaeoftheconversationwhichIhadforgotten，butwhichIatoncerecognizedasexactwhenthusremindedofthem。
　　Theexistenceofsucharecordreallyrevivesone’schild—
　　likefaithintheopeningoftheGreatBookofhumandeedsandutterancesat``thelastday。’’
　　PerhapsthemostinterestingphaseofBismarck’slifewhichastrangercouldobservewashisactivityintheimperialparliament。
　　Thatbodysitsinalargehall，therepresentativesofthepeopleatlargeoccupyingseatsinfrontofthepresident’sdesk，andthedelegatesfromthevariousstates——knownastheImperialCouncil——beingseateduponanelevatedplatformatthesideoftheroom，rightandleftofthepresident’schair。Attherightofthepresident，somedistanceremoved，sitsthechancellor，andathisrighthandtheimperialministry;whileinfrontofthepresident’schair，onalowerstageoftheplatform，isthetribunefromwhich，asarule，membersofthelowerhouseaddressthewholebody。
　　ItwasmygoodfortunetohearBismarckpubliclydiscussmanyimportantquestions，andhiswayofspeakingwasnotlikethatofanyothermanIhaveeverheard。HewasalwaysclothedintheundressuniformofaPrussiangeneral;and，asherose，hisbulkmadehimimposing。
　　Hisfirstutterancesweredisappointing。Heseemedwheezy，rambling，incoherent，withasortofburdensomeself—consciousnesscheckinghisideasandclogginghiswords。Hismannerwasfidgety，hisarmsbeingthrownuneasilyabout，andhisfingersfumblinghismustacheorhisclothingorthepapersonhisdesk。Hepuffed，snorted，andfloundered;seemedtomakeassertionswithoutproofandphraseswithoutpoint;whensuddenlyhewouldutterastatementsopregnantastoclearupawholepolicy，orasentencesoaudaciousastoparalyzeawholelineofhisopponents，oraphrasesovividastorunthroughthenationandelectrifyit。Then，perhapsaftermorerumblingandrambling，cameaclean，clear，historicalillustrationcarryingconviction;then，verylikely，asimpleandstrongargument，notinfrequentlyendedbysomeheavymissileintheshapeofanaccusationortaunthurledintothefacesofhisadversaries;then，perhapsatconsiderablelength，amixtureofcausticcriticismandpersonalreminiscence，inwhichsparkledthosewonderfulsayingswhichhavegonethroughtheempireandsettleddeeplyintotheGermanheart。Ihaveknownmanycleverspeakersandsomeverypowerfulorators;butIhaveneverknownonecapable，inthesamedegree，ofoverwhelminghisenemiesandcarryinghiswholecountrywithhim。Norwashiseloquenceinhisoratoryalone。Therewassomethinginhisbearing，ashesatathisministerialdeskandattimeslookedupfromittolistentoaspeaker，whichwasveryimpressive。
　　TwiceIheardMoltkespeak，andeachtimeonthearmyestimates。Nothingcouldbemoresimpleandstraight—
　　forwardthanthegreatsoldier’smanner。Asherose，helookedlikeatall，thin，kindlyNewEnglandschoolmaster。
　　Hisseatwasamongtherepresentatives，verynearlyinfrontofthatwhichBismarckoccupiedontheestrade。OnoneoftheseoccasionsIheardhimmakehisfamousdeclarationthatforthenextfiftyyearsGermanymustbeinconstantreadinessforanattackfromFrance。Hespokeveryrarely，wasalwaysbriefandtothepoint，sayingwithcalmstrengthjustwhathethoughtitadutytosay——neithermorenorless。SoCaesarmighthavespoken。Bismarck，Iobserved，alwayslaiddownhislargepencilandlistenedintentlytoeveryword。