Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-12-05
gISMARCKIANA.

"On the 31st of July, 1870, at $50
p. M, the Chancellor, having pariaken
Of the Holy Communion, drove from
his official residence in the wilhelm
Strasse to the station, accompanied by
his wife and daughter, 10 proceed with
his sovereign TO The seat OF war. A few
councillors, secretaries, decipherers and
messengers Of the Foreign Office were
To- follow Immediately"
Such is the Introductory passage of a
work just published at Leipsic, under
the unassuming title of "Grai Bismarck
und seine Leute wahrenh des Knegs
nit Frankreich. Mach Tagebuchsbat-
tern, Won DIR. Moritz Busch" The au-
thor, an eminent political writer, then
employed in the German Foreign Of
fee, accompanied Prince Bismarck TO
the seat of war as literary amanuensis.
As Boswell chaperoned Johnson, tablets
in hand, so did the indefatigable Busch
hang on the speech Of his distinguished
patron, jotting down unfortunately
all his delighted ear drank in. In the
promiscuous wealth of detail, the result
Of this devoted industry, the book bears
The incontrovertible impress of truth.
Insautiously candid in other passages,
Il shows the Chancellor indiferently in
: formed on many things, prejudiced on
others, but equally confident on all.
Laudatory, the book is cruel, too; not
content TO portray the hero in uniform,
II exposes him in dressIng-gown and
slippers.
or his relations to Napoleon III. in
and before 1866 the Prince said the fol-
lowing:
When negotiating with M. Theirs
(during the siege OF Paris), the French
statesman reminded me of n conversa-
ton I had with the Duke Of BaufFre-
mont in 1867. II is true did tell the
Duke that il the Emperor Napoleon had
had keener perception OF bus own ad-
vantage he might have done stroke of
business in 1866. If the Emperor, al
the moment OF our attacking Austria,
had taken by force what be subsequent
" demanded through Benedetli, he
might have done better for himself.
Al least, we should not have been able
TO stop him; nor Is il likely that Eng
land would have interierred. What he
had 30 do was 10 act, and see what
woEld come of II. II we were victo-
rious, his safest policy would have been
20 support us and lure Us forward into
the intoxication of triumph.
The Due de Gramont, whose indis-
cretion precipitated events, finds little
favor in his eyes:
IL | had been in his place should
have entered regiment and taken my
chance on the battlefield, after mud
ding affairs in the Cabinet. myself
was quite prepared TO do this in 1866.
IL things had gone wrong, how could |
have shown myself again at Berlini
Ner did nj. Jules Favre succeed in
gaining the Chancellor's respect during
the negotiations preceding the conclu-
sion Of peace
NJ. Favre says in his report to the
French government that he could not
help shedding tears IN one of his con-
versations with me. must confess he
looked as If he was about 10 weep, and
/ consoled him; but of this am GER
tain--that he did not shed single tear.
He tried hard, but he could not. He
no doubt thought 10 impress me with
hiss fine acting, as Paris lawyers are in
the. habit Of imposing upon their audi
ences. am perfectly convinced that.
20 add 10 the pathos of the situation, he
was painted Waite on his several visits
20 Ferries. particularly the second time,
when he had laid on an extra coating Of
pallid color, the better to impersonate
the suffering and deeply-moved patriot.
] do not, however, deny that he felt bis
situation. But he Is not a politician.
He ought TO know that sentiment and
politics do not go together. When l
dropped . hint about Strasbourg aud
Meiz he looked as II he thought Il was
joke. nigh. have told him what
happened to me in Q furrier's shop in
Berlin. | wanted a fur cloak, and
high price being asked, | said to the
shopkeeper, II suppose, sir, you are
joking" "Never in business, was the
sepIy.
NJ. Theirs, who replaced NJ. Fayre in
the German camp was likewise not
cir3omatist' after the Chancellor heart:
He IL clever, attractive gentleman,
witty, spirited. intellectual, but without
talent for diplomacy. He is far too SEN
timental for the profession. Though
more manly aud dignifed than a.
Favre, he is altogether unfit for the
trade. He came to me as negotiator.
when he had not gnmption enough for
. householder. He is easily staggered.