The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-04-05
BISMARCK AND BEAcoNsFIELD

1 Notes From John Booths Reminiscent
 ces.
 This little book contains lots of other striking remarks by the first German Chancellor. During the walks in the woods of T'riedrichsruhe frequent ref ! erence was made to the European statesmen with whom Bismarck had to deal in a friendly and inimical manner. Till now it was not known in what hlgh respect Bismarck held Lord Beacons- l field One had been accustomed to as l sume that Bismarck who always had some fault to find with the English, ran [ down Beaconsfield. Not for moment could the brutal matter of fact German statesmen enter into Gladstone's' ideal ism. Said the Chancellor to Booth on one occasion:
 Had l brought as great misfortune upon Germany as Gladstone has on England I should long ago have shot myself"
 By contrast, ha seems to have spoken in high terms of Beaconsfield, the Con- servative although no other than hln- self is meant by Count Ferrol in Dis raelis "Endymion' During the Berlin Congress they became well acquainted with each other, and from that time dates Bismarcks special regard for Beaconsfeld, who many an evening went to the Prince's house. Regarding this intercourse Bismarck said: AS he (Beaconsfield) was not well, he came only on condition that we should be alone, and so I had an oppor- tunity of becoming more nearly ac- quainted with him. I must say that, notwithstanding his fantastic novel writing, he was an excellent statesman, standing far above Gortchakoff and many others, and one can negotiate with him very we'll In a quarter of an hour one knew how matters stood-an exact line was drawn, showing you how far you might go, and after rap i'd review of his thoughts you had done"
 Bismarck also praises his British col leagues melodious English and his fine voice. During the Berlin Congress the Crown Princess one day remarked to Bismarck that surely Beaconsfield must speak French very beautifully, to which the Prince replied that up till then he had not heard him. But at the Con- gress-?" added his questloner He speaks nothing but English" Bismarck interrupted het
 How did that happen? At the time of the Congress, Lord Odo Russell was British Ambassador at Berlin a man combining grace with prudence. On the eve of the first setting of the Congress Beaconsfield arrived at Berlin, and was received with great marks of honor at the British Embassy. He was accom- panied by several secretaries. One of them in copsternation went up to the Ambassador and said to him:
 Lord Odo. we are in most unpleas- ant situation. Lord Beacons- field insists on making a French speech. He has written out a tremendous ora ton, and learned it by heart; we shall be the laughing stock of Europe. He pronounces 'epicier' as if 1t rhymed with 'overseer,' and the rest of his pronunci- ations is about on a par. We cannot tell him so. Perhaps you can help us?'
 T will see what is to be done,' re- piled Lord Odo So the ambassador went into the bedroom of His Lordship who was just making his very circum-
  night Lord Odo set the ball rolling by saying:
 My dear lord. a terrible report has reached our ears.'
 Really, what is it"
 We have heard that you intend speaking French"
 Well, Lord Odo, what do you mean by that?'
 Well, we all know no one in Europe is more competent than you. But, talk ing everything into consideration, you must admit that making a French speech is something quite usual. There are half dozen members of the Con- gress that could do it. if not quite, yet, nearly as well as you. But who can make an English speech like you? No, body. All the plenipotentiaries from the different courts of Europe have come here in the expectation of the treat of hearing the greatest living mas ter of English speak. The question for you, my dear lord, is: will you disap- point them?"
 Lord Beaconsfield after a moments in what you say. I will consider the | Following this suggestion, | spoke English at the Con- gress. The few persons who were aware of the matter differed as to whether l Beaoonsfield was vain enough to take ! Russells fiattery seriously, or whether, | ,n the other hand, he was acute enough to understand the hint, and so saved | himself from danger of becoming ludi- crous with his French pronunciation. despite the esteem in which ne held Beaconsfield, must have been convinced of his vanity-London Chron- cle.