TWO CHANCELLORS: Prince Gortchakof and Prince Bismarck. by JULIAN KLACZKO

8/2/2019 TWO CHANCELLORS: Prince Gortchakof and Prince Bismarck. by JULIAN KLACZKO.

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TWOCHANCELLORS:

PrinceGortchakofandPrinceBismarck.

byJULIANKLACZKO.

TranslatedfromtheRevuedesDeuxMondesbyFrankP.Ward.

TRANSLATOR'SPREFACE.

Intheyear1866Carlylesaid:"TheonlymanappointedbyGodtobeHisviceregenthereonearthinthesedays,andknowinghewassoappointedandbentwithhiswholesoulondoing,andabletodoGod'swork,"isM.deBismarck.Ifthisbetrue,thenM.deBismarckhasfoundamostvaluableallyandcolleagueinthepresentPremierofRussia.Itisofthesetwomen,PrinceBismarck,andPrinceGortchakof,theChancellorofGermany,andtheChancellorofalltheRussias,thatthisbooktreats.TheauthorisM.JulianKlaczko,aPolishrefugee,amanofcosmopolitanhabits,anaccomplishedandablewriter,thoroughlyacquaintedwiththe

contemporaneoushistoryofEurope,prejudicedagainstPrussia,anardentfriendofAustria,anddevotedtoaconservativeandmonarchicalformofgovernment.HewasalwaysthefriendofPoland.In1863hedefendedDenmarkinaseriesofablepapers,whichcameoutinthe"RevuedesdeuxMondes,"underthetitleof"StudiesofContemporaneousDiplomacy."AfterthebattleofSadowa,heappearedasthefriendofAustriainaworkentitled,"ThePreliminariesofSadowa."CountdeBeustsummonedhimtoVienna,andattachedhimtotheForeignOffice.KlaczkowasthenelectedDeputyinthePolishprovinceofGalicia.After1870heresignedhispostsandreturnedtoFrance.

Inthe"TwoChancellors"hehasgivenacondensedbutgraphicreviewofthediplomatichistoryofEuropefrom1855to1871,andasketchofthe

livesofPrinceBismarckandPrinceGortchakof,thetwomosteminentmenoftheday.Healsoseekstoprovethatthe"disaster"ofSadowa,followedbythestillgreateroneofSedan,wasbroughtaboutbytheblinddevotionofPrinceGortchakoftoPrinceBismarck,aidedlargely,itistrue,bythe"inconceivablevacillationsandhallucinationsofNapoleonIII.,theDreamerofHam."Inaword,heseekstoestablishthattheprodigiouseventsofthelasttenyearsareduetoaconspiracybetweenRussiaandPrussia.Thisisaone-sided,partialview,butispresentedwithsuchpoweraswillalmostpersuadethereaderthatsuchmayhavebeenthecase.AccordingtoKlaczko'stheories,PrussiahasgraspedthesubstanceandRussiatheshadow,andtheoldchancellorofthegreatempireoftheNorthhasbeenthedupeofhispupilofBerlin.

ThegreatchangeswhichwillundoubtedlysoontakeplaceintheEast,makeM.Klaczko'sviewsastothepastandpresentrelationsbetweenGermanyandRussiaofmarkedinterest,andthestudentofcontemporaneoushistorywillfindinthe"TwoChancellors,"notwithstandingthepeculiarviewsandstrongprejudicesofthewriter,oneofthemostinstructiveaswellasinterestingworksthathaveappearedformanyyears.IthasbeenissuedinbookforminParis,andwidelycirculatedinRussia,whereithascausedaprofoundsensation.

InthetranslationIhaveendeavoredtoreproduceasjustlyaspossible


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thewordsofM.Klaczko,whosestyle,thoughstrongandforcible,isattimessomewhatinvolved.Withthesefewwordsinregardtotheimportanceofthesubjectandthecharacteroftheauthor,IleavetothejudgmentofthereadertheaccountofthemomentouseventswhichmaybetrulysaidtohavechangedthepoliticalfaceofEurope.

CONTENTS.

PAGEI.

THEMISSIONSOFPRINCEGORTCHAKOFANDTHEDBUTSOFM.DEBISMARCK1

II.

ANATIONALMINISTERANDAFAULT-FINDINGDIPLOMATATST.PETERSBURG75

III.

UNITEDACTION122

IV.

THEECLIPSEOFEUROPE188

V.

ORIENTANDOCCIDENT227

VI.

TENYEARSOFASSOCIATION287

APPENDIX311

TWOCHANCELLORS.

I.

THEMISSIONSOFPRINCEGORTCHAKOFANDTHEDBUTSOFM.DEBISMARCK.


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ThegoodoldPlutarch,incommencinghislongandcharmingseriesofParallelswiththeaccountofthelivesofTheseusandRomulus,experiencessomedifficultyinjustifyingsuchanassociationofthetwoheroes;hecanfindinthemonlyveryvaguetraitsofresemblance,andthesebynomeansstriking."Tostrengththeybothjoinedgreatpowersofmind,bothcarriedoffwomenbyviolence,andtheoneaswellastheotherwasnotexemptedfromdomesticmiseries;indeed,towardtheendoftheirlivestheybotharousedthehatredoftheirfellow-citizens."[1]Withoutdoubtawriterofourday,wishingtogiveacomparativestudyofthetwomostprominentfiguresofcontemporaneouspolitics,thechancellorsofRussiaandGermany,wouldonlymisleadingivingprominencetosuchpointsofresemblance.Theassociationinthiscaseisjustifiable,foritsuggestsitselftoeverycontemplativemind,towhoeverhasmeditatedontheeventsofthelastfifteenortwentyyears.ThemodernPlutarchwhowouldundertaketowritethelivesofthesetwoillustriousmen,could,asitseemstous,easilyresistthetemptationofsearchingtoodeeplyfor,orforcinganalogiesinasubjectwheresimilaritiesaboundandaresostriking.Perhapshewouldratherhavetoguardagainstnecessaryandtiresomerepetitionsinpresenceofacommonaltyofideasandofaharmonyofactionsuchashistoryhasrarelyknownintwoministersguidingtwodifferentempires.

Itisnot,thereadermaybewellassured,aworkofthissortwhichtheauthorhasundertakeninthefollowingpages.Wehaveonlygiventhe

meresketchofapicturewhich,tobeeveninaslightdegreefullandsatisfactory,wouldhaverequiredmuchlargerproportions,andaboveallamuchmoreskillfulhand.Withoutpretendingtopresentherenewandunpublishedmaterials,orindeedtoreuniteallthosewhicharealreadyknown,wehavesimplychosenafew,andtriedtoassortandarrangethemsoastoaffordabetterperspective.Wehavebeenobligedtorenouncethewishtogivetothedifferentpartsanequalityofdesignanddepthofcoloring,andwehavenotevenboundourselvestofollowaveryregularandmethodicalcourseinthisnarration.Beforeasubjectsovastandpresentingsomanyshadesandshadows,wehavethoughtthatitwaspermissible,thatitwasindeedoccasionallyuseful,tovarythepointsofobservationandtopresentitindifferentaspects.

I.

LiketheOdoefski,theObolenski,theDolgorouki,andmanyaristocraticfamiliesonthebanksoftheMoscovaandtheNeva,theGortchakofalsopridethemselvesontheirdescentfromtheRourik;tospeakmoreplainly,theyclaimtotracetheiroriginfromoneofthesonsofMichael,GrandDukeofTchernigof,puttodeathtowardsthemiddleofthethirteenthcenturybytheMongoliansofBatouKhan,sinceproclaimedmartyrofthefaith,exalted,indeed,amongthesaintsoftheOrthodoxChurch.Onemeets,nevertheless,withbutfewillustriousbearersofthenameofGortchakofinthegloomyandexcitingannalsofoldRussia.IntheepochwhichprecededtheaccessionoftheRomanof,thereliveda

certainPeterIvanovitchGortchakof,theunfortunatecommanderofSmolenski,whosurrenderedthiscelebratedplacetothePolesaftertwoyearsofenergeticanddesperateresistance.HewastakentoWarsaw,andthere,in1611,withtheCzarVassili,thetwoprincesSchouyski,Shine,andanumberofpowerfulboiars,hewasforcedtotakepartinthefamous"cortgeofcaptives"whichthegrandconstableZolkiweskipresentedoneday--honorificentissime,saysthechronicleofthetimes--tothekingandthesenateofthemostserenerepublic.Itwasonlyinthesecondhalfofthelastcentury,underthereignofCatherineII.,thataPrinceIvanGortchakofsucceeded(thanks


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especiallytohismarriagewithasisteroftheopulentandcourageousSouvorof)inagainraisingthegloryofhisoldhouse,whichhasneversinceceasedtodistinguishitselfinthedifferentbranchesofstateservice,principallyinthecareerofarms.TheFranceofto-dayhaspreservedthememoryoftwoPrincesGortchakof,twooldsoldiersofBorodinowhodistinguishedthemselvesduringthewaroftheOrient.TheonecommandedtheleftwingoftheRussiantroopsatthebattlesofAlmaandInkermann;theother,PrinceMichael,wasthegeneralissimoofthearmiesoftheczarintheCrimea,andrenderedhisnameimperishablebytheheroicdefenseofSebastopol.AfterwardshegovernedtheKingdomofPolandaslieutenantoftheemperor,andbecametherefore(strangeexampleofthevicissitudesofhistory!)thesupremerepresentativeofaharsh,foreigngovernmentinthissamecityofWarsaw,whereoneofhisancestorshadformerlyfiguredinamemorableprocessionofthevanquished.However,ifthiscircumstanceeveroccurredtoPrinceMichael,hedrewtherefromnonebutsuggestionsworthyofhischaracter;hegovernedtheconqueredcountrywithmoderationandbenevolence,andleftbehindhimthefameofamanasjustinciviladministrationashewasintrepidinwar.

ThecousinofPrinceMichaelandpresentchancelloroftheempire,AlexanderMikhalovitchGortchakof,wasbornin1798,andwaseducatedinthatlyceumofZarkoe-ZeloewhichhasitsdistinctplaceinthepedagogichistoryofRussia.FoundedbyCatherineII.asamodel

educationalestablishmentforthearistocraticyouthoftheempire,thelyceumshonewithgreatclatunderthereignofAlexanderI.,althoughtheRollinandthePestalozziwouldcertainlyhavehadmorethanonereservationtomakewithrespecttoacollegewhichonlymouldeditsscholarsfortheworld,andthoughtthevigorousclassicalstudiesaburdentooheavytocarryintotheetherealspheresofpleasuresandelegance.Almostalltheprofessorsoftheestablishmentwereforeigners,menmarkedwiththestampoftheeighteenthcentury,acuteminds,slightlyfrivolous,andabovealldisciplesofVoltaire.Themosteminentamongthem,theprofessorofFrenchliterature,hewhoinitiatedthefuturechancellorintothelanguageofVoltaire,ofwhichhesowellknewthesubtleties,wasaGenevese,who,undertheinoffensivenameofM.deBoudry,concealedanotherofaterrible

significance.M.deBoudrywasthebrotherofMarat,that"sinistreconventionnel."[2]TheEmpressCatherine,inorder"toendascandal,"hadforcedthispatronymicchangeonM.Marat,without,however,succeedinginmakinghimchangehisopinions,whichalwaysremained"Jacobin."Hediedinfinalimpenitence,cherishinganopenlyavowedadmirationforthefriendofthepeople,unjustlycalumniated.Fromthiseducationofverydoubtfulvalue,theyoungGortchakofsucceededinextractingastrongandusefulsubstance.HeleftZarkoe-Zeloewithvariousandsolidacquirements;asurprisingmatter,hewasevenagoodLatinist,andthislastfacthasremainedacauseofamazementtohisfellow-scholarsaswellastothegenerationswhofollowed.Itiscertain,however,thatthechancellorcouldquoteHoracewithaboutthesameappropriatenessasLouisXVIII.ofsaintedmemory.Oneofhisbest

knowndispatchesingeniouslyborrowsfromSuetoniusaneloquentpassageonthedistinctiontobeestablishedbetweenlibertyandanarchy.

Nexttohisclassicalattainments,thatpartofhisyouthwhichthechancellorlovesespeciallytorecallisthathewasthefellow-scholar,andthatheremainedthefriend,ofthegreatnationalpoet,Pouchkine,afactmoretohishonorinasmuchasthisfriendshiphasbroughtwithitembarrassmentsatcertaintimes.When,bytheorderoftheEmperorAlexanderI.,inconsequenceofanoffensiveode,whichoneisnotnowknown,theyoungsingerof"Rouslan"and"Loudmila"wasconfinedinan


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obscurevillageinthefarinteriorofRussia,onlytwoofhisformercomradesatthelyceumhadthecouragetogotoseeandofferhimtheircondolence,andoneoftheseintrepidyouthswasPrinceGortchakof.OnefindsintheworkofPouchkinesomeverseswritteninalivelyandplayfulstyle,andwhichonlyderivetheirinterestfromthenameofAlexanderMikhalovitch,towhomtheyareaddressed.Inoneofthesejuvenilepieces,Pouchkinewisheshisfriend"tohaveCupidasaninseparablecompanionasfarasthebanksoftheStyx,andtogotosleeponthebosomofHelenintheveryboatofCharon."Thoughtlesswishes,whichhumanmalignitywouldsurelynothavefailedtocarryoutintheend,ifveryfortunatelythechancellorhadnotbeenabletopreservehisolddaysfromeverydeceitfulseduction,andtoavoideventheappearanceofanarcticRuyGomez.Theinspirationofthepoetwashappieranothertime,when,speakingoftheirdifferentvocations,hepredictsforAlexanderMikhalovitchasplendiddestiny,andcallshim"thebelovedchildoffortune."

Fortunewasneverthelessslowtorecognizeitschild,andtogivehimthelotwhichhemerited.Havingearlyenteredthedepartmentofforeignaffairs,beingattachedtothesuiteofM.deNesselrodeatthetimeoftheCongressesofLaybachandVerona,PrinceGortchakofhadalreadylongpassedthatperiodwhichDantecallsthemezzodelcammindivita;andevenwhenverynearhisfiftiethyear,wasstillonlyaministerplenipotentiaryatalittlecourtinGermany.Afortunateevent

atlastcametocommendhimtothekindnessofhismaster,andtorenderhimdistinguishedinthosediplomaticcircles,inthoseregions"freefromtears,butfilledwithsighs,"whichinthelanguageofdiplomacyarecalledthesecondaryposts.

Inamomentofpaternalweakness,theEmperorNicholashadonedayconsentedtotheunionofhisdaughter,theGrandDuchessMarie,withtheDukeofLeuchtenberg,"thesonofaBeauharnais,aCatholicofficerintheserviceoftheKingofBavaria,"aswaswhisperedwithsadnessintheintimatecirclesofthewinterpalace.Nicholaswasnotthemantoretracthisgivenword,butnotthelessdidhefeelthestingofwhathissurroundingcourtdidnotceasetocallamsalliance;andthebitternessincreasedwhennoneoftheforeignmembersoftheimperial

familycametotakepartinthebrilliantfestivitieswhichprecededorfollowedthenuptialceremony.Ill-luckwouldhaveitthatsoonafterwardsafirstcousinofthenewimperialson-in-lawanddaughteroftheex-KingJeromemarriedaRussiangrownrichintrade,aprinceinthevalleyoftheArnobutscarcelyagentlemanonthebanksoftheNeva,--adisagreeableaccident,andwhich,accordingtotheamazedcourtiers,madetheautocratofalltheRussiastherelationofoneofhissubjects!Itbecamenecessarytoeffacealltheseunpleasantimpressions,andtotake,byabrilliantalliance,anincontestablerevengeforsomanyvexations.ItwashopedforamomenttobeabletomarrytheGrandDuchessAlexandratoanarch-dukeofAustria,butitwasnecessarytofallbackonaprinceofDarmstadt;fortheGrandDuchessOlga,themostbeautifulandthemostbelovedoftheemperor's

daughters,hadbeenchosenbytheonlyprinceroyalthenunengaged,thepresumptiveheirtothethroneofWrtemberg,oftheoldandillustrioushouseofSuabia.

Theplanwasnoteasilyexecuted.ThegoodSuabianpeoplehadlittlelikingforit.ARussianmarriagemadeittrembleforitsconstitutionalliberties;andwhatwasagravermatter,theoldKingWilliamofWrtemberg,agood,liberalsovereign,butobstinateinallthings,showedhimselfratherreluctant,andathisownpleasureretardedthenegotiation.Otherobjectionscamefromothersidesstill;butthe


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RussianministerplenipotentiaryatStuttgart,theoldfellow-scholarofPouchkine,knewhowtoovercomethemallwithconsummateskill.Byaidofartandaddress,hewasabletoestablishtheGrandDuchessOlgaintheroyalfamilyofWrtemberg.ThejoyoftheEmperorNicholaswasgreatandunreserved,andthewinterpalacesangthepanegyricsofthewonderfuldiplomat.Aftersuchasuccess,PrinceGortchakofcouldwelldemandtobepromotedinhiscareer,havingapproachednearerbyseveralstridestowardsthatembassyofViennawhichwasconsideredasthesupremegoalofambition.Hedidnothingofthissort,however,andshowedanadmirablepatience,--thepatienceofthepatriarchJacobwithLaban,sonofNahor.TothefouryearswhichhehadalreadypassedatStuttgart,AlexanderMikhalovitchdeclaredhimselfreadytoaddanothertermmoreprolongedifitwerenecessary.Hepromisedtheempress-mothertoremainindefinitelybythesideoftheGrandDuchessOlga,toaidherasaguideandcounselorinaforeigncountryandinthemidstofsurroundingsentirelynewtoher.Barrenasthesoilmightbe,hedidnotdespairofgrowingthereunderthisrayofbeautyandofgrace,whichcamedirectlyfromthegreatborealsun;andintruthhekeptthispostatStuttgartforeightmorelongyears.Tenuesgrandiaconamur!

However,anypointofobservationisgoodforonewhounderstandshowtoadjusthisglassandquestionthestars.TheresidentministeratStuttgarthadextensiveinformationandfoundmeansofinforminghisgovernmentofmanythingsquiteoutsidethelimitsofthehorizonofthe

littlekingdomofWrtemberg.Soontheyear1848camewithitsterriblecatastrophes,withitsgreatrevolutionaryearthquakeswhichaddedtotheexperienceofthemostexperienced,whichlightenedwithasuddenglimmertheignorantdepthsofhumannature,and,inthewordsofMilton,lightenedthedarkness.Suchalessonofhistorywasnotwithoutprofit,onecanwellbelieve,totheformerscholarofZarkoe-Zeloe.Thesalonsandthecabinetsforalongtimehadhadnosecretsfromhim;henowknewthoseoftheforumandofthecross-roads.ThevicinityofFrankfort,seatofthefamousparliament,permittedhimtostudycloselyandfullytheGermanagitationofthismemorableepoch;heunderstoodbeforehandthephases,byturnsnave,burlesque,andodious,andwasabletopredictingoodtimetheunfailingmiscarriageofarevolution,thesubduedbillowsofwhichfoamedforadayeveninthestreetsof

Stuttgart,ordinarilysopeaceful.

ItwasinthemonthofApril,1849.Precedingbytwentyyearsthegreatworkof1870,theparliamentofFrankforthadjustformedaGermanEmpiretotheexclusionofAustria,andofferedthecrowntotheKingofPrussia,FrederickWilliamIV.TheKingofPrussiahesitated,andendedbydeclining;theotherGermanprinceswerestilllesswillingtoassenttoadecreewhichimpliedtheirabdication;butthiswasbynomeanstheplanoftheGermandemagogy.Itsuddenlyfellenthusiasticallyinlovewiththisconstitution,whichontheveryevebeforeithaddenouncedasreactionary,fataltothelibertiesofthepeople,anddesignedtoimposebyforcethePrussianvassalagedecreedatFrankfortondifferentsovereignsofGermany.InWrtemberg,thechamberofdeputiesvoteda

pressing,imperiousaddressinordertodrawfromthekingtherecognitionoftheEmperorFrederickWilliamIV.Themonarchrepliedbyarefusal.Theriotthunderedonthepublicsquare,andthemembersofthecourtwereforcedtoseekrefugeatLudwigsburg,fleeingfromanenragedcapital."IwillnotsubmittotheHouseofHohenzollern,"theoldKingWilliamofWrtemberghadsaidtothedeputationofthechamber."Ioweittomypeopleandtomyself.ItisnotformyselfthatIspeakthus;Ihavebutveryfewyearstolive.Mydutytomycountry,myHouse,myfamily,forcesthiscourseofactiononme."AlexanderMikhalovitch,touchedbytheseagitatingscenes,bythispathetic


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protestationofthefather-in-lawofOlga,"fortheHouse,forthefamilyofWrtemberg,"assuredlyhadthenbutlittleexpectationthatoneday,asChancelloroftheRussianEmpire,hewouldbecomethemostusefulauxiliary,thefirmestaidofanaggressive,audaciouspolicy,destinedtorealizeineveryparticulartheplanoftheriotersofStuttgart,andtomakeQueenOlgathevassalofHohenzollern.

Thiswas,however,nothingbutthenoisyprologueofadramayetfardistant,andtheyear1850couldindeedrejoiceatseeingdisappearinGermanytheverylasttracesofanagitationwhichhaddonenothingbutastonishEurope,insteadofilluminatingandwarningit.Towardstheendofthisyear,1850,theGermanConfederacywasestablishedanewunderthetermsoftheancienttreatyofVienna.TheBundestagagaincommenceditspeaceabledeliberations,andPrinceGortchakofwasquitenaturallyappointedtorepresenttheRussianGovernmentattheDietofFrankfort.AlexanderMikhalovitchhenceforthhadhismarkedplaceinagreatcentreofpoliticalaffairs,wherethepersonalmeritoftheministerborrowedapeculiarclatfromtheextraordinaryfortunewhichthelatesteventshadcreatedforhisaugustmaster.Russianinfluence,atalltimesveryconsiderablewiththerulinghousesofGermany,hadgrownprodigiously,havingreacheditszenith,onewillremember,afterthedisordersofFebruary.AloneremainingshelteredfromtherevolutionarytempestwhichhadsweptoveralmostalltheStatesoftheContinent,theempireoftheczarsappearedtobeatthat

timethefirmeststrongholdoftheprinciplesoforderandconservatism."Humiliateyourselves,nations,Godiswithus!"saidtheEmperorNicholasinacelebratedproclamation;andwithoutbeingtoomuchoffendedatlanguagewhichmadeGodinamannertheaccessorytoagreathumanboast,monarchicalEuropehadonlyacclamationsforaprincewho,afterall,workedwitharemarkabledisinterestednessfortherestablishmentofthelegitimateauthorities,andforthemaintenanceoftheequilibriumoftheworld.

Infact,itisjusttoacknowledgethatinthesetroubledyearsof1848-50,theautocratoftheNorthusedhisinfluence,asalsohissword,onlytostrengthenthetotteringthronesandtoenforcerespectforthetreaties.HeeffectivelyprotectedDenmark,towardswhichfrom

thisepochtherapacioushandofGermanywasstretched,andhewasthemostardentincallingameetingofthePowers,whichendedbysnatchingfromtheGermansthecovetedprey.HeinterposeddirectlyinHungary,andwithhismilitaryforceshelpedputdownaformidableinsurrectionthere,whichhadshakentoitsfoundationstheancientempireofHapsburg,underminedatthesametimebyintestinetroublesandanaggressivewarwhichthekingdomofPiedmonthadtwicestirredupagainstit.LittlefavoringbyhisprinciplesandintereststhisunitedGermany,"ofwhichthefirstthoughtwasathoughtofunjustextension,thefirstcryacryofwar,"[3]helaterusedallhispowerinbringingabouttherestablishmentpureandsimple,oftheGermanConfederationonthesamebasisaspriorto1848.ThebondsofrelationshipandoffriendshipwhichunitedhimtothecourtofBerlinwereneverstrong

enoughtomakehimabandonforasingleinstantthecauseofthesovereigntyofprinces,andoftheindependenceoftheStates;andinspiteofthesincereaffectionwhichhebore"hisbrother-in-law,thepoet,"heneithersparedtheKingofPrussia,FrederickWilliamIV.,theevacuationoftheDuchies,northehardconditionsofOlmtz.DefenderofEuropeanrightontheEiderandtheMain,ofmonarchicalrightontheTheissandDanube,peacemakerforGermany,and,sotosay,wholesaledealerinjusticeforEurope,Nicholashadatthismomentatruegreatness,animmenseprestige,wellmeritedonthewhole,andwhichallowednoreflectionontheagentschargedwithrepresentingawayfrom


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homeapolicyofwhichnoonedaredcontesttheimmovablefirmnessandtheperfectjustice.

TheEmperorNicholas,inaccreditingPrinceGortchakoftotheGermanConfederation,inanautographletterdated11thNovember,1850,recognizedinthereunionoftheDietofFrankfort"apledgeforthemaintenanceofthegeneralpeace,"andthuscharacterizedbyanableandjudiciousact,thehonorableandsalutarymissionofthisDietinorderingmatterscreatedbythetreatiesof1815.HoweverlegitimatethegrievancesoftheliberalGermanswereagainsttheinternalpolicyoftheBund[4]anditstendencies,littlefavorabletothedevelopmentoftheconstitutionalrgime,yetonecannotdenythat,accordingtotheEuropeanpointofview,andwithregardtotheequilibriumandthegeneralpeaceoftheworld,thiswasamarvelousconception,wellfittedtopreservetheindependenceoftheStatesandtohinderanydeepperturbationinthebosomoftheChristianfamily.Thechimericalandmercantilemindsofthetimes,theleadingmenofManchesterandtherichpublicists,withatleast"oneideaaday,"imaginedthatthiswasthemomenttodeclare"wartowar,"toforceauniversaldisarmament,toabolishmilitaryslavery;andtothiseffecttheyconvokednoisycongressesofpeaceindifferentpartsoftheworld.Theyhad,indeed,inadayofnavet,convokedoneatFrankfort,withoutsuspectingthatbytheirside,andinthisveryBundestagofsuchmodestappearance,hadsatforalongtimeatrueandpermanentcongressof

peace,--acongresswhichwoulddoasmuchgoodaspossible,andwhich,moreover,wouldhavetheadvantageofnotbeingridiculous.

PlacedintheverycentreofEurope,separatingbyitslargeandimmovablebodythegreatmilitarypowerswhichformtheborder,sotospeak,ofouroldcontinent,--apowerneutralbynecessityandalmostbylawoverthosegreatplains,whereinformertimesthedestiniesofempiresweredecided,--theGermanConfederationformedanensembleofStatessufficientlycoherentandcompacttorepulseanyshockfromabroad,yetnotstrongenoughtobecomeaggressiveitselfandtomenacethesecurityofitsneighbors.Manyyearslater,andwhenchancelloroftheempire,PrinceGortchakof,inacelebratedcircular,renderedhomagetothisbeneficialcombinationoftheBund,"acombinationpurelyand

exclusivelydefensive,"whichpermittedthelocalizationofawar,becomeinevitable,"insteadofgeneralizingitandofgivingtothestruggleacharacterandproportionsbeyondallhumancalculation,andwhichinanycasewouldpileupruinsandcausetorrentsofbloodtoflow."[5]

Intruth,ifinthislonghalfcenturywhichintervenedbetweentheCongressofViennaandtheill-omenedbattleofSadowa,thefrontiersoftheStateshavechangedsolittleinspiteofsomanyandsogreatchangesintheirpoliticalcomplexion;iftherevolutionofJuly,thecampaignofBelgium,andeventhewarsoftheCrimeaandItalyhavebeencarriedonwithoutnoticeablydisturbingthebalanceofthenations,orinjuringthemintheirindependence,wearespeciallyindebtedtothis

Bundestagsounappreciated,whichbyitsveryexistence,byitsposition,andthewheelworkofitscompletedmechanism,preventedanyconflictfrombecomingageneralconflagration.Itisdoubtfulwhetherthecauseofhumanityandcivilization,ortheverycausewhichthechancellorofRussiamorespeciallyrepresentswithsuchfacilityandclat,havegainedinanyconsiderabledegreeinseeingthisold"combination"replacedinourtimebyanother,moresimple,itistrue,but,perhaps,alsomuchlesscalculatedtorestoreconfidence.

Whileacquittinghimselfzealouslyofthedutiesofhisofficein


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connectionwiththeGermanicConfederation,AlexanderMikhalovitchcontinuedtooccupythepostofministerplenipotentiaryatStuttgart.HeheldittobeamatterofhonortofulfilltotheendhisconfidentialandintimatemissionbythesideoftheGrandDuchessOlga.HedividedhistimebetweenthefreecityontheMain,theseatoftheBund,andthelittlecapitalonthebanksoftheNeckar,whereawarmandkindinterestalwaysgreetedhim.AtFrankforthetookespecialpleasureinthesocietyofhisPrussiancolleague,ayounglieutenantintheLandwehr,[6]anentirenoviceinthediplomaticcareer,althoughmarkedoutforsuchaprodigiousdestiny.TherehadbeensettledhereformanyyearsagreatRussiancelebrity,apoet,whowasatthesametimeaninfluentialcourtier,andwhocouldnotbeoverlookedbyadiplomatwithaloveforintellectualenjoyments,andwhohadbeenaschool-fellowofPouchkine.ThegoodandmildVassiliJoukofskihadcertainlynoneofthegeniusofPouchkine,norhisindependentandardentcharacter.Moreproperlyafacileversifierandaningenioustranslatorthanacreativeandoriginalmind,withanaturerathereffeminateandcontemplative,theformerlyrenownedauthorof"Ondine"hadearlymadehispeacewiththeofficialsocietywhichthedespoticwillofNicholashadcreated,andhadalwayssunnedhimselfintheraysofimperialfavor.

Duringhislongandpleasantcareeraspoetatthecourt,hehadnotbeenwithoutdignitiesandhonors.He,however,hadamissionmuchmore

importantandhonorable;hewaschargedwithdirectingtheeducationoftheheir-presumptive,Alexander,thepresentemperor,andofhisbrothertheGrandDukeConstantine.Joukofskidevotedhimselftothistaskwithintelligenceandardor,andretainedtheaffectionofhistwoaugustpupilstotheendofhislife.AproofofthisfactisthecorrespondencewhichensuedandwhichhestillmaintainedwiththemwhileatFrankfort.Theseletterswerepublishedquiterecently.Afterhavingfinishedtheeducationofthegranddukes,hemadeavoyageofpleasureinGermany.AtDsseldorfhefoundacompanionforlife,muchyoungerthanhimself,butsharingallhistastes,evenhischarmingweaknesses.HefinallyselectedahomeonthebanksoftheMain,atFrankfort.

Thus,asithappenstomorethanoneofhiscompatriots,Joukofski,livingentirelyinaforeigncountry,andbeingindeedmanifestlyunwillingtoreturntohisnativeland,consideredtheOccidentmiserablysunkenandcorrupted,andhopedonlyin"holyRussia"fortherenovationandsafetyofaworldoverrunandpossessedbythedemonofrevolution.TheeventsofFebruaryonlyservedtoconfirmhiminthesegloomyvisionsandtoplungehimmoreandmoreintoanuneasymysticism,attimesevenirritating,butmoreofteninoffensiveandnotdevoidofacertainunhealthycharm.ThecampaignofHungarycausedamomentarydiversioninhissadthoughts,andfilledhimwithjoy.ItwasnotsomuchtheglorywithwhichtheRussianarmycovereditselfwhichpleasedhismind;itwasnoteventhetriumphattainedbytheRussiansword,theswordofSt.Michael,over"theimpurebeast:"hisprayers,hishopes

wentfarbeyond.Hehoped--thushewrotetohisimperialpupilthatthegreatczarwouldprofitbythepowerwhichGodhadgivenhimandwould"solveaproblemonwhichthecrusadeshadstranded;"thatistosay,thatheshoulddrivetheinfidelfromByzantium,andliberatetheholyland.Mme.Joukofski,althoughbornaProtestant,feltinunisonwithhermelancholyhusband.Hersoulhadneedofa"principleofauthority,"whichfailedherinthereformedconfession,andwhichshesoughtonedayintheOrthodoxChurch,tothegreatjoyofthepoet,without,however,beingabletofindthereperfectrest.


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SometimesinthesalonoftheJoukofskitheconversationswerestrangelyvariedandbizarre,onliterature,politics,thegloriousdestiniesofholyRussia,theinanityofmoderncivilization,thenecessityof"aneweruptionofChristianity,"andonmanymattersinvisibleand"ineffable."Occasionallytherefellintothemidstofthissalon,likeafantasticapparition,likeaghostfromtheworldofspirits,ageniusoriginalandpowerfulinaverydifferentway,butalsotormentedandtroubleddifferentlyfromthegoodcourtpoetandformerpreceptorofthegranddukes.AfterhavingunveiledthehideoussoresofRussiansocietywithavigorous,implacablehand,afterhavingpresentedtohisnation,in"LesAmesMortes"andin"L'Inspecteur,"apicturewhoseviceswereappallingwithtruthandlife,NicholasGogolsuddenlygaveupindespaircivilization,progress,andliberty,andbetakinghimselftoadorethatwhichhehadburned,valuednothingbutbarbarianMuscovy,sawnosalvationbutindespotism,thoughthimselfinastateof"unpardonable"sin,andwentinsearchofdivinepitywhichalwaysfledfromhim.ShortlyafterwardshewentfromSt.PetersburgtoRome,thentoJerusalem,thentoParis,everywhereseekingappeasementforhislaceratedsoul.ThenhecamefromtimetotimetoJoukofski,andpassedwholeweeksinhishouse,exhortinghisfriendstoprayer,torepentance,andtocontemplationofthedivinemysteries.Therewerediscussionswithoutend,withoutatruce,onthe"heathensoftheOccident,"on"acrusade,"whichwasdrawingnear,ontheredemptionofsinfulhumanitybyaracenotyetdefiled,andwhichhadkeptitsfaith.

Atseveralrevivalsthephysicianswereforcedtointerferetoputanendtoaconnectionnotwithoutperil.OnedayGogolwasfound,havingdiedofinanition,prostratebeforetheholyimages,intheadorationofwhichhehadlostallthoughtofhimself....Maywebepardonedforthisshortdigression.ItmakesusacquaintedwiththestateofthemindsofacertainRussiansocietytowardstheendofthereignofNicholas,andaddsacuriousstroketothepictureoftheoriginsofthewarintheOrient.Onedelights,however,tothinkofAlexanderMikhalovitchinthissalonoftheJoukofski,onaneveningforinstance,duringsuchanintellectualconflictwiththepoorGogol.Thediplomat,equallycultivatedandskeptical,wascertainlymadetorecognizethebrightandbrilliantflasheswhichfurrowedthosedrivingcloudsinagreat,disorderedmind;andhewasmadetounravelmorethanonestrongand

thrillingthoughtfromthemidstofthosestrangeramblingsconcerninganimminentcrusadeandtheneardeliveranceofZion.

Whowouldhavethoughtit?Itwasthesemystics,thesemenlaboringunderhallucinations,whohadthetruepresentimentandsawthesignsofthetimes!WhileJoukofskicomposedhis"CommentaryonHolyRussia,"andGogolmortifiedhimselfbeforetheicnes,theEmperorNicholasrevolvedinhismindthegreatthoughtofacrusade,andpreparedinthemostprofoundsecrecythemissionofPrinceMenchikof.ThefactthatthemonarchwhohaddonesomuchforpreservingthepeaceandequilibriumofEuropehadsuddenlydecidedtothrowsuchafire-brandofwarinthemidstofthecontinentscarcelyconsolidated,whileontheotherhandtheautocrathadawaitedpreciselythisepochofrelativecalmandof

therestablishmentofgeneralordertoannouncehisdesigns,inplaceofexecutingthemboldlysomeyearsbeforeduringtherevolutionarytempestwhichparalyzedalmostallthePowers,hisarmiesbeingalreadyintheveryheartofHungaryandcommandingthebanksoftheDanube,--thesefactswillbefortheimpartialhistoriananevidentproofofthegoodfaithwithwhichtheczarundertookhisfatalcampaign,ofthemysticalblindnesswhichguidedhisspiritatthistime,andoftheprofoundconvictionwhichhehadofthejusticeofhiscause.DidPrinceGortchakofpartakeinthesamemeasureoftheillusionsofhismaster?Wedoubtwhetherhedid.Webelievethat,like


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theKisselef,theMeyendorf,theBrunnow,andallthedistinguisheddiplomatsofRussia,withoutexceptingthechancelloroftheempire,theoldCountNesselrode,hewasconsciousofthegreaterrortowardwhichaproudprince,whoallowednoobjectionsandunderstoodbeing"hisownministerofforeignaffairs,"wastending.ThatnaturallydidnotpreventtheRussianrepresentativetotheGermanConfederationfromfulfillinghisdutywithallthezealwhichcircumstancessocriticalmadenecessary,andfromplacingthevariousresourcesofhismindattheserviceofhiscountryinthesphereofactionwhichwasreservedforhim.

Eventsdidnotmakeitofmuchimportance.IntheBundestagwereconcentratednotonlyalltheeffortsofthesecondaryStatesoftheconfederation,buttherealsowereformedorconceivedtheprojects,thepreparations,andeventhedesiresofthetwoprincipalGermanpowers,theassistanceofwhichRussiaontheonesideandFranceandEnglandontheother,wereequallyconcernedinobtaining.PrinceGortchakofcouldnotcomplainoftheturnaffairstookinGermany.FrederickWilliamIV.wasfaithfulagainsteverytemptation.Theczarcouldcountinanycaseon"hisbrother-in-law,thepoet;"andAlexanderMikhalovitchfoundanequallyfirmsupportinhiscolleagueofPrussia,theyoungofficeroftheLandwehr.ThecabinetofBerlinconsentedfromtimetotimetojoinintherepresentationswhichthealliessenttoSt.Petersburg,tosigninconcertwiththemthesamenote,orone

analogousorconcordant.Butitdidnottakelongtoseethatitonlydidthistoretardtheirmovements,andtodeterthemfromanyenergeticresolution.Atdecisivemomentsitstoppedshort,hesitated,andpretendedtopreserve"lamainlibre"(freeHand).TheothermembersoftheBundweremuchmoresympatheticandmorefranklywonovertotheRussianpolicy.TheydidnotthinkthedemandsoftheczaragainstTurkeyatallexorbitant,andtroubledthemselvesverylittleaboutthepreservationofthe"sickman."Theylikewisedesiredtopreserve"lamainlibre,"closedtheirranksinthefamousconferencesofBamberg,andwereattimesallreadytodrawtheirswords.Intruth,AlexanderMikhalovitchshowedinthesequel,inthefatalyear1866,verylittlegratitude,verylittledistributivejustice,forthesepoorsecondaryStates,sodevoted,soserviceable,soimmovablyattachedatthetimeof

theOrientalcrisis.

WhileatLondonandatParisvehementcommentsweremadeinthecelebrateddispatchesofSirHamiltonSeymour,andtheambitiousprojectsofRussiaweredenouncedthere,atHanover,atDresden,atMunich,atStuttgart,atCassel,nothingbutcensurewasheardagainsttheproceedingsofthealliesandtheir"usurpations."AtBerlintheygroanedallthemoreatseeingChristianmonarchiesundertakesoardentlythedefenseoftheCrescent.AsingleGermanicpower,however,atthattimethelargestitistrue,maintainedadifferentattitude;asingleonethoughtthecauseofthealliesjust,seemed,indeed,atmomentstobeinclinedtomakecommoncausewiththem;andthatpowerwasAustria,--Austria,butlatelysuccoredbytheRussianarms;savedby

thestrongandgeneroushandoftheczarontheverybrinkoftheabyss;"saved"byhimfromsuddendissolution.Theastonishment,thestupefaction,theexasperationoftheEmperorNicholasknewnobounds.TheentireRussiannationsharedhissentiments,--AlexanderMikhalovitchlikeeverypatrioticMuscovite."TheimmenseingratitudeofAustria"becameeventhentheunanimouscry,--thesibolethofeverypoliticalfaithinthevastempireoftheNorth;andsoithasremainedeventoourdays.

ItisnecessarytolaystressuponthissentimentborninRussiain


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consequenceoftheOrientalconflict,andtodiscusstherealcausesforit;forthissentimenthasproducedincalculableeffects.Ithascontributedlargelytotherecentcatastrophes;ithasdictatedmorethanoneextremeresolutiontothecabinetofSt.Petersburg;ithasmadeitabandonitsvenerabletraditions,--itsprinciples,consecratedbytheexperienceofgenerationsandseeminglyimmovable,havingbecome,inacertainsense,thearcanaimperiiofthedescendantsofPetertheGreat.Tosumup,ithasgovernedthegeneralpolicyofthesuccessorofNesselrodeduringthelasttwentyyears.

AssuredlyRussiahadtherighttocountontherecognitionofAustriaafterthesignalandincontestableservicewhichithadrenderedherin1849.ThearmieswhichtheczarthensenttothesuccorofthetotteringempireofHapsburgcontributedpowerfullytosuppressafatal,menacinginsurrectionthere;andifitistruethatinordertoobtainthissuccoritwassufficienttorecalltotheCzarNicholasawordgivenlongbeforeinamomentofconfidentialintimacy,theactiondoesnotbecomethelessmeritorious,anddoessomuchthemorehonortotheheartoftheautocrat.[7]ItwouldbedifficulttodenythatthisinterventioninHungaryhadnotagenerousandchivalriccharacterwhichastonishedthecontemporariesandtheclever.Thecleverones,thestatesmen,who,atthistroubledepochofEurope,hadstillpreservedenoughliberalspirittocasttheireyestowardtheDanube,--LordPalmerstonamongothers,--remainedforalongtimeincredulous,and

endeavoredtodivinetherewardpaidfortheaidthatwaslent.ShouldnottheczarretainGaliciaasarecompenseforhisassistance?WouldhenotprocuresomepositiveassurancefromthesideofthePrincipalities?wasaskedintheofficesofDowningStreet.Nothingofthesorthappened,however.TheRussiansleftAustriawithoutareward,astheyhadentereditwithoutanarrire-pense,andthetroopsofPaskvitchevacuatedthecountryoftheCarpathiansunladenwithbooty.AyoungandardentoratorinthePrussianchambers,withthename(asyetbutlittleknown)deBismarck,--thesamewhofifteenyearslaterwastoprojectstrikingacoupaucoeurandarmingthelegionsofKlapka,--admiredatthismomentthebrilliantactionoftheczar,andonlyexpressedthepatrioticregretthatthismagnanimousrlehadnotfallentohisowncountry,toPrussia.ItwasforPrussiatobringassistancetoitselder

brotherinGermany,to"itsformercomradeinarms."[8]Butitisallowabletosupposethat,evenwithakingasloyalandpoeticasFrederickWilliamIV.,affairswouldhavebeenconductedmuchlesshandsomelythanwiththebarbarianoftheNorth,andthatsimilaraidfromPrussiawouldhavecosttheempireofHapsburgapartofSilesiaorapartofitsinfluenceontheMain.

Shallwesay,then,thatininterveninginHungarytheEmperorofRussiaactedfrompurechivalryandplatonicfriendship,thathehadnothoughtofpersonalinterestandthegoodofhisempire?Certainlynot;andtheczarhadtoomuchloyaltynottoavowitfrankly.HeintervenedinHungary,notonlyasthefriendoftheHapsburg,notonlyasthedefenderofthecauseoforderagainstcosmopolitanrevolution;themost

powerfulmotiveindecidinghimwasthepresenceintheHungarianarmyofPolishgeneralsandofficers,whointendedtocarrythewarintothecountriessubjectedtoRussianrule.Inhismanifestofthe8thMay,1849,Nicholasexpressedhimselfasfollows:"TheinsurrectionsustainedbytheinfluenceofourtraitorsfromPoland,oftheyear1831,hasgiventotheHungarianrevoltanextensionmoreandmoremenacing....Hismajesty,theEmperorofAustria,hasinvitedustoassistagainstthecommonenemy....Wehaveorderedourarmyunderwaytoquelltherevolt,andtodestroytheaudaciousanarchists,whoequallymenacethetranquillityofourprovinces."Thelanguagewasclearandfrank,as


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wasfittingforasovereignpreservingtheconsciousnessofhisdignity.Thissovereignintendedtorenderhimselfaserviceaswellashisally.Hewasgoingtostifleinhisneighbors'territoryanincendiaryfirewhichthreatenedtoharmhisowndomains;andintheactofintervening,letitbewellunderstood,heatthesametimeactedinself-preservation.

Well!itseemsaccordingtoalljusticethatthegratitudeshouldcorrespondtotheservicerendered,andthatthelawofpreservation,thesupremelawofnature,shouldhaveequalforceforthepartyunderobligationsasforthebenefactor.Thereisnopolicyintheworld,wereiteventakenfromHolyWritwhichcouldadvisevoluntaryservitude;thereisnodoctrine,howeversublimeonewishestoimagineit,which,amongthedutiesoftheconfession,recommendssuicide.Now,itwasnothinglessthanabsolutesubjection,theruinofitspersonalityasagreatEuropeanState,whichtheRussiansdemandedofAustriaindemandingitsassenttotheirpretensionsagainsttheOrient.Bygeography,bythespiritofraces,byreligion,theRussianenterpriseswouldstrikeamortalblowattheempireoftheHapsburg,ifthisempireallowedthemtotriumph.ADanubianpower,AustriashouldtakecarethattheLowerDanuberemainedneutral,andthatitshouldnotfallintothehandsofapowerfulneighbor,whowouldthenbecomemasterofthisgreatriver.ASclavicpowerinitsOrientalprovinces,itoughttoguardagainstbeingplacedinimmediatecontactwithanempirepan-Sclavicby

traditionandbyfatality,anditcouldnotwishittobeplantedinthePrincipalities,inBosniaandHerzegovania.ACatholicpower,itwasforbiddentorecognizetheinfluenceandtheprotectoratewhichtheorthodoxczarclaimedovertheChristiansoftheGrecianrite,ofwhomitcountedseveralmillionsamongitssubjects."MyconductinthequestionoftheOrient!Whyitiswrittenonamap?"saidCountBuol,tohisbrother-in-law,M.deMeyendorf,theRussianambassador.Headdedthatitwasalsowritteninhistory."Ihavemadenoinnovation.IhaveonlyinheritedthepoliticallegacyofM.deMetternich."

Infact,inapreviouscrisis,atthetimeoftheHellenicinsurrectionandthewarof1828,thegrandchancellorofthecourtandoftheempirehaddefendedthisprincipleoftheintegrityoftheOttomanEmpirewith

afirmnesswhichnothingcoulddisturb.Duringeightyearshehaddefendedit,bravingthestormalone,notallowinghimselftobediscouragedeitherbytheunpopularitythenattachingtotheTurkishcauseorbythedesertionofFrance.WhyshouldtheRussianshopethatAustriawouldnowdesertthisprinciplesovitalforher,thatshewoulddesertitattheverymomentwhenitcommencedtotriumphovertheindifferenceoftheOccident,andcountedFranceandEnglandamongitsmostearnestchampions?

Placedbetweenasentimentofgratitudeverylivelyandreal,aswehavesaid,andagreatpoliticalnecessity,thegovernmentofViennahascertainlydoneforgratitudeallthatitowed.Itlavishedwarnings,prayers,goodoffices,offersofmediationontheEmperorNicholas.

AustriapardonedRussiamorethanonewantofrespect,morethanoneactionofillhumor;itpardonedherthemorethanairytoneinwhichithadbeendisposedofintheeffusionswithSirHamiltonSeymour,--themannerinwhichacertainautographletteroftheEmperorFrancisJosephhadbeenreceivedatSt.Petersburg,--thehaughty,almostinsultingattitudeofCountOrlofduringhismissionatVienna.Itdidnotceasetilltheendtocalmtheirritationoftheallies,tomodifyandaltertheirprogramme,toasserttheconciliatingdispositionoftheczar,tohopeagainstallhope.Itpleadedonlyforthereturninstatuquo,repudiatinganyideaofhumiliatingorweakeningRussia;it


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demandednothingfromherbutthefreedomoftheDanube,therenunciationoftheprotectorate,andrefusedtofollowthealliesintheirdemandsconcerningtheBlackSea.Unfortunately,asithappenstoooftentohimwhowishestobeequitableandjusttowardsallparties,theAustriangovernment,bythisconduct,endedbyalienatingFranceandEnglandandexasperatingtheRussians.Inthesummerof1854,attheverymomentwhenPrinceGortchakofexchangedhispostatFrankfortforthatatVienna,aneminentpublicist,whowasthen,sotospeak,themouth-pieceoftheOccident,andofitsgenerousspirits,almostdespairedofAustria,andcriedwithbitternessthatoverthere,intheBurg,"theRussianalliancewassomethingassacredasareligion,asfixedaspropriety,andaspopularasafashion!"Inthespringofthefollowingyear,thecabinetsofParisandofLondonresisted,astoofavorabletoRussia,anewplanofarrangementpresentedbyCountBuol,andtheFrenchgovernmentonthisoccasionreproachedAustria,inthe"MoniteurOfficiel,"withofferinganexpedientratherthanasolution.

Thesolution!TheEmperorFrancisJosephcertainlyhaditinhishands,anditperhapsdependedonlyonhimtorenderitasdecisiveandasradicalasthemostmortalenemiesofRussiacouldwish.Whynotconfessit?ToseethebitterfruitgatheredbyAustriainconsequenceofitshonorableeffortsduringtheOrientalcrisis,andtoseetheimplacablehatredandthecrueldisasterswhichfelltoitslotbecauseofitsattitudethen,onesurprisesone'sselfsometimesinregretting

thatthecabinetofViennahadsomanyscruplesatthismemorableepoch.Onealmostreproachesitfornothavinggivenproofofthatindependenceofheartwhichseems,alas!theforced,indispensableconditionfortheindependenceofstates.IfAustriahadwishedtobealittlelessgratefulandalittlelesspoliticduringthiswaroftheOrient,shewouldhaveresolutelyjoinedherselftoFranceandEngland,shewouldhavetakenpartinthestruggle,andinsteadoflettingthealliesroveforyearsaroundthebordersofRussia,intheBlackSeaandBaltic,shewouldhaveopenedforthemthefieldsofPoland,andhaveenteredtherewiththem.Inplaceof"ticklingthesouloftheColossusoroffilingoffanail,"--asRussianpublicistssaidlater,andnotwithoutjustice,--theyshouldthenhavegivenhimacoupaucoeur,--oneofthoseblowsthatthegreatrecluseofVarzinknowshowtoplanandgive.

ThecabinetoftheTuilerieswouldnothaverefusedtodothis.Inhisdispatchofthe26thMarch,1855,M.DrouyndeLhuyslaiddownveryskillfullythequestionofPoland;neitherwouldthecabinetofSt.Jameshaveraisedseriousobjections.Astotheprobablesuccessofsuchanenterprise,itsufficestorememberthatRussiawasattheendofitsresources,andthatPrussiahadnotyetre-formeditsmilitaryorganization,wasnotyetinpossessionofits"instrument,"andlastlythatinplaceofWilliamtheConqueror,FredericktheRomanticoccupiedthethroneoftheHohenzollern.ThemindisconfoundedbeforethecontemplationoftheconsequenceswhichsuchadecisiononthepartoftheEmperorFrancisJosephmighthavecaused.Thefaceoftheworldwouldhavebeenchanged;AustriawouldcertainlynothaveseenSadowa[9]in1866;EuropewouldnothaveseenthedismembermentofDenmark,nor

thedestructionoftheBund,northeconquestofAlsaceandLorraine.

Itwasinthesummerof1854,aswehavesaidabove,thatPrinceGortchakofwassenttoVienna.Hereplacedthere,firstprovisionally,andinthefollowingspring,definitely,BarondeMeyendorf,whosesituationhadbecomeunpleasantinconsequenceofhistiesofverynearrelationshipwiththeAustrianMinisterofForeignAffairs.AlexanderMikhalovitchatlastheldthatpostatViennatowhichhehadsolongatimeaspired,thepostwhich,withthatofLondon,wasconsidered,underthereignofNicholas,asthehighestinRussiandiplomacy,likethe


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btonofamarshalinhiscareer.Butnowhowfullthishonorwasofbitterness,andwhatpatrioticpangsaccompaniedadistinctionformerlyardentlywishedfor,to-dayacceptedthroughdevotiontohissovereignandhiscountry!Onthisground,formerlysopleasantandsmiling,theenvoyoftheczarcouldeverywhereseenothingbutbriersandthorns.Inthiscapital,renownedforitsboisterousgayetyandtoofrequentfrivolity,hereceivednothingbutdisastrousanddistractingnews.Andthis"Austrianingratitude,"whichhehadonlyhadglimpsesofandcombatedfromafarduringhismissionatFrankfort,hecouldnowlookintheface--andsmileatit!Thereisagriefgreaterthanthericordaretempifelicinellamiseria;itistoseeadreamofhappinessturnintoarealityofmisery,andonecaneasilyunderstandwhatatreasureofgallthissojournatViennamusthaveheapedupinthewoundedheartoftheRussianpatriot.[10]

Itissuperfluoustolaystressupontheactivitywhichthenewenvoyoftheczardisplayedinthisunhappymission;tomentiontheinfinitevarietyofmeanswhichheplacedattheserviceofhiscause,especiallyduringtheconferencesofVienna,whichwereopenedafterthedeathofNicholasandtheaccessionoftheEmperorAlexanderII.Thatwasamovingsightandonewhichwastrulynotwantingingrandeur,thatofthetwoGortchakof,onebehindtherampartsofSebastopol,theotherbeforethecouncilboardofVienna,bothdefendingtheircountrywithanequaltenacity,onlyyieldingeachinchofgroundaftera

desperatecombat,forcedintotheirlastintrenchments,buthonoredeventotheendbyloyalandchivalrousadversaries.To-dayanepoch"ofironandofblood"hasaccustomedustothesummaryproceedings--wehadalmostsaidexecutions--ofNikolsburg,ofFerrires,ofVersailles,andofFrankfort,andamartiallawusedbythediplomatsinhelmetshasreplacedthatwhichaformerEurope,fullofprejudices,lovedtocalltherightofnations.To-dayitisdifficulttoresistasentimentofastonishment,almostofincredulity,inre-readingtheprotocolsoftheseconferencesofVienna,whereeverythingbreathesdecorum,politeness,urbanity,andmutualrespect.Onethinkshimselfcarriedbacktoanidyllicage,onefarfromus,toaworldofancientgentlemen.M.DrouyndeLhuys,MinisterofForeignAffairsinFrance,LordJohnRussell,untillatelyPresidentofthePrivyCouncilof

England,didnotthinkitbeneaththeirdignitytogoinpersontoViennatodiscusstherewithPrinceGortchakofthepossibleconditionsofapeace.Russiahadlostseveralgreatbattles,thealliedfleetshadblockadedallitsseasandevenmenaceditscapital.ThatdidnotpreventtheFrenchandEnglishplenipotentiariesfromtreatingitwithalldeference,withalltherespectwhichthediplomacyofthisgoodoldtimecouldemploy.Theydisplayedaveritableartintheinventionofeuphemisms;theygavethemselvespainstofindthemildestmediums,themostacceptabletermsfortherepresentativeofavanquishedpower.Indeed,thatexcellentLordJohnRussellforcedkindnesssofarastorecall,andthatinthefaceofM.DrouyndeLhuys,thatEnglandhadmadeLouisXIV.submittoconditionsmuchharderandmorehumiliating.[11]Thatwas,perhaps,theonlyinstanceofwantoftact

whichonecanfindintheconferencesofVienna,andyetwhatwasitbutacourteousnessfromanallytoanally?AsforAustria,itexhausteditselfinfindingmeanstosparethesusceptibilitiesofRussia,andendedbypresentingaplanofarrangementwhichwasjudgedinacceptablebythecabinetsofLondonandParis,anddrewonitthereproachofthe"MoniteurOfficiel,"ofwhichwehavealreadyspoken.

Negotiationswerebrokenoff,andnothingcouldbedonebuttoawaittheissueofthesupremecombatunderthewallsofSebastopol.TheRussianplenipotentiaryawaiteditathispostinViennainthetwofoldanguish


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ofapatriotandarelation.ThebulwarkoftheCrimeafell,andRussiafounditselfinthemostcriticalsituation.Itwasexhausted,--indeedmuchmoreexhaustedthanEuropethenthought,--andtheprolongationofthewarwouldhaveinfalliblytransportedthehostilitiestotheplainsofPoland.AtthismomentAustriaintervenedanew.ItagreedtothedemandsmadebythealliesattheconferenceofVienna,--eventhatclauseconcerningtheneutralizationoftheBlackSea,whichithadhithertoresistedastoowoundingtoRussia.ItwasnotpossibletorefusethissatisfactiontothealliesafterthecaptureofSebastopol.Inreality,theseweretheeasiestconditionswhichhaveeverbeenimposedonapoweratthecloseofawarsolong,sobloody,andofsuchincontestablevictories.Austriadidmore;itsenttheseconditionsunderformofanultimatum,declaringthatitwouldmakecommoncausewiththealliesiftheywerenotaccepted;andRussiaacceptedthem.Tolookatitplainly,thiswasaservicerenderedtoayoungsovereign,who,havinginheritedadisastrouswar,thusfoundthemeanstospareatthesametimethememoryofhispredecessorandtheprideofhispeople.Hecouldsaynowthathehadonlymadepeacebecauseofanewadversary,whohadarisenatthesideoftheoldones,andwhomhisfatherdidnotcounton.Infact,itwassaidinRussia,--itwasbelieved,indeed,somuchwasitintheirinteresttobelieveit.TheRussianpeoplewerequicklyreconciledwiththeconquerorsofAlmaandofMalakof.Asinglepowerremainedintheireyesresponsiblefortheirdisasters,--thepowerwhichduringthewholewarhadrestedonitsarms.Evenatthishour

everyRussianheartboilswithindignationatthethoughtofAustria,ofitsimmenseingratitudeanditsgreattreason.

AlexanderMikhalovitchsharedthesebitternesses,thesepopularrancors,andbecamethemostenergeticandopenlyavowedrepresentativeofthem.Inthisrespectheallowedhissentimentstoburstforthwithafranknesswhichapproachedverynearlytoostentation.AremarkutteredbyhimduringthesessionoftheCongressatParis,isstillcitedatVienna:"Austriaisnotastate,itisonlyagovernment."ThesewordsprecededhimtoSt.Petersburgandmadehisfortunethere.Thepopularvoicedesignatedhimasthefutureavenger,asthemandestinedtoprepareforhisnationabrilliantrevenge;andtheacutediplomatdidnottroublehimselftocontrovertsuchanopinion.Already,however,at

thisCongressofPariscertaintendencies,certaindesireswererevealed,whichgavehope,whichevenopenedhorizonsentirelynew.ThenameofItalywaspronouncedthere.Roumaniaitselffoundthereanunexpectedsupport.AtthisstrangeCongress,whichdefinitelyregulatedtheconditionsofapeacethatFrance,England,andAustriahadimposedonRussia,Austriaappearedgloomyandmorose,Englandirritatedandnervous.FranceandRussiaaloneexchangedbetweenoneanotherthemostexquisitepolitenessandsurprisingcordialities.TheswordofNapoleonIII.becamethelanceofAchilles,healingwhereithadjustwounded,woundingwhereithadhealed."TherewasbalmofGileadinit,"andsupportinthesovereignoftheTuileries.ThedayaftertheCongress,inthemonthofApril,1856,theoldCountNesselrodeaskedtoberetiredonaccountofhisage,andPrinceAlexanderGortchakofbecame

MinisterofForeignAffairs.

II.

DuringthefouryearswhichhehadpassedatFrankfortasrepresentativeofhisgovernmenttotheGermanConfederation,PrinceGortchakof,aswehavealreadyseen,hadmadetheacquaintanceof,andmaintainedthemostintimaterelationswithacolleague,whoserarequalitiesofmind,asprobablyalsothoseoftheheart,heappreciatedasnooneelsedid.


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Thetwofriendswereseparatedinthesummerof1854,whentheRussianplenipotentiarywenttofulfillhispainfulmissionatVienna.Buttheydidnotdelayinmeetinganew,andfoundasbeforethatperfectcongenialityofideasandofsentiments,which,establishedsincetheirfirstmeetinginFrankfort,hasneverbeeninterrupted,andhaslastedfortwenty-fiveyears:grandemortalisvispatium.ThisfriendofPrinceGortchakofonthesmilingbanksoftheMain,wasnootherthanM.deBismarck,thefuturechancellorofGermany.

Otto-Edward-LeopolddeBismarck-Schoenhausen,bornthe1stofApril,1815,atSchoenhausen,hereditaryestateofhisfamilyintheoldMarkofBrandenburg,couldnotflatterhimselfwithhaving,likehisfriendAlexanderMikhalovitch,bloodoftheSaintsinhisveins.Hisbiographersevenobservewithvisiblesatisfaction,thatatleasttwoofhisancestorswereexcommunicatedbytheChurchanddiedinfinalimpenitence.WhatismoreseriousisthatthemostauthorizedhistoriansoftheMarkofBrandenburg,M.deRiedelamongothers,callintoquestionthenobleoriginofthefamily.Theyshowthatthefirstoftheline,ofwhomauthenticdocumentsofthefourteenthcenturyspeak,RuloBismarck,wasamemberandonseveraloccasionsevenprovostof"theguildofmastertailorsincloth"atStendal,asmallmarkettownoftheoldMark.Thefactdoesnotseemdoubtful.ButcouldnotthecitizensofStendal,justaswellasthoseofcertaincitiesinTuscany,haveforcedeverycountrynoble,whowishedtoinhabitthecity,tosubscribe

himselfinoneofthoseguilds?Thisistheopinionofthetoriesinthiscuriousgenealogicaldispute.Tohearthem,thegoodcitizensofStendalmusthavebeenonapar,inthefourteenthcentury,withthegreatcitizensofFlorenceandofPisa,andRuloBismarckmusthavebeenmastertailorinclothaboutasmuchasDante,hiscontemporary,wasanapothecary.Thewhigs,onthecontrary,thebiographersinnational-liberalcolors,taketheirpartgayly,andoneofthemingeniouslyconcludes,thatinanycasetheancestorRuloought"tocontemplatewithsatisfactionandpridefromthehighheavensthesplendidimperialmantlewhichhisdescendanthasmadeforKingWilliamoutoftheclothofEurope."

Intimesrelativelymoremodern,theHouseofBismarckpresents,like

manyanoblecountryfamilyofBrandenburg,anunbrokensuccessionofmodestandfaithfulservantsofthestate,somesoldiers,someemployedincivilduties.Theeighteenthcenturyoffersustworathermorecuriousspecimens,thegrandfatherandgreatuncleofthechancellor.Onewassurnamedthepoet,theothertheadventurer.Thepoet,thispainfulavowalmustbemade,composedhisversesintheFrenchlanguage.Wehavenotablybyhiman"ElogeouMonumentriglaMmoiredeChristinedeBismarck,nedeSchoenfeld,parCharles-AlexandredeBismarck,"Berlin,1774.ItwastohisdeadwifethattheretiredcaptainofcavalrythoughtnecessarytoelevatethismausoleumofwordsandofWelcherhymes,fulloftheinsipidsentimentalityofthetime.Theadventurer(Ludolf-August)ismoredeservingofhisname.Hekilledhisservantinafitofangeror

drunkenness,waspardoned,tookserviceinRussia,becameinvolvedinpoliticalintriguesinCourland,andwasforcedtogotoSiberiainexile.Pardonedagain,heenteredintoRussiandiplomacy,filledseveralmissions,anddiedcommandinggeneralatPoltava.Letussayinpassing,thatthisLudolfwasnottheonlyoneofhisfamilytoserveundertheRussianflag,andthusthenameofBismarckhaslongbeenwellknownatSt.Petersburg.

Thewhigbiographerslaymuchstressonthefact,thatthemotheroftheyoungOtto,"anintelligent,ambitious,andrathercoldwoman,"wasa


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bourgeoise,aMissMenken,ofafamilyofsavanswellknownatLeipsic.Theylovetoproveinthismannerthattherestoreroftheempirewasconnectedbyhismotherwiththebourgeoisie,thatstudiousandcultivatedbourgeoisiewhichisthegreatstrengthofGermany,--whileclaiminghisrighttothenobilityandthearmybyhisfather,retiredcaptainofcavalry,andbyhisgrandfatherthepoet.ThoseprofoundGermanshaveaweakness,itisknown,forallsymbolism.Theydignifyveryoftenwiththisnamethatwhichisnothingbutajeud'esprit,inrealityaplayofwords,anditisthusthattheyattachacertainsignificationtothefutilecircumstancethattheyoungOttowasconfirmed[12]atBerlinatthehandsofSchleiermacher,thecelebratedDoctorofDivinity,whoselearningwasmuchmorerespectablethanhislife;"inamannerandforafleetingmoment,itistrue,butsolemnly,theyoungmancalledtoalifeofactionparexcellence,wasbroughtincontactwithourlearnedtheologyandourromanticphilosophy."Norhasitbeenforgottentoexaltthenameofthe"graycloister"(GrauerKloster),whichthelyceumatBerlinbore,wherethefuturedestroyerofconventsstudied,ortonotetheFrenchoriginofoneofhisprincipalprofessors,DoctorBonnet,descendantofaHuguenotfamilywhichsoughtrefugeinBrandenburginconsequenceoftherevocationoftheEdictofNantes.

Afterhavingfinishedhisstudiesatthelyceumofthegraycloister,OttodeBismarckwenttotheUniversityofGoettingen,tothecelebrated

GeorgiaAugusta,inordertostudy.Inreality,hedidnothingbutleadthelifeofthesonsofthemuse,whohavethegoodorbadfortunetobeatthesametimesonsoffamily,cavalieri;hecultivatednothingbuthunting,riding,swimming,gymnasticexercises,andfencing.Hehadmorethantwentyduels,andfullyjustifiedthegloriousnameofBursche,whichclungtohimforalongtimeafterwards,evenwhenhewasambassadorandminister.OneeasilyunderstandsthattheInstitutesandPandectscannotbeverythoroughlystudiedinthemidstofsomanycorporalexercises,andeventheattempttochangethenoisyGeorgiaAugustaforthemostquietandsedateUniversityofBerlin,wasaremedyheroicratherthanefficacious.HasM.deBismarckeverregularlypassedthis"stateexamination"(Staatsexamen)whichinPrussiaistheindispensableconditionforanappointmenttoanypublicfunction?A

gravequestion,whichwasdiscussedforalongtimeinGermany,andoutofwhichaweaponhasshapeditselffortwentyyearsagainsttheman,thedeputy,theambassador,thepresidentofthecouncil.Afactworthyofnotice,andonewhichwellcharacterizestheformalandregulativemindofthenation:M.deBismarckhadalreadydefiedallEurope,anddismemberedtheDanishmonarchy,whenintheoppositionjournalsofGermany,thereappearedfromtimetotime,likebelatedrockets,malignantallusionstothisproblematicalstateexamination!SincetheepochofSadowaonlyhavethesemaliciousjibesentirelyceased:Sadowacausedmanyotherirregularitiestopassunnoticed,andassuredlymuchgraverones.

ItisperhapspropertoinquireherewhatbenefitsM.deBismarckreaped

fromhisacademiclife,andtoestimate,ifbutbriefly,thecultivationandthepeculiaritiesofhismind.ItseemscertainthatM.deBismarckisnotamanofscienceandstudy,andthathisliberaleducationshowsmorethanonegap.Apleasingcontrast,thetwochancellors,RussianandGerman,ofwhomoneknewbutasinglelyceumandthatoneofverydoubtfulmerit,whiletheotherattendedthemostrenownedcollege(gymnasium)andalmamateroflearnedGermany.CertainlythepupilofZarkoe-Zeloe,asregardsclassicalknowledgeandtruehumaniora,isfarinadvanceoftheluckyfosterchildofGeorgiaAugusta.NeverthelessitiswelltoobservethatM.deBismarckfillsandmore


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thanfillsacertainprogrammelaiddownonedaybythespirituelandregrettedSaint-MarcGiradinforthewelleducatedmenoftheworld."Idonotrequire,saidhe,thattheyknowLatin;Ionlyaskthattheyhaveforgottenit."Fromhisacademicyouth,therehasalwaysremainedtothechancellorofGermanyafundofcultureofwhichhewellknowstheuseonoccasion,andheunderstandsinasufficientdegree,hisBible,hisShakspere,hisGoethe,andhisSchiller,thosefourelementsofalleducation,eventhemostcommonone,inGermancountries,--preciousandenviablequadriviumofthechildrenofArminius!PrinceGortchakofhastherefinementsaswellastheweaknessesofthemanofletters;hetakescareofhis"mot,"hecorrectshisphrase,helooksatandadmireshimselfinhiscompositions;itisknownthathewasonedaysurnamedtheNarcissusoftheinkstand.Byhistastes,byhisexquisitesensibility,byhisartisticinstinct,hehasamarkedsuperiorityoverhisformercolleagueofFrankfort.Butthelatterregainsallthisadvantageassoonasoneconsiderstheoriginalandpersonalstampwhichheknowshowtogivetohisthoughtsandtohisspeech,assoonasoneseekstheindividuality,thebreathingcreator,themensagitansmolem,thatsomethingmysteriousandpowerfulwhichantiquesculpturerenderedsoingeniouslybyplacingaflameontheforeheadofcertainofitsstatues.

ThechancellorofGermanyisnotaletteredmaninthestrictandsomewhatvulgaracceptationoftheworld.Heis,tospeakcorrectly,

neitheranoratornorawriter.Hedoesnotunderstanddevelopingathemewell,graduatingitsarguments,arrangingitstransitions.Hedoesnotconstructhisperiodanddoesnottroublehimselfaboutit.Hehasdifficultyinexpressinghimself,bothonthetribuneandalsowiththepen.Hisstyleisharsh,occasionallyveryincorrect,asunacademicalaspossible.Itisintricate,embarrassed,eventrivialatmoments.Everypartguarded,andallreservemade,thereissomethingofCromwellinhismannerofexpressinghimself.ButinanentirelydifferentmannerthaninCromwelloneisforcedtoadmireinhimthoseflashesofthought,thosestrongandunforeseenimages,thosepenetratingwordswhichstrike,whichimpressthemselves,andwhicharenotforgotten.Whenquitelatelyinthemidstofanargument,disconnectedandembarrassed,concerninghisconflictwithRome,hesuddenlycriedout:

"Besureofonething,gentlemen,wewillnotgotoCanossa!"[13]oneshouldrememberthatheknewhowtocomprisethere,inasortofmenacingcterumcenseo,[14]awholeworldofmemoriesandofpassions.Inaverydifferentspirit,alsoinatimealreadyfardistant,itistrue,speakingoneday--abouttwentyyearshavesinceflown--oftheprinciplesofrevolutionandcontra-revolution,hesaidthataparliamentarydebatecouldneverdecidebetweenthesetwoprinciples:"ThedecisionwillonlycomefromGod,fromtheGodofbattles,whenheletsfallfromhishandtheirondiceofdestiny!"OnethinksthathehearsDeMaistreinthislastpartofthephrase,andlikeM.deMaistrethechancellorofGermanyhashadhispassagedecriedbythehangsman;wewishtospeakofthisinvocationtoironandtoblood,whichmustbereplacedinitsframeandputinitstrue

light,--tosettleitsdate,--toappreciateallthereliefbythesideoftheincontestablebrutality.Theinvocationwasmadewhenthosenational-liberals,to-dayofsuchgreatservilitytowardshimandwiththeobedienceofacorpse,wishedtopreventhimfromreformingthearmy,atthesametimedemandinghimtocompletetheunityofGermany.ThemanwhofeltthedistantthunderofSadowaandSedanrumbleinhissoul,launchedatthismomenttotheoratorsthedfiwhichhehasonlytoowelljustifiedsince,sayingthatitwasnotbyspeechesthatGermanycouldbeunited:"toconsummatethisunity,ironandbloodarenecessary!"Thisoratordoesnotbreatheateaseintheuniformwhich


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neverleaveshim,andheadvancesonlybyfitsandstarts.Hecollectslaboriouslythecloudsofhisrhetoric,butthesparkendsbyflashingandbyilluminatingthewholesituation.Tomakehimselfunderstoodheemploysthegreatestormostfamiliarimages,withoutchoice,justastheycome;heborrowsaquotationfromShakspereandfromGoethejustaswellasfromtheWaspsofM.AlphonseKarr,orfromacoupletofthevaudeville.Oneofhismosthappy,mostmemorableinspirations,hesuddenlydrewonedayfromthelibrettoofthe"Freischtz."

Thereaderwillkindlypermitustorecallthislastepisode,evenattheriskofdelayingsomewhatinsomepreliminaryexplanationsofwhichaGermanauditory,fullofsouvenirsofits"Freischtz,"wouldhavenoneed.InthisoperaofWeber,Max,thegoodandunfortunatehunter,borrowsacartridgefromRobin,theevilspirit,andimmediatelykillsaneagle,oneofwhosefeathersheproudlysticksinhiscap.Hethenasksforsomemorecartridges,butRobintellshimthattheyare"enchantedballs,"andthatinordertoobtainthemhemustsurrenderhimselftotheinfernalspirits,anddeliverhissoultothem.Maxdrawsback,andthenRobin,sneering,tellshimthathehesitatesinvain,thatthebargainismade,andthathehasalreadycommittedhimselfbytheballhemadeuseof:"Doyouthink,then,thatthiseaglewasafreegift?"Well!whenin1849theyoungoratoroftheMarkofBrandenburghadtoimplorethePrussianchambernottoacceptfortheKingofPrussiatheimperialcrownwhichtheparliamentofFrankfortoffered

him,heendedbycryingout:"Itisradicalismwhichoffersthisgifttotheking.Soonerorlaterthisradicalismwillstanduprightbeforetheking,willdemandofhimitsrecompense,andpointingtotheemblemoftheeagleonthatnewimperialflag,itwillsay:Didyouthink,then,thatthiseaglewasafreegift?"Astrikingimageandequallydeepandingenious!Yes,onecannotusewithimpunitythe"enchantedballs"ofrevolution,andonedoesnotmakeabargainwiththepopulardemon,withoutleavingitsomeofhissoul.Soonerorlatertherewillstanduprightbeforeyouthebadgeniuswhoseaidyouhaveaccepted,Robinofthewoodsandthestreets.Hewillcometoreceiveyoursalute,andtellyouthathedidnotintendtohaveworkedfortheKingofPrussia.ThismagnificentoratoricalburstoftheyoungdeputyoftheMark,thechancellorofGermanymighthaveconsideredwithbenefitinmorethan

onedecisivecircumstance,forinstanceonthedaywhenheoverthrewthesecularthrone,alsothedaywhenhegavethesignalforthecombatofcivilization.

Thewriterdoesnotdiffermuchfromtheorator,and,inspeakingofthewriter,wethinkaboveallofthoseintimateandfamiliarletterswhichhavebeenpublishedinthewellknownbookofGeorgeHesekiel,andwhichhavehadameritedsuccessinGermany.Thereisalwaysthesameobscurity,thesameembarrassmentofelocution,thesamedisorder,fromtimetotimepassagesoflivelyandoriginalexpressions,ofastonishingfigures,ofabitter,harshhumor,whichgrindsandbitesyouwithcruelpleasure.Theselettersareforthegreatpartaddressedtohissister,to"dearMalvina"(marriedtoanArnim),andwewillborrowfrom

themmorethanonceduringthecourseofthisstudy.Onenoticesinthemcertaindescriptionsofnature,ofthebrightnessofthemoon,oftheNorthSea,oftheviewoftheDanubefromtheheightsofBuda-Pesth,whicharenotwantingincoloringeffect,andmakeupapicture.ThereissomethingofHeinrichHeineintheseprivateReisebilder,andithasbeenremarkedofthem,thatthereisperhapssomethingofHamlet(andwhataHamlet!)inthefollowingpassage,theonlymelancholyonewhichwehavemetwithinthemidstofsomanysanguineandrobustsallies."AtthemercyofGod!Everythingisinrealitybutaquestionoftime,peoplesandindividuals,wisdomandfolly,peaceandwar.To


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theliving,everythinguponearthisbuthypocrisyandjugglery,andthismaskoffleshhavingoncefallenoff,thewisemanandthefoolresembleeachothergreatly,anditwouldbehardtodistinguishbetweenthePrussianandtheAustrian,theirskeletonsbeingverycarefullyprepared."Theselinesfellfromthesamehand,however,which,sincethen,andassuredlybyaveryspecificpatriotism,hasfurnishedsomanythousandsubjectstothepreparersofskeletons!

OneseesbytheselettersthatM.deBismarckhandledatanearlyhourandwithpredilectionthisirony,inwhichheiswithoutamaster;acold,craftyirony,andwhichtoooftenapproachessneering.Heuseditlaterinhisspeeches,inhisconversationswithministersandambassadors,andevenindiplomaticnegotiations,inthemostimportant,mostdecisivemomentsofhistory.Atsuchmomentsthisironysometimesaffectsagreatfrankness,sometimesagreatpoliteness,butafranknesstomakeyoufallonyourkneesbeforethefirstlie,howeverbrazen,apolitenesstomakeyouimploreanincivilitywithoutformsasaveritablecharity.Oneday,ontheveryeveofthewarof1866,CountKarolyi,ambassadorofAustria,andactinginthenameofhisgovernment,summonedM.deBismarcktodeclarecategoricallyifheexpectedtobreakthetreatyofpeace,thetreatyofGastein.[15]"No,"wasthereply,"Ihavenotthatexpectation;but,ifIhad,wouldIansweryoudifferently?"Thereisanexampleofthatfranknesswhichdisconcerts,whichconfounds,andseemstocryinyourearwiththat

devilfromthe"Inferno":"Tunonpensavich'ioloicofossi!"

Astothemurderouspoliteness,whichsometimesclothesthesarcasmofM.deBismarck,letusrecallherethemotwhichhelaunchedlateratthenegotiatorsofVersailles,comingtotreatwithhimconcerningthesurrenderoffamishedParis,andtoofferhimtwohundredmillionsincontributions."Oh,"saidhe,"Parisistoogreatapersonagethatweshouldtreatitinsuchashabbymanner;letusdoitthehonorofamilliard."ThatistrulyanoriginalturnwhichtherivalofHeinethoughttogivetothemaximareverentiawhichoneowestomisfortune!Whenoneisdestinedinaripeagetoexercisehishumorwithsuch

easeatthecostofprincesandofpeoples,howisitpossiblewhenyoungnottojestpleasantlyaboutthatpoorfellowofapeasantinPomeraniawhodranktoomuchwater?InoneofhisletterstohisdearMalvina,theyoungcountrygentlemandescribeswithahilariousspiritaninundationwhichsweptoverhisdomainwhichisdividedbyalittlebranchofthenarrowriverHampel.Thisinundationseveredhimfromallhisneighbors,carriedoffsoandsomanycasksofeau-de-vie,"introducedananarchicalinterregnumfromSchievelbeintoDamm,"andheendsbythisstroke:"Iamproudtobeabletosay,thatinmylittlebranchoftheHampelawagonerwasdrownedwithhishorseandhiswholeloadoftar!"Howproudinadifferentdegreewasthisgentlemanonedaywhen,Europehavingbecomehisdomain,hesawdisappearinginthemidstofthebillows,billowsofbloodthistime,awholearmyanditschief,

awholeempireanditsemperor,--currusGallietaurigaejus!Thatdidnotprevent,atanothertime,theyoungcountrygentlemanfromjumpingbravelyintothewatertorescuehisgroomandgainingthemedalforsavinglife.DuringmanyyearsthismedalwastheonlyonetodecoratethebroadchestofthePrussianministeratFrankfort.AskedonedaybyacolleaguetotheBundaboutadecorationtowhichthediplomaticcorpsisbutlittleaccustomed,herepliedinthetonewhichhealonepossesses,thathesometimeshappenedtorescueaman,--inhisleisuremoments,beitunderstood.Probably,ifhehadbeenfurtherpressed,hewascapableofaddingthatheonlydiditforexercise.


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Thus,toresume,fromtheepochofhisapprenticeshipatthegraycloisterandGeorgiaAugusta,OttodeBismarckcarriedaliteraryburden,which,withoutbeingeithertooheavyortoofull,hasneverthelessenabledhimtomakehistourofthepoliticalworldwitheaseandhonor.Andalsosincethisepochhisminddisclosedthepreciousqualitieswhichstilldistinguishit;avividandpowerfulimagination,ararehappinessinhischoiceofexpressionsoccasionallygrandiose,occasionallyvulgar,butalwaysstriking;andlastly,ahumorwhichhasnoequal,andwhich,tospeakwithJeanPaul,isatruesiroccotothesoul.Withallthisnograce,nocharm,nodistinctionordelicacy,--notagenerousaccent,nosweetandsympatheticcord,acompleteabsenceofthatmilkofhumankindnessofwhichthepoetspeaks,anabsolutewantofthatcharitywhich,accordingtothegreatChristianmoralist,isliketheheavenlyperfumeofthesoul.Astotheartorratherhandicraft,astotheworkwhichconsistsinarranginghisphrases,inconnectinganddisposingthemsoastointroduceharmonyandclearnessinthedifferentpartsofspeech,ineffacingitsasperitiesandinequalities,inonewordastothestyle,M.deBismarckneverlearneditoralwaysdisdainedit.Ifwedaredtoapplytothisstyleoneofthosetrivialbutexpressiveimagesofwhichhehimselfoffersusmorethanoneexample,wewouldwillinglycompareittoacertainstrangedrink,hardlycredible,andwhich,accordingtohisbiographers,theGermanchancellorhasalwaysliked:itconsistsof

amixtureofchampagneandporter!Thelanguageisinimitationofthedrink:onefindsinitthepiquant,thesparkling,theexhilaratingoftheAtogetherwiththeheaviness,theblackness,andaboveallthebitternessofthestout.

Itisacuriousfact,thatthemanwhoonedaywastoimposeonalltheStatesofGermanytheseverebureaucraticandmilitarylawsofPrussia,"toplaceGermanyinthesaddle,"touseoneofhismots,topressitintothestraightjacketofobligatoryservice,--eventoindirectlytrainallEuropetonewexercises,andtomakeitleavetheplowforthesword,liberaloccupationsfortheautumnandsummermanoeuvres,--thisman,forhispart,hasneverbeenabletobindhimselfdowntoacademicduties,neithertotheregularworkofthebureau,nortothesevere

disciplineofthesoldier.HehimselfhasacknowledgedhavingheardbuttwohoursoflectureduringhiswholestayatGeorgiaAugusta.Theuniversitycoursebeingended,hetriedseveraltimestheadministrativeorjudiciarycareer;hetrieditatAix-la-Chapelle,atPotsdam,atGreifswalde,thenagainatPotsdam,andhadtogiveitupeverytime,disgustedbythemonotonouslaborofthebureau,orbyquarrelswithhissuperiors.Onthissubjectistoldthepiquantreplyoftheyoungreferendariustoaprincipalwhohadmadehimwaitanhourinanantechamber:"Icametorequestashortleaveofabsence;butduringthislonghourIhavehadtimetoreflect,andIdemandmydismission."Thricehemadeatrialofthemilitaryservice,withoutarrivingatahighergradethanthatoflieutenantintheLandwehr,arankwhichheappreciated,however,andofwhichhelovedtodontheuniformonsolemn

occasions,evenattheverytimewhenhewasalreadyministeratFrankfort.ThereaderknowsthatthedayofSadowabroughthimtheinsigniaofageneral.ThosetenortwelveyearswhichhadpassedforM.deBismarcksincehisdisputedstateexaminationtohisentranceintothePrussianchamber,theGermanbiographerscallbythefinename"yearsofstormandtrouble,"whichrecallsoneofthemostbrilliantepochsoftheirliterature.[16]Intruththeywerestormy,filledwithmiscarriagesofmorethanonekind,withtravels,financialembarrassments,perhapsalsowithanunrequitedlove.Atleastthatisthemeaningoneisinclinedtogivetothefollowingpassagefroma


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letteraddressedtohissisterMalvina:"Istruggleinvain,Ishallendbymarrying----;theworldwishesitthus,andnothingseemsmorenatural,andthenwewillbothbekilledonthespot.Sheleftmecoldly,itistrue,buttheyalldothat.Itwouldnotbesobad,however,ifonecouldthrowoffhisfeelingswithhisshirts,nomatterhowrarelyonechangesthelatter."

Heseemstohavehadaverysincereaffectionforthissister;heoverwhelmsherwiththemosttendernames.Thushecallsherhislittledear,hisMalvina,hisMaldewinchen,hisgoodlittleArnim;heevencallsheronce(pardonhim,OdivinitiesofWalhalla)simplyandinFrench,"masoeur."Inallthelettersofthisepoch,datedforthemostpartfromtheestatesofKniephoforSchoenhausen(itwasnotuntillaterthatM.deBismarckacquiredthefamousVarzin[17]),bythesideofanalwaysbitingandharshhumor,onecanperceiveacertaindisenchantment;bythesideofthecaresoffortuneappearfromtimetotimeprojectsforthefuture,verymodest,truly,andwhichseldomaimatpolitics.In1846heattachedacertainimportanceatbeingmadesurveyorofdikesinthedistrict(Deichhauptmann)."Thepositionisnotremunerative,butitofferssomeinterestinregardtoSchoenhausenandotherestates,forwewoulddependonitinagreatmeasureifwewereagainwithoutwaterasinthepastyear....Bernard(afriend)insistsonmygoingtoPrussia(toBerlin).Iwouldliketoknowwhatheexpectsthere.Heaffirmsthatbymydispositionandmyinclinations,I

ammadefortheserviceofthestate,andthatsoonerorlaterIwillendbyenteringit."Suddenly,andontheveryeveofthereunionofthefirstPrussianparliament,oneissurprisedbytheplanofavoyagetotheIndias,--probablytomakehisfortuneandestablishhimselfthere,--andonethinksinvoluntarilyofCromwellwishingtoembarkforAmericaontheeveofthelongparliament.Donotthink,however,thatthedayspassedsadlyandmoroselyatKniephofandatSchoenhausen:onelivesthere,oneoverlivesthelifeofJuncker(countrysquire)andtheofficersoftheneighboringgarrisonaregoodandstoutfellows,inwhosecompanyonehuntsanddances,"oneemptiesgreatbowlshalffilledwithchampagne,halfwithporter;"theguestsareawakenedinthemorningbypistolsfiredoffclosetotheirpillows;onenteringthesalonthefemalecousinsarefrightenedwithfourfoxes,andhonoris

paidtothenamegivenbythewholecountrytotheproprietorofthedomain,thenameof"madBismarck"(dertolleBismarck).Theyaremadcaps,andblusterers,prompttodrawtheirswords,tofightwithpistolorsteel,andtheydonotevenavoidapugilisticscene.OnedayinasmokingroomatBerlin,theformerpupilofGeorgiaAugustabrokehisbeermugontheskullofastrangerdisrespectfulinhislanguagetowardsamemberoftheroyalfamily;not,however,withouthavingfirstaddressedacharitablewarningtotheinsolentspeaker,norwithouthavingafterwards,verysedately,verypolitely,askedofthewaiterthecostofthedamage.[18]Thishappenedin1850;M.deBismarckhadalreadybeendeputyseveralyears,andwasonthepointofbecomingministerplenipotentiarytotheGermanicConfederation.

DertolleBismarck;itwasnotonlyatKniephofandatSchoenhausenthatthefuturechancellorofGermanywasthuscalled.TheBerlinesethemselveshadnoothernameforhimforalongtime,duringalltheparliamentaryperiodoftheyoungdeputyoftheMark,sincehismaidenspeechandhisfirstappearanceonthetribune,--whenhavingprovokedanindescribabletumultbyaviolentattackagainsttheliberalshedrewfromhispocketanewspaper,andquietlycommencedreading,whilewaitingforthestormtocalm,--uptohislastspeechonDecember3,1850,whichcompletedtheexasperationofthechamber,butwasworthadiplomaticposttotheorator.Successadvancesalittlelikethe


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aristocraticlawoftheChinese:itisnecessarytosupplygloryfromtherearandtothrowlustreontheobscureantecedentsofthefavoriteoffortune.Thiswas,however,moretomistakethetimeandtomisplacethehistoricalperspective,thantowishtoassigntoM.deBismarckinthoseyears(1847-50)anyimportantrlewhichhedidnotfilluntilfifteenyearslater.Thetruthisthatthisrlewasnotinthisfirstperiodeitherofsucheminence,or,aboveall,sufficientlyrespectedtobetemptedtoarrangeitselfinanabstract,inductivemethod.AnactiveandrestlessmemberofthegroupofJunckerin1847,andofthegreatpartyofthecrosswhichwasformedaftertherevolutionofFebruary,thecountrygentlemanofSchoenhausenwasfarfromhavinginthebosomofthispartytheauthorityofaGerlachandaStahl,orthegreatpositionofasimilarfeudallordofSilesiaorPomerania.Inspiteofhisaudacity,hisimpetuosity,andhissang-froid;inspiteofhisexceedinglyhappysallieswithaneloquenceunequalandembarrassedinaverydifferentmannerfromto-day,M.deBismarckwasatthisepochnothingbuttheHotspur,andtheenfantterribleofthesacredphalanxwhichdefendedthethrone,thealtar,andtheconservativeprinciples.HewasinameasuretheGeneralTempleoftheill-temperedlight-horsemen,aGeneralTemplejoinedwiththeMarquisofPir.AtanyrateheonlypassedforasuccessfulThadden-Triglaff,thatbraveM.Thadden-Triglaffwhodeclaredthathedesiredthelibertyofthepress,oncondition,however,"thattherewasapowerbythesideofeachjournaltohangupthepamphleteers."ThespeechesofM.deBismarck,

friendandneighborofthisingeniouslegislatorofthepress,wereoftennotmorereasonable.Didhenotsayoneday,wordforword,"thatallthegreatcitiesoughttobedestroyedandrazedtotheground,astheeternalhomesofrevolution?"

TheAtheniansoftheSpree[19]laughedatthesejests,repeatedthosewordsfullofhumor,andabovealladmiredacertainargumentadhominembymeansofamugofbeer.Occasionallyalsotheycriticisedwithmalicetheadvancesmadetotheinnocent,tothedemocrats,anddivertedthemselvesespeciallyoverthefamouslittlebranchofolivewhichthecountrysquireofSchoenhausenshowedonedaytohiscolleagueofthechamber,theveryradicalDoctord'Ester.Thisbranch,hetoldhim,hehadcutinarecentexcursiontoVaucluse,fromthetombof

LauraandPetrarch.Heputitcarefullyinhiscigarcaseandthoughtofpresentingitonedaytotheredgentlemen"asasignofreconciliation."Itwasinthestrangedestinyofthisextraordinarymannottobethoughtinearnestuntilthedaywhenhebecameterrible.DertolleBismarck,theGermanssaidin1850;atFrankfortthegoodCountRechbergcalledhimscoffinglyaBursche,andhewasconsideredapersonageworthyoflaughterintheeyesoftheFrenchminister,amanofmind,however,evenin1864.TheyearafterthelegendarycoastofBiarritz,hepursuedwithhisprojectstheEmperorNapoleonIII.,who,restingonthearmoftheauthorof"Colomba,"whisperedfromtimetotimeintotheearoftheacademiciansenatorthosewords:"Heiscrazy!"FiveyearslaterthedreamerofHamgaveuphisswordtothecrazymanoftheMark.

"Ibelong,"--suchwasthedefiantdeclarationofM.deBismarckinoneofhisfirstspeechesinthechamber,--"Ibelongtoanopinionwhichgloriesinthereproachesofobscurantism,andoftendenciesoftheMiddleAge;Ibelongtothatgreatmultitudewhichiscomparedwithdisdaintothemostintelligentpartyofthenation."HewantedaChristianState."Withoutareligiousbasis,"saidhe,"astateisnothingbutafortuitousaggregationofinterests,asortofbastioninawarofallagainstall;withoutthisreligiousbasis,alllegislation,insteadofregeneratingitselfatthelivingsourcesofeternaltruth,


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isonlytossedaboutbyhumanideasasvagueaschangeable."ItisforthisreasonthathepronouncedagainsttheemancipationoftheJews,andrepulsed,aboveall,withhorrortheinstitutionofcivilmarriage,adegradinginstitution,andonewhich"madethechurchthetrain-bearer(Schleppentraeger)ofasubalternbureaucracy."[20]Hewasasintransigeantforthethroneasforthealtar:hesetatdefiancetheprincipleofthesovereigntyofthepeople;universalsuffrage(whichhehimselfwastointroduceonedayintothewholeGermanempire!)seemedtohimasocialdangerandanoutragetogoodsense.Hedeniedtherightsofthenation;thecrownalonehadrights:theoldPrussianspiritknewbutthat,--"andthisoldPrussianspiritisaBucephaluswhowillinglyallowshislegitimatemastertomounthim,butwhowillthrowtothegroundeverySundayrider(Sonntagsreiter)!"

Aresoluteadversaryofmodernideas,ofconstitutionaltheories,andofallthatthenformedtheprogrammeoftheliberalpartyinPrussia,thedeputyoftheMarkcombatedwiththesameenergythetwogreatnationalpassionsofthisparty:the"deliverance"ofSchleswig-HolsteinandtheunityofGermany.Hedeploredthat"theroyalPrussiantroopshadgonetodefendtherevolutioninSchleswigagainstthelegitimatesovereignofthatcountry,theKingofDenmark;"heassertedthattheyweremakingagroundlessquarrelwiththisking,thattheysoughtaquarrelwithhim"fornocause"(umdesKaisersBart),andhedidnothesitatetodeclarebeforeanangrychamber,thatthewarprovokedintheDuchiesof

theElbewas"anundertakingeminentlyiniquitous,frivolous,disastrous,andrevolutionary."[21]AstotheunityofGermany,theyoungoratoroftheultrasrepulseditinthenameofRight,ofthesovereigntyandoftheindependenceofprinces,aswellasinthenameofpatriotism,beitunderstood.HewasPrussian,aspecificPrussian,ahardenedPrussian(stockpreusse),andcaredverylittletounitethegoodandfirmsubstance"withthedissolvedelements(daszerfahreneWesen)oftheSouth."Hecalledonthearmy:Doesthisarmywishtoexchangetheoldnationalcolors,blackandwhite,forthisGermantricolor,whichwasonlyknowntoitastheemblemofrevolution?DoesitwishtoexchangeitsoldDessauermarchforthesongofaProfessorArndtontheGermanfatherland?

WehavealreadyspokenofhisspeechagainsttheimperialcrownofferedbytheparliamentofFrankfort,oftheingeniousallusionborrowedfromthelibrettoofthe"Freischtz."Whilerefusingtheimperialcrown,FrederickWilliamIV.didnotthelessendeavor,duringtheyears1849and1850,torescuesomewaifsfromthiswreckofunitarianideas;hetriedtogrouparoundhimself,andwiththeaidoftheliberals,anotablepartoftheGermanicbody,tocreateasortofnorthernconfederation:"restrictedunion"becameforamomentthemotd'ordreofaprogrammewhichGeneralRadowitzwaschargedtoplaceonthestageoftheparliamentofErfurt.M.deBismarckcondemnedwithoutpityorweaknessallthesevainattempts;withthegreattheoricianofhisparty,thecelebratedProfessorStahl,hepleadedforthereturntothestatuquopriorto1848.Likehimhedemanded"thattheoverturned

columnofrightbereplacedinGermany,"thattheBundberestoredonlegalbases,accordingtothetermsofthetreatyofVienna,andthatnocessationshouldbemadeinplacingPrussianpoliticsonitsguardagainstany"courseofPhton"inaregionofcloudsandthunder.

Thethunderboltdidnotintruthdelayinstriking,andthe"courseofPhton"wasbrusquelyarrestedbythehandofthatgreatAustrianminister,whohimselfonlytraversed,likealuminousmeteor,themostelevatedregionsofpowertodisappearsuddenlyandtoleavebehindhimeternalregrets.PrinceFelixdeSchwarzenbergrecallsinsomerespects


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thosestatesmenofwhomEnglandlatelyofferedtheastoundingexample,thosePeterboroughs,thoseBentincks,andthoselikethem,whoknewhowtointerrupt,almostsuddenly,alifegivenuptopleasuresandtothefrivolousfolliesoftheworld,torevealthemselvesinatricelikeveritablepoliticalgeniuses,andtodiebeforetheirtime,afterhavingexhaustedtheintoxicationofeasygoodfortuneandofglory,arduousinaverydifferentdegree.ItisknownwithwhatafirmandsteadyhandtheprinceseizedthehelmofaffairsinAustria,andinhowshortatimehesucceededinliftingupamonarchyplacedonthebrinkofanabyss.Washisconductineveryparticularirreproachable;wasitevenprovidenttotheend?Thatisnotthequestionforus.Letuslimitourselvesinsayingthatrarelyhasaministermetwithmoregoodluckinhisshortcareer,foundsomuchassuranceinsuccess,andspokeninaloftierorproudertoneinvexatiousnecessities.ThistimePrinceSchwarzenbergspokewithalltheauthoritywhichrightgavehim.Perhapshespokeeventooharshly,andPrussiaseemedforamomentreadytopickuptheglove.FrederickWilliamIV.demandedofthechambersacreditoffourteenmillionthalersforthearmament,andmadeawarlikespeech.Europebecameattentive,thenationalassemblyofFrancewasonthepointoforderinganewlevyoftroops,and,fatidicalpreludeofatragedywhichwasnottobeplayedtillfifteenyearslater,in1850asin1866,LouisNapoleonthoughtthatheoughttoencouragethecabinetofBerlin,encourageitwithaid,andindirectoppositiontothegeneralsentimentofthecountry!WhilethenationalassemblyinFrance

pronounceditselfveryplainlyforneutralityandtheministerofforeignaffairswaseveninclinedinfavorofAustria,thepresidentoftherepublicsentanintimatefriendtoBerlin,M.dePersigny,withthemissiontoengagetheKingofPrussiaasmuchaspossibleinthewar.Warappearedinevitable.Thetroopswerealreadydisposedintwoparts;therehadalreadybeenencountersbetweentheadvancedguards.Allofasudden,andbeforeamenacingultimatumfromVienna,strengthenedbyafriendlynoticefromSt.Petersburg,M.deManteuffel,presidentofthePrussiancouncil,proposedtothatofAustriatoholdaninterviewatOderberg,onthefrontierofthetwoStates.Somehoursafterhavingsentthisproposition,heannouncedbytelegraph(aproceedingthenveryrare),that,onpositiveordersfromtheking,heshouldgoasfarasOlmtz,withoutwaitingforthereply.Hewentthere,andsigned(29

November,1850)thepreliminariesofpeace,thefamous"punctuations"bywhichPrussiayieldedtothedemandsofAustriaoneverypoint.

Itisnotastonishingthatsuchaprofoundhumiliation,--precededbyameasureofdistressuptothattimeunheardofintheannalsofdiplomacy,andimmediatelyfollowedbyanAustriandispatchwhichveryuselesslydidnothingbutirritatethewound,[22]--filledliberalPrussiawithgriefandindignation.ItwasinvainthatM.deManteuffelendeavoredtojustifyhisconductbeforethenationalmind.Heaffirmedthathewouldratherbeplaced"infrontofconicalballsthanpointedspeeches"(lieberSpitzkugelnalsspitzeReden);thechamberofBerlinexpressedwithpassionthegriefsofthecountry,andM.deVinckeclosedoneofthemostvehementphilippicswiththesewords:"Downwith

theministry!"Asingleoratordaredtoundertakethedefenseoftheministry,andtomakeinthesamemomenttheapotheosisofAustria.AlreadyintheprecedingyearM.deBismarckhaddesiredforhiscountrytherleoftheEmperorNicholasinHungary.SincethenhehadneverneglectedanoccasiontoresentinbehalfoftheempireoftheHapsburgtheinsultswhichGermanliberalismhadheapedonhim,andheremainedtruetothispolicyeveninthemostextraordinarycircumstances,andinthemidstoftheindescribableclamorsoftheassembly.HemaintainedthattherecouldbenopossibleorlegitimatefederationinGermanywithoutAustria.OneofthegreatestgriefsoftheTeutonsagainst


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AustriahasbeeninalltimesitsnotformingastatepurelyGerman,itscontaininginitsbosomdifferentpopulationsandofan"inferior"race.ThiswastheprincipalargumentoftheparliamentofFrankfortinfavoroftheconstitutionofaGermanywithouttheempireoftheHapsburg,andM.deBismarckdidnotfailtoreproduceitin1866,inamemorablecircular.In1850thedeputyoftheMarkdidnotsharethisopinion;hewasconvincedthat"AustriawasaGermanpowerinthefullforceoftheterm,althoughitalsohadthegoodfortunetoexerciseitsdominionoverforeignnationalities,"andheboldlyconcludedthat"PrussiashouldsubordinateitselftoAustriatotheendthattheymightcombatinconcertthemenacingdemocracy."Truly,inrecallingthatsessionofthePrussianchamberonthe3dDecember,1850,onecan,inthewordsofMontesquieu,observethespectacleoftheastoundingvicissitudesofhistory;buttheironyoffatecommencestotakeitstrulyfantasticproportions,whenoneremembersthatitwaspreciselythisspeechofthe3dDecember,1850,whichdecidedthevocationofM.deBismarckandopenedtohimthecareerofforeignaffairs.ForcedtoconsenttotherestorationoftheBund,andresignedtothepreponderanceoftheempireoftheHapsburg,thePrussiangovernmentthoughtintruththatitcouldgivenobetterpledgesofitsdispositionthaninchoosingforitsplenipotentiarytotheGermanicConfederationtheardentoratorwhosedevotiontothecauseoftheHapsburgwasevenabletoresisttheproofofthehumiliationofOlmtz.AnditwasasthemostdecidedpartisanofAustriathatthefutureconquerorofSadowamadehisentranceintothe

arenaofdiplomacy!Thechamberwasproroguedinconsequenceofthisstormydiscussion.Therupturewiththenationalpartywasconsummated,andM.deManteuffel,whosecoldandbureaucraticmindsympathizedinrealitybutveryslightlywiththeultras,thoughtitneverthelessusefultostrengthenthegovernmentbymakingthemsomeadvances.Severalprominentpostsinthecivilservicewereconferredonmembersoftheextremeright:M.deKleist-Retzow,amongothers,heldthepresidencyoftheRhenishprovinces.OnecouldhardlydreamofutilizinginthesamemannerthetalentsoftheformerreferendariusofPotsdamandGreifswalde,whohadshownsolittledispositionandtastefortheadministrativecareer:onaccountoftheconsiderationsalreadymentioned,itwasfirstthought

ofsendinghimtoFrankfortasfirstsecretaryofthelegation,butwiththeassuranceofbeingmaderealrepresentativeattheendofsometime.Thischoiceproducedsomesurprise.Itwasanentirelynewproceeding(theyhavebecomeaccustomedtoitthereandinotherplacessince)torewardadeputywithadiplomaticmissionforhisattitudeorhisvoteinthechamber.ItwasaskediftheeccentricandimpetuouscavalieroftheMarkwouldbetherightmanintherightplaceinthemidstofsuchdelicatecircumstances.ThetimidandoverscrupulousM.deManteuffelwasnotwithoutapprehensiononthishead,andtheveryardorwithwhichM.deBismarckacceptedthepositiononlyaugmentedtheuneasinessofthepresidentofthecouncil.KingFrederickWilliamIV.,whopersonallyhadaveryhighregardfortheardent"Percy"ofthepartyofthecross,hadneverthelesssomedoubts."Yourmajestycantryme,"said

theaspirantfordiplomacy;"ifmattersgowrong,yourmajestywillbeatperfectlibertytorecallmeattheendofsixmonthsorevenbefore."

Itwasonly,however,attheendofeightyearsthathewasrecalledbythesuccessorofFrederickWilliamIV.Andstill,afterthefirstdaysofhismission(June,1851)heexpressedhimselfthusinaconfidentialletterconcerningthemenandtheaffairshewaschargedtodealwith:"Ourrelationshereconsistindistrustandmutualespionage.Ifweonlyhadsomethingtospyoutortohide!Butthesearemerelysilly


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trifles,forwhichthesepeopletormenttheirminds.Thesediplomatswhoretailwithanairofimportancetheirbric--brac,seemtomemuchmoreridiculousthanadeputyofthesecondchamberdrapinghimselfinthefeelingofhisdignity.Ifexterioreventsdonotunexpectedlyarise,Iknowfromto-dayexactlywhatweshallhavedoneintwo,three,orfiveyears,andwhatwecandispatchintwenty-fourhours,ifwewishtobesincereandreasonableforoneday.Ineverdoubtedthatallthesegentlemendidtheircookinginwater;butasoupsowateryandinsipidthatitisimpossibletofindinitatraceoffatdoesnotceasetoastonishme....Ihavemadeveryrapidprogressintheartofsayingnothingwithmanywords;Iwriteseveralsheetsofreports,plainandround,liketheleadingarticles,andif,afterhaving

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TWO CHANCELLORS: Prince Gortchakof and Prince Bismarck. by JULIAN KLACZKO