“Besides all this I do not see why we should shrink back so bashfully from the idea of a representation of the people.  We cannot fight as revolutionary an institution which we Conservatives cannot do without even in Prussia, and is recognised as legitimate in every German State.” [6]

This letter is interesting as shewing how nearly his wishes on German affairs coincided with those of the Liberal party and of the National Verein:  he was asking the Conservatives to adopt the chief points in their opponents’ programme.  Of course they would not do so, and the King himself was more likely to be alarmed than attracted by the bold and adventurous policy that was recommended to him.  Bismarck’s anticipation was justified; the King was not prepared to appoint him Foreign Minister.  Herr von Schleinitz indeed resigned, but his place was taken by Bernstorff, Minister at London; he had so little confidence in the success of his office that he did not even give up his old post, and occupied the two positions, one of which Bismarck much desired to have.

After attending the coronation at Koenigsberg, Bismarck, therefore, returned to his old post at St. Petersburg; his future was still quite uncertain; he was troubled by his own health and that of his children; for the first time he begins to complain of the cold.

“Since my illness I am so exhausted that I have lost all my energy for excitement.  Three years ago I would have made a serviceable Minister; when I think of such a thing now I feel like a broken-down acrobat.  I would gladly go to London, Paris, or remain here, as it pleases God and his Majesty.  I shudder at the prospect of the Ministry as at a cold bath.”

In March he is still in ignorance; his household is in a bad state.

  “Johanna has a cough, which quite exhausts her; Bill is in bed
  with fever, the doctor does not yet know what is the matter with
  him; the governess has no hope of ever seeing Germany again.”

He does not feel up to taking the Ministry; even Paris would be too noisy for him.

“London is quieter; but for the climate and the children’s health, I would prefer to stay here.  Berne is an old idea of mine; dull places with pretty neighbourhoods suit old people; only there is no sport there, as I do not like climbing after chamois.”

The decision depended on the events at home; the position of the Government was becoming untenable.  The elections had been most unfavourable; the Radicals had ceased to efface themselves, the old leaders of 1848 had appeared again; they had formed a new party of “Progressives,” and had won over a hundred seats at the expense of the Conservatives and the moderate Liberals; they were pledged not to carry out the military reforms and to insist on the two years’ service.  They intended to make the difference of opinion on this point the occasion of a decisive struggle to secure and extend the control