he said, no matter, he could nevertheless pass a few days there with a couple of gentlemen very pleasantly.  Passing to politics, he gave vent to his displeasure at the attitude of the Conservative party, who were hindering the formation of a Conservative-monarchical combination against the Progressives and Social Democrats.  This was all the more regrettable as the Progressives, if now and then they opposed the Social Democrats, still at bottom were with them.  The Emperor approves of the commercial treaties and seemed to have great confidence in Caprivi generally.  As we came to speak of intrigues and gossip, the Emperor hinted that Bismarck was behind them.  He added that people were urging him from many quarters to be reconciled with Bismarck, but it was not for him to take the first step.  He seemed well informed about the situation in Russia and considered it very dangerous.  When I asked the Emperor how he stood now with the Czar, he replied ’Badly.  He went through here without paying me a visit, and I only write him ceremonious letters.  The Queen of Denmark prevented him coming to Berlin, for fear he should go to Potsdam.  She has gone now with him to Livadia on the pretext of the silver wedding, but in reality to keep him away from Berlin.’”

Writing of a lunch at Potsdam, under date Berlin, November 10, 1892, the Prince notes:—­

“The Emperor came late and looked tired, but was in good spirits.  We went immediately to table.  Afterwards the conversation turned on Bismarck.  ’When one compares what Bismarck does with that for which poor Arnim had to suffer!’ He would do nothing, he said, against Bismarck, but the consequences of the whole thing were very serious.  Waldersee and Bismarck couldn’t abide one another.  They had, however, become allies out of common hatred of Caprivi, whose fall Bismarck desired.  What might happen afterwards neither cared.”

The following was penned after the old Chancellor’s visit of reconciliation:—­

     “BERLIN, 27 January, 1894.

“To-night gala performance at the opera.  Between the acts I talked first with different monarchs, the King of Wuerttemberg, the King of Saxony, the Grand Duke of Oldenburg, and so on.  Then I was sent for by the Empress, of whom I took leave.  The Emperor came shortly afterwards.  We spoke of Bismarck’s visit the day before and the good consequences for the Emperor it would have.  ‘Yes,’ said the Emperor, ’now they can put up triumphal arches for him in Vienna and Munich, I am all the time a length ahead.  If the press continues its abuse it only puts itself and Bismarck in the wrong.’  I mentioned that red-hot partisans of Bismarck were greatly dissatisfied with the visit, and said the Emperor should have gone to Friedrichsruh (Bismarck’s estate near Hamburg).  ‘I am well aware of it,’ said the Emperor,’but for that they would have had a long time to wait.  He had to come here.’  On the whole the Emperor spoke