On the whole, however, during these pre-accession years, only glimpses of Prince William’s character and doings are obtainable, but, though meagre, they are sufficient to suggest that in his case, too, if we extend the saying to cover the entire period of youth, the child was father to the man.  The chief, almost the only, reliable authorities for the inner history of the time are the memoirs and notes left by the two Chancellors, Prince Bismarck and Prince Hohenlohe—­en passant let the hope be expressed here that in the interests of Germany herself another Chancellor, Prince Bernhard Ernst von Buelow, now living in retirement at Rome, will enlighten the world as to that of the last ten or twelve stirring years, quorum pars magna fuit.  Both Bismarck and Hohenlohe were excellent judges of character, and have, described, though with regrettable brevity, the character of Prince William about this time.  Talking to his confidant, Dr. Busch, in June, 1882, Bismarck says of the Prince: 

“He is quite different from the Emperor William, and wishes to take the government into his own hands; he is energetic and determined, not at all disposed to put up with parliamentary co-regents, a regular guardsman; Philopater and Antipater at Potsdam!  He is not at all pleased at his father (Crown Prince Frederick) taking up with professors, with Mommsen, Virchow, Forckenbeck.  Perhaps he may one day develop into the rocher de bronze of which we stand in need.”

This rocher de bronze is an expression constantly employed by devoted royalists and imperialists in Germany.  It was first used by Frederick William IV, who, in the jargon which in his time passed for the German language, exclaimed:  “Ich werde meine Souvereinetat stabilizieren wie ein rocher de bronze.”

Again, about this time Bismarck says: 

“Up to that time (when Prince William was studying at the Ministries) he knew little, and indeed did not trouble himself much about it, but preferred to enjoy himself in the society of young officers and such-like,”

and he goes on to tell how the Prince took—­or did not take—­to this Ministerial education.  It was proposed that the Under Secretary of State, Herrfurth, who was reputed to be well informed, particularly in statistics, should instruct him about internal questions.  The Prince agreed and invited Herrfurth to lunch, but afterwards told Bismarck he could not stand him, “with his bristly beard, his dryness and tediousness.”  Could Bismarck suggest some one else?  The Chancellor mentioned Privy Councillor von Brandenstein.  The Prince did not object, had the Baron several times to meals, but paid so little attention to his explanations that Brandenstein lost patience and begged for some other employment.  Concerning a rendezvous, Bismarck writes: 

“He (Prince William) has more understanding, more courage and greater independence (than his grandfather), but in his leaning for me he goes too far.  He was ‘surprised’ that I had waited for him, a thing his grandfather was incapable of saying;”

and the Chancellor adds: