I must close.  With heartfelt joy I have learned today, from your letter and Marie’s, of Herbert’s reaching you.  I met Bill yesterday, as I telegraphed you, and took him to my arms from his horse before the King’s face, while he stood with his limbs rigid.  He is entirely well and in high spirits.  Hans and Fritz Carl and both the Billows I saw with the Second Dragoon guards, well and cheerful.

Farewell, my heart.  Kiss the children.

Your v.B.

Gastein, August 30, ’71.

Happy the man to whom God has given a virtuous wife, who writes him every day.  I am delighted that you are well, and that you have come to be three, to whom I hope to add myself as fourth on the 7th or 8th. * * * You see I have enough mental leisure here to devote myself to the unaccustomed work of making plans; but all on the presupposition that the excited Gauls do not worry my little friend Thiers to death, for then I should have to stay with his Majesty and watch which way the hare runs.  I do not think that likely, but with such a stupid nation as they are anything is possible.  Hearty love to both fat children.

Your most faithful v.B.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 2:  From The Love Letters of Bismarck.  Permission Harper & Brothers, New York.]

[Footnote 3:  This note has been lost.]

[Footnote 4:  In subsequent letters he speaks of her “blue gray-black eyes.”]

[Footnote 5:  Inspector at Schoenhausen.]

[Footnote 6:  Compare the enclosure, in which I used often to find the expression of my inmost thought.  Now, never any more. (Enclosed was a copy of Byron’s poem, “To Inez.")]

[Footnote 7:  Frauelein von Blumenthal, afterwards Frau von Boehn.]

[Footnote 8:  English in the original.]

[Footnote 9:  English in the original.]

[Footnote 10:  Von Puttkamer Poberow.]

[Footnote 11:  Frau von Blanckenburg]

[Footnote 12:  English in the original.]

[Footnote 13:  English in the original.]

[Footnote 14:  “Right honorable,” a common form of address on letters.  B. refers more than once to her distinctive way of writing this title.]

[Footnote 15:  English in the original.]

[Footnote 16:  Fiance.]

[Footnote 17:  Frau von Zanthier, born von Puttkamer.]

[Footnote 18:  Military charge.]

[Footnote 19:  Von Bismarck, the oldest nephew.]

[Footnote 20:  Von Thadden, commanding a squadron in the First Dragoon Guards.]

* * * * *

CORRESPONDENCE OF WILLIAM I. AND BISMARCK [21]

TRANSLATED BY J.A.  FORD

BISMARCK TO KING WILLIAM

Berlin, December 8, ’63.

YOUR MAJESTY:—­