Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive.
Transcriber's Notes:
1. Page scan source:
http://www.archive.org/details/forsceptreandcr00samagoog
2. Gregor Samarow is pseudonym of Johann Ferdinand Martin Oskar
Meding.
3. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
FOR SCEPTRE AND CROWN.
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* * * * *
HENRY S. KING AND CO. LONDON.
_FOR SCEPTRE AND CROWN_
A ROMANCE OF THE PRESENT TIME.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF
GREGOR SAMAROW.
IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I.
HENRY S. KING AND CO.
65, Cornhill, and 12, Paternoster Row, London.
1875.
(_All rights reserved_.)
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
The success which "Um Szepter und Kronen" has met with on the Continent
justifies an English translation. The author, who writes under the _nom
de plume_ of Gregor Samarow, is, if report speak truly, himself one of
the characters described in his work as the friend and confidant of the
chivalrous and unfortunate sovereign who is its principal hero. This
explains the ease and familiarity with which the various courts and
cabinets are described, the author's personal acquaintance with the
statesmen and diplomatists he has pourtrayed, and it accounts for the
value of the work as a clever and interesting political sketch.
It is as a political sketch, and not as an ordinary novel, that it is
offered to this country.
Although the great events of 1870 and 1871 have almost swept from
memory the history of preceding years, yet the struggle of 1866--the
Seven Weeks' War--must ever be memorable; it was the prelude to the
great Franco-German War, and its immediate result was that immense
increase in the power of Prussia which placed her in her present
position of supreme leader in Germany.
CONTENTS OF VOL. I.
Chapter
I. Bismark and Manteuffel.
II. Fair Wendland.
III. Vienna.
IV. Napoleon.
V. George V.
VI. An Erring Meteor.
VII. The Duel and the Rose.
VIII. Francis Joseph II.
IX. Helena.
X. Berlin.
XI. The Last Day at Herrenhausen.
XII. Campaigning begins.
FOR SCEPTRE AND CROWN.
CHAPTER I.
BISMARCK AND MANTEUFFEL.
About nine o'clock on a dark April evening in the year 1866, a Berlin
cab drove up the Wilhelmsstrasse with the trot peculiar to those
vehicles, and stopped between the two lamps illuminating the door of
No. 76, the house of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The ground floor
of this long two-storeyed house was well lighted up, and any one who
peeped through the green blinds could see into many office-like rooms,
well-filled with industrious writers, notwithstanding the lateness of
the hour. The windows of the upper storey were only faintly lighted
here and there.
From the cab which drew up before this house stepped a middle-sized
man, dressed in a dark paletot and black hat; he came close to the
gas-lamp to look in his purse for the right coins with which to pay the
fare, and as soon as he had settled with the numbered Automedon he rang
loudly at the door-bell.
The door opened almost immediately, and the person demanding admittance
entered a spacious _porte-cochere_, at the end of which, between two
large sleeping stone lions, ascended the flight of steps leading to the
interior of the house. On one side of the doorway a window opened into
the porter's lodge, and at the window appeared the porter's face,
wearing that peculiarly stolid expression common to the door-keepers of
all great houses.
The porter looked at the new-comer inquisitively through the half-open
window, but he only gave him a hasty glance as he walked on with quiet,
measured tread to the flight of steps.
As he moved forwards, the light fell brightly on his face, and showed
the features of a man of about sixty years of age, of a rather dark and
healthy complexion. The quick, animated dark eyes looked piercing and
bright, even through gold-rimmed spectacles, though they also expressed
calmness and benevolence. His well-chiselled, regular nose was slightly
bowed over the small, firm, beardless mouth, and an energetic up-turned
chin completed a countenance so characteristic, that when once beheld
it was seldom forgotten.
No sooner did the look darted through these gold spectacles reach the
window of the porter's lodge, than the porter's face changed as if by
magic.
The expression of indifference and easy condescension vanished
instantly, the countenance assumed the look befitting a zealous
servant, and its possessor hastened from the door of his lodge leading
to the steps, and at last stood in a precise attitude, proving him to
be an old soldier, before the visitor, who in the meantime had gained
the entrance hall on the ground floor, to which the large stone steps
led.
"Is the minister at home?" he inquired, with simple politeness, which,
equally unlike the over-strained courtesy of the petitioner and the
haughty _nonchalance_ of the _parvenu_, proved him to be a man
accustomed to move with ease in the highest society.
"At your command, your Excellency," replied the porter in his official
manner. "The French Ambassador has just gone, and no one is here. The
minister is now alone."
"And how do you get on? still sound and fit for service?" asked the
visitor, kindly.
"Most humble thanks for your Excellency's gracious inquiries. I still
get about, although somewhat weaker. Everyone does not wear so well as
your Excellency."
"Well, well, we all get older, and draw nearer to the end. Keep a brave
heart, and God be with you!" With these kind words, heartily spoken,
the grave-looking man walked up the broad staircase towards the first
storey, while the old door-keeper watched him with respectful pleasure,
and then returned to his lodge.
In the ante-room on the upper floor "his Excellency" found Herr von
Bismarck's _valet-de-chambre_, Schoenhausen, and was at once conducted
through a large, dimly-lighted apartment to the cabinet of the
minister. The door was thrown open by the servant, who announced for
his master's benefit, "His Excellency von Manteuffel!"
Herr von Bismarck sat at a large writing-table, piled with acts and
papers. It was placed in the middle of the room, and lighted by a tall
lamp with a dark shade. An arm-chair stood on the other side of the
table, in which the minister usually seated his visitors.
Herr von Bismarck rose at his servant's announcement and walked towards
his visitor, whilst Manteuffel took in the whole room with one glance
from his quick eyes; then, with a slight half-melancholy smile, he
seized the president-minister's outstretched hand.
It was a picture of the deepest interest. In the half-second during
which these two men stood opposite each other, the present touched the
past and the future--the old, the new Prussia.
Both the men were sensible of this impression. They stood opposite one
another for a moment in silence.
Herr von Manteuffel we have already described whilst he was entering
the Foreign Office. It is only needful to add that the removal of his
hat showed hair which was grey and thin, and cut very short. He stood
quite still, his right hand clasped in Bismarck's, whilst the slender
white fingers of his left held his hat. His features maintained perfect
calmness; his mouth was firmly closed, and a guarded reserve appeared
to stamp its seal upon the whole being of the man.
Herr von Bismarck, almost a head taller, stood towering above him. The
bearing of his powerful form showed he was accustomed to wear uniform;
his massive, strongly-marked countenance spoke in its decided features
of a vehement, passionate soul; the clear, penetrating grey eyes turned
boldly, with a cold gaze, upon the object they wished to watch; and the
broad, high brow, which from being somewhat bald appeared even higher
than it was, showed immense power of forcing, by an iron will, thoughts
and ideas to logical arrangement.
"I thank you for your kind visit," said Bismarck, after a few moments.
"You preferred coming to me here, instead of receiving me as I
requested."
"It is better so," replied Manteuffel. "Your visit to me would have
excited curiosity. Here, too, we are safe from eavesdroppers; and, I
suppose, an important subject is to be discussed."
"Yes, unhappily, only a grave and extraordinary occasion can procure me
the happiness of hearing the experienced counsels of my old chief. You
know how often I long for your advice, and yet you always avoid every
expression of opinion," said Herr von Bismarck, with a slight accent of
reproach.
"What good would it do?" returned Herr von Manteuffel, politely but
coldly. "To act for myself, to answer for myself, was my rule when I
occupied the position you now fill. If once a leading statesman begins
to ask advice right and left, he loses the power of advancing
resolutely on the path which his reason and his conscience point out to
him as the right one."
"Now, truly, it is not my way to listen to every one, and no want of
resolution prevents my choosing my own path," cried Bismarck, warmly;
"and," he added, with a slight smile, "my friends the members of the
Diet cast it daily in my teeth that I do not sufficiently heed their
good advice; yet you will own that there are moments when the strongest
brain may long to hear the views and the advice of a master mind, who
can look back, my honoured friend, upon such actions as yours."
"And such a moment has now come?" asked Manteuffel, quietly, whilst his
piercing eyes rested on Bismarck's animated face, his own features not
in the least responding to the compliment just paid him.
"If ever there was a time in which the strongest mind must be assailed
by doubt, it is the present moment. You know the position of Germany
and of Europe, and you know that the mighty crisis _must_ come, upon
which the fate of centuries depends," said Herr von Bismarck.
"I believe it _will_ come, whether it _must_ come or not; but," added
Herr von Manteuffel, after a short pause, "our conference will touch
upon subjects of the highest importance, and you know my profound
dislike of officious meddling in things which do not concern me. May I
then ask, does the king know of this conversation, and of its subject?"
"His Majesty knows, and desires I should ask your advice," answered
Bismarck.
"Then it is my duty to express my humble opinion so far as it is formed
in my own mind," said Manteuffel, quietly, as he seated himself in the
arm-chair near the writing-table, while Bismarck took his usual place.
"Before, however, I can speak on the present situation, I must know
what your intentions are, what is the aim of your policy, and by what
means you intend to attain that end. Permit me," he continued, as with
a slight movement of the hand he politely repressed a remark from Herr
von Bismarck--"permit me to state, from my private and remote
observations, what I believe your intentions to be. You must then
honestly tell me if I am right or mistaken."
Herr von Bismarck bowed in silence, and fixed his candid eyes with a
look of the greatest attention upon Herr von Manteuffel.
"Your aim is," continued the latter, quietly, "according to the
conviction I feel from the progress of events, to solve, or rather to
end, the great German question; your aim is to place Prussia at the
head of the political and military power of Germany, and to turn the
edge of the sword against any who shall oppose you. In a word, you wish
to bring that long, chronic sickness, called 'the German Question,' to
an acute crisis, and to cure it for ever by the arcanum of blood and
iron."
"I do," replied Bismarck, without moving or raising his voice; but it
vibrated so strangely that these two words rang through the room like
the clash of arms, and his eyes, which were still fixed on Herr von
Manteuffel, seemed to emit an electric stream. Thus, when Laocoon's
lance touched the horse of Troy, there rang from within, the low, faint
clang of the Grecian arms, the first note of that terrible harmony,
before which the walls of Pergamus were destroyed, and which, echoing
back from the strings of Homer's lyre, for two thousand years has
thrilled the hearts of men.
"You do not deceive yourself as to the strong opposition you will
encounter," continued Herr von Manteuffel; "the crisis is come, and the
struggle will take place, and before long, for unless I am quite
deceived, the other side is equally anxious to bring matters to an
issue."
"I know it," replied Herr von Bismarck.
"Well," added Manteuffel, "we must then consider the means we can
employ in this struggle. There is, to begin with, the Prussian army--a
thing of great preponderance, which will weigh heavily in the balance,
and the importance of which I do not undervalue for a moment. This army
possesses advantages which I do not understand, but which are very
important in a military point of view: the needle-gun, the artillery,
and the general staff. But in this struggle other powers must be taken
into consideration; our allies, and public opinion. Our allies seem to
me doubtful--France? You must know better than I, your position with
the Man of Silence; England will wait for the success of one side or
the other; Russia is safe. As to public opinion----"
"Is there such a thing?" interrupted Bismarck.
Herr von Manteuffel smiled slightly, and continued, "Under ordinary
circumstances, public opinion is the result of an effective bit of
decoration, which makes a lively impression on the crowd, now lighting
up Fiesco's restless sea, now throwing a flood of heavenly glory into
Egmont's dungeon. To those behind the scenes, it is the result of
machinery, and is produced by pulling the right string at the right
moment. I believe _we_ understand both scenes and machinery. But there
is another kind of public opinion that rises like the wind,
incomprehensible, unmanageable, and terrible as the wind when it rouses
itself to a storm. The strife that lies nearest in the lap of Fate is a
strife of German against German, a civil war, and in such a war Public
Opinion claims her right: she is a powerful ally and a terrible foe,
terrible above all to the vanquished, against whom she calls up
relentlessly the _vae victis_. Public opinion, however, is against war,
less perhaps in Germany than in Prussia itself, and honestly
considering the composition of the Prussian army, that is no subject
for indifference."
Herr von Bismarck exclaimed warmly, "Do you believe it possible
that----"
"The Prussian army should forget its duty, and refuse to march?"
concluded Herr von Manteuffel. "No, never; certainly not! Single
instances of irregularity might occur in the Landwehr; they would be
unusual, most unusual. The army will do its duty, it is the incarnation
of a perfect sense of duty, but you will not deny there is an immense
difference between duty performed with heartiness and enthusiasm, or
with ill-will and aversion?"
"Heartiness and enthusiasm will come with success," said Bismarck.
"But until then?"
"Until then the spirit of duty must be kept firm, and the management
must be good."
"Well," said Manteuffel, "I do not doubt it will be so. I only wished
to point out, that in this strife a mighty and important power will be
not _for_, but _against_ you."
"You are right as to the present moment," replied Herr von Bismarck,
after a short pause; "to-day public opinion, which you so aptly
compared to the wind, is against me; but it changes as easily as the
wind itself. And yet I cannot allow you are altogether right. It is
true the superficial world, composed of the shallow liberalism of the
tea-gardens and the ale-houses, prating of a Germany which exists only
in its own brain, speaks of a civil and fratricidal war against
Austria, but believe me, this does not go down with the Prussian
people. The heart of Prussia goes at the head of her army, and through
the army rings the 'Hohenfriedberg March,'--the Prussian people regards
the country of Maria Theresa as the foe of that Prussian spirit which
old Fritz breathed into the nation. And these orators and speechifiers?
Oh, I fear them not, with their public opinion, which will change like
a weather-cock in the wind, at the first breath of success."
"I, too, will own that you are partly right, but not quite," said Herr
von Manteuffel; "but success--is it certain? Is it prepared beforehand?
We have touched upon two powers, let us come to the third, perhaps the
most important--allies. What is your position with France and Napoleon
III.?"
At this direct and sharply-uttered question, which was accompanied by a
look quite as cutting as the tone of voice in which it was asked, Herr
von Bismarck's lips trembled slightly for a moment, and something of
uncertainty, doubt, and mistrust, perhaps a mixture of all three,
appeared in his eyes; but all this quickly vanished, and he answered
calmly, in the same clear, ringing voice as before,
"Good--at least as good as it can be with this mysterious sphinx."
"Have you agreements, treaties,--or, far better than these, have you a
personal promise from Napoleon?" inquired Manteuffel.
"You catechise closely," replied Bismarck, "but I stand before my
master; hear then what has happened in that quarter, and how the
question now stands.
"More than two years ago, in November, 1864, I spoke to the emperor on
the Danish question. He was eager for the restitution of North
Schleswig to Denmark. I spoke on the sad and critical situation of
Prussia, split into two distinct halves; I stated how great an error it
would be to erect a new small state in the north, and how much more
advantageous it would be to Denmark to have a great and powerful
neighbour, than to have on her borders the little court of a prince who
sets up claims to the Danish crown. The emperor listened to everything,
and from the few words he said seemed to agree with me on the need of
better boundaries for Prussia, though as usual it was impossible to
make him say anything clear and decided; but he was evidently much
displeased with Austria, and complained of the great insincerity of the
Court of Vienna."
"And did you promise him North Schleswig if he supported your views?"
asked Manteuffel.
"He may think I did," replied Bismarck, smiling a little; "as he
confined himself to listening and nodding his head, I thought it only
necessary to make vague remarks."
Herr von Manteuffel bowed his head in silence, and Herr von Bismarck
continued.
"At the Gastein conference some explanations took place, but I could
not succeed in obtaining any positive declaration, and in November,
1865, I went to Biarritz; but there, too, it was impossible to draw the
Man of Silence from his resolute reserve. I knew that important
negotiations were going on with Austria for the solution of the Italian
question; perhaps this was the cause of the cold reserve shown to me;
perhaps, too----you know Count Goltz?"
"I know him," said Manteuffel, with a meaning smile.
"You know, too, that at that time a rumour was circulated that Count
Goltz would take my place. What was going on in Paris was not clear to
me; but things did not go as I wished, and as I thought they should. I
acted for myself. On my return from Biarritz I spoke to Prince
Napoleon."
"Seriously?" asked Herr von Manteuffel.
"Quite seriously," answered Bismarck, with a slight smile upon his
lips, "and I saw that Italy was the bait with which the imperial policy
must be caught. Good Prince Napoleon was fire and flame. I got up an
agitation in Florence, and in a short time firm negotiations were
established, the result of which I will lay before you."
Herr von Manteuffel expressed by a movement, his intense interest in
this communication.
Herr von Bismarck turned over a small bundle of papers which lay on the
writing-table close to his hand, and went on.
"Here is the Italian treaty, negotiated with General Govone; it
undertakes to attack Austria on the south, with the sea and land forces
of Italy."
"And France?" asked Manteuffel.
"The emperor concedes," replied Bismarck, "our acquisition of Holstein
and Schleswig, without the province of North Schleswig; he acknowledges
the necessity of connecting the two divided portions of Prussia, to do
which part of Hanover and Hesse Cassel must be obtained; neither will
he oppose the Prussian command of the 10th army corps of the
confederacy."
"And what does _he_ want?" asked Manteuffel.
"Venetia for Italy."
"And for himself, for France?"
"For himself," returned Bismarck, "nothing."
"Nothing?" said Herr von Manteuffel, "nothing? But have you no clue to
his unspoken thoughts? As far as I remember he _wanted_ nothing, when
he took Savoy and Nice after the Italian war."
"As to his thoughts," said Bismarck, "I believe I guess correctly when
I say he regards the possession of Luxemburg as highly desirable, and
in the far horizon the acquisition of Belgium by France seems feasible
to him. You know that in Brussels the wind often blows strongly to
Orleans."
"And what does Napoleon think about you in connection with these
desires?" further inquired Manteuffel.
"What he pleases," returned Bismarck, indifferently. "If he wanted
nothing, I had no occasion to promise him anything, and as to his
wishes,--well,--it certainly was not my business to point out to him
that they were foolish and unattainable."
"I understand," said Manteuffel, with a nod.
"Hanover must receive compensation for what she cedes to us in
Lauenburg and Holstein," added Bismarck.
"Did the Emperor Napoleon require it?" inquired Herr von Manteuffel,
with some surprise.
"Certainly not," replied Bismarck; "after the traditions of his family
he loves not the Guelphs, and, as you see, the basis of the whole
arrangement is Prussian supremacy in North Germany; what goes on there
is to him a matter of complete indifference. No, our own gracious
master is most anxious that Hanover should stand by us in the
approaching struggle, and that the old family ties which exist between
the two houses should be continued in the future."
"And you yourself," inquired Herr von Manteuffel, "what do you think
about the 'Hanoverian question?'"
"Simply from a political point of view," replied Bismarck, candidly, "I
certainly wish Hanover did not exist, and I regret that at the Congress
of Vienna our diplomacy was not exerted to persuade the royal family of
England to give up this hereditary possession. I think we might have
succeeded. Hanover is a thorn in our flesh, and even with the best
intentions towards us, cripples us greatly. When she bears us ill-will,
as for some time past has been the case, she is really dangerous. If I
were the complete Machiavelli I am accused of being, I should direct my
whole attention to the acquisition of Hanover. Perhaps it would not be
so difficult as it appears," he added, following, though half
unwillingly, the thoughts which arose in his mind; "neither the English
nation, nor the royal family in England, would trouble themselves much
about it, and--but as you know, our gracious king is highly
conservative, and has a deep respect for the connection between Prussia
and Hanover, embodied in Sophia Charlotte and Queen Louise,--and
I--well--I am not less conservative; this connection is not less sacred
to me, and I follow the ideas of the King from my heart and my head,
and I will endeavour to make the future existence of Hanover possible.
But things cannot go on as they are at present--we must have
guarantees; the more our country enlarges and consolidates its
possessions, the more our commerce increases, so much the less can
Prussia permit, in her body, so near to her heart, a foreign element,
which in any crisis may turn into a hostile element. I can then reply
to you with the greatest truth: I will honestly and earnestly strive to
win over Hanover, and if on her side she stands by her old traditions,
and is true to us, I will endeavour to create her a safe and
honourable, nay, a brilliant position in North Germany. But of a truth
she must cease to make us feel she is an encumbrance."
"And have you any prospect of succeeding in arranging a firm alliance
with Hanover?" asked Herr von Manteuffel.
"I hope so," replied Bismarck, after a moment's pause. "Count Platen
was here; you know him?"
Herr von Manteuffel smiled.
"Well," added Herr von Bismarck, "we spared nothing; we overwhelmed him
with compliments of every kind. He received the Grand Cross of the Red
Eagle."
"Why not of the Black Eagle?" asked Manteuffel.
"Bah! Some powder must always be reserved; he was overjoyed as it was.
I propounded to him the family connection which his Majesty himself
earnestly desires, and through which, perhaps, the whole question may
be settled in the most friendly manner."
"I know of this casually," interrupted Manteuffel; "do you think the
project will succeed?"
"They seem favourable in Hanover," replied Bismarck; "in Norderney as
well as in Marienburg--time will show; for the present, I place more
reliance on our policy."
"And what has Count Platen promised us?"
"Neutrality, as he already promised Count Ysenburg!"
"And is the treaty concluded?"
"Count Platen could not, of course, conclude it himself, and he wished
the whole matter to be a profound secret, that the suspicions of France
and Austria might not be prematurely aroused. He made me the most
distinct promises, and spoke so bitterly of Beust, and of the ministry
of Vienna, that I could not but believe him."
"Forgive me," exclaimed Herr von Manteuffel, "for being on this
Hanoverian question,--I consider it of the greatest importance; in
short, forgive me for being still sceptical. It seems to me
negotiations have been carried on without any definite result, beyond
assurances and promises from Count Platen. Would it not have been
better to take some decided step in Hanover itself? George V. is no
Louis XIII., and Count Platen no Richelieu."
"I thought of that also," remarked Herr von Bismarck. "You know Herr
von Stockhausen, accredited here by Hanover, is related to the
Baudissins. One of the Baudissins, an author and writer in newspapers,
of whom you may have heard, has, through young von Stockhausen, his
father's secretary, formed a great friendship with Keudell; perhaps
through that channel we may influence the King of Hanover. I must,
however, repeat that I sincerely desire friendly relations with
Hanover, and the maintenance of the throne, and that I will do all in
my power to obtain this result, contrary to the opinion of many
Prussians, as you know. Hanover and Hesse Cassel always hang together;
the Prince of Hesse follows in the footsteps of the King of Hanover.
This question causes me little uneasiness, however; their forces are
small, and in any encounter we must be victorious."
"And," added Herr von Manteuffel, "will it be possible to engage
Bavaria and Wurtemberg to remain neutral during a war with Austria?"
"No," replied Herr von Bismarck, "the Austrian party is all-powerful in
Munich; and Prince Reuss writes me word that since a rumour has been
heard of the Italian alliance, all hopes of Bavarian neutrality are
gone. The only thing we may attain is a lukewarm war. The real
difficulty will be with Bohemia. I believe I have now candidly laid
before you the whole of our present position. If you wish any
particular point to be more clearly stated, question me upon it; and
now I beg your opinion _en connaissance de cause_."
Herr von Manteuffel looked for a moment on the ground in silence; then
he raised his eyes to the animated face opposite to him, and began to
speak in the soft melodious voice, and flowing, impressive language
which always, though he was never a great public orator, produced so
powerful an effect in private intercourse.
"I see, certainly, that you have considered every point which will
influence the approaching struggle, and in many respects the chances of
success are in your favour; but only one point is fully prepared,
complete, and sure: this point is the Prussian army. Everything else in
the building is tottering and unsafe. The relations with France are
neither clear nor certain; Germany appears to me hostile; then, to
speak candidly, I do not believe in the neutrality of Hanover; the
king's character makes a safe and prudent policy very improbable, and,
I repeat it, Hanover may be very dangerous. Remember the Kalik brigade
is still in Holstein; remember Hanover and Hesse combined, possess a
tolerably large army, and you would have no troops to spare for
operating against them. Italy? Her alliance is certain, you tell me;
well, I will believe she holds to her promises. Do you think an Italian
army can reckon on success? I do not think so. However miserable
Austria's military organization may be, let Italy be the theatre of war
in the district of those square fortresses, and Austria will always
win; the Austrian general-staff know all that district as well as a
chess-board: they have been educated, so to speak, drilled by it. I
foresee only defeat for Italy."
"But," interrupted Bismarck, with some warmth, "the very fact of
Austria's being compelled to carry on two wars at once will weigh
heavily against her. How many troops will be opposed to us? Austria, I
have been informed, hopes to obtain from the different German States
800,000 men; I know for certain there will not be half that number."
"Well," said Manteuffel, "let us leave off calculating the chances; I
acknowledge they are in your favour, chiefly through the excellence of
the army. But another grave question arises; Is war necessary? Is the
position such, that all the horrors, all the great dangers of a mighty
struggle must be encountered? You know I too desire to see Prussia at
the head of Germany; I desire it as a Prussian, I wish for it from
conviction as a German, and as a minister I laboured for it to the best
of my ability. I believed, however, it would be the result of organic
growth, developed by time, and I dreaded, as the greatest foe to
Prussian leadership, the mistrust of Germany. This mistrust, the
fear of the princes for their sovereignty and the future of their
dynasties--the fear of the different races lest their individuality
should be stamped out by Prussia, has been skilfully used by Austria,
who is secured from this mistrust by her greater complexity. I held it
should be the endeavour of Prussia (for which I worked myself) to
obtain the confidence of the princes and people of Germany. That
gained, the leadership is ours, and Austria's part played out; for were
it not for this mistrust, the German spirit--the spirit of creation and
enlightenment--the spirit of progressive national life, would turn to
us. I have besides my own views about a Prussian war. Our power is
great, but it is peculiar and especial; for when it is fully used it
sends the whole nation to the field of battle, and with one unfortunate
defeat we should be nearer an extreme catastrophe than any other
nation. So long as our power threatens, it is strong; it diminishes
when action commences. Whilst we stand 'on guard,' the world must dread
us. I think," added Herr von Manteuffel, with a shade of satisfaction
in his voice, "the Peace of Paris speaks in favour of my maxim. Where
is the need of destroying this feeling, greatly endangered by the
events with which the century commenced? where is the need of risking
Prussia's powerful position of reserve in the uncertain game of war?
You will perhaps think me a cowardly, narrow-minded pedant; but you
asked my opinion, and I am justified in giving it to you fully."
While Manteuffel spoke, Bismarck's face expressed lively emotion.
Increasing impatience trembled over his features, but he did not
interrupt by word or movement. As Manteuffel ended, he stood up,
approached his guest, and seized his hand, exclaiming:
"Oh, my honoured friend! I know your opinions; I know the noble ideas
which guided you while you held the rudder of the Prussian state; I
know your conscientiousness and wisdom, and believe me, I too am far
from wishing to risk the safety of the Prussian state, which it has
required a century of genius and industry to create. Believe me, it is
not I that provoke this war; I find myself forced to it by necessity,
and if I have not the king's pious horror of measuring myself against
perfidious Austria, yet I would never, unless obliged, drive matters to
extremity. But I know they have resolved on war in Vienna; they will
not allow us to take our rightful position. Yes, they have determined
to entangle and destroy us in the machinery of the Confederation, as
you know from the trouble and anxiety you yourself have experienced.
That Saxon Beust, and his friends in Vienna--the sanguine Meysenbug,
the ambitious pedant Biegeleben, and the fine gentleman Max Gagern,
dream of a new German empire, and of a parliament of their own making,
which is to place the Emperor Francis Joseph upon the imperial throne
of Germany; and the emperor himself lives and moves in these dreams;
they really turned his brain with that comedy at Frankfort. The fools
did not remember," he cried energetically, as he paced the room with
large strides, "that in Frankfort he was not emperor who roasted whole
the _b[oe]uf historique_, to the immense joy of the crowd, and who
roused the unhappy German princes from their beds in the early dawn,"
he added, with a bitter smile, "to listen, at a _matinee politique_, to
Beust's lukewarm-water eloquence. No, truly he was not the emperor.
Another rather, before whose cold refusal and quiet absence the whole
apparition vanished into thin air! And I am to wait quietly until they
perhaps find a more favourable moment for effecting their grand
designs? But, my revered friend," he continued, as he again approached
Herr von Manteuffel, who listened to him with the same calmness as
before, "but are there not moments in which bold resolution, rash
action, is needful to obtain great success and avert impending danger?
Does not the history of Prussia record more than one such moment?
What would have become of Prussia if Frederick the Great had waited
until the plans of Austria and Saxony--greatly resembling those of
to-day--had had time to ripen, if he had not, with the quick bold gripe
of his strong hand, destroyed the web of envy and wickedness they were
spinning around him? Where would Prussia have been without York's bold
decision? Oh! my honoured friend," exclaimed Bismarck, with emotion,
while his form seemed to expand, "my heart tells me, and my reason does
not contradict the feeling, that the spirit of the great Frederick, and
the spirit of 1813, is the breath of life which inspires Prussian
history; that the hand of the world's great time-piece points to an
hour in which this spirit must live again, and again urge Prussia
onwards: not to go onwards now is to turn back--back into unknown
paths. With this conviction in my heart, shall I sit still and let
misfortune come; wait," he added, in a lower voice, "until a hand
perhaps less strong than mine, a heart less courageous than my own, is
called upon to face the danger?"
Herr von Manteuffel, his arm resting on the writing-table, and his eyes
cast on the ground, had until now listened without moving. He rose and
looked straight into the prime minister's eyes, who waited for him to
speak with great excitement and anxiety.
"Herr von Bismarck," he said in his calm voice, in which a warmer tone
was heard than before, "you touch a string which vibrates through every
Prussian's heart. Who can deny that there are moments in which bold
action leads to safety? who can deny that by seizing such moments with
firm resolution, Prussia has become what she is? Whether the present is
such a moment no mortal can say with certainty, and I will not argue
the question with you. To act according to their judgment and their
conscience is the duty of those who stand upon the steps of the throne.
You stand there now, and I thank God that I do not; for what occurs you
must answer to history, your country, and your king. You must decide on
what you ought to do, and for nothing in the world would I throw a
doubt on your decision. Yet one more question; be patient, it shall be
the last, perhaps it is the most important."
Manteuffel came a step nearer to Herr von Bismarck, and in a low tone,
which made even a greater impression on his hearer, said:--
"What if the game of war goes against you? what if the chances are
wrongly reckoned? We are all liable to error; if the victorious foe
gains the power of carrying out the plans so long prepared, embittered
by the strife, and haughty with success, what scheme have you framed,
what preparation have you made to shield Prussia from danger, even from
destruction? You know I have always held the maxim, that a good general
must be prepared for a retreat, you will therefore think my question
natural, and know how important I deem it."
Herr von Bismarck's face, hitherto so animated, assumed an expression
of calm pride; his lips were firmly compressed, and his eyes flashed
like rays of light from naked swords. With the metallic vibration which
at certain moments rang through his voice, he replied,
"If I deemed it possible, or could believe that a Prussian army would
be beaten by Austria, I would not be the Prussian minister."
He uttered these words in a tone of inmost conviction, and Manteuffel
slowly stepped backwards, and gazed with amazement at the prime
minister's enthusiastic face, as though he scarcely understood him.
Then he turned leisurely away, seized his hat, and bowing politely to
Bismarck, he said quite in his ordinary manner:
"I believe our conversation is concluded; we have exhausted the
subject, and I must no longer waste your valuable time."
The excitement faded from Bismarck's countenance, and melancholy took
its place, as he answered, sadly:
"The subject is not exhausted,--say rather, you will discuss it no
longer, since, as I plainly perceive, we move in eccentric circles
which have not a single point in common."
"If such be the case," said Manteuffel, "any further revolutions on our
separate orbits would be useless, but I think," he added, smiling
slightly, "on one point we shall agree; time is too precious to be lost
in useless words."
"Then farewell," said Bismarck gravely, as he pressed Manteuffel's
hand; "you leave me by one hope poorer, by one support weaker."
"You need no support," returned Manteuffel, "and if your convictions
prove true, my most earnest wishes for the increase and development of
Prussia's greatness will be fulfilled."
He bowed slightly, and left the room.
Bismarck accompanied him to the ante-room, and then seated himself at
his writing-table; for some moments he was lost in thought.
"They all, yes, all!" he suddenly cried at last, as he sprang from his
chair and paced the room with hasty stops, "they all sing the same
song; they all talk of the responsibility, of the danger, of the
horrors of war. But do I not feel the responsibility? do I not see the
danger? does not my heart grow cold at the thought of the horrors of
war? But while I see the danger, I cannot withdraw from the necessity,
and while I am convinced of the necessity, I must undertake the
responsibility. I understand why most of them would withhold me from
bold action, the Liberals in the parliament fear the clash of arms;
yes, they dread even victory, and all those weak-minded creatures who
prefer to cling in cowardly submission to the present rather than face
the future, they are always the same through all the centuries of
history: but he--he is a man of courage and action, he knows danger and
does not fear it, yet he warns me back. This is serious; in comparison
to a word from this man, all the privy councillors, diplomatists, and
bureaucratists in the whole world are but a feather weight in the
scale: and he desires me to prepare for a retreat!"
He stood still for a moment and looked thoughtfully on the ground.
"And is he not right?" he said, sadly and gloomily. "If success fails
me, if the enemy is powerful enough to bow down, to break Prussia, what
could I do? walk away, like a careless gambler, judged by all, handed
down in all future history as a jest to the common herd; but then," he
cried, casting a glowing look upwards, "there is the other side, to
draw back, with a conviction of victory in my heart, to lose the
opportunity, perhaps for ever, of accomplishing for Prussia the great
and glorious future, which I see so brilliantly before me--
'The moment comes, but if it is not seized,
Not all eternity will bring it back.'"[1]
Again he stood still and gazed before him in deep thought.
"Oh, for light in this darkness!" he cried, "I must have the sky above
me, and the fresh air must cool my blood." He seized his hat and left
the room, descended the stair which led from his house to the
courtyard, walked through the courtyard with long strides and plunged
into the dark walks of a large garden, where trees of ancient growth
shaded the back of the hotel and Office for Foreign Affairs.
* * * * *
The same evening, in the same building, in an elegant and cheerfully
lighted drawing-room sat an elderly and a young lady, busied with
some light feminine work. On one side stood the tea-table, and the
tea-kettle sang that peculiar song, which is thought by the English,
when joined by the chirping of the cricket, to be the music of the
hearth, a greeting from home.
The two ladies were the wife and daughter of the president minister,
and von Keudell the minister of legation, the most intimate friend of
his chief, sat with them.
They spoke of several events in Berlin society, of the theatres, and
various other subjects of interest, but Madame von Bismarck frequently
looked with an expression of uneasiness and anxiety towards the door.
"Do you know if my husband has a visitor?" she asked, turning to von
Keudell; "I am always uneasy lest his excessive work should seriously
injure his health, and I feel quite bitter towards any visitor who
shortens the few moments he spends with us in the evening, to rest his
brain and refresh his nerves."
"I believe," replied Herr von Keudell, "no one is with him, but he has
a few things to conclude."
The door opened, and Bismarck entered. He greeted his wife and daughter
affectionately, shook hands with von Keudell, and seated himself in the
small family circle.
The minister's daughter poured out tea, whilst a servant handed him a
cut-glass of Bavarian beer, which he half emptied at one draught.
"Field Marshal Wrangel came to see me," said Madame von Bismarck; "he
wished to pay you a visit, but I prevented him, I told him you were
extremely busy."
"I thank you," replied her husband, "I certainly had no time to-day for
friendly visits. Affairs become more and more involved, and I need
solitude to arrange my thoughts,--and concentrate my will," he added,
as the preoccupied look, perceptible when he entered the room,
increased.
"The field marshal brought me something very delightful," continued
Madame von Bismarck, as she took up an envelope which lay on a little
table before her; "I had a good laugh with him at this very original
idea."
So saying, she drew out a little card and presented it to her husband.
"Ah!" he cried, "my likeness, with little Lucca--have they published it
already? Well, with all my heart; we are both in excellent company!" He
laughed as he examined the little picture, and added: "I met her lately
Unter den Linden, and walked with her a little way, she complained
bitterly of ennui.
"'I know not what there is to do,
Unless I'm photographed; do you?'
she cried, impatiently. I offered to join her in this singular
amusement, and the result is this comical little carte--which they will
talk about, no doubt. _Tant mieux_, a case of the dog of Alcibiades."
Madame von Bismarck looked at the funny little picture, and laughed
merrily, but her husband was again lost in gloomy thought.
After a few minutes, during which conversation languished, he raised
his head, turned to Herr von Keudell, and said:--
"Will you give us a little music, dear Keudell?"
Keudell seated himself directly at the open piano, which stood on the
other side of the drawing-room.
He struck a few chords, and then began to play a kind of prelude, with
his wonderfully clear and powerful touch; it progressed irregularly,
sometimes by unexpected dissonances, which seemed to accord with the
minister's feelings.
Bismarck rose and walked slowly up and down the room, stepping lightly
that he might not interrupt the music, nor disturb the impression it
made upon him.
Keudell played on and on, sinking ever deeper into the world of sound.
Suddenly some powerful chords shook themselves free from all
dissonance, and after an easy transition he began to play softly
Beethoven's "Sonata in A major."
He had scarcely began the simple yet affecting air, when Bismarck
paused, and the expression of his eyes and the smile on his lips showed
that Herr von Keudell's choice consoled and solaced him.
He again paced the room during the glorious variations evoked from this
simple air by the immense genius of the poet of sound; as their
wonderful sound pictures were unrolled, the minister's face expressed a
mighty inward struggle. Now he paused for a moment as if undecided,
whispering half-spoken words, then again he walked on rapidly, his eyes
gazing into an unseen distance, oblivious of everything around him.
Madame von Bismarck watched her husband with uneasy sympathy; she saw
his restless, agitated expression, but she did not disturb von
Keudell's playing by a word.
He had now come to that wonderfully beautiful part of the sonata called
by Beethoven, "Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un eroe," and his masterly
execution made the grand chords of the march resound through the room.
Bismarck stood still. His powerful hand grasped the back of a chair,
his eyes were directed upwards, and he looked as if an inspiration
passed through his mind as he listened to the impressive tones.
Then followed a representation of the muffled drums, the blast of the
trumpets resounded, and von Keudell, carried away by the beauty of the
composition, rendered it so as to surpass himself.
Madame von Bismarck had laid down her work and was listening
thoughtfully.
The president minister stood motionless. His chest heaved higher, the
powerful muscles of his arm grew stiffer, his eyes seemed to shoot out
light, as their upward gaze sought in imagination the dark sky bestrewn
with stars.
Once more the trumpet blast arose, then the clear sounds died away, and
after a short pause Herr von Keudell went on to the finale of the
sonata.
Bismarck looked around as if waking from a dream. He stood still for a
moment, and then half unconsciously whispered these words:
"And when I go to rest, upon such sounds my soul shall rise. Would a
poet ever have felt at a hero's grave all that those sounds reveal, if
there were not men who dared to banish the doubts that assail the
heart? _Jacta est alea!_"
And without noticing anyone he quietly left the room. Keudell played to
the end of the sonata. Madame von Bismarck put down her work and looked
anxiously after her husband.
When the music had ceased she turned to Keudell, who had left the piano
and had again approached her, and said:
"I am convinced my poor husband is ill, try to find an opportunity of
persuading him to take more care of his health."
"I will do what I can, dear lady," he returned; "but you know he is
difficult to persuade on this point. Besides, I do not believe he is
unwell; thoughts often come to him when he hears music, probably
something has occurred to him now, and he has gone to write it down at
once."
Herr von Bismarck had returned to his cabinet with a firm step, and had
seated himself at his writing table. All trace of indecision and
emotion had left his face, the cold calm of his features was now
lighted up by the clear expression of a firm unbending will.
He seized a pen and wrote, without pause or hesitation, a number of
notes on some foolscap which lay ready on his table.
After writing for about half an hour he rang the hand bell beside him.
The groom of the chambers appeared.
"Is Herr von Keudell still in the house?"
"At your excellency's command."
"Request him to come to me for a moment."
A few minutes later the minister of legation entered.
"Dear Keudell," said Bismarck, "here are some notes of instruction to
the ambassadors in Vienna, Frankfort, and Paris, will you have the
goodness to attend to their immediate transmission? Abeken, with his
usual talent, will complete the composition quite in my style. Usedom
must receive the same instructions, with the additions I have written
on the margin."
"I will take care everything is done immediately," said Keudell,
bowing, "and to-morrow they shall be sent off."
He glanced at the paper he held in his hand.
"Your excellency," he said with horror, "this is war!"
"It is," said Bismarck. "And now good night. Adieu, dear Keudell, until
to-morrow; we must sleep, I am really tired, and my nerves require
rest."
Herr von Keudell withdrew.
Half an hour later, perfect silence prevailed throughout the Foreign
Office; it was as completely shrouded in the darkness of night as the
fate of the future was veiled by the hand of Providence.