Waldersee understands that, during the burning of the Palace of Saint Cloud, some of the minor Princes had “saved for themselves” various “souvenirs,” such as vases, trinkets and books, but were forced to return them by order of the Crown Prince. Bohlen made some outrageous jokes upon the Weimar Order of the White Falcon, which led to a discussion on Orders in general, and the plentiful crop of this species of fruit which many people have already harvested. “Yes,” said the Chief, “such quantities of tinplate! If it were only possible to give away the Orders of which one has too many! To you, for instance, Dr. Busch. How would you like it?” “No, thank you, Excellency,” I replied; “very many thanks. But, yes; if I could have one of those that you have worn yourself, as a memento, that would be something different. Otherwise I do not want any.” _Thursday, October 20th._--Morning and afternoon busy writing various articles and telegrams. The arrest of Jacoby by the military authorities was one of the subjects discussed at dinner, and the Chief once more expressed great doubts as to its expediency. Bismarck-Bohlen was highly pleased that “the chattering scoundrel had been locked up!” The Chancellor’s reply was very characteristic. He said: “I am not at all pleased. A party man might be, because it would gratify his vindictiveness. A statesman knows no such feeling. In politics the only question is, what good result will it do to ill-treat a political opponent?” Some one remarked that the Grand Duke of Weimar was very angry because the Chief had not gone to see him as desired, whereupon the Minister turned to Keudell, and said rather sharply: “Tell ---- (I could not catch the name) immediately that I was indignant at his Gracious Master making such claims upon my time and health, and that he should have such an erroneous idea of the duties which I have to discharge.” “I can now understand how poor Wartsdorf came to die so young.” “The Coburger worries me almost as much. He has written me a twelve-page letter on German politics, but I have given him a proper answer. I told him that of all the points he mentioned there was only one which had not been long since dealt with, and that one was not worth discussing. He did us a good service, however, in 1866. It is true that previously he was bad enough--when he wished to be Emperor of Germany, and put himself at the head of a secret shooting club. At that time I seriously intended to have him kidnapped by a regiment of hussars and brought to Magdeburg, and I submitted my proposal to the King. He is eaten up with vanity.” The Minister then related that the Duke had ordered a picture to be painted of himself as the victor of Eckernförde, seated on a prancing charger with a bombshell exploding at his feet; while, as a matter of fact, “he did not on that occasion display any heroism, but, on the contrary, kept at a respectable distance from gunshot--which was quite a sensible thing for him to do.”