satisfy its creditors by good management and a modest bearing, it moves steadily forward, without pause or rest, towards that bankruptcy which for a considerable space has only been a question of time.” The foregoing is an almost literal reproduction of the Chief’s own words. I did not venture, however, to incorporate his concluding remarks, which were as follows: “The Hapsburgs have really become great through plundering old families--the Hungarians, for instance. At bottom they are only a family of police spies (_polizeilich-Spitzelfamilie_) who lived upon and made their fortune by confiscations.” The second paragraph, which referred to a statement in the _Indépendance Belge_, pointed out that the relationship between the Orleans and the House of Hapsburg-Lorraine through the Duc d’Alençon, could not induce us Germans to regard them with any special favour. The paragraph was to the following effect. It is known that Trochu declined the offer of the Princes of the House of Orleans to take part in the struggle against us. The _Indépendance Belge_ now states that the Duc d’Alençon, second son of the Duc de Nemours, who was at that time incapacitated by illness from joining his uncles and cousins in their offer of service, has now sought salvation by adopting a similar course. The Brussels organ adds the significant remark: “It will be remembered that the Duc d’Alençon is married to a sister of the Empress of Austria.” We understand that hint, and believe we shall be speaking in the spirit of German policy in replying to it as follows:--The Orleans are quite as hostile to us as the other dynasties that are fishing for the French throne. Their journals are filled with lies and abuse directed against us. We have not forgotten the hymn of praise which the Duc de Joinville raised after the battle of Wörth to the franctireurs who had acted like assassins. The only French Government we care for is that which can do us the least harm, because it is most occupied with its own affairs, and with maintaining its own position against its rivals. Otherwise Orleanists, Legitimists, Imperialists, and Republicans are all of the same value or no value to us. And as for those who throw out hints about the Austrian relationship, they would do well to be on their guard, as we are on ours. There is in Austria-Hungary one party in favour of Germany and another hostile to her,--a party that wants to continue the policy of Kaunitz in the Seven Years’ War, a policy of constant conspiracy with France against German interests, and particularly against Prussia. That is the policy which has recently been connected with Metternich’s name, and which was pursued from 1815 to 1866. Since then more or less vigorous attempts have been made to continue it. It is the party of which the younger Metternich is regarded as the leader. He has for years past been looked upon as the most ardent advocate of a Franco-Austrian alliance