_April 17th._--To-day towards noon Aegidi came to my desk and said he wished to ask me a question. Hallberger, of Stuttgart, intended to found a great Review, jointly with another gentleman whose name he could not mention as yet. Now it had occurred to him, Aegidi, that Professor Roessler might be willing to accept the editorship, for which he would be highly suitable. The Chief knew and approved of the scheme. I replied that Roessler did not appear to me to be fitted for it, as although he was certainly able, he was nebulous, unpractical, and rather indolent, so that he would constantly require to be roused and kept up to the mark. Aegidi then said that there was plenty of capital behind the scheme, and that Roessler would have an excellent position. “But,” he continued, “the main point is this. The Review would publish a fortnightly survey of the situation from here, similar to that in the _Revue des Deux Mondes_. Would you be prepared to write it? Of course you must demand very high remuneration. All your terms will be agreed to.” I said I would consider the matter, particularly if the Prince appeared to desire it. “Yes,” he said, “and you shall have whatever you ask. But there is another point which may cause you some hesitation--the gentleman with whom Hallberger proposes to carry on the work is Meding.” I was thoroughly astounded, and felt the blood rush to my head. “Meding!” I exclaimed; “on no consideration whatever! That would be to roll myself in the mud of my own free will. I beg of you most earnestly not to propose anything of the kind to Roessler either, as he would regard it as an insult to suppose that he would have anything to do with such a double-dyed traitor.” Aegidi was highly surprised, and--with bated breath--supposed I would not be prepared to see Meding, who intended to call upon me at 2 o’clock. “Heaven forfend!” I replied; “I do not wish to hear his name or to have anything to do with him.” “Well,” he added, “I myself should really not have taken up the matter but for Keudell. You can see from this what an easy-going, unsuspicious man he is.” (As if one did not know better!) Later in the day I returned to this outrageous proposal, and told Aegidi once more that I did not understand how such an individual could imagine that a respectable literary man would have any connection with a periodical edited by him. Roessler would be beside himself if such a thing were suggested to him, and I really had good reason to be angry at such a proposal being made to me. “You are right,” replied Aegidi, “and I beg your pardon for having done so. I really did not know at first that he was the same Oscar Meding.[6] (Stinking fish!) I cannot understand how Keudell could have recommended him to me.” (...)