Arnim, in a despatch dated from Paris on the 9th of January, 1873, writes: “M. Thiers, with whom I was talking a few days ago of the importance of the Constantinople post in the days of M. de Varennes, compared to the present time, observed, ‘_Maintenant c’est vous qui rendez ce poste important._’” The Ambassador had no doubt that this observation was made under the impression that German policy in the East had entered upon a more active phase, and added, “It is impossible to decide whether this impression has been gathered from certain mysterious utterances in the press (respecting Keudell’s importance and his mission) or from the reports of the French Ambassadors in St. Petersburg, Vienna, and elsewhere.” It was little more than a month after Keudell’s departure for Constantinople before the press, doubtless inspired by Aegidi, struck up a new tune in Keudell’s honour, which was intended also to promote certain aspirations of a more practical character. On the 22nd of November, 1872, I sent the following note to Bucher at Varzin: “The _Deutsche Presse_ of Frankfurt-on-the-Main publishes in its issue of the 20th instant the following paragraph: ‘Berlin, November 18. It is understood here that it has now been decided to recall Herr von Keudell shortly from Constantinople, in order that he should take up the position of Under Secretary of State in the Foreign Office, as Herr von Balan is believed to have been again selected for the Brussels Legation.’ To my certain knowledge, Engelmann, the editor of this paper, used to receive a subvention from us when he was in Stuttgart, and was up to a few months ago in communication with Aegidi, and visited him in Berlin.”