On the 28th of August Bucher wrote me from Varzin: “The Chief has received diplomas of honorary membership from two Italian lodges, and instructed me to ascertain from some trustworthy person acquainted with the subject what sort of connection he would enter into by a tacit acceptance (he will not send an answer), and what future obligations he might be considered to have assumed. I mentioned you, and received his permission to ask you. Please, therefore, to inform us. The Chief is better than he has been for ten years.” I gave the desired information, and on the 16th of September received the following answer:-- “The Chief desires me to thank you for your prompt reply, which has induced him to pigeon-hole the hocus-pocus” (from Livorno and some little place the name of which I have forgotten). “The news about my eyes was something more than mere newspaper gossip. It was part of the press campaign which Delponte (Delbrück), the statesman with the youthful knee-breeches, organised and set in motion in the spring. In 1873 I underwent treatment for the purpose of relieving the pressure of blood to the eyes. There is nothing the matter with me now, thank goodness! but last year’s cure is worked up again, as they would like to get rid of me. I do not hold with the Manchester principles that have made England so wonderfully prosperous. I do not sniff the Court atmosphere, have no aspirations, and will not join the Camorra of Ministers and Privy Councillors who are constantly engaged in conspiracy against the Chief, but am on the contrary content to serve him. But it is exactly because I have no aspirations that I can say, ‘_Je m’en fiche_.’ Auf Wiedersehen in Berlin in October. “With best greetings, &c.”