I now informed him that the book had been translated by Derosne, a captain attached to the general staff in Paris; that, on the whole, his version read very well; and that, from his letters, the translator appeared to be an ardent Bonapartist, who placed the Republic on a level with cholera and the plague. I then mentioned, as I had already informed him by letter, that Derosne also proposed to translate _Letters to Malwine_, and that I had promised him an introduction and explanatory notes, in case he (the Chief) gave his permission. He said: “Yes, with pleasure.” I replied: “I had hoped as much; as it is evident that, although the French do not love your Serene Highness, they take an interest in you, and, indeed, a deep interest. The translation, which was published on the 8th instant, was sold out in five or six days, although the edition consisted of 3,000 copies; and an advance collection of quotations from it (of which 10,000 copies are said to have been issued) is also understood to have been very speedily disposed of. Dentu is now printing the book itself. Six translations have already been published--in England and America, as well as in the Dutch and Russian languages. There has also been some talk of a Swedish translation. The Dutch sounds very queer in some parts.” “I can easily believe that,” he said. “Have you ever read a Dutch play?” “No,” I replied, “but I have seen some passages from the Dutch Bible.” “It sounds very strange to our ears; but,” he added, “one must not tell them so, as they would feel greatly offended.” He then said: “But tell me what you think of the last debates in the Reichstag, and the position of the Customs Reform.” I replied: “Well, I think one may congratulate you on the commencement of victory in the matter. The manner in which you disposed of Delbrück, in the debate on the corn tariff was simply delightful. Why, that was a refutation, point by point.” “Yes,” he replied, smiling, “but we cannot yet say how things will go at the third reading. If it is not passed, I shall make a Cabinet question of it; and, as the King will not let me go, we shall dissolve. They, however, would seem inclined to procrastinate; and, in that case, I am not yet certain whether we ought to dissolve. Another year can, perhaps, do no harm, and the elections may in the meantime turn out better. The Ultramontanes, with whom it is altogether impossible to come to any permanent understanding, will hardly support the revenue taxes. Then we must have a dissolution, as we regard the reform as a whole, from which no part can be dissevered.”