I asked if I might say that in the press. He said: “I think not. Emphasise in detail the position of the Eighty-eight (the Opposition) in their private and business capacities, to the iron tariff. How most of these gentlemen--lawyers, journalists, holders of funded property--are people who live upon fees, salaries, pensions, dividends; and, having no immediate connection with agriculture, are not personally affected, and have no experience, yet have most to say in the matter.” “Who neither sow, nor reap, nor spin, as you said to Lasker,” I observed, “and who are nevertheless fed and clad. Of course, you did not refer to them alone, but to the whole class.” “Certainly,” he replied. “Write that, and hunt up the necessary personal information. That may prove useful as a means of clearing up the situation for the elections. It must be shown that the majority of our legislators are the people who have nothing to do with practical affairs, and have no eye, no ear, no sympathy for the interests which the Government, in this case, defends. Learned men, particularly the leaders and principal speakers. Men of theory, who have no proper feeling for realities, and who have acquired their knowledge, not from experience, but from books, must no longer have the sole power and chief influence in the Legislature.” He then made a move, as though the interview were at an end. I rose, and he gave me his hand, and then asked: “How are things in general going with you? You look rather poorly!” I replied: “Much obliged to your Serene Highness, but thank God I have nothing to complain of. There is only one thing I want, viz., that you should make more use of my willingness to serve you. The article on Gortschakoff, for example, did its work in the press fairly well.” “I know that,” he said, “but I have so much to do just now. Even as it is I want five or six more hours in the day to get through my work,” “And how is your Serene Highness’s health?” “Not good. It was better, but the overwork and worry! I must shortly get out of harness again.” I then went across to Bucher to get materials for the article which the Chief desired me to write. On this occasion, Bucher told me that “the stout fellow” (von Bülow, the Secretary of State) proposed to the Prince that “Press-Hahn” should be taken into the Foreign Office as First Councillor. Bucher added: “Bülow, who is a Mecklenburger, has no thorough knowledge of Prussian affairs, and so Hahn would assist him. The Chief also wished it, but Hahn had been gossiping, and so it got into the newspapers. This was reported to the Chief, who then said: ‘A man who cannot keep his own counsel cannot be employed by me here,’ and so the appointment was not made. Bülow, however, declares that it has only been postponed.”