The following chapters will show the nature of those relations and this tact. Let one proof suffice for the moment. Some months after the appointment of the new Councillor the following was to be read in the _Spenersche Zeitung_, with which he had exceptionally intimate relations: “A Berlin correspondent of the _Pester Lloyd_, recalling the circumstance that the _Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung_, which is regarded as a semi-official organ, received some sharply worded _démentis_ during the summer of the present year, draws attention to the fact that for a short time past the journal in question has again come to be considered as official in the highest sense. The correspondent writes that, ‘Since Professor Aegidi, who is at the same time one of the most eminent and respected of German professors of law and a spirited publicist, has been in charge of the press department of the Foreign Office, much more attention has again been paid to the newspapers. He has taken care, in particular, to maintain a certain continuity of views in the official press. The _Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung_ has again become the principal official organ, and since the 1st of December all the leading articles published under the heading “Political News of the Day,” dealing with foreign affairs, the affairs of the Empire, the relations of the Federal States to the President of the Council, as well as those on Church and State, may be considered as the direct expression of the views held by the highest officials of the Empire.’ The correspondent states he is informed, on trustworthy authority, that for the most part Professor Aegidi himself edits the ‘Political News of the Day,’ utilising for the purpose the information which he receives direct from the Chancellor.” The Chief was beside himself at this article. Aegidi was summoned before him, and returned--as a gentleman in the Central Bureau remarked--looking quite crestfallen and red in the face. He denied that he had prompted the communication in the _Pester Lloyd_. We soon ascertained, however, that it had emanated from one Julius L., a writer of the lowest rank and the most unenviable reputation, who had formerly served Keudell, and was now intimately associated with Aegidi.