Aegidi told me to-day that the article “From German Austria” in the _Preussische Jahrbücher_ was written by him, and was “almost entirely from notes dictated upstairs.” What constant cackling over every egg! The little man with the swelled head then called my attention to a report by the Consul in Rio Janeiro on the slave law, which is printed in the _Reichsanzeiger_, to which he had sent it. He then observed that he would continue to supply them with such matter, and thus develop the journal into a “great political organ.” I said to him in that case he would perform a miracle, as it was like calling upon the lame to rise and walk. I did not believe however that miracles took place in our day. He replied: “Oh, yes, I know it will be a hard job, and indeed I have already had trouble enough with an article which I dated from Constantinople. But I shall manage it.” I said nothing, but thought to myself. “Much good may it do you, little coxcomb!” I heard afterwards that he complained to Abeken that in the _Provinzial-Correspondenz_ Hahn had expressed satisfaction at the decline of anti-German feeling in Paris. “He should leave foreign politics alone,” he said. He evidently did not know that Abeken himself had inspired the article. An hour later, when he brought me his _Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung_ article against the _Provinzial-Correspondenz_ he insisted that Abeken had intentionally brought the matter up. _Vanitas vanitatum, vanitas!_ But ludicrous at the same time, most ludicrous! _November 9th._--In reply to my inquiry, Aegidi admitted that he had sent the _Sternsche Correspondenz_ the contents of a report by Balan on the Brussels Ministry and the “Roi Jésuite,” asserting at the same time that the Chief had said it should appear in a paper which was not regarded as semi-official. But the clever little man had carefully selected a news agency which is universally regarded here as of an exceptionally official character, and which competes with the Literary Bureau, to Doerr’s serious discomfort.