division and because in such circumstances Bavaria and Würtemberg would certainly not have joined us then, nor probably later on. For similar reasons I declined Lasker’s suggestion, in February, 1870, to admit Baden into the Confederation, because that would have been an attempt to exercise pressure upon her South German neighbours. The excessive number of Kings gradually convinced him, and he was then in favour of the Emperor idea. In the diary he has forgotten this whole first act. He writes as if he had discovered the idea and had been the first to put it forward, while it had long been kept alive, as a hope among the people, and he himself at first would not hear of it. Then came the second act, when it is true we acted together at the Prefecture in order to win over the old Master to our view. He at first vehemently rejected our proposal, and fell into a rage when we insisted. I asked if he wished to remain a neuter for ever. ‘What do you mean?’ he said crossly, ‘what sort of a neuter?’ ‘Why, the Presidency’ (_Nun das Präsidium_), I replied. But that also was of no avail. Then he agreed to it up to a certain point, if he were allowed to bear the title of Emperor of Germany. I explained to him that this would be opposed to the treaties, and would express territorial sovereignty over all Germany. He said the Tsar called himself Emperor of Russia. I denied this, and stated that his title was Russian Emperor. (He quoted the Russian term.) He maintained his opinion, however, until he asked Schneider, who was obliged to acknowledge that I was right.” On one occasion he mentioned in a report that Schleinitz had been present at these negotiations. I now asked: “What was he doing there? In what capacity was he present, as Minister of the Household, or as former chief of the Foreign Office, or in what other capacity?” He smiled and said: “As confidant of the Queen, who had sent him to oppose the bombardment and to persuade the King against it. He had nothing to do with the Emperor question. He had always been Augusta’s favourite, and while he was still a poor man she had on several occasions sent him money, 300 thalers, in order to enable him to visit her at Coblenz. It was solely through her favour that he became Minister.”