From amid the rows of deputies and councillors, emerged the portly form of the brave ‘Red Becker,’ red in hair as well as in opinion, a living proof that even an inborn democrat and agitator can attain a very comfortable rotundity. Becker had surpassed himself that morning in the Diet. He, as the permanent reporter of the Chamber of Deputies and the Diet, on all postal, telegraphic, and railway matters, had drastically described the frightful misuse, on the part of the princely houses of Germany, of their right to free carriage and telegraph. He had shown how the whole of the royal bill of fare had been telegraphed free of charge; how endless telegraphic milliners’ and dressmakers’ orders had been sent free between the German courts and Paris; while the citizen’s despatch, on which probably hangs both life and property, must wait till the royal cook has ordered a dollar’s worth of parsley by telegraph; how, after that, all these huge parcels have to be sent carriage free to their destination; and finally, he had proved, to the great amusement of the House, by the genealogical almanac, that in Lippe alone, no fewer than sixty princes and princesses had this inborn right to postal freedom. He now placed himself directly in front of the Chancellor, in his favourite attitude, with his hands behind his back, and looked up at him with an expression which seemed to say: ‘Now, had you any idea that this royal prerogative of free post and telegraph had been so shamefully abused?’ But Bismarck only laughed heartily, saying: ‘My dear Becker, believe me, I know of far worse things.’ ‘Indeed! Pray, then, tell us some, Your Excellency!’ said ‘Red Becker’ with great animation. ‘Nay; that I cannot do,’ replied Bismarck. ‘My information comes from the Postmaster-general at Phillipsborn; and he knows far worse things than _I_ do.’ A group of people had now come in between us and the speakers. A servant handed round tea; but, strange to say, there was no rum, so little has Bismarck imbibed of Russian habits and tastes, in spite of his long sojourn at St Petersburg.