There are so many kings and sovereigns here: the Emperor of Russia, who is very handsome and stately; the King of Prussia, who is accompanied by the colossal Count Bismarck, very noticeable in his dazzling white uniform, and wearing a shining helmet with an enormous spread eagle on top of it, which made him tower still more above ordinary mortals, and reminded me of all the mythological heroes I knew of. He clanked his sword on the pavement, quite indifferent to the stare of wondering Frenchmen, and was followed by several other tall Germans, who regarded everything _de haut en bas_ with Teutonic phlegm. The Prince of Italy (Umberto) looks rather small by the side of these German giants. The Khedive of Egypt, the Shah of Persia, the ex-Queen of Spain, and other sovereigns are flitting about. The Baron James Rothschild invited us to go to Ferrière's with Prince Oscar of Sweden. That was very amusing! We had a special train from Paris and Rothschild's special car; when we arrived at Ferrière's we first had refreshments, then we walked in the grounds till it was time to dress for dinner. We met before dining in the enormous salon in the center of the château. This salon is two stories high, with a gallery around it, and was so large that a billiard-table in one corner seemed too small to be noticed, and the concert-grand piano standing at the other end looked insignificant. The dining-table was beautifully decorated with garlands of roses and a whole collection of antique goblets, worth a fortune. There were huge bouquets of roses for the ladies, almost too big to carry. Prince Oscar's brother had once written a very pretty song, called "I Rosens duft," which some one had arranged as a duet, and the Prince wanted me to sing it with him (he had thoughtfully brought the music). All through dinner he was teaching me the Swedish words, so that we could sing it afterward. He was so intent (and so was I) that every one, I am sure, thought we were having a tremendous flirtation, as they saw our heads almost touching when he was writing the words on the menu. He also wrote a poem to me (which I inclose), which he said he composed on the spot. How can he be so clever? PRINCE OSCAR'S POEM WRITTEN AT THE DINNER-TABLE AT LAFERRIÈRE'S 1867 Din sång, hur skön, hur underbar! En balsamdoft på dina läppar hvila, En välljudsström från ditt hjarta ila, Vill mana fram ur verldens haf ett svar: Din sång, hur skön, hur underbar! Din ton, hur stark, hur ljuf, hur ren! En altareld som ingen flägt få störa, Och dock en storm som sjalens djup kan röra, En glod som smalta kan "de visas sten": Så är din ton--så stark, så ren. Sjung mer, sjung mer, det här så godt En stund få glämma verldens hvimmel Och lyss till samklang ur en öppnad himmel, Om ock för en minut i drömma blott: Sjung mer, sjung mer, det gör mit hjärta godt. (Translated literally)