The Life of the Rt. Hon. Sir Charles W. Dilke, Volume 2Gwynn, Stephen Lucius
History
The Life of the Rt. Hon. Sir Charles W. Dilke, Volume 2
Gwynn, Stephen Lucius
Dilke, Charles Wentworth, Sir, 1843-1911; Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 19th century
The reference to 'Bismarck's map' in the second of these communications
shows that Sir Charles had reported to Rhodes some of the observations
made by the Chancellor in the course of the visit of which an account
here follows.
'In September, 1889, having settled to take my son to Germany to a
gymnasium, and having told Herbert Bismarck my intention when he was
in London, I was asked by him in his father's name to stay at
Friedrichsruh with the Prince. I started for Germany with my son at
the same moment at which my wife started for the Trades Congress at
Dundee.'
He wrote to M. Joseph Reinach in August, 1889: 'I'm going to
Friedrichsruh the week after next to stay with Prince Bismarck, who
seems very anxious to see me--about colonial matters, I think. I will
tell you what he says, for your private information, if he talks of
anything else, which is not, however, likely, as he knows my views about
that Alsace question which lies at the root of all others. But I had
sooner my going there was not mentioned in advance, and I shall not be
there until September 7th-9th.'
'Herbert Bismarck wrote: "I hope you will accept my father's
invitation, because he is anxious to make your personal
acquaintance. I am greatly disappointed that I shall be deprived of
the pleasure of introducing you myself to my father, owing to my
absence, but, then, I am sure that you will find yourself at your
ease in Friedrichsruh, whether I am there or not. Hoping to see you
before long in England, believe me,
'"Very truly yours,
'"H. Bismarck."
'The son was still called Count von Bismarck by himself, and
popularly Herbert Bismarck, but shortly afterwards his father gave
him the family castle of Schoenhausen, and from that time forward he
used on his cards the name of Graf Bismarck-Schoenhausen. When I got
to Ratzeburg, where I left my son, I found a telegram from
Friedrichsruh: "Prince Bismarck looks forward to your visit
to-morrow with great pleasure"; and then it went on to tell me about
trains.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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