people. He "placed Germany in a saddle," as he once pithily expressed it. Germany assumed a power and influence that she had never before enjoyed. The work of consolidating the empire now began, and Germany as we now know it took form, with Prussia as the central State and the kingdoms and the principalities grouped around it, resembling to a certain degree our own federal compact, with the imperial and local parliaments and cabinets. It was a troublesome work, involving multitudinous details, but finally reached its present form without great strain. The impulse was toward union and nothing was allowed to stand in the way. In all this Bismarck was again the directing spirit. Abroad as well as at home he watched for Germany. With Austria and Russia he brought about an alliance, and the Dreikaiserbund attested the power of the Chancellor in foreign affairs for several years. In the

affairs of Europe Bismarck exerted an overpowering influence.

"Over his more recent feats in diplomacy and instances of his power in Europe it is not necessary to dwell. Arbiter of Europe during the Turco-Russian war, his presid ing at the Congress of Berlin was but the expression of that fact. So far as worldly rewards were concerned Bismarck's services were nobly, even lavishly, recompensed. His

personal fortunes rose with those of his country, until there remained to a thankful monarch and nation no human prize that might be offered to him. The highest title in the gift of an Emperor was bestowed upon him, and from a commoner of gentle birth he became first Count and then a Prince of the German Empire. He quartered the Brandenburg Eagle in his arms, and the supporters of his new escutcheon carried the banners of Alsace and Lorraine. Lorraine. Vast estates and enorm

ous sums of money were among the gifts by which Kaiser and people evinced their profound and lively appreciation of his merits. Since the Duke of Wellington died no man in Europe has been the recipient of such honors and benefits as those poured upon Otto von Bismarck by Germany.

"The chief incident in his later years was his quarrel with the the young Emperor William. His resignation of his office as Prussian Prime Minister as well as Chancellor was announced in February, 1890, but it did not actually occur until March 17, when divergences of opinion between himself and the Emperor led to his retirement. His departure from Berlin on the 29th was made the occasion of a great popular demonstration.

"The young Emperor could not bear to have any one about him who was not entirely subservient to his will. Bismarck had no sympathy with the theory of government implied in the acts of the Emperor. To him it seemed a departure from the form it had taken under Emperor William I. and unconstitutional, and he firmly opposed any encroachment on the constitutional rights of the people, and the Emperor with equal firmness insisted on the new course. Bismarck had

to go.

"Here are Bismarck's own words on the point at issue :

"The essence of constitutional monarchy,' he said, 'under which we live, consists in the co-operation of the monarch's will with the convictions of the people ruled. * * *

I never was an absolutist and shall least of all become such in my old age.'

"The veteran continued to defend himself and his ideas vigorously in interviews, speeches and the newspapers. Then Chancellor von Caprivi was instructed to say to the German Ministers at foreign courts that no weight was to be attached to Bismarck's utterances, and that 'His Majesty distinguishes between Bismarck formerly and now.'

"Professor Haeckel, the distinguished scientist, of Jena University, replied for the German people as follows:-'We do not distinguish between Bismarck formerly and now. His dismissal is the greatest misfortune that has befallen the German Empire during its existence of twenty years. It is deeply painful for us to find ourselves opposed in this view to the personal view of Emperor William II. But our estimate is the same as that which the Emperor's grandfather had of Bismarck to the end of his life.'

"In 1894 Bismarck suffered a severe blow in the death of his beloved wife. All Germany sympathized with him, and the Sultan of Turkey, the Shah of Persia and the Kings of Portugal and Roumania ordered wreaths to be sent to Varzin on the occasion of the funeral. Emperor William at the same time announced his intention of visiting the former Chancellor, and Empress Frederick wrote to him as follows:-' Muth, Fuerst! Was Gott thut ist wohlgethan.' (Courage, Prince! What God does is well done.) Bismarck,

however, was not easily consoled, and when Count Herbert Bismarck arrived at Varzin his father said to him-Baldhole ich sie ein.' (I shall soon overtake her.)

"Bismarck's life had been threatened times out of number; twice he was the actual aim of the assassin's weapon the first time by young Blind, May 7, 1866, in Berlin; the second by a youth named Kullmann, in Kissingen, eight years later."

ness and the glory of his country, had to resign almost entirely to the comforts of private life, which every citizen loves to enjoy more or less. Even during the last eight years of his life, his involuntary exile from public life, his interest for public affairs never abated and often found vent through the Hamburger Nachrichten and other German papers true to Bismarck's policy. The occasion of Bismarck's eightieth birthday however, when all Germany was demonstrating the sincerest love and in a state of jubilant exultation, admiration of all true Germans for Teutonic strength and patriotism, their idol, the personification of

must have been moments of bliss and pride to him. And as long as patriotic Germans will live, his memory will live in their hearts, while history has engraved his name in large letters on her brazen tablets.

Two works of fiction which will be of special interest to many at the present time, are Merriman's In Kedar's Tents (1) and Mrs. Craigie's School for Saints, (2) their scenes being laid in Spain. The hero of the first book named is involved in the court intrigues and in the uprising of the Carlists some fifty years ago. Of older novels, dealing with Spain and Spanish conditions, we may mention here: James Fenimore Cooper's Mercedes of Castile,(3) a story of the times of Columbus; James Grant's Romance of War,(4) a story of modern Spain; and of novels dealing with the Spanish West Indies: Kingsley's Westward Ho! (5) Mayne Reid's The Marooned () and Michael Scott's brilliant sea stories: The Cruise of the Midge,() which has for its scene Havana at the beginning of this century and also giving an excellent picture of Cuban life at that time, and Tom Cringle's Log, (8) which takes us to Santiago and just that part of the country around that city, which has become so mem

(3) In Kedar's Tents. By Henry Seeton MerriPrice 90 cents. By mail $1.02.

man.

(4) Romance of War. By James Grant. Price 75 cents. By mail 87 cents.

(5) Westward Ho! By Chas. Kingsley. Price 50 cents. By mail 62 cents.

(®) The Marooned. By Capt. Mayne Reid. Price $1.08. By mail $1.23.

(7) The Cruise of the Midge. By Michael Scott. Price $1.50. By mail $1.75.

(*) Tom Cringle's Log. By Michael Scott. Price $1.50. By mail $1.75.

orable by the beginning of our own Cuban campaign. On the whole it is remarkable that comparatively so few works of fiction, outside of books by Spanish authors, have Spain for a scenic or historic background, though both Spanish history and Spanish people offer a good deal of material for the novelist and romancer. S. R. Crockett is reported to be making a walking tour through Spain at present, so we may doubtless expect a Spanish novel from his pen ere long.

A German novel treating with the Cuban insurrection has just been published in Berlin under the title, Cuba Insurrecta, by Theodor Duimchen. The author has lived for many years in Cuba and gives in this very interesting story a vivid and truthful picture of Cuban life. The story is also running in serial form in the Sunday edition of the New York Staats Zeitung.

Mr. Grover Flint, the author of that successful book Marching with Gomez(*) is a son-in-law of the well-known historian, Professor John Fiske, of Cambridge. His career has been one full of activity, travel and adventure, and fitted him particularly well for writing such an interesting and attractive book. His name was originally Flint Grover,

(*) Marching with Gomez. By Grover Flint Price $1.10. By mail $1.25.