£70 Ten Years of my Life. 



sewing for the poor, the Queen visited us, staying for half an 

 hour, and having a kind word'for everyone present. 



When out on the Promenade with my husband in the even- 

 ing, we had the greatest pleasure of meeting a dear old friend 

 from America, to whom we owed much gratitude, and who, 

 under all circumstances had acted to us extremely kindly. 

 Baron Gerolt zur Leyen, the former German minister in Wash- 

 ington. I have already spoken of him on another occasion, 

 and of the great esteem which he enjoyed in America. Dur- 

 ing the twenty-five years he represented Prussia he did a great 

 deal to faciliate the communication between Germany and the 

 United States, which was thankfully acknowledged by all mer- 

 chants. It created, therefore, great indignation in America 

 when the cause became known which induced him to resign 

 his place. Though this happened only at the end of the late 

 Freiich war, I shall mention it here, as I may not have another 

 opportunity. 



Mr. George Pancroft was minister of the United States in 

 Berlin. Though I was told that he, as an historical author, 

 could not be compared either to Prescot or Motley, his volu- 

 minous work about the United States had won for him a fair 

 well-merited reputation, as historical authors are rather rare 

 in his country, Mr. Bancroft had studied in Germany, anci 

 vmderstood the language, though he spoke it rather indifferently. 

 Whether he had all the qualities required of a diplomatist I 

 cannot judge, but I know that he was very agreeable to the 

 Prussian Government, and utterly distasteful to all Americans. 

 That was very natural, for he showed not only everywhere his 

 great admiration for Germany, and especially Prussian insti- 

 tutions, but courted and flattered all high-titled persons, whilst 

 he neglected the Americans who either lived in Berlin or pass- 

 ed through, offending them often rather grossly. The President 

 was frequently urged to recall him, but for a long time without 

 effect, as he was so agreeable to the Prussian Court, whose 

 interest he had more at heart than that of his country — said 

 his enemies amongst the Americans. 



Mr. Bancroft made himself very often ridiculous in company 

 by his eccentric behaviour, his nonsensical speeches in bad 

 Gciman, Szc, and said, when he had had a glass of wine, some- 

 times rather undiplomatic things. Once at a dinner, I think 

 given by Mr, von der Heved, when aftairs between France and 



