General von Steinmetz. 831 



not always willing to acknowledge the merit of those who gave 

 especially if they were rich men. ' It is their duty to give, for 

 the soldiers protect their strong boxes,' they said. If these 

 rich men happened to be Jews they earned still less thanks, 

 for these Christian noblemen hated Jews, though they nevei 

 had been too proud to borrow money from tiiem, or to drink 

 their good claret and champagne. 



Though I attended now and then in the hospitals and at 

 operations, I made it my principal business to organize and to 

 procure provisions. The success I had in it was soon noticed, 

 by which my influence and power to do good was increased. 

 I was well supported by Prince Alfred, though he applied him- 

 self chiefly to attending and nursing the wounded and sick, 

 selecting for this purpose the dangerous typhus hospital. I 

 must not forget to mention Miss Runkel either, who justified 

 greatly the recommendation from Princess Wied. She sup- 

 ported me most willingly and ably, and was very useful in the 

 hospitals, where she worked together with the good nuns, 

 though this was somewhat against the regulation. Her good 

 nature and good humour made her everywhere a favourite. 



Dr. Busch complained that the wounded in the hospitals 

 had no bedsteads, but were lying on mattresses placed on the 

 floor, which made it extremely tiring and difficult for the 

 doctors to dress the wounds, and increased also the sufferings 

 of the wounded. As he was only Surgeon-General of the 

 8th, the Rhenish army corps, he was not the highest medical 

 authority, but over him stood the officer attached to the staff 

 of the whole First Army He consequently had not the power 

 to do all he wanted. I therefore was induced to interfere, and 

 try my influence with General von Steinmetz. I called on him, 

 drew his notice to this great mconvenience, and suggested 

 means to alter it. I proposed to him to send me with proper 

 authority to Nancy, where I would soon procure bedsteads, 

 or to order that every house in Ars should supply one, or that 

 boards should be supplied and bedsteads made. The general 

 was rather indignant, and after having expressed his displea- 

 sure with the neglect, he ordered at once measures by which 

 it was corrected. 



I had no cau-se to complain that my services v/ere not 

 acknowledged, and I was grea'.y gratified by the manner in 

 which it was done. General von Fransecky gave a dinner to 



