Prince Bismarck and his Policy, 



85 



development of the people, against Protestantism — the 

 emperor's mother being the most pronounced advocate of 

 the Jesuits and Rederaptorists. 



One man hated Prussia most intensely, not as Austrian 

 or Romanist, but from family instiucts, and that man was 

 Minister Schwarzenberg, whose ancestor, Count Adam 

 von Schwarzenberg, had been sentenced to death by the 

 great elector of Prussia. 



After this catastrophe the Schwarzenberg family went 

 to Austria, became rich, were elevated to the highest no- 

 bility, and recompensed all favors of the Austrian court 

 by the most bitter hatred against Prussia. 



The situation at Frankfort, when Bismarck appeared 

 there, was not very favorable to Prussia. Everybody 

 snubbed Bismarck, except the Praesidial embassador, 

 Count Thun Hohenstein, who saw in Viim the defender of 

 the Olmiitz policy — a true adherent of Austria. His posi- 

 tion was a very difficult one, but he was equal to the oc- 

 casion. He visited the neighboring courts of Darmstadt, 

 Biebrich and Carlsruhe, wrote almost daily confidential 

 messages to his friends, especially the Adjutant General 

 von Gerlach, at Berlin ; exposed anonymously all the fol- 

 lies of bis adversaries, created a public opinion favorable 

 to his plans, and worked especially to convince Prince 

 William (present emperor) that the days of Olmiitz must 

 be ended. 



The following is a letter, written by him at this time 

 to 



Fraxkfurt, 18M May, '51. 

 ''Frankfurt is wretchedly wearisome. I am so spoilt 

 with having so much affection about me, and a great deal 

 to do; and I now first perceive how unthankful I have 

 have been toward many people in Berlin — for I will not 

 take you and yours into the question. Even the coolness 

 of fellow-countrymen and party associates I had in Berlin, 

 is an intimate connection compared with the relations 



