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MOLTKE'S LETTEES TO HIS WIFE
AND OTHEE EELATIVES

KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO., Ltd.
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MOLTKE'S LETTERS to
HIS WIFE AND OTHER RELATIVES.
TRANSLATED BY J. R. McILRAITH.
WITH INTRODUCTION BY
SIDNEY WHITMAN,
AND TWO PORTRAITS.
IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II.

RrBOR SCIEN-TI/Eff

fflonrjon
KEGAN PAUL, TEENCH, TRUBNEB & CO,, L^
1896

(The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved.)

MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE,
AND OTHER RELATIVES.

To Us Wife. Breslau, 21st January, 1857.
Dear Mary,
Monday, 16th, there is to be a hunt three miles away
from here to which the prince is invited. As Heinz * devotes
himself exclusively to his conjugal duties, I have had till now
to do double work. That is why I should be glad of a grey
hunting-coat, a civilian's cravat, and the blue velvet waist
coat. Will you be so kind as to send me these articles?
To-day I rode my black horse on the magnificent large race-
ground here. The band of the 1st Regiment of Cuirassiers
played from twelve to two o'clock. The horse went splendidly,
and was very fortunate. There would be about forty horses
present. The prince rode Darling and his Nordstedt chestnut.
I imagine this will be a splendid training for the black horse,
namely, trotting. He keeps strictly to the music, and con
sequently has to go with a slower and more outstretched
action — just what I wish him to do, or otherwise he lightly
curvets. His nimbleness was generally admired. As there
are many ladies who ride here, we nearly always gallop, and
keep chiefly on the right hand. I managed, however, to go
through all of them both at the canter and especially at the
trot. The theatre, which is a really good one, we visit every
evening. To-morrow a grand ball is to take place at the
house of Count Burghaus; on the 24th there is another
in the dramatic hall ; then on the 27th one at the Exchange,
* Just married.
VOL. II. B

MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

and on the 31st still another. Breslau is greatly admired by
the prince. My room is warm and cosy. In the morning I
have to work at the lectures, which I have to submit to the
prince, upon military history. On the whole I am very con
tented in this place. I only wish I had a better memory
for persons. I meet with so many at the same time. I have
already paid as many as forty-two visits in person. Good-bye,
dear wife ; hearty greetings to our dear ones. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Breslau, 31st January, 1857.
Dear Mart,
The morning suit, as well as your letter of yesterday,
have arrived. Probably, though it is not quite certain, we
shall go on Monday evening, that is to say, the day after
to-morrow, to Berlin, as the prince has been invited by his
aunt Karl to a birthday festivity (amateur theatricals). Then
he would like to stay until his father's reception takes place,
the day for which, however, has not yet been fixed. I have
the prospect, therefore, of being with you for a few days, to
which pleasure I look forward.
At present one fete follows another, and not a day passes
without there being something or other. Last Monday a
great hunt took place at Major Mutius' at the foot of the
Zobten hills, three and a half miles from here. We left in
a heavy snowstorm, had to change horses, breakfasted at nine
o'clock, and then hunted until five o'clock in the evening;
I killed a couple of hares. At night we were entertained
to a hunt dinner in town by the organizer of the affair. On
Tuesday I dined with the prince, and in the evening a great
fete was given by the city in the theatre. Doubtless you
read something about it in the papers; it was great fun.
The house itself is very pretty, was splendidly decorated, and
brilliantly lighted with gas; the ladies' toilets were most
elegant, and the buffet unexceptionable — oysters, caviare, pies,
red partridges, blackcock, boar's head, etc. The decorations
consisted of scenes from Osborne House and the palace Unter
den Linden as it will be when -finished. The company
included all classes in their best. On Wednesday we again
paraded about the riding-ground to the music of the 1st

1857.] GAIETIES AT BRESLAU. 3
Regiment of Cuirassiers, there being about forty horses there.
Dined with the prince ; went to the theatre in the evening,
then to a soire'e at Lindheim's. On Thursday a grand ball
took place at Count Henckel's magnificent palace, which was
splendidly illuminated for the occasion. Yesterday I was up
as early as five o'clock, so that I had not much rest during
the night. Went to Laasan by train to hunt deer, pheasants
and hares. The country there is very pretty. The sun shone
brightly. I shot three hares. In the evening hunt dinner
at Count Burghaus'. To-day dined with the prince ; to-morrow
"Conversazione at Lindheim's, who does not give large parties at
present because of a family loss. On Monday dine with the
prince's bishop, and hope in the evening to get off to Berlin.
The society here is always most agreeable, and pleases me
much. I ride daily from twelve till two. The black is very
much admired, especially over hurdles, a performance that
takes place on Wednesdays. Generally eight or nine ladies
ride with us, and I always wish that you were with us.
Best love to mamma and Ernestine. Take plenty of
•exercise in this lovely weather. I should be so glad if you
would learn to skate. The princess royal will like you all
the more for it. They skate here on the Stadtgraben, but it
is not considered good form for officers or ladies to take part
in it. That might be managed, however, as the prince is
fond of skating. Good-bye, dear Mary, till we meet.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Breslau, 31st January, 1857.
This morning, my dear Mary, I wrote to you about my
journey to Berlin. Since then it has been decided that the
prince does not go until the 7th, the day fixed for his father's
reception. As the Prince of Prussia is still indisposed, how
ever, one cannot rely upon that date even being adhered to.
The prince is not going to the birthday festival of his aunt,
and so we shall not be able to see each other again just yet.
We have just returned from the fete given by the
mercantile community in the magnificent hall of the Exchange.
It was intensely hot, and the six hundred guests who were
present quite filled the large room. The buffet was most

MOLTKES LETTERS TO SIS WIFE.

excellent, but as I had just dined I did not take anything ;
turtle and truffles, in the shape of birds' nest and such like,
could not tempt me. It is now midnight, and you, I hope,
are sound asleep. So I will not wake you, but go to bed too.
A fond adieu. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Breslau, 15th February, 1857.
Dear little Wife,
I have been doing a good deal of skating during
these last days, but now that is over, as a decided thaw has
set in. You, too, doubtless have been taking every advantage
of the fine weather. At present one fete follows another in
this place. We go on Tuesday for three days to Plesz for
the purpose of hunting deer and boars. After that we have
engagements for every day until Ash Wednesday. On the
22nd there is a ball masque. On the 20th there is another
ball masque at Mr. von Tschirski's. The prince has a most
beautiful Spanish costume which he got made at Rome. I
shall also be obliged to appear in fancy dress, but I shall
most probably pose as a domino.
In March I trust I may at last get away. In April the
prince goes on an interesting tour through the province, and
I hope that I shall accompany him, as I would like to do so.
Best love to Gusta and Ernestine. Get as much fresh air as
you can, and enjoy yourselves. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Breslau, 16tli February, 1857.
Dear good Mary,
What a pleasure you have given me with your
photograph.* It is a wonderful success ; such a perfect likeness
is a real treasure. One generally sits for one's portrait with
so much consciousness, feeling one's self observed and assuming
a fixed countenance, that the real expression is lost. This
picture looks out on the world so brightly and honestly, that
I fancy I can see you before me. With the magnifying glass
it is even better. The prince, too, thinks it quite delicious.
* The one included in this work.

1857.] MRS. VON MOLTKE'S PHOTOGRAPH. 5
I went with him to one of the Breslau photographers with
whose productions he is dissatisfied ; but he assumes an official
air, and lends his portraits a seriousness and austerity that do not
belong to him in everyday life. Charles must have been in the
secret; he brought me the box with a shining face. What
a pretty dress you have on. I don't remember it at all.
Curious that all blue turns quite white, your blue enamelled
bracelet, for instance.
20th February. — I was interrupted before I could finish
my letter, and could not post it before we set out on our
nunting expedition, as I wished. So you will think me very
ungrateful for not saying a word about your beautiful present.
Now I will proceed to tell all about our last excursion.
At two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon we started by train
for Gleiwitz, a distance of twenty miles. The weather was
splendid. The warmth of the sun had already completely
melted the snow, and on our right rose the Zobten mountain
and the range of the Sudeten. About seven o'clock in the
evening we met at Gleiwitz the open four-in-hand belonging
to Prince Plesz which brought us at a smart pace, and without
any change of horses on the road, to Plesz, which is about
six and a half miles distant from Gleiwitz. We dined there
at eleven o'clock.
Upper Silesia is not a mountainous country, but has a
tableland about eight hundred feet high. This elevation
makes such a difference in the climate that Plesz has the
isothermal lines of Stockholm. The cold was fresh and invigo
rating, and the whole country was covered with snow. The
principality was illuminated. Large bonfires burned on its
boundaries and the small towns, villages, and toll houses were
ornamented with coloured lamps, while overhead the sky was
ablaze with twinkling stars, most conspicuous among which
being Venus and Jupiter, which seemed to have intentionally
oined in this most brilliant spectacle. The greatest light of
all, however, streamed from the lofty windows of the old castle
with its fabulously thick walls and beautiful flat galleries on
every floor. The young prince was married only a few weeks
ago to his very beautiful cousin, one of the Kleist family.
He owns an estate of several square miles and ninety-six
thousand acres of enclosed forest land — and therefore capital
shooting — besides two hundred thousand thalers per annum.
The shooting party consisted of our prince, the brother-in-law

6 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
of Prince Plesz, Baron von der Decken, the youngest Prince
Reusz, Chief District Judge von Rother, Colonel Wintzigerrod,
and myself. Prince Plesz, on grounds of etiquette, did not him
self shoot. Quite early in the morning the horns sounded, the
sleighs drove up, and the splendid horses, with their pleasant-
sounding silver bells, shot over the vast snow-covered plains,
and through dark pine-forests for a distance of about three
miles, when the large preserve was reached. Then the whole
hunting party was mustered, nearly forty foresters being
present. The part to be beaten was an immense wooded plain
of several hundreds of acres in extent, enclosed on two sides
by ropes, upon which pieces of rag were hung, whilst on the
third side the hunters ranged themselves, concealed, as far as
was possible, behind fences made of pine branches; and on
the fourth side stood the beaters, over one hundred in number,
ready to advance in the direction of the huntsmen. The
game prefers to make away through the chain of beaters to
going through the pieces of rag suspended from the ropes.
Only red and black game was permitted to be shot with the
exception of hinds and wild sows. I would never have been
able to attend to these instructions had I not had next to me
a forester with two double-barrelled guns, who kindly prompted
me. During the first four beats not a shot was fired, and yet
every one kept a constant look out. Whole herds of deer
certainly came along, but as soon as they scented the hunts
men, they stopped short, looked about them hesitatingly, and
then ran back again into the wood, or else jumped in four or
five leaps across the ditches close to the hunters, which was
remarkably pretty to behold. They were certain that no one
intended to do them any harm. Now and again, too, a hare
came in sight, and sat pricking up his ears; or else a fox
came sneaking along, to which race of animals no quarter is
given in this district, but the slightest movement would send
him at once back. Next came a troop of fawns and dams
with two or three stags in front of them. Two of these last
stopped about a hundred yards in front of me, but on a spot
where the coppice was so dense that my mentor would not
allow me to fire. In a moment they returned. At last there
came a whole pack of stags followed by twenty sows, but as
the wind blew directly towards them they soon got scent, and
then we saw the whole company rush back right through the
beaters. I aimed at a roebuck, but missed him. The other

1857.] BOAR AND STAG HUNTING. 7
members of the party were more fortunate, and several
animals were killed. In the evening they conducted the
prince to the baiting-place — that is to say, to the place where
the sows are fed. There he was forced to shoot. Then we
returned for a final beat. On the way we met a wild sow,
with two young wild boars. The sleigh did not seem to
frighten them in the least. I jumped out; they remained
quite still. I tried to fire but failed, as both barrels refused
to go off. Then I discovered that, in the excitement of the
moment, I had not raised the trigger to full cock. The sow
was still before me, so I fired, somewhat unsteadily it is true,
but under such circumstances that I could not fail to hit.
The forester, too, was of opinion that I had hit it, but the
sow nevertheless got away. That was the only shot fired
at black game during the day, and as a sow was discovered
wounded on the following day, the credit of it was put down
to me. We did not return for dinner until it was quite dark.
The prince had been successful in shooting a wild boar.
To remain for eleven hours in the open air, and in a
temperature of from 6° to 7° R. below zero, cannot fail to produce
fatigue. Notwithstanding what we had done, however, it was
midnight before we got into bed. At daybreak we were ofl'
to another forest. In the course of one of the last beats
which were made, a wild sow with five or six young ones,
rushed out right between my neighbours and myself, and I
was preparing to fire when my forester stopped me by saying,
" The stags are coming ! " As a matter of fact a whole pack of
these stood right in front of me. I could just discern between
two trees standing close together a head and breast. " Kindly
aim straight at him!" Bang! The stag fell. My mentor
was quite beside himself with joy. " By Jesus, he is down ! "
he cried again and again, and, forgetting all his manners,
clapped me with his hand quite heartily on the back. The
stag lay still quite two minutes, but when the beaters ap
proached him he rose and dragged himself into the wood.
He lost part of his coat, bled violently, and became so weak
that he fell again. The distance was seventy-two yards. The
place was covered with fir branches so that it would be easily
found again. If a bloodhound is brought to the scent he
will follow it up and soon find the game. If he starts off at
once a wounded stag can get miles away. Generally he is
allowed time to die, and his track is only followed up the next

8 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
morning. Then, if it does not unfortunately snow too much,
it is an easy task for the bloodhound to find it. My stag
was, as a matter of fact, found in this way, so that I may be
proud of my hunting experience. Reckoning all together,
I believe twenty-six animals were shot, of which twelve fell
to the prince, who of course was given the best chances, and
of these twelve several were killed upon the spot, which is
not an easy matter.
At three o'clock this morning we started on our return
journey, and this evening the ball masque takes place. I
am curious to see how the prince will keep his incognito
there. He is going to the ball unaccompanied by any one
in a cab. I shall tell you all about it to-morrow.
21st. — I was one of the first to arrive at the ball ; the host
and others present puzzled their heads as to who I was until
the Countess Schweinitz recognized some of my jewels and
betrayed me. I told her that the prince could not arrive
until ten o'clock, so that, although he entered soon after in
black domino and hood he had the chance of remaining for
a long time unrecognized. He was soon, however, discovered
through the movements of his arms, and then, laying aside
his mask, he disclosed the costume of Raoul in the Huguenots,
consisting of violet silk and velvet, and a beautiful gold chain
and dagger. He looked exceedingly well. There were many
very nice costumes, especially in one quadrille, where the
ladies wore rococco costumes and powdered hair, while the
gentlemen appeared as first cuirassiers of one hundred years
ago. The Highlanders did not please. I felt dreadfully tired,
and those confounded patent leather shoes pinched me terribly.
The ball lasted until two in the morning. (To-day at midday
I dine with Count Howerden, and in the evening go to a
ball at Mr. von Lobbeke's). The young Countess Styrum, one
of the prettiest ladies there, had a splendid surprise. Her
father came here from Berlin without her knowledge, and,
dressed in a very elegant mask and the scarlet uniform of
the musketeers, began to speak to her and converse with her
about the most interesting subjects; he made himself so
importunate, however, that she gradually drew him nearer to
her mother, when, to the astonishment of all, she fell upon the
stranger's neck, he having at that moment removed his mask.
Sunday. — In any case this letter shall leave to-day ; I am
vexed that it has been delayed so long, and you will not

1857.] ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPH. 9
know what to think of it. Good-bye, dear heart. Once more,
thank you for the picture. You don't know how often I look
at it. Best love to mamma and Ernestine. Always yours,
Helmuth.
P.S. — Captain von Walther, one of the 6th Hussars, will
call on you. He has been A.D.C. to the General in Command
and master of the revels {maitre de plaisir), at Breslau. A
nice fellow, who has just got his squadron, wherefore all
Breslau mourns since Wednesday in sackcloth and ashes.
To his Wife.
Breslau, Tuesday, 24th February, 1857.
You are really a dear, good little wife not to be angry
with me for not acknowledging the photograph till Saturday.
My letter must have lain at the palace all the time, or it
would have reached you sooner than Walther, who had not
the luck to find you at home. You will gather from that
letter how great a pleasure I owe you. The beautiful picture
always stands before me on my writing-table, and I say " good
morning " and " good night " to it and often look at it through
the magnifying glass. I send you herewith my photograph,
as good as they make them here. Although I tried hard
to avoid it, it seems to me that there is something affected
in the portrait. Perhaps I can get a better one done in
Berlin ; meanwhile it will serve to remind you of me.
I hope you got two pheasants this morning that were only
killed yesterday and left by the mail train at once. I am
afraid that sending for them and having to pay the town
dues will delay them. I hope you will all enjoy them.
24th. — At the end of the ball at Count Burghaus' last
evening it was arranged that we should have " Corso " to-day.
The Long champ of Breslau is a disconsolate and treeless
road running through a flat plain. The sun, which had for
so long a time shone so kindly upon us, to-day remained
obscured in a dense icy cold mist, and the distant hills were
quite invisible. A large number of very elegant carriages,
some of them being four-in-hands, and a great many riders,
made their appearance. Mowers, bouquets, and bon-bons
were flying liberally about. The prince even threw fine

10 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
confetti out of his Russian drosky. At a season when the-
weather is good this sort of thing is all very well, but on
this occasion the temperature was most unfavourable for it.
I mounted my black horse, which greeted the unusually
bracing air with all sorts of gambols. The carnival concludes
to-night with a final ball. As a rule I only take one round
on these occasions.
In the course of the next few days I shall be again engaged
in the mornings with lectures upon military history, which I
hope to conclude about the second half of March. I am very
pleased that you are getting on so well with your skating;
it will do you so much good. Ernestine must be able to run
about quite sturdily by this time.
Notwithstanding that we do not get our grand and splendid
supper until twelve o'clock at night, and do not get to bed
before one or two o'clock, yet I feel very well. I am now
quite in training for this sort of thing, but am very pleased
indeed that these continuous festivities will come to an end
with the approaching Advent.
After Easter, when the country is green again, the prince
intends to undertake a iourney through the province, which
will occupy about a fortnight. To-day I drew up for him a
sketch of one, in the course of which he would see much that
is not only beautiful, but also interesting. In June the wool
fair and races take place here. The whole aristocracy of the
province will then meet together here, and the prince will
have to give a great fete. Now I must dress.
Ash Wednesday.— To-day we again rode on the riding
ground to the music of the band. My black horse goes extra
ordinarily well. I must, however, conclude, as my lectures
begin this very afternon. To-night we go to the " Orphan of
Lowood," and afterwards to a small reception. Please give
my love to mamma, and tell her that I am going to write to
her by next post. Good-bye, dear heart. With love,
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Breslau, Saturday, 28th February, 1857.
Good morning, dear little wife. How have you slept ?
I was glad to receive your last letter, and to see that it con
tained nothing but good news.

1857.] LECTURES TO THE PRINCE. II
I thought my photograph pretty bad. Perhaps I can get
another done at your photographer's in Berlin ; one that looks-;
you in the face. They are more advanced in the art there.
Your portrait is unsurpassable. The prince thinks it much
better than those of his affianced. Then I will brush my
hair more carefully. The coat is a very well and close-
fitting undress coat, but the camera lens enlarges the
central details of a picture, hence, always big hands and
thick waists. I hope you served a bottle of champagne witk
the pheasants.
28th. — To-day all the members of the upper ten agreed
to meet by sunny weather on the promenade. At midday
we lunch with the regiment of Cuirassiers. In the evening
we go to the theatre, where the tragedy " Othello " is to be
performed, when Seebach will act. The lectures occupy all
the spare time I have amid the existing tumult. Since I
give them every day, I fancy that I shall soon be finished1
with them, and very likely my ammunition will run short
far too quickly. I cannot say definitely yet whether I shall
be going to London this summer, but I feel almost certain
that I shall. Good-bye, dear heart. Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. (Undated).
Good day, dear little woman ! I hope that all my despatches
have reached you. The prince intends to go to Coblentz on
the 18th of next month, and it is almost certain that he will
take Heinz with him there. The prince remains on the Rhine
till the end of March and wants to be back in Berlin for
Easter in order that he may partake of the Lord's Supper, at
which solemn act I shall join him. My lectures have now
begun and I shall conclude them by the 18th, so that I have
the prospect of a few quiet weeks in Berlin. I shall only
return here in time for the Silesian journey, which will take
place towards the end of April or in May. So I shall be in
Berlin for your birthday, which we will spend very merrily
with mamma, Ernestine, and Ludwig. The weather is splendid,
and the sun shines warm and bright. At one o'clock we have-
" Corso " again. I shall mount my chestnut, and have already

12 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
provided myself with bunches of violets. Good-bye, dear heart
till our next happy meeting. Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.

(Undated).

Dear Mary,
I am still unable to give you any certain information
about my arrival in Berlin. As you know, one generally
hears only on the eve of departure. The prince is invited
for Sunday to the house of his cousin, Frederick Charles ; but
it is not yet decided whether he will go there. At present
his intention is to start on the 18th. His wedding has been
•definitely fixed to take place on the 18th of January, 1858,
but his sojourn at Breslau does not extend beyond October
of the present year. He will not start for England before
July, and when he makes his next visit it will be for his
marriage. I hope to remain in Berlin until after Easter.
After that there are in prospect a few journeys to Silesia. In
June the wool fair, races, etc., take place here, when the
whole aristocracy will likely come up. The prince will on
that occasion give a grand fete in the castle. During winter
it would have been quite an impossibility to do so, for the
simple reason that the huge beautiful rooms cannot be
sufficiently heated or lighted. You will have to come here
in the season. Mrs. von Vincke looks forward to your
staying with her at Olbendorf, in the beautiful country about
¦Grottkau. It would have been a capital idea if you had come
here for the masked ball ; as the thought never once occurred
to me, I should certainly not have recognized you had you
appeared in powder and roccoco.
Fischer's death grieved me and the prince too, very much.
The day before, he was at the farewell dinner that was given
to Schwarz. Next day, on returning from a ride, he shivered
and felt uncomfortable. The doctor was called in and let
blood. For all that, apoplexy set in, and he died immediately.
Strange that the two heads of the War and War-finance
departments since the year 1848, Griesheim and Fischer, both
rest in the beautiful cemetery of Coblentz. Here fetes are
still constantly taking place.
The latest news is that the prince will proceed to Berlin

1857.] WITH PRINCE FREDERICK WILLIAM. Ill
on Friday, that is, the day after to-morrow. It remains to
be seen, however, whether this plan will be adhered to. So
probably I shall be with you early on Saturday. Have coffee-
ready for me. Till then, good-bye, dear good little wife.
Yours,

To his Wife.
Dear Mary,

Helmuth.

Tuesday.

We arrived here this morning at half-past six. It
was pretty cold during the night, and I employed my civilian
cap as a foot-warmer and slept from Fiirstenwalde to Liegnitz,
I have had my room doubly heated. The vegetation is much
more advanced here than in Berlin, for not only are apricots.
and peaches in blossom, but under my window there is actually
a cherry tree in fall bloom. When out riding to-day I heard
the nightingale for the first time. I went for a fairly long
tour, and my black horse went splendidly both going and
returning. Scholer and I dined with the prince. In the
evening we went to the theatre, and afterwards to Lindheim's,
who inquired most kindly after you. It is now eleven o'clock,,
and I must prepare quickly to go to sleep. Good night, dear
good heart.
Wednesday. — To-morrow evening I accompany the prince
to Schweidnitz where we shall remain for two days. To-day
I again mounted my black horse; he goes very well indeed,
but I cannot get him to stand still. To-day at midday I had
dinner with the prince. The weather was very fine, but the
wind is still cold. In the afternoon I went to the studio of
the artist, Hammacher, then to the theatre, and afterwards to
tea with the prince. Best love to mamma and little Ernestine-
Good-bye, dear good heart. More soon. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Saturday, 25th April.
Good evening, dear little wife. Many thanks for your
missive of Wednesday. The prince is not going to undertake
any lengthy journeys during the coming month, but will only
make several short excursions into the province. This will

14 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
not in the least interfere with the trip to England. Speaking
generally, he is exceedingly amiable towards me. As soon
as it has been fixed who is to go with him, I shall let you
know, and arrange about matters more particularly. In any
-case you must pay me a visit here. It has probably turned
very cold in Berlin; this morning the ice was thick. Did
you play a game of cards to-night ? It is midnight, and I
<close for to-day. Best of good nights.
Monday noon. — I got your letter to-day. So Adolph has
been summoned to Copenhagen ; no doubt he will be appointed
Minister for Holstein in place of Scheel. A hard task.
>God give him health for it. It is bad enough that, unwell
as he is just now, he should have to travel in the cold, and
with a north-east wind. Only a radical change of system
vcan make it possible for him to retain the post. Anyhow he
will have his appointment at Rantzau in reserve in case he
has to retire, and it is an honour for him, whatever befals.
But there will be a hard struggle with the Danish democratic
party. Monday. — It was very cold to-day during drill, and I found
the Duffel very comforting. And yet the wind was changed
to the west. We drove at half-past two o'clock to Sybillenort
¦which is three miles from here, to see this Armiden Palace
^belonging to the Duke of Brunswick.
The black horse, which I now mount daily for the purpose
of attending the drills, begins to be less restless, and is
becoming accustomed at last to having to stand quietly.
During music and firing he is perfectly quiet. To-day I
•came unexpectedly among the Cuirassier - Flankeurs who
were advancing in marching order, and you should have seen
how they tore away. On Wednesday the 1st and the 11th
Uegiments of the Fusilier battalion, will be inspected by the
commander of the division. In the evening there will be
tea, diversified with readings, at Prince Carolath's; the tales
of the Princess of Navarre. On Thursday a grand dinner is
to take place at Count Burghaus'. On Sunday, the 17th,
the prince goes to Berlin for a day, but who is to accompany
him is not yet decided. Good-bye, dear good heart. Your
picture always stands before me on my writing-table, and I
jrejoice in it every day. With heartfelt love, Yours,
Helmuth.

130/.J MMS. VON MOLTKE'S JOURNEY TO HOLSTEIN. 15
To his Wife. Breslau, Friday, 1st May, 1857.
Dear Mary,
As for your journey to Holstein, you can do what
ever best suits you. I really think that the change would
be very good for you, especially if mamma has decided on
going to Altona. There is no truth in what the papers say,
but early on Sunday, the 17th inst., the prince will arrive at
Berlin to spend a day inspecting his building.
God grant that Adolph has arrived at Copenhagen. He
can accept the post of minister only in case of their having
decided on a radical change of Government in Holstein, and
that does not seem probable. In any case he must reserve
to himself the post at Rantzau. Duke Charles of Gliicksburg,
who was here yesterday, told me that Carl Plessen had refused
the porte-feuille. It is desirable that Adolph should do the same
if things are to go on as they are. Either way, his health
will not long permit him so exciting an occupation. Besides,
there is the severe climate of Copenhagen. Here, too, it is
abominable. You must have begun to heat your rooms again ;
I have not yet left off.
I attended the calling out of the District Reserves; the
calling out of the Departmental Reserves, under the direction
of brigadiers, does not begin till July. I shall attend part of it.*
There is no talk at present of excursions in the province,
the weather is too unpropitious, and all vegetation very
backward. Please, dear Mary, tell mamma that I thank her heartily
for her kind letter, and Ernestine for her few words. I cannot
write to them to-day, and I think they will stay a little
longer, after all. I must close. If you are leaving as soon
as Tuesday, you will be sure to write me another line or
two before you start. Lovingly, good-bye. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Breslau, Wednesday, 6th May, 1857.
Yours of Sunday and Monday only reached me to-day,
dear Mary. I learn therefrom that the projected journey to
Holstein still holds good; but you do not tell what day is
* Probably with the view of qualifying as brigadier.

16 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
fixed for your departure. Mamma mentions the 5th; according
to that you should have left yesterday. You are sure to have
left orders for letters to be sent after you, and as it is still
uncertain, I address this to Berlin till you announce your
arrival in Holstein. I think it will cheer you to see all the
sisters and brothers again. I am very anxious for news of
Adolph. The newspapers say that he has proposed conditions
to Biilow (?) that will hardly be accepted. Another paper
says that Reventlow-Farve will be named Minister; others
speak of the king's abdication. Best love to mamma and
Ernestine. I have received again to-day a summons to the Chapter
of the Order of the Knights of St. John. If I do not go to
England I shall have to appear there, and that will be most
annoying, for I should have enjoyed so much going with you
on a little trip. If I go to the Chapter it would not be
possible for us to make a trip until after the 24th of June,
and that would leave only a very short time for it. The
prince has not as yet come to any decision as to whom he
shall take with him.
It appears that Prince Napoleon is actually expected to
come to Berlin, and the prince is sorely afraid lest he will be
summoned to Berlin to be present at the reception of this
guest. Afternoon. — At dinner I told the prince that I had been
again summoned to appear at Berlin on the 24th of June for
the investiture and knighting, whereupon he said that he
greatly feared that he would prove to be an obstacle on this.
occasion, to which I answered that this circumstance would
be very agreeable to me. I also wrote immediately to Bismarck
to the effect that my duties would prevent me attending on
the 24th. I am glad to have gained another year's release
from this affair, and I can now reckon upon going to England,
which will be not only an interesting, but also a profitable
journey. I only hope you will like being in Holstein for the
time. On the way back you might pay a visit to Countess
Bassewitz in Schwerin and come to Breslau for a little while.
After the autumn manoeuvres this weary separation will be over-
To-day is the holy day of repentance, but it is so bitterly
cold that I had to put on my heavy cloak when I walked.
out, and had to have my room doubly heated. To-night a
performance of Haydn's " Creation " is to be given.

1857.] THE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN QUESTION. 17

I verily believe that the Prince of Prussia will be sur
prising us with a visit. On the 28th we shall see Father
Wrangel, as he is coming to inspect the Cuirassiers. He has
already invited us to a "plain cavalry dinner."
When I know that you have arrived in Holstein, you can
hear from me within twenty-four hours.
It is good to have your excellent photograph with me,
dear little wife. If you come here I should like to have
you painted. The painter Hammacher paints ladies' portraits
quite remarkably.
I close for to-day, dear good little Mary. I hope to hear
from you very soon, wherever you may be. I expect, however,
you are already in Holstein. Faithfully yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.
Breslau, Sunday, 10th May, 1857.
Dear Mary,
Your letter, dated Thursday, the 7th, from Itzehoe
reached me yesterday evening. The prince is not to go to
Berlin on the 16th, for his father is coming to inspect the
district of the IVth Army Corps. Perhaps you do not yet know
that the poor Radziwils have lost their daughter Leontine.
They went to Berlin, but the child died two days after. Reise-
witz was here yesterday; he came to see his father who is
ninety-one ; he wishes to be particularly remembered to you.
I can fancy how tired you must have been when you arrived.
When Adolph hears that you are at Itzehoe, he is sure to
go there. 10th. — The negotiations with the men in whom the country
(of Schleswig-Holstein) put their trust have fallen through.
Any stranger who is ambitious to become minister under
whatever conditions you please can certainly soon be found
but when it comes to dealing with the great powers of
Germany, the position of the country would certainly become
most embarrassing, and they would be obliged to fall back
upon those very men whom they are now trying to reject.
There is even talk of a possible abdication of the King of
Denmark. One thing is evident, namely, that the Cabinet at
Copenhagen is in the horns of a desperate dilemma and do
VOL. II. 0

18 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
not know whether to go in for German pretensions or support
the presently ruling Eider-Danish, Scandinavian party.
I am glad that you are going to pay a visit to Fritz. The
weather is beginning to be fine and mild, and I hope that
we shall at last be able to leave off fires.
How did you find Jeanette and her family ? * I suppose
by this time they are settled in the Kardoff house? The
garden must be very pretty, and the beech woods will soon
be green. I still hope that after the English journey there
will be time for a little recreation for us, before the autumn
manoeuvres begin.
I send this letter off to-day. Write if it reaches you
to-morrow evening. After church and parade we are going
to the opening of the Art and Picture Exhibition.
Good-bye, dear good little wife. Amuse yourself thoroughly
and don't miss anything. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Berlin, 21st May, 1857.
Dear good Mary,
I got your last letter from Itzehoe yesterday evening.
We made a most successful excursion the day before yesterday,
Tuesday, to a splendid beech wood near Trebnitz in the
so-called Katzengebirge, situated three miles from Breslau.
The weather was delightful, and the beautiful forest shone
in its freshest green. It was a picnic, and I contributed to
it a flask of Anisette. The population of Trebnitz followed
after us at a respectful distance. From a hill oranges were
rolled down for the children. In the course of our return I
drove in the twilight with the prince to the magnificent old
Convent of St. Ursula in the town; we also visited the
beautiful church in which Saint Hedwig (Duchess of Liegnitz)
lies interred, whose tomb is said to give forth a great light
by night. At the time some sacred service was going on
and the singing in the semi-darkened church sounded very
solemn. Yesterday morning I went with the prince for a
brisk ride to Ohlau, which is three miles and a quarter
distant. My black horse went beautifully, and never once
* Brockdorff was head of the police at Itzehoe.

1857.] THE JOURNEY TO ENGLAND. 19
tried to gallop. When he saw the hussars marching towards
us, he began to get somewhat lively, but behaved most
superbly. We drove back, while the groom led the horses
by the hand, and before one o'clock they were already back
again in their respective stables. At night we drove on to
this place. As the air was mild and clear I slept without
interruption until we reached Kopenick. Here, in the house,
I found all in good order. Heinz is not, in my belief, going
to England. The return from there will not take place before
the middle of July. From the newspapers I learn that the
queen goes to Windsor on the 10th of July; I prefer that
place greatly to that prison, Buckingham.
Best love to mamma and Ernestine. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Breslau, 25th May, 1857.
Dear good Mary,
I have received your letter of the 23rd, here at
Breslau, whither we returned last night. Very early to-morrow
we leave for North Silesia, so I will make a last effort to
answer you. It was quite unbearably hot in Berlin, despite
my efforts at ventilation — eighteen to nineteen degrees R. in
the rooms by day, wind and dust into the bargain, and not a
drop of rain has fallen either there or here for weeks; the
crops look well at present, but if it goes on like this, every
thing will be dried up. Our Berlin apartments are very hot ;
it was hardly bearable. My room here is pleasantly cool. I
have taken advantage of the dreadful heat to leave off my
under vest, and hope to get off this time without a cold.
Thank your stars you are in Berlin. So you happy people
have had rain! At noon to-day there were heavy clouds in
the sky, but since evening it has quite cleared up again.
Better write direct to England. We travel via Weimar,
Coblentz, Calais, and reach Windsor on the 10th or
11th. Dear good little wife, I can no more. Love to all.
Yours,
Helmuth.

20 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Wife. Breslau 3rd June, 1857.
Dear Mary,
Your letter from Flensburg of the 28th ult. I
received at Ottmachau (Otto mach' auf), whilst I was sitting
in this old bishop's castle with the prince and the Humboldts,
supping coffee. Unfortunately we were not favoured with
good weather on that lovely journey, nevertheless we enjoyed
now and then a view over the magnificent mountain chain
and the luxurious valley of Neisze, which reminds one
very much of the country round Windsor — great wide meadows
with mighty oaks. Then there is a large herd of Hungarian
oxen of a grey colour and with immense horns, very similiar
to Roman oxen. Along the whole road were triumphal arches,
and the populace upon foot. I calculated that in the course
of a single day the prince talked to over five hundred persons.
There was great mutual pleasure when he picked out a man
of the 1st Regiment of Guards, one, too, belonging to the
sixth Company (the prince's own). He made him come to
him, chatted with him for over a quarter of an hour, and
gave him two gold pieces. Whilst we were staying in
Reichenstein a golden bracelet was cast there. It is very
interesting to watch how in an instant the white glowing
metal changes into a golden yellow colour. This is the only
place where Prussian gold is got (it is extracted from arsenic).
The wedding rings are to be made out of it. In the beautiful
castle of Pischkowitz in the county of Glatz we found the
Zedlitze assembled.
The journey through Upper Silesia was also exceedingly
interesting. We descended a coal mine of six hundred feet
in depth, and also saw the Galmei mines from which zinc
is smelted, together with the huge engines, bellows, and
blast furnaces. Immense pieces were cast in the darkness
of night. Rails were manufactured, and such like. Of the
many luncheons, dinners, and fetes I must not say anything.
The most splendid was one which the authorities gave in the
town of Neisze, when the theatre in which it took place was
most tastefully arranged. Most interesting also was the
opening of the Industrial Exhibition here by the prince.
Among other things exhibited is a carpet manufactured in
Schmiedeberg, which cannot be distinguished from the best.
Smyrna or Prussian carpets.

1857.] THE PRINCE OF PRUSSIA AT BRESLAU. 21
To-morrow morning we expect the Prince of Prussia on a
visit. He remains here during the 4th and 5th. On the
5th we give a ball at the castle to five hundred persons.
What a pity it is that you are not here! On the evening
of the 6th we go to Berlin, and on the evening of the 7th,
which is the anniversary of the king's death, we proceed to
Frankfurt, Coblentz, and Calais. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Berlin, morning, 7th June, 1857.
Dear little Wife,
By yesterday afternoon we had already arrived here,
as it had been decided all of a sudden to travel by day in
the company of the Prince of Prussia. I found everything
here in good order.
I hope for a letter from you this evening ; take care of
your health; continual cold in the head and coughing are
apt to turn out badly. Our travelling plans are altered.
Weimar and Gotha are empty. The Princess of Prussia will
stay at the Miinster-Court for a few days, where the Prince of
Prussia will join her to-morrow. So we are to go to Miinster
to-night, and thence through Cologne to Calais, and shall
be at Windsor early on the 10th. I will write you at once
from there. In the middle of July, when the empress is to
be at Sanssouci, we are certain to be back here, and then I
hope to see you here. What is your life at Itzehoe? Do
you live with mamma and Ernestine ? Please give every one
my best love. When I returned from church I found your
letter, dated yesterday, dear Mary.
When in Breslau the Prince of Prussia visited the Industrial
Hall, which really is very fine. The ball was a brilliant one.
The reception-rooms of the castle are most imposing and were
very well lighted with the aid of candelabras. There were
about five hundred persons from all parts of the province
whom the Wool Fair had brought together, and two buffets
upon which the champagne was flowing. Only at half-past
three did I get to bed, but nevertheless by seven o'clock we
were already on our road again. Lovingly yours,
Helmuth.

22 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Wife.
Windsor Castle, Thursday, 10th June, 1857.
I hope, dear Mary, that you got my letter from Berlin,
before your departure for Schierensee. It was posted Sunday,
the 7th, at noon, and at seven o'clock in the evening we left
with the Prince of Prussia and Boyen. It was a beautiful
moonlight night, though hot and dusty, and we only felt the
air becoming damp and warm when we approached the
mountains near Minden. There had been a great deal of
rain here, and I hope that Berlin and Breslau also got a
share of it. On Monday morning we accompanied the Prince
of Prussia to the inspection of the first and second battalions
of the 15th Regiment at Minden, and of the battalions of
fusiliers at Bielefeld at which latter place we dined. Then I
went for a short walk with Prince Frederick William on the
Sparenberg, and enjoyed the beautiful view, which doubtless
you, too, remember — the bright red roofs and the linen
bleaching on the green meadows, the numerous farms with
the dark oak trees surrounding them, and the whole enclosed
by the fortress-like forest of Teutoburg.* Most assuredly it
is a very peculiar country. The county councillor of Ditfurth
told me that the highest tax in his district, namely, ten
thousand thalers, is paid by a peasant. Next to him in
amount comes Count Furstenberg-Stammheim, and then
fourteen peasants, and only after these the larger landed
proprietors. I cannot help liking a peasantry of this kind.
In Hamm we waited for the arrival of the Princess of
Prussia, and after dark we reached Miinster, which was found
to be gorgeously illuminated. Passing right through the
town, we came to the castle, in which both the general com
manding the district and the upper president live, and the
state-rooms of which have been reserved for royal visitors.
It is most extraordinary that the clerical princes set about
erecting their magnificent buildings at a time when their secular
power was already on the decline. Clemens Wenzeslaus (of
Bavaria) and Clemens August (of Saxony) had hardly taken
possession of their respective palaces in Coblentz and Miinster,
when the French Revolution broke out, in consequence of
* Famous for the annihilation of the Roman forces under Varus by the
Cherusci, on hearing the news of which the Emperor Augustus exclaimed -
O Varus, Varus, give me back my legions ! "

1857.] MUNSTER AND ITS CATHEDRAL. 23
which their principalities were confiscated and secularized.
How strange it is that these clever clerics failed to see the
tendency of the period. The castle of Miinster reminds one
vividly of the New Palace at Potsdam, except that the former
has no cupola. It is built of red brick and yellow sandstone
which looks very well. The remainder is to some extent in
the pedantic style adopted at the period when it was erected.
I only hope that the Bishop of Miinster slept as splendidly
in his palace when he was there as I did during the night
ending Tuesday. On the latter morning we drove to the
Lodden Heath and there mounted Cuirassiers' horses in order
to inspect the two battalions of the 13th Regiment — fine big
fellows. The fourth heavy cavalry regiment has only mustered
for drill within the last two days ; I thought of the French
general who said, "II ne m'etonne pas que Vos gens fassent
tout cela, mais je m'etonne de l'esprit militaire encore de Vos
chevaux." * At one o'clock a grand reception was held at
the castle. I took advantage of a few moments which I had
to spare before this affair to look at the town. The cathedral
is in itself a complete history of architecture. The nave,
with its round arches and smooth walls without supporting
pillars, is of the tenth century. The strange wheel-shaped
windows of Saracen origin date from the eleventh century.
The towers and transept show the passage from the Norman
to the Gothic arch and the side portals remind one of the
magnificent building at Cologne. These last belong to the
fourteenth century when art was in its fullest bloom. The
courtyard of a beautiful convent with colonnades around it
directly adjoins the venerable cathedral, which is enclosed
by high beeches. Interesting, too, is the Town Hall, on the
balcony of which John of Leyden addressed the people, and
on the top of whose almost crumbling Lambert tower the
three cages were suspended in which the condemned ana
baptists were to die of starvation. There are also charming
old private residences of a kind that is now so rarely seen.
Not only the mansions of the nobility — entre cour et jardin
— but also the houses of the citizen classes were notable,
One of these was most unique, built in the Renaissance style
with isolated columns and figures of sandstone which had
been renovated in 1650, and are therefore three hundred years
* "I don't feel astonished that your people do all that, but I am astonished
at the military spirit displayed by your horses."

24 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
old. I should have liked to have taken a sketch of it, but by
this time the Galian, Westphalian, Schmiesing, Fiirstenberg,
Korff, Landsberg, Bentheim, and, in a word, the heads of
all those ancient strictly catholic and rich noble families of
Minister, which had for centuries worn the mitre and the crook
in this country, were driving up to the castle in state. At
four o'clock there was a State dinner, when from forty to fifty
sat down, and about five o'clock I started on my journey
with Prince Frederick William.
We arrived at Cologne about ten o'clock at night, slept
through Aachen and Liittich, and awoke in Mecheln, break
fasting upon French territory and soil at Lille, and finally
only arriving at Calais at half-past four o'clock, as the Paris
train was late. Arrived at Calais, we went without delay
on board the express steamer Princess Maud. It had been
rather windy for some days before, as it is also to-day, and we
prepared ourselves for all sorts of sufferings. I sat down
beside the prince upon a seat near the engines and waited
with curiosity to see how the ship would dance when once we
got out of the mole of fifteen hundred paces length ; but she
went very smoothly indeed, and we were not obliged to lie
down. On the contrary we continued to sit quite comfortably.
If the sea is not rough, this crossing is a real pleasure. First
of all one's eyes rest upon the, to you, well-known high chalky
coast-line of France, and then Cape Grisnez hoves in sight.
The Maud rushed on, however, and passed a great many
mackerel fishers who were cruising about with all their sails
set. More and more distinct then become the lofty perpen
dicular cliff, the South Foreland I think it is, and the ancient
castle of Dover, as they gradually get elevated out of the
blue flood. One constantly sees this old citadel or some
place very like it depicted upon old tapestry and pictures;
but every time I behold it in its reality I cannot help
admiring it.
At Dover we were met by General Wylde on behalf of the
queen. We dined at the splendid hotel, the Lord Warden,
and then hurried to the special train which was in waiting
for us. The journey by rail was a most charming one; for
once it was really fine weather in England. Only on the
horizon in the direction of the Atlantic ocean immense clouds
were to be seen towering up. At the same time the sun began
to set, causing, as it always does, a beautiful illumination

1857.] AT WINDSOR CASTLE. 25
around. Splendid country is that of Kent and Surrey;
everything green and fresh, animals on the pastures, large
fleecy sheep, and cows of a peculiar glowing red-brown colour-
Cornfields are seldom to be seen, and nowhere can be found
anything like the seven-feet high waving cornstalks of the
country above Miinster ; on the other hand, there are a great
many Kentish vineyards ; that is to say, hop-fields ; splendid
dark oak trees either isolated or in groups, and small but
charming dwelling-houses. So soon as we get past Sydenham
into the valley of the Thames the whole country becomes
veiled in a dark cold mist. At the station of London Bridge
royal carriages were in waiting, in which we soon passed
through Southwark to the station of the Windsor line, and
at a quarter past ten we were in sight of this proud seat of
the British kingdom. An ocean of light shone from all the
windows. The queen was still sitting in St. George's Hall
at a banquet. Our next duty was to dress speedily from
head to foot — shoes, stockings, knee-breeches, white cravat,
decorations on the waistcoat, and black dress coat. The
concert and tea were finished by eleven o'clock, and having
undergone a journey of over one hundred miles in twenty-
four hours we enjoyed the night's rest.
At midday to-day we went in eleven four-in-hands through
the Park to Ascot Races. It is always the same slow affair.
I wrote to you about it some time ago and I am glad that
it is over now. The best part of it was the going and returning
over green meadows and under oaks which in days gone by
have received William the Conqueror beneath their shade.
In all directions stood or trotted about herds of several
hundreds of deer and red game. For once by way of excep
tion it did not rain ; but, notwithstanding the sun, it was cold
and gusty, so that it was necessary to wear one's overcoat.
This evening the sky is again overcast. As I have taken
nothing since my coffee this morning I quite look forward
to the dinner at half-past eight in the evening for which I
must almost immediately dress. The dinner was in the form
of a banquet to seventy-five in St. George's Hall.
The queen always shows great hospitality at Windsor,
and all those who are invited live in the castle on these
occasions. The splendid apartment which I occupied last
year, was engaged on this occasion, and I was located in the
keep, a huge and very ancient tower, situated on an artificial

26 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
mound, said to have been built by William the Conqueror.
Windows had been bored through its massive walls with the
greatest trouble. My room is a many cornered irregular one
of about eight yards in width. The window space alone
makes up about one fourth of the whole room, and in this
recess I have established myself with my writing table. The
room forms a sort of narrow prison, "fitted up" with the
furniture of a drawing-room; marble chimney-piece, cabinet,
canopied bed, looking-glass, dressing-table, washhand stand,
easy-chairs, etc., so that one can hardly move about in it.
Similar cells in my immediate neighbourhood were occupied
by the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Breadalbane, etc.
Magnificent, however, is the view ; on the left, the park with
the Long Walk, just beneath me the town of Windsor, on
my right Eton College, and behind that the valley of the
Thames and a steep rising ground covered with clumps of
trees. Among the guests here are the Duchess of Cambridge,
and Princess Mary, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Edward
of Saxe- Weimar, the hereditary Prince of Meiningen, the
widower Prince Leiningen, Lord Palmerston, who, notwith
standing that he is seventy years of age, made the journey
to-day on horseback, Lord Clarendon, M. Persigny, Fould,
Count Bernstorff and his wife, Lord Granville and othe
grandees. As I gather that you are staying for a few days longer
at Itzehoe, dear Mary, I send this letter by hand, to Berlin.
Tell me when you get it. With proper attention in Berlin it
ought to take forty-eight hours. If it takes too long, I will
write direct henceforward.
I left my stick with the ivory knob at Cologne. I hope
to find it there on the way back, for it was left in the
waiting-room that is only used by the royalties.
Best love from my very heart, you dear good wife.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. London, 14th June, 1857.
A Sunday in London is by no means a cheerful prospect ;
but, as the earth has not come to destruction at the proper
moment to avoid it, we must just endure it.

1857.] DESCRIPTION OF WINDSOR CASTLE. 27
I think you must have returned to Itzehoe by this time,
dear Mary, and that you will get the letter in which I
announced our arrival at Windsor to-day.
The queen's many visitors all left on Friday so that we
are now quite alone. The weather was beautiful, and the sky
almost transparent, with here and there, as happens with us,
slight streaks of high vapour. In the forenoon I made a
solitary walk through the splendid environs of Windsor. The
chalk and lime-stone rocks, which you find ever present along
the whole south-coast of England, gradually disappear as you
proceed inland, where they are covered by mountains of a more
recent formation. On the right bank of the Thames, however,
about four miles above London, some volcanic shock seems
to have raised up an isolated limestone rock through the
formations which elsewhere cover it. On and out of this
rock has this mighty castle been built, and the superimposed
buildings actually occupy its whole extent. Over its greatest
length it might measure about one thousand yards, while its
breadth is from two to three hundred yards. The gigantic
keep, on the artificial mound, divides the whole building
into two large quadrangles and the elevation of the whole is
at a height of about one hundred feet above the fields and
forests of the surrounding country. On three of its sides
the hill has a steep incline especially towards the east
facing the Thames. It would be a mistake to suppose, however,
that Windsor consists of one immense building ; it is rather
a complete group of separate, for the most part turreted
buildings, the walls of which are surmounted with lofty
battlements. It is only on the south side, which is very
readily reached by a splendid green lawn lined with gigantic
isolated oak trees, that these towers are joined together by
symmetrical intermediate buildings so as to form a complete
palace front. It is before this front that the so-called grand
terrace of Windsor is situated. The variety which is noticeable
in the different parts is explained by the fact that they have
been erected at intervals sometimes of centuries in length.
Against the very elegant, if not very large, wing of Edward
III., of date 1356, leans that of George III. which must have
been completed at least five hundred years later. Fortunately,
however, during these different centuries they have maintained
the original style of architecture throughout and produced a
harmonious whole. Even the very rough exterior has been

28 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
preserved. The coarsely hewn stones are of a grey colour
and nowhere whitewashed. The interstices are filled up with
plaster which, owing to coal being mixed with it, has a black
•colour, and are decorated throughout with black flints.
There cannot be any doubt that the chief facade would gain
a great deal and look much richer and more magnificent if
it were cleaned. Looked at from our elegant little sanctuary
the building seems altogether unusually dingy. The exterior
windows are small and loophole-like; only where they were
compelled to do so in order to throw a proper light into the
state-rooms have they built large balcony -like windows, between
the beautifully carved stone posts of which have been inserted
immense panes of plate-glass. So again, to keep up the
castle-like exterior, the twelve large broad Gothic windows
of the St. George's Hall had to be made so as to open into
the inner court-yard.
In the lower castle yard the whole east side is occupied
with the magnificent chapel of St. George, in which the
banners of all the Knights of the Order of the Garter have,
since the time of Edward III., been suspended. The apart
ments of the members of the royal family are nearly all
situated in the upper part of the building towards the park,
and have a splendid view over the wide, green country.
Round the courtyard there runs a continuous corridor in
which are placed marble busts of the celebrated men of all
nations, including the English statesmen and orators, Canning
and Pitt, next to Louis XIV. and Pope Pius, Newton and
Gonsalvi, Prince Albert and Sheridan. Other eminent men
are again represented by portraits and many historical mementos
are displayed, especially of the life of Queen Victoria, her
coronation, marriage, christening (that is to say, of the Prince
of Wales, otherwise more room than can be spared would be
required), a visit of Louis Philippe, and such like, besides
artistic old cupboards, bronzes, vases, etc. Whenever one
passes along those corridors he cannot fail to find something
new and interesting to be admired. Specially attractive to
me, however, was the study of the precious portraits by Van
Dyck. As all the staterooms remain open, one can remain
sitting there for hours by himself and examine everything
without being disturbed. To be found collected there are
all the kings from the Stuart dynasty downwards, one after
another. The son of Mary Stuart, James I., looks, in his

1857.] PICTURE GALLERY AT WINDSOR. 2f>
black silk Spanish doublet, much better than one would be
inclined to believe after the description of him by Sir Walter
Scott. Very numerous are the portraits of his son and suc
cessor, Charles I., painted by Van Dyck's masterhand, a noble,
melancholy face, on which one cannot read the faithlessness
which formed the foundation of his character and made it
impossible to deal with him, so that the country was brought
to the conclusion that its security could only be safe-guarded
by his death. With a view to a bust being made of him,
Van Dyck painted him in three different positions on one
canvas; namely, face, demi-face, and profile. There are also
several portraits of his wife, the unfortunate Henrietta of
France — a fine, good, real Bourbon face. Then a very
interesting picture represents the three children — the Prince
of Wales, afterwards Charles II., his brother the Duke of
York, afterwards James II., and Mary of Orange. Another
picture shows the two brothers as boys, and one can observe
by it the development of their features as they gradually
formed themselves to what later portraits show them to have
been, very different kings — Charles, the easy-minded, amiable,
man of the world, became anything but good-looking, and
had a very pronounced nose, broad mouth, large eyes, and
dark hair; while James, the bigot, revengeful, obstinate,
unsympathetic, looks much better, in consequence of his being
fair, and having a fine profile and a noble bearing.
In the afternoon, I went for a splendid ride ; the horse I
rode, Sherif, was bought at Berlin, and is one of the best in
the stables. A more excellent ground for riding upon cannot
be in existence than here on these soft grassy hillocks.
Beneath the shade of the groups of trees rested herds of from
fifty to sixty stags and hundreds of deer, which hardly took
the trouble to rise and get a few paces out of the horseman's
way. Pheasants, hares, and rabbits are to be seen everywhere.
My groom had the keys of all the fences, so that I could go
in whatever direction I pleased. My ride lasted for three
hours, and was over a wide stretch of beautiful country, first
to Virginia Water, a pretty large sheet of water which lies
among wooded hills and at one end forms a very nice waterfall,
and then to Cumberland Lodge where I saw a tree the
branches of which extend over a width of one hundred and
thirty-six feet. The tree in question is a single vine, which
is trained under a glass roof, stretches through a whole

30 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
conservatory, and bears thousands of grapes. Other vineries
contain delicious muscatels and blue Hungarian grapes hanging
by the hundred and perfectly ripe from the lattice-work,
beneath which are ripe strawberries, beans, peas, and pine
apples; while in other greenhouses are ripe plums, cherries,
and peaches. After that we returned to Windsor by way
of Queen Anne's Bide and the Great Walk. At dinner in
the evening I sat between the Duchess of Athol and the
queen, with whom I kept up a lengthy and very entertaining
¦conversation. It is so nice that she speaks German. On
Saturday we drove all the way to London. As usual the
queen was received there by a guard of honour, who played
" God save the Queen" and a detachment of light dragoons
oscorted the carriages. A multitude of people thronged the
streets in order to see Her Majesty. The queen never
starts until all her suite have got into their carriages. As
there are generally from six to eight carriages, she stops for
several minutes, after which they all follow one another
keeping together.
In the evening Shakespeare's Richard II. was performed
in the Princess' Theatre. The armour and costumes, all of
which had been faithfully reproduced from old paintings, were
most interesting.
The Divine service of this Sunday did not edify me very
much. The prayers last for about an hour, in the course of
which both clergyman and congregation alternately speak. The
consequence is that one passes about half the time upon one's
knees, which seems an easy task seeing that one is provided
with a good velvet cushion and an easy-chair at one's back,
but in other respects it is really a chastisement. After these
the chapter of the Old Testament was read, which describes
how Gideon slays the five Amorite kings, puts them in a
cave, and hangs them on trees, and how many towns he had
destroyed, killing the inhabitants to a man, and other certainly
not very edifying things of the same character. The sermon
comes last of all quite as an accessory — a rhetorical exercise.
London, Tuesday evening, 16th.
Instead of eating once more at midday I preferred to sit
in my room by a good fire. It is household dinner, and
therefore I can absent myself. The continual eating and
drinking does not agree with me at all, and I want to fast

1857.] BAPTISM OF PRINCESS BEATRICE. 31
until I get once more into good order. And yet at midday
I have only been eating soup, fowl, and strawberries. At one
o'clock to-day the baptism took place of the little Princess
Beatrice Victoria Mary, Duchess of Saxony. A guard of
honour was stationed in the court-yard and the band played.
The Yeomen of the Guard stood in the large ante-room, and
the Gentlemen-at-arms lined the approaches to the chapel. The
ambassadors, ministers, and grand dignitaries had already
taken up their places there, when the Court was set to move
in solemn procession, preceded by the kings of arms, who are
named once for all time Clarenceaux and Norroy, although the
two gentlemen who on this occasion appeared all bedecked
with coats of arms, are in the habit of inscribing themselves
as Mr. Putman and Mr. Laurice. Next followed the two
equerries in ivaiting and the clerk marshal, the keeper of the
Privy purse, the gentleman-usher, the grooms of the bedchamber,
lord in ivaiting, lord steward, lord chamberlain. Then came
the queen upon the arm of Prince Arthur and the Archduke
Maximilian, Prince Albert leading Prince Leopold and the
Duchess of Cambridge, then the Prince of Wales and Alfred,
Princesses Alice, Helene, and Louise, the Duke of Cambridge,
Princess Mary of Cambridge, the hereditary Prince of Saxe-
Meiningen and Prince Edward of Saxe- Weimar. It closed
with the master of the horse and mistress of the robes (the Duchess
of Sutherland), the maids of honour, the gold-stick in wailing
(General Viscount Gough) and the master of the buck-hounds
(Oberjdgermeister — the Earl of Besborough). The suite of the
Archduke consists of the grand master of the court (grand
maitre de la cour), Count Zichy, Count Hardeck, and four more
gentlemen, and that of the hereditary Prince of Meiningen
of Rochus Liliencrohn, who will one day be his private cabinet
councillor. But in front of all this procession, and preceded
by the heralds of Lancaster and Chester, walked the sponsors,
namely, the princess royal, the Duchess of Kent, and Prince
Frederick William with their suites, Viscountess Chewton,
Lady Augusta Bruce, Colonel Cowper, Bar, and myself. All
were in full dress, chiefly in red uniforms ornamented with
gold, the ministers in blue with very rich gold embroidery,
the lord high chancellor (Cranworth) in full bottomed wig and
black gold-embroidered gown, and carrying in front of him,
like a knitting-bag, the large portfolio containing the coats
of arms, the lord high almoner in a violet coloured coat with

32 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
black silk sash, the usher with the black rod, and the bishops
in black with white surplices. The ladies had left off mourn
ing for the day and wore white. The queen wore a white lace
dress and a very rich piece of diamond jewellery. The little
princesses wore white dresses with green leaves, the princess
royal, who looked exceedingly nice, wearing a tiara of diamonds
and jewellery in the shape of green and silver blades of grass,
while the Prince of Wales, Princes Alfred and Arthur were in
Scottish costume — black jackets with silver braid and kilts of
Royal Stuart tartan. Only little Leopold had a white cash
mere frock with diamond buttons and a silver belt.
After the choir had sung a very nice anthem, and after
having knelt down several times (which was no easy matter,
considering the wide crinolines and the smallness of space)
the infant princess was ushered in, carried by the head nurse,
and handed by Lady Caroline Barrington to the Archbishop
of Canterbury, who performed the ceremony of baptism. The
baby behaved admirably, and was so gracious as to cry only
towards the conclusion of the sacrament, which was a very
favourable prognostication. After the benediction we retired
in the same order to the throne-room, and directly afterwards
to the large ball-room (in which there is, among other things,
an organ) where a collation was taken with Her Majesty and
the Royal Family. I was very happily placed between Lord
Folley and Count Zichy.
This evening we went for a ride through Hyde Park,
Kensington Gardens, and a part of the new town — Prince
Albert, the archbishop, the prince and the Hereditary Prince
of Meiningen, Zichy, Colonel Seymour, and myself.
The Lord in his wrath made the Duke of Wellington master
of the horse; he understands nothing about horses. So he
provided me with an animal that had won at the last races;
I never rode a more uncomfortable one ; likely enough that
he had never been ridden before by any one but a jockey
or my light overcoat so tickled his back that he bucked
the whole time, and bored as well, until he got his head on
the ground, so that one had the choice of being thrown or
falling. Besides this, the pavement frightened him, and he
went cantering through the packed crowd of the drives and
streets. To make it perfect, one of my trousers' straps burst.
I had to manoeuvre with the utmost circumspection, and am
thankful to have got out of it so passably. I wonder how

1857.J CONCERT AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. 33

the others will distinguish themselves when they ride that
villainous brute.
The archduke pleases me immensely. He has anything
but a taking exterior. He has Hapsburg lips, with a total
want of chin ; but he is learned, polite, and modest.
Towards ten o'clock we drove to the Haymarket, for which
I had to be again in full toilet. The Italians performed
Don Giovanni, and that most splendidly. Picolomini as
Zerline was charming, the house is fine and large, though
built in the old style ; six rows of boxes one above the other.
Upstairs I partook very hastily of a cup of tea. Now it
is nearly twelve o'clock, and I am anxious to get to bed.
To-morrow there will be a monster concert of fifteen hundred
voices and instruments in the Crystal Palace of Sydenham.
Wednesday. — The concert has taken place. The Court
drove there at twelve o'clock in nine four-in-hands, and with
an escort of cavalry along a beautiful country road of about
two miles in length. The price of admission was only two
guineas for the first places. I counted the number of persons
in one row, and also the number of rows, and I reckoned that
there would be about six thousand persons sitting in the
middle transept which is over two hundred feet long, one
hundred feet in breadth, and one hundred and fifty feet in
height; that alone means twelve thousand pounds sterling.
Altogether there must have been from fifteen to sixteen
thousand persons there, and yet only about one third of the
building was filled. The orchestra consisted of one hundred
and fifty first violins, fifty counter basses, a powerful organ,
and two thousand male and female singers, who were placed
in eighty ascending rows. When the queen entered all
present rose, and " God save the Queen " was sung, the first
verse coming from one single voice accompanied by the
monster organ. Clara Novello sang, and filled the whole of
the immense room with her voice so that every word could
be understood. Next the second verse was sung by three
male voices with instrumental accompaniment, and lastly the
third verse by the whole choir. Endless thousands of cheers.
The queen acknowledged by bowing repeatedly and low, only
after which Prince Albert, the archduke, and Prince Frederick
William came forward. By-and-by began the, to speak
candidly, very slow Maccabeus. The redeeming feature about
the whole thing was the very excellent luncheon after the
VOL. II. D

34 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
first, and the splendid march in the third act — "See, the
conquering hero comes ! " This melody is just as much
national as is " God save the Queen," and used to be played
every time the Iron Duke entered a ball-room. The oratorio
lasted until five o'clock, when the fountains in the gardens
played, which in point of magnificence surpass those of
Versailles. The weather was fine and clear, the garden is
charming, and the extensive view splendid. The princes and
their suites, in black dress coats, but with ribbons across
their waistcoats, and therefore noticeable, walked through
the dense crowds of people and were everywhere received
with cheers. Our own people were there also.
No letter from you as yet, I am sorry to say, so I send
this to the post. Tell me exactly when it reaches you.
Through Miss von Scholten, at Breslau, I got the Words-
worths' * address ; I wrote to them from here, and send you
their reply.
Good-bye, dear good Mary ; do not keep me too long
without hearing from you. May you keep well. A thousand
greetings. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. London, 22nd June, 1857.
On Thursday, the 18th, a levee was held at St. James'.
Over two thousand persons passed the queen in the throne
room, and the affair lasted two and a half hours; of the
above, six hundred, who were introduced for the first time
by the Lord Chamberlain, bent their knees to kiss Her Majesty's
hand, and two were knighted, the queen herself handling the
sword of state. With the exception of a few Court dresses all
were in uniform. As, however, the people in this country
only wear their uniforms once or twice a year, they are, not
withstanding all their gold and embroideries, very often shabby
and ugly. In addition to this the greatest arbitrariness
prevails. Not two uniforms are alike ; one sees them in all
shades, and after the most various styles. One wears the
dark red sash (which, by the way, looks exceedingly bad
* An English family who lived in the same house with Mr. and Mrs. v.
Moltke at Coblentz.

1857.] FEATURES OF ENGLISH SCENERY. 35
above the scarlet coat), the width of a hand under the waist
buttons, another has a flower in his buttonhole, and a third
has a handkerchief displayed. All, however, seem to feel
very uncomfortable and one cannot see anything less graceful
than the bows which they make sideways and backwards. It
is most decidedly an advantage when one can keep to his
national dress on these occasions, as do the Scots and the
Indians. In the course of the evening we attended a sitting of the
Lords, after which we had dinner with the queen, and still
about eleven o'clock a ball, at which Her Majesty, in spite of
all her previous exertions, danced uninterruptedly.
On Friday, the 19th inst., we proceeded to Claremont by
land. The road thither was very fine, except that it was rather
dusty in consequence of the long-continued drought, the
disadvantage of which the English lawns are also beginning
to exhibit. Specially fine are the small but elegant lodges
with trained roses, flower gardens, and small grass plots. On
the larger estates are to be seen magnificent trees, including
some splendid cedars. It seems to me to be a most extra
ordinary thing that here in England, where every piece of
property is of such a high value, you nevertheless find quite
close even to London great stretches of land on which there
is still only furze and heather, and which never have been
cultivated. These are the so-called commons. They are
scarcely even used for the pasture of sheep, but the ground
is free, and the community has the right to keep it free.
Were it not for the larger landed proprietors, every piece
would soon be built upon and enclosed, and only the roadway
would remain free. In England, however, the tendency is
to develop quite in the opposite direction. The number of
freeholders or smaller landed proprietors is decreasing, and
in a short time the whole soil and land of this island will be
in the hands of one or two hundred large proprietors, who
will farm the land on a big scale. Englishmen regard our
massively built farm steadings, barns, and sheep folds as
pieces of folly which require so large a capital to start with
that it takes the whole revenues of the property to pay the
interest thereof. Their grain is kept on the fields in stacks,
roofed in with straw. To the getting of fine breeds of sheep
they don't pay any attention, more especially nowadays
when it is known how to produce from the coarsest wool the

36 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
finest cloth, or, at all events, materials like the modern shawl
and others which have come into fashion. The coarse woolly
sheep, which, however, soon gets almost completely dyed black
with the soot, can remain during the whole winter in the open
air, yields more wool and better meat than the more refined
breeds, costs less, and is not so subject to diseases. As it
requires a large outlay in order to obtain the highest possible
profit, make drains, keep a large herd of cattle, pay high
wages, etc., the farmer's capital has to be so immense that the
smaller proprietor cannot compete.
Claremont is a beautiful park, with splendid trees and a
pretty castle, and belongs to King Leopold. Here it is that
a part of the unfortunate exiled royal family of France
lives. Madame la Comtesse de Neuilly, Queen Adelaide, is
a venerable and very noble-looking old lady, very obliging,
and of a prepossessing appearance. With her lives the Duke
of Nemours and his wife (Coburg Cohary) and their grown
up children, as well as Prince Joinville, who, however, has
some affection in his feet, and did not put in an appearance.
The Due d'Aumale lives not far from this place at Twickenham.
To keep up a conversation with these people is not an easy
matter, as you have to be constantly on your guard against
touching any of their sore points. In the evening, after dinner,
there was a concert at the queen's, but unfortunately in so
small a room that only about half of the visitors could enter.
I, at all events, did not hear much. About one o'clock in
the morning, just when all the many carriages were driving
up, a fearful thunderstorm broke over the place, and the long-
looked-for rain poured down in torrents upon the legion of
state liveries. I opened my window on the side of the privy
garden, when the groups of trees seemed as if illuminated
by fireworks. Under these very exceptional circumstances, I
allowed myself, though with a bad conscience, the luxury of
a cigar. Saturday, 20th. — At midday I went by train to
Twickenham, and loitered from that place to Richmond. I
was quite alone. The English climate does not contribute
to cheer up melancholy dispositions, and I amused myself
counting how many days we have spent here already and how
many we shall still have to pass here. I only wish we were
near the sea, so that I could take my baths. In the evening
I had my usual ride in Hyde Park. After dinner the Court

1857.] THAMES STEAMERS. 37
proceeded to Kensington with the view of inspecting the
newly erected School of Art. What would people in our
country think if the male and female pupils of the school of
architecture were instructed to be in attendance at eleven
o'clock in the evening in order to exhibit their works?
Sunday, 21st. — Divine service in the chapel of the
castle. On the next occasion I shall certainly go to West
minster Abbey, where at least they sing the liturgy. The
chapter from the Old Testament which was read to us spoke
of a loathsome person — I have forgotten her name — in whose
tent an Ammonite king sought refuge in the course of his
flight; she gives him milk to drink, promises him that she
will keep watch by the entrance of the tent, and then, when
he is asleep, puts a nail through his head. The bitter spirit
of the Puritans found in the Old Testament the justification
for all the animosity and cruelty which they showed to those
whom, in their intolerant spirit, they styled the enemies of
God. The present established Church of England is a com
promise of all the religious sects ; thus you are reminded of
the Roman Catholic Church through the forms, behaviour and
bowing of the knees, combined with sobriety and a preference
for the Old Testament. The common prayers are the chief,
the sermon the accessory thing. After luncheon I accompanied
our pleasant Dr. Becker down the Thames to Greenwich.
London is so dull a place on Sundays, that every one tries
to get out of it. An uninterrupted line of steamers carries
the little traffic up the river to Kew, Hampton Court, and
Richmond, and down to Woolwich, Chatham, and Gravesend.
It is possible to go to any pier you please, and you are
certain not to have to wait longer than five or ten minutes
before one of the hundreds of steamers will turn up going in
the direction you want. All were so full that the passengers
had to stand on the decks man to man. And then how many
thousands more are hurried out of town by the railways,
omnibuses and flies. I now, for the first time, visited the
Tunnel, which is a splendid but wholly useless piece of work
situated below London Bridge and the Tower, where the
shipping prevents the erection of any more bridges. The
passage through it only costs a penny, but it is really a
bothersome task to undertake it. After ascending a not over
comfortable stair, one gets into a round tower which is ensconced
in the earth, and then descends to a depth of fifty feet, where

38 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
he reaches the tunnel, which is about six hundred yards in
length, and is lighted by gas. This tunnel consists of two
similarly formed tubes of mason-work placed next to one
another, but as one of these quite suffices for the small traffic
that passes this way, the other has been transformed into
shops. It is said that in Chinese towns the inhabitants live
on the stream ; here, at all events, seventy shopkeepers live
under the stream. Neither the cold of winter nor the heat
of summer reaches these quarters, nor do the inhabitants
ever experience thunder, lightning, or rain. Steamers and
three-masters pass over the heads of these Troglodites, who
only know the time of the day by their clocks, and whose
sun consists of a gas jet.
From the celebrated observatory at Greenwich, which is
situated in a fine park, one has a grand view of London.
We could actually see St. Paul's and Westminster although
it was all grey in the midst of grey, these places being more
than a couple of hundred yards distant. We had every cause
for satisfaction, however, from the fact that here our geo
graphical position was fixed with the utmost exactness.
Not far from Greenwich, on the shore of the Thames, and
placed parallel to its course, lies the largest ship in the
world, equipped in all its glory of masts and paddlewheels
and screws — the Great Eastern. She is nearly twice the
length of the largest ship of the line, and from her stocks
she completely towers above all the surrounding buildings.
This iron ship can accommodate two thousand passengers as
well as the whole coal supply required by her on a voyage
to Australia. For a shorter journey she can be made to
transport as many as ten thousand troops. When perfectly
empty she draws twenty-seven feet of water. The launching
of this vessel will be a very noteworthy operation as it can
only be accomplished by the irresistible force of hydraulic
pressure. Had this monster been placed after the manner of
other ships on stocks at right angles to the stream, then it
would have been a very simple matter to slide her down.
But she is nearly as long as the Thames at this point is
broad, and if launched in that way she would run upon the
opposite shore and pierce Greenwich. For this reason she
has to be let down sideways and very carefully.
Another vessel, hardly less interesting, at the present
moment, is the " Agamemnon," which was formerly the flag-ship

1857.] THE ATLANTIC CABLE. 39
of Sir Charles Napier, but is now under orders to convey
the telegraph cable which is to connect the two hemispheres
of our globe ; that is to say, the old and the new world. The
metal wire is not much stouter than a thick pack-thead, and is
covered over with gutta percha. In order that the insulating
material surrounding the wire may not be gnawed through
by submarine animals, the gutta percha is wound about with
oakum and around this again iron wire is thickly coiled,
while finally, to prevent the oxidation of the iron wire, the
whole is tarred over. After all these operations we get a
cable of about three quarters of an inch in diameter. The
"Agamemnon," which leaves her guns at home, will be
engaged for some weeks in loading this cable. She has
already taken on board a considerable portion which is filling
up the space below her decks, and is being stowed away
with very great care in order that, later on, when it is wanted,
it can be very easily unrolled. The rest of it lies still in
the factory, which is only a hundred yards distant from the
vessel. With a view to accelerating the manufacture, com
munication is constantly maintained between both ends of
this coiled pathway of two thousand five hundred miles in
length, which is the length of the entire route. So soon as
the "Agamemnon" has got all on board, she will proceed to
Ireland and thence in as straight a course as possible to
Newfoundland. As she proceeds, the cord will sink down by
reason of its own weight to the bottom of the sea. Should
it fall upon sudden precipices in the deep it must shoot down
with fearful rapidity. Again, since the currents and storms
may force it out of the proper direction, and as, moreover,
considerable depths may be met with in the sea, several
hundreds of miles more cable will be carried than the exact
distance really measures. Whilst the whole operation is in
progress it will be possible to know in London to a second
all that is taking place on board of the " Agamemnon." To
the question What will be done if, notwithstanding all pre
cautions, the cable should nevertheless break? the invariable
answer you get is, In that case we shall lay a new one down
and take advantage of our previous experiences. To fish out
the old cable would cost more than the new one ; and the
undertaking, if it succeeds, will produce quite sufficient
interest to make it worth while expending more than one
cable even at a cost of a few millions each. A telegraph

40 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
cable has already, as is known, been lost between Corsica and
Bona. It had been carried out of its course by storms, and
had met with unexpected depths, in consequence of which
it was found that sufficient reserve wire had not been taken.
They had got quite close to the African coast when the supply
ran out. In order to connect a further piece to the end of
the cable, a buoy was required which should be thoroughly
strong and able to bear a considerable weight. Having
accordingly despatched reports to this effect, in a few minutes
the answer came back from the London Admiralty office that
such a buoy would be on the spot in three days. It could
be sent by rail to Marseilles and thence by steamer. Mean
while the vessel which had conveyed the cable lay anchored
to it in a violent storm, and before the assistance arrived it
suddenly gave a tremendous jerk and the cable was gone for
ever. But to return to London, we proceeded somewhat farther
down the left bank of the Thames to Blackwall, where the
capacious India Docks harbour the very largest vessels. From
this place the railway goes about three-quarters of a German
mile right through the heart of the City ; one gets out
in the neighbourhood of London Bridge. The greater half
of this distance is made on a viaduct of arches, the average
height of which is that of a third floor, though in some parts
it is actually higher than the roofs of the houses — not that
this is so very extraordinary, seeing that the houses them
selves are of no great height; but the ground upon which
this and two other railway lines have been constructed consists
of neither fields nor gardens, but of dense towns and streets.
One looks constantly into the yards, the upper floors, and
the chimneys of the houses which are closely packed together.
Many hundreds of these small residences had to be either
wholly or partially demolished so as to make way for the pillars
upon which the arches are constructed. What a sum of money
it must have cost before the negotiations with the various
hundreds of proprietors were satisfactorily concluded and out
of the hands of the English lawyers, and then what a sum
must have been required for the purchase of the sites, and
finally for the erection of the line itself. And yet the traffic
has become so immense that it has been found necessary to
construct a second line, which again can only be accom
plished by purchasing some more ground in the same way

1857.] LONDON HOUSES. 41
as before, by way of additional space for the widening of
the line.
Further, from this railway one can see most conspicuously
how ugly London is. A company alone is rich enough to
build upon soil and ground, which, after the lapse of ninety-
nine years, returns with all that is standing upon it to the
ground landlord, and that without the smallest compensation
being paid. The handsomest buildings are in the fashionable
West end, and consist of the railway stations and the " clubs."
The Conservative, United Service, Reform, and other clubs
are beyond all doubt more splendid than St. James' Palace.
They have immense frontages, granite columns, plate-glass
windows, beautiful carpets, and grand suites of rooms. It is
quite true that besides these there are also several mansions
of the aristocracy built in similar style, as, for instance, those
of Lords Ellesmere, Sutherland, Wellington, Grosvenor, etc.
But, as a rule, the nobility and gentry live in the country.
There they have their manors and lodges, while in London
they only maintain temporary residences for the season.
The Englishman cannot get accustomed to living with
another family under the same roof. An Englishman's
house is his castle, and two independent garrisons in the
same fortress is an impossibility. In reality, of course, this
is all pure imagination, for surely it makes little or no
difference whether the door of my house opens into the street
or into a common hall. I live at Berlin in a house where
there are eight families, each of course inhabiting a separate
part. Only the inevitable piano practices break through the
barriers, and that is certainly not less the case here, where
the walls are so thin, than with us in our more massively built
houses. The only real difference consists in this, that the
" castles " of the Englishmen are built up close to one another,
while ours are above one another, and that in consequence
thereof we have our rooms all on one floor while theirs occupy
several floors. One can safely assert that by far the larger
number of the houses in London have frontages of only two
or at most three windows in width. They live on the middle
floor, take their meals on the ground floor, and sleep on the
upper floor. As a consequence there is a total absence of
reception rooms. Should any one wish to invite the Court
to a ball, he has to get a large temporary room erected in
the court-yard for dining purposes, another as a retiring room

42 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
for the queen, while the refreshments are to be found served
on the ground floor, that is, if one succeeds in getting down the
narrow staircase. Everywhere there is crushing and difficulty
of moving about.
Again and again you may expect to find in London
mansions, the frontages of which are in bad taste though of
immense dimensions. The whole side of a square or of a
street may be composed of one uniform set of buildings which
are throughout in the same style and of the same colour.
You see thirty or forty balconies resting upon one row of
columns, and also very likely the same number of street doors.
A builder calculates the cheapest rates at which he can erect
a mansion of two windows width in front and of four floors in
height, including also, what must always be there, a portico
and balcony. Having fixed upon his design, he builds a
dozen at once; should he find tenants for these he runs up
another dozen of similar mansions; and so on he goes until
the entire street is completed. Desolate monotony! Very
frequently, too, you see a continuous balcony in the Italian
style running along the entire front of such a street side, a
thing which is in harmony neither with the climate nor the
retiring habits of the country. Every fifteen yards of such a
balcony is adorned with a grating which present to the
trespasser the most splendid spikes in the shape of hooks, or
a mantrap. Especially noticeable are the parts of the town where the
working-classes dwell. There hundreds of houses stand in
rows as if they had been taken out of a box straight from a
Nuremberg toy shop. Each of these houses has exactly the
same number of windows and chimneypots, and its little
garden not bigger than half the size of a room, but neverthe
less completely enclosed by a wall. Solitary every one will
insist to be. Even inside the public-houses * they sit in
wooden boxes, not unlike those in which we stable our horses,
so as to prevent them seeing their neighbours. Were it
otherwise, they might be tempted to speak to one, and therefore
they prefer to drink their pot of ale with a plank in front of
their faces.
Throughout the whole City in the chief business thorough
fares, the Strand, Pall Mall, Piccadilly, Oxford Street, St.
James', Bond Street, etc., the most splendid ground floors are
to be seen. They consist wholly of shops, in which the various

1857.] DRAWING-ROOM AT ST. JAMES'. 43

luxuries are spread out to view behind plate-glass windows,
lighted up with brilliant gas-light. Indeed one cannot go
far wrong in saying that a very large part of the ground
floors in London are composed of plate glass. But above
these one certainly sees nothing else except plain sooty
brick walls and sliding windows. A single floored house,
such as the Hotel Clugny in Paris, with an aristocratic suite
of large rooms, half way between cour et jardin, would in
London cost probably about a million for ground and other
rents. 24th. — The present date has always been a very trying
one for me ; eighteen years ago it was the battle near
Nisib ; to-day it is a monster ball. Not fewer than eighteen
hundred invitations have been issued. The immense hall is
packed full. We have been very advantageously placed upon
a raised platform close behind Her Majesty, where one is not
incommoded, can overlook everything, and where, thanks to
a nice draught, one feels quite cool. As I did not take
any dinner, I felt very much the want of a cup of tea, and
as the buffet is close to the exit, I am sitting here in full
uniform writing to you. It is close upon midnight already
and we have to hold out for other two hours of pleasure.
The ballroom does really look magnificent. A brilliant
gas-light streams through the windows on the outside. In
addition to this there are only wax candles burning. Mourning
has been discarded for the day. The Court is altogether in
white, and without diamonds. The company on the other
hand is in all colours.
The greatest splendour, however, was displayed at the
drawing-room, which was held yesterday in St. James' Palace.
I went about midday to Piccadilly, and met there, even at
that early hour, a whole string of carriages. The rich trains
bulged out from the carriage doors, and the dressed up ladies
and gentlemen sat immovable in the heat of the sun, for the
doors of the palace were not opened till one o'clock, while
the queen herself did not appear until two. Much trouble,
time, and expense is lavished on these occasions, and yet all
that one does is to bow to Her Majesty and then retire. In
the evening we visited a whole gallery of portraits of Queen
Mary Stuart. Some one had devised the happy idea of
inviting all the possessors of such portraits to lend them
for exhibition purposes, and as the queen herself set the

44 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
example in doing so, the enterprise has proved in the highest
degree successful. The exhibition includes pictures of all
the various incidents in the career of this beautiful but
unfortunate monarch; she is represented as the youthful
bride of the Dauphin of France, as the wife of the handsome
Darnley, as the prisoner of Fotheringay, as a penitent, and,
lastly, there is the cast taken of her after her death. The
rosary and the veil which she wore when she was executed,
the warrant for her death signed by Elizabeth, and many
articles, which had belonged to her, are also to be seen there-
After the theatre there was still a rout at the Bernstorffs,
and I only returned home after two o'clock in the morning.
To-day I visited the British Museum, in the evening had a
ride in Hyde Park, and now I must again be on the move,
as no doubt the queen will be almost immediately making a
stately start in the direction of the buffet. Good night, dear
heart !
25th. — We have constant east winds, but beautiful weather.
Towards evening we ride to the new park, Battersea Park.
London, which already comprises quite the population of a
German Kingdom, is constantly expanding, and it is absolutely
impossible to foresee any limits to this expansion. It is,
therefore, a very praiseworthy thing, that large open spaces
are already being reserved, upon which no houses will be
allowed to be built, and upon which future generations will
be able to get a breath of fresh air, since they are situated
in the very centre of the turmoil of the town. Each day I
get a different horse to ride, and really it seems to me that
they always give me those which the others cannot keep in
hand. To-day I mounted Lady Gough, a most beautiful
animal, which, however, only gallops on the right side, and
is so vehement that one is in constant terror lest it should
run over the princes in front. In the crowded streets, on the
stone pavements, and on the freshly watered roads this is not
at all pleasant. I am quite longing for the chance of again
mounting a well-trained horse, which will obey the wishes of
his rider. The Englishman gives himself up entirely to his
horses, and as these are such splendid creatures, they can
safely do so without being in constant fear of breaking their
necks. There is nothing so pleasant as to be able to canter
along by one's self ; but when there is a company, one is kept
in a constant struggle. I am only curious to see what kind

1857.] REVIEW IN HYDE PARK. 45
of an animal they will give me for the grand military display
to-morrow. It is now past midnight, so I must close for to-day.
26th. — At ten o'clock the queen's procession was set in
motion. Her Majesty wore the scarlet and gold uniform of
a general with the golden sash, and the blue ribbon of the
garter across her shoulder, blue dress, and a hat with a red
and white feather, rode a very quiet roan, and looked very
nice indeed. On her right was Prince Frederick William,
and on her left the Prince Consort. In attendance were Lady
Churchill and Lady Codrington, in black riding habits, both
of whom are very good horsewomen, then the lord in waiting,
Alfred Paget, the ministers of war and of the admiralty,
Lord Panmure (who only a few years ago was a cavalry
officer) and Sir Charles Wood (who has never seen a ship
in his life), then the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, both
in Scottish costume, with tartan plaids and eagle feathers,
the equerry in waiting and myself. For the prince and
myself, two sets of caparison and harness had been
despatched from Berlin. On this occasion I had a very
quiet horse. Numerous grooms and scarlet coats closed the
procession. The mounting takes place in the palace garden.
The generals and aide-de-camps lead the van, so that the
Duke of Cambridge rides right in front of the queen. At
one part of the procession was to be seen among the others
a Horse of State, led by the hand and unmounted, simply in
order to display its exceedingly rich caparison. The nag
stamped horribly under its heavy gold coverlet.
The procession advanced by way of the Green Park and
Hyde Park. Of eight thousand policemen, fully the half
must have been stationed along this route, but these had
neither arms nor staves. Everywhere the most exemplary
order was maintained by the immense concourse of people,
who greeted their queen with cheers and showed also very
much interest in our own stately prince.
In Hyde Park a large square place had been reserved. On
one side thereof were stationed the troops in review order, and
on the other had been erected stands capable of holding eight
thousand persons. In front of the latter were stationed the
orphan boys and old soldiers from Chelsea, the sailors from
Greenwich, and about sixty military men belonging to the
army and navy — officers, privates and civilians, who were to
be decorated by the queen for brave deeds in the Crimean.

46 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
War with a bronze cross specially made for the purpose.
There were also fourteen squadrons of fifty horses each and
six regiments of five hundred horses each, making altogether
about four thousand men and eighteen guns. The material
is excellent — fine, tall fellows — especially amongst the cavalry.
The two regiments of Life Guards in scarlet with helmets,
breast-plates, white breeches, and top bots, the Enniskillens
(Irish), and two regiments of Hussars composed the cavalry.
Among the infantry was one regiment of Scots without
breeches, headed by the bagpipes. A Welsh regiment of
riflemen had their goat with them. The march past at slow
pace — seventy-six per minute — lasted very long. The rifles
were carried in the left hand, as used to be the case with us.
In the afternoon we went with Prince Albert and the two
eldest princesses up the Thames to Hammersmith, a very
wonderfully nice trip.
27th. — In the afternoon we went into the country with the
queen to Richmond, where the Countess of Neuilly has hired
a very charming villa. The Duke of Montpensier and his
Spanish wife had arrived there. Then we went to Twickenham
to the Due d'Aumale's. The latter 's wife has just been
confined ; but her mother, the Duchess of Salem, by birth an
Archduchess of Austria, put in an appearance. Aumale is
the most amiable of all these princes. Most delightful is the
situation which he has chosen for his residence, in a charming
park by the side of the Thames, with superb lawns, and
cedars and other lovely trees.
Sunday, 28th. — I went to Divine Service at Westminster
Abbey. It lasted two and a quarter hours. Magnificent
organ, very nice singing, and a sermon which I could under
stand perfectly well, as I sat close to the pulpit, and the
man spoke very distinctly.
I was so cut up because the courier brought me no letter from
you. To-day it turns out that a large packet was left behind,
and so, to my joy, I have got your dear letter of the 24th.
To-day we go to Manchester, and return on the 2nd of
July. King Leopold of Belgium arrives on the 3rd; on
the 6th Count Bernstorff gives a ball to the queen, and
after that I hope we shall leave. You cannot long for it
more than I do. Heat and drought reign here too, and the
air is close and heavy. The prince will stay a few days in
Baden, with his sister, which will be very pleasant; but if

1857.] JOURNEY TO MANCHESTER. 47
the Empress is at Potsdam on the 13th, he will have to be
there too, and then we shall meet again at last. Then we
shall arrange as to the future.
Dear good little wife ! I shall be glad to see you again.
In future, we will not separate for so long. As soon as I
know, I will tell you what day we reach Berlin. You will
go back a few days earlier to get the house in order, will you
not ? Good-bye for to-day, dear good heart.
Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. London, Friday, 3rd July, 1857.
Dear Mary,
We have made the very interesting trip to Man
chester. On Monday afternoon at four o'clock we went with
the usual cortege to the station of the North Western Railway.
A pretty long tunnel runs through a part of the town, and
then you come suddenly into an exceedingly pretty green
country. As soon as one gets only a few miles out of
London the air begins to feel lighter and the sky is more
clear. As no corn is grown in this neighbourhood they have
left everywhere the beautiful old trees standing. Forests are
scarce, but the whole country is covered with trees. The
sheep flock together under the shady branches while the cows
stand up to the knees in the tall grass. The dwelling-houses
are very small but exceedingly clean, neat, and snug. At
intervals villas, cottages and lodges are scattered about, all
covered with ivy and roses, and surrounded by the green
grass carpet. Here and there the eye rests upon a magnifi
cent manor in the Elizabethan style with beautiful terraces,
hothouses, and flowerbeds, and specially pretty are the churches.
The last are for the most part small, in the most beautiful
Gothic style, with large airy windows, the towers generally
terminating with battlements and spires, without pointed
roofs, and being only slightly taller than the mighty oaks by
which they are surrounded. On the summits of the hills you
occasionally see the keep of a ruined castle (for example there
is one close to Stafford), or a moat, the age of which is testified
by the immense trees whose roots are sunk into its soil.
We stopped at Tamworth for lunch, then passed close

48 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
to Lichfield, the beautiful cathedral of which lifts its lofty
spires far above the town, and very possibly we also passed
close to Colton.* The house, however, was not visible. To
possess landed property in this district must be, I fancy, a
most delightful thing.
Almost directly after leaving Lichfield behind, those fearful
industries begin again to appear, namely, the coal-pits, cotton
mills and smoking chimneys, which spoil the whole district.
The weather was fine and the whole of the journey
delightful. The population stood all along the line to cheer
the queen. It was eleven o'clock at night and quite dark
before we reached our night quarters at Worsley Hall. There
exists a novel, bearing this title, which, I believe, you have
read in Berlin, and which refers to the period of the exiled
Stuarts. I am sorry to have to say that the magnificent man
sion in question was first erected only a very few years ago,
but not very far from it there lies an old building in which
it is possible the events described in the book took place.
The host, whom the queen with her numerous company had
honoured with the present visit was "Francis Egerton, Earl
of Ellesmere, Viscount Brackley of Brackley, Lord Lieutenant
and Custos Rotulorum of the County Palatine of Lancaster,
Commander of the Duke of Lancaster's (Prince of Wales')
Own Yeomanry Hussars, Rector of King's College, Aberdeen"
etc. ; the remaining titles I shall omit. The earl married
Lady Campbell, daughter of Lord Cowden. He is a young,
most delicate man, who does not seem to derive much pleasure
from all his grandeur. His sister, Lady Alice, who married Mr.
Byng, Lady Blanche Egerton, a brother, Viscount Brackley,
his sister-in-law, Lady Balfour, and many other relatives
were already there ; then, in addition to these, came the queen,
Prince Albert, Prince Frederick William, Prince Alfred, the
princess royal, Princess Alice, Sir George Gray, the Minister
of the Home Department, the Earl of Breadalbane as lord
chamberlain, General Gray, Colonel Philipps, Colonel Seymour,
Captain Cowell, etc., and a numerous staff of servants all of
whom were also lodged in the roomy castle.
The castle itself is situated on the slope of a hill, has a
splendid terrace and also an extensive view, except that one
cannot get a sight of it. Britain is a constantly veiled
loveliness. Distant views are not to be found in it. The-
* Colton was at that time still in the possession of the Burt family.

1857.] AN ENGLISH CROWD. 49

three-storied mansion, with its Gothic windows, doors, and
projections produces upon one a most decided impression.
The huge royal standard waves from the tower above.
On Tuesday the queen made her formal entry into Man
chester. Ten or twelve carriages, and from sixty to eighty
horses were sent on before by a special train. The queen,
Prince Albert, Prince Frederick William and the princess
royal drove in the last carriage. In front rode the yeomanry,
mounted upon splendid horses. About half a million of
people lined both sides of the road leading up to the
exhibition, the said road being one and a half miles in length.
They were all standing, however, and a standing multitude
can always be kept in order. The chief safeguard consists
in preventing them running alongside the carriages. In all
directions one constantly hears the shout of " Order, order ! "
The multitude help even to hold themselves in check. They
are so far advanced in the art of good manners that they
believe that the keeping of order is an absolute necessity.
One can easily see that the populace have been accustomed
for centuries to govern themselves. At the same time it
would not be correct to assert that all this is done without
any interference whatever on the part of the police. I believe
there must have been fully five or six thousand policemen on
duty, each with a short staff in his hand, with which he
can give the transgressors a very expressive hint. But no
police could possibly restrain such a mass of persons unless
they themselves also assisted. The nearer we approached
the town the more closely packed was head to head. Inside
the town large stands had been erected for many thousands,
the price of the seats in which was uniformly one shilling.
Unfortunately it began to rain, but it is said that Manchester
men are never satisfied unless it does at least rain a little ;
it did not, however, come down in such a quantity as to
necessitate closing of the landaus, so that the people could
see the occupants. Flags and banners were flying about in
hundreds of thousands ; not only every house but every tree had
its triumphal arch and inscription. An enormous manufactory
had suspended from each window a banner which was alter
nately blue, red and white, and had over it a colossal inscrip
tion to this effect, " The twelve hundred working people of this
factory welcome their Queen" Also, "Long life and health to
the Princess Victoria and the Prince of Prussia"
VOL. II. E

50 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
There is in England an immense richness of art treasures,
but these are scattered about over the entire kingdom in
hundreds of places, chiefly on the large landed estates. In
order that opportunities might be given to everybody to
admire these treasures, the idea had been mooted of instituting
a Treasures of Art Exhibition, and this has been, under the
patronage of Prince Albert, successfully carried out. Although
the exhibition is to last only a few weeks, no expense has
been spared in the erection of an immensely large and
massive building, all covered with glass. On the present day
a very distinguished company was assembled, an enormous
price having probably been charged for admittance, but these
were not allowed to go anywhere but in the central hall. In
the transept a gallery had been erected with chairs for the
royal party, behind which was stationed a numerous orchestra
and a gigantic organ. On the entrance of the queen, " God
save the Queen" was sung (Clara Novello). That all might
see, the ladies in the front row remained seated. Tremendous
cheers arose from every side when the procession moved
towards the seats. Then the Lord Mayor, Mr. Whales,
advanced wearing a purple cloak, wig, and massive gold chain,
and read out the address of the city. The Home Minister,
Sir George, received this speech, which was on parchment,
most beautifully illuminated with gold and richly coloured
letters, rolled up in velvet and contained in a red morocco
case ; and then handed to the queen the written reply, which
Her Majesty accordingly read. She then, with the first best
sword of one of the officers present, struck the kneeling mayor,
making him a knight, at which doubtless " Lady " Whales, or
Walsh, will have been highly delighted. This ceremony over,
the various adjoining halls containing the art treasures on
exhibition were duly inspected, though exclusively on the
queen's part, who was only attended by Lord and Lady
Palmerston and Count and Countess Bernstorff. All the rest
of us had to remain in the central hall for three hours, being
only allowed to listen to the concert. Lastly, a luncheon was
partaken of, and then our return journey was made. It had
been raining in torrents, but the human multitude did not
mind it. One " God save the Queen " after another was sung.
the bells, which here have set peals similar to those in Rome,
resounded through the air and nearly drowned the cheers, and
everybody was in perfect good humour. Afterwards, at eight

1857.] EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS AT MANCHESTER. 51
o'clock in the evening, we dined at Worsley, and at eleven
o'clock we were allowed to seek rest.
They have here in England remarkably good beds, very
broad; none of those fatal springs which are always bent on
one side, but, on the contrary, from three to four horsehair
mattresses one above the other, covered by a woollen blanket,
only after which come the linen sheets.
On Wednesday a private visit was paid to the exhibition.
The difference consisted almost wholly in this, however, that
the liveries were black, and the queen drove off first. It
rained, of course, but there was not nearly so great a number
of people on foot along the route, the reason whereof was
that the loss of two days' wages would be a most improper
luxury for the labouring classes. Why Manchester was chosen
for this exhibition, I cannot understand, as it is a well-known
fact that the only things which this town takes any interest
in is summed up in the single word "calico."
On this occasion the entire building was closed to the
public, and one had the opportunity, without the chance of
being disturbed, of thoroughly inspecting the central hall, in
which all the historical portraits are on view, most of these
interesting me very much. There were there portraits by
the best masters of the different periods of various English
kings and statesmen, generals, authors and ladies all arranged
in the order in which they flourished. All were well-known
historical personages. There sat the pusillanimous Richard II.
who allowed Lancaster to dethrone him ; there stands the
abhorred Richard III. There again is the painted portrait
of Henry VIII., by Hans Holbein, who makes him look like
a jolly fat brewer, although he was one of the most terrible
tyrants that ever lived. Close to him are the portraits
of the unfortunate Jane Grey, of Anne Boleyn, of Lady
Seymour. Then comes Spanish Mary, his eldest daughter,
with the Princess of Arragon and her husband, Philip II.
(the first Royal Consort). Then comes Elizabeth, at many
different stages of her life ; as a young girl, when she looks
very pretty, afterwards in a most monstrous fancy dress, and
as an old woman, when she looks very ugly indeed. Next to
her is Robert Dudley, Lord Leicester, and the unfortunate
Essex, her two lovers. Then, after the unkingly son of Mary
Stuart, follows the unfortunate Charles I., in a whole series of
portraits by Van Dyck's master hand, on foot and on horseback,

52 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
with Henrietta of France, the sister of Henry IV., and her
children. After Oliver Cromwell comes Charles II. The
latter is surrounded by all his mistresses, by Nell Gwynne,
the actress, from whom the Duke of St. Albans is descended,
the lovely Madlle. de Querouailles, the mother from whom sprung
the Dukes of Portland, and all the others. After sullen James
II. comes stout, comfortable-looking Queen Anne, and next
to her the handsome Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, then
the second Mary, with William of Orange in a scarlet gold-
embroidered coat, powdered wig and clock stockings, after
whom we enter upon a more recent period. But enough !
In the annexes are to be found very old and quite recent
portraits of the chief ministers, besides articles carved in gold,
ivory, and precious stones, water-colour sketches, engravings,
lithographs, photographs, collections of arms, curiosities,
chromo-lithographs, sketches by Raphael, Guido Reni,
Albrecht Durer, etc. It was only possible to take a cursory
glance at all these.
About two o'clock Prince Albert and the two young princes
drove with us to the Town Hall, where the mayor and alder
men presented our prince with an address. On this occasion
a dais of red velvet was erected on a platform, and an ornitho
logical monster represented the Prussian eagle, a species
which has never yet been seen in this country. The hall
was filled with the gros bonnets of the town, with their fair
better halves. When we had taken up our places under the
throne covering of red velvet (although, by the way, this was
not Manchester), the now specially honourable mayor delivered
his speech. I received the piece of eloquence upon a parchment,
which was quite of the same description as the address to the
queen, and then handed to the prince the answer which had
been composed by himself, and which he now read out, of
course in English, with a clear firm voice (and with a slight
German accent, says the Times, which persists in styling me
the Count Moltke). The speech was frequently interrupted by
shouts of Hear, hear ! and after it came the most important
matter, namely, a splendid luncheon, at which the fat knight
occupied the host's place. The attendance had, however,
become so inconceivably demoralized in consequence of the
honour which had fallen to the lot of the town that I actually
rose from the table in a hungry state. For instance, for dessert
each guest received two fresh glasses which remained standing

1857.] HUNGERFORD BRIDGE. 53
empty from the simple reason that no one came to pour
anything into them. I, at all events, had some fowl, and
immediately afterwards some strawberry jelly. I fancy they
must have made some mistake, and did not feel able to
return for fish and roast beef.
Through an immense concourse of people we then proceeded
to some of the more important manufactories, including a
cotton mill, an indiarubber factory, and a steam spinning-
mill. Each of these employs about two thousand hands,
chiefly girls, who can earn here from one and a half to two
thalers per day. It is, however, a very wretched lot, to have
to pass one's life in these narrow rooms working from morning
until evening in that dull monotonous manner. Finally, we
returned for dinner to Worsley, where the queen had already
arrived. On Thursday morning, at eight o'clock, we returned to
London by a different railway line. The weather was splendid.
We passed the beautiful mansion of Lord Lichfield. The
country is everywhere charming, and is interspersed by really
innumerable canals, roads, and railways. At two o'clock we
entered damp, misty London, and at three arrived at Bucking
ham Palace.
Although our return journey was fifty German miles in
length, yet there is so little exertion when travelling on the
railway that I had the desire still to go for a walk. I chose
for this purpose Hungerford Bridge, a wonderful piece of
architecture. The Thames at this point is about three hundred
yards in breadth, yet the entire bridge is supported upon only
two pillars. The length of the span between these two pillars
amounts to fully six hundred feet ! Each pillar forms a tower
of at the very least one hundred feet in height, from which
are suspended the chains to which the pathway of the bridge
is attached. The steamers and sailing vessels pass under
this same pathway unchecked by anything, and without being
obliged to lower their masts and funnels as they have to do
under the other bridges, which are of stone. For the sum of
one halfpenny you get the privilege of walking up and down
as long as you please. It is a unique sight, the view from this
dizzy height, which floats, as it were, in the air, of the life
and busy movement on the flood beneath. In the space of
a quarter of an hour there passed at least twenty steamers,
each carrying from one to two hundred passengers, going up

54 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
and down the river. For once I had a free open space without
any thronging, and so was able easily to look around me.
On the one side one sees the fine but almost ruined West
minster Bridge, and behind it that pile of buildings which
is grand beyond all conception, the Houses of Parliament,
and the ancient abbey which bears a like name. Down the
river on the other side is the handsome Waterloo Bridge,
Somerset House, the finest palace in London, and at the back
of it, rising high into the air, or rather mist, St. Paul's. As
I was at last sauntering homewards, I met Alvensleben, who
had just been calling upon me. He accompanies the Prince
of Hohenzollern, whose daughter is betrothed to the King of
Portugal, and is on that account visiting the Coburg, etc.,
dynasties. King Leopold of Belgium and the Count of
Flanders and Princess Charlotte also arrived to-day. We
received them at the railway-station.
I visited to-day a panorama of Moscow, which is exceedingly
interesting. One stands on the terrace of Kremlin, and over
looks the whole town. It is just as if one really stood on
the very spot, and it recalled to my mind a complete summary
of my sojourn there.
We have just been in Hyde Park. Almost all the ladies
ride in black habits, with low hats trimmed with ostrich or
cock's feathers, and with the hair hanging loosely down the
back, or else bound in a net. They nearly all have a second
stirrup to their saddles, which enables them to sit exceedingly
secure. I regard that promenade as a real riding-school.
The horse I mounted to-day must, I am certain, have been
standing for three or four days in his stable ; de Roos had
to change his horse, as he found he could not control it.
The Raglan (not Rockland), about which I wrote to you, shied
yesterday, and threw the groom so violently against a wall
that it is doubtful whether he will recover.
I enclose, dear Mary, a letter from Mrs. Wordsworth. I
have not answered it, for I think a letter from you to her
must be on the way. I wrote yo^from Windsor and from
London, and this letter is going off now. As I have written
a little about each day you will easily find out whether
anything has miscarried.
4th. — Last night the queen gave a State concert which
lasted until two o'clock in the morning. The Prince of
Hohenzollern and Alvensleben were also there, and so was

1857.] THE JOURNEY HOMEWARD. 55
Prince Holstein, son of Prince Frederick of Noer. To-day
we visited the National Gallery. It gives me pain, my dear
Mary, to have to inform you that the prince is extending his
stay here until the 14th of this month, when the city of
London is to present him with its freedom. From here he
goes — most probably by way of Paris, but without stopping
there — to Karlsruhe on a visit to his sister, and he wants to
get to Breslau on the 20th, arriving in Berlin, therefore, only
on the 19th.
Do not lose patience; this delay is very unwelcome to
me too. Won't you stay with the Bassewitz family on the
way back ?
Good-bye, dear heart, best love to mamma and Ernestine.
The courier leaves Berlin every day. Let me know that you
are all well. Yours most affectionately,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Buckingham Palace, 11th July, 1857.
Dear Mary,
I have no more pleasure or patience for writing.
The days go by in the monotony of attendance, Court fetes,
dinners, and the play. At last I begin to see the end of it,
and if the arrangement is not again altered, we intend leaving
here on the evening of Thursday, the 14th. We cannot go
by way of Paris, as the empress is at St. Cloud. About
twelve o'clock we shall be crossing to Calais ; at nine o'clock
the next morning, when you are rising, we shall be in Mecheln ;
in the afternoon, about five o'clock, at Cologne ; in the evening
at Konigswinter, where the Prince of Wales is staying at
present; at night on the steamer; on Thursday morning at
Mainz; and about two o'clock in the afternoon at Karlsruhe.
That the grand duchess was safely delivered of a son the day
before yesterday you will have read, no doubt, in the papers.
We shall very likely visit the Princess of Prussia at Baden-
Baden. On the 21st the empress * is expected at Sanssouci,
where she will remain for eight days. The prince will no
doubt remain as long in Potsdam, and I sincerely trust that
Heinz will be there to relieve me. In any case I shall meet
you on the 20th in Berlin, dear Mary. I send this to Berlin ;
* Of Russia.

56 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
I fancy you have lost patience, and that you will be returning
thither by this.
You will have heard of the great rout at Count Bernstorff ' s
from the newspapers. On Sunday we were at Aldershot,
Thursday the queen had a big ball, yesterday a concert. We
laid the foundation-stone of a college to-day. I am very tired
of it, and shall be very glad to be back with you. To-morrow
I shall hope for another letter from you. Must close for
to-day, because the courier is leaving. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Baden-Baden, Franzbsischer Hof, 19th July, 1857.
Dear Mary,
I got your two letters from Altona yesterday, from
which I learn that you will be in Berlin to-night.
I regret to have to tell you that the stay here has just
been again prolonged. According to what the prince told me
yesterday, he will remain here until the 23rd, as otherwise
he would have had to come again from Breslau to Berlin for
the reception of the Emperor of Russia. I fancy the Prince
of Prussia goes on the 23rd to Berlin, but this must remain
for the present a secret. After that my prince will remain
in Berlin and Potsdam until the end of the month, when the
Russian royalties embark at Stettin.
How we can then bring it about to remain together for a
considerable time we will discuss by word of mouth. Heinz
is unlikely to allow himself to be caught in Berlin, even
though he should happen to go there on a visit. I, at all
events, have to bring the prince back to Breslau. After that,
however, he will give me leave of absence until say the
removal of the regiment for the autumn manoeuvres, which
will likely take place at the end of August. But, as it would
not be agreeable just at this hot season to rest in Berlin
without horses, our best course probably will be to make a
three or four weeks' excursion to the heights of the Salzburg
or Steierian Alps. We can make the tour through Vienna
and Venice in the latter part of the autumn, when the prince
goes once again to Osborne.
If there should be still another postponement I shall not
mind, as after all I prefer this place to any other. It is most

1857.] AT BADEN-BADEN. 57
delightful here in Baden. On the evening of our arrival
(Thursday) a terrific thunderstorm broke over us. The heat
was excessive, and the dust annoying beyond all measure.
Now, however, it is very beautiful and fresh here, and I make
long excursions into the mountains and forests. Everything
is resplendent with the freshest green, and my only wish ia
to have you here with me. I have ascended the old castle
of Baden, the castle of Eberstein, and the highest summits
of the surrounding country, from which the most magnificent
views are to be had. My room is very nicely situated, and
right in front of me stretch the forests and meadows. At
five o'clock we dine with the Prince of Prussia, and in the
evening we have tea. For the rest of the day I am free.
Our return journey was, if the dust had only been moderate
in quantity, a very pleasant one, and at last my spirits begin
to feel relieved of the weight produced by the dull English
atmosphere. The sea was as smooth as a looking-glass, and
the balmy moonlight night most agreeable. We passed
several hours in Konigswinter with the Prince of Wales.
It vexes me that through my prolonged absence your
return will be made so dull— to-night especially, as this letter
will only reach you to-morrow. I hope that Roth, who had
the information by telegraph, sent you word. He will also
inform you in good time of the hour of arrival, as I have
requested him to do so. Do not be dull, dearest heart. Until
our happy meeting, Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To Ms Wife. Baden-Baden, 22nd July, 1857.
MY POOR LITTLE WlPE,
It is not at all a matter of surprise if one does lose
one's patience entirely at these constant little delays. Our
departure has just been again postponed to the 26th, and as
the Princess of Prussia has, as I have been informed, persuaded
the prince to pay a visit to Weimar, we shall certainly not
be able to arrive until late on the 27th. Even so much I
can hardly say with any degree of certainty. However, there
cannot be much more delay on account of our Russian visitors.
Were you but here, the continued stay in this lovely spot of
the earth would be all right. The prince drives every morning

58 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
to Karlsruhe to his sister's, and only returns to dinner at five
o'clock in the afternoon, so that up to that hour I am perfectly
free. Accordingly, I daily make very long walks into the
mountains, the view from which is magnificent. The weather
is splendid. Yesterday morning at seven o'clock I went to
Offenburg, took a bath in the Rens, and then sauntered
along up to Ortenburg. This rebuilt castle is really magnifi
cent, and can be compared with Stolzenfels or Rheinstein.
On the one side is seen the valley of the Rens and the
Black Forest, and on the other the wide plain of the Rhine,
out of which the cathedral of Strassburg raises aloft its spires.
The cold river baths agree very well with me here. I
am only a bit run off my legs, for I don't like to treat
myself to a carriage, when alone. If you were here, how we
would drive about. I should really like to spend a summer
here with you, for it is lovely in this blessed land. I am
very much afraid that it is very hot for you in Berlin. The
apartment is so very hot in summer. Did you find everything
in its place?
A day or two ago I dined bec-d-bec with the Princess of
Prussia and Countess Haacke. The young prince is remark
ably kind to me. This letter must leave to-day, and be in
your hands at eleven to-morrow morning. Good-bye, dear
good heart. Be patient till our happy meeting.
Yours most affectionately,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Potsdam, 26th July, 1857.
Dear Mary,
This morning at half-past six o'clock, after a journey
of nineteen hours, we arrived here at Potsdam from Karlsruhe.
This, however, is about all that I can tell you with certainty
at present. All the rest swims in uncertainty as the czar
arrives to-day. He left Magdeburg by special train at six
o'clock this morning. It has only just been announced that
the reception at the Wild Park station is to be of a thoroughly
private nature, and the prince drives there unattended.
Afterwards, however, at eleven o'clock there will be an official
reception in the new palace. In addition, the annual sandwich
fete of the cadets also takes place to-day, and therefore a
grand dinner in the new palace. I am very much pleased

1857.] AT BRESLAU. 59
at this arrangement, as I shall see the king there, and there
fore will not have to go to Sanssouci to make a special report-
I really fear that if you were to come here to-day you would
not be able to find shelter anywhere, everything being in
double Sunday bustle. As to what is to be done this evening
I have not the slightest idea; I shall try, however, in any
case to go to Berlin, even though it be only possible to get
the last train. To-morrow morning another grand parade
takes place, when I must again be present. The emperor
leaves in the evening. Everything else by word of mouth.
Lovingly yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Breslau, Wednesday evening, 5th August.
Good dear Mary,
How are you ? Here in the town it is quite desolate,
for every one who could do so has left. The trees on the
only promenade that we have are half scorched. The night
of our journey was very cool indeed, but yesterday we ex
perienced a temperature of 26°. To-day it is much better, as
I can leave my window open during the night. Also I was
able to-day to take a bath in the stream of the Oder.
The prince has given me several commissions. We intend
to make the best of our remaining three weeks' stay here by
inspecting some battlefields and paying visits.
I would not invite you to this place, but perhaps you could
manage to pass a couple of weeks at Salzbrunn, Warmbrunn,
or at Erdmannsdorf, where from time to time I could visit
you. Berlin must be dreadfully hot for you now. However,
to-morrow you leave for Potsdam; I hope soon to have news
of you. Now I must take advantage of the cool of the
evening. Good-bye, dear good little wife.
Affectionately yours, H.
To his Wife.
Breslau, Saturday evening, 8th August, 1857.
Dear good Mary,
I am glad that you have not lost your good spirits
during this dreadfully hot weather.
Notwithstanding the thick walls and lofty rooms here it

60 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
is almost unbearable. If you want to take a warm bath in
winter time it must be of a temperature of 25°. The water
of the Oder had one of 21^°, and therefore was not at all
refreshing. Yesterday, however, I discovered a douche of
spring water which has a temperature of not much over 8°;
that indeed was most invigorating. Further, I sleep with
my windows open, although that is perhaps rather inadvisable.
Yesterday afternoon we had a thunderstorm, and to-day we
have continuous and heavy rain, which is a great blessing
for the country ; notwithstanding all this, however, it is very
sultry and oppressive to-day.
How has it been in Potsdam? Have you not endured a
great deal ? Whom and what have you seen ? To-day Vincke
and Bernhardi dined with us, on Monday the prince goes to
Schweidnitz, and on Tuesday to Hohenfriedberg. No doubt
Countess Bassewitz must be travelling, or she would have
written. If you cannot go to her in Mecklenburg, then
come on here without more ado ; everything will be all right.
I will await you at the station, and will see about accommoda
tion for you. If the horse were well, I should advise that.
I fancy that the very great heat is now over, and you can
live here just as well as in Berlin. I can no longer bear the
idea of your being alone. I hope at length to hear from you
soon. Drinking much in this heat is not good for one, so
be careful. Of course we cannot keep from it. Just try a
dram of Swiss absynthe in a glass of water. It quenches my
thirst for a long time. Good-bye, dear good little wife.
Yours devotedly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Breslau, Sunday morning, 9th August.
I received this morning, dear Mary, your letter of yesterday
with good news. Countess Bassewitz's letter is most cordial ;
one sees she is glad to have you. Schwerin is a much cooler
place, not only because of the sea, but, what seems difficult
of belief, because it is six hundred feet higher than Berlin.
No doubt there are good baths there.
It continued raining here until this morning; the sky is
very cloudy, and the air gets more and more oppressive. It
would certainly not be correct to say that the atmosphere
has become much more refreshing.

1857.] CHOLERA AND HOT WEATHER. 61
It is not at all likely that the prince will be going to
Berlin very soon; possibly, however, he may go there earlier
in September, as the Emperor of Russia is coming to see the
manoeuvres. There is also some rumour of visits from the
Emperor of Austria and the Emperor Napoleon. So far as
the latter is concerned, however, I do not believe it. The
prince will be going to Coblentz to celebrate his mother's
birthday, after which he will spend his own birthday in Berlin,
and only after that, during the second half of October, will
he start for Osborne. As the end of October is frequently
very fine, we may perhaps be able to go over the high
mountains of the Steierian and other Alps, and then by way
of Vienna and Trieste to Venice, where we can have some
sea bathing. But I am not sure whether any bathing at all
goes on in Italy at that season. I have just had a visit from
the chief of the police, who came to announce that two
deaths from cholera (Asiatic) had occurred during the last
few days. This sort of thing, however, occurs here every
year, and I only hope that the disease will remain sporadic
until the departure of the troops, which will probably take
place three weeks hence, and that it will not become epidemic.
Up to the present time the medical reports have been very
favourable. Take care ; it will be the same in Berlin.
As we are to drive to the Styrums' at Peterwitz imme
diately after church and parade, I close my letter.
With heartiest love, dear good wife, Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Breslau, 13th August, 1857.
Good morning, dear good Mary; most hearty thanks for
what you wrote yesterday.
I must admit that this continuous heat is beginning to
be irksome to me; one feels quite out of sorts with it. It
did, however, become a little cooler after the various but
only passing thunderstorms which we had ; but here we have
had hardly any rain at all. Nowadays, as soon as I rise in
the morning, I bathe in wet sheets ; but my appetite is bad,
and I am constantly thirsty. This I must try to overcome,
and my doctor — please take note of this! — has ordered me

62 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
never to drink water without mixing a little wine in it. I
wish I had several bottles of my light Moselle here. The
dog-days will now soon be over, and perhaps then we shall
have it more cool.
The day before yesterday we made a charming excursion.
I drove at five o'clock to Schweidnitz, and there gave a
dissertation to the prince. After that we drove by the
express coach to Striegau, and in the most lovely yet cool
weather over the battlefield of Hohenfriedberg. We dined
with Count Seher-Trosz at his castle. Delightful was the
drive in the cool of the evening along the foot of the mountain
range past Furstenstein to Freiburg. In the railway com
partment, of course, there prevailed the most fearful heat.
We reached Breslau at ten o'clock, and immediately drove to
a nocturnal firing practice of the riflemen, but got home
soon after eleven o'clock. On Sunday the battlefield on the
Katzbach and the cadet corps at Wahlstadt are to be
inspected. I am really dreadfully sorry that there seems no way of
bringing you to Silesia ; I don't quite know how it is to be
managed, and whether you would care about it. Good-bye
for to-day, good dear faithful heart. God bless you and
protect you. According to the papers, dysentery seems to
be very serious in Berlin. Do take care of yourself.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Breslau, 16th August, 1857.
Dear Mary,
I only received this evening your dear letter of
yesterday, as we left here at five in the morning. During
the railway journey, discourse on the battle of Katzbach ; then
an inspection of the battlefield; at eleven o'clock the Cadet
College at Wahlstadt, then to Liegnitz ; there followed
presentations, the riding-school, collection of arms, finally
dinner and home again. We only got back at half-past ten.
I therefore only write you these few words, and send you my
love, as we leave early to-morrow for Koschentin to Prince
Hohenlohe's, and thence the following days to Karlsruhe to
the Duke of Wiirttemberg's. Early on Wednesday there will
be manoeuvres, so that I shall not be able to write before.

1857.] TOUR THROUGH SILESIA. 63
Heinz leaves at the end of the month for Berlin, to take over
the duties of master of the household. Probably Brandenstein
will be made personal aide-de-camp ; the prince has mentioned
the subject to me. Of course the matter is secret.
The mishaps of the march are attributed to the divisional
staff-officer, who had drawn out too long a route. However,.
I believe that from Barby to Magdeburg it is only three and
a half miles (German). In any case the battalion commander
was responsible; he had to halt, and in some cases billet
his men.
The weather was fine to-day, hot but not sultry; now we
have sheet lightning. On the whole, the worst of the hot
weather is over. It is midnight. Good-bye, dear good little
wife. God bless you. Yours most devotedly,
Helmuth.
17th, morning. — Good morning, dear heart. It is raining,
and will probably continue to do so for the next few days,
for the heavens are grey. But it will not interfere with
the tour that is arranged for this morning. We have to pass
through a stretch of nothing but sand and pine heaths, through
upper Silesia until close to the Polish frontier. In any case,
I will write to you again on Wednesday or Thursday, so that
you will get my news previous to your departure. How glad
I should have been to see you here ; but I am nearly always
away. No doubt you will enjoy your stay in Schwerin.
Yours most devotedly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Breslau, 19th August, 1857.
Dear good Mary,
Many thanks for your letter of yesterday, which I
received to-day. No doubt you have written to Countess
Bassewitz to announce that you are going there on Sunday.
Yesterday and the day before we spent in making a tour
of about fifty miles, most of it by the express coach. This
part of Silesia is very desolate — endless plains with forests of
pine trees. The chief crops cultivated here are buckwheat
and millet. The soil is sandy, and immediately beneath the
mould is limestone rock. In several parts are furnaces and

64 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
limekilns, which send smells forth for miles. As the large
estates comprise generally from twelve to eighty thousand
acres of forest land, the result is that the proprietors have
to dwell in their not very magnificent castles in a rather
retired manner. They all speak Polish, and the smaller huts
are erected out of beams or planks. Koschentin is an ugly
set of barracks, and only with the greatest trouble has some
sort of park been made around it. At the same time one can
see a great distance before one's eye reaches the mountains
on the horizon. On the frontier of the district we were met
by the local governor, Charles Hohenlohe, who formerly was
aide-de-camp to Prince Charles of Prussia. He is said to
have made a very able magistrate. We talked much about
old times. His father, his mother, a princess of Hohenlohe
Langenburg, the youngest daughter, and a certain Countess
Fries received us at Koschentin, where about four o'clock
dinner was served. Afterwards we walked about in the grounds.
There had been some rain, and it was cooler. After having
had tea, we retired to rest at an early hour. Yesterday at six
o'clock we left for Karlsruhe, during the journey to which we
experienced some heavy showers. The old Duke of Wiirttem-
berg, in the uniform of a Russian general, with red breeches
and decoration sash, came, in company with his son, who is in
command of the 11th Cavalry Brigade at Breslau, in a carriage
to meet us, and whilst we all had left our carriages with our
cloaks in them in order to greet one another, a heavy down
pour came suddenly from the skies. I was very much
delighted to make the acquaintance of this old hero. As
you know, I had a correspondence with him at the time I was
writing my "Campaign." He was very cordial to me. His
wife is the sister of Princess Hohenlohe. The wife of the
young duke was unfortunately not there; she is a sister of
the Princess of Holstein, and her maiden name is Biickeburg.
The youngest daughter of the house is a very pretty girl,
and is engaged to the hereditary Prince Reusz-Gera of the
1st Regiment of Guards. After dinner the duke drove us to
Ohlau, which was in a state of very great excitement. A
most gorgeous reception awaited us — flowers, wreaths,triumphal
arches, girls all dressed in white, parade of riflemen, all the
authorities, collation at the town hall, etc., etc. We returned
home, however, at the usual hour of nine o'clock in the evening.
This morning, as early as five, we rode out to perform our

1857.] WITH THE TROOPS AT BRESLAU. 65
field duties, but I returned at midday, while the prince, who
has remained there, has allowed the troops to cook their meal,
and only returns here in the evening. To-morrow the
Schweidnitz battalion arrives, and we are going to meet them
on horseback, after which the regimental drills are to begin.
The heat has somewhat abated, but I am rather in low
spirits. I fancy it is due to over-fatigue. Now, however, I
have more time for rest, and no doubt I shall be quite myself
again very soon.
Should the prince return earlier than the 20th of next
month I will at once write to you. I do not, however, think
he will, and, indeed, to do so would be a pity. The sojourn
with the troops in the lovely country of Reichenbach will be
very enjoyable. The prince occupies the house of the district
governor, and has his own cook, so that he is able to invite
officers any day. He remains there for three weeks.
From Berlin he only intends to visit Sagan and Primkenau.
He is in Berlin as near to those places as he is here, and
he is much pressed for time. In a few days we go to Leubus
to visit the Silesian stud. From Reichenbach I trust to be
able to make further excursions into the mountains.
The king had another attack of giddiness on the 4th of
August. Enjoy yourself well in Holstein and Mecklenburg, and
let us thoroughly enjoy ourselves when at last we meet — in
four weeks' time. Brandenstein, without doubt, goes with us
to England and the Hague this time. Then we shall be
free. Adieu, dear heart. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Breslau, Thursday, 20th August, 1857.
Dear Mary,
You will have received to-day my note of yesterday.
How is your headache? Headache is often the beginning of
an illness. Do not set out ill, but send for the doctor in time.
To-day I feel quite well again, and ate with an appetite
at the inn, as the prince dined at the barracks. At twelve
o'clock to-day the second battalion of the eleventh regiment
arrived. We rode out to meet them dans une pluie battante;
the poor fellows were drenched to the skin. On the eighth
VOL. II. F

66 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
day from this we march off. I shall accompany the prince
and the troops on the three days' march to Reichenbach,
where we shall be stationed for nearly three weeks. Do not
let yourself be misled by the newspapers. Should the prince,
contrary to all expectations, go to Berlin earlier than the
close of the drills on the 20th, you will get the first certain
news of it from myself. 1 trust that your Mecklenburg visit
will turn out satisfactorily, and that you will enjoy it in
perfect peace.
What you tell me about our good old gentleman touches
me very greatly.
For several days past it has been raining incessantly, but
the air has become most decidedly cooler, though it is still
quite oppressive enough. At all events, however, one can
keep the rooms cool.
Breslau is no longer so brilliant and sociable as it was last
winter. Everybody is out of town, and the single promenade
which the town possesses looks as if we were in the month of
October. Everything is scorched with the excessive heat. I
enjoy the thought of a stay at Reichenbach, for it is charmingly
situated at the foot of the mountains in a delightful country.
I hope to make from that centre several fine excursions.
Now I will go to the theatre for the first time, and see
Dr. Wespe. Adieu, dear little wife ; above all, get well again.
Yours most affectionately,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Breslau, 22nd August, 1857.
Dear Mary,
It is just half-past five in the morning, and I seize
this opportunity of writing to you as we shall not return to-day
before nightfall. Directly the drilling is over we go to
Leubus, and as you have definitely fixed your departure for
Monday I shall not again write to you until you let me hear
of your arrival in Schwerin. Yesterday, notwithstanding the
continued rain, it was very sultry, but this morning it is rather
fresh. The drill ground is so full of mire that the poor
fellows often sink over the knees in water. For this reason we
are to march to-day to a stubble field, which is over a mile
away, in the hope that it may be better there.

1857.] CONVENT OF LEUBUS. 67
Our correspondence has been going on assiduously, but
the prince told me yesterday that he had received by the
last post a letter of forty pages from his fiancee ; it had
apparently accumulated.
Adieu, dear good heart, and bon voyage. I hope you will
dine at Schwerin on Monday. Be sure you see the splendid
castle. What a pity you do not go to Doberan. A few sew
baths would be delicious. Lovingly yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.
Breslau, evening, 23rd August, 1857.
Dear Mary,
Yesterday we made a very nice excursion to the
convent of Leubus, which is seven miles distant from here.
We drove at midday with relays of horses to Neumarkt, and
visited on the way the monument, which commemorates the
battle of Leuthen. I gave the prince a short account of it,
and he will probably return again to-morrow afternoon in order
to inspect more minutely the various parts of the battle-field.
At Neumarkt we found four splendid black stallions
ready, and when we had been taken across the Oder by a ferry
we passed through a country which reminded us vividly of
Windsor Park. On the delightful carpet-like meadows stand
gnarled oak trees of the age of a thousand years. One of
these had been struck by lightning, and had all its central
portion burnt out. The huge branches, too, lay all scattered
about. In the midst of this forest rises the enormous Cis
tercian convent of Leubus. The frontage of this building is
eight hundred feet in length. The convent, which is built
in the shape of a square yard, is now used as a provincial
lunatic asylum. In the prelate's wing is located the so-called
prince's room, a truly regal apartment of sixty feet in height,
with a magnificent view of the garden and the forest. The
refectory, the dining-room of the monks, and the church, are
also very handsome. The convent was founded in the year
1012, by Boleslaus. In it is interred Henry the Pious, son
of Saint Hedwig, Duchess of Liegnitz, who fell in battle
against the Tartars. Between his vault and the door lies
buried a knight who was his sworn foe, in order that, as he

68 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
could not get at him when alive, he may not miss him at
the resurrection day.
Opposite the episcopal palace of Leubus is the modest
building containing the state horses, which had formerly been
used as the convent stables. They have not yet reared any
colts here, but there are one hundred and sixty-four stallions
which are located until July in different parts of the province,
but which in autumn will again be all gathered together here.
After partaking of dinner, we lit our cigars, and went out in
the cool of the evening into the courtyard, when they were
all led past. They are for the most part heavy English
stallions— Clevelands, — a few Trakehners — most of these being
large raven-black horses of the kind which is now so scarce,
— many Graditzers, but very few Arabs ; in fact, there was
only one, a roan. After these a few more were shown with
their saddles.
At half-past seven we returned through the little towns
of Neumarkt and Lissa, which were in a state of illumination,
arriving home as early as eleven o'clock.
To-day we had dinner in the fine large hall of the castle,
when there were sixty-nine present, including all the officers
of the regiments which are stationed here. This evening,
after having promenaded in the fine cool air, I listened to a
piece from Rossini's rather slow opera of "William Tell."
To-morrow morning the regiments are to be drilled at a place
about an hour's distance off. Good night, dearest ; it is late.
A pleasant journey, and much love.
Yours most affectionately,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.
Schwendnig am Zobten, 28th August, 1857.
Your last letter, dear Mary, reached me in Breslau. We
marched out with the regiment yesterday in the most splendid
weather. The staff came to Sagewitz, a possession of Count
Harrach's, the brother of the Princess of Liegnitz, and, although
the count is in Gastein, we found everything in perfect
readiness for us. The good dinner, with iced champagne, was
thoroughly relished. To-day the regimental staff is here at
a magnificent estate of Count Zedlitz Triitschlar, situated at
the foot of the Zobten mountain. We intended paying a

1857.] THE CANTONMENTS OF REICHENBACH. 69
visit to the summit of the latter, but of its own accord it
declined receiving us, and pulled a cloudy cap right over its
ears. Furthermore, it has just begun to rain. As, however,
all the troops are already lodged in their quarters it does not
much matter. The castle buildings are of great extent, and
were erected by a Duke of Holstein Glucksburg, to whom the
estate, which originally belonged to the Dukes of Liegnitz,
passed by marriage with a certain Countess Promnitz. The
country is very nice, and I trust that we may see it to-morrow
in fine weather. We go to-morrow over the hills to the
cantonments of Reichenbach. As the sun just manages to
peep through, I shall go for a walk in order to digest the
chocolate and remainder of my breakfast and get an appetite
for dinner. I hope you safely reached Countess Bassewitz, and beg
you to remember me to her most kindly.

Reichenbach, 30th August.
Your letter of Thursday from Schwerin followed me hither
to-day from Breslau, dear heart. I am glad you like Schwerin
so well, and hope you may make a fairly long stay there. I
only learnt from the papers of the strange outbreak of violent
cholera at Gltickstadt ; from your letter it would seem to be
prevalent throughout the Duchies. You must carefully avoid
injudicious diet and chills. Here, thank God, all is well.
The fire in Magdeburg was not so terrible, after all —
twenty-six houses. The fiscal authorities and the Wittenberge
Society are the chief losers, through the destruction of the
stores and the bridge. There is a dispute as to where the
fire broke out. But there are fires on all sides ; every paper
contains the news of some great conflagration.
Reichenbach is a pretty town, with fine old walls, towers,
and moats. The castle wall has been transformed into a
promenade, from which one obtains a splendid view of the
mountains, which lie about a mile distant. The Silesian
villages are usually built on the riverside, and spread them
selves over the plains right up to the mountain gorges. The
village of Langen Bielau, for instance, is a mile in length,
has two post-offices, several churches, and thirteen thousand
inhabitants. The small mountain stream supplies motive
power to the numerous factories, and the many fine new

70 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
buildings quite throw the dull old ancestral seat of Count
Sandreski into the shade. The troops are very comfortably
quartered. I live opposite the prince, in the house of an old widow.
My room is large and clean, but on the ground floor, and
so surrounded by trees that even the excessive heat of this
summer cannot warm it. However, I ventilate it thoroughly.
After I had removed from my bed about half a dozen feather
pillows it began to look more like Spartan simplicity. My
coffee I get sent across to me from the prince's kitchen. I
take my dinner across the way, and as to my tea, that I also
drink there.
While I was in church this morning, listening to an
admirable sermon, the horses had a fight. It seems that Mr.
black horse bit the mare, whereupon she kicked him ; I only
hope he will not be lame to-morrow. With the prince, this
afternoon, I am to ride the brown mare. She goes very well,
agrees very well with Darling, and has never broken into a
gallop. The worst about her is that she is timid and rather
shy. I shall see now how she behaves with the troops-
And now, dear little woman, I will go to bed; we have had
a smart ride. Early to-morrow the brigade begins its
manoeuvres. With fond greetings, Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Reichenbach, 4th September, 1857.
Dear Mary,
Yours of the 31st of last month has come to hand,
and I hope my letter may have reached you immediately before
your departure from Schwerin; if not it will have followed
you at once to Ratzeburg. What a pity you did not stay
longer there. The countess would surely have been glad to
keep you. Now I am very anxious to know how you found
things at Ratzeburg.
We are very comfortable here, more especially as the
weather is delightful — every day sunshine, seldom as much
as a slight thunder shower, and always pleasant and moderate
warmth. The country is really most gorgeous. Last
Wednesday was a holiday. I drove with the prince, with his
own horses, through the great Stolberg estate, Thomaswaldau,

1857.] TRIPS ROUND REICHENBACH. 71
by way of the new mountain road, which passes very close to
the Hohen Eule, to Charlottenbrunn and Waldenburg. As the
road winds in many zig-zags we followed a charming footpath,
past a trout pond, and along a foaming torrent, which, not
withstanding the long drought, formed some very nice water
falls. From the top of the pass we enjoyed a magnificent view
over the mountains and the immense Silesian plain as far as
Breslau. In Waldenburg we visited the China factory, and
then the Salzbrunn bath. We had dinner at the inn in Fursten-
stein, as Prince Plesz happened to be absent. We visited, how
ever, the magnificent manor, the old castle, and the deep chasm
which separates both these. In the evening we visited the
large Kramsta factory at Freiburg, after which we returned by
rail. To-morrow afternoon we make an excursion to Warm
brunn to visit Count Schaffgotsch, and there we shall stay
over Sunday, thereafter probably making use of the night in
order to be here on Monday to resume the drilling. To-day
we are invited to dinner by the civic authorities of the
Reichenbach district. Next week the prince is to have charge
of the manoeuvres, which will be executed by three battalions,
four squadrons, and eight pieces of artillery. We ride out
every evening. My room begins, with my constant ventilation,
to get more airy and dry. Nevertheless, I generally sit with
my overcoat on, especially when I come back from drill. On
many occasions we dine with the officers at the inn. We
also sit very frequently in the evenings before the door and
smoke cigars. The prince intends shortly to invite all the
cavalry officers to coffee in the open air upon a height near
Gnadenfrei, whence a splendid view is obtained. As long as
the weather remains as it is at present, everything looks
beautiful. For to-day, however, I must close, as I am half
dead with hunger; as soon, however, as I have eaten soup
and a second course I shall have had quite enough. I am
longing for our simple fare again and my Moselle ; these
constant dinners do not agree with me, although one now
and again is all right. Just now the prince has come over
with his order.
Adieu, dear good little wife. Best love to mamma and
Ludwig. Yours,
Helmuth.

72 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
To his Wife.
Reichenbach, 7th September, 1857.
Your letter from Ratzeburg of the 2nd was here early
this morning, and I am glad you had news of me at Schwerin
before starting.
We have made a splendid excursion in the mountains.
On Saturday at midday, after having breakfast, we started
by rail for Freiburg, and thence by post-horses past the lovely
Fiirstenstein and the Ziskaburg to Krepelhof, the Stolberg
estate close to Landshut. It is a beautiful old castle, which
originally was an official residence of the Dukes of Schweidnitz,
but afterwards came into the hands of the Promnitz, a family
which has long been extinct, but which must have been
enormously rich and wealthy, for, in addition to other estates
in their possession, was also that of Plesz. The castle is
situated in a most beautiful meadow of the Bober, thickly
surrounded with lofty trees. The proprietor is Count Eberhard
Stolberg, with whom live his unmarried sister and the widow of
the minister. We met there the two brothers Reusz from Paris,
brothers of the Grand Duchess of Schwerin, and another Prince
Reusz of Neuhof. After a very excellent dinner, at which
we had the most delicious trouts, we drove in the twilight
up the beautiful but very steep road, leading over the
Schmiedeberger crest. Unfortunately it was already dark
when we reached it, but even by moonlight it was a wonderful
sight to see that mountain, which rises almost perpendicularly
up close behind Schmiedeberg. The Koppe had put on a
white misty cap, which quite hid St. Ann's Chapel. The
little town was illuminated. We reached Erdmannsdorf at
nine o'clock, and passed the night in the royal palace there.
Although it was now late, we took a walk through the
charming park. A pond with swans, surrounded by lofty
trees and the mountain in the background, the whole lit up
by the moonlight, rendered the aspect more fairy-like. Not
less struck was I with the very beautiful waterfall of the
Lomnitz, which, notwithstanding the drought of this summer,
is richly supplied with water from the snow hollows high up
on the mountains. The view from my window was so
enchanting that although I was greatly fatigued, it was very
late before I sought rest upon my soft bed.

1857.] ERDMANNSDORF AND J0SEPH1NENIIUTTE. 73
Charming beyond all description was the view at sunrise
on Sunday ; not a single cloud on the horizon. Above the
green foreground of meadows, woods and villages with neat
white houses rose the Schneekoppe and the sharp ridge of
the Riesengebirge. One might quite well imagine that he
must be able to see a man standing right on the highest peak,
although it is fully two miles distant from this place. The
windows of the chapel glittered in the sun. As early as
half-past six o'clock we drove to Fischbach, the castle of old
Prince William, and then to Schildau, the property of Princess
Louise of the Netherlands. At ten o'clock we attended divine
service in the church in the park of Erdmannsdorf, where
many of the peasants of the Zillerthal were present in their
green peaked hats. We heard a very excellent sermon, and
afterwards drove to Stonsdorf to the house of old Princess
Reusz for luncheon. From there we went by way of Warm
brunn past Kynast, and by the splendid new road along the
Zacken to the Josephinenhutte. The stream of the Zacken
has very much in common with the Use; it rushes over
gigantic blocks of granite, and the road rises pretty steeply
to a height of one thousand feet. The valley slopes, however,
are neither so high nor so richly wooded as are those of the
Use in the Harz. The third luncheon, in the Josephinenhutte,
I for my part omitted. We saw the beautiful glass stores,
and watched the operation of glass-blowing, after which we
drove back to Warmbrunn to the castle of Count Schaffgotsch.
The count himself and his wife were absent, but Count
Ziethen, his brother-in-law, the funny mimic, did the honours.
We dined at six o'clock in the evening under a verandah in
the open air, and went thoroughly for the champagne. It
was a very jolly party. It was nine o'clock before we left
them, and we returned home by a different road, namely,
that by Bolkenhain. Here we had a splendid moonlight view
of the ruins of Bolkenburg and Schweinhaus. These are the
old residences of the Princes Bolko von Schweidnitz and von
Schweinichen. It was a mild summer night. At Freiburg
we found the prince's black horses in readiness, and with
their assistance we reached Reichenbach this morning as
early as four o'clock, which enabled us still to enjoy two
hours sleep. Then we went to drill. It had been raining
heavily here, and consequently there was no dust whatever.
The whole division practised firing, which was a splendid

74 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
sight. I coquetted with my black horse close to the hussars.
During one of the final rushes down over the deeply-furrowed
soil he went so brilliantly that he quite won the hearts of
all the hussars. We dined to-day with the officers of the
fourth regiment of hussars, all of whom inquired after the
horse. One man fell; the saddle slipped under the horse's
stomach, and the horse literally raved like one mad until it
succeeded in getting rid of the saddle. At the same time,
it rushed upon a squadron who were just preparing to wheel
into line. I was afraid that it was going to run several
dozen men down, but luckily the event did not end in further
accidents. The regiment was formed in the Seven Years'
War. Frederick the Great compelled the Catholic clergy to
equip it, and as the various clerical orders used nothing else
than brown cloth for their cowls, so to this day the regiment
has adopted the colour of the Carmelites and Benedictines.
To-morrow morning I shall mount the roan, in order to go
reconnoitring with the prince. Best love to mamma, Ludwig,
and Ernestine. You can stay in Holstein till mamma's
birthday. If, as is not improbable, we go back to Berlin
before the 20th, I will let you know at once. But I shall
be glad that you should remain as long as possible at Ratze
burg. Only be careful what you eat.
Tuesday, 8th. — It is again a splendid morning, and pretty
warm. We duly went for our ride. To-day at midday I
dine with the prince. In the afternoon the outposts, who
are to bivouac all night, have to be selected. On this day
fortnight we shall be, if God so wills it, in Berlin. As soon
as the cavalry manoeuvres are over we shall be able to go
for a ride in the Tiergarten.
I hope that you, too, have this lovely autumn weather, and
are wandering about the grand beech woods. And make an
excursion by railway to Lubeck; I think it such a pretty
place. Farewell, dear heart. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Reichenbach, evening, 12th September, 1857.
Dear Sweetheart,
You have, I fear, been looking a long time for this
letter; but it is almost impossible to write at all. Favoured
with the most splendid weather, we have finished the drilling

1857.] DINNER AT LANGENBIELAU. 75
of the detachments, and from this we have just, that is to say
at midday, returned home by horse. We have, however, to
start again almost immediately, in order to remain until well
into the night with the troops that are to bivouac. Yesterday
afternoon we drove in the most excessive heat to Langenbielau
to Count Sandretzki's for wild-fowl shooting. The old turreted
castle, with its moats and drawbridge, looks fearfully desolate,
but the family is a most amiable one. The countess is a
sister of the artist, Count Kalkreuth. He was compelled to
wear, until he was in his twentieth year, a red coat and pig
tail. The bringing up of the children is carried on here in
the old style, but has been very successful. The Countess
Anna is twenty-two years of age, and will only take part in
her first ball the day after to-morrow. The son, who is fourteen
years of age, kissed the hand of each of us ; he is passionately
fond of soldiering, and would like to be a brown hussar. For
this reason he follows us on our shooting expedition, though
without a gun. In the evening Voigts Rheetz allowed the band
of his regiment to play in the courtyard of the castle. The
table was laid for dinner in a large vaulted hall, and against
the meal itself not a word can be said — trouts, partridges ; and
for dessert, a monster water-melon. This last was cut into
halves, into which a bottle of champagne was poured, each
half forming a sort of punch bowl. One of the conditions
under which the estate is held places the proprietor under
the obligation to have at all times four thousand bottles of
wine in his cellars. We drank a Hungarian wine, which
Maria Theresia had presented to Frederick the Great, who
was on very friendly terms with the great grandfather of the
count. It seemed to me to be a valid consideration whether
this same wine might not have been poisoned; the result,
however, proved it to be of most splendid quality. The
Sandretzki's of Sandraschiitz are not Polish at all, but
Hungarians, and come from the race of Matthias Corvinus;
that is why their .coat of arms includes a raven with a ring
in his beak, similar to the one in the Trothas family.
Scarcely had we got back to Reichenbach, when a frightful
thunderstorm broke over us. For a long while I observed
several flashes of lightning occur in each second.
This morning, however, we had again the brightest sunshine.
The whole division was drawn up in a long glittering line,
ready to be inspected by the commander-in-chief. Not a

76 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
particle of dust obscured the manoeuvres from view, and they
presented a most brilliant sight. There were thousands of
spectators on foot, on horseback, and in carriages, who had
come from the whole country round about to listen to the
thundering of the guns and the firing of the infantry. In
long lines and to loud-sounding music the battalions advanced,
the glittering cuirassiers making the ground tremble under
their feet, and the fleet hussars rushing about at full speed.
An overturned cannon, a few riderless horses, and several
horsemen lying on the ground completed the battle-like
picture, which was framed in by the surrounding mountains
clothed in all their most gorgeous grandeur, though their
summits were still overhung by heavy clouds.
This afternoon the hussars' fete took place on the
Klintschberge, where we enjoyed an extensive view in all
directions, even into Austrian territory. There was coffee,
sandwiches, and champagne.
To-morrow forenoon we drive to the church of the
Moravians at Gnaden-frei. In the afternoon we go to Weistritz
in the Silesian valley, on a visit to Count Piickler. Very
early on Monday we go to Breslau, for the reception of the
emperor, whom we shall accompany to Liegnitz. From there
we go by coach to Domanze to visit Brandenburg, then in
the evening to Schonfeld to a ball at Count Silvius Fuckler's.
There we shall meet all our Breslau acquaintances — Schweinitz,
Burghaus, Saurma, Styrum, Zedlitz, Sandretzki, etc. We shall
not return home until two or three o'clock in the morning.
On Tuesday morning I shall be at the manoeuvres of the
division, and in the afternoon I shall go by way of Silber-
berg, Glatz, and Rheinerz to Gellenau, on a visit to Mr.
von Mutius (ten miles). On Wednesday I return over the
mountains by a fine new state road.
After that come the three field manoeuvres. The prince
himself will be in command of one of the sides on both the
last days. All this means a good deal of riding about; in
the very first instance one has to reconnoitre the ground.
At midday on the 19th the exercises come to an end ; that
is, if the weather continues favourable till then. During the
night ending the 19th there is to be a general bivouac, but
I shall nevertheless take the liberty of placing my horses
under shelter. We shall very likely leave on the evening
of the same day for Berlin, where we would in that case arrive

1857.] CONCLUSION OF THE MANOEUVRES. 77
on Sunday morning, the 20th. In Berlin likewise everything
will be brought to a conclusion on the 19th, as the manoeuvres
are to be shortened to the extent of two days on account of
a scarcity of water. The king has already returned to Berlin.
The Prince of Prussia represents him at the fourth army
corps. He is, however, doubtless perfectly well.
I still have a number of letters to write for the next mail,
so for to-night farewell, dear Mary. Best love to mamma
and Ernestine, and my best wishes on the 16th, when I will
drink a glass of champagne to your good health all round. I
have heard nothing further about Brandenstein, nor do I know
what the prince intends as to his next little expedition; but
Brandenstein will certainly not go with him to England. If
I should go, you certainly will go with me, since you could
pay the Wordsworths a short visit. Good night, dear little
woman. To our early happy and long stay together.
Yours most affectionately, Helmuth.
Sunday morning. — Yesterday evening, at ten o'clock, just
as I wanted to seal this letter, there arrived a telegraphic
message and your letter of Friday from Ratzeburg. The former
contained the news that an alteration had been made in the
arrangements for the emperor's journey, whereby he will now
reach Breslau at six o'clock to-morrow ; the consequence is
that we must leave here this evening.
This makes many expeditions necessary, which all need
consideration, and I have been writing till midnight, and only
then read your letter as a reward. So you have put off your
journey, no doubt on account of the many pleasant parties.
You seem to have set the whole Duchy on the tramp.
Duke Eugene of Wiirttemberg has already got his dis
charge, which is a real loss to the whole army. As to the
prince's future position, we know nothing. Adieu, dear Mary.
Yours most affectionately,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Coblentz, 28th September, 1857.
Dear little Woman,
We have had a very pleasant journey ; in Thuringia
it was sunny but cold ; however, at this time the temperature
has no doubt been everywhere pretty much the same. At

MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

three o'clock we entered Belvedere, where the noble princess,
the grand duchess, is still residing. Her family, however, is
at Wilhelmsthal, and the grand duke came over to dinner
from that place. I took a walk in the pretty grounds.
Right opposite there stretches a lofty wall-like range of dark
fir trees. At the darkest part thereof there stood two white
stags, which seemed as if they had been tempted by the
stillness of the evening to come out to quench their thirst.
I tried by clapping my hands to make them move on, but
they remained motionless, and no wonder, for they proved to
be of zinc.
We only left at midday on Sunday about two o'clock,
after having lunched with the good kind-hearted grand
mamma. How truly pretty is this country of Thuringia ! Such
meadows and pastures cannot be seen elsewhere in the world.
In the light of the evening sun they seemed like bright
green velvet, and the shadows of the trees looked almost
black. On the sides of the swiftly flowing stream are neat
and well-to-do villages, and behind rise densely wooded
mountains right up to the Inselberg, which makes the land
scape, so to say, disappear in pale neutral tints against the
gold-like ground of the evening sky. In the Wartburg the
grand duke has undoubtedly set up a lasting monument of
his highly artistic taste. The journey from Eisenach to
Gerstungen in Hesse is as lovely as can be had anywhere.
At the latter place it soon became quite dark, and it was
midnight before we arrived at Frankfurt-on-Main. As the
great fair was in progress there, I telegraphed to the West
End Hotel, an inn which is situated close to the railway-
station, and at Marburg received the answer that two rooms
would be reserved for me; they only charged me twelve
florins for these.
In Weimar we saw the new bronze monument, which has
been erected to the memory of Goethe and Schiller upon a
temporary, and much too small, pedestal. The group, which
is of colossal height, is really very fine, but the square in
front of the theatre is very limited in size and ugly.
Yesterday at a very early hour I went in search of, and
after various inquiries found, the fine large cemetery, which,
however, is situated at a very considerable distance beyond
the town. I awoke the keeper, and from the books I very

1857.] WILLIAM VON MOLTKE'S GRAVE. 79
soon traced the spot where my poor unfortunate brother
William found his last resting-place. A wooden cross with
an inscription upon it marks the spot. The grave itself has
quite fallen in, and how could it be otherwise, seeing that
no loving hand has tended it. I thought of the beautiful song
which Henry sings : " Mochte wissen, wenn ich bald begraben
werde sein " ("I should like to know, if she will come, when I
am shortly buried.") If I am still alive in 1864, 1 shall willingly
lay out the hundred florins which it would take to secure this
spot ; otherwise, after thirty years, it is liable to be dug up.
At eight o'clock we drove to Castel, and then went by
steamer to Coblentz. It was a splendid journey, the weather
being almost too warm. At four o'clock we arrived here.
The water is very low, and forms at Mauseturm many cascades.
The Prince of Prussia is at Saarburg, in order there to salute
the Emperor Napoleon as he passes across the Prussian frontier.
It was five o'clock before we poor half-starved individuals had
anything to eat. At a later hour I went for a walk by the
light of the moon and stars. It was a very fine warm summer
night. I went through Castle Street to our former house,
and, as it was Sunday, I of course heard dance music coming
from Hubert Hiisler's just as we used to hear it so often in
our drawing-room. Some English people live in the house
now. I then went by the Lohr Thor through the avenue
right down to the Rhine, which silently glided along, and
on the surface of which the stars showed themselves as in a
mirror. From there I went upon the bridge, and then back
to tea. The night was so fine that I leant out of my window
until past midnight smoking my cigar. By that time the
moon had gone to its bed, but the stars twinkled all the
brighter. Gradually the lights on the bridge, on the ships,
and on the Helfenstein were extinguished, and finally mine
went also.
This morning everything was enveloped in a thick mist ;
but now, that is to say, at ten o'clock, the brightest sunshine
is illuminating the glorious view from the castle. I must
dress now, pay several necessary visits, and then saunter over
the dear country of Coblentz.
The princess will probably spend her birthday in Bingen,
whither we shall go as early as to-morrow, otherwise I should
have asked you to come here. Now, however, there is too.

80 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
little time for this arrangement, as we return to Berlin in any
case on the morning of the 2nd. Adieu, dear Mary.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Potsdam, 9th October, 1857.
Dear Mary,
The telegraphic reports concerning the king's health
were so alarming that the prince decided to return here to
night. We accordingly left Muskau last night at ten o'clock,
and drove by express coach to Sorau, where an express train
awaited us. At Frankfurt we received a despatch from the
Prince of Prussia to this effect : " The life of the king is in
danger; but the letting of some blood has produced an
improvement in his condition, which it is hoped may continue.
Hasten, however, your return." By half-past five we were at
the Frankfurt railway-station, when we at once made for the
Potsdam platform, took a special train, and reached Sanssouci
at seven o'clock. The prince went to his father, who had
passed the night at this place. I met General Gerlach, Treskow,
Groben, and Dr. Weisz. Last night the king was giddy and
quite brown in the face. They feared the worst, and it was
decided to bleed him. This most probably prevented an
attack of apoplexy supervening. The king had slept, and is
quite conscious to-day, though his condition is still one of
great danger. The queen is quite prepared and resigned.
The princes the king has not seen. The short bulletin,
which has been issued to-day, will produce doubtless great
anxiety. It is to the effect that there had been a great rush
of blood to the brain yesterday, and that the fever had not
yet disappeared. When the doctors (Schonlein, Weisz, and
a third man) publish such a bulletin, it is evident that there
must still be the greatest danger. The queen desired the
presence of the Prince of Prussia, and it was fortunate that
he just happened to be here. Prince Frederick William
remains at Sanssouci, and I have returned to the cabinet
offices. What the next hours will bring forth cannot be
foreseen. I must just wait to see. Towards midday I shall
go out once more, and inquire how matters stand.
I should like very much to go to Berlin to-morrow for
i;he funeral of Reyher, but of course everything depends

1857.] ILLNESS OF THE KING. 81
upon what turn events here take. On the whole, the journey
has been a very pleasant one. The Duke and Duchess of
Holstein send you their kindest regards. I met at their
house a friend of your youth, from the palace of Bielkesch,
Julia Krogh, who officiates as lady-in-waiting there. From
Sagan are sent to you the kindest wishes of the Radziwils.
Young Mrs. Antosch is most charming. They are all coming
to Berlin for the king's birthday ! ! Sagan is very lovely.
At Muskau, where we only stopped for dinner, was staying
the widowed Queen of the Netherlands, a sister of the Emperor
Nicholas. God help our poor king ! Adieu, dear Mary. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Potsdam, Saturday evening.
Dear Mary,
I must write to you at once that really some improve
ment seems to have taken place. At ten this morning the
king awoke as if from a dream. He called to the queen,
"My darling," as usual, spoke to her affectionately, desired
to have more light in the room, and asked why he had a
bandage on his head — an ice-compress. His memory seemed
to be equally returning, and this improvement is still main
tained. The service in the Friedenskirche, which was
crowded at six o'clock, was more like a thanksgiving. The
queen, the crown prince, and all the rest of the family were
present. No one can doubt that there is still great danger,
or wish for anything short of complete recovery of body and
mind. God grant it ! I will wait for the first report to-morrow
morning before closing my letter. Let Mrs. von Schack
know of this new gleam of hope.
It is said here that Grimm has been found, and will be
brought in to-morrow. The journey to England is meanwhile
put off, since it is quite impossible to foresee what the
immediate future may bring forth. The ministers met to-day,
and have come to a resolution how the conduct of state
business is meanwhile to be carried on. Military matters
especially cannot go on without the supreme head; the
prince's second adjutant cannot even be appointed. As soon
VOL. II. G

82 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
as that is done I, no doubt, shall be released; till then, here
I must stay.
Reitzenstein, from Frankfurt, may very likely be put into
Reyher's place,* and it would be a good choice.
Sunday, midday. — The king had a good night and slept
much and quietly. This morning he enjoyed two cups of
tea and some toast, and talked pleasantly and affectionately
to the queen. He asked whether the weather was not quite
lovely. The ice-compresses have not been changed since
midnight, and will only be renewed to-day as a precaution.
Every one is beginning to be hopeful, but the way to recovery
— complete recovery — is a long one yet.
How a provisional government will be now constructed I
know not ; still business must somehow be conducted.
I half hope that this lovely weather may bring you to
Potsdam to-day. Yours most affectionately,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
London, Fenton's Hotel, 24th January, 1858.
Dear Mary,
That we arrived here all safe and well yesterday has
been already duly telegraphed to you all at Berlin. The
prince, Schweinitz, Zastrow, the doctor, and myself occupied
a saloon carriage ; we were very comfortable, and never before
has the monotonous journey to Magdeburg seemed to me so
short. We met at Magdeburg Prince Radziwil, Prince Holstein,
the Herwarths, Bose, and Witzleben. Gliczinski did not
come, as only generals were invited. Bose has not changed
at all, and inquired most kindly after you. The night was
very cold, and, even with my fur coat on, I felt frozen. I slept
well, however, as far as Cologne, where we had some very
refreshing coffee at the railway-station. When, about ten
o'clock in the evening, we arrived at Calais, we were informed
that the steamer " Vivid " had not yet got up steam, as the
sea was still very stormy. We passed the night accordingly
in the dull old town instead of at cheerful Dover, and crossed
the following morning at seven o'clock. Close to the Mole
there lay the wreck of a ship which had come to grief
* Reyher was head of the staff, Moltke's predecessor in that post.

1858.] JOURNEY TO LONDON. 83
yesterday. An effort had been made to send two steamers
to her assistance, but it was utterly impossible to get out of
the harbour. One of two sailors on board, after having sat
upon the yardarm for thirteen hours fell off in sight of the
multitude of spectators, while the other managed to remain
for twenty-five hours, when he was saved. The sea had at
the time we crossed become very calm, and even Charles did
not on this occasion become sea-sick. Wonderfully fine did
the chalk cliffs of the South Foreland appear as, steeped in a
pinky hue by the morning sun, they arose out of the blue
ocean. Luncheon was partaken of in Lord Warden's Hotel,
after which an address was presented by the mayor and
aldermen of the town. Then, in the sunshine, we drove to
Shakespeare's Cliff and across the lovely hills of Kent.
Nowhere was any snow to be seen. Cows and sheep fed upon
the green pastures among the numerous oaks and beeches.
Pretty Gothic churches and old castles impress upon the
country the venerable character of what is historic. The
huge palace of Sydenham glittered under the golden rays of
the sun, but as soon as one descends into the valley of the
Thames he must bid farewell to the star of day. For London
it was splendid weather, but yet all that one saw consisted of
grey silhouettes. At the railway-station we were received
by Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Alfred.
On this occasion we went under the escort of forty horse-
guards through Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, where the
bridegroom was received by the Prince of Prussia and sixteen
other royalties. Then, after having paid our respects to the
queen, we repaired to our hotel. In the evening there was
a state dinner, then the opera, and, lastly, a reception at
Count Bernstorff s.
As I knew what this pleasure meant, I went off to bed
immediately after dinner. To-day in the course of a visit I
spoke to the Countess Bernstorff about her entertainment.
No one had the slightest idea who was there, and who was
not. Alvensleben declares that he spent an hour and a half
searching for his coat, and that, when at last successful in
this respect, he found he had to go home on foot.
This forenoon I started to work, and continued at it until
three o'clock, just as if I had been at Berlin.* Then I walked
* Von Moltke had been entrusted with the duties of the chief of the
Army Staff.

84 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
for three English miles to Stockwell Villas in South London,
where I met, at the Rev. Mr. Kemble's, Miss Elizabeth Words
worth. She has not changed in the least, and still takes the
most kindly interest in you. I had to promise most faithfully
that you will visit her. The mother was not in London.
Mr. Kemble is a very well-to-do man, and it interested me
very much to see for once the house of a private English
gentleman — red damask curtains, turkey carpets, marble
chimney-pieces, large overmantels, hot-houses, bath-room
library, parlour, drawing-room, waiting-chamber, etc., etc. To
the fireplaces, however, I cannot reconcile myself. To me it
is inconceivable that amid so much comfort one can relinquish
the enjoyment of even a moderately warm temperature.
The open doors and draughty windows continually remind
me of Italy ; for although it is not half so cold here as on the
Continent I nevertheless sit here all day long in my fur coat.
Even in the queen's galleries, containing the most valuable
collections of pictures, there was to-day quite a thick fog,
consisting largely of sooty particles from the chimneys, which
must undoubtedly have a tendency to spoil everything.
As I had partaken of nothing since my cup of coffee at
eight o'clock in the morning I brought an excellent appetite
with me to dinner. I enjoyed immensely the turtle soup,
turbot with white oyster sauce, asparagus, truffles steeped in
Burgundy, fruits, and many other nice dainties. Afterwards,
a reception was held. I was summoned before the queen and
also before the princess royal. King Leopold and his sons, the
Princes Albrecht — father and son, the Prince of Prussia, the
aides-de-camp, and ladies in waiting formed a real German
colony. I had quite a long conversation with Prince Frederick
Charles. Amongst the aides-de-camp present were Budden-
brock, Massow, Richthofen, and Osten of the 26th Regiment,
together with Prince Hohenzollern. Then, besides these, there
were Rhedern, Boos, Waldeck, and Puckler ; in short, it was
quite like being at Berlin.
The wedding presents of the princess were on view. One
string of pearls, which the bridegroom had given, alone cost
twenty-seven thousand thalers. The royal family of Prussia
presented a gorgeous diamond necklace, while the Prince of
Wales gave an exceedingly nice and tasteful set of opals and
diamonds. King Leopold made presents of lace, etc.
The wedding takes place to-morrow, and if the reporters

1858.] MARRIAGE OF PRINCE FREDERICK. 85

from the thirty newspapers which will be represented leave
anything for me to tell you I shall write to you. To-day I
merely wanted to inform you that I am in excellent health,
and wish most heartily to hear the same of you, since you
were not very well when you started. It is now midnight,
so I conclude, with affectionate greetings to mamma and
Ernestine. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. London, 26th January, 1858.
Dear Mary,
The wedding went off very happily yesterday, and
was a most beautiful and solemn ceremony. The newspapers
contained full reports of the affair, and therefore I shall only
write to you about what made the deepest impression upon
me personally. I shall pass over the details of the stately
procession of magnificent carriages from Buckingham Palace
to St. James'. The heavy state carriages and the black
horses with red ribbons plaited in their manes, the two roans
of the queen, which have to pull along as much as one and
a half hundredweight of gold plate besides her majesty, a
formidable-looking coachman, and four broad-shouldered
lackeys, with bamboo sticks in their hands and immense
bouquets in their buttonholes, the monstrous throng of people
on either side of the route, and the improvised hustings — all
that I have written to you about before. In addition on this
occasion they also made use of the trees and at many points
of the route as many as thirty people might be seen soaring
among the branches above the heads of the Horseguards who
lined the streets. In the neighbourhood of St. James', where
the mob of the clearest water had taken up a position, the
policemen were so numerous that they formed a double lined
barrier. The short staves, laden with lead, which are as a
rule hidden behind their blue coats, were here all visible to
the light of day, and that not altogether without good reason.
The weather was as nice as in London it is possible for it to
be, that is to say, the sun shone in the outskirts of the
metropolis, but to the latter itself only showed the view of a
blank polished copper cauldron.
The old brick building of St. James' preserved its exterior
unchanged, but its interior was certainly somewhat fitted up.

86 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
In the queen's closet three processions were formed; first and
foremost that of the queen, then that of the bridegroom, and
lastly that of the bride. These processions went through the
very beautiful large state rooms, which, however, are not very
numerous, and along narrow passages and staircases down to
the quite recently decorated chapel, though a very small one,
for in reality it is only a little private chapel for the royal
family. All the passages and stairs were thickly lined with
the most distinguished ladies and gentlemen who had been
unable to obtain the much-coveted tickets for the holy place
itself. All present were in the fullest dress.
In front of the processions marched big drums and
trumpets. Behind these came the royal heralds, " Clarenceux
and Norroy," who performed their first function under Edward
III., and are of course still as active as ever, after whom
marched the heralds and piorsuivants of arms. Then, after a
short interval stalked the lords stewards, lord chamberlain,
the masters of the horse and the greyhounds, and other high
officials. The Duke of Wellington carried the sword of
state here on the palace floor as firmly as his iron sire had
wielded his on the battlefield. Very peculiar did poor Lord
Cranworth, the lord chancellor, look in his wig and heavily
gilt embroidered black gown, carrying in front of him after
the manner of a reticule an immense portfolio of red velvet
emblazoned with the royal arms. He marched, like a prisoner
sentenced to death, between two attendants in scarlet coats,
each of whom carried a golden mace, a weapon which, ably
handled, could fell a more powerful adversary than the
learned lord. Finally appeared her most gracious majesty,
dressed in violet moiree, trimmed with lace of about a yard
in breadth, and carrying a train of violet velvet. She wore
a tiara of diamonds in the shape of strawberry leaves, and a
single diamond on her breast, which must, omitting the well-
known badly-cut Koh-i-noor, be one of the largest in the
world. But far more handsome than this jewel even were
her four young sons, who, dressed in Scottish costume, walked
on either side of her. The little fellows with bare knees,
their caps ornamented with eagle's feathers, their dirks, all
studded with opals, in their stockings, and their kilts of royal
Stuart tartan, looked splendid. After them strode, with
natural, if by corpulency heightened dignity, the mistress of
the household, the Duchess of Sutherland, dressed in a heavy

1858.] THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY. 87
white silk gown and wearing a train studded with corals and
pearls. The trains of the lady in waiting and the maids of
honour, the uniforms of the ministers, of the grooms of the
stable, of the bedchamber, and of any other thing I must pass
over without notice.
Our procession was formed in pretty much the same way ;
the youngest in front, then General Schreckenstein and
myself, the embassy, the bridegroom prince, conducted by
his father and Prince Frederick Charles, and then the other
royal princes. (The Princess of Prussia had entered the
chapel half an hour before). The band played the Dessauer
March. As soon as we had taken up our positions in the
chapel the procession of the bride appeared. Every one
must admit that she looked really beautiful. She wore a
white lace dress with orange-blossom and lilies of the valley
in her hair. Her dress and train were also ornamented with
the white and green foliage of these flowers. Round her
neck she wore a very modest diamond necklace. She was
accompanied by eight bridesmaids, chosen from among the
most pretty and distinguished of the nobility, all dressed in
plain white mull without any other ornaments except red
roses in the hair.
In front of the altar stood the Archbishop of Canterbury,
the first peer of the realm. Facing him on the right was
the bride, and behind her the queen, Prince Albert, the
entire English royal family, and her relations, King Leopold,
the Duke of Coburg, etc. On the left was the bridegroom,
his royal parents, and the foreign royal princes. The brides
maids advanced to the lower step of the altar, immediately
behind the bridal pair, while we of the immediate suite of
Prince Frederick William stood just behind the bridesmaids.
All the others of the party were arranged along the sides of
the chapel, both under and upon the gallery. The central
space behind us remained unoccupied.
After a cantata had been sung the ceremony was proceeded
with according to the not very lengthy English form. Both
parties had to repeat the formula put to them by the arch
bishop. They vowed to remain faithful, the one to the other,
for better for worse, for richer for poorer, until death do them
part. Under this condition the prince took his future wife
with a feelingly spoken but firm and audible "I will." I
was truly quite pleased with his bearing during this ceremony.

88 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
One could read on his somewhat pale face how much impressed
he was with the seriousness of the ceremony, and yet he
maintained that firm manly bearing which became him so
well in the eyes of the public present. Every one who could
see him as I did must have felt obliged to love him. Then
there followed the exchange of rings, both of them made
from Silesian gold (probably there was just sufficient to make
them), a short benediction, and a hymn. After that all
returned in a reverse order. The route now was to Bucking
ham Palace, where the royal family dined in private. For
the visitors and the Court retinue, however, there was a grand
state banquet. The newly married couple meanwhile drove
to Windsor, where the Eton boys, who are, as is well known,
the sons of the most aristocratic families, unharnessed the
horses, and dragged the carriage up the hill to the ancient
seat of William the Conqueror. I have just sent after them
two telegraphic despatches which came to me from Count
Ziethen at Breslau, and from the 22nd Regiment at Neisze,
to the effect that they had just drank to the health of the
newly wedded couple amid thundering acclamations. At
ten o'clock in the evening a state concert took place at
Buckingham Palace, and at last, about two o'clock in the
morning, we got rid of our sashes and embroidered uniforms.
The Prince of Prussia called me to him yesterday shortly
before the ceremony took place and presented me with the
second class order of the red eagle. Schreckenstein received
a star set with diamonds, while Count Piickler, as extraordinary
privy councillor, received the excellency. Prince Frederick
William sent me a very fine sword, and the queen gave me
to-day the silver medal commemorating the wedding.
To-day I drove about for nearly two hours with the view
of delivering to the persons to whom they were presented
six snuff boxes all set with diamonds and of the value of two
thousand five hundred and fifteen hundred thalers, but I found
no one at home. I shall have to go again to-morrow morning
at ten o'clock and catch these people in their beds.
Lord Clarendon receives a life-size portrait of the prince,
and the archbishop a gorgeous Bible. The latter I found at
Lambeth Castle, a place which was exceedingly interesting to
me. It is a complete castle, with walls and battlements,
which enclose the church and chapel, the residence and the
broad courtyards. After the royal equipage had been driven

1858,] AFTER THE MARRIAGE. 89
inside the gate under the portcullis, I was received by his
grace in the hall. He was wearing, as it is his custom to
do, the powdered wig and a black silk suit very similar to
that which is worn by the abbots at Rome. His sitting-room
seems to be the library, a large vaulted hall with an immense
Gothic window and a monster fireplace.
The sixteen princes, who were here as visitors, are now
beginning to disperse. The King of the Belgians, with the
Dukes of Flanders and Brabant left at midday to-day ; the
Prince and Princess of Prussia go off this evening, and
the remainder of our princes are going for an excursion to
Oxford and Portsmouth, and reassemble on the sixth of next
month at Berlin.
I will now give this letter to the gentleman from Coblentz,
hoping that you will already have received my letter of the
day before yesterday. God grant that this may find you in
good health. With best love to mamma and Ernestine, and
hoping to see you soon. Yours, Helmuth.
P.S.— I have no time to read my scrawl through. It
is now nearly five, and I have to meet the travellers at
Buckingham Palace. So you must dot the i's, and then you
can tell your friends what is not yet probably to be seen in
the papers. In all probability we shall proceed to Windsor
to-morrow, whither up to the present only Schweinitz has
gone. Even the mistress of the household is here still. Later
on we shall doubtless be quartered in the castle. The cold
rooms, draughty windows, and smoky chimneys are very
disagreeable here. But even in Buckingham Palace there
was yesterday a thick fog consisting chiefly of coal smoke.
Pictures, gold frames, and embroidered work, must suffer very
severely under it. Adieu. To his Wife. London, 2nd February, 1858.
Dear Mary,
An hour hence we shall be leaving here by rail for
Gravesend, there to embark for Antwerp.
I shall deliver these few lines to the post at Brussels to
morrow.

90 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
I only received your letter of the 27th of last month
yesterday ; since that date you have been no doubt put into
possession of my report concerning the marriage festivities.
I am most anxious to learn that you are now again in your
usual health. Pray be very careful with the warm baths;
one is so apt to catch cold after these. I am delighted to see
from your letter that you are not obliged to keep to your room
and that you are allowed to go out. Take special care that
the rooms are well-heated. Our present residence * pleases
me so thoroughly that I should be truly happy if you, too,
can get to like it.
I suppose it is now rather cold weather with you; here
the thermometer has only once or twice fallen below the
freezing point, and on these occasions only slightly so. All
the fields are green, and sheep and cattle are still able to
pasture thereon. At Windsor we found roses and myrtles in
full bloom in the open air. I was again very comfortably
quartered at Windsor in my old turret. The prince was
decorated with the order of the garter, but it was done without
any special ceremony. Since that occasion we have been
again in London, where fetes, operas, concerts, balls, and
drawing-rooms have quite occupied our time.
Many handsome and gorgeous presents from various
manufacturing towns have been handed over by deputations.
The prince was installed as a member of the guild of " fish
mongers," which is now twelve hundred years old. The
prince consort and King Leopold are also fishmongers. Very
pleasant indeed was the occasion when a deputation from the
" City of London " came. The young princess read her speech
in answer in a most admirable manner, so simple, from the
heart, and with such a clear full-toned voice that an involun
tary "sensation" went through the assembly, and the old
flaxen wigs felt tears coming to their eyes. Every one who
heard her could not help liking her. I am perfectly certain
that among us she will be a great favourite. She is really
not so very conspicuously short, knows exceedingly well how
to dress, and is very clever, cheerful, and benevolent. I trust
that you will be introduced to her not only generally but
specially. Lady Churchill, who accompanies her, is one of
the most charming ladies whom I have ever met.
I have been to Southampton, where I was shown over
* 66, Behren Street, the old offices of the staff.

1858.] THE HUSSAR'S LEAP. 91
the Ordnance Survey Office. Our methods are certainly very
different to those adopted there. There they work with a
staff of fourteen hundred employees. I have seen many
things which would be very useful in our country, and already
I am looking forward to getting back again to my labours.
Yesterday I went shopping, and bought several pretty things,
which I will send you. Now I must close with old England.
The weather is of course foggy, misty, cloudy, dark, rainy, wet,
chilly, and unpleasant, but pretty calm, so that I trust the
crossing of the channel will be a very good one. Good-bye
for the present. From the Continent more.

To his Wife. Lowenberg, 11th June, 1858.
Dear Mary,
As I was so wretched when I left you to-day, I
hasten to let you know that the journey* went off very well
to-day. Whilst I was in the carriage even I felt better. I
was very near arriving too late, as the Strahlauer Bridge was
being repaired, and I had consequently to go round by the
Konigs Street. The heat was moderated by a strong breeze,
and it quite filled me with pleasure to see the fine waving
cornfields. At every stage I felt better. At four o'clock I
arrived at Bunzlau, and drove in the carriage directly to this
place, which is three miles farther on. I arrived here at half-
past six o'clock, feeling perfectly well. I have a nice cool
room, and I feel very comfortable in it. The journey here
is a very nice one, and the mountains look grand. The
Koppe has still got snow in its hollows, which glittered like
silver. The coachman pointed out to me with pride the
Hussar's Leap, a fearful, perpendicular cliff, from which, to
escape imprisonment, a Prussian trumpeter once leaped down
into the Bober. Lowenberg is a pretty mountain town, and
the inn is a very good one. The delicious ice-cold mountain
water I use to cool the Moselle wine, which tastes very good
indeed with asparagus and excellent ham. To-morrow at six
o'clock we go to Goldberg. I trust that the journey will put
me all right again. It is now eight o'clock, and doubtless
you are at present having tea. The porter is very welcome
* For reconnoitring the manoeuvring grounds for the Vth and Vlth Army
Corps.

92 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
and will serve for to-morrow's breakfast. I shall go soon to
bed. I heartily wish you good night.
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Ftirstenstein, Sunday evening, 9 o'clock.
I hope, dear Mary, that my letter from Lowenberg reached
you in due course, in which I reported the successful progress
of my first day's journey. The second day began well. It
was a lovely morning, and really a pleasure to ride in a
comfortable carriage through the beautiful country and waving
cornfields. By midday I reached Jauer. Whether it was
the stormy weather or the greasy stew, I know not, but I
was quite unwell by the evening. I could eat nothing, went
to bed early, and awoke better. To-day I was very undecided
what to do ; however, I got on horseback, and as I rode on I
got better and better. When I had done my work I and
Karl took our places in a country one-horse chaise, and drove
the two miles hither in lovely weather, to spend my Saturday
evening amid the beauties of nature. After refreshing myself
with trout and a draught of wine in the very clean and well-
conducted inn, I wandered about this delightful neighbourhood,
which mamma* no doubt remembers well. The inn is close
to the deep, wooded ravine, which divides the great gloomy-
looking New Schloss from the old castle on the other side.
From various terraces and seats there are constantly new
peeps into the valley below, which must be at least five
hundred feet deep. On the other side lies a broad sunlight
plain, with Freiburg, the basaltic hills of Striegau, and the
towers of Breslau in the distance. A storm drove me home;
as I write it is breaking over us for the second time. Flash
after flash lights up the crowns of the oaks, unblighted by
any caterpillar. The thunder is echoed from the mountains
till the windows literally rattle. You may be having some
of it too; here it was badly needed. The corn is splendid,
but the clover and hay can hardly be cut. The rivers are
so dry that I do not know how we are to water the horses
during the manoeuvres.
I am perfectly well to-day. I intend to go on to-morrow
* The lady called " Mamma " in these letters, was his sister Augusta Burt ;
she was his wife's stepmother. She had been to Charlottenburg with her
father.

1858.] ARMY MANOEUVRES. 93
from here to Liegnitz, and return home either during the night
or next morning, so that I shall arrive on Tuesday, either
quite early or by five in the afternoon.
Best love, and good night.
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Greiffenberg, 2nd September, 1858.
Dearest Mary,
Since your letter from Itzehoe, I have had no news
of you. I have received two letters ; I hope you have started,
and that your journey through Holstein is all you could wish.
I am off to-day to Hirschberg, and expect to be in Berlin
by about the 7th of this month. Arrange as you will ; and
if you have any plans in prospect, it is not at all necessary
that you should be in Berlin to meet me. I can dine at the
restaurant for a few days. So, till we meet.
Auer* is going to Berlin to-day. I am quite well. God
grant that I may find you the same. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
The Cantonments, Berghof, 13th September, 1858.
Dear Mary,
To-day you must be at Britz. You will find this
letter awaiting you at Berlin.
Up to the present time everything has passed off very
well. The day before yesterday at the parade of the Vlth
Army Corps the roan trotted in so spirited a manner that I
got first frightfully hot when riding up and down the front
of the line and then cold through standing still during the
long march past, the result of which is that I have a severe
attack of rheumatism. In breathing it pained me very much
though not in the chest, but only in the shoulders, and I
was very much afraid lest it would turn to pleurisy. To-day,
however, thanks to some embrocation, I feel again all right.
The horses are well enough. I am quartered most splendidly
here in Berghof at good Schweinitz', an old acquaintance at
Breslau. Every day I have to dine at Domanze with the
* His adjutant.

94 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
prince ; yesterday even twice. The big dinner took place in
an immense tent when there were one hundred and eighty
present. To-day the general manoeuvres of the Vlth Army
Corps take place a mile away from here. I ride the
chestnut and Joseph follows me with the roan at twelve
o'clock, eating in a neighbouring village, Fourage, feeding
the horse, and then marching three miles more to Striegau,
where the field manoeuvres of both the corps begin to-morrow.
We return at midday to-day by carriage to this place, and
go to-morrow morning by rail to Striegau, after which we
stay at Liegnitz, whence a special train will take us daily
to the manoeuvre ground. At Liegnitz I shall be excellently
put up in the academy for young noblemen. An old servant
cleans my things. A special coach is at my disposal. Up
to the present time both my horses have held out exceedingly
well, although it is no joke riding with the Prince of Prussia.
The weather ha,s been first rate. To-day there has been a
thick mist, but it is beginning to lift. I trust it will remain
fine. The troops will have to bivouac for five nights. One
sees many old acquaintances again at these manoeuvres.
Unfortunately, however, we are always kept apart from the
troops. Adieu, dear heart ; there is not much time for writing.
Lovingly yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Liegnitz, 21st September, 1858.
Dear Mary,
The manoeuvres are now happily finished, happily
for me at all events, though not for all, as there have been
several cases of wounds, broken limbs, and falls from horses.
That, however, is an unavoidable thing in melees of this
kind. Colonel Alvensleben fell, during the march out, with
his horse into a ditch, and has a very nasty bruise on his
knee. He has had to be taken back to Berlin. As for myself,
no other mishap occurred except that just on the second of
the manoeuvre days the roan got kicked in the stables. He
has still a considerably swollen ankle and heel, but is only
very slightly lame, and I hope the swelling will disappear soon.
The good old chestnut had to do everything and met with
great admiration. The weather was splendid, and in this

1858.] MOLTKE AS CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF. 95
beautiful neighbourhood the manoeuvres present a really
fine spectacle. The sanitary state of the troops was excellent.
All in all, the manoeuvres have been thoroughly successful.
Waldersee was the chief hero. We went and returned each
day by a special train. In the evening at six o'clock we
dined with the prince at the castle.
While on the battlefield at the close of the last day's
doings Waldersee was promoted by the prince in name of
the king to the position of general of the cavalry, while
Lindheim was made chief of the 10th, and the Archduke
Leopold chief of the 6th regiments of infantry. I, too, received
a blue letter.
" I very gladly take the opportunity at the close of the
general practices of the Vth and Vlth Army Corps to give
you a proof of my entire satisfaction with your services by
promoting you to the post of Chief of the General Staff of
the army.
" By order of his majesty, the king.
"(Signed) Prince of Prussia.
" Liegnitz, 18th September, 1858."
In consequence of this I shall again wear the uniform of
the staff.
To-day I had a first conference with my officers. To-morrow
is a holiday, and then we start on our journey.* There is a
very neat little theatre here, light, and pleasantly arranged,
and with very passable actors. My rheumatism I have got
rid of almost as quickly as it came. I am now perfectly
well, and have thoroughly trained myself during the last
three weeks for any amount of exertion. As soon as I can
foresee the day of my return to Berlin I shall write to you.
I discovered the comet independently, for as I have not
read a single newspaper for the last fourteen days, I did not
even know that there was one visible.
I am glad that you are having such a pleasant journey
in Holstein. Kletkamp is certainly beautiful, and yet you
might have enjoyed staying in the cottage with mamma and
Ernestine ; t but they cannot spend the winter there. To-day
* The great army staff journey.
+ These ladies had moved from Altona to a villa in the vicinity of
Ranzau.

96 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
you must be at Schierensee. But take care how you ride
strange horses. However, if they are used to the side-saddle
it will be safe. We will soon make our excursion to the
Brandenburg Switzerland.
Now farewell, dear Mary; enjoy yourself thoroughly in
pretty Holstein, and may we meet in health a fortnight hence.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Konigsberg, 21st May, 1860.
Dear Mary,
I found your letter of Saturday awaiting me. I
thought your cold would prove a bad one, and only hope that
you found it possible to get off yesterday.
I was miserable enough when I left Berlin. My throat
became worse and worse, but the general state of my health
better. The weather was splendid, and the most desolate
districts had nevertheless a blooming pear tree, or a pine with
fresh green shoots. In the evening we arrived at Derschau,*
where I perspired fearfully under a thick featherbed.
We spent the following day inspecting Derschau and
Marienburg. One does not know what to be most astonished
at — the gigantic building of the present period or that of
six hundred years ago, the bridge, two thousand feet in
length, which seems to float in the air at a height of seventy
feet on its five pillars, or, on the other hand, the Nogat, the
chief seat of the German chivalry.
At a time when Christianity had already been adopted
for two hundred years in Denmark and Norway, the heathen
of Prussia stoned to death the holy Waldemar on the desolate
beach near Pillau, where there is still a stone cross to mark
the spot.
During that period the German nobility, not our vons, was
powerful enough to acquire a sovereign state for their younger
sons. This now so beautiful and fertile country could not
have seemed very attractive in the eyes of Hermann Salza and
Johann Balk. Limitless forests were only broken by morasses
and lakes. As they gradually advanced onward, so they
founded their castles, which to this day are almost all in
* On the Fortifications Commission.

I860.] THE TEUTONIC KNIGHTS. 97

existence. Under the protection of these their towns were
afterwards built. Such castles as Heilsberg, Labiau, and,
above all, Marienburg, were certainly, so far as the uncultured
heathen was concerned, impregnable. What could they do
against walls which were sixteen feet in thickness? The
only gate was closed and the openings in the tower had been
made two or three floors up, so as to render ingress in that
quarter impossible. The war of extermination against the
Prussians lasted for a hundred years. The order of knight
hood was certainly founded in such a way that in the very
attainment of its objects it must itself succumb, for only a
life of constant war and conquest could give any sort of
compensation to the members for the strictness of the rules
of the order. The knights vowed celibacy, poverty, and
obedience, they dared not carry money with them or possess
any property ; they slept in their cells with open doors in
white cloaks. In return for all this they enjoyed next to
the highest worldly also the highest clerical honours; they
received clerical consecration, could hear confessions, and
give absolution. Their field altar is shown to this day; it
is a book of wrought gold and silver, which, being opened,
displays a crucifix. Most of the knights fell in battle, but
their kingdom extended itself more and more, and the order
had its ambassadors at Rome and in France. Under Winrich
of Knipproda it attained the zenith of its power, and at the
same time also the beginning of its decline, for when the
whole land had been conquered they came into conflict with
the kings of the Poles, the sword knights at Livland, and
the Margraves of Brandenburg. At the battle of Tannenberg
nearly all the knights were slain, including Conrad Jungingen,
the grandmaster. The grandmasters had since the time of
Siegfried of Feuchtwangen, transferred their residence from
Mergentheim to Marienburg.
The original castle — the Hochslosz — now used as an
ammunition store, forms a quadrangle. In the interior it
was encircled by two floors with galleries, out of which the
cells of the knights were entered, just as is usual in convents.
On the east side rises the beautiful church, and behind the
choir stands the huge madonna, which occupies the space of
a window. It is twenty-five feet high, of coloured mosaic, in
half relief on a gold ground. The infant Jesus is the size
of a grenadier of the 1st Regiment of guards, and the
vol. II. H

98 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
Madonna looks, with eyes as large as plates, not very
coquettishly, out into the wide plain. The heathens did not
understand in the least what this meant, except that the
foreigners had brought with them a goddess that was double
the size of their Perkun.
At a later date they built the Vorburg, and within this,
towards the secure Nogat side, the official residence of the
grand master. Both these have been renovated thoroughly
at a very great cost. There, too, are situated the two halls,
the huge assembly room of the knights, the ceiling of which
is supported by three granite columns, and the hall of the
grandmaster, the ceiling of which is supported by a single
column of granite. The Poles attacked the place from this
last point, and one day when they knew that all the knights
were assembled together with the grandmaster, they fired a
huge stone cannon-ball at this pillar, with the view of at one
blow destroying the whole order. The stone is still to be
seen lodged in the ceiling. The stationary mortars of these
days did not shoot with the precision of our movable
pieces of artillery. Memel, 23rd.
On the 20th I arrived at Konigsberg. On the 22nd I
came across the Kurische Haff to Memel here. To-day we
go to sea in a steamer, which has been put specially at our
disposal. The weather is cooler, but very fine. Although
after the sea journey my throat again somewhat troubled me,
I trust that it will presently be all right. At home I have
a lot both to write and to do. I shall try to allow myself
some rest at Danzig. God keep you, dearest. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Danzig, 1st June, 1860.
Dearest Mary,
I to-day received your letter, dated Ratzeburg,
Monday, May 28th. So by to-day you have arrived at
mamma's. Ratzeburg in the greenery of its beechwoods can
certainly be very lively, so long as the weather is gracious.
On Sunday the heat was excessive, but since then it has
become bitterly cold, and yesterday and to-day we got

I860.] DESCRIPTION OF DANZIG. 99
drenched; this last sort of thing, however, cannot hurt me
any more. We went from Memel across the Kurische Haff
to Pillau, where it was exceedingly nice ; I stayed in the
lighthouse, and could look from my windows right over the
sea, which beat violently against the mole. We went across
the Frische Haff in a sailing boat, reached the railway,
drove once more across the splendid bridges of Marienburg
and Derschau, and arrived at Danzig on Saturday evening.
During a beautiful sunset I sauntered about, and wished
heartily that you had been able to go about with me here.
Danzig is indeed a beautiful town, and has a distinctive
peculiarity of its own. The town did not become Prussian
until 1793 ; up to that time it was, although under Polish
suzerainty, a republic. The gorgeous church of the Virgin
Mary, the seventy-feet-high walls, the fine town hall, with a
spire comparable to that at Antwerp, all bear witness to the
power and wealth of this old Hanseatic town. All the houses
have gables facing the street, and while, as a rule, they do
not have a frontage of more than three or four windows, they
have five or six floors. Each house has its "Beischlag," a
kind of terrace, upon which in fine weather — which happens
but seldom — the inhabitants sit and breathe the fresh air.
Immense linden trees grow in the streets. When one
enters by the triple "Hohe Thor" into the Langgasse, and
beholds on either side the lofty gables all ornamented with
beautiful carved work, the town hall and the exchange, and
on the opposite side the "Griine Thor," where the Polish
kings used to hold their courts, he cannot fail to be struck
with the greatest admiration. Right through the centre of
the town flows the Mottlau, covered with vessels and tall
masts. The constant wars with the knights of the cross of the
German order compelled the inhabitants to erect the mighty
bulwarks, which protect the town to this day. The hills,
which rise up close to the ramparts to a height of one
hundred feet, are crowned with splendid castellated forts,
the work of Prussian engineers. Down the Weichsel again
are seen beautifully wooded slopes, the convent Oliva, and
the fortress of Weichselmiinde.
The inn of the "Englischer Hof" must be an ancient
castle, for it has a lofty tower. I occupy the room which
Prince Frederick William had when we were here together
five years ago. We expect the prince regent to-morrow

100 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
evening. The town is going to give a fete in the Artus
Halle, and I have received an invitation to it. The day
after to-morrow, in the morning, we have a grand parade of
the fourth and fifth infantry regiments, of the fourth and
fifth combined regiments, of the battalion of militia guards,
of the battalion of marines, of the artillery, and of the
first life hussars, after which I proceed on my journey to
Colberg. The day before yesterday we made a fine trip on a
government steamer, which has been placed at my disposal
on the Putziger Wiek to the peninsula of Hela. We also
saw Ratzau, the property of Below, from which the king
watched the eclipse of the sun. To-day I visited the scene
of the bursting through of the Weichsel near Neufahr. The
unrestrainable stream has made a passage for itself by washing
away a dune of about ninety-five feet in height, and three
hundred feet in length.
Auer, for whom I sent, brought me your letter, and one
from Manteuffel,* ending, " I am most wretched, and long for
Gastein, if only I can get so far." Best love to Gusta and
Adolph. When and where I shall be able to join you it is
impossible to foresee. Mecklenburg, Liibeck, Oldenburg,
and Hamburg have petitioned that the tour may be extended
to include them. I will write from Colberg or from Riigen,
and address to Ranzau, whence letters will be forwarded.
It is late, so I close with much love. God bless and keep
you all. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Swinemunde, 10th June, 1860.
Dear Mary,
As Auer only goes back to Berlin to-morrow, I cannot
receive news of you until eight days hence at Stralsund. I
hope you are well, and suppose that you must be gone to
Cismar.f You will have had my letter from Danzig.
The reception of the regent was a very pretty sight.
The fine old town was adorned with garlands of flowers.
* Head of the Militarkabinet.
t To her sister Jeanette, whose husband held an official position at
Cismar in East Holstein.

I860.] IN POMERANIA. 101
The vessels were all covered with bunting, and in the evening
there were illuminations. The usual royal honours of bell
ringing, salute firing, and triumphal arches were prohibited.
The old Artushof, a large Gothic hall in the Remter style,
was brilliantly illuminated by gas. The wine was excellent ;
the large number of servants, however, rather interfered with
one another, so that the food had a tendency to be cold.
The eatables included trouts, which had been caught in the
stream here. On Sunday morning we had a parade just
outside the town, and divine service — with the liturgy — in
the open air, fortunately in beautiful sunshine. We had
orderly horses belonging to the hussars, and remained on
horseback; directly afterwards the prince proceeded to
Kbnigsberg, while I and my officers went off in the opposite
direction towards the lighthouse of Rixthof. In the evening
we passed a fine manor and park, and were told that the
property was that of Mr. von Grasz, the father-in-law of
young Diest. I left my card out of fun, for I knew that
von Grasz was with them at Konigsberg. At Groszendorf,
where the peninsula of Hela joins the continent, we were
overtaken by von Grasz, mounted on a splendid arab, he
having ridden at full speed for over a mile; he would hear
of nothing else but that we should spend the evening at their
place. A visit in this outlandish place is quite an event.
We partook of a most refreshing tea. Mrs. von Grasz wishes
to be most kindly remembered to you. She has met you
already at Berlin at the house of Mrs. von Schwanenfeld,
could not speak too highly of you, and specially remembered
that when she met us at Rome we had been so kind as to
lend her the key to our box at the opera. I must not forget
to mention also that on this same day I saw a swarm of wild
swans. It was nearly morning before we reached our quarters
through the forest and over badly tended roads. Strange
that a friendly act in Rome should be so heartily repaid in
Kassuben. This place, Kassuben, and in general the whole
eastern part of lower Pomerania, is an extraordinarily fine
country, with splendid landed estates of three, four, and even
nine thousand acres in extent. The two following nights
we also did not succeed in reaching our quarters before
midnight, so that we all feel rather overdone. In addition,
it has rained, and been bitterly cold, so that I have again
caught a chill, and been feverish for some days. My quarters

102 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
at Colberg were certainly too cold. Here in Swinemiinde,
however, the weather is magnificent, the inn and its beds are
first rate, and I trust that I shall be able to-morrow to write
to you that I am feeling much better.
The Island of Wollin is most picturesque. The dunes,
which are one hundred feet in height, are covered with the
most splendid woodland; for the most part, it is true, fir
trees, but the foliage is exceedingly fine. From one of these
heights are to be seen on the right hand the sea, and on the
left the broad, mirror-like basin of the Haff, all covered with
numberless sails. The sun went down behind a black thunder
cloud; it was a glorious spectacle. About ten o'clock we
arrived here, and found the boat attached to the fortifications
waiting to take us across.
From my window in a little turret I enjoy a delightful
view across the broad windings of the Swine all the way to
the lighthouse of two hundred feet in height, whose slender
stalk stands like a minaret upon the entrance to the moles,
which stretch out into the sea for a distance of two thousand
yards, that is, nearly a quarter of a mile. Large steamers are
continually passing there, and stout ships lie in rows along
the quays farther than the eye can reach. A gorgeous
vegetation of leaves encircles the whole of this pleasant
place, and behind that again is a limitless range of forests
of black firs. We had a splendid drive this afternoon to the
Golm, a hill of one hundred and ninety feet in height, which
is thickly studded with large beech trees, and from the
summit of which we enjoyed a most wonderful prospect.
From that summit one overlooks fifty square miles of sea
and land.
Our company here is most harmonious, cheerful, and
agreeable, and we laugh a great deal, chiefly at the expense
of our big sea-captain, who, however, takes all in good part.
The artilleryman has been ordered to do all the disagreeable
things for us ; he has to pay everywhere, and order coach
horses. It is most interesting to travel along the coast under
such conditions. Everywhere we meet with the greatest
attention. Wherever we arrive, we find orderlies expecting
us, a guard of honour is called out, the officer on duty fetches
the parole, and the postillions do the mile in thirty-five
minutes. I only wish that I felt myself again. To-morrow,
as it is Sunday, I shall be able to nurse myself a bit. On

I860.] SWINEMUNDE AND WISMAR. 103
the day after to-morrow we shall probably pass the night in
the pilot's house at Ruden, that being the sole house upon
that little island. We shall, however, take a store of sherry
with us. After that we go to Putbus in Rugen.
What a pity it is that you cannot be with me ! For the
present, good night, my dearest Mary ; it is nine o'clock, and
I must try to go to sleep.
Sunday. — To-day I feel somewhat better, but I am still
a little feverish. I had again very tiring work to attend
to, and that with thunder in the air, and almost a hurricane
sweeping from the south. I forgot to mention to you that
we met Prince Frederick Charles on the road here. He
jumped immediately from his carriage, and we chatted there
on the road for more than a quarter of an hour together.
He would much have preferred coming on directly with us.
Farewell, dear Mary ; a thousand kind messages to the family
party. Keep well, and ere long it will be decided when we
may meet again. Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.
Wismar, evening, 19th June, 1860.
Dear Mary,
Having no news of you at Stralsund, I did not
know where I was likely to find you. To-day, however, your
letter from Ranzau reached me through Auer, and from that
I learn that you are to go to Cismar to-morrow. Well, I
have seen Cismar before you; only this very day a church
tower was pointed out to me from the lake, which I was told
was Cismar. To the right were two hills, which I supposed
to be the "bare heights" of Augustenhof.* At four in the
afternoon, it must have been raining heavily at Cismar. It
is a pity I had not your letter soon enough to let you know
that I may be going in to Ratzeburg to-morrow evening. I
wonder if you will be going the same way ; it would be very
nice if we were to meet there by accident.
We travelled from Swinemiinde through deep sand, and
in cold rainy weather, along the shore, getting on board ship
at Peenemiinde. A sharp breeze and low water enabled the
* An estate in Holstein, formerly the property of Moltke's father.

104 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
pilot boat to get over to Ruden in an incredibly short space
of time. The evening was lovely, and the setting sun gilded
the not very distant coast of Riigen. Whilst we were
awaiting the steamer we went over that solitary little island
in search of sea-gulls' eggs; I discovered three nests, and
got eight eggs, which we afterwards had boiled. The steamer
then brought us very quickly across to the really beautiful
Putbus. We visited the lovely park belonging to the castle,
and had afterwards a first-rate dinner, at which several
bottles of champagne were cracked at my expense. During
our four days' sojourn at Riigen we had splendid weather and
magnificent views from the lofty coast over the blue sea and
the glorious beechwoods on the island. One night we passed
at Stubbenkammer, where the chalk cliffs form a perpendicular
precipice of five hundred feet in height. Very interesting
also is Stralsund, which was Swedish territory until the year
1815. The church of the Virgin Mary is one of the most
beautiful in Northern Germany. Rostock, with its old walls
and lofty ramparts, is also a fine town. There I met the
commissioners from Mecklenburg. In the evening we went
to the Tivoli Theatre, and saw the "Artesian Wells." The
grand duke gave orders that we were not to want for anything,
and so I am driving about in a four-in-hand coach through
the nicest part of Mecklenburg. (Last night we stayed at
delightful Doberan.) To-day the town authorities placed a
steamer at my disposal, and on this I went to-day for a six
or seven miles' cruise. I feel again perfectly well, and am
thoroughly enjoying everything. Going about Mecklenburg
is just like travelling in Prussia. The commander, with his
sash on, brings the report of the garrison, an inferior officer
presents himself as orderly, an officer sends me his carriage,
etc., etc.
To-morrow, at midday, I go to Travemiinde, and in the
evening to Lubeck and very likely on to Ratzeburg.
Hanover is also prepared to send commissioners, so that my
journey will most likely be prolonged until the early days
of July. Pray write to me by the 28th to Varel in the grand
duchy of Oldenburg, where you are, and where I may join
you. It would perhaps be best that you should go to Ranzau
by the end of the month. I may be able to go one day to
see Fritz.

I860.] CURIOUS TOMB INSCRIPTIONS. 105
In the beautiful old convent of Doberan, I read the
following inscriptions : —
On the tomb of one Mr. von Biilow —
" Dttvel wicke wid von mi
Ik scheer mi niks um di,
Ik bin en Meckelnborgschen Eddelmann
Wat geit di Diivel min Supen an.
Wenn du sidst in de Hollenqual
Drink ik mit Jesus,
Ne sodte Kaltschaal." *
On the gravestone of the convent cook —
" Hier liegt Johannes Schaar,
Hei kokte, selten gar
TJnd war'ganz unflatig
Gott si sine Seele gnadig." t
Here is another —
" Hier ruhet Adam Pot
Bewahr mi leve Gott
As wenn ik war de leve Gott
Un Du wiirst Adam Pot." %
In the sacristy they show a number of relics, and among
others, a rib of Adam's grandmother.
Best love to Cai and Jeanette, and farewell, dear little
woman. Yours most affectionately,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Hamburg, 24th June, 1860.
Dear Mary,
You will have received my letter from Wismar,
addressed to Cismar. I hoped to meet you, and on the 20th
sent George to every inn in Liibeck to find out whether you
had put up there. You went on, no doubt, to Neumunster.
After having been entertained to an excellent dinner at
charming Travemunde, we proceeded by steamer up the Trave
to Liibeck. The same evening we visited the beautiful castle
gate, the high ramparts with their ancient elms transformed
* Cp. this version with that at p. 83, vol. i. Moltke seems to have quoted
from memory.
t Here lies Johannes Schaar. He rarely cooked well and was very dirty.
Lord have mercy on his soul.
% Here rests Adam Pot. Deal with me, good God, as though I were the
good God, and thou wert Adam Pot.

106 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
by Linne into a magnificent landscape, the unique Holsten-
thor, and in the twilight also the church of the Virgin Mary.
On the 21st I gave my officers the first real holiday which
they have had for five weeks, and myself started off for
Ratzeburg by an early train. On the evening of the 22nd
I drove to the Hotel de l'Europe at Hamburg, where the
Hanoverian commissioners arrived yesterday. I visited an
oyster cellar, and enjoyed there a most delicious dozen.
Yesterday I paid official visits, and made a trip in a very
tiny screw steamer up the Alster to Eppendorf, where I
dined very well indeed in the inn. In the evening I walked
to the Stintfang ; tea at the Richtofens. To-day there is a
grand dinner at Blankenese given by Syndikus Merck.
Richtofen is coming to fetch me at three o'clock, as we wish
to look through Booth's hothouses on our way.
For to-morrow I have again had a steamer placed at my
disposal. I shall pass the night at Cuxhaven, and then go
on the 26th to Bremerhafen, on the 27th and 28th to Varel,
and on the 29th to Emden. I cannot, however, yet tell
whether I shall have to go to Hanover also.
I hope to find at Varel some news of where I may join
you. I should very gladly see Cismar, but it lies too much
out of the way. At any rate, I will take a day to go to
Ranzau, Weiszhaus,* and Uetersen. Whether it will also be
possible to go one day to Flensburg remains to be seen. I
shall certainly not get back to Hamburg before the 1st of
July. So make your arrangements accordingly. You will
have heard from Henry f himself that he is made Ensign.
Adieu, dear Mary; I think with the greatest pleasure of
Berlin. The Tiergarten will be delightful, and the heat for
the present will not be too great. Till our happy meeting,
Yours most affectionately,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Heppens am Jahdebusen, 28th June, 1860.
Dear Mary,
I have to-day received your letter from Cismar, of
the 23rd, addressed to Varel. I shall hardly be able to get
any further news of you; so if, when this reaches you, you
* To his sister Burt's.
f He was in the 15th Regiment.

I860.] INSPECTION OF FORTIFICATIONS. 107

are still at Cismar, remain there, and I will fetch you. If
you have already started, I shall find you at Ranzau.
To-morrow, that is to say, the 29th, I go to Emden.
There I shall remain on the 30th, and on the 1st of next
month I shall go to Hamburg, but by what route I do not
know; perhaps to Heligoland, and farther on the following
day. By land the only route I can adopt is that slow
roundabout one through Hanover by rail.
So I shall certainly not get to Ranzau before the 1st of
July, to Uetersen before the 2nd, and by Liibeck to Cismar
before the 3rd ; thence as fast as possible to Berlin. I must
close, as this letter must go off. With love, and a thousand
greetings, from
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Julich, 24th September, 1860.
Dear Mary,
I heard when I was in Saarlouis that Henry's
examination is fixed for the 27th, and I am quite vexed that
you should have stayed at Minden apparently for nothing,
and now are alone at Berlin. Go for a few days at Bassewitz,
or send for Henry to join you at Berlin.
I think I shall probably come for a day to Berlin, before
I start for my drilling tour. At present we have rain almost
every day, but in Treves it was very nice, and I spent a whole
day climbing the hills there. The prince* and Prittwitz
arrived on the 20th. We made the tour in a carriage, dined
with the prince, and then I went with him to Luxemburg,
to make a complete inspection of that wonderful rocky nest.
The towers, which were erected there during the period of
the Carlovingians, are still standing. Walls of the height of
ninety feet rise up from the perpendicular rock, which is of
equal height. In the rock itself casemates have been cut,
just like those at Gibraltar. Voigts Rheetz, the governor,
gave us a supper, followed by a peach-bowl of the best.
Yesterday we drove through Arlon, Namur, Liege, and
Aachen, to this place. I occupy here very nice lodgings,
and have a splendid bed, orderlies, and horses at my disposal.
We have here the camp of Wallenstein, officers from all the
garrisons, and lots of acquaintances.
» Radziwill, who was Inspector of Fortifications.

108 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
The prince regent arrived here this afternoon at three
o'clock. All the streets were decorated with flags, and the
reception was grand. Although I had already dined at
midday, I came in for another meal at four o'clock as the
excellencies were also invited. In the evening there was a
grand tattoo. In the inn there was great turmoil ; full of
officers, both our men and foreigners. I have just been
playing a rubber at whist.
To-morrow there are to be grand explosions of mines, and
manoeuvres with siege artillery. Afterwards dinner at the
regent's. 26th. — I leave here to-morrow forenoon, and shall arrive
at Berlin on the 28th.
All the rest of my news when we meet. Count Seyssel
tells me that he saw you at Coblentz, where you spent a few
days, it seems, as I am rejoiced to hear. Adieu, dear Mary.
Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Diiren, 23rd September, 1861.
Dear Mary,
It has been utterly impossible for me all this time
to do or to think of anything but that with which I am at
present more immediately concerned.* Since I left Berlin
until a few days ago I have not had a single newspaper in
my hands, and many an evening I have gone quite feverish
to bed. When, on the 7th, I arrived at Cologne, I found
absolutely nothing ready, but almost everything in disorder,
and fixed without any regard for consistency, in consequence
of the directions having come at once from three or four
different authorities at Berlin, Coblentz, and Miinster. I
had only three days left in which to assemble together the
postal, railway, stable, and government representatives, and
had to arrange everything upon my own responsibility,
afterwards journeying to Aachen to meet the king and
obtain on the road to Cologne his assent to the programme.
Everything, however, went off most timeously; but it was
with a considerable amount of anxiety that I oftentimes
looked out when the train stopped to see that the carriages
* The royal manoeuvres on the Rhine between the Vllth and VIHth Army
Corps.

1861.] SUPERINTENDING THE MANOEUVRES. 109
were still there, or, when these reached the rendezvous of
the horses, that their highnesses, graces, and excellencies of
seventeen garrisons were not left standing on foot in the
rain. There were one hundred and seventy horses from the
prince's stable, besides orderlies' horses for two hundred guests,
and about sixty extra postchaises from various stations, all
attached to a party which was changing its quarters from
day to day in totally different directions, and all of which
had to be looked after, a duty which gave me more trouble
and worry than the superintendence of the manoeuvres them
selves. My physical exertions also were by no means slight.
We started at six o'clock by doing five or six miles in the
train and in carriages. Then from nine o'clock till two in
the afternoon I was on horseback beside the king ; often it
was even longer than that, and sometimes I did not get
back until five o'clock for six o'clock dinner. Then it took
the whole evening until half-past one in the morning to
make the final arrangements for next day's manoeuvres. I
have had occasion to learn what can be expected of good
horses; the mare I had only employed in conveying to the
rendezvous the horse which I had decided upon riding. She
feeds very badly, and has already become quite thin. In
the course of the day I have never changed horses once,
only riding one per day. It is by no means an easy matter
to follow the king, and besides, I had to ride hither and
thither over the ground for the purpose of putting things in
order, giving decisions, and transmitting orders ; and all that
had to be done over long distances, and at full speed across
the hilly, and by the rain quite soddened, soil, and through
turnip and clover fields and ditches. The large brown horse
kept in splendid condition, although it trembled somewhat with
excitement, and the chestnut, after a five hours' march, trotted as
briskly as if he had just left his stable. The horses have not
passed altogether unnoticed. "Mais, vous montez comme un
jeune homme de dix-huit ans ; vous avez servi dans la cavalerie ? "
(" Why, you mount like a young man of eighteen ; you have
served, no doubt, in the cavalry ? ") exclaimed the Frenchmen,
who were very much astonished at the horses which our
aides-de-camp rode, and the way in which they rode them.
Prince Charles expressed amazement at my always mounting
such wild animals ; and the Duke of Coburg, as I have been
informed, ordered his aide-de-camp to watch the chestnut,

110 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
and learn whether he would not perhaps be parted with this
winter. There is a piece of business for you! About the
manoeuvres themselves, the noble visitors, the Court party
at Bensberg, Cologne, and Briihl, you have no doubt read
enough in the newspapers. I remained in Cologne as long
as I possibly could, and there we formed a very jolly camp.
I was quartered in the Hotel Bellevue, whence I gazed
frequently at the magnificent cathedral, which was brilliantly
illuminated afterwards on the return of the king from the
grand fete at Giirzenich. The busy life upon the river, and
the many lights which it reflected, produced really a most
unique appearance. Most peculiar are the immense rafts
from the Black Forest. One of these actually carried a village
of seven houses and a chapel. I counted upon it thirty-four
inhabitants and a cow. The gigantic latticed bridge is a
most marvellous thing, and, with its colossal dimensions, quite
throws everything in its neighbourhood into the shade.
Railway carriages and engines seemed in comparison with it
like mice in a trap. Very pretty indeed are the new Zoo
logical Gardens in front of the Gate of Kunibert. The
animals seem to be more at home there than they are at
Berlin. Further, I had occasion to examine an excellent
exhibition of pictures, and above all the cathedral, which
can never be sufficiently admired. For the latter part of
the time I lived in the castle at Briihl. At the close of
the drills I was decorated by the king with the order of the
red eagle of the first class, and that although, as he himself
remarked, the coronation is now not far off. Also, the Duke
of Coburg has honoured me with the grand cross of the
order of the Ernestine house. I have also been commanded
to be present at the coronation, so that I shall only be able
to remain a few days in Berlin before going to Konigsberg
after having finished the general staff tour which has brought
us to Duren to-day.
I am located here with a wealthy manufacturer, who has
quite set me up again with two splendid dinners, special
wines, and all kinds of other luxuries besides. To-morrow
we go into the mountains to Eschweiler, and afterwards
across the desolate Hohe Veen to Monjoie, and farther still
into the Eifel. For the last two days there have been heavy
rains, and the barometer stands low enough to predict an
earthquake. If the weather is favourable, however, it will

1862.] NEWS FROM TENERIFFE. Ill
be a most interesting tour. I leave to-morrow with sixty
horses, and it is not by any means an easy task to find a
suitable place of shelter for them in those tiny mountain
towns. I have seen many old acquaintances again, but only
for an instant. Henry I caught several times; he looked
very well indeed, and in good spirits, notwithstanding the
really very great fatigue and rainy bivouacs. The battalions
of Coblentz, Mayence, and Rastatt have been sent back by
steamer, and sped through the Rhine bridge to loud sound
ing strains. In regard to the perseverance, good nature,
and discipline of the men nothing was left to be desired ; in
those respects the men were very different to the landwehr.
So now, good night, dear Mary. God grant you may all
keep well. Best love to all.
Yours, with all my heart,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Liibeck, evening, 22nd April, 1862.
Dear Mary,
I hasten to send on this very evening the enclosed
letter from Adolph. Send it round among the sisters, but on
condition of its being returned to me. I shall read it again
with much interest at Ratzeburg. You will see that Adolph
has found Orotava in Teneriffe * such a paradise that he has
decided to remain there a fortnight longer ; as they are living
a thousand feet above the sea, and their house is arranged
expressly to mitigate the heat, they do not suffer from it too
severely. It must be quite delightful.
In writing to Marseilles please mention that we have
received the letter safely, and that I think Adolph's plans
very wise and judicious. Such a peaceful time of idleness in
such a spot is far better than rushing from place to place
through Spain, and I only wish that the vessel might not put
in to Gibraltar,
On the 24th, when you will still be at Ratzeburg, and I
at Rostock, they are to sail homeward-bound. By that time
the storms in the Azores will have blown over.
I hope you got home without a wetting. Those were
delightful days at Ratzeburg ; thank them all from me. Take
good care of yourself for a few days yet ; the living there is
* His brother Adolph had gone abroad for weakness of the chest.

112 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
too good. Above all, avoid their heating wines, and the
black bread ; the burnt child dreads the fire (enfant brule
craint le feu).
Liibeck here is, in my eyes, a charming place. Veith
met me at the railway-station, and conducted me to a very
nice apartment at Diiffke's. Then I ran out to the Muhlthor,
looked at the exterior of the fine old cathedral, then hastened
towards the Hovter Thor and the Burgthor, visited the old
castle, the remarkable hospital of St. James and the church
of St. Catherine, the last of which I had opened to me for
inspection, went next through some of the houses to look at
the peculiar staircases which they contained, paid a visit to
Senator Curtius, and finally I dropped upon an oyster cellar,
where I devoured a dozen of most delicious oysters and a
glass of porter along with them. Now I am going almost
immediately to bed. The others are all at the theatre, seeing
" Kieselack and his niece from the ballet." In the morning
at seven o'clock, we* leave by steamer. The barometer is
falling, and some black clouds are visible on the horizon, but
our sufferings cannot be of very long duration.
Adieu and good night, dear heart, Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.

Hamburg, 15th May.

Dear Mary,
From six this morning to twelve, I was writing;
then I took an hour's walk to Stintfang, and from two till four
was at work again and dinner. I saw Knudson f and his sister
at dinner, but have not yet been introduced to her. This
evening I am to go to the Thalia Theatre (Grossmann).
Yours just received. The commission will be sitting for the
next week or two; I will send you news. I have no time
to read the papers. The Prince of Hesse is of little use, it
would seem, and nothing much will come of the march out.
General Schack is in command, and Petersen is next under
him. The 1st Regiment is expressly designated to garrison
Minden. Will Henry arrive early on Saturday? And be at
the Hotel de l'Europe at midday? I am glad at the good
* The coast fortifications commission.
t Mrs. von Moltke's sister Ernestine was engaged to be married to a Mr.
Knudson, son of a Norwegian landowner.

1862.] WITH HENRY AT HAMBURG. 113
news of Adolph. Best greetings to mamma, Ernestine, and
Henry. Shoot at the target with him. A thousand affec
tionate wishes from Yours, Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Hamburg, Thursday, 22nd May, 1862.
Dear Mary,
I now see that I can probably get to Berlin on
Sunday. So try to arrange to be here to-morrow or the day
after. Lena Brocker is here ; I called on her yesterday, and
she came to see me to-day.
She has a long letter from Adolph about their journey
through Spain. He went to the top of the Giralda at Seville
— a tower of at least three hundred feet high — up a winding
stair, like that in San Marco.
I should be glad if you could let me know at what hour
to expect you, that I may meet you. I have written to
Fritz that I cannot go. Henry arrived last evening, and
found me out; however, I came across him at the Jungfern-
stieg. He supped down here, and the officers were very kind
to him. Next day we learnt that he was to remain at
Hanover; so I went with him as far as Blankenese in a
cab, and back by steamer — a delightful round. We rushed
to the hotel, where he had left his overcoat, and then he
went on post-haste in the cab, to the harbour, to catch
the boat for Harburg, and I hope he was in time. As I
write, your letter and Gusta's, dated yesterday evening, have
come in. I am grieved indeed that I cannot go to you.
How gladly would I join that pleasant whist party ! But
to-morrow there is a sitting, which may very likely last till
four o'clock, and then I have farewell visits to pay. A
thousand greetings to mamma and Ernestine, and till we meet,
Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Hamburg, 4th August, 1862.
Dear Mary,
How are you? My journey was a very pleasant
one. I drove with Count Itzenplitz and Rauch as far as
Neustadt, the stud of which place they wished to inspect.
VOL. II. I

114 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
The rain soon stopped, and in Hamburg there was none at
all. I arrived in a state of semi-starvation, and enjoyed Irish
mutton and olives ! As the reports of the representatives of
the Bund were not forthcoming, I went off on Saturday at
midday to Ratzeburg, where I arrived at four o'clock after
dinner. In the evening I went for a pleasure trip by carriage
and boat, and in the dusk walked to the Schwielauer Haide.
I see a deer standing on a buckwheat field. Click, click!
goes my gun ; but neither barrel goes off, the weapon having
a safety catch, which I know nothing about, and have there
fore not previously removed. The roebuck, or perhaps doe,
is accordingly saved from the impending danger. I walked
back to Ratzeburg half dead from the heat. To-day I start
for Hamburg, where at twelve o'clock the conference takes
place. I have invitations to dinner at Burgomaster Sieve-
king's and at Merck's at Blankenese. I am too tired to-day
to write more. I fancy we shall be finished with our duties
in the course of the next eight days.
As soon as I know my fate I will write more precisely,
and am already rejoicing in the thought of our meeting.
Yours most affectionately,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. No date.
Dear Mary,
We will fix the rendezvous for Friday, the 15th of
this month, at Eisenach. I must keep Monday, the 11th, for
my dinner to the " elders " of the city and the commissioners ;
on Tuesday morning I go to Ranzau, where I have never yet
been. On Wednesday I want to go by Uetersen to Altona,
and in the evening to Harburg. From thence, on Thursday,
to Eisenach by noon. I am very well pleased with the
result of the conferences here. My stay here has also been
much pleasanter, less vexatious, and we have had better
weather. I went to Neustadt yesterday with Mertens in the
small steamboat ; dined very well with Mr. Jakobs, spent
the evening with Richthoven; to-day, to-morrow, and the
next day I dine with the big-wigs of the town, but not
before half-past five. Adieu, dear heart. Yours,
Helmuth.

1863.] THE "GOLDEN BALL" AT HALLE. 115

To his Sister-in-law Jeanette.
Hamburg, 6th August, 1862.
Dear Jeanette,
Your kind invitation made me quite heartsick; but
it was utterly impossible to avail myself of it. I cannot be
away from this place for more than one night, since the
commission sits every day. On Sunday last, the 3rd, I went
to Ratzeburg, and came back on Monday morning by the
early train, and on my arrival at eleven o'clock I found the
vociferous appeal from all the cousins, nephews, nieces, and
aunts. And the meeting was at twelve, so that I could not
even see Cai at the Berlin station. I have not even been
to Ranzau, nor have I yet seen Adolph since his return. I
must postpone my visit to him and to Uetersen till the
business here is ended. That, and three official dinners, will,
I hope, soon be over now. I have arranged to meet Mary
at Eisenach on the 14th, and from thence we go to Gastein.
But a thousand thanks and much love to all the dear family
party in your house, where it must be very pleasant and gay.
Your affectionate brother-in-law,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Halle, 15th October, 1863.
Dear Mary,
The journey has gone off splendidly. At Wittenberg
I had coffee and cake, and later on I ate a few pears. In
such lovely weather it was quite a pleasure to see the woods
and fields again, even though these were limited to fir trees
and lupines. The winter corn is now about a hand's breadth
in height, just as it usually is in spring-time, and shortly
before reaching Halle, near Landsberg and Hohenturm, we
perceived the first rocks rising out of the broad plain away
in the distance of the Petersberg. In the twilight, through
which the first quarter of the moon shone, we arrived here
in Halle. I have put up at the inn of the " Golden Ball,"
close to the railway-station. It seems to be a very good
house, with excellent beds. I do not feel the least tired, and
purpose now taking a cup of tea and then reading a little in
bed. I do not leave here until after eleven o'clock to-morrow.

116 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
Then I shall have the latest news of you through Auer.
Good night, dear heart. Yours, Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Mainz, evening, 17th October, 1863.
Dear Mary,
At Halle yesterday morning, after rising out of bed
I was compelled to lie down again. I suppose it was only a
" crisis " of the kind which I have experienced before. Towards
midday I managed to pull myself together, and with God's
help started upon my journey. As I proceeded I felt better,
and the hot sunshine changed in the afternoon to rain. We
reached Guntershausen about six o'clock, found a very
excellent inn, and as I had been twelve hours without food
I ate a partridge with an appetite. I am afraid that at Halle
I went to bed too soon after taking my tea, for I promenaded
up and down my room, and counted exactly five thousand
yards ; that is to say, half a mile. The room being a very
small one and full of furniture, I walked about in this fashion
— it took me a full hour — like a hyena in its cage.
After the partridge I went to sleep, and that very nicely
in a nice bed. I awoke quite invigorated, and with a feeling
of perfect health. We ought to have left at a quarter past
five, and as no one came to awake me I got up. It was five
o'clock. Without waiting for coffee, we hurried away ; I was
not long of rousing Auer and George. However, we appre
ciated the coffee all the more afterwards in lovely Marburg.
The dull sky cleared up the nearer we approached the Rhine.
At Mainz, where we arrived about eleven o'clock, the sun
shone brightly, but it was notwithstanding that, in the rooms
at all events, pretty cool, and I continue to clothe myself
warmly. I visited the governor, Field Marshal Count
Paumgarten, and Oellrichs, all of whom returned my visits
almost directly. At one o'clock I had a splendid dinner,
which I ate with a very good appetite, afterwards driving
with Auer to Weiszenau and inspecting the works there. To
night I was to have joined Oellrichs in his box — the piece is
" Robert le Diable " — but I want to be careful, and have just
sent a message to Auer asking him to excuse me. Altogether,
however, I feel very well this evening. I shall drink my
tea at seven o'clock, and go to bed at nine.

1863.] ON THE RHINE. 117
It is indeed beautiful here on the Rhine. From my
windows I can see as far as Bieberich and Hochheim, the
bustle on the Rhine, the constantly going and returning
steamers, and the long railway trains which pass across the
new bridge, and run close under my windows. This bridge
is much more airy and elegant than that of Cologne. The
cathedral is being entirely restored with arabesque ornaments
in the interior, painted in bright colours and gold.
If to-morrow I feel as strong when I awake as I did to-day,
I shall be able, with the help of God, to proceed somewhat
farther on my journey. I wish still to saunter about for
a little here, and shall go the day after to-morrow to Frankfurt.
And now, good night from my heart, dear little woman.
Yours,
Helmuth.

Mannheim, 21st October, 1863.
Dear Mary,
My letter from Mainz must have reached you im
mediately after the despatch of yours of the 10th and 18th,
and your departure for Potsdam.
The first days of my stay at Mainz were very enjoyable.
Oellrichs drove me round the fortifications. Unfortunately,
however, we have had for the last three days a thick mist,
rendering it impossible for the sun to shine through, and
it is cold. Yesterday I must have caught a chill. In the
evening I had an attack of ague, and therefore went quickly
to bed, with my vest and pants on. I was very soon in a
violent perspiration, and to-day I am again quite well. I
trust that the sun will break through to-day, as I should like
to make a short drive in the environs. I got my very
comfortable room in the, to you well-known, Pfalzer Hof
well heated, and I purpose remaining here to-day. To-morrow,
if all is well, I purpose going to Saarbruck, and on the 23rd
I expect to meet Kamecke at Treves. I have with me here
Auer, Petersen, and Sandrart. 1 shall return towards the
latter part of the month.
At midday yesterday we were in Worms. The air is
now becoming clearer, and, with the sun shining, this journey
is a real pleasure ; this confounded fog, however, prevents me
seeing anything. The day before yesterday we were shrouded

118 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
in darkness, while at Heidelberg there was the most delightful
weather at the time.
My cough and cold are gone, lumbago very nearly.
Amuse yourself as much as possible. I will write again
from Treves. Lovingly yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Treves, 24th October, 1863.
Many thanks, dear Mary, for your letters of the 20th and
21st. When I started from Mannheim I felt far from well.
The weather was cold and dull, and the constant fog very
irksome. At St. Johann we met with a most cordial recep
tion, and had an excellent dinner, French cuisine, which
almost cured me. I possess too little warmth, and regard
a good dinner as a medicine. I allowed them also to give
me a bottle of their best champagne. In the evenings I
only take a glass of negus, go early to bed, and read Lost
and Saved, which I must bring back with me for you. On
the road through the beautiful valley of the Saar the sun
at last broke through, and since yesterday I have been
feeling perfectly well, but I shall have to guard carefully
against all severe exertion. From this point I begin my
return journey, and I fancy I shall be able to be with you
again by the latter days of the month. Till then keep a
stout heart amid your solitude! Yesterday morning, when
we were leaving Saarlouis, one of the guards was found to
be missing, and in Conz we received a telegram to the effect
that his corpse had been found on the line. He had fallen,
when the train was starting, between the carriages ; head and
arms cut off; wife and three children. The train went off
quite quietly, as if nothing unusual had happened.
I have received an autograph letter from the Grand Duke
of Mecklenburg, complimenting me on my conduct in con
nection with the manoeuvres. I hope to arrive at Coblentz
on the 26th.
I trust you received the grapes I sent you from Diirkheim.
Now farewell, dear Mary ; God preserve you.
Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.

1863.] AT FRANKFURT. 119

To his Wife.
Frankfurt, Englischer Hof, 24th November, 1863.
Dear Mary,
When on Saturday we entered Magdeburg we
learned that a collision of a goods train had just occurred,
of which the newspapers no doubt have given all the details.
The engine and several waggons were off the rails, debris,
and also some stains of blood in the neighbourhood. An
injured person was carried away from the place in the
ambulance, and we had just enough space left us through
which to pass. Your breakfast was partaken of at Wolfen-
biittel, and we enjoyed it immensely; only the glass was
so unreasonably small that each of us emptied six of them.
It was five o'clock in the evening before we were able to
obtain anything warm, which we did at Kassel, and after
eleven o'clock we were not loath to get something nice and
nourishing in the splendid hotel here. The first conference
took place yesterday in my room— only one conference, but
already there have been three invitations to dinner.
Here, as indeed is the case everywhere at present, large
public meetings are being held, at which the situation in
Schleswig-Holstein is discussed, and my presence at which
has also been noticed. A good cause must not falter.
The weather is very unsettled, but at intervals we have
beautiful sunshine. The total absence of double windows
and ground stoves proves that the winters cannot, as a rule,
be very severe here. My conference room gets comfortably
warm in a very short time. We never dine before five
o'clock, and at nine o'clock I generally go to Sydow or Mrs.
von Radowitz. My presence here may be of a very short
duration, but it is quite possible also that it may be much
prolonged; as yet I cannot say anything certain about it.
At any rate, I will write to you when to expect me. It is
very bad of Jeanette to come just when I am away. Greet
her affectionately for me. Perhaps you might write to
Schnack of his affair. Have you seen the lions; had some
parties, and so on? Farewell, dear heart. Now I must be
off at once to a big dinner. Yesterday, at just such another,
I took nothing but some soup and two simple dishes.
Yours,
Helmuth.

120 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
To his Wife.
Frankfurt, Friday evening.
You must have been very much astonished, dear Mary, at
the telegram which I despatched to you yesterday afternoon
at five o'clock. I trust that it reached you before the evening,
and am curious to see whether I shall get everything by ten
o'clock in the morning, for otherwise it is of no use whatever.
The fact is, it is the birthday of the King of Bavaria, and I
have received an invitation from the corps of officers to mess,
parade, and dinner, at which all are to appear in full uniform.
I was at Wiesbaden to-day. There are many Russians,
Englishmen, etc., who pass the winter there. The weather
was clear and cold, and doubtless it will freeze to-night. At
midday, however, people were sitting in front of the Kurhaus
sipping their coffee in the open air. The place is situated
like a hothouse, with its front towards the south, and the
Taunus at the back, in addition to which the soil is heated
by the warm springs. The whole district is most extra
ordinarily beautiful, and I cannot help thinking, what if
during my miserable early years I had been offered such an
abode ! *
I have to-day recovered somewhat from those dinners
which I have been having lately. Of work to be done there
is plenty, and one is here in the very centre of the friction.
Personal relations are, however, maintained good.
A newspaper report to the effect that the Holstein troops
had refused to take the oath at Copenhagen is, I am quite
certain, untrue. I shall do all that is in my power to have
that unfortunate country duly occupied upon the arrival of
the volunteers. The rabble is starting its agitation again.
Good night, dear heart. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Frankfurt, evening, 30th November.
Not till this moment, dear Mary, have I been able to
answer your welcome letter. Above all, I am distressed that
you should be alone just now in Berlin. What a pity that
Jeanette should have left you so soon.
* The eldest son of von Moltke's brother Adolph was sent to school there
on account of fears being entertained as to the state of his lungs.

1863.] CRISIS IN SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN. 121
Schleswig-Holstein cannot be liberated by filibusters, but
only by a strong regular army ; and even if the troops of
the German Bund enter it, it does not necessarily follow
that the formation of Holstein battalions will be proceeded
with. Every one knows that Prussia, bound as it is by the
Treaty of London, cannot, at least for the present, interfere
with its army.
I have now the prospect of getting all my work here
finished towards the end of the present week, and of getting
back in the early days of the next. Until then, therefore,
keep a brave spirit. The embroidered uniform had not been
sent off on Tuesday morning, but only in the evening. The
parcel accordingly did arrive here before ten o'clock, for
George saw it lying then. As, however, it had been
despatched by post, it had to be first of all carried to the
office, and afterwards delivered by the officials. The mess
was over, but I was in good time for the parade ; from there
we drove to the levee held by the Bavarian ambassador, so
that I fulfilled all my engagements. The dinner lasted for
four hours, during all which time a brass band was performing
in my immediate neighbourhood.
In the inn here one lives in first-rate fashion. But the
rooms, owing to the construction of their horrid fireplaces,
are at one moment hot and the next cold. I miss here very
much the even warmth of our fine rooms.
My friend, the Danish general Hegermann Lindencrone *
is now in Berlin, and will perhaps call on you. And now
good night, dear heart. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew Henry.\ Berlin, 16th January, 1864.
My dear Henry,
Soon after this you will receive a fur coat and a
pair of fur-lined boots. Whether they will be a very elegant
fit I do not know, but when camping out they are better
than lace ruffles. And you can put on a pair of worsted
stockings inside the boots. Mamma, Ernestine, and Mary
* Who subsequently commanded the Danish forces in Jutland in the
campaign of 1864.
t He was in the army, in the campaign against Denmark.

122 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
are well, and send their love. By the end of the month you
will be by the Eider. Luck go with you, old fellow; keep
up your spirits. Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Flensburg, 12th February, 1864.
Dear Mary,
Ten degrees of frost prevented me from sleeping
much last night, although I was very warmly covered up.
There were trains full of troops both in front and behind
us. We had coffee at the Hamburg railway-station, egg-flip
at Elmshorn, but not a single acquaintance to be seen there.
Fearfully slow journey from Rendsburg. Ten times delayed,
wind and snow storms, so heavy that there was danger of
our being snowed up ; hungry, completely frozen, and without
any place of shelter, I wandered about with Wartensleben
for over an hour in a frightful snowstorm, combined with
thaw, from inn to inn with all our baggage. Every place
was full. At last I sent to the governor for information,
and got quartered in the house of Backer Callsen — a tiny
but pleasant room, and very agreeable people. I dressed
directly, and called upon the field marshal,* Prince Albrecht,
General Falkenstein, and twice on the crown prince. The
last had issued invitations to dinner, but now telegraphed :
" Snowed up near Ellingbeck ; please proceed with dinner."
His guests had already, however, all returned home. What
a good thing it was that we came on by the earlier train!
In the evening at nine o'clock I dined very badly at Doll's.
Oysters not to be had ! Just when I got home again, George
told me that Henry had yesterday occupied this very room.
My hostess, on being cross-examined by me, admitted that the
young gentleman had been pretty jolly. The dinner and a
bottle of wine had pleased him so well that he got them to
fill his flask with more of the wine this morning. Whether
he had written a letter before leaving here she could not
tell; at all events, mamma may now rest content as regards
his state of health, and I shall close in order that I may at
last get some rest, I am very pleased at being entirely free
from ague, notwithstanding my exertions and the cold. No
* Wrangel.

1864.] COMMENCEMENT OF THE DANISH WAR. 123
decision has been come to yet about the length of my stay
here. The streets are full of gaiety, notwithstanding the
fearful weather. Good night, dear heart.
Lovingly yours,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew Henry.
Flensburg, 15th February, 1864.
My dear Henry,
By the enclosed letter you will see that your mother
is in great anxiety about you. I have repeatedly told her
that in camp, or in cantonments, there is not much time for
writing; but as you had a day of respite at Flensburg, and
were near the railway, you might have given some sign of life.
It will suffice that you send me no more than an envelope,
with the words, "All is well" on it, in pencil. Perhaps you
have already done so on the 11th, and then your letter will
have reached me on Sunday. As chance would have it, I
found myself on Friday evening in the very room which you
had left only that morning. There I learnt that you had
slept soundly on that black sofa, and had enjoyed your dinner
and a bottle of wine, and this I at once reported to Berlin.
So they are no longer uneasy.
The king has sent me here on an errand, and I shall
remain with the army for a few days. I have pointed out
to the authorities that you both speak and write Danish, so
perhaps you will be employed on some special service.
I was at Gravenstein * the day before yesterday, but your
cantonments lie to the north of the town, and I did not know
where to look for your company. To-morrow I have to go to
Apenrade ; that is to say by train, as I have no horse with me.
You have been going through a very hard time. I hope
you may soon have a victorious battle.
Your affectionate uncle,
Helmuth.
To the Same. No date.
My dear Henry,
Your letters up to the 20th of this month have all
been safely forwarded, and have greatly rejoiced your family.
I was very sorry that you missed me at Gravenstein. I could
* Prince Frederick Charles' head-quarters.

124 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
not look you up in your quarters ; indeed you were on the
move. I spoke of you to Prince Frederick Charles, and to the field-
marshal, as an officer who could speak and write Danish, and
the field marshal has mentioned you to Mr. von Zedlitz at
Flensburg, so it is possible that the authorities may call
you thither. If there should presently be a pause in our
military operations, you would be more comfortable in Flens
burg than in camp. It is a pity that your battalion should
not yet have had a chance of fighting. Just at present
there is not likely to be any.
I told uncle Fritz why you had not gone to see him, and
he seemed to understand. He remains quietly at his post,
denounced daily, but nothing comes of it. Wrangel walked
through the town arm in arm with him, and I have spoken
of him, too, to Zedlitz. They know his Danish proclivities,
but they also know that he is an honest man who will never
be mixed up in any plotting.
When I had fulfilled my errand I still remained a few
days at head-quarters in hope of marching into Jutland ; but
the diplomatists interfered, so I had to come back again. I
went to Flensburg, where an alarm was given, and set out
at once for Holnas, where I only arrived when the fighting
was over. I am sending you a map of Sundewitt, which you
will be glad to have. Your affectionate uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Flensburg, 15th February, 1864.
Dear Mary,
I have received your letter of Saturday, the 13th,
and my letter of Friday evening with news of Henry will
have reached you on Sunday morning.
The day before yesterday I drove to Gravenstein; one
cannot go far off the mainroad at present, as all the paths
are bottomless. Yesterday there was still skating going on,
but to-day half of the snow has already disappeared. The
inner harbour is still frozen.
Yesterday I drove across Gliickburg to Holnas. My
business is now concluded, and I return to Berlin in five or
six days. As to the active military life here, more when we

1864.] PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 125
meet. The troops, notwithstanding their excessive exertions,
are very well and in excellent spirits. The whole of the
head-quarters dine at five o'clock with the field marshal, when
we shall see all our old acquaintances. To-morrow I leave
with the head-quarters for Apenrade. Adieu. Best love from
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew Henry. Berlin, 10th March, 1864.
Affectionate greeting, dear old fellow. Matters are
going on briskly in Jutland; the Prussian guards are before
Fridericia. The 1st Corps may by to-day be already across
Horsens. Your heavy guns will all have come up by the
middle of the month. Then you will go at it ! Keep up
your pluck, and God be with you.
Your affectionate uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Cousin, Edward Ballhorn. Berlin, 21st March, 1864.
Dear Edward,
I was very sorry that we missed each other here.
The telegraphic message was most alarming, and I hope that
you have since had good news of your boy Charles,* since his
brother-in-law is with him and can write.
Our last letter from Henry is dated the 10th, so old news
already. He was marching on to the front lines that very
day, and these are now only eight hundred or a thousand
paces from the fortifications, so they must be within range
of their fire.
God preserve those dear to us.
I hope you will soon come again to Berlin and look us up.
With hearty greetings, Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew Henry. Berlin, 22nd March, 1864.
My dear Henry,
I congratulate you heartily on having got the red
eagle of the fourth class, with swords. I have just heard
from General Manteuffel that his majesty has vouchsafed to
* Who was severely wounded in an attack on the Danish outposts.

126 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
confer this honour on you. To so young an officer as you
are, it is a double distinction. How proud and happy your
mother will be ! Tell Lieutenant-Colonel von Goltz that I
am sincerely grateful to him for having received you kindly,
and having given you the opportunity of acquitting yourself
to such advantage. Present my compliments, too, to Generals
von Goben and Wietzigerode when you see them. It is
always an immense advantage to serve under such admirable
chiefs. A weak generalship costs as many lives and fails of
its end. The service may be fatiguing, but the greatest vigilance
is requisite at this juncture, for the position of affairs prompts
the Danes to act at once on the offensive. If once their
line is broken the game is up ; but it will last a few days
longer. All the batteries have not yet been brought up, and
we must wait to see what effect they have before proceeding
to storm the place. Diippel must be taken; and it will be,
by one way or the other ; it cannot hold out much longer.
Mary sends her love, and thanks for the flowers. It is
some comfort to think that the sun shines sometimes, even
in Sundewitt. It is below freezing-point here also at night ;
Charles Ballhorn is going on well under the circumstances, but
he cannot yet be moved from Rinkenas. As soon as possible
he will be brought to St. John's Hospital at Flensburg. His
brother-in-law is gone to him. Now, farewell, dear old fellow.
God be with you and preserve you still.
Your affectionate uncle,
Helmuth.

To the Same. Berlin, 7th April, 1864.
Hearty greetings from me, too, my dear boy, and thanks
for your note. The attempt on Alsen was not to succeed
this time; but you will get in somewhere yet, and, please
God, before long. Write to me if you need anything. Here,
since yesterday, all is white with snow, and it can certainly
be no finer nor warmer in Sundewitt. Can you get anything
from Flensburg; for in cantonments you can get nothing
for love or money. God preserve you. Your uncle,
Helmuth.

1864.] THE ATTACK UPON ALSEN. 127'

To the Same.
Berlin, 20th April, 1864.
My dear Boy,
Thank you for your letter of the 17th, and I hope
you wrote to your mother at once on the 18th. Mary
yesterday sent word to Ratzeburg that your name happily
did not figure on the list of killed and wounded, so far as
it was then known. But they would prefer to hear it from
yourself. I am grieved that your regiment has not been able
to accomplish the daring enterprise * which had been allotted
to it on the day of the storming, and the successful issue of
which would have been of the most decisive importance. Had
it been possible, there is not the slightest doubt that General
Goben would have accomplished it. The only way to do it
is to prepare the way with artillery, and then there will bo
a chance of success for the 15th Regiment.
You can imagine what a flutter of expectation I was in
on the forenoon of the 18th. The king was present at the
drilling on the Tempelhofer Felde. Not a word, however,
came, and after the inspection was finished his majesty rode
home. On my return with Prince Radziwil I was informed
that the king had turned back again. I accordingly turned.
my bay at once about, and rode at full speed back, when I
met his majesty in his carriage, who most graciously stopped
and communicated to me the contents of the despatch, which
announced the capture of the first line.
To-day, somehow or other, I am the only man here who
has received a detailed report through Captain von Bronsart ;.
I sent it on, however, to the king, as I was informed that he
was without any news whatever about the matter. There
still remains much to be reported and to be explained. The
losses have been heavy, but the exploit is worthy of the
Prussian army. The heavy losses prove this, at all events,
that, if the artillery and the pioneers had not cleared the
way somewhat beforehand, the storming would have cost much
more, and that, too, without any certainty of success.
I have just been told that your regiment met with very
heavy fire from the battery of Alsen. Write me fully about
* Both in the beginning of March, and also on the 18th of April, every
preparation had been made for a crossing to Alsen by storming the redoubts
of Diippel.

128 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
your own experiences whenever you have time and inclination
to do so. The chief part of the work has now been accom
plished. If you return safe we must have your equipment
put in good order, and then — well, we shall see. It is a most
fortunate event for your future career that your division
took part in this campaign. You must have acquired in the
course of it much experience, capacity, and faith in the
Almighty. Mary sends best love. Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To the Same. Berlin, 27th April, 1864.
Dear Henry,
I received your telegram from Gravenstein, and
your letter of the 23rd, with thankfulness to God that you
are well, and did your best on the day which proved so
glorious to our arms. Had it been only possible to follow
up the victory which has been already obtained with a series
of others, the war must, with the destruction of the hostile
forces, have come to an end. But the peculiar nature of the
-seat of war has been the means of enabling the Danes to
fall back upon a second line of defence, and there continue
their resistance.
Under the circumstances, the crossing over to Alsen was,
and still is, a matter of supreme importance. One may doubt
the advisability of embarking upon this expedition with the
existing means of transport, but there can never be the
slightest question as to its extreme importance. The Danes
were fully prepared on the 18th. The nice little stroke
carried out on the previous day by two of your regimental
comrades* had made the danger which threatened them
quite clear to their eyes. As to what remains to be done
with regard to Alsen, now that the defeated army has re
covered from the first shock, and that part of our forces at
the Sundewitt have been withdrawn, can only be decided
by one who is on the spot. The greater the difficulties
there become, the more decisive must be the blow which is
struck in another quarter, for the Danish resistance is as yet
in no way broken.
* Two officers of the 15th Regiment had on that day, before the eyes of
the enemy, crossed in a boat to Alsen, and spiked the guns of one of the
batteries there.

1864.] JOURNEY TO THE SEAT OF WAR. 129
It would certainly be to me a very interesting matter to
have a look at the battlefield with you, but as a mere
spectator, without any official army duties to perform, I have
no desire to be there, and besides, I am of much greater
use to the cause at stake here. Best love from Mary, and
now adieu, dear old fellow; God preserve you still.
Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Veile, 2nd May, 1864.
Dear Mary,
Please excuse me sending you not more than two words
to-day. I arrived safely here at eleven o'clock in the forenoon ;
it was certainly very cold, and from Roten Krug onwards I
had to go in an open peasant's waggon with relays of horses.
I stayed during the night for several hours at Christiansfeld,
and, having laid myself down on a bed there, slept very
soundly. Early next morning I found everything frozen
hard. The country is very pretty, and the vegetation
generally not much behind that at Berlin. The beech trees
have already quite a beautiful foliage. I am here in a nice
house, and have a splendid bed, but it must still be warmed
up a bit.
I have been most cordially received by the field-marshal
and the crown prince,* and dined with the latter, when I
met Count Galen, who has now quite recovered from his
seven wounds. To-morrow morning I travel with the crown
prince to Fridericia. I fell in with three trains of captured
guns on the way. I cannot conceive how they will manage
to transport them from the railway-station to the arsenal
at Berlin. Adieu for to-day, dear heart. Good night.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Veile, Saturday, 7th May. 1864.
Dear Mary,
I have your letters of the 4th and 5th, No officer
is going to Berlin this morning. Joseph arrived yesterday
with the horses in good condition, and I shall go for a ride
* Moltke had been promoted to the position of Chief of the General
Staff of the active army in succession to General Vogel von Falkenstein.
VOL. II. K

130 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
at once. Thank God they arrived safely ; the carriages on
the Schleswig line are frightfully low. A few days since I
went with the crown prince to Fridericia,* and a very
respectable stronghold it is. It is a lucky thing that we
were not compelled to storm it. On the way I met an
Austrian soldier with a very familiar face. Who was it but
young Brockdorfft in his grey cloak. The prince drew up
and spoke to him very kindly. I have been travelling
continuously during all these days, but yesterday and to-day
I have had a complete rest. The sun is warm, but the wind
is icy cold, no matter from what direction it blows. I want to
ride once more in the sheltered forest valley to the grit mill,
which is situated on a trout stream, and after that once more
to Tyrsbeck. We have still to be constantly keeping on
fires. I thoroughly enjoy my dinner, which I have at five
o'clock, either at the crown prince's or at the field marshal's ;
heaps of oysters, and even trout, may drinks, etc. After
dinner I smoke a good cigar. Besides all this, I get every
day or every other day a bottle of claret and a little packet
of cigars. As I possess in Podbielski a true quartermaster-
in-chief, I am quite relieved of all minor duties, and I have
very little writing to do.
Adieu for to-day. Yours,
Helmuth;-
To his Wife. Veile, 9th May, 1864.
Dear Mary,
I rode on my chestnut yesterday by a wonderfully-
pretty forest path, which has a view over the sea, to Tyrs
beck, a place about a mile distant from here. There is at
this spot a beautiful old castle and a forest gorge, which
at present is inhabited by only one company of the 18th
Regiment, who live there at their ease, and can pass the time
by fishing in the ponds. Originally, the place belonged to
Wedel Jarlsberg. To-day I should like to ride on the mare-
to Jellinge, where are the cromlechs of Gorm the Old, and
Thyra Danebod. The sunshine has been continuous, but the*
* Which was evacuated by the Danes.
t A nephew of Moltke's brother-h>law, BrockdorfF.

1864.] HEAD-QUARTERS AT HORSENS. 131
wind cold and cutting. I have now quite rested myself, but
am clothed entirely in wool, and have to keep my rooms well
heated. Adieu for to-day. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Horsens, 15th May, 1864.
Your letter of Wednesday, dear Mary, reached me while
I was still at pretty Veile. The head-quarters were transferred
yesterday to this place. Horsens is certainly a finer and
larger town, but the surrounding country is not half so lovely.
We miss very much the gorgeous beech trees in the imme
diate vicinity. On the other hand, we have stationed here
our little steamer — "Orla Lehmann" has been her name up
to the present time — and on her we can make considerable
trips. It will become rather slow and tedious, however, if
we have to wait for the armistice here.
I live with the burgomaster, Chamberlain von Jessen,
formerly a minister of state. He is an exceedingly sociable
man, and has received me most kindly. I rode the mare
out by myself at a brisk trot, and she went splendidly.
In consequence of the very disadvantageous conditions
of the armistice, and judging from the fact that no changes
have been made as yet in the higher posts, I conclude that
at Berlin they anticipate an early peace. What effect that
will have upon my stay here I cannot in the least foresee.
Perhaps you may hear more about this in Berlin than I can
here. I fancy, however, that for a time at least everything
will be kept here as it is. The manner of life in this place
suits me admirably. Our dinner hour has been changed, and
for the better, from five to three, so that one has time in the
evening to ride out. By midday it is already quite warm.
We have been having a continuous course of the nicest
weather. In any case it is much pleasanter here than being
at the spring parades on the Tempelhofer Feld.
What a good thing it is that the troops have left the
Sundewitt, and are quartered far away from there at Angeln
and in Western Schleswig, for at Alsen spotted typhus has
broken out. Whether Henry will come back I know not.
Two battalions must be left near Gravenstein, and several

132 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
officers are off on leave. The crown prince and princess are
spending the holidays at Hamburg — Hdtel de V Europe. Prince
Frederick Charles came on a visit to Veile, and is now at
Aalborg; he returns to-morrow to go on leave to Berlin.
I am glad our acquaintances are cheering your solitude a
little by various invitations. Remember me to the Radziwills,
Gliszinsky, and the rest. It seems to me that you would
do well to accept Jeanette's invitation ; it must be delightful
now at Cismar. If I am not called elsewhere too suddenly,
I will join you there. I have no news of my sisters ; to be
sure I have not written. Have you any news of Henry?
Adieu for to-day, my dearest. Bollert is to preach to-morrow
in the convent chapel here. Now I must be off for report.
Yours,
Helmuth.

To'his Wife. Horsens, 17th May, 1864.
Dear good Mary,
Pray set out, the sooner the better, away from dusty
Berlin. Henry's * stay, as you know, will be but short, and
you will be glad to see the boy. For Adolph's sake, too,
I wish you to go. I am afraid lest the obstinacy of the
Copenhagen Cabinet should have made even the loosest
adhesion of the grand duchies to the Danish crown an im
possibility. No one will be satisfied with it, and Bismarck's
ministry will be more likely to resign than to consent.
That will be a bad business for Adolph, to whom the King
of Denmark would have been a benevolent master. He can
indeed keep his place in any case ; for if the Danish king
were compelled to give up the grand duchies for peace, he
would have to release all his officials from their allegiance
to him. However, I cannot in the least see how the diplo
matists mean to settle the matter.
Your trunk of things has not yet come to hand. What
I, for my part, should be glad to have here, is the remainder
of the capital cigars John gave me; we smoke a good deal
here for company, and a good weed is a welcome rarity.
To-day we visited the lovely Park Boiler, belonging to
the Countess Fries, which is situated a mile away. On the
* He was on leave at his mother's.

1864.] AT LOUISENLUND. 133
whole the country hereabout is very desolate. Everything
also is crying out for rain. It is, however, moderately warm,
and I have left off my woollen clothing without having caught
cold. Now, good night, dear heart. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Louisenlund, 14th June, 1864.
Dear Mary,
Your letter of the 11th reached me yesterday, and
I am glad you arrived at Jeanette's safe and sound. It must
be delightful in the great beech forests now, when everything
is gloriously fresh and green. It is lovely here. From my
window I overlook a splendour of lilacs, laburnums, and white
and pink hawthorns. Jasmine and roses are beginning to
bloom, the corn is waving in full ears, and one does not see
anywhere a trace of the war which but lately swept over this
district. Our Westphalian cuirassiers feel as if they were
in their own country from the style of the buildings, the
language and the manner of life of the inhabitants. Every
one has now marched back again to his old quarters, and is
waiting to see what may be decided before the 26th of this
month at London.
On our return journey from Kiel it rained very heavily,
but it soon cleared up again. My cloak kept me perfectly
dry, and after a journey of three and a half hours' duration
I arrived at the stroke of ten o'clock in time for the report.
In the mean time an artillery captain named von Moltke had
been here bearing a flag of truce.
Yesterday evening we went to the Hiitten hills from
which can be seen Schleswig, Rendsburg, and Eckernforde.
Hardly had we left, however, before a terrific thunderstorm
broke over us. In consequence of that, it is now much cooler.
Stiehle is at London at my suggestion to watch over our
military interests. Count Kanitz brought me only one box,
containing sixty decorations on account of the 18th of April
affair. Lieutenants and captains have also, and very properly
so, received the order "pour le merite."
For me the stay here is as good as a mineral spring
treatment. So far things have gone very well indeed, and
my seventy thousand men are easily kept in order. We make

134 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
nice trips both by land and water, go for long rides, eat well,
and in the evenings play our usual games.
I wrote yesterday to Prince Radziwil; he is better, but
not much, and I greatly fear we shall lose a valuable man.
I expressed your warm good wishes.
With regard to the Schmiesings, I have just heard that
three brothers have declared that their religious convictions
will not allow of any duel.
I lately had a letter from Fritz. Betty is going on well,
and they are delighted with Henry. Much love to Cai,
Jeanette, and the children. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Louisenlund, 21st June, 1864.
Many thanks, dear Mary, for your letter of the 17th. "I
am rejoiced that you are so well and happy at Cismar, and
wish that I could pay you a visit there, and make some
excursions in that beautiful neighbourhood. Here, too, it is
deliciously fresh and green. You already know that Prince
Frederick Charles* has been here for some days; but our
liberty is but little curtailed, and he is altogether most
amiable. An earlier hour is fixed for rising in the morning
as parade is at ten, and he has been converted to the three
o'clock dinner hour. Only the late hours at night, often till
midnight, are to me most fatiguing. Meanwhile we play our
whist all the same — Podbielski, Graberg, Mertens, and I.
Mrs. von Mertens still lives at the farm; she begs to be
remembered to you, and often wishes you were here.f The
prince has been so considerate as to appoint Henry orderly
officer here at head-quarters, and he will come in to-day or
to-morrow. I must find him a mount, and shall probably
give him the black horse. It is a very good saddle horse,
spirited but quite quiet.
I hope Adolph may get the place at Lauenburg ; he should
be urged to send in his resignation at once. Then the com
mittee would at once reappoint him. He, however, fancies
he can take his dismissal from no one but King Christian.
Only a few days since I presented to Bismarck, as the
* He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the mobilized forces, in place
of General Wrangel.
t Mrs. von Mertens had joined her husband at Louisenlund.

1864.] CAPTURE OF ALSEN. 135
president of the council, a memorial by Adolph on the position
of those officials who had sworn allegiance to the King of
Denmark. I hardly think that your journey to Kiel by steamer on
the 27th will be possible. Remember that the truce ends
at midnight on the 28th, and everything tends to make it
probable that hostilities will begin again.
All the troops are marching out to-day, and head-quarters
move to Apenrade on the 26th. I do not, indeed, suppose that
the Holstein boats will be seized ; but you may fall into all
kinds of danger, and will certainly fare better by land. If,
against all our expectations, a further truce should be signed,
and we remain here, I perhaps may meet you at Kiel, and
you can then go through Schleswig to Berlin. We make
extensive trips both in carriages and on horseback in the
splendid country round here.
' I was at Schleswig a short time ago, and visited the
house where my poor old mother died. The rooms in it are
so low that I could touch the ceilings with my hand, but
nevertheless it is very pretty and clean. Her grave in the
new churchyard has been very well looked after, but as it
had absolutely no inscription I have ordered a plate to be
made at the iron foundry and affixed to the railings.
And now I will take the black horse out. Best love to
dai, Jeanette, and the children. Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.
Head-quarters, Apenrade, Sunday, 3rd July, 1864.
Dear Mary,
I see by your letter of the 1st that you got safe
home again to Berlin. But you were unlucky in meeting
no one on the way. The Elmshorn cake-woman was the
bearer of most important news;* indeed she was the first
person who had trustworthy information as to the event.
The previous telegrams had all gone flying across Holstein.
However, though by a strange messenger, Adolph will have
* On 29th June, Moltke had telegraphed to his wife at Kiel : " Alsen
taken ; Henry and I well ; send news to Ranzau." Mrs. von Moltke set
out immediately for Berlin, and, finding no one else at Elmshorn on her way,
she entrusted a cake-woman with the message to be taken to Ranzau.

136 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
had early information. You yourself will have carried fresh
news wherever you went.
In Berlin Auer was certainly the first man who got the
information, and that although the matter was one of the
very first importance, for the king, the minister of war, and
the field marshal, to whom we telegraphed, were all three
abroad. The prince * wrote to me (dictated) on the subject,
that the public had not been made aware of what had passed.
Certainly Berlin had, for a time at least, to content itself
with the hundred and one cannon shots. But it is no easy
matter for those who make history also to write history. The
central authorities, who could have done it more easily, were
on their feet from ten o'clock in the evening until four the
next afternoon; that is to say, eighteen hours, before one of
them even could take a pen again into his hand, for railway
trains cannot be got just when one wants them.
The prince had, in order to limit the number of his suite,
only retained the general staff with him at Fort X., whilst
the aide-de-camps and orderlies were stationed at the various
crossing points in order to observe and report.
Henry on my black horse was ordered to Satrup Holz.
After ending our whist party at ten o'clock, I and Pod-
bielski followed in my carriage, going from here by way of
Gravenstein to Fort X., whence at daybreak we could discern
the Alsensund lying glittering at our feet like a broad river.
Still shrouded in darkness lay to our left the bloodstained
heights of Diippel, crowned by the ruins of the once so
stately mill, and to our right Sonderburg with its dark
castle by the sea, where Christian the Wicked was left to
bemoan during long years his battles with the Swedish and
Danish nobility. The whole flat summit of the peninsula
of Arnkiel was just discernible through the semi-darkness,
and so also was that of Mels farther over on the horizon.
The bay of Sandwig and the Augustenburg Fiord, in which
we knew the enemy's ships to be lying, and of these more
especially the "Rolf Krake," were quite invisible to us.
The utmost stillness prevailed over Alsen, and on our side
we could hear in the far distance the peculiar sound which
carts with iron axles make. The sound proceeded from the
horse artillery, which was on its way to Rackebull, where it
had been ordered to remain in reserve; nothing further.
* Prince Radziwil.

1864.] PROGRESS OF THE ATTACK. 137
The weather was extremely favourable, exceptionally calm,
a sombre cloudy sky, and consequently as dark as it well can
be during the period of longest days in this flat country;
and a very mild temperature.
The horses were put up at the Biiffelkoppel in order that
they might be at hand should they be wanted later on. The
vehicles remained at Diippel in order to avoid making any
noise, while we proceeded on foot into the ruined redoubt,
which had more the appearance of a quarry in consequence
of the immense masses of debris from the walls of the powder
magazine which was blown up. The thickness of these walls
showed that it would have been impossible for guns of any
calibre to pierce them.
It wanted but a few minutes off two o'clock, the time
appointed for the start of our boats from four different
stations on the coast between the southern border of Satrup
Holz and Schnabeckshage.
The carrying down of the boats and the pushing along
of the flat-bottomed vessels over the stony beach seemed to
be quite unobserved. On the opposite side there was not the
slightest movement ; the beautiful country there lay in perfect
stillness, and only the lark mounted aloft singing out of the
waving cornfields, which were in a short space of time to be
the scene of a sanguinary combat.
Two o'clock came, and with strained eyes we tried to
make out the first black dots, which should be visible upon
the clear surface; all of a sudden there is a flash; some
shots have been fired, which, though visible, are not heard,
and which have come apparently by mistake from our side.
Soon a rain of sparks fell on the opposite shore, first on one
spot, then on another, then there were flashes high up in the
air, and the dull report of a bomb showed that the artillery
was being kept ready at the nearest of the coast batteries to
empty its load upon our daring argonauts. As a matter of
fact, however, the shells exploded too high, and only one
boat was upset, the men of which, or, at all events, the
greater part of them, were rescued by the nearest boats.
The brave pontoneers, who were quite unarmed, and had
just arrived from the Oder and the Elbe, urged the vessels on
without an instant's delay, the infantry meanwhile keeping
up the fire; and although many a shot must have missed
its mark, the line of fire continued steadily to advance.

138 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
But what else could be expected when leaders like
"Generals Manstein and Roder were standing in the foremost
boats ?
At last the shore was reached ; about that there was not
the slightest doubt. But now the boats had to return, and
it was quite possible that they might meet by the way some
of the hostile ships which had at last got roused into activity.
Those who had already landed had to look after themselves,
and what was it that they had at this moment to fear ? The
Fanale was one sheet of bright fire, and flashes went up from
height to height as far as Augustenburg and Norburg. Had
the Danes already assembled several battalions of men behind
the Fohlenkoppel ? The flashes of musketry fire in the
woods showed that our marksmen were already engaged, but
whether our or our opponents' fire advanced or retired it was
impossible to make out. It was a moment of breathless
suspense. Meanwhile all the Danish coast batteries opened
fire. On our side nine of these had been run up the night
before, and already had guns mounted upon them. The
artillerymen had been standing ready for action since one
o'clock, and now gave as much as they received. The thunder
of the artillery — on our side alone there were sixty-two pieces
— was actually heard quite plainly at Kiel, On our right the
large Sonderburg battery of eight eighty-four pounders and
two field guns engaged a twenty-four pounder battery upon
the Miihlenberge. But all this noise did not produce much
effect, and our whole attention was directed to the peninsula
of Arnkiel, There the tiny sparks gradually drifted more and more
eastwards, already we could see the white smoke extending
on the southern border of the forest of Fohlenkoppel, and
the black dots again advanced slowly towards the peninsula.
There could be no further doubt about it; our men had
obtained a firm footing. The Danes had allowed themselves
to be again taken by surprise. That we intended going
to Alsen, and that as early as the 27th one hundred and sixty
flat-bottomed boats had passed from Rothe Krug through
Apenrade; all this had without the slightest doubt been
reported to them by their numerous spies, but apparently
they had made up their minds that this storming by water
and by land must be prepared for by some more days'
cannonading. Only so recently as the 30th the central

1864.] FLIGHT OF THE DANES. 139
authorities had proposed an exchange of prisoners at Briicken-
kopf from Sonderburg. The first report that three brigades had
been shipped across was brought by Lieutenant von Burt.
He had tied the black horse to a bush below, and rode
immediately back, then crossed over, but could not take the
horse with him, and afterwards he failed to overtake his
regiment on foot, though he telegraphed to me later on about
"RolfKrake." From Schnabeckshage the crossing was made without any
opposition, and, notwithstanding that the distance was greater,
it was the first to be completed, and that although our men
were at this point evidently exposed to danger from the ships
in the Augustenburg Fiord. Had these placed themselves
between those of our troops who had landed and our batteries>
they might have quite prevented the latter from firing.
A tremendous roar betrayed the fact that " Rolf Krake " had
now awakened out of his slumber. The noise of his 100-pound
Armstrongs reverberating from their iron foundation is
unmistakable. In vain, however, did he hurl his gigantic
shots against our tiralleurs. He was at once saluted by our
24-pounders, and withdrew again into the bay.
Meanwhile General Manstein advanced in a southerly
direction along the coast, and fell there into a brisk encounter.
The enemy's batteries were attacked one after another in
front and the defenders taken prisoners — among these being
an officer of the Life Guards in a red coat. Our marksmen
seized in like manner Grosz-Moose and also Kjar, where first
they met with considerable resistance from some united divisions,
which had been collected together there. The advancing
columns were brought here to a momentary stop, and engaged
in a sharp fight, the progress of which could not be followed
from where we were standing. General Herwarth* at this
point intervened in person, and made his various dispositions
of troops with the utmost composure under a tiralleur fire
from the enemy's ranks. By-and-by the first field guns which
had been transported came up. The rout of the Danes then
became general, and the tappre Landsoldat hurried his pace
very markedly.
Already whole swarms of prisoners were being driven like
herds by quite a small number of armed men to the shore.
w It was this General Herwarth who commanded the army corps which
captured the Island of Alsen.

140 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
Most admirable was the behaviour of our Westphalians
belonging to Goben's Brigade, who had advanced against
Sonderburg, and took the Danes in the rear behind a quick
set hedge, although they themselves were in imminent danger
of being taken in like manner from the side of Sonderburg.
Whole swarms of the enemy retreated in haste through the
cornfields. One battery after another was silenced, while
their occupants fled. A howitzer battery came rattling
along on our shore at a brisk trot, but it was difficult to
distinguish friend from foe over there, so that only the most
distant points were fired upon.
Time had been passing meanwhile, and it was now eight
o'clock. The sun shone upon a picture, a finer than which
no painter of battles could desire. The little round clouds
of smoke continued still to float where the hostile bombs
from which they proceeded had burst, and that too, sometimes
right over the battery situated nearest us on the left. I
fancy they must have suffered pretty heavy losses here. In
front of us, and close to the viaduct at Sonderburg, a fine
house stood enveloped in bright flames. We came to the
conclusion that a bomb from the 24-pounder battery on our
right had by accident set the place on fire, but we were
afterwards informed that the Danes, when evacuating the
place, had, quite regardless of everything, given up their
own town to destruction. It was completely abandoned by
the inhabitants, and, had the wind been in a different direction,
it must have been almost totally reduced to ashes. Danish
prisoners were employed to extinguish the flames. The enemy
had likewise set fire to their immense barracks at Ulkebiill
and Wollerup. The wooden huts filled with straw blazed up
brightly, and two black streaks of smoke drew, as it were, a
mourning veil over the long narrow island. More to the
right could be seen the sea glittering in the morning sun,
and covered with innumerable vessels. There, too, lay the
mighty men-of-war, surrounded by ships of all dimensions.
The whole of this company, however, had soon to hurry out
of Horup Haff, for in a few minutes more our batteries would
have prevented their egress from Suderholz. Steamers with
vessels in tow coasted along to the war-ships, which were
anchored at a considerable distance. The evacuation of the
island had already begun. All eyes were, however, once
more turned towards the north, for "Rolf Krake" was again

1864.] "ROLF KRAKE." 141
heard to raise his voice. It looked grand, the way this
armoured giant with his great draught of water tried by the
expenditure of all his steam power to get out of the Fiord,
sending forth his salutes to the right and to the left of him
as he rounded the promontory of Arnkiel. For a moment
we feared lest we should see him steering to the left, where
our boats were still busy transporting in uninterrupted
succession additional field-guns, ammunition, and ambulances.
He proceeded, however, straight on to search for a more-
open atmosphere, and steamed out in a northerly direction
as far away as possible from the battery established below
him, whose twelve and twenty-four pound shots rattled loudly
against his ribs.
A monitor of this kind is, however, a thick-skinned fellow.
At ten o'clock he returned once more, and enabled two gun
boats which were lying in the bay of Sandwig to get out by
covering them with his invulnerable body. The channel is
at that point very broad, and ships can keep quite close to
the Alsen shore. "Rolf" did not, however, venture again into
the Augustenburg Fiord, and all the vessels which were
lying there were irretrievably lost.
Between seven and eight o'clock there followed from this
very direction a fearful detonation, which for the moment
involuntarily reminded me of the blowing up of some immense
ammunition magazines on the Euphrates. Then a huge
snow-white cloud ascended high towards the blue sky.
According to the report of the naval authorities at Copen
hagen two of their gun-boats were deserted by their crews,
and had their powder stores set on fire in order to prevent
them from falling into our hands.
At eight o'clock Sonderburg was in the possession of our
Westphalians. We sailed immediately over, and the prince
telegraphed over the Danish cable to Karlsbad that Alsen
was captured.
We managed to get the horses as far as the bridge end,
but it was impossible to take them across the strait. By-and-
by we went through the completely devastated town right up
to the immense battery. The monster 84-pounders, which
had defended it, were found spiked; the third company of
the 55th Regiment had inscribed themselves upon their
carriages with chalk and no mistake. Ammunition, knapsacks
cloaks, pocket-books, were lying about in every direction-

142 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
for, quite regardless of everything, Hannemann had thrown
off his wooden shoes, which are exceedingly annoying
incumbrances when one wants to be in active movement.
Stiehle also reminded us that quite possibly a burning fuse
might still be found in the powder-room, but all we discovered
in that dark uncomfortable place was a lighted lantern,
which, however, we took away with us and carefully ex
tinguished. Behind the battery the soil had been completely
ploughed up by our 24-pounders. The battery, in front of
and at the back of which the ground descends very pre
cipitously, was by no means an easy mark to hit, and had
remained unscathed, but farther behind we found a number of
Danes lying, who had been shockingly injured by fragments
of exploded bombs ; our surgeons were already there assisting
those almost dying creatures.
For Prince Frederick Charles an orderly's horse was found,
while Prince Albrecht, General Graberg, Colonel Mertens,
Major Kleist, and myself took possession of a cart furnished
with racks, and hurried on to Wollerup, where Roder's brigade
had made a halt to take breath, after having captured there
a large number of prisoners and much war material. After
that we proceeded on to Horup, where we found General
Wintzigerode, several battalions of whose division had been
pushed on in order to continue the pursuit.
General Herwarth had turned more to the right towards
Horup Haff. In the wood adjoining that place Lieutenant
Bar fell mortally wounded; but, on the other hand, in that
very same spot we captured the commander of a regiment
and four hundred men.
For a considerable time past the Danes had been preparing
the peninsula of Kakenis as a place of last resort. The
isthmus had been pierced, pallisaded and covered by batteries
and gunboats. To take this position was only feasible if one
could reach it at the same time as the enemy, which, however,
was just what we did not succeed in doing. The retreat of the
main body upon that place had been ordered at a compara
tively early stage of the proceedings, and the battle ended
about ten o'clock in the forenoon. According to the reports
which have been received up to the present two hundred and
ten Prussian and three hundred and twenty Danish wounded
have been brought into our hospitals. I trust that our losses
will not exceed three hundred men.

1864.] AFTER THE VICTORY. 143
The Danish battalions were very strong, and had been
increased to thirteen hundred men during the armistice
by reinforcements from Ersatz. The enemy had occupied
Alsen with six regiments, and" therefore from twelve to fifteen
hundred men. At present as many as twenty-six hundred
prisoners have been brought in. No doubt very many of
their wounded have been carried away along with them, and
others may be lying undiscovered about the corn-fields. In
any case their loss must amount to over three thousand men,
besides about sixty guns. Among the latter were two pieces
of field artillery with their horses. In consequence of all
this the Danes must now be made aware that even in their
islands they are no longer secure, and it remains to be seen
whether the cabinet at Copenhagen will continue to oppose
their unfortunate army to one far superior in numbers, equip
ment, and capacity.
With joyous hearts and grateful to God for having given
us this victory, we began our return journey, and after
thirty-six hours' watch we could but sleep most soundly in
our carriages. My horses had gone over nine miles of ground ;
the black one did eleven. In the evening at six o'clock we
dined with Prince Albrecht. Nevertheless, my necessary
writing had also to be attended to.
I have, in what is above stated, given you a description
of the capture of Alsen, which is not an official report, but
is merely from an eye-witness's point of view, so that it is
quite possible the version may have gained somewhat in
vigour. Should you think that it may interest others, I
have no objection whatever to your allowing copies of it to
be taken, provided you omit certain personalities which it
contains, and leave my name out altogether ; Auer will take
care of that for you. In any case you might read it to the
prince. On the whole, we are of course very well indeed, although
the climate here is rather wretched, and the rooms being
situated towards the north are so cold that yesterday I had
actually to have fires.
The country is indescribably beautiful here. In the
afternoon I take long drives in my splendid little carriage,
which runs along very easily, and has this advantage, namely,
that it can be turned about in the narrowest road, and that
in a district where one is liable at any moment to stick fast..

144 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
The well-wooded seashore frequently offers extraordinarily
pleasant excursions ; for example, yesterday we went to the
splendid bay of Gjenne.
Henry went yesterday on our little steamer to Alsen, and
has not yet returned. I hope that " Rolf Krake " won't way
lay him.
The Danes, who are capital at these things, had also
established submarine mines in the strait of Alsen. A boat
was blown up yesterday just after its crew had stepped on
to a pontoon which it had in tow, with the result that while
the boat was shattered in pieces the men remained unhurt.
They had also dragged ten or twenty guns up to the higher
rooms in the old castle of Sonderburg, which must have been
shaken to pieces had they begun to fire. Everywhere they
made trenches, and crouched behind earthworks, which,
however, they abandoned after but a slight resistance. Our
people have the feeling that Hannemann cannot hold his
positions against them; but the difficulty is to get at him.
And now farewell. With love,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Apenrade, 8th July, 1864.
Dear Mary,
I received your letter, dated the 6th inst., yesterday.
What effect the capture of Alsen will have at Copenhagen,
and whether in consequence of it the king and the con
servative party will act independently, remains to be seen;
upon that only the continuance of the war depends. It will
certainly become a much more difficult task to get at the
Danes on the other side of the water, and they on their part
are not likely to come over to us. That means that we
must go in larger and more overpowering bodies, although
we must also doubtless shortly hear of small skirmishes and
landings, that being a thing which cannot be avoided.
Those of our Austrian and Prussian troops who had been
taken prisoners, and had just been exchanged for Danes,
passed through here yesterday. On account of their scarcity
the Danes were rather loath to part with what few specimens
of this kind of article they possessed, an article which we
possess in such great abundance. The poor fellows looked

1864.] HEAD-QUARTERS AT APENRADE. 145

very pinched, and are not likely to allow themselves to be
seized a second time. A hussar from the village of Ziethens-
dorf begged that his mother should not be informed that he
was among them. Many of them had fought most bravely.
On the whole, however, these people have been very well
treated. They were conveyed on a steamer to Sonderburg,
and it was even rumoured that the Crown Prince of Denmark
was on board.
Soon after the going over, Prittwitz* and Henry went
by our little steamer to Sonderburg. They were received
there not only by infantry fire, but also by cannon shot, our
sentinels having considered a Prussian steamer to be an
impossibility. The funniest part of the matter, however, is
that they passed quite safely through all the marine mines.
When, later on, these were being fished up, I saw two explode
and the prince seven. Remember me to the prince, Gliszinsky,
and the Boses. Must end in haste.
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Apenrade, 15th July, 1864.
Dear Mary,
Your letters from Berlin, of the 8th and 12th inst.,
are safely to hand. I shall not want any more clothing at
present, as I intend wearing thoroughly out what I have
brought with me. Luxury in toilette is not required here.
We appear sometimes in quite a fabulous dress; trousers
mended with patches of leather, one above another, a rose
in the button-hole, and walking-stick in the hand.
Of my horses, the larger brown one is across in Jutland
with a train-soldier. We wanted to pommel Hegermann well,
but he escaped our visit by embarking, and as there was no
longer any prospect of a more severe fight in that direction,
the prince went over there for a day accompanied by only
two or three aides-de-camp. The head-quarters remained
stationed here. At present my brown horse is on its way
back. My black horse and the mare are very well ; the latter
especially is in excellent condition, and pleases me thoroughly.
One of the carriage horses is lame, in consequence of a trying
journey to Alsen. Instead of him they put in the traces a
* Moltke 's aide-de-camp during the war.
VOL. II. L

146 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
metallographic roan; that is to say, the third horse of the
press. The little carriage is "excellent," and has in every
way satisfied me during more than two hundred and seventy
excursions which I have already made into this charming
country, which really is more beautiful than Louisenlund
and even Veile. I cannot blame the Danes for being so
unwilling to give up this territory. Everywhere there are
waving wheat-fields, green pastures, and cattle; the bushes
are covered with roses and honeysuckle, and all the houses
and gardens are full of flowers. It is the same in Alsen,
where only Sonderburg now shows traces of the war. Our
people are quartered so comfortably that they are becoming
quite spoiled. The fusiliers bring in the hay, and carry about
the children, the artilleryman fishes for trout at the salmon
mill, and the hussar is full of the most tender amiabilities
when the cows are being milked. The red uniformed mounted
sentries, seated upon high tumuli, overlook the whole coast
and the sea as far as Alsen, Fiihnen, and Arroe, while their
horses are sheltered in the hollows. Only in the evenings
do we set infantry sentries.
Yesterday Prince Albrecht and General Falkenstein
planted the Prussian and Austrian standards upon Cape
Skagen, the extreme northern point of Jutland. A few men
belonging to the staff guard went out from Frederikshavn
in rowing-boats and captured a Danish vessel, which was
lying out at sea, half a mile away. Sylt is occupied. Captain
Hammer with his squadron are besieged near Fohr, but they
have every expectation of catching him to-day by his
breeches. Colonel Kauffmann — brigade commander, who made the
only stubborn resistance in Alsen — came to us the night
before last as a deputy to ask for an armistice ; but, in the
mean time, has been sent back without his request being
granted. We must wait for a decision as to that from
Karlsbad. Commissioners to negotiate a peace have left
Copenhagen for Karlsbad, and, so it is said, Carl Moltke and
Quade themselves are among them. I cannot see at all what
basis of peace they can offer. Great anxiety prevails in
Copenhagen about Copenhagen. Because of the presence of
the Austro-Prussian fleet, the Danish fleet has assembled
near Anholt on the Kattegat. The blockade of the Prussian
harbours has been as good as abandoned. How did you leave

1864.] PROGRESS OF THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. 147
the prince in Berlin? Poor Fritz has a great deal of worry
and anxiety. Good news of the rest of the family. Much
love. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Apenrade, 23rd July, 1864.
Dear Mary,
Your letter of the 19th inst. from Cismar is to hand.
If the King of Denmark cedes by treaty all or part of the
duchies, it is an understood thing that he releases all the
officials of their oaths. So far as concerns the Augustenburger
it is all right. As things stand at present I have just as
good a chance as he has. Prussia and Austria have conquered
the country, and have it in their possession, and if they want
to present it to some one they would not exactly choose the
man who inclines towards Napoleon and the democracy. How
long I shall continue moving about you must learn from the
European cabinets. On Monday eight days the armistice
ends, and peace ought to be established. The worst of it is
that one does not know from whom the ratification is to be
expected, whether from the poor king or from the council of
the realm, or from the Scandinavian union. What is your
opinion about the Rendsburg affair? Write again soon.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Apenrade, 30th July, 1864.
Dear Mary,
I received your letter just when I was on the point
of starting for Jutland with the prince. Rain came down in
torrents when we started, and continued so to do as far as
Hadersleben ; but towards evening, on reaching the height of
Skamlingsbanke, we saw the sun again for an instant.
Although the whole view was shrouded by dark clouds, the
sight of this summit of three hundred and sixty feet in
height was one of surprising beauty, and I forgive the Danes
for comparing this view to that of Naples. Fiihnen, Alsen,
and all the little islands of the Belt, the wooded cape of
Wedelsborg over yonder, and the dark beeches on this side

148 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
of the shore make it a magnificent picture. But looking
inland also it is charming; everything is green, waving
wheat-fields, rich farms, and here and there a church tower
rising up from amidst the forest. The office of Hadersleben
is worth having. It is the rag which will be torn off in
Vienna for Denmark as an equivalent for Lauenburg and
the war expenses.
By to-morrow evening at twelve o'clock a decision will
have to be come to upon these matters. An important cipher
despatch, which was sent from Vienna to Copenhagen, has
gone amissing; it duly reached Berlin, but did not get this
length. Instead of being sent by way of Middelfahrt it is
now to be telegraphed by way of Tornea. I can foresee that
we shall have to allow three days more. Concerning the
basis of peace, or whether there is any such in existence, we
have not heard a single word. I wish some news of it would
come ! Poor little Denmark I should not like to see crushed,
but only its democratic government ! The only thing which
now remains to be done there is the business of the fleet.
We have taken one island and shall also obtain a second ; to
do so, however, will cost a great deal, and we shall not be
able, to keep it very well. It is with the greatest anxiety
that we await the first telegrams from Vienna, whither
Stiehle has gone.
We did not turn the confederate troops out of Rendsburg ;
they left by order of the Bund. Should they wish to return
we shall say nothing against it, only we shall always be very
firm on this point, namely, that our military interests there
must be thoroughly safeguarded. Poor General Hake, who
certainly would have preferred marching with us against the
Danes to supporting Beust's political ideas, has got into a
sad scrape; not only Goeben but also Berger, both Han
overians, were also complicated in it. I must admit that
Rendsburg caused me far more anxiety than Alsen. No one
could possibly have managed things in such a way that the
most serious complications should not result, and the matter
was quite unavoidable.
It is with the greatest pleasure that I bathe in the sea,
but I only do so every alternate day, and therefore up to
the present I have had but nine baths.
You must surely be highly satisfied with our operations;
in the space of four weeks we have captured first of all Alsen,

1864.] POOR LITTLE DENMARK. 149
then Northern Jutland, and after that the western islands,
including Hammer. Henry was in Flensburg not long since.
Poor Fritz's hair has turned quite grey. For that matter,
so has mine. Why should I find a successor? I shall not
be turned out. AH that was meant was to consider who
should take my place if, in the event of a general mobiliza
tion of the forces, which then seemed likely, I should not be
within reach. Kind love to all. Write again very soon.
Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Apenrade, 6th August, 1864.
Thanks for your letter of the 3rd, dear Mary. I am glad
that all is well at Jeanette's. The sea baths are doing me
a great deal of good, but they tend also to make me feel
very fatigued, and that though I only jump in and do not
remain in the water above two minutes. There are crabs and
lobsters there.
When the war against Denmark broke out, no one could,
notwithstanding our material superiority, have foreseen that
the result to be achieved would be so thoroughly satisfactory,
and for it we have to thank God, and acknowledge His
gracious guidance. We expect the first courier from Gastein
to arrive to-day, and this is also the day upon which the
council of the realm meets to decide upon the fate of poor
little Denmark. The disposition, it is true, seems to be one
of resignation, and if no explosion of discontent takes place
at Copenhagen, we may look forward, I fancy, to an early
disbanding of the reserves, withdrawal of a part of the troops,
and the establishment of a corps of observation probably under
the command of Falkenstein. In that event there will be no
further need for my presence here. Either definite terms of
peace must be arranged in six weeks' time before the armistice
comes to an end, or the end is not yet in prospect. I am of
opinion, however, that in the course of about fourteen days I
shall be able to leave here. In any case we must wait for a
few more days before any arrangements as to this can be
definitely made. I would like very much if you could come
here to see me. It is a real pleasure driving about in this
beautiful country. I am quite sure that Adolph could make

150 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
good use of my nice little carriage and horses, but I rather
prefer to take charge of them myself. Should we travel about
in the autumn, the equipage can be left meanwhile at Ranzau.
There is, however, nothing certain yet about Adolph's post
there. I do not think that I shall require to go to Gastein
this year; the living in the open air here has proved quite
sufficient a cure. Rather would I for once pass the winter, or
still better the wretched spring, in the warm south. But it
is quite useless so soon to form any plans at all. We must
first of all come to a final settlement with the Bund, and
before that is done some curious things may happen.
We are well off for music. Here in Apenrade we have
the band of the 3rd Rifles, which is a very poor one, but to
counterbalance it we have also that of the Coronini Regiment,
a company of which is here on staff guard duty, and which
is a most excellent one. Further, there is a company of
gipsies collected from all the Hungarian regiments, who form
our Court band, and play every evening until twelve o'clock,
so that one's nerves really get unstrung. Lastly, the band of
the life guards has also now been ordered here. Henry has
to share with all the other officers the uncertainty of being
able to attend the military academy, which has arisen from
the fact that the previous examination could not be held.
All the same the academy cannot be passed over. Perhaps
it still can be arranged; I only wish that we had him with
us this winter, for it will probably be the last that I shall
pass in Berlin.
I must now relate to you a good joke which was played
with success. We had two Hunengraber (cromlechs), which,
by the way, the field-marshal will persist in calling Hiihner-
graber (chickens' graves) opened ; fifty men worked at them
under the direction of Major von Bernuth.* One of these did
not contain anything, but in the other we discovered, though
quite near to the surface, a pot containing bones. It was
stoutly maintained by some that this was nothing else but a
common black Jutland saucepan, in which some picnic party
had boiled a piece of meat, but the ultimate conclusion come
to was, that the find was quite genuine, and accordingly the
work of excavation was arranged to be continued the following
morning. Previous to our going there the next day I sent
Henry to the ship's timber-yard to procure a piece of really
* The personal aide-de-camp of Prince Frederick Charles.

1864.] TRICK PLAYED UPON BERNUTH. 151
old and half rotten wood, and among the patches of moss
upon this I copied with ink from a runic alphabet which I
found here these letters -fWAM^ I tha* is to Sfty» the name
Bernuth. When I got out to the spot I found them all hard
at work trying to unearth a huge wooden trough, boat, or
coffin.* As the extreme end of it, however, stuck still deeply
in the soil, the perpendicular front of the mound had to be
knocked down, and the falling mould again covered up the
discovered object. Before this took place, however, I managed
to push my piece of wood right underneath it. The Hungarian
saw through the whole trick in an instant, and smiled over
his whole face as he silently pushed the piece of wood still
farther underneath. Meanwhile the prince and Bernuth
arrived with the other officers. And now, before their very
eyes, the excavation and laying bare of the trough was pro
ceeded with, and at last the merry gang succeeded in lifting
it out entire and quite uninjured, only a few hairs and a
piece of very coarsely woven wool being discovered besides
during the progress of this operation. But what were all
these in comparison with the discovery of a perfectly well-
preserved runic inscription lying directly underneath the
relic and among the stones? The manner of the discovery
did not give rise to the slightest suspicion as to its genuineness,
and Colonel Mertens indulged in speculations as to its meaning,
age, etc., etc. My accomplices in the deceit had the greatest
difficulty in keeping serious. (The prince I had of course
already let into the secret.) Every one burned with eager
ness to decipher the inscription with the help of the runic
alphabet at home, but the prince decided that this should
not take place until after dinner. You can well fancy the
laughing that took place when gradually there appeared
" Be, Ber, Bernuth." The person in question took the matter
quite in good part, the one who ultimately was chiefly com
promised being Mertens on account of his antiquarian remarks
about the article. To-day they have all gone to Sundewitt
to organize an excavation on a moor over there ; I, however,
have had to remain here to await the courier's arrival.
Farewell, dear Mary. Write again soon.
Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
* The article in question is to be seen in the northern section of the
museum at Berlin.

152 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Wife.
Apenrade, Saturday, 13th August, 1864.
Dear Mary,
When and by whom the country will be first
evacuated has not yet been decided. Most probably the 21st
Silesian Brigade will remain while a part of the 13th
Westphalian Division returns. The reserves of all the
divisions are already under orders to go home.
The king has been kind enough to remember that I go
to Gastein every year, and that it is almost too late now to
do so. He got Manteuffel to write to me to ascertain my
desires on the subject and about my naming a deputy. I
have, however, begged to be left here until peace is finally
established, which will no doubt come to pass in a few weeks,
and until the head-quarters business is arranged, when I could
easily get away. I also requested the king to grant me
eventually during the winter, if everything is quiet then,
leave of absence to go south. If I get that, I shall be able
to do pretty much as I please then. It will take, no doubt,
somewhat more than fourteen days before I shall be able to
get away from this place, and after that I shall have to attend
to the manoeuvres of the Corps of Guards at Brandenburg-
Genthin. The Schleswig men belonging to the Danish army are
returning in light-coloured swarms, as their uniforms have
been taken from them. If these people would only realize
their true position they would return quietly and discreetly
to their homes. They all come marching on here, however,
with different varieties of ostrich feathers in their hats, singing
Schleswig-Holstein, and shouting aloud just like the filibusters.
Just behind Colding in a gorge a procession of this sort
were saluted with a shower of stones, so that many were
severely injured. In that district they have since become
quiet. I do my best to prevent those Schleswig people who speak
the Danish language from being insulted, and to secure to
them every protection. They will make better Prussians than
the German-speaking ones. The necessity of bringing the
duchies under one administration is self-evident ; at all events,
for the purpose of providing the country with a military
organization. As to who is to be entrusted with this

1864.] THE AUSTRIAN EMPEROR'S BIRTHDAY. 153

administration, however, is a matter which our disinterested
countrymen will have to discuss in the most thorough manner,
and it will not be an easy task at all to settle a treaty whereby
the country will be evacuated by those who are in it and who
have conquered it and hold it in their possession. Adieu for
to-day, dear Mary. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Apenrade, 19th August, 1864.
Dear Mary,
You would not come, and preferred your visit to
mamma. I am glad you found her well. Henry is flourish
ing, and a general favourite at head-quarters. I have given
him a new outfit. I shall advise the prince that when the
demobilization takes place compensation shall be demanded
for the officers. The army has conquered a beautiful country,
but for whom? That we do not know. No one, however, is
likely to give them anything beyond best thanks.
The present has been a wonderfully nice day, but I am
afraid that in the evening there will again be rain. The
climate is indeed wretched, and I have become completely
rheumatic. I cannot get rid of colds in the head and pains
in my back, and I have had in consequence to give up bathing
entirely. I have changed my rooms in the hotel, and now
occupy a couple of little rooms at the back with a southern
aspect, where I can get some sun. In the front rooms, which
I formerly occupied, I had to have fires every day.
Yesterday, on the occasion of the emperor's birthday, we
had a fete in the open air and a dinner to all the highest
authorities. In the afternoon there was a holiday picnic in
the forest for the members of the Austrian staff guard and
those of the nearest Prussian battalions who had been decorated.
It was a very pretty sight. There were several immense
casks of Hungarian wine, huge coppers of punch, and two
musical bands, in addition to that of the gipsies. The
Hungarians danced their national dance (the Czardas) again
and again. Amid cheers (eljen), the prince, the generals, and
all the other officers were in their turn lifted shoulder high.
After dusk there were grand illuminations and fireworks.
The day before yesterday, under a cutting north-west

154 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
wind, we sailed with the prince to the island of Barsoe on a
Chinese barge belonging to Mr. Brun. The vessel has been
designed with a view to speed, is very sharp, and has four
large three-cornered sails. The island is two and a half miles
off, and we reached it in a little more than an hour and a
quarter. Having landed, we fortified ourselves for our return
journey with some orange wine. The passage homeward as
far as the Bay of Apenrade went off very well indeed, and
was a very speedy one, thanks to the wind, which had been
continually increasing in force. At this point, however, we
had to cross, and on the south side of the bay we met with
such a heavy sea that, notwithstanding the fact that we were
under the charge of an Austrian naval officer, things really
began to look serious. We made another effort to bring the
vessel round, but the little boat heaved so violently among
the surging waves that when we tried to tack she would not
answer her helm at all. We could all of us swim ; but that
would not have been a very agreeable thing, so it was decided
to land on the north side, where the sea surged only slightly.
Accordingly we kept in as near as possible to the shore. The
orderly officers, Rochow and Hobe, now divested themselves
of their clothing in a moment and fetched a fishing-boat to
us, by which means we were enabled by degrees to get ashore.
We had, however, in consequence of not being able to get
along the shore, to make a detour of two miles to Apenrade,
so that we only arrived there in a vehicle about eleven
o'clock. They were not without anxiety on our account, for
towards midnight the wind developed into a regular
hurricane. 21st. — The prince has gone to Cuxhaven to inspect the
fleet, and I am left to reign here alone. Three weeks have
now elapsed, and yet the peace negotiations in Vienna are
not, so far as can be seen, much advanced. Only after a
definite treaty has been arrived at, can we expect to have
the affairs connected with head-quarters here finally arranged.
We have been two months in Apenrade, and nice as it is
here, now that our anxiety and excitement have abated, the
business is becoming rather slow. Several weeks may still
elapse before I shall be able to get away.
This morning, Sunday, the weather was splendid, and the
prince is on his way to Heligoland ; unfortunately, however,
it is so changeable that a continuance of good weather

1864.] DECORATIONS AND THANKS. 155
cannot be depended upon even for a day. Much kind greet
ing to all. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Apenrade, 25th August, 1864.
Dear Mary,
The aides-de-camp, Prince Hohenlohe and Prince
Metternich, arrived here almost at the same instant on the
22nd, from Berlin and Vienna respectively, bringing with
them the decorations on account of the Alsen affair. I
accordingly received on one day the first-class order of the
crown with swords, and the grand cross of the order of
Leopold, a war decoration, and therefore having a double
ribbon. But what pleases me most of all is an autograph
letter which I have received from the king, and which is
dated from Gastein, 14th of August, 1864.
" When I despatched you to the seat of war, I could not
foresee with any degree of certainty that your position there
would be of any long duration, or that you would find much
opportunity of proving your military talents in any very
brilliant manner. From the moment, however, that your
present position became an established fact you have rewarded
my confidence and my expectations in a way that demands
my heartiest thanks and full recognition. Both these
accordingly I now most joyfully beg to offer you. Alsen
and the whole of Jutland have fallen into our hands through
your ably conducted operations, and the 29th of June stands
gloriously side by side with the 18th of April. The army
has throughout behaved in the most praiseworthy and honour
able manner, and has achieved a great success, which diplomacy
has on this occasion not spoiled, but brought to a most as
tonishing conclusion.
"As a token of my recognition of your services in this
campaign, I decorate you with the order of the crown of the
first class with swords, which will be handed over to you by
Prince Frederick Charles. He begged of me to give you a
very high distinction, and therefore I grant him the pleasure
of personally presenting you with it.
"Ever yours devotedly, "(Sgd.)WlLHELM."

156 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
I see from your letter, dear heart, that you are very
anxious on my account. Thanks to God, however, all those
splendid remedies which you propose are no longer required ;
my cough is gone, and my back all right again, and that
notwithstanding the fact that I got wet to the skin to-day
when out for rather a lengthy ride. Besides, it is nothing
very surprising if one does suffer in this abominable summer
season from catarrh and rheumatism. I passed through my
yearly springtime indisposition during the campaign, and
hope that I may be as fortunate with my autumn complaints.
Yesterday we had a perfect hurricane from the north-north
west, which drove the water up so high in the Bay of
Apenrade that the harbour embankments were entirely under
water. The shipbuilders had all to leave their work, and a
large quantity of timber was swept away. Towards evening
it cleared up again, and I went for a beautiful drive. I hope
that peace will now very soon be declared in Vienna, for my
piece of soap is rapidly coming to an end.
As you know, I have as much work to do as I choose
and, on the other hand, if I feel so inclined, I need not work
at all. This winter I mean to do as little as possible; and
the supervision of the tours of inspection will be altogether
omitted. In military circles the following set of arrangements is
talked about : Prince Wiirttemberg to be Governor of Mainz,
General Herwarth to get the Corps of Guards, and I the
Vllth Army Corps. As far as concerns myself, I have been
too long out of the regular army and have not sufficient
talent for matters of detail to be able to take the chief
command of a corps. I cannot imagine any better settlement
than to leave things as they are at present, for I have had a
fortunate campaign, and have the entire satisfaction of my
king. The first thing to be obtained is the settlement of all
the questions between ourselves and our allies. May God
grant that the two monarchs may come to an understanding
one of these days soon. My song has been of old; with
Austria on our side we have no other want. The Nettle is
the most sensible newspaper that appears in this country.
What folly that is to talk of King Christian not releasing
the officials from their oaths of allegiance. Surely that
follows of its own accord whenever he relinquishes his right
of sovereignty over the country. Here I have gone about all

1864.] PROTRACTED PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. 157
through the dog days, dressed exactly as in winter in Berlin.
I am writing with my warm cloak on, for the temperature in
the room is certainly not more than 5° above zero. I must now
conclude, to go to take a hand at whist at the prince's, while
the gipsies make music in the next room. As soon as I hear
when the active army is to be dismissed I will let you know.
Adieu, dear heart. Till our happy meeting, Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Apenrade, 31st August, 1864.
Dear Mary,
The " Cricket " steamed into our harbour yesterday ;
she is a splendid vessel, and as this morning, to all appearance,
a really fine summer's day may be expected, the prince has
decided to start at one o'clock with the whole of his staff for
a trip round the island of Alsen, only returning again in the
evening. This will make at least one nice break in the rather
generally felt monotony here. Four weeks have now passed
since the preliminaries were arranged, and the first notice of
the peace negotiations published in Vienna, and no one can
tell how much longer these diplomatic gentlemen will sit
there. One would almost think that the Danes must be
heartily sick of the whole business. Jutland is occupied by
fifty thousand men, and each day's delay costs the unfortunate
country twenty-five thousand thalers. Judging from the
king's journey to Hohenschwangau one may conclude that we
have now managed to come to an understanding with the
Wurzburgers. I trust we shall be relieved from our position
here by the middle of September, and indeed on the 15th I
made a bet of a bottle of champagne with Mertens on the
subject ; but when we get away I must first go to Brandenburg
before finally taking up my winter quarters at Berlin.
On the gossip of one's fellow soldiers, however, as you
know very well, too much reliance is not to be placed. It is
very probable that Herwarth will obtain the command of the
Guards, and Falkenstein that of the Vllth Army Corps, the
latter taking over also the interim command of the troops
remaining in garrison in Schleswig-Holstein. I cannot, under
any circumstances, take over the command of a corps, and shall
certainly do best in closing my career with this campaign.

158 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
I should be very glad indeed to become Willisen's successor
at Rome. So far as my health is concerned, I am now quite satisfied.
The cruel climate here has at least this advantage, that, owing
to its being so changeable, it never remains constantly
altogether bad. The result is that I can almost daily ride
and drive about with new pleasure in the beautiful surround
ings of Apenrade, generally in company with Prittwitz and
Henry. Much love to all. I hope that a fine autumn will make
up for the summer. I must close for to-day.
Yours affectionately,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.Flensburg, 16th September, 1864.
Dear Mary,
The quarters of the commander-in-chief's staff were
transferred here yesterday. I live with Fritz and Betty,
where of course I am exceedingly comfortable and well
looked after. As on both sides we avoid speaking about
politics, everything goes on all right. The prince's cooking
arrangements have been left here for the use of the staff.
After a two and a half months' sojourn in Apenrade the change
here is most delightful. The prince has received four months'
leave of absence, and by the expiration of that time the
peace negotiations will no doubt be concluded, although the
matter has been going so tardily that one need not be sur
prised at a further continuation of it. To-day is already the
time for giving notice of the armistice. It appears that in
Copenhagen still further European complications are expected.
I try as far as I can to bring it about that the Danish-
speaking folk of Schleswig don't lose any of their rights,
and that we do not ourselves commit the same injustice which
led to the campaign being undertaken. Henry would no
doubt inform you about our interesting trip with the fleet.
We passed through a veritable storm, a regular number ten.
The men of the navy, I should explain, make use of twelve
numbers for the purpose of denoting the violence of storms,
the numbers running up according as the number of sails
which a vessel can carry decreases. On the present occasion

1864.] BALL ON BOARD A WAR SHIP. 159
we had only the topsail up, and it had four reefs. The howling
among the rigging was so loud that one could hardly hear
the commands or even the boat's whistle. The entire crew
of four hundred men were kept busy manoeuvring the ship,
the "Arcona." Not only the fore sails but even the yards
had to be brought down on deck, and it looked a neck-
breaking business the way the men had to work aloft in
order to bring them down. If one wants to witness such
scenes in the most agreeable manner, things ought to turn
out as they did upon the 6th of this month, when we were
sailing close under the land and when, notwithstanding the
violence of the storm, there was hardly any sea on. No one,
however, had the misfortune to become sea-sick except that
there were a few disagreeable moments on the "Cricket,"
which rolls very much. Had the wind been easterly we
should have had a tremendous sea, and then the position of
matters might have been indeed critical.
Quite a different state of affairs to this was exhibited on
board the "Vineta" on the 13th, when her quarter-deck was
transformed into a ballroom of eighty feet in length and fifty
feet in breadth, the occasion being a fete given by the fleet
in honour of the town of Flensburg. The roof and walls of
this hall were composed of sails, the interior of which was
gorgeously decorated with flags of all nations, and with
garlands of evergreens and pot plants. The covered battery
under the floor of this ballroom was arranged as a buffet,
smoking-room and card-playing room. Most peculiar was
the furniture of this festive place ; no other host could have
produced anything at all like it. Besides several 24-pounders,
there were also chandeliers constructed out of wheels belonging
to pieces of artillery, which were suspended by needle guns
and ornamented with grappling tools and axes. Arms were
all over the place by way of ornamentation, while in the
centre a fountain bubbled up from among flowers and pieces
of rock. Very few indeed of the lively guests had the slightest
idea what kind of a volcano they were dancing upon; and
the fact that a powder-magazine containing several hundred
weights of ammunition was lying right under their feet did
not seem to signify much, for all along the bulwarks on the
deck there stood lights at a height of five feet. A lady might
by leaning back in an awkward way quite well bring the

160 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
lace, ribbons, and flimsy materials of her headdress into con
tact with the flames, a circumstance, which in this mansion,
composed as it was of only the most inflammable materials,
would have produced the utmost confusion, more especially as
there was only one exit, namely, a gangway covered with sails.
They took the precaution, however, of having the fire engines
of the whole fleet collected on board the "Vineta," so as to
safeguard against any grave accident which might occur
through heedlessness on the part of the guests. The horses
are well. I drove Fritz and Betty yesterday as far as the
copperworks. To-day it has not ceased raining. Farewell
for to-day, dearest Mary. Yours lovingly,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Flensburg, 1st October, 1864.
Dear Mary,
I hope you had a pleasant journey in this lovely
weather, and are now at home in your own house. We shall
be moving to Kiel, I should think, within the next fortnight ;
I have sent to Prittwitz to look for lodgings there. Most
of the staff will be quartered in the castle. How long the
whole strength of the army will be kept in occupation it is
as yet impossible to foresee. The thumbscrews thus put upon
Jutland must surely have some effect ere long. Fritz and
Betty send many greetings. We drive out together every
afternoon, which we all like. Yours,
Helmuth.
4th. — I see from your letter of the 1st, dear Mary, that
you arrived safely at Berlin.
The weather has at present become very clear here, but
is so cold that one feels inclined to bring all his winter
clothing into use. The prince is expected to return on the
15th of this month, and if, as I expect, this will be not merely
a short visit but a stay of prolonged duration so that there
is no immediate prospect of my being again required to take
his place, there is no reason why I cannot be altogether spared
here, and indeed, if things turn out so, I reckon upon being
summoned away. The chief head-quarters will be transferred

1864.] STAY AT FLENSBURG. 161
to Kiel either on the 15th or a few days before. We have
driven to Gliicksburg-Kupfermiihle, and yesterday I took
tickets for the theatre. "Peck Schulze" is a very amusing
piece, and was exceedingly well played.
5th. — A most glorious day. Have taken a delightful ride
on the shore to Gliicksburg in company with Prittwitz.
After dinner had a two hours' walk about sunset through
Marienholz. 6th. — The transfer of the chief headquarters has not yet
been ordered, and if an order to this effect is not issued before
the 16th of this month, when the prince comes back, the
question will arise whether I shall not be definitely recalled.
10th. — I am still constantly looking for a decision, since
the king returns to Berlin on the 12th, and the prince joins
the army on the 16th. If Wrangel is aware that the head
quarters are not to go to Kiel, I conclude therefrom that
matters in Vienna are being brought to a close. I was just
about to write that we have had to-day glorious weather, but
as I look around me I see that everything has become grey.
We have a very tolerable opera here. They last gave us
the " Siege of Granada " — very well done ; to-night we have
"Walls and Locks" (Nachtlager von Granada; Maurer und
Schlosser). Betty's birthday is the next thing; and I do not quite
know yet what to give her. The driving does her much
good, and she is just now perfectly well. Adieu, dear heart.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Flensburg, 13th October, 1864.
Dear Mary,
Yesterday was Betty's birthday, and I gave her
your best wishes.
I am delighted that you should have had a visit from
Henry in your solitude. How long can he stay? You will
no doubt spoil him thoroughly, and make quite a show of
his white bandage.*
The affairs of the Hamburg railway promise very well;
it was a good investment of my first savings.
The weather has become better, though it is still very
* Worn by the officers of the allied Prussian and Austrian forces.
VOL. II. M

162 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
unsettled, not a day passing without rain, and so cold that
one could not possibly exist without a fire. The two carriage
horses are now in splendid condition and form a really nice
pair. If in spring we move to Coblentz we shall be able to
make good use of the little carriage, and I am sure I shall
never have the chance again of purchasing for three hundred
and sixty thalers two such fine young Prussian horses. To
wait until the conclusion of my fifty years' service I have no
inducement ; to your style of living it would not make any
difference, and so long as I am alive we will have quite
sufficient income for our wants.
Podbielski had a three weeks' leave of absence, and has
just returned here again, so that I have at present absolutely
nothing to do. The prince will probably stay in Berlin until
after the christening takes place; that is to say, the 13th.
The gentle pressure in Jutland seems, after all, to have had
some effect at Copenhagen, and I am looking forward now
to an early conclusion of the negotiations at Vienna. We-
ought to be thankful to the Almighty that we have been
able to come so well out of our negotiations with an insular
state at which we cannot very well get. The result which
has been obtained ought not to be put again in jeopardy on
account of merely subordinate matters. It is raining at
present, but I shall nevertheless go for a ride, as in a few
moments it will again be fine.
It is well that you get out twice a day. What will the
world say to your going about with an interesting young
lieutenant? Love to Henry. Yours,
Helmuth..
To his Wife. Flensburg, 17th October, 1864.
Dearest Mary,
I am still unfortunately in such a position that I
cannot tell you what is to be done with us here. You are
pretty sure to hear more about these things in Berlin. We-
expect the prince here the day after to-morrow. I am still
always hoping that by this time they have settled matters.
connected with the peace in Vienna, in which case also we
should be able to decide who are to remain in the duchies,.
the others being recalled.

1864.] BISMARCK AT BIARRITZ. 163
I have just been making a long ride, in the course of
which I got somewhat wet ; the sun, however, comes out
every now and then. In the evenings we generally have
our game en trois, which is rather monotonous. To-day I
have tickets for "Figaro's Marriage" (Nozze di Figaro).
Did you see the delightful verses in Kladderadatsch on
Bismarck at Biarritz ? Adieu, dear heart. Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.
Flensburg, Monday, 24th October, 1864.
Dear Mary,
Your letter of yesterday has just reached me. As
I have not been recalled since the prince's arrival, I must
unavoidably remain here until the final disbanding of the
allied forces. The conferences in Vienna will, according to
the general belief, come to a conclusion one of these days.
Then a period of three weeks has been stipulated for the
ratification, so that the departure of the troops will pre
sumably begin about the middle of November, and be
completed at latest by the 10th of December. The chief
headquarters can very well be broken up about the time that
the general departure begins. For this, however, we shall
still have to wait three or four weeks, which will be a long
time for you to be alone in Berlin ; I should therefore advise
you to go back to Holstein.
While work is accumulating for me in Berlin, I am as
useless here as the fifth wheel of a cart. It is fearfully
monotonous too, to dine every day at five o'clock, and then
play whist always with the same persons.
When the prince was on his way here he espied Henry
at the station, taking tender leave of a young lady. He
made him come into his carriage. Henry assured him that
she was his sister. " Any one can say that ! " was the
answer. Poor Betty must have caught cold at the play ; she coughs
incessantly, especially at night. It is a pity, for she was in
such good spirits, and as she cannot walk at all the fresh air
out driving did her so much good. And now the last of her
friends here have all gone to Copenhagen. The old folks will

164 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
have to play whist en deux all the winter. God preserve them
to each other.
Farewell, dear little woman; do not forget to love me.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Flensburg, 28th October, 1864.
Dear good Mary,
I have melancholy news to communicate. Betty
died yesterday evening. You yourself saw how well and
cheerful she was only this autumn. The drives every day
in the fresh air had done her so much good, and she had no
further anxiety as to the future. She must have taken cold
somewhere, in the theatre perhaps; a latent disease was
somehow developed ; on the 25th she took her bed, suffering
from cough and oppression of the chest. She could not sleep
for want of breath, and had not the strength to cough up.
That evening Adolph's people arrived. Betty's condition even
then was not alarming, and her only anxiety was a fear lest
everything should not be in good order for her guests.
Yesterday morning the case looked very serious. Still there
was some improvement, and Adolph's people and I drove out
to Gliicksburg ; in the afternoon they were to leave, and said
good-bye to Betty, who talked to them with perfect calmness
and self-possession. We now hoped that rest and sleep would
restore her strength, and she fell asleep in Fritz's arms. For
fear of waking her he sat so for some hours, but at about
eight he came to me and said, "I really don't know whether
Betty is asleep or dead." The doctor who lives in the same
house was called, and he pronounced life extinct. And so
she passed away, without pain or any death-struggle. Her
features are still quite peaceful, one might expect her to wake at
any moment. To Fritz, as you know, the loss is irremediable.
He is calm, composed, and resigned. I wrote to mamma
yesterday to come with Ernestine. No one can comfort him
as she will, or help Fritz through the first terrible time.
Fritz would like that they should come and live with him
altogether, the best and wisest thing that could happen.*
The treaty of peace will be signed on the 31st of the
month at latest, as the conference at Vienna has at last
* This was, in fact, carried out.

1864.] MRS. FRITZ VON MOLTKE'S DEATH. 165
come to a complete understanding. Whether the ratification
will take place within three or four weeks will depend entirely
upon the Danes. Of course the return march can begin
somewhat earlier, and the chief headquarters may possibly be
broken up within fourteen days.
For me personally the position here has become a very
painful one, as I have absolutely nothing to do.
As the king will no doubt receive me most graciously, I
cannot possibly ask for my dismission just yet, but, unless
meanwhile fresh complications arise, I shall certainly do so
next spring.
Adieu, dearest heart. I sincerely hope that mamma will
be here to-morrow. Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Flensburg, 31st October, 1864.
Dear Mary,
I have safely delivered to Fritz your letter of the
29th, and given utterance to your words of sympathy. All
is going as well as can be expected under the sad circum
stances. Ernestine had started the very evening of Betty's
death, on receipt of the alarming news Adolph brought with
him. As she saw no light in the house, she put up for the
night at the hotel. Mamma arrived at midday yesterday.
Fritz has made no change in his mode of living, and attends
to his duties now as ever. Of an afternoon we go for a drive,
of an evening we play our rubber, but for which tediousness
would be added to affliction. The body still lies in the bedroom
in a leaden coffin; this is already the fourth day. It is now
about to be enclosed in the wooden coffin and will be brought
to-morrow to the mortuary chapel. Fritz has bought a very
beautiful spot in the churchyard immediately behind the
chapel. Fritz is exceedingly calm, and ostensibly almost
cheerful ; but whoever knows him knows also what he suffers.
Henry is to come to the funeral; we have as yet, however,
no idea how long the body may have to remain in the chapel.
It is prolonged suffering.
The terms of peace were fixed yesterday at one o'clock,
and the return march of the troops will begin on the 20th of

166 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
November, a portion of them perhaps starting even sooner.
Good-bye for to-day, dear kind heart. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Flensburg, 5th November, 1864.
Dear Mary,
After lying eight days uncovered in the house, in
spite of unmistakable evidence of decomposition, the body
was brought at eight o'clock yesterday evening to the
mortuary chapel in the churchyard. Fritz, Henry, and I only
accompanied the hearse, which had to take a circuitous route
over the Siidermarkt. This morning at seven o'clock Pastor
Ewaldsen delivered the oration in the beautiful illuminated
chapel. Gusta, Ernestine, and Miss Wedekind * were present
in the gallery. Below a number of the most distinguished
townsmen had assembled, having offered, of their own accord,
to bear the coffin to the vault. This had been decked all
over with fir-sprays and flowers by faithful Miss Wedekind.
After the blessing the solemnity came to an end. Fritz is
perfectly collected, and has even to-day transacted his busi
ness affairs. The domestic concerns take their course under
Gusta's and Ernestine's supervision, and so I hope that some
quiet may now step in. I am very thankful to you, dear heart,
for your industry in writing. I cannot tell you how I long
to get away from here, seeing how utterly useless I am.
Best love from Fritz, Gusta, Henry, and Ernestine; the last
will soon write to you herself. Henry maintains that there
is absolutely no stuff in him. He is staying with us, and is
to remain eight days. Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Flensburg, 6th November, 1864.
Dear Mary,
Your letter of Friday has duly reached me.
The treaty of peace will be followed by a special protocol,
in accordance with which the King of Denmark is to issue
* A faithful friend of the deceased lady.

1864.] CONCLUSION OF PEACE. 167
on the day of ratification, that is, the 19th of November,
a proclamation to the duchies announcing to them their
cession and likewise releasing the officials from all their
previous duties.
I would gladly go to Hamburg, but the War office would
in that case have to entitle me to definitely fix the plans of
transport, and forthwith undertake all further negotiations
with the railway. In fact, I fear that, if the matter has first
to go back to Berlin, and if peace should be ratified before
the 19th (ou plutot s'il se peut faire), we shall no longer have
time to complete the preparations for our departure.
At the conclusion of peace, the act will first be paraphed ;
that is to say, marked with the initials of the negotiators,
and then signed. The ratification, on the other hand, con
sists of the signatures of the monarchs concerned. After that
follows the exchange of the six copies in Vienna.
10th. — The Danish council of the realm has accepted the
treaty, so that we shall be able to get away from here as
early as the 13th or 14th. At midday to-morrow we expect
Major Hartmann of the war office, who will be the bearer of
the royal commands. I do sincerely trust that the greater
part of the army will be allowed to return to their home
quarters before the end of the present month.
14th. — The chief quarters are to be removed on the 17th
inst. to Hamburg, if indeed they are not broken up entirely
before that date. I am off on furlough to-day, as I wish
to visit my relations, and shall rejoin our people at Ham
burg. To-morrow I shall be in Ranzau, but whether I shall still
be able to go to Ratzeburg I do not yet know. I look
forward with all my heart to a speedy meeting. For to-day
good-bye. Here all is well. Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
I open this letter once again, dear Mary, in order to send
you fresh tidings of sorrow. A telegram has just come in
from Copenhagen: "John Burt est mort aujourd'hui a huit
heures et demi. Kopenhague, le 14." Only four or five
days ago mamma received a letter from him, in which he
wrote quite cheerfully. He did not complain in the least
about his health; he must have been struck with apoplexy

168 MOLTKE 'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
Details are of course lacking at present, but they are certain
to come by the next post.
Strange that in one of your last letters you should have
had a sort of presentiment of this death.
It is deplorable that not one of his relations is on the
spot. I cannot possibly go to Copenhagen now ; Henry is on
the march; mamma has at once communicated the news to
Cai, but whether he can go I know not. The only comfort
we can take at present is that poor John was at least spared
a lonely bed of pain. To his Wife.
Hamburg, 17th November, 1864.
Dear Mary,
I can imagine how painfully poor John's death affects
you. Yes indeed, we will hold the simple good-natured fellow
in kindly remembrance. I have to ask his pardon for many
a harsh and uncharitable judgment. When one stands thus
at a fellow-creature's grave, one is sorry, and it is too late.
I regret that we did not see him amongst us once more.
How painless and easy his end was you will learn from the
accompanying letter. After many a bitter care, this short
struggle has been vouchsafed him by God. May He prove
unto him a mild Judge.
The prince goes this evening to Berlin ; the chief command
has, however, not yet been dissolved, and we may possibly
stay a day or two longer here, where it is certainly more
endurable than elsewhere. Good-bye for to-day, dear Mary.
You will perhaps know in Berlin when I am coming before
I know it myself. Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Hamburg, 27th November, 1864.
Dear Mary,
I do not know whether I ought to advise you to go
to Cismar or not. There must be a change in the arrange
ments here within the next few days. Until the 3rd of
December we are to have twenty thousand men assembled
in Holstein, an active division is to be stationed at Minden,

1864.] QUARTERS AT ALTON A. 169

and another is to be collected during the first half of this
month near Berlin. Perhaps they will come to their senses
in Hanover and Dresden before driving matters to extremes.
It would be very deplorable indeed to come here to serious
conflicts. I have no doubt whatever as to our success, but
the secondary consequences can never be foreseen. The
Augusta Regiment is already in Altona, and by the day after
to-morrow the entire division of guards will be there
assembled; that is, in the environs. We who form the chief
headquarters move on to Altona to-morrow.
Yesterday I went to the Thalia theatre, where I saw
"Der Pariser Taugenichts," and "Die Monche," both pieces
very amusing and well played. I found two superb apples
in my coat pocket that my little wife had slipped in there
for me. Good-bye for to-day, dear Mary.
Most affectionately yours.

To his Wife. Altona, 28th November, 1864.
Dear Mary,
This morning Count Nostitz brought me your lines
of yesterday. Prince-Bishop Sedlnitzki is a very amiable gentleman,
very well disposed towards the Prussians so long as he was
in office. But that a Catholic prince of the Church should
turn Protestant is quite extraordinary.
We took up our quarters in Altona this afternoon. Besides
the staffs of Generals von Hake and Gebser and a Hanoverian
battalion, there are at present stationed here four of our
battalions of guards and six others. The regiment of hussar
guards is also posted close to Altona. I am quartered with
Councillor of State Donner, who had the kindness to ask it as
a special favour. Besides myself, Prittwitz and Surgeon-
General Loffler are here, and on Wednesday we expect
General von Schack for a three days' visit. The house,
however, is a large one ; that is to say, we have much better
quarters than in Apenrade. The well-lighted rooms are
comfortably warmed by a cheerful shining fire. The furni
ture is entirely covered with yellow silk damask, so that
I am quite at a loss where to hang my cloak or lay my hat.
A soft bed promises me an agreeable night's rest, and

170 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
especially pleasing to me is the thought of the approaching
dinner hour — six o'clock — as I have had nothing since my
coffee this morning. My hostess has done me the honour of
a visit to assure herself that nothing is wanting to make my
comfort complete. Would that everything outside was of
the same rosy hue ! Circumstances are at present in a very
peculiar state, yet it is to be hoped that common sense will
prosper in the end.
30th. — In the house here we are celebrating at present
the birthday of Mr. Donner, and are having a grand dinner,
for which I have obtained the band of the 3rd Regiment of
Guards. I visited Blankenese and the water-works yesterday, and
also rode up the Bauersberg, which is three hundred feet in
height. In the early morning the sun was shining, but
towards midday it became so misty that it was impossible to
see fifty yards before me. To-day summonses were issued to
Saxony and Hanover to evacuate the country. The former
will answer that they must have the orders of the Bund to
that effect, while what the latter will do is as yet unknown
to any one.
For to-day adieu, good dear heart. Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Altona, 8th December, 1864.
Dear Mary,
So far as matters military are concerned, everything
here has now been settled. By the 18th all the active troops
are intended to be in their home quarters, and consequently
the breaking up of the chief headquarters will be unavoidable.
The Hanoverian troops begin their homeward march
to-morrow. The Saxons arrived here in March; now they
will have to make a detour of fifty miles by way of Eisenach
and Hof, returning home by their back entrance, because
Mr. von Beust will not give us the pass-word to enable
them to go by Magdeburg and Erfurt. The result will be
an extra expense of about fifty thousand thalers. To that
sum may also be added an equal amount on account of the
entirely unnecessary and useless calling out of the twelve

1865.] VISIT TO VIENNA. 171
thousand reserves. And all this has been done to please the
vanity of the great statesman on the Elbe, and to give him
the satisfaction of having wholly compromised himself. The
gentlemen commissioners of the Bund have handed over all
the documents relating to their administration to Mr. von
Zedlitz, who came to see me yesterday; and accordingly the
great excitement of the last few days has subsided. The
governing authorities at Kiel and Lauenburg have issued a
proclamation, according to which the Prusso-Austrian com
missioners are to carry on the administration of all three
duchies in a uniform manner.
The Donners are almost every day inquiring whether you
are not soon coming here again. I am at the present moment
being serenaded by the trumpeters of the 6th Regiment of
Dragoons, all of whom are mounted upon very fine grey
horses. The day before yesterday I heard the Tietgens in
"Fidelio." 9th. — The formal entry of the guards takes place on the
17th inst. and divine service will be held on the 18th. By
the latter date all the troops will have evacuated the country.
Surely then, at all events, the chief headquarters will be
broken up.
I propose that you should come here next Monday or
Tuesday ; we could then go together to Berlin. Write and
fix the day that I may be at the station. Best love.
Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.
Hofburg, Vienna, 16th January, 1865.
Dear Mary,
We have all arrived here in the best of health.
The weather was fine, and not very cold, so that one could
get to sleep; sometimes, too, we had sunshine, and the
district of Oderberg was most charming. We had a compart
ment to ourselves, besides three first-class carriages, so that
all our people were quite snug and warm, and from the
frontier onward we occupied a saloon carriage. At Prerau
Groben came to meet us. As we expected to be received
immediately by the emperor, we were compelled to get into
full uniform in the carriages. At the railway-station the

172 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
prince * was received by the Archduke Leopold, the same
highly-estimable gentleman who was present at the manoeuvres
at Buckau, besides General Count Wrbna and Colonel Vlasicz,
who will be in attendance on the prince during his stay here.
A company from Parma lined the station. Leaving our cloaks
and overcoats behind we inspected the parade, and then stepped
into the imperial carriages, which drove off at a first-rate pace
through the Zeil and the Rote Thor, past the Stefano Platz
and on to the Schweizerhof in the Burg (Imperial Palace). An
unfortunate fiacre got overthrown. I just caught up the
prince in time, as his majesty the emperor was advancing to
salute him. When these royal personages had again come
out of the prince's room, we were duly presented. His
majesty remembered having seen me at Gastein, and spoke
to me very kindly about the late campaign. We proceeded
at once to her majesty the empress through an endless suite
of rooms, all of which were of pretty much the same dimen
sions, very lofty, with walls of immense thickness and very
plainly furnished. In one of them was the state bed of
Maria Theresia, and in another were hung pictures of Pietra
Dura, including the portrait of an emperor, at which I must
try to get a look by daylight. All were illuminated by
candles, of which there must have been over a thousand.
They have no corridors here but only double apartments,
an arrangement which is very convenient for presentations,
though not so comfortable for living purposes.
The apartments of both their majesties look into the
courtyard. The prince remained with the empress for over
half an hour, while in the ante-room were the mistress of the
household, Countess Konigseck, Count Kueffstein, Landgrave
von Fiirstenberg, Count Crenneville, o r embassy, von Werther,
von Ladenberg, Count Galen, and myself. When the empress
came out with the prince we were presented to her. The
general report is not far wrong; the empress is enchanting,
more attractive than handsome, with a style of her own,
which is rather difficult to depict. Being in mourning, she
was attired in black — rich striped silk, trimmed with lace,
and a train of about two yards in length, but quite without
jewels. She appears to be rather shy, speaks very low, and
* Moltke accompanied Prince Frederick Charles to Vienna, where the
prince had to report himself to the emperor after the disbanding of the army
corps which he had commanded.

1865.] AT THE AUSTRIAN IMPERIAL PALACE. 173
therefore is not always easily understood ; one feels, however,
that whatever she says is of a kindly nature. The emperor
conducted the prince to his apartments in person, and by-
and-by I, too, was brought to my room, in which fully sixty
candles were burning. My soul, however, burned within me
because of the telegram which I wished to send to Princess
Charles at such a time that it would reach her before she
retired to rest, to inform her what really follows of itself that,
notwithstanding the fact that our travelling-party numbered
thirteen, and that in irregular fashion thirteen also sat down
to dinner, which, by the way, took place at ten o'clock in
the prince's apartments, everybody and everything was
nevertheless all right. The dinner-party comprised the gentle
men who were to be presented and the officers of the prince's
own regiment of hussars, Lieutenant-Colonel Ottinger, Count
Piickler, and Count Wallis. The dinner was excellent — few
courses, very quickly served. Chief articles — Bohemian
pheasants, most succulently roasted, first-rate champagne, and
a very special and excellent old Malaga wine.
This morning at eight o'clock I had breakfast in my room,
consisting of most excellent coffee and delicious Vienna
bread — enough to last me a week. As early as ten o'clock
was brought in a plate with sweetmeats and fruit, including
most delicious grapes. At half-past ten o'clock the prince
received the entire body of generals. I cannot possibly
recollect all their names, but of these personally known to
me were Prince Charles Schwarzenberg, the Minister of War,
Chevalier Francke, Count Nostiz and Gondrecourt, with both
the two last of whom I became acquainted in Schleswig,
Lieutenant-General Ritter, who has charge of the imperial
stud, and Lieutenant-General Henningstein, the chief of the
general staff. Mr. von Lederer was also there. The whole
of this day has been devoted to paying visits. Beginning
at eleven o'clock I went through endless suites of rooms,
passages, and corridors, to the Archdukes Francis, Charles,
and Albert, all of whom live in the Burg, and after having
seen these, I proceeded to very many others who reside
in the town. Among the latter were Field-Marshals Hesz
and Wratislaw, the minister of war (the only one who
received), the Due de Gramont, and the Papal Nuncio.
At half-past one we had luncheon, or rather it might be
called a complete dinner, with soup and champagne for the

174 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
entourage of the guests in my ante-room. Then Count
Mensdorf called, remaining with me about half an hour;
after which there was another reception by the empress
mother, the Archduchess Sophia, and the Grand Duke of
Modena. The first chamberlain, Prince Auersperg, presided over
the marshal's table, at which the ladies of the empress also
took part. Among the latter were the mistress of the house
hold, Countess Konigseck, the Princess of Taxis, and Countess
Hunyady. I was placed between the two former and enjoyed
myself thoroughly. These Austrian ladies of the aristocracy
are so simple and homely in their ways, and enter with such
good spirit into whatever topics of conversation happen to be
selected, that it is a real pleasure to talk with them. The
dinner was splendid. After soup we had beer and St. Perez
oysters, then chateau Margaux, Rhine wine, punch a la
Romaine, champagne, and cape wine. After having partaken
of these dainties we went along a corridor to the theatre of
the imperial palace. Count Crenneville was kind enough to
invite me to a box, where one is quite private and nearer to
the stage than in the Court box. The Archdukes Francis,
Charles, Albert, and the prince occupied the imperial box,
which was immediately in front of the stage. " Citizenlike and
Romantic" was very well rendered, especially noticeable
being the acting of Madlle. Wolters, an actress who is very
much admired here. Tea was ordered to be served in my
room. With it appeared all kinds of pastry, capon and ham,
wine, and confections, quite enough to satisfy ten persons. In
this most enjoyable way was my first day in Vienna passed.
I only hope that I shall be able to recognize again all the
different persons to whom I have been introduced.
Tuesday, 17th. — Again we have the most delightful weather
and a blue sky. At half-past eleven I went to the Spanish
riding-school. The imperial riders here practiced the noble
art of horsemanship on animals of Spanish breed, in shape
and appearance very like those represented upon old pictures
of Riidinger's plates — high-necked steeds, with somewhat of
a ram's head, broad chest, and long thick tails and manes.
In the case of one of the grey horses the mane literally
touched the ground. The riders are all dressed in scarlet
and gold, and have German saddles without stirrups. All the
horses are entire. The riding-school is situated close to the

1865.] THE SPANISH RIDING-SCHOOL. 175
Burg, and just as is the case with respect to the theatre,
so here the imperial box can be reached without having to
go through the open air at all. The riding-school is a mag
nificent one, very extensive, and of the height of about two
floors. The whole is in the style of the Renaissance, and
being painted white it has, when lighted with gas, almost the
light of day. Among the spectators was the celebrated
equestrian, Count Szandor. The riding was of course generally
done at a cadence pace, yet the most difficult feats were
done with the greatest precision. The general rule was that
four horses should always perform at one time, pawing the
ground, cringing, etc., etc. The horses are specially noted
for their good digestion — in this respect I doubly envy
them. Even after the greatest exertions they never refuse
food. Especially fine are those which have been cross-bred
with the Arabian kind ; they are distinguished by a fine head,
slender body, and elegant pace. A white stallion of this
cross-breed is the perfection of a horse, the most beautiful
I have ever seen. He could do the cadence step perfectly,
and the headlong gallop equally well. The manner of
stabling these horses is as practical as can be seen anywhere.
At twelve o'clock my rooms were again the scene of a
luncheon, with champagne, etc. At one o'clock I brought
my state carriage into requisition, and drove to the general
staff, Field-Marshal Lieutenant Henningstein, Count Huyn,
and General Fligely. I was very politely shown the various
photographs, copper and stone plates, the originals of the
geographical maps, drawings, etc. An office has been
expressly built for the purpose of preserving these. From
there I drove on to Count Leo Thun's, but he was not at
home, and the same fate met me at Prince Auersperg's. I
succeeded, however, in finding the Dowager Countess Salm,
whom I entertained with a minute description of the Radziwil
family. The countess had sat next to me in the box at the
theatre yesterday without my knowing the extent of my
good fortune.
After returning home at four o'clock I slipped into my
civilian garments, and glided out of the palace on foot, in
order to have, undisturbed by anybody, a good look at the
shops and St. Stephen's Cathedral, with its new spire. I
next visited the new buildings on the esplanade and the
beautiful statue of the Archduke Charles ; and now I must

176 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
dress in haste for the state banquet. As I have not had
any lunch I am sure to enjoy my dinner well. I just arrived
in time just now to be presented to the ladies in the drawing-
room before the imperial couple made their appearance.
Among those present were the Princess Auersperg, tier
Colloredo, the Countess Mensdorf, the only surviving member
of the Deinhardstein family, the Countess Kueffstein, nee
Princess Paar, the Countess Konigseck, nee Bellegarde, the
Princess of Taxis, and the Countess Hunyady. The prince
took the empress in to dinner. The latter 's toilette consisted
of a plain white dress, the train of which was, however, of
such length and width that it required the greatest caution to
walk along with her; narrow black ribbons hung from her
headdress right down to the ground, and to this simplicity a
most magnificent set of diamonds offered a striking contrast.
The emperor followed. It was while sitting at table that I
first remarked the more than modest nature of the dining-
room; the plaster walls were all right, but mirrors! and
these such exceedingly small ones. Truly resplendent, in
the most literal sense of the word, on the other hand, was
the table itself — epergnes, plates, spoons, knives, and forks,
all from beginning to end were of gold. It is very evident
that all their gold has not yet gravitated into the mint at
Vienna, and that they have managed to keep some of it out
of the clutches of their finance committees. Three hundred
candles — you know, I always do count — light up all that gold,
and make the picture of imperial magnificence complete.
Rich and tasteful also is the livery of the lackeys — black,
with broad gold braid; while the outriders are dressed in
green and silver. I did not think so much of a swarm who
were dressed in scarlet, and who, if I mistake not, had charge
of the wine. I don't remember ever before having seen so
many persons engaged in pouring out wine; the glasses
were constantly kept full, no matter how little one might
have drunk out of them. The dinner was served upon an
immense scale; I shall bring the actual plan of campaign
home with me, and for the present will only remark that
there were oysters, truffles steeped in Burgundy, Straszburg
pies, and Rhine salmon, all before the first piece de bceuf.
The order of rank at table appeared to me also very note
worthy. All the ministers of state were invited, but they
were placed at the lower end of the table, while the princes,

1865.] DOINGS AT VIENNA. 177
counts, and other gentlemen sat next the royal personages.
In our country the rank which would have the precedence
would be that won in the service of the State, whereas in
Austria it is the rank by birth that is regarded. Then, too,
what names these people bear ! We strangers had of course
been awarded exceptionally good places. Next to the empress
sat Mr. von Werther, then came the mistress of the house
hold, and then myself, so that I was able to admire the pretty
empress from no great distance. Two bands of music in
the adjoining rooms filled up the gaps in the conversation,
if indeed, that is, such there were. To me the entertainment
appeared to be of the most general and unrestrained nature.
After dinner a "circle" was held by their majesties, and
this the empress manages, as it appears to me, without much
difficulty. So soon as she desires it to be over, she makes a
most graceful and rather low bow, after which one knows
that he may retire. Of the archdukes none were present.
We reached the theatre of the palace about the middle
of the performance. The piece was " The Ring," an old and
somewhat antiquated drama, by Schroder, I believe. The
popular favourite, Mr. Fichtner, played splendidly, but to
applaud does not seem to be considered the proper thing in
this theatre, which is a very satisfactory arrangement.
The prince has gone hunting with his majesty from one
to four to Schonbrunn ; it will be a regular murder of closed-
in black game. Loe has, I believe, shot ten sows.
Wednesday. — In the morning there was a fall of snow,
though the weather was mild. At a quarter to ten o'clock
we went to the arsenal, a huge set of buildings, forming in
itself almost a town, a fortress, in which arsenal, workshops,
furnaces, foundries, boring engines, are concentrated together,
and where thousands of workmen are employed, all under the
direction of General Stein. I will spare you a description of
all the steam and hand-saw mills, the bullet moulds, forges,
and hammers. To me the most noteworthy thing was the
process of changing the old Austrian muzzle-loaders into
breechloading rifles, according to a model, as I am informed,
devised by a certain town councillor, Frederick of Magdeburg.
In the armoury there was a stock of one hundred and sixty
thousand of the former kind ; that is to say, those which had
not yet been transformed. In the centre of the chief front
of the place there is a magnificent hall built in the Saracen
VOL. II. N

178 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
style, in which busts of Austrian generals will be placed.
In another hall are preserved beautiful and valuable sets of
armour, chiefly of historical interest. The courtyard was
lined, notwithstanding a heavy snowstorm, by files composed
of two squadrons of Saxon and Brunswick cuirassiers, with
two batteries.
From the arsenal I went to the Equitation, a riding-
school equal to the one we have at Schwedt. I drove there
with Count Crenneville, and therefore preceded the emperor
and the prince. The riding-school comprises only forty officers,
who go there for a course of eleven months' training under
the direction of the Prince of Taxis, an exceedingly clever
horseman, who lost an eye during the Italian campaign.
First of all were brought out the school horses which belong
to the institution, and then the campaigning horses which
come from the regiments. With the former of these they
expected a very pretty feat, in which one officer has to dodge
two others so speedily that neither of them can get at his left
side. By means of slight feints to the right he soon outwits
his opponent on the left, who has to take a wider curve, and
then, as a rule, his only way of escaping the other is by
pirouetting about. As soon as he allows his left side to be
touched he is beaten. Perhaps even prettier was a series of
sham fights upon campaigning horses, with, of course, blunted
weapons ; sabre against sword, and sword against lance. An
officer of the volunteer Uhlans, who rode with very great
skill, defended himself against two hussars. Finally, thirty
four-year-old stallions were ridden without saddle or bridle.
After all which followed what I may call the stable parade,
that is to say, the weather being so bad, the imperial carriages
and riding-horses stood all saddled and bridled in the immense
stables each in its own stall, with the stablemen beside them,
dressed in their state liveries. Among them were eight ten-
zoll black horses, in purple and gold caparisons and wearing
immense tufts of ostrich feathers ; immediately opposite which
was an exactly similar mourning team of white horses with
black trappings; next these again were the state post-teams,
the outriders of which were dressed in black, with gold braid
and gold ribbons ; and finally there was a collection of most
excellent riding - horses, especially two National English
chestnuts belonging to the empress ; all the horses were
in boxes, even the mules, ponies, and two tiny donkeys

1865.] KINDNESS OF THE AUSTRIAN ROYAL FAMILY. 179
belonging to the crown prince. On the floor above were the
carriages, recent as well as old, ancient coronation carriages,
some of them decorated by Rubens himself, and some huge
affairs shaped like lanterns supported by two long poles ; and
then again there were the harness and saddle rooms, etc.,
etc. We next visited the splendid riding course, the third
that we have seen here, where horsemen rode about and
leapt over fences. These various visits of inspection occupied
us until four o'clock. Then we had calls to make upon the
Archdukes Charles Ferdinand and Joseph, who had only just
arrived. We dined at his majesty's, the emperor's. It was
a dinner for gentlemen only and took place as early as five
o'clock because of the marriage of Prince Teck to an arch
duchess. I sat on this occasion between Prince Charles Lichten-
stein, the inspector general of the cavalry, and Count
Festetics, the proprietor of the lake of Pullu— from which
we had served up an immense and most delicious fish — and
also of many square miles of land as well ; the latter is also
a cavalry general. After dinner I drove with my companion
Sterneck to the Charles' theatre, where a real Viennese comedy
was to be given. This was departed from, however, on account
of the manager of the theatre having just had a stroke of
apoplexy. A very silly fairy play was performed instead, but
after it we had " Der Juristen Tag," which was acted very
well indeed. We were obliged, however, to leave as early
as nine o'clock, as we had been invited by the empress to
tea; as a matter of fact, however, we saw nothing of her
majesty herself, for the Court kept entirely to itself. It was
a o-reat pleasure to me to meet there Field-Marshal Hesz, who
•stands his years well, and remembers having met me in
Turkey. By ten o'clock all was already over. The emperor
as a rule retires to rest before ten o'clock, but rises every
morning as early as five o'clock.
The emperor was again very gracious to-day, and frequently
¦conversed with me. Especially friendly also was the Archduke
Leopold, and really warm hearted was the Archduke Albert.
Altogether we cannot speak too highly of our reception here ;
every one knows by this time that the only reason of our
mission was to enable the prince to present his respects to
the emperor and that there was no political significance about
;the matter.
Thursday. — A blue sky, with slight frost. The royal party

180 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO II IS WIFE.
drove to Aspern for pheasant shooting. After luncheon I
paid a visit to the treasury, a few vaults in the imperial
palace, in which a large quantity of valuable articles,
curiosities, and the crown jewels, coronation robes, crown,
sceptre, swords, etc., are kept. From these I went down to
the imperial cellars by torchlight ; they are three floors deep,
and contain I believe actually forty thousand eimers, all of
Austrian wine. We partook of some of the most celebrated
among the casks, the palm being carried off by a sixty-three-
year-old Gumpoldskirchener, which tasted like St. Perez.
After that I drove with Sterneck to the Belvedere, where
Professor Bergmann showed me the Amraser collection. This
contains highly interesting portraits and special sets of armour,
among the latter being the proud equipment of Frederick of
Brandenburg. There was also there the extraordinary suit
of armour of a certain Radziwil, Duke of Oleco, or some such
name; it was richly ornamented with red, black, and white
arabesque-like lines. Then there was the armour of one
Henry Ranzau, with this inscription, "May God protect
nothing else except life, body, and honour," as well as that
of Alba, on which he himself is depicted kneeling before
a cross, and many more besides of the highest historical
interest. In an old tournament book is to be found frequently
occurring the name of Albert of Brandenburg. We also
visited the picture gallery in the upper Belvedere, being
conducted through it by the director in person.
Our programme for to-day : farewell visits, at six o'clock
dinner at the emperor's, at eight o'clock cigars at Count
Crenneville's, the Burg theatre. To-morrow morning at seven
o'clock we start on our return journey to Berlin.
To our speedy and joyful meeting. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew. Berlin, 7th June, 1865.
My dear Henry,
I have received your letter of the 4th, and write to
tell you in the first place that you have passed your examina
tion at the military academy, and will come to Berlin in the
autumn. Your present command requires some discretion.
I do not know what your especial orders are, but I believe
it will be well to speak little, hear much, and keep your

1865.] DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BERLIN AND VIENNA. 181
eyes open. You will have to report yourself at Kiel, and go
to work cautiously in the matter.
That our Austrian comrades are just now not very com
plaisant is easily understood. I hope, in the mean time, that
the affair will mend itself. In Schleswig-Holstein the
question between the two governments cannot be adjusted ;
that must be done between Berlin and Vienna.
Conflicts there, if only between individuals, would be very
regrettable. Nothing can be thrown in your way, as far as
regards your work, and if you come forward with tact and
courtesy, neither will you be personally molested. Make
your survey as well as you can ; they will not expect you to
give them fine drawings.* I do not know with what means
you are equipped; one cannot accomplish much by hand
without any instruments. Therefore I shall send you to
morrow my little engineer's table, by means of which I made
my surveys of Constantinople and Rome. It is very portable,
and one works extraordinarily fast with it. Now, good-bye,
old boy, success to your affairs.
Very affectionately, your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Merseburg, 24th September, 1865.
Dear Mary,
The manoeuvres, eight big dinners, and all kinds
of other festivities are now happily and without any mishap
finished, and to-day at midday we must proceed to Weiszenfels.
The horses will still remain in Liitzen, where they are very
well looked after, and will go direct to Naumburg, because
the glanders has broken out at Weiszenfels. They have kept
exceedingly well.
Yesterday Count Kielmansegge brought me the latest news
of you from Ratzeburg. The king will probably make a short
stay there on the 25th. What a pity that you are not there !
Saxon officers have not let themselves be seen at the
manoeuvres, in spite of the short distance. Best love, and
good-bye. Yours,
Helmuth.
* Officers were ordered to Schleswig-Holstein to make surveys, who at the
same time were to probe the disposition of the country.

182 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Wife.
Kiel,* 10th November, 1865.
Dear Mary,
I should have written to you ere this, but I really
did not now whether I could say that I was in health. I
reached Kiel quite comfortably warm, as 1 had wrapped
myself up in my fur coat, and refreshed myself with some
claret, but during the night I began to feel very unwell.
On the following day there was a big dinner at Gablenz. At
that I kept strictly to the most nourishing diet only, taking
nothing except veal and rice and a glass of claret. Then I
went on the "Arcona" to Sonderburg. The weather was as
sunny and beautiful as it was in September, and the fresh
sea air did me no end of good. Since then I have felt quite
myself again. To-day I drove in the most beautiful weather
to Friedrichsort, being eight hours on the road. Just now I
am expecting Cannstein, Mertens, and Jachmann to come
and play a rubber of whist with me. Much love.
Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife. Kiel, 16th November, 1865.
My dear good little Wipe,
Do not be astonished at my laziness in writing ;
one has here so much to attend to, and whatever time I have
free I occupy with open-air exercise, generally walking along
the beautiful path by the shore to Bellevue. The weather
is delightful and very favourable to our excursions both b
land and by water. We went yesterday on the "Cyclops"
to Friedrichsort. The Polyphemus of the ancients had only
one eye ; the present one has only a single boiler, the others
having become useless. The result was that we made but
slow progress, but in the clear sunshine we could admire the
coast all the more thoroughly ; the captain, Prince von
Schwarzenberg, also carried a very excellent Madeira. To-day
we went to Ellerbeck, and as we returned rather early we
proceeded to an oyster cellar, where I treated the party to
* Moltke had gone to Kiel to reconnoitre the ground with a view to the
construction of a harbour.

1865.] KIEL AND ITS HARBOUR. 183
a couple of bottles of champagne. I hope to escape a dinner,
as Gablenz is absent. As you see, I am again in quite
sufficient good health. To-day Kiel is all over flags of the
Schleswig-Holstein and German colours, not a Prussian or
Austrian being visible. It is the second anniversary fete in
honour of the government of the poor duke. With the
exception of this harmless demonstration there is not the
slightest manifestation of feeling. I am very pleased indeed
with this town, and the harbour looks splendid with its noble
men-of-war. Among the vessels lying there are the " Arcona "
and " Vineta," both armoured corvettes, the frigate " Gefion,"
the gunboats " Cyclops " and " Comet," the guardship " Bar-
barossa," and the dismantled "Augusta" and "Victoria."
Besides these there are the Austrian corvette "Frederick,"
and several merchant vessels. The "Vineta" sails on
Saturday for Brazil; if it were only possible to be landed
at Madeira I should only be too glad to go so far with her.
Every evening I have my gentlemen here to whist. As for
newspapers, I have hardly looked at one since I left Berlin.
The North German is not to be had here at all. What was
the nature of the report that the Kreuzzeitung circulated
about me, and which has caused such general anxiety on my
behalf? The local papers make me out to have left for
Copenhagen. " Aus der Sprottenheimat Kielien
Aus dem Gasthof des Massilien
Nach beendeten Konzilien
Kehr' mit freudigen Gefuhlien.''
Then on Friday, the 24th inst., at four o'clock of the
afternoon I am back. The rest by word of mouth.
" Lasz die Pferde nur im Stallien,
Da das eine hat Steingallien,
Was mir gar nicht will gefallien,
Womit ich verbleibe einmal fur allien.
"Kielien, 21st November, 1865."* Yours,
Helmuth.
* These verses are untranslatable, but the literal meaning is : — " From
Kiel, the home of sprats, and from the hotel of Massilia, your diplomatic labours
being ended, return with joyful feelings." " Leave the horses in their stables,
since one of them has got lame ; a fact which does not please me at all, where
fore I continue to stay once for all."

184 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Wife.
Headquarters, Gitschin, in Bohemia, 2nd July, 1866.
Our first night quarters were at Reichenberg in the castle
of Count Clam, the commander of the first corps. The
country there is lovely, and the Geschkenberg right in front
of us cuts off the view with an extensive park of the freshest
green. Our board was not very good, but we discovered a
Prussian innkeeper, who furnished us with a fairly good
dinner and a passable bottle of Hochheimer. Many of the
inhabitants had disappeared, those who were left making
themselves most submissively disagreeable. Considerable
anxiety was felt lest the enemy should make some night
attacks, and in addition to the ordinary outposts, a battalion
was bivouacked on the green meadowland. At the railway-
station there are more prisoners than there are men in the
garrison. The Italians will be sent off to their homes. The
prisoners say that a most unreasonable quantity of lead
came from us during the fight. Late in the evening I saw
Tumpling, who has been shot through the leg, but feels
highly satisfied with his successful operations on the 29th
near Gitschin. My carriage and horses only arrived here the
following morning, and, the latter having been slightly fed
and watered, they went on directly to Castle Sikrow, a
splendid property belonging to Prince Camil Rohan. The
king telegraphed to him: "Instead of being in Gastein, we
are to-day in Sikrow, quel changement (what a change) ! "
Dinner at the king's was very welcome. Directly after dinner
I drove on here, a distance of four miles. Podbielski and
Wartensleben I took with me. The road led over the battle
field of the 29th. There were at least thirty horses still
lying around, but the human corpses had all been buried.
In one spot six hundred Austrians were buried, and in another
twelve inferior officers and some of our own men, the place
being marked with a wooden cross. The villages were half
burned down, and were still smoking. On a meadow were
lying about a thousand captive Austrians and Saxons. Long
trains of waggons carried wounded men in one direction,
while in the opposite direction were being transported the
helmets and knapsacks which our men had thrown from them
when advancing to the attack. Captain Count Schlippenbach

1866.] WAR WITH AUSTRIA. 185
is commander of Gitschin, the inhabitants of which are said
to be far from friendly disposed. The inhabitants of the villages
are gradually returning from the forests, but they have removed
all their cattle and provisions into the mountains. You
cannot get anything at all for your money, and I much
regret that I did not bring with me tea, coffee, etc. Stiilp-
nagel arrived here at a late hour yesterday ; he is very well,
but has got a great deal of work in hand. Auer also took
part in the battle, but has already gone away from here.
Wichmann received a cut on his head right through his
helmet. His regiment captured a standard on the 28th.
And now, adieu, for I must close immediately. My health
has much improved since I have had the opportunity of
active outdoor exercise. More next time, dear Mary.
Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Wife.
Headquarters, Horsitz, 4th July, 1866.
On the 2nd inst. I had just sent off the dispositions for
an attack upon the Austrian centre, when I was roused with
the news that they intended to try to take us by surprise.
We supposed them to be behind the Elbe with a fortress on
either flank, namely, Josefstadt and Kbniggratz. Nothing,
therefore, was to me more welcome than this very suitable
advance on their part, and their going forth from their strong
position. At twelve o'clock at night accordingly I despatched
my orders for an instant concentration of all our corps. The
first army, under Prince Frederick Charles, was at Horsitz
facing the hostile forces on the Bistritz, while the second
army under the crown prince lay behind the upper Elbe
towards Koniginhofen, and the army of the Elbe, under
Herwarth, southwards near Snidar. The last mentioned
consequently had a march of two and three miles before
them ere they could take part in the battle. They were
directed against the two flanks of the enemy. The general
idea was to force the enemy's army towards the Elbe, cut it
off from the two fortified means of retreat, and if possible
annihilate it. Soon after midnight on the 3rd of July the
aides-de-camp rode off with their orders to the distant staff
quarters of the armies composing our flanks ; at four o'clock

186 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
our horses left Gitschin for Horsitz, and at five the king
and general headquarters followed in vehicles. I took Pod-
bielski and Wartensleben with me in my hunting-carriage.
About half-past seven o'clock we mounted our horses at
Horsitz, and at eight o'clock we heard the first shots fired
by the advance guard. The enemy occupied a very strong
position on the heights towards Sadowa behind the Bistritz,
and answered with numerous batteries. It was not part of
our plan to bring about a speedy decision by making great
sacrifices on this spot. The hilly and meadow land of this
district is interrupted by wooded summits, and a cold mist
rendered the survey of an entirely unknown country quite
out of the question. Whilst, however, the battle was being
waged slowly in front we kept a most anxious look out for
the appearance of the armies forming our right and left
wings. As early as ten o'clock the snow-white smoke clouds,
which issued from the enemy's batteries had attained a stretch
of about two miles in length. It was difficult, however, to
say whether their fire was aimed only at us or also to some
extent at other adversaries. The Austrian artillery shot
exceedingly well. Scarcely did a column of infantry or
cavalry make itself visible in one of the gorges of the valley
before a shell came along and exploded in most unenjoyable
proximity, and they withstood the fire of our own batteries
with the utmost steadiness. In a very short time all our
field batteries were in action. By-and-by flashes were seen
coming even from the high-lying village of Chlum, which
is at such a distance that the firing could not have been at
us, and we concluded therefore that the crown prince must
be on the left, advancing to the attack. Soon we received
reports which confirmed this idea, and the clouds of smoke
which were now visible in the direction of Nechanitz could
only be coming from Herwarth's batteries. The latter at
once got orders to force the passage there, and advance
against the left flank of the enemy.
With regard to the centre, General Fransecki had advanced
on the left against Benateck, and had captured a very large
number of prisoners in the thicket there. A fearful artillery
fire, however, prevented him from debouching out of it.
Still more beset with difficulty was his effort to force his
way over Sadowa. Although half of the little wood lying
behind it had been taken by the 71st Regiment, the stay

1866.] BATTLE OF KONIGGRATZ. 187
there was anything but an agreeable one. The white clouds
which marked the spots where shells had exploded were
constantly to be seen hovering over the bushes there. A
battery of twelve 12-pounders was posted at a height
of one thousand yards, pouring its loaded shot over the
wood. It was not in our interest to break through here at any
cost, and I countermanded the orders which had been already
issued to General Manstein to take the battery in question
by storm. The advance of the two wings must inevitably
force the evacuation. This was just what happened, and so
we followed after the cavalry, which now advanced a mile
at a brisk pace in order to keep in line with the two wings.
Behind the twelve pieces of artillery the whole of the teams
of horses lay dead. They had been made use of up to the
last moments, when further hope of saving them was lost.
Regular bodies of troops were nowhere to be seen. The
retreat must have begun hours ago under the protection of
the artillery. Further cavalry attacks followed, but these
were not entirely successful. The regiment of Thuringian
hussars rode into a village, but only about thirty riderless
horses came back. From the whizzing of bullets it was
evident that the villages were still occupied, and accordingly
the battalion of guards was ordered to enter them tambour
battant. Almost all the cavalry regiments were engaged in
attacking the retreating regiments of the enemy, and they
brought in many prisoners. We had now come close to
Koniggratz, and once more there arose on the other side of
the Elbe a violent cannonade, which lasted until nearly nine
o'clock. Shells fell to the right and left of us, but in a
short space of time we got sixty guns posted on our side,
wherewith we could tackle those opposed to us. The distance
was a long one, so we aimed at the smoke arising from the
powder, and managed to place many a shell right among
them. At last, however, the firing also ceased.
We are of opinion that the entire Austrian and Saxon
army was opposed to us on this occasion. The battle lasted
over twelve hours, and in the course of it our troops marched
about six miles. To-day we reckon that we have about
twenty thousand prisoners and one hundred and sixteen guns.
I myself, too, have seen three standards, and no doubt there
are others as well. Our losses are heavy, especially in officers.

188 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
More definite information has not yet come to hand. The
27th Regiment has suffered very severely.
Field-Marshal Lieutenant Gablenz arrived here to-day,
but his request for an armistice had to be refused.
I had advanced at so brisk a trot that I had not the
opportunity of paying much attention to the state of the
battlefield, but on my return all its dreadfulness was fully
displayed. At many points the ground was almost covered
with the corpses of men and horses. Rifles, knapsacks, cloaks,
etc., were strewn about everywhere. Many were frightfully
wounded, but there was no one to assist them. An officer
begged of us to shoot him dead. The ambulance men worked
without cessation, but the number of mutilated was too great.
I rode my black mare, and Reinhold the large brown horse ;
they went splendidly, especially the former, over the many
ditches and pieces of marshy land. As the saddle-horses
had made nine and a half miles without reckoning the riding
hither and thither during the battle, I left them at Horsitz,
where my carriage had also been stored, and then went on
to Gitschin, where I arrived at one o'clock in the night.
During the whole day I had only eaten two chocolate bonbons
and a small piece of bread. In Gitschin there was nothing
more to be got. Hungry, and shivering with cold, I threw
myself down in my cloak upon a hard bed, and slept soundly
for several hours, after which I came back here again. At
present I feel perfectly well.
Share with our friends the contents of these hurried lines,
which I still hope to get off by the courier.
Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
Twelve o'clock at night.
To his Wife. Pardubitz, 7th July, 1866.
On the journey to this place yesterday we drove over the
battlefield, where up to the previous day they had been
engaged in picking up the wounded. The dead Austrians
and Saxons are for the most part not yet buried. They were
busy digging huge trenches, and conveying to them masses
of corpses. The seven villages which had been burned down
were still smouldering, and any houses that had been left

1866.] AFTER THE FIGHTING. 189
standing were full of wounded. Long trains of waggons
brought the more slightly wounded back. Further on the
corpses became less numerous, but the signs of a headlong
flight increased. Thousands of knapsacks, caps, belts, and
sabres covered entire fields. We drove quite close to the
little fortress of Koniggratz, which was on the point of
capitulating the day before yesterday upon the chance
challenge of an officer of hussars. The governor asked for
twenty-four hours to consider the matter, and a slight
cannonade was opened upon him in the afternoon. This
seems at last to have brought him to his senses. Not a shot,
however, was fired at us, probably from fear of challenging
a bombardment. In this place were found many hundreds
of waggons of all sorts ; ammunition vans full of shells and
cartridges, ambulances with lint, strappings, and medicine
bottles, carriages for the sick, officers' luggage vans, etc.,
partly overturned and partly pushed down into a bog. Twenty-
four guns had been already carried away. Rifles were lying
by hundreds in the mud of the streets. There must have
been a terrible rush, although the only thing that could
reach the fugitives was our artillery fire. Over a thousand
guns must have been opposed to one another on the 3rd, and
the expenditure of ammunition must have been enormous.
On our return by night we met a train of ammunition
waggons of about a mile and a half in length bringing up
fresh supplies. On the journey to Pardubitz we got right
among a crowd of provision and ammunition columns, which
blocked up the road for miles as they drove along in two
and three rows abreast. My carriage being brought to a
sudden stop was run into from behind, with the result that
the frame was broken and the shaft smashed. It has been
sent to a carriage builder's. My saddle-horse is lame, due
in my opinion to windgall; Dominique, however, says that
after being newly shod it will be all right again. I arrived
in the town on foot an hour earlier ; the bridge over the Elbe
had been burnt down, and was still smouldering, but two
pontoon bridges had already been laid close by across the
stream. Of the enemy no further traces were to be seen ;
probably they have fallen back upon Olmutz.
The town is a very peculiar one, and forms a kind of
fort. Close to it is a powerful castle, with walls, moat, and
four strongly-built turrets at the corners; this is at present

190 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
being used as a hospital. On the quaint old market-place,
which was covered with straw, the first battalion of the 1st
Regiment of guards was bivouacked. Through the narrow
gates thronged an indescribable traffic of thousands of waggons,
of divisions of troops on the march, and of fugitives, prisoners,
marauders, and sutlers. In addition to all this, there was the
strange sounding Sclavonic language of the few inhabitants who
had not fled. Only on the afternoon of the 4th had the news of
a victory been published here. No one had the slightest idea
about the previous lost battles, so that when the Prussians were
among them on the 4th it was without any warning. I have
very good quarters here; all my officers are with me, and I
am being looked after very hospitably. Madame la Baronne,
my hostess, does the cooking for us herself, and when last
night at nine o'clock we at last managed to get home for a
meal, we found a most excellent dinner and delicious country
wine awaiting us. This evening or to-morrow morning I hope
to receive the information that Prague has been occupied.
I experienced great difficulties in this impoverished district
with regard to the procuring of provisions. The ordinary
supplies are unable any longer to keep pace with the rapid
advance of our operations, the railways have been blocked
near Theresienstadt and Josefstadt, and we have had con
sequently to fall back upon requisitions. It is for this reason
that I consider the occupation of Prague so important, for
large stores can be gathered together there. We have,
however, found here a large supply of biscuits, tobacco, and
oats, which have been exceedingly welcome.
I received your letter of the 4th inst. to-day through the
army messenger, but you do not mention therein whether
you had received only my first announcement or whether
you also had my second somewhat detailed report. Yes, you
are right, many a sad message may still be expected.
The 27th Regiment has lost thirty officers in all, twenty-
six being wounded and four dead. Captains Kracht and
Witzleben fell, and Major Schoning was wounded. Langen-
beck is here.
Tell Countess Moltke that Prague will probably be ours
by to-morrow. Prince Alfred Windischgratz lies wounded
at Horsitz. The king has allowed him to go on parole. He
desired also that his aide-de-camp should be allowed to go
with him. I agreed on condition that Count Moltke should

1866.] MARCHING ON VIENNA. 191
be released by way of exchange. Now, however, this con
dition is no longer necessary. God preserve you.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Pardubitz, 8th July, 1866.
Nothing new, except that General Gablenz has to-day for
the second time met with a refusal. He did not see the
king, as I dismissed him at once. To-morrow we make a
further advance.
Henry * has had an engagement with the imperial army ;
details are not known here. Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Zwittau, on the railway towards Briinn, 12th July.
Dear Mary,
I have just received a letter, a reply to the first
news of victory. You ought, now that no great events are
immediately expected here, to travel to Holstein. I hear
that the cholera is really bad in Berlin.
The Austrians have managed to get their fugitive infantry
safe into Olmiitz, while their cavalry has been despatched
to Vienna. At the latter place, behind the works of Floris-
dorf, they are going to concentrate their three Army Corps,
which are being brought from Italy to oppose us. I do not
expect that they will have the courage to meet us in the
open field, and I hope that by to-morrow the advance guard
of our 1st Army Corps will be able to enter Briinn, the
capital of Moravia, without much fighting being previously
required. The day after to-morrow our headquarters shall be
transferred there, and then we shall be only a distance of
five marches from Vienna. After that there is little doubt
but that diplomacy will be brought into play, and that will
be rather unfortunate.
Please send me by one of the army messengers a few
hundred Austrian paper florins. We lose heavily by parting
with our nice silver money here. Have you not spoken yet
* The above took part with his regiment in the campaign against the army
operating on the Main.

192 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
to Morosowicz about my letter of the 4th, which contained
full details? He might by its aid supply the newspapers
with some information about the battle which will be far
more interesting than the dry stuff which we have been so
far reading.
In Prague we found thirty engines and about one thousand
railway carriages. To-day I despatched Wartensleben on an
engine to reconnoitre in advance. The possession of Prague
is of incalculable assistance in provisioning the troops. By
to-morrow all the interruptions on the railway to Briinn will
be remedied. Now that we have established a line of com
munication through the county of Glatz, you will be able
to get news from the front sooner, but at present there are
no very important events in prospect. The details concerning
the losses we have sustained in the battle against the
Bavarians are not yet to hand ; so far only the names of a
few of the superior officers have been sent. I trust the
Almighty has preserved Henry, whose regiment was severely
handled. The further retreat of the Austrians became transformed
into a regular flight, and I do not believe that they will be
able to organize a proper defence within fourteen days. I
have not much time for riding, but nevertheless feel pretty
well, and I do not pay much attention now to the attacks of
giddiness to which I am still subject. The inhabitants here
have not fled to any further extent, and consequently we are
now very well off. I must close, for the courier is starting.
Affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Cernahora Castle, 15th July.
The 12th, my dear father's birthday ; Briinn the 13th,
and to-day, the 15th, still here.
The advance guard of the first army managed to enter
the capital of Moravia as early as yesterday evening, and
that without meeting with the slightest resistance. There the
most sensible arrangements were at once made as well in the
interest of his town as in ours by the well-known member of
the imperial diet and burgomaster of the town, Dr. Giskra,
for the lodging and provisioning of forty-five thousand men

1866.] THE PRUSSIANS AT BRUNN. 193
No one has fled, and the most perfect order is maintained in
the midst of what is a most lively commotion. Every place
is swarming with soldiers, who for the first time after many
days have again a roof over their heads. Every one puts on
a cheerful look, and hardly a moment passes without one
meeting with some old acquaintance. In the town itself
were quartered the whole of the 5th, 6th, and 7th Divisions.
To-day, however, they have all gone. From four o'clock in
the morning until seven the regiments continued to defile
to the strains of music across the large market-place where
I am quartered; after them followed carts and horses one
after another in perfect order ; then a battery came rattling
over the smooth stone pavement ; an officer of the 2nd
Regiment of Dragoons is thrown; he merely glances at his
horse to see that it is all right, and in the next moment is
on it again and past the troops. Finally came the ammuni
tion columns, carrying their destructive loads, and last of all
the canteen waggons.
All the shops were open, and their occupants took care
to be well paid. In the evening there was a grand tattoo,
to which the king came down. He was received with loud
cheers, which came certainly from the soldiers only, but
then they at the present moment form half the population
of the town. The remainder of the population kept silent ;
but they are quite good-natured, and probably are pleased
with the difference between things as they are now and as
they were when last they saw the imperial army.
The first army has since the battle marched over thirty
miles in eleven days, and yet in what perfect form did the
men march to-day behind their noisy drums !
I occupy the state rooms in the palace of Mitrowitz,
where the entire general staff is quartered, so that I have
everything at hand. My time is occupied with business and
agitation. At two o'clock this morning I was aroused by
Captain Mitschke, who brought a letter from the crown prince.
1 was kept busy in consequence until eight o'clock in the
morning, after which I went with my statement to the king,
got back to bed about ten o'clock, and was called again when
report time came. I dined with his majesty, and hope in the
evening once more to get on horseback, if the weather is then
somewhat cooler.
Benedetti is just on the point of starting from here for
VOL. n. o

194 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
Paris by way of Vienna. Count Barral was also here yesterday.
There must be no such thing as an armistice ! We must in
the first place have some definite propositions, and these are
not yet forthcoming.
We have lost over one hundred and fifty officers, and the
regiments have promoted nearly all their cornets.
May God keep Henry safe. From his quarter we have
as good as no news at all, for at the present moment we are
quite without telegraphic or railway communication with
the home country. Meanwhile, however, the most strenuous
exertions are being made to get everything again into proper
working order.
Remember me to all friends ; the Countess Wrangel's
letter I have forwarded to the crown prince. The field-
marshal is with his regiment, and it will be impossible,
therefore, to persuade him to return home.
The whole world is now going in for needle-guns, but it
will take years to manufacture a million of them, and then
the men will still have to be well drilled before they can
become thoroughly expert in the use of them. For the next
war we are almost sure to have again something new.
There are moments when I fancy it to be almost incredible
that it is only a fortnight since I left Berlin. What a
tremendous lot has happened since then, and what a change
has occurred in the situation. May the Lord Almighty
continue to look upon us with the same favour. It was
He who made our cause to prosper, and my full belief is
that His will is that Germany should attain unity under
Prussia. Adieu, my dear good heart. You ought really to go to
Holstein since the cholera is increasing so much in Berlin.
Here there are only a few isolated cases among the
Pomeranians. The continued advance prevents its spreading
much. I am very well ; the happy result of our enterprise makes
one forget everything else, and I have the satisfaction of
many a recognition. We have, however, certainly by no*
means yet arrived at a conclusion. Yours,
Helmuth.

1866.] THE CASTLE OF NIKOLSBURG. 195

To his Wife.
Headquarters, Castle of Nikolsburg, nine miles from Vienna,
July 19th, 1866.
Yesterday evening, my dear Mary, we arrived here from
Briinn. Since receiving my last letter you will doubtless
have read the news of Falkenstein's victory near Frankfurt.
He captured fourteen hundred Austrians and six hundred
Bavarians, and the imperial army appears to be quite scattered
now. Wrangel's brigade has again become the most active
of all. May God in His mercy have kept Henry safe. No
doubt where you are you know more about this newly won
victory than we do here. The Lord is evidently on the side
of Prussia's standards. May He only continue to favour us
here also ; for we are on the road to most decisive events if
only diplomacy does not intervene to prevent us. Benedetti
returned here again from Vienna yesterday evening. I have
not, however, heard what the position of matters really is at
present. No doubt by this time you are having very warm weather ;
it has been excessively hot here during the last few days, and
the poor fellows with their heavy baggage must have felt it
during their severe marches. Yesterday we had thunderstorms
and rain, and it is somewhat cooler.
This is the most wonderful old castle that one can possibly
imagine. It was nearly dark when I arrived. We passed
through three or four dark gates between the watch tower
and the natural rock face up a steep ascent into the narrow
castle yards. It is one of the Dietrichstein castles, but
belongs now to Count Mensdorf, who married one of the two
heiress daughters. The family is now quite extinct. All
the walls are covered with cardinals, generals, and knights
bearing the famous name.
Now I must be off to the king, and as the messenger is
starting I shall close. To his Wife. Nikolsburg, 23rd July, 1866.
Dear Mary,
To-day I will only write a few lines. About Henry
I have heard nothing, and I therefore trust that he is unhurt.
There is to be a five days' armistice during which our troops

196 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
will be posted only two miles before Vienna, and can contem
plate the cathedral of St. Stephen. Lieutenant Field-Marshal
Degenfeldt, Count Karoly, and Brenner arrived here yesterday
to represent Austria during the negotiations. A first con
ference takes place to-day. I trust that the issue will be a
favourable one for us and surpass all expectations. Give my
kindest regards to the prince; I received his letter and am
grateful to him for his information about the Danube. I
am very strongly of opinion, however, that the results which
have been already obtained should not be set in jeopardy, if
that can possibly be avoided. There should be no necessity
to do so, either, if only thoughts of revenge are dispensed
with, and our eyes are kept fixed upon what is to our own
advantage. I am very tired. At present in addition to my other
duties, I have to take part in the diplomatic negotiations,
which will, on one side at all events, be made very difficult.
Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Nikolsburg, 26th July, 1866.
The preliminaries of peace have just been signed by
Bismarck and Karoly, and the armistice conventions by
myself and Degenfeldt. The ratification must follow by the
day after to-morrow, after which negotiations for a definite
peace will be entered upon under conditions which will no
doubt be satisfactorily settled. Let us thank God with full
hearts. On the Main also an armistice has been arranged.
The advance guard there have been engaged in several very
successful fights. I am kept busy with the diplomatic
negotiations from early morning until five o'clock in the
afternoon.
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Nikolsburg, 29th July, 1866.
Dear Mary,
On the 5th or 6th prox., if nothing special occurs to
prevent it, I return with his majesty to Berlin. The further
negotiations for peace will be carried on there. The imperial

1866.] HONOURS AND DECORATIONS. 197
army has also obtained for itself an armistice which is to
come into force on the 2nd of next month. On the occasion
of the ratification of the preliminaries yesterday, Roon and
myself were decorated by the king with the Order of the
Black Eagle, and what gives me still more satisfaction is
that the entire army seems to be pleased at the distinction
which has been conferred upon me. I can see that from
the way I am everywhere received. The crown prince
presented me to-day with his star, although I have no occasion
just yet to wear it, as we invariably go about in our overcoats.
The king had yesterday a photograph taken of himself and
those who attended him during the battle — all on horseback,
so that my black horse is also on the picture; he kept
perfectly still.
Cholera has most certainly broken out in the army, but
it has not yet reached an epidemic stage. On the 1st of
next month the army will begin to march towards Bohemia,
where it will be placed in extensive cantonments, so that
there is every hope of an early amelioration of its sanitary
state. The king is going to open the chambers in person. For
the present adieu, and may we have an early and pleasant
reunion. Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Cousin Edward Ballhorn.
Berlin, 8th August, I860.
Dear Edward,
I thank you heartily for your kind welcome home.
Even if I do not rate my share in the matter so highly as
you do out of good will towards me, I have at least the
comfortable consciousness of having done my duty. The
grace of God was clearly with us, and we can all wish our
selves joy of the consequences, for indeed it was a matter of
life and death. We have now to face the envious, who will
grudge us what we have attained; but I believe that the
worst is over.
I hope that you have received good news of your people.
How many families have been thrown into mourning ! Henry
has come off safely, although the brigade commanded by

198 MOLTKE 'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
Field-Marshal Wrangel was almost always pushed to the
front. A nephew of my wife, Ludwig Brockdorff, who is also
in the 15th Regiment, has been promoted in consideration of
good conduct in three encounters. A son of my brother
Adolph has entered the 8th Dragoons, but unfortunately came
too late for the first reserve.
A campaign so swiftly ended is unheard of; after exactly
five weeks we are back in Berlin. The Berliners are trans
formed; the king had the best possible reception. The
speech from the throne made a good impression, and I hope
that we may yet come to an inward understanding. Sophia
has returned, I suppose, from her travels in Italy, and Mary
must really derive great satisfaction from her artistic per
formances, which rise far above the average. As soon as I
can, I shall come to Potsdam to seek you out. With sincere
friendship. Your devoted cousin,
Helmuth.

To his Brother Fritz.
Glion, near Montreux, 3rd November, 1866.
Dear Fritz,*
I duly received your letter of the 18th of last month,
and should have answered it long ere this, but the fact is
that one never has so little time as when he has got nothing
to do except to amuse himself. We have been enjoying a
most splendid autumn; during thirty-seven days now we
have only made use of our umbrellas once. The result is
that I have been at last able to take sixteen baths at Ragaz,
which have done me an immense amount of good. We met
the Grand Duchess Helena and her most agreeable suite
there, so that we were not altogether without society, which
is rather an inestimable blessing, now that the evenings are
becoming long. Then we went by way of Zurich and Frei
burg, with its most extraordinary wire bridge of three hundred
feet in length over a broad valley, to the Lake of Geneva.
The descent of about two thousand feet which the railway
makes through forests and vineyards is wonderfully fine.
After a short sojourn in Ouchy near Lausanne we came on
* He had resigned his office of postmaster, and removed with his sister
Burt to Liibeck. Her daughter Ernestine was now married.

1866.] ON THE LAKE OF GENEVA. 199

about fourteen days ago here to Glion, where we are staying
in a boarding-house, which very suitably bears the name of
Waadtlandschen Rigi. It is situated sixteen hundred feet
above the lake, which itself lies twelve hundred feet above
the level of the sea. From it a most enchanting view is
obtained over the clear blue surface of the lake, the unT
interrupted line of properties and villas on its shores and
the mountains of Savoy. The air is so bracing that hardly
a day passes without our ascending heights which almost
reach the region of the snow, and which constantly offer
new and most surprising sights. In addition I am undergoing
a kind of moderate grape cure. I must, however, one of
these days begin my homeward journey, so as to be again in
Berlin by the 12th inst.
The minister of war, Roon, with his family and a number
of our compatriots and other nice people, assemble in the
drawing-room with us in the evenings, and we then have
several quiet games of whist. Yesterday we went for a walk
above the clouds in the brightest sunshine. Beneath us
there lay what seemed like a white field of snow; the only
things which peeped out of it being the ridge of the Jura,
and the snow-covered peaks of the higher Alps.
So you have given up your laborious post, and I think
you have done well. I only wish that you were away from
Flensburg, where the lack of your customary occupation
will be burdensome to you. I have also a great partiality
for Liibeck ; we shall visit you there in the course of next
year. How gladly I would also retire by then; but it is a
question whether circumstances will entitle me to tender my
resignation. We might spend next autumn here in Glion
together. Good-bye, dear Fritz, with best love to Gusta. Helmuth.
On this page should have been Mary's answer to Gusta;
she has not, however, managed to write. We wander about
the whole day and then she is too tired. She therefore
sends her best love, and postpones her answer until Berlin.
Good-bye, dear Gusta; to-morrow we commence our return
journey by short stages.

200 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Wife.
Paris, 4.30. p.m., 4th June, 1867.
We left Berlin in a Nassau saloon-carriage. His majesty,
Count Bismarck, myself, General Treskow, Count Goltz, and
Prince Radziwill formed the party. The weather was fine
and temperate. We supped at Kreiensen. The beautiful road
from Desenberg to Paderborn was unfortunately done in the
darkness. Slept for a short while, but soundly. Coffee at
Cologne. Stopped before the bridge to look at the splendid
equestrian statue of Frederick William IV. The king very
cheerful and the conversation lively. Luncheon at Verviers.
At Liege met the King of the Belgians. The Count and
Countess of Flanders accompanied us as far as Charleroi.
Beautiful valley of the Maas, full of industry. Citadels of
Huy, Namur, and Charleroi. From Verviers occupied imperial
saloon carriages, very roomy, connected by bridges. At
Erquelines a superb imperial luncheon was served. General
de Failly, master of the horse, Count Bourg, Chamberlain
Baron Zorn de Bulach, Colonel Baron Stoffel, Ambassador
Count Goltz. At the railway-station of St. Quentin was a
small steam-engine on four wheels to set a rotating cylinder
in motion; trombone-like tube above it. Many guns and
shells lying scattered about. At Compiegne the crown
prince, crown princess, Count Pourtales and daughter, Count
Hohenthal, Kamecke, Eulenburg, and Norrmann. Fearfully
dusty. Linen and cloth decorations. Retained two servants.
The emperor on the railway-station, and thousands of people
with him. Large guard of honour. Lines of troops along
the Boulevards. State carriages preceded by the Cent-
gardes. Quiet demeanour on the part of the populace,
who remain standing in silence. Great array of police. In
the Tuilleries, at the Marshals' hall, reception by the princess,
who is as beautiful as she was eleven years ago. The
emperor conducted the king to his apartments in the Pavilion
Marsan. My room is up eighty-five steps, but has a splendid
outlook over the Champs Elysees as far as the Arc de
Triomphe and the Dome des Invalides. Paid a visit to
Princess Mathilde and the Emperor of Russia at the Elysee,
Prince Dolgorucki, Prince Metscherski, brother of Mrs. von
Oubril. Return visit of the emperor; Prince Frederick of
Hesse, Prince of Weimar.

1867.] VISIT TO PARIS. 201
At half-past seven dinner in the Gallerie de Diane ; about
one hundred present. Took in Madame de Rouher, next to
whom was Marshal Vaillant ; vis-a-vis were the empress,
king, crown princess, Prince Murat. After dinner conver
sation in German with the emperor interrupted. Longer talk
with Marshal Niel, and afterwards with Marshal Canrobert.
The empress very affable. General Fleury, Countess Hatzfeld.
At eleven o'clock all over.
6th. — At nine o'clock in the morning accompanied Kamecke
to the exhibition. Two o'clock, parade on the place for horse-
riding in the Bois de Boulogne.
Guard = 2 divisions, 1 cavalry division ; 1 regiment of artillery.
1st Corps = 3 „ 1 „ 1 „
The infantry regiments had only two battalions in position,
and did not comprise more than four hundred and fifty men.
Altogether there would be about thirty-eight or forty thousand
men. Equipment very fine; horses good.
On our return shots fired at the carriage, in which the
two emperors and two grand dukes were sitting. Dinner at
the house of Count Goltz. Ball at the house of the Russian
Ambassador Budberg, till two o'clock a.m.
7th. — Accompanied Kalthof to the exhibition, jardin prive,
aquarium, etc. Joined the king. Divine service in the
Russian chapel. Reception of the Corps Diplomatique at
the embassy. Took a walk by myself through the city.
Notre Dame, Auxerroi, and Notre Dame de Paris, Boulevards.
Rain. Jolly dinner with Bismarck; Piickler, Treskow,
Keudell, Bismarck, Baron Zorn de Bulach. In the evening
accompanied Count Piickler to Champs Elysees, cafe chantant ;
went early to bed, and slept sound.
8th. — By steamer to the exhibition; luncheon with the
king and crown prince about two o'clock. Went for a drive
with Kamecke to Meudon, St. Cloud. Weather fine and
cool. Dinner with the king at seven o'clock. At nine theatre
frangais — "L'ecole des femmes," and Maddle. Belisle. At
ten o'clock fete in the Hotel de Ville ; nine thousand eight
hundred invitations. Returned at two o'clock.
Sunday, 9th. — The king and crown prince attended a
German service at the Protestant Church. At one o'clock
proceeded to Versailles by train. Conversed on the railway
station with the Emperor of Russia, who is anxious for peace

202 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
and a policy of self-restraint. Saw the state rooms,* the
church, and the theatre in the palace, historical gallery, salle
des marechaux de la France. Also saw the gardens and the
fine artistic fountains. Drove through the park and to le
grand Trianon. Splendid luncheon there. Went on foot to
petit Trianon, and through the lovely gardens. Returned in
the chars a banc and postes imperiales through St. Cloud.
Magnificent forest with golden pheasants and deer. At St.
Cloud met the prince imperial. Dinner and Opera Comique
— "Le voyage en Chine."
10th. — Accompanied Kamecke to the exhibition. Guns,
breastplates, screws, diver, etc. At two o'clock, luncheon.
Drove, under excessive heat, to butte de Chaumont, Pare de
Monceau, Bois de Boulogne, cascades, Long Champ. Dinner I
omitted ; opera likewise. Fete at the Tuilleries ; at half-past
ten, magnificent illumination of the gardens.
11th. — At twelve went by rail to Fontainebleau. Inspected
the castle. Luncheon. Was placed opposite the two emperors.
Went on the castle lake with General Rollin and the gentle
man-in-waiting of Prince Leuchtenberg. Drive in chars a
banc through the forest discontinued on account of police
considerations. Returned between Fort Charenton and Vitry ;
circle railway behind the ligne contigue to the Gare de
Strassbourg. Departure of the Russian imperial party in two
trains. Dinner. Theatre — "La Duchesse de Gerolstein;"
not worth seeing. Tea.
12th. — Palais Royal. To the exhibition. Heat and
thirst. At two o'clock, luncheon, and drive of the king with
M. Hauszmann. By railway among the egouts (drainage),
then to Menil montant to the water-works, two basins one
above the other. The upper one contains the water of the
Dhuis, used for drinking purposes. On account of the
clayey nature of the soil round Paris this water is brought
here from Chateau Thierry, a distance of twenty miles. Into
the lower one is pumped the water of the Marne to be used
for the watering of the streets, etc. Two immense iron
tunnels conduct from the basins of the sewers, and these
tunnels again are connected with the houses. View of Romain-
ville. Return journey through the butte de Chaumont, pare
de Monceau, bois de Boulogne. Dinner. Omitted the fete at
the embassy.
* The same in which in the year 1871 the German Empire was proclaimed.

1867.] DECORATED BY THE KING OF ITALY. 203
13th. — General Failly brought the Grand Cordon. Accom
panied Kamecke to la ville de Paris. Made purchases. Fasted
and slept. Visited the Duke of Sagan and Count Pourtales.
Audience at the Emperor Napoleon's in the Pavilion de
Vhoiioge by the fireside. At half-past seven dinner. Took
in Princess Obolinski. Dramatic performance by actors of
the Theatre Franeais in the drawing-room. Got home at
twelve o'clock.
14th. — Rainy weather. Departure from Paris.

To his Wife. Berlin, 5th July, 1867.
Dear Mary,
You see now that Liibeck is a pretty place. But
you are very brief in your communications, and because time
presses and I have been sitting at my writing-table since five
o'clock this morning, I shall follow your example. My hands
are pretty fully employed; but I ride out in the mornings
and drive in the evenings. The night before the consecration
of the colours — seventy-three ensigns, representing sixty
thousand men — I had to remain at Potsdam, when I witnessed
the most violent thunderstorm which I remember ever to
have experienced. Whilst I was looking out of the window,
the lightning struck a bathing tub in an adjoining building.
It did not sound so much like thunder as like a pistol shot
fired in close proximity. On the following day sunshine
favoured the festivities, which consisted of a sandwich fete
and dinner.
The King of Italy has sent me his military order by the
hands of Prince Humbert. Had dinner at the new palace,
at which the officers of the new regiments were present;
splendid toast given on behalf of the army, the two princes,
Roon, and myself being very honourably mentioned. News
papers do not report that kind of thing. Telegrams on the
3rd.* The Colberg Regiment.f Parchimer shooting club and
Henry. Best love to Fritz and Gusta. I am fearfully tired,
and in ten minutes I shall be fast asleep.
Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
* The anniversary of the battle near Koniggratz.
t Moltke had been made chef of this regiment.

204 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Wife.
Landeck, 14th July, 1867.
Dear Mary,
I take advantage of some spare time to write to
you that I am in very good health. On the 7th I stayed at
Jauer. On the 9th I went on by rail to Frankenstein, where
I found Horst with the carriage at the station. I then drove
directly by way of Camenz — where Prince Albrecht is at
present — to Neisze, and joined my officers there.
It is impossible to describe the full extent of the gratitude
which prevails here in Silesia, and with what hospitality we
are everywhere received. Up to the present the journey
has been one continuous ovation, all the church towers which
we pass show flags, and the toll bars are wound around with
flowers and evergreens. At Patschkau the town was illumi
nated and the old towers were lighted up with fireworks. At
one point was to be seen my portrait, life-size and transparent ;
at another was the inscription —
" Der den Feldzugsplan erdacht,
Der ihn zu Ende gebracht.
Moltke hat es gut gemacht." *
In every place the burgomasters and town authorities
present themselves ; here at Landeck they came out of the
town in procession to meet us, and delivered an address, after
which a parade took place of the Warriors' Club, and in the
evening a grand ball at the Kurhaus. We have been invited
to dinner at Glatz to-day by the county authorities, and they
did this by telegram to Neisze before ever they knew that we
were going to their town. Also Prince Plesz has invited a
body of twenty officers and forty-five horses to go to Fiirsten-
stein. Up to the present the weather has been entirely favourable
— cool and agreeable. The only really rainy day we have
had was yesterday at Ottmachau, where I stayed with the
kind Humboldts in their lofty castle. We had a most
splendid march yesterday over the mountains under a clear
sky, and in the shade of exceedingly dense and black pine-
forests. Landeck is very beautifully situated. I had to
dine at Princess Louise's.
* Here's the man who devised the plan of the campaign, the man who
carried it through. Moltke did it well.

1868.] VISIT TO LANQENSALZA. 205

An hour hence I shall have to drive to Glatz, taking
Wright and Verdy with me. We shall on the way visit the
lovely park of Kunzendorf. It is a most delightful country
this Silesia, when one approaches the mountainous districts.
Everything is fresh and green, and the crops are in splendid
condition. Good-bye, dear heart. With best love.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Liebenstein (no date), 1868.*
Dear good Mary,
I hope that you reached Berlin safely, and without
too great fatigue.f Our journey opens very luckily. It
certainly is bitterly cold in the mornings, but otherwise the
weather is fine. Prince Albrecht is defraying all the expenses
of the journey.| A post official travels in advance in order to
have horses ready at the different stages, and to look after
night quarters.
On the 1st of August we drove over the battlefield of
Langensalza, where the 6th Regiment of Uhlans was at the
time assembled for regimental manoeuvres. Yesterday we
came on here. At Reinhardtsbrunnen, a place which really
is indescribably beautiful, we paid the crown princess a visit
at eight o'clock in the morning, and were not, of course,
received. We saw there the two princes with Hinzpeter,
who had brought blue skins home with them from the wave
bath. We next proceeded through the very splendid pine
forest to the Kammhohe, and down the wooded southern
slope of the mountains into the beautiful green pasture land
beneath. Near Trusen they have, by means of a very skilfully
constructed artificial channel, conducted a stream in such a
way that it rushes down with great force over a rocky wall
of fully two hundred feet in height. This waterfall is quite
as beautiful as many in Switzerland. After a trout luncheon
we dined in full uniform and ribbons at the duke's, went
subsequently with his horses to charming Altenstein, and
* 3rd August (?)
t Moltke had been making a long stay with his wife at bis newly acquired
estate of Creisau in Silesia.
% To inspect the battlefields of the army of the Main in company with
Prince Albrecht, the Father of Prussia.

206 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
sat until eleven o'clock under an immense linden tree by
the light of the full moon, drinking tea, smoking, and
engaging in exceedingly amusing conversation with their
highnesses. To-day has been set down as a day of rest in
order to organize a stag hunt among the mountains. To
morrow we go to Meiningen. The band of the 32nd is
playing under my windows; and it promises to be another
splendid morning. And now a hearty farewell. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Homburg, 12th August, 1868.
Dear good Mary,
Having at last carried through in the most excessively
hot weather our inspection of the various battlefields, we have
put up here for a three days' halt wherein to rest ourselves.
I did not go with them to Kissingen; the king desired that,
out of consideration for the empress, the prince should go
there with a smaller following. I accordingly went with
Strantz and Radecke to the really charming Coburg, and
joined the prince again at Hammelburg.
We travel with the utmost possible comfort and luxury,
but my constitution cannot long support such constant eating
and drinking. Notwithstanding the most extreme heat they
drink wine, seltzer, beer, champagne, all mixed together.
Very much do I miss the cool bedroom in Creisau. One
really does not know what to do in the hotels at night in
order to modify the heat. During the day in the beautiful
country and the fresh breezes one gets on all right. We have
journeyed through some charming forest mountains. Lieben-
stein, Coburg, Miltenberg, and Homburg are most beautiful.
The prince is really most affable, and does not restrain us in
the least. Accompanied by Strantz, Radecke, and Reclam I
drove to-day in the Taunus to Konigstein; it was a splendid
excursion. To-morrow we intend going to Nauheim. At five
o'clock we dine "apart" at Chevet's, and afterwards attend
balls and concerts or visit the gambling-tables, where play
goes on without stopping. Among acquaintances of mine
whom I have met here already are Baron Stoffel, Mr.
Reichenheim and wife, Lieutenant Usedom, Count Barral, the
Duke of Cambridge, etc. The castle, to which the king is

1868.] HOMBURG AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 207
coming on Saturday, the Kurhaus, and the artificial grounds
as well as the whole country round about are all splendid.
Most of the people, however, sit for hours at the roulette
tables or play at trente et quarante. It sometimes also
happens that a person shoots himself in those gilded halls.
Should this happen, the bloodstains are immediately removed,
and the game goes on as before. The day after to-morrow
I am going to Salzungen where the horses are to arrive on
the 15th. I hope that de Claer * will bring me a letter from
you, and good news of our relations. Much love to all.
Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Homburg, 14th August, 1868.
Dear Mary,
I have just received your letter of the 11th, written
at Liibeck. It is raining to-day, and the air has become
much cooler. I am afraid that we shall meet with continuous
rain during the whole of our tour of instruction. We still
have at two o'clock a dejeuner dinatoire, and at five I go with
Strantz to Hanau, to-morrow to Fulda, and the day after
the rendezvous takes place at Salzungen. You do not write
how you found Ludwig; I hope that mamma and Fritz are
well. As you intend to leave between the 15th and 20th, I
shall still address this letter to Liibeck; if need be, it will
be forwarded to you at Segeberg.t Give my best love to
all our dear kinsfolk, and keep a warm place in your heart
for your
Helmuth.
To his Wife.
Lengsfeld, in the Bhon Mountains, 19th August, 1868.
My good and dear little wife, how are you? You must
now be where you like so much to be, with Jeanette. Did you
ever receive my last letter from Homburg, which I addressed
to Liibeck ? I went with Strantz to Hanau and across Fulda
by a dressine on the railway, which is in course of construction
there. This is a most agreeable way of making a journey;
* Moltke's aide-de-camp. Prince Albrecht's journey was immediately
followed by the tour of instruction of the grand General Staff.
t Moltke's brother-in-law Brockdorff had been removed as district judge
from Cismar to Segeberg.

208 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
you don't have the smoke or noise of a locomotive, and you
get a complete view all around. The little vehicle is quickly
run up the hill by four men, and then it goes down by itself,
and with such acceleration that the break has to be applied.
The surrounding country is beautiful. We passed the night
at the Eisenach Hotel at Rautenkranz, where that celebrated
Low German writer, Fritz Reuter, has built a charming villa
for himself.
On the 16th we drove through the Thuringian forest;
through the narrow rocky gorge of the Annen valley,
however, we had to walk. At Salzungen the officers were
gathered together. This is a small watering place; the
Kurhaus, in which we were nearly all quartered, is charmingly
situated on an extensive lake, which owes its origin to a
landslip, and has steep rocky shores overgrown with trees.
As I had been expected to arrive an evening earlier, a grand
display of fireworks had taken place on the lake, which
concluded with a huge illuminated "M." During our stay
in this place the heat really became unbearable, and the sky
above also gave a display of fireworks such as I have never
before seen. The thunderstorm on the night of the 17th was not
exactly violent, but the sheet lightning was so constant that
everything around seemed to be in flames. Notwithstanding
it all, however, the next morning was again oppressively hot.
Here in Lengsfeld, on the other hand, the order of the
day seems to be a really general rainfall, and the sultry
atmosphere has quite come to an end. My quarters here are
in an old castle belonging to Baron Boineburg, where I am
exceedingly well looked after. I made a beautiful walking
excursion with Verdy and Claer from Salzungen to Altenstein
and Liebenstein. To-day it has rained without intermission,
and I only trust that in Africa* they are having better
weather for the observations of the eclipse of the sun.
Meiningen, 26th.
This letter has already journeyed with me across Kalten-
Nordheim on the Rhon back to the Thuringian Forest.
To-day, however, I must despatch it. We have been here
four days already; are staying in a very excellent hotel, and
have most agreeable surroundings. On Sunday I heard a
* Moltke's brothers, Fritz and Adolph, had gone on account of the latter's
health to Algiers.

1868.] IN THE BLACK FOREST. 209
splendid sermon preached by the Court Chaplain Schaubach.
In the evenings I generally take drives, accompanied as a
rule by Strantz and Verdy ; we have at the present moment
just returned from Wasungen. The weather is now cool but
fine. To-morrow we shall go somewhat deeper into the forest
to Suhl. The king to-day is not very far from here at
Arnstadt. I fancy our journey will come to an end about
the first days of next month, but I shall write to you before
hand, and let you know the day I shall arrive. Looking
forward to a joyful reunion, dear good wife.
Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth.
To his Wife. Ilmenau, 30th August, 1868.
Dear Mary,
Several officers have to be present at the drills of
the divisions. The consequence is that our journey comes
to an end sooner than I expected, and the special train with
the horses will reach Berlin as early as the 1st prox. But
that is no reason why you should hasten your departure. I
can get along alone in Berlin for a day or two, and if no
cook is in the house, I can eat at a restaurant. I look forward
to our meeting with all my heart. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Sister Augusta. Wildbad, 4th October, 1868.
Dear Gusta,
It is high time that you should hear once again
from us, for our course of treatment here is now nearly half
finished. This year's bath journey had to be undertaken
somewhat late in the year, and everybody is already on the
road home. The company is a very small one, consisting
chiefly of paralytics and serious cases. It rains nearly every
day here among the hills, but the sun nevertheless also
frequently breaks through the clouds, in which case it is
very fine in the narrow wooded valley of the Enz. As is the
case throughout the Black Forest, so here also thick fir-tree
forests cover all the heights, while the bottoms of the valleys
are bedecked with fresh green meadows. Beautiful smooth
footpaths conduct up to important heights.
VOL. II. p

210 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
The bath itself is exceedingly fine. The bottom of the
porcelain tubs is formed of the out-cropping granite rock,
which is comfortably covered with a layer of fine sand. The
spring rises directly out of the rock, and the water has a
warmth of about 27° R., so that there is a continuous supply,
and the same temperature is maintained in the bath. The
water is just like that at Gastein and Ragaz; chemical
analysis has failed to disclose any other constituents than
those in distilled water, so that the effect appears to depend
upon the natural warmth of the earth, upon magnetic or
electrical energy, agencies which are still far from being
fully understood by us. In my case the baths evoked great
fatigue and interruption of the heart's action, to which I used
to be subject thirty years ago. Now, however, they suit me
all right. The doctors say that the baths excite all old evils,
but also cure them. But, to tell the truth, I cannot help
thinking that six weeks in Creisau do me more good than
all these bath cures.
Mary has also already had ten baths with the most
excellent results.
The cooking here is specially good, and, speaking generally,
every care is taken to make one's comfort complete.
I have it in my mind to go about the middle of the
month to the Bavarian Palatinate, and after that to spend a
few days in Berlin for business purposes, and after that to
go to Holstein to stay till the 3rd of November. We may
as well make the journey to Segeberg in company.
It is very nice that the North German Postal Union
enables one now to write from here in the Black Forest to
Liibeck for a silbergroschen, although the distance is so
much as one hundred and fifty miles (German).
Mary is not to be tempted away from her book upon
horse-breeding ; so for to-day I send her greetings to yourself
and Fritz. Affectionately,
Helmuth.
To his Cousin, Edward Ballhorn.
Berlin, 6th November, 1868.
Best thanks, dear Edward, for your kindness in remem
bering my birthday. I only answer you to-day, because we
went for a few days to Segeberg in Holstein for my brother-

1868.] ILLNESS OF MRS. VON MOLTKE. 211
in-law Brockdorff s silver wedding. Forty relations were
assembled there, and I saw all my brothers and sisters once
more, excepting Lena, who is, however, thank God, quite well
again. Exemption from service suits Ludwig excellently.
Adolph is somewhat oppressed by business; I nevertheless
found him very well. To be sure, his enemy, winter, is now
approaching. In the mean time we have all become septua
genarians, and must thank God for every year that he leaves
us together. Mary joins me in kind messages to you and
yours. In faithful attachment and friendship. Yours,
Helmuth.

To his Sister Augusta. Berlin, 10th December, 1868.
Dear Gusta,
Mary is really seriously ill; it appears to be a
rheumatic inflammation of the joints. It began with a very
severe pain in the right foot, which by-and-by also affected
the left, and has since seized the whole of her left side, so
that now she is only able to use her right arm. The great
pains all over have abated, but she is unable to stir anywhere
without assistance.
The matter is not without some danger, and Pesch holds
out the prospect of a six weeks' confinement to the sick-bed.
God grant that the next bad days may be got over. Mary
could only get sleep with the assistance of morphia powders.
I have cancelled our Christmas visits, engaged a nurse,
and everything is being done which can serve to relieve poor
Mary. It would be a great comfort to see you here, dear Gusta ;
but I can hardly ask you.
So soon as there is a change for the better or the worse
I will write again.
Helmuth.
pg, — Mary seemed to me to be better at noon to-day. A
mustard poultice seems to have produced some relief. She
has now got some appetite, and the fever is less strong.
Three o'clock, p.m.

212 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Brother Fritz.
Berlin, Tuesday, 10 o'clock, a.m., 22nd December.
Dear Fritz,
God be praised, I can give now more consoling news
concerning Mary.* During the night of Sunday I was still
very anxious ; she slept for an hour, but her breathing was
dreadfully rapid, and she woke up quite delirious and in
convulsions, her pulse being up to one hundred and eight
beats per minute. I sent at once for our medical attendant,
Dr. Pesch, who proposed a consultation with a second doctor.
Privy Councillor Frerichs came on Sunday at ten o'clock.
He made no concealment about the matter, but informed me
that the complaint had affected the heart, and that she was
in a most dangerous state. That was a most terrible forenoon.
Her lower jaw kept moving up and down convulsively, her
hands trembled violently, and her large black eyes stared at
us fixedly. She was nevertheless thoroughly conscious, and
made no complaining sound. She raised herself in her bed and
began to pray — among others for the king — and then gave us
her hand as if she were going to leave us, at the same time
addressing to us a few touching words. Even before this
she had made me promise her that should the danger become
very great, I should ask the Reverend Mr. Stahn to administer
the sacrament to her. I must admit that I had given up all
hope, but I was very much afraid of any excitement, and
thought to myself, surely God will take the will for the deed
in a case of this kind. As if by a miracle, however, she
changed in the course of the afternoon, and towards evening,
at six o'clock, the doctors found her much better. A most
restless night followed, but they were afraid to administer
opium. A distressing cough disturbed her sleep. Her tongue
was very painful, and diphtheria seemed imminent. Yesterday,
Monday, however, there was again a change for the better;
she had some appetite, and was allowed to take a cup of tea
and some beef tea. Yesterday the heart still remained affected,
but not very much; her pulse was at seventy-two and her
breathing perfectly quiet. After consultation, the doctors
* Moltke and his wife had been caught in the rain when out riding, and
without having changed her wet clothing, Mrs. von Moltke had gone to a
bazaar which was being held in the Palace of the Netherlands, with the result
that she was attacked by acute rheumatism in her joints.

1868.] TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENT. 213
ordered a dose of opium to be given to her, though only as
a last resort, for after her thirteen nights wakefulness, sleep
was absolutely necessary. Sleeplessness and restlessness
continued, however, until twelve o'clock that night; that is
to say, Tuesday, when she fell into a peaceful sleep without
the necessity of having opium administered to her. At three
o'clock she awoke and partook ravenously of a cup of tea and
some biscuits, afterwards sleeping again until eight o'clock.
Pesch came, but did not wish to disturb her. To Gusta she
spoke quite rationally, and she knew that she was lying in
the drawing-room behind my blue room, whither we had
carried her in order to escape the noise of the street. To
me, however, she constantly spoke about things which she
must have dreamed ; they were quite possible, it is true, but
had never taken place. She was, however, only half awake,
and soon fell asleep again. The acute pains have appeared
again in the elbows and hand, and have, after all, come out
externally. You can well imagine how much more freely we are
breathing again, and how thankful we are to the Almighty.
Gusta can safely say that her nursing has twice saved her
daughter Miezchen from the clutches of death. She keeps
beside her patient night and day, helping her silently and
patiently, and bears up wonderfully. She never takes off
her clothes, and I endeavour to give her some change of air
by taking her out for drives, though the weather is abomin
able. The nurse we have is an excellent one, but is almost
exhausted. The servants all behave exceedingly well.
Inquiries come without cessation. Mary has not a single
enemy in the whole world. The king sent over his own
private physician yesterday, and Princess Charles called in
person. By all classes the greatest sympathy is shown.
The two doctors met again at twelve o'clock, and I shall
delay sending off this letter that I may add to it the result
of their conference. I trust that the bad news conveyed by
my telegram of yesterday to yourself and Jeanette will soon
be succeeded by better reports.
12.30  The doctors are thoroughly satisfied. The affection
of the heart is constantly on the decline, and the patient's
reason is quite restored. Improvement generally.
5 o'clock. — What a shocking malady this is ! Gusta and
I drove out full of spirits and cheerfulness to buy Christmas

214 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
presents for our people. The sun was shining clear and
bright. Just at the moment we returned, however, after
about an hour's absence, Mary was attacked by failure of the
heart's action, and became insensible. I drove off at once to
Frerichs, who did not consider the matter to be very serious.
Pesch also, who had been sent for at once, was in hopes that
the attack would not be repeated, but her pulse has gone
up, and the beating of her heart is a little more perceptible.
A mustard plaster and ice have been applied to her head,
but her breathing has also become more difficult. In this
way do anxiety and hope, joy and sadness alternate. Both
doctors are expected to meet here again just now.
Evening, 5.15. — The doctors find that the action of the
heart is easier now than it was in the morning. There is
still a possibility of the muscles of the heart becoming
inflamed, but so far there are no indications of that. The
nervous attacks from which she is suffering are easily explain
able. It is hoped that she may be able to get a long sleep.
We can only therefore leave the rest to God. To-morrow I
shall telegraph further information to you, which please pass
on to the Brockdorffs.
Noon, 23rd. — Bad night ; delirious. The brain seems also
to have become affected, though the doctors do not for the
moment see anything alarming in that. Her condition is
critical, but not hopeless. Jeanette is coming; Gusta could
not have held out much longer. The doctors are to meet
here again at six o'clock this evening.
Evening, seven o'clock. — We breathe again more freely.
The delirium has almost disappeared, and she is in a quiet
sleep. This is the best Christmas present for us all.*

From his Sister Augusta to his Brother Fritz.
Berlin (no date).
Dear Fritz,
For fourteen nights and days not an instant of sleep
was experienced by Mary's eyes. At last yesterday evening
the physicians gave me a dose of opium to administer to her
before eleven o'clock, should the necessity occur. There was
great necessity for it ; Mary was in a state of most dreadful
* She slept peacefully away, however, on Christmas Eve at three o'clock
in the afternoon.

1868.] MRS. VON MOLTKE'S DEATH. 215
delirium, her eyes being wide open all the time, and we were
in a constant fear lest we should not be able to keep her in
bed. Nevertheless the nurse and myself set our faces against
the use of the extreme means. Then about midnight she
became quieter and quieter. Oh God, what a blessing ! She
slept from twelve to three o'clock. On awaking she recog
nized me, also recognized the room where she was lying,
asked for Helmuth, and then once more fell asleep until
eight o'clock.
Helmuth himself slept during this night. When he
approached her, her senses had again unfortunately left her.
About twelve the two doctors come, when I will again write.
One of them has already been here this morning, quite
pleased that sleep had not to be forced upon her, and that
she was still sensible. He appears to have feared the contrary.
Sincere thanks for your letters. The visit is certainly
very troublesome to you, dear Fritz. It will be difficult for
me to make up my mind to anything of the kind. The
impressions are still so fresh that have seized hold of and
disturbed us. I have to-day had a room made ready for
Jeanette in the conviction that she will come to us. Every
thing then will be in readiness. Farewell, my love and
sincere thanks to you, dear Fritz, for all your goodness and
kindness to my children.

Letter from Moltke's Sister Gusta Burt to her Daughter
Ernestine Knudson. Berlin, 26th December, 1868.
I can well imagine, my dearest child, how you have been
longing to receive a few lines from me, but I cannot yet
write of our cruel affliction. Mary was already an angel
here on earth, and the great palm-leaf on her coffin comes
to me as a symbol borne by her to meet her Lord. Perhaps
no man has ever mourned for his wife so deeply, dearly, and
entirely as Helmuth mourns for his. No one could have been
more comforting, more attentive, more helpful at her bedside
than he, more thoughtful or devoted ; no one could have bent
his knees and folded his hands and returned thanks and praise
as Helmuth did. The first day he seemed only to think that
she was released from her long and bitter pain. But now he
feels how lonely he is, and what he has lost in her, with the

216 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
whole strength of his love and reverence. Outwardly and
inwardly he is transformed; the shell had burst that held
back the tenderness and depth of his feelings. In the hour
of her death we both stood silent at her bedside, awaiting
the end; and when the last breath had flown, he closed the
dear brown eyes that had smiled at us so gratefully long
after the lips had ceased speaking. We, that is Jeanette
and he and I, and the faithful nurse, sat a long while by her
bed, thinking of the sweet life that was gone ; then he took
me in his arms and kissed me several times, saying, "May
God bless you for all you have done."
On Monday afternoon at three o'clock the Rev. Mr. Stahn
will deliver the benediction in the blue room where the coffin
now lies, strewn with sweet-smelling flowers. There will
probably be a large gathering present of mourners of every
grade. In the evening Helmuth will leave with the dear
remains for Creisau, I think in Henry's company. Then
Jeanette and I will put the household to rights, and stay
to receive Helmuth on the Thursday ; and what is to become
of him after that God only knows.
A thousand thanks to you, my dear ones, for the excellent
and charming portrait ; * it gives me the very deepest pleasure.
Kiss the dear good child, and God bless him and you, my
dears. How much I have to ask Henry, how much to tell
him ! To-morrow morning at six o'clock I expect our dear
guests. Henry will be a great comfort to uncle Helmuth.
Good-bye once more. Oh, be good, and seek your salvation
with fear and trembling. The life of man is as the flower
of the field, but the soul of man comes from God and goes
to God if he strives for the jewel here below.
Your faithful mother, A.B.
Letter from Mrs. von Burt to her Sister-in-law
Augusta von Moltke. Berlin, 7th January, 1869.
My dear Augusta,
When on the 16th of last month I was summoned
to Mary's, I found her in a paralyzed condition, it is true,
but without much pain. She was in bed, and said to me,
* The rjortrait of her daughter Ernestine's son, now a lieutenant in
Moltke's regiment.

1869.] MRS. VON MOLTKE'S DEATH. 217

almost playfully, " Mamma, I cannot stretch out my arms to
you." But soon after there ensued dangerous symptoms, a
terrible fever, great mental uneasiness, incontrollable rest
lessness of the poor and hardly movable limbs. The evil
appeared at one time in one part of the body and the next
instant in some other part, now about the abdomen, then
about the heart, which in turn would get rid of it, and give
rise to the most hopeful prospects ; but the very next morning
a severe fever came on, accompanied with delirium and an
uninterrupted conversation about the same things, which last
would frequently be indulged in at a loud almost screaming
pitch of voice, which penetrated all neighbouring apartments.
On the morning of Christmas Eve she became quite peaceful ;
we all sat beside her bed, even Jeanette, who had just arrived,
but not in time to be still recognized by her. She made a
sign to me — to speak she was no more able — which God
enabled me to interpret correctly. I took from her writing-
desk a ring and gave it to her. Then with trembling hands,
after having previously felt with all speed the head and
shoulders of her husband by way of proving that it was he,
she placed it on the fourth finger of his hand, after which
she became quite calm. A few more difficult breathings
followed, and then her soul flew away. Helmuth pressed
the dear brown eyes close, then sank upon his knees and
bowed his grey head deep in his hands, thanking God that
He had put an end to the struggle and taken this most
beloved life to Himself. Was not this the height of his love
that he could do so? Oh, he would have been so glad to
retain her; how he has suffered, how he has tended her and
sustained her by word and deed, how he has hoped and feared,
prayed and implored ! Mary herself had from the first
anticipated her end; she prayed much, both loudly and
gently, most frequently repeating the Lord's Prayer, acknow
ledged herself to be a great sinner, vowed to act quite
differently if God would only spare her life ; blessed her dear
husband again and again, and finally saw the hour of their
separation approach with steadfast calm feelings. She lay
there like a beautiful marble image ; with a palm branch in
her hand she seemed as one of the angels of Christmas Eve
proclaiming to us, "Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men." And how great was
her good will among men, how many tears are being shed

218 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
for her by high and low, how it has been recognized what a
pure, harmless, noble, true soul has been called away from
this fair mortal body in the prime of life, which has been laid
low like the flowers of the field on the second day.
My dear Augusta, it has become difficult for me to express
in words the thoughts that rise up in me out of the sanctuary
of these recollections, but I feel that my sympathy is due to
you and my dear brother. What effect this loss will have
on our future circumstances of life, Fritz will write to you
in detail. We are waiting to see what Helmuth says. On
the day of the funeral Henry was appointed by the king to
be Helmuth's aide-de-camp, an indescribable mark of kind
attention on the part of the king, very advantageous to
Helmuth, and naturally not less pleasant to me, although
this appointment will entail a considerable burden on my,
in any event, weak energies. But everything is in God's
mighty hand, and we must submit to His will if we are to
prosper in this world. I greet you with a true love — for
ah, does not Mary's example teach us, " Love ye one another,"
— and beseech you to look to God in all that you do.
Your faithful sister,
Augusta Burt.
Letter from Moltke to his Sister Augusta.
Berlin, 7.30 o'clock, 4th January, 1869.
Dear Gusta,
I am very vexed with my second aide-de-camp,
because he has not roused me in time. I was up at an
earlier hour, but when I had struck a light and saw that it
was only half-past three o'clock I lay down again half-dressed,
and did not awake until the carriage was entering the gate
way. I would have liked so much to have told you again
how much obliged I feel to you for your self-sacrificing
devotion and marvellous strength while nursing poor Mary,
and what a comfort your presence afforded me during the
first days of grief which followed her departure from life.
This sort of thing can never be repaid, and one can only
requite it with thankfulness and love. It is not until mis
fortune has removed the hard coverings of human hearts
that they get brought together. What kind sympathy, too,
have I received from my other relations ! God reward them
all for it !

1869.] MEMORIAL CHAPEL TO MRS. VON MOLTKE. 219
It is a great comfort to me that Henry is coming to me;
nothing could be more welcome to me, and I shall this very
day express my thanks to our good king for this delicate
mark of attention. I must not detain dear Jeanette here for
more than a few days still. She must be much wanted in
Segeberg, and with Henry's assistance I will be able to get
along all right.
Gladly do I cling to the hope that we shall all be able
to spend a summer together in peace, when we can carry
our dear departed one to her final resting place. I expect
to receive to-day the architect's drawing for the chapel, after
which I will at once set about arranging its construction.
With best love, and sincerest thankfulness, Your brother,
Helmuth.
To his Sister-in-laio Jeanette.
Berlin, 30th January, 1869.
Dear Jeanette,
We hear that you have arrived at Segeberg, but
that you are suffering considerably from the effects of the sad
times you went through here in Berlin. No one feels the
heavy loss more deeply than you do; your connection with
Mary was such a close one, and even if she took life more
lightly than you, she wore you so loyally in her warm loving
heart, and I always think she is still near us.
But your presence here was a blessing ; it helped me to
get through the first hard days. With careful hand you
controlled the situation, and by gentle management brought
the household back to its usual routine. I cannot sufficiently
tell you how thankful I am for all you have done. God
bless you for it, and also Cai, whose self-renunciation left
you here so long. Poor mamma has also had to bear the
consequences of her devotion at that time. There seems to
be no fear of danger, and I take it as a good sign that during
the last three days we have received no further letters from
Fritz. It is also quite unnecessary that mamma* should hurry
* Her Majesty the Queen summoned Moltke's sister Augusta to an
audience, and impressed it upon her that Moltke must be preserved to his
king and country. After the death of his wife there seemed to be some
danger, should he remain alone, that with his peculiar character, he might

220 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
herself. Henry,* who is very thoughtful and reliable, attends
to all that is necessary, and my life follows the quiet uniform
course that you know.
Now once again hearty thanks, dear Jeanette, for all your
kindness and sympathy. May you, in the riches of your
home-life, find compensation for what you have lost. With
kind love to your husband and children. Yours,
Helmuth.

To Ids Nephew. Creisau, 7th March, 1869.
Dear Henry,
I found your letter here yesterday evening. We
have been unfortunate as regards weather. After the lovely
February we had, now we are getting this renewal of winter
in March. Yesterday I spent fourteen hours in a bitter cold,
and to-day everything is lying covered by deep snow, so that
the carriages have the greatest difficulty in passing along.
The whole country is defaced.
Our dear Maryt rests in peace, and covered with her
wreaths and palms close by the altar in the little church.
The gardener has arranged a little grove of blooming camelias
around the grave.
The building of the foundation on the Steinberg has been
already completed. The blocks of granite are expected to
arrive this week, and, whenever the weather permits it, the
work will again be proceeded with. The artistic gardener of
Breslau was here, and has made the plan for laying out the
garden plots around the building ; the height will be planted
with evergreen conifers, pines, holly trees, etc. In my
dwelling house I have now got that desolate room built out.
The present year's income from the property will not be
retire completely within himself, and soon, in consequence of this, withdraw
from office. It would, therefore, be her duty to take up her abode with him,
help him to get over the loss of his wife, and make him a comfortable home.
In consequence of this, she and her brother Fritz determined to leave Liibeck
and go to live with him.
* The above, at the suggestion of Prince Radiziwil and General Manteuffel,
was, by special order, appointed Moltke's personal aide-de-camp.
t The coffin had, for the time being, been deposited in the village Church
of Creisau. Moltke subsequently built a little mausoleum for himself and his
wife on a wooded mound there.

1869.] CREISAU AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 221
large enough to cover the burdens which still remain unpaid,
besides all the repairs and new buildings, so that I shall have
to draw upon my capital. The agricultural prospect is very
good, and if I get this year's rape crop safely housed,
I hope to make a considerable profit. To-day at four
o'clock we promised to dine with Gellhorn. Best love to
mamma. Your uncle,
Helmuth.

To his Sister-in-law. Berlin, 17th April, 1869.
Many hearty thanks, dear Jeanette, for the little portrait.
It calls back vividly to my mind the day when I saw Mary
for the first time at the house where you then lived in
Friedrichsberg. She came skipping out of school into the
room, and shook her curls about her head. Now she lies at
peace in her little church at Creisau with this changeful life
behind her. On her birthday I went to her grave. The
gardener had surrounded it with blossoming camelias. The .
little memorial chapel is in course of erection, and will, I
think, be quite pretty. It stands on a little wooded hill
near the house, commanding a broad view of the smiling
plain and of the mountains that enclose it on both sides. A
landscape gardener from Berlin is laying out the grounds. I
wish that you could be present at the entombment in the
summer. It will be a lovely little place, to which we shall
gladly and often make a pilgrimage.* Fritz and Gusta have
installed themselves very comfortably here ; we go for daily
drives, which gives mamma great pleasure, and of an evening
we play our rubber of whist.
As soon as the Reichstag and the customs' commission
are closed, we shall all go to Creisau, where the building
in the house itself will also be finished.
Love to Cai and your children from us all.
Your grateful and truly devoted
Helmuth.
* During his yearly long stay at Creisau, scarcely a day went by on which
Moltke did not visit the tomb, and lay a leaf or flower upon it.

222 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Sister-in-law. Berlin, 17th December, 1869.
Dear Jeanette,
You are probably often here in your thoughts at this
sad time. It is so natural that we should live through the
anguish of those days again, and the telegram and letters
that you have sent mamma bring the fluctuations between
hope and fear up to the end all vividly present.
And yet I would not be without the memory. It is such
poor comfort to forget ; to me it is always a joy to speak of
Mary with some one who knew her, and, which comes to the
same, who loved her.
Those pencil lines to you were the very last she wrote.
They bear testimony to her fortitude and resignation.
I can still hear how, when the doctors asked, "Are you
in pain, your excellency?" she answered, as if surprised,
" No ! " Perhaps she is here beside me now, and is saying
in her spirited way, " What a to-do ! I have it all behind
me, and you too will soon have it." She was a brave soul.
It is, in point of fact, wrong always to turn one's thoughts
to a short period of suffering, forgetting the part of a life
that was yet a very happy one, and the future, concerning
which the Scriptures promise, " Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God." And she was singularly pure in
heart. I had the intention of going to Creisau for Christmas,
but I feel as if she were nearer to me here on this particular
day, which must ever be unto me a sanctified day of mourning.
How much good Mary did, I know now through her
legacies to hospitals, women's unions, asylums, soup kitchens,
creches, missions, etc. Old Mina Brockdorff, to whom I
have sent her pension, writes to me that she had not thought
Mary's care would have reached her from beyond the grave,
and that she hopes to be the first to see her again. That is
also my first and dearest hope.
These weeks remind me also of the self-sacrificing devotion
with which mamma nursed her; and you, after her death,
helped me through the worst times. I always regret that
Mary, who was so unspeakably attached to you, did not have
the joy of seeing you once again when she was still conscious.
By the time you arrived her senses were already clouded.

1870.] OUTBREAK OF WAR WITH FRANCE. 223
I believe that man, even before he dies, closes with this life '
and that all earthly things, even the dearest, after a glance
into the life to come, seem of importance only as regards
futurity. We are very grieved that Cai is again suffering. I am
glad that you will have all your children, including charming
little Mrs. von Polenz, gathered around you at Christmas, and
I confidently hope that you and your husband will visit us
next summer at Creisau.
We all know, indeed, that what lies there in the little
woodland chapel is not much more than a cast-off garment ;
but still it is comforting to know that all that remains to
us here below is laid to rest in serene and fair surroundings.
May glad and thanksgiving generations take pleasure in
visiting the sweet spot. With sincere affection,
Your grateful brother-in-law,
Helmuth.
From a letter to his Brother Adolph.
Berlin, 18th July, 1870.
What a change has come over the aspect of affairs during
the few days that have elapsed since my departure. That
profligate adventurer from Boulogne sets two nations against
one another in order to save, if he can, the interests of his
dynasty. Never before have we on our side waged a more
just warfare than this, and we may rely therefore upon God's
protection. His ways, however, are not always our ways, and
in the progress of the world He sometimes accomplishes His
ends by lost battles. Nevertheless, we trust to obtain a
happy issue; the political situation, too, is a favourable one,
since we have good reason for believing that during the
beginning, at all events, we shall not have a second enemy
at our back. To his Sister Augusta. Meaux, 16th September, 1870.
Dear Gusta,
I wish just to send you one greeting and my sincere
congratulation on this day; for special letter-writing I have
neither time nor material. The thoughts of all are constantly
directed to the one goal, and notwithstanding all the successes

224 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
already achieved, the anxieties of one day after the other
weigh heavily on our minds. The responsibility is too great
and the continual suspense a galling one.
Your and Fritz's letters from my quiet homeland from
time to time produce a beneficial impression, but even you
are too closely concerned to enjoy any calmness. God has
so far in His grace protected all our relations, though our
losses have been so terrible and griefs so many. I must
admit I feel myself pretty well exhausted; but I have the
good fortune to enjoy a regular sound sleep, which always
refreshes me again.
Now at last we are having fine clear weather, but only
from 9° to 10° R. of temperature, and in the lofty and
northerly exposed rooms of the bishop's palace of Meaux * it
is unendurable without fires. Where you are it will probably
not be any warmer. If only we were once ready here ! I
look forward, however, to an early peace without further
great shedding of blood. The bravado of the Parisian leaders
only testifies to their weakness. Much will soon have to be
settled. With sincere affection,
Helmuth.
To his Sister Augusta.
Versailles, 20th December, 1870.
Dear Gusta,
At this time when I again live through the period
of suffering of our beloved Mary, I have very frequently
also thought with truly thankful heart of you and the self-
sacrificing attention which you bestowed upon her. I
believe it was this day that, after an all night watch, you
brought me the message of joy that Mary had slept quietly.
Our hopes, so constantly revived, however, were not bound
to go to fulfilment; God had otherwise decided, and there
fore it must have been for the best. He took her to Himself
in the fulness of life, in all her strength and beauty, and
relieved her of all the bitterness of old age. It is a comforting
thought to me that even in the dear letters which you have
sent to me, and for which I heartily thank you, there is
* Bossuet once upon a time lived there, and the very rooms that Moltke
used had been previously occupied by Louis XVI. after his flight, and later
on also by Napoleon I.

1870.] INVESTMENT OF PARIS. 225
always expressed reconciliation to her loss. I have, never
theless, to atone for many an injustice to her; but I have
the conviction that she forgives me for all, and I trust that
just as she received me at the station in 1866 after the
campaign, so she will in the next world receive me when
the troubles of this earthly life are finally brought to an
end ; for this I can often heartily yearn.
First of all I should be glad to see this great work brought
to a happy termination, to help in bringing about which I
am called. We have, however, still before us many hard
struggles, and difficulties spring up on every side which will have
to be surmounted. But the Lord, who has helped us so far,
will also help us farther.
For the Christmas festival, which in our case, of course,
has assumed an earnest significance of the shortness of life,
I wish all good things. On that day the Lord took Mary
to Himself, the day on which he proclaimed the salvation of
the world.
I have to thank Fritz for the splendid present of a foot
bag, which is a most comfortable one. I don't know what
better I can send from here than a case of champagne, with
this request, too, that you will drink it up.
Helmuth.

From a Letter to his Brother Adolph.
Ferriere, 21st September, 1870.
Ferriere is a castle, situated three miles east of Paris,
furnished with royal magnificence, the creation of Europe's
fifth greatest power, the Apotheosis of Mammon. Here it
was that Rothschild received the Emperor Napoleon. Just
as once upon a time Count Mole did Louis XIV., so in our
day the parvenu of wealth received the parvenu of power.
The official organs of the time spoke of a hunt at which the
emperor had killed most extraordinary kinds of game,
including a parrot, which cried out as it fell, " Vive I'Empereur."
Now the cry which this same nation raises is, "A bas
I'Empereur," and Ferriere is the head-quarters of their foes,
who have had the audacity to embrace with their iron arms
not only Metz and Straszburg, but even the— according to
Victor Hugo — sacred metropolis.
Paris has since yesterday been completely invested on
VOL. II. Q

226 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
every side, and for the time being we wait to see how those
hundred thousand men of the gardes mobiles, whom the news
papers talk about, will enjoy this kind of embrace. The
march hither from the south met with considerable opposition
from the last and still intact French corps, the fourteenth,
but the latter was yesterday compelled to fall back upon the
forts, losing seven guns in course of doing so. The Vth Army
Corps, which occupied the van of our advance, had engage
ments upon the 17th, 18th, and 19th. La France qui est plus
forte que jamais (France, which is still as strong as ever,)
continues, notwithstanding all these circumstances, to use big
words. They no longer have such a thing as an army in the
field, but they have still M. Rochefort, professeur de barricades,
and la poitrine des patriotes invincibles. All the same, there
appeared yesterday here in the enemy's head-quarters the
Republiqne itself in the person of M. Jules Favre.
22nd. — I received to-day a letter from Privy Councillor
von Frankenberg, who formerly visited you at Creisau. The
dear old gentleman sends me an ivy leaf from the chapel.
Indeed, I would that Mary was alive to see this period. I
do believe, however, that departed persons do not cease to
interest themselves in earthly events, and that her patriotic
heart is taking a part in all that is going on.
M. Favre has not yet returned from Paris, and as he
declared but a short while ago that not an inch of French
soil nor a single stone of a French fortress will be ceded,
and as the Parisians have, during the entire campaign, read
absolutely nothing else except reports of victories, it will be
somewhat surprising if one does not hear all of a sudden of
rather different propositions being made. I should not be
the least surprised to hear that they have massacred him.
The republic of honest people is threatened with much greater
danger by the red republic than by the hostile army ; possibly
even the latter may have yet to be called in to maintain
social order in this capital of the civilized world. At
Versailles the Prussians were very well received after two
thousand men of the Gardes mobiles had delivered up three
hundred wretched rifles, and Sevres actually begged for a
garrison. In Paris the gas supply has had to be stopped,
and water is only allowed to be taken during restricted hours.
All the railway traffic is interrupted. The bois de Boulogne
is full of cattle, and from our positions near Meudon and

1870.] BEFORE PARIS. 227
St. Cloud we can at any moment expose them to fire. The
promenade of the bean- and demi-monde has ceased, and this
morning the Parisian had to take his coffee without milk.
How long he will continue to hold out remains to be seen.
The present is the fourth letter which I have written;
the one which has gone amissing * has, no doubt, by this time
been found. A post-bag has certainly been found near
Verdun, so it is possible that it will be shortly published in
the Figaro, in which case you will doubtless have the oppor
tunity of reading it. Versailles, 12th October.
We are placed at present in the awkward position of
baving to submit to being fired at without being able to
answer in like manner, for our four-pounders cannot possibly
compete with the 74-pounders on the forts. The siege train
which is conveying over one hundred thousand hundred
weights of ammunition cannot be brought on very quickly,
there being but a single line of rails, and that, too, a line
which has only just been repaired. Whenever the slightest
•commotion takes place and the smallest group of persons
becomes visible the forts begin directly to throw their
huge shots at them, and that with the greatest precision, at a
distance of six, seven, and even eight thousand yards from
Mont Valerien. It is a great expenditure of ammunition,
when one remembers that a single shot like that costs ninety-
three thalers. It sometimes happens, however, that a shell
hits, and we are losing in this way about a dozen men every
day, more especially from their Chassepot rifles, which have
a range of from ten to fifteen hundred yards. Upon the
ultimate result of the campaign, however, this has of course
absolutely no effect. Nothing seems to enrage Paris so much
as the circumstance that we do not take the initiative in*
anything. Victor Hugo writes, Nous avons crv, voir arriver
Arminius, et nous ne voyons que Sehinnerhannes. For the
present, at all events, as we cannot do more than invest
the place, we are in that wretched state of expectation.
The process of starving out is, as Metz has shown, a very
slow one, but it finally accomplishes its work. Up to the
present time all the sallies which have been made have been
repulsed, and we, on the other hand, are by no means idle.
* Containing probably an account of the battle of Sedan.

228 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
The hopes of the Parisians are entirely founded upon the
• army of the Loire, which has been already actually reported
to be marching to their relief. That was so far quite correct,
but this same army was yesterday utterly routed, and Orleans
has been occupied by us. By to-day we shall have taken up
our position on yonder side of the river, which, as is well
known, has never before been crossed by hostile troops. The
government in Tours will have to look about for another
place of shelter.
Will this wretched land at last become aware that it has
been conquered, and that its situation is growing worse
from day to day? And yet I doubt not, they have, even at
the present moment, again published some report of a victory !
It is indeed remarkable that the Ganlois, which at all times
has occupied a chief place among lying newspapers, has
published the letter of a French officer who has had the
extraordinary courage to tell the French the truth. You
will find it in one of the next numbers of our Berliner Zeitung.
More exactly could the situation not possibly be characterized
than it has been done by this well-informed and intelligent
military man.
That on the 9th inst. before Metz a large sally has again
been repulsed, you will no doubt have heard before these
lines reach you. Matters there cannot continue in their
present state much longer. It is a hard trial of patience
for the investing troops, and a harder one still for those
who are invested. The perseverance and pertinacity of the
French ought to receive due acknowledgment; it must be
said to their credit that it appears to them to be utterly
incredible that they could possibly be conquered, and yet
the superiority of the Germans had been shown in all the
battles, even in those in which they were opposed to greater
numbers, as, for example, was the case on the 16th of August,
and here in front of Paris. At the same time the whole
operations of this campaign could only be carried out by
decidedly superior numbers, for we had in hand at one and
the same time the investment of Metz, the siege of Straszburg,
and the march upon Paris. The thoughtless advisers of the
emperor, the pratlers of the chambers, and the journalists
ought before everything else to have inquired what a united
Germany really meant.
The republican authorities in Paris do not dare to lay

1870.] FRENCH FOLLY. 229
this question before the country. In the snuff-box of an
emissary was discovered the decree signed by Favre and
Gambetta which stops the assembly of the Corps legislatif, *
which had been fixed by their colleague Cremieux to take
place on the 16th inst., and which harps with somewhat
anxious delicacy upon his arbitrary proceedings. From this
one can only conclude that there is no prospect whatever of
an authority being formed in France with which one could*
enter upon serious negotiations. It really is a most wicked
treatment to deceive the nation by constant lies about the
condition of the country. Should Paris hold out until there
is a total exhaustion of provisions the situation may take a
turn, the mere thought of which is terrible. If even then
peace be concluded and the traffic be fully re-established, how,
with the very best endeavours on our side, can subsistence
sufficient for the wants of two millions of human beings be
brought on here? The environs of this immense town to a.
distance of ten miles have been completely exhausted, the •
railways have been completely blocked up by the franctireurs, '
and it will take more than a month to repair the breaches.
The only railway which up to the present we have been able
to put into a serviceable condition we are using for the
transport of our own provisions.
It is dreadful to see the ridiculous way in which the mob, .
which has obtained the upper hand, has behaved. Along
the beautiful roads which lead to the capital the whole pave- ,
ment has literally been torn up and intersected with trenches,
though one can still drive along the good summer path next
to it; the beautiful oak trees and genuine chestnuts have all
been rooted up and hurled together ready to be chopped
up; and the noble arches of the viaducts lie in ruins at the
bottom of the river. All these various obstacles would be of
some use if they were defended, but these franctireurs have
run away from every point, and their work of destruction
has delayed our advance guard only a few hours, and the
forward march of the general army only a day. Everywhere
we found pontoon bridges ready next to the blown-up structures,
the reconstruction of which will cost the country several
millions of francs. Half of the villages around Paris consist
of charming villas and castles. The inhabitants of these,
however, were driven out by force, and in cases where they
refused to go their houses were set on fire. Naturally enough

230 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
the soldier breaks open the door which he finds closed, the
cellar in which he searches for bread and wine, and the
cupboard in which he looks for a napkin or a plate. It is
most distressing to see some of these places, compared with
the order which prevails where the inhabitants managed to
escape this tyranny or where superior officers had been
quartered. Here in Versailles, for instance, one would be
led to believe that the most serene peace reigned, were it
not for the thunder which is heard coming from the guns of
Paris. All the shops are open, and the commercial spirit
has already led to the exposing for sale of pieces of Prussian
uniforms. Jewellers and watchmakers are not afraid to
exhibit their precious wares. Orders from head-quarters are
stuck up at the corner of the streets prohibiting riding on
the footpaths or smoking in the galleries, and in the fields
ploughing and sowing are going on without the peasants
being in the least afraid that their horses would be un
harnessed and taken from them. Of course prices and
requisitions continue to be very high, and everybody hopes
that all these calamities may soon come to an end.
I at all events wish for this, and frequently do I long
for the quiet retirement of the Kapellenberge. The news
which I get from my peaceful home are like sun-rays amidst
the restless turmoil and the exciting state of expectancy in
which we are living here.

Versailles, 27th October.
With joy and heartfelt thankfulness did I receive the
good wishes from home. A's letter concluded with the wish,
may Bazaine- glorify the 26th by the surrender of Metz.
Even so has it happened ! The capitulation will certainly
take place — that is unless quite unforeseen circumstances
intervene to prevent it— only this afternoon at five o'clock.
Before these lines reach you, the telegraph will no doubt
have already announced the great event, and the one hundred
and one guns in the Lustgarten will have proclaimed the
same news to the population of Berlin. Another hundred
and fifty thousand French march into captivity, and the
mighty fortress of Metz falls into our hands. Since the
Babylonian captivity the world has not heard the like.
We now require an army to guard three hundred thousand

1870.] FALL OF METZ. 231
prisoners of war; France is without an army. And yet we
must wait to see whether the Parisians who are now raging
in fever heat will cease from their hopeless resistance. Before
that I should not like to have recourse to the last sanguinary
remedy of a regular attack. The sallies have hitherto been
baffled by our outposts. Nowhere were they successful in
their efforts to break through our lines. But any pursuit
on our part is utterly impossible, and we are daily losing
men by the fire of the forts, which continue their tremendous
expenditure of ammunition, firing at random, and at distances
of eight thousand yards — over three-quarters of a mile.
Each shot costs six thalers, while one of the large steel shells
of the navy costs as much as ninety-three thalers. With
from sixty to one hundred shots they kill from three or five
to twenty of our men, according as good fortune wills it. In
part also we are exposed to infantry fire, and one has to be
very careful to remove his cap before looking over the top
of a wall or a breastwork. All the auxiliary troops from
abroad have been beaten and annihilated, but the Government
still tries, by means of lying reports and patriotic phrases, to
rouse the unfortunate population of the provinces to a new
resistance, to put down which will entail the destruction of
whole towns. Then, too, the nagging of the franctireurs has
to be repaid by bloody reprisals, and the war puts on a more
and more violent character. It is bad enough that armies
have sometimes to be set to butcher one another; there is
no necessity for setting whole nations against each other —
that is not progress, but rather a return to barbarism. How
little can even the rising en masse of a nation, even so brave •
as this one, do against a never so small but well-trained
division of troops ! Of this our journalists, who keep constantly
preaching about arming the populace, might have seen an
instance in this campaign.
There is nothing else left for us to do, so long as no really
supreme authority, one, too, duly acknowledged by the nation,
is constituted in France, except to spread the devastations
of war to an even greater extent. On the political horizon
also new clouds seem to be rising in the shape of attempts
at intervention. It is almost incredible, but it is nevertheless
the case, that Mr. von Beust, in spite of his having hitherto
been defeated throughout, does not seem yet to have received
sufficient warning, but continues still to play with fire. He

232 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
would do well to take care, however; for we are now in such
a position as to be able to act with severity. 8 a.m., 28th October.
Just received telegram from Metz. Fortress has capitulated.
Three marshals, six thousand officers, and altogether one
hundred and seventy-three thousand men prisoners of war.
Only sixteen thousand on sick list. 23rd November.
I have not written for a long time. When one is compelled
to follow out but one idea day and night for months, it
becomes almost a torture, and yet it is difficult to tear one's
mind away from it.
After Sedan and Metz, it appeared, no doubt, in Berlin as
if all was at an end. We have had since, however, to pass
through a most anxious time. The greater part of our
.fighting forces was stopped before Paris, and the obstinate
-and lengthy resistance of the army of Bazaine, whom they
now declare to be a traitor, prevented us from getting re
inforcements for a long time. Meanwhile the terrorism of
the lawyer government enabled them to profit by all the
good and bad qualities of the French nation, their patriotism,
• their courage, their vanity, and their ignorance. Surrounded
on the outside by armed bands, we had at the same time to
face on the inside the most desperate sallies, and on the
outside treachery and attacks. Although the entire French
army has wandered off in captivity to Germany, there are
nevertheless at present more armed men opposed to us in
France than there were at the beginning of the war. Belgium,
England, and America supply arms in abundance, and if
to-day a million of weapons were to arrive, in a few days
hence we should have another million of armed Frenchmen
to fight against. In the next place, this government of
terrorism has called out all men up to forty-six years of age
from house and farm, from family and home, to follow the
standards. That such a warfare is a cruelty to the country,
and one which wounds her to the core, is of but very little
consequence to these men, whose only desire is to secure to
themselves a power, about the legality of which they dare
not ask the nation. It can never be sufficiently widely
published that we have always expressed ourselves as willing

1870.] POSITION OF AFFAIRS IN FRANCE. 233
to approve of free elections, the freest certainly that France
has ever yet had, in those parts of the country which are in
our occupation, and that without any armistice or other
condition whatever. One could wish, speaking from a
general humanitarian point of view, to see it proved that the
firm resolution of an entire nation renders its subjection
impossible, and that the army of the people, as is constantly
advocated by our liberals, suffices to protect a country. The
state of matters in our country is certainly quite different,
and we hope to be able to prove that the rising even of a
nation, which possesses such inexhaustible supplies and such
patriotism as the French has, cannot hold out against a well-
trained and valiant army ; and, in the case of such a recklessly
provoked war of attack, cosmopolitan and philanthropist
alike can find consolation in the fact. Now we have all our
fighting forces at the front, and can accept the challenge.
More important results will doubtless have been obtained
by the time you receive this letter. The only way, however,
to bring about a final decision now is by the exercise of
unmerciful strictness. Fouque tells about a knight who
used to invariably appear wherever help and protection was
required ; but all fled when he came, because great calamities
were generally found to follow close in his footsteps. Such
is also the fate of the towns here under their protectors, the
national guard and the volunteers. The inhabitants of a
fort cannot complain of their lot, but when a town like
Chateaudun among others has been almost destroyed in con
sequence of the useless attempts of its protectors to defend
themselves in it, it can only be considered as a cruelty on
their part. The towns, which were fortunate enough not to
possess such protectors, are all right. In Rheims we have
repaired railways and canals in order to re-open the supply"
of coal to forty thousand factory work people. The abundant
wine harvest has been gathered in without the slightest
interference, and the making of champagne is in full swing.
Here in Versailles all the shops are open, the market overflows ,
with provisions, and on the fields the peasant may be seen
peaceably guiding his plough team. Yonder, where our .
outposts are stationed, you may see a self-made wilderness of-
abandoned houses, ruined villas, mansions which have been
burned down after being set on fire by shells, and forests
which have been cut down. The chief thing, however, is

234 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
that a throng of armed men is far from being an army, and
' that it is a piece of barbarity to lead such into battle. The
war is becoming more embittered and hateful the longer it
lasts. Nobody can wish for peace more heartily than I do,
but never could I bring myself to vote for a peace which did
not secure to Germany the existence which she has obtained
through such great sacrifices.
In this matter much depends upon Germany herself. The
discussions of the Reichstag will become very interesting
when the South German question is made the order of the
day. For my future, I cannot make any plans, but I trust
that, when the campaign comes to an end, the king will not
refuse me the rest for which I long.
To his Cousin Ballhorn. Versailles, 26th October, 1870.
Many thanks, dear Edward, for their kind congratulations
to all who sent them. It is very gratifying to receive news
in these times of commotion from the home of peace, which
even in this campaign has by God's mercy been kept preserved
from all the horrors of a hostile invasion. What that means
we see here only too plainly. The inextinguishable spirit
of the French seems to find it impossible to recognize that
they are conquered and prostrate with the ground. They
• continue this hopeless struggle, which is assuming in conse
quence a more and more bitter character. On the occasion
of the last fight every single house in Chateaudun had to
be taken by storm, and the whole town was destroyed by
fire. This unavoidable horrible exhibition has had, however,
this result, that Chartres has submitted voluntarily, and will
influence other quarters. The finale in Metz appears to be
close at hand, of course after a ten weeks' delay; this will
probably bring the French leaders to their senses.
It is a remarkable mercy of God that our nearest relations
who happen to be in the ranks of the army have, up to the
present, remained quite unharmed. For how much mourning
has already spread among our families !
At this moment the representatives of the South German
princes are assembled here, and it will be seen whether this
great time will suffice to outweigh their trifling interests.
Once again sincere thanks. May God grantusa joyful'reunion.
Helmuth.

1870.] EVILS OF THE WAR. 235

To his Brother Fritz.
Versailles, 12th December, 1870.
Here we have been having down to 10° of cold, and to-day
a thaw has suddenly set in. Such an early winter is un
precedented, and they look upon it as a new Chicane de
Monsieur Bismarck.
We get more news of Paris from Berlin, through the
English and Belgian newspapers, than we do here, close to
the town itself, where only Valerien — or Ballerian, as our
people call him — speaks to us. The gates of the town are
barred, and even the troops encamped between the walls
and the forts know nothing of what goes on within. We
are expecting a fresh sally, desperate, but perhaps final.
The late-levied armies of France have now by degrees
all been beaten in the open field; but we cannot be in all
places at once; petty onslaughts are not to be prevented,
and can only be punished by inexorable severity. A handful
of loafers bearing arms and colours, forces its way into the
houses, singing the " Marseillaise," shoots out of the windows,
and escapes by the back door; the town has to pay for it.
Those regions account themselves fortunate that are garrisoned
by the enemy.
Our own folk, thank God, are well. Henry is brisk and
gay. Gustus will have been delighted that he received the
cross. This evening he is to sing to the crown prince, who likes
to hear him. Mr. von Keudell accompanies him on the piano.
I had, not long ago, a postcard from William.* He is at
this moment pursuing the army on the Loire, and complains
of cold and hunger, otherwise he appears to be well. He has
already a hundred and twenty thalers of additional pay to
claim from me ; but money helps little where there is nothing
to be got for it. I hope that he may soon get some rest in
the beautiful and plentiful province of Touraine. Sadly
enough he was obliged to leave my fine horse ill at Ram-
bouillet. Henry went on purpose to fetch it hither, but it
had been stabbed to death.
Helmuth f was yesterday moved back to the outposts. The
brave boy always goes cheerfully to his duty. Almost every
* The eldest son of his brother Adolph. He was in the 18th Dragoons.
t The second son of Moltke's brother Adolph. He was in the King's
Grenadiers.

236 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
night the ramparts discharge whole volleys of the heaviest
kind at haphazard ; out of a hundred grenades, perhaps, one
may chance to hit. By day the sentries give warning, and
the troops have time to lie down on the ground, where not
much is to be feared from the petards; it is nevertheless
not particularly agreeable. The French, it appears, add a
pound of powder daily to their charge; they must already
reach within the neighbourhood of Versailles. By this
squandering of ammunition they obtain nothing, and the
armies outside, on which they still build their hopes, do
not hear them. I have just been out with Henry to bring
Helmuth a large tin-box of Magdeburg Sauerkraut, a second
of the salted meat that is appropriate thereto, a sack of peas,
and two bottles of champagne. The poor fellows will have a
lively evening.
We have heard nothing from the Brockdorffs lately;
Fritz * is probably all right ; the corps of guards has not been
in action of late. Ludwig * is on the Loire. Of Count
Brockdorff, who was taken prisoner, we have no news, and
there seems no possibility of liberating him. We have
demanded an immediate exchange of prisoners through the
American envoys in Paris, and we have indeed more of
theirs in camp than is exactly pleasant; but the French
have so few of ours that they can only be retaining them
on account of our having made this request. The suggestion
has remained unanswered. But, please God, the day is not
far distant when all the prisoners shall be free. The French
have now their executive power in three places — in Bordeaux,
. in Paris, and in front of Paris, for Trochu has now formally
separated himself from the town.
My compliments to General Hanenfeldt,f Scheller,
Glisczynski, and whoever else remembers me. It is already
late, ana I must close. Best love, and a merry Christmas.
Helmuth.
From a letter to his Brother Adolph.
Versailles, 22nd December, 1870.
The 17th Division has, during the whole of the first half
of December, accomplished most extraordinary deeds. Gam-
betta says in a communication of his which has been found,
* Sons of Moltke's sister-in-law Jeanette. The former was with the
Emperor Francis' Grand Grenadiers ; the latter in the 6th Uhlans.
t Deputy Chief of the General Staff at Berlin.

1870.] SORTIES FROM PARIS. 237
and which certainly was not meant for publication, "Nous
n'avions que la 17 et 22 division devant nous, tant au plus
60,000 h., nous avions 200,000 et nous ne pouvions pas avancer."
(" We only had the 17th and 22nd divisions opposed to us ;
that is at the utmost 60,000 men ; we on the other hand, had
200,000, and yet were unable to advance.") General Chancy
has probably been forced back in full flight across le Mans,
and will be engaged at present in gathering together the
remnants of his army in the fortified camp of Coulie, to which
for the present we do not purpose following him.
The French made another useless attempt yesterday, with
a great waste of force, to break through our lines. Just as
hens announce by cackling that they intend to lay their'
eggs, so do the Parisians announce their intention of making
a move by a furious cannonade from all their forts. In the
forenoon troops were set in motion against the positions of
both the fourth and fifth corps, which were at once looked
upon as a mere demonstration. Against the real onset in a
north-easterly direction our reserves had already the previous
evening received their orders. Upon that point three full
French divisions threw themselves, but were completely
repulsed. By evening we again occupied the most exposed
of our outposts, and I am curious to see the next bulletin
of victory which issues out of Paris.
The general desire for the conclusion of this dreadful war
makes our people at home forget that it is only five months
since it began. Everything is expected from a bombardment
of Paris ; and that this has not already been proceeded with
is ascribed to considerations of delicacy for the Parisians or
to the influence of some high personages, whereas as a matter
of fact, all that is really kept in view here is military prac
ticability and possibility. From three different quarters
already have the following verses been forwarded to me —
" Guter Moltke, gehst so stumm, immer um das Ding herum ;
Bester Moltke, sei nicht dumm, mach' doch endlich : Bumm, bumm, bumm." *
What it really means to attack a fortress, for whose defence
a whole army is arrayed, one might have learned from the
case of Sebastopol. Sebastopol only became a fortress during
the progress of the attack. All its supplies could be brought
* " Good Moltke, you always go too quietly and slowly about the matter ;.
dearest Moltke, be not silly, but finish it up with bumm, bumm, bumm."

238 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
by sea. The preparations lasted ten months. The first
assault cost ten, the second thirteen thousand men.
Before we can bombard Paris we must have the forts in
our possession. Nothing has been neglected which might
simplify the application of these means of compulsion. I
expect much more result, however, from the slow but surely
acting "hunger."
We know that for some weeks past there have been only
-a few gaslights burning in Paris, and that in most of the
houses, notwithstanding the unusually early and severe winter,
' people have to do without fires, owing to a total want of coal.
A letter of General V. to his wife, which was captured in a
balloon, gives the following prices — one kilo of butter twenty
francs, one fowl, twenty francs "une dinde, non truffee, bien
entendu" ("a turkey — not truffled, be it understood") from
sixty to seventy francs. He describes his supper very neatly.
Herring with mustard sauce, besides a delicious little "filet
de bceuf, dont on faisait fete. Paul le cuisinier avait fait des
bassesses pour I' avoir ; il a promis au boucher M. et a Madame
M. un sauf conduit pour un des forts pour tacher de voir les
Prussiens." ("A delicious filet de bceuf, which we looked
upon as a regular feast. Paul, the cook, was guilty of all
sorts of base acts to get it ; he promised Mr. M., the butcher,
and Madame M. a permit for one of the forts to get a view
of the Prussians.") These confidential communications
between husband and wife, indicate the real state of matters
better than any of the newspaper reports, which exaggerate on
one side or the other. Famine has not yet actually made its
t appearance, but its forerunner, the high price rate, has. The
Rothschilds and Pereires have still got their dindon truffee.
> The lowest classes are paid and fed by the government, but
, the whole middle class is starving, and has been so for a long
time now. Such a state of matters cannot last long. Of
course we assume that we shall conquer in the field of battle
all the armies which continue to be raised against us.
Only the terrorism of the lawyer government makes it
possible to provide such armies ; they send them out to face
the rough weather badly organized and without proper means
1 of transport, without even ambulances or surgeons. These
unfortunates, with all their bravery and all their patriotism,
are quite unable to withstand our well-drilled troops. Their
miseries in their bivouacs decimate them mercilessly, and the

1870.] FRITZ VON BROCKDORFF WOUNDED. 239
wounded lie in hundreds on the roads without any assistance
until they are picked up by our ambulances — and the French
fire even at these. The franctireurs are the terror of all the
districts, bringing destruction wherever they go.
But enough of these sad things. God grant us an early
and happy ending; and that such will come I do not doubt.
To his Sister-in-law Jeanette.
Versailles, four o'clock in the afternoon, 24th December, 1870.
It was at this hour, dear Jeanette, that our sweet Mary
fell softly asleep. You lost in her your dearly loved sister,
last year you lost your husband, and now a fresh misfortune
befalls you in the wounding of your brave boy.* But the
Lord is merciful ; I have just received the following telegram :
" Lieutenant Brockdorff has passed a good night. Oppression
and cough irritation rather less, general condition consequently
better. Field hospital of the corps of guards. Staff Doctor
Vahl." Of course that does not mean that all danger is past ;
but we may yet hope. Fritz is young and healthy, which
helps a man to overcome a good deal.
Henry and Ludwig returned yesterday evening. Their
appearance, had been a great joy to Fritz, but complete rest
is necessary to the patient. The infirmary is fully provided
with every imaginable requirement, an excellent doctor is in
attendance, and a skilful staff of Sisters. I should not advise
you to take the journey here ; Fritz was without fever, and
spoke interestedly on different subjects. If, with God's help,
he pulls through, the wound will be as good as a new order.
His comrades take the liveliest interest in him. Ludwig,
who is resting here for a few days, looks better than one
would have expected after all these hardships. Henry is
always brisk, and helps where he can. William and Helmuth
are well. God keep them all !
As I do not know if the above telegram has been sent
you direct from Gonesse, I shall, anyway, send it on to you
by telegraph from here. May it still reach you this Christmas
Eve, and be a comfort to you. Most affectionately,
Helmuth.
* The above, in the course of an attack from the French, received a ball
in the chest, which, skirting the ribs, went through his back.

240 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Brother Fritz.
Versailles, 1st January, 1871.
A happy New Year ! May it bring peace — peace to the
whole country, and the peace of God which passeth all
understanding to every one of us.
Good news of Fritz Brockdorff; I forwarded a first tran
quillizing telegram to Jeanette on the afternoon of the 24th.
It reached here at nine o'clock, so that the holy evening will
at any rate have been a little less sad. A very satisfactory
one went off to-day — " Brockdorff is free from fever, has little
difficulty in breathing, and quiet sleep." With God's help we
may therefore hope that he will recover. Ludwig Brockdorff
is still here; his commander will not willingly spare him,
because he is a very smart officer. Still I hope that he may
be moved to the reserve squadron at Kassel.* I had news of
William Moltke after the engagements on the Loire, and
now he has time to take a rest either in or near Chartres.
Helmuth has been feeding himself up a little, and is well ;
but he has been ordered to-day to trenches and fence-work,
and will shortly return to the outposts. He therefore finds
himself within reach of Valerien, who daily makes distribution
of his gifts.
To me the cold is very unpleasant, but with your excellent
foot-warmer — a perfect bivouac — I take drives all the same.
From letters to his Brother Adolph.
Versailles, 3rd February, 1871.
Before to-day is over the greater part of Bourbaki's late
army will in all probability have sought shelter in the neutral
territory of Switzerland, which will thus relieve us of the
duty of guarding them.
You will already have learned from the newspapers that a
three weeks' armistice has been arranged. We have occupied
all the forts, and Paris herself is for us the huge prison in
which we are guarding the captive armies. Not a single
armed Frenchman can get out, and none of us go in. In
the meanwhile we are dismantling the walls and guns of the
forts, and should the armistice not result in peace we shall
* He stayed with his regiment.

1871.] PEACE PRELIMINARIES SIGNED. 241
have it in our power to reduce the proudest city in the
world to a heap of ruins, besides putting an end to the import
of provisions which at present goes on.
Now that all the French armies have been defeated, and
a third of the whole country is occupied by us, one might
almost expect to find some sign of yielding. The French,
however, are so overmastered by phrases that one cannot
answer for anything. A dozen passionate orators can lead
the entire Assemblee Nationale on to the most unlooked-for
resolutions. A quite recent example is furnished by Gam-
betta's last decree, which chants, discordantly with his
colleague Favre, the old barbarian song, " War to the Death."
If all the vagabond members of the government were to join
in this we should very soon have two ruling bodies, and by-
and-by twenty, which means none at all. The country is, in
fact, threatened with anarchy. We must, therefore, be fully
prepared for the continuation of the combat ; and the exaspera
tion of our men, which already is great, will become terrible.
Versailles, 4th March.
I duly received your kind letter of the 19th ult., but at
the time I had so many matters in hand, some of them of a
very painful nature, and the whole situation was still so
uncertain and unsettled, that I could not take upon myself
to send you an answer. Since then the preliminaries of
peace have been ratified, and that with such haste, too, that
our troops were only twice twenty-four hours in Paris. Our
mere acte de presence, however, is quite sufficient.
The definite treaty of peace will presumably not be made
until about two months have elapsed, during which period
we shall continue to occupy the whole district of France east '
of the Seine, and also all the forts of Paris similarly situated.
We shall only be able for the present to disband the land-
wehr, and must continue to keep half a million of soldiers in
the country. The emperor will remain fourteen days longer
with the army in order to inspect the troops, but will have
to be in Berlin in time for the opening of the first Reichstag.
I trust that the chief head-quarters will not be retained here,
so that I also may be able to be back in Berlin about the
18th inst. I have been nominated as candidate for the
district of Heydekrug and Cleve-Geldern. The Reichstag
and the entry of the troops will then no doubt detain me
VOL. II. R

242 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
in Berlin until summer before I can go to my dear Creisau,
where I should very gladly dwell in peace during the short
remainder of my life. I cannot sufficiently thank God that
I have been permitted to live to see the end of this great
world-famous campaign. " The Lord is mighty in the
weak ; " but I shall first begin to rejoice over the result when
all is complete. How often in the past has it seemed that
all was going well (Sedan, Metz) when suddenly there came
a "situation" which again made everything doubtful.
We have here just now the most delightful spring weather,
just as it is at home in the beginning of May. The little
shrubs are already beginning to get green, and I fancy in
about a fortnight the cherry trees will be in bloom. And
then how beautiful are the surroundings of this splendid capital,
unhappily full of burnt-out houses and heaps of ruins and
the tracts of destroyed woodlands. But already the people
have commenced to rebuild, and there is such wealth in the
country that they will be able to repair the destruction
wrought by the war within a few years if only they obtain
a strong government. But how in the future there will be
any possibility of ruling — and especially in France where
the fullest freedom of speech and of the press prevail — that
I quite fail to see. The great danger in all countries lies
at present in socialism. I consider it to be a very fortunate
thing that we are now on the way to good relations with
Austria. The French will, as they have done before, pant
for revenge ; but when they recover their strength again
they will be more likely to turn against England than against
the strong central power which is forming itself in Europe;
the English will then reap the fruits of their short-sighted
policy. Ferriere, 11th March.
After the conference which was held to-day I consider all
causes of difference with regard to the interpretation of the
preliminaries of peace to be now removed, a thing which
eases my mind considerably, as somehow, up to the present,,
I was unable. to feel thoroughly satisfied with the affair.
Berlin, 21st March.
We have arrived here in good health and spirits ; but the
peace is not yet to be relied upon. Paris is at the present
moment, as you may have observed from the newspapers,.

1871.] OCCUPATION OF FRANCE BY THE PRUSSIANS. 243

entirely in the hands of the insurgents. If the government
cannot soon get the mastery over them, and if it turns out
that the troops of the line are of the same mind with the
mutineers, then France is doomed to the most complete
anarchy, and the handle will then be missing which, up to
the present, has enabled the situation to be grasped. So far
as we are concerned the Assemblee Nationale is official France.
It is the most freely elected assembly that has ever been
brought together. The country people and the rated classes
are sufficiently represented in it. If they submit to be
governed by the Paris mob and the foreign agitators they
will betray their own country, and only a new military
dictatorship will be able to remake France.
Meanwhile six hundred thousand of our men remain in
the country, and we have only sent the landwehr home.
Yesterday it was just fifty-six years since Napoleon I. landed
in France from Elba. As circumstances are it would have
been very fitting if his nephew had also made his acte de
p'esence there. However, he landed at Dover yesterday.
31st. — It is quite impossible to say with certainty when
we shall be able to bring the troops home. The Guards and
the Fifth Corps had already begun their return march when
a general halt was ordered, and only the landwehr were
allowed to go home. To us as well as to France it is a heavy
burden that we have to remain there with over six hundred
thousand men. With a government of such wretched weak
ness, however, one has to be prepared for everything;
it has no credit, and no one is willing to lend it the money
without which we shall not leave, so long as Paris does not
submit. With a view to this we have agreed to eighty
thousand men being left assembled near Versailles. That
little prattler, Thiers, however, still thinks that without the
shedding of blood, and simply by proclamation and phrases
he will be able to disperse those bands of robbers who have
just declared the Assemblee Nationale to be deposed, and wish
its members to be impeached, and who would very soon hunt
them altogether out of Versailles. The man's vanity prevents
his putting the power which he himself does not know how to
use properly into the hands of an able general, a measure
without which the troops cannot be relied upon. This is
what happens when dilettantes get into power. So far as
France is concerned, matters can only be brought to a

244 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

f

settlement by a dictator, who cannot do otherwise than begin
with a bath of blood in Paris. We are here with one hundred
and fifty siege guns ready to second him in this. H such a
man cannot be found anarchy and civil war are unavoidable.
To his Brother Fritz. Berlin, 1 3th June, 1 87 1 .
Dear Fritz,
I yesterday received your letter from Kreuth, where
all appears to be well with you ; if only we could have
summer weather at last. Here we have pouring rain and
8° R. I myself think I shall be obliged to go to Gastein for a
short "cure," and trust to be able to leave towards the end
of this month, after the entry of the troops and after having
finished all my business. Perhaps we may be able to arrange
that Henry and I fetch you at Kreuth, when we can all go
together for a nice tour through the Salzburg Alps.
If your cure * comes to an end sooner than I can get away
you might take an excursion over the Achensee to Innsbruck,
and we could then meet in Salzburg itself. Details can of
course only be decided upon as soon as I can fix the time of
my departure.
I am entertaining the Worms deputation f at dinner
to-day. On Friday the festivities connected with the entry will
take place. They are to last for five hours. If the weather
is as it is now, it will be a pity. I am so sorry you will not
be able to see the entry of the troops. Colossal stands have
been erected from the Linne Street, right on to the Brandenburg
Gate, capable of holding fully a hundred thousand persons.
At the Gate of Halle and the Leipzig Gate they have put up
gigantic statues of Germania and Alsacia, which will no doubt
be rendered quite shapeless by the continuous rain, unless
indeed they put a gigantic umbrella into their hands. The
Belle Alliance Place is entirely covered with two huge stands
which reach right up to the second floors of the houses ; the
place of the opera, the university, and the Lustgarten in the
* Moltke's brother and sister, Fritz and Augusta, had gone to Kreuth to
take the cure there.
t The deputation which presented Moltke with the freedom of the city of
Worms.

1871.] ENTRY OF THE TROOPS INTO BERLIN. 245
same way. Innumerable masts for flags and banners line the
whole via triumphalis, and in Unter den Linden from the gate
to the palace there is formed an avenue of cannon and
mitrailleuses axle to axle, over a thousand pieces, but scarcely
a fourth part of those we have captured.
The furnishing of the house * progresses but slowly. The
balcony is ready, and very fine, with a view of the Tiergarten,
which is greener than it has ever been. Helmuth Moltke,
with the deputation of the King's Grenadier Regiment, must
arrive to-day, and I have promised to put him up here.
William is to take part in the triumphal entry into Schwerin
to-morrow. I have no further news of either of them. Henry
looks very much pulled down, as usual suffers from unnatural
hunger at midday, spasmodic yawning of an evening, absolute
loss of appetite after dinner, and lies for hours unconscious
every night. With best love to Gusta, Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Brother Fritz. Berlin, 21st June, 1871.
Dear Fritz,
Since yesterday rain is again streaming down from
heaven, and I fear that you are banished to your room. It
seems as if the sun had been expressly ordered for those
festival days, on which it certainly gives forth a fearful
heat. It will be a pity if you cannot take all possible advantage
of the beautiful neighbourhood. As I understand, you will
first go to the Achensee, which lies on the route to Salzburg,
and on your way back stop eight days at Munich. Still, I
recommend you to make an excursion into the Salzburg Alps,
since you are so near them. As the emperor is not going to
Ems before the 30th of this month, I shall hardly be able
to leave here sooner. Henry made his entry into Berlin with
the battalion of the King's Grenadiers ; he stayed with me.
William has returned to his garrison. I hope that Gusta's
cold has disappeared, and that the good effects of that infernal
beverage have made themselves apparent, or, as the doctors
always like to console one, will shortly follow. The furnishing
of the rooms here still continues, and the scaffolding is not yet
* The new head-quarters of the General Staff in the Konig's Place.

246 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
removed from the principal entrance to the really splendid
marble staircase. Very pleasant, however, is the large balcony ;
I can, at any time, step out at the open door into the air,
and thus take advantage of every spare moment. We send
our love.
Helmuth.
To his Sister-in-law Jeanette. Berlin, 28th June, 1871.
Dear Jeanette,
It is so long since I heard anything of you that I
feel I must write and ask you how you are.
That your mamma and my brother Fritz are in Kreuth
will be no news to you. They write cheerfully and con
tentedly; they sigh, to be sure, over the weather, but never
theless take long walks, on which they discover waterfalls,
and make excursions to the mountain lakes. On the 1st of
next month they are going to Munich, and will then take
another trip into the mountains. I am going the day after
to-morrow to Gastein, whither I shall take Henry, who has
not yet seen the Alps. Perhaps we shall meet the others in
Munich. I shall therefore not get to Creisau before the
beginning of August, but your mamma will already be there
by the middle of July, when my brother Ludwig and his
daughters will also arrive. It would be very delightful if
you came too. How much I should like to show you Mary's
lovely resting-place! Some time ago I found in an old
portfolio the letters she wrote me from Naples when I had
gone to Berlin with Prince Henry's body. You must read
them, the descriptions of the tours she made with Lottie
Brockdorff, her bubbling spirit contrasting with the depth
of her character. If only she had lived through this thanks
giving time how her patriotic heart would have rejoiced ; but
it is better as it is. She knows now, in all certainty, what
moves the minds of those that were nearest to her. Only for
us who remain behind will life grow ever poorer.
Henry and I send our best love to both you and
yours. Your devoted brother-in-law,
Helmuth.

1871.] AT ST. PETERSBURG. 247

To his Brother Fritz.
St. Petersburg, 11th December, 1871.
Dear Fritz,
It is not an easy matter to find a moment for letter-
writing here. I will only give you to-day a sign that I am
in the land of the living, though it is already eight days
since we left Berlin.* There is so much to be told that I
shall have to reserve most of it for verbal narration. But
this much may be said, that, notwithstanding all the luncheons'
dinners, and soirees, we are quite well and in good spirits,
and that we have been received not only with the greatest
attention, but with real cordiality. The emperor himself
takes a delight in distinguishing us at every opportunity, and
expressing to us his sentiments towards our army. He has
decorated me with his highest order — the Andreas. I occupy
an entire suite of rooms in the Winter Palace. A colonel of
the general staff has been assigned to attend me. Each day
I have two meals, with champagne, which pass under the
names of luncheon and dinner, and for the evening boxes in
five theatres, then soirees, state carriage and footmen, carriages
and sleighs in constant readiness. The newspapers will no
doubt give a full account of the great. fete of St. George.
There were over a thousand people, and more than a hundred
banners were displayed on the spacious walls of this palace,
in which we walked about a couple of "versts" whilst
accompanying the emperor through the various rooms. Then
there was divine service, and lastly dinner in the lower room
of the palace, when seven hundred of the George Kreutzer
soldiers sat down, and in a spacious hall upstairs a state
banquet was given for the Court, at which five hundred sat
down. Yesterday's parade also went off all right. There
were stationed upon the place in front of the palace along
the admiralty, the Isaac's Church, and as far as the statue of
Peter the Great forty battalions, thirty-four squadrons, and
artillery. It was not very cold — at the most six degrees —
and the sun broke through, which at this season of the year
is a rare occurrence here. I had a splendid horse, so that
everything went off first-rate. There is so much to be seen
* Moltke accompanied Prince Frederick Charles to St. Petersburg with a
view of attending the/efe of St. George.

248 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
here that there is no difficulty in filling up the time which
remains, after having paid visits and attended parades. It is
very convenient that the palace of the Empress Catherine,
the Hermitage, is connected with the Winter Palace. In it
are accumulated the greatest treasures of art. Then there
is a pleasure in driving through the most popular thorough
fares, the Perspektive, the Morskoj, etc., in a sleigh. St. Peters
burg has sixty thousand sleighs, so you can imagine what a
throng there is. Every one drives at a furious pace close
past his neighbours, without coming into contact with them.
We shall very likely go on to Moscow, and I do not expect
to be back within eight days. It has grieved me very much
that Henry could not come with me. At the house of the
Grand Duchess Helena there is generally a lot of music.
This evening her imperial highness has arranged a quartette
specially for me, so she says. Before going to her, however,
we dine with the emperor who, by the way, has honoured me
with a visit to-day. Nothing remains undone which can
distinguish us in every possible way; even our attendants
are looked after most carefully. August goes to-day to see
a ballet. Yesterday we saw the Lucca as Zerline, in "Don
Giovanni." The carriages are kept waiting at the palace and
theatres, notwithstanding the cold and snow, so that one can
leave at his convenience. I take advantage of this, so as to
be in bed if possible before midnight. In general the custom
is to keep it up until late in the night, and as the lights
have to be lit as early as three o'clock in the afternoon, the
day is a very short one. With sincere greetings,
Helmuth.

From a letter to his Sister Gusta.
Gastein, 25th July, 1872.
Dear Gusta,
This morning I received your kind letter of the 21st
inst.* The good cousins came to fetch me at the railway-
station at Munich. For the next day I placed myself entirely
at their disposal, under the condition that we should not go
to visit museums or galleries. Then, early in the morning, I
* Moltke had to go to Gastein for the sake of his health, and met there
his brother Ludwig, who had passed the winter on the Riviera.

1872.] EXCURSION TO GASTEIN. 249
went with Kate to a sculptor named Zurubusch, who desires
to have a medallion of me ; and after having coffee we
sauntered along the streets, and looked into the shops, at one
of which Sophia insisted upon buying and presenting to me
an elegant walking-stick with a beautiful ivory knob. At
midday there was a small dinner-party in the garden, to
which General von der Tann had been invited. Then we
had a drive in the English gardens and to the waterfalls. On
Sunday they took me to the railway-station; my flask being
filled with Hungarian wine. I travelled without stopping at
Salzburg straight to Hallein, and from there took the express
coach in the evening, which enabled me to get still farther
on my way. This last is, however, a wretched mode of con
veyance, and we had no sooner got past Golling when affairs
came to a standstill. The postillions had gone off for some
beer, when one of the horses kicked over the traces, breaking
the rope upon which the shafts rested, and the shafts them
selves were dragged along the ground, shaking the vehicle
violently, and got finally smashed. Had this happened when
we were making the steep descent of the Klamm we should
have had our necks broken. With great trouble they pro
cured an extra waggon, into which they crammed all the
mails and the four passengers together. In consequence of
this mishap we only reached Gastein at midday instead of
at eight o'clock in the morning; but the moment I arrived
there I took a most invigorating bath.
The weather is splendid, and, although very warm, is
delicious. I have been driving every afternoon to Bockstein
and returning on foot. Ludwig has up to the present taken
his baths with good results ; he will, to be sure, only bring the
number up to fourteen.
4th August. — It has been snowing here during the night,
and the upper half of the mountains are thickly covered
with snow, the pines alone projecting darkly from out the
white foundation. The sun, however, manages to break
through. We expect the emperor to-morrow evening, and
on the 9th we shall leave here. For the 11th we are
announced to be at Munich, and on the evening of the 13th
I go on to Muhlhausen. Ludwig, on the other hand, is
going to Creisau in order to stay there awhile with his
youngest daughters. My rheumatism, which, by the way,
was only troublesome, and in no wise painful, has by the use

250 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
of douches been as good as removed. Hoping that all may
go well with you at Creisau, and with love, Yours,
Helmuth.
From a letter to his Brother Fritz.
Miihlhausen, 17th August, 1872.
At Munich we spent an evening at a very excellent
performance of the "Huguenots," though we made them a
present of the last act, as I had to leave the next morning
at six. At Kempen I found the whole town at the railway-
station; the crown prince had just arrived from Hohen-
schwangau. He introduced me to a little gentleman in
civilian dress, who turned out to be nobody else but the King of
Naples, an exiled monarch, exiled indirectly in consequence
of the victories which German arms had won over Austria
and France. He had now to witness the ovations which were
being bestowed upon a German general, and he did so with
perfect tact. To my share also fell many a hurrah. In
Lindau there was tremendous rejoicing, girls dressed in white,
bouquets of flowers, etc. The crown prince was received there
by the Grand Duke of Baden, who insisted upon my going
with them to Mainau. The drive to that fairy-like island in
the Bodensee was favoured with the most delightful weather,
and was most charming, and the sojourn there among the
family circle of the beautiful grand duchess and her children
was most beneficial. Her majesty the empress was also there,
and was especially kind. On the following morning, after
having breakfasted with their imperial highnesses, I was
driven by order of the grand duke to Constance, from which
place I went on by rail through the most lovely districts
past the falls of the Rhine at Schaffhausen, and through
Basle to Miihlhausen, where I found a carriage and horses
awaiting me. To-day we rode to Illfurt, and the weather is
warm and very fine. Colmar, 24th.
During the whole of our journey so far we have been
favoured by the most splendid weather. Yesterday I drove
with my own horses for about seven miles, and visited the
old state priory of Morbach, which is situated deep in a
forest gorge of the Vosges.

1873.] LAUNCH OF THE " GRAF MOLTKE." 251

To his Sister Gusta.
Bremerhaven, 10th September, 1873.
Dear Gusta,
Your letter of the 3rd, full of interesting news
from Creisau, reached me just as we were on the point of
embarking for Wilhelmshaven. Your Sedan fete seems to
have been a very pretty affair. The diamond star which I
received from the king got lost in the course of the very
first day at the parade, but was found by a drummer on the
sand before the cavalry had ridden over it. The jewellers
do not seem to consider it necessary to do their work very
solidly; but I have, nevertheless, sent a report about the
matter to the proper place. The following day Henry went
to Heligoland. The first baths were decidedly rather cold;
it is considerably colder here on the coast than inland. No
day passes on which heavy showers do not fall; but on the
whole the weather must be called fine, and the sun always
breaks through the clouds.
During the night ending the 4th I went to Bremen, and
towards midday on to Bremerhaven for the launch of the
steamer the " Graf Moltke," which will make her first voyage
to the West Indies two days hence. She is splendidly con
structed, altogether of iron, and about three hundred and fifty
feet in length, or just the length of the "Konig Wilhelm."
Then I attended a dinner, which lasted four hours, and in
the evening returned to Bremen, where I was most excellently
entertained by a merchant named Melchers. In the evening
at the theatre— "Zauberflote" ("The Magic Flute.") Next
day went by beautiful sunshine to St. Magnus, which is
situated a mile and a half from here, and which is the richest
country seat I have ever seen. From there I went on to
Wilhelmshaven, from which the "Lorelei" brought us on
here yesterday. This vessel is an extraordinarily fast paddle-
steamer, and advice boat, and will again later on be at my
disposal on the Elbe. To-day it is windy and rainy, though
now and then there is sunshine.
There will be no lack of fine waves at Heligoland. I
hope you have good news from there, and I am glad that
you have had good weather at Creisau. Heligoland is also
so fresh in my memory that I should not care to go back

252 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
again. Now, only kindest love to all in the house, and above
everything heartiest good wishes to you for your birthday
on the 16th. Where I shall be at the time, I do not know,
but I shall think of you with all the members of your well-
appointed household gathered about you. A hearty farewell.
Helmuth.

From a letter to his Sister Gusta.
Bremerfb'rde, 17th September, 1873.
That everybody is satisfied pleases me very much ; I am
grateful to God that I am in a position to offer to so many
relations, even though it should be only in a passing way, a
comfortable stay at Creisau.
Almost every day we have showers, but nevertheless it
is also frequently fine autumn weather. To-day I rode in
the most splendid weather over about three and three-quarter
miles on my dark brown horse, Carl following on the noble
grey. Up to the present everything has gone well enough.
One of these days we shall again go with the " Lorelei," when
I hope it will be less stormy than it was yesterday, when the
wind actually overturned some trees along the roadside.
So soon as my business has been completed, I must be
off to a game at cards ; therefore for to-day please be content
with many kind regards for all.
Letter to his Nephew. Creisau, 10th May, 1874.
Dear Henry,
You were quite right ; it is still too early for
Creisau. It is exceedingly cold here, coldest of all indoors,
and matters will only be right after those stout gentlemen
the sun and the stove combined are able to thoroughly warm
the thick walls. Notwithstanding the cold, however, I am able
to report that already the fruit trees are in full bloom. The
frost which did so much damage in the south does not seem
to have accomplished the same amount of destruction here.
The pear trees especially are just one mass of flowers, and if
only half of the blossom become pears all the branches and
twigs will break with their load. Cherries also promise to
be plentiful, and even more so do the apricots and peaches,

1874.] SPRING AT CREISAU. 253
thousands of which fruits have already set. Fortunately the
rape is only now beginning to bloom, and perhaps in. the
course of two or three days now the weather may become
warmer. The crops generally are very promising, though I
am afraid that we shall have rather a scarcity of green fodder
in spring. On Saturday I only went as far as Lauban,
where I found a very excellent inn. From there I drove on to
Beerberg ; but Mr. von Bissing is still in Berlin ; the
deaconess, however, showed me over the infant school. Then
I looked at the beautiful situation of Lauban; from the
summit of the rock close to the railway a splendid view over
the whole of the mountains can be obtained. In the evening,
county councillor, burgomaster, serenade, etc.; all brought
on by that traitor Koffer.
Yesterday morning, after stormy weather and rain, the
sun broke through and made the beautiful mountain trip
very pleasant. At three o'clock I found the carriage awaiting
my arrival at Schweidnitz; found here some excellent soup,
asparagus, and ham, hot stoves, but cold rooms. The frost
made me shiver in bed, but I soon got warm again.
In the afternoon I visited the plantations on the new
road to the chapel, and found them thriving, especially the
American firs and the tall larches. The oaks, alder trees,
and acacias are still leafless, and the place in consequence
seems rather winter-like, but the gardens and avenues are
quite white with blossoms. On the mountains there is still
a lot of snow, and the Peile is already falling over the weir.
To-day I will make another tour of inspection at a somewhat
greater distance. Please tell all this to our dear ones. I
should like to hear that your mother is again well, and that
Uncle Fritz is better. If Willie and Mariechen* are up
again, and you should like to bring them here, I shall
welcome them with pleasure. The foals are getting on
splendidly, but have quite trodden to pieces the lovely
meadow behind the castle. The unhappy sheep are being
shorn, and are taking a fresh bath in the Peile, which I do
not envy them. With best love. Your uncle,
Helmuth.
* Children of Moltke's niece, Ernestine Knudson.

254 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Nephew. Creisau, 12th May, 1874.

Dear Henry,
The sudden change for the worse in the condition
of my brother Fritz, who positively seemed convalescent
when I left, has taken me greatly by surprise. I am un
decided whether to return immediately to Berlin, or to await
another post. In the mean time you are in Berlin to support
your mother, and if Uncle Fritz should die suddenly, you
will be absolutely indispensable to her. One can only hope
that God will mercifully release him from old age and pain.
His papers are sure to be in perfect order, and he will
certainly have arranged to be buried beside his Betty. Is
he conscious of those around him ? Claer writes to me that
Ernestine's child has also taken a turn for the worse. These
are sad prospects. I am looking forward to news from you
in great suspense. Be sure to take care of your mother.
Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To the Same. Creisau, 13th May, 1874.
Just now at noon I received your two letters of the
evening before last, and of yesterday, dear Henry. According
to the latter, Uncle Fritz is somewhat better, but there does
not seem to be much hope. I am very sorry that I came
away ; the whole trouble and burden now lies upon you and
your poor mamma.
It is, at any rate, a fortunate thing that you stayed out.
Has Uncle Fritz asked for me, or expressed any wish to see
me? I am quite prepared to take the journey, only I feel
that he may possibly remain a long time in his present
condition, in which case I should be of no use in Berlin
either. Uncle Fritz has appointed me his executor. Also
in Ernestine's case, one can only hope for deliverance.
Should this come to pass in both houses, before attending
to anything else, send your mamma, Ernestine, and both
children here, in order to take them away from the sad
surroundings. I will then go immediately to Berlin to help
you.

1874.] TAKING THE BATHS AT RAGAZ. 255
It is a dreadful Pankratius to-day, with storm, rain, and
cold. I had a touch of lumbago, but fortunately I found a
roll of gout paper, which produced a very speedy effect. I
went to Jacobsdorf, but the Gellhorns were at Schweidnitz.
Yesterday he came here, but I was in the fields, so that we
have not seen each other yet. Two more foals were bom
yesterday ; the shearing of the sheep is finished ; the house
is now almost in perfect order.
Henry* is splendid with his officiousness, and he keeps
presenting himself of his own accord. Should the worst
happen before I am in Berlin, Gorsch f will know how all was
arranged with Mary. A good oak coffin with lead linings,
and a wooden packing-case will be necessary in order to
transport by rail. You will, of course, write to me daily
as long as the crisis lasts. If Uncle Fritz should be fit for
it, give him all manner of affectionate and warm messages
from me, and say that I shall probably soon come to Berlin
for the land-defence commission, so that he may not be
surprised if I make my appearance. With love.
Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Brother Fritz. %
Kagaz, 24th June, 1874.
Dear Fritz,
I went on the 21st to Freiberg in Saxony, on the
23rd to Augsburg, and yesterday arrived here. To-day I
have been able already to take my first bath. It is certainly
nicer and more agreeable here than in Gastein. The country
is superb, and they have built an immense high hotel next
to the old one in which I stayed last with Mary in the year
1865. The gardens all around, too, are beautifully laid out
with rare trees, vines in blossom, which fill the air with a
mignonette perfume, and a quantity of roses. I had to
take a room up seventy-two steps, but the view from my
* A new servant.
t A servant on the Grand General Staff.
% The condition of the above had so substantially improved that his
sister Gusta went for her health to Switzerland, as soon as she could leave
him in the care of her daughter Ernestine. She was accompanied by her
daughter Jeanette and her son Henry, and returned at the beginning of July
to her brother at Berlin. The improvement in his condition did not last, and
he died in August. Moltke, with his nephew Henry, brought his brother's
body to Flensburg, where he was buried beside his wife.

256 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
windows is so magnificent that I cannot make up my mind
to move lower down. A most splendid wooded slope bounds
the soft sward on the one side — that towards the Rhine —
while on the other side is the rugged and bare Falknis.
Over there I certainly must not venture, for if I do I shall
run an imminent risk of being carried off to Vaduz as a
prisoner of war. The fact is, they forgot at Nikolsburg to
conclude a peace also with Liechtenstein, so that by the law
of nations the army of Vaduz has the right and liberty to
invade Germany, for I believe a war footing is maintained
in this principality down to the present day. Above this
same place rise the still snow-covered heights of the Vorarlberge;
and on the nearest bank of the Rhine, which at this point
does not anywhere look beautiful, appear above the tops of
the forests old castle ruins such as Friedenstein, Werdenberg,
and Sargans. Close to the last-named and still inhabited
old castle is a plain, which extends from the Rhine to the
Wallensee. Perhaps a ditch of only ten feet in depth or a
very high flood of the great stream might bring the waters
of the latter into the lake. If that were to happen the Falls
of Schaffhausen would soon be no more, but we should then
have as far as Cologne a dirty and muddy stream, just like
what the Rhine looks here as it comes out of the slate
mountains. It first cleanses itself in the Bodensee, coming
out again at Constance as clear as crystal with a greenish
hue. Fortunately, this reservoir, which is situated one
thousand feet up, is also a thousand feet in depth, and can
therefore contain all the mud and stones with which the
stream desolates its upper valley, and out of which it has
already built up a delta of several miles in length at the
place where it discharges its stream. Its many stagnant
waters render the air here far less wholesome than is that
of Gastein. It is also, however, much more expensive here
than it is there. The bath costs twenty silver groschen, but
it is splendid to see the blue water in the white China baths.
The board is excellent, and from here there are great facilities
for making most beautiful excursions by rail.
I perceive that Henry with Gusta and Jeanette will arrive
here on the 26th or 27th. Gusta will then be able to describe
to you this beautiful part of the world. I shall insist on
her making an excursion to Bad Pfaffer's, an hour's road
through a rocky pass that can bear comparison with the via

1874.] ILLNESS OF FRITZ VON MOLTKE. 257
Mala. I trust that Gusta will have received news of you
from Ernestine, and hope with all my heart that the tidings
may be good.
For to-day I close my report until I may be able to send
you news of our travellers. With best love, dear Fritz, also
to Ernestine, Your brother,
Helmuth.
To his Niece Ernestine. Ragaz, 29th June, 1874.
Dear Ernestine,
My letter to Uncle Fritz, in which I sent him an
account of our travellers, had just left yesterday, when your
letter of the 26th arrived. I immediately telegraphed,
asking you to buy him the wheel-chair he so much needs.
You can ask Lieutenant-Colonel de Claer for the money. I
beg of you not to be sparing in anything that can relieve the
sufferings which your uncle bears with so much patience and
resignation. Ask Pesch if he may not now and again drink a
glass of champagne ; you will find what is wanted in the cellar.
With this chair, Uncle Fritz can go for drives through all
the rooms; you might even try to take him into the Tier-
garten, where patients are daily wheeled about in a similar
manner, so that it would not be at all noticeable. If uncle
has any desire to see me, send me a telegram, and I will
come at once, otherwise I can really be of no use. It is
one comfort that the terrible pains he had to bear have now
abated. I am glad to hear that your children are so well;
it is certainly very healthy for them to be moving about all
day in the open air.
Your mamma will return much strengthened ; she is quite
sunburnt, and looks very well. Yesterday morning they
were able to accomplish the beautiful journey along the
Wallensee to Zurich in full sunshine; then, however, it
began to rain, and to-day it is still raining uninterruptedly.
Meanwhile they are at an excellent hotel, and there is really
nothing much to be seen at Zurich besides the charming
garden between the hotel and the lake.
Perhaps they have therefore proceeded to-day to Lucerne.
In a railway-carriage rain is not of much consequence; but
VOL. II. s

258 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
they wanted to go up the Rigi to-morrow, and that calls for
unconditionally fine weather. I therefore trust the rain is
expending itself to-day, with the more reason that it has been
snowing on the mountains, which is considered a good sign.
Now I will close, for letter-writing is not supposed to be
a part of the cure. I shall try to take a little fresh air
under my umbrella.
I shall soon write again to uncle; give him many
thousands of messages from me, the same to your dear ones,
and take care of your own health, for that is, above all, still
in urgent need of attention.
Most affectionately, your uncle,

To the Same.

Helmuth.

Ragaz, 6th July, 1874.

Dear Ernestine,
I have just received your letter of the 3rd of this
month. I much fear that your mamma will not be back in
Berlin to-day. I had written to Henry to poste restante
Interlaken, but have received no answer. He intended to
escort the ladies as far as Schaffhausen, there to leave them
to their fate on the German railway, where they could not
possibly go wrong, and then to return to me. He is, however,
not yet here, and so the journey must have been extended a
little farther than was at first intended. They have derived
great pleasure from it; Jeanette especially is in a continual
state of wonder.
It gives me real joy to think that the wheel-chair is of
service to Uncle Fritz. But might he not try one of these
days to let himself be carried by the two men down our
comfortable front stairs, and, as so many others do, let himself
be pushed about the Tiergarten?
I cannot find that one ought to prevail upon a suffering
patient to go through the emotion of taking the holy com
munion. I think that our Lord God most surely takes the
will for the deed. Uncle took the communion when he was
well of his own free will; God knows his unselfish, self-
sacrificing, and upright life. The clergyman here has the
courage to preach tolerance. He goes so far as to say that
his first wish for some of his congregation is that they were
catholics, because the catholic faith is more suited for their

1875.] THE DUKE OF AUGUSTENBURG 'S ESTATE. 259
spiritual development than the evangelical. To-day he
preached upon the text, "And now abideth Faith, Hope,
Charity, these three; but the greatest of these is Charity."
Therefore not faith ; he set up against the authority of the
great reformer, Luther, that of the still greater Apostle Paul.
To be sure, our Lord said to the woman, whose child He had
suffered to be cured, " Thy faith hath saved thee." But the
woman could not in the lifetime of the Lord have faith,
neither according to the Catholic nor according to the evan
gelical church. It was her love for her child that made her
appear righteous in the eyes of the Lord. Nor could the
malefactor on the cross have been saved by faith, to whom
the Lord yet said : " To-day shalt thou be with me in
Paradise." I shall have finished my cure in eight days. The Grand
Duchess of Baden has made me promise to visit her. I shall.
therefore, have to stay one day at Meinau, and one in Munich.
I shall go thence to Creisau via Berlin. Give my love to
uncle ; I hope that I may find him considerably better. You
are welcome to read him my letter. Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew. Creisau, 17th May, 1875.
Dear Henry,
Here is some news of me for your mamma and you.
General Falkenstein was waiting for me with his carriage
at Sommerfeld. Dolzig is an irregular old place, not at all
beautiful, and formerly a castle. I wonder that the Duke
of Augustenburg was satisfied with it. The position is peculiar ;
without being elevated, it commands a very extensive view,
over broad woodlands with fine oaks and small expanses of
water in the foreground. The view, seen through a large
plate-glass window, is really beautiful. The rooms are low,
but there exists one loftier apartment in which the general
has tastefully assembled glass paintings, old armour, flags,
escutcheons, antlers, and all manner of curiosities. We there
:partook of an excellent dinner, and afterwards drove, through
deep sand and bog, about a somewhat mean forest. Here we
.saw plenty of fallow deer and hares, but of the stags and
boars, which are said to be there, nothing at all. The hunting

260 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
is the best part of this property ; that is easy to understand
when one knows that Dolzig borders upon the lordship of
Count Briihl, which comprises sixty thousand acres of forest.
I would not exchange Creisau for Dolzig. It is also asserted
that the duke by this sale revenged himself on the Military
Governor of Jutland.
In the evening I only went as far as Sagan, where I
roamed about the splendid park in the twilight, followed by
a continual train of street urchins.
I only reached Breslau by slow train, towards noon, and
went directly to call upon Mr. von Lieres, who was, however,
away from home. The Tiimplings insisted on keeping me to
dinner, and were really very cordial, in remembrance of old
times at Coblentz. The son had just arrived from Vienna.
Then yesterday I came on here. During the morning the
whole sky was grey with a regular fog, such as one sees about
Miinster. You must have had this phenomenon in Berlin
also. It was, however, wonderfully beautiful in the evening,
and the lighting of the fruitful plains and distant hills was
superb. Henry,* radiant with delight, met me at Schweidnitz. In
Creisau there was nothing much to be seen, excepting that
the cherry grove was white with blossom, and that the lawn
before the house has come up very scantily. There is, at any
rate, great need of rain here, and no prospect of any, for it is
pitiably cold. There was frost again this morning, and I
have had fires made. Everything is very backward; even
the elms in front of my windows show no sign of a leaf, not
to speak of the oaks and acacias. This morning I have
driven all over the place; the crops look promising, but the
costly manuring of them will also be found in my books. Two
large plantations of lucerne have surprised me, which have
lasted six or nine years, and usually require a chalky soil.
The manager has manured with bone dust.
The trees have stood the winter well, and several rare
ones from Muskau have been planted. All the alders have
been cut down, in order to give air to the nobler trees. The
weirs are overflowing, and the meadows are most beautifully
green. A sixth foal has arrived, and a seventh is expected. One
of them, unfortunately only just two years old, will make a
* His servant.

1875.] MANOEUVRES AT LIEGNITZ. 261
splendid riding-horse; its actions, notably the trot, are such
as I have seldom seen. This afternoon the weather is cool
but fine ; it being the second day of the Whitsun holidays,
a hundred people or so have been up to the Steinberg. In
the chapel all the flowers are faded, and fresh ones are not
yet to be had.
You spoke too soon ; it is not yet exactly a bad attack,
but I have quickly laid on a D yard of antarthritic plaster,
and shall now go straight to bed lest shivering should set in.
Two dinners, with heavy Rhine wine, added to the sharp cold
are sufficient cause. With love, Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Sister.
Liegnitz,* evening, 15th September, 1875.
Dear Gusta,
You know that I am always somewhat in confusion
about birthdays. For yours I therefore only send at present
my hearty and sincere good wishes. May God long keep us
as harmoniously united as hitherto. A beautiful summer lies
behind us, and I am glad that it has brought both pleasure
and profit to Ernestine and her children. May all go well
with you also in Holstein; you are certain to be made
welcome everywhere. To-day you have had a cold but fine
day in Erdmannsdorf ; the neighbouring mountain must have
looked splendid at sunset. I have just returned from Camenz.
The Countess Stoschf was at the station, and the emperor
conversed very pleasantly with her. She was much satisfied
with your reception, and with the whole organization of the
children's school; I think that something really useful has
been accomplished there. Little Gusta $ looked charming
in a pink dress ; she behaves with unfailing tact, and is liked
by everybody. She charged me with messages for you.
It is late, and I will close. Best love to Ernestine and
all at home. Your proposed household arrangements are all
good and to the purpose. Mamsell will be able to arrange a
dinner should the Agricultural Club meet at my place in
* Moltke was here on the occasion of the imperial manoeuvres between
the Vth and Vlth Army Corps.
t Principal of the establishment for deaconesses at Frankenstein.
j Daughter of Moltke's brother Ludwig, who had been made lady-in-
waiting to the Princess Albrecht of Prussia.

262 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
October. Prince Albrecht will also visit me in October, and
I should besides wish to give a shooting party. At the end of
this month I must go to Berlin for the unveiling of the Stein
memorial. God grant that we may live through the winter
in good health, and all come again to Creisau next summer.
Once more, my heartiest good wishes, and thanks for all
the goodness and kindness with which you give life and
coherence to our circle. Your brother,
Helmuth.
To his Sister Augusta. Innsbruck, 16th October, 1875.
Quite contentedly can I say with Paul Groterjahn, "Now
we are here ; " that is to say, in a middling sort of hotel, and
in a warm room. From Berlin to this place it rained
continuously, and besides, it was so cold that I could not
sleep at all during the night. Then there was also this
circumstance, that just at midnight the winter season altera
tions on the railway changed the express train to Munich
into a slow train, and accordingly instead of finishing our
first stage at six o'clock it was eleven before we arrived. I
then went at once to see Professor Lenbach, who has three
unfinished portraits of myself, the best of which he intends
sending to the exhibition at Berlin. From him I went to
my relations. I got an excellent dinner in the Hotel Vier
Jahreszeiten. In the evening I went with de Claer to the
theatre. We saw "The Bat," a scandalous French play,
performed most clumsily by German actors.
To-day at nine o'clock we continued our journey, while
the rain also did its work. On the railway-station we met
of the emperor's suite Steinacker, Winterfeldt and Lindequist,
whom we accompanied in the same compartment. Besides
these, Secretary of State von Biilow, and Count Bismarck were
also on the train. Prince Bismarck is not coming. Of the
splendid country but little was to be seen ; only at intervals
did the clouds open up and exhibit the mountains all
powdered with fresh fallen snow.
A most interesting point is Kufstein, the Austrian frontier
fortress facing Bavaria. Two mountain forts with mighty
towers and numerous embrasures block up here the narrow

1875.] THROUGH THE TYROL TO MILAN. 263
valley of the Inn. At times they serve principally for the
keeping of state prisoners, who can enjoy here a beautiful
country. In consequence of the bad weather we were only
able to visit the Court church. In the middle of the nave
stands the tomb of the Emperor Maximilian I., the last of
the knights, while along the two sides are twenty-eight mighty
bronze statues, representing for the most part male and female
ancestors of the emperor. There is little doubt that the King
Arthur is by Peter Vischer. There is such life in that figure
that one might almost fancy it would be able to promenade
about during the night among its iron neighbours.
Most of my fellow travellers have gone to the theatre, but
this pleasure did not succeed in tempting me.

Milan, 20th.
The emperor arrived at Innsbruck on the 17th, and was
received with all due honours ; but the numerous assembly of
spectators observed a most intense silence, and the same thing
happened all through the German Tyrol. The farther south
we advanced the clearer became the weather. The journey
across the Brenner is most beautifully picturesque. Up a
gradual incline of one in forty the railway takes such frequent
and sharp curves that one can see the country all around just
as if he were driving in a carriage along a road. For the
greater part of the way there is a steep precipice on the one
side. On arriving at the summit of the pass, I recognized
the inn with the broad roof, the gutters of which conduct the
water on the one side into the Black Sea, and that on
the other into the Adriatic Sea. From this point the road
declines along a steep mountain slope in so roundabout a
way that several of the gentlemen who were walking reached
the next railway-station long before our train arrived. The
vegetation now becomes of quite a southern character. First
we see the walnut tree and the vine, and then at Botzen the
fig tree and the cypress.
We dined at seven o'clock in the evening at Trient; by
the light of the moon we could still look at the beautifully
constructed roads and the fortress-like Episcopal seat, where
three hundred years ago the Tridentinum used to assemble,
the decrees of which the infallible pope will no longer
acknowledge. The inn at which I stayed must have at one

264 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
time been a mansion. The lofty roomy apartment, in which
one could smell the presence of a stove without feeling its
warmth, might have served in its day as the reception-room
of some high dignitary of the church.
With splendid sunshine we continued our journey on the
18th. After traversing the remarkably narrow pass of Verona,
we entered upon the plain of Lombardy. At Verona the
entire garrison marched out to meet us, and were drawn up
in review order while the forts fired salutes. If in the north
we met with a silent reception, the more pronounced and
hearty seemed to be that which was given us in the south
of the Tyrol, and especially in Italy.
We obtained a fine view of the Lake of Garda and the
snow-covered mountains which surround it, after which we
came into the rather monotonous but fertile fields, with their
mulberry trees, their vine festoons, and their swiftly flowing
canals. At early morning we were already in full uniform (en
grand tenue), with stars and ribbons. At Bergamo we had an
excellent luncheon, and at Milan the king in person received
the emperor.
In a long row of more than twenty open carriages at a
slow pace we went through the beautiful streets amid the
never ceasing cheers of the numerous throng. After the
first presentations there was a State dinner, and then illumi
nation of the cathedral by white, red, and green Bengal fires
in succession. The Palazzo reale is situated on the Piazza del
Duomo, where about two hundred thousand people stood closely
packed. Notwithstanding the numbers, however, the utmost
order and quiet was maintained. No amount of police could
bring such a result about in our country. The populace of
Milan, too, is a most independent one, and will not allow
enthusiasm to be drawn from them by compulsion, yet un-
suppressible was the cheering which arose whenever the
emperor, accompanied by the king, appeared, as they had to
do frequently, on the balcony to express their thanks. The
eathedral, which, as is well known, is entirely constructed
out of white marble, with the statues which, to the number
of over a thousand, adorn it, and its innumerable points and
carvings produced, more especially when it was illuminated
by red fire, a most fairy-like impression. At a late hour I
accompanied de Claer and General Taverna, who had been

1875.] RECEPTION AT MILAN. 265
appointed as my personal attendant — though incognito and
in civilian dress — through the magnificent gallery, which
was lighted up with thousands of gas jets. On the public
squares several musical bands were playing, and the immense
multitude of human beings was circulating about quietly and
in the most perfect order, without requiring the slightest
interference on the part of the official carabineers. It requires
a very long cultivation to produce this sort of thing, which is
to be found nowhere else except among the northern Italians.
On the 19th the unavoidable parade was held; the
battalions, drawn up in two lines, and only two hundred and
fifty strong, made a very creditable appearance, exhibiting
much steadiness and discipline. They filed off in a most
peculiar manner, with their eyes left, in order that the view
might be kept open for the Loggia, which was occupied by
the princesses and ladies. The whole affair produced a
very good effect upon the immense square near the old
citadel. I caught a fearful cold on the journey to Munich, was
rather feverish, and had to go to bed. Steinacker sent me
some homoeopathic drops. I only got up again in the evening
at seven o'clock, in order to put in an appearance at the State
banquet. Already at yesterday's dinner I had not partaken
of anything, and after having stayed about ten minutes in
the Scala theatre I drove home and went straight to bed.
That enormously large house, most brilliantly lighted up,
produces a most imposing effect. The boxes are sold at
prices which range up to eight hundred francs (£32), and
up to the sixth row one only sees evening dress. As may
naturally be expected, the reception of the emperor was most
cordial and enthusiastic.
In consequence of hunger and sleep I feel now somewhat
better. Unfortunately, however, we have a dose of the sirocco
at present, and it rains unceasingly. We drove to Monza,
where we had an excellent lunch, but the hunt could not be
proceeded with. It is possible, however, that it may take
place to-morrow. Even the lovely park we could only see
from the castle. On the other hand, I drove to the remark
able old cathedral, where we were shown all the treasures —
above all, the iron crown with which forty-five emperors, the
last of them being the Emperor Francis, have been crowned.
Inside it, underneath jewels and gold, is an iron ring made

266 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
out of the nails with which Christ was fixed to the cross.
This evening there is still dinner and the theatre.
21st. — If one has had his coffee at eight o'clock, it is
rather a difficult matter to take at ten o'clock a lunch which
is a perfect dinner. At all events, when that was over and
their majesties had driven off to the hunt at Monza, we had
just nice time to explore the town of Milan. And first of all
we visited the cathedral opposite to us. A kind of semi-
darkness prevails in its interior, and from out of this there
shines out in the background only a huge golden cross. The
cathedral does not appear to be so very large as it looks
from the outside, until one gets right up to the chief altar,
under which the remains of Saint Charles Borromeo rest,
from which one soon discovers the great extent of the place.
The arched roof, which is two hundred feet high, appears,
thanks to most clever painting, to be of open work. By
means of seemingly never ending steps one at last reaches
the roof, which is also of white marble, and from it overlooks
the whole forest, so to speak, of carved arches and towerlets.
On each of the latter are posted about a dozen statues of
saints ; there are altogether about seven thousand figures,
though I must confess I did not count them, and each of
them is a perfect work of art. A few hundred steps still
higher up brings one to the elegant tower, from which at a
height of four hundred feet one can overlook the whole of
Milan. Unfortunately, although the sun was shining, the
mountain range was hidden from our view by a mist.
After having again reached the ground in safety, we drove
to San Ambrogio, one of the oldest churches in the town,
which has been preserved unaltered in its pure Roman style
from the fourth century. Count Taverna showed us the
well-preserved fresco portrait of his ancestor, with his name
inscribed upon it. There is also exhibited here the serpent
from Paradise — but in bronze — which is the root of all evil.
They showed us mass books dating from the third century,
the crypt which served as a place of refuge for the early
Christians, and numerous objects of artistic workmanship,
or set in precious stones. The gilded mosaics of the absis
remind one of St. Mark's Church at Venice.
A peculiar impression is produced, when in driving through
the thickly populated streets, and among shops and restaurants,
one suddenly comes across a long row of columns, which are

1875.] GIFT FROM KING VICTOR EMMANUEL. 267
all that is left of a temple of Minerva. In the Brera we only
remained to look at the more important masterpieces, especially
the sposalizio of Raphael. Among the newer things most
interesting were the portraits of Manzoni and Cavour.
The weather was delightful, and so after that we drove
to the Corso, which, however, in consequence of the season of
the year, was almost empty.
In the afternoon I had interesting visits from General
Cialdini and the Prime Minister Minghetti. At six o'clock
we had dinner, to which I had the honour of taking in the
Duchess of Genoa ; and now, at ten o'clock, there is a ball in
prospect, to which four thousand persons have been invited,
of whom perhaps I do not know forty.
The room which I occupy was formerly tenanted by the
Napoleon I. when Consul. The gilt bedstead is still ornamented
with the French eagles, and in the next room, where Henry
sleeps, his Mameluke body may frequently have been stretched.
22nd. — Last night there was a monster ball ; the enormous
hall, which was lighted up by several thousands of candles,
was already crammed full when the Court and suite entered
it. Chairs had been placed all round the room for the ladies,
and behind these the gentlemen posted themselves in order
that plenty of room might be left for the dancers. The whole
floor was covered with a white linen cloth, as they do not
have parquetted floors here. This cloth, as well as the trains
of the ladies, must render the dancing very difficult. The
Prussian gentlemen were the best dancers. There was no
possibility of moving about, and at midnight I managed to
make good my escape.
This morning King Victor Emmanuel sent his chief
secretary with orders to present to me a marble bust of more
than life-size of his majesty, executed in Carrara marble.
Directly afterwards he accepted my visit without any ceremony
and in civilian attire. After a lengthy and most cordial
conversation, he said, " Embrassez moi," and kissed me with
his long moustache on both cheeks.
We had intended taking to-day a trip on the Lake of
Como, but it has been raining continuously. Our departure
is fixed for to-morrow, and should the weather be favourable,
which does not at present seem likely, we purpose making
the journey to Lecco across the lake. We shall pass one
night at Botzen, and then go on without further interruption

268 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
to Berlin, which we expect to reach on the forenoon of
Monday, the 25th inst. As I still suffer from a cold, I do
not look forward in the least to our journeys by night. In a
few days now I shall see you at Berlin, and shall keep what
further news I have for verbal communication then.
Your brother,
Helmuth.
To the Same. Rome,* 6th April, 1876.
Dear Gusta,
Whilst Henry is engaged in ascending the dome of
St. Peter this morning, I can in his stead write to you about
our stay here. It is impossible to receive more hospitable
and cordial treatment. We occupy a suite of rooms in the
Palace Cafarelli, replete with everything which luxury and
comfort can offer. On my writing-desk in front of me,
surrounded by fresh roses and azaleas, stands Mary's photo
graph. On my left, through the open balcony doors, into
which the sun is shining deliciously, I look down upon a
garden full of laurels, stone pines, palms, and flowers, whilst
higher up in the distance we see the Palatine and the monster
ruins of the Palace of Augustus, which are as extensive as
was the whole of Rome originally. Behind that again rise
up the Albanian mountains, upon the wooded slopes of which
are borne the palaces and villas of Frascati and Grotta
Ferrati. The Palace Cafarelli is, as is well known, situated on the
Capitoline hill on the site of the former Arx, or citadel, the
storming of which was frustrated by the cackling of geese.
From the windows on the north side one overlooks the whole
of modern Rome, with its numerous churches and domes,
palaces and towers, as far as the mighty structure of the
Vatican, the castle of St. Angelo, and St. Peter's. The south
front commands a view of the Forum Romanum, the Colosseum,
the Triumphal Arches of Constantine, Trajan, and Titus,
the Baths of Nero and Caracalla, the Campagna, with its
aqueducts of several miles in length ; in short, all the past
* Moltke, who had been suffering from asthma, wished to spend a few
weeks in Italy, and accepted an invitation for himself and his nephew from
the German ambassador at Rome, whose wife, nee von Patow, was his
godchild.

1876.] VISIT TO ROME. 269

of this eternal city. Her future seems now to turn from the
tomb of the apostle prince to the palace of the Quirinal.
TJiere in voluntary imprisonment the aged popedom lives out
its tough life, here on the basis of a united Italy is built up
the seat of government of a highly intelligent people, and a
new town with uniform streets, huge official buildings and
barracks, and with these modern convents, which maintain
most certainly strict rules, distinctive clothing, celibacy, and
vows, but that only temporarily and without cells. And all
these contrasts, which have grown out of the rule of the
emperors, the steadfastness of martyrs, the victories and
secularization of the papacy, and finally the idea of a civilized
state, are embraced to this day within that Aurelian wall
which has already seen a thousand and a half years. In
other towns the past has been wiped out by the present;
here they have both survived the one side by side with the
other. King Victor Emmanuel is at present staying in a villa
not far from Florence; but, on the other hand, the crown
prince is going to receive me at the Quirinal to-day. The
princess we met on the very afternoon of our arrival, when
we were making a walking excursion to the Milvischer Bridge.
She was walking along, and recognized us at once, so that
a further incognito became out of the question; further,
the new minister of war has kindly granted me again the
assistance of my former companion in Milan, Count Taverna.
We trust that Mr. von Keudell will return here from
Berlin on Sunday next. For the mean time, his wife takes
care that we have everything which is necessary and likely
to conduce to our comfort. In the morning we are quite
independent, and saunter about to our hearts' content, visiting
the most interesting sights. After a second breakfast, which
really is a dinner, we make pleasant drives in a comfortable
carriage into the Campagna, inspecting there some of the
more distantly situated churches or villas. In the evening
at half-past six o'clock we dine, after which we apply our
selves to a game of patience, and finally, at ten o'clock, after
a cup of tea, retire to rest.
Our charming hostess has not yet quite recovered from
fever, and is obliged still from time to time to take quinine.
She is all kindness and hospitality to us. I myself am better,
though not yet entirely well. It must not be expected that

270 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
this beautiful climate can work miracles. Whenever I live
quietly, I do not feel anything. We can only wait and see
what time will bring forth.
I hope that you are also having some sunshine and warmth
in Berlin. Use the open carriage as much as you can. A
little later on the Tiergarten will be looking lovely; the
awakening of vegetation to new life is even more beautiful
in our northern clime than here, excepting that it takes
such a long time coming, and is then so often interrupted
by cold and rain.
I am already looking forward to Creisau, and trust that
Ernestine's children will again thrive there.
Hoping that Marienbad will do you as much good as it
did last year, Your brother,
Helmuth.
To the Same. Rome, 19th April, 1876.
Dear Gusta,
Your letter of the 12th contained for us most de
lightful news of home, and I thank you very much for it.
I hope from my heart that the water at Marienbad is
suiting you as well as last year; it is, however, not the same
as if drunk at the source itself. You can also not yet
commence taking it. It really seems as if winter does not
mean to come to an end this year. The day before yesterday
they had snow in Marseilles and Milan, and for the last four
days here also it has been pretty bad weather. The tempera
ture is not above 12°, rain falls, and the wind even rocks to
and fro the heavy black cypresses here on the Capitol. I
purpose leaving here for Naples — Hotel Nobile — on Friday,
or at latest on Saturday ; there it will doubtless be warmer.
Besides, we do not care to impose ourselves too much on the
kind hospitality of the dear Keudells. We could not possibly
have fared better than we have been doing for the last fifteen
days. To-night we are invited to dine with the Duke of
Altenburg — unfortunately at seven o'clock — and we have
promised to-morrow to attend a fete of the German artists.
After that will be the moment for putting an end to our
stay here. We have already seen to the fullest extent all
the many remarkable things which Rome contains.

1876.] EXCURSIONS ROUND ROME. 271

I am unable to express myself as altogether satisfied with
my state of health. Whenever I ascend the eighty steps
which lead to our apartments I get quite out of breath.
That the seat of the complaint is the stomach I have not
the least doubt about. When I fast my sufferings soon
disappear, and yet I do not believe that I shall ever be able
to get entirely rid of them. Towards the end of May it will
be sure to become milder at home, and then it will be nice
to see the trees in bloom at Creisau; to Henry and myself,
in truth, it will be a second spring.
We will then gather together as many relations as will
come ; there is indeed room for all, particularly for Ernestine
and her children, to whom it does so much good.
In the autumn, when I have to go to the manoeuvres, you
can go to Diirkheim in the Rhine Palatinate, to try the not
particularly pleasant grape cure.
Bulwer's " Last Days of Pompeii " will interest me greatly,
when shortly we go to see the recent excavations on the very
spot, as well as Vesuvius, which did the deed. That great
museum, mother Earth, has nursed in her bosom a whole town,
in exactly the same state it was in eighteen centuries ago,
when it was buried alive on a single day in the midst of its
busy life. The past has been caught here in flagranti, and
brought again to light.
Of my Milanese acquaintances I have met again here
Menabrea, Cialdini, and Bertole Viale ; I have also made
the acquaintance of the new Ministers Depretis and
Mezzacapo, all of whom were invited to luncheon at the
Keudells'. Over there the dear sun is shining quite bright and warm
into my windows, the freshest green covers the wide stretching
Campagna, out of which stare at us the ruins of a past world,
the high arches of the endless aqueducts, the numerous tombs
which in the Middle Ages served as castles, and the small
huts which indicate the narrow life to which the present age
has descended, and which are like swallows' nests sticking
to gigantic ruins. Under our balcony flourishes quite a
forest of azaleas, and round the fountain is " the myrtle quiet,
and high the laurel stands." There is also there a palm tree
which was planted by Frederick William IV., and whieh
swings its branches about rather disagreeably in the wind,
while a white and yellow rose covers the whole as far as it

272 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
has climbed with thousands of flowers. All this tempts one
out of doors, and I must now conclude with most heartfelt
greetings.
Helmuth.
To the Same. Naples, 2nd May, 1876.
Dear Gusta,
I will try whether I can with one of these wretched
steel pens write you a few words before our departure from
here, which is fixed for to-morrow. Henry is away just now,
climbing the monastery of San Martino, which pleasure I
have had to renounce on account of my asthma. The most
convenient for me have been the excursions by steamer in
the lovely bay. When we went to Capri we had rather a
rough sea, so that several ladies had to offer up their sacrifices
to Neptune, and the dark blue waves threw up snow-white
foam against the steep rocky shore. The steamer got duly
to land, and a large number of very little boats rocked about
around us in the hope of being commissioned to bring us to
the azure grotto. To me this seemed quite impossible, for one
could plainly see that each of the bigger waves reached the roof
of the entrance, which was only from three to four feet large,
though when the water is calm it lies, comparatively speaking,
high. An attempt was, however, determined upon. We laid
ourselves flat in the bottom of the nutshell, while the guides,
who are skilled in this sort of thing, waited for a moment
between the flowing back of a wave from the grotto, and the
pushing towards it of another from the outside. " Corragio
per voi e Macaroni per noi ! " they cried, and flap ! we had
passed in under the low entrance ; but not, however, without
my hat being transformed into a chapeau claque.
The extreme narrowness of the entrance does not allow
of the light penetrating into the lofty and capacious hall,
which must certainly have a depth of about one hundred
yards. The illumination of this rocky vault is but the reflex
of the sun's rays out of the clear blue water of the sea, but
the effect is most enchanting. This spectacle cannot be
thoroughly enjoyed, however, on account of the thought that
one has to get out of it again. The waves inside foamed
continuously, filling up the entire entrance, and it has some
times happened that travellers have had to remain here for

1876.] VESUVIUS. — SORRENTO. 273
two days waiting for a calm sea. But, in consequence of the
agility which our boatmen displayed in seizing the proper
moment, we soon got out of it again, and could shake the
water out of our clothing. Only a very few of the travellers
made the trial.
I find it very tiring, after having taken a delightful walk
on the promenade of the Villa Reale by the sea, to have to
climb up one hundred and sixty steps before I can reach
my apartment. Certainly, however, the view from up there
is most beautiful. Each window has its marble balcony.
On the left stands menacingly on the height the Castle of St.
Elmo, with its stout walls and battlements; just in front of
us we have Vesuvius, which towers high above the number
less flat roofs and domes of the town, but which favours us
with nothing very extraordinary except a white cloud of
steam; while on the right the eye wanders over the bay to
Castell a Mare and Sorrento, where, owing to the clear atmo
sphere, and notwithstanding the distance of three miles, one
can even distinguish the different houses.
Vesuvius is in such a passive state that one would hardly
think that it had ever destroyed whole towns and districts;
we did not on this account consider it worthy of a visit, but
have contented ourselves with looking at its dark lava cone
from different points of view below.
The most beautiful road in my opinion is that which leads
from Castell a Mare along the high rocky slopes to the really
enchanting Sorrento. Deep gorges which have been cut
perpendicularly out of the white tuff, are crossed by high
viaducts; far below lies the blue sea, hemmed in by the
silvery stripes of the breakers which surge against most
immense rocky masses. The mountains are planted a great
way up with olive trees, among which monasteries and villas
shine forth, while the roadside residences lie buried among
the orange groves, which, although in full bloom, are also
laden with an extraordinary quantity of their golden fruit.
From out of their shade one comes all of a sudden upon the
terrace of one of the many excellent inns which are here,
and sees before him a rapid perpendicular fall of one hundred
feet into the glistening sea, which can be reached by
subterraneous passages.
I think we shall upon our return journey probably stay
at Lucerne for a few days' rest.
VOL. II. T

274 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
We shall look forward to finding at the poste restante there
letters with, I trust, good news from you all. Tell us all about
the weather and the vegetation. It would be a pity to miss
the time when all the trees are in bloom at Creisau. Things
there are generally about eight days later than in Berlin.
Henry has come in from his hot excursion ; we ordered
our dinner for three o'clock, and want to drive afterwards
through the Pausilippo Grotto to Puzzuoli and back along
the splendid Mergellina. Kindest remembrances also to my
faithful de Claer.
Helmuth.
To the Same. Lucerne, 13th May, 1876.
Dear Gusta,
I have received here your letter addressed to Naples,
and a later one of the 5th of this month. Concerning your
household plans, I agree to everything; make all your
arrangements just as you think best. I think that I shall
arrive at Creisau with Henry somewhere about the 20th of
this month, and I am of opinion that you should not leave
the warm house at Berlin much sooner. At any rate, let
Henry heat your rooms as well as mine a few days beforehand.
As regards my health, I am at present very well, except
that the asthma from which I have been suffering does not
seem to have got very much allayed by my journey. When
my stomach is empty I do not feel anything, but after having
my breakfast or dinner, merely moving about my room suffices
to bring on severe rheumatic pains, first in my palate and
tongue, and then in my breast and left arm. Then if I have
to walk quickly or go upstairs, I loose my breath entirely,
though it gets all right again in a minute if I keep still. Ask
Dr. Fuhrmann to solve this problem.
I can save everything else to tell you by word of mouth,
and shall now close with affectionate remembrances to all
relations and friends.
Helmuth.
To the Same. Berlin, 15th September, 1876.
Dear Gusta,
Best wishes for your birthday to-morrow. I hope
that your indisposition will be quite over by that time, and
your whole household so far recovered that you may be able

1876.] STAY AT CREISAU. 275
to spend a happy day together. Perhaps you will be going
on some pleasant excursion if the weather allows of it.
Beautiful sunny days alternate here with rain aud cold,
and so it is highly probable that the grand parade of the
Illrd Army Corps to-day will be spoiled. I asked to be
excused from attending this in order that I might be all
right for the coming field manoeuvres, where my presence is
absolutely necessary. On the whole, I think, I am now quite
restored to my former self. Dr. Fuhrmann is going to try
some new experiment on me later on. In the next place I
have to accompany the emperor to Stuttgart, and then I am
invited to the unveiling of a monument at Freiburg in Baden,
so that I shall not be free again until the beginning of
October. There are many reasons why I should still like to
pass that month at Creisau; for example, the laying out of
the garden, the plantations, hunts, etc. Our temperature
here is only 10°, but a cheerful fire in the room makes it
very cosy. What a pity that we have not these open fire
places in Creisau. To the potatoes and turnips the heavy
rains will no doubt still do good; but I should like to see
the third hay crop brought safely under shelter. I dare say
the rape fields are now again quite green, and that the clover
is in heaps.
Farewell for to-day, dear Gusta. With love to all the relations.
Helmuth.
To his Nepheiv. Creisau, 2nd October, 1876.
Dear Henry,
After the rain which lasted all day yesterday, and
also the whole night through, we have to-day a clear blue
sky, some wind, but sunshine, of which I am very glad on
account of the Parchim affair.* As it has become much
cooler (5°), we may also expect better weather.
At Liegnitz we had an excellent dinner in the Rautenkranz
— caviare, asparagus, and Josefshofer. After dinner I slept
until six o'clock, when I continued my journey to Schweidnitz.
I have not been able yet to look round the place. My room
is comfortably warm.
More very soon, and best love.
Helmuth.
* The statue of Moltke, by Sculptor Brunner, was to be unveiled at
Parchim.

276 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Sister. Creisau, 27th October, 1876.
Dear Gusta,
Warm thanks for your good wishes; may they all
come to pass. There remains still so much to be done here
in Creisau that I cannot tear myself away just yet. I
engaged ten labourers from the neighbourhood at fifteen silber-
groschen, and under the supervision of the forest keeper,
fifty-six hundred young oak trees were transplanted, so that
the Mountain garden has been turned quite into a nursery.
This afternoon the Barn garden will be assailed, where, too,
everything has to be transplanted. From there I shall also
sell several hundreds of young trees. After that we shall
see to the roadside plantations through the long wood, so
that next year you will drive through a park plantation of
three quarters of a mile in length. The pine-apple house is
quite finished, and besides the young shoots there have been
planted out four hundred plants at twenty silbergroschen
each, which will begin to yield next year already. The mill
does its duty, and two fountains can dabble for several hours
daily in front of the verandah near the elms, which will
amuse little Helsa. The basins, and a third in the kitchen
garden, enable the gardeners more easily to water. I had
water also conducted into both the hot-houses. The winter
crops are very promising, and I shall at last be able, in con
sequence of the good manure, to derive some profit from the
estate. The result of the hunt was a very modest one — fifty
hares, one deer, and one partridge. I send you for the
present a couple of hares; the clergyman and the school
master have also received some. The weather was delightful,
the views from the different heights enchanting, the dinner
splendid, and all the guests thoroughly pleased. Count
Bethusy and Count Harrach stayed overnight.
Yesterday morning the band of Schweidnitz came marching
along, the schoolmaster behind it, and lastly the sisters
with their troop. Mamsell provided mountains of bread and
butter and two casks of beer, and all, even the smallest, went
home satisfied. Then the staff officers of Schweidnitz and
Reichenbach presented themselves. In the evening Countess
Piickler paid me a visit.

1877.] VISIT TO STRASSBURG. 277
Since the hunt the sky has been covered, and we have
only 7°, but the rooms are splendidly warm. To-day it seems
as if the sun might shine. Henry is sure to write to you
himself with his customary regularity. Please give Ernestine
my love and thanks for her kind letter. You, of course, give
her all the news you have of Creisau ; she interests herself
so nicely in it.
I had a very pleasant note from Hedwig Keudell, from
Vienna; besides this, I have a pile of answers on my mind,
and therefore I shall close, with best love.
Your brother,
Helmuth.

To his Nephew. Strassburg, 2nd May, 1877.
Dear Henry,
The fine weather, upon which you have been con
gratulating us, has not yet made its appearance here ; perhaps
in Berlin, too, it has again become just as dreadfully cold.
We arrived at Strassburg amidst rain and snow, and I do
not expect that, with this cutting east wind, we can have
more than four or five degrees of warmth. The vegetation
is undoubtedly much farther advanced that it is in Berlin.
Near Frankfurt the rape and the cherry trees were already
in bloom ; here already are the lilac trees. The worst of it
is that one cannot have a warm room here. I think that I
have burned in my room here half a klafter of wood, but the
more I heat it the more do I feel the draught coming through
both my balcony doors. All I can complain about certainly
is only cramp in the legs, which last night forced me to run
about in my cold rooms. It is rather astonishing that one's
own muscles can rebel against one's will. I enjoy, on the
other hand, a very excellent appetite, which to some extent
reminds me of that of my nephew Moltke. I must conclude,
as my thoughts are abroad, and this horrid sharp steel pen
must be dipped into the ink at almost every second word.
3rd. — The reception of the emperor surpassed all expecta
tions. The town was festively decorated with flags, banners,
and evergreens, and the streets crowded with people, who
received the emperor with vociferous cheers. There were
only a few houses from which the frondenrs (grumblers)

278 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
witnessed the gay scene through closed Venetian blinds. It
rejoiced me above all to-day to see the country people — the
peasants on horseback to the number of about two hundred
in their national costume, and the women in carts all covered
with evergreens — who had come a distance of many a mile.
At every fort they stood closely packed together. The
younger generation, who were undergoing their term of
service, wore their military caps with pride. Whole schools
paraded, even religious ones, with schoolmasters and clergy
at their head. I visit the cathedral every day. The emperor
was conducted over it yesterday by Bishop Rasz and about
fifty of the clerical body, and to-night all the architectural
lines of this huge structure were illuminated by numerous
lamps, and subsequently the whole of the building was
lighted up with Bengalese fire. The populace behaves every
where with the most perfect good nature. Nowhere is there
any noise or rowdyism among the dense masses of people.
Accommodating and pleasant, they form a real contrast to the
inhabitants of Berlin.
In the Aula of the university splendid speeches were
delivered by Professor Kundt, and the under rector,
Baumgarten. We were also invited by the students to a
Kommers (drinking bout) in the Tivoli, where the crown
prince behaved most excellently.
Poor General Fransecky is in great pain, and cannot go
anywhere. He lent me a very good horse for the parade.
Everything went off very well except that a colonel was very
badly thrown, and had to be carried away. Her majesty the
empress arrives to-morrow.
With much love. Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Sister. Benrath, 7th September, 1877.
Dear Gusta,
I was very much delighted to receive your letter
from peaceful Creisau here amidst the constant turmoil of
the Court and camp life,* the full details of which you have
doubtless read in the newspapers. It is a pity that the
* The Vllth and VIHth Army Corps had been having some grand
emperor's manoeuvres on the Rhine.

1878.] AT THE REICHSTAG IN BERLIN. 279
weather is so unsettled. On the day of the parade it was
rainy and cold. I caught a cold in consequence, and was
terribly afraid that my lumbago would recur; fortunately,
however, the complaint has passed away, notwithstanding
the extraordinary amount of dining and mixing of liquors in
which I have been indulging.
About yesterday's fete at the " Malkasten " the newspapers
will give full details; it was fairy like, and we actually
vent into the open air without our overcoats ! Fortunately
it did not rain, but to-day we got another drenching.
To-morrow evening we leave here for the castle of Briihl
near Cologne, where new fetes are being prepared.
It is late, so I close. With best love.
Helmuth.
To the Same. Briihl, 15th September, 1877.
Dear Gusta,
I hope that these hasty lines, containing my best
wishes for your birthday, will reach you by Sunday. May
you live to spend this day yet many a year at our peaceful
Creisau, where you distribute order and tranquillity in the
house, and benevolence abroad.
Up to the present time I have been able to successfully
endure the exertions of the manoeuvres, but I am beginning
to feel that I am becoming too old for this sort of thing, and
I should much rather end my days in complete retirement
at Creisau. Henry is sure to send you constant news. I am very
glad that Ernestine is at last rid of her influenza, and that
the two little girls thrive so splendidly. Please give my
love to all. Now I must close, for we have to go at once.
Again, sincerest good wishes from Your brother,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew. Berlin, Tuesday, 21st May, 1878.
Dear Henry,
Unfortunately I shall be obliged to stay here longer
than I expected; I shall most probably not be able to come
to Creisau before Sunday, perhaps only on Wednesday, the

280 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
29th, as at Whitsuntide, for several decrees have still to be
attended to in the Reichstag.
Since your departure we have here also had an excessive
heat, and in the evenings slight thunderstorms and rain.
On Sunday we made a delightful excursion from Potsdam by
way of Glienicke to the Peacock Island (by land). Yesterday,
the 20th of May, was again a most raw cold day. I dined
with Prince Plesz. During the night it has rained pretty
heavily, and the thermometer is only standing at 8°. I hope
that Creisau also may come in for some rain. The Tier
garten is quite refreshed and very beautiful, but we are
obliged to pass half the day in the Reichstag, listening to
monotonous speeches.
With best love, and looking forward to as early a reunion
as possible.
Helmuth,
To his Nephew* Berlin, 17th September, 1878.
I received yesterday, dear Henry, your letter of the 13th.
You have in all respects had a favourable journey there, but
I am glad that your mamma has been able to support the
very tiring voyage. Did you, at Botzen, notice the wonderful
sea-green Dolomite mountains, lying northward? How do
you get to Meran from Botzen? Is there a post service, or
had you to take a carnage? Are the grapes ripe? I hope
that you have already taken some rambles in the magnificent
chestnut woods. It is very pleasant indeed that you have
met Professor Kiel. Have you a piano at the Pension?
As regards your journey home, study the route from
Meran upwards, over the Malser Heide to Finstermiinz, and
thence by small mountain carriages to the Upper Engadine.
Tharasp and St. Moritz are exquisite points ; one can drive to
the very foot of the glaciers, and over perfectly even ground,
along the lake to the Maloja Pass, whence one descends by
endless zig-zags, as if down a flight of stairs, into warm Italy,
to Chiavenna. Then you have the Lake of Como, the most
beautiful of the Italian lakes, and can either go to the Lago
Maggiore via Lugano, or direct from Como to Verona.
* The above accompanied his mother to Meran, where she had been
ordered to take the grape-cure.

1878.] ARMY MANOEUVRES AT KASSEL. 281

I sit the whole day in the Reichstag. The law regarding
Socialism has, after very lively debates, been referred to-day
to a committee, which will want about a fortnight to consider
it. For the final voting I am unfortunately compelled to
remain here, and October will begin before then.
I have handed over 1,739,000 marks to the crown prince.*
Minister Eulenburg quite agrees that that sum should be
employed for the forming an institution for aged and infirm
workpeople, and has already given orders for the drawing up
of a scheme.
It looks as if the emperor is going to appear among the
troops; he has already gone out on horseback.
It is growing late, and I shall end my hasty pages with
love and best wishes. Your uncle,
Helmuth.
P.S. — The horses have to-day started for Wabern with the
ordinance ; I shall follow to-morrow evening, or early the
day after to-morrow.

To his Sister. Kassel,t 29th September, 1878.
Dear Gusta,
Your letter of the 18th inst. must have crossed my
answer. I trust that it duly came into your hands. On my
return from the manoeuvres, which, by the way, were most
successfully ended, I caught an inflammation of the scalp,
which has kept me in bed for the last six days. I have a
clever doctor, and the most careful nursing at home; that
is, at the Villa Hentschel. Do not disturb yourself in your
beautiful place, and do not let me stand in the way of the
interesting journey you had projected. I hope very soon to
be able to send you good news regarding my health ; already
I feel much better.
Helmuth.
* After the attempt on the emperor's life, subscriptions were raised over
the entire German empire by a committee of which Moltke was president.
The sum so obtained was distributed, under the name of Wilhelmsspende,
among institutions for the aged working classes.
f Where the manoeuvres of the Xlth Army Corps took place.

282 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To the Same. Kassel, 6th October, 1878.
Dear Gusta,
I prefer addressing these lines directly to Vienna
to make sure that they will duly reach your hands, so that
your fears on my behalf may quite be set at rest. My
indisposition was erysipelas, an entirely painless but long-
lasting and bothersome complaint. That most clever doctor,
consulting physician Wild, recommends the greatest care,
and so I have been kept in bed for the last fortnight. At
last this rose, the last but not the most beautiful of summer,
has faded, and now only a little fraction of it remains to be
seen. To-morrow accordingly, I leave my bed, and on
Wednesday I shall go on to Berlin, in order to be present at
the final vote on the law regarding Socialism. I shall start
at one o'clock, and arrive in the evening at nine o'clock. I
have received from my kind hosts here all the attention
that I could possibly desire.
You will surely stay a few days at Vienna, and I think
it would then be best for us both to make for Berlin at once,
where I hope we may meet well and happy. With best love
to Henry, and trusting that your beautiful tour may come
to a lucky close.
Helmuth.

To the Same. Creisau, 31st May, 1879.
Dear Gusta,
From the newspapers I learn that you still had a
very heavy downpour of rain yesterday; here we did not
have any at all, and it was beautiful sunshine ; indeed I
have never before seen the mountains so clear. There is still
a good deal of snow on the slopes, although it rained here
every day. The weirs are overflowing; the meadows show
a most luxurious growth, and the crops are progressing
splendidly. The rape is in full bloom, and the rye is heavy
in its ears. The trees have blossomed most beautifully,
including many even of those in the plantation, and the firs
are all full of light green points. Lilac is abundant, and
the pink May thorns begin to bloom.

1879.] MANOEUVRES AT STETTIN. 283

The railway train was quite full. At Liegnitz I had
a very excellent dinner in the Crown.
The sister came with the children for a hunt after May
bugs. Yesterday they delivered over two bushels of these
insects, in return for which they received two Metz bonbons.
These animals have not as yet worked much damage. The
new house for the workmen looks very stately against the
dark background of the trees in the Brauer garden. The
schoolmaster is absent, and his juveniles have a holiday.
Henry might enter my name in the Czar of Russia's book.
With best love.
Helmuth.

To the Same. Stettin,* 12th September, 1879.
Dear Gusta,
We have just returned from the grand parade of
the Ilnd Army Corps. Everything went off exceedingly
well. The weather, which was yesterday cold and rainy,
changed into the brightest sunshine; no dust whatever, and
agreeably cool.
I really did not know what to do about my big chestnut ;
he was so run down that I could not mount him in such a melee.
I had, therefore, to borrow Henry's chestnut, which got through
its parade, stepping quite splendidly. The case is this f — you
have to pass the emperor at a steady pace, amidst bands
playing, and the drumming and waving of standards, but
almost immediately after you must get up beside him by a
sharp gallop to the right, which, with a horse not specially
trained for it, is a much more difficult thing than it looks.
The troops were in excellent condition, and the emperor
was very well pleased.
We are very comfortably quartered here, as we were also
at Konigsberg and Danzig; fine large rooms in an old
Patrician house on the Roszmarkt, splendid bed, and more
to eat and drink than one requires. Each dinner with the
emperor is a trial of abstinence to me. It is not difficult to
support one such dinner, but when it comes to twenty-one
dinners one after the other, one has to be very careful, more
* Imperial manoeuvres of the Ilnd Army Corps.
t Moltke headed his regiment, the Colberg Grenadier Guards No. 9, on
the parade before the emperor.

284 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
especially with the different kinds of wine. These festivities,
which follow each other without intermission, are much more
exhausting than the manoeuvres. About these you will read
quite enough in the newspapers. The most interesting was
the visit to the fleet in fine, calm weather.
Many thanks for the good news from Creisau. On Sunday,
when you go to Rosalienthal, we shall be engaged launching
a man-of-war, and afterwards getting through a monster
dinner. Love to Ernestine and the children; may they all enjoy
their quiet stay. Your brother,
Helmuth.

To his Niece. Mullheim,* 5th October, 1879.
Dear Ernestine,
I thank you very much for your kind letter of the
first of the month. I am sincerely glad that the stay at
Creisau has given you and the children so much pleasure,
but I cannot see why you should leave before Henry and I
return. When that will be I cannot say with any certainty
— hardly before the middle of the month.
All the end of last month and the beginning of this we
had not only cold, but rain. It is still cool, but exquisitely
sunny, save that until midday a thick mist lies on the Rhine
valley. When, however, the sun breaks through it is glorious
in this enchantingly beautiful country.
You will find Mullheim on the map on the east bank of
the Rhine, only three miles from Basle, in the fruitful plain
that lies between the mighty green stream and the foot of
the Black forest. To-day I am thinking of riding to Baden-
weiler on the mountains, said to be the warmest spot in
Germany, on account of its sheltered position and its hot
springs. I only hope that in rough Silesia you will still have
some fine autumn days. I am surprised to hear that there
the vines have ripened. In Alsace the prospect seems bad
— very little, and, what there is, mostly diseased; a real
* With these manoeuvres were connected the journey of the general staff
to Alsace and Baden.

1879.] DESIRE FOR RETIREMENT. 285
misfortune for the wine-growers, for there, even on the plains,
whole square miles are covered with vineyards. I am
curious to know if the grapes on the porch have ripened
too, and if the big pears on the wall in the kitchen garden
have done well which I set there four years ago, and had
tied up this summer.
Poor — — ! I am afraid they have many troubles. But
in what family are there none? You also have your share.
"In every family there is a skeleton." Another's breast is
to every one of us a great mystery, and what passes there
is the generally unknown reason of his outward conduct.
We should therefore be lenient to all.
Now I beg of you to give my best love to mamma, and
to hold in affectionate remembrance Your uncle
Helmuth.
To his Sister. Schlettstadt, 3rd October, 1879.
Dear Gusta,
I received the last news of you at Stettin. Since
then the manoeuvres at Strassburg and the emperor's
journey have both come to an end. At first I was really
afraid that I should not be able to go through all of it.
However, thanks be to God, it has been done, though with
the greatest exertion, and it is the last time. Now I can
take more care of myself; but I do wish from my heart that
I may be able to spend what little time yet remains of my
life in perfect quietness, and that I may be allowed to retire
into a modest darkness. The future, and that perhaps a
very near one, may bring about situations which I feel I
am unable any longer to support.
It is truly a most remarkable circumstance that from the
beginning to the end the emperor's journey was favoured
with the most delightful weather, and that without any
break, and that from the day that it closed we should have
nothing but constant cold, fog, and rain, so that next to
nothing can be seen of the beautiful country through which
we are travelling. There is nothing more unpleasant and
more unhealthy than a cold room. In Colmar, where we
stayed for five days, they have only fireplaces ; here, however,
I have fortunately found a stove, and can therefore obtain a

286 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
comfortable temperature. Henry has no doubt told you all
about our excursions in the Vosges mountains. We had a
cold but towards evening clear day, so that we could see
from the top of the forest all the valleys with their villages,
and all the ruined castles on the summits of the mountains.
The roads, which run along the mountain slopes and have
frequent windings, are constructed with such technical
correctness that one can drive down at a rapid pace without
using the brake. If the sun should smile upon us, we will
then make several more similar excursions — excursions, too,
in which duty can be combined with pleasure.
Henry is taking the greatest care of me, and the new
servant has stood the test excellently during the whole four
weeks' journey. My love to all. Your brother,
Helmuth.
To the Same.
Baden-Baden,* 14th October, 1879.
Dear Gusta,
You have probably been in a quite unpleasant state
of uncertainty as to whether you were to go to Berlin or to
remain at Creisau. Jenny f telegraphed to me, instead of simply
writing to you, asking if she might come to Creisau ; she knows
that she is always welcome, and I presume she is already there.
The wonderfully beautiful surroundings, the delightful
sunny days, and the great amiability of the emperor and
grand duke have kept us here longer than was intended.
For to-morrow, however, I have refused all further invitations,
and we shall travel to Wiirzburg. On Thursday I shall then
proceed to Dresden to pay a long-projected visit to the King
of Saxony. If he is there, I shall stay over Friday, and
arrive at Schweidnitz on Saturday evening. If we still get
some fine autumn days, I should like to arrange another hunt,
in order to see my neighbours. All else by word of mouth ;
therefore, please God, to our joyful meeting !
Helmuth.
* When Moltke arrived at Freiburg in the course of the journey of the
general staff, he received by messenger a communication from Prince
Bismarck, requesting him to lay before the emperor his views concerning an
alliance between Germany and Austria. Moltke therefore left immediately
for Baden-Baden, where the emperor was then staying.
t The third daughter of his sister-in-law Jeanette, married to Chamberlain
von Rumohr, of Rundhof.

1880.] COUNTRY LIFE AT CREISAU. 287

To his Sister-in-law. Berlin, 27th October, 1879.
Dear Jeanette,
Warmest thanks for your birthday wishes. My stay
in Dresden was very short ; I had to go on to Berlin that
same evening. But it was a great pleasure to me to see
Sophia and Polenz * in their pleasant home. Unfortunately
I missed you there, but to my great surprise found the
Rumohrs, whom I regret I was unable to receive at Creisau.
After an excellent breakfast they escorted me back over the
new bridge, and the splendid surroundings looked their
finest in the bright sunshine. The king had summoned me
to an audience, and yesterday he sent me his portrait. It
makes a perfect pendant to a portrait of our crown prince,
and will be an ornament to Creisau, of which I hope you
will convince yourself next year.
It is so long since you were there that I am sure you
will be pleased at the growth of my many plantations. To
be sure, the chapel mound looks somewhat bare now, as I
have had all the bushes cleared away, which consisted only
of brambles. But in their stead I have had pines planted,
so that in future the dear chapel will be surrounded with
green even in winter. For the present good-bye, and to our
speedy meeting. Your old uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew. Creisau, Monday evening, 1880.
Dear Henry,
Early in the morning it was cold, but afterwards.
it turned out a nice warm day. The garden is in good
order, and looks quite different to what it used to be. The
pine-apples have grown enormously, but only a few of them
will this year yield fruit. The chapel has been beautifully
decorated with flowers. You will find the surroundings
rather bare ; I had the bad oak shrubs removed, and in their
place about a thousand young firs have been planted out.
It will only take a few years before the chapel will show to.
* The second daughter of Moltke's sister-in-law, and her husband, Colonel
von Polenz.

288 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
its best advantage with its dark background. From there
I walked along the new road through the long wood ; it is
really well worth seeing when the stately old oak trees are
in full verdure. At Sister Selma's * there was quite a com
motion; several cartloads of sand had been thrown on the
road, and the whole company were busy transporting this
in their little wheelbarrows to their playground, where they
made mountains of it. Dinner tete-a-tete with myself — chicken
broth, asparagus, and ham, with excellent Moselle. At two
o'clock I went fox-hunting. In the background we found
the castle Malepartus. The two dachshunde could hardly
be restrained. One was let loose, and barked, which led us
to presume that Master Reynard was at home; he did not
seem, however, inclined to receive visitors, and quickly
closed his doors. We tried accordingly to dig him out from
above, the exit being in the mean time closed with spades.
The besieged kept quiet until the last moment, when the
pioneers of the enemy were close upon the ceiling of his
drawing-room. Then suddenly a little head appeared close
to the spade. The dogs rushed at it, and now the discovery
was made that the supposed fox was a polecat. This animal
offered a strong resistance; both dogs bled, yet showed the
most extraordinary stubbornness. It took them, however,
quite ten minutes to get the mastery over the enemy. No
one can have any idea what an amount of damage these
creatures of prey can do. Only a few days ago all that was
found in a fox covert was a young fox, while in the larder of
Madame Reynard were the heads and skins of twenty-four
young hares, two weasels, one hamster, and field mice by
the scores ; I could not have believed it had I not myself
seen the whole basketful.
In the evening I watered the lawn for an hour and a
half. Although the height of the basin is but small, yet
the pressure is so great that the whole lawn can be reached
with a hose of one hundred feet in length. I then thoroughly
enjoyed some bread and butter, radishes, buttered eggs,
and tea. (Without Signature.)
* Moltke had built an infant school at Creisau. His own infancy had been
a very sad one. _ His exceeding kindness towards all the children of his
relations and the interest which he took in the Oberlin affair show how much
he tried, as far as lay in his power, to save children from sad impressions
such as those which had overshadowed his whole life.

1880.] SPRING AT CREISAU. 289

To his Sister. Creisau, 9th May, 1880.
Dear Gusta,
It has been raining here for eight days to such an
extent that everything is under water. In front of my
windows the meadow forms a lake all the way to the forge.
The canal is quite inundated. The Peile rushes past beneath
my windows quite a broad stream, and it is still rising, so
that the paths in the park, which have just been completed,
must undoubtedly be totally destroyed. Then again, we
have a temperature of only 4° in the open air, and in my
room, notwithstanding the fires, it is only 12°, though in the
dining-room fortunately it is 15°. About country pleasures
one cannot under such circumstances think, unless indeed
the holy gentlemen of Pancratius intend to present us with
frost, which would give us a splendid skating rink. I shall
try with high water-boots to wade through the courtyard to
the chapel. The school has not been closed, but I hear that
eighty children are down with the measles, so that the infant
school has dissolved of its own accord.
Everything is still very backward; the acacias, oaks, and
ashes are still nearly bare. In the park the backs of the
seats project above the floods, and the cow-shed affords the
best promenade. Of course everything can change in a few
days. This uninviting news is all I have at present to give
you. Luckily I have plenty of work with me, and hope
to-day to heat the dining-room up to a temperature fit for
human beings. Best love. Yours,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew. Creisau, 21st July, 1880.
Dear Henry,
Colonel Hassel will have sent you without delay
the news of your promotion. A pair of major's epaulets
have been ordered, and you will be able to receive them
yourself on your return to Berlin. I hope that the pay also
will follow soon after.
We are visited here daily, or rather, it should be said
nightly, by violent thunderstorms, with a sultry atmosphere,
VOL. II. tj

290 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
and we cannot help thinking, therefore, that the sojourn on
the rock in the sea * must be exceedingly refreshing. I trust
that the first bath agreed with you. No doubt you have
quite enough waves; I only regret that I cannot be there
to share them. Here everything is all right; the rape is
safely under cover, and there is also an abundant hay and
clover harvest. At present they are cutting the rye, but
with the constant alternation of rain and heat, we shall require
to have a good quantity of good luck in order to bring it
safely under cover.
The children are in a flourishing condition; a merry-go-
round behind the brewery is at present the chief attraction.
Mary fetches herself a sofa-cushion, and sits on the big gun,
knitting stockings. With best love from all,
Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To the Same. Creisau, 24th July, 1880.
Dear Henry,
We are very pleased to see from your letter that
everything goes on so favourably in Heligoland. As the
first baths agreed so well with you the remainder of them
will also no doubt have the very best result. I regret that
I am not allowed any longer to take any, otherwise I too
should be delighted to come to Heligoland. We have still
thunderstorms here every other day, as well as the most
formidable variations of temperature. We must put forward
our best exertions to make use of the few dry days by bringing-
in the harvest safely. With kind remembrances to Willie^
and Dreszler,f Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To the Same. Creisau, 2nd August, 1880.
Dear Henry,
If you can be here by Sunday, the 8th, at latest,,
you can join us on a very fine excursion to the Tatra
* Moltke's nephew had gone to Heligoland for sea bathing, taking his
nephew Willie with him.
t A composer who frequented Moltke's house for many years, and indeed
played to him not many minutes before his death.

1880.] RAINY HOLIDAY IN AUSTRIA. 291
Mountains in Hungary. I cannot wait for you beyond
Monday, the 9th, at the very outside ; indeed, I should much
like to start if possible on the Sunday. Your uncle,
Helmuth.

To his Sister. Gastein, 15th August, 1880.
Dear Gusta,
The many reports in the papers about the inunda
tions and destruction have made you, I doubt not, anxious ;
however, we arrived here at midday to-day in good health,
though not without having had to undergo several distressing
difficulties. What a good thing it is that we did not carry
out our plan of travelling in the Tatra mountains, as the
devastation has been worst in that direction.
The first day of our journey passed with tolerably good
weather, and without any other disturbance except this, that
all our luggage was sent to a different railway-station in
Vienna to that by which we were going. We put up at the
Hotel Wunsch (by recommendation,) and, strange coincidence,
it was the former Hotel Frankfurt, and I occupied the same
rooms which I did forty years ago when, returning from
Turkey and suffering from the Danube fever, I was laid up
there for over six weeks.
The next day we sauntered about in Vienna during the
whole day, and accomplished a great deal. Unfortunately
the grand opera was still closed, and our ambassador also
had not yet returned. The weather was dull, and sometimes
it rained. On Thursday we drove in pouring rain through
a lovely part of the country to the Lake of Traun. In the
hope of being able to make the charming trip across the lake
on the morrow — perhaps by good weather — we stayed overnight
at Gmiinden in the new and elegant Hotel Austria (Vienna
prices), but the following day also brought nothing but rain,
and the high Traunstein was wrapt in clouds. The trip was
nevertheless very pretty. On landing at Ebensee we received
the unpleasant news that the river Traun had interrupted all
further communication ; that the railway was destroyed and the
road inundated to the depth of a foot. At last, by offering
a high sum of money, we succeeded in getting a carriage,

292 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
which was ready to transport us farther on our journey. The
burgomaster of the place took the coachman's seat, but God
alone knows what interest he had in wading on in front of
us up to his hips in water right through the worst places.
A poor fellow was picked up on the road, and taken with
us, and he had to walk beside the horses' heads whenever
the road seemed dangerous. At last we reached Ischl, but
there also there was no railway communication, and so we
had to pass the night there. The whole journey was under
water, and the stream offered an interesting aspect, debris of
bridges being carried down by headlong rapidity. In the
evening I attended a concert in the Kasino, and the satis
factory news arrived that the express train would try to start
next day at twelve. Luckily this did take place. Highly de
lighted we were the next forenoon to see the sun again after
so long an absence, although it did rain every now and then.
We went for a lovely walk in the beautiful environs. At
midday we started; we had a saloon-carriage, which was
quite open, and the last carriage of the train, so that we
were able to get a splendid view of the country all around.
It was the grandest railway tour that I have ever made.
Past the Lake of Hallstadt, then along the foaming Traun
upwards between mountains that seem to reach to the skies,
and at last by a steep descent into the valley of the Enns,
where again we fell in with inundations and rain, and down
for over a thousand feet into the Salzachthal, where we passed
the night at Lend, in quarters as dear as they were bad.
This morning we walked through the Klamm, and waited
for the express coach, which duly landed us here about half-
past one o'clock all well. Only for old acquaintance sake,
however, did I obtain a small room in Straubinger's Hotel.
The day after to-morrow I shall be able to get a good apart
ment on the ground floor. We soon started to go about,
drank tea, and laid three Patiences to decide whether we
were going to have good weather. All three were favourable,
but nevertheless it has kept on raining until now.
I should like to know if you also have this continuous
rain, in which case it will be a bad look-out for our wheat.
I hope that you are well, and that we shall soon have good
news of you. With best love to all. Your brother,
Helmuth.

1880.] TAKING BATHS AT GASTEIN. 293

To his Nephew. Gastein, 20th August, 1880.
Dear Henry,
Since I despatched my letter we have had really
nice weather; that is to say, it rains every now and then,
and sometimes we are quite hidden in the clouds, but we have
also beautiful sunshine, and then it is really magnificent-
A regular godsend is the Kaiser's Promenade. One goes along
almost quite in a horizontal line under the Schwarzen Liese
until the valley of the Kotschach is reached, where the splendid
cascades of the Kotschach are seen far beneath. There we
discovered a new road, which runs along on the other bank
almost as horizontal, and stretches through the most magnifi
cent pine forest. I am still sitting in a temporary apartment
on the second floor just facing the Badeschlosz. On Sunday
I am to have the large room below. I have now taken my
fifth bath, with the best results.
On the 18th we kept the emperor's birthday with divine
service in the now finished church before the house of Gruber.
There was splendid music ; a splendid soprano was heard. In
the evening rather a tame sort of firework display.
Extraordinary is the perfect calm which prevails here in
these high mountains, not a leaf stirring, whereas in Creisau
it is always blowing. But I cannot help thinking "" that even
there you must now be having fine weather, and also that
the Peile has gone to bed again. With love to all.
Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew. Gastein, 25th August, 1880.
Dear Henry,
It is with great difficulty that I write, since for
three days past I have been again bothered with lumbago.
In the morning I am a perfect cripple, and the dressing and
undressing of myself is quite an art. I have not left off my
baths, and when once on my feet I can, without too much
exertion, undertake to walk some distance ; but as soon as I
have sat down again for a few minutes I have a wonderful
trouble to rise again. In other respects I feel all right, and

294 MOLTKES LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
hope to be rid in a few days of this plague, as the attack is
not quite so painful as some of the previous ones I have
had. Now I shall try to straighten myself up again.
28th. — I can write much quicker with a pencil. First I
wish to tell you that my lumbago has almost entirely left
me. To-day I took my thirteenth bath, and believe that I
shall reap a very good effect from the present year's cure.
I intend leaving here on Thursday, the 2nd of September ;
by that time, I shall have taken seventeen baths. I have
now a very nice room in Straubinger's Hotel on the ground
floor, and yet high up at the back, whence one overlooks the
whole valley ; in other words, the ground floor in front is
on a level with the Platz, while the back is four floors
high. My neighbour on the left is the waterfall, the
roaring of which, especially in the dead of night, is most
tremendous; nevertheless, it does not in the least interfere
with my sleep. I walk daily along the Kaiser's Promenade,
which it takes an hour to traverse. To-day I went from
there on to the other bank for half an hour's walk farther
on a road not quite so well kept, but almost horizontal,
through a pine forest, which ultimately brings you to a
bridge, where three streams of considerable size come together
from different directions, and join in one waterfall, to rush
on afterwards into a gorge bounded by perpendicular walls
of rock. When on it you can look back on the Wildbad,
the Radhausberg, and the Archduke Johann Gletscher. In
my opinion this last is the most lovely spot of all, but no
photograph has yet been taken of it from the simple reason
that hardly any one ever comes here. To Bockstein I was
only once.
The newspapers, being short of other sensations, report all
sorts of imaginary things. Bismarck thinks as much of
coming to Gastein as I do of remaining in Ischl. On the
3rd Manteuffel with daughter and two sons arrived; I hope
to meet them at Salzburg.
At six o'clock in the evening we have very good music,
and after tea I amuse myself with the laying of Patience
but with very little success. I read here the "Wiener
Fremden Blatt" and the "Freie Presse," and also with much
interest " The Mystery of Edwin Drood," by Dickens.
To-day we have had a really fine day. I shall presently
saunter along quite comfortably to Bellevue for coffee, and

1880.] OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY. 295

perhaps on to the valley of Bockstein. Farewell, dear Henry,
with sincere love. Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew. Gastein, 1st September, 1880.
Dear Henry,
It was this morning decided that we shall go on
Sunday to Oberammergau to see the Passion Play. I shall
not reach Berlin, therefore, until the 8th. Best love.
Helmuth.
To his Sister. Berlin, 15th September, 1880.
Dear Gusta,
In view of your birthday to-morrow here is at least
my love and the best of good wishes. I trust that the stay
in Creisau in such fine weather will have fortified you for
the approaching long winter. We have been favoured with
similar weather up to the present during the manoeuvres,
and I trust that it will continue so for three days longer, as
the troops have to bivouac. I am not yet quite free from
my lumbago. I felt very miserable through having to mount
that uncomfortable mare for the parades; during the next
three manoeuvres in the field I shall have Henry's comfortable
chestnut, as he has had a good orderly horse put at his
disposal. Directly after the manoeuvres are over I shall go
on to Creisau, when I hope to see you all. Sincere love to
Ernestine and .the children. Yours,
Helmuth.
^K" ^fr *3jC" •* ifc ifc
The book, "Prince Bismarck, the German Chancellor: a
picture of his life and times for the German people," by
Fedor von Koppen, had been read aloud to Moltke by his
nephew. Because the description of the Battle of Koniggratz
was in many ways incorrect, Moltke wrote the following
account, and handed it over to his nephew, knowing that the
latter had already prepared extracts from his letters for
publication after his death.

296 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
Concerning the resolution which led to the Battle of
Koniggratz, several wrong reports have slipped into military
accounts and biographies, which one author has followed
another in repeating.
When his majesty the king on the 30th of June joined
the army in Bohemia, the crown prince with the second army
had already, after having won several battles, crossed the
mountains on the Silesian frontier, and forced back across the
upper Elbe the single Austrian corps which he encountered
there. Prince Frederick Charles had advanced with the first
army beyond Gitschin. Both armies might at any moment
by joining together have continued their march in company.
The advantage of the inner line of operations which would
have brought together an overwhelming fighting force in
Bohemia at the appropriate moment to oppose the two Prussian
armies advancing respectively from the north and from the
east, must have dwindled down in proportion as the two
co-operating armies approached one another. Field-Marshal
Benedeck now, however, could not attack the one without
laying his flank open to the attack of the other. The junction
of two until then separated armies upon the battlefield itself,
was, I had always considered, the highest object which a
strategist could seek to attain. In forming the plan of
the campaign, then, it was decided to voluntarily continue
the separation which at the beginning seemed unavoidable,
and to postpone the immediate co-operation until the
moment when a contact with the main force of the enemy
was imminent.
Judging from the direction of the retreat of the farthest
advanced Austrian corps, this might be expected to take
place behind the Elbe, where the difficult crossing of the
river would be in front, and the wings would be sheltered
by the two fortresses of Josephstadt and Koniggratz.
When the easily effected approach of the second army to
the right bank of the Elbe had taken place, the assembled
troops would then form one line ; namely, Koniginhof-Smidar.
This having been effected, the only thing left would of
course be a general attack all along the line on the front
of the formidable position, or else an endeavour to outflank
by passing along the front of the enemy's line to Pardubitz.
To the latter course, however, there were two serious objec
tions ; first, that the march might be interrupted by an attack

1880.] TRUTH ABOUT THE BATTLE OF KONIGGRATZ. 297

being made upon it, and, secondly, that the connecting link
to Silesia would be endangered.
If no junction at all should be effected, then Prince
Frederick Charles would be left, so to speak, alone to face the
Austrian position ; but the crown prince, who was already on
the left bank of the Elbe, could take up on the flank a posi
tion which if attacked in front seemed to be impregnable. Of
course it remained to be seen in that case with what sort of
obstacles the enemy would be likely to try to dupe him, and
in order to get an idea as to this, a reconnoitre was ordered
towards Josephstadt.
Some settled plan would have in any case to be fixed
upon within the next few days, the responsibility for which
would be a very serious one, and would render the adviser
answerable to the state. Special councils of war had not been
held either during this war or the one which followed it.
I am fortunate to possess the faculty of sleeping soundly,
which makes me forget the anxieties of the day, and gives
me fresh vigour for the morrow. I had just gone to bed on
the 2nd of July when quite unexpectedly General von Voigts
Rheez walked into my room. During the day several
reconnoitres had been made by the first army, which by the
evening showed that the Austrian army, or at least a large
part of it, was not concentrated behind the Elbe at all, but
held positions in advance of it on the Bistritz. In conse
quence of this report, Prince Frederick Charles had already
given the command for a concentration towards the front,
and had sent on the news to the chief of the general staff
in the head-quarters of Gitschin, whereupon his majesty sent
it on to me.* No longer need there be any anxious hesitation
as to what ought to be done.
I went to the king's quarters, which were situated in the
market-place just opposite my own, and was at once received.
He was lying on his camp bed, quite alone of course, and it
did not require many words to explain how favourable the
present situation was for us, and how it should best be
utilized before the Austrians continued their retreat behind
the Elbe. His majesty at once decided to attack the enemy
all along the line early the following morning ; that is on
* On reading through this statement, Moltke remarked to his nephew that
General Voigts Rheez had come to him in a very excited state ; and then
added : " I jumped out of bed, and said, ' Nothing better could have happened
to us!'"

298 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

the 3rd of July. The arrangements which Prince Frederick
Charles had already made fell in perfectly with this intention,
and there remained only one thing to be arranged, and that
was to secure the co-operation of the crown prince, who was
posted at that moment upon the flank of the enemy, but at
a distance of two miles off.
In my quarters, where General Podbielski and Count
Wartensleben were awaiting me, we at once put down the
necessary commands, which were sent off in duplicate at
twelve o'clock by two different routes to Koniginhof to inform
Prince Frederick Charles, through General von Voigts Rheez
who was returning, of the resolution that had been arrived at.
By four o'clock in the morning I drove with the two
officers above named to Horitz, where we mounted relays,
and went on across Milowitz. It was a dull rainy morning.
The troops having marched all night had already had great
difficulties to overcome, nevertheless, by seven o'clock all
were assembled. The first shots were fired on the right wing,
and then the musketry fire gradually spread along the whole
line of about a mile in extent from Nechanitz to Sadowa. It
was soon apparent that we had to deal not with parts but
with the whole of the Austrian army.
His majesty the king reached the Roskos Berg from
Sadowa about eight o'clock, that being the place where Prince
Frederick Charles had sent his message. Several princes
and also Count Bismarck came, and soon the suite formed
so considerable a group that one battery of the enemy began
to fire at it a few shells. In our plan of campaign it had
been decided that the 1st Army Corps was not to take a
general offensive, but was only to keep the entire hostile
front busy until the second corps had time to come up.
Accordingly at first we had to content ourselves with taking
the Bistritz line and the villages lying on the stream as well
as the woods in order to cut off any possible advance, and
keep the crossings for use later on. Thus hours passed
without the fighting line perceptibly advancing in the least
in an easterly direction.
It has been tried to be made out that the half lost
battle was only saved through the chance arrival of the
crown prince. At no point, however, did the Austrians
succeed in advancing beyond the Bistritz. Part of the
villages were soon taken, and the second army had got its

1880.] TRUTH ABOUT THE BATTLE OF KONIGGRATZ. 299

definite order to advance. In consequence, however, of the
distance their arrival could not have been expected sooner
than midday. Naturally enough several had begun to look
out before that time very impatiently for the crown prince-
For anxiety, however, there was no occasion whatever. When
the king in conversation asked me* what I thought of the
position of matters, I answered, " Your majesty will not only
win to-day a battle, but the whole campaign."
The situation reminded me of the Battle of Bautzen,
where the right wing of the French repeatedly and anxiously
begged for reinforcements, but the emperor met all these
requests with the reply : " A trois heures la bataille sera gagnee.
At three o'clock the day was to be theirs, because at that very
moment Marshal Ney would come up with the right flank
of the allies.
Close in front of us lay the wood of Sadowa, in which
Horn's Brigade was being held under fire by the enemy's
artillery. I remember noticing a deer jump out in high
gambols right through the middle of the battalion of troops
posted in the wood. With Wartensleben I rode over a piece of
the road leading to Lipa, where we met an ownerless bull,
which was strolling quite quietly through among the shells
which were falling to right and left of it.
It must have been a very strong line of artillery which
was opposed to us in the wood over there. To storm the
place from the front would have been utterly impracticable,
and I succeeded in countermanding in time an order which
I had already despatched to that effect. On the other hand,
the Austrian infantry was quite unable to advance here either.
In a really dangerous position was only General von
Fransecky, and that by reason of his heroic defence of the
wood of Maslowed. The 1st Army Corps received the order
to advance only at three o'clock in the morning, but had
they started sooner they might have been of great use to
him. Over there on the farther side of that wood there ap
peared sharply defined against the horizon a mountain summit
crowned with one or two trees ; it was the height of Horen-
owes, whither already for a long time our looks had been
directed. Now, at eleven o'clock in the morning, there arose
* Moltke remarked to his nephew : " The King exclaimed, ' Moltke,
Moltke, we are losing the battle ; ' to which I answered, ' Your majesty will win
to-day, not only the battle, but the campaign.' "

300 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
from there the white smoke of a battery in action. As this
height had not been attacked as yet by the 1st Army Corps,
the fire could only be directed against the troops of the
Ilnd Army Corps, and joyfully the news passed from mouth
to mouth, "The crown prince is coming."
In the opposite direction, too, the powder smoke enabled
us to judge of the advance of General von Herwarth from
Nechanitz against the left flank of the enemy.
At two o'clock we saw, from the altered direction of the
firing, that the height of Horenowes was surrounded by the
Ilnd Army Corps.
In the mean time the combat was maintained by the
artillery with hundreds of fiery mouths along the whole front
of the Bistritz. Our infantry had already taken possession
of most of the crossings, and at three o'clock movements of
retreat and the partial withdrawal of batteries became per
ceptible among the Austrians. Now at last the whole of the
first army got the order to advance. The cavalry was sent
on in front, the king following it across the bridge of Sowetitz.
The cavalry soon got over to the immense battery which
had proved such an obstacle to our getting out of the forest
of Sadowa, and which had up to the last moment resisted
our fire. Only a part of the guns mounted here had been
carried off; ten 8-pounders had been left behind, and the
men and horses lay dead or wounded about the place. We
next rode at a brisk trot over the spot where the battle
had required so many sacrifices, and from which it is best
to turn one's looks aside.
Langenhof was still occupied by the defeated troops, and
from there rifle shots still continued to be directed upon us.
Nevertheless, we went on and on, and soon got a glimpse of
the grand charge of the Austrian reserve cavalry and the
furious mounted battle which followed.
During this time the Austrian infantry had the advantage
of a long start. They were nowhere to be seen. On the
other hand, it was again the brave artillery which occupied
long stretched out positions on the side of Koniggratz, and
sheltered the further retreat.
By six o'clock all the parts of the co-operating armies
which had been advancing from three quarters became joined
on the battlefield— more than two hundred thousand men
in a space of hardly the extent of the half of a square mile.

1881.] PROPOSED VISIT TO STOCKHOLM. 301

To clear up this confusion on the same evening was quite
impossible. The king found shelter at Horitz, but I had to go back
with my staff to Gitschin, where all the officers remained.
On our road there we met in the darkness endless trains of
ammunition columns, which were going to replace the large
expenditure of the day, so it was midnight before we reached
our quarters.
In the haste and impatience of going in the morning not
one of us had thought of taking any provisions with him ;
the king even had nothing. When in the evening the
excitement was appeased, and after twelve hours in the
saddle, hunger soon began to announce itself. From a Uhlan
I received a slice of sausage ; he had no bread. That was
all that I had since the evening before. In Gitschin I could
not get anything; it was with the greatest difficulty even
that I got a cup of tea.
Feverish from exhaustion, I threw myself on my bed in
my clothes as I had early in the morning to obtain from his
majesty at Horitz permission for the arrangements which
were now rendered necessary.

To his Sister. Berlin, 10th July, 1881.
Dear Gusta,
I shall have to remain here at least till Tuesday, as on
Monday the Borsensteuer (Stock exchange assessment) will
be under consideration. Prince Milan of Servia paid me a
visit to-day. On Sunday I go to Potsdam. I hope to be
back in Creisau in time for the hay-harvest. Love to Henry.
Your brother,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew. Creisau, 14th July, 1881.
Dear Henry,*
At midday to-day I received the enclosed telegram,
which is, so to speak, a polite refusal of the reception at
Sophienro. I shall therefore, after all, have to undertake the
* The King of Sweden had invited Moltke on a visit, and it was not yet
decided whether this should take place at Sophienro or at Stockholm.

302 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
journey to Stockholm. If I mistake not, you intended
returning * on Saturday, the 6th of August, at the close of
your three weeks' stay. I am writing now to Baron Bildt
that on the 10th prox0. I shall be at the Grand Hotel in
Stockholm ready to receive the orders of his majesty the
King of Sweden. Fine weather. Love, farewell.
Helmuth.

To his Sister. Creisau, 17th July, 1881.
I am afraid that your crossing yesterday must have been
rather a bad one. Here we suffered from gusts of wind, and
the thermometer stood at 24° in the shade. In the afternoon
there arose all of a sudden a more violent gale than I
remember to have ever experienced before. The temperature
fell to 13°, but after a short interval went up again to 19°.
No doubt at a distance of a hundred miles away the weather
may have been quite different, and I trust that you had
already reached Heligoland before four o'clock when this
fearful hurricane broke out.
This morning, at half-past five o'clock, I was awakened by
a loud peal of thunder following immediately upon a flash
of lightning. The whole of the inhabitants of the castle at
once assembled in the hall, and soon it became known that
the lightning had struck the old oak tree which stood on
the left side of the canal next to the huge linden tree. The
thick bark of the trunk has been split apart to the width of
a foot from top to bottom, and scattered about to a distance
of ten paces, but the tree itself did not suffer. The popular
belief that oak trees attract lightning seems to find confirma
tion here in Creisau. In the neighbourhood somewhere a second
quite similar flash of lightning occurred, though the exact
spot where it fell could not be ascertained in consequence
of the violent downpour.
I hope that Henry received my letter announcing the
alterations which had been made regarding my proposed
journey to Sweden yesterday morning before you had started
on your journey. My journey will just suit your arrangements,
for it begins exactly with the close of your stay in Heligoland.
* Moltke's nephew was with his mother and sister and her children in
Heligoland.

1881.] THUNDERSTORMS AND RAIN. 303

The linden trees are now simply covered with blossom, and
the lawn is in its most perfect loveliness. I expect that
to-day only Henry and Willie will bathe. There must be
famous waves; I wonder if one can get to the dunes at alb
Much love to Ernestine and the children.
Helmuth.

To his Sister. Creisau, 24th July, 1881.
Dear Gusta,
I trust that you have now fully recovered from your
sea-sickness. You could scarcely have travelled on a worse
day, for it was the day on which here there was almost a
hurricane raging, and on which in America the whole of
Minnesota was devastated. It only lasted for a quarter of
an hour, but between three and four o'clock, by which time
you could hardly have yet reached the island. When you
return it will no doubt be better, for the nearer you are to
the Continent there is the less roughness on the sea, and up
the Elbe you will be able to pick up again.
When little Mary gets up again, your stay will become
more satisfactory. All the children will derive the greatest
benefit from the bathing.
As I shall be at Hamburg on Saturday, the 16th of
August, at twenty minutes to three, I shall await you in
Streit's Hotel.
So far as can be foreseen we shall be fetched to Dronning-
holm at ten o'clock. I have obtained for Helmuth Moltke
a ten days' leave of absence. He arrives here to-morrow
morning, and goes then directly to the Tatra mountains in
Hungary. The whole journey will only occupy seven days,
and I shall be able to remain here still four days after that.
I only hope that we have favourable weather ; but it changes
constantly. For two or three days there is 24° in the shade,
then thunderstorms and general rain, both of which are most
undesirable for tourists. They even complain in St. Moritz,
which is situated at a height of four thousand feet, about the
insupportable heat. The young mischiefs have been amusing
themselves taking the copestones off the walls of the castle
bridge. Great search for the culprits. Best love to you all..
Helmuth.

304 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Sister.
Creisau, Saturday, 30th July, 1881.
Dear Gusta,
On my arrival here yesterday I found no news from
you. I hope, however, that all of you in Heligoland are
quite well. The Tatra mountains are very interesting, but
there is a total want of comfort in regard to lodging and board.
We had to be satisfied with a single room, and that a small
one, and thought ourselves lucky to get any at all. The
little Prince Leopold, who arrived here with Colonel Geisler
and his medical attendant, was also accommodated with only
a couple of attics. As you can well imagine, I did not
attempt to climb the mountain peaks, but contented myself
with a few nice excursions into the valleys. Very beautiful
was the railway journey through the splendid country.
Everything here is in good order. To-day, eight days hence,
I hope to meet you at Hamburg.
Helmuth.
To his Nephew.
Creisau, 1st August, 1881.
Dear Henry,
I have just received a letter from Baron Bildt.
He asks me to telegraph from Malmo the hour of our arrival
at Stockholm on the 10th, so that he may be able to meet
us at the railway-station. At Malmo a saloon carriage will
be in readiness for us. We must now take two days to make
the journey from Hamburg to Stockholm. There is no
stopping-place on the way except Copenhagen.
Therefore Sunday, the 7th, from Hamburg to Copenhagen,
there on the 8th; on the 9th to Stockholm, there early on
the 10th. According to your advice, I shall start on Saturday
from Berlin (Lehrter station), and arrive at Hamburg at half-
past five. Perhaps I shall find you at the station, where we
can speak further. All else by word of mouth, for this letter
must go. Helmuth.
******
Moltke went with his nephew on the 8th of August from
Hamburg, via Kiel and Korsor to Copenhagen, where he
arrived late in the evening at the Phoenix Hotel. They spent

1881.] JOURNEY TO STOCKHOLM. 305
the morning of the 9th visiting the zoological gardens and
Klampenborg, and lingering about the places more especially
interesting to Moltke in connection with his childhood. He
saw the house in which he and his brother Fritz had boarded
as cadets with General Lorenz, and narrated how he had
been so badly used then, that, when he fell ill of typhus,
he looked upon his removal to the hospital as a blessing.
With thankful words he remembered the kindness shown
him in the house of General Hegermann. They also visited
the barracks on the citadel, in which Moltke had lived for
a while when he was an officer. He told a story of how, as
he was entering the barrack yard one day, when a cadet, an
officer gave him a blow on the face with his elbow. Bleeding,
he burst into tears, and received this answer, " Hvor for holder
Du Snuden for?" ("Why do you stick your snout out?")
When his nephew asked him why he had not written of this
to his parents, Moltke answered, "The postal arrangements
were very bad, and we thought it had to be so."
In the evening Moltke visited the place of amusement —
the Tivoli — Avhere he saw all the sights. In the concert hall
the public became aware of his presence, and the band struck
up the Prussian National Anthem — " Heil dir im Siegerkranz."
The public applauded, and the song had to be repeated. At
the commencement of the next piece Moltke left the hall
unobserved, looked in at a few more entertainments, and then
retired to rest. The next morning he crossed the sound to
Malmo, where he was met by Count Moltke Hwidtfeldt and
his wife, and also by an important railway official. The latter
informed him that, by order of the king, a saloon carriage
had been attached to the express for his use. After dinner
at the hotel Moltke entered the carriage, accompanied by
his aide-de-camp, the Countess Moltke — who was returning by
the same train to her estate of Quesarum — and the railway
official. On his arrival at Stockholm, Moltke was received by the
German ambassador, Mr. von Pfuhl, the Swedish ambassador
in Berlin, Baron Bildt, and a Swedish officer of the general
staff, who had been appointed his attendant for the course
of his stay at Stockholm. As the royal family had already
removed to their summer residence, Castle Drotningsholm,
Moltke, after changing his dress at the Grand Hotel, betook
himself in company with his aide-de-camp and the Swedish
VOL. II. x

306 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
officer in attendance, to the castle, driving for about an hour
in one of the royal carriages. There he immediately received
audience of the king, who welcomed him with great cordiality
and complaisance, the queen and young princes seeing him
immediately after. (The crown prince was with his betrothed
in Baden-Baden). He then dined with the royal family.
In the evening Moltke retired early to the rooms allotted
him, those usually occupied by the crown prince, while the
king, according to habit, played a few games of skittles.
The next morning Moltke had a long conference with
the king on the subject of the Swedish army. The rest of
the morning was devoted to visiting the sights of Stockholm.
Various Swedish military and civil notabilities had been invited
to dinner, after which they smoked and drank Swedish punch
in the king's apartments, and in the evening played skittles.
For the morning of the 13th the king had placed his
steamer at Moltke's disposal, which conveyed him and his
attendant along the countless branches of the Malar Lake
to Oscarsholm, an old castle once the favourite residence of
Gustavus Vasa, and now containing a very interesting picture
gallery. On his return the emperor presented Moltke with the
Order of the Seraphim. Moltke dined with the royal family,
and in the evening took leave of his kind and amiable hosts.
On the following morning he again went on board the steamer,
and on the pretext of visiting the fortress, a tour was made to
Karlshavn. In Stockholm Moltke visited the general staff
and Mosebakke. Baron Bildt gave him a dinner at Hassel-
bakken. The public cheered Moltke enthusiastically, and
at the station a saloon carriage was again awaiting the field-
marshal. Before leaving Sweden he visited the Countess
Moltke at Quesarum, proceeded on the 16th to Helsingborg,
and thence over the sound to Helsingor, where he stayed the
night. On the morning of the 17th he started for Berlin,
via Copenhagen, Korsor, Odensee, and Fridericia.
During this journey the king's manoeuvres in Schleswig-
Holstein came to an end.
As it was necessary that Moltke's sister Gusta should go
to the south for her health, she went with her son for the
winter to the Lake of Geneva, and the second son of Moltke's
brother Adolph, Helmuth, who was an officer of the general
staff, undertook the duties of aide-de-camp. He was married
to a Countess Moltke Hwidtfeldt. When later on, Moltke's

1882.] SWITZERLAND AND ITALY. 307
nephew Henry was forced to retire on account of ill-health,
Helmuth Moltke was appointed personal aide-de-camp to his
uncle, and formed, together with his wife, Moltke's closest
companions to the day of his death.

To his Nephew Henry. Ragaz, 27th April, 1882.
Dear Henry,
We arrived here as long ago as the evening before
last, and were immediately informed that no bath could be
taken yet for fourteen days, or three weeks. Unfortunately I
cannot stop as long as that in Switzerland, and the official
letters which awaited me here compel me to go after all first
to Berlin before I move to Creisau.*
The sunny day on which we left you rendered our journey
a very agreeable one, and the entrance into Lucerne was a
most enchanting one. The smooth glassy lake and the whole
wreath of snow-capped peaks from Pilatus as far as Uri-
Rothstock form a scene which it is difficult to picture in words.
The Rigi railway is not yet running. After Helmuth had
given a hurried glance over the Lowen and the Gletscher
•Garten we partook of an excellent dinner in the Schweizerhof,
and then steamed on to Fluelen, a most splendid journey.
The lower heights were in their first fresh green clothing,
the fruit trees were all decked with blossom, and above were
the snow-covered mountains. Only on arriving at the point
¦of the land near Tell's Chapel did we find the water at all
rough. It was the Fohn, which foretold rain on the following
day. We found good lodgings in the Adler, and in the
evening took a walk along Axen Street. I should advise you
also to make this tour. On the following day the weather
was still nice. We occupied two box seats, from which we
enjoyed a full view of the country around. As we ascended
from Altdorf it gradually became cooler, but as far as
'Goschenen the journey was most interesting. The part which
was passed in the tunnel was little better than travelling
for three-quarters of an hour by night. I had hoped to see
on the other side the dark blue Italian sky. Half of it,
however, looked like grey blotting-paper, and a mist accom
panied us all the way to Bellinzona. Even in good weather
* Moltke had arranged to meet his sister Gusta and her son at Zurich.

308 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
this portion of the road is less interesting than the ascent
in the Reuszthal. Only the splendid falls of the Tessin
beneath Airolo, and the Dazio Grande are of extraordinary
beauty. In the course of this day's journey we had occasion
to admire the almost incredible daring with which the railway
ascends to the tunnel, and again on the other side goes down
in windings and over giddy precipices. At one point of the
Gieszbach it is beneath it, and at another point high above
it. Awful transparent wire bridges rest upon tower-high
pillars, or seem to float in the air. If by the month of June
the line is completed the journey up to the main tunnel will
be exceedingly interesting.
The journey was continued next day amid continuous rain
through many formidable tunnels. Past Lugano the railway
keeps at a good distance from the lake, which lay shrouded in
mist. Thus we arrived at Como, and saw there the cathedral
which is built of marble, and a public garden with rare
bushes and trees in bloom, but all in the midst of a heavy
rain. After that I went to bed in the ordinary course, and
after a sound sleep and a strengthening dinner we continued
our journey at three o'clock by steamer amid constant rain.
This did not in the least prevent us from admiring the
enchanting gardens and castles, the monster hotels, and the
closely packed villages, etc., which, when the sun is shining,
must of course have an entirely different aspect. The steamer
goes from one shore to the other, and touches at all the most
magnificent points — Villa d'Este, Villa Carlotta, Pallanza,
and the delightful Bellagio, etc. It was perfectly dark when
we reached Colico, where we secured front seats for the
further prosecution of our journey. If what we experienced
up to this point might be called rain, that which we now
met with may be called a perfect downpour. Gradually,
however, it cleared ; then the moon broke through the clouds,
and quite illuminated the charming landscape on the east
shore of the lake. At last even stars began to twinkle over
the snowy mountains which we were gradually approaching,
and gave rise to a hope that we should find on German soil
what on the Italian we had not for a single moment chanced
upon. At midnight we arrived at Chiavenna, where we
were put up at the Post, and carefully attended to by the
German innkeeper. We at once got to bed.
The only coach over the Spliigen starts at two o'clock at

1882.] SWITZERLAND AND ITALY. 309
night, so I declined it with thanks, preferring to go on by
express coach. Next morning we had a beautiful blue sky
in the literal sense of the words. Our journey was made in
a light open vehicle up the valley by a considerable incline,
aud finally by innumerable zigzags. The churches and
villages, which had previously appeared on giddy heights
above us, lay now far below us. It became gradually cooler,
and more and more clouds were heaped up by the south wind
upon the summits. We next went under awful rock galleries,
from the walls of which were suspended long icicles. We also
became wrapt up in thick fogs, and by-and-by our carriage
stuck in the snow. But here the sleigh stood us in good
stead. Only one of the horses was harnessed to it, and it
was permitted to the other to trot behind at his convenience.
Whilst these preparations were being made, we partook
of a substantial breakfast, which consisted of several breads,
fowls, tongue, and one bottle of Veltliner which we shared
with the postillion.
How at last we arrived at the summit of the pass amidst
fog, wind, and snow, I cannot tell. Well, however, do I
know how we came down. First of all, I observed that we
were not driving on the road, but alongside of it, and I soon
jierceived that the reason of it was that we were rushing
straight down, cutting across all the zigzags. The horse
frequently sank up to its hips, but in the course of a few
minutes we got so far down that the roads and the carriage
could be made use of again. The whole of this expedition
was certainly by no means so difficult and neck-breaking as
the tour which we did in company over the Gotthard four
years ago.
In really fine but cold weather we proceeded at a constant
trot downwards to Amsteeg, and then along the Via mala on
the borders of precipitous rocks. By means of an old bridge,
which does not look at all substantial, the road crosses the
Rhine, which roars hundreds of feet below, and which forces
its way through a narrow rocky gorge of only a few feet in
width, which forms a fissure in the rock comparable to a
crack in a piece of glass.
At last after the Etruscan ruins of Riitzun, which are
situated upon a rugged height, have been passed, we reach
Thusis, at which point the Rhine escapes from its constrained
passage, and makes itself comfortable in a bed of over one

310 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
thousand yards in breadth. Finally, after a twelve hours'
drive, and by way of Reichenau, we reached Chur, where
we had a dinner, which was as dear as it was good. Whilst
it was being prepared, we proceeded to warm ourselves by
going a short way up the Plessura and back over the Domhof,
with its Romerturm. In the evening, at half-past nine
o'clock, we met, on the railway - station of Ragaz, Mr.
Kinberger, who came to meet us with the omnibus, and
showed us to two comfortable rooms with excellent beds in
the Hof Ragaz. The rooms were heated, and the beds
provided with hot-water bottles, which I greatly appreciated
after my fourteen hours' journey, in the course of which I
had suffered from cold. The result was that I slept soundly,
and awoke the following morning thoroughly refreshed and
invigorated. We have both become quite red in the face.
The sharp air and the blinding reflection of the sun on the
snow have blistered my face to such an extent that all the
outer skin will peel off.
Yesterday morning, in fine weather, we of course sauntered
first of all through the Tamina Schlucht up to the Bad Pfaffers.
At twelve o'clock we dined, as a matter of course excellently,
and afterwards paid a visit to my friend Joseph, the gardener,
who was very pleased to see me again. He was complaining
about the damage which the frosts at night had caused to
the blossom of the trees.
After a sound afternoon nap I went in the evening to the
ruins of Freudenberg, to which they have now made an easy
road. We got there a very fine view of the Falknich, the
Kuhfirsten, and Sargans, all of which are still covered with
snow. To-day I had intended going to the village of Pfaffers
and the high plateau of Calanda, but the west winds, rain,
and the fact that there was no prospect of a favourable
change during the day, prevented me. I have accordingly
sufficient leisure to enable me to write to you this long letter
and answer the various begging letters which continue to
persecute me even among the Alps.
Now my paper and your patience are coming to an end.
Therefore, only best love to mamma from us both, and thanks
for the kind reception; please God we shall see each other
in the autumn.
Helmuth.

1882.] THE REICHSTAG AT BERLIN. 311

To his Niece Ernestine. Creisau, 8th June, 1882.
Dear Ernestine,
Do let me hear something of you. You must have
had a bad time of it as sick-nurse, but I hope that your care
has now successfully pulled little Helsa through. I should
be exceedingly sorry if your journey to Switzerland were
deferred. The stay there will be a source of great delight to
your children. What will Willie say, who has yet never
climbed higher than the Brauhausberg, and now by means
of the railway can ascend the Uetli and go to the very top
of the Rigi. Then you must go to the wonderful lake of
Lucerne if possible for several days. It is the finest and
most comfortable place to stop at in the whole of Switzerland.
Next week, somewhere about the 14th, I shall have to go to
Berlin on account of the Reichstag, and shall perhaps be
able to visit you at Potsdam. Till then farewell.
Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew. Creisau, 12th June, 1882.
Dear Henry,
I have to go in the course of the next few days to
Berlin to the Reichstag, which will, I hope, however, close at
the end of this month. We have had many rain-storms here
and cool weather, so that it is still cold in the rooms. But
the foliage is unusually fresh and green, and the newly-mown
park meadows look splendid. That little Helsa has safely
recovered from the measles is very good news. I hope that
nothing will prevent Ernestine's visit to you.
I can hardly imagine that there can be anything particu
larly interesting in my letters, and must make it convenient
to look over them myself some day. Your work* will, how
ever, not have been done in vain, even if I desire that it
should not be made public until after my death. The delay
can in the natural course of things not be a very long one.
To-morrow I must go to Breslau to the "Rittertag."
With best love to mamma from us all,
Your uncle,
Helmuth.
* This consisted of extracts from Moltke's letters that his nephew had made.

312 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Niece. Creisau, 30th August, 1882.
Dear Ernestine,
I returned from Gastein the night before last.
During the four weeks I spent there, and during the journey,
there were only two days on which it did not rain. I under
stand from a letter of mamma's that she has gone to Dresden,
and with Jeanette to Schwerin, and that she intends to join
you at Potsdam in September. I think that the stay in your
little well-ordered home will do her much good. She will
have so much pleasure in the company of the two gay little
girls and Willie, that splendid fellow. Your elastic spirits
always rise again, no matter what has weighed them down,
and in the face of all sorrows you manage to enjoy what
the present affords. Each of us carries with him thus in
silence, cares which perhaps no one knows; for the breast,
even cf those that are nearest to us, is a deep mystery, until
at last death brings, let us hope, gentle deliverance from all
pains. My cure at the baths somewhat pulled me down, and my
so-called asthma has increased. Perhaps the good effects will
follow later. I travelled with Helmuth thither via Vienna, and
back via Prague. We made a short deviation to Berchtes-
gaden, and had the rare good fortune to enjoy a perfectly
fine day on the wonderful Konigssee. The next day, on the
beautiful journey through Ramsauthal to Reichenhall, it again
rained in torrents, and has done so ever since. Best love from
Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Sister-in-law Jeanette.
Creisau, 29th October, 1882.
Dear Jeanette,
It is not easy to catch you on your circuit; you
are so much in request, and so welcome everywhere. But
now I know you to be at Rundhof, and thank you very much
for your congratulations on the occasion of birthday No. 83.
Mamma, thank God, is well cared for ; she is most comfort
ably installed at Ernestine's, and the children are a great
joy to her. From Henry I have only received a short

1883.] GENOVA LA SUPERBO. 313
telegram, which leads me to believe he is not yet so well as
one might wish.
Perhaps your travels may bring you through Silesia, dear
Jeanette ; how happy we should all be to see you here. I should
above everything enjoy showing you all that has been done
in the long time that has elapsed since you were last here.
Mary's resting-place is overgrown up to the very roof by a
rose tree that has borne hundreds of blossoms. The hill is
now almost entirely covered with firs, so that it is green even
in winter. The thousands of trees that I have planted here
have grown up beyond expectation, and we are now busy
cutting down in order to obtain vistas and finer grouping.
All at home charge me with messages for you, and I beg you
to hold in affectionate remembrance Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Nephew.
Genova la superbo, 11th May, 1883.
Dear Henry,
Greeting from regions not unknown to you. I hope
that you are steadily mending. I shall find my first news
of you at St. Rerno, whither I proceed to-morrow. As William
was the only one of you who had not yet travelled with me,
I have this time taken him.
After the poisoning of us fourteen people, over which
celebrated incident three doctors and two analytical chemists
broke their heads, I was, at any rate, much pulled down, and
felt the necessity of spending cold May in the warm south,
until the frozen house in Creisau should have been thawed
again. Already on the first day of travel the vegetation at
Frankfurt-on-Main proved a marked degree of difference in
the temperature. Everything that with us was barely in bud,
stood in full leaf and blossom. The second day led to Basle
(The Three Kings), the third to my beloved Lucerne with
the snug Schweizerhof, where one is so well put up. Thence
an excursion to the Rigi, where, however, there was still
much snow on the ground. Quite glorious in the finest
j)ossible sunshine was the journey through the Gotthard Tunnel,
a really gigantic structure. In order to mount up to the
entrance the railroad takes two complete turns in the massive
rock, and then at an awful height crosses dizzy precipices by

314 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
trellis bridges that seem to be suspended in mid-air. Then
for full twenty-five minutes one travels on thousands of meters
below Andermatt and the St. Gotthard Hospice, where we
made that wretched descent five years ago. But just as last
year, the much-longed-for Italian sky greeted us, grey and
heavy at Airolo, and remained thus all the way to Como.
In cold and rain, then, we proceeded to Belaggio, where
we, nevertheless, saw the magnificent banks of the lake, and
were able to admire the vegetation in the Villa Serbelloni,
the cedars, cypresses, palms, and roses.
The following day in storm and rain to Milan, where we
saw the celebrated Victorio Emanuele Gallery, and the
cathedral only from outside. William mounted the roof next
morning. Then we came on here, and are now having our
first sunny day since we left Germany. The air is mild and
delicious out of doors, but at this season the rooms are cold,
as they are no longer heated. To-day we have taken a four
hours' walk to the Molo, the Agnasole Carignano, and the
lovely Villa Negro.
In spite of the somewhat forced journey, I am certainly
better, and have a, for me, quite huge appetite; I also sleep
well, a habit I had got out of at Berlin. I intend now to
take a few days' rest at St. Remo before proceeding to Monaco
or Nice. Which route I shall choose for our return journey
I cannot tell — perhaps the Mont Cenis. St. Remo, 13th May.
I have just received your letter of the 2nd of this month,
dear Henry, and am truly glad that you seem really con
valescent. If only your mamma had lived to see it ! She
was so convinced that the stay in Kreischa would do you
good. Now she rests in peace near her beloved Mary. I
cannot believe that after death we can be thoroughly separated
from this world, where we have left all that we loved, all
that we lived for.*
St. Remo is a real paradise. Enclosed on three sides by
high olive-clad hills, a row of hotels spreads along the shore.
* Moltke's sister Gusta had died an easy and painless death at the house
of her daughter Ernestine on the 28th of March. At the express wish of her
brother, she was buried beside her daughter Mary in the chapel at Creisau.
Her life was the fulfilment of her favourite precept : " Rejoicing in hope ;
patient in tribulation ; continuing instant in prayer."

1884.] LIFE AT CREISAU. 315
Perfect palaces, each finer than the other. I have two ground-
floor rooms, and through the palm trees I can see the deep
blue sea that stands up like a great wall against the horizon.
A broad marble terrace stretches a thousand paces along
the shore. The air is laden with sweet scents, the heliotrope
grows rank about the windows. Lemons, cedars, and cypresses
rise from the ground, and the eucalyptus grows thick-stemmed.
Vegetation is so luxuriant that there are here many trees
I have never yet seen. There is nothing pleasanter than
to sit on the terrace and listen to the waves as they break
on the rocky shore. And still I have not yet found what I
principally sought— warmth. It is even here unusually cold
this year. In the sun, to be sure, it is delicious, but the wind
is still cold. To-day it is an exquisite, perfectly cloudless
day, and I will go out at once.
William, who left kind messages for you, is climbing
about the mountains, but I prefer to rest here a few days,
and confine myself to the beauties of the immediate neigh
bourhood. Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To his Niece. Creisau, 27th October, 1884.
Dear Ernestine,
I thank you all heartily for your good wishes. I
spent my birthday in a railway-carriage. I had to be at
Berlin on the 25th, but only for one day, and left the day
following. On the 23rd I had a shooting party here, whereto
all the neighbouring landowners assembled ; one hundred and
seventy-five hares and four deer were shot. Now it is stormy
here, and rains. The cap you have sent me will be very
welcome in the winter. In the spring, if we all live to see
it, I look forward to seeing your beautiful dwelling-place*
again. By the felling of a few trees I am sure it will be
greatly improved.
Now I have still about a hundred letters and telegrams
to answer, therefore only summary thanks and love, especially
to Henry. Your uncle,
Helmuth.
* Blasewitz, near Dresden.

316 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

To his Nephew.
Berlin, 11th March, 1888.
Dear Henry,
Thank you for your kind letter; it is a sad time,
the present, and the future is dark. In what condition shall
we see our new emperor, who returns this evening from the
sunny south to our old and rainy climes? Shall we indeed
see him again? No one can come to an understanding con
cerning the doctor's bulletins. Great bitterness prevails
against Mackenzie, with or without reason.
The poor suffering dowager" empress, almost eighty years
old, bears her affliction and pain with great patience. It does
one good to look on the dead emperor's face, so gentle and
benevolent he appears. To-day at midday he will be carried
to the cathedral to be there three days in state. The crowd
ing will be tremendous. Even to-day thousands of people
are standing round the palace. In the trophy room Kogel
delivered to-day a touching oration on the text, "Rejoicing
in hope, patient in tribulation." The whole family, from
far and near, were assembled round the empress, excepting
her son.
The funeral procession will probably go next Thursday
from the cathedral to the Sieges-AUee. The burial is to
take place in the vault of the Charlottenburg mausoleum.
The King of Saxony will in all probability also be here.
We had hoped to see you, but I understand from Helmuth
that you have caught a severe cold. The weather is, how
ever, such as makes it difficult to keep well. It will soon
be the middle of March, and as yet not the least sign of
awakening vegetation.
Love from all, and with the hope that you will soon be
better, Your uncle,
Helmuth.
To the Same. Berlin, 23rd April, 1888.
Dear Henry,
In the general uncertainty it remains doubtful when,
and indeed if, I can go to Creisau, yet I much hope to do
so. I may be able to get away for two or three days before

1888.] ILLNESS OF THE EMPEROR FREDERICK. 317
then to visit you in your pretty villa. In that case I shall
let you know the day by letter or telegram, and beg of you
to fetch me from the station.
The vegetation there is probably some eight days ahead
of ours, no buds are to be seen on the fruit trees, only the
bushes, privets and horse-chestnuts show sign of life. Did
the Elbe overflow your garden? Do not fail, after the grass
is sown, to roll the ground well, or at least have it well
beaten with flat spades.
My miserable Peile inundated the whole park to a metre's
depth, spoiling the paths, and washing gravel and sand over
the lawns. When everything' was just put to rights, there
came a second overflow, and as there is still much snow on
the mountains, we may even expect a third. The accustomed
field-work is not to be thought of. Sad harvest prospects ;
but what is all this compared to the misery on the Weichsel
and Elbe ? My constituents, too, in Lithauen, are under water
and call for help and assistance.
Concerning our emperor, the crisis is still pending. Now
worse, now better, but always bad. Now he lies in bed, and
will probably never leave it again. It is a truly tragic fate.
One foot on the throne, the other in the grave. He bears his
terrible doom with real heroism. The death of the ninety-
one yeared emperor called forth universal sympathy, but this
must fill every one with piercing grief.
Here in the house all is well. Helmuth sends love and
will perhaps accompany me. Take great care of yourself as
regards your throat. Perhaps you should entirely give up

singing. Good-bye.

Your uncle,
Helmuth.

To his Nephevj. Berlin, 12th November, 1890.
Dear Henry,
I thank you very much for Mr. Drummond's ex
cellent work.* I have read it with the greater interest because
I myself had thought out something of the kind, and, though
only for my own eyes, set it upon paper, which I can read
aloud to you at Creisau.
Drummond will not easily find favour with the dogmatists-
* The best in the world.

318 MOLTKE S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
He attaches but small importance to the doctrines of the
trinity, the immaculate conception, saints and miracles, and
all that "passeth human understanding," though he also
touches the positive Christian creed with only a sparing
hand. According to his theory, the Moslem and the heathen
can be saved as surely as the Christian, and I think so too.
According to Luther only faith can save. To him the
epistle of St. James was an unsatisfactory one, because he asked,
¦" Can faith save without works ? " But Luther, above all, wrote
against the purely outward " works " of Catholicism, masses, etc.
Drummond only ascribes value to works of Love. There
he goes very far, in that he sets up an ideal which can
never be attained in actual life. According to him we should
resign our very rights for the benefit of our fellow-creatures.
That is communism, with which all sense of property
comes to an end, and with that the whole social system as
it has existed to the present day.
Drummond ordains only the love of God, of a being wholly
unknown and inconceivable to us, who sends us much good,
but also as much evil. Still he allows that this love may
prove itself by love of our fellow-creatures. And love of
those who die before us, even as of those whom we leave behind,
surely follows.
But he translates to a future existence only the soul and
not the intellect of man. The power of understanding God's
works, of beholding the millions of worlds that inter-revolve
according to fixed rules, yea, even this world itself, seems to
him nothing. That for which the best and greatest men have
lifelong striven, knowledge and truth, science and art, all
this is to pass away, the divine spark of reason is to be ex
tinguished in death. But here I cannot agree with him.
The treatise is so rich in thought that one might write a
book about it.
But now enough of that.
Dr. Koch's method will be made known in a few days,
and become public property. Every doctor will be able to
make the injections under the skin, and the means will be
obtainable at every chemist's. If this proceeding proves of
service poor little Mary Lund can come in for her share of
the blessing.*
* Moltke had been asked by his nephew Henry to let Dr. Koch's new
method be applied to the consumptive grandchild of his sister Helena. He
then obtained her admission to the Elizabeth Hospital.

1890.] LAST LETTER TO HENRY VON BURT. 319
Helmuth has gone for a fortnight to Silesia for some shoot
ing, and I sit here busied with endless writing. I have received
I know not how many hundred letters, and three thousand
telegrams on the occasion of my birthday. To-day comes
some one to ask if I ever received his telegram! The two
thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine will probably follow.
Of begging letters a good hundred. Much love.
Your uncle,
Helmuth.

This was the last letter addressed to his nephew Henry.
It is fitting in this place to give two poems, which Moltke's
wife wrote for him on the twentieth anniversary of their
wedding-day. They make no pretension to artistic perfection,
but characterize perhaps better than anything else could do
a love "that is surely enduring."

" This day 'tis twenty years ago
Since God did join our hands,
Uniting us in weal or woe,
For such were His commands.
" Young unto thee I first did yield
A childish heart and mind ;
I needed a strong staff and shield,
My path of life to find.
" All danger thou didst lead me past,
Where'er I went with thee,
To thy dear hand I held me fast,
Thy care encompassed me.
" Thine from the outset was my heart ;
My body, life, and soul
Have I, since thou my husband art,
To thee surrendered whole.
" And twenty years we now have spent
In love both deep and true,
The Lord, who ever with us went,
Now weddeth us anew.
¦" Then take my grateful thanks this day,
For love and faith so pure,
And unto thee, Lord God, I pray,
Oh, long may this endure !

320 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.

" Yea, Lord, thus spake I oft to Thee,
My husband shield and hold ;
Oh, bless and save him unto me,
In mercy as of old." *

II.
" It was ordained by God's decree,
Thou shouldst a Prussian soldier be ;
Ensuring
" That Prussia's glory should be made
By thy heroic spirit's aid,
Enduring.
" The king to thee great favour shows,
With patient industry he knows
Thou strivest.

* The original was composed to the air of an old Prussian soldier's song
and runs thus : — " Schon zwanzig Jahre sind es heut,
Seitdem uns Gott vereint,
Zu stehn zusammen in Freud und Leid,
So hat er es gemeint.
," Jung war ich noch, als ich dir gab
Mein Herz in Kindersinn.
Ich brauchte einen festen Stab,
Zu werden, was ich bin.
" Du fiihrtest sicher mich die Bahn,
Und wo ich mit dir ging,
Hielt ich an deine Hand mich an,
Dein Schutz mich stets umfing.
" Mein Herz ward dein —
Mit Seele, Leib und Leben
Hab'ich, seit du mein Gatte bist,
Dir ganz mich hingegeben.
" So leben wir nun zwanzig Jahr'
In inn'ger Lieb' und Treue ;
Der Herr, der immer mit uns war,
Er traut uns heut aufs neue.
" So nimm denn heute meinen Dank
Fiir so viel treue Liebe,
Und Gott, dich bitt'ich, dass es lang,
0 lange noch so bliebe.
" Ja, Herr, so sprech'ich oft zu dir,
Den Gatten nur behtite,
0 segn' und schutz ihn, Vater, mir
In deiner ew'gen Gtite."

1890.] VERSES BY MRS. VON MOLTKE. 321
" The glory of his house to save,
To crown with triumph his armies brave
Thou livest.
" With cross and star bedecked thou art,
Yet standest tranquilly apart,
And ne'er in foremost places ;
" But each who sees thee from afar,
Thinks on the name of Sadowa,
And that suffices.
'' And now I prithee understand
That long we travel hand in hand,
On this life's journey.
" Thou seekest me too far, I trow,
Yet stand I near, thy garb I know :
The garb of meekness.
" Then guess who speaks, and if thou find
A word too oft has failed, be kind ;
Forgive my weakness." * .
* This was in imitation of Mendelssohn's well-known hymn, and runs thus
in the original — " Es war bestimmt in Gottes Rat,
Dass du ein preusz'scher Soldat
Geworden.
" Und Preuszen sich zu Ehr'und Ruhm,
Einst deines Geistes Heldentum
Erworben.
" Dir leiht der Konig seine Huld,
Erfuhlt, mit Fleisz und mit Geduld
Du strebtest.
" Fur seines Hauses Macht und Ehr',
Zum Siege fur das tapf're Heer
Du lebtest.
" Ob dir geschenkt manch Kreuz und Stern,
Man sieht dich still oft gar zu fern
Und nie in erster Reihe.
" Doch jeder, der von fern dich sah,
Denkt auch des Wortes Sadowa,
Das ist geniige.
" Nun muszt du mich auch recht verstehn,
Manch Jahr wir schon zusammengehn
In diesem Leben.
" Du suchst mich sicherlich gar weit,
Ich bin dir nah, ich kenn' dein Kleid,
Das Kleid der Demut.
VOL. II. Y

322 MOLTKE'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE.
Of the ninetieth birthday, the death, and burial of Moltke,
others will speak. His tomb stands in the middle of the
little woodland chapel at Creisau; near to it, right and left,
are those of his wife and of his sister Gusta. Above the
three tombs stands written in large letters —
" Love is the fulfilment of the Law."
" So rate nun, wer zu dir sprach,
Und wenn mir manches Wort gebrach,
Vergieb in Gute."

INDEX.

The Roman characters indicate the volume, the Arabic the page. The figures
within brackets denote the years in which Moltke mentions the individuals or matters in
his letters. Dates of birth and death are also placed within brackets, but will readily
be distinguished.

Aachen, i. (1846), 149; (1856), 260,
261 (Cathedral), 262, 294
Abendxoth, commander of Cuxhaven,
son of the burgomaster of Hamburg,
i. (1841), 27
Abercorn, Lord, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 281, 286
Abercorn, Lady, wife of the preceding
i. (1856), 292
Aberdeen, town in Scotland, i. (1855),
252, et seq.
Aberdeen, Lord, at the English Court,
i. (1856), 276
Aboyne, place in the County of Aberdeen,
i. (1855), 253
Adalbert, Prince pf Prussia (181 1-1873),
i. (1843), 87; (1844), 113
Adelaide, Queen, Mary Amelia, Countess
of Neuilly, ii. (1857), 36
Adelheid, Princess (born 1833), since
1851 Duchess of Nassau, i. (1850),
203
Adelphi, Theatre in London, i. (1856),
281
Adler, Hotel in Fluelen, ii. (1888), 307
"Agamemnon," vessel employed inlay
ing the transatlantic cable, ii. (1857),
38, et seq.
Agnes, daughter of the Duke Eugene of
Wiirttemberg, from 1858 wife of
Prince Henry XIV. of Reusz-Gera
(1835-1886), ii. (1857), 64
Airolo, place in Switzerland near the
tunnel of St. Gothard, ii. (1882), 308 ;
(1883), 314
Alba, Duke of (1508-1582) ; his armour
in the collection in the museum at
Vienna, ii. (1865), 180
Alban hills, near Rome, ii. (1876), 268
Albert, Prince of Saxe- Coburg- Gotha,
from 1840 consort of Queen Victoria
of Great Britain and Ireland (1819-
1861), i. (1855), 255; (1856), 267,

268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274,
275 (builder of Osborne), 282
(doctor of laws), 284, 285, 288, 292 ;
ii. (1857), 28, 31, 32, 33, 45, 46, 48,
49, 50, 52; (1858), 83, 87, 90
(fishmonger)
Albert, King of Saxony (born 1828), ii.
(1879), 286, et seq. (audience and
portrait) ; (1888), 316
Albrecht, Prince of Prussia, fourth son
of Frederick William III. (1809-
1872), i. (1842), 71; (1844), 103;
(1845), 124; (1854), 224; (1855),
231; ii. (1858), 84; (1864), 122,
142, 143, 146; (1867), 204, 205,
206, 207
Albrecht, Prince of Prussia, son of the
preceding, since 1885 Regent of Bruns
wick (born 1837), ii. (1858), 84 ;
(1875), 262
Albrecht, Austrian archduke, son of the
Archduke Charles, inspector general
of the army (born 1817), ii. (1865),
173, 174, 179
Albrecht, margrave of Brandenburg
(1100-1170), ii. (1865), 180 (Book
on Tournaments in the armoury col
lection at Vienna)
Aldershot, Hants, England, since 1855
a military camp, i. (1856), 289, 290,
291 ; ii. (1857), 56
Alertz, physician to Prince Henry at
Rome, i. (1845), 123
Alexander II., from 1855 Czar of Russia
(1818-1881), ii. (1857), 61 ; (1867),
200, 201, 202; (1871), 247, 248;
(1878), 283
Alexandra, from 1817 wife of Nicolas I.,
Czar of Russia (1798-1860), daughter
of Frederick "William III. of Prussia,
i. (1844), 105, 110; (1846), 131;
(1856), 296
Alexandra, Russian grand - duchess,

324

INDEX.

daughter of the Czar Nicolas, from
1844 wife of Prince Frederick William
of Hesse (1825-1844), i. (1844), 109
Alexandrine, Grand-duchess of Mecklen-
burg-Schwerin, daughter of Frederick
William III. of Prussia, wife of the
Grand-duke Paul Frederick (1803-
1892), i. (1842), 61; (1843), 80;
(1844), 105
Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, son
of Queen Victoria of Great Britain,
Duke of Edinburgh (born 1844), i.
(1856), 268 (showed Moltke over
the screw steamer "Fairy"), 278,
285 ; ii. (1857), 31, 32, 45, 48, 83|
Alice, Princess, daughter of Queen
Victoria, from 1862 wife of the Grand-
duke Louis IV. of Hesse (1843-1878),
ii. (1857), 31, '48
Ali Pasha, Turkish statesman, 1840-44
ambassador at London, from 1855
more than once grand vizier (1815-
1871), i. (1856), 276, 278
Allan, river in Scotland, running into
Firth of Forth, i. (1855), 252
Allgemeine Zeitung, at Augsburg till
1882, since then at Munich, i. (1841),
37, 38, 42, 44, 52 (Moltke's article,
' ' Germany and its Germanic Neigh
bours "), 67 (article about railways), 88
Alsen, an island, formerly Danish, taken
by the Prussians, 29th June, 1864, ii.
(1864), 126, 127, 128 (condition in
April, 1864), 131, 135-144 (descrip
tion of the attack and storming), 145,
146, 147, 155 (royal acknowledg
ment of Moltke's services), 157
"Als ich auf meiner Bleiche," song, i.
(1841), 51
Altdorf (Altorf), principal place in the
canton Uri, ii. (1882), 307
Altenau, town in Prussia, near Hilde-
sheim, i. (1841), 30
Altenburg, Duke of, see Ernest
Altenstein, seat of the Duke of Meiningen,
near Liebenstein, ii. (1868), 205, 208.
Altona, ii. (1864), 169-171 (military
quarters)
Alvensleben, Gustavus von, Prussian
general (1803-1881), i. (1851), 213 ;
ii. (1857), 54, (1858), 83, 94
"Amazon," corvette, upon which Moltke
accompanied the body of Prince Henry
from Civita Vecchia to Gibraltar,
subsequently burned at sea, i. (1846),
138-145, 153, 155, 164
Amsteeg, village in the canton Uri in
Switzerland, on the St. Gothard rail
way, ii. (1882), 309
Andreasberg, town in Prussia (Zellerf eld),
i. (1841), 30
Andrew, order of St., the highest Russian
distinction, conferred upon Moltke, ii.
(1871), 247

Anhalt, Duchess of. See Fredericka
Anhalt, Hereditary Prince of. See
Frederick
Anne, Queen of England, (1665-1714),
ii. (1857), 52
Anna, valley of the, picturesque valley
near Eisenach, ii. (1868), 208
"Antigone," of Sophocles, produced at
Potsdam, i. (1841), 52, et seq.
"Antosch," Mrs. See Radii will, Mary
Apenrade, town in Prussia (Schleswig),
i. (1844), 121, et seq. (visited); ii.
(1864), 135, 144-158 (headquarters)
Aragon, Catharine of, wife of Henry
VIII. of England (1536), ii. (1857),
51
"Arcona," ship, ii. (1865), 182
Argyll, George, Duke of, twice keeper
of the privy seal (born 1823), i.
(1855), 253
Armour, collection of, at the Court
Museum, Vienna, ii. (1865), 180
Arnim, Alexander Henry, Baron von,
ambassador at Paris 1846-48 (1798—
1861), i. (1846), 149
Amkiel, peninsula, ii. (1864), 141,
(Crossing from Alsen)
Artern, town in Prussia (Merseburg), i.
(1844), 104, (description)
Arthur, British national hero, statue of,
at Innsbruck, ii. (1875), 263
Arthur, Prince, third son of Queen
Victoria, Duke of Conuaught (born
1850), i. (1856), 267, 268 ; 5. (1857),
31, 32
Aschen, Dr. von, physician at Heligoland,
i. (1842), 75
Ascot Heath, near Windsor, famous for
racing, i. (1856), 286, 287 ; ii. (1857),
25
Asseburg, Count Louis (born 1797), at
Meisdorf on the Harz, in 1844 grand
master of the hunt, i. (1844), 103,
119
Athole, Duchess of, wife of the 6th
Duke of Athole, i. (1856), 267; ii.
(1857), 30
Auer, Moltke's adjutant, ii. (1858), 93 ;
(I860), 100, 103; (1863), 116, 117;
(1864), 136, 143 ; (1866), 185
Auersperg, Prince Vincent, grand
marshal of the patrimonial land (181 2-
1867), ii. (1865), 174, 175
Auersperg, Princess Wilhelmina, ne'e
Colloredo — Mannsfeld, wife of the
above (born 1826), ii. (1865), 176
Augsburg, ii. (1874), 255 (stay at)
August, Prince of Wiirttemberg, in the-
Prussian army 1830-82, commander
of the corps of guards 1868, (1813-
1885), i. (1842), 71 ; (1854), 222 ;
(1855), 230 ; ii. (1864), 156
August, Moltke's servant, ii. (1871).
248 (at St. Petersburg)

INDEX.

325

Augusta, Princess of Saxe - Weimar,
married 1829 Prince "William of
Prussia (1811-1890), i. (1843), 16;
(1842), 78 ; (1843), 86 ; (1846), 136 ;
(1855), 234, 242, 244, 245, 246, 247,
259, 261 ; (1856),' 289, 301, -302 ; ii.
(1857), 12, 21, 22, 55, 57, 58, 61,
79 ; (1858), 87, 89. She became, in
1861, Queen of Prussia, (1869), 219
(sympathy on the death of Mrs. Von
Moltke.) Since 1871 Empress of
Germany, (1872), 250 ; (1877), 278 ;
(1879), 286; (1888), 316 (death of
the Emperor)
Auguste, Princess of Reusz — Kostritz,
married 1849 Frederick Franz II.,
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, (1822-
1862), ii. (1857), 72
Augustenburg, Duke of. See Christian
and Frederick
Augustenhof, an estate in Holstein, once
in the possession of Moltke's father,
ii. (1860), 103
Aumale, Henry Eugene Philip Louis,
Duke of, (born 1822), i. (1846), 147 ;
ii. (1857), 36, 46
Avon, stream near Warwick, England, i.
(1855), 257
Axenstrasze, between Brunnen and
Fluelen, ii. (1882), 307

Babylonian captivity, compared with the
capture of the French troops, ii.
(1870), 230
Backstone, English comedian, at the
Haymarket Theatre, London, i.
(1856), 283, 284
Baden, Grand Duke of. See Frederick
Baden, Grand Duchess of. See Louise
Baden, Hereditary Grand Duke of. See
Frederick William
Baden-Baden, ii. (1857), 66, et seq.
(stay at) ; (1879), 286 (opinion of)
Bar, Lieutenant, falls at Alsen, ii.
(1864), 142
Balfour, Lady, wife of the 5th Lord
Balfour, at the English Court, ii.
(1857), 48
Balk, Hermann (not Johann), 1230-39,
first land-master of the German order
in Prussia, ii. (1860), 96
Ballhorn, Charles, son of Edward Ball-
, horn, i. (1846), 130 ; ii. (1864), 125,
et seq. (wounded)
Ballhorn, Edward, i. (1841), 47 ; (1844),
107, 109; (1845), 123, 127, 129
(letters to, from Rome); (1846), 135,
136, 137, 138, 161; (1847), 172;
(1848), 179 ; (1849), 185 ; (1850),
189, 190; (1854), 224; (1855), 243,
244; ii. (1864), 125 (letter to);
<1866), 197-198 (ditto) ; (1868), 210,
211 (ditto); (1870), 234 (ditto)

Ballhorn, Elise, daughter of William
Ballhorn, i. (1846), 130 (" E")
Bullhorn, Julius, son of William Ball
horn, i. (1846), 128
Ballhorn, Marianne, sister of Moltke's
father, married to Ballhorn (1771-
1822). She had two sons, Edward
and William, q.v., i. (1841), 4
Ballhorn, Mary and Sophia, daughters
of Edward Ballhorn, i. (1844), 112 ;
ii. (1866), 198
Ballhorn, William, i. (1841), 36 ; (1846),
128, 130, 136, 137, 138 ; (1848), 179 ;
(1854), 224
Balmoral, castle in Scotland, County of
Aberdeen, since 1848 the property of
Queen Victoria, i. (1855), 252, 253,
254, 255, 256 ; (1856), 275
Bardell, Mrs., from Dickens' " Pickwick
Papers,", i. (1847), 167 ; (1850), 191
Barmstedt, a borough in Prussia (Pinne-
berg), near Rantzau, where Moltke's
brother Adolph was district judge, i.
(1849), 186 (opinion of)
Barral, Count, ii. (1866), 194 ; (1868),
206
Barrington, Lady Caroline, at the Eng
lish Court, i. (1856), 272 ; ii. (1857),
32
Barrington, Miss, daughter of the pre
ceding, i. (1856), 276
Barsoe, island of Prussia (Apenrade), ii.
(1864), 154
Baruth, town in Prussia (Juterbock-
Luckenwalde), barony of the Counts
Solms-Baruth, i. (1854), 225, 226
(stay at)
Basle, ii. (1883), 313 (stay at)
Bassewitz, Countess, at Schwerin, friend
of Mrs. von Moltke's, ii. (1857), 16,
55, 63, 67, 69; (1861), 107
Baumann, Moltke's servant, i. (1850),
187, 191, 200, 204; (1851), 211;
(1854), 222
Baumgarten, Hermann, historian and
emeritus professor at Straszburg (bom
1825), ii. (1877), 278
Bautzen, battle of (20-21st May, 1813),
ii. (1866), 299
Bavaria, Crown Prince of. See Maxi
milian
Bavaria, Crown Prince and King of.
See Maximilian II
Bavaria, Queen of. See Caroline
Bayonne, town in France, department of
the Lower Pyrenees, i. (1846), 147
(stay at)
Bazaine, Francis Achilles, French
Marshal (1811-1888), surrendered
Metz in 1870, ii. (1870), 230, 232
Beatrice, Princess of England, daughter
of Queen Victoria, married 1885,
Prince Henry of Battenberg, ii. (1857),
31, 32 (baptism of)

326

INDEX.

Becker, Dr., in attendance on Prince
Frederick William in England, i.
(1856), 262, 264, 267, 268, 284, 300 ;
ii. (1857), 37 ; (1858), 82
Becker, Moltke's servant, i. (1845), 123,
126 ; (1848), 184
Beerberg, place in Prussia (Lauban), ii.
(1874), 253
Beethoven, overture to "Egmont," i.
(1841) 52 (opinion of)
Belgium, King of. See Leopold I. and
II.
Belgium, Princes of, i. (1855), 260, et
seq.
Bellaggio, on the Comersee, ii. (1882),
308 (opinion of) ; (1883), 314
Belliuzona, town in Switzerland, canton
Tessin, ii. (1882), 307
"Belmonte" and " Constanze," over
tures to, of Mozart, i. (1841), 52
Belvedere, mansion house near Weimar,
ii. (1857), 78 ; mansion at Vienna, ii.
(1865), 180
Benateck, place in Bohemia, ii. (1866),
186
Benedeck, Louis von, Austrian field-
marshal (1804-1881), ii. (1866),
296
Benedetti, Vincent, French diplomatist,
1864-1870 ; ambassador at Berlin
(born 1817), ii. (1866), 193, 195
Benny, dog belonging to Moltke, i.
(1844), 111, 112, 114
Benrath, village in Prussia (Diisseldorf),
ii. (1877), 278, 279 (stay at)
Bentheim, noble family of Miinster, ii.
(1857), 24
Berchtesgaden, ii. (1882), 312 (stay at)
Bergamo, town in Italy, ii. (1875), 264
Berger, Prussian officer, ii. (1864), 148
Berghof, cantonments in Silesia, ii.
(1858), 93, 94
Bergmann, professor at Vienna, ii. (1865),
180
Berlin. Numerous letters of Moltke
are dated from this city. More par
ticularly characteristic of the place are
these: — i. (1841), 40 (opinion of);
(1841), 51 (centenary of the opera
house, 4th November) ; (1842), 64
(house at 1, Potsdam Place); (1843),
85, et seq. (burning of the opera house) ;
(1846), 148, 153, 160; (1848), 177,
178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183 (events
of March, etc.); (1854), 223 (changes);
(1855), 233 (impressions of), 259
(house at 9, Schoneberger Street) ;
(1856), 299 (house at 44,'Link Street;
ii. (1858), 90 (house at 66, Behren
Street); (1871), 244, et seq. (rejoic
ings after Franco-German war)
Berlin, inhabitants of, bad qualities of,
ii. (1877), 278
Berlin-Hamburg Railway, i. (1841), 12,

et seq. (Moltke made a director), 14
(railway business), 21, 23, 24, 41, 42,
48,' 49, 56 (treatise on railways) ; ii.
(1864), 161 (successful undertaking)
Bernburg, i. (1850), 196 (stay at)
Bernhard, Duke of Saxe- Weimar -
Eisenach (1792-1862), i. (1855), 247
Bernhardi, an acquaintance of Moltke's,
ii. (1857), 60
Bernuth, Privy Councillor, i. (1848), 184
Bernuth, the family, i. (1855), 259
Bernuth, Major von, adjutant to Prince
Frederick Charles, ii. (1864), 150, et
seq.
Bernstorff, Albrecht, Count von, Prussian
ambassador at London (1809-1873),
i. (1855), 258 ; (1856), 264, 266, 269,
272, 276, 281, 288; ii. (1857), 26,
46, 50, 56 ; (1858), 83
Bernstorff, Anna Cecilia von Konnewitz,
wife of the preceding (born 1821), i.
(1856), 286, 294 ; ii. (1857), 26, 50 ;
(1858), 83
Berwick-on-Tweed, i. (1855), 251
Besborough, Earl of, at the English
Court, ii. (1857), 31
Bethusy, Edward George von (1829-
1893), one of Moltke's acquaintances,
i. (1846), 128, 130; ii. (1877). 276
Betty, Moltke's cook, i. (1850), 187, 190,
191
Beust, Frederick Ferdinand von, Saxon
and Austrian statesman (1809-1886),
ii. (1864), 148, 170; (1870), 231
(censured)
Beuth, Peter Christian William, Prussian
official (1781-1853), i. (1846), 159 ;
(1848), 179
Biarritz, in South of France, verses on
"Bismarck at Biarritz" in Kladder-
adatsch; ii. (1864), 163
Bible, the, i. (1841), 14
Bidulph, Lieutenant- Colonel, i. (1856),
267
Biederitzer woods, near Magdeburg, i.
(1852), 221
Biela, major on the general staff of the
IVth Army Corps, i. (1854), 222,
230
Bielefeld, i. (1852), 216 ; (1854), 226 ;
ii. (1857), 22
Bildt, Baron, Swedish envoy to Berlin,
ii. (1881), 302, 304, 305, 306
Bischofswerder, Adjutant, i. (1856), 288
Bismarck - Schonhausen, Prince Otto
(born 1815), ii. (1857), 16 ; (1864),
132, 134, 163 (Kladderadatsch, "B.
at Biarritz ") ; (1866), 196 ; (1867),
200, 201 (and Bismarck-Bohlen ?) ;
(1870), 235 ("chicane de Mr. B.");
(1875), 262; (1879), 286 (German
Austrian Alliance) ; (1880), 294, 295
(Koppen's book, "Prince Bismarck"),
298

INDEX.

327

Bismarck, Count Herbert, son of the pre
ceding, ii. (1875), 262 (accompanied
the Emperor to Italy)
Bissing, Mr. von, at Beerberg, ii. (1874),
253
Bistritz, tributary of the Cidlina, Bo
hemia, ii. (1866), 185, 297, 298, 300
Blankenburg, on the Harz, i. (1855),
238; (stay at)
Blanqui, Louis August, French com
munist and ringleader in the distur
bances of 17th March, 16th April, and
15thMay, 1848(1805-1881), i. (1848),
180
Blasewitz, in Dresden, where Henry von
Burt had settled, ii. (1888), 315, 317
Blocksberg, in the Harz, i. (1841), 33
Blucher, Count (? which), i. (1843), 91
Bockstein, a mountain near Gastein, ii.
(1872), 249; (1880), 295
Boineburg, Baron von, of Lengsfeld,
near Eisenach, ii. (1868), 208
Boleslaus I., Polish king (992-1025), ii.
(1857), 67
Boleyn, Anne, second wife of Henry VIII.
(1507-1536), i. (1855), 257; (1856),
295; ii. (1857), 51
Bolkenhain, town in Prussia (Liegnitz),
ii. (1857), 73
Bolkoburg, a ruin near Blankenhain, in
Silesia, ii. (1857), 73
Boiler, estate of Countess Fries, near
Horsens, ii. (1869), 132
Bollert, Court and army chaplain at
Berlin (1800-1861), ii. (1864), 132
Bonchurch, village near Ventnor, Isle of
Wight, i. (1856), 268
Boos, one of Moltke's acquaintances at
Berlin, ii. (1858), 84
Borcke, one of Moltke's acquaintances
at Berlin, i. (1844), 110, 112, 114,
117, 118; (1846), 130
Bordeaux, in France, ii. (1870), 236
Borromeo, Carlo, Count of, archbishop
of Milan (1538-1584), ii. (1875), 266
Bose, Julius, Count von, Prussian
general (born 1809), prominent both
in 1866 and 1870-71, i. (1856), 200,
201, 203, 204; (1851), 211; (1855),
234, 244 ; (1856), 261 ; ii. (1858), 82 ;
(1864), 145
Bossuet, Jacques Benigne (1627-1704),
ii. (1870), 224
Boucher, at Bielefeld, i. (1852), 216
Boulogne, in France, Dep. Pas de
Calais, i. (1855), 248 (opinion of);
(1856), 264
Bourbaki, Charles Denis Sauter, French
general (born 1816), ii. (1871), 240
Bourg, Count, master of the horse to
the French emperor, ii. (1867), 200
Bouverie, Earl of Radnor, at the English
Court, i. (1856), 267
Brabant, Duke of. See Leopold II.

Brabant, Duchess of. See Mary Hen
rietta
Brackley, Viscount, ii. (1857), 48
Brandenburg, Frederick William, Count
von, Prussian general and statesman
(1792-1850), son of Frederick William
II., became chief minister of Branden-
burg-Manteuffel, 8th November, 1848,
i. (I860), 189
Brandenburg, Frederiok, Count von,
Prussian General (born 1819), ii.
(1857), 76
Brandenburg, Gustavus, Count von,
another son, German statesman (born
1820), i. (1855), 258
Brandenstein, Charles Hermann Bernard
von, Prussian general (1831-1886), ii.
(1857), 63, 66, 77
Brauchitsch, Lieutenant von, i. (1855),
232
Breadalbane, Marquis of, lord chamber
lain, i. (1856), 286; ii. (1857), 26,
48
Bredow, Count, officer in the corps of
guards, i. (1846), 156
Bremen, ii. (1873), 251 (stay at)
Bremenforde, ii. (1873), 252 (stay at)
Bremer, Frederica, Swedish novelist
(1801-1865), one of the best of whose
works, "The Neighbours," appeared
in 1837, i. (1841), 34
Bremerhaven, ii. (1873), 251 (stay at)
Brenner von Felsach, Austrian diplo
matist, ii. (1866), 196
Brenner railway, from Innsbruck to
Bozen, opened 1867, ii. (1875), 263
Brera, palace in Milan, ii. (1875), 267
Breslau. Moltke lived for a considerable
time here as adjutant to the Crowu
Prince Frederick William of Prussia,
ii. (1857), 1-18, 19, 20, 59-68, 76 ;
(1858), 93 ; (1875), 260
British Museum, at London, i. (1856),
280
Brocken, the, highest point in the Harz,
i. (1841), 32, 33; (1844), 103, 104
Brockdorff, Miss, afterwards Mrs. von
Staffeldt, grandmother of Mrs. von
Moltke. See Staffeldt
Brockdorff, Cai, Baron von, married
(1843) Jeanette Burt, Mrs. von
Moltke's sister (1813-1870), i. (1841).
1, 6, 13, 21 ; (1843), 99 ; (1844), 115
(1846), 150, 151, 155; (1847), 174
(1848), 177, 181, 182, 184, 185
(1850), 186, 187, 188 ; (1852), 218
(1856), 298 ; ii. (1857), 18 (chief of
the police at Itzehoe); (1860), 100
(district judge at Cismar) ; (1862),
115; (1864), 168; (1868), 207, 211
(silver wedding), 214; (1869), 219,
220, 221; (1870), 236, 239
Brockdorff, Charlotte, niece of Mrs. von
Staffeldt, q.v., i. (1841), 4; (1846),

328

INDEX.

131, 135, 136, 141, 151, 163 ; (1856),
294 ; ii. (1871), 246
Brockdorff, Eleanor, sister of the pre
ceding, i. (1846), 155
Brockdorff, Ernestine (born 1844),
daughter of Baron Cai Brockdorff,
q.v., and wife of Bodo von Biilow,
minister of finance, i. (1844), 115 ;
(1846), 151
Brockdorff, Fritz, brother of Baron Cai
Brockdorff, q.v., i. (1846), 155. His
son is mentioned, ii. (1870), 236
Brockdorff, Fritz (born 1849), son of
Baron Cai Brockdorff, q.v., Lieu
tenant in the Prussian service, ii.
(1870), 236, 239 (wounded) ; (1871),
240
Brockdorff, Harold, Baron Cai Brock-
dorff s nephew (born 1847), ii. (1864),
130
Brockdorff, Jeanette, wife of Baron
Cai Brockdorff, nee Burt, q.v.
Brockdorff, Jeanette, daughter of the
preceding (born 1852), married 1875
Lieutenant August von Rumohr, pro
prietor of Rundhof, ii. (1879), 286
Brockdorff, Ludwig, son of Baron Cai
Brockdorff (born 1847), in the Turkish
service, ii. (1866), 198 ; (1870), 236,
239, 240
Brockdorff, Sophia, sister of the pre
ceding (born 1845), married 1865
Major Frederick Leopold von Polenz
of Saxony, i. (1846), 151 ; ii. (1869),
223 ; (1879), 287
Broker, Pastor, Moltke's brother-in-law,
i. (1846), 158; (1850), 187
Broker, Magdalene, wife of the preced
ing (Helene, Lena). See Moltke,
Helene
Broker, Helena, daughter of the pre
ceding, ii. (1888), 318. Her daughter
is Mary Lund, q.v.
Broker, Mary Helmina, sister of the
preceding, i. (1846), 158
Bromberg, i. (1855), 236 (stay at)
Bronsart von Schellendorff, Prussian
officer, ii. (1864), 127
Brose, publisher of Moltke's maps, i.
(1851), 210
Brown, Sir George (born 1819), i.
(1856), 292
Bruce, Lady Augusta, i. (1855), 254 ;
ii. (1857), 31
Bruneck, Lieutenant-General von, Com
mander of the VHIth Army Corps, i.
(1847), 164
Briihl, town and castle, near Cologne, i.
(1855), 259; ii. (1861), 110; (1877),
279
Briihl, estate of Count, near Dolzig, ii.
(1875), 260
Briinn, ii. (1866), 192, 193, 194 (stay
at)

Brunswick, i. (1841), 31, 32
Brunswick, Duke of. See William
Brussels, i. (1846), 149 ; (1855), 260
Buccleugh, Walter Francis Douglas
Scott, Duke of (1806-1884), i. (1856),
291
Buckau, town in Prussia (Magdeburg),
ii. (1865), 172
Buckingham Palace, in London, built in
1703, i. (1855), 258; (1856), 264,
265, 269, 275, 287, 289 ; ii. (1857),
53, 55; (1858), 83, 88, 89
Buckingham, Henry, Duke of, beheaded
in 1483 by Richard III., i. (1856),
295
Budberg, Andreas von, Russian ambas
sador to Paris 1862-68 (1820-1881),
ii. (1867), 201
Buddenbrock, Leopold von, Prussian
general (born 1810), i. (1843), 91
Biilow, Bodo von, councillor of Meck
lenburg, husband of Ernestine von
Brockdorff, q.v., i. (1844), 116
Biilow, Miss (?), i. (1846), 159
Biilow, Danish minister, ii. (1857), 16,
and (1860), 105 (?)
" Biirgerlich und Romantisch," Comedy
of Bauernfeld, ii. (1865), 174 (visit
to Vienna)
Bullteel, Miss, i. (1856), 267, 283, 285,
290
Bulwer, Henry Lytton, English diplo
matist and author (1803-1873), ii.
(1876), 271
Burghausz, Count, ii. (1857), 1, 3, 9,
14, 76
Burgoerner, near Magdeburg, i. (1850),
195, 196
Burt, John Heyliger, Esq., father of
Mrs. von Moltke (1797-1856), i.
(1841), 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 15, 16, 17, 22, 33, 45, 46 ; (1842),
65, 66; (1843), 81, 89; (1844), 106,
114, 115, 116; (1845), 123; (1846),
151, 154, 155; (1847), 163, 174,
175; (1848), 176, 178; (1849), 185;
(1850), 188, 192; (1852), 220, 221;
(1855), 231 (journey to West Indies);
(1856), 279, 297 (death), 298, et seq.,
303
Burt, Mrs. Ernestine (nee von Staffeldt),
first wife of the preceding, i. (1847),
169.
Burt, Miss Augusta (ne'e von Moltke),
second wife, sister of von Moltke,
q.v.
Burt, Ernestine, daughter of J. H.
Burt, by his second marriage, wife
of "Wolfgang Knudson, i. (1841), 1,
15, 33, 35; (1842), 70, 75, 76;
(1844), 105, 109, 111, 115, 119;
(1846), 151, 155 ; (1847), 165 ;
(1854), 225, 227; (1855), 230 ; (1856),
261, 298. ii. (1857), 11, 13, 15;

1XDEX.

329

(1858), 95 ; (1864), 163, 164, 165,
166 ; (1868), 215, 216 (letter from
her mother with reference to Mrs.
von Moltke's death) ; (1874), 253, 254,
255, 257, 258 (letter from Moltke),
258 (ditto); (1875), 261; (1876),
270, 271, 277; (1877), 279; (1880),
284, 285 (letter from Moltke). For
her children, see Knudson.
Burt, Major Henry, son of J. H. Burt
by his second marriage ; adjutant to
Moltke (1868-1882), i. (1841), 15;
(1843), 70; (1844), 109, 111, 115,
119; (1846), 151; (1850), 205;
(1851), 210, 212; (1852) ,215, 217,
218, 219, 221; (1854), 227, 230;
(1855), 231, 260 ; (1856), 296, 297,
298, 299, 302 ; ii. (1857), 79 ; (1860),
106, 107; (1861), 111; (1862), 112,
113 ; (1864), 121 (letter of Moltke's),
123 (ditto), 123, 124 (ditto), 126,
126 (letters of Moltke's), 127 (ditto),
128 (ditto), 131, 132, 134, 135, 136,
139, 144, 145, 149, 150, 153, 158,
161, 162, 163, 166,166, 168; (1865),
180, 181 (letter of Moltke's); (1866),
191, 192, 194, 195, 197 ; (1867), 203 ;
(1868), 216 ; (1869), 218 (adjutant to
Moltke), 219, 220 (letter of Moltke's) ;
(1870), 235, 236, 239 ; (1871), 244,
245, 246, 248 ; (1873), 251 ; (1874),
252, 253 (letter of Moltke's), 254
(ditto), 254, 255 (ditto), 256, 258;
(1875), 259 (letterof Moltke's); (1876),
268, 271, 272, 274, 275 (letter of
Moltke's), 277 ; (1S77), 277 (letter of
Moltke's), 279; (1878), 279, 280
(letters of Moltke's), 282; (1879),
283, 284, 286; (1880), 287 (letter of
Moltke's), 289 (ditto), 290 (ditto),
293 (ditto), 296 (ditto), 295, 296-301
(account of Koniggratz), 301 (letter
of Moltke's), 302, 303, 304 (letter of
Moltke's), 305, 306 (visit to Den
mark and Sweden); (1882), 307-310
(letter of Moltke's), 311 (ditto), 312,
313-315 (ditto), 316-319 (ditto)
Burt, Jeanette, daughter of J. H. Burt
by his first marriage; 1843-70 wife
of Baron Cai Brockdorff, q.v., i.
(1841), 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
15, 17, 18, 21, 24, 26, 33, 36, 40, 41,
42, 46, 47, 50 ; (1842), 66, 67, 70,
76; (1843), 99; (1844), 115 (con
finement) ; (1846), 150, et seq. and 155
(at Gluckstadt); (1847), 165, 166, 167,
168, 174; (1848), 175, et seq. (letter
of Moltke's), 180, 184, et seq. (letter
of Moltke's); (1852),218; (1856),298;
ii. (1857), 18; (1863), 115; (letter
of Moltke's), 119; (1868), 207, 211
(silver wedding), 213, 214, 215, 216;
(1869), 219, 220 (letter of Moltke's),
221 (ditto), 222, 223 (ditto) ; (1870),

236, 239 (son wounded) ; (1871), 240,
246 (letter of Moltke's) ; (1874), 255,
256, 258; (1879), 286, 287 (letter
of Moltke's); (1882), 312 (letter of
Moltke's)
Bm-t, John, son of J. H. Burt by his
first marriage, i. (1841), 1, 3, 8, 12,
15, 17, 21, 36, 40, 41, 44, 45, 47,
48; (1842), 67, 73, 74, 76; (1844),
106, 112; (1846), 130; ii. (1864),
132, 167 (death)
Bxurt, Mary, daughter of J. II. Burt by
his first marriage, and wife of von
Moltke, q.v.
Byng, Mr., ii. (1857), 48
Byng, Mrs. Alice, wife of preceding,
and sister of the Earl of Ellesmere, i.
(1855), 254 ; ii. (1857), 48

Cadiz, town in Spain, i. (1846), 145,
146
Caffarelli ; palace in Rome belonging to
the German empire, headquarters of
the German ambassador, ii. (1875),
268
Cagliari, town in Sardinia, i. (1846), 141,
142
Cai. See Brockdorff, Cai
Calais, town in France ; Dept. Pas de
Calais, i. (1855), 248 ; (1856), 262 ;
ii. (1857), 82
Callsen, a baker at Flensburg, at
whose house Moltke was quartered, ii.
(1864), 122
Cambermere, Lord, i. (1856), 292
Cambridge, Duke of; since 1862 field-
marshal of the British army (born
1819), i. (1856), 269, 273, 295, ii.
(1857), 26, 31, 45; (1858), 87
Cambridge, Duchess of, ii. (1857), 26,
31
Cambridge, Princess Mary of, Duchess
of Teck (born 1833, married 1866),
i. (1856), 270, 295 ; ii. (1857), 26,
31
Camenz, in Silesia, the property of
Prince Albert of Prussia, ii. (1867),
204; (1875), 261
Campagna di Roma, i. (1846), 127, 128 ;
ii. (1876), 271
Canning, George, English statesman and
orator (1770-1827), ii. (1857), 28.
Cannstein, an acquaintance of Moltke's,
ii. (1865), 182
Canrobert, Francois Certain de, French
marshal (born 1809), taken prisoner
in 1870, ii. (1867), 201
Canterbury, Archbishop of, i. (1856),
278 ; ii. (1857), 32 (baptism of Princess
Beatrice) ; (1858), 87 (marries Prince
Frederick William), 88 (visited by
Moltke)

330

INDEX.

Caracalla, baths of, at Rome, instituted
by Caracalla, a.d. 216, ii. (1876),
268
Cardigan, Earl of, i. (1856), 271
Carisbrooke Castle, ruin in the Isle of
Wight, i. (1856), 268
Carlton House, in London, i. (1857),
276
Carolath, Prince Frederick (1790-
1859?), ii, (1857), 14
Caroline, Queen of Bavaria (1776-1841),
second wife of Maximilian I., i. (1841),
56
Carr, Miss, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 269
Castel, town in Hesse near Mainz, ii.
(1857), 79
Castellamare, town in Italy, province of
Naples, i. (1846), 135, 136, 137 ; ii.
(1876), 273
Catharine II., Empress of Russia (1729-
1796), ii. (1871), 248
Cathcart, Miss, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 267
Cavendish, Lady, at the English Court,
i. (1856), 295
Cavour, Camillo Beuso, Count of,
Italian statesman (1810-1861), ii.
(1875), 267
Cernahora, castle in Bohemia, ii. (1866),
192, 193
Champagne, fruitful district in Central
France, i. (1850), 196
Chancy, French general, ii. (1870), 237
Charenton, fort near Paris, ii. (1867),
202
Charleroi, town in Belgium, province of
Henuegau, ii. (1867), 200
Charles the Great, Emperor of the
Franks (768-814), i. (1856), 261
Charles I. of England (1600-1649), i.
(1855), 257; (1856), 268, 272; ii.
(1857), 29, 51
Charles II. of England (1630-1685), ii.
(1857), 29, 51
Charles, Archduke of Austria (1771-
1847), son of the Emperor Leopold II.,
of whom an equestrian statue by
Fernkorn was unveiled in 1860, ii.
(1865), 173, 174
Charles, Prince of Prussia (1801-1883),
in 1836 commander of the IVth Army
Corps, to whom Moltke was attached
as staff officer from 10th April, 1840,
to 18th October, 1845, a brother of
the Emperor William I., i. (1840), 3,
18, 20, 39, 45, 55; (1842), 65, 71,
78 ; (1843), 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84,
85, 86, 88, 91, 101, 102, 103 ; (1844),
107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115,
117, 118, 120 ; (1846), 134, 135, 136,
159, 160, 161, 163; (1848), 181;
(1850), 200; (1852), 214; (1855),
234; ii. (1862), 109

Charles' wife Mary, Princess of Prussia,
daughter of the Grand Duke Charles
Frederick of Saxe- Weimar, and elder
sister of the Empress Augusta (1808-
1877), i. (1843), 85; (1844), 104;
(1846), 135, 159, 160 ; ii. (1857), 2,
3; (1865), 173; (1868), 213
Charles Alexander, since 1853 Grand
Duke of Saxe-Weimar (born 1818),
i. (1844), 104, et seq.; (1855), 246;
ii. (1857), 77, 78. For his wife, see
Sophia
Charles Frederick, Grand Duke of Saxe-
Weimar (1783-1853), i. (1844), 104.
For his wife, see Mary Pawlowna
Charles I., Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-
Sonderburg-Glucksburg (1813-1878),
i. (1842), 63; (1844), 119; ii. (1857), 15
Charles Anton, Prince of Hohenzolleru
(1811-1885), ii. (1857), 54. His
daughter Stephanie (born 1837)
married in 1858 the King of Portugal,
but died in 1859
Charles Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria
(born 1818), ii. (1865), 179
Charles, Moltke's servant, accompanied
him to England, i. (1856), 302; ii.
(1858), 83, 92
Charlotte, daughter of Leopold I., King
of the Belgians, 1857-67 wife of
Ferdinand, Emperor of Mexico (born
1840), ii. (1857), 54
Charlottenbrunn, in Silesia, district of
Waldenburg, ii. (1857), 71
Chartres, town in France, Department
Eure et Loire, ii. (1870), 234, 240
Chateaudun, town in France, Department
Eure et Loire, ii. (1870), 233, 234.
Was on 18th October, 1870, stormed
and burned by the 22nd Prussian
Division
Chesney's Expedition i. (1854), 228.
The British general Francois Rawdon
Chesney (1789-1872), made in 1835
a journey through Arabia, with a view
to testing the possibility of opening up
communication with India by the
Euphrates valley
Chesterfield, Lady, i. (1856), 271
Chevet's, at Nauheim, ii. (1868), 206
Chewton, Viscountess, at the English
Court, ii. (1857), 31
Chiavenna, town in Italy, ii. (1882), 308
Chlum, village near Koniggratz, taken
on 3rd July, 1866, by the 2nd Prussian
army, ii. (1866), 186
Christ Church College at Oxford, founded
by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525, i. (1856),
282
Christian, Duke of Augustenburg (1798-
1869), i. (1846), 154; (1851), 207
Christian IX., since 1863, King of Den
mark (born 1818), ii. (1864), 132,
134, 144, 147, 156, 166

INDEX.

331

Chur, town in Switzerland, canton of
Graubiinden, ii. (1882), 310
Churchill, Lady, i. (1856), 295; ii.
(1857), 45
Cialdiui, Enrico, Duke of Gaeta, Italian
general and statesman (born 1811),
ii. (1875), 267; (1876), 271
Civita Vecchia, town in Italy, i. (1846),
139, et seq., 164
Clam-Gallas, Edward, Couut, in 1866
Commander of the First Corps (born
1805), ii. (1866), 184
Claremont, near Windsor, since 1850 the
residence of the Orleans family, i.
(1856), 266 ; ii. (1857), 35, 36
Clarence, George, Duke of, brother of
Edward IV. (born 1449), drowned in
wine, 1478, i. (1856), 295
Clarendon, George William Frederick
Villiers, Earl of, English statesman
(1800-1870), i. (1856), 273, 281, 293 ;
ii. (1857), 26 ; (1858), 88
Clarendon, Lady Caroline, i. (1856), 282,
293
Clarendon, Countess, i. (1856), 286
Clausthal, town in Prussia, province of
Hanover, i. (1841), 30
Cleeve, Mrs., at the English Court, i.
(1856), 286
Clemens August of Saxony, ii. (1857),
22
Clemens Wenzeslaus, Prince of Treves,
son of Frederick August III. of
Saxony (1734-1812), ii. (1857), 22
" Cleopatra," opera by Graun, i. (1841),
51
Coblentz ; Moltke was on the general
staff of the Vlllth Army Corps at
Coblentz from 24th December, 1846,
to 16th May 1848, i. (1846), 164 ;
(1847), 164, et seq., 171, et seq.
(residence there) ; (1850), 196 ("dear
Coblentz"); (1851), 213; (1855),
244, 245, 246, 247; ii. (1857), 77;
(1875), 260
Coburg, ii. (1868), 206
Codrington, Lady, at the English Court,
i. (1856), 291
Colberg ; Moltke was chief of the
Colberg regiment of Grenadiers (the
2nd Pommeranian) from 20th Septem
ber, 1866, ii. (1860), 100, 102 ; (1867),
203 ; (1879), 283
Colico, place in Italy on the Lake of
Como, ii. (1882), 308
Colmar, ii. (1879), 285
Cologne, i. (1846), 148, 149 (cathedral) ;
(1855), 247, 251 ; (1856), 261
(cathedral), 301; ii. (1857), 21, 23,
24; (1858), 82; (1861), 108, 110;
(1867), 200
Colosseum, at Rome, begun by Vespasian
and completed by Titus, ii. (1876),
268

Colton, in Staffordshire, residence of the
Burt family, i. (1841), 1 ; ii. (1857),
48
Como, Lake of, in Italy, ii. (1878), 280
Como, town in Italy, ii. (1883), 314
Compiegne, town in France, Department
Oise, ii. (1867), 200
Constance, ii. (1872), 250
Constance, governess with the Burts, i.
(1850), 192
Constantine, Arch of, at Rome, ii, (1876),
268
"Consuela," i. (1844), 113, 114
Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, i.
(1844), 115, 120, 121; ii. (1881),
304, 305, 306
Cordova, town in Spain, i. (1846), 145,
147
Corvey, town in Prussia, near Minden,
i. (1841), 28, 29
Cothen, i. (1850), 196
Cottbus, town in Prussia, near Frankfurt-
on-the-Oder, i. (1854), 228 _
Coulie, camp of the French, ii. (1870),
237
Cowell, Captain, at the English Court,
ii. (1857), 48
Cowes, town in Isle of Wight, i. (1856),
267, 268
Cowper, Colonel Francis Thomas de
Grey, Earl (born 1834), ii. (1857), 31
Cranworth, Lord High Chancellor, ii.
(1857), 31 ; (1858), 86
Creisau, a property near Schweidnitz,
purchased by Moltke on 1st August
1867, ii. (1868), 205, 206, 210, 216;
(1869), 219, 220 (mausoleum), 221,
222 ; (1870), 226, 242 ; (1871), 246 ;
(1872), 249, 250; (1873), 251, 252;
(1874), 252, et seq. ; (1875), 259, ei
seq., 262; (1876), 270, 271, 274,
275, 276, 277; (1877), 278, 279;
(1878), 280; (1879), 282, 284, 286,
287; (1880), 287-291, 293, 295;
(1881), 301, 302-304; (1882), 307,
311-313; (1884), 314, 315; (1888),
316; (1890), 317, 322
Cremieux, Isaac Adolphe, French politi
cian and one of the founders of the
"Alliance Israelite" (1796-1880), ii.
(1870), 229
Crenneville, Francis Folliot, Count of,
Austrian general (born 1815), ii.
(1865), 172, 174, 178, 180.
Cromwell, Oliver (1599-1658), ii.
(1857), 52
"Crown," The, inn at Liegnitz, ii.
(1879), 283
Crown, Order of the, in Prussia, granted
to Moltke in 1864, ii. (1864), 155
Croydon, town in England, i. (1855), 264
Crystal Palace, at Sydenham, q.v.
Curtius, senator of Liibeck, ii. (1862),
112

332

INDEX.

Oust, Sir Edward, master of ceremonies
to Queen Victoria, i. (1856), 274
" Cyclops," vessel upon which Moltke
reconnoitred the site of the harbour of
Kiel, ii. (1865), 182, 183
"Czar and Carpenter " (Czar v. Zim-
mermann), opera by Lortzing, i.
(1843), 89

Dalberg, a family dating back to the
tenth century. The member mentioned
is Charles Theodore Anton Maria,
Baron Dalberg, last Prince of Mainz
(1744-1817), i. (1843), 96, 97
Dallas, George M., American statesman
(1792-1864), and ambassador in
London 1856-1861, i. (1856), 295
Dannhauer, Major, chief of the staff at
Konigsberg, i. (1846), 157
Danzig, ii. (1860), 98, 99, 100 ; (1879),
283
Dazio Grande, in the Swiss canton
Tessin, ii. (1882), 308
Daun, place in Prussia near Treves, i.
(1847), 172
Dawson, Lady, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 293
Decken, Barou von der, at Breslau, ii.
(1857), 6
De Claer, adjutant to Moltke, and after
wards commandant at Magdeburg, ii.
(1868), 207, 208; (1874), 254, 257;
(1875), 262, 264 ; (1876), 274
Dee, river in Scotland, i. (1855), 253,
254
Degenfeld, August, Count of Degenfeld-
Schonberg (1798-1876), ii. (1866),
196
Deinhardstein, otherwise Dietrichstein,
q.v.
Denmark, war with, from 1st February
to 31st October, 1864, when Prussia
and Austria concluded peace with
Denmark at Vienna. Moltke was, on
11th February, 1864, ordered to join
the allied forces under Field-Marshal
General von Wrangel, ii. (1864), 121-
167
Denmark, King of. See Christian IX.
and Frederick VII.
Denmark, Crown Prince of. See
Frederick
Depretis, Agostino, Italian minister
(1835-1887), from 1876 to 1878
prime minister, and minister of finance,
and in 1881 again prime minister, ii.
(1876), 271
Derby, Edward Geoffrey Smith, 14th
Earl of, English statesman, and leader
of the Tory party. Prime minister
1866-68 (1799-1869), i. (1856), 278,
282
Derby, the races, instituted in 1780 by

the then Earl of Derby, i. (1856),
271, 272
Derenthal, Prussian major, i. (1846),
156
De Ros, Lord, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 283, 285, 295
De Ros, Lady, wife of the preceding, i.
(1856), 286
Derschau, i. (1855), 234, 235 ; ii. (1860),
96
Desenberg, ruined castle near Warburg,
ii. (1867), 200
Dessau, i. (1850), 200, 201, 202-206
(in quarters)
"Deutsche Soldat," military paper, i.
(1851), 208
Dickens, Charles, English writer (1812-
1870), "The Mystery of Edwin
Drood" is his last work, but is in
complete, ii. (1880), 294
Diest, Prussian general, i. (1846), 157
Dietrichstein, Princess Alexandrina (born
1824), nee Countess Dietrichsteiu-
Proskau, married in 1857 Count
Alexander Mensdorff-Pouilly, who died
1871, ii. (1866), 176, 195
Ditfurth, District councillor, ii. (1857),
22
Djuleeb Singh, Maharajah, i. (1856),
274
Doberan, towninMecklenburg-Schwerin,
i. (1843), 79-84; ii. (1860), 104,
et seq.
Dolls, at Flensburg, ii. (1864), 122
Doriug, Theodore, famous actor (1803-
1878), i. (1843), 85, 88 ("better
than Seydelmann")
Dohna, Charles Frederick Emile, Count
of, Prussian field-marshal general
(1784-1859), son-in-law of Scharn-
horst, q.v., i. (1855), 233, 243, 245
Dolgorucki, Prince, ii. (J 867), 200
Dolzig, property belonging to General
Vogel von Falkenstein, ii. (1875), 259
260
Domanze, mansion house, near Schweid
nitz, in the possession of the Counts of
Brandenburg, ii. (1857), 76 ; (1858),
93
Domenichiuo, Italian painter (1581-
1641), i. (1845), 124
Dominique, veterinary surgeon, ii.
(1866), 189
" Don Giovanni" (Don Juan), Mozart's
opera, i. (1842), 52 ; ii. (1857), 33 ;
(1871), 248
Donner, Councillor of State, ii. (1864),
169, 170
Donner, Mrs. wife of preceding, ii.
(1864), 170
Dover, in England, opposite Calais, i.
(1855), 247, 248, 249, 258, 260;
(1856), 262, 263, 264 ; ii. (1857), 24 ;
(1858), 82, 83 ; (1871), 243

INDEX.

333

"Drei Konige" (Three Kings), inn at
Basle, ii. (1883), 313
Dremmel's " Grand Monarque " at
Cologne, i. (1856), 261
Dresden, i. (1841), 33, 35, 36 ; ii. (1879),
286
Dreszler, musician, who often performed
for Moltke on the piano, even on the
day of his death, ii. (1880), 290
Drottningholm, summer residence of the
king of Sweden on the island of Lofo
in the Malarsee, ii. (1881), 305, 306
Drummond, Henry, English writer
(born 1851), author of " The greatest
thing in the world " (Das Beste in der
Welt), ii. (1890), 317, 318
Drygalski, Prussian officer, i. (1851),
211
Dudley, Robert. See Leicester
Diiffke's, at Liibeck, ii. (1862), 112
Diippel, now a Prussian village of nine
houses, on the peninsula of Sundewitt.
Here in 1848 the Danes constructed
earthworks which were stormed by the
allied Prusso-Austrian forces on 18th
April, 1864, and in 1873 received the
name of Wrangel's earthworks. They
are still used for manoeuvres, ii. (1864),
126, 127, 136, 137
Diiren, town hi Prussia, near Aachen,
ii. (1861), 108, 109, 110
Dtirer, Albrecht, painter (1471-1528),
ii. (1857), 52
Dusternbrock, formerly a village, now a
suburb of Kiel, famous for its sea
bathing, i. (1844), 120
Dulwich College, scholastic institution
in South London, founded in 1612 by
the actor Alleyn; near it is a fine
picture gallery, i. (1856), 277
Duman, Captain, i. (1856), 267
Du Plat, Captain, i. (1856), 267, 269
Durham, chief town in the county of
that name in England, i. (1855), 251
Dyck, Anthony van, Dutch painter
(1599-1641), i. (1856), 277, 288, 293 ;
ii. (1857), 28, 29, 51
"E." See Ballhorn, Elisa
Eagle, Order of the Black, awarded to
Moltke, ii. (1866), 197
Eagle, Order of the Red of the 2nd class
awarded to Moltke, ii. (1858), 88 ;
ditto of the 1st class awarded to
Moltke, ii. (1861), 110
Ebeling, Dr., of Hamburg, a neighbour
of Moltke's parents, i. (1841), 27
Ebensee, Austrian market-town, where
the Traun flows into the lake of
Gmunden, ii. (1880), 291
Eckardsberge, Weimar, i. (1843), 96
Edinburgh, capital of Scotland, i. (1855),
247, 251, 252, 256

Edward III., King of England (1312-
1377), i. (1865), 258 ; (1856), 295 ;
ii. (1857), 27 ; (1859), 86
Edward IV., son of the preceding
murdered by Richard III., i. (1855),
258 ; (1856), 295
Egerton, Lady Blanche, at the English
Court, ii. (1859), 48
"Egmont," piece by Beethoven, i.
(1841), 52
Ehrenbreitstein, on the Rhine, i. (1847),
172; (1855), 246; (1856), 302
Eichmann, governor of East Prussia, L
(1855), 236
Einsiedler, inn at Potsdam, i. (1855),
233
Eisenach, second town of Saxe-Weimar,
i. (1855), 245, 246; ii. (1857)," 78;
(1862), 114; (1873), 208
Eitel, Friedrich (Frederick the vain), of
Brandenburg, ii. (1865), 180
Elba, island m the Mediterranean, to
which Napoleon I. was banished, ii.
(1871), 243
Elizabeth, Queen of England (1533-
1603), i. (1855), 257, 258; (1856),
280; ii. (1857), 44, 51
Elizabeth, Princess of Bavaria (born
1837), married, 1854, Francis Joseph
I., Emperor of Austria, ii. (1865), 172,
173, 176, 177, 178
Elizabeth, daughter of King Max I. of
Bavaria (1801-1873), married, 1823,
Frederick William IV., King of
Prussia, i. (1842), 78; (1844), 113;
(1846), 135; (1855), 233, 246, 259;
;i. (1857), 80-82 (illness of the king),
84
Elizabeth, Princess of Saxony (born 4th
Feb., 1830), 1850-55 wife of Duke-
Ferdinand of Genoa, 1856-82 wife of
Niccolo Marchese Rapallo, mother of
Margarita, present Queen of Italy, ii.
(1875), 267
Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia,
daughter of James I. (1596-1662), i..
(1856), 268
Ellesmere, Earl of, ii. (1857), 41, 48
Ellesmere, Lady, ii. (1857), 48
Ellesmere, Lady Alice, married Mr~
Byng, ii. (1857), 48
Ellnch, town in Prussia, near Erfurt, i.
(1855), 237, 238
Ems, i. (1848), 176, 178
Endell, father of Mr. von Patow's (<?.».)»
first wife, i. (1844), 108 ; (1848), 179
Engelsburg, castle of St. Angelo in
Rome, ii. (1876), 268
England, i. (1855), 240, 245, 247-260.
(first visit); (1856), 262-295 (second
visit); ii. (1857), 16, 18, 19, 22-56
(third visit) ; (1858), 82-91 ; (1871),
242, 243
" Englischer Hof" (English Court), inn

334

INDEX.

at Frankfurt-on-the-Main, ii. (1863),
119
Enz, tributary of the Neckar, ii. (1868),
209
Eppendorf, village near Hamburg, ii.
(1860), 106
Epsom, races at. See Derby
Erdmannsdorf, village in Prussia, near
Liegnitz (royal castle). The church
of this place mentioned by Moltke was
designed by Schinkel, ii. (1857), 72, 73
Erfurt, i. (1843), 96-102 (visited, opiniou
of the place, the cathedral); (1844),
104; (1845), 122 (visited)
Ernest II., Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
(1818-1893), i. (1852), 214 ; (1855),
245, 256; ii. (1858), 87; (1861),
109, 110 ; (1868), 205
Ernest, Duke of Saxon-Altenburg (born
1826), ii. (1876), 270
Ernestine, order of the house of, the
grand cross awarded to Moltke, ii.
(1861), 110
Erquelines, in Belgium, Merbes-le-
Chateau, ii. (1867), 200
Essex, Robert Devereux, Earl of (1567-
1601), ii. (1857), 51
Ettersburg, village with a shooting lodge
built 1706, i. (1844), 104
Eugene, Duke of Wiirttemberg, Russian
general (1788-1857), who took an
important part in the Napoleonic wars,
ii. (1857), 64, 65
Eugene, son of the preceding, Duke of
Wiirttemberg (1820-1875), Prussian
cavalry general, married, 1843, Mat
hilda, Princess of Schaumburg-Lippe
(1820-1891), i. (1841), 27 ; ii. (1857),
64, 77
Eugenie, Empress of the French (born
1826), ii. (1857), 55; (1867), 200,
201
Eulenburg, Bodo Wend Augustus, Count
of (born 1831), from 1878-81 Prussian
minister of the interior, ii. (1867),
200 ; (1878), 281
Euphrates, the river, visited by Moltke
in 1838, i. (1854), 228; ii. (1864),
141
Ewald, Danish lieutenant-colonel, at
Itzehoe, i. (1841), 6, 13
Ewaldsen, the Rev. Mr., at Flensburg,
who conducted the service at Betty von
Moltke's funeral, ii. (1864), 166

Failly, Pierre Louis Charles Achille de,
French general (born 1810), prisoner
of war in 1870, ii. (1867), 200, 203
"Fairy," English steamer, i. (1856),
268
Falcinelli - Antoniacci, Archbishop of
Athen, since 1863 nuncio at Vienna,
ii. (1865), 173

Falkenstein, highland castle near Meis-
dorf, district of Merseburg, in the
possession of the Asseburg family, i.
(1844), 103
Falkenstein. See Vogel von Falkensteiu
Falknis, central peak of the R'atikon,
Swiss canton Graubiinden, ii. (1874),
256
Favre, Jules, French statesman, who in
1871 took part in the negotiations with
Germany(1809-1880), ii. (1870), 226,
229; (1871), 241
"Faust," Goethe's, i. (1841), 21, 42,
51, 54 (music by Prince Radziwill)
Faustin I., Emperor of Hayti (1782-
1867), originally Soulouque ; 1849,
emperor; 1852, crowned; 1859, ab
dicated; i. (1856), 270
" Feensee," opera by Auber, i. (1842),
42
Fenton's hotel, in London, ii. (1858), 82
Ferrieres, village in France, Department
Seine - et - Marne, where is one of
Rothschild's mansions, head-quarters
of King William from 19th August to
6th October, 1870 ; ii. (1870), 225 ;
(1871), 242
Festetics von Tolna, Count, Austrian
cavalry general, ii. (1865), 179
"Fidelio," opera by Beethoven, ii.
1864), 171
"Figaro," Parisian boulevard paper,
found 1854, ii. (1870), 227
" Figaro's Marriage," opera by Mozart,
ii. (1864), 163
Firth of Forth, in Scotland, i. (1855),
252
Fischbach, health resort in Silesia, near
Liegnitz, mansion-house and grounds,
i. (1846), 136, 137 ; ii. (1857), 73
Fischer, director of the militar-okonomie
department (born 1798), worked with
Moltke in Turkey 1837-39, published
a map of Asia Minor and Turkish
Armenia in conjunction with Moltke,
Vineke, and Kiepert, was made chief
of the general staff of the Vllth Army
Corps in 1847, director of the general
war department in 1848, military
instructor to Prince Frederick William
in 1849, inspector of infantry at
Coblentz in 1852, i. (1845), 126;
(1846), 130, 157; (1855), 246; ii.
(1857), 12 (death)
Fitzroy, Lord (the English admiral,
1805-1865 ?), i. (1856), 285, 293
Flanders, Count of. See Philip
"Fledermaus" (The Bat), ii. (1875),
262
Flensburg, in 1848 taken by the Prusso-
Hanoverian troops, besieged in 1848
by Sweden and in 1850 by the Danes,
and in 1866 ceded to Prussia, i. (1844),
122; ii. (1864), 122-125, 158-168;

INDEX.

335

(1874), 255; (burial of Fritz von
Moltke)
Fleury, Emile Felix, French general
(1815-1884), ambassador at St. Peters
burg, 1869-70, ii. (1867), 201
Fligely, August, Austrian field-marshal
lieutenant(1811-1879), ii. (1865), 175
Floridsdorf, near Vienna, where earth
works were erected in 1866, ii. (1866),
191
Fliielen, village in Switzerland, canton
of Uri, ii. (1882), 307
Fbhr (Faroe), island on the west coast
of Schleswig-Holstein, i. (1841), 14 ;
ii. (1864), 146
Folkestone, town in England, county of
Kent, steam connection with Boulogne,
i. (1855), 249 ; (1856), 264
Folley, Lord, at the English Court, ii.
(1857), 32
Fontainebleau, town in France, Depart
ment Seine-et-Marne, ii. (1867), 202
Formes, Charles John, instrumentalist
(1810-1889), at the Italian opera in
London, 1852-57, i. (1856), 276 ; ii.
(1857), 33 (one of the instrumental
accompanists)
Forst, town in Prussia, near Frankfurt-
on-the-Oder, i. (1854), 228
Fould, Mr., at the English Court, ii.
(1857), 26
Fouque, Frederick Henry Charles, Baron
de la Motte-F., German writer (1777-
1843), ii. (1870, 233
Francis II., Emperor of Germany (1768-
1835), crowned in 1792, ii. (1875),
265
Francis II., born 1836, crowned in 1859
king of Naples, but lost his country,
1861 ; married in 1859 Mary Sophia,
Princess of Bavaria, the ' ' Heroine of
Gaeta," ii. (1872), 250
Francis V., Grand Duke of Modena from
1846, but lost his territory in 1860
(1819-1875), ii. (1857), 174
Francis of Assisi, Infant of Spain (born
1822), married, 1833, Isabella II., i.
(1846), 147
Francis Joseph I. (born 1830), Emperor
of Austria since 1848, ii. (1857), 61 ;
(1864), 153; (1865), 171, 172, 173,
176, 177, 178, 179, 180
Francis Charles Joseph, Archduke of
Austria, second son of the Emperor
Francis II. (1802-1878), ii. (1865),
173, 174
Francke, Danish Councillor of State, i.
(1841), 48
Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71 ; de
claration of war, 19th July, 1870 ;
peace of Frankfurt, 10th May, 1871.
Moltke was chief of the general staff
of the army at the king and emperor's
head- quarters from 20th July, 1870,

to 2nd May, 1871, and was made a
count, 28th October, 1870, and field-
marshal general, 10th June, 1871,
receiving also the grand order of the
iron cross, ii. (1870-71), 223-245
Frank, Charles von, knight (1806-1867)
Austrian minister of war, 1864, ii.
(1865), 173
Frankenberg, Privy Councillor von, ii.
(1870), 226
Frankenstein, town in Prussia, near
Breslau, ii. (1867), 204; (1875), 261
Frankfurt-on-the-Main, i. (1849), 178 ;
ii. (1857), 78; (1863), 119, et seq.;
(1866), 195; (1877), 277; (1883),
313
Frankfurt-on-the-Oder, ii. (1867), 80
Fransecki, Edward Frederick von, Prus
sian general (1807-1890), prominent
at Miinchengratz and Koniggratz in
1866, in 1870 at Gravelotte, Metz,
Paris, etc., ii. (1866), 186, 299 ;
(1877), 278
Franzen, tailor at Berlin, i. (1855), 233
Frascati, in Italy, fine villas, i. (1846),
128, 138 ; ii. (1876), 268
Frederick, hereditary prince, and since
1871 Duke of Anhalt (born 1831), i.
(1850), 202
Frederick, Duke of Augustenburg (1829-
1880), raised a protest in 1863 against
Christian IX. of Denmark, ii. (1865),
183 (demonstration against at Kiel) ;
(1875), 259, et seq.
Frederick, Prince of Baden (born 1826),
1852, regent, 1856, Grand Duke of
Baden, i. (1855), 233 ; (1856), 269,
270,273; ii. (1872), 250; (1879), 286
Frederick William, Hereditary Grand
Duke of Baden (born 1857), ii. (1857),
55
Frederick VII., King of Denmark (1808-
1863), i. (1852), 218 ; ii. (1857), 16
Frederick, Crown Prince of Denmark
(born 1843), ii. (1864), 145
Frederick, Prince of Gliicksburg (1814-
1885), succeeded in 1878 his brother,
Duke Charles, i. (1841), 43
Frederick William Louis, Prince and
afterwards Grand Duke of Hesse (1837-
1892), husband of Alice, daughter of
Queen Victoria of Great Britain and
Ireland, 1862-1878, ii. (1867), 200
Frederick William I., Prince of Hesse
(1802-1875), ii. (1862), 112
Frederick Francis II. Grand Duke of
Mecklenburg-Schweriu since 1842
(1823-1883), i. (1842), 61; (1843),
79, 80, 81, 82 ; (1844), 105, 107 ; ii.
(1860), 104 ; (1863), 118
Frederick, Prince of the Netherlands
(1797-1881), husband of Louise,
daughter of Frederick William III.,
owner of Muskau, i. (1855), 229

336

INDEX.

Frederick the Great, of Prussia, i. (1841),
51 (composer); (1851), 211, 212;
(1854), 223 ; (1855), 232 ; ii. (1857),
74, 75
Frederick, Prince of Prussia, cousin of
the Emperor William I. (1794-1863),
i. (1844), 107, 113
Frederick William III., King of Prussia
(1770-1840), ii. (1857), 21
Frederick William IV., since 1840 King
of Prussia, son of the preceding (1795-
1861), married Elizabeth (q.v.), i.
(1841), 19, 20, 44, 54; (1842), 66,
76, 78; (1843), 84, 90, 91, 92;
(1844), 113, 118, 119, 120; (1845),
123 (attempt on); (1846), 134, 135,
136, 156, 157; (1848), 181; (1850),
189, 194, 195, 196 (attempt on), 200 ;
(1852), 220, 221 ; (1854), 225, 226,
228 ; (1855), 231, 232, 233, 236, 240,
241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247,
258, 259, 260 ; (1856), 286, 296 ; ii.
(1857), 59, 65, 77, 80, 81, 82
(severe illness), 84 ; (1858), 95
Frederick William, Prince of Prussia,
son of the Emperor William I, as
cended the throne, 1888, as the Em
peror Frederick III. (1831-1888).
Moltke was from 1st September, 1855,
to 29th October, 1857, the Prince's
adjutant, i. (1851), 210 ; (1854), 224,
225, 226 ("truly lovable man"), 228;
(1855), 232, 233, 234, 239, 240, 241,
242, 243, 244, 245, 252, 253, 254,
259, 260, 261 ; (1856), 262-295, 296,
298, 300 (in Russia), 301 (in Paris),
302; ii. (1857), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20,
22-56 (in England), 57, 58, 59, 60,
61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 70, 71, 73,
74, 77, 80, 81 ; (1858), 82-89
(marriage), 90, 94, 95; (1860), 99,
101 ; (1864), 122, 129, 130, 132, 136,
141, 145, 147, 151, 153, 154, 157,
158, 160, 161, 162, 163, 168 ; (1866),
185, 186, 193, 194, 196, 197, 200,
201, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300 ; (1870),
235; (1872), 250; (1877), 278;
(1878), 281; (1879), 287; (1888),
316, 317 (death)
Frederick Charles, Prince of Prussia
(1828-1885), nephew of the Emperor
William I., distinguished soldier, i.
(1852), 224, 225, 226, 227 ; ii. (1857),
12; (1858), 84, 87; (1860), 103;
(1864), 123, 124, 132, 134, 136, 142,
150, 155; (1865), 172-180 (with
Moltke in Vienna) ; (1866), 185, 296,
297, 298 ; (1871), 247 (with Moltke
in St. Petersburg)
Frederick August II. of Saxony, from
1836 King of Saxony (1797-1854), i.
(1844), 119
Frederick, servant of Moltke's, i. (1844),

88, 96, 100, 101 ; (1855), 231, 244,
247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252
Frederica, Duchess of Anhalt-Bernburg,
wife of Alexis Charles of Anhalt-
Bernburg (born 1811), i. (1850),
203
Frederickshavn, Danish town on the
Kattegat, ii. (1864), 146
Freemantle, Captain, at the English
Court, i. (1856), 295
Freiberg, in Saxony, ii. (1874), 255
Freiburg, in Baden, where the unveiling
of a statue to Most took place, ii.
(1876), 275
Freiburg, in Silesia, ii. (1857), 62, 72,
73
Freiburg, in Switzerland, where is a
suspension bridge erected 1832-1834,
not 300 feet, but 265 metres in length,
ii. (1866), 198
French Revolution of 1848, i. (1848),
180
Frerichs, Frederick Theodore von,
physician (1819-1885), attended Mrs.
von Moltke in her last illness, ii.
(1869), 212-214
Freudenberg, ruins near Ragatz, ii.
(1882), 310
Friderici, Captain, acquaintance of
Moltke's at the military academy, i.
(1841), 43
Fridericia, fortified Danish town on the
Little Belt, where a battle was fought,
6th July, 1849; bombarded 20-21st
March, 1864, and occupied by the
Austrians, 28th April, 1864, i. (1850),
187; ii. (1864), 125, 129; (1881),
306
Friedenstein, ruined castle on the Upper
Rhine, ii. (1874), 256
Friedrichsberg, part of the town of
Schleswig, ii. (1869), 221
Friedrichsort, since 1864 Prussian forti
fication in Schleswig-Holstein, ii.
(1865), 182
Friedrich Wilhelmstadtischer Theatre,
at Berlin, i. (1854), 224
Fries, Countess (which?), ii. (1857),
64 ; (1864), 132
Frobel, a friend of Moltke's, i. (1847),
169
Frogmore, near Windsor, England, i.
(1856), 286
Fuhrmann, physician, attended Moltke,
ii. (1876), 274, 275
Fulda, town in Prussia, near Kassel, ii.
(1868), 207.
Fiirsteuberg, Francis Egon, Count of
Furs tenberg-Stammheim (1797-1859),
who erected the Apollinaris Church at
Remmagen, ii. (1857), 22
Fiirstenberg, Landgrave (?), ii. (1865),
172
Fiirsteuberg, the family of, ii. (1857), 24

INDEX.

337

Fiirstenstein, part of the Plesz estates,
near Breslau, ii. (1857), 62, 72 ;
(1858), 92 ; (1867), 204

Gablenz, Louis Charles William, Baron
von, Austrian general (1814-1874),
commanded the Austrian army corps
in Holstein in 1864, ii. (1865), 182,
183; (1866), 188
Galen, Count, ii. (1864), 129 ; (1865),
172
Gambetta, Leon, French statesman
(1838-1882), ii. (1870), 229, 236;
(1871), 241
Gans, the brothers, singers at London,
i. (1856), 286
Garda, Lake of, in upper Italy, ii.
(1878), 264
Garden, village near Kiel, i. (1844),
120
Gastein, in the Duchy of Salzburg, ii.
(1868), 210; (1871), 244; (1872),
248, 249 ; (1874), 255, 256 ; (1880),
291-295 (visited) ; (1882), 312
"Gaulois," clerical Bouapartist daily
paper in Paris, ii. (1870), 228
Gebser, Hanoverian general, ii. (1864),
169
¦Geisler, Prussian colonel, ii. (1882),
304
Gellhorn, neighbouring proprietor to
Moltke at Creisau, ii. (1869), 221 ;
(1874), 255
Gemmingen, Baron von, Court Marshal
at Baden, i. (1856), 269
Geneva, Lake of, ii. (1866), 198, 199
(scenes near) ; (1882), 307
Genoa, Duchess of. See Elizabeth
-Genoa, town in Italy, ii. (1883), 313,
314
Gent, or Ghent, chief town in East
Flanders, i. (1885), 247, 248
George II, Duke of Meiningen since
1866 (born 1826), ii. (1857), 26, 31,
32 ; (1868), 206, 208.
'George II., prince of Waldeck from 1813
(1789-1845), i. (1841), 27
George III., from 1760 king of Great
Britain and Ireland ; from 1815 also
of Hanover (1738-1820), ii. (1857), 27
George, servant of Moltke's, ii. (1860),
105; (1863), 116, 121; (1864),
122
'George, Sir (Cornewall Lewis), English
Home Minister, ii. (1858), 50
George, Feast of St., 25th November
(7/12), festival of the Russian military
order of St. George, ii. (1871), 247
'Gerlach, Leopold von, Prussian general
(1790-1861), from 1849 adjutant-
general of the king, ii. (1857), 80
¦German-Austrian Alliance, ii. (1879),
286 VOL. II.

Gern, Albert, down to 1865 favourite
comedian at the Berlin Court Theatre
(1789-1869), i. (1846), 154 (at the
Thalia Theatre)
Gerstungeu,market town in Saxe-Weimar,
ii. (1857), 78
Gerwin, Prussian officer, i. (1854), 226
Gibraltar, visited by Moltke, i. (1846),
144, 145, 146, 149
Giebichenstein, village north of Halle,
with an historical castle, i. (1843), 94 ;
(1850), 200
Girardo, cook to Prince Henry at Rome,
i. (1846), 162, 163, 169
Giskra, Charles, Austrian statesman
(1820-1879), who in 1866 became
burgo-master at Briinn, ii. (1866),
192
Gitschin, town in Bohemia, ii. (1866),
184, 185, 186, 188, 296, 297, 301
Glatz, county in Prussia, province of
Silesia, ii. (1866), 192
Glatz, fortification in Bohemia, ii. (1867),
204, et seq.
Gleichen, three castles in Thuringia, of
which the one (Wandersleben) is the
scene of the story of the double
marriage of Count Ernest of Gleichen,
which is uarrated by Moltke, i. (1843),
98, 99
Gleiwitz, town in Prussia, near Oppeln,
ii. (1857), 5
Glienicke, castle of Prince Frederick
Leopold, until 1885 in the possession
of his father, Prince Frederick Charles,
near the village of Little Glienicke, i.
(1841), 18, et seq., 78; (1843), 84;
(1844), 113; ii. (1878), 280
Glion and Montreux, on the Lake of
Geneva, ii. (1866), 198, 199
Gliszinsky, Prussian general and friend
of Moltke's, i. (1850), 187, 188;
(1854), 224 ; ii. (1857), 82 ; (1864),
132, 145 ; (1870), 236
Gloucester, Duke of, i. (1856), 269, 273
Gluck, Christian Willibald von, famous
composer (1714-1787), i. (1841), 51,
52
Gliickburg, town in Prussia, district of
Flensburg ; in the castle here King
Frederick VII. of Denmark died, 1863,
ii. (1864), 124
Gliicksburg, Duke of. See Charles I.
Gliickstadt, town in Prussia, district of
Steinburg, i. (1846), 150, 151, 154,
155
Gmiinden, principal place in the Salz-
kammergut, ii. (1880), 291
Gneisenau, Countess, i. (1848), 176
Goben, Charles August von, Prussian
general (1816-1880), in 1864, as
leader of the 26th Prussian Infantry
Brigade, was present at the storming
of the earthworks of Diippel, and the

338

INDEX.

crossing to Alsen, i. (1850), 195 ;
(1851), 213 ; (1855), 247 ; ii. (1864),
126, 127, 140, 148
Gorsch, in the service of the grand
general staff, ii. (1874), 255
Goschenen, village in Switzerland, canton
of Uri, near the St. Gotthard tunnel,
ii. (1882), 307
Goethe, i. (1841), 21, 42, 51, 54
Goethe-Schiller memorial, by Rietschel
at Weimar, unveiled in 1857, ii.
(1857), 78
Gottingen, i. (1841), 29, 31
Golling, place on the Gisela railway, ii.
(1872), 249
Golszen, town in Prussia, near Frankfurt-
on-the-Oder, with mansion house of
Prince Solms-Baruth, i. (1854), 226,
227
Goltz, Charles Frederick, Count of,
Prussian general (born 1815), com
mander of the 14th Brigade of Cavalry
in 1864, ii. (1864), 126
Goltz, Robert Henry Louis von, Prussian
statesman (1817-1869), from 1863,
Prussian ambassador at Paris, ii.
(1867), 200, 201
Gondrecourt, of the Austrian army, ii.
(1865), 173
Gonesse, place in France, Department
Seine-et-Oise, in 1870-71, occupied by
the Prussian guards, ii. (1870), 239
Gonsalvi, ii. (1857), 28
"Good morning, Mr. Fischer," comic
play, i. (1866), 281
Gordon, William, rear-admiral (1785-
1858), i. (1856), 293
Goslar, i. (1841), 29, 30, 31
Goszmann, Frederica, famous actress
(born 1838), married 1861, Baron von
Prokesch-Osten ; Moltke calls her
Groszmann, ii. (1862), 112
Gotthard Tunnel and Hospice, ii. (1883),
313, 314
Gough, Hugh, Viscount, British general
(1779-1869), made Viscount after the
victory of Gujarat (Feb. 21st, 1849),
ii. (1857), 31
Graberg, Prussian general, ii. (1864),
134, 142
Grabow, Prussian general, i. (1851), 212
Graevenitz, in the Prussian army, i.
(1850), 203, 204 ; (1851), 207, 210,
211
Gramont, Antoine Alfred Agenor, Due
de, French diplomatist (1819-1880),
French ambassador at Vienna 1861-
1870, ii. (1865), 173
Grampians, range of mountains in the
Scottish Highlands, i. (1855), 252
Grand Hotel, Stockholm, ii. (1881), 302,
305
Grande Monarque, hotel at Aachen, i.
(1865), 261

Granges. See Helfert, Mrs. Professor
Granville, George Leveson-Gower, Earl
of, English statesman (1815-1891),
Lord President of the Privy Council
1855-1858, i. (1856), 278 ; ii. (1857),
26
Granville, Lady, i. (1856), 278
Gras, Mr. von, and wife and son, ii.
(1860), 101
Grasbrook, near Hamburg, i. (1846),
155, 156
Graun, Charles Henry, composer (1701-
1759), i. (1841), 51 (" Cleopatra")
Gravenstein, place in Prussia, near
Apenrade, ii. (1864), 123, 124
Gray, Sir George, general, equerry in
waiting, i. (1855), 254 ; (1856), 284 ;
ii. (1857), 48
Grey, Lady Jane, born 1537, beheaded
1554, i. (1856), 295 ; ii. (1857), 61
Grey, Miss, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 286
"Great Eastern," steamer of 22,500 tons
burden, and largest vessel in the world,
i. (1856), 280 , ii. (1857), 38
Great Western Railway, i. (1856), 281,
285
Greenwich, near London, i. (1855), 249 ;
(1856), 264, 280 (naval hospital); ii.
(1857), 37, 38
Gregory XVI., pope from 1830 (1765-
1846), i. (1845), 123, 126
Greiffenberg, town in Prussia, near
Lowenberg, ii. (1858), 93
Griesheim, head of the war department
in Prussia, ii. (1857), 12
Grimm, Henry Gottfried, physician
(1804-1884), in 1851 made chief
physician of the general staff, and in
1 861 private physician to King William
I, ii. (1857), 81
Grisi, Giulia, famous opera singer (1811-
1869), i. (1866), 293
Groben, Charles, Count von, Prussian
general (1788-1876), i. (1844), 113 ;
ii. (1857), 80; (1865), 171
Groszendorf, place in Prussia, near
Neustadt, ii. (1860), 101
Grosvenor, Lord, at the English Court,
ii. (1857), 41
Groszmann. See Goszmann
Grosz-Moose, ii. (1864), 139
Groterjahn, Paul, mentioned in F.
Reuter's " Journeyto Constantinople,"
ii. (1875), 262
Grotta-Ferrata, monastery near Frascati,
with frescoes by Domenichino, ii.
(1876), 268
Gruher's house at Gastein, ii. (1880),
293
Griinbaum, Theresa, ne'e Muller, famous
singer (1791-1876), i. (1844), 106
"Guitar Player," opera by Halevy, i.
(1841), 44

INDEX.

339

Gungl, Joseph, composer of dance music
and musical director (1810-1889);
performed at concerts regularly in
Berlin from 1843 to 1848, i. (1846),
137 ; (1848), 182
Gurdoni (?), Italian singer at London, i.
(1856), 276
Gustavus Vasa, King of Sweden (1523-
1560), ii. (1881), 306
Gustavus, Crown Prince of Sweden (born
1858), married, 1881, Victoria, Princess
of Baden (born 1862), ii. (1881), 306
Gwynne, Nell, mistress of Charles II.
(1650-1687), ii. (1857)52

Haake, Hanoverian general, ii. (1864),
148, 169
Hacke, Countess Adelaide, lady-in-wait
ing to the Empress Augusta, i. (1855),
246 ; ii. (1857), 58
Hacke, Prussian lieutenant-general, i.
(1843), 169
Hadersleben, district in Schleswig-
Holstein, ii. (1864), 147
Hafis Pasha, Turkish general, i. (1841),
50
Hahncke, von, Prussian general, head
of the Militar-iabinet of the German
Emperor, i. (1855), 261
Hanlein, Christian Frederick Louis von,
Prussian representative at Hamburg, i.
(1846), 154, 155, 156
Halberstadt, town in Prussia, near
Magdeburg, i. (1841), 28; (1852),
219, 220 ; (1855), 237
Halle, i. (1841), 38, 39; (1843), 93;
(1850), 199, 200, 201; ii. (1862),
115, 116
Halleiu, town in Austria, near Salzburg,
ii. (1872), 249
Hallstatt, Lake of, in Austria (Gmiin-
den), ii. (1880), 292
Hamburg, i. (1841), 25, 27; (1846),
148-154 (visited); (1847), 167; ii.
(1860), 105, 106, 107 ; (1862) 112-
115 (visited); (1846), 148; (1864),
167, 168, 169; (1881), 303
Hamm, town in Prussia (Arnsberg), ii.
(1857), 22
Hanimacher, German landscape and
portrait painter (1824-1865), ii.
(1857), 13, 17
Hammelburg, town in Bavaria (Unter-
franken), ii. (1868), 206
Hammer, officer of the Danish navy, ii.
(1864), 146, 149
Hampstead, suburb of London, i. (1856),
284
Hampton Court, palace built by Cardinal
Wolsey, 1514, containing famous collec
tion of pictures, i. (1856), 283
Hanau, town in Prussia (Kassel), ii.
(1868), 207

Hanenfeldt, deputy chief of the general
staff at Berlin, ii. (1870), 236
Hannemann, nickname for the Danes, ii.
(1864), 142, 144
Hanover, town in Prussia in province
of that name, i. (1841), 26 ; (1846),
150; (1847), 168; ii. (1864), 169,
170
Hanover, kingdom of, ii. (1864), 170,
171
Hanover, King of. See George III.
Hanover railway, i. (1847), 167, 168
Harburg, town in Prussia, near Liine-
burg, i. (1841), 26 ; (1846), 150 ; ii.
(1862), 113
Hardegg, Count, ii. (1857), 31 (there
spelt Hardeck)
Harder, Captain, i. (1844), 121
Hardinge, Viscount Sir Henry, of Lahore,
British field-marshal general (1785-
1856), i. (1856), 276
Harrach, the Counts, ii. (1857), 68 ;
(1876), 276 (Ferdinand, born 1832,
nephew of the Princess of Liegnitz, an
artist, who painted "Moltke at
Paris ")
Hartmann, major in the Prussian army,
ii. (1864), 167
Harz mountains, i. (1841), 31, 32, 33,
35; (1852), 220; (1855), 237, 238,
239 ; ii. (1857), 73
Harzburg, place in Brunswick (Wolfen-
biittel), i. (1841), 31, 32; (1855),
239
Hassel, colonel in the Prussian army,
ii. (1880), 289
Hasselbacken, pleasure resort near Stock
holm, ii. (1864), 306
Hatzfeld, Countess Helena (born 1846),
wife of Count Paul von H. (?), ii.
(1867), 201
Hausberge, place in Prussia (Minden), i.
(1854), 226
Hauszmann, George Eugene, Baron
(1809-1891), famous for the part he
took in the beautifying of Paris, ii.
(1867), 202
Havre, town in France, Department
Seine Inferieure, i. (1850), 197, 198
(sea bathing)
Haymarket, London, with a theatre
opened 1821, i. (1856), 269, 283,
284 ; ii. (1857), 33
Hedemann, August von, Prussian general
(died 1859), nephew of Alexander von
Humboldt, i. (1844), 105, 120;
(1845), 122; (1848), 184; (1850),
187, 188, 191, 192, 195, 196, 200;
(1851), 211, 213
Hedemann, Mrs. von, wife of the pre
ceding (nee v. Humboldt), i. (1850),
188
Hedemann, von, brother of August von
H., i. (1844), 120

340

INDEX.

Hedwig, Saint, daughter of Berthold
IV., Margrave of Meran (died at
Trebnitz near Breslau, 1243), wife of
Henry I. of Polish Silesia, canonized
1278, ii. (1857), 18, 67
Hegermann, General, i. (1844), 121
Hegermann, Cai, son of the preceding,
i. (1844), 121
Hegermann, William, son of General
H., i. (1846), 154
Hegermann-Lindencrone, Danish lieu
tenant-general, whom Moltke knew
in his younger days, ii. (1864), 121,
145; (1881), 305
Heidelberg, i. (1848), 177 (the assembly
referred to took place 5th March,
1848)
"Heil dir im Siegerkranz," national
song, ii. (1881), 305
Heilsberg, old castle in Prussia, ii.
(I860), 97
Heinz, Captain, personal adjutant of
Prince Frederick William, i. (1855),
234, 239, 240, 241, 253, 261 ; (1856),
263, 278, 288, 289, 296, 300; ii.
(1857), 1, 11, 19, 55, 56, 63
Heister, officer in the Prussian army, i.
(1846), 157
Hela, peninsula near Danzig in Prussia,
forming the Putziger Wiek, ii. (1860),
100, 101
Helena, Princess of England (born 1846),
daughter of Queen Victoria, and wife
of Prince Christian of Schleswig-
Holstein, ii. (1857), 31
Helena, Grand Duchess of Russia (1807-
1873), daughter of Prince Paul of
Wiirttemberg, and wife of the Grand
Duke Michael, a patron of art, ii.
(1866), 198 ; (1872), 248
Helfenstein, near Coblentz, ii. (1857),
79
Helfert, Mrs., widow of Professor H.,
Countess of Nostiz-Jauckendorf, nee
des Granges, nicknamed Queen of
Sheba, i. (1872), 228
Heligoland, ceded by Great Britain to
Germany 1890, island in the North
Sea, famous for its sea bathing, i.
(1841), 14, 17, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27,
33, 34 ; ii. (1873), 251 ; (1880), 290 ;
(1881), 302, 304
Helsa, daughter of Ernestine Knudson,
nee Burt, ii. (1876), 276
Helwig, Miss, acquaintance of Moltke's,
i. (1844), 113
Henckel, Count Charles (born 1772) (?),
ii. (1857), 3
Henningstein, Austrian lieutenant-
general, ii. (1865), 173, 175
Henrietta, Princess of France (1609-
1669), wife of King Charles I. of
England, ii. (1857), 29, 52
Henry, Prince of Prussia (1781-1846),

to whom Moltke was adjutant from
18th October, 1845, to 24th December,
1846, i. (1845), 123, 124; (1846),
132, 134, 135, 148, 149, 155, 156,
157 ; h. (1871), 246
Henry, Prince of Prussia, brother of the
Emperor William II. (born 1862), ii.
(1868), 205 (at Reinhardsbrunn)
Henry IV., King of England (1366-
1413), ii. (1857), 52
Henry VI., King of England (1421-
1471), murdered in the Tower, i.
(1855), 258 ; (1856), 295
Henry VIII., King of England (1491-
1547), i. (1855), 257 ; ii. (1857), 51
Henry XIV., Prince of Reusz (born
1835), husband of Agnes, daughter of
Duke Eugene of Wiirttemberg (1835-
1886), ii. (1857), 64
Henry, servant to Moltke, ii. (1874),
255 ; (1875), 260, 267 ; (1876), 274
Heppens, village on the Jahdebusen, ii.
(1860), 106, 107
Herodotus, Greek historian (484-430
B.C.), i. (1855), 239
Herwarth von Bittenfeld, Charles Eber-
hard, Prussian field-marshal general
(1796-1884), took in 1864 the chief
command of the Prussian troops and
had charge of the crossing to Alsen,
and was in 1866 in command of the
army of the Elbe, ii. (1858), 82
(where reference is also made to his
brother Hans, 1800-1881); (1864),
139, 156, 167; (1866), 185, 186,
300
Herzberg, town in Prussia near Hilde-
sheim, i. (1841), 29
Hesz, Henry von, Austrian field-
marshal (1788-1870), ii. (1865), 173,
179
Hesse, Princess of, i. (1844), 105 (Mary,
who in 1841 married the Czarovitch
Alexander Nicholas, grandchild of
Prince William of Prussia, uncle of
Frederick William IV.")
Hesse, Prince of. See Frederick William
Hesse, Princess of. See Juliana
Hettstadt, town in Prussia, near Merse-
burg, i. (1850), 196
Hilgard, Miss, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 290
Hinzpeter, Privy Councillor, tutor of the
present German Emperor, arid also of
Prince Henry, i. (1848), 180
Hirschfeld, officer in the Prussian army,
i, (1856), 288
Hobe (now Hobe Pasha), in 1864 Prussian
orderly officer, ii. (1864), 154
Hochheim, village near Erfurt, i. (1843),
97
Hochschild, Charles, Baron von, Swedish
ambassador at London (died 1867), i.
(1856), 266, 293

INDEX.

341

Hohenfriedberg, town in Prussia, near
Liegnitz, ii. (1857), 62
Hohenlohe, i. (1844), 111, 117 ; (1846),
159
Hohenlohe, Adolph, Prince of Hohen
lohe -Ingelfingen (1797-1873), Prussian
general, who had a seat at Koschentin
(Oppeln), ii. (1857), 62, 64
Hohenlohe, Louisa, wife of the preced
ing, originally princess of Hohenlohe-
Langenburg (1799-1881), ii. (1857),
64
Hohenlohe, Charles, son of the preced
ing, then district councillor of Lublinitz
(1820-1890), ii. (1857), 64
Hohenlohe, Louisa, daughter of Prince
Adolph, married in 1859 the Count
of Erbach Fiirstenau, who died 1874
(born 1835), ii. (1857), 64
Hohenlohe-Schillingslurst, Philip Ernest,
Prince of (Ratibor and Corvey) (1820-
1845), i. (1841), 28, 29
Hohenthal, Count Emil (1808.1879?),
ii. (1867), 200
Hohenzollern, Prince of. See Charles
Anton
Hohenzollern, Prince, i. (1856), 300
Holbein, Hans, the younger, German
painter (1497-1543), in 1536 Court
painter to Henry VIII. of England,
ii. (1857), 51
Holleben, Prussian general, i. (1847), 165
Holnas, place in Prussia near Flensburg,
ii. (1864), 124
Holstein. See Schleswig-Holstein
Holstein, Duke and Duchess of, ii.
(1857), 81
Holstein, Prince of, ii. (1857), 55
(son of the Prince of Noer), 82
(Waldemar, Prussian general ? )
Holstein-Gliicksburg, Duke of, builder
of Castle Schwendnig, ii. (1857), 69
Homburg, town in Prussia, near Wies
baden, ii. (1868), 206, 207 (visit to)
Honour, Legion of, French order, grand
cross of which given to Moltke, ii.
(1867), 203
Hopfner, Edward von, Prussian major-
general, chief of the general staff of
theVIIIth Army Corps, to which Moltke
belonged from 24th December, 1846,
to 16th May, 1848 (died 1858), i.
(1846), 164; (1847), 166, 169, 173
Horup and Horuphoff, Alsen, ii. (1864),
140, 142
Hoxter, town in Prussia, near Minden, i,
(1841), 29
Horenowes, town in Bohemia, near
KSniginhof, ii. (1866), 299, 300
Horitz, town in Bohemia, near Konig
gratz, ii. (1866), 298, 301
Horn's Brigade, ii. (1866), 299
Horsens, town in Jutland on the Horsens-
fiord, ii. (1864), 131, 132

Horschitz, place in Bohemia (Tabor), ii,
(1866), 185, 186, 190
Horst, village in Prussia (Steinburg), i.
(1850), 191, 192
Horst, servant to Moltke, ii, (1867), 201
" Hotel Austria," in Gemiind, ii. (1866),
291
"Hotel d'Allemague," i. (1855), 260
" Hotel Flandre," at Brussels, i. (1855),
260
"Hotel de France," at Potsdam, i.
(1855), 243
" Hotel de PEurope," at Hamburg, ii.
(1862), 112
"Hotel des Princes," at Berlin, i.
(1855), 233
"Hotel Frankfurt," at Vienna, ii.
(1880), 291
" Hotel Nobile," at Naples, ii. (1876),
270
" Hotel Royal," at Edinburgh, ii. (1855),
251
" Hotel Wunsch," at Vienna, ii. (1880),
291
Hoverden, Count Edward (born 1797)
(?), ii. (1857), 8
Hoym, Count William, Prussian colonel
(died 1849), i. (1846), 130, 135
Hubertusbad, near Thale in the Harz, i.
(1855), 238
"Huguenots," The, Meyerbeer's opera,
i. (1843), 84; ii. (1857), 8; (1872),
250
Hugo, Victor, French writer (1802-
1855), ii. (1870), 225, 227
Huiseburg, near Halberstadt, i. (1852),
219 (visit to)
Huiwalde, near Halberstadt, i. (1852),
219
Humbert I., since 1878 king of Italy,
ii. (1867), 203 ; (1876), 269
Humboldt, Alexander von (1769-1859),
i. (1846), 159, 163 ; (1851), 210
Humboldts at Ottomachau, ii. (1857),
20 ; (1868), 204
Hungerford Bridge, in London, ii. (1857),
53
Hunyady, Countess Henrietta, originally
Princess of Liechtenstein (born 1806),
ii. (1865), 174, 176
Huy, town in Belgium, province of
Liege, to the prison in which reference
is made, ii. (1867), 200
Huyn, John, Count von (born 1812), ii.
(1865), 175
Hyde Park, in London, i. (1856), 265,
269

Idstedt, village in Prussia (Schleswig-
Holstein), where on 24-25th July,
1850, the Danes gained a victory over
the Schleswig-Holstein army, i.
(1850), 205

342

INDEX.

Igel, village in Prussia, near Treves,
near which is the Igeler Column, a
Roman tomb of 21 J metres in height,
i. (1847), 165
Ihl, servant to Moltke, i. (1847), 165,
167, 172
Illfurt, village in Germany, near Alt-
kirch, ii. (1873), 250
Ilmenau, town in Saxe Weimar, where
Goethe used to live, ii. (1868), 209
Use, stream that rises in the Brocken,
and flows into the Ocker, ii. (1857),
73
Innsbruck, chief town in Tyrol and
Vorarlberg, ii. (1875), 262, 263
Inselsberg, in the north-western portion
of the Thuringian forest, the "Rigi"
of Thuringia," ii. (1857), 78
Insterburg, town in Prussia, near Gum-
binnen, i. (1855), 236
Ipton, Colonel, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 295
Isabella II., since 1833 queen of Spain,
born 1830, dethroned 1868, i. (1846),
146, 147
Ischl, in Austria, on the Ens, ii. (1880),
292, 294
Italian ' ' military order of the crown of
Savoy," given to Moltke, ii. (1867),
203
Italy, King of. See Victor Emanuel
Italy, Crown Prince of. See Humbert
Italy, Crown Princess of. See Mar-
gherita
Itzehoe, town in Schleswig-Holstein,
where the Burts resided 1840-1856, i.
(1841), 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 14, 26;
(1842), 65 ; (1843), 87, etc.
Itzenplitz, Henry Frederick August,
Count von (1799-1883), Prussian
minister for agriculture, 17th Feb
ruary, 1862, and ditto for the Board
of Trade, 9th December, 1862, to 1873,
ii. (1862), 113

Jachmann, Prussian admiral, ii. (1865),
182
Jagersborg, near Copenhagen, i. (1844),
Jagow, an acquaintance of Moltke's, i.
(1852), 217
Jakobs, restaurant at Nienstedten, ii.
(1862), 114
Jakobsdorf, in Prussia, near Schweidnitz,
ii. (1874), 255
James L, King of England (1566-1625),
ii. (1857), 28, 29
James II., Duke of York and King of
England (1633-1701), ii. (1857), 29
Jauer, town in Prnssia, near Liegnitz,
ii. (1858), 92; (1867), 204

Jaussand, at Naples, i. (1846), 159
Jessen, Danish chamberlain, ii. (1864),
131
" Jessonda," Spohr's opera, i. (1841),
52
John, Archduke of Austria (1782-
1859), elected Imperial Administrator,
19th June, 1848, but resigned 20th
December, 1849, i. (1848), 180
John of Leyden, otherwise Jan Beuckels-
zoon, executed at Munster 1536, ii.
(1857), 23
John, Cross of St., i. (1855), 256
Joiuville, Francis of Orleans, Prince of
(born 1818), ii. (1857), 36
Joseph, Archduke of Austria (born 1833),
ii. (1865), 179
Joseph, servant to Moltke, ii. (1858), 94,
(1864), 129
Joseph, gardener at Pfaffers, ii. (1882),
310
Josephinenhutte, near Liegnitz, ii.
(1857), 73
Josephstadt, until 1888 an Austrian for
tress in Bohemia, ii. (1866), 185, 190,
296, 297
Jiilich, town in Prussia, near Aachen, ii.
(1860), 107, 108 (visit to)
Jutland, Danish province, ii. (1864), 147,
149, 150, 155, 157, 162
Juliana, Princess of Hesse, i. (1841), 6
Junginger, Conrad von, Grandmaster of
the Teutonic Order in Prussia (1393-
1407), ii. (1860), 97
Jurgnischen, village in Prussia (Ragnit),
i. (1855), 236
" Juristen Tag," drama, ii. (1865), 179

Kaisersesch, place in Prussia (Cochem),
i. (1847), 165
Kalkreuth, at the court of Prince Charles,
i. (1846), 135, 159
Kalkreuth, Stanislaus, Count von, land
scape painter (born 1821), ii. (1857),
75
Kaltennordheim, in Saxe-Weimar, ii.
(1868), 208
Kalthof, ii. (1867), 201
Kamecke, George Arnold Charles von,
Prussian general (born 1817), in 1863
chief of the general staff of the Vlllth
Army Corps, in 1867 inspector general
of the Corps of Engineers and of for
tresses, ii. (1863), 117 ; (1867), 200,
201, 202, 203
Kanitz, Count Rudolph (bom 1822),
lieutenant-colonel and equerry to King
William I., ii. (1864), 133
Kant, Immanuel, the great philosopher
(1724-1804), i. (1854), 224
Kardorff House, at Itzehoe, in which Cai
Brockdorff and his family resided, ii.
(1857), 18

INDEX.

343

Karl, servant to Moltke, accompanied
latter to England, i. (1856), 302 ; ii.
(1857), 5; (1858), 83, 92
Karolyi, Count Aloys (1825-1889), Aus
trian ambassador at Berlin, ii. (1866),
196
Karlshaven, i. (1841), 29
Karlshavn, coast town in Sweden, with
fortified harbour, ii. (1869), 306
Karlsruhe, in Bavaria, i. (1841), 12 ;
(1856), 302 ; ii. (1857), 62
Karlsruhe, in Silesia (Oppeln), ii. (1857),
64
Kassel, town in Prussia, province of
Hesse, i. (1841), 29 ; ii. (1871), 240 ;
(1878), 281, 282
Kauffmaun (born 1819), commander of a
Danish brigade at Alsen, ii. (1864),
146
Kaulbach, William, historical painter
(1805-1874), i. (1854), 224
Kelberg, in Prussia (Adenau), i. (1847),
172
Keller, Count Alexander (born 1801), i.
(1845), 122 ; (1847), 156
Kemble, Rev. Mr., London, ii. (1858), 84
Kemper (or K'ampfer ?), restaurant at
Berlin, i. (1843), 85 ; (1844), 105
Kempten, town in Bavaria, ii. (1872),
250
Kenilworth, in England. In the castle
there Edward II. was imprisoned ;
the scene of one of Sir Walter Scott's
novels ; i. (1855), 256, 257 ; (1856),
286
Kensington, west end of London, i.
(1856), 283 ; ii. (1857), 37
Kent, county in England, i. (1855), 249 ;
(1856), 264, 276; ii. (18&7), 25
Kent, Duke of, i. (1856), 295
Kent, Victoria Mary Louisa, Duchess of,
(1786-1861), mother of Queen Vic
toria, i. (1855), 253, 254, 255 ; (1856),
273, 278, 286; ii. (1857), 31
Keudell, Robert von (born 1824), from
1873 German ambassador at Rome, ii.
(1867), 201; (1870), 235; (1876),
268, 269, 270, 271
Keudell, Hedwig, wife of the preceding,
nee von Patow, ii. (1877), 277
Kiel, town in Prussia (Schleswig), i.
(1841), 1; (1844), 113, 119, 120;
ii. (1864), 160, 161 ; (1865), 171,
181, 182, 183; (1881), 304
Kielmannsegge, Count, at Ratzeburg, ii.
(1865), 181
Kinberger, restaurant at Ragatz, ii.
(1882), 310
King's Cross, London, i. (1855), 249,
250
Kissingen, i. (1841), 15 ; (1844), 109 ;
ii. (1868), 206
¦" Kladderadatsch," German comic paper,
i. (1844), 223 ; ii. (1864), 163

Klamm, pass of, near Lend, in Tyrol, ii.
(1880), 292
Klampenborg, Danish sea-bathing resort,
near Copenhagen, ii. (1881), 305
Klaproth, re consignment of guns for the
papal army, i. (1846), 132
Klause, Archduke Johann, in connection
with Kufstein, ii. (1880), 294
Kleist, in the suite of Prince Charles, i.
(1844), 102, 110, 112, 118; (1846),
139
Klhitschberg, near Reichenbach, ii.
(1857), 76
Knowles, English general, i. (1856), 291
Knox, John, Scottish reformer (1505-
1571), i. (1855), 253
Knudson, husband of Ernestine von Burt,
q.v., ii. (1862), 112
Knudson family, ii. (1868), 215, 216;
(1874), 253, 254, 257 ; (1875), 261 ;
(1876), 270, 271; (1877), 276
(Helsa), 279; (1879), 283, 284;
(1880), 290; (1881), 303; (1882),
311, 312, 314
Knyphausen, Count, officer of the Prus
sian Hussars, i. (1846), 156
Koch, Robert (born 1843), the well-
known Berlin bacteriologist, ii. (1890),
318
Koch, servant to Moltke, i. (1856), 302
Kogel, Rudolph, chief Court chaplain at
Berlin (born 1829), ii. (1888), 316
(delivered the funeral oration on the
Emperor William I.)
Kolniche Zeitung (Cologne Gazette), i.
(1847), 168 ; (1851), 209, 210
Koniggratz, town in Bohemia, where, on
3rd July, 1866, the Prussians gained a
victory over the Austrians (army of
the north), ii. (1866), 185, 187, 189 ;
(1867), 203; (1880), 296-301 (de
scription of the battle)
Koniginhof, town in Bohemia, scene of
a victory of the Prussians over the
Austrians, 29th June, 1866, ii. (1866),
185, 296, 298
"Konig Wilhelm," vessel, ii. (1873),
251
Konigsberg, in Prussia, i. (1855), 234,
235 (visit to); ii. (1860), 96, 97, 98
(visit to) ; (1879), 283
Konigseck, Countess, of the Austrian
Court, ii. (1865), 172, 174, 176
Konigsmarck, in the suite of Prince
William of Prussia (William I.), i.
(1846), 136
Kbnigssee, near Berchtesgaden, ii.
(1882), 312
Konigstadt Theatre, at Berlin, i. (1846),
139
Konigstein, town in Prussia, near Wies
baden, near which is the mountain
castle and ruins of Falkenstein, ii.
(1873), 206

344

INDEX.

Konigswinter, town in Prussia, near
Cologne, ii. (1857), 65, 57
Koppen, Fedor von, Lieutenant-Colonel
(born 1830), who wrote a biography
of Bismarck, published 1871, ii. (1880),
295
Korff, noble family of Munster, ii.
(1857), 24
Korsor, town with harbour ou the
Danish coast, ii. (1881), 304, 306
Koschentin, village in Prussia (Lublinitz),
ii. (1857), 62, 64
Kosen, town in Prussia, near Merseburg,
near which are Rudelsburg and
Saaleck, i. (1843), 93, 94, 95, 96
(visit to)
Kotschach and its valley, near Gastein,
ii. (1880), 293
Kotze, Councillor, of Merseburg, i.
(1851), 208
Kraatz, officer of the Prussian army, i.
(1850), 203
Kracht, captain in the Prussian army,
ii. (1866), 190
Kranzler's restaurant at Berlin, i. (1843),
85 ; (1854), 224
Krauseneck, William John von, Prussian
general (1775-1850), who in 1829
became chief of the General Staff, i.
(1841), 46; (1846), 157; (1847),
170
Krauseneck, Mrs., wife of the preceding,
i. (1846), 160
Kreiensen, village in Brunswick ( Gander -
sheim), railway junction, ii. (1867),
200
Kreischa, village in Saxony (Dresden),
ii. (1883), 314
Krepelhof, seat of the Stolberg family,
near Landshut, ii. (1857), 72
" Kreuzzeitung," Conservative daily
paper at Berlin, i. (1850), 200, 201 ;
(1852), 219 (confiscated); (1855), 233 ;
(1856;, 288
Krollwitz, near Halle, i. (1850), 201
Krogh, Miss von, wife of the Danish
ambassador at London, Oxholm, cousin
of Mrs. Ludwig von Moltke, i. (1856),
266
Krogh, Julia von, an early friend of Mrs.
von Moltke, ii. (1857), 81
Krohn, von, brother of Mrs. Adolph von
Moltke i. (1848), 178, 184
Kroll's Theatre at Berlin, i. (1854), 223
Krosigh, von, President of Merseburg, i.
(1851), 209
Kriiger, Councillor of Commerce at
Cottbus, i. (1854), 228
Kueffstein, Count, at the Austrian Court,
ii. (1865), 172
Kueffstein, Countess, wife of the pre
ceding, ne'e Princess Paar, ii. (1865),
176
Kiihle wetter, Frederick von, Prussian

statesman (1809-1882), in 1848
minister of justice, and afterwards to
1866 governor of Aachen, i. (1848),
180 ; (1855), 261
Kufstein, town in Tyrol, Austria, ii.
(1875), 262
Kuhflrsten (Churfirsten), an Alpine
chain of seven summits, ii. (1882),
310
Kulenkamp, officer in the Prussian army,
i. (1850), 193
Kundt, August, physician (born 1838),
professor at Straszburg from 1871 to
1887, since latter date at Berlin, ii.
(1877), 278
Kuuersdorf , in Prussia (Frankfurt-on-the-
Oder), scene of the defeat of Frederick
the Great by the Russians and
Austrians, 12thAugust, 1759, i.(1841),
54 ; (1843), 92
Kunzendorf, village in Prussia (Habel-
schwerdt), with fine mansion house
and park, ii. (1868), 205
Kuzkowsky, officer in the Prussian army,
whose acquaintance Moltke made in
Turkey, i. (1850), 193
Kyffhauser, iu the Lower Harz, scene of
the saga of sleeping Barbarossa, i.
(1844), 104 ; (1855), 245
Kyllburg, village in Prussia (Bitburg)
on the Kyll (tributary of the Moselle),
i. (1847), 171
Kynast, ruined castle on the Schaffgotsch
estate, in Prussia, near Liegnitz, ii.
(1857), 73

Laaland, island in Denmark, i. (1844X
122
Laasan, village in Prussia, near Breslau,
ii. (1857), 3
Ladenberg, of the Prussian embassy at
Vienna, ii. (1865), 172
Laeken, suburb of Brassels, the royal
castle in which was destroyed by fire
in 1889, i. (1855), 260
Lambert tower at Munster, ii. (1857),
23
Lambeth castle, official residence of
archbishop of Canterbury, ii. (1858),
88, 89
Landeck, town in Prussia, near Breslau,
ii. (1868), 204
Landsberg, noble family of Miiuster, ii.
(1857), 24
Landsdowne, Lord, at the English Court,
i. (1856), 279
Langeubeck, Bernhard Rudolph von
(1810-1887), physician to the Prussian
army in 1866, and 1870-71, ii. (1866),
190
Langenbielau, in Prussia, near Breslau,
ii. (1857), 75 (castle)
Langenhof, ii. (1866), 300

INDEX.

345

Langensalza, town in Prussia, near
Erfurt, where, on 27th Juno, 1866,
the Hanoverians first defeated the
Prussians, but afterwards had to
capitulate on 29th June, i. (1844), 105 ;
ii. (1868), 205 (visit to battlefield)
"Last Days of Pompeii," novel by
Bulwer Lytton, q.v.
Lauban, town in Prussia, near Liegnitz,
ii. (1874), 253
Lauchstedt, town in Prussia, near
Merseburg, i. (1844), 118; (1851),
208
Laue, officer of the Prussiau army,
companion of Moltke's in Turkey, i.
(1841), 17, 45, 55 ; (1846), 157
Lauterberg, town in Prussia, near
Hildesheim, i. (1841), 30
Lawitz and Koch, booksellers, i. (1841),
5, 9, 11
"L'ecole des femmes" by Moliere, ii.
(1867), 201
Lederer, von, Austrian civil governor in
Schleswig-Holstein in 1864, ii. (1866),
173
Legion of Honour. See Honour, Legion
of
Leicester, Robert Dudley, Earl of (1532-
1688), favourite of Queen Elizabeth,
i. (1855), 257 ; ii. (1857), 51
Leiningen, Ernest, Prince of (born
1830), i. (1856), 267; ii. (1858), 26
Leipzig, town in Saxony, i. (1841), 35
Le Mans, town in France, Department
Garthe, scene of Prince Frederick
Charles' victories over General Chancy,
5th to 12th January, 1871, ii. (1870),
237
Lenbach, Francis von, distinguished
portrait painter (born 1836), ii.
(1875), 262
Lend, station on the Gisela railway, ii.
(1880), 292
Lengsfeld, town in Saxe-Weimar, ii.
(1868), 207, 208
Lenze, Prussian director of works, i.
(1855), 234
Leopold I., King of the Belgians (1790-
1865), i. (155), 260; ii. (1857), 36,
54; (1858), 84, 87, 89, 90 ("fish
monger")
Leopold II., Duke of Brabant, since
1865, King of the Belgians (born
1835), ii. (1858), 84, 89; (1867),
200
Leopold, Duke of Albany, son of Queen
Victoria (1853-1884), i. (1856), 268,
278 ; ii. (1857), 31, 32
Leopold, Archduke, Austrian general
(born 1823), ii. (1858), 95 ; (1865),
172, 179
Leopold order of Austria, grand cross
and swords given to Moltke, ii. (1864),
165

Leubus, village in Prussia, near Breslau,
ii. (1857), 66, 67, 68
Leuchtenberg, Nicholas Maximilian-
owitech, Duke of, (1843-1891), ii.
(1867), 202
Levassor, Pierre, French comedian
(1808-1870), i. (1856), 288
Liebenstein, village in Saxe-Meiningen
with mineral springs, ii. (1868), 205,
206, 208
Liebenthal, town in Prussia, near
Liegnitz, i. (1841), 27
Liechtenstein, Prince Charles, inspector-
general of the Austrian cavalry (bom
1827), ii. (1865), 179
Liege, town in Belgium, ii. (1867),
200
Liegnitz, town in Prussia, province of
Silesia, ii. (1857), 13, 62; (1858), 94,
95 ; (1875), 261 ; (1876), 275 ;
(1878), 283
Lieguitz, Dukes of, ii. (1857), 69
Liegnitz, Duchess of. See Hedwig Saint
Lieguitz, Princess, ne'e Harrach (?) ii.
(1857), 68
Lieres, von, neighbour of Moltke's, ii.
(1875), 260
"Like and Unlike," piece at Lyceum
theatre, i. (1856), 294
Liliencron, Baron Rochus von (born
1820), ii. (1857), 31
Liud, Jenny, opera singer (1820-1887),
i. (1856), 276, 294
Lindau, town in Bavaria, ii. (1872), 250
Lindencrone. See Hegeriuann-Liuden-
crone
Lindequist, equerry to the Emperor
William I., ii. (1875), 262
Lindheim, Prussian general, military
governor of Silesia (died 1862), ii.
(1857), 3, 13 ; (1858), 95
Linne', at Liibeck, ii. (I860), 106
Lipa, place in Bohemia (Reichenau), ii.
(1866), 299
Lissa, town in Prussia (Silesia), ii.
(1857), 68
Liszt, Francis, musician (1811-1886), i.
(1842), 67, 72
Loddener Heide, near Munster, ii.
(1857), 23
Loe, Baron Frederick Charles Walter
Degenhard von, Prussian cavalry
general (born 1828), ii. (1865), 177
Lobbecke, Von, at Breslau, ii. (1857), 8
Loffler, Prussian physician, ii. (1864),
169
Loen, court marshal at Dessau, i. (1850),
202
Loen, Major von, of the Prussian army,
i. (1855), 231 ; (1856), 266
London, i. (1856), 248-250 (visit to),
253, 256-259 (visit to), 263, 264-295,
(visit to) ; ii. (1857), 25-56 (visit to) ;
(1858), 82-91 (visit to)

346

INDEX.

London Bridge, i. (1855), 249; ii. (1857),
25
"Lord Warden's Hotel," at Dover, i.
(1855), 249 ; (1856), 263 ; ii. (1857),
24 ; (1858), 83
"Lorelei," vessel, ii. (1873), 252
Lorenz, Danish general, with whom
Moltke lived while a cadet, ii. (1881),
305
"Lost and Saved," book, ii. (1863), 118
Louise. See Luise
Louisenlund, in Schleswig, ii. (1864),
133-135 (stay at)
Louis XIV., King of France (1638-
1715), ii. (1857), 28 ; (1870), 225
Louis XVI., Kiug of France (1754-
1793), ii. (1870), 224
Louis Napoleon ("Lulu"), son of
Napoleon III. (1856-1879); ii. (1867),
202
Louis Philippe I., King of France (1773-
1850), abdicated 24th July, 1848, and
then retired as Count of Neuilly to
Claremont, i. (1854), 228; (1856),
286 ; ii. (1857), 28
Lowenberg, town in Silesia, Prussia,
near Liegnitz, ii. (1858), 91, 92
Lowensteiu-Wertheim, Prince von, i.
(1856), 262
Lowzow, i. (1841), 23
Liibbenau, town in Prussia, near Frank -
furt-on-the-Oder ; near it is the man
sion house of the Counts Lynar ; i.
(1854), 227, 228
Liibeck, i. (1843), 79 ; ii. (1860), 100,
105, 106 ; (1862), 111, 112 (visit to) ;
(1867), 199, 203 ("pretty place")
Lucan, Lord, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 283
Lucca, Charles II., Louis, Duke of (born
1799), in 1847 effected the union of
Lucca with Tuscany, i. (1849), 184
Lucca, Pauline, well-known singer (born
1842), ii. (1871), 248
Lucerne, ii. (1876), 274; (1882), 311;
(1883), 313 ("beloved Lucerne")
Luck, Madame de, at Berlin, i. (1846),
159 ; (1856), 289
Luckau, town in Prussia, near Frankfurt-
on-the-Oder, i. (1854), 227
"Lucretia Borgia," opera by Donizetti,
i. (1843), 81
Lugano, town in Switzerland, canton
Tessin, on the St. Gotthard railway,
ii. (1882), 308
Luisa, Infanta of Spain, sister of Queen
Isabella II., married Anton, Prince of
Bourbon-Orleans, who died 1890 (born
1832), i. (1846), 147
Luise, English princess (born 1848),
daughter of Queen Victoria, married
the Marquis of Lome, i. (1856), 268 ;
ii. (1857), 31
Luise, Princess of Prussia, daughter of

Prince Charles, wife of the Landgrave
of Hesse, Philippsthal - Barchfeld
1864-61 (born 1828, i. (1843), 80,
82, 83, 84; (1846), 135, 160
Luise, Princess of Prussia, since 1856
Grand-duchess of Baden, daughter of
the Emperor William I. (born 1838),
i. (1856), 261, 268, 302; ii. (1857),
46, 55, 58 ; (1872), 250 ; (1874), 259 ;
(1879), 286
Luise, Queen of Prussia, wife of Frederick
William III. (1776-1810), i. (1846),
134
Lumbyscher concert-hall at Copenhagen,
ii. (1881), 305
Lund, Mary, wife of the Rev. Mr. Lund
of Soeseby, near Schleswig, ii. (1890),
318
Luther, i. (1860), 98 ; ii. (1875), 259 ;
(1890), 318 (on faith)
Liitzelburg, that is, the same as Luxem
burg (q.v.)
Liitzow, Ludwig von, of Mecklenburg
(1793-1872), from 1840 Prime Minis
ter and President of the Privy Council,
i. (1843), 84
Luxemburg, i. (1847), 165 ; ii. (1860),
107
Lyceum Theatre at London, i. (1856),
277, 293, 294
Lynar, Count Ernest (1797-1869), i.
(1854), 227
Lynar, Prince Otto (1793-1860), i.
(1844), 108
Lyon, Sir Edmund, at the English Court,
i. (1856), 279, 281

M., maid at the Moltke's house, i. (1842),
85
Macaulay, Thomas Babington, Lord M.,
English historian (1800-1854), i.
(1852), 217
Mackenzie, Morell, physician to the
Emperor Frederick III. (1837-1892),
ii. (1888), 316
Macdonald, Lady, at the English Court,
i. (1856), 284, 285, 287, 290, 291,
293
MacGregor, Lady, at the English Court,
i. (1856), 287
"Mile de Belle Isle" by Alex. Dumas,
ii. (1867), 201
Madrid, capital of Spain, i. (1846), 147,
(bull fight at)
Malarsee, lake in Sweden with many
islands, ii. (1881), 306
Magdeburg, Moltke stayed there from
22nd August, 1848, to 1st September,
1855, as chief of the staff of the IVth
Army Corps, i. (1841), 33, 35, 40;
(1844), 103; (1849), 184-195, 196,
202, 204, 205, 210, 211, 212-214, 218-
223, 230, 234, 237, 238, 240-243, 244

INDEX.

347

' ' Magdeburg Correspondent, ' ' newspaper,
i. (1850), 189, 193
Magnese, Miss, i. (1841), 2, 12, 15
Mahmud, II. Sultan of Turkey, (1785-
1839), who re-organized the Turkish
army on European models, i .(1841),
46
Mainau, island in the Ueberlinger see
belonging to Grand Duke of Baden,
ii. (1872), 250
Mainz, chief town of the province Rhein-
hessen, i. (1855), 245, 246, 260; ii.
(1863), 116
Mainzer Hof, iun at Cologne, i. (1855),
247
Maisdorf, in the Harz near Rosztrappe,
i. (1844), 103, 104
Maiseder, composer of the music to
Taglioni's ballet, "Die Sylphide," i.
(1841), 52
Malkasten, art society at Dusseldorf, ii.
(1877), 279
Malmo, town in Southern Sweden on the
Oeresund, ii. (1881), 304, 305
Manchester, in England, ii. (1857), 47,
49, 50, 51, 52, 53
Manderscheid, market-town in Prussia,
near Treves with ruins of a castle and
of a Cistercian monastery, i. (1843),
171
Mannheim, ii. (1863), 117, 118
Manstein, Albrecht Ehrenreich von,
Prussian general (1805-1877), ii.
(1864), 138, 139 ; (1866), 187
Manteuffel, Otto Theodore von (1805-
1882), in 1848 Prussian minister of
the interior, from 1850 to 1858 prime
minister, i. (1850), 189 ; (1851), 210
Manteuffel, Baron Edwin Hans Charles
von, Prussian field-marshal general
(1809-1885), in 1857 chief of the
Militdr kabinet, in 1865 goveraer of
Schleswig, in 1866 commander of
the army of the Main, in 1870-71 at
the head of the first army, in 1879
governor of Alsace-Lorraine, ii. (1860),
100 ; (1864), 125, 152 ; (1869), 220,
(1880), 294
Manzoni, Count Alessandro, Italian
writer (1785-1873), author of "I
promessi sposi," i. (1875), 267
Margherita, since 1878 queen of Italy
(born 1851), ii. (1876), 269
Maria Anna, Empress of Austria,
daughter of Victor Emanuel I. of
Sardinia (1805-1885), married in
1831 Ferdinand I. ii. (1865), 172
Maria Henrietta, Archduchess of Austria,
married in 1853 Leopold II. of
Belgium, i. (1855), 260
Maria Pawlowna, Grand Princess of
Russia, grandduchess of Saxe-Weimar
(1786-1859), i. (1844), 104; (1851),
213

Maria Theresia, Roman- German em
press (1717-1780), ii. (1857) 75 ;
(1865), 172
Maria Amalie, Countess of Neuilly, -wife
of Louis Philippe of Orleans (1782-
1866), ii. (1857), 36, designated by
Moltke as Adelaide
Marienburg, town in Prussia near Danzig,
i. (1855), 236;; (1860), 96, 97, 99
Mario, Giuseppe, Marquis of, Italian
tenor (1808-1883), husband of Giulia
Grisi, i. (1856), 288, 293
Marlborough, John Churchill, Duke of
(1650-1722), ii. (1857), 52
Marseilles, in France, ii. (1857), 40 ;
(1876), 270
Mary, Queen of England (1516-1558),
ii. (1857), 51
Mary, daughter of James II., Queen of
Englaud(1662-1695), wife of William
III. of Orange, ii. (1857), 29, 52
Mary, Princess of Prussia, wife of Maxi
milian II. of Bavaria (1825-1889), i.
(1842), 62
Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (1542-
1587 executed), i. (1855), 252, 257 ;
ii. (1857), 28, 51
Maslowed, forest in Bohemia, ii. (1866),
299
Massow, officer in the Prussian army, ii.
(1858), 84
Mathilde, Princess (born 1820),
daughter of Hieronymus, king of
Westphalia, wife of the prince of San
Donate 1840-1870 ; ii. (1867), 200
Matthias Corvinus, the great, king of
Hungary (1443-1490), ii. (1857), 75
"Maurer und Schlosser," opera by
Auber, ii. (1864), 161
Maximilian, crown prince of Bavaria,
became in 1848 king Max II. (1811-
1864), i, (1841), 27 ; ii. (1863), 120
Maximilian, archduke of Austria, from
1864 to 1867 emperor of Mexico,
(born 1832, shot 1867), ii. (1857), 31
32, 33
Maximilian I. Romano-German emperor
(1459-1519), ii. (1875), 263
Meaux, town in France, Department
Seine-et-Marae, head-quarters of King
AVilliam from 15th to 19th September,
1870, ii. (1870), 223, 224
Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Grand Duke of.
See Frederick Francis II.
Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Grand Duchess
of. See Alexandrine and Auguste
Meinhardt's Hotel at Berlin, i. (1843),
87; (1844), 106, 111; (1846), 137,
154, 156, 163; (1848), 179; (1854),
224
Meiuhardt von Querfurt, i. (1855), 235
Meiningen, ii. (1867), 206, 208 (visit to)
Meiningen, Duke of. See George II.
Melchers, a merchant at Bremen with

348

INDEX.

whom Moltke stayed there, ii. (1873),
251
Memel, town in Prussia near Konigsberg,
i. (1855), 236 ; ii. (I860), 98
Menabrea, Federigo Luigi, Count,
Italian general and statesman (born
1809), in 1876 ambassador at Loudon,
and in 1882 ditto at Paris, ii. (1876),
271
Mendelssohn, Felix, composer (1809-
1847), i. (1841), 52; (1851), 207;
(1856), 295 ; ii. (1890), 321
Mensdorf, Alexander, Count Mensdorf
Pouilly, Austrian statesman (1813-
1871), from 1864 to 1866 minister of
foreign affairs, ii. (1865), 174; (1866),
195
Mensdorf, Countess. See Dietrichstein
Meran, in the Tyrol, i. (1846), 134
Merck, at Blankenese, ii. (1860), 106 ;
(1861), 114
Merseburg, town in Prussia (Saxony),
i. (1844), 119; (1850), 205; (1851),
206-212 ; ii. (1865), 181
Mertens, officer in the Prussian engineers
who planned the attack on Diippel,
and afterwards that on Straszburg, ii.
(1862), 114; (1864), 134, 142, 151,
157; (1865), 182
Mertens, Mrs. wife of preceding, ii.
(1864), 134
Metscherski, Prince, ii. (1867), 200
Metternich, Prince Richard von, Austrian
statesman (born 1829), ii. (1864), 155
Metz, in France, capitulated to the
Prussians 27th October, 1870, i.
(1850), 196; ii. (1870), 225, 227,
228, 230, 232, 234 ; (1871), 242
Meudon, market-town in France, De
partment Seine-et-Oise, i. (1860),
197; ii. (1870), 226
Meyendorff, Baron Peter von, Russian
envoy at Berlin, i. (1842), 72
Mezzacapo, ii. (1876), 271
Milan, town in Italy, capital of Lom
bardy, ii. (1875), 263, 264, 265, 266,
267; (1876), 269, 270, 271; (1883),
314
Mitrowitz, palace at Briinn, ii. (1866),
193
Mitschke, Captain in the Prussian army,
ii. (1866), 193
Mittenwalde, town in Prussia near
Potsdam, i. (1854), 225 (visit to), 226
"Miward's Hotel," in London, i. (1855),
258 ; (1856), 264
Modena, Grand Duke of. See Francis
V.
Moller, Edward von (1814-1880),
governor of Cologne 1848-66, and
of Schleswig-Holstein 1871, i. (1856),
301
"Monche," play by Tenelli, ii. (1864),
169

Mole", Count, ii. (1870), 225
Molifere, i. (1846), 137
Moltke, Adolph von, Moltke's brother,
councillor and chamberlain (1804-
1871) ; married Augusta von Krohn ;
their children were: (1) William (boru
1846, heir to Creisau and husband of
the Countess Bethusy-Huc ; (2) Hel
muth (born 1848), husband of the
Countess Moltke Hvitfeldt ; (3) Fre
derick (boru 1852), married Miss
Zuckschwert ; (4) Ludwig (born
1854) ; (5) Mary (born 1854), wife of
von Kulmiz ; (6) Louisa (born 1856),
i. (1841), 15, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 48;
(1844), 108, 109, 112, 113, 115, 116;
(1846), 135, 137, 138, 151; (1847),
172, 174, 176 ; (1848), 178, 181, 182,
183, 184; (1850), 186, 187, 188, 190,
203, 204; (1851), 210, 213; (1852),
219; (1854), 225, 226; ii. (1857),
14, 15, 16, 17; (1862), 111, 113,
115; (1863), 120; (1864), 132, 134,
135, 150, 164, 165; (1866), 198;
(1868), 208, 211 ; (1870), 223, 225,
235, 236 ; (1871), 240 ; (1881), 306
Moltke, Augusta von, wife of preceding,
i. (1846), 137; (1848), 178, 182;
(1850), 186 ; ii. (1869), 216
Moltke, William von, son of Adolph von
Moltke, i. (1850), 186; ii. (1870),
235, 239; (1871), 240, 245; (1883),
313, 314, 315
Moltke, Helmuth von, ditto, i. (1850),
186; (1854), 225; ii. (1870), 235,
239 ; (1871), 240, 245 ; (1882), 312 ;
(1888), 316, 317; (1890), 319
Moltke, Augusta von ("Gusta"),
Moltke's sister (1809-1883), wife of
John Heyliger Burt, i. (1841), 2, 3,
4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21,
22, 24, 26, 33, 36, 45 ; (1842), 65,
66, 67, 73; (1843), 91, 99; (1844),
107, 108, 109, 112, 116; (1845),
123; (1846), 138, 150, 151, 155,
158; (1847), 169, 174; (1848), 181,
183; (1850), 192, 196; (1856), 261,
290, 292, 296, 297, 298 ; ii. (1857),
15; (1858), 92; (1860), 98, 106;
(1864), 122, 164, 165, 166, 168;
(1866), 199 ; (1868), 209, 211, 213,
214, 215, 216, 218, 219; (1870), 223,
224, 235; (1871), 244, 245, 246;
(1872), 248; (1873), 251, 252; (1874),
255, 256, 257; (1875), 261, 262;
(1876), 268, 270, 272, 274, 275, 276 ;
(1877), 278, 279; (1878), 281, 282;
(1879), 283, 285, 286 ; (1880), 289,
291, 295; (1881), 301, 302, 303,
304 ; (1890), 322
Moltke, Carl von, in the Danish army,
ii. (1864), 146
Moltke, Frederick von, Moltke's father,
lieutenant-general in the Danish army

INDEX.

349

(1768-1845), i. (1841), 2, 4, 6, 10,
11, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 46,
55; (1842), 71, 72, 73; (1844), 111;
(1846), 150; ii. (1860), 103; (1866),
192
Moltke, Henrietta von, wife of the pre
ceding (nee Paaschen) (died 1837),
i. (1841), 3; (1842), 67 ; ii. (1864),
135
Moltke, Fritz (Frederick Joachim) von,
Moltke's brother (1799-1874),
chamberlain and husband of Betty
Volte (died 1864), i. (1841), 10, 48 ;
(1842), 65, 73, 74, 75 ; (1844), 106,
107, 108, 110, 112; (1847), 168,
170; (1850), 186; (1852), 218;
(1855), 261 ; ii. (1857), 18 ; (1860),
104; (1864), 124, 134, 147, 149,
158, 164, 165, 166; (1868), 210, 212,
214, 215 ; (1869), 218, 220 ; (1870),
224, 225, 235 ; (1871), 240, 244, 245,
246, 247; (1872), 250; (1874), 254,
255, 257, 258 ; (1881), 305
Moltke, Mrs. Betty, wife of the preced
ing, i. (1842), 66 ; (1844), 106, 108,
112, 121 ; (1850), 186 ; ii. (1864),
134, 158, 160, 161, 163, 164, 165,
166; (1874), 254
Moltke, Fritz von, brother of Mrs. von
Severin and cousin of Moltke's, i.
(1841), 11, 12
Moltke, Helena or Lena, properly
Magdalene, von Moltke's sister (born
1807), wife of Broker (who died
1890). She had five children, the
eldest of whom, Helena (born 1842),
married Lund (q.v.), i. (1841), 9 ;
(1846), 158; (1847), 168, 174;
(1850), 186, 187, 204; ii. (1862),
113; (1868), 211
Moltke, Helmuth von, third son of
Frederick von Moltke, field-marshal
general (1800-1891), writer of these
ietters
Moltke, Mary von, Moltke's wife, ne'e
Mary Burt, daughter of John Heyliger
Burt and Ernestine von Staffeldt.
Most of the letters were written to her
Moltke, Ludwig von, Moltke's brother,
privy councillor and chamberlain
(1805-1889), husband of Mary von
Krogh ("Mie"). Their children
were : (1) Johanna (born 1839, dead) ;
(2) Frederica (born 1841, dead), wife
of Eckermann ; (3) Helmuth (born and
died 1842) ; (4) Rosa (born 1844) ; (5)
Frederick (born and died 1845) ; (6)
Augusta (born 1846) ; (7) Betty (born
1848), wife of Poel, i. (1841), 10;
(1842), 76 ; (1843), 90 ; (1844), 121 ;
(1845), 123, 126 ; (1846), 128 ; (1847),
174; (1848), 176; (1852), 218, 221;
(1854), 237 ; ii. (1868), 211 ; (1872),
249

Moltke, Mary von, wife of preceding, i.
(1845), 123 ; (1856), 266
Moltke, Johanna and Frederica von,
daughters of the preceding, i. (1852),
221
Moltke, Augusta von, another daughter,
ii. (1875), 261
Moltke, Mathilda von, wife of Moltke's
cousin Carl in the Danish service, but
not the one above mentioned (died
1844), i. (1841), 6 ; (1844), 121
Moltke, Otto von, son of the preceding,
i. (1844), 121
Moltke, Victor von ("Yips"), Moltke's
brother (1812-1853), i. (1841), 6;
(1844), 106
Moltke, William von, Moltke's brother
(1798-1834), officer in the Danish
army (died through bursting a blood
vessel at1 Fraukfurt-on-the-Main), ii.
(1857), 78, 79
Moltke, Danish captain of artillery, no
connection of Moltke's, ii. (1864), 133 .
Moltke, Countess, ii. (1866), 190
"Moltke Graf," vessel, ii. (1873), 251
Moltke-Hwitfeldt, owner of Quesarum in
Sweden, ii. (1881), 305, 306
Montpensier, Antoine Marie Philippe
Louis of Orleans, Duke of (1824-
1890), married in 1848 the Spanish
Infanta Louisa, i. (1846), 147 ; ii.
(1857), 46
Montrose, Duchess of, i. (1856), 286
Monts, Count, Prussian general, i.
(1844), 109
Mont Valerien, one of the forts of Paris,
ii. (1870), 227, 235
Monza, town in Italy (in the Milanese),
ii. (1875), 266
Morbach, in the Vosges, ii. (1873), 250
Moritz, a physician, i. (1847), 175
Morosowicz, general in the Prussian
army, ii. (1866), 192
Moscow, i. (1856), 278, 300 (visited) ;
ii. (1857), 54 (panorama of)
Mosebacke, height near Stockholm, ii.
(1881), 306
Moselle, The, river, i. (1847), 165, 166,
170
Moselweiser Garden, pleasure resort near
Coblentz, i. (1847), 165
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, composer
(1756-1791), i. (1842), 52 ; (1843), 76
Muffling, wife of Frederick Ferdinand
Charles von, Prussian field-marshal
general (1775-1851), i. (1847), 174
Miihlhausen in Thuringia, near Erfurt,
i. (1855), 245
Miihlhausen in Alsace, ii. (1872), 249,
250 (visit to)
Miillheim, town in Baden (Lorrach), ii.
(1879), 284
Munich in Bavaria, ii. (1872), 248, 249,
250 ; (1875), 259, 265

350

INDEX.

Munster, town in Prussia (Westphalia),
ii. (1857), 22, 23
Murat, Lucien Napoleon Charles, Prince
of Ponte-Corvo (1803-1878), ii.
(1867), 201
Murillo, Spanish painter (1617-1682), i.
(1856), 277, 293
Murray, John, 'English publisher (born
1808), i. (1856), 283
Murray, Lord James, i. (1856), 267
Muskau, near Liegnitz, belonging in
1784 to the Counts Piickler, in 1846
to Prince Ferdinand of the Nether
lands, i. (1854), 227, 228, 229; ii.
(1857), 80, 81 ; (1875), 260
Mussurus Bey, Turkish ambassador,
accredited to London, 30th January,
1856, i. (1856), 269, 275, 276, 278,
281
Mussurus' wife, nee Voyorides, Princess
of Samos, i. (1856), 270
Musurof, Russian general, i. (1844),
109
" Mystery of Edwin Drood," by Charles
Dickens, q.v.
"Nachtlager von Granada," opera by
Kreuzer, ii. (1864), 161
Namur, town in Belgium, railway
junction, ii. (1867), 200
Napier, Sir Charles, British vice-
admiral (1786-1860), ii. (1857), 39
Naples, largest town in Italy, i. (1841),
6, 11 ; (1846), 140 ; ii. (1876), 270,
272, 273
Naples, King of. See Francis II.
Napoleon I., Emperor of the French
(1769-1821), ii. (1870), 224; (1871),
243 ; (1875), 267
Napoleon III., Emperor of the French
(1808-1873), i. (1856), 286, ii.
(1857), 61; (1867), 200, 201, 203;
(1870), 223 ("adventurer from
Boulogne"), 225 ("parvenu of
power"); (1871), 243
Napoleon, Louis, Prince Imperial. See
Louis Napoleon
Napoleon, Prince (" Plon-Plon"), son
of Jerome Napoleon (1822-1891), ii.
(1857), 16
Nauheim, on the Taunus, ii. (1868), 206,
Naumburg, town in Prussia, near Merse
burg, on the Saale, i. (1845), 122
Navarre, Tales of the Queen of, Hepta-
me"ron des Nouvelles (1492-1549), ii.
(1857), 14
Neal, Countess Pauline, at London, i.
(1856), 293
Nechanitz, in Bohemia, ii. (1866), 186,
298, 300
Neinstedt, village in Prussia, near Magde
burg, i. (1844), 103, 119; (1846),
157
Neisze, Prussian fortress near Oppeln,
ii. (1867), 204

Nemours, Louis Charles Philippe Raphael
d' Orleans, Duke of, second son of
Louis Philippe(bornl814), ii. (1857),
36
Nemours, Duchess of, Victorine Auguste
Antoinette, wife of the preceding
(1822-1857), daughter of Ferdinand
of Saxe-Coberg Kohary, ii. (1857), 36
Nero, aqueduct of, at Rome, ii. (1876),
268
Netherlands, Queen of. See Sophia
Neubrandenburg, town in Mecklenburg
Strelitz, i. (1843), 79
Neubronn, adjutant to the Grand Duke
of Baden, i. (1856), 288
" Neue Freie Presse," daily paper at
Vienna, ii. (1880), 294
Neufahr, in Prussia (Danzig), ii. (1860),
100
Neuilly, Madame de. See Maria
Amalie
Neumarkt, town in Prussia, near Breslau,
ii. (1857), 67, 68
Neumiinster, town in Prussia, near
Schleswig, where Cai Brockdorff was
district judge, i. (1848), 181, 182,
183, 184
Neustadt, town in Prussia, near Schles
wig, ii. (1862), 113, 114
Neustrelitz, chief town of the grand
duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, i.
(1843), 79
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, i. (1855), 251
Ney, Marshall Michael (1769-1815) ; the
battle of Bautzen was fought in 1813 ;
ii. (1880), 299
Ney, Miss Fanny, famous singer (1826
1886), wife of Biirde, i. (1856), 295
Nicholas I., since 1825 Czar of Russia
(1796-1855), i. (1844), 107, 109;
(1845), 124
Niel, Adolphe, French marshal (1802-
1869), prominent at Magenta and
Solferino, since 1867 minister of war,
ii. (1867), 201
"Nigel, Fortunes of," by Sir Walter
Scott, i. (1855), 239
Nikolsburg, in Moravia, where an armis
tice was made with Austria, 21st July,
1866, and preliminaries of peace signed,
26th July, 1866, ii. (1866), 195, 196,
197 ; (1874), 256
Nisib, village in Asiatic Turkey, where
on 24th June, 1839, Hafis Pasha was
defeated by Ibrahim Pasha, i. (1841),
16, 17, 18; ii. (1857), 43
Noer, Prince Frederick of Schleswig-
Holstein-Sonderburg, Prince of (1800-
1865) ; ii. (1857), 55
Nordhauseu, town in Prussia, near
Erfurt, i. (1844), 103; (1856), 237,
238, 242, 243, 244, 245
"Norma," opera by Bellini, i. (1841),
41 ; (1842), 72

INDEX.

351

Norris Castle, near Osborue, i. (1856),
266
Norrmann, in the suite of King William,
ii. (1867), 200
"North German General Gazette," Berlin
paper, ii. (1866), 183
North Jutland, ii. (1864), 149
Northumberland, county in England, i.
(1855), 251
Nostitz, Augustus Ludwig Frederick,
Countvon(1777-1866), in 1829 equerry
to the King of Prussia, in 1835 second
commandant of Berlin, in 1840 chief
of Bliicher's hussars, and from 1850-
1860 Prussian envoy to Hanover, i.
(1843), 87 ; ii. (1864), 169 ; (1865),
173
Nostitz- J'anckendorf, Countess. See Hel-
fert, Mrs. Professor
Novello, Clara Anastasia, singer (born
1818), since 1843 Countess Gigliucci,
i. (1856), 276 ; ii. (1857), 33, 50

Oberammergau, village in Upper Bavaria,
ii. (1880), 295
Oberlin affair, John Frederick Oberlin
(1740-1826), founder of schools for
little children, in which Moltke took
an interest, ii. (1880), 288
"Oberon," opera by Weber, i. (1850),
204
Obolenski, Princess, wife of Prince
Andrew Obolenski, one of the prettiest
women in St. Petersburg, ii. (1867),
203
Ocker, valley of the, in the Harz, i.
(1841), 30
Odensee in Denmark (Fiinen), ii. (1881),
306
Oelrichs, intimate friend of Moltke's, i.
(1842), 68, 73 ; (1843), 101 ; (1844),
115 ; (1846), 135, 136, 139, 159, 160,
161, 163; (1848), 179; (1850), 189,
191 ; ii. (1863), 116
Oelrichs, Mrs., wife of the preceding, i.
(1842), 68, 73 ; (1843), 101 ; (1844),
115 ; (1846), 135, 136, 139, 160, 163 ;
(1850), 179, 191; ii. (1863), 116
Offenburg, town in Baden on the Kinzig,
ii. (1857), 58
Ohlau, town in Prussia, near Breslau, ii.
(1857), 18, 64
Olberg, of the Prussian army, commander
of the Vth Army Corps, i. (1846), 130
Olmiitz, town in Moravia, on the March,
fortified until 1888, i. (1862), 214;
ii. (1866), 189, 191
Olympic Theatre at London, i. (1856),
269
Oriolla, officer in the Prussian army, i.
(1844), 113; (1855), 246
Orleans, in France, Department Loire,
ii. (1870), 228

Orleans, Helena, Duchess of, wife of
Ferdinand of Orleans (born 1814),
daughter of the Archduke of Mecklen
burg Schwerin, i. (1848), 176
Ortenberg, seat of the Counts of Offen
burg, ii. (1857), 68
Osborne, summer residence of the Queen
of Great Britain, in the Isle of Wight,
near Cowes, i. (1856), 263, 264, 266,
267, 268, 275
Oscar II., since 1872 King of Sweden
(born 1829), i. (1856), 293, 294, 295 ;
ii. (1881), 301, 302, 305, 306
Oscarsholm, castle in Sweden, ii. (1881),
306
Osten, officer in the Prussian army, ii.
(1858), 84
Ostende, in Belgium (West Flanders), i.
(1856), 262
Ottinger, officer in the Prussian army, ii.
(1865), 173
Ottmachau, town in Prussia, near Oppeln,
ii. (1857), 20 ; (1867), 204
Otto III., Romano-German emperor
(980-1002), in 1000 opened the tomb
of Charlemagne, i. (1856), 261
Oubril, Mrs. Von, nee Metscherski, wife
of Paul von Oubril, Russian ambas
sador at Berlin, ii. (1867), 200
Ouchy, on the Lake of Geneva, ii. (1866),
198
Oxford, in England, i. (1856), 281, 282
Oxholm, General, Danish ambassador at
London, i. (1856), 266

Pachmanu, Captain, accompanied Moltke
to Copenhagen, i. (1844), 121
Paderborn, town in Prussia, near Minden,
ii. (1867), 200
Paganini, Nicolo, famous violinist (1784-
1840), i. (1841), 57-60
Pallanza, town in Italy, on Lago
Maggiore, ii. (1882), 308
Palmerston, Henry John Temple, Vis
count (1784-1865), i. (1856), 271,
272, 286 ; ii. (1857), 26
Panmure, Fox Maule-Ramsay, Lord,
Earl of Dalhousie (1801-1874), i.
(1856), 272
"Paradise and the Peri," by Robert
Schumann, i. (1856), 294
Parchim, town in Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
where Moltke was born, i. (1841,) 27 ;
ii. (1867), 203 (shooting club con
gratulated Moltke by telegram on
anniversary of Koniggratz) ; (1876),
275 (statue of Moltke by Brunner)
Pardubitz, town in Bohemia, on the
Elbe, ii. (1866) 188-191, 296
Paris, capital of France, i. (1846), 147,
148, 149; (1850), 196, 197; ii.
(1867), 200-203; (1870), 225-241
(siege of), (1871), 242, 243, 244

352

INDEX.

Paris, Louis Philippe, Count of (born
1838), in 1842 Crown Prince of
France, in 1850 succeeded King Louis
Philippe I., i. (1848), 176
" Pariser Taugenichts," by Topfer, ii.
(1864), 169
Parliament Houses of, in London, i.
(1855), 249, 250 ; ii. (1857), 54
Paschen, brother of Henrietta Paschen,
Moltke's mother, i. (1841), 3, 8
Pasta, Giuditta, vocalist (1798-1865), i.
(1841), 19
Patow, Erasmus Robert, Baron von,
Prussian statesman (1804-1890), and
governor of Saxony, 1873-1881, a
friend of Moltke's, i. (1841), 11, 45,
46, 55; (1842), 73; (1844), 108;
(1846), 130, 162 ; (1848), 179 ;
(1854), 228
Patow, Mrs. von, 'wife of the preceding,
i. (1841), 45, 55; (1844), 108;
(1846), 162 (death)
Paul, Saint, as opposed to Luther, ii.
(1874), 259
Paulet, Colonel, at the English Court, i.
(1856), 295
Paumgarten, Count Francis, Austrian
field -marshal (1811-1866?), ii.
(1863), 116
Pausilippo grotto of 640 metres length,
near Naples, ii. (1876), 274
"Peck Schulze," ii. (1864), 161
Pedro V., since 1853 King of Portugal
(1837-1861), ii. (1857), 54
Peile, river in Silesia, ii. (1874), 253 ;
(1880), 289; (1888), 317
Pereire, Jacques Emil (1800-1875), and
Isaac (1806-1880), two bankers at
Paris, ii. (1870), 238
Persigny, Jean Gilbert Victor, Due de
(1808-1872), from 1855 to 1858
French ambassador at Loudon, and
wife, i. (1856), 270, 273, 276, 286;
ii. (1857), 26
Pesch, Dr., ii. (1868), 211, 212, 213,
214; (1874), 257
Peter the Great, Czar of Russia (1672-
1725); the statue mentioned is by
Falconet and was unveiled 1782 ; ii.
(1871), 247
Peterhof, near St. Petersburg, i. (1856),
296, 298
Petersburg, Saint, capital of Russia, i.
(1856), 298, 299; ii. (1871), 247
248
Petersen, chief of the general staff of
the Ilnd Army Corps, ii. (1862), 112,
117
Pfaffers, Bad, in Switzerland (St. Gallen),
ii. (1874), 256 ; (1882), 310
Pfuhl, von, German envoy at Stockholm,
ii. (1881), 305
Phepps, Colonel, secretary to Prince
Albert, i. (1855), 252, 254 ; (1856),
267

Philip, Count, of Flanders, brother of
Leopold II., King of the Belgians
(born 1837) ; ii. (1857), 54 ; (1858),
89 ; (1867), 200
Philip II., Ring of Spain, husband of
Queen Mary of England (1527-1598),
ii. (1857), 51
Philip, Duke of Wiirttemberg (born
1838), married 18th January, 1865,
Maria Theresia, daughter of the Arch
duke Albert, ii. (1865), 179
Piccolomiui, Maria, vocalist (born 1836),
ii. (1857), 33
Pilatus, mountain summit in the Alps,
near the Lake of Lucerne, ii. (1882),
307
Pillau, town in Prussia, near Konigsberg,
i. (1855), 236
Pischkowitz, castle in the county of
Glatz, ii. (1857), 20
Pitt, William, English statesman (1708-
1778), ii. (1857), 28
Pius IX., Pope since 1846 (1792-1878),
ii. (1857), 28
Plesz, in Prussia, near Oppeln, ii. (1857),
4, 72
Plesz, Hans Henry XI. , Prince of (boru
1833), i. (1856), 300 ; ii. (1857), 5,
6, 71, 72; (1868), 204; (1878), 280
Plesz, Mary, wife of the preceding, nee
von Kleist (1828-1883), ii. (1857), 5
Plessen, Carl, Danish statesman, ii.
(1857), 15
Plotz, von, lieutenant in the Prussian
army, i. (1846), 156
Podbielski, Eugene Albert Theophilus
von, Prussian general (1814-1879),
ii. (1864), 130, 134, 136, 162 ; (1866),
186, 298
Poel, justice of the peace at Itzehoe, i.
(1841), 48
Polenz, Frederick Leopold von, major in
the Saxon army, ii. (1879), 287
Polenz, Mrs. Sophie von, wife of the
preceding. See Brockdorff, Ernestine
Porta Westfalica, i. (1852), 214, 215,
216, 217 ; (1855), 234
Portsmouth, in England, i. (1856), 268
Portugal, King of. See Pedro V.
Potsdam, capital of Brandenburg, i.
(1841), 52, 54, 55 ; (1855), 231, 233,
242 ; (1856), 296 ; ii. (1857), 58, 59,
60, 80, 81, 82; (1866), 198; (1867),
203 ; (1878), 280
Pourtales, Carl von, Prussian chamber
lain and master of ceremonies (1816-
1871), i. (1844), 105 ; ii. (1867), 200,
203
Prague, chief town of Bohemia, ii.
(1866), 190, 192
Prerau, town in Moravia, junction on
the Emperor Ferdinand North Rail
way, ii. (1865), 171
" Princess Maud," channel steamer, i
(1855), 248 ; ii. (1857), 24

INDEX.

353

Prittwitz, Moltke's aide-de-camp in the
Danish war, ii. (1860), 107 ; (1864),
145, 158, 160, 161, 169
Pronraitz, defunct noble family, ii.
(1857), 69, 72
Piickler, members of the noble family
of, i. (1855), 259; ii. (1857), 76;
(1858), 84, 88 ; (1865), 173 ; (1867),
201
Puckler-Muskau, Prince Herman Lud
wig Henry von (1785-1871), writer
and garden cultivator, i. (1854), 228,
229
Putbus, on the island of Riigen, with
mansion and grounds of the Princes
of Putbus, ii. (I860), 104
Puzzuoli, town in Italy (Naples), on the
Gulf of Puzzuoli, ii. (1876), 274

Quade, one of the Danish peace negotia
tors, ii. (1864), 146
Querfurt, town in Prussia, near Merse
burg, i. (1844), 116, 118
Querouailles, Mile, de, ancestor of the
Portland family, ii. (1857), 52
Quesarum, estate of the Counts Moltke
Hwidtfeldt in Sweden, ii. (1881), 305,
306
Quirinal palace at Rome, ii. (1876), 269

Radecke, officer in the Prussian army,
ii. (1868), 206
Radowitz, Mrs. von, at Frankfurt-on-
the-Main, ii. (1864), 119
Radhausberg, in the valley of Gastein,
ii. (1880), 294
Radziwill, Prince Anton Heinrich (1775-
1833), composer, i. (1841), 54
Radziwill, Prince William, son of the
preceding, Prussian general (1797-
1870), i. (1849), 184; (1852), 220,
221 ; (1854), 229 ; (1855), 234, 238,
240, 241, 242, 245; ii. (1857), 17,
81 ; (1858), 82 ; (1860), 107 ; (1864),
127, 132, 134, 136, 143, 145, 147;
(1865), 176, 176 ; (1866), 196 ;
(1869), 220
Radziwill, Leontine, daughter of Prince
William Radziwill, ii. (1857), 17
(death)
Radziwill, Prince Frederick William
Boguslaw (1809-1873), major in the
Prussian army, ii. (1867), 200
Radziwill, Mary, wife of Prince Anton
von Radziwill, nee Castellane (born
1840), "Mrs. Antosch," ii. (1857),
81
Radziwill, Duke of Oleco? ii. (1865),
180 (Vienna armour collection)
Ragatz, in Switzerland (St. Gallen), ii.
(1866), 198; (1868), 210; (1874),
255-259; (1882), 307-310
VOL. II.

Raguhn, town in Anhalt (Dessau), i.
(1850), 204
Raleigh, Sir Walter (1552-1618),
favourite of Queen Elizabeth, i. (1856),
295
Ranzau, county in Holstein where
Moltke's brother Adolph was district
judge, i. (1850), 186, 187, 188, 204
(1852), 219
Ranzau, Henry, ii. (1865), 180 (Vienna
armour collection)
Raphael, ItaliaD painter (1483-1520),
ii. (1857), 52 ; (1876), 267 (sposalizio)
Rasz, Andrew, Bishop of Straszburg
(1794-1887), ii. (1877), 278
Rathgen, Councillor of State, and wife,
i. (1844), 121
Ratzeburg, town in Prussia, near Schles
wig, in the government of which
Ludwig von Moltke, i. (1855), 237 ;
ii. (1867), 77
Rauch, Gustavus Waldemar von, Prussian
general (1819-1890), ii. (1862), 113
Rauch, General, i. (1843), 80
Rauch, paintings by, i. (1846), 169
Raumer, Frederick Ludwig George von,
historian (1781-1873), i. (1846), 163
" Rautenkranz," name of inns at Eisenach
and Liegnitz, ii. (1868), 208; (1876),
276
Reclam, officer in the Prussian army, ii.
(1868), 206
" Reform," daily paper at Magdeburg, i.
(1850), 189
"Regiment, Daughter of the," opera by
Donizetti, i. (1843), 89
Rehme, village in Prussia (Minden),
famous for its saltworks, i. (1850), 196,
198
Reichenbach, town in Prussia, near
Breslau, on the Peile and among the
Eulen mountains, ii. (1857), 69-77 ;
(1876), 276
Reichenstein, town in Prussia, near
Breslau, ii. (1857), 20
Reichstag, Moltke was elected a member
in 1867, ii. (1871), 241 ; (1878), 280,
281, 282
Reimann, Mrs. von, ne'e von Winterfeld,
i. (1856), 300
Reinhold, comrade of Moltke's, ii. (1866),
188
Reinhardsbrunn, castle near Friedrich-
roda, in Thuringia, ii. (1868), 205
Reisewitz, officer in the Prussian army,
i. (1846), 130, 163 ; ii. (1857), 17
Reisewitz, Mrs., wife of the preceding, i.
(1846), 163 ; ii. (1857), 17
Reitzenstein of Frankfurt, ii. (1857), 82
Rembrandt, Dutch painter (1607-1669),
i. (1856), 293
Rendsburg, town in Prussia (Schleswig),
i. (1850), 205 ; ii. (1864), 147, 148
Reni, Guido, Italian historical painter
2 A

354

INDEX.

(1675-1642), i. (1856), 293; ii.
(1857), 52
" Requiem," The, of Mozart, i. (1842),
76
Reusz, Prince von. See Henry XIV.
Reusz, Princess Caroline (bom 1806), ii.
(1857), 72
Reusz, sons of the preceding Princes
Henry IV. (bom 1821), ii. (1857), 6,
72 ; and VII. (bom 1826), ii. (1857),
72 ; (1880), 291 (ambassador at Vienna)
Reusz, major in the Prussian army, i.
(1843), 96, 102
Reusz, valley of the, a tributary of the
Aare, ii. (1882), 308
Reuter, Fritz, Low German author
(1810-1874), ii. (1868), 208
Reventlow, Ernest Christian, Count of
(1799-1873), ii. (1857), 16
Reyher, CharleB Frederick William von,
Prussian general (1786-1857),
lieutenant-general 1846, minister of
war 1848, chief of the general staff
1850, cavalry general 1855, i. (1848),
179; (1864), 222, 224; ii. (1857),
80, 82
Rheims, town in France, Department
Mame, ii. (1870), 233
Rhine, The, i. (1866), 302 ; ii. (1863),
117; (1874), 256; (1882), 309
Richard II., King of England, (1366-
1400), i. (1866), 295 ; if. (1857), 51
Richard III., King of England, (1452-
1485), i. (1856), 258 ; (1856), 295 ;
ii. (1857), 61
Richmond, Surrey, i. (1856), 258, 259 ;
ii. (1857), 36, 37
Richtofen, officer in the Prussian army,
ii. (1858), 84 ; (1860), 106
Riesengebirge, range of mountains, ii.
(1867), 73
Rigi, mountain summit between the
Vierwaldstattersee, Lowerzersee and
Zugersee, ii. (1874), 258; (1883),
313
" Rigoletto," opera by Verdi, i. (1881),
277 (Lyceum Theatre)
"Ring, The," play by SchrSder, ii.
(1866), 177 (at Vienna)
Ritter, Charles, distinguished geographer
(1799-1869), who wrote the preface to
Moltke's Letters from Turkey, i.
(1841), 8
Ritter, Austrian general, ii. (1866), 173
Ritter, Augustus Gottfried (1811-1886),
organist at the cathedral of Merseburg-
and later at Magdeburg, i. (1861), 207,
208, 209
Robert III., Duke of Normandy, sur-
named Courthose (1060-1134), son of
William the Conqueror, i. (1855), 251
Robsart, Amy, wife of Robert Dudley,
Earl of Leicester (1525-1560), i.
(1855), 257

Rochefort, Victor Henri, Count (bom
1830), French journalist, ii. (1870),
226
Rodbertus, John Charles (1805-1876),
i. (1848), 180
Roder, Prussian general, ii. (1864), 138,
142
Roune, Mrs., wife of Frederick Ludwig
von Ronne (1797-1866), president of
the board of trade at Berlin, and in
1848, Prussian ambassador to the
United States, i. (1846), 139
Rohan, Prince Camille (born 1800), head
of the Rohan-Guemenee family, ii.
(1866), 184
"Roland of Berlin," novel by W. Alexis,
i. (1846), 142
"Rolf Krake," Danish war vessel, ii.
(1864), 136, 139, 140, 141, 144
Rollin, Count, at the Court of Paris, ii.
(1867), 202
Rome, in 1845, 46, Moltke lived at Rome
as aide de camp to Prince Henry, during
his stay making a map of the city, i.
(1845), 123 ; (1846), 132 ; ii. (1860),
101 ; (1876), 268-272
Roon, Count Albrecht Theodore Emile
von, Prussian field-marshal general
(1803-1879), war minister from 1859
to 1873, carried out the reorganization
of the Prussian army, i. (1851), 208 ;
(1856), 288 ; ii. (1864), 136 ; (1866),
197 (order of the black eagle) ; (1867),
199, 203
Roskosberg near Sadowa, ii. (1866), 298
(post of King William and his suite)
Rossini, Gioachino Antonio, Italian
composer (1792-1868), ii. (1857), 68
Rosztrappe in the Harz, granite rock
three kilometres from Thale, i. (1844),
104 ; (1855), 237, 238
Rostock, town in Mecklenburg Schwerin,
i. (1843), 79 ; ii. (1860), 104
Roth, valet to Prince Frederick William
(the Emperor Frederick III.), i.
(1855), 253 ; (1856), 280 ; ii. (1857),
67
Rother, Christian von (1778-1849),
Prussian minister of State, i. (1854),
228
Rother, chief justice of Plesz, ii. (1 867), 6
Rothschild, Alfons de (bom 1827), head
of the Brothers Rothschild, Paris, ii.
(1870), 225, 238
Rouen, town in France, Department of
the Lower Seine, i. (1850), 197, 198
Rouher, Madame de, wife of Eugene
Rouher, French minister of State,
"vice-emperor" (1814-1884), ii.
(1867), 201
Rubens, Peter Paul, Dutch painter (1577-
1640), i. (1856), 288, ii. (1865), 179
Rudelsburg, ruined castle near Naumburg,
i. (1843), 95

INDEX.

355

Ruden, island in the Baltic, severed in
1309 from Riigen, ii. (1860), 103
Riibeland, village, in the valley of the
Bode, Brunswick, i. (1855), 237
Riigen, island in the Baltic, ii. (I860),
103
Rumohr, August von, lieutenant in the
army and owner of Rundhof, ii. (1879),
286
Rumohr, Mrs. von, wife of the preceding.
See Brockdorff, Jeanette, daughters.
Russia, Czar of. See Nicholas, I., and
Alexander II.
Russia, Czarina of. See Alexandra.

Sachsenburg, village in Prussia, and
ruined castle near Artern in the
" Golden Meadow," i. (1844), 104
Sadowa, village in Bohemia near Konig
gratz, the battle near which is some
times called that of Sadowa, ii. (1866),
186, 298, 299, 300
Sagan, Duke Ludwig of (born 1811),
5. (1867), 203
Sagan, estate in Lower Silesia with fine
mansion and grounds, ii. (1857), 81 ;
(1875), 260
St. Ambrogio, church in Milan, built
380, ii. (1876), 266
St. Cloud, town in France, set on fire
by the French fire from Mont Valerien
on 13th October, 1870, i. (1850), 197 ;
ii. (1867), 201, 202 ; (1870), 227
St. Denis, town in France, Department
Seine, i. (1850), 197
St. Elmo, castle of, in Italy, ii. (1876),
273
St. George's Chapel, Windsor, built by
Edward III., i. (1856), 258 ; (1856),
285
St. James's Park, London, i. (1865),
249 ; (1856), 269, 274, 279, 284 ; ii.
(1857), 42
St. Moritz, village in Switzerland,
canton of Graubiinden, ii. (1878),
280 ; (1881), 303
St. Paul's Cathedral, London, built
1675-1710, i. (1855), 249, 250;
(1856), 264, 280, 281; ii. (1857),
38, 64
St. Peter's, Rome, i. (1855), 250; ii.
(1876), 268
St. Quentin, town in France, Depart
ment Aisne, scene of a German victory
19th January, 1871, h. (1867), 200
St. Remo, town in Italy, on the Gulf of
Genoa, ii. (1883), 313, 314 (" a real
paradise ")
¦"St. Roche," novel by Mrs. von
Poalzow, i. (1855), 239
Salm, Rosina, Countess of, ii. (1865),
175
Salza, Hermann, grand master of the

Teutonic knights (1175-1239), ii.
(1860), 96
Salzach, valley of the, a tributary of the
Inn, ii. (1880), 292
Salzbrunn, village in Prussia, near
Breslau, ii. (1857), 71
Salzungen, town in Saxe- Meiningen, ii.
(1868), 207, 208
Samos, Princess Voyorides of. See
Mussurus Bey
Samwer, Charles Frederick Lucian,
statesman (1819-1882), i. (1848), 183
Sandkrug, or Wilhelminenhohe, near
Kiel, on the east side of the harbour,
i. (1844), 120
Sandor, Count Moriz (1805-1876), nick
named in Vienna the riding master of
the devil, in consequence of his riding
extravagances, ii. (1865), 175
Sandrart, officer of the Prussian army, i.
(1855), 246; ii. (1863), 117
Sandreczki and Sandraschiitz, Count
(died 1863), ii. (1857), 70, 75, 76
Sanssouci, palace at Potsdam with an
English park, i. (1841), 19, 64;
(1842), 78 ; (1843), 85 : (1846), 133,
et seq., 156 ; (1855), 231, et seq.
Sargans, ruined castle on the Rhine
near Ragatz, ii. (1874), 256
Saxony, King of. See Frederick
August II.
Sayn - Wittgenstein, Prince William
(born 1770), head chamberlain, i.
(1846), 149, 156, 160, et seq.
Scala, famous theatre at Milan, built in
1777, ii. (1875), 265
Schack, Prussian general, ii. (1862),
112; (1864), 169
Schack, Mrs. von, ii. (1857), 81
Schaffgotsch, Count Leopold (bom 1793),
ii. (1857), 71, 73
Schaffhausen, chief town of the Swiss
canton of that name, ii. (1874), 256,
258
Schalkenmehre, near Manderscheid, i.
(1847), 172
Scharzfels, ruined castle near Scharzfeld
in the Harz, i. (1841), 30
Scheel, Anton William, Danish minister
of justice (1799-1879), ii. (1867),
14
Scheller, finance councillor of the marine,
a friend of Moltke's, i. (1850), 199 ;
ii. (1870), 236
Schildau, estate in Silesia belonging to
Princess Louisa of the Netherlands,
ii. (1857), 73
Schleswig-Holstein question, the, i.
(1848), 176, 180, 181, 183 ; (1860),
205 ; (1851), 207, 208, 210, 211 ; ii.
(1864), 121-167
Schlettstadt, town in Lower Alsace, ii.
(1879), 285 (visit to)
Schlippenbach, Count, officer of the

356

INDEX.

Prussian Uhlans, i. (1846), 156;
(1866), 184
Schlodien, in Prussia (Prussian
Holland), i. (1856), 236
Schmiedeberger crest, in the Riesenge-
birge south of the Schneekoppe, ii.
(1857), 72, 73
Schmiesing, name of a Westphalian noble
family, ii. (1857), 24 ; (1864), 134
Schneekoppe, highest summit of the
Riesengebirge, i. (1846), 137 ; ii.
(1857), 73
Scholer, officer in the Prussian army, i.
(1843), 91, 101, 102; (1844), 110,
112 ; (1846), 167 ; (1855), 242, 243,
245, 246 ; ii. (1857), 13
Schoning, major in the Prussian army,
ii. (1866), 190
Schonlein, Professor John Lucas (1793-
1864), physician to Frederick William
IV. n. (1857), 80
Schreckenstein, Prussian general, i.
(1848), 180, 181 ; (1856), 261, 262,
263, 267, 277, 283, 284, 285, 293,
294, 296, ii. (1858), 87, 88
Schroder, Frederick Ludwig, actor and
dramatist (1744-1816), ii. (1865),
177
Schubert, Francis Peter, composer
(1797-1828), i. (1856), 276
Schumann, Robert, composer (1810-
1856), i. (1856), 294
Schwarzenberg, Prince Frederick Charles
von, Austrian general (1800-1870),
ii. (1866), 173
Schwarzenberg, Captain, of the
" Cyclops " at Kiel, ii. (1865), 182
Schweidnitz, town in Prussia near
Breslau, i. (1849), 185; ii. (1857),
60, 62, 72; (1874), 253; (1875),
260; (1876), 275, 276
Schweidnitz, Duke Bolko of, who lived
towards the end of the 13th century
and built the Bolkoburg near Bolken-
hain in Silesia, ii. (1857), 73
Schweinhaus, ruins, three kilometres
from Bolkenhain in Silesia, ii. (1857),
73
Schweinichen, family who owned
Schweinhaus, ii. (1857), 73
Schweinitz, Hans Lothar von, Prussian
diplomatist and general (bom 1822),
adjutant to the Emperor Frederick
when crown prince 1857-61 and 1863,
ii. (1857), 76, 82 ; (1858), 93
Schweinitz, Countess Flora (bom 1819 ?),
ii. (1857), 8
Schwendnig am Zobten, estate of the
Counts Zedlitz-Triitschler in Silesia,
ii. (1857), 68
Schwerin, chief town of Mecklenburg.
Schwerin, i. (1842), 60; ii. (1857),
66, 67
Scott, Sir Walter, Scottish novelist

(1771-1832), i. (1855), 239, 252, 254,
257 ; ii. (1857), 29
Sedan, in France, Dept. Ardennes, scene-
of the decisive battle of the Franco-
German war, 1st September, 1870 ; ii.
(1870), 227, 232 ; (1871), 242
Sedlnitzki von Choltitz, Leopold, Count
(1787-1871), Prince Bishop converted
to protestantism in 1863 ; ii. (1864),
169
Seebach, Mary, actress (bom 1834), ii.
(1857), 11
Segeberg, town in Prussia (Schleswig),
ii. (1868), 210
Scherr and Thosz, Alexander, count of
(1818-1877), owner of Hohenfriede-
berg, ii. (1857), 62
Selke, tributary of the Bode which runs
through the romantic valley of the
Selke in the Harz, i. (1844), 103
Senf-Pilsach, lieutenant of the Prussian
Ulhans, i. (1856), 300
Seraphim, order of the, chief Swedish
order given to Moltke, ii. (1881), 306
Severin, Sophia von, ne'e Moltke, cousin
of Moltke's, wife of the Russian envoy
to Munich, i. (1841), 17 ; (1844), 109 ;
ii. (1872), 249
Sevres, town in France, Dept. Seine et
Oise, ii. (1870), 226
Sewastopol, town in Russia (Crimea), i.
(1855), 258 ; ii. (1870), 237, 238
Seydelmann, Charles, actor (1793-1843),
i. (1843), 88
Seymour, Colonel, i. (1856), 262, 266,
294 ; ii. (1857), 32, 48
Seymour, Lady, i. (1855), 256, 267
Seymour, Lady Jane, third wife of Henry
VIII. (died 1537), ii. (1856), 51
Shakespeare, William, dramatist (1664-
1616), i. (1855), 249; (1856), 284
Shakespeare cliff, near Dover, i. (1855),
249 ; (1856), 264 ; ii. (1858), 83
Shanklin, Isle of Wight, i. (1856), 268
Sheba, Queen of, the Countess Nostiz
Jauckendorf. See Helfert, Mis.
Sibyllenort, village in Prussia near
Breslau, with castle built by Duke
William of Brandenburg, ii. (1857)r
14
Sichrow, castle of Prince Camil Rohan,
headquarters of king William in
Bohemia, 1st July, 1866, ii. (1866),.
184
Siegfried von Feuchtwangen, grand
master of the Teutonic knights, ii..
(1860), 97
Silesia, ii. (1857), 69, 70 (character
istics), (1867), 204, 206
Sivori, Ernest Camille, Italian violinist,
of the school of Paganini (bom 1817)v
i. (1841), 56
Skopau, village in Prussia near Merse
burg, i. (1844), 116, 117, 118, 119

INDEX.

357

. Smidai, in Bohemia near Koniggratz, ii.
(1866), 186, 296
Sommerda, town in Prussia near Erfurt,
i. (1843), 100
Sofienro, royal palace in Sweden on the
Oeresund, ii. (1881), 301
Solms, Count Frederick (bom 1795),
whose son Frederick was born 1821, i.
(1864), 225, 226.
Somers, Eaxl and Lady, i. (1856), 272,
274, 276
Somerset, Edward Adolphns, twelfth
duke of (1804-1885), and duchess of,
i. (1856), 295
Sommerfeld, town in Prussia (Crossen),
ii. (1875), 259
• Sommers Garden, pleasure resort at
Berlin, i. (1846), 137, 139; (1848),
182
Sonderburg, town in Prussia (Schleswig-
Holstein), ii. (1864), 140, 141, 144,
145; (1865), 182
Sophia, Queen of the Netherlands
(1818-1877), ii. (1857), 81
¦ Sophia, Archduchess, of Austria (1805-
1872), wife of the Archduke Francis
Charles, and mother of the Emperor
Francis Joseph, ii. (1865), 174
¦ Sophia, Princess of the Netherlands,
married, 1842, Charles Alexander,
Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar (bom
1824), i. (1844), 104
Sophia, Princess of Nassau, married,
1857, Oscar II., King of Sweden (boru
1836), ii. (1881), 306
Sophocles, Attic tragedian (496-406 B.C.),
i. (1841), 52, 53, 54
Sorrento, town in Italy (Naples), ii.
(1876), 273
Soulouque. See Faustin I.
Southampton, in England, i. (1856), 266,
ii. (1858), 90, 91
Sowetitz, in Bohemia, near Koniggratz,
ii. (1880), 300
Spain, i. (1846), 144, 145, 146, 147
(visit to)
Spain, Infant of. See Francis
Spain, Queen of. See Isabella II.
Spain, Infanta of. See Louisa
Sparrenberg, near Bielefeld, i. (1852),
216 ; ii. (1867), 22
Spencer, Lord Stuart, at the English
court, i. (1856), 272, 286
Spire, town in Bavaria near Pfalz, i.
(1855), 245, 246
Spiiigen, pass in the Graubiiuden Alps,
ii. (1882), 308, 309
Spohr, Ludwig, composer and violinist
(1784-1859), i. (1841), 52
Staffeldt, Mrs. von, Mrs. von Moltke's
grandmother, i. (1841), 1, 2 (letter to),
6, 8, 12, 13 (death), 15, 22; (1842),,
67
Staffeldt, Ernestine von, daughter of the

preceding, first wife of John Heyliger
Burt, i. (1841), 1
Steiger, wooded heights near Erfurt,
pleasure resort, i. (1844), 96, 97, 99
Stein, Baron Charles von, since 1868
director of the artillery arsenal at
Vienna (died 1867), ii. (1866), 177
Stein, monument to Baron von, at
Berlin by Schievelbein and Hagen, ii.
(1875), 262
Steinacker, Prussian general, ii. (1875),
262, 265
Steinmetz, Charles Frederick, Prussian
field-marshal general (1796-1877),
ii. (1850), 193
Steinort, in Prussia (KSnigsberg), ii.
(1855), 236, 236
Stephen, Archduke of Austria (1817-
1867), son of the Archduke Joseph,
became in 1843 civil governor of
Bohemia, i. (1843), 90
Sternberg, Alexander von Ungern-Stern-
berg, author (1806-1868), i. (1855),
236
Sternberg, officer in the Prussian army,
i. (1856), 261
Stemeck, Austrian officer, Moltke's
companion at Vienna, ii. (1865), 179,
180
Stettin, town in Prussia (Pomerania), ii.
(1879), 283, 285
Stiehle, Gustav von, Prussian general
(born 1823), in 1864 on the general
staff, and engaged in the negotiations
at London and Vienna, ii. (1864), 133,
142, 148
Stockholm, capital of Sweden, ii. (1881),
301, 302, 304, 306, 306
Stoffel, Eugen Georges Henri Celeste,
Baron (born 1821), military attache to
the French ambassador at Berlin (1866-
1870), ii. (1867), 200 ; (1868), 206
Stolberg, Counts of (?), i. (1844), 119 ;
(1846), 157 ; ii. (1857), 70
Stolberg, Eberhard, Count(1810-1872) ;
his sister was the Countess Anna or
the Countess Bertha; the widow of
his father, Count Anton (1785-1854)
is the Countess Louisa, ii. (1857), 72
Stonsdorf, village in Prussia near' Lieg
nitz, with the Castle of Heinrichsburg,
built by Henry XXVIII., ii. (1857),
73
Stosch, Hedwig, Countess, principal of
the deaconess' house at Frankenstein
in Prussian Silesia (bom 1834), ii.
(1875) 261
Stralsund, town in Prussia (Pomerania),
ii. (1860), 104
Strantz, Prussian general, ii. (1868),
206, 207, 209
Straszburg, chief town of Alsace-Lorraine,
ii. (1870), 225, 228; (1877), 277,
278 ; (1879), 285

358

INDEX.

" Straubinger's Hotel" at Gastein, ii.
(1880), 292, 294
" Streit's Hotel," at Hamburg, i. (1846),
148 (visit to), 156; (1847), 167;
(1860), 187, ii (1881, 303
Stttlpnagel, Ferdinand Wolf, von,
Prussian general (1813-1885), ii.
(1866), 185
" Struensee," Count of, Danish minister
(1737-1777) ; the novel referred to is
by Bouterwerk, the drama by Michael
Beer, i. (1846), 159
Stutterheim, General, commander of the
German Legion in Great Britain, i.
(1856), 290
Stuttgart, chief town of Wiirttemberg,
ii. (1876), 275
Styrum, Count Frederick, at Peterwitz
(died 1874), ii. (1857), 61, 76
Styrum, Countess Anna (boru 1839),
married 1860 George von Kockritz iu
Friedland, ii. (1857), 8
Suder, Colonel, in the suite of the Grand
Duke of Baden at London, i. (1856),
269
Summer, Lord, at the English court, i.
(1856), 269
Sweden, King of. See Oscar II.
Sweden, Queen of. See Sophia
Sweden, Crown Prince of. See Gustavus
Swinemunde, town in Prussia near
Stettin, ii. (1860), 100, et seq,, 103
Sydenham, London, where is the Crystal
Palace, i. (1855), 249, 258, 259;
(1856), 276, 277 ; ii. (1857), 25, 33 ;
(1858), 83
Sydow, Rudolph von, representative of'
Prussiaat the Bund in Frankf urt-on-the-
Main 1863-64 (died 1872), ii. (1863),
119
" Sylphiden, Die," ballet by Taglioui, i.
(1841), 52
Sylt, island on the west coast of Schles
wig, ii. (1864), 146
Szandor. See Sandor

T ("Uncle T"), not known who, i.
(1849), 185
Tarasp, in Switzerland, canton Grau-
bttnden, mineral springs, ii. (1878),
280
Tasso, Torquato, Italian writer (1544-
1595), i. (1841), 40
Tann-Rathsamhausen, Ludwig Samson
Henry Arthur, Baron von, Bavarian
general (1815-1881), chief of the
general staff 1866, captured Orleans,
1870, ii. (1872), 249
Tatra, mountains of the Carpathians, ii.
(1880), 290, 291 ; (1881), 303, 304
Taverna, Count, ii. (1875), 264, 266,
266 ; (1876), 269
Tessin, tributary of the Po, which makes

splendid waterfalls in the Dazio
Grande, ii. (1882), 308
Teutoburg forest, the, mountains in
Lippe, Westphalia and Hanover, ii.
(1857), 22
Tezel, John, preacher of absolution
(1455-1519), ii. (1843), 98
Thames, the, in England, i. (1856), 271
(valley of), 284 ; ii. (1857), 27
Theresiehstadt, town in Bohemia
(Leitmeritz), ii. (1866), 190
Thiele, Ludwig Gustav von, Prussian;
general (1787-1852), commander of
the VHIth Army Corps, to the general
staff of which Moltke belonged 1846-
48, i. (1846), 164
Thiers, Adolphe, French statesman
(1797-1877), opposed to the war
of 1870; 1871-73 president of the
French republic, h. (1871), 243=
("little prattler")
Thomaswaldau, village in Prussia
(Bunzlau) on the estate of the Stol-
bergs, ii. (1857), 70
Thorwaldsen, Bartel, Danish sculptor
(1770-1844), whose Christ referred
to was made 1838-41 for the Frauen-
church at Copenhagen, i. (1856),
231
Thuringia, ii. (1857), 77, l78 (beauties
of) ; (1868), 205, 206, 208, 209
Thun, Count, Leo von, Austrian states
man (1811-1888), ii. (1866), 175
Thurn and Taxis, Prince Emmerich
(bom 1820), Austrian general and
commandant of the cavalry school at
Vienna, ii. (1865), 178
Thurn and Taxis, Princess Helena (bora
1836), ii. (1865), 174, 176
Tiergarten, parkin Berlin, i. (1841), 16 ;
(1848), 181 ; (1854), 223
Tietgens, Theresa, vocalist (1831-1877),
ii. (1864), 171
" Times, The," leading English dailv,
ii. (1867), 52
Tivoli, place of entertainment at Copen
hagen, ii. (1881), 305
Titus, arch of, at Rome in commemora
tion of the victories over the Jews
and sack of Jerusalem, ii. (1876), 268
Tours, town in France, Dept. Indre et
Loire, captured by the Germans, 19tlir
January, 1871, ii. (1870), 228
Tower of London, i. (1855, 258 ; (1856),
295
Trajan, arch of, at Rome, ii. (1876),
268
Trakehnen, village in Prassia, near
Gumbinuen, i. (1855), 236
Treskow, Udo von, Prussian general
(1808-1885), ii. (1867), 200, 201
Treves, town in Prussia ou the Rhine, i.
(1847), 164-170, ii. (1863), 117, 118
Trianon, pleasure palaces in the Park

INDEX.

359

of Versailles, le grand T. erected for
Madame de Maintenon, le petit T. for
Marie Antoinette, ii. (1867), 202
Trient, town iu Austria (Southern Tyrol),
ii. (1875), 263
Trochu, Louis Jules, French general
(bom 1815), in 1870 governor of
Paris, ii. (1870), 236
Trotha, Bishop, of Merseburg, i. (1861),
207, 208
Trotha, noble family, ii. (1867), 75
" Troubadour," opera by Verdi, i. (1856),
288, 293
Trouville, on the French coast, Dept.
Calvados, i. (1850), 196, 198
Trusenfall, picturesque waterfalls in
the valley of the Trusen near the
village of Brotterode in Thuringia, ii.
(1868), 205
Tschirski, Mr. von, at Breslau, ii.
(1857), 4
Tumpling, William von, Prussian
general (1809-1884), commander of
the 5th division in 1863, '64 and '66,
andof theVIth Army Corpsin 1870-71,
i, (1847), 173; (1855), 233; ii.
(1866), 184 wounded ; (1875), 260
Turkey, Moltke undertook, 8th June,
1836, the instruction and organization
of the Turkish troops, but returned to
the general staff 1st August, 1839, i.
(1841), 8, 16; (1850), 193; ii.
(1865), 179, 181 ; (1880), 291
Tusculum, ancient city in Latium on the
Alban hills, destroyed 1191, i. (1846),
128
Twickenham, near London, ii. (1857),
36
Tyrsbeck, old castle near Veile, Jutland,
ii. 1864), 130

" Unterbrochene Opferfest, Das," opera
by Winter, i. (1841), 52
UriRothstock, mountain summit in the
Bernese Alps, ii. (1882), 307
Usedom, Charles George Ludwig Guido,
Count von, Prussian diplomatist
(1805-1884), ambassador at Rome,
1846-1864, i. (1846), 132, 140

Vahl, staff-doctor in the Prussian army,
ii. (1870), 239
Vaillant, Jean Baptist Philibert, Count,
French marshal (1790-1872), since
1863 chief of the Department of the
Fine Arts, ii. (1867), 201
Vatican, at Rome, ii. (1876), 268
Vauxhall, in London, i. (1856), 268,
278
Veile, town in Jiitland, occupied by the
Austrians in 1864, ii. (1864), 129,
130, 131, 132

Veith, officer of the general staff of the
Prussian army, ii. (1862), 115J
Velasquez, Diego, Spanish painter
(1599-1660), i. (1856), 277
Velde, William van der, Dutch painter
(1633-1707), "the Raphael of sea
painting," i. (1856), 293
Venice, St. Mark's Church, ii. (1875),
266
Verdi, Giuseppe, Italian opera composer
(bom 1813), i. (1856), 277, 288, 293
Verdy du Vernois, Julius von, Prussian
general (born 1832), major on the
general staff of the Ilnd Army Corps,
1866-1870, and afterwards minister of
war, ii. (1868), 205, 208
Verona, pass of, which the Brenner
railway traverses about twenty-five
kilometres from Verona, ii. (1875),
264
Versailles, in France, Prussian head
quarters from 5th October, 1870, to
12th March, 1871, and where the
Emperor of Germany was proclaimed,
18th January, 1871, i. (1850), 197 ;
ii. (1867), 201, 202; (1870), 224,
226, 227, 230, 232, 233, 234, 236,
236, 239; (1871), 240, 241, 243
Verviers, in Belgium, province of Liege,
ii. (1867), 200
Very's, Parisian restaurant in the Palais
Royal, i. (1850), 197
Vesuvius, i. (1846), 161; ii. (1876,)
271, 273
Vetschau, town in Prussia, near Frank-
furt-on-the-Oder, i. (1854), 228
Via Mala, iu Graubiinden, ii. (1874),
256, 257
Viale, Bertole, chief of the general staff
of the Italian army, ii. (1876), 271
Viardot, Pauline Viardot-Garcia, vocalist
(bom 1821), i. (1856), 276
Victor Emmanuel, since 1861 King of
Italy (1820-1878), ii. (1867), 203 ;
(1875), 264, 267 ; (1876), 269
Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and
Ireland (bom 1819), ascended the
throne 1838, i. (1855), 240, 252-259 ;
(1856), 260-295 ; ii. (1857), 25-56 ;
(1858), 83-91
Victoria, widowed Empress of Germany,
Princess Royal of Great Britain and
Ireland (born 1840), married 1858 the
Crown Prince Frederick William of
Prussia, i. fl856), 247, 256 ; (1856),
267, 268, 269, 276, 277, 282, 288,
290, 291, 294; ii. (1857), 3, 11, 31,
32, 46, 48, 49, 67 ; (1858), 84, 86,
86, 87, 88, 90; (1867), 200; (1868),
205
"Victoria and Albert," English royal
yacht, i. (1856), 267
Vienna, Moltke accompanied Prince
Frederick Charles in 1865 to Lthe

360

INDEX.

palace there, ii. (1865), 171-180
(1866)? 191, 195, 196 ; (1880), 291
Villa Carlotta, on the Lake of Como,
now in the possession of the Duke of
Meiningen, ii. (1882), 308
Villa d'Este, on the Lake of Como, now
"Grand Hotel Villa d'Este et Reine
d'Augleterre," ii. (1882), 308
Villa Hentschel, at Kassel, ii. (1878),
281
Vincke, Frederick Ludwig, Baron von
Viucke-Olbendorf, Prussian politician
(1800-1869), with Moltke in Turkey,
1837-40, i. (1841), 8, 45; (1843),
72 ; ii. (1857), 60
Vincke, Mrs. von, wife of the preceding,
ii. (1857) 12
"Vineta," vessel, ii. (1864), 159, 160
Virginia, Countess Hake, lady in waiting
to Princess Charles of Prussia, i.
(1846), 135
Vischer, Peter (1465-1529), ii. (1876),
263
Vistula, river, i. (1855), 234, 235
Vitry, in France, Department Marue,
taken by the Prussians 25th September,
1870, ii. (1867), 202
Vlasicz, colonel of the Austrian army, ii.
(1865), 172
Vogel von Falkenstein, Edward, Prussian
general (1797-1885), chief of the
general staff of the allied Prusso-
Austrian army in 1864, in which post
he was succeeded in May by Moltke,
becoming then governor of Jiitland,
ii. (1864), 122, 129, 146, 149, 157 ;
^ (1866), 195 ; (1875), 259 (Dolzig)
Voigts Reetz, Constantine Bernhard von,
Prussian general (1809-1877), chief
of the general staff of the Vth Army
Corps in 1852, commandant of Luxem
burg in 1860, chief of the general
staff of the 1st Army in 1866, i.
(1850), 203; (1851), 211, 213; ii.
(1857), 75; (1860), 107; (1866),
297, 298
Vollard, chief secretary to Prince Henry
of Prassia, i. (1845), 125 ; (1846), 138

Wagner, Johanna Jachmann- Wagner,
opera singer, niece of Richard Wagner
(bom 1828), i. (1856), 295
Wahlstatt, village in Prussia, near
Liegnitz, ii. (1857), 62
Waldeck, Prince of. See George
Waldeck, Princess of, daughter of pre
ceding; Moltke's suspicion was not
fulfilled for Princess Augusta married
the Count of Stolberg and Princess
Hermina the Prince of Schaumburg-
Lippe, i. (1841), 27
Waldemar, Prince of Prussia (1817-
1849), son of Prince William, the

brother of King Frederick William
III., i. (1846), 137
Waldenburg, town in Silesia, near
Breslau, ii. (1857), 71
Waldersee, Count Francis, Prussian
general (1791-1873), commander of
Vth Army Corps, ii. (1858), 95
Waldkater, on the Rosztrappe in the
Harz, i. (1855), 237
Wales, Albert Edward, Prince of (bora
1841), i. (1855), 256; (1856), 268,
282, 285, 286 ; ii. (1857), 28, 31, 32,
55, 57; (1858), 83, 84, 86, 87
Wallensee, Lake in Switzerland, canton
of St. Gallen, ii. (1874), 256, 257
Wallis, Count, (which?) officer of the
Austrian hussars, ii. (1865), 173
Wandsbeck, town iu Prussia, near
Schleswig, i. (1847), 150 (grave of
Moltke's father)
" WardeuHotel, Lord," Dover, i. (1855),
249; (1866), 263; ii. (1857), 24;
(1858), 83
Warmbruun, iu Prussia near Liegnitz,
ii. (1857), 71, 73
Wartburg, mountain castle near Eisenach,
ii. (1857), 78 (restored by the Grand
Duke Charles Alexander)
Wartensleben, Herman Alexander
William, Count von, Prussian general
(bom 1826), chief of the staff of the
Ilnd Armv Corps in 1864, lieutenant-
colonel 1866, ii. (1864), 122 ; (1866),
186, 192, 298, 299
Warwick Castle in England, i. (1855),
256, 257
Wasungen, town in Saxe-Meiningen on
the AVerra, ii. (1868), 209
Washbume, E. B., from 1869, American
envoy to Paris, ii. (1870), 236
Weber, Charles Maria von, composer
(1786-1826), i. (1850), 204
("Oberon")
Wedel- Jarlsberg, name of a noble Danish
family, ii. (1864), 130
Weimar, chief town of the Grand Duchy
of Saxe-Weimar, i. (1843), 103; ii.
(1857), 78
Weimar, Grand Duke of. See Charles
Frederick and Charles Alexander
Weimar, Grand Duchess of. See Maria
Paulowna and Sophia
Weimar, Prince Edward of, British
general (born 1823), son of the Duke
Bernhard, married a daughter of the
5th Duke of Richmond, i. (1866),
269, 276 ; ii. (1857), 26, 31
Weimar, Prince of (which ?) ii. (1867),
200
Weiszenau, near Mainz, ii. (1863),
116
Weiszenfels, town in Prussia, near
Merseburg, i. (1851), 207
Wellington, Arthur Richard Wellesley,

INDEX.

3(51

second Duke of (1807-1884), lieu
tenant-general, i. (1856), 269, 276,
286, 287; ii. (1857), 26, 32, 41;
(1858), 86
Wellington, Duchess of, wife of preced
ing, l. (1855), 254, 255 ; (1856), 270
Werder, Prussian lieutenant-general,
commander of the Xllth Division, i.
(1849), 184
Werdenberg, ruined castle on the Rhine,
canton of St. Gallon, ii. (1874)), 256
Werther, Baron Charles von (bom 1809),
Prussian ambassador to Vienna 1859-
69, ii. (1865), 172, 177
Westfaleu, noble family of Munster, ii.
(1857), 24
Westminster, Duchess of, i. (1857), 274
Westminster Abbey, i. (1855), 249;
(1856), 266 ; ii. (1857), 54
Westmoreland, John Fane, eleventh
Earl of, English statesman (1784-
1859), ambassador at Berlin 1841-51,
at Vienna 1851-55, i. (1856), 269, 271
Wichmann, Charles Otto Herman von,
Prussian general (1820-1886), com
mander of the 8th regiment of dragoons
in 1866, ii. (1866), 185 (wounded)
Wiesbaden, ii. (1863), 120
Wight, Isle of, i. (1856), 266, 267, 275
Wilhelminenhohe. See Sandkrug
Wilhelmshaven, town in Prussia near
Aurich, ii. (1873), 251
Wilhelmsthal, mansion of the grand
duke of Saxe-Weimar, eight kilometres
from Eisenach, ii. (1857), 78
William, Prince of Prussia (1783-1851),
son of the brother of Frederick William
III., lived from 1846 at Fischbach in
Silesia, i. (1846), 135, 136 ; ii. (1857),
73
William I., Emperor of Germany, and
King of Prussia (born 1797), regent
1858, king 1861, emperor 1871, died
1888, i. (1843), 86, 88; (1844), 107,
108 ; (1850), 200 ; (1851), 210, 212,
213; (1855), 232, 233, 243, 244,
245, 246, 269, 260 ; (1856), 279, 289,
302; ii. (1857), 2, 3, 17, 21, 22, 56,
57, 77, 79, 80, 81 ; (1858), 83, 84,
88, 94, 95, 99 ; (1860), 108 ; (1861),
109, 110 ; (1864), 123, 125, 127, 136,
152, 155 (letter), 157, 161, 165;
(1865), 181 ; (1866), 184, 186, 190,
191, 193, 195, 196, 197, 198; (1867),
200, 201, 202 ; (1868), 206, 209, 212,
213, 218 ; (1869), 219 ; (1870), 234 ;
(1871), 241, 245 ; (1875), 262, 263,
264, 265 ; (1876), 275 ; (1877), 277 ;
(1878), 281; (1879), 283, 286;
(1880), 293, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300,
301 ; (1888), 316
William II., since 1888 Emperor of
Germany (bom 1859), ii. (1867), 205
(at Reinhardtsbrunn)

William, Duke of Brunswick from 1830
(1806-1885), ii. (1857), 14
William the Conqueror, 1066-1087
king of England (1027-1087), i.
(1855), 257 ; (1856), 285 ; ii. (1857),
26, 26 ; (1858), 88
William III. of Orange, 1689-1702 king
of England (1650-1702), i. (1856),
265 ; ii. (1857), 52
William, Moltke's servant, i. (1842), 78 ;
(1843), 91
" William Tell," opera by Rossini, ii.
(1857), 68 ("rather slow")
Willisen, Baron William von, Prussian
general, (1790-1879), i. (1850), 200,
205
Willisen, Barou George Gustav von,
Prussian general (1819-1886), i.
(1856), 292
Willisen, Baron Frederick Adolph von,
Prussian general (1798-1864), am
bassador to Rome when his death
occurred, ii. (1864), 158
Wilson, Robert Thomas, British 'general
(1777-1849), from 1840 governor of
Gibraltar, i. (1846), 146
Wimpffen, Baron, Moltke's cousin, i.
(1841), 11
Windischgratz, Prince Alfred (1819-
1876), wounded at Koniggratz, ii.
(1866), 190
Windsor, on the Thames, i. (1855), 256,
258 ; (1856), 279, 284, 285, 286, 287 ;
ii. (1857), 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 ;
(1858), 88, 89, 90
Winter, Peter von, composer of operas
(1754-1825), i. (1841), 52
Wintzigerode, Prussian general, ii.
(1857) 6 ; (1864), 126, 142
Wismar, town in Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
ii. (1860), 103, 105
Wittekind, led the Saxons in the wars
with Charlemagne, i. (1855), 261
Wittekind, Bad, near Halle, i. (1850),
200
Wittekindsberg, near the Porta West-
f alica, near which is the chapel in which
Wittekind is supposed to have been
baptized, i, (1852), 215, 216
Wittenberg, town in Prussia near Merse
burg, i. (1844), 105
Wittenberge, town in Prussia near
Potsdam, on the Elbe, i. (1846), 156 ;
(1850), 189, 192
Wittgenstein. See Sayn- Wittgenstein
Witzleben, Mrs. von, wife of the
governor of Saxony, i. (1852), 217,
218
Witzleben, John von, captain in the
Prussian army, i. (1846), 136; ii.
(1858), 82 ; (1866), 190 (killed)
Wollin, island near Stettin, Prussia, ii.
(1858), 102
Wolsey, Thomas, cardinal, and minister

362

INDEX.

to Henry VIII. (1471-1530), i.
(1856), 272, 282, 283
Wolter, Charlotte, Countess O'Sullivan,
actress (born 1834), at the Palace
theatre, Vienna, ii. (1865), 174 ("very
much admired")
Woolwich, on the Thames, in Kent, with
arsenal, etc., i. (1856), 284
Worms, in Hesse, ii. (1863), 117;
(1871), 244 (deputation)
Worsley Hall, near Manchester, ii.
(1857), 47-53 (visit to)
Wrangel, Frederick Henry Ernest,
Count von, Prussian field-marshal
general (1784-1877), commander in
chief of the Austro-Prussian army in
the Danish war until May, 1864, ii.
(1857), 17; (1864), 122, 124, 125,
129, 130, 134, 136, 161, 161 ; (1866),
194, 195
Wratislaw, Count Eugen, Austrian field-
marshal (1786-1867), ii. (1865), 173
Wrbna, Count Dominik (born 1811),
Austrian colonel, ii. (1865), 172
Wulfingerode, village in Prussia
(Nordhausen), i. (1855), 245, 246
Wiirttemberg, Dukes and Princes of.
See Eugene, August and Philip
Wylde, William, British general, Prince
Albert's chamberlain (1787-1877), ii.
(1857), 24

Zacken, tributary of the Bober, rises in
the Riesengebirge, ii. (1857), 73

Zastrow, Henry Adolph von, Prussian
general (1801-1874?), i. (1846), 135,
139 ; ii. (1858), 82
Zedlitz, various counts of, ii. (1857), 20,
76 ; (1864), 124, 171
Zedlitz Trutschler, Count Edward von
(bom 1800), ii. (1867), 68
Zichy von Vfcsonykeo, Count Francis von
(boru 1811), chief of the household of
the Austrian Archduke Maximilian II.,
ii. (1857), 32
Ziegenkopf, near Blankenburg in the
Harz, l. (1856), 238
Zieten, i Count Leopold (1802-1870),
married the Countess Ernestine
Schaffgotsch (1805-1846), ii. (1857),
73 ; (1868), 88
Zillerthal, in the Riesengebirge, ii.
(1857), 73
Zmnitz, in Prassia (Kalau), where was
Mr. von Patow's property, i. (1864),
228
Ziskaburg, in Silesia, ii. (1857), 72
Zobtenberg, highest peak of the Zob
ten, near Breslau, ii. (1857), 2, 5,
68
ZornvonBulach, Baron, chamberlain, ii.
(1867), 200, 201
Zurich, ii. (1866), 198 ; (1874), 257
Zumbusch, Caspar Clement yon, sculptor
(bom 1830), ii. (1872), 249 (medallion
of Moltke)
Zwittau, town in Moravia (Triibau), ii.
(1866), 191

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