The Paris correspondent of the Times details two interviews which
he enjoyed in Berlin during the Congress, one with Prince Bismarck, and one with Dr. Virchow, the savant and Liberal leader. The Prince recounted to him a striking incident of the negotiations in 1871. He had to settle a question with M. Thiers and M. Jules Favre on which they could not agree. After a fierce discussion, the German Chancellor, who was, he says, on thorns lest England, or Italy, or Russia should intervene, sud- denly broke out on his interlocutors in German. M. Thiers, who understood only French and Italian, remonstrated, when Prince Bismarck said, "When I begin to see it is useless to discuss, I talk my own language." M. Jules Favre rushed into a corner of the room and buried his head in his hands, while M. Thiers began writing furiously, and his face flaming with anger, offered the Prince a paper containing certain stipulations, asking "Is that what you want ?" It was very nearly, and the negotiation went on. Prince Bismarck is not the only man who has secured a Treaty by personal brow-beating. M. Thiers' idol, Napoleon, frequently used the same device, and once frightened an Ambassador into an illness. The fact is always quoted as an instance of his inherent brutality, but Napoleon was an Italian, and could command himself when he chose.
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