The death of Prince Herbert Bismarck on the 18th inst.
at Friedrichsruh has excited an amount of attention natural when one considers his birth and the hopes which his great father had formed of his career. He was not, however, an important personality. He had considerable ability, and had been carefully trained to diplomatic work, but though he was appointed Foreign Secretary by his father, he never had an opportunity of making any striking success. He was not socially unpopular, but something in his demeanour irritated colleagues and subordinates, and when his father fell his passionate anger and inability to recognise that the Emperor was within his legal right finally broke his connection with the Court. He spoke repeatedly in Parlia- ment, but, in spite of his wide knowledge, produced little impression there. He was a devoted son, and his grievances were real ; but iii3pq was the very foundation of his character; he claimed a place in the world to which be was entitled only by his father's greatness, and not obtaining it, shrank back haughtily into political obscurity. His death will cause regret among the many friends of his house, but he leaves no chasm, and will be remembered chiefly for his filial devotion.
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