The journal of "Russian Antiquities" at St. Petersburg pub- lishes,
on the authority, it is believed, of family papers in the pos- session of Count Berg, a curious historical statement. In 1865, the writer affirms, Count Bismarck opened a negotiation with the Polish Committee at Dresden, asking them to declare in favour of extending Prussian dominion to the Vistula, The implied promise, of course, was that Prussia would then assist them ; and it was so serious, that Prince Czartoryski, the head of the Polish people, was consulted in Paris. He at once rejected the proposal, and over since, Prussia has aided Russia in repressing Poland, The story is important, because, in the event of war occurring between Germany and Russia, Prince Bismarck would be compelled to call on Poland, and 'would be terribly hampered if the Poles and the Russians con- . trived to come to an agreement,—always a possibility, in spite of all that has passed. The Poles feel strongly that Germany can destroy their national life,—a task which both Russia and Austria have failed to perform.
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