Chapter VII: Peaceful Development (1)

The day selected by the Prince and Princess of Roumania for the commencement of their tour through Moldavia--April 20, 1871--was one of good omen for the result of that journey. Prince Charles was anxious to reinstate the close and intimate relations which had existed between him and his people before the recent agitation, as well as to give the lie to the calumny that he no longer took an interest in his subjects. The Princess, too, was eager to become more closely acquainted with the beauties of her new country under her husband's guidance. Unfortunately the pleasure of the trip was marred by the constant downpour of rain, which laid half of Jassy under water. But the Prince and Princess did not allow the weather to interfere with their plans, and succeeded in visiting every noteworthy place or institution. At their departure from the Moldavian capital, as on their arrival, they received a most enthusiastic ovation, to which Prince Charles replied that the heartiness of their welcome everywhere had convinced him that the lately dissolved Chamber had in no way expressed the sentiments of the nation. The memory of the heartfelt sympathy accorded to the dynasty in Jassy had, he added, given him fresh courage and energy to devote to the high duties entrusted to him by the nation.

Prince Charles expressed the same views to the Ministry on his return to Bucharest, and informed them that he had given up the thought of abdication, as his tour through Moldavia had satisfied him that the nation would be loyal to the Sovereign they had elected, whilst condemning the revolutionary aims which had been the source of the recent trouble. The marvellous change which had taken place in the Roumanian situation in the short space of five weeks did not fail of prompt recognition abroad. The Austrian Ambassador at Constantinople remarked: "If Prince Charles succeeds in managing Roumania with his own resources, and in rendering it governable, it will be the greatest _tour de force_ I have witnessed in my diplomatic career of more than half a century. It will be nothing less than a conjuring trick!"

Prince Charles thus described the surprising change of situation between March 22 and May 22:

"Then there were revolts in the streets, breaking of windows,
and an approaching abdication. Now there is rejoicing
throughout the country, ovation after ovation, and a celebration
of the anniversary of my accession in a more hearty and
universal fashion than I have been accustomed to for a long
time. Everything that was possible has been done to wipe out the
memory of our bitter experiences of last winter, alike during
our tour through Moldavia and on our return and on May 22....

"Moldavia has recently been the arena of anarchical and
separatist intrigues so wide in extent that no great success
could be expected at the recent elections, the more so as a
rumour had been spread throughout Moldavia that I had decided
to turn my back on the country very shortly. Our tour effected
a complete change. Towns like Galatz and Fokschani, which have
sent anti-dynastic Deputies to the Chamber for four years in
succession to advocate my deposition, have now elected men who
openly declared themselves to be on the side of my dynasty
during the most critical period. The elections throughout the
country have resulted satisfactorily, and my Ministry can count
upon a secure majority.... Tell voted against a foreign prince
in 1866, as he was of opinion that such a ruler could neither
become intimately acquainted with the country, nor would enjoy
the same language or religion.... He informed me on entering
the Ministry that no Prince had ever known the country better
or respected the Church so much as I had done.... He says:
'I think more of the happiness of the country than of its
liberties!'...

"General Solomon and Colonels Slaniceanu, Lupu, and Sefcari are
thorough soldiers, who were all at their posts in the hour of
danger and did their duty loyally. The army, moreover, behaved
excellently at the critical time, which gave me great pleasure,
as I have always given it special attention.

"... I should like to be able to lengthen every day, for none
suffices for my continuous work. Everything that is performed
in silence by the chiefs of departments in other countries is
here laid before me; no decision is arrived at without my being
consulted. Every one wants an audience of the Prince to lay a
grievance before him. But the more work I have the better I like
it, and I by no means wish to complain."

Owing to the sudden illness of the Grand Vizier, Ali Pacha, through overwork, and the prevailing centralisation of the Turkish Government, all affairs of State came to a standstill for the time being. The Sultan refused to appoint a substitute, and Ali Pacha refused to resign: "I shall die, if needs be, but I shall die as Grand Vizier!"

The Prince and Princess, with their little daughter, sought protection from the climate of Cotroceni in the cloister of Sinaja on August 2. The arrangements made for them were extremely primitive: the small whitewashed rooms, or rather cells, were connected only by a wooden verandah on the inside of the building, round the inner court of the cloister. The magnificent view over the mountain scenery, however, amply compensated for the lack of comfort; whilst a heavy thunderstorm, with brilliant flashes of lightning, cleared and cooled the atmosphere shortly after their arrival. The weather that followed left nothing to be desired, and the Prince spent the greater portion of each day in the company of his wife and daughter in the glorious Carpathian woods under a cloudless sky. The Princess of Wied arrived at Sinaja on August 31 to take part in the festivities of the first birthday of the little Princess Marie, who, as her father reported with joy, "has already two teeth, and will soon be able to run about."

Almost daily some expedition or picnic in the woods was arranged, especially at that spot in the valley of the Pelesch where Prince Charles thought of building a summer residence. This plan had, however, to be given up, as the situation of the proposed house was too much exposed to the violent winds which swept down the valley.

These happy days came to an end, only too soon, when on September 11 the Prince returned to Cotroceni, followed two days later by the remainder of the family. The Princess of Wied was forced to commence her journey home on October 28. The Prince and Princess accompanied her a short distance on the Giurgiu line. Prince Charles Anthony expressed his great joy at the favourable impression which the Princess's mother had formed of their surroundings in Bucharest. "Her impressions are generally favourable and, best of all, she has gained an insight into your home life, which could not be happier. That is of the greatest comfort to us, since other circumstances remain unchanged.... Moreover, Princess Wied is satisfied with the social elements, and has everywhere found receptivity for what is nobler and better; a firm mortar alone is wanted to prevent the good from dissolving and the evil from working to the surface...."

Prince Charles replied the same day: "Elisabeth has created her own sphere of action; she frequently visits the schools and communicates the remarks and observations made whilst the instruction is going on personally to the _conseil permanent de l'instruction publique_. By this method she has already succeeded in introducing several minor improvements; in addition to this, she is translating some school-books for children into Roumanian, with the aid of some young ladies; and once a week she presides over the Society for the Poor, which has done good work since its institution a year ago.... We are all well. Little Marie is full of life, and runs from room to room. When I have a minute to spare, I play with her. The dear child is my greatest joy!"

Prince Charles and his family decided to celebrate the Christmas festivities of 1871 according to the Eastern calendar, on December 24 (January 5). Prince Charles Anthony's Christmas letter contained the following interesting allusion to German affairs:

"On the whole everything is satisfactory in Germany. The
Prussian officers sent to Württemberg and Baden find it
difficult to grasp the situation of South Germany; but all is
satisfactory, since necessity knows no law. Manteuffel plays a
great part in France, and is endeavouring to traverse Bismarck's
plans and intentions. But it is really of no importance;
everything succeeds with us. Both Military Cabinet and
Government of State go their own way, and yet finally effect a
junction, because the National-Prussian principle outweighs all
else.

"May Thiers and the Republic long steer France! any so-called
dynastic revolution would cause a war with Germany--not that we
fear one, but we need peace and development."

The Chambers passed a law on January 5 by which Roumania undertook to pay the coupons commencing from January 1, 1872, and all that remained to end the matter was the consent of the Berlin Syndicate to the proposed compromise.

On January 28, 1872, Prince Charles was able to inform his father that the unfortunate dispute about the railways had at last been settled: "A telegram has just been received from Berlin informing us that the shareholders have accepted the first part of the law; you can imagine our delight! The history of this suffering has now reached its end--thirteen months of anxiety, excitement, and fears, form a long episode!"

_To_ PRINCE CHARLES ANTHONY.

"My chief news to-day is that the condition of Elisabeth's health renders a journey to the South an absolute necessity; she has never quite recovered from the violent attacks of fever of last summer, and in spite of all precautions has recently been ill again; this might lead to serious consequences if often repeated. Since change of air is the only really effective remedy, she will go to Italy, and meet her Nassau relatives and Therese of Oldenburg in Rome before Easter. Should the climate there not suit her, she will go on to Naples. The two months' separation, which lies before us, is indeed very hard, the harder for Elisabeth, since she must part with both husband and child! It is satisfactory for me to know that she will meet relations in Rome, whom she will be very glad to see again. I must submit to the inevitable; but I shall feel my solitude very much.

"We shall then spend the whole summer in Sinaja, where we shall be more comfortable this time than we were last year. Abegg is at present negotiating the purchase of some meadow and wood lands so that we can build a country house on our own estate, and have a refuge in the healthy mountain air from the fevers of the marshes....

"The following incident will show you the anti-German feeling here: The Court of Appeal has acquitted the rioters of the 10th-22nd March for want of evidence. Costa-Foru in consequence demanded the removal of the judges, but I refused my consent, to avoid further unpleasantness. He then laid a decree before me, which made the President of the Court responsible for the acquittal and transferred him as a punishment; this I signed. The result of this measure was the resignation of a large number of the best judges both of the first and second instance, a demonstration which has caused great excitement and has been received with satisfaction. The gentry in question are considered as _victimes de la Prusse_, and only a few have the courage to agree with Costa-Foru. This is, of course, water to the opposition mill, and the affair is exploited in every kind of way...."

* * * * *

In a long letter, received March 8, 1872, Prince Charles Anthony minutely discussed the Prussian and Roumanian views about the recently settled railway dispute, and devoted particular attention to the attitude of Bismarck and the Imperial Government.

"I do not believe that the writer of the reports you forwarded
to me can take an active share in politics, since he gives so
free a rein to his dislike towards Bismarck and Radowitz.

"The German Empire to-day is a given factor, which the practical
politician is forced to take into consideration. If you look
back upon the scenes which took place nearly a year ago in
Bucharest on the occasion of the Emperor's birthday, you cannot
expect that Germany should meet the Roumanian population with
much sympathy. Such incidents have a lasting and estranging
influence. Moreover, the continual demonstration of the
Roumanians in favour of France cannot but displease Germany,
who has lost many thousands of her best sons in a war which was
forced upon her against her will.

"I am no blind eulogist of Bismarck, but he is indispensable to
Germany and Prussia, and aims solely at great ends and means.

"He steps courageously over every bound; just as he passed over
us in the Spanish question, he has now proved the correctness
of his views and his courage in the retirement of Mühler, and
in insisting on the School Inspections Bill, which were both
fundamentally _opposed_ to the King's wish and opinion. It is
easy to understand that he must neglect you in striving for
great political aims.

"It is not _because_ you are a Hohenzollern, but _in spite_ of
your being one, that no consideration could be paid to your name
and race in the recent solution of the railway question.

"I am convinced that, now that Roumania has regained her
international position with glory, the relations with the German
Empire will take a more peaceful form. At all events, the
advances lie on the shoulders of the smaller and weaker State:
that is the ordinary course of events in politics.

"For that reason I dislike the following sentence in the report
you sent me: 'Because certain capitalists are pleased to put
their money into an industrial speculation, is it necessary
that it should become a matter for the two Governments? If this
principle is admitted, where will it lead?'

"The participation, therefore, in a loan guaranteed by the State
is called an 'industrial speculation'! Germany, accordingly,
is peaceably to allow her subjects to suffer loss through the
Roumanian State, and if she complains about such treatment,
where should the complaint be addressed if not to the State,
that is the Government, which does not act in accordance with
its pledges? On the other hand, one might well ask: 'If this
principle is admitted, where will it lead?...'

"The importance of the names connected with the Strousberg
Syndicate was by no means the reason for the decided steps that
were taken in Berlin. The action was rather due to consideration
for the many thousands of smaller men, who had confidently
invested in the Roumanian bonds; the high rate of interest, it
is true, was the chief inducement, but nobody imagined that his
money was invested in a dishonest business.

"I now come to the end of this long letter, in which I have
spoken my mind so freely, but in which I hope you will only
recognise a proof of my affectionate sincerity. I make no claim
to be infallible, but I should like to impress upon you that the
Teuton element to-day possesses the greatest vitality and the
richest future, and that Roumania can only remain the master of
her own future by a sensible union with it. Let society, the
Press, and the general instinct of the nation be anti-German if
they will--they must not, if they intend to put their feelings
into practice, throw down the gage to the Teuton spirit."

Princess Elisabeth was forced to tear herself away from her husband and daughter on March 12, to seek health under the cloudless sky of Italy.

At Trieste the Princess of Hohenzollern was awaiting her arrival in order to accompany her to Rome, and, later on, to Naples, where the King and Queen of Denmark, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, with other Royal personages, were spending the Spring. The Prince of Wales discussed politics earnestly with Princess Elisabeth, and asked with which side Roumania would be ranged in the event of a war. The Princess quickly replied: "With the strongest, of course!"

A very plain and straightforward letter was received from Prince Bismarck on April 25, 1872, in reply to an explanation which Prince Charles had sent him on the railway question.

"Your Highness can have no cause to doubt my devotion to your
person. I am sincerely pleased that your Highness has reason
to look towards the future with greater confidence and a more
joyful assurance. My former respectful letters will have
shown your Highness how highly I rate the difficulties of
your position, and I hope that your present hopes will not be
disappointed.

"In the railway crisis, which is now, we hope, so fortunately
ended, the Government of his Majesty could adopt no other
attitude than that of guarding the rights and interests of
German subjects. The appeal to the suzerain power of the Porte,
which your Highness complains of, was necessary on account of
the position of these German interests and the principles of
international law; and only the blindness of the parties in
Roumania could see in it any damage to the autonomy of the
country as established by the conventions."

After alluding to the anti-German demonstrations in 1871 and the acquittal of the rioters of March 22, Bismarck continued:

"It is therefore a surprise to us to learn that, as your
Highness remarks, the hope is cherished in Roumania that the
autonomy may be extended by the mediation of Germany, and new
rights acquired, and that by this means friendly relations may
be re-established. I am afraid that public opinion in Germany
will scarcely appreciate the reconquest of the favour of the
Roumanian nation, since we may say to ourselves that we have
neither desired nor brought about its loss. Your Highness knows
how unconditionally you may reckon on the good will of H. M.
the Emperor and King and of his Government, and that we all
entertain the best wishes for the prosperity and welfare of your
country; but at the same time your Highness has too clear an
insight into the wants of your country not to recognise that the
conditions of that prosperity and that welfare must be sought in
the development of its internal politics, and in the faithful
fulfilment of the obligations it has undertaken, and that the
influence exerted in Europe by the German Empire may be of great
use to the Roumanian nation, if the latter in any way responds
to, or even acknowledges, the friendly feeling for Roumania
which still exists here."

_From the_ GERMAN CROWN PRINCE.

"My best thanks for the photographs; your child must have charming and interesting features: she reminds one of both the families to which her parents belong! The surroundings amused us, and we greatly admired Elisabeth in the national costume. In spite of photographs, however, I can hardly imagine my old friend Charles as a married man and father with a child on his arm! It is an indescribable happiness to be a father, and I can only too readily imagine how you spend every free hour in the society of your child, and that you found the little mite the only consolation for her mother's absence during your first separation....

"When I reflect on the course of events in Germany, since the Düppel assault first attracted the attention of the world to us Prussians, it always seems to me as though I had listened with rapt attention to a long history lesson--that I was called to witness the reality appears a marvel. May our people in future preserve the same becoming earnestness and humility which up to now they have not laid aside in spite of all their successes! So long as that feeling is not abandoned we show ourselves worthy of the deeds we have witnessed.

"You will remember that the thought of a reconstitution of the Empire as the finishing touch in the work of German unity has always occupied me, and been among my sincerest wishes; truly, my aim was directed at a peaceable and bloodless achievement of this fact, and perhaps the same object might have been reached without a war. But these are idle questions which can no longer be considered: we have rather to look to a systematic and thorough completion of the Empire, the external form of which is perhaps attained, but many a year must pass before its southern component parts have quite found their place in the new building. The peoples, especially that portion which took active part in the war, are far more favourable to the new situation than the Cabinets; I shall therefore not be at all surprised if the next few years bring us some most disagreeable conflicts of aim. The peculiarities of each separate country forming the Empire will always be respected and interference with their internal affairs must be avoided; I therefore do not at all like the expression 'a uniform State.' But it is for that very reason that earnest pains must be taken that perfect unity may be shown in military, legal, and foreign-political fields, and that these elements may become more and more firmly welded together.

"To my joy our neighbour States do not appear to view our union with unfavourable eyes, and that is in itself a great deal--we shall certainly not be loved by any of them. The revengeful feeling of France is only natural and explicable, though much water will flow between the banks of the Rhine before that feeling will issue in act....

"You would hardly recognise my children again. William[16] is growing and is hard at work. Henry has become stronger than he was. Charlotte does not seem to grow at all, yet she is pretty, like her fair-haired sister. The youngest you do not know at all--they are already very well-developed little atoms mentally."

[16] The present German Emperor.

* * * * *

Princess Elisabeth reached Genoa on her way home to Bucharest on April 30. She had left Naples only a few days before a terrible eruption of Vesuvius, accompanied with earthquakes, which caused the death of some two hundred persons. At Vienna the Princess was visited by the Emperor of Austria, Count Andrassy, and a number of her relations. Prince Charles met the Princess near Orschowa and was delighted to find her completely restored to health. Their entry into Bucharest was greeted in every way as heartily as on their return from Germany in 1869. The streets of the capital were so densely packed by a most enthusiastic multitude that the carriage could only proceed at a walk.

The following letter from the German Emperor was brought by M. Mavrogheni:

"MY DEAREST COUSIN,--

"I have to thank you for two letters, one for March 22 handed
me by your father, and the other by the bearer of this letter.
Let me first thank you heartily for your loyal wishes on my
birthday; since recent events took place that day has certainly
gained more prominence than formerly, but it also reminds us to
return thanks to Him who set us so unexpected a task, and who
gave us strength to execute it. The feelings expressed to me on
March 22 are in this respect of value and joy to me, since it
is assuredly of God's mercy that one is selected to execute His
will on earth on behalf of a nation and its army.

"Your last letter gave me an occasion only yesterday to speak
with your Minister, as I am suffering from an injured knee and
cannot dress myself well. We discussed the Strousberg affair,
which appears to be favourably settled on the whole, but which
has had a very susceptible and aggravating effect at times. The
Jewish question was then discussed. It is a hard task to have
to side with a race of men whose character I know only too well
from the Russian Poles. Although in the most examples the guilt
of the Jews, according to your own Government's showing, was not
at all as heinous as it appeared at first, still the punishment
was severe, and some show of mercy would certainly be advisable;
on the other hand, it must be regretted that the repression of
riots and Jew-baiting was not employed quickly or effectually
enough. This, of course, again creates the impression abroad
that the internal politics of Roumania are not yet stable, and
you will never eradicate this impression until you have created
a well-organised and disciplined army, able to enforce obedience
to the orders of the Government, not by strength of numbers, but
by quality. I expressed this opinion years ago to you through
Colonel Krenski, and I regret that you still do not grasp this
point--_i.e._, that you still place more value on the quantity
of your forces than in their quality.

"I realise the difficulty of your task, but it is absolutely
necessary if Europe is to gain confidence in your Government
through the prevalence of order and security in Roumania.

"I am indeed sorry that your wife's health made a separation
necessary, but it was certainly high time to overcome the fever:
nothing undermines the health more than lingering ill-health; I
therefore hope the best from the Princess's change of air!

"Farewell, and preserve a friendly memory of your very sincere
Cousin,

"WILLIAM."

The Roumanian Court moved to Sinaja on May 29, 1872, where the fresh mountain air completely restored the Prince and his family to robust health. The Prince wrote the following description of a great bear-hunt to his father:

"I went bear-hunting a week ago. Three hundred beaters with
drums and trumpets, the sound of which re-echoed tenfold in
the rocky valleys, and close on thirty hunters, who completed
a circle of several miles, and secured our quarry. Two drives
were arranged, each of which lasted from two and a half to three
hours.

"After leaving Sinaja about five o'clock I climbed the first
summit, Furnica, which I reached at seven. It was just here that
a large she-bear had killed several sheep three days before,
and devoured them at a short distance from the shepherds, who
looked on trembling. I posted myself at this point behind a rock
overlooking two deep ravines. The drive then began, accompanied
by the penetrating cries of the beaters, who descended the
slopes on all sides in an unbroken chain. Suddenly the sky
clouded over and a terrible storm broke, so that you could not
see ten paces before you. As nothing was to be seen after a wait
of two hours we sought refuge in a hut; in a short space of time
the weather cleared up, and the pretty Prachova valley lay at
our feet bathed in the brightest sunshine.

"This change in the weather encouraged Elisabeth and her ladies
to leave Pojani Zapului, whither she had driven that morning,
and proceed to meet me with the luncheon. After I had sat three
hours in the hut waiting for the bear, or rather the luncheon,
the latter arrived about noon, and we sat down to it together
on a greensward; the hunters and beaters, the Dorobanzi and
their horses camped round about us. All the groups were
indescribably picturesque; in the background the bare rock
summits of the Kairaman, Omul, &c., appeared like veritable
ghosts. At two o'clock we again descended to Pojana Zapului,
a little village at the entrance of the _valea babei_, the
rendezvous of the bears. I separated from Elisabeth here, and
climbed down into this haunted valley, where we came across a
primeval wood. Again I found a position which overlooked two
ravines. The greatest bear-hunter of the neighbourhood was close
to me, and assured me that I should catch sight of some bears.
I waited patiently for close on three hours behind a decayed
tree; the cries of the beaters had long since died away, single
shots were heard in the distance, a portion of the beaters had
finished their task, and still nothing was to be seen. I laid
my rifle aside discontentedly, but the huntsman whispered to
me to have patience for another half-hour. I took up my rifle,
and ten minutes had barely sped when I heard a loud rustling,
stones rolled down the sides of the ravine, and two young bears
crossed our field of sight, and one after the other descended
the slope, breaking the rotten boughs with their broad paws. The
distance was not great, and I could easily have put a bullet
into one of them if boughs and tree-trunks had not impeded my
aim. I therefore quitted my position, and climbed down a little
way to get a free field of fire, but the huntsman had in the
meantime reached the edge of the ravine and killed one of the
bears with his first shot; the other would certainly not have
escaped him if he had had a double-barrelled rifle. The great
excitement now commenced, as the she-bear, which had already
been fired on by the beaters higher up, was expected to arrive,
but no one could say whether she had been wounded, or whether
her cubs had preceded her. The circle of beaters and hunters
now drew closer in, the _matador_ of the hunters placed himself
close by my side, and drew my attention to the danger of an
attack by so savage an animal. We waited half an hour for the
decisive moment; unfortunately the she-bear did not turn up, and
the hunters declared it probable that she had been wounded and
had hidden herself in some rocky crevice, as otherwise we should
certainly have had a shot at her.

"On the way home we witnessed another interesting scene. At
least thirty large golden eagles had assembled round a carcase
on the far side of a ravine, but the distance was far beyond our
range. I fired at one which was hovering over my head, but only
hit one of his feathers, which fluttered to the ground. The shot
frightened the interesting inhabitants of the mountains from
their meal, and they flew in all directions between the rocky
spurs, where we were able to follow them with the naked eye for
a long time."

The same letter also contained a most interesting picture of the situation of Roumania, both at home and abroad.

"Since my last letter to you on April 30 many things have
improved here, and every day shows more and more the advantages
of a firm Government, which alone can secure progress and
increase the prosperity of the country. The loyal and frank
attitude of Catargiu's Ministry has practically crippled the
intrigues of the parties, the more so since they have no burning
question to exploit. The Opposition Press, it is true, is not
ashamed to publish the grossest calumnies about the Government,
or to prophesy that the fate of King Otto or the Emperor
Maximilian will befall me unless I dismiss the Ministry soon!
Fortunately their sallies are so violent that no one places
any belief in their screed. As affairs stand at present only
some external crisis can affect the resignation of the Cabinet;
luckily it is in such favour with the Great Powers that even
this anxiety disappears.... It is the immediate duty of my
Government to maintain order at all costs, and to aim during the
coming session at putting an end to the abuse of liberty, which
only damages and discredits us in the eyes of foreign countries.
As Roumania is the spoilt child of Europe and has been permitted
to do so much, it knows nothing of reflection or fear. It is
like an unbroken foal, which is imbued with liberty, and
ignores every danger. Guizot says: 'There are times when nations
are swayed by their desires beyond all else, and others where
they act solely in accordance with their fears. According as the
one or the other of these dispositions prevails, nations are
intent on liberty or security for preference. It is the first
degree in the art of government to distinguish between those
sentiments.' To Roumania liberty is more than security: she only
knows her own desires, and is fearless. I have not, therefore,
been deceived hitherto about her sentiments, which in the eyes
of the French statesman is the height of statescraft. For my
part I consider that I have committed an error and that I should
have achieved more if I had sometimes gone against the desires
of the nation!

"As a matter of fact, I have from the commencement devoted my
whole energy to the development of the material welfare of these
richly endowed countries. My groundwork was the execution of
the net of roads and railways. This is the national-Roumanian
policy which I have so far pursued, and which I shall continue
in the future. Perhaps this is the very reason of the great
wrath of those to whom the existence of Roumania is a thorn in
the flesh. The enmity to which it is exposed by a paid Press is
therefore well founded, for even a small country which makes
material progress daily may in time become a factor with which
perhaps the world may be forced to reckon. I have observed two
currents in the policy of Austria-Hungary regarding us: the
official circles appear at present to favour the stability and
peaceful development of Roumania, whilst others--I know not
how to define them: clerical, financial, Jewish--show their
animosity by an incessant paper-warfare against the country. The
Austrian and Hungarian papers compete with each other in this
rivalry. What lasts too long ends by becoming tedious, and one
may hope that the world will some day have had enough of this
tangled web of printed lies. It may also be that much of this
arrogance is based on Stock Exchange speculations. The Jewish
_haute finance_ has declared that it will not embark upon any
business with "Jew-devouring" Roumania, and will oppose with
all its might any of the country's aims. In the meantime we
have concluded a tobacco monopoly with a great Hungarian Jewish
house, and obtained an unexpected bid of 8,000,000 francs a
year, a brilliant piece of business for both parties."

_To_ PRINCE CHARLES ANTHONY, _August 31st, 1872_.

"Our stay at Sinaja, which, if the weather holds good, we shall prolong for another four weeks, suits us excellently. The life here is pleasant and unconstrained; every day brings fresh interests. A bevy of young girls adds much liveliness to our circle; in addition to the lately appointed maid of honour, Mlle. Valeanu, we recently had seven young ladies to dinner, with a dance and round games in the evening. Even nonsense refreshes the mind, and it was a real benefit to us all to let ourselves go. We made Costa-Foru dance and D. Ghika played with us. This is a very different matter from sitting head over ears in work. Until to-day it would have been impossible to accuse me of playing with my present and former Ministers, and hence it is a real satisfaction to me to have done so in Sinaja. Moreover, our stay here is of great benefit to us in many ways: it brings us into closer contact with people than would be possible in the city, where everything is red tape; we have also had the pleasant experience that, in spite of the difficulty of communication, everybody seems delighted to come here. We have had numerous visitors even from Moldavia....

"On September 8 our little Marie will be two years old, but she might easily pass for three, for her mental and physical development is far more mature than that of most children of two years old. You ought to see my little daughter now, my dear parents. You would certainly take as great a pleasure in her as we do ourselves; she already speaks three languages--Roumanian, German, and, above all, English; is very independent, runs about alone, calls everybody by his proper name, and on Sundays goes to the chapel of the Monastery, where she keeps quite quiet during the service. Her character is amiable and gentle; she obeys every order, and gives up all her little possessions with pleasure."

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The birthday of the little Princess was celebrated in the same way as the year before, with the ceremony of breaking a cake over her little fair head, and with serenades, and fireworks. The childlike grace and charm with which her Serene Highness accepted the homage captivated all hearts.

_To the_ GERMAN CROWN PRINCE, _October 8th, 1872_.

"We have been permitted, after many storms, to spend a quiet and happy summer, admiring nature and art, and visited by people of all kinds and of all nationalities--mutable and merry, despite the stillness of the cloister surrounded by giant mountains. Even a few Englishmen put in an appearance, and I gave them the heartier welcome for the hope that they will now spread healthier ideas about Oriental countries amongst their fellow countrymen. Unfortunately the shade of Palmerston still moves amongst England's diplomatists, and her inhabitants are more Turkish than the Turks themselves, which fact you will be able to estimate correctly, as you are acquainted with Turkish rule. I have said this to all who came, and I hope that the Foreign Office will acquire a more just appreciation, particularly of the territories of the Danube."

_From the_ GERMAN CROWN PRINCE, _October 28th, 1872_.

"We fared very well during the summer; my wife and I and our two youngest children enjoyed the Alps in Berchtesgaden and Salzburg, a region which we find extraordinarily attractive.

"There, as in the whole of South Germany, where later on I inspected troops, a reception was prepared for me as hearty and brilliant as any in the old Mother Country. The feeling of cohesion amongst all German races since the re-establishment of the German Empire has spread in those parts extraordinarily, broadly, and quickly. All feel themselves elevated and strengthened; they see themselves as members of a nation which commands a respect such as the former thirty Fatherlands could never have commanded. The enemies of our union, against whom we struggle, cannot prevail in face of this political power, but they will leave no means of damaging it untried. Only we must not make a mistake in our choice of weapons, for otherwise we shall make martyrs of our opponents, and shall reap neither thanks nor advantage."

_From_ PRINCE CHARLES ANTHONY, _November 26th, 1872_.

"The burning question in the new German Empire is the Church. This question is making a great stir and embittering family life; it undoubtedly points to future danger, since the Ultramontane Party will use it as a lever to intrigue against the new German Empire and the Protestant Emperor. Simply to oppose Germany, France is highly in favour of Rome and everything connected with it, and so she is enlisting the sympathies of our Ultras, who believe, or wish to have it believed, that France is the only sanctuary of Catholicism, and that Prussia's policy is universal evangelisation. This tendency in France is at present a means of agitation, inspired by revenge and not by the glorification of the Church.

"The boundaries between the powers of the State and the Church are to be regulated by legislation in Berlin. This problem may possibly be solved in theory, but never in practice. When my opinion was asked, I advised the Emperor to decide each concrete case with the utmost rigour, but never to embark upon disputes about theoretical dogmas--history teaches that in such struggles the State invariably comes off the worst. The introduction of civil marriage, the separation of the schools from the Church, and the establishment of State examinations for the clergy are alone excepted from this. The Church must be left to herself; the State has nothing to do with dogmas, which depend entirely upon the conscience of Catholics.

"You have no idea of the agitation which these questions are causing just now, or of the prevailing misconceptions.

"It is well that the Jesuit law is, so to speak, an already surmounted vantage-point; but those who expect improvement from it are mistaken; the greater part of the Catholic priesthood of to-day has been educated by the Jesuits. The whole struggle is grievous.

"If the contending parties had long ago arrived at an understanding, particularly in the time of King Frederick William IV., that the Throne and the Altar are two irreconcilable conceptions, it might have been possible to regulate their relation without the intervention of force. But that ruler's absolutist tendencies sought and found in the absolutism of Rome an alliance which is still a heavy burden upon our national development.

"You will certainly have followed the debates on the '_Kreisordnung_' in the Upper House with interest. To myself it is a brilliant satisfaction for the wrongs suffered in 1859 and 1860; what I then prophesied has happened to-day--the Upper House is an institution whose entire composition stands in urgent need of reform.

"The situation in Bavaria and Württemberg, especially in the dynastic spheres, is scarcely yet intelligible. Particularism is as obstinate as possible. The unification of the Empire from a military point of view is proceeding smoothly, and will not recede; but the minor Sovereigns take it very ill that they are to be mediatised in a military and diplomatic sense at once...."

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The unexpected news of the death of Napoleon III. was received at Bucharest on January 10, 1873. Prince Charles and the Roumanian nation were deeply moved by this sad event, for the dead Emperor had been the champion and protector of the national existence of Roumania in its darkest days. Throughout the whole land memorial services were held, though the Metropolitan at first objected on the ground that the late Emperor was not a member of the Orthodox Church. The universal expression of sympathy with the widowed Empress and the Prince Imperial created a certain friction with the Republican Government, and the Foreign Minister reminded M. Strat that the Roumanians ought not to forget that, after all, "it was to France, and not the Emperor, that gratitude was due"! M. Thiers, the President, also expressed his vexation that the Roumanian Chambers should have sent messages of condolence to the Prince Imperial as well as to the Empress, since the former had never had anything to do with Roumania. This measure was considered to indicate that Roumania held the French Republic "_nul et non avenu_." M. Thiers concluded with the remark: "If I had acted strictly in accordance with the rules of international custom, I should have recalled all my agents and broken off all communication with you!" M. Strat was able, however, to convince the President that Roumania had only paid a debt of gratitude to a benefactor, and had no intention of insulting France.

The situation in Paris at the commencement of 1873 was described by M. Strat as "the same struggles, the same defiance in every camp, and the same uncertainty about the future as in the past." A sort of armistice existed between M. Thiers and the Majority of the National Assembly, who were anxious to foist a King upon France, whilst the adherents of the Republic were divided into two camps. "Those who desire a moderate and conservative republic do nothing to bring it to pass, and those who wish for a _régime_ on the lines of Gambetta & Co. do everything in their power to render it permanently impossible." Gambetta's school, which unfortunately had made proselytes throughout the whole of Europe, aimed at "governing by inane discourses, banquets, harangues, demonstrations in the streets, and all the customary trappings of a vulgar democracy." Hampered by all these conflicting elements, M. Thiers was confronted by the task of maintaining order, paying milliards, and raising the commerce of the country. He would only secure peace with the National Assembly if he gave it complete liberty "to play upon that instrument which they call universal suffrage."

On February 13 King Amadeo of Spain announced in a special message to the Cortes that he had laid the crown aside, under the conviction that the incessant struggles of the parties were frustrating all his efforts for the peace and happiness of his country. The Cortes, by a large majority, proclaimed the Republic _pour l'éternité_, and elected as their President a well-known and thorough-going Republican, Senor Fiqueras. And so the saying of Napoleon III., that a Latin race is almost ungovernable, received a melancholy confirmation, which was only partly refuted by the Prince Charles's unquestioned success in ruling the "Latin sister-nation." Public opinion was only now beginning to realise the great merit of the Prince in achieving, by patience, abnegation, and perseverance, a stable Government, which only a few years before had appeared to be an aim Utopian and altogether beyond realisation to all those who were acquainted with the people and the affairs of Roumania.

Prince Charles was invited by the Emperor of Austria to attend the Vienna Exhibition, where Roumanian commerce was to be represented by exhibits of tobacco, wool, silk, wood, salt and other minerals. There were scarcely any manufactures, but the Prince was confident that they would soon follow in the track of the railways.

The Princess, whose health had not been at all satisfactory, and her little daughter, set out on a visit to the Princess of Wied on May 31, 1873. Little Marie soon became accustomed to the motion of the yacht, and took the greatest interest in her first long journey. Neuwied was reached safely, and the first news which Prince Charles received on June 23 in Vienna was that they were delighted to be home, and that the German Crown Prince had given them a most hearty welcome.

Prince Charles received the same treatment at Vienna, where he found his brother, the Hereditary Prince Leopold, awaiting him. He could not fail to notice that the reception accorded to him in 1873 was far more cordial than that in 1869, and he found, too, that his labours and sacrifices during the last four years had at last received due recognition in the Press.

Count Andrassy had a long and important interview with Prince Charles on June 25, when the Prince mentioned his project of declaring Roumania an independent State, because the relations with the Porte only led to constant friction, and were prejudicial to the welfare of his country. Moreover, a free Roumania, he held, would be a better friend to Turkey than it could possibly be under the existing circumstances. Count Andrassy pointed out that Roumania, as an independent State, would be exposed to danger from outside, while at present her safety was guaranteed by conventions and treaties. At the same time he gave emphatic denial to the rumour that Austria had any intention of annexing Roumanian territory. "We should be acting against our own interests, were we to increase the number of our discontented Roumanian subjects, and extend our frontier against Russia." Prince Charles replied that it would always be his aim to remain strictly neutral between his two all-powerful neighbours, Austria and Russia.

The Roumanian section in the exhibition was altogether successful; the centre of attraction was a portrait by an American painter, Healy, of the Prince in cavalry uniform, and of the Princess in national costume. The many-coloured carpets and woven silks also received great commendation, as well as the wines of the country.

The Prince quitted Vienna on July 1 by the train which carried the German Empress back to Germany. The Empress expressed herself greatly pleased at the reception accorded her by the Austrian capital, especially by the amiability of the Emperor Francis Joseph. After a short stay at Neuwied Prince Charles proceeded to Ems to see the Czar before the latter left for Russia, and to congratulate him in person upon the approaching marriage of the Grand Duchess Marie to the Duke of Edinburgh. A couple of days later the Prince and Princess again visited Ems, this time to see the German Emperor, _en route_ for Imnau, where they expected to rejoin the Princess of Wied. The Emperor William welcomed his Roumanian guests with the utmost cordiality and affection, and declared himself delighted with the improved relations of the Prince to the Austro-Hungarian State. He again pointed out to his young cousin the necessity of paying particular attention to his army, and reminded him that a small but well-disciplined force was far superior to a more numerous though less highly trained army.

An amusing adventure happened to the Prince and Princess on their way to Imnau at Giessen, where they had the misfortune to miss their train, and were forced to spend the night at a small hotel near the railway station, without either luggage or sufficient money to pay for their railway-tickets. As they desired to preserve their incognito, they determined to make use of their "honest looks" to induce the hotel-keeper to advance the necessary sum of money. This hope, it is pleasant to note, was not cherished in vain, and Imnau was reached on July 8. The Prince's parents remained at Hechingen, which lies only a short distance from Imnau, but met every day either at one place or the other, so that Prince Charles Anthony's favourite wish was at last fulfilled. In this peaceful fashion a month passed only too quickly, and, after a couple of days spent at Krauchenwies the wanderers returned to Sinaja on August 28, touching Vienna _en route_, so that the Princess might also have an opportunity of visiting the exhibition.

The affairs of Roumania were absolutely uneventful, and the efforts of the Prince, warmly supported by the Ministry, made satisfactory progress towards the attainment of the high ideal which Prince Charles had kept before him ever since he first took up his arduous task. In a letter written to his parents at Christmas the Prince remarked: "Roumania has never witnessed so peaceful or, in many respects, so happy a year as 1873. The general progress is excellent, and the good understanding between the Government and the Chambers still continues."

The early part of 1874 was darkened by the illness of Princess Elisabeth, who was seized by a contagious disease whilst supervising the distribution of gifts to the poor children of Bucharest. Fortunately the trouble abated in time to enable the Princess to enjoy the visit of her brother-in-law, Prince Frederick. Princess Marie, too, was not spared by the epidemic, and for a few days her condition caused the gravest anxiety to her parents.

_From the_ GERMAN CROWN PRINCE, _March 21st, 1874_.

"You will certainly have followed with sympathy the course of the lamentable religio-political struggle between our Government and the Papal Curia. I am sorry that it should have occurred; but I foresaw it, as the custom, established these thirty years, of giving way to the demands of Rome rather than maintaining a firm position could not possibly continue. I think, perhaps, a different sequence in the legislature might have been observed; but since the struggle has been undertaken we must carry it through. Austria, very opportunely for us, is beginning to adopt a similar attitude.

"I am sorry that there should be a current report that the Government wishes to attack the Catholic Church and its dogmas for their own sake. Every one who is capable of calm deliberation must know that nothing is further from our thoughts."

_To_ PRINCE CHARLES ANTHONY, _April 7th, 1874_.

"I write to you oppressed by care and anxiety on account of our dear child, who is suffering from scarlet fever. On Saturday she was quite well, and drove out with us in the warm spring weather; early on Sunday she complained of not being well. Her malady increased towards midday, and was accompanied by sickness. Towards evening she became very restless and feverish, and Dr. Theodori recognised the symptoms of a dangerous illness. The poor child passed a very bad night, moaning and sleepless, whilst we watched by her bedside; at 2 A.M. her skin became deep red, and her temperature rose considerably. Theodori came at eight o'clock and pronounced it to be scarlet fever. At noon her whole body was burning with heat, and her head was affected. The doctor then informed me that the illness was so dangerous that he should like another opinion. A consultation took place the same evening in the sick-room, to which the local medical authorities were summoned. They did not conceal her serious condition from us, and declared that her age added to their anxiety.

"Another bad night was passed, but the fever was less intense the following morning; there was no question of sleep. We do not lose our courage, and trust in God, who will not abandon us in the hour of our trouble...."

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