About politics and individuals cannot write you much, because most letters are opened, When once they are familiar with your address on my letters and with your handwriting on yours, they will probably get over it, because they have no time to read family letters.  Do not be afraid of the local aristocracy; as to money, Rothschild is the most aristocratic, but deprive them all of their money and salaries, and it would be seen how little each one is aristocratic in himself; money doesn’t do it, and otherwise—­may the Lord keep me in humility, but here the temptation is strong to be content with one’s self.

Countess Pueckler, sister of the Countess Stolberg, resides at Weistritz, near Schweidnitz.  Now, farewell; I must go out.  God’s blessing be with you.  Give F. and M. much love.  Your most faithful v.  B.

Frankfort, May 27, ’51.

My Darling,—­* * * On Friday there was a ball at Lady Cowley’s, which lasted until five in the morning; they all dance here as if possessed; the oldest delegates of fifty, with white hair, danced to the end of the cotillion, in the sweat of their brows.  At midnight “God Save the Queen” was solemnly played, because her birthday was dawning, and it was all a transparency of English coats-of-arms and colors from top to bottom, and very many odd, stiff ladies, who “lisp English when they lie,” as I read once upon a time the translation of that passage in Faust; that is to say, they all have a passion for talking bad French, and I am altogether forgetting my English, as I have discovered to my dismay. * * * Oftentimes I feel terribly homesick, and that is to me an agreeable sadness, for otherwise I seem to myself so aged, so dryly resigned and documentary, as if I were only pasted on a piece of card-board. * * * Give your dear parents my heartfelt love, and kiss Annie’s pretty hand for me, because she stays with you so sweetly-Now, I shall not write another word until I have a letter from you in hand.  Yesterday I attended the Lutheran church here; a not very gifted, but devout, minister; the audience consisted, apart from myself, of just twenty two women, and my appearance was visibly an event.  God bless and keep you and the children.

Your most faithful v.B.

[Illustration:  PRINCESS BISMARCK]

Frankfort, Ascension Day—­Evening.

(Postmarked Berlin, June 1, ’51.)

My Heart,—­How good it is of you all that, directly after I had mailed my complaint of lack of news, there arrives such a shower of letters.  A thousand thanks to your dear parents, and I shall answer dad tomorrow, when I am less hurried than today, for on this dear holiday, after a big dinner, I must still write some long despatches.  I was at the French church today, where at least there was more congregation and devotion, and the minister was passable, too, but I cannot talk French with my dear, faithful Lord and Saviour; it seems to me ungrateful.  For the rest, they sang pretty hymns, these insipid Calvinists, almost in the sweet Catholic tune which you always play. * * *