His _Bismarck-Jahrbuch_ is equally indispensable; without this it would be impossible for anyone living in England to use the innumerable letters, documents, and anecdotes which each year appear in German periodicals.

Of collections of documents and letters, the most important are those by Herr v.

Poschinger, especially the volumes containing the despatches written from Frankfort and those dealing with Bismarck's economic and financial policy.

A full collection of Bismarck's correspondence is much wanted; there is now a good edition of the private letters, edited by Kohl, but no satisfactory collection of the political letters.
For diplomatic history between 1860 and 1870, I have, of course, chiefly depended on Sybel; but those who are acquainted with the recent course of criticism in Germany will not be surprised if, while accepting his facts, I have sometimes ventured to differ from his conclusions.
September, 1899.

J.W.H.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.PAGE BIRTH AND PARENTAGE.....................................