We have, unfortunately, no letters written from England; after his return he writes to Roon: "I have just come back from London; people there are much better informed about China and Turkey than about Prussia.

Loftus must write more nonsense to his Ministers than I thought." The only event of which we have any information was his meeting with Mr.
Disraeli, who at that time was leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons; it took place at a dinner given by the Russian Ambassador to the Grand Duchess of Saxe-Weimar.

Among the guests was Count Vitzthum, Saxon Envoy; he saw Bismarck and Disraeli engaged in a long conversation after dinner; afterwards the English statesman told him the substance of it.

Bismarck had spoken as follows: "I shall soon be compelled to undertake the leadership of the Prussian Government.

My first care will be, with or without the help of Parliament, to reorganise the army.