C^ /i fi ^
// y^/^n^
^> ^*^ /t^ ^ }^^^
^^/C<f ^ /^ >^ ^ /f^
Ly/^^ J^ ^J!
MOLTKE
CORRESPONDENT.
Field-Marshal
COUNT HELMUTE von MOLTKE
AB A
COEKESPONDENT
TRANSLATED BY
MARY HERMS
NEW YORK
HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE
1893
DL
2.1 7
CONTENTS.
I. Letters to his Family.
PAGE
Selections from Letters to his Father ... 3
1840, Via Elwangen and Cannstadt to Stuttgart
(p. 6) — Basle — The falls of the Rhine — Zürich (pp.
9-12) — Over the St. Gothard in adverse weather
(p. 15) — The Devil's bridge and the Urner Loch
(p. 19) — In snow and avalanches to the St. Gothard
hospice (p. 21) — The waterfalls of the Ticino, Bellin-
zora (pp. 24-26) — Naples; Street life in Naples
(pp. 26-29) — Genoa — Eough passage to Naples
(pp. 29-31) — Beggars at Naples (p. 32) — Pompeii j
the excavations (p. 36) — Public and private buildings
(p. 41).
Selections from Letters to his Sister Auguste . 43
Short biography of his sister Auguste (p. 43) — 1838,
Ride with Hafiz Pasha from the Karsan Dagh over
the Anti-Taurus (p. 48) — An iron pit in the Anti-
Taurus (p. 51) — On a riift down the Murad to
Chiirput (p. 53)— 1850, In Paris and Trouville (p.
55)— 1868, At Wildbad (p. 59)— 1869, Thanks his
sister for nursing his late wife (p. 63) — 1870, In
att eudance on the Emperor during a visit to King
Victor Emmanuel (p. 64)^ — Enthusiastic reception
407110
vi Contents.
PAOE
at Milan (p. 71) — Milan and its sights (p. 73) —
1876, At Palace Caffarelli in Kome (p. 78) — Rome ;
recollections and new impressions (p. 81) — Naples ;
the blue grotto of Capri (p. 83) — 1879, Manoeuvres
in Pommerania and Alsace (p. 86-88) — 1880,
Journey from Vienna to Gastein in very bad
weather (pp. 89-92) — 1881, Journey in the Tatra
mountains (p. 92).
Selections from Letters to his Sister Magdalene , 93
Short biography of his sister Magdalene (p. 93) —
1866, Probability of a war (p. 94)— 1875, His de-
light at Creisau (p. 96) — 1876, The four giants (p.
97)— 1878,RecoUectionsof his wife (p. 99)— 1883,
Death of his sister Guste (p. 102) — 1886, His interest
in his nephews' sons (p. 102) — 1888, Death of the
Emperor William (p. 104)— 1889, Death of his
brother Ludwig (p. 105).
Selections from Letters to his Brother Fritz . 108
Short biography of his brother Fritz (p. 108) —
1866, Autumn near the lake of Geneva (p. 110) —
1867, Gratitude of the Silesian people — Purchase
of Creisau (pp. 112, 113) — 1867, Description of
Creisau (p, 114) — 1868, Agricultural depression in
the province of Prussia (p. 118) — Revenue of Crei-
sau (p. 119) — Advantage of landed property (p.
119)— Pedigree of the Moltkes (p. 123)— Serious
political situation (p. 124) — 1869, Offer from his
sister and brother to make their home with the
widower (p. 127) — 1870, At Reims on the way to
Paris (p. 129) — Meeting with the Emperor Napoleon
Contents. vii
PAGE
after the battle of Sedan (p. 132) — Before Paris (p.
137) — Accounts of his relations at the seat of war
(p. 138) — 1871, Entrance of the troops into Berlin
(p. 141)— At St. Petersburg (p. 142)— 1872, Travel,
ling adventure of his relations (p. 145) — 1874, At
Eagatz (p. 147).
Letters to his Nephew, Wilhelm von Moltkb, and
HIS Children . 150
1863, Account of his taking his nephew Wilhelm
' to Wiesbaden — His exhortations to him to take care
of his mental and physical health (p. 151) — 1864,
Gives him advice about his journey during the
holidays (p. 160) — Advantage and disadvantage of
the military life (p. 163) — 1866, On his nephew's
preparation for the oflBcers' examination (p. 165) —
Money and its value (p. 171) — 1878, Business in
the Keichstag (p. 174)— 1885, San Remo (p. 176)
— 1887-1888, Boulanger — The Emperor Frederick
III. (p. 178)— 1890, On the education of boys (p.
ISO)— Home life of the Imperial Family (p. 182)
— About and to his eldest great-nephews (p. 185) —
Moltke as Opapa — The right medium between
avarice and waste (p. 189) — Thanks for presents
received (p. 192).
II. Letters to his Friends.
To His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Albert of
Saxony 197
Letters Exchanged between his Friends and Him-
self WHILE IN the East . . . . .199
Letters to Major-General Fischer — 1837, Advice
viii Contents.
PAGE
to General Fischer about his journey to Constanti-
nople (p. 202) — 1839, On his Avay home at Vienna
(p. 207)— 1841, About railways (p. 209)— 1854,
The Russo-Turkish difference (p. 212)— 1855,
Sebastopol — Appointed aide-de-camp to H.R.H.
Prince Frederick "William of Prussia (p. 217).
Letter to Captain Baron von Vincke, 1839, after
THE Battle of Nisib ...... 220
Letters from Captain Baron von Vinoke to Major-
General Fischer ....... 222
1839, Moltke " un chevalier sans peur et sans
reproche " (p. 222) — His serious illness at Vienna,
■when returning home (p. 223).
Letters to Count Eduard von Bethusy-Huo . . 227
1866, Position of the hostile armies at the end
of May (p. 228)— 1869, Recollections of his wife
(p. 233).
Letters to General von Tümpling , . . .235
18G9, Recollections of his wife (p. 235) — 1870,
Condition of the war in November (p. 236).
Selections from Letters to the Oberhofprediger
Sohaubach at Meiningen 238
1875, Thanks for his congratulations (p. 241) —
His trust in God (p. 243)— 1880, True value of
man here and hereafter (p. 244).
Contents. ix
PAGE
Selections from Letters to the Private Councillor
of flnaxces, von scheller 247
1870, State of the War in September and October
(p. 248) — Progress of the war in December (p. 250).
III. Occasional Correspondence.
On Religious Subjects 257
On Education , 259
His favourite books (p. 262).
On Charity 264
1871, Provisions for invalids (p. 264).
International Law, Politics, War .... 267
1874, Lot of prisoners of war (p. 267)— 1879, On
partial disarmament (p. 270).
Suggestions for the Promotion of Permanent Peace . 271
War ordained in God's Providence (p. 272) — Hu-
mane way of waging war (p. 274) — Dreams of peace
by opponents (p. 276) — United peaceable Germany
(p. 281) — Moltke in harmony with Kant (p. 282) —
War an evil not to be avoided (p. 285)— Words
and deeds in politics (p. 286) — On direct and in-
direct taxes (p. 288)— On Socialism (p. 294)— On
Reconciliation between Germany and France (p. 295).
Letters of Congratulation, Acknowledgment, &c. . 297
To a contemporary (p. 297) — On the merits of
X Contents.
PAGE
Field-Marshal von Manteuilel and success in war
(p. 299) — His nomination to membership of the
Russian Academy of Science (p. 303).
Various Proofs of Esteem 303
Literary Homage ....... 306
His views on biographies of living persons (p. 309).
I.
Letters to His Family.
SELECTIONS FROM LETTERS TO HIS
FATHER.!
Mao-adino on Lake Mao-o^iore,
November 2ncl, 1840.
On the 22nd of October I left Jena after a
month's visit. I took my last bath there in snow,
which fell through the open roof into the douche.
As we drove through the Thuringian Forest we
admired the beautiful snow-laden firs, but on the
other side of the hills the snow changed into rain
and strong wind. Coburg and Bamberg we
passed at night, so I saw but little of this fine
country.
On my way, in the dark, from Nuremberg I
was not a little surprised to hear a conversation
' A brief autobiography by his father is inolu_Ied iu
'' Moltke : Ilis Life and Character."
r. 2
4 Selections from Letters
being carried on in Turkish ; hut I think the two
Armenians, "\\4io were returning from the Leipsic
fair, were no less astonished when I joined in
their chat in the same lano:ua<2:e. The ekier of the
two men was a native of Egin, on the Euphrates.
His heart bounded with joy when I told him that
I knew the villao-es and mountains of that neio;h-
bourhood, and that the Kurds, who had so often
devastated his village, had been defeated, and that
the restoration of the church there was already
begun. He had left his country forty-six years
ago, but still remembered the exact number of
mulberry trees in the vineyard, and what fruit used
to grow on the house. He gave up the house and
garden to his Turkish oppressors, when a boy of
only ten years old, and went to Constantinople,
where, by trade and thrift, he made a fortune.
Jann Karabetha, on his way to the Leipsic fair
a year ago last Easter, was pressed by a Jew to
take a ticket in the Berlin Lottery, and he had
won 50,000 thalers (7500/.) His parents died
long ago ; his two sisters are both married to
wealthy men in AVallachia ; he himself, no longer
young, has neither brothers, wife, nor children.
To His Father. 5
His one wisli is to revisit Merkess, on the
Euphrates, once more before his death, and to
devote his money to his native village. It was
quite touching to hear him describe the assem-
bling of the Echtzar or elders (very likely all
buried now), to restore the church ; how he
would plant trees ; introduce wheel-barrows into
a country where all burdens were still carried ;
how he would bring them potatoes, unknown
there ; construct a plough on Avheels, etc. In-
<leedj such a man would be a real benefactor to
his country. Foreign instructors, European
politics, the Hattisherif of Gulhane, are not what
the country needs, but the wheel-barrow and the
potato. But all these plans can only be realized
when security is given to life and property, and
such security is not to be found on the Euphrates,
still less so since the defeat of the Turkish army
has allowed the Kurds to return to their old habits
of plundering. As things are, I had to advise the
Armenian to wait patiently and hope for better
times, which, however, I fear he Avill hardly live
to see.
I must leave Armenia, and return to Swabia,
6 Selections from Letters
this beautiful country of forests, meadows, villages
with picturesque mills, old castles, and cheerful
looking little towns. Elwangen, to begin with,
is one of the prettiest places to be seen, with its
fine castle, and big convent with towers and
shrines. In Wlirtemberg the roads are well kept,
but badly planned. They seem to follow the
direction of the old bridle roads which led to the
castles of the robber knights on the tops of the
basalt mountains of Rechberg, Staufen, and
Hohentwiel. The heights seem to be chosen
purposely, even in the beautiful Rems valley,
which runs straight along for ten miles ; hills are
ascended, only to be descended on the other side, by
the help of drags. This Avould matter little for
those who travel merely for pleasure, but the life
of the post-horses in Wiirtemberg is a dreadful one.
Where the Rems flows into the Neckar the
valley is wide and most beautiful. Here stands
the lovely little town of Cannstadt with a magnifi-
cent bridge over the river, Avhich rushes over a
long Aveir through fertile fields and by villages
with stately churches and towers. The modern
castle of Rosenstein, built in imitation of the
To His Father. 7
antique style, overlooks the town, which lies in a
deejD basin surrounded by high hills. These hills,
crowned with ruins of old castles, are clothed
with vineyards to the height of several hundred
feet, and dotted with the little white cottag-es of
the vine-dressers.
A line road, planted on both sides with high
poplars, runs through son;Le plantations for about
half an hour's distance as far as Stuttgart. In
many respects I prefer the capital of Wiirtemberg
to the much-admired capital of Bavaria. In the
latter everything has been done by the king, in the
former by the inhabitants ; and the situation of
Stuttgart is as fine as that of Munich is desolate.
Stuttgart occupies the whole basin of a deep valley;
the hills rise immediately behind the houses, clad
up to their summits with vineyards. No fields or
meadows are to be seen here ; the town seems to
live upon nothing but grapes. It was just the
vintage time, and the evening twilight was lit up
now and then by rockets. One of the best things
at Stuttgart is the hotel Marquardt, where I re-
freshed myself thoroughly after three nights spent
in a postchaise.
S Selections from Letters
]My first visit was to tlie liigli tower of tlie
Stiftskirche, whose tM'o liundrcd and fifty steps it
is well worth while to ascend. The view from tlie
top is most extensive, and greatly facilitates the
finding' of one's way afterwards. Xext I visited
the old castle, a fine stronghold, with big round
towers and magnificent arcades in the castle yard.
In olden times the people of this country not only
liked to build their dwellino-s on the highest hills,
but they also liked to live in the highest storeys.
An old Count of Wiirtemberg had stairs built up
to the fourth storey, which could be ascended on
horseback ; a stone by the door served for mount-
ing and dismounting. On the ground floor is an
arena where the tournaments used to be held.
The new castle is a finer building, in proportion to
the size of the country, than that at Christians-
borg, where the state cannot afford the heating of
the rooms.
In the morning I drove to Cannstadt, where I had
a delicious bath in the mineral waters. They spring
to the height of two feet from a marble shell. The
water has a j^leasant taste. After the parade I
visited the Royal stables, where two hundred and
To His Father. 9
fifty stallions are kept. My fancy was taken by
some thoroughbred Arabs, small white horses, just
fourteen hands, by whom, from English mares, the
bifjerest horses have been bred. While I was
CO
admiring them the king passed. He likes to visit
his stables from time to time, and though visitors
are not allowed, he bowed courteously to me.
Going by Tübingen, which is also very prettily
situated, I reached Basle early in the morning,
and I went on at once to see the Falls. I will
spare you a description of this marvel of nature ;
one might as well try to describe music as a water-
fall. Everyone has read so much about the Falls
of the Rhine before seeing them, that the spectacle
would be indeed beautiful if it could fulfil all
expectations. Everything here is on a grand
scale ; the breadth of the stream is from two to
three hundred feet, the height of the fall eighty
feet, and the mass of water is immense. Near the
Falls stand two fine castles, and behind them rise
the snow-covered Alps.
The vieAv from Castle Laufen on the left bank
is particularly grand. The formation of the rock
on one side of the stream forces the shoot of water
lo Selections from Letters
into the middle channel, tlius forming a small
space, between the rocks and the lower cascade.
This space has been utilized for a construction of
strong beams and cramp irons to enable travellers to
approach closely the mighty Falls of the Rhine.
Descending many steps from the castle to this bridge,
and turning round the last rocky corner, this enor-
mous mass of water is seldom seen without a feeling
of horror. Xo work of human hands could resist
this pressure even for a minute, if the direction of
the stream were not already marked out by its
upper course. Even the rocks shake perceptibly
under the uninterrupted fall of this weight of
several millions of pounds. The clear emerald
green of the water changes into snow-white, foam-
ing froth ; the seething waves, thundering down,
heap themselves over the rocks which bar their
course, and bury themselves in the sand of the
river's bed, to reappear hissing and whirling
fm^ther down. Clouds of spray ascend from this
vortex, and the colours of the rainbow flash in
calm purity over the ever-moving confusion of
waters, " like love that watches madness."
Can you believe that anybody who could enjoy
To His Father. ii
this sight in nature could remain in a dark room
to see nothing but a picture of it ? And yet, it
must be said that it is nature herself who is the
artist. Below the Falls the old tower-like castle
Worth, now used as a place for refreshments,
stands in the middle of the stream. In one of its
upper rooms there is a board covered with white
linen, the windows are shut, and a " camera
obscura " quickly represents the whole of the
magnificent Falls of the Rhine with inimitable
exactness, giving every detail with charming cor-
rectness. This must be a valuable study for a
landscape painter ; but even in this shape it would
still be difficult to reproduce. The charm is
broken by the first beam of light through the re-
opened Avindow. I shall never forget the view I
had of the Falls. I was fortunate in seeing them
amply supplied with water, and in a bright sun, at
noon.
In the evening I arrived at Zürich, one of the
prettiest cities I have seen ; it lies in a deep valley
just where the clear Limmat rushes from the lovely
lake. It is a splendid walk over the long bridge,
which crosses the river near the lake, and from
1 2 Selections from Letters
•\vhicli a fine view of the town hall, the hall, and
the beautiful cathedral, can be obtained. At the
other end of the lake the snow-covered Alps of
Glarus, the St. Gothard, and the glaciers of the
Bernese Oberland towered up in a semicircle, and
were lit up by the sinking sun, while a bewitching
dusk was already resting on the smooth surface of
the lake, only slightly rippled by the passing of a
steamboat.
Zurich used to be fortified, and it is difficult to
believe that not nature but human hands have
built up these mountains of ramparts, which were
constructed to cut ofi" the to"«ai from the sur-
rounding heights. The pulling down of these
fortifications gives plenty of Avork. The building
ground at Zürich had risen to enormous prices,
and the streets were extremely narrow ; but now
where the town is taking off" her iron dress it
grows rapidly. There arc some beautiful new
buildings, such as the Corn Älarket and the
Hospital. The proj^rietor of the excellent hotel
where I put up has bought a piece of the lake
for 12,000 florins. For the last three years he
To His Father. 13
has gone on filling it up, and he has already been
offered 40,000 florins for this joiece of building
o;round.
At Zilricli I was pleased to read in the news-
paper of the capture of Sayda in Syria with the
remark : " The first in the ranks at the stormins;
of the place were H.R.H. Archduke Albrecht and
Captain Laue of the Prussian Army." If my
friend had been a Frenchman, the Avhole irrand
nation would boast of it, but as he is only a Prus-
sian, very likely nobody will take any notice of
it.
To celebrate my birthday heaven favoured us
with sunshine, which was quite a change, and I
made a beautiful tour that I shall never forget ;
from Zürich over the Albis, along the lake of Zug
to Schwyz and Brunnen on the lake of Lucerne.
The last few years I have spent this day in very
different surroundings. In 1833 I was at Genoa,
then at Copenhagen, then on the Bosphorus and
on the Euphrates ; last year ill at Pesth, where I
was so kindly nursed by my friend Vincke and
his wife. This year I am hale and sound and happy
14 Selections from Letters
at the foot of the xVlps ; and I did what I had
never done before on October 28th/ namely, took
a bath in the open air. You will see how much
benefit I have derived from the treatment at
Ilmenau, when I tell you that I bathed in the
snow waters of the Rhine near Schaff hausen after
having passed the night in a post-chaise, then in
the clear waters of the Lake of Zürich, and to-day
in the Lake of Lucerne, which was quite rough.
The Föhn, a violent wind from the south, beat the
waves like the billows of the sea on to the shore.
I have left off" wearing my cotton under-garments,
and I am in excellent health this autumn, in spite
of the cold rainy weather, but I must not boast.
Brunnen lies at the foot of the highest Alps.
Beyond rises the Pilatus with its indented top
and the Rigi, which, I am sorry to say, cannot be
ascended this year, on account of the unusually
early and heavy snow. At the sight of this moun-
tain I thought of you, dear father, how your horse
ran away with you as you were coming do"v\Ti ; when
1 Thus stated in the original letter; but, as is well known,
his birthday was on October 2(]th. For similar mistake, see
his journal Avritten on his way to Coustaniinople (" Moltke :
His Life and Character").
To His Father. 15
I saw the steepness of these rugged rocks, the
thought of it was dreadful. Here at Brunnen the
first Swiss alliance was made, and over at Grütli, in
a little meadow, the second most important meeting
Avas held ; and where that simple little chapel
stands on the steep mountain-side Tell sprang
ashore, pushing back the governor's boat into
the stormy lake. There may have been a gale
on that day, such as we had on the 29 th, but
Gessler had no iron steamer like ours to fight
against it. Howe\'er, ^ve had to cross the lake to
Griitli in a rowing boat, violently tossed about
before we could go aboard the steamer. The
Föhn rushes so powerfully and irregularly out of
the rocky valleys that the steamer had difficulty
to reach Fllielen. The gusts of wind raised the
surface of the water like a typhoon ; we struggled
against the elements, and progi'essed so slowly, that
I had plenty of time to study the wonderful
ramifications of the mountains.
From Altorf we made for St. Gothard ; but
now my story becomes rather exciting, and it is a
pity that the fact of my writing this letter in Italy
betrays to you that I have really crossed it. But
i6 Selections from Letters
the worst that can happen to a traveller on his
tour happened to us : a sudden thaw and violent
rain after heavy snows. As is Avell known, this
route is much exposed to avalanches, especially
numerous in winter and sprin<i-, of which, however,
we were to have an example. After leaving
Altorf the poor horses were hardly able to make
way against the violent wind. In spite of drench-
ing rain, I remained on the box of the diligence,
to enjoy the grand scenery. I had never before
seen such valleys, such walls of rock rapidly de-
scending from a height of about a thousand feet,
and such a turbulent stream as the Reuss. The
high road wound higher along the declivity of the
mountains, and the stream roared deeper under us
in ghastly ravines. The rocks approached closer
to each other, the road suddenly curved, and,
crossing a bold arch, now went along the other
side of the valley. Not far from the village of
Yasen a thundering noise was suddenly heard
through the loud roaring of the stream. Opposite
us, high up near the snow-line, we saw a dark mass
loosening and rolling down the ravine with ever-
increasing rapidity. Its course was marked by a
To His Father. 17
cloud of vapour ; it appeared to sight again farther
down, big stones and pieces of rock preceded it in
mad jumps, and Avith a dreadful crash this mass of
stones and rock moved down into the stream. We
were standing straight over it, but about two
hundred feet from the bottom of the valley, which
enabled us to gaze upon the spectacle without
danger. In a moment the bed of the Reuss was
completely dammed up, the swollen stream roared
and foamed, but the next minute it had overcome
the obstacle, and rushed along with a darkened
colour over fragments of rocks and trunks of trees.
Such a fall of stones is a small thing and only dan-
gerous to those whom it overtakes ; but what a
landslip means, I had seen the preceding day at
Goldau. There it happened, I think in 1806, that
a mountain-side slipped and buried in a few
minutes a populous village rich in cattle, fields,
and houses. Goldau is situated about a quarter,
perhaps half, a German mile from the top of that
mountain, and if I had not seen it, I should never
have believed it possible that blocks of stone of the
size of a house could roll on for such a distance.
But, once set in motion, nothing can stop them.
c
i8 Selections from Letters
Even to-day the sight of the place is dreadful
For more than a mile in circumference stones are
heaped upon stones ten to twenty feet high, so
that scarcely a fir-tree grows in this scene of deso-
lation, once the fertile pleasant home of man ; it
is a Herculaneum for coming centuries ; under
these masses of stones the customs of our times will
be studied as we to-day study those of the Romans
under the ashes of Vesuvius.
Before we reached the village of Güschenen, a
mass of rocks and stones had slipped on to the
road behind us ; this with another in front of us,
prevented our carriage from moving either on-
wards or backwards. Nothing was left for us but
to walk on. This was by no means easy, for the
spaces between the loose dehris were filled up
with mud, into which we sank up to our knees, in
the darkness. To delay would have been danger-
ous as fragments continued to fall. In pitch dark
and in pouring rain we arrived at Göschenen.
Men were sent to fetch our baggage, and the horses
were brought in, but the carriage will probably
have to remain where it is for some time.
On the following day the wind had sunk a little,
To His Father. 19
but the rain came down all the more steadilv.
We did not, however, let it prevent us from con-
tinuing our wanderings, nor did it disturb our
delight in the awful grandeur of the Alpine valley.
Near the Schöllenen there are such dangerous
places, that from time to time so-called refuges
have been constructed ; they are niches cut in the
rocks in which the traveller can hide when he sees
an avalanche aj)proaching, and they are frequent
here. And by day this could easily be done. From
the height of a thousand feet a stone would ordi-
narily fall in about eight seconds, along the rocky
wall it would fall about three or four times as
quickly. This would enable anyone to escape who
took care to run about a hundred paces away in
the right direction. During the night some stones
had slipped do"wn here, and it was very difficult to
pass, on account of the swollen brook. Near the
devil's bridge {Teufelsbrücke) the character of the
valley is very wild. The high perpendicular
granite walls on both sides, and the fall of the Reuss
from the height of a hundred feet, under the
arches of the bridge have often been described and
represented. Then you enter Urner Loch, a
c 2
20 Selections from Letters
gallery hewn out of the solid rock, from whose
dark depths you suddenly see before you the sph'e
of the church at Andermatt and the Zwingthurm
near the village hospital standing out from a large
meadow. The church is the oldest in Switzerland,
it was built in the year 600.
Everything here was covered with snow, and we
had to continue our journey on sledges of light
structure ; empty barrels formed the seats, and
they were drawn by one horse. Each traveller
had a sledge for himself. There were three of us ;
a Swiss alderman from Unterwaiden, a French-
man, and myself. Three Germans, travelling
journeymen, who had enlisted in the Papal Army,
were pilgi'imaging on foot to Rome. About an
hour before Hospenthal the road was so com-
pletely blocked up by avalanches that the horses
could go no further. We had provided ourselves
with three strong Swiss lads, who carried our lug-
gage, so we walked and climbed. Suddenly the
guide cried out •' Una valanga," and at the same
moment we saw on the opposite side, about two
hundred feet behind us, a mass of snow rolling
down from the top. It is almost incredible that
To His Father. 21
mere snow can cause such a terrific noise, and yet
this avalanche, -which was but small and hardly
reached the brook, caused a noise like that of con-
tinuous thunder.
From this point the expedition began to be
uncomfortable. The higher we ascended the softer
became the snow, the result of rain and a south
wind. We sank into it up to our knees, even to
our waists. And often while endeavouring to ex-
tricate one leg we sank just as deeply with the other.
For a while we could endure it, but after an hour's
struggle the gale became more violent, rain and fog
much denser, and we began seriously to long for
the Avails of the hospice, which, however, were not
yet to be seen. I had given my mantle to one of
the lads, and had nothing else to carry, so I reached
it first, the Frenchman was about half-an-hour
behind us, and the lads, already heavily laden, had
to support him. At last our whole caravan
arrived.
You can scarcely imagine a more miserable inn
than that of the St. Gothard. The government of
the canton Ticino has built a large house with many
rooms, but the most necessary thing, stoves, have
22 Selections from Letters
been forgotten. There is only one in the whole
house, and this one was so draped with wet cloaks
and trousers, that it gave no heat in any other
part of the large room. Our luggage was wet
through, and all we could do was to go to bed at
five o'clock in the afternoon, after we had had
some hot wine and macaroni with cheese. In the
hosjoice proper there are only two Capuchin
monks and a lay brother, who, with their scanty
means, supply poor and needy travellers. They
have none of those big dogs now, who used to find
lost travellers.
On the following day we descended the south
side of the pass ; there was still more snow than on
the north side. The road here winds along
extremely steep mountains in endless zig-zags ; we
climbed straight do^\"n a path which, without the
snow, even a chamois would not attempt. If we
had not continually sunk in up to our hips, we
should have broken our necks ; we had numerous
falls, but each time the snow saved us ; and so we
toiled for three hours in continual rain. Not till
vre arrived at Airolo, almost a thousand feet lower
than on the north side, did the snow cease. But
To His Father. 23
now it became very dangerous to climb down the
steep, slippery grass. The wind caught my mantle,
and together with a recruit of His Holiness, I sailed
vent en j)ou])e, down a green slope much quicker
than I liked. We Avere landed happily on a snow-
field. The Frenchman involuntarily followed our
example, but head foremost, and he Avould have
been thrown into an abyss, had not one of the
guides, who was in advance, planted a snow shovel
in his course and stopped him in this way. But
the jDoor devil had damaged his knee so badly that
he had to stay behind at Airolo.
This place we reached in three days, not having
once taken off our wet clothes. There was no
need for me to continue my baths.
We had hoped to pursue our journey from
Airolo in a comfortable carriage, but we were
disappointed. The Ticino, a dangerous mountain
stream, swollen by the unusually heavy and
incessant rains, had destroyed many of the bridges,
and damaged the fine road, even washing it away
in places. So we were obliged to make our way
on foot as fur as Faido.
But the journey cloAvn the Lcvcntine valley was
24 Selections from Letters
extremely pleasant and interesting. This part of
the country might be called the home of waterfalls,
and for a friend of this Ijranch of nature's beauty
no better way can be proposed than to follow the
course of the Ticino. Heavy clouds still hung over
the valley bordered by dark firs, but high above
them towered the snow-capped mountains, and now
and then specks of blue sky showed, seeming to
give promise of better times. We now reaped the
advantage of the heavy rains by seeing the water-
falls at their best. Hundreds and hundreds of
cascades rushed down the mountains, each one of
them would have been worth a long journey to
see. The greater number of them only exist in a
sudden thaw, such as we had. Now they appear
like silver threads falling down from the clouds on
to the high, dark rocks, then they roll do^vn like a
glistening veil from rock to rock, soon they spring
like fountains over blocks of stone which bar
their way, or rush foaming madly down a deep
abyss of sixty or a hundred feet. The rapidity
of the falling water decreases, because it dissolves,
into mist and sinks down in graceful foam.
The Dazo grande is a very imposing sight. The
To His Father. 25
Ticino, with its very rapid course, forms a current
above Faiclo, which certainly falls three hundred
feet in a distance of about five hundred. The
stream runs throusrh such a narrow ravine and
between "such high perpendicular and often pro-
jecting rocks, that the road had, in many j^laces,
to be cut into the solid stone, in others it had
to be carefully built up with free-stone to the
height of from thirty to forty feet. The water
seems not to find sufficient room in the bed
of the river ; in two places the stream is only
two feet wide, while in its upper course it has a
width of fifty or a hundred feet ; if it were pos-
sible to get down to these narrow places, they
could easily be stepped over. The river bed must
either enlarge underneath the surface of the water
or it must be immensely deep. With terrific
force the pent-up water rushes out of these cre-
vices into the larger basins, tumbling in seething
foam over the rocks, thundering from fall to fall,
while the winding road endeavours to follow its
course. Insensibly one leaves the fir-tree behind
for the chestnut, the walnut, the vine, cypress and
the olive.
26 Selections from Letters
The first sight of Bellinzona is peculiar. Three
forts formiDo- a loii"' "wall and reachino; as far as
the bridge over the Ticino, which is 250 feet long,
shut off the valley, two thousand feet wide, from
the high mountains on the left hand. The wall
is constructed so that it is a defence on both sides,
and the little town itself is fortified.
I have had time to write this long letter, as the
steamer is not crossing the lake to-day on account
of the bad weather. It is no use going to Italy in
such Aveather as this, we might as well be at the
Christmas Fair in Berlin. It rains incessantly, the
water of Lai^o Ma2:o:iore has risen fourteen
feet. Our hotel is on an island, and one cannot
leave the house. In the yard, where we walked
about yesterday, boats are required to-day.
Naples, Nov. ITtli, 1840.
Now I have exchanged the bleak mountains of
the Thuringian Forest for tlie shores of the Gulf
of Naples, the dark firs whose branches sunk under
the weight of the snow for the light green of the
lemon tree Avith its golden fruit, and the olive and
To His Father. 27
the palm. Through the open door of my balcony
I see, on the oj^posite shore, Vesuvius with thick,
white clouds rising from its crater. Vineyards and
gardens cover its base, and an uninterrupted row of
houses and palaces — the villages of Portici, Torre
del Annunciata, Torre del Greco, and Castellamare
— extends along the shore. A little further on
the right the promontory of Sorrento juts into the
sea, and the island of Capri raises its rugged head
out of the water ; close under my windows I hear
the continuous bustle of this populous city. Every-
thing here is noisy, even the dashing of tlie sea
against the rocky shore, and the quays seem noisier
to me than in other places. The oyster and hsli
sellers with their " Frutti di Mare," the donkey-
boys, who bring immense loads of vegetables,
which at home are only seen in the early sum-
mer, flower and grape sellers, coachmen, beggars,
and even sluggards shout, if they do nothing else.
If a " lazzarone " feels ])orcd he yells, and imme-
diately a crowd assembles round him who also
yell to keep him company, and suddenly they all
seem satisfied. There you see two felloAvs playing
^' a la mora," a game in whic^li you guess how
28 Selections from Letters
many fingers your partner will raise ; by the noise
they make you would think they were coming to
blows, but they are only conversing in a friendly
way. Further on, people are playing with mud
balls " il bigliardo del povero," but all this is
done with loud screaming. The horses wear bells,
and since every one exerts his lungs to the utmost,
it is most difficult to make oneself heard. A
kind of stupefaction comes over you as you walk
through these noisy streets ; suddenly a cab drives
close up to you, " Volete carrozza ! " calls out the
driver, as loud as ever he can, and he obliges
you to make a round to get out of his way.
" Eccellenza ! " cries another, and points with a re-
proving glance at your boots, which have become
very bespattered in the dirty street, and while you
are looking at them, the man has already seized
you by the leg. He puts a little foot-stool under
your foot and in the midst of the crowd of people
and horses he restores the polish of your " chaus-
sure " for two grani. " Andiamo alia barca ! "
shouts a little sailor, barring your way. " Per
carita, Signore ! " calls a beggar, stretching out his
crutch, so that you are obliged to get over it. On
To His Father. 29
all sides you are detained by people trying to
make you give them some trifle. A German
beggar opens the door for you, an Italian shuts it
— both for the sake of a coin.
But before telling you more about Naples, I must
give you a description of my journey here. I
came by water and in water. Dreadful rains had
swelled the rivers in the north of Italy, so as to
interrupt all communication. The large boat-
bridge over the Po was torn away, we had to em-
bark, with our wet baggage in little boats, and
thus in some danger to cross the wild stream. The
weather was horrible, and I hastened to leave a
country already known to me, in search of new
sights. Everything was seen at a disadvantage.
The Borromean Islands in the Lago Maggiore were
not much more beautiful than the Möven Island
in the Schlei, and even Genova la superha was
not nearly so magnificent as usual.
But this Queen of the Sea will for ever tell of
the time when kingdoms were her subjects. The
palaces of Durazzo, Balbi, Doria, Caretto, Lavagna,
and many others are of royal magnificence. The
most costly thing in Genoa, that is space, is lavished
30 Selections from Letters
on tlicm. If you would see beautiful staircases,
you. must come here. The steps are often as wide
as fifty feet, they are mostly of white and black
marble, ornamented with precious statues on both
sides and ascend ^'ery gently. They lead up to
the first and second storeys, where there is nothing
to be seen till you reach the dwelling Jipartments.
You have to climb high to get away from the
darkness of the narrow streets, but then you are
rewarded by a magnificent view. The streets,
Balbi nuova and nuovissima are Avidc, and magni-
ficently paved with large square stones, but near
the harbour the streets are often very narrow, no
wider than a path. ]\Iy rooms at the Groce dl
Malta were a hundred and twenty steps high. The
dining-room occupied two storeys, and was more
like a church than a hall. Stepping out on to the
flat roof of the house, you are surprised to find
yourself in a lovely orange grove with a bubbling
fountain. The water is laid on from the mountains,
which rise close behind Genoa, to the height of
three thousand feet ; they are covered with coun-
try houses, gardens, olive plantations. The forts
which cro^^^l these hills make Genoa a rcduit for the
whole army of the kingdom.
To His Father. 31
The mamiiiicent si^lit of Palazzo Lavama re-
00 o
called to me vividly Schiller's Fiesco, and the
paroxysm of ambition which seizes him when,
opening the large doors of his room, he beholds
Genoa before him in the splendour of the rising
sun. Quite at the opposite end lies Palazzo Doria,
the home of Andreas Doria, whose descendants are
still flourishing, while the house of Lavagna became
extinct with " the Lion."
Though the sight of the Mediterranean was
beautiful as the Avaves beat against the rocky shore,
the tossing became most disagreeable as soon as
our steamer Sully passed the point of the Molo. The
night was dark and stormy and all the passengers
were ill. One of them, who was sleeping on deck,
was most unfortunate, a yard fell down and broke
his skull ; the jDoor man, a Russian, barely escaped
with his life. It was a long jDassage ; when we were
already in sight of Leghorn the storm became so
violent, that we began to think of turning back.
However, towards evening we reached the road-
stead (we ought to have been there in the morn-
ing), and entered the liarbour. The captain
decided to stay twenty-four hours to let the gale
subside.
32 Selections from Letters
Every travc41er at sea makes the acquaintance
of a gale as a ^' matter of course," and I leave it to
you to deduct from my description as much as you
think necessary. But the fjict remains that I was
horribly sea-sick, and that I almost made up my
mind never to go on board a ship again. The follow-
ing day the sky was blue, the air mild, the sea
bright, the ship began to get up steam, the anchor
was wei<2;lied, and we were out at sea ao-ain. But
during the night the " sirocco " rose ; our misery
beo:an ao-ain and continued till we sailed into the
" molo " of Civita Vecchia. Now I had had enough.
I disembarked, intending to go to Rome, and from
there to Naples ; but our passes had to be vised. I
was sent from the Police-station to the Douane,
from the Prussian Consul to the Papal Legate, from
the Post-office to the Custom-house ; everywhere I
had to pay, and matters were nowhere satisfactorily
settled. No city has ever impressed me so unfa-
vourably as this one. Swarms of ragged beggars
crowded round me, every one of them seized a
piece of my luggage, running away with my
travelling bag, my umbrella, or my mantle. At
last, when all the difficulties were overcome, I
To His Father. 33
was asked to pay for two places in the diligence^
because otherwise it could not leave till the next
morning. They seemed to make sure of me, per-
haps they could tell by my face that I did not like
a boisterous sea ; but I made up my mind quickly,
took a boat, had my luggage put in and embarked
again on the Sully, which Avent rocking on slowly
in the direction of Cape Circello. If the com-
panions of Ulysses had been as sick as I and my
fellow-sufferers, there would have been no need
for them to stop their ears with wax. No sirens
could have succeeded in making us listen to their
beautiful songs.
At Civita Vecchia, which looks beautiful from
the sea, I was so happy as to make the acquaint-
ance of the most notorious robber-chieftain of our
times. He had led many expeditions, on which no
less than thirty men had been murdered at one
time, and in^ spite of all his crimes he seemed well
pleased with himself. At last a treaty had been
made between His Holiness and Signor Gasparino
in consequence of which the latter had been sent
to Ancona. But not very long after, this hravo
thinking that he had been taken advantage of, re-
D
34 Selections from Letters
fused to keep the contract. He again headed his
band and plundered worse than before. The
Papal Government made a new treaty with him.
The robber captain was given comfortable apart-
ments at Civita Vecchia ; he now receives four paoli
per day and four courses at his meals, and leads a
quiet life under the care of a guard. He was, at
any rate, the most amiable person I met at Civita
Vecchia.
I am sure that travelling long in Italy must
deteriorate the character. The Italians seem to
be a nation of Facchini, Camerieri, Vetturini,
Hospiti and Ciceroni, who have united to
plunder the traveller. It is true they cheat him
to gain but a trifle, but it is always vexing to be
taken in. The consequence is that bad inten-
tions are often suspected, even where they do
not exist. Nobody can be trusted ; for every
purchase one has to bargain, and yet one is
cheated every time. In Germany, if the poor
man expects a reward for rendering you a service,
in Italy the beggar forces you to give him
something ; making himself as unbearable as
possible that you may rid yourself of him by
To His Father. 35
giving him an alms. He holds you by your coat,
shows you the most nauseous wounds and mutila-
tions, abuses you if you don't give him what he
asks for, and laughs at you when you do. If
you ask the name of the street, your informant
stretches out his hand for a reward. A decently
clad man followed me through Leghorn to show
me the Prussian Consul's house which had already
been pointed out to me. I told him that he need
not trouble himself, as I should not give him
anything. " Ecco la casa, al terzo piano " (on the
third floor) said the man and went away.
Astonished at his modesty, I ascended the high
stairs, and found that the consul lived on the
ground floor.
It is best not to give an Italian all that you in-
tend to give him at once. If he receives five francs
for ever so small a service he is sure to say : " c poco,
Signor" (it is little). But supposing you gave
him first one franc then half a franc, he would
very likely be satisfied. This is a low trait in
his character. Satisfied with anything if neces-
sary, he will try to get more as long as there is a
possibility.
D 2
36 Selections from Letters
On the lOtli of November, at noon, we were
under the shelter of the Island of Ischia. We
passed quickly by the high castle of Procida, and
the beautifully shaped Cape Miseno, sailed through
the bay of Baja and Puzzuoli, rounded the
Posilippo, and beautiful Naples lay before us.
But clouds hung about Vesuvius and darkened
Cape Sorrento, diminishing the beauty of the view
that we had expected to enjoy. I saw Constan-
tinople for the first time, at the end of November,
and I must say that in beauty it exceeds Naples.
The chamberlain von Oertzen, whose acquaint-
ance I made on the journey, and I, have taken
comfortable and cheap apartments together on the
Strada Lucia, whence I make my excursions.
One of the most interesting objects to be seen
hi Italy is Pompeii. You are transjDorted, as if by
magic, from the present into past ages, from
the nineteenth century into the first century of
the Christian era. Time, migration of nations,
and amateurs in art, have destroyed the most
magnificent, most solid constructions of the Greeks
and Romans. Nothing is left of the gigantic
temples and theatres, but isolated shafts of
To His Father. 7)7
columns, and half-sunken vaults. But Pompeii
was overwhelmed by a convulsion of nature, and
in one day, in the midst of life her inhabitants
were caught, en flagrant delit, and entombed for
two thousand years.
The earth itself was the museum that preserved
not only the works of art, but all the household
aiTangements of the population. A layer of
ashes and pumice-stone, ten to twenty feet thick,
protected all these things from destruction ; at
the beginning of the last century it was known
that Pompeii had been buried by an eruption of
Vesuvius in the year a.d. 79, but not where
the city was situated. Some inscriptions found
in well-sinking gave the first indication of the
site. At present about a fourth, perhaps the
most interesting, part of the old town, with its
vineyards and country-houses, has been brought
to light. Tlie following buildings have been exca-
vated : the forum, two theatres, the street of the
artisans and merchants, the amphitheatre before
the gates, the street of tombs, and the houses of
some well-known men, such as Cicero, Diomedes,
Sallust, etc.
407110
38 Selections from Letters
At the time of the eruption the inhabitants of
Pompeii were assembled at the amphitheatre,
whose marble steps and lions' cages are now spread
out before our eyes. Very likely most of them
had time to save themselves ; yet many bodies
have been found of those who were overtaken.
Before the door of the large beautiful house of the
freedman Diomedes, the skeleton of a man was
found with a key in one bony hand, and a bag of
money in the other.
In the lower vaults of the temple of Isis lay
the skeleton of another with a crowbar in his
hand ; the man had worked himself through two
thick walls. A woman's skeleton was found with
two children in her arms, Avhom she must have
tried to protect from the rain of ashes ; a petrified
piece of ashes is still shown to the travellers, with
the impression of a beautiful bosom.
But nothing is more surprising in visiting this
Epimenides of towns, than the freshness of the
colours, which have covered the walls for about
two thousand years. Almost all the floors of the
bigger houses are inlaid with most delicate mosaics,
and the fountains, ornamented with fragile cockles
To His Father. 39
and shells, look as if they had only just been
finished. You Avould marvel at the correctness
of the drawing and the brightness of the colours
of the floating figures, on red and black back-
grounds, Avhich adorn the walls, having reference to
the different purposes of the several rooms. One
pillar, found in the house of a cloth manufacturer,
explains the whole process of this business ; there
are the loom, the damping and washing machines,
and also a press worked with screws in the same
manner as those of the present day. The dining-
rooms are decorated with paintings of fruit, flowers
and hunting scenes. The names of the artisans as
well as those of the streets, are written on the houses
in good writing and generally in red ; sometimes
there are witty mottoes and figures painted in
much the same way as they are found on our
walls. The carriage wdieels have left their marks
in the hard lava pavement, and in some places the
stones, put for crossing the street in wet weather,
are still lying there. Bread, flour, olives, figs,
beans have been found (all charcoaled), wine,
jugs (pointed amphoras as they are used to-day in
the East), numerous potter's vessels of most dainty
40 Selections from Letters
shape with well-known figures on black ground,
stoves, ovens, all kinds of tools, surgical and musical
instruments, dice, chess-boards, kitchen utensils
and scales, and all these things only difler from
our present fashions in that they are more highly
finished and in better taste.
Considering that Pompeii was only a country-
town of secondary importance, it is astonishing to
see the number of bronze and marble statues, of
paintings and mosaics, of vases and jewellery,
which have been dug out. The Forum civile
must have been very beautiful ; it is a square
place aiTanged according to the proportions of
Vitruvius. The summit of the hill of Castella-
mare and the crater of Vesu^'ius, which brought
this ruin upon the town, can be seen from here.
On three sides of it there are more than two thou-
sand Doric columns in good preservation. They
are of tufFa covered with stucco and painted red or
yellow. These columns used to form a portico, or
covered walk, but the beautifully canned cornices
have fallen in. On the fourth side stood a
temple where was found the gigantic head of a
Jupiter. Twelve magnificently grooved marble
To His Father. 41
pillars of the peristyle are still standing. The
Curia, the Basilica, the Temiües of Mercury and
Concordia, the Pantheon come next. The many
statues which adorned this square have been taken
to the museum at Naples, as Avell as the greater
part of the art treasures, paintings and mosaics.
If they had been left in their old places they would
probably have been soon destroyed. But it is to
be regretted that not one Roman house has been
restored here, where all necessary material was at
hand.
The ancients bestowed much more trouble and
expense on their public buildings and less on their
own houses than we, but everything was neat
even to the veriest detail. The rooms which sur-
rounded a square court-yard are seldom larger
than eight to ten feet square ; they are unconnected
with one another.
The Pompeians must have had frequent inter-
course with the Egyptians. This is proved by
their sculptures, papyri, their temple of Isis and
the mummies that have been found. If one of
these could rise and take a look at us, he would
be as much surprised at our appearance in coats
42 Selections from Letters to his Father.
and round liats, and at our arri\'al by train, as we
arc at his town.
At a chemist's medicine bottles of gdass con-
taining medicines, and marble jugs, with balsams
lur the embalming of mummies, were found. I
luue been lucky enough to obtain a little piece
of this hard mass which, in spite of the two thou-
sand years that have elapsed, still retains a strong
smell.
AUGUSTE VON MOLTKE.
SELECTIONS FROM LETTERS TO HIS
SISTER AUGUSTE.
Auguste von Moltke, the youngest sister of the Field- Marshal,
was born at Augustenhof in Holstein, on September 16th^
1809. From her earliest childhood she had always been her
brother's favourite, and very early the rich endowments of her
character were seen in her humility, kindness of heart, and
ready self-denial. On the 21st of May, 1834, she was married
to John Heyliger Burt, of Colbon, near Lichfield in England,
owner of the plantation of St. John on the island of St. Croix
in the West Indies. Her husband, Avho had lived in Germany
for some time, had by his first wife, Ernestine von Staffeldt,
three children, the youngest of whom, Marie, afterwards became
the wife of the Field-Marshal. How much devotion Auguste
44 Selections from Letters
von Moltke lavished on the education of her step-children, and
with what affection they returned her care has been told in
the biography of " Marie Moltke." (See " Moltke : His Life
and Character.")
The Burts lived first at Schleswig, then at Itzehoe ; their
marriage was a very happy one ; Auguste presented her husband
with two children, a son, Henry, later aide-de-camp of the Field-
j\Iarshal, and a daughter, Ernestine. In 1855, Mr. Eurt
determined to go and see his property in the "West Indies ;
on his way home he was taken ill and died on board on the
25th of July, 185G ; his body was buried at sea. In 1864, when
her brother Fritz lost his wife, Auguste (though still mourning
for her husband) went to him to comfort him in his trouble.
She remained with him, took the cares of the household upon
herself, and made his lonely life bright again. In December
of the year 1868, when Marie, the Field- Marshal's wife, fell
ill, she hastened to the sick-bed of the dear daughter, but her
faithful and self-sacrificing care did not succeed in keeping off
the dreaded evil ; Marie died on the evening of Christmas
Day. Auguste now resolved to devote herself to her brother
Helmuth, who was severely shaken by the loss of his beloved
wife. And she was encouraged in her determination by the
gracious words of Queen Augusta, who gave her an audience
at which she told her that it was her duty to remain with her
brother, who must be preserved for his King and his Fatherland.
She and her brother Fritz then went to live with the Field-
Marshal, over whose households in Berlin and at Creisau she
henceforth presided. On March 27th, 1883, death ended her
useful life, which was full of blessing to others and whose
motto had been : " Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,
continuing instant in prayer." How much her brother Helmuth
must have loved her is sliown by the fact that he buried her
remains in the vault at Creisau, where he now rests himself
between Iiis wife and his favourite sister.
To His Sister Auguste. 45
Charput, July 4th, 1838.^
My dear Sister Gustchen,
Your Tvelconie letter of Aj^ril 12tli has
found its way to Armenia safely. I received it on
our march here, and as we have been resting for
three days I will not delay any longer, but answer
it in spite of my planned laziness. Having been
for two months in continual movement, sleeping
either in a tent or in the open air, I can say with
Falstaff, "Wenn ich weiss, wie das Innere eines
* Zimmers ' aussieht, bin ich ein Brauerpferd, ein
Bündel Radies." ^ Just now I am stretched out
on cushions in a good, high apartment ; I am lazy
a dessein, and do not stir a finger unless obliged,
eat after well considering my digestion, avoiding
Turkish favourite dishes as " pillav " with honey
and cream, sour milk with cut-u|) cucumbers and
garlic, &c. A case of champagne has fortunately
arrived for me, and I hope that I and my exhausted
1 Compare Letter No. 48 in "Briefe über Zustände und
Begebenheiten in der Türkei," p. 284 (5th Edition).
^ " Henry IV.," act iii. scene 3 : " And I have not forgotten
what the inside of a church is made of, I am a peppercorn, a
brewer's horse."
46 Selections from Letters
horses will be in good condition again in a few
days.
This time I write my letter to you, my dear
Gustchen, partly to answer your kind letter and
also because father will probably not have returned
from his journey when it arrives. But I shall not
forget to drink his health on the 12th of this month
in a bottle of French sherbet.
Really I have nothing more to tell you than
that we crossed the Anti-Taurus by a perilous
path, and then leisurely descended the Euphrates,
which is only four hours distant from our j^resent
headquarters.
After the revolts of the Kurds in the Karsan
mountains (the most precipitous that can be
imagined) had been put down, I went with the
Commander to their camp on the foot of the hills
where they had left their tents and luggage . The
temperature here was about ten degrees Avarmer
than amongst the snowy summits. There were
no fine walnut-trees to give shade, no rustling
mountain brooks, and the life in the tents, which we
could hardly leave during the day on account of
the heat, was made very disagreeable at night by
To His Sister Auguste. 47
quantities of scorpions, tarantuke and snakes
which we killed every day, but of which we never
got rid altogether. However, none of them be-
longed to the most virulent species, the only
danger was in being stung by them. But millions
of most insufferable flies did not allow us a minute's
rest as long as it was day -light. I should have
been thankful for one of your veils. But one
thing I can say in fa\'our of this country, there are
no bugs, and this circumstance makes up, in my
opinion, for all the other plagues of insects.
We were heartily pleased when Hafiz Pasha
declared at supper, on the 25th of June, that we
should break up in an hour. He intended to visit
a place in the Taurus where new iron works were
to be constructed, and wished to precede the
troops. Though we were without military escort,
except some cavasses with long lances, our pro-
cession numbered almost two hundred horse.
Each horseman carried his 0"wii arms, and most of
them had guns over their shoulders.
In brilliant moonlight we passed through a
wide and fertile but uncultivated plain, without
dwelling-places, a real desert ; for no Kurd dares to
48 Selections from Letters
settle where the fruits of his industry arc not
protected by high mountains.
After a two hours' ride we heard the roaring of
the Battnian stream, and soon found ourselves con-
fronted by a wonderful construction, a bridge
of formidable height which spans in a single
arch, with a tension of a hundred feet, the wild
impetuous mountain stream. This bridge pro-
bably dates from the time when the Genoese
constructed works here to protect their Indian
trade. Neither the industry nor the diligence of
the Turks has been able to destroy them com-
pletely during the space of t^vo hundred years.
Other monuments of this small, far-away, though
important commercial town are seen in the strong
castle and two bridges over the Tigris at Djesireh,
destroyed by Reschid Pasha only two years ago,
and a bridge over the stream at Hösn-Keifa built in
the same bold style of architecture, but now fallen
in. Then their trade route seems to have gone
towards the north along the Battman over the
Taurus and the Murad down to Palu, where on an
isolated rock of about two thousand feet rise the
ruins of one of their castles, a position almost un-
To His Sister Auguste. 49
assailable. The strong castles on the summits of
the heights at Tokat, Turchal, and Amasia, must
have been built by the Genoese on foundations of
much older date, they seem to have been connected
with the fortified sea-side places of Samsoon and
Sino^De.
We then rode alono; the foot of the mountains,
till, towards morning, we arrived at the town of
Farkin or rather at an extensive ruin, between
whose old pillars and arches detached mud huts
are built. Meya-Farkin must once have been an
important town. Walls of large and carefully
hewn stones are, for the greater part, still pre-
served. Their construction is exactly similar to
that of Diarbekir, only that at Farkin sandstone is
used, while Diarbekir is built of basalt. Within
the walls are beautiful remains of churches and
houses, but they are only ruins, as for hundreds of
years much has been destroyed and nothing restored
in this land. Our only resting place was a damp
field, where we stayed whilst our horses grazed for
a few hours.
Though we had been in the saddle for ten hours,
we continued our journey the following morning,
E
50 Selections from Letters
and rode for six more lioiirs, with the same horses —
our OAVii good horses — and that when they had no
oats to eat, but only grass. At noon ^VQ turned to
the right, ascending a narrow valley, to the pretty
toAvn of Hasru. The surrounding mountains have
greatly protected cultivation. A beautiful clear
mountain stream, plantations of poplars, Avhose
slim trunks rise up close to one another like the
blades of a corn-field, large walnut and mulberry
trees and extensive vineyards, give a most friendly
appearance to the place. A tent was put u^d for
the Pasha, on the flat roof of the Musselim's house,
from which we had a lovely view over the moun-
tains and the plain, and then we had our much-
needed dinner.
Here, as everywhere, the Pasha received peti-
tions and complaints from the inhabitants and
checked many abuses. But as long as the evil is
not attacked at the root, such help can only be
incomplete.
The next morning Ave climbed a height only to
descend on the other side down a path cut in steps.
I think only native horses with circular shoes could
do such a journey without being lamed. Towards
To His Sister Auguste. 5 1
evening we reached Illiclslia, anotlier pleasantly
situated little mountain to-\\Ti. AVe entered with
the Pasha a beautiful, vaulted hall where a
fountain was playing ; and Ave did not object to
some sherbet and pipes, which were offered to
us, nor did we object to being perfumed with aloli
and sprinkled with rose-water.
After another troublesome ride, we arrived
towards evening at Sivan-Maaden, a desolate
mountain-valley where a foundry is to be built.
Some of the horses could not keep up ; the poor
animals had been without food for fourteen hours,
so we halted for a day.
The valleys and slopes of this mountain-range
are covered with big and small black stones or
lumps of iron ore ; the richness of the ore is so
great that it contains more than fifty per cent, of
pure iron. In our country iron has often to be
brought up from a depth of a thousand feet, with
great trouble, but here it has only to be picked up ;
there is enough to last about a hundred years.
The same abundance is found in a mountain-stream
not far off; this rivulet joins the Tigris, and with
the help of blasting, it could be made navigable.
E 2
52 Selections from Letters
A Frenchman of the name of Chatillon had been
sent here to construct a furnace, and we were just
in time to save him from the intrigues of Turkish
officials. The work, which had made no progress
at first, is now carried on with great zeal by the
help of the Pasha.
"We also brought help to a German countryman,
an honest and skilful blacksmith. In the presence
of the Pasha he made out of iron which he had
smelted himself, a very good steel sword, for which
the Pasha rewarded him generously. The Pasha
gave a beautiful horse to M. Chatillon, promised
to decorate him with the Nishan, if he were
successful, and granted him, what was more
valuable than anything else, protection against the
ignorance and malice of the proper authorities.
The following morning a two hours' ride brought
us to the banks of the J\Iurad, a south tributary
of the Euphrates, which rushes along here through
mountains that up to July are covered with snow.
These mountains must be about 12,000 or 13,000
feet above the level of the sea. As you, my dear
Guste, are not the sole reader of my letters, you
must not mind if I make a geographical note here.
To His Sister Auguste. 53
It is very remarkable that the tributaries of the
Tigris spring in the immediate neighbourhood of
the shores of the Murad, which even in summer is
here a river the size of the Moselle. The springs
of two of these rivulets are separated from the
Murad at most about a thousand paces, and by a
slight elevation, breaking through the snow-capped
mountains, they only unite with the waters to which
they Avere once so near, after a course of about
three hundred hours.
The Pasha, a khan Avho was driven away from
Daghestan, the Zeni of the camp, Mühlbach and
myself as well as some servants embarked now on
a raft of sheep-skin. To protect ourselves from
the scorching sunbeams we made a roof of branches,
and so we descended the rapid stream after our long,
fatiguing journey. Mighty heights rose on both
sides. Cheerful villages were seen in the shade of
the beautiful large trees in the valleys. The in-
habitants plunged into the sea-green whirlpools of
the stream, in order to get for us apricots and mul-
berries, which are very fine and sweet here. A
rocky wall on the left, seven or eight hundred feet
high, was ^Darticularly beautiful. In some places the
54 Selections from Letters
^vllil•lpools were very ^■iolcnt, our " kelek " or raft
sliot along like an arroAv, and the waves, beating
on the rocks, came back Ibaming over our deck.
No boat, not even a wooden raft, could pass these
places, but the sheep-skins tied together hj thin
wicker-work, flexible like a fish, l:)end with the
Ava^'es and rise on the surface like a feather ;
unless they are swamjoed, as we were at Djesireh,
where the pillars of the bridge formed a kind of
funnel six or eight feet deep. This time we reached
Palu, of Avhose high tower I have told you before,
without any accident. We now toiled up the
steep and dirty streets of the town, and we were
rewarded by excellent quarters at the house of a
rich and most hospitable Armenian banker. Our
horses arrived late in tlie evening. At last we
reached Charput on the following day, when we
did our best to recoup our strength in every way.
But in a few days we shall, very likely, make a
fresh start and go to Malatia.
H. M.
To His Sister Auguste. 55
Trou\'ille-siir-nier,
Department Calvados,
September 30th, 1850.
Deae Guste,
I am afraid you will think us quite lost,
and I hasten to tell you that we are well and that
we have already taken half-a-dozen sea-baths,
which have been beneficial.
Marie sent you our last news from Rehme. It
had begun to be quite winterly there, when we
left on the 7tli inst. "VVe stayed a few days at
Koblentz where we saw many old friends ; this was
a great change after our life at Magdeburg. We
went by steamer to Frankfort-on-the-Maine,
admiring the beautiful banks of the Rhine, then
by train through the lovely country of the Palati-
nate to Metz, a beautiful old city with a magnifi-
cent cathedral and French fortifications. But the
monotonous French chalk plateau begins here
with the dull country of Champagne, and this
monotony is uninterrupted till you reach Soissons,
where the country begins to be pleasant and the
railway takes you along by the Marne to Paris in
a few hours.
56 Selections from Letters
We remained a "sveek there, favoured with most
beautiful -weather, that we might have time to
see the 2^1'iiicipal sights of this immense capitah
Our hotel was situated on the boulevards at one of
the most interesting points of the city. After an
early cup of coffee we used to set oiF, and did not
return till evening, much fatigued by the pleasures
of the day. In the mornings we looked about the
to-vvn, we saw the Tuileries, Champs Elysees, Notre
Dame, Jardin des plantes, and the shops which,
rivalling each other in magnificence, occupy
the ground-floors in almost all the streets. It is
astonishing what a variety of things is offered
for sale, and how tastefully, not only silks and
caps and bonnets, but also eatables, fish, game,
cheese, and fruit, are arranged. It is marvellous
whence the purchasers of all these delicacies
come, all the more so as everything is ex-
pensive.
The distances are so great that one cannot count
upon having one's meals at home. But meals are
served everywhere. The dinners a la carte are
excellent, but the prices are very high. We kept
your birthday at the celebrated " Very " in the
To His Sister Auguste. 57
Palais Royal (now Xational) with a dejeuner and
good champagne.
In the afternoons we used to take the train to
Versailles, St. Cloud, Meudon, St. Denis, etc., and
were generally favoured with fine weather. We
dined at six o'clock and went to the opera or
theatre at eight. We have been at the Varietes,
where five pieces are performed one after the other,
the Theatre Fran9ais and the Opera.
As the season was advancing we had to think
seriously of our intended sea-baths. The railway
from Paris to Havre by Rouen runs through
a beautiful country in the lovely Seine valley.
Many bridges cross over the winding river, and
viaducts, a hundred feet high, are built over the
valleys. After crossing one of these viaducts the
train rushes with tremendous rapidity towards
a steep chalk wall ; it seems as if it must be
wrecked, when suddenly, entering a long tunnel of
about two thousand paces, it emerges upon an
entirely different country. Rouen, the capital of
the old Normans, those bold Norwegian pirates
who conquered England, Sicily, and Naples, and
carried their banners even as far as the gates of
58 Selections from Letters
Jerusalem, is one of tlic finest cities of the world.
The cutliedral and the " Palais de justice " are
beautiful buildin^-s, far surpassing those of Notre
Dame and St. Denis.
We found the sea-baths at Ha\'rc uninviting,
and decided to cross the mouth of the Seine,
Avhicli is about the width of tAvo German miles,
to come to Trouville, a charming little town with a
lovely beach for bathing. On both sides rise the
chalk cliffs of Normandy, covered Avith fine
forests, and croAvned with beautiful chateaux.
A little river with wide green meadows on both
banks is used as harbour, where day by day the
oyster-fishers go out to sea, bringing home excellent
soles, turbots, large rusty dabs with their long
tails and all kinds of tasty sea-monsters, whose
names I do not know in German.
Our room looks out on to the boundless sea,
and only on the right rises the promontory of
Havre, with its lighthouses. Large steamers are
to be seen along the horizon, and in every direction
fishing boats are crossing the water, whose high
waves, at the present moment, are beating with
tremendous roaring against the shore. A fresh
To His Sister Auguste. 59
north-westerly wind is blowing. Rapidly moving
clouds come down noAv and then in heavy showers,
and it requires some strength of mind to bathe in
the sea, especially after the warm baths at Rehme.
But this bathing is much more invigorating. As
long as the tide permits, we shall bathe at ten
o'clock ; at half-past ten we have dejeuner, an
excellent meal. We have hired horses and are
now able to make excursions into the country.
Dinner is served at half-past five o'clock, with
many different courses, each one excelling the other,
and in addition we have excellent appetites, which
enable us to appreciate the good things. Life
in this place is not expensive ; and so we have
decided to continue our baths here as long as
ever the weather permits, and then to make a short
trip to England, going by Dieppe and Boulogne.
I hope all is going well with you.
Helmuth.
Wildbad, October 4th, 1868.
Dear Guste,
It is time to give you news of us at last,
as half of our time here has already passed.
6o Selections from Letters
AVe arc rather late this year, most of the visitors
arc ah'cady leaving-. The few that are left are
chiefly invalids, many of them suffering from
paralysis. It rains almost every day in this hill
country, but when the sun breaks through the
clouds, it is very beautiful in the narrow wooded
valley of the Enz. Here, as everywhere in the
Black Forest, thick fir-woods cover the hills and at
their feet are meadows of a lovely fresh green. "Well-
kept paths lead up to the hills in all directions.
The baths are beautiful and quite unique.
They are made of china, the natural granite
forming the bottom of the bath, which is carefully
covered Avith sand to protect the feet. Im-
mediately out of the rock gushes the warm spring,
twenty-seven and a half degrees R. which supplies
the baths with water of the same temperature
without any interruption.
This water is similar to the springs at Gastein
and Ragatz. Chemical analysis has not discovered
any other constituents in it but those of distilled
water, and the effect seems to be based upon the
natural warmth of the earth, upon magnetic or
electric power, two agents with which science is at
To His Sister Auguste. 6j
present but imperfectly acquainted. At first tlie
baths made me very tired, and I suffered again
from palpitations of the heart, as I did thirty years
ago. But now they agree well with me. The
physicians tell me that the baths stir up all old
complaints, but that they also cure them. To tell
you the truth, I think that six weeks at Creisau
will do me more good than at any watering-place.
Marie has taken ten baths, and is in excellent
health.
The food is very good here, and [we have every
comfort. The North German Postal Union is
delightful ; I can send my letter from the Black
Forest to Lübeck for one gr. (one penny), a dis-
tance of 150 German miles.
I cannot get Marie aAvay from her book about
horse-breeding, therefore I can only send her
love to you and Fritz to-day.
Most affectionately,
Helmutii.
Berlin, December 10th, 1868.
Dear Guste,
Marie has fallen seriously ill ; it seems to be
62 Selections from Letters
rlieiimatic fe\'Oi'. It begun with very violent pains
in lier right fout, then in her left, and now it has
seized the Avhole of the left side, so that she can
only move her right arm. The excessive pain has
decreased, but she is not able to move without
assistance.
The illness is a dangerous one, and i\Ir. Pescli
tells us it will last six weeks. God grant that the
next, the most dangerous days, may he safely
passed. ]\Iarie has had some sleep with the helj)
of morphia.
I have j)ut off our Christmas guests, engaged a
nurse, and of course, everything that can possibly
relieve poor Marie's pains will be done.
It would be a great comfort, dear Guste, to have
you here, but I can scarcely expect you to come.
I shall write again as soon as a change for the
better or the worse occurs.
Helmuth.
P.S. It seems to me as if Marie were better to-
day. A mustard-plaster seems to give her relief.
She has a little appetite, and the fever is not so
high. Three o'clock in the afternoon.
To His Sister Auguste. 63
Beiiiu, January 4tli, 1869.
7.30 a.m.
Deaii Guste,
I am very vexed with my second aide-de-
camp for not having called me. I woke up early,
but when I had lit my candle, I saw that it
was only half-past three o'clock ; I lay dov,ii
again, half dressed, and did not wake up till I
heard the carriage drive through the gatcAvay.
I should have liked so much to tell you again,
how thankful I am for your devotion and self-
sacrifice in nursing my poor j\Iarie, and what
a comfort you were to me, during the first sad
days after her death. Such kindness is only to
be repaid by gratitude and love, but misfortune
must soften the hard crust of human hearts to
brin<? them closer too-ether. And how much kind
sympathy 1 have received from all my other
relations ; may God reward you all.
It is a great comfort to me that Henry is
coming, nothing could be more welcome to me,
and I will write to-day to thank the good King for
his delicate attentions. I should not like to
detain dear Jeannette here more than a few days
64 Selections from Letters
longer. Slie will be much missed at Segeberg,
and Avitli Henry here I shall get on.
I cherish the hope that avc shall all spend the
summer together quietly where we still have to
lay our dear departed for her last rest. I hope
to receive the plan for the chapel to-day, and shall
then give orders for its building at once.
With best love and deep gratitude.
Your brother,
Helmuth.
Meaux, September 16th, 1870.
Dear Guste,
My best greetings and hearty congratula-
tions for your birthday ; want of time prevents
me from collecting my thoughts enough to write
a long letter. My mind is continually dwelling
on our one aim, and in spite of all our success
I am weighed down by the cares of one day after
another. The responsibility is too great, and the
continual strain most trying.
Your letters and Fritz's, which I receive from
time to time from our quiet home, are very
refreshing, but you also arc too nearly concerned
To His Sister Auguste. 65
to be able to enjoy it. Up to now God has
graciously protected our people in the midst of
dreadful losses and deaths. I feel rather ex-
hausted, but I am fortunate in sleeping soundly,
which always refreshes me again.
We have fine weather at last, but only nine or ten
R. degrees of warmth, and without a fire the north
rooms in the Palace of the Bishop of Meaux would
be unbearable. I suppose it is not any warmer
with vou. If we had but come to the end of
this. I hope for an early peace before the
renewal of this blood-sheddins;. The boastinc; of
the Paris authorities only shows their weakness.
Much must be soon decided.
With heartiest o-reetino-s,
Helmuth.
Versailles, December 20th, 1870.
Dear Guste,
As this time of the year comes round and I
remember our beloved Marie's suff*erings, I often
think with true thankfulness of the self-sacrificing
care that you lavished upon her. I think it Avas
P
66 Selections from Letters
on this very day, two years ago, after having
watched with her the whole night, that you called
me in the morning with the joyful news that ]\Iarie
was sleeping quietly. But our reviving hopes
were not to be fulfilled. God had willed other-
wise, and so it will be best. He has taken her to
Himself in the prime of life, strength, and beauty,
and spared her all the hardships of old age. It is
a great comfort to me that all your letters, for
which I thank you heartily, show that you are
resigned. I have to ask her forgiveness for many
things, but I do not doubt she will grant it, nor that
she will greet me in another life, when these suf-
ferings are ended, as she did at the station when I
returned from the campaign in 1866 ;• and I often
long for this time.
But my great wish is first to see the great work
finished in which I am called to help. And before
this can be, we shall have to fight great battles,
and difficulties which have to be overcome, sur-
round us on all sides. But the Lord avIio has
helped us so far, will continue His help.
I must send you my best wishes for Christmas,
although for us it Avill always be connected with a
To His Sister Auguste. 67
time of sadness. The Lord took Marie to Himself
on the day when salvation was brought to mankind.
I thank Fritz for the welcome present of a foot-
bag, which is a bivouac in itself. I have nothing
better to send from here than a case of champagne,
this I do, however, requesting you to empty it.
Helmuth.
Miilliausen, August 17th, 1872.
At Munich we saw the opera, " The Huguenots,"
which was very well given, but we went home
before the last act, as I had to leave the following
morning at six o'clock. At Kempten we found the
whole town assembled at the station, as the Crown
Prince had just arrived from Hohenschwangan.
He introduced me to a short gentleman in undress,
who was no one else than — the King of Naples,
an exiled monarch, whose deposition was caused
indirectly by the victories of the German Army
over Austria and France. He had now to witness
an ovation to a German general, which he did with
great dignity. I too received some of the " hurrahs."
At Linden, immense enthusiasm, girls clad in white,
r 2
68 Selections from Letters
flowers, &c. Here the Crown Prince was received
by the Grand Duke of Baden, who insisted upon
my coming to the ]\[ainaii. The crossing to the
charming island on the hike of Constance in beau-
tiful weather Avas delightful, and our stay there
was made most agreeable by the happy family life
of the excellent Grand Duchess and her children.
Her Majesty the Empress was there, and very
gracious. The following morning, after a family
breakfast, the Grand Duke sent me by carriage to
Constance, whence I travelled by rail through the
lovely country close to the Falls of the Rhine at
SchafFhausen by Basle to Miühausen.
Innspruck, October IGtli, 1875.
"With Paul Groterjahn I say very contentedly,
" Xow we are here," i.e. at a tolerably good hotel
in a room with a fire. It rained continually all
the way from Bci'lin, and was so cold that I
could not sleep during the night. This train, the
express to Munich, is altered during the winter
months ; it begins about midnight to slacken
speed, and instead of reaching our destination at
To His Sister Auguste. 69
6 a.m., we did not arrive till 11 a.m. I at once
went to see Professor Lenbacli who has three un-
finished jDortraits of me ; the best, when finished,
he Avill send to the Berlin exhibition. In the
eveninii: I Avent to the theatre with de Claer. We
saw the " Fledermaus," a scandalous French comic
opera, clumsily played by German actors.
We continued our journey at nine o'clock to-day ;
the rain resumed its business. At the station we
met Steinäcker, Winterfeldt, and Lindequist of
the Emperor's suite, and Ave travelled in the same
carriage. The Secretary of State, v. Billow, and
Count Bismarck Avere also in the train. Prince
Bismarck is not comins^. We could see but little
of the charming country, only now and then the
clouds parted and alloAved us a glimpse of the
mountains freshly poAvdered over Avith snow.
Kufstein, the Austrian fortress on the Bavarian
side, is beautifully situated. Two mountain-forts
Avith mighty towers and numerous loopholes com-
mand the narroAv valley of the Inn. At present
they are principally used for State prisoners, who
can enjoy this beautiful country.
As the Aveather is so bad Ave shall not do much
yo Selections from Letters
moi'e than visit the cathedral. In the middle of the
nave stands the monument of the Emperor Maxi-
milian I., the last of the knights ; on either side are
eight-and-twenty gigantic bronze statues, most of
them ancestors of the Emperor. The statue of
King Arthur must be by Peter Vischer. This is
a figure with such life and realitv that one miofht
imao;ine him walkin<2: about durino- the nijrht
amidst his iron nei2:hbours.
Milan, October 20th.
On the 17th, the Emperor arrived at Innspruck,
Avhere he was received with every mark of honour,
but the immense crowd observed a deep silence,
and this was the case throughout the whole of the
German Tyrol. The weather became clearer the
farther south we went. The journey over the
Brenner is very picturesque. In an ascent of
40 : 1 the railway makes such numerous and sharp
curves that one sees the country all round as well
as if one were driving. There is generally a great
abyss on one side. At the top of the pass I re-
membered the inn with a Inroad roof, one gutter
To His Sister Auguste. 71
of which drains into the Black Sea, the other into
the Adriatic. From this point the descent is so
winding that some of the gentlemen reached the
next station quicker on foot than we by train. Now
the vegetation beojins to show a southern character,
first walnut-trees and vines, at Botzen fig-trees
and cypresses. At Trent we dined at 7 p.m. ; by
moonlight we saw the well-laid-out streets, and
the fortress-like Bishop's palace, where 300 years
ago the Council of Trent was held, whose settle-
ments the infallible pope will no longer recognize.
The inn where I stayed must have been an old
palace. The lofty hall, where the badly smelling
stove gave no warmth, may have been occupied in
former times by a high ecclesiastical dignitary.
We continued our journey on the 18th in bright
sunshine. Passing the remarkable hermitage of
Verona, we entered the plain of Lombardy. The
whole garrison of Verona had marched out and
paraded, and the forts saluted. If the people
in the North Tyrol received us in silence, those
in the South, on the contrary, were loud in
their acclamations, which became even heartier
when we entered Italy. We had a beautiful view
72 Selections from Letters
of Lake Garda siuTounded by suoAv-covered
inoimtains, then the scenery became somewhat
monotonous, fertile üelds covered "svith mulbeny-
trees and vineyards and -watered by canals, Avhere
the vine is trained in festoons.
From early morning we were en grande tenue
with orders and ribands. At Bero-amo we made
o
our (h'jeuner, and at ]\Iilan the King met our
Emperor at the station. Li a long procession of
more than twenty carriages we drove slowly
through the beautiful streets, accomjDanied by the
endless shouting of the dense crowd. The first
presentations were followed by the banquet and
the illumination of the cathedral with white, green
and red lights. On the Palazzo Reale, adjoining
the cathedral square, stood about 200,000 people
closely packed ; perfect order and quiet prevailed.
No force of police could succeed like that in our
country. Xotwithstanding the population of
Milan is very independent ; nobody could force
them to be enthusiastic ; but the huri'ahs were
endless when the Emperor and the King stepped
out on to the balcony. The well-known cathedral,
built entirely of white marble, omamented with
To His Sister Auguste. J2>
more than a, thousand statuettes, with innumerable
spires and notches, is very impressive, and when
lit up, quite fairy-like. Late at night de Claer and
I, and General Tavema, who is in attendance on
me, went (but incognito and in undress) through
the magnificent gallery, which was illuminated by
thousands of gas flames. Bands were playing on
the squares, and the immense crowd went about
quietly in perfect order without needing any
control by the state " carabinieri." Such conduct
is the fruit of ancient culture, perhaps only
possessed by the Northern Italian. The unavoid-
able parade took place on the 19th. The battalions,
formed in two ranks, numbered not more than
three hundred and fifty men, who looked in good
order and well disciplined. They defiled with eyes
left, to enable the princesses and ladies to have a
full view from a loggia. It was an impressive
picture on the im^mense square near the old
citadel.
I had caught a severe cold on the journey to
Munich, became feverish and went to bed.
Steinacker sent me some homoeopathic drops. I
only got up to attend the gala-dinner in the even-
74 Selections from Letters
ins: at seven o'clock. I had not been able to touch
anything the day before, and after ten minutes in
the Scala I had to drive home and lie down. The
immense house, magnificently lit up, was an
imposing sight. The boxes were let for as much as
800 francs, and in tlie first six rows everybody
wore evening dress and white ties. Of course the
Emperor was welcomed most enthusiastically. I
have pretty mx41 cured myself with sleep and
starvation. But unfortunately a sirocco is blow-
ing, and it rains continually. We drove to
Monza, but the hunt did not come off. Even the
beautiful park could only be seen from the castle.
But I went on to the quaint old cathedral, where
many treasures were shown to us ; amongst others
the iron crown with which forty-five Emperors
have been cro"vvned ; the Emperor Francis being
the last. Hidden by gold and jewels is an iron
circle, made of the nails which fastened Jesus to
the Cross.
October 21st. After coffee at 8 a.m., one does
not feel very much inclined at 10 a.m. for a dejeuner,
which is really a dinner. But after this had been
endured and their Majesties had left for Monza,
To His Sister Auguste. 75
vre liad time to see Milan, beginning with the
cathedral. Inside, through the soft subdued light,
far away in the background, is seen a mighty
golden cross. The full size of the cathedral does
not apjDcar at first. Its enormous length can only
be realized from the steps of the high altar, under-
neath which lie the remains of the canonized
Charles Borromeo. The vaulted ceiling, two
hundred feet high, is beautifully painted, and has
the effect of lace-work. When you have ascended
an endless staircase and are out on the marble roof,
a whole forest of tall spires and richly carved
arches can be seen. On each little spire are a dozen
saints ; there are said to be seven thousand figui^es,
but I have not counted them ; each one is a work
of art. A few more hundred steps bring you to
the slender spire, and from here at a height of four
hundred feet, all Milan can be overlooked ; unfortu-
nately, in spite of sunshine, the fog hid the Alpine
chain, which is generally visible. After we had
descended, luckily without any accident, we drove
to St. Ambrogio, the oldest church of the city,
unchanged and preserved in the pure Romanesque
style of the fourth century. Count Taverna
76 Selections from Letters
showed us a ■\vell-prcscr\ccl fresco portrait of his
ancestor Avith the inscrij^tion of his name. The
serpent of the Garden of Eden, the cause of all
our misery, can be seen here (in iron). Mass
books from the third century were shown to us ;
also the crypt which was the refuge of the early
Christians, and numerous objects of beautiful
workmanship set with jewels. The gilt mosaics of
the apse remind one of those of St. Mark's at
Venice.
In one of the liveliest streets between the shops
and eating-houses a long row of pillars, the remains
of a temple of Minerva, have a very strange effect.
At the Brera we only saw the principal master-
pieces, above all the Sposalizio, by Raphael.
Among modern works, the portraits of Manzoni
and Cavour were interesting. In the afteiTioon I
had pleasant visits from General Cialdini, and
the Prime Minister, Minghetti.
In the room Avliich I occupy the Consul Xapo-
leon Buonaparte once stayed ; the gilt bed is still
ornamented with the French eagles ; the little room
adjoining, where Henry sleeps, was probably that
of his mameluke.
To His Sister Auguste. "]-]
October 22nd. Last night there was a state
ball ; the enormous hall was lit up by several
thousands of candles, and was densely crowded,
when the Court and suite entered. Chairs, behind
which the gentlemen stood, were placed for all the
ladies in a large circle, so as to leave the centre
free for the dancers. A linen drugget was spread
on the floor, as it is not the fashion to have
parqueted floors here. This circumstance and
the trains of the ladies' dresses must render
dancing very difficult ; the Prussian gentlemen
were the best dancers. It was impossible to
move about, and at midnight I was glad to
withdra^v.
Tliis morning King Victor Emmanuel sent his
minister, commissioned to present me with a
marble bust of His Majesty, larger than life-size.
The king received me immediately afterwards, in
undress and without ceremony. After a long and
very friendly conversation, he said : " Embrassez-
moi " and kissed me with his long moustache on
both cheeks.
Our journey home is fixed for to-mon'ow ; at
Botzen we shall stay a night, but then we hope
78 Selections from Letters
to arrive at Berlin in the afternoon of ]\Ionday, the
25th, without any further delay,
Your brother,
Helmuth.
Rome, April 6th, 1876.
Dear Guste,
AYhile Henry is ascending the dome of St.
Peter's, I can tell you something of our stay here
instead of his doing so. We could not possibly
have been received more amiably and courteously.
We occupy a suite of rooms in Palace CafFarelli,
provided with every possible luxury and comfort.
On the writing-table before me stands Marie's
photograph amidst roses and azaleas. On the left
through the open door leading on to the balcony,
through which the sun shines in brightly, the
eye rests upon a garden of laurels, pine-trees,
palms, and flowers ; and farther away to the Pala-
tine are seen the mighty ruins of Augustus' palace
as large as the entire original Rome, behind which
rise the Albanian mountains, with their wooded
slopes, and the j)alaces and villas of Frascati and
Grotta Ferrata.
To His Sister Auguste. 79
Palace CafFarelli stands, as you may know, on
the Capitoline hill, crowned in olden days by the
Arx or Citadel, the taking of which was averted
by the cackling of the geese. From the windows
on the north side modem Rome is to be seen with
its numerous churches and cupolas, palaces and
spires as far as the mighty buildings of the Vatican,
St. Angelo and St. Peter's. But from the
south side are seen the Forum Romanum, the
Colosseum, the triumphal Arches of Constantine,
Trajan and Titus, the baths of Nero and Caracalla,
the campagna with the arches of the aqueducts
continuing for miles, in short, the whole past of
the Eternal City.
Her future strength seems to be sought at the
Quirinal ; for while the Papacy tamely ends its
tenacious life in voluntary exile, the capital of a
richly gifted united people will become a new city
with modern streets, gigantic ministerial buildings
and barracks. These modern cloisters, with the
rules and habits of their orders, their temporary
celibacy and vows, are no hermitages. And the
ancient Aurelian wall, 1500 years old, encloses even
to-day all these contrasts, commencing with the
So Selections from Letters
power of the Imperators, the constancy of the
]\Iartyrs, the victory and the secularization of
the Papacy, and finally the moral idea of the
State. In other cities j)resent times have wiped
away the past, here we find them both together.
King Victor Emmanuel is staying at present
at a country-house not far from Florence, Ijut the
Crown Prince has granted me an audience for
to-day in the Quirinal. On the afternoon of our
arrival we met the Princess, as we dro^'e to the
Milvian Bridge. She was Avalking, and knew us at
once, and it was impossible to remain incognito any
lono'cr ; the ^Minister of War has ordered Count
Tavema to be my attache, as he was at Milan. AVe
hope that Herr von Keudell will return here from
Berlin next Sunday. ]\Ieanwhile, his wife pro-
vides us with everything necessary and agreeable ;
she is very attentive and kind to us.
Hoping that you may derive much benefit from
Marienbad,
I remain.
Your brother,
Helmuth.
To His Sister Auguste. 8r
Rome, April 19tli, 187G.
Dear Guste,
Your letter of the 12tli brought me very
welcome news from home, and I send you my
best thanks. I think of leaving for Naples (where
I hope it will be warmer) on Friday or at the
latest Saturday. AYe should not like to take too
much advantage of the kindness of the dear
Keudells. Nobody could be treated better than
Ave have been this last fortnight. We have pro-
mised to be j)resent to-morrow at a festival of the
German artists here. And after that will be the
best time to end our stay.
Bulwer's " Last Days of Pompeii " will interest
me much, when we have seen, which I hope will
be soon, the new excavations and the offender
Yesuvius. The great museum, Mother Earth, has
carefully preserved in her bosom a whole town as
it disappeared, in one day, eighteen hundred years
ago, in the midst of life. The past has here been
discovered in flagranti, and has been brought to
lisflit ao-ain.
Of my Milanese friends, I have met Menabrea,
Cialdini and Bertole Yiale again. I have also made
82 Selections from Letters
the acquaintance of the new ministers Dej)retis and
Mezzacapo, who were all invited to dejeuner at the
Keudells'.
The sun shines warm and brioht tlirouo;h the
windows, the freshest green covers the wide cam-
pagna as far as the eye reaches. There are the
ruins of a past world, high arches of endless aque-
ducts and numerous monuments, which served as
fortresses in the middle ages, and as swallows
build, so the paltry life of the present has reared
its huts under the protection of these mighty
remains.
Under our balcony is a whole forest of azaleas
in blossom ; round the fountain " Die Myi^the still
und hoch der Lorbeer steht," a palm planted by
Frederick AVilliam IV., looks rather melancholy in
the wind, and a white and red climbing rose
covers everything with thousands of blossoms. It
calls me into the open air, and so I conclude Avith
a hearty greeting.
Helmuth.
To His Sister Auguste. S;^
[N'aples, May 2nd, 1876.
Deak Guste,
I will try if I can write a few lines to you
with one of these dreadful steel-pens/ before our
departure, fixed for to-morrow. Henry has climbed
up to the convent of S. Martino, which I could
not undertake to do on account of my asthma.
My greatest pleasure has been to cross the bay by
steamer. When we went to Capri the sea Avas
rather rough, and some ladies made their sacri-
fice to Keptune ; and under the steep rocky coast
the deep-blue sea threw up its snow-white surge.
The ship anchored and a number of little boats
rocked about us to take us to the blue Grotto.
This seemed impossible to me, for I saw distinctly
the big waves beating against the upper part of
the entrance, which was only three or four feet
above the level of the sea in calm water. How-
ever, it was to be attempted. We lay do^vn flat
at the bottom of the nut-shell, and the practised
rowers seized the moment between one wave and
another. " Coraggio per voi, Maccaroni jDcr noi ! "
they cried out and — clash — we had passed the
^ Moltke always used quills.
G 2
$4 Selections from Letters
opening of the cavern, but not without my hat
being turned into a " chapeau claque.*'
The very narrow entrance prevents the light
entering the high spacious vault, Avhich is about a
hundred paces deep ; this rocky cavern is lit up
by the reflection of the sun-beams from the
crystal light blue sea, and the effect is enchant-
ing. But the idea of having to return again, pre-
vented me from enjoying the sight in comfort.
The foaming billows dashed in, barring the way ;
sometimes travellers have waited here two days
for a calm sea. But by the dexterity of the boat-
men, in waiting for the right moment, we soon
found ourselves outside again, but Avere so wet
that we could shake the water from our clothes.
Very few of the passengers undertook this visit.
It is very trying for me, after going do^vn to
the beautiful walk near Villa Reale, on the sea-
shore, to go up again one hundred and sixty steps
to my house. But the wonderful view over
the shore is an ample reward for the trouble.
Each 'wdndow has a marble balcony. On our left
we see on a height, the sombre castle of St. Elmo,
with its gloomy walls and battlements, just oppo-
To His Sister Auguste. 85
site us vre have Vesuvius, wliicli towers high above
the many flat roofs and cupohis of the city ; just
now only a white cloud of smoke is to be seen,
nothing remarkable. To the right the eye sweeps
over the bay as far as Castellamare and Sorrento,
where, in spite of the distance of three German
miles, single houses can be distinguished in a
clear atmosphere. Vesuvius is as quiet as if it had
never devastated whole towns and districts ; we,
therefore, did not favour it with a visit, but only
looked from the foot at the black ashy cone.
One of the most beautiful things, I can imagine,
is the road that leads from Castellamare along high
rocky walls to the charming Sorrento. Deep
ravines cut perpendicularly into the white tuffa,
and are crossed by viaducts ; far beneath lies
the blue sea fringed by the silvery surf which
dashes against most marvellous blocks of rock.
The mountains, almost to their summits, are
covered with olive trees; convents, and country
houses ]oeep out ; while the houses on the roadside
are hidden by orange bushes, which just now are
in full bloom, but still bear a great number of
their golden fruit. Stepping out of their shade
86 Selections prom Letters
voii siuUk'nly find ^'Oll^self on a platform of one
of tlic many good inns ; before you is a precipice a
liiiiidred feet straight down to the gHstening sea,
to Avhich underground paths lead down.
I think that we shall stay at Lucerne on our
way home and take a few days' rest there. We
should be glad to receive news from you there ; tell
us also what kind of Aveather you have, and about
the crops. It Avould be a pity to miss the time of
blossom at Crcisau. Friendly greetings also for
my faithful de Claer.
Your brother,
Helmuth.
Dear Guste
Stettin, Sept. 23rd, 1879.
AVe have just returned from the great re-
view of the Second Army-Corps. Everything
went off excellently. The weather yesterday, cold
and wet, has turned into most beautiful sunshine,
no dust and a pleasant, fresh air. I was in trouble
about my great brown horse, which was so badly
trained, that I could not use him in such a
crowd. I therefore borrowed Henry's chestnut,
which performed his part excellently. The thing
To His Sister Auguste. 87
is, amidst the noise of drums and bands and the
waving of flags, to ride past His Majesty at a slow
pace, then immediately to ride at full gallop to his
side, which is not so easy as it looks, if the horse
has not been trained for it.^ The bearing of
the troops was excellent ; the Emperor was
much 23leased. As at Königsberg and Dant-
zic we have good quarters here, beautiful large
rooms in an old patrician house on the Rossmarkt^
excellent beds, with more to eat and drink than is
good for us. The daily dinner with the King is
every time a trial of self-denial for me ; one dinner
now and then I might be able to digest, but when it
comes to twenty-one, one after another, I have to
be very careful, esjDccially with the many different
kinds of wine. The festivities which follow one
after another are much more exhausting than the
manoeuvres. On Sunday a man-of-war will be
launched, and then there Avill be a gala-dinner.
With much love,
Your brother,
Helmute.
^ Moltke had to parade liis regiment, the Colberg Grenadiers,
before His Majesty.
SS Selections from Letters
Schlettstadt, Oct. 3rd, 1879.
Dear Guste,
I received tlie last news from you at Stettin.
Since then the manoeuvres at Strassburg and the
Emperor's journey have come to an end. At first I
^Yas vQvv doubtful if I could 2:0 throuoh with every-
thing. But, God be thanked, all went well, though
only with the utmost exertion, and I hope it Avill
have been for the last time. Now I can spare my-
self a little more, but I wish and long to pass the
short time that is left to me in quiet, and to be
allowed to retire into modest solitude. The future,
and not, perhaps, a very distant one, may bring
circumstances with which I feel no longer able to
grapple.
I think Henry will have told you of our excur-
sions to the Yosges Mountains. AVe liad a cloudy
day, but it cleared up toAvards evening, and we
could see from the highest Avooded point the
valleys with their villages and many old castles on
the mountain tops. The high-roads are so skil-
fully constructed witli many windings along the
mountain slo]Des, that one can drive down at a
sharp trot without using the drag. If the sun
To His Sister Auguste. 89
would only shine we should make some more ex-
cursions of the kind which can l^e combined with
our duties. Best love.
Your brother,
Helmuth.
Gastein, August 15th, 1880.
Dear G-uste,
The sad news in the papers of floods and
destructions may have made you anxious about
us. We arrived here at noon, though not without
some trouble, yet well and sound. It is a good
thing that we did not go to the Tatra mountains,
for just in that direction the destruction has been
greatest.
The first day of our journey passed without
much disturbance. As Hotel Wunsch had been
specially recommended to us, we stayed there, and
it was a strange coincidence that not only did I
occupy the same hotel, but also the same room
where I had been ill with fever for six Aveeks forty
years ago, on my return from Turkey. The follow-
ing day we spent in going about Vienna, and we got
90 Selections from Letters
through a great deal. On Thursday ^vc dro\T, in
torrents of rain, tln-ough a delightful coinitry to
the beautiful Lake Traun. Hoping to he able to
cross this charming lake on the following day, we
passed the night at Gmundcn, in the excellent new
Hotel Austria, but the next morning it was still
raining and the Traunstein was wrapt in clouds.
However, in spite ofthat, the passage was beautiful.
But when we had landed at Ebensee, we were
received with the disagreeable news that the Traun
had interrupted all further communication ; that
the railway was destroyed, and the high-roads
flooded several feet deep. But we succeeded in
obtainino; a carriage for a o-ood deal of monev,
and dro\'e to our destination. The Mayor of the
place took a seat on the box and — God knows
what made him do so — Avaded in the worst places
before us up to his Avaist. A poor lad was taken
with us, who had to walk, where the road seemed
dangerous, before the horses. So we arrived at.
Ischl, but no train could leave there, and we stayed
the night. The whole platform was under water,
and the stream presented an interesting sight.
Debris of bridges swam past with tremendous
To His Sister Auguste. 91
rapidity. In the evening there was a concert in
the casino, where we heard the comforting news
that an express would try to leave on the following
"Wednesday. Fortunately it was true. Next
morning we were very glad to see the sun again ;
we took a lovely walk, and left at noon. The
saloon carriage which we occupied was open and
the last one on the train, so that we could look
over the whole country. It was the most
beautiful journey that one can imagine ; passing
by the Halstiitter lake, then ascending between
lofty mountains by the foaming Traun, after
that, rapidly descending into the valley of the
Enns. Again floods and rain ; and then a descent
of more than a thousand feet into the valley of the
Salzach. Night quarters at Lend, which were as
bad as they were dear. This morning we passed
the Klamm on foot, and then waited for the cUil-
gence, which brought us here safe and sound at
half-past one o'clock. For old acquaintance's sake
I took a little room at Hotel Straubinger. The
day after to-morrow I go into good apartments on
the ground floor. We have already looked about
a good deal, taken ten, and played at patience to
92 Selections from Letters, Etc.
see if the "weather was going to turn fine ; they all
came right ; ne\'ertheless it is raining still.
With best love to all, your brother,
Helmuth.
Creisau, July 30th, 1881.
Dear Guste,
I did not find any letter from you awaiting
me yesterday on my return home. However, I
hope that you are getting on well at Heligoland.
The Tatra mountains are very interesting, but
there is no comfort, either in food or lodging.
We had to be content with one little room, and we
were fortunate to get even that. Young Prince
Leoj)old, who arrived with Colonel Geissler and
his physician, was also quartered in a gaiTet. Of
course, I did not climb the high mountains, but
was content with some excursions in the valleys.
The journey by train through a beautiful country
was lovely. Here everything is in good order.
Helmuth.
MAGDALENE VON MOLTKE, WIFE OF PROVOST BRÖKFR
SELECTIONS EROM LETTERS TO HIS
SISTER MAGDALENE.
Magdalene von Moltke, by her family always called Leno,
the sixth child and the eldest daughter of her parents, was
born on September 29th, 1807, at Augustenhof in Holstein.
She lived devoted to her beloved mother until the death of the
latter. When her mother's household was thus broken up,
she went to live Avith her father, then Governor at Kiel, and
remained his faithful companion till, in 1838, she was married
to a clergyman, Mr. Broker, the principal preacher at the
Klosterkirche at Uetersen. This happy marriage was ended on
June 12th, 1890, by the death of her husband. Lene's
acquaintances were not many, but those who knew her, loved
94 Selections from Letters
and esteemed her on account of her mental gifts, her bright-
ness, her self-denial, noble truthfulness, and deep Christian
humility. Her brother Helmuth was her pride ; she, however,
never boasted of him. His indefatigable love and care made
her life and those of her family happy even after his death.
Frau Broker died on January 3rd, 1892.
Berlin, December 9tli, 1866.
Dear Broker,
. . . You are right in saying that God's
grace has been visibly with us during the great
decisive events of last year. More than ever I have
learned to understand how God " is strong in the
weak." May the many things which still remain
to be done, succeed under His gracious guidance.
My wife sends her very best love to you and
her Aunt Lene. I hope we shall soon come to
Holstein again, and then it will be to the annexed
country. Till then we wish to be kindly remem-
bered. Most affectionately yours,
Helmuth v. Moltke.
Wildbad, October, 12th, 1868.
Dear Lene,
... I hope that the treatment here which
wiU come to an end in a few davs, will stren2:then
To His Sister Magdalene. 95
me for all that next spring may bring. Our old
King may have a hard trial before him ; however,
it is to be hoped that sound common sense will
conquer the pride of our neighbours.
AVe must leave it to God Almighty.
I am very glad that the King has been so much
liked in the Duchies. The secret of his pleasant-
ness is his honest, open character. . . . My visit
here is very late this year. . . . The country is
very pretty, but, like the whole of the Black
Forest, there is too much sameness. Beautiful
green valleys watered by the rushing Enz, closed
in by mountains which are covered with forests of
high, thick dark firs. The baths are delicious.
Numerous warm springs bubble out from the
floor of the basin at a temperature of twenty-seven
degrees R. The cooking here is excellent ; one
could not dine better in l^iris ; trout from the
stream, turbotsl from Marseilles, artichokes from
Algiers. Railway communication makes every-
thing easy.
We mean to leave to-morrow, first for the
Palatinate. . . .
Marie joins me in best love to you.
Helmute.
96 Selections from Letters
Berlin, December 18th, 1875.
Dear Lexk,
. . . May your licaltli improve again, and
may you have a liappy old ago free from care.
AVlicn one reaches an age such as we, who are left,
have attained, one can bear many little physical
sufferings patiently, if God only gives us peace
in ourselves.
All of us wish you and Broker and all your
family a happy Christmas. After to-morrow the
days will begin to lengthen again, and God will
give us a new spring which I look upon every
time as a special blessing. I hope we may see you
next year at Creisau, where I enjoy life more than
anywhere else. Though forming is not very profit-
able, I rejoice in the growth of the trees that I
have planted, and under the shade of Avhicli the
young generation will think of me when I have
found a home of peace in the chapel there, which
time cannot be very far off.
With heartiest love, your brother,
Helmutü.
To His Sister Magdalene. 97
Berlin, September ISth, 1876.
Dear Lene,
Uncle Ludwig and the four giants ^ will go
on the 2nd of next month to Parchim to be present
at the unveiling of my monument. Ludwig will
have to give an address, and the four giants, I
suppose, will be posted at the four corners of the
pedestal. I shall, on the same day, be at Strassburg
at the unveiling of a monument in memory of the
fallen warriors, at which the Emperor has promised
to be present. After that I hope to return to
Creisau and to spend the month of October there.
God bless you. Your faithful brother,
Helmuth.
Creisau, June 30th, 1878.
Dear Lene,
... I am sorry to say that I shall have to leave
the country in August or September, as I shall
have to attend the Reichstag, where we are going
to attack the democrats.
1 Thus the Field-Marshal liked to call the sons of his brother
Adolf.
98 Selections from Letters
The recovery of the Emperor is steady, but
slow, and it is still very doubtful if he will be
able to be present at the coming manoeuvres on the
Rhine. It is not a little thing to receive thirty-one
shots at the age of eighty-one. The responsibili-
ties of a ruler already weigh upon the Crown
Prince. The attempt upon the Emperor and the
loss of the Great Elector ^ were two serious mis-
fortunes ! . . .
To-day the first stubbles ! the rape-field is cut,
and now the corn-harvest will begin. It pro-
mises to be very good, but even the best yields
but a poor return. However, the estate improves
every year. I intend to build some new work-
men's houses this year.
You would be delighted to see the infants'
school ; the day-school too is prospering. Eighty-
five little capitalists have savings-bank books, and
everyone has some marks in the Provincial Savings
Bank. It is so important to learn to save at an
early age, as we know from our own experience.
Our new generation has begun life with help,
' A man-of-war.
To His Sister Magdalene. 99
which none of us Sisters and Brothers have ever
known.
And now farewell, dear Lene. Your
Helmuth.
Berlin, December 24th, 1878.
Dear Lene,
May you spend this Christmas in health
and contentment. For me these are days of sad
remembrance. Just ten years ago Marie fell ill,
and was taken away in the prime of life. It is
wonderful with what love she is remembered by
comparative strangers, such as small artisans or
merchants ; her simple, genial manner is never
forgotten. Only quite lately somebody spoke to
me about her asking me for her photograph. And
you too were so fond of her.
I am well ; I have much to do, and that helps
one to forget many a sorrow, and no one is without
one.
You will have seen enough in the papers about
the safe return of our Emperor, and the grand
festivities on his arrival. Your brother,
Helmuth.
H 2
lOO Selections from Letters
Schlettstadt, October 3rd, 1879.
Dear Lene,
I have just received your letter, and am
glad that at your age you are so well and strong.
Many happy returns of the day ; may you always
spend it surrounded by children and grand-
children.
As Schlettstadt may not find a place in your
geography, I wiU teU you that I am south of
Strassburg in Alsace, where I have been travelling
with thirty officers and fifty horses, since the
Imperial visit to this part of the Empire. The
country between the Rhine and the Vosges is
very fine, beautiful forest-land between lovely
emerald meadows, and mountains crowned with
ruins of old castles. The towns, and even the
villages, are surrounded by walls and provided
with splendid churches. Strangely enough, as
long as the Emperor travelled here the weather
was uninterruptedly fine, and the very day his
journey ended, it began to rain, and has since
rained every day.
My journey may last ten or fourteen days
longer ; undoubtedly it will be the last of the kind.
To His Sister Magdalene. ioi
I am now almost eighty years old, and I am no
longer strong enough for such work. It is astonish-
ing how the Emperor can still do what he does.
Henry accompanies me on my journey, keeps
my accounts and also me in order. Your
brother,
Helmuth.
Berlin, March 18th, 1881.
Deak Lene,
What do you think of the dreadful attempt
on the Czar of Russia, who has been the greatest
benefactor to his country ! It is to be hoped that
his successor may take stricter measures against
this vile band of Nihilists, and not hush up and
pardon every crime as his unfortunate father has
done. But he has a heavy task to take up. The
people demand free institutions and representation
for which they are not ready ; even their deputies
can neither read nor write. Our Emperor is
deeply shaken and affected by the loss of his nephew,
who was attached to him with affectionate love
and veneration. With best love, your brother,
Helmuth.
I02 Selections from Letters
Berlin, March 30th, 1883.
Deak Lene,
Ernestine has informed you of the sad news
of the passing away of our dear Sister Guste.
This evening a service Avill be hekl over her
remains at Potsdam, and to-morrow night the
coffin will be taken to Creisau, where it will be
deposited in the little chapel. There "svill then be
left room enough for myself between both of
them. She was seventy-four, and only had to
struggle with death during a few hours' illness ;
that is a great grace of God. . . .
Most heartily,
Helmuth.
Creisau, September 8th, 1886.
Dear Lene,
I have passed a beautiful time here, the
whole of the summer ; it only passes too quickly.
.... Wilhelm's Helmuth is a fine boy, plain,
with long ears like mine, but sturdy and strong
and not easily kept in order by anybody but his
father. The other day he did not come in time
for dinner in spite of the bell, and only after
To His Sister Magdalene. 103
searching for a long time was he found near the
mill-pond, where he was catching fish with his
Sunday hat. The second, Joachim Peter, is a
picture of a boy.
Helmuth's eldest boy, Willy, is still a delicate
child, but lively and clever. When the Peile had
flooded the fields, he asked where all the water
was running to, and when he was told that it
went into the sea, he said : " But, papa, does the
water know where the sea is ? " With best love.
Your brother,
Helmuth.
Berlin, December 19th, 1887.
Dear Lene,
The comfortable-looking Frau Pröbstin, in
the excellent photograph, cannot be in bad health.
The picture gives me much pleasure ; I see a very
striking likeness to our poor Father, just as I did
in our brother Fritz, when he was old. You will
find one of the two enclosed portraits, in a more
meagre condition.
I wish you a joyful Christmas with all my heart.
Helmuth.
I04 Selections from Letters
Berlin, March 2nd, 1888.
Dear Lene,
The newspapers say all that I could tell
you, about the sad time that we have lived through
here in Berlin.
The death of the Emperor AVilliam has called
forth the deepest sympathy of the whole world.
It lay in the natural course of things, that the
aged Monarch must be called away some day.
He fell asleep without any struggle. His face had
a mild, peaceable expression.
But truly tragical is the fate of his successor,
who stands with one foot on the throne, the other
in the grave. He bears his sufferings with a
wonderful manliness ; how long or how short this
trial will be, God alone knows. In outward
appearance he is still the same splendid, strong
man.
The good old Empress Augusta keeps up well
by her strength of will, in spite of feebleness and
deep grief.
To-day we have mourning services in all our
churches, instead of the birthday festivities, to
which we had been accustomed for so many
To His Sister Magdalene. 105
years. And everything is enveloped in a deep
snow. The trees bend their branches under the
weight of it, but the streets are beginning to thaw
and are in a dreadful state in spite of the hun-
dreds of snow-carts. . . .
With hearty greeting. Your brother,
Helmuth.
Creisau, September 3rd, 1889.
Dear Lene,
I suppose both of us are thinking with
silent, but affectionate sympathy of our poor
brother Ludwig. All I have heard of his last
days seems comforting. He has passed away peace-
fully amid friendly surroundings.
Rosy will feel her father's loss most deeply ; she
has nursed him to the end, with most self-sacrific-
ing love. She has promised to come to see us at
Creisau, as soon as the most urgent arrangements
have been made. Later on she will remain at
Ratzeburg in the old home ; Gustchen will also
very likely keep her present position with
Princess Albrecht.
io6 Selections from Letters
I have just bought a second estate, Werners-
dorf, near the Zobten, and have let it to Ludwig
Moltke. I think this is the best way of providing
for my heirs ; for the conversion of shares,
which may be expected in a short time, threatens
all capitalists with a loss of a tenth or a fifth of
their interest. Land brings little, but it can
neither be converted, taken away, nor stolen.
Please give my best love to Broker. Your
brother,
Helmuth.
Berlin, May 1st, 1890.
Dear Lene,
The grace of God has allowed us to live
through another Spring, a beautiful gift for which
Ave owe special thanks. At present there are only
the gooseberry bushes and other little shrubs
whose little green leaves open to the light, but
every day adds something new and beautiful, and
soon the old lime-trees in youi' garden will unfold
their splendour.
I should much like to go to the country now
To His Sister Magdalene. 107
when reviving nature is so beautiful, but the
Reichstag will meet soon, and in the present un-
pleasant state of things, the presence of every
conservative element is much to be desired.
Therefore I must stay here.
Much love, from your brother,
Helmute.
FRIEDEICH JOACHIM VON MOLTKE.
SELECTIONS FROM LETTERS TO HIS
BROTHER FRITZ.
Friedrich Joachim von Moltke, the Field-Marshal's second
brother, was born on the 22nd of May, 1799, on the estate of
Horst near Ratzeburg. He received his early education with
his elder brother "Wilhelm, and his younger brother Helmuth,
in the house of Pastor Knickebein at Hohenfclde in Holstein.
From 1811 to 1817 he and his brother Helmuth were at the
College for Military Cadets, at Copenhagen ; which he left at
the age of eighteen, after having successfully passed the last
examination. Twenty years later, when a captain, he left the
Army to join the Postal Service in Denmark. Aiter losing his
wife, Elisabeth Boelte, who had been his faithful companion for
Selections from Letters, Etc. 109
thirty years, he retired as Postmaster at Flensburg and Danish
Chamberlain. With his widowed sister, Auguste Burt, he
made his home at Lübeck in 1867. But during the last years
of his life he was again brought into close relationship with his
brother Helmuth. Fritz Moltke was a thoroughly earnest charac-
ter, possessed of great self-denial, strict with himself and ready
to devote himself to others. Throughout his life, in all circura-
stanceSj he gained universal esteem by his great industry, his
integrity, his sense of duty and his prudence. Brought up
with his brother Helmuth in the strict school of the College of
Cadets at Copenhagen, he had followed his quiet and laborious
path in the Danish service, while the younger brother, led
by his star into the old Fatherland, had found in Germany
the glory which will always be associated with his name. Each
of the brothers honoured the opinions of the other. Their
political interests, which may sometimes have dififered, could
never alienate them.
Fritz, therefore, joyfully sacrificed himself, and, giving up his
own household, joined his brother in Berlin, when the latter
was left alone after the death of his wife in 1868. Here he
became the Field-Marshal's adviser in all family affairs.
Together they collected the scattered accounts of their family,
and together they rejoiced in the establishment of a new
family seat. The Field-Marshal always treated his brother
with the greatest consideration, and showed by his manner
that he never forgot he was the younger. Politics were not
discussed between them.
"When on the 4th of A-Ugust, 1874, a quiet death put an end
to the sufferings which Fritz von Moltke had borne with great
resignation, the Field- Marshal, deeply moved, buried the
remains of his brother in the beautifully situated cemetery of
Flensburg by the side of his deceased wife.
no Selections from Letters
Glion, near Montreux,
November 3rd, 1866.
Dear Fritz,
I received your letter dated the 18th of
last month all right, and ought to have answered
it before this, but you know that one has never
less time than when one has nothing to do but to
enjoy one's self. We have had a wonderful autumn ;
for thirty-seven days we have only once had rain.
This enabled me to take sixteen baths during the
beginning of my stay at Ragatz, and I have derived
much benefit from them.
We then went by Zurich and Fribourg (crossing
the marvellous suspension bridge, three hundred
feet above a wide valley) to the Lake of Geneva.
The country is lovely, descending by train about
two thousand feet, through woods and vineyards.
After spending a few days at Ouchy, near Lausanne,
we came here to Glion about a fortnight ago. We
are staying at a " pension " which bears the name
of " the WaadtUindische Rigi " rightly. It is 1600
feet above the lake, which is itself 1200 feet above
To His Brother Fritz. hi
the level of the sea. The view, to the Savoy
mountams, over the blue waters of the lake, and
the continuous row of villages and country houses
on its shores, is most enchanting. The air is so
reviving that we daily ascend heights which
reach up to the snow-line, and every time we are
surprised by new views. Yesterday we walked in
brightest sunshine above the clouds. Beneath us
seemed to lie a white snow-field, from which only
the rugged Juras and the snow-capped summits of
the High Alps appeared.
I think you have done rightly in giving up your
troublesome post. I am glad that you are leaving
Flensburg where you would miss your usual occu-
pation. I, too, like Lübeck very much, and I
hope we shall come to see you there next year.
How much I should like to retire before then, but
it is uncertain whether circumstances will allow
me to send in my resignation. Then we could
spend next autumn together at Glion. Adieu,
dear Fritz. With best love to Guste.
Your
Helmuth.
1 1 2 Selections from Letters
Freiburg in Silesia.
July 24th, 1867.
Dear Fritz,
I have received your letter of the 20th of
this month, also one from Guste, dated 19 th inst.
I have seen some beautiful estates here, but the
prices are exorbitant. The land here is sold at a
hundred thalers the half ton,^ and up to two hun-
dred in small portions ; as the soil is very fertile
and in a high state of cultivation, rent is very
high. I have not come to a conclusion as yet.
Baron Richthofen will come to-morrow, he is my
adviser, as I can judge of nothing but the situation
and the house. But I have learnt this much, that
two hundred thousand thalers (£30,000) will not
do much where land is concerned.
I am surprised to hear from Guste that Marie's
liver is out of order. I have never known her to
be anything but strong and contented. It is,
however, possible that she has inherited an inclina-
tion in that direction from her father, who suffered
from his liver. I shall speak to the doctor as soon
as I come back, and I am quite ready to go with
' Local measurement.
To His Brother Fritz. 113
her to Karlsbad, but I am afraid she will laugh at
me when I propose it.
I am glad to hear that you like Lübeck ; I, too,
am very fond of the old town with its spires and
old lime-tree avenues. Have you happened to
make the acquaintance of Senator Dr. Curtius ?
He is very devoted to me. We have had a
beautiful ride through the lovely mountains.
People are indescribably grateful here for the
]Drotection which they received last year. All the
towns have hoisted flags ; Mayors and Councils
came to meet us at the gates ; a fat alderman had
his horses put in and came for miles to kiss my
hand ; the toll-gatherer on the high-road sent his
little girl with a simple little nosegay, etc. On the
1st of August we shall be back in Berlin.
I have a letter from Mary from Segeberg. She,
too, was much pleased with Lübeck. Now fare-
well, this must be enough for to-day, dear Fritz.
Best love to Guste. Your brother,
Helmute.
114 Selections from Letters
Creisau, near Schweidnitz,
Autumn, 1867.
Dear Fritz,
I was very sorry not to be able to come to
Lübeck on the 3rd of this month, as I had mtended,
but just at that time I had to make large pay-
ments for the purchase of my estate. Government
stamps and legal expenses ; then we came here on
the 10th inst. to make the necessary aiTangements
in the new house, and to become generally ac-
quainted with our new surroundings ; and all this
prevented me from writing. In the country there
are such a number of things to be done, the day is
over in no time, and tired out we retire gladly to
bed in the evening.
Up to the present I have only experienced the
expense which the possession of an estate incurs,
and I shall have to get accustomed to it. Seven
hundred thalers (105Z.) for artificial manure, six
hundred thalers (90Z.) for new seed, the paj of the
work-people, repairs, &c. ; in a few days we shall
have the threshing-machine here, which costs
twenty-five thalers (3Z. los.) per day, but it
threshes three hundred bushels of wheat per day,
To His Brother Fritz. 115
and enables us to put the straw into stacks in the
fields. The harvest is so abundant this year that
the barns, which are very extensive, cannot hold
it all.
Everybody congratulates me on my pui'chase at
the cost of about three hundred thalers (45/.) per
ton of land. The soil is most fertile, of gi^eat
depth, and pays the best in the country, but was
formerly very much neglected, and is not yet in the
best condition ; it therefore needs, for the present,
the artificial help of chemical manure (superphos-
phate). The situation between the Zobten on
the north, and the " liohe Eule " on the south side
is charming. I have taken my carriage and a
riding-horse with me, and it is delightful to drive
out after the heat of the day is over. The whole
country is like a garden, and wherever one drives
it is beautiful. There are very good roads, and the
hilly ground affords endless change of scenery and
many views. We have very pleasant neighbours who
have received us Avith the greatest kindness. The
day before yesterday I took my seat, for the first
time, in the assembly of the Kreistag. We should
so much like to have you and Guste here, and we
I 2
ii6 Selections from Letters
invite you most heartily and pressingiy. AVe are
putting off the longer excursions into the mountains
till you come. You would be a great help to me,
for I have all kinds of plans : an alteration of
the Schloss, a bridge over the Peile, the laying-out
of a park by making paths through fields and
"wood, the planting of trees, etc., etc. I have sent
for a little surveying apparatus, and mean to begin
Avith drawing a plan of the land which I intend for
the park. But there are too many things to be
done.
Since my arrival here we have had most beautiful
harvest weather, and the whole day long heavy corn
waggons, laden with wheat, cross the yard and draw
up at the barns. Everything is built of stone.
The vaulted roof of the sheep-shed is supported by
twenty granite columns. But the " Schloss " has
a shino:le roof and must have one of slate, which
will cost two thousand thalers (300L). Last night
we had a thunder-storm and the first rain, which
was very favourable for the rape-seed. I do not
think that they will be able to carry anything to-
day ; but they can plough. There is never any
want of work here. I have agreed to a larirer
To His Brother Fritz. 117
allowance of meat to the farm labourers, to keep
them strong and make them willing. They are a
very fine race of people.
I think country-life here will interest you ; and
as you are free at last and your o^vn master, I hope
you will not refuse my request to come. We send
our best love. Your brother,
Helmuth.
Berlin, Dec. 29th, 1867.
Dear Fritz,
. . . The movement towards the incorpora-
tion of Lauenburg ought to come from the mem-
bers of the Duchy. Our Parliament desires annexa-
tion, but the Government can take no steps until
the Duchy expresses such a wish. I do not see
how Ludwig under these circumstances can get an
appointment in Lauenburg. This difficulty of
finding suitable work is another drawback in
small states.
The King has given me his large photograph for
a Christmas present ; I think you have seen it here
at Schniibely's.
Farewell, dear Fritz. Your brother,
Helmuth.
ii8 Selections from Letters
Berlin, January 24tli, 18G8.
Dear Fritz,
... In Prussia, cluiing these troublous times
it is much more difficult to help the ruined land-
owners and farmers than the starving work-people,
■who are looked after extremely well. Collections
are being made at home and abroad. The order of
the Knights of St. John will provide considerable
sums, and even Marie is very busy with a bazaar
to be held in the castle. But the work provided by
the State is of far greater importance ; 15 millions
are to be spent in the construction of a railway.
Of course, this cannot change the dreadful climate
of this province, which has such a rich soil. All
field labour has to be done during the few summer
months, even building is stoj^ped in the winter.
AVhen we begin the ploughing in Silesia, the sow-
ing has to be finished in Prussia, as snow and frost
are beginning then. This necessitates a compara-
tively large stock of utensils, and many workmen
and horses, who all have to be kept through the
long winter.
At midsummer, after a year's ex^^erience, I
shall be able to form some idea of the net profit
To His Brother Fritz. 119
of the estate. Of course, in future, we could not
expect the same high price for the corn. Marie's
kitchen is always amply provided with butter,
hares, geese, and jDork from Creisau. Much love
from both of us to Guste.
Helmuth.
Berlin, January 27th, 1868.
Dear Fritz,
I am learning at Creisau what a small income
land j^roduces in our times, even under the most
favourable circumstances. Though the ])Yice at
120 thalers (18Z.) the acre is thought very reason-
able by all competent judges, I shall be quite satis-
fied if, at the end of the year, my cajoital brings in
2 J per cent, interest ; but I hardly expect it will.
He who wants a higher rate, must not invest his
money in land. But in spite of every drawback,
there is nothing like landed proj)erty. It will
always be the safest investment, while shares are
affected by the fluctuations of politics and the ex-
change which, of course, depend finally on the
value of land and the security it gives. The great
lando^vners represent the highest rank in every
I20 Selections from Letters
country. Even the income of this estate will
place my successor in a good position, and it
"vvill probably be increased through the improve-
ments we hope to make, and when the debt has
been paid off.
I think the whole income of Creisau will at pre-
sent have to be spent on necessary improvements,
as a new roof, the laying out of the park, improve-
ment of the fields, etc. ; of course, if this is done,
it will be all the better for my successor. The re-
mainder of my income will be sufiicient for myself
and the support of relations, but I shall not be able
to increase my capital much.
Ludwig's resignation has been accepted. He
will receive a pension, the title of " Privy Coun-
cillor " and, I think, a decoration of some kind.
Adolf has been nominated Landrath in the district
of Pinneberg-Rantzau, and I hope that after the
dissolution of the Landtag, which will take place
in a few days, the position and salaries of the
officials in Holstein will be definitively settled.
With much love to Guste, your brother,
Helmuth.
To His Brother Fritz. 121
Berlin, Mai'cli 7tli, 1868.
Dear Fritz,
I am quite satisfied with Creisau. I knew
beforehand that I conkl not expect high interest,
when I invested my capital in land ; it would
have been the same in Holstein. I should have
liked to settle there, but I did not hear of any-
thing suitable at the time that I wanted to buy.
The principal thing for me is the safety of the
investment, not high interest. If I wished to in-
crease it, I could easily do so by realizing. You
see a danger in the depreciation of land, but that
only affects those who are obliged to sell. With
entailed property this does not come into con-
sideration. If stocks and land become depreciated
it does not alter the rate of interest nor the income.
Of course, it is an advantage for the buyer under
such circumstances, x'^.s the income would remain
the same, his capital would bring double the in-
terest. This has already happened with Austrian,
Russian and American bonds of 5 per cent, which
can be bought for fifty, which means investing
one's capital at 10 per cent. If I could have
bought Creisau for half the sum I paid, the income
122 Selections from Letters
of the estate -vvould have been the same, but I
should ha\-e received double the interest. But the
difference is this, that if invested in shares, the
capital itself is endangered ; for if milliards double
or treble, the necessary consequence "will be the
bankruptcy of the state, which has occurred several
times in Austria, and will occur in America.
Landed property can be devastated by war and
misfortunes, but the soil cannot be carried away,
and its productiveness remains unchanged, at
least, as far as earthly things can be unchangeable.
Though the Hamburg merchants know quite well
the value of stocks and shares, yet they like to
invest their savings in property in Holstein, which
only brings in two per cent.
I have never heard a word of ^ratitude in
Holstein from anybody for having been freed from
the Danish Government, which was always de-
scril^ed as ignorant and tyrannical. The people
in Silesia are very grateful to those Avho averted
the danger which threatened them. AYe have
had quite touching proofs of it. ]\Iy name is
much honoured there, and that too is of value.
The railwav does awav with distance, and those
To His Brother Fritz. 123
who wish to come to us will not make a two clays'
journey an excuse.
If Adolf should retire, it would be a good thing
to bu}' the Dreskys' pretty house on the hill and
to keep it always as a dower house.
■ Much love to Guste. Marie joins me in love to
yourself.
Helmuth.
Berlin, May Uth, 1868.
Dear Fritz
I have duly received the pedigree. The
accounts which I had, not a very long time ago,
from relations living in Wurtemberg, agree Avith
it perfectly. It would be very interesting to know
where the estates, which are mentioned in different
places, [as for instance, Westerbriigge, which re-
mained in the fixmily for several generations, are
situated. It is remarkable that Stridfeld (Meck-
lembourg) which remained in the. l^ranch of Claus
V. Moltke for eleven generations, is, in the four-
teenth generation, found in the possession of the
family of Otto (Samow) owned by Joachim (the
father of Count Adam) of Walkendorf and Ehren-
124 Selections from Letters
Yvidi of Walkendorf, Both died in 1730, and yet
the estate remained in this 1j ranch, though there
"were male heirs of the former living. At all
events, it is seldom that an estate, not entailed,
descends from 1309 to 1781, for ahnest five
hundred years, and through fifteen generations,
in the same family.
As far as I have been able to see from the names
of the estates, real Danish branches have only
existed since 1730. The sons of all the Moltkes
that were known in Denmark before that time,
have always returned to the jMecklenburg soil.
I had hoped that you and Guste would visit us at
Creisau, and that you would inspect my new park.
I expect to be there at the end of June or in July ;
but it will not be safe to make plans for the next
few weeks. La France s'ennuye ! and in order to
amuse her, Europe must be set on fire. In the
nineteenth century a Avar so frivolously begun, to
so little purpose, should seem impossible, it reminds
one of Louis XIV. and his Louvois, and yet we
stand, jDerhaps, close upon it. All depends upon
the decision of an irresolute man, who continually
excites the national passions on purpose and in
To His Brother Fritz. 125
such a way that the country cannot tolerate the
budget much longer ; a man who cannot decrease
the Army without losing the good opinion of the
public, especially of the Army itself, and who will
have to lead this Army to be slaughtered, in order
to rid himself of it. The situation seems to me
very serious. With hearty love, your brother,
Helmute.
Berlin, December 6th, 1868.
Dear Fritz,
I am glad that you have found an easy way
of investing your money. It would be strange if
the Exchano-e of a commercial town like Lübeck
were not provided Avith Prussian Government
Consols. Very likely they are numerous there.
You must not be astonished if the four-and-a-half
per cent, shares go down to three and a half. In
Prussian railway shares alone, forty millions
have been thrown away in the money market.
But much cash is sent to Russia. Russian railway
shares nominally bring five per cent, but as they
do not sell for more than seventy-five, they really
bring seven per cent. Though these lines are
126 Selections from Letters
useful for military purposes and administration in
general, it seems doubtful to me if they will ever
pay, as tliey are laid doTvii through real deserts.
But the advantage of a safe income for a time
makes people overlook the danger, which they
have ah'eady experienced with Spanish and Aus-
trian shares. However, such events show the
value of greater security, and the Prussian Govern-
ment shares will probably rise in a very short
time.
I think Lübeck will have a good] ^layor in
Curtius ; I am very glad that he has received this
token of confidence from his fellow-citizens.
Since I have seen the ghostly form of the cele-
brated violinist Ernst at Gastein, I am convinced
that music and nothing but music, and especially
violin playing, is ruinous to the nerves. It would
probably be a good thing for Ludwig and his
daughters to exchange the musical and poetical
land of dreams for real life. A few months' stay
in the beautiful neighbourhood at Creisau woiüd
do all of them good. It has been oiFered to them
repeatedly. Marie joins me in love to yourself
and Guste. Helmuth.
To His Brother Fritz. 127
Berlin, January 8th, 1869.'
Dear Fritz,
You will have learnt from my letter to
Guste how pleased I am Avith the plan of our living
together, and how I value the sacrifice which you
are thus making for me. But I feel that I must
remind you again of one fact connected with it,
namely, that I occupy these rooms in an official
capacity, and when I die they must be given up,
in which case you would, of course, be obliged to
move again.
If, in spite of this objection, you still like to
keep to our arrangement, it will be best for you
to settle at Creisau for good, for Creisau is the
piece of earth which our family possesses ; and
pass the winter or, if you like, the greater part of
the year in Berlin with me as a visitor. I hope
to spend the spring and autumn at my country
seat. In the autumn I have to attend the man-
cEuvres and to travel on General Staff duty, which
will take several weeks. During that time you
could stay quietly in the country. I hope you
^ After his wife's death which took place on December 2ith,
18G8.
128 Selections from Letters
will take every tiling there that has become dear
to you through okl associations, as the house
is very roomy. I shall he glad of everything you
like to have about you.
If you decide on joining me, I shall do every-
thing in my jDower to assure you an independent
future.
Helmute.
Berlin in June, 1869.
Dear Fritz,
I received both your letters by the after-
noon post, and I arranged everything at once.
Adolf said in his letter, that he was coming to
Creisau in the middle of July, but I am sorry to
say only for a fortnight. Nobody will thank him
for it, and nobody could lilame him if he asked
for a six weeks' or three months' leave. I have
projDOsed to him to come and meet me as early as
the 20th inst., we could then travel by rail
tosrether throu2:li the lovely mountains ; but there
is nothing to be done with him ; he thinks the sea-
surrounded country would fall to j)ieces if he did
not write certain documents himself.
To His Brother Fritz. 129
I am getting on quite well and am glad that
my loneliness will soon come to an end. I am
very thankful to you for Avriting so frequently,
it is almost as if I were with you. As it is late,
I must conclude, and remain, with hearty greetings.
Yours,
Helmuth.
Berlin, June 22nd, 1869.
Dear Fritz,
I had not gone to Bremen on official
business, but had been ordered to Wilhelmshaven.
However, I had accepted the invitation of the town,
to be its guest, and the papers are full of intellec-
tual things that I might have said, but which I
did not say.
The King has dissolved the Zollparlament to-
day in person.
With much love, and hoping much to see you
again soon,
Helmuth.
Reims, September 6th, 1870.
Wer zählt die Völker, wer nennt die Namen, die
K
130 Selections from Letters
gestern liier zusammen kamen ! ^ There stands
the mighty Cathedral in which the Kings of
France, Clovis, St. Louis, all the other Louis and
Charles X., were cro^vned. Close by, in the Arch-
bishop's palace, King William is staying now ; in
the large courtyard an armed company is bivouac-
ing, and in the city a whole Army-corps is
quartered. The cannon, munition-waggons and
transport, are well arranged along the promenade.
The large hotel opposite is crowded with officers,
regaling themselves after their many bivouacs.
We have been warned that the whole city is
undermined with millions of bottles of cham-
pagne. It is not surprising that some hundreds
of them exploded yesterday ; nothing else could
be expected in hot weather like this, and where
there are so many thirsty throats. Everywhere
friends met and greeted each other, but many
a one was missed, who is resting now under-
neath the green turf. Of our friends from
Creisau, I met Colonel v. Bock, Count Reichen-
' ""Who counts the nations, knows the names." Well-known
lines by Schiller. The last Avords are an addition made by
:Moltke.
To His Brother Fritz. 131
bach, Lieutenant Goldammer ; all were well. In
the evening our gardener came, and was glad to
see Augustus and Ernest. He has been attached
to the sanitary corps, and wears the red cross.
His corps, the sixth, has not been in any engage-
ment as yet, nevertheless they will very likely be
the first to see the towers of Notre Dame. On
our way here, the day before yesterday, we passed
the camp of the Tenth Division, and found Hel-
mutli with the officers of his regiment sitting
under an apple-tree. He looks a little thin, but
assured me he was perfectly well. He said he
had " plenty " of money ; refused a sausage, and
was contented with a bottle of wine out of my
carriasre. His coat tails were riddled with shot,
but he himself is unharmed, and in good spirits.
He will receive his promotion as an officer in a
few days.
Willielm is before ]\Ietz and will not allow
Bazaine to come out. One attempt had already
been made before his arrival. I think his only
course is to capitulate very soon. It will be quite
embarrassing to know what to do with 200,000
prisoners.
K 2
132 Selections from Letters
I think I have akeady tokl you, that I received
the painful commission of informing the French
plenipotentiaries, that MacMahon and his whole
Army had been taken prisoners, and that I had to
settle the conditions. These negotiations took place
from twelve to two o'clock, in the night after the
battle of Sedan. The following morning. General
WimpfFen, who was in command, after Mac-
Mahon was wounded, was to state definitely his
terms, but Napoleon came himself. I could not,
however, treat with him, as he was a prisoner of
war, having written to the King the day before :
" N 'ayant pas pu mourir au milieu de mes troupes
il ne me reste qua remettre mon ej)ee entre les
mains de Votre Majeste." I met him in a
miserable peasant's hut, close behind our outposts,
in expectation of an interview with the King ; he
was in full uniform, sitting on a Avooden chair.
AYhen I entered, he rose and asked me to take a
seat, wdiich was opposite him. To his projDosals
I could only answer, that nothing less than the
capitulation of the whole Army was demanded,
and that I should have to give the signal for the
renewal of the firing, if the Army had not sur-
To His Brother Fritz. 133
rendered before ten o'clock. '' C'est bien dur,"
he sighed. But he was quiet and resigned to his
fate. Soon after a capitulation, drawn up by us
and translated, was signed without hesitation by the
unfortunate WimpfFen. He had arrived from
Africa only two days before, and he must have found
his position at the head of the totally demoralized
and terribly excited soldiers at Sedan a most trying
one. But eighty cannon stood close before the town,
Avith 150,000 men behind them. WimpiFen has
received permission to go to Wllrtemberg, where
he has relations (doubtless our cousin Kathchen
belongs to the same family). He will never be
forgiven in France for having signed the treaty,
however innocent he may have been of the great
catastrophe.
By-the-bye, he has thanked me by letter for the
considerate manner in which these painful nego-
tiations have been conducted.
On the following morning, a long row of
carriages, escorted by a squadron of Black Hussars
(the Death-Heads), drove in pouring rain through
Donchery on the high-road to Bouillon (in
Belgium). Count Bismarck looked out of the
134 Selections from Letters
■window on one side of the street, myself on the
other ; the abdicated Emperor bowed, and a piece
of the world's history was finished.
Everybody is anxious to know what will become
of France ; no donbt a military republic. Mean-
while we shall march to Paris.
Helmuth.
Reims, September 11th, 1870.
"While our troops are making long marches
on account of new operations, the Commanders-
in-Chief have been allowed to remain in this
ancient city, where the kings used to be crowned.
"We all enjoy this rest, it will also be a boon to
the horses, who have kept up wonderfully so far.
The weather is bad, cold and damp ; we see nothing
of the fine climate of France.
"Wilhelm moves on to-morrow to besiege Toul,
unless the cavalry is sent here to Reims. Hel-
muth is at present near Montmirail.
I hope you have had my two last letters
from here, and that you will soon receive forty
bottles of champagne which I have sent, and with
To His Brother Fritz. 135
which, I hope, you will drink the health of our
brave troops.
By rights the war ought to be ended now as
France has no longer an Army ; one has capitulated
and the other will certainly have to do so. At Metz
this is the twenty-fourth day that 200,000 mouths
have had to be fed. We hear from the prisoners
that they have begim to eat horse flesh. Bazaine
may make another desperate attempt to cut through
the lines, but all necessary precautions to prevent
it have been taken. In Paris there are no other
soldiers left but the incomplete corps Vinoy, and a
very large number of gardes nationales, men who
defend themselves behind ramparts and ditches,
but who can never dare to come out and fight our
men in the open field. The difficulty is that there
is no authority with whom peace can be concluded.
The present Government was established in this
manner : at the last ridiculous meeting a work-
man jumped upon the president's chair, rang the
bell and proclaimed the republic. AVliat the rest
of France and the wealthy classes think of it, we
do not know.
Yesterday I drove with Henry and de Claer to
136 Selections from Letters
the forsaken camp near Chalons. A fortnight ago,
when the 4th Cavahy division, the " uhlans ijtus-
slens,'' who were known to have stormed villages
on foot, were said to be advancing, the terror was
so great that the whole Army Corps fled to Reims
and in such haste, that our horsemen found half-
served breakfasts, cannon, trunks, women's clothes,
and letters just begun. Here all the walls are bored
through to make loopholes, great entrenchments
had been constructed, but they were never used.
To-day we received the news of the unhappy
catastrophe at Laon ; you Avill have read of it in
the papers before you receive these lines. The
number of victims which this war demands is
dreadful, and, in s^Dite of this, the English would
have us contented with money ! With God's help
we shall be able, in a fortnight, to meet every un-
called-for mediator with 200,000 men, and yet,
with the remainder, be able to finish our war with
France. People have not yet learned the meaning
of the word " Deutschland," but what is of far
greater importance, Germany herself has learnt it
now. Best love.
Helmute.
To His Brother Fritz. 137
Versailles, December 12th, 1870.
Dear Fritz,
We have had as much as ten cle2;rees R. of
cold ; to-day it began suddenly to thaw. Such
an early winter is very unusual here, and people
say that it is a new " Chicane de Monsieur Bis-
marck."
We hear more of Paris from English and Belgian
papers by Berlin than here close before the town,
where only the Valerien (Ballerien as our people
call it) speaks to us. The gates of the city are
guarded, and even the troops, who camp between
the ramparts and the forts, know nothing of what
occurs in the city. We expect another desperate
sally, but this will probably be the last. The raw
French recruits are beaten in the open field one
after another, but we cannot be everywhere ; little
surprises cannot be avoided, but require to be
punished with inexorable severity. When a hand-
ful of ruffians, armed with guns and flags, throng
into the houses, singing the Marseillaise, shoot out
of the windows and run away by the back door,
the city has to suffer for it. Those towns which
have a gamson of the enemy's troops may think
I ;S Selections from Letters
J
themselves Jiappy. Our relations liere are well.
Henry is "wcU and in good s2Dints. I suppose
Guste was much pleased to hear that he has re-
ceived the iron cross. To-night he is to sing to
the CrowTLi Prince, who likes to hear him. Herr
von Keudell will accompany him on the piano.
I had a postcard from William not long ago.
He is following up the Army of the Loire at this
moment ; he is often cold and himgry, but other-
wise well. He has a hundred and twenty thalers
(£18) allowance to receive from me, but money is
of no use where nothing can be had for it. I hope
he will soon have a little rest in the beautiful and
rich country of Touraine. Unfortunately he had
to leave the fine horse wdiich I had jriven him, ill,
at Rambouillet, and vvdien Henry went there to
fetch it, it had been killed.
Helmuth had to be outpost again yesterday.
The brave boy always does his duty joyfully.
Almost every night the forts fire heavy cannon at
hap-hazard. Out of a hundred bombs perhaps
one will hit by chance. In the daytime the
outposts signal Avhen a sliot is coming, for the
men to have time to lie down on the ground,
To His Brother Fritz. 139
where they have not much to fear from the spHn-
ters, though it can never be pleasant. It seems
that the French add daily a pound of powder to
each loading ; they reach already as far as Versailles.
Nothing is gained by this waste of ammunition,
and the relieving armies they still hope to see,
will never hear them. Henry and I have just been
to take a laro-e tin I30X with Mao-deburo; Sauer-
kraut, another tin box with salt meat, a bag of
peas and two bottles of champagne to Hehnuth.
The poor boys will have a jolly evening.
The garde-du-corps has not been in any fights
lately. Ludwig is on the Loire. No news of the
prisoner of war, Count BrockdorfF, has come, and
it is impossible to liberate him. "We have offered,
through the American ambassador in Paris, to
exchange all the prisoners ; we have a stock of
them, more than enough, but the French have so
few of ours that they want to keep them for the
sake of being asked for them. So our oiFer has
remained unanswered. But, with God's help, the
day is not far off when all the prisoners will be
released. The French now have their Government
in three places, in Bordeaux, in Paris, and before
140 Selections from Letters
Paris, for Trocliu has, so to say, shut himself out
from the city.
My compliments to General Hanenfeldt, Scheller
and Gliczinski, and all who remember me. It is
late ; I must conclude. Much love and a joyful
Christmas.
Helmute.
Versailles, January 1st, 1871.
A happy New Year to you !
May it bring peace, peace to the whole country,
and the peace of God which passeth all under-
standing to every single subject.
(Here follows family news about the relations on
the scene of war.)
Berlin, Jime 13th, 1871.
Dear Fritz,
I received your letter from Kreuth yester-
day, and am pleased that you like your stay there.
I, too, shall have to go to Gastein for a short
treatment. I hope to be able to get aAvay during
the last ten days of this month, after the wmding
To His Brother Fritz. 141
Tip of business and the entrance of the troops into
Berlin, which takes place on Friday, and which
will last five hours. It is a pity that you are not
here to see it. It will be most unfortunate if
the weather does not change. From Lenne Street
to the Brandenburg gate immense stands have been
erected for about a hundred thousand men. At
the Halle and Potsdam gates stand the equestrian
statues of Germania and Alsacia, which may col-
lapse in the continual rain if one does not put
giant umbrellas into their hands. The large Belle-
Alliance Square is occupied by two stands, which
reach as high as the second stories of the houses ;
just the same arrangement has been made in the
squares before the Opera, University and Lust-
garten. Numerous poles ornamented with flags
and streamers are fixed up along the Via Trium-
phalis and Unter den Linden, cannon and mitrail-
leuses are placed on both sides from the gate to
the palace ; they are closely packed, more than a
thousand pieces, not quite a fourth part of the
number which we have taken from the French.
The house ^ is proceeding but slowly. The
^ The new General Staff-buildincr in Berlin.
142 Selections from Letters
balcony is finished and the view from it over the
Thiergarten, which is greener than ever, is very-
fine. With best love to Guste,
Your Helmutii.
St. Petersburg, Dec. 11th, 1871.
Dear Fritz,
It is not easy to find a free moment for
letter-writing here. But to-day I will at least
give you a sign of life, as it is already a week
since we left Berlin.^ There is so much to tell,
that I must keep the greater part till we meet.
But I must say this, that in spite of the many
dejeuners, diners, and soirees, we are still quite
well and in good spirits, and that we have not
only been received with the greatest attention, but
with real heartiness. The Emperor himself likes
to distinguish us on every occasion and to give
expression to his good opinion of our Army. He
has conferred on me his highest decoration, the
order of St. Andrew. I occupy a whole suite of
rooms in the Winter Palace, a colonel of the
^ Moltkc had gone iu attendance on Prince Frederick Charles
to the St. George's festival at St. Petersburrr.
To His Brother Fritz. 143
General Staff is in attendance ; there are daily two
dinners with champagne, one is called dejeuner,
the other dinner; in the evening boxes at five
theatres are at our disposal ; besides that there are
soirees ; and a carriage with a lackey, a coach, and
a sledge, are always ready for us. The newspapers
will probably tell you all about the great St.
George's festival. There were more than a thou-
sand people and more than a hundred flags in the
immense rooms of this palace. We must have walked
several " versts " by the time we had followed the
Czar through every hall. After the reception, Mass
was celebrated ; then there was a dinner down-
stairs for 700 soldiers of St. George's Cross, and a
banquet of 500 covers for the Court in a large hall.
Yesterday's parade went off well. There were
forty battalions, thirty-four squadrons and artillery
in the square before the castle, along the Admiralty
building, and St. Isaac's Church as far as the
statue of Peter the Great. It was not very cold,
at the most G° R., and the sun came out, which is
very rarely the case at this season. I had an
excellent horse, and everything went off as well as
possible.
144 Selections from Letters
But there is so much to be seen here, that all
my free time, after visits paid and parades
attended, is filled up. It is very convenient that
the palace of the Empress Catherine, the Eremitage,
is connected with the Winter Palace. The greatest
art treasures are heaped up there. Then it is a
great pleasure to dri^'e in a sledge through the
lively streets, the prospect and the Morskaja, etc.
There are 60,000 sledges in St. Petersburg. You
can imagine the crowd. Everybody drives at a
sharp trot, passing each other closely without ever
touching. Probably we shall go on to Moscow,
and I shall not be back before another week. The
Grand Duchess Helena is very fond of music.
This evening her Imperial Highness has, so she
told me, arranged a quartet for me. Before going
there, we shall dine with the Czar, who honoured
me with a visit to-day. Everything is done to
show us respect ; our servants, too, are very well
looked after. Auo-ustus ffoes to see the ballet to-
night. Yesterday we heard Lucca as Zerline in
Don Giovanni. The carriages wait outside the
palaces and theatres in spite of the cold, and one
can get away at any moment. I profit by it in
To His Brother Fritz. 145
trying to be in bed before midnight ; on the
whole, the night is made into day, and as it is
dark at three o'clock in the afternoon, the day is
very short. With best love,
Helmuth.
Creisaii, June 22nd, 1872.
Dear Fritz,
Your last two letters of the 13th and 15th
have arrived all right, and we have heard at last
from the other travellers. Henry and Kiithchen ^
had gone in search of Ludwig, and had learnt
" wat bi 'ne Oeven-aschung herutkiimmt." ^ After
a short stay at Venice they went to Lake Garda,
embarked for Bellagio and hurried to Ludwigs
house — but oh ! here they were received with the
word of terror, " those you are in search of have
departed;"^ where? nobody knew. Kiithchen
broke out into tears, Henry into loud laughter.
' Fräulein Katharina von Wimpffen, a cousin of the Field-
Marshal.
^ Title of a book by Reuter, author of -well-known tales in
the " patois " of Mecklenburg.
^ Quotation in parody of Schiller's "Gang nach dem
Eisenhammer."
L
146 Selections from Letters
They hastened on to Brunncck — no Ludwig there,
he had ffone on an excursion to Venice and
Trent. Kathchen then went to Klagenfurt to her
sister; Henry had a delightful journey through
Switzerland and the Engadine, and met Ludwig
at last at Brunneck. Käthi was expected there ;
he will accompany her to Munich on the 23rd,
then come here by Prague. I expect him about
the 25th or 26th instant. Guste comes on the
28th ; Ludwig is longing for home. Hanne ^ is to
stay three months at Brunneck. They like it very
much.
Brunneck is close to Gastein, but the Tauern
can hardly be passed except on foot. Ludwig is
thinking of going to Gastein.
My programme for the summer is as follows :
on September 6th I must be in Berlin, on account
of the Emperor of Austria's visit. My journey on
General Staff business will be in Alsace, therefore
I had to fix the interview at Miilhausen as early
as August 15th. If I go to Gastein at all, I shall
have to leave this place in the middle of July.'
I cannot get rid of my rheumatism here, it has
' His brother Ludwig's eldest daughter.
To His Brother Fritz. 147
moved from the back into the left leg. Gastein
would not cure it, but the air there is strengthen-
ing and good for the constitution. The rooms
here are very cold, and I may make it worse by.
working out of doors and by getting warm pruning
trees, &c.
Auguste Moltke has become wonderfully strong,
here, she can now walk as far as the Mühlenberg.
The four girls are very happy, and enjoy them-
selves immensely with croquet, ball-playing, and
driving.
All of us greet you heartily.
Helmuth.
Ragatz, June 24th, 1874.
Dear Fritz,
On the 21st I went to Freiberg in Saxony,
on the 12 th to Augsburg, yesterday I arrived
here, and to-day I had my first bath. The scenery
here is finer than at Gastein and life is pleasanter.
The country is beautiful ; a very large building
has been added to the old hotel where I stayed in
1865 for the last time with Marie. Close by there
are most beautiful gardens with rare trees and
L 2
148 Selections from Letters
vines in bloom, and the air is scented with
mignonette and roses. I had to take rooms at
the top of the house, and have to ascend seventy-
two steps ; but the view from my Avindows is so
charming, that I cannot make up my mind to
change them for other rooms lower down. On
one side the neat little place is enclosed by a
wooded hill, on the other side by the Rhine and
the precipitous, bare Falkniss. There I must not
be seen, or else I might run the risk of being taken
to Vaduz as a prisoner of war. At Nikolsberg
they have neglected to make peace with Liechten-
stein, so that according to the rights of war, the
Vaduz Army might enter Germany if it liked, and
in my opinion the principality is still in a state
of war with us. In the distance beyond, tower
the heights of the Vorarlberg Alps still covered
with large snow-fields ; on this side of the Rhine
which, by-the-bye, is quite ugly here, old ruins
of castles like Friedenstein, Werdenberg, and
Krogems stand out on the wooded hills. Near
the last-named castle, which is still inhabited, a
plain stretches along between the Rhine and
the Wallensee. A ditch, of about ten feet in
To His Brother Fritz. 149
depth, or a very high flooding of the big stream,
would carry its Avaters into the lake. But such
an arrangement would j^ut an end to the Falls at
Schaffliausen, and the consequence would be a
dull, dirty stream at Cologne, something like the
colour of the Rhine here where it flows out of the
slate mountains. It does not become clear till it
leaves the Lake of Constance, near the town of that
name, like pure green crystal. Fortunately this
basin, which is a thousand feet above the level of
the sea, is also a thousand feet deep, and is able to
receive all the mud and the rolling stones which
devastate the upper valley of the stream, and
bave formed a delta stretching out for miles
near the entrance of the river. Its stagnant waters,
no doubt, render the air here less healthy than at
Gastein. The living is much dearer too than it is
there. We are extremely well fed, and can make
lovely excursions from here by rail with great
comfort.
I must conclude my report for to-day. With
much love, dear Fritz,
Your brother,
Helmutit.
LETTERS TO WILHELM VOM
MOLTKE.
We begin tliis part of the colloction -with a letter from the
Field-Marshal to his brother Adolf, Wilhelm's father, which
requires the following explanations : — Williclm von Moltke
was a boy at the Gymnasium at Altona, in 18(53, who, accord-
ing to his own statement, had grown beyond his strength ; and
after a severe cold he had hemorrhage. His uncle, who was at
that time at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, attending a Conference
on the Danish question, was informed of this fact by Wilhelm's
father. The Field-Marshal replied that he Avished Wilhelm
to be sent to Wiesbaden, where he would probably grow
stronger in the mild climate, and at the same time he could
iinish his school studies ; he would pay the expenses, and
would be glad to relieve his brother. So it was arranged.
Berlin, Dec. 6tli, 1863.
Dear Adolf,
. . . Most likely you arc anxious to hear
details about Wilhelm.^ Last Wednesday night he
' Born September 11th, 184G. Now Lieutenant-Colonel v.
Moltke, present owner of the entailed estates of Creisau, and
commander of the Leib-Cuirassier-Kegiment, Great Elector
(Süesian) No. 1.
Selections from Letters, Etc. 151
arrived at Frankfort after a journey of fifteen hours,
well and with a good appetite ; there he had a warm
room and an excellent bed. As the weather was
bad he had not seen much on his journey, but had
slept the greater part of the time. I had intended
taking him to AViesbaden, on Thursday, but it
rained incessantly, and I wished that he should
receive a good impression of his future abode. I
therefore kept him at Frankfort, and, as far as the
weather permitted, he went about seeing the Cathe-
dral, the Eömerberg, the Gutenberg statue, in short
the principal sights of the town. In the evening I
took him to the theatre, where Marschner's pretty
opera " Hans Heyling " was performed. We left
at ten o'clock on Friday, the day before yesterday.
It was cold, and the first snow lay on the Taurus
Mountains. Our first visit at Wiesbaden was to the
Headmaster S., but we did not find him at home ;
then we went to Comtesse B. She seemed to
think that she had been asked to settle definitively
about Wilhelm's stay at Wiesbaden. As she cannot
go out, she had made some arrangement through
her physician with a Professor M. His fees were
higher than I had intended to give. I had to give
152 Selections from Letters
lip a Fräulein F., whom the Headmaster had parti-
cularly recommended to me ; but at all events, I
wished to hear first more about Professor M., who
was said to live well, but rather above his means.
I looked at his house from the outside, it stands in
T. street, the warmest part of the toAvn, surrounded
by the hot springs. Through the middle of the
town there is an iron-covered Avalk which is over-
groAvn with the vine in summer, so that it is
always a pleasant promenade. From there we
went to the Headmaster, who received Willielm
very kindly. He said there was no objection to
Professor M., though he had not mentioned him
at first.
We then went to the Professor, after having
refreshed ourselves by a dinner at the hotel.
Unfortunately we only saw the '' Frau Professorin,"
au old lady of few words, and no crinoline, simply
but tidily dressed ; the rooms are small, but every-
thing was in good order. Wilhelm's room is very
small, with one window looking on to the back, but
it is the south side ; view, there is none. She did
not know the terms, and her mathematical husband
was not expected home before 4 o'clock.
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 153
We therefore made use of this unexpected
leisure, and of some convenient sunny hours to go
up to the Greek chapel which lies on a height near
the Waldthurm, whence one has a beautiful view
over the Rheingau towards the high cupolas of
the distant cathedral of Mayence. We visited
the mausoleum of the late Grand Duchess there.
On our return to the town I showed Wilhelm the
gambling tables, which looked quite inviting.
Before the Kurhaus, two splendid fountains in large
basins were playing, all round it were numerous
gas lights. The Grand Ducal band plays every
day in the large hall with its marble pillars.
Adjoining this hall are the refreshment rooms
with mao-nificent lookino;-o-lasses and rich silk
hangings, and reading-rooms ; also the four large
halls with their four green tables closely crowded all
round with gamblers and lookers-on. Deep silence
reigns there. No sound is heard but the rolling of
the ball on the roulette table and its falling into the
hole, tlie chinking of the gold and silver coins,
most heaps of which are generally pitilessly swept
off by the croupiers. In other cases the money is
carelessly thrown towards the winner. Everybody
154 Selections from Letters
tries to appear indifferent, but only the bank is
so in reality, as it is certain of the gain, with the
surplus of which the greater part of this Eden has
been created : the park, the playing waters, even
streets and railways.
Of course, the pupils of the Gymnasium ^ are not
allowed to enter the Kurhaus, but it seemed right
to me to satisfy the natural curiosity of a young
man in a prudent manner. He has been warned
of gambling now.
At last we met the professor in his dressing
gown, in a very comfortable study. He said every-
thing would be ready for Wilhelm, whom he would
treat like a son. He seems a good-natured old
gentleman. There is also a daughter who plays
the piano. As they had visitors I did not see her ;
but judging by the parents I should not think
that she would be dangerous.
I have told them that Wilhelm must neither
take tea, coffee, nor wine. The Professor pro-
posed weak tea in the evening, which did not
seem inviting. He promised that it should be as
weak as possible ; but I preferred milk in the
^ Boys' schools for the assical side.
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 155
morning and in the evening with good wholesome
food. This was promised with the remark that
the professor himself needed such. Wilhelm has
his meals with the family, lives with them, but has
his own room, where he can have a fire. The fur-
niture consists of a good bed, a looking-glass, a
chest of drawers, a table, a sofa, which has the
advantage of being too short to lie on at full length,
and some eno-ravinsjs : and a desk on which he can
write in an upright position has been ordered.
We must see how Willielm will like it. We
might still apply to Fräulein F. later on, if there
is any sufficient cause for dissatisfaction. Wilhelm
has a letter from Sanitatsrath H. to Dr. P., but as
he had packed it in his box we could not take it.
Wilhelm Avill go to him, and if necessary ask his
advice. We then hastened back to the station for
Wilhelm's things, and not till I had seen him com-
fortably settled in his new home, did I return to
Frankfort, where I had still much to do before I
was able to return to Berlin yesterday, Saturday.
I surprised Marie, Avho was playing a rubber of
whist Avith General Gliszinski and some ladies.
I suppose Wilhelm Avill "\vritc very soon, and tell
156 Selections from Letters
us how lie is getting on. ' He was quite well and
in good spirits, as is natural at his age. He looks
extremely well ; he is not only tall, but quite sturdy.
I hope that in a few years he will ])e, with God's
help, a strong, healthy man. He will soon make
some friends amongst his two hundred school-
fellows. This dull Sunday, while he is still a
stranger there and alone, will perhaps be his worst
day.
Now farewell, dear Adolf, best love to Auguste.
Don't be anxious needlessly. Times are serious
enough for real sorrows. Wilhelm has not given
me the impression that he need cause any great
anxiety. Marie joins me in hearty love.
Helmuth.
Berlin, Dec. 13tli, 18G3.
Dear Wilhelm^
I thank you for your letter dated the 11th
inst. I am glad that you feel at home in your
little room and with people who, though strangers,
have received you kindly. It is a pleasant sur-
prise that the professor's daughter plays the piano
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 157
so well, I suppose you will accompany her on the
violin. You are sure soon to make friends with
your school-fellows, and it is pleasant for you that
Colonel Schwarz is so kind to you. Last Sunday
week we had a dull day here, the sky was dark,
and it rained, and I thought you would have a
trying time and would feel very lonely in your
little room, a stranger and without friends, but we
are glad now to hear that, instead of that, you took
a romantic walk in the sunshine to the Burgruine.
I hope that the good climate and the beautiful
country will prove beneficial to your health, but
you must be very careful with yourself. Dr. Pesch
says that you must not only take long walks in
the open air, but do plenty of gymnastics, calis-
thenics, exercises, etc., both in and out of doors ;
but it must not be such violent exertion as would
increase the pulsation of the blood, or the palpita-
tions of the heart.
You must avoid running up steep hills or moun-
tains. There are printed instructions about calis-
thenics to be had, which you might try to procure
for yourself. But the exercises are only useful so
long as they are done carefully and regularly, for
158 Selections from Letters
instance, during dressing. Only a short time ago
I had occasion to notice what results could bo
obtained by out-of-door gymnastics, when the
monthly list of the reserve men of a company of
about forty fusileer guards was sent in to me.
The regimental doctor liad measured the men's
chests, and after three months' exercise this was
repeated ; it Av^as found that with all these young
men, who are still at a growing age, the thoraxes
had enlarged one, two, three inches, and with many
of them four, five, and even as much as seven.
Of course, you must not neglect your studies
through attention to your body. I hope that
without too much exertion you will get your
removal to Ober-Prima^ at Easter. When you
have passed the " Abiturienten " examination, any
career will be open to you, and your choice must
then depend upon the state of your health. Re-
main a good boy, and you will see that your cross
old uncle wishes for your true happiness.
How do you like the food ? Do you sometimes
long for the flesh-pots of Altena ? Tea can be
weakened ad infinitum, but as the asymptote, how-
' Highest form in the Gymnasium.
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 159
ever far it is produced, never touches the hyperbola,
it would be a harmless, but hardly a tasty beverage.
I hope that good milk is to be had at Wiesbaden.
It is a pity that the beautiful music in the Kursaal
is so close to the gambling-tables.
We had good news from Holstein. Your papa
is well, but he has much to suffer from the political
difficulties there. Next Sunday the Bundes truppen
(troops of the allied powers) will enter the country,
and before Christmas a great deal will be decided.
Farewell, my old boy. With best love, your
uncle,
Helmuth.
Hearty greetings, dear Wilhelm, from your Aunt
Marie.
Headquarters at Apenrade,
August 15th, 1864.
My dear Wilhelm,
Thank you for your letter of the 10th inst.,
and for remembering me. I am very glad indeed
that the state of your health is so satisfactory. I
hope that, when you have left off growing, you will
be a strong and healthy boy. But do not forget that
i6o Selections from Letters
for years to come you will have to be careful, any
rashness just in this period of development might
do you great and lasting harm. Much exercise
■will be good for you, but it must not be violent.
We envy you your hot sun, from which you suffer
at AYiesbaden. Here we are dressed as if it were
winter, we never go out without a coat. During the
dog-days we had to have fires several times. It is
quite natural that you should wish to see your home
again, and in the holidays it would not be difficult
to manage it. Your Father and Mother and relations
will be very pleased, I am sure. I am glad that
you manage your allowance so well that you can
pay the travelling expenses yourself. A s I see that
you are careful with money, which is very impor-
tant for your future welfare, I should like to give
you fifty florins for the journey, it will give you
more pleasure, and be of greater profit to your-
self. You will receive the money when you are
at home.
When do the holidays begin? I thought the
longest were during the dog-days.
If you have not made this little excursion before,
I advise you to go by steamer as far as Cologne.
To Wilhelm von Moltke. i6i
In this way you would have the advantage of
seeing both banks of the Rhine, and with greater
leisure, than you could do in the train. The
steamer is very cheap now through competition,
you can get out at any place you like, and con-
tinue your journey with any steamer ; you take
your ticket to Cologne. At Coblentz (Hotel zum
Riesen, where you may remember me to Mutter
Schury) you may send to the Governor and ask
for a ticket to go up, but slowly, to Ehrenbreit-
stein. You can also, without special permission,
ascend the Aster stein whence you will have a
beautiful view. At Cologne (Hotel Prince Charles)
there is, of course, the Cathedral ; and a little
steamer, which leaves the floating bridge (west
side) every half hour, takes you to the Zoological
Garden with the largest aquarium in the world.
It will be better, perhaps, for you to travel
back by Cassel (go up to Wilhelmshöhe with
care) and Schön-Marburg.
Your little enclosure reminds me of the day on
the Kapellenberg. How I should like you to take
me about amongst the beautiful mountains there !
But it is very pretty here too, and especially at
102 Selections from Letters
.Apenrade, which is surrounded by hills covered
Avith beautiful beeches, through whose dark green
I'ich meadoAvs and the ])lue sea are shining in the
distance. No wonder it is so green here, as it
I'ains every day, but if the weather is fine, the
country looks beautiful.
As you arc sure not to be tempted to gamble,
you can enjoy the pleasant things at the Kursaal, the
beautiful music, the park and the theatre, without
liesitation. It is not your fault that the Govern-
ment of Nassau has not put doAvn the tables in
spite of the declared Avish of the Confederate
States and the many victims.
I have good ncAvs from your parents. Your
father is well in spite of the bad Aveather and the
})olitical troubles. I hope that matters will soon
be settled, and that he will be able to keep
the post Avhich has become so dear to him.
Uncle Fritz is still in office, but he suffers much
under the course Avhich things have taken. . . .
Now farewell, my old boy, be brave, remember
me to your Herr Professor, and think lovingly of
your Uncle
Helmuth.
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 163
Flensburg, Nov. 1st, 1864.
My dear Wilhelm,
First I have to tell you the sad news of the
death of your Aunt Betty. She died after a short
illness of three days in the evening of October 27th,
quietly and peacefully in the arms of her husband,
ivdthout struggle. She had not been able to sleep,
and her husband held her for a long time for fear
of disturbing her, before he perceived that life was
extinct.
Many thanks for your good wishes on my birth-
day. In answer to your question concerning'
making the Army your profession, I must tell you
the following : My physician, Dr. Pesch, who is
also an Army doctor, tells me, that, if he were
asked, he could not conscientiously give you a
health certificate such as is required for the Ai'my.
If, while you are at a growing age, you continue still
to take care of yourself and diet yourself strictly,
you may become a healthy, strong man. But if you
should attempt to undergo the exertions which the
military service requires, especially the Infantry, it
would probably bring very bad consequences. In
addition, we have just had a campaign in which
M 2
164 Selections from Letters
you were not able to take part. H" wc continue to
have peace for some time, which seems probable,
you must be prepared to remain a lieutenant for
about twelve or fifteen years. This is the average
time for this lowest grade, but very often it is
lonofer. Durinf]^ the whole of this time, and also
as a second-class captain, you cannot do without a
monthly allowance, Avhich nobody can promise
you for so long a time. Meanwhile the charm of
a soldier's life will vanish, if you have to exercise
recruits year after year in a little country town.
For those young men who have the capabilities
and the means of studying, and the latter could
be jDromised you for a reasonable length of time,
other professions offer far better prospects than the
]\Iilitary, especially in a small country like yours.
If you finish your studies soon, the universal
esteem which your father enjoys and his ^^osition
there, will smooth your path.
If you spent the first year of your studies at the
Berlin University, I should probably still be there.
Student life in Berlin is (j^uieter and not so rough
as in many other places, and you can really read
there. Later you would have to go to the
university of your own country.
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 165
After all these considerations I cannot advise you
to join the Army.
If, in three years' time, you are physically
strong and healthy, and if a war is likely to break
out, then Ave can consider the question again. The
time spent on learning will not be lost, and will be
repaid by exceptional promotion, only obtainable
in our Army by a thorough and general education.
Consider this, pursue your studies with diligence,
take care of your health, not by coddling yourself,
but by an active and careful life, and God will do
the rest. This is my advice in this matter.
My kind regards to your Herr Professor. Re-
member kindly your well-meaning Uncle
Helmuth.
Berlin, Nov. 28th, 1866.
My dear Wilhelm,
I saw you gazetted as an Ensign in the
" Militär Wochenblatt." It is important that you
should be made an officer as soon as possible now.
A series of short special courses of instruction
will be held for all Ensigns, who have joined the
Army since the month of ^lay, this year. They
1 66 Selections from Letters
were intended to be commenced on April 1st, 1867,
but now it has been settled that they will begin on
January 1st.
As you have studied a year at a Prussian Uni-
versity, it will not be necessary for you to join such
a course, but you can prepare privately, and by
passing the examination for an officer earlier, you
will gain time. But you must have the required
knowledge and experience in practical service.
At all events, even in case you pass the examina-
tion, you will have to do more practical service
before the regiment can propose your nomination
as an officer. It is important that before April or
even January you should have a course of cavalry
training, to which you must pay the greatest atten-
tion. If you think then that you can prepare your-
self by private studies for the officers' examination
in a shorter time than the length of the courses of
instruction, you shall be provided with the neces-
sary means, I enclose the Rules to-day, that you
may know what is required.
At all events, it will be a good thing to begin to
prepare at once, no matter whether you decide for
private study or for the military school. I suppose
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 167
you will have an hour to spare every day for this
preparation. Of course your practical military duty
must be considered the principal thing. I shall
send you the necessary instruction books and maps,
as it is not likely you will be able to procure them
at Kreutzburg.
With your general information, I think it will
not take you a very long time to acquire the neces-
sary military knowledge. But some private in-
struction will probably be necessary, and this you
will receive best in Berlin. I will therefore ask
your Regiments-Commandeur to give you leave to
come here when the course of instruction begins at
the new Military School. The granting of this
leave will depend upon your progress in the j)rac-
tical service. The length of time which you will
require for your preparation depends upon the
amount of work you can do during the next few
months. In every respect it is desirable to shorten
the time as much as possible, and it lies with you
and is in your own interest to do this.
It was a great pleasure to me to learn that your
Captain is satisfied with you in every way, and
that only a few difficulties on account of your
i6S Selections from Letters
great height, have to be overcome. I shall send
you your allowance for the first quarter punctually
on January 1st, but if you are in any difficulties
on account of the unusual expenses of last summer,
you must let me know. . . .
With best love from Marie,
Your Uncle
Helmuth,
Berlin, December 7th, 1866.
My dear Wilhelm,
. . . Believe me that he who does not learn
to do with little when young, will not have enough
with much when old. . . . Only he is rich who
improves his circumstances ; ho whose income in-
creases, but whose requirements do so at the same
rate, will be proportionably poor. It is very
important for you to learn to be a good manager,
as you will probably be the chief support of your
brothers and sisters.
It is good for you to be much on duty, and I am
glad that you^like it, too. . . .
At your age, and in every other respect, it is
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 169
very desirable that you should soon be made an
officer.
You will receive the books necessary for your
preparation in a few days. See hoAv much you
can study without neglecting your duty, but re-
member the lesson of an old professor, who said,
" Only with a pen in hand can one study to advan-
tage."
When you think that you are far enough ad-
vanced in your private preparation, you must let
me know, so that after a short course at Berlin, you
may send in your name for the examination. I
am inclined to think that you might try for the
examination which takes place on April 1st.
Thus you can continue your duty all through
January, which is of great importance, especially
your riding.
It requires a good deal of practice to learn all
that really makes a good rider. One soon gets
accustomed to one's own horse ; it is better to try
different horses. Your browny has had heavy
rations, and if she is not used too much at present,
she will soon be round and fat again, and smooth
when spring comes, if you spare her a little when
170 Selections from Letters
she chano-es her coat and irive her a few linseed
cakes. I did not object to lier action, much de-
pends on yonr seat. It is true that her trot is
rather jolting, but she is easily handled.
As soon as your father can find a substitute, he
will go to Algiers and stay there for five months,
or he may remain the latter part of the time in
Southern Switzerland. Your mother will not be
able to accompany him, as she wishes to remain
with the children, but Uncle Fritz will go instead
of her. He has retired as, no doubt, you already
know, and receives a good pension, and the third
Class of the Kronen Order has been conferred upon
him.
Aunt Marie sends her love. Your Uncle
Helmuth.
Berlin, Dec. 23rd, 18GG.
My dear Wilhelm,
If, in future, anybody should offer to pay
your bills — which, however, is not likely to happen
often — I should advise you not to let him wait a
fortnight for an answer. ... It would be more
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 171
polite and also more prudent to accept at once.
Though I am not " Tetenreiter " of the second
division, I have a good deal of business on hand,
and no time left for unnecessary letters, but I can
always find a quarter of an hour for a necessary
communication.
I see from your letter, dated Friday, 20th
(meant to be the 21st), that you have had some
extra expenses this year caused by special circum-
stances. Besides that, you lent money when it was
not quite necessary. Polonius warns his son against
being a lender, because by lending one often loses
a friend. The right thing would have been to
have said at once that your circumstances would
not allow you to help others with money ; only he
is allowed to be generous who can be so at his
own expense. As young lieutenants are not very
much in the habit of paying back money they
have borrowed, for the simple reason that they
have not got it, both items make the sum you
name. . . .
He who spends a shilling more than he possesses
is always a poor man, no matter if he has an allow-
ance of 400 or 4000 thalcrs.
172 Selections from Letters
You say nothing in your letter «ibout wlien you
think you avUI be well enough prepared, after
having received the certificate in practical service,
to begin your private tuition here in Berlin ; and
to send in your name for the examination of officers.
It will be for you to decide, but it is also to your
OAvn interest not to delay the matter, for after the
course in the Military School is finished, hundreds
of officers will join again, who would be your
seniors in the Army. . . .
Marie sends her best love, and wishes you a
happy New Year, in which joins. Your Uncle
Helmutii.
Creisau, June 20th, 1878.
Dear Wilhelm,
It would be a pity if Ella and you could
not be here tosjether for some time durino; the
summer. It is lovely now. The two acacias
in front of the house are covered with blossom.,
and the roses too are in full bloom. There are
strawberries in abundance, and we have young
green peas. The new road where you and I
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 173
walked through the thick brushwood in the
" Langer Busch," has been still further improved
during the last fortnight by nine workmen, who
have cut it five feet deeper in some places, and
have filled in the holes with soil ; so that one can
now drive up at a trot. I am thinking of making
a better connection to the upper entrance from
the elm-trees, but in order to do so I shall first
have to buy a piece of land.
I suppose you will be able to obtain a short
leave, as matters are quieting down again in
Berlin. Fritz will, very likely, also spend his
summer holidays here ; and you will both be
welcome. . . .
Under present circumstances, as it is of great
consequence to pass the important laws concern-
ing social democracy and reform of customs
(monopoly of tobacco, etc.), I cannot refuse the
ofibr, which I have received, to stand for two
particularly troublesome seats, at Heydekrug and
Teltow-Storkow. My only hope is that I may be
defeated in both places. . . .
I wonder if the two Conservative parties, or
rather the slight divisions, will be prudent enough
174 Selections from Letters
not to work against each other ; if they do so,
special connnittee meetings are of no use.
With hearty love,
Your Uncle
Helmuth.
Creisau, August 14th, 1878.
Dear Wilhelm,
I have a great wish to read the life of
Jesus, by Strauss, but I have also a kind of fear
which has detained me from it up to now. I have
not much time for reading, except the wretched
newspapers. I have all kinds of work to do, and
I spend much time out-of-doors. In the country
there are always all kinds of occupations, and it
is so beautiful here, wherever one turns. The
carriage has been ordered. Farewell.
Helmuth.
Gastein, August 18th, 1882.
Dear Wilhelm,
We must send some news to your hermi-
tage, from the clouds in Avhich we live. When
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 175
you have a clouded sky in the valley, it is raining
up here, or snowing on the summits of the
mountains. "We have several times been obliged
to have a fire in our rooms. To-day, on the birth-
day of his Apostolic Majesty, all is wrapt in fog
and rain clouds, but we shall soon be consoled
by High Mass and the Te Deum at which we
have to appear in full uniform. In spite of the bad
weather, there has not been a single day without
some hours in which we could enjoy this beautiful
country. There is one splendid path which leads
along the hills up to beautiful water-falls. With
my so-called asthma, really heart disease, I have
to be satisfied with looking down into the wide
valley, while Helmuth climbs up to the tops of
the mountains, and the high plains. I intend to
leave the day after to-morrow ; I shall then have had
eighteen baths ; I am glad of it, for after all, this
place, like most watering-places, is a beautiful,
but most tedious prison, to which one has been
condemned for three weeks. I shall travel for a
week in Switzerland, first to Salzburg, Berchtes-
gaden, Königssee, etc. ; but it depends upon the
weather, for if it continues raining like this, there is
176 Selections from Letters
no pleasure. If one could only know beforehand !
hut the weather cannot even be foretold by
Klinkerfues' clever arts. . . .
The bell is ringing. Farewell. Your Uncle
Helmuth.
San Rcrno, March 28th, 1885.
Dear Wilhelm,
I send you a hearty greeting from this
neighboui'hood which you know well. Living is
not cheap here, but everything is good. Con-
trary to all expectations, and in spite of the much
praised climate, it is very cold here ; out-of-doors
and walking it is beautiful and sunny, but in the
rooms a temperature of twelve degrees R. is very
uncomfortable. We take long walks in the morn-
ings and afternoons. Very cleverly planned high-
roads wind far up the mountains ; but I have left
Helmuth to climb up your Madonna della " Garde
du corps," by himself; I move about more on
level ground, between the country-houses and the
palaces of hotels, on the Co)-so di leuante and
ponente. Vegetation is still backward ; the pear
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 177
and cherry-trces are in blossom, but there are not
many of them. Roses, which grow here in great
numbers, are just ready to burst, and there is a
great abundance of mignonette, violets, wall-
flower and heliotrope. But the grey tints of the
olive and evergreen-oak are not to be compared
with the fresh green of a meadow in Germany, or
the first foliage of a forest of beeches.
The sea is always beautifal, whether it beats
against the Molo or splashes quietly on the
beautiful Qiiai della Imperatrice. Yesterday
we drove to Ospedaletti, near Cape Nero ; the big
hotel and the palace-like casino, which we saw
being built two years ago, are now completed ;
the latter evidently in the hope of opening gam-
bling tables like those at Monte Carlo. There was
nobody to be seen there beside loitering porters
and waiters. The whole establishment gives one the
impression of a complete swindle and failure. The
Italian papers say that I am at Nice, and that the
police are looking out for me there. Next week
I think of going to Bordighera and to Monaco,
by La Turbia. And now, with best love to Ella
and the children, your Uncle
Helmuth.
N
17S Selections from Letters
Berlin, March 28th, 1887.
Dear Wilhelm,
Tlio critical month of April has come,
-without M. Boulanger having begun his march
to Berlin ; perhaps the weather is too bad, and
possibly I may pass another summer at
Creisau. . . .
The exertion on his birthday has been too much
lor the Emperor after all. Ninety-five relations
were invited to the family dinner. Neither the
Generals nor the Court were received this time
for their congratulations, only Bismarck and I
were summoned. I received a ^particularly
gracious letter, and the only order that had not
already been conferred on me, the Grand Cross of
the Hohenzollem set in diamonds. . . .
If peace continues, I hope that we shall meet
at Creisau. Your Uncle
Helmuth.
Berlin, March 26th, 1888.
Dear Wilhelm,
AU newspapers have had such detailed
reports about the death of the Emperor William,
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 179
that I have nothins; more to add. The new
Master of the country does not show any external
signs of his severe illness. He has not yet shown
himself in public, and as long as we have this
disagreeable cold weather, he will not be allowed
to leave the warmed rooms. Hoav long will he be
able to bear the burden of business that must
come on all sides ! . . .
I hope you are all well. Has Muthi been
removed, or have his masters called da cajjo at his
examination ?
I do not yet know if M. Boulanger will allow
me to spend another summer at Creisau. . . .
With best love. Uncle
Helmuth.
Berlin, January 4th, 1890.
Dear Wilhelm,
I see, from a kind letter of Ella's, that
your family will meet again at Breslau on the 5th
inst ; but that Muthi will have to return very
soon to Rossleben, and Leno to Leipsic. I wrote
to her immediately after Christmas, and sent her
N 2
i8o Selections from Letters
a parcel to Breslau, with a shawl and a pair of fur
gloves. She is my best correspondent, and has
sent me a silk handkerchief bought with her small
pocket-money ; it is the finest I have. Muthi tells
me that his report is not as good as he hoped, but
I see an improvement in the writing and the style
of his epistles. . . .
I thank Jochen and Margarete for their poetical
effusions. Jochen Peter, SchAverenother — und
Margrete schreib ich spöter
The Emperor has given me a beautiful golden
box for Christmas. Henry has been here ; and we
had much music. But enough no^v ; bestlove from
all of us. Your Uncle
Helmuth.
Berlin, January 11th, 1890.
Dear Wilhelm,
. . . From personal experience I cannot
recommend Muthi's remaining longer at a " pen-
sion." I, myself, got into a great deal of mischief
when I was with my pastors. A boy, brought up
in that way, learns many things unnecessary for his
scientific education, and other things he is expected
To Wilhelm von Moltke. i8i
to know are neglected. If, later on, he joins a
gymnasium,^ he is often placed tAvo or three forms
lower than was expected. But I should think
that Muthi has character enough not to be easily-
tempted to be mischievous, though he would meet
with temptations of that kind in every school.
Every boy must find the right way for himself,
later on in life they will see much more evil. I
think it would be much better to keep him at home
and to send him to the gymnasium at Breslau,
than to leave him "with other people, Leno is
sure to give you nothing but pleasure. . . .
We have just followed the good old Empress to
the grave from the Schlosskapelle to the Friedens-
allee ; you will see the reports about it in the
papers. Our united love to Ella. Your Uncle
Helmuth.
Berlin, March Tth, 1890.
Dear Wilhelm,
I herewith return the letter of Master
Herr Jenrich. It will be a severe but salutary
punishment for the naughty boy not to be allowed
^ Boys' schools for the classical side.
iS2 Selections from Letters
to come home for the holidays. I hope the measure
AN'ill be successful. He is not wanting in capabili-
ties and cleverness, the latter quality he shows
especially in his mischief. But he is a good,
straightforward boy, and I hope we shall see him
again in the summer holidays.
Leno, my diligent correspondent, tells me that
Ella will pay her a visit at Leipsic with little
Monica ; it will comfort her for not being able to
go home. It will not be easy to find a horse for
Ludwig's weight ; you Avill perhaps have to look
for it in the Zoological Gardens. . . .
We are all well here. Yesterday all the children
Avent to the Bellevue garden to look for Easter
eggs. The Emperor was very active in hiding a
quantity of them in the bushes, and the Empress
played at " cat and mouse " with the little party,
who partook of chocolate afterwards and came
home laden with eggs, sweets and flowers. The
family life at Court is charming ; may God
preserve it so !
The Reichstag will not meet before May. As I am
Senior President I have to open it, and I am curious
to see what they will say to the new and consider-
To Wilhelm von Moltke. 183
able military demands. Very likely the Conserva-
tive party will give up the presidency and leave it to
the Centre ^ to settle the Social Democrats, for they
introduced them into the House. They will now
have to fulfil their promises : Reduction of all high
prices, the abolition of all customs, partial dis-
armament, etc. Their eyes will not be opened till
the nation has experienced severe shocks. The
preludes have already begun at Köpenick and by
the boycotting at Blumberg. It seems incredible
that in Berlin, a city of more than a million in-
habitants, Avho have much to lose, only Democrats
have been elected, and at Dantzic, Königsberg
and Breslau the same thing has occurred !
We all send our love. Your Uncle
Helmuth.
Berlin, March 26th, 1891.
Dear Wilhelm,
You are right in leaving Muthi at school at
Rosslebcn. Though the course of instruction at
the school for cadets permits the entering on any
' Koman Catholics.
1 84 Selections from Letters, Etc.
career, when once the boys are there, they almost
all become officers. I believe, however, without
^v'ishing it, that Muthi will also leave Rossleben,
to enter that career. I should be glad if he took
an interest in agriculture. In that case he would
have to go throuo:h a course in the Ao^ricul-
tural Academy here. We will make up for the
clothes he has grown out of, when he comes to
Creisau during the summer holidays. When you
see him, give him my thanks for his letter from
Bankau ; I hope, that after he has been moved to
" Tercia " as he spells it, he will also get to
"Tertia." . . .
You may well ask if spring will ever come this
year. We, too, have a continual change of rain,
snow, dirt and wind. And I am to go with His
Majesty, on April 1st, to join the " Carola " in the
neighbourhood of Fakkebjerg (Langeland). Oh,
the sea-sickness we must expect after the rich
banquet given by the senate of Lübeck !
Farewell ; all of us send our love. Your Uncle
Helmuth.
Selections from Letters to the Children
of his Nephew, Wilhelm von Moltke.
Creisau, Oct. 27th, 1876.
Deak Lenore,
I have duly received your letter of the
25th inst. Give your papa and mamma my thanks
for their kind wishes ; I shall tell them in a few
days all that your "long" uncles are too lazy to
write. Give my love to Joachim, when he arrives
at last, after having unfairly missed your birthday
as well as mine.^
I shall keep your autograph, and hope that it
may be shown to you again on your seventy-seventh
birthday. Your Uncle
Helmuth.
^ This son was born on Oct. 30th, and was to be called
Joachim, according to the Field- Marshal's wish, but after all
he was christened Helmuth, after his uncle, A younger
brother was afterwards called Joachim.
i86 Selections from Letters
Written in the year 1883.
My dear boy (Mutlii),
You have written me such a beautiful letter
that you shall have one too from me.
If you come to Creisau next summer and your
old Opapa is still alive, I shall give you another
Persian arrow ^ for your bow.
Your parents, sisters, and brothers will soon
return now to Charlottenburg, and then it will not
be so lonely for you. And in the winter I shall
often come to see you again. Christmas will soon
be here, and who knows what Father Christmas
will bring ? Be punctual and diligent at school,
and remember your
Opapa.
Creisau, in the autumn, 1888.
Dear Lenore,
I thank you for your kind letter. I am
glad that your foot is well again. ... I was quite
surprised to see hoAv pretty the country near
' llie first, which tlie Field-Marshal had brought from his'
campaign in Asia Minor, had been shot away.
To Children of Wilhelm von Moltke. 187
Leipsic is, the Rosenau and from there along the
Pleisse is lovely. Are you " Backfische " (bread-
and-butter misses) allowed to walk there some-
times ?
I suppose your father is still at the manoeuvres
and will not see your new home till his return. I
hear it is very roomy and pretty, but is situated
extremely high.
Uncle Helmuth has gone to Bankau to shoot a
stag,; if one will be so kind as to show himself.
We have been flooded four times this year ;
much damage was done in the park, but when you
come again, everything shall be in order.
Farewell, and remember your
Opapa.
Creisau, October 29th, 1889.
,My dear Helmuth,
I send you five marks, for this time, so
that you may have your watch repaired. I
suppose there is a watchmaker at Rossleben^
if,,?iotj take it with you at Christmas to Breslau.
But another time you ought to manage your
1 88 Selections from Letters
pocket-money better, and if you have no money,
you must not spoil your watch by over-winding
it.
I thank you for your good wishes for my birth-
day. Your papa has just left here. All your
uncles were here for the great shooting party,
when we killed 175 hares, 20 pheasants, 5 roe-deer
and 1 owl.
Adieu ; your Uncle
Helmuth.
Berlin, December 24th, 1889.
Dear Leno,
Many thanks for your nice letter and the
beautiful handkerchief.
Herewith I send you something to keep you
warm when skating. I promise you ice and snow
in abundance.
Shall you have to return to Leipzic ? I thought
the boarding school had finished you.
Much love from all of us ; especially from your
old Uncle
Helmuth.
To Children of Wilhelm von Moltke. 189
Creisau, October 22nd, 1890.
My dear Helmuth,
I have sent you the twenty marks that you
may learn in time how to manage money.^ If you
invested the whole amount in the savings bank,
you would be a miser ; if you spent it in a short
time, you v/ould be a spendthrift ; it is best to
choose a golden medium.
If money is given to you as a present — later on
you will have to gain it yourself — you are justified
in allowing yourself some pleasures, but it is also
prudent to save for the future.
As you manage these twenty marks, you will
have to manage larger sums later on. He who
spends all he has, will never get on, he who spends
more, will become a beggar or a swindler.
I am afraid you will not be able to come to
Berlin as you would have to miss your lessons, or
you would be very welcome. The more diligently
you learn, the sooner you will have done with the
constraint of school life.
With hearty love from us all, your Opapa,
Count Moltke.
' The great-nepliew had nsked his advice as to the best way
of spending tlic twenty marks.
190 Selections from Letters, Etc.
Berlin, December 26th, 1890.
Dear Leno,
I thank you for your nice letter, and wish
you a happy New Year too.
I should much like to come to your confirmation,
but at my age one cannot make plans a long time
in advance. I suppose as " Queen in the sleeping
beauty," you will be a head taller than all your
subjects, like King Saul who was a head taller than
any of the nation. -
I hope the " Yule-clapp " brought you some-
thing pretty the day before yesterday.
As your grandparents are going to spend the
summer at Dresden, it will be easy for you to see
them ; but in the summer you must come to
Creisau to your Opapa,
Count Moltke.
In Lenore's album, first page :
May all the pages in this book be filled with
pleasant remembrances.
Berlin, January 7th, 1891.
Count Moltke.
Opapa.
Selections from Letters to Frau Marie
von Kulmiz nee Von Moltke, Sister
of Wilhelm von Moltke.
Berlin, December 25th, 1883.
Dear Marie,
What clever animals foxes are ! They
always look for the place where I stand when they
are hunted, because they know that this is the
easiest way of escape ; only the one which is lying
at my feet has been specially unlucky. A bad
shot is all the more pleased if he succeeds for once,
and therefore I look with just pride upon your
pretty and thoughtful present,^ and thank you
very much, that you have so kindly thought of
me. ...
With best wishes and much love to all your
people, your Uncle
Helmute.
1 The stuffed fox.
192 Selections from Letters
Berlin, December 2Gth, 1884.
Many thanks, clear Marie, for having thought
of all of us so kindly at Christmas. Your gifts
were adorning everybody's table. I will leave it to
Eliza to give you details of all presents. I am
very much pleased with the charming and very
successful photograph of the three little " Druvti-
pfel." ^ The baby looks greatly excited at what
is going to take place, Anne Marie's expression
is that of careful observation, but Margarethe
looks above their heads quite full of understanding.
The clever weapon against the flies answers a great
need, but it wiU have to be used carefully, or every
fly might cost a window-pane. But it is excellent
for clapping on the table. . . .
Muthi admired his bicycle so much, that he
forgot all his other gifts. After having tumbled
off several times, he succeeded, after a little prac-
tice, in riding round the table. The number of
presents rather disturbs the enjoyment of the
children ; and the quality does not come into con-
sideration. Their special delight amongst the
' A kind of little apples, term applied to rosy-clieeked
children.
To Frau Marie von Kulmiz. 193
many costly things they had, was a wheelbarrow
which had cost sixpence.
I received a fine majolica from the Emperor,
with Frederick the Great's portrait by Camphausen ;
I am sending it to Creisau.
With much love to Kulmiz and best wishes for
the coming New Year, your Uncle
Helmuth.
II.
Letters to his Friends.
2
To His Royal Highness the Crown
Prince Albert of Saxony.
Berlin, May 27tli, 1871.
I EECEiVED Your Royal Highness' gracious letter
of the 22nd inst., last night, and I have informed
His Majesty the Emperor to-day at an audience, of
the different points of its contents.
It is His Majesty's intention to invite Your
Royal Highness to the festivities connected with
the entrance of the troops here, and before June
16 th to give orders as to the command of the
troops which are to remain in France.
In a few days the Chief Command of the First
Army will be dissolved ; the first and eighth Army-
Corps will be placed under Your Royal Highness'
command, to cover the departure of the Garde du
corps from Paris. The removal of these corps
would not mean a concentration, but they would
1 98 Selections from Letters, Etc.
be in cantonnements in the direction of the return
march. Rouen and Aniiens must, however, remain
occupied, till the French Government is able to
keep a garrison in these cities.
From yesterday's telegrams Your Royal High-
ness will have learnt that at least one of the Royal
Saxon divisions will immediately follow the first
echelon of the returning army. Likewise the 2nd
Royal Bavarian corps by special agreement
an-anged by the Royal Bavarian Ministry of
War.
Some of the contingents, not the Prussian, go
home entirely, and the greater portion of the
others, while two-thirds of the Prussian corps will
remain in France.
Will Your Royal Highness allow me to commend
myself to Your gracious benevolence ? With pro-
found respect, I remain,
Your Royal Highness' devoted servant,
Count Moltke,
General of the Infantry.
Letters exchanged between his Friends
and himself while in the East.
The following letters have been kindly placed at our disposal
by the daughter of Major-General Fischer, wife of the Wirk-
liche Geheime Kriegsrat Köllner. To letters written to
Moltke others have been added which were likewise found in
the posthumous papers of General Fischer, such as those written
by the Freiherr von Vincke to his friend Fischer, referring to
Moltke's stay in Turkey, as well as valuable details about this
period, so important in the Field-Marshal's life.
The following will serve as further explanation : — Fischer,
when seventeen years old, took part in the campaign of 1815
as a volunteer in the rifle corps and afterwards remained in the
Army. He was an officer of the Engineers ; in 1834 he was ap-
pointed to the General Staff as captain, and was in 1837, with
Captain Freiherr von Vincke (Olbendorf) of the General Staff, and
Captain von Mühlbach of the Engineers, sent to Constantinople
for the organization and training of the Turkish Army. They
arrived there on October 28th^ and joined Moltke, who had been
there for more than a year. Freiherr von Vincke, as senior
officer, took the principal command, and the four Prussian officers
began their arduous task, often hindered in a really incredible
manner, through want of judgment, laziness and mistrust, with
such zeal and technical knowledge, that their work there is still
highly thought of, and gives yaluable testimony to the in-
200 Selections from Letters
tellectual military education of the Prussian ofiScers of the
General Staff at that time. At first they worked together at
Constantinople. In the beginning of April, 1838, Fischer was
ordered by the Sultan to Asia Minor to Mushir Hadji Ali,
Pasha of Koniah, to lend his help in organizing the troops, and
especially in improving the fortifications of the Taurus passes.
The numerous journeys which he undertook for these purposes
in southern and south-eastern Asia Minor were useful for his
geographical researches and the surveys of these countries.
The map of Asia Minor and Turkish Armenia, published later
by Moltke, Vincke, Kiepert, and himself, shows his knowledge,
and the trouble which he took with this work, of such import-
ance to science. However, Fischer's health soon broke down
in the unfavourable climate, and he was obliged to return to
Constantinople in January, 1839, but getting no better there,
in spite of the greatest care of Frau von Vincke, he returned in
May of the same year to his fatherland. He was appointed
officer of the General Staff", and instructor at the War
School ; and in 1847 he was made Chief of the General Staff
of the Vllth Army Corps ; 1848, Director of the General War
Department in the Ministry of War ; and in February, 184^,
ho was attached as Military Attendant to Prince Frederick
William, later His Majesty Emperor Frederick, When the
Prince had finished his studies at the University, Fischer was,
in 1852, nominated "Inspecteur of the third Engineer Inspec-
tion" at Coblentz, where ho died in 1857.
Some weeks before Fischer's journey from Constantinople to
Koniah, Moltke and Mühlbach had been sent Avith similar
commissions to Hafiz Pasha, the Commander-in-Chief of the
Turkish Army of the Taurus, whose headquarters were then at
Messre, near Charput in Kurdistan. They took part in all the
movements of this army, as Moltke has described them in his
" Briefe über Zustände und Begebenheiten in der Türkey " up
to the unfortunate battle of Nisib on the 24th of June, 1839,
To His Friends. 201
which was undertaken against Moltke's advice. With them
was Captain Laue of the Artillery. He had retired from the
Prussian Army to enter the Turkish service independently.
After the battle the three friends were involved in the flight of
the totally demoralized Turkish Army, but they fortunately
met Yincke, on the 4th of July, at Albistan, twenty miles
north of Nisib.
Vincke had gone, iu December, 1838, by order of the Sultan,
to Angora to assist the Mushir Izzet Mehmed Pasha in the or-
ganization of an army-corps, which was princij)ally composed of
militia (redifs). Contrary to Vincke's advice, Izzet Pasha led
his corps to join the army which was beaten at Nisib. During
the whole of the march, which was conducted in the most
unskilful manner, Vincke tried with all his might to prevent
the misfortune which he foresaw, but he was most rudely
insulted by the Pasha, and therefore went with Moltke and
Miihlbach to Hafiz Pasha, who had retreated as far as Malatia
(about twenty German miles east of Albistan) where, unpur-
sued by the Egyptians, he could leisurely reassemble his army,
and await reinforcements. But meanwhile the Army Corps of
Izzet Pasha, driven to extremities by hunger, want and
exertion, were entirely disbanded without having even seen
the enemy. The four Prussian officers, who had been politely
' Laue had been (Premier) Lieutenant in the Horse
Artillery ; in 1829 he entered the Turkish Service for the first
time, but he returned in 1831, and was attached to the militia.
In 1837 he again went to Turkey, and remained there with the
army in Asia Minor till 1841, when he returned a second time
to his own country, and as Major was attached to the General
Staff". Later on he was personal aide-de-camp to the Prince of
Prussia (His Majesty Emperor William I.), after that Governor
of Saarlouis. He left the array in 1857 as Major-General.
In 1858 he was knighted, and died in 1862.
202 Selections from Letters
received by Ilafiz Pasha, remained some days at Asbusu, near
Malatia, when the news of the Sultan INIahmoud's deatli, and
the succession to the throne of Abdul Medshid arrived. The
ambassador of the new Sultan brought the officers permission to
return to Constantinople. This tiring and exciting journey has
been vividly described by Moltke in his letters from Turkey.
At Constantinople Moltke, Mühlbach, and Vincke, found orders
awaiting them from their King, to return to Prussia, and on
September 9th, 1839, they left Constantinople, after having
concluded their business there.
Bujukdere, February 28th, 1837.
Dear Fischer/
I have just received your kind letter of the
31st ult., and hasten to answer it at once by to-
day's post. You are wi'ong in believing that I am
not lookino- forward to vour cominji -^vith creat
joy. I never find it hard to subordinate myself
to those I esteem, and it is with great impatience
that I await the arrival of two such dear comrades
as you and Vincke.
I had heard of your orders and also of
Miihlbach's, but not of Vincke's. I willingly give
up the Chief Command of our little colony — a
new East Prussia — though I ha^'e had the un-
* Major-General Fischer.
To His Friends. 203
disputed enjoyment of it up to the present. There
is not much glory to be won here.
It is a satisfaction to me to know that my
correspondence with our Chief, perhaps also the
communications I made from time to time to
Forstner, Monts, Borcke, and Prittmtz, are kno^\^l
to you. It will have prepared you in some
measure ; you will have learned by it that it is
possible to occupy an apparently very important
and influential position, and at the same time to
be without influence and importance. This feeling
of uselessness, in a place where one might be of
the greatest use, has also determined me several
times to ask for my recall. In other respects the
journey is very interesting, and life here is very
pleasant. Your presence here will break the
monotony, and I hope that we shall all strive
unanimously to work for the common good. You
will soon see that here one has to press upon
people the things that are to their oavh advantage.
We were daily expecting the Russian steamer ;
she is still, however, lying frost-bound in the har-
bour of Odessa ; but with this strong south wind
must be here in a week. Count Königsmark will
204 Selections from Letters
embark in lier a Aveek after her arrival. There is
a fortnight's quarantine, and so Count Konigsmark
may be expected to arrive at BcrHn in the be-
ginning of April. It seems as if they were
only awaiting his arrival to arrange your depar-
ture. About that time the Danube will be open
again, and as the steamers only take ten days
from Pressburg here, I hojDC to welcome you in
old Byzantium as early as the beginning of May.
I very much wish that Count Königsmark Avould
return here again for the sake of the cause as well
as for our own. But it almost seems as if it were
intended to appoint another successor ; ^vill you,
please, let me know what you may hear about it ?
Will you remember me to your wife, and tell
her, by way of consolation, that the plague, Avhich
indeed was very serious here last year, may now
be considered extinct ? After such a severe out-
break there is generally a few years' cessation.
In regard to your outfit, I advise you to pro-
vide yourself with clothes, books, maps, etc., for
two years ; for everything here is very dear and
bad, and sometimes nothing at aU is to be had. As
you will very likely go by steamer, you would do
To His Friends. 205
well to bring your own saddle and harness. I have
bought one set of harness here for fifty florins, but
it is very second-rate. If you can manage it, it
would be most advantageous to you to start by
one of the first steamers, later on they do not
keep to their time ; and you might run the risk
of being landed for a fortnight in a miserable nest,
as I was. You will be able to procure the time-
table in Berlin, or you might write for it to the
office of the Steam Navigation Company in Vienna.
As the steamers on the Lower Danube only go
fortnightly, you must make out your route accord-
ingly from Pressburg.
By-the-bye ! Will you kindly inquire at Semlin
at the Steamship Company's Office for letters for
you ? there may be commissions which we should
be glad for you to do on your way. I shall be
anxious to hear what you think of Varna. Two
uniforms, even one, would be sufficient. It is one
of the anomalies in our position, that we smoke
the pipe with the serashler, and sit with him on
the sofa, while the Pashas squat on the floor. And
again in the ante-rooms, the pipe replenisher
neither rises from his seat when you pass, nor do
2o6 Selections from Letters
the sentinels present arms to you. We shall pro-
bably have to appear in uniform on very few
occasions, and then the sentinels will receive special
orders beforehand. It would be a great advantage
to know Turkish well, but it would hardly be
worth while spending much time learning it, and
in the end understanding little of it. You know
what a drawback it is to speak a language badly.
And we are accompanied everywhere by drago-
mans. You would find it very useful to have
your own servant. If you bring your uniform
with you, it will also be necessary for me to have
mine ; and I should be much obliged to you, dear
Fischer, if you would allow your servant to take
care of it. I will gladly repay you any expenses
caused by it, with many thanks. As I feel sure
that you "will undertake this trouble to oblige me,
I shall write to my cousin Ballhorn to send you a
new uniform for me.
I am very sorry that Monts and Borcke are
disappointed in their expectations. But I hope
to make room for at least one of them, for as I
shall have been here two years next November
my request to be recalled may be granted about
To His Friends. 207
that time. Please to remember me to all com-
rades and friends. I hope you will write often
before you leave, and I am anxiously looking for-
ward to further news from you and very im-
patiently to your arrival here. Au re voir, then !
With sincere esteem and friendship, yours,
Von Moltke.
What does Major Brandt say to this affair ? and
what do their mves say ?
Count Königsmark is bringing some reports
with him, which at the present moment may
interest you, for just now everything, even the
smallest matter, that refers to this country, must
be welcome. Remember me to Vincke when he
arrives, also to Forstner; I ask him to comply
with any requests my cousin may make.
Vienna, November 14th, 1839.
Deae Fischer,
Your ^ two letters of this month have given
me much pleasure, they arrived when I was ill.
' In this letter the friendly "Du " is used, in the former, the
friends used the more formal " Sie." — [Note by translator.]
2o8 Selections from Letters
Vincke "svill liave told you that I am akeady
better, and I am looking forward to seeing you
again soon and having a chat with you about our
Asiatic expeditions. You are right in calling me
an uncertain correspondent, for to you I have really
been so ; but journeys, illness, correspondence with
Vincke, and who knows what else, prevented me
from writing, and even to-day I cannot get on.
Therefore we must wait till we meet.
I shall be obliged to you if you will kindly
make my compliments to our high Superior, and
remember me kindly to all comrades.
The invitations from your wife and yourself are
so kind and friendly, that I may easily be tempted
to accept them.
If I should be far enough advanced in my re-
covery to travel in the beginning of December,
I shall feel much inclined to go by Munich,
Augsburg, Nuremberg, and Hof, instead of travel-
ling through the monotonous plains of Bohemia
and Silesia. I do not yet know the former route.
Enough for to-day, dear Fischer ; my best com-
pliments to your wife. With sincere friendship,
your Von Moltke.
To His Friends. 209
Not dated. (From the year 1841.)
Dear Fischer,
In your interesting pamphlet about rail-
ways, which I have read through several times
and always with increasing interest, and which is,
in fact, a small catechism on this subject, you say
on page 29 that an engine moving at the rate of
4 miles will draw 800 centners ^
3 „ „ 1400 „
2 „ „ 2400 „
with the expenditure of the same amount of
power.
Where has this statement been taken from ? is
it founded upon calculations or upon trial? It
seems so natural with steamers, as with everything
in mechanics, that power should be gained in the
same proportion as time is lost. Lindley asserts
(and also the people at Hamburg who firmly
believe in Lindley), that every engine is con-
structed for a certain speed and that it cannot
increase its power, even by going slower, because
the vapour escapes from the valve. I am sure
^ 1 centner = 100 lbs.
2IO Selections from Letters
this cannot be quite correct, but the proportion of
800:1400:2400 for 4:3:2 has surprised me
much. Resting on his assertion, Lindley rejects
all rise over 1 : 1000. And as we cannot avoid a
gradient of 1 : 300 in some places of our lines
without incurring enormous expenses, he asserts,
it is little better than a high-road, etc. Half
of his line runs along the banks of the Elbe
in districts subject to frequent inundations, where
favourable ascents are easily obtained ; his plans
are founded upon general truths, but nobody can
overlook that they incur an enormous expense.
The people at Hamburg allow that themselves,
but they are afraid when they hear of propor-
tions of 1 : 300, which they may suppose to be
like the balustrade at the Stintfang. You would
oblige me very much if you would let me know, as
soon as possible, where you have taken your note
from, and also what your opinion in the matter is.
We are so far advanced with our preliminary
Avork, that we are thinking of laying it before
government next winter.
I am glad to tell you that your wife is well ; I
have seen her and find her looking very well.
To His Friends. 21 x
The news from Vincke is satisfactory. He was
obliged to stay behind at Vienna, as you may
have heard, and his wife, who had to go to Silesia,
joined him at Vienna. Our friend Laue has been
here a fortnight. His affairs are prospering; it
seems that Boyen is particularly interested in him,
and I think he will receive an appointment as
major. He has not received the Nishan, and has
sent his decoration as Colonel to the seraskier, ask-
ing him for a receipt.
There is no other news. Remember me to
Borcke and Minutoli when you see them. Fare-
well, dear Fischer ; please send me a few lines about
the subject mentioned in the beginning of this letter.
In true friendship. Your,
Von Moltke.
Magdeburg, Dec. 12th, 1854.
Dear Fischer,
I am glad that you have taken steps to
preserve our claims to the geographical know-
ledge of Asia Minor. All our discoveries have
been made use of in all the modern maps without
the source ever being mentioned.
r 2
2 12 Selections from Letters
To push matters further, I have sent your letter
with enclosure of the 9th inst. to Vincke, who gives
the laws in Berlin. My time is nuich engaged
just now Avith the new plan of mobilization,
and Vincke is, in Berlin, in the right place, he
will not be lacking in real interest in the matter,
I do not doubt that all will be mana2:ed well.
The Russians thought to astonish all Europe,
and they might have been near enough in succeed-
ing, if the Turks had not taken matters into
their o'wn hands. And now it stands thus, that
it is impossible for Russia to succeed. The most
fortunate campaign would cost them 100,000 men
and would at least require a year. But with only
40,000 French and English soldiers at Adrianople
it will be difficult to gain the real object of the war.
I cannot imagine that the Russians will make the
attempt without the sovereignty in the Black Sea,
but the most pious Emperor has lent a religious
appearance to the enterprise, so that one can-
not see how he will come out Avitli honour, and for
the Emperor Nicolas this is no small consideration.
I well believe that they would like to use us for
taking the chestnuts out of the fire. Russia is en-
To His Friends. 213
gaged in the Caucasus and on the Danube, and must
guard St. Petersburg against an English fleet and
keep Poland in check. If we join Russia, we
must not count upon a single man from them.
Austria has to fight against Sardinia and the
revolution in Italy, and also to prevent a revo-
lution in Hungary ; we have the revolutions in
Baden and Hesse and a French Army in the
Rhine province. Perhaps the Russians would
then help us next year, and we should have to
imitate the " gratitude " of Austria. One thing is
certain, that for the present the alliance has been
declined, but it is not certain whether the Kreuz-
partei ^ and family alliances will not find a way of
adjusting matters, but in such a case it would be
wise to give an order of mobilization as soon as
the alliance is concluded.
It is possible that we may be sent again to the
East. But I should not like to go to the Russian
head-quarters at Bucharest. It would be a
wrong position after having held commissions from
the Porte, and, as for myself, I wish the honest
Mahomedans every success against the Muscovites.
' Party represented by the Kreuz-Zeitung,
214 Selections from Letters
How tlicy arc fighting ! It shows that every
nation can be brave if the war is a real necessity.
The fact that the Turks are before KaLafat is of
no great importance. They 'vvill be forced to re-
treat as soon as the Russians advance near Tur-
tokoi and Hirsova. But with the eyes of Europe
upon him the Emperor will very likely immensely
dislike the position of keeping on the offensive in
Wallachia. If GortshakofF should advance here
with great forces, we should send Omer at once by
the shortest way to Bucharest, and very likely
bring about a speedy return. If Omer would only
avoid a big hataille rangee ! Such a one might be
dangerous.
I have hardly any of my works about Turkey
left. The original surveys I have given to the
General Staff, where they have been partly mis-
laid, I have only one plan of the places along the
coast, the Danube fortresses and the Balkan passes
in 50I00 reduction. But I have nothing about
Varna, and I should be very much pleased if
you could send me a copy of my map on oil-
paper. My original map of Shumla is in posses-
sion of the General Staff. I can have the passes
To His Friends. 215
over the Balkan copied for you, but only on a
small scale.
Good-bye, dear Fischer, it is time to hurry to a
conclusion. I shall ask Vincke to write to you
about the matter mentioned in the beginning of
this letter. My wife's compliments and my own to
your family. Please to give my love to my old
friend Frobel, "wdth my best congratulations on his
engagement.
Your affectionate
Von Moltke.
Magdebui'g, May 27th, 1855.
It was a great pleasure to me, dear Fischer,
to hear direct from you once again, though after a
long time. I sincerely hope that you have done
with all illness now, and that you feel quite well
and happy at beautiful Coblentz ; one might envy
you your being there. . . .
It seems doubtful to me, if I shall be included
in the promotions this time. I think for a good
promotion it is quite necessary to be in the brigade.
Unfortunately I have not done any practical ser-
2i6 Selections from Letters
vice for a long time, and this loss is not easily re-
paired. It is possible that I may have already
attained my limit, and in that case I would retire
at once on the smallest hint.
AVhat is to become of the situation at Sebas-
topol ? It will be of no use to begin operations
at Kertch, Balaklava, and Eupatoria at the same
time. Omer will not sacrifice himself to liberate
the Allied Powers. Is it their intention to with-
draw the Reserve Forces to Eupatoria and to send
part of the besieging Corps there secretly as soon
as possible, so that by the help of a rearguard
they may retire from the difficulty with a sacrifice
of material only ? Eupatoria in itself is a basis for
advancement and re-embarkment, but this re-
quires a coast-line several miles long, from which
the naval artillery could be effectually worked.
The possibility of success in this expedition lay
in the use that was made of the victory on the
Alma, and as it was almost entirely neglected,
operations will have to be begun again from Eupa-
toria, Avhich is much more difficult now that
cavalry is scarce. A better plan would be to
carry on operations from the lower Danube
To His Friends. 217
through the very fertile districts towards Kiev.
That would make room in the Crimea, but to
carry out this plan the Austrians would be
wanted. If they are not inclined to move, I
think there will be nothing left to the Allies
but to make peace. As long as the French
are besieging Sebastopol Avitli more than 100,000
men, it will not be easy for them to turn their
wrath against Germany or Italy. The time for
operations is come, and something must soon be
done.
My wife sends her best love.
With true friendship and devotion, Your
Von Moltice.
Berlin, Nov. 4th, 1855.
Dear Fischer,
. . . The matter about my command is not
private and the Prince's Court is well informed
about it. The whole affair was arranged officially,
without my knowing anything about it, through
the Lord High Chamberlain and the Military
Cabinet, which had found me suitable. I have
2i8 Selections from Letters
reason to believe that the Prince and Princess
of Prussia have no objection to my appointment.
But Avhat position I shall be able to take
Avith the young Prince I am not yet able to
judge, in spite of his great courteousness to me.
All his sympathies are with his old play-fellows and
Dutzbriider ^ at Potsdam and, perhaps also with
his last tried aide-de-camp. At present he is with
a battalion at Potsdam. I only see him at the
hunt, or when he makes a special arrangement for
me to go there. His definite move to Berlin is
being put off as long as possible. But steps have
been taken for the Prince to attend sittings in
the different Cabinets. In my opinion he will
only learn special cases in that way, but it may
be arranged for suitable members of these bodies
to lecture before him on proceedings of the
Administration in general. I have asked per-
mission to attend these sittings myself, that I may
learn what is to be learnt from them.
Besides this, the Prince has asked me to give
him lectures on a campaign. But I have told him
that I would rather instruct him on important
' Friends that one addresses with " Du."
To His Friends. 219
military questions of the clay, -very interesting
material for which is afforded by the Great General
Staff. I am noAv engaged in working out the
campaign in the Crimea, and the present state of
this question, in Avhich I am much assisted by
Riistow's very able book and the collected notes
of the General Staff. It is important not to weary
the young gentleman, but to try to hnterest him
in the subject.
Vincke has been to see us. It is a good thing
he stays away from Parliament. I think he is run-
ning in the wrong direction with his opposing
views ; otherwise he is the same old honest true-
hearted soul.
What do you say to Sebastopol? An army
known to fight like the Russian, cannot have good
leaders, and be beaten in two parts of the world.
Since the dwarf of Eupatoria has grown into a
giant, and Kinburn has been lost, I do not doubt
that the Crimea will be evacuated before the be-
ginning of winter even without another battle.
The Crimea is not a place that can be kept uncon-
ditionally like Gibraltar or Malta. The Turks are
too weak for such a present, as Sweden is for Fin-
2 20 Selections from Letters
land. If the Allies were to hold the Crimea, they
would have to keep an army there on a perpetual
war-footinir. I therefore look upon the peninsula
as a forfeit whicli Russia will have to redeem when
peace is made. And to that Russia will soon be
brought, even without an invasion, by the allied
army on the south frontier, and by the blockade of
the two seas, against which she has no defence.
But I must conclude my already too lengthy
letter.
In old friendship. Yours,
Von Moltke.
Marash, June 2Gth, 1839.
Dear Vincke,^
On the 24th of this month we threw away
Syria. There was no special surprise, no sur-
rounding of the wing, nothing of that kind, but a
lively cannonade. The troops were so terrified,
that first the brigade of Heyder Pasha, then the
cavalry, and at last everybody took to flight.
In the fight we certainly did not lose a thousand
* Captain Baron von Vincke.
To His Friends. 221
men, but during the retreat or flight we lost at least
two-thirds of the corps. The Pasha and part of the
Army retreated to Behesne ; the bulk of it will
probably come to Marash, if the enemy pursues.
Hafiz Pasha had absolutely refused to go back to
Biradshik, because he said it was aib (a shame),
when we were suddenly surrounded from the left
(strategically) at Nisib. Whereupon I asked for
my discharge and for passports to Constantinople,
just before the battle began.
Mühlbach, Laue and myself are well and rode
here together without delay from the battle-field.
We are still without further news. We shall very
likely join you. It is now important to raise an
army, perhaps near Kaisarieh. Adieu. The
tatar is going away. If they had held out for
another half hour, Ibrahim Pasha might have been
defeated. He attacked from Biradshik.
MOLTKE.
Letters from Captain Baron von
Vincke to Major-General Fischer.
AsBUSU, July 17tli, 1839. Moltke has behaved on every
occasion as " un chevalier sans peur et sans reproche," and as
an able, active and discreet officer of the General Staff. Even
when he was ill and Mdien he had better have stayed in bed,
he was at his post. He always took part in reconnoitring, and
as he was bold and plucky, the Turks took him for a kind of
Dali.^ He is highly esteemed by everybody, and the Pasha
has always valued his opinion and advice, though on the most
important point lie did not listen to him. He now sees, only
too clearly, how wrong he was not to do so. I have heard this
confession both from himself and from other generals. If we
had only remained at Biradshik or had returned there ! ^
On the 20th, when the news of Ibrahim's approach arrived,
Moltke had been lying ill in his tent for six weeks, suffering from
dysentery. But on hearing the news, he rose and he has not
had any rest since then. I cannot understand how he could
undergo such fatigues. Here he has much improved in health
through the rest we have had the last fortnight, but he requires
care and change of climate for his complete restoration. We
are therefore longing for our departure, which depends at
present upon Mehemet Ali Bey. the confidant of the Sultan.
^ Dull, a legendary hero.
3 Compare "Briefe über Zustände und Begebenheiten in
der Türkei," p. 366 et seq., 5th edition.
Selections from Letters, Etc. 223
Pesth, October 24th, 1839. We (my wife and I) have
been detained here since October 8th. Moltke, who has been
ailing ever since I met him at Albistan, and who has been weak-
ened still more through mistakes in his diet and colds which he
caught on the journey, and the unhealthy quarantine, fell
seriously ill in the night of the 6th to the 7th of October^ and
since then we have been obliged to stay here. Some days ago
he was almost well again, except tliat he was very languid,
and I had already engaged places on the steamer which left
yesterday, when a fresh relapse compelled us to remain.
Though I should have liked to hasten my return to Berlin, I
cannot leave him alone so far away from home, and he has no
servant with him. . . .
Moltke is suffering from gastric and rheumatic fever, a
natural result of repeated colds and irregularities in his diet,
which were unavoidable in the life he had to lead. His state
is not critical, but it requires great care, and therefore he ought
to be looked after, for Ave know that he is easy-going in regard
to himself and his health. But just now he is quite different,
and one might call him almost nervous. There is nothing for
us but patience, patience ! Especially for my poor wife, who
seems to be destined to be nurse for the whole Prussian General
Staff in the East, and who is very home-sick.
Eegelsbrunn,^ October 30th, 1839. I put off sending
you this letter, which I wrote several days ago, because I
hoped to be able to tell you of our start, as the varying
state of Moltke's health made us hope that we might
possibly get off at last. The day before yesterday we
really left Pesth by the steamer in the morning, hoping to
remain on board as far as Vienna ; and though Moltke was
very weak — he had been up a few hours for the first time the
day before — we hastened to avail ourselves of the very un-
' On the Danube, half way between Pressburg and Vienna.
2 24 Selections from Letters
certain steamers, for every day it became more difficult to
transport our patient to Vienna, as we were afraid the steamers
might cease runnin;^'. We therefore left on Monday, at six
o'clock in the morning ; it was raining ; we arrived in the
evening at nine o'clock at Günyö, where we spent the night.
We had taken a private cabin for Moltke, so that he could stay
in bed the whole day, and in this way the journey was not
tiring for him ; he had no trace of fever. Yesterday morning
at three o'clock we left again by moonlight ; and passed several
dangerous places, only to stick fast at Vagha, We were
detained from nine o'clock till half past two in the after-
noon ; once more afloat, we continued our journey for a quarter
of an hour to a sand-bank, where we landed to embark on the
Maria Anna, Avhich was waiting for us on the other side. This
transshipping, which we had not foreseen, as we had been told
that the Sojjhia would go as far as Vienna, Avas difficult and
dangerous for Moltke ; he was seized with shivering fits,
followed by feverishness. Towards evening he was better, and
had a pretty good night. The seven hours' delay prevented
our reaching Pressburg yesterday ; Ave had to lie at anchor
another night, and after leaving at four o'clock this morn-
ing we landed at Pressburg at eight, where Ave were much
disappointed to hear that the steamer was not going as far as
Vienna. We had to make up our minds to hire a covered
carriage in which we left Pressburg at noon to-day. But
Moltke A\-as so Aveak, that he could not go any farther, he
almost fainted on the way; and my Avife and I held him
on our knees. May God grant him a quiet night ; and may
he be strong enough to go on with us to Vienna to-morrow.
It is fortunate that Ave left, for communication by steamer is
now being broken off, and in November weather Ave could not
have gone in a Hungarian carriage Avith a patient like Moltke.
What should Ave have done if Ave had gone by Italy or Egypt J
Vienna, October 31st, 1839. God be thanked, Ave have
To His Friends. 225
happily arrived at Vienna. We left Kegelsbrunn this morning
at nine o'clock ; as far as Fiscliament — the first station —
Moltke was in a sitting posture, but then he could endure it
no longer ; I took an open carriage for my wife and myself
and left the covered carriage to him, arranging it so that
he could lie down. My servant Franz remained with him ;
they followed slowly, while we went on in advance to look for
rooms and to make necessary preparations. So we are estab-
lished in the " Schwan " in the Kärthner Strasse. Though
Moltke has been very weak, he does not seem worse to-night,
in fact, rather better than he was when we packed him off at
Pesth, and I hope that he will gradually recover if he will only
take care. But he is a patient who wants careful watching,
from carelessness about his diet. I hope the supper which he
took to-day with a hearty appetite will not do him harm.
I am thinking of remaining here a fortnight. If Moltke
should be quite strong by then, we shall, perhaps, travel to-
gether ; but if this is not the case, I shall advise him on no
account to leave before he is quite well and sure of being able
to bear the fatigues of a journey.
Vienna, November Gth, 1839. Our friend Moltke is not
getting on well, I am sorry to say. He has been in bed ever
since he came here a week to-morrow ; he has an intermittent
bilious fever, which is decreasing, but which has made him very
weak. I think he must stay here for some time, that he may
be quite strong before venturing on his return journey at this
season, I do not much like leaving him here alone, before he
is far enough advanced to be up the greater part of the day,
and to be able to while away his time ; on the other hand, I
know well that my presence is needed in Berlin.
Vienna, November 7th, 1839. I have just had an interview
with the doctor, about Moltke. He has an intermittent fever,
and his stomach, bowels and bile are completely out of order.
The doctor will give him quinine to-day, and in a few days ho
2 26 Selections from Lett?:k?, Etc.
will see if his recover}- is likely to be quick or slow. In the
former case, which may God grant, I mean to leave as soon as the
patient is well enough to be out of bed during the day ; I hope
this will be some time next week. But if he does not improve,
I really do not know what to do. At all events I shall wait
and see for a few days. I am longing to get home, but it is
against my conscience to leave Moltke alone in his present
condition, unless I receive orders.
Breslau, November 19th, 1839. As Moltke was out of bed,
and his recovery, as I confidently hope, is thorough, we left
Vienna on the 14th inst.
LETTERS TO COUNT EDUARD VON
BETHUSY-HUC.
CocNT Eduard vox Bethust-Huc, born in 1800, was first an
ofiScer in the Engineers^ then Aide-de-camp to Prince Charles,
and from 1835 to 1847 tutor to Prince Frederick Charles. From
this time dates his acquaintance with the Field-Marshal, whose
wife was an intimate friend of the Countess Bethusy, nee von
Kircheisen. In 1847 Count Bethusy retired from the Army
Avith the rank of Major^ and was then for a time director of
the Ritter Academy at Liegnitz, and retired in 1851 to his
estates in Silesia. After he had sold them, he lived with
his son Dodo on his estate Langenhof, which became his after
his son had died the death of a hero at Koniggrätz. He died
in 1871 at Breslau.
Besides distinguishing himself in his profession, Count
Bethusy had intellectual gifts of a high order. As a young
lieutenant, he had taken part in the Eussian campaign against
Turkey in 1829 under General Diebitsch.
As an explanation of the following letters, we may say that
the first is the Field-Marshal's answer to the Count, who had
expressed his^doubts as to the drawing-up of the Prussian Army
(May 1st, 1866), against Austria, and principally as to the with-
drawal of troops from the southern parts of Silesia.
Berlin, May 29th, 1866.
Much Honoured Herr Graf,
I have received your kind letter, dated the
228 Selections from Letters
23rd of May, through your son. His re-appoint-
ment is sure to take place, for officers are much
wanted, and all who apply now must be wel-
come.
You are right in saying that a strong initiative
would be the best. The Austrians are six weeks
in advance of us with their armament. However,
in spite of it we shall have caught them up by
the ])eginning of next week. Waiting will in-
crease their strength, and during that time the
hostility of South Germany will also increase ;
it also exliausts our financial means, and has a
depressing moral effect. It is a grave thing for
our old King and Master, at seventy years of
age, to be expected to take the first step in a
European war, of which nobody can see the
end.
On the Austrian side the First Army corps is
stationed near Prague, the Second round Olmiitz,
the Fourth still in Cralicia and Austrian Silesia,
and the Saxon Army is ready near Dresden. The
Tenth Army corps, as well as the Sixth and Eighth,
are concentrating round Brunn. They have 1 40,000
men ready, and 100,000 more who could join
them.
To His Friends. 229
As to our measures, we have thought it wise to
direct all our forces against the enemy, who is
already in the field, and at present to ignore those
in South Germany who are only beginning to
rise. If we succeed in defeating the principal
enemy, the others (except Saxony) will hardly
stir.
Naturally our first dra wing-up would look
like a dispersion. We must begin operations
where the railway enters the frontier. But as
soon as our soldiers have done so, this necessary
dispersion will soon be remedied.
Nothing is known as yet about the intentions of
the Austrians. An invasion of Silesia might
result in an immediate success for them. But
this shock would not affect the monarchy at the
centre. Only operations against Berlin would be
decisive. Incursions like those which you
describe, cannot be avoided, but everything
possible shall be done in this direction.
Let us hope for the old luck of Prussia and the
ability of her Army ; and that it may be God's
will that Prussia should now fulfil the mission
which is incumbent upon her in Germany. It
230 Selections from Letters
will be a serious iiglit, but it will have to be
fought once, and on the whole, circumstances are
not unfavourable just now.
j\Iy wife wishes to be kindly remembered to
you. With sincere esteem and affection,
Yours,
MOLTKE.
Berlin, xlugust 19th, 1866.
During the quiet time which we are having
again, I must not omit, dear Bethusy, to send you
my sincere thanks for several letters, which I
was unable to answer by return, on account of the
pressure of business, but whose good counsels I
have not left unnoticed.
We could not defend Silesia in Silesia, but we
attacked the Austrians in Bohemia, in such a
manner that they had not a man left for the
visitation which they had intended to pay
you.
The campaign was favoured by fortune in an
almost unexampled manner, not a single under-
taking failed. Everybody did his duty, and your
To His Friends. 231
kind judgment as to my part in it, has given me
much pleasure, though I must attribute your
opinion to your interest in me.
You can imagine with what satisfaction the King
has met his members. The public feeling has
much improved ; the demand for indemnities has
had a good effect, also the annexation of Hanover,
Hesse Cassel and Nassau. It is hard for the
sovereigns, but a division of land would have been
harder for the populations.
France and Russia appear unconcerned about
this enlargement of Prussia, and the great thing
for us now is to win the affections of our new
subjects by good and just government, and to
organize their military affairs. We shall be envied
on all sides.
The Emperor Napoleon could not have chosen
a worse moment for a war, than n time when we
have 640,000 armed men. We should even have
had South Germany on our side, and if matters
had come to the worst, we might have entered, at
the same time, into a contest with Austria and
France. Then the result would not only have been
a united North Germany, but an " entire Ger-
many."
233 Selections from Letters
It is natural that such great results cannot be
obtained witliout great sacrifices ; many families
are mourning, like yourself, for the loss of a dear
one.
Poor Dodo ! I was truly grieved for him. Your
second son, as well as my nephew, unfortunately
came too late to take part in the grand attack of
the regiment. At present they are at Raitz, a
railway station, north of Briinn. May God pre-
serve them from the dreadful cholera.
The diplomatists have been treatmg now for
three weeks at Prague, almost as long as the
campaign lasted, and have not yet come to a
definitive conclusion. I heartily Avish that we
might recall our troops from the unfortunate
country, so heavily visited by war, hunger and
pestilence.
My wife, who wishes me to assure you of her
greatest sympathy with your grief, desires her kind
remembrance, and I ask you to preserve a friendly
interest in yours truly devoted,
MOLTKE.
To His Friends. 233
Berlin, January 6th, 1869.
I sincerely thank you, dear Herr Graf, for the
sympathizing words which you have sent to me
in my loneliness, and for the kind remembrance
that you have of my poor wife.
You too, have had to bear the loss of a beauti-
ful young wife, taken away in her prime, and
your lonely path through life has been longer
than mine can be ; and what a hard sacrifice you
had to make to your country only two years
ago.
After such losses the eye looks involuntarily up
to heaven and towards a reunion, for which we
may hope.
I remember vividly the time when both our
young wives had such pleasant intercourse ; they
mutually attracted each other by their bright and
open-hearted characters during the twenty-seven
years of my happy married life. How often
have I been strengthened and encouraged in grave
and momentous times by my wife's firmness and
confidence. She was a real patriot, proud of the
successes of our Army and of her King, whom she
expressly included in her last prayer. Will you
234 Selections from Letters, Etc.
allow an old and tried friend to send you the
enclosed leaf; and may I ask you to keep the
departed and myself in kind remembrance ?
With sincere esteem and devotion,
Your obedient,
MOLTKE.
Letters to the General of the Cavahy,
Von Tnmpling-.
General yon Tümpling, from 186G to 1883 Commanding-
General of the Sixth Army Corps (died 1884), was from 1842
to 1848 Captain in the General Staff of the 8th Army Corps
at Coblentz. When Moltke returned from Rome in 1846, he
too was attached to the General Staff of the Eighth Army
Corps, and the two years that they spent together at Coblentz
strengthened their friendship. His son, Herr Legationrath v.
Tümpling, at Thalstein, near Jena, has kindly put these letters
at our disposal.
Berlin, January 28tli, 1869.
I thank you, clear Tümpling, very sincerely for
your sympathy in my trouble. I know that the
kind words you sent me, sprang from a truly
sympathizing heart. You had known my wife
for a long time, you also knew her open, simple
character, her cheerfulness and her firm trust in
God's providence ; all these qualities have been
for twenty-seven years the joy and happiness of
236 Selections from Letters
my life. She was taken from me in the prime
of life, and, apparently, of health, proud of her
country and her king, and full of sympathy with
all mankind. Her life though short was as happy
as is possible here on earth, and I would not
call her back. 1 also thank your wife heartily for
her sympathy, and ask you to remember your
truly devoted,
MOLTKE.
Versailles, Nov. 3rd, 1870.
Much honoured Friend,
I thank you sincerely for your kind wishes,'
and especially for your kind thought of my poor
wife in the midst of the grand successes of our
war. If the Lord is going to grant us a speedy
and victorious return home, she will not meet me
at the station, as she did after the last war, rejoic-
ing proudly in the feats of our Army. I can no
longer share the many scarcely deserved rewards
which I am receiving with her who was so patriotic
and brave, but I thank God that He has allowed
' For his birthday.
To His Friends. 237
me to live through this great period, and I hope
that we shall finish gloriously, what we have
begun so successfully.
The present negotiations with M. Thiers cannot
lead to any result. These haughty, infatuated
Frenchmen must be humiliated much more
before they will listen to reason. There are
means enough and more than enough since the
fall of Metz, but time is needed for them to take
effect. But already the Fourth division is forming
the reserve, and the Third will foUow immediately
by rail. Prince Frederick Charles will arrive at
Commercy to-day, and also the head of the first
Army under ManteufFel has begun to advance.
The news from Paris leaves no doubt that an
opposition Government has been set up there by a
revolt, and that M. Trochu has been dismissed.
With best love,
MOLTKE.
Selections from Letters to the Oberhof-
prediger Schaubach at Meiningen.
Court Chaplain Schaubacii was from 1854 to 1856 tutor to
the eldest sous of the Field-Marshal's younger brother, Adolf
von Moltke, Eoyal Danish Chamberlain and Administrator of
the county of Kantzau in Holstein.
He gives the following account of his relations with the
Field-Marshal.
Meiningen, June 22, 1891.
My first meeting with the General-Field-Marshal took place
at six o'clock in the evening of the 25th of October, 1856,
at the station of Elmshorn in Holstein.
The Major- General, then fifty-six years old, came from
Flensburg, where he had just paid a visit to his brother, the
retired Koyal Danish Major Friedrich von Moltke, and had
come to spend his birthday at Eantzau with his brother Adolf
von Moltke, the excellent Jurist and Administrator of the
county of Kantzau.
I was to meet the General, as yet unknown to me, with my
pupils, "Wilhelm and Helmuth, and we were to take him
to Kantzau in the carriage drawn by two fiery white horses.
The train arrived ; a slim, tall and striking military figure in
Prussian uniform quickly left the railway carriage. After the
introduction to me and the hearty greetings of his two nephews,
no one will be astonished to hear, that I was extremely sur-
prised by this quiet, simple-looking gentleman putting the
Selections from Letters, Etc. 239
following question to me, so striking in the mouth of an officer,
" Were the horses safe ? " Upon my assuring him that they
might be considered quite safe in the hands of the clever
coachman^ though they were fiery animals, he said to me in a
winning amiable way, yet Avith decision : " In that case, I
should like to propose to you that the two boys should drive
on to annoimce my arrival at home, while we Avalk the four or
five miles,"
As I could not possibly delude myself into believing that
this walk on a dark evening was preferred to a drive " on
account of my beautiful eyes," it was natural to think that the
General had become tired of driving, and that he therefore
preferred walking.
But as soon as the carriage had rolled away, his reasons
became evident. With a certain terseness, but very kindly,
he began the conversation: "You come from Meiningen?"
"Yes." "Then I suppose you are connected with Adolf
Shaubach, who Avrote the book about the German Alps 1 "
"Yes, he was my father's brother." ""Was?" "lam sorry
to say that he died six years ago." " It distresses me
very much to hear that. Please tell me all you know of his
life ; he must have been an excellent man." I did so ; and
the remarks which the Field-Marshal made in the course of
the conversation were a proof of how he had absorbed the
book, and how he had thought about it, in a way which put
me to shame.
At the conclusion of this conversation the quiet, earnest and
conscientious man began to question me about the two boys,
my plan of instruction, and my own education with so much
tact and yet so thoroughly that I could not rid myself of the
impression that the most ideal of school-governors could not
more cleverly call forth the innermost feelings of a candidate
he has to examine for the office of schoolmaster. Not a word
of praise or of blame passed his lips, yet I soon experienced,
240 Selections from Letters
and continued to experience to the end of his life with in-
delible gratitude, how clearly and charitably the celebrated
man judged the thoughts and endeavours of the young tutor
of whom he never lost sight again.
Two things that happened on the following day, his birth-
day, have specially remained in my memory.
At dinner, to which several other guests were invited in
honour of the day, through the remarks of a retired officer, the
conversation turned upon the usefulness of the so-called Senner-
horses wliich are bred in the principality of Lippe. The
General's first quiet reply was : '^ I do not know much about
the matter," but soon after he said, in answer to the remarks of
others, with that obliging manner peculiar to him : " That cannot
be quite right ; " and then he gave such a comprehensive and
clear opinion about tliose horses that I involuntarily said to
myself after his explanation, though I had no technical know-
ledge on the matter : ** Any other man who had known so much
about the subject would have believed himself particularly
fitted by God for this line of life, and breaking through every
hindrance would take the lead of the whole horse-breeding of
the present time."
Another trait^ though seemingly insignificant, shows the
General's reverent turn of mind. After dinner, though his time
was but short, he drove for several hours over a moor to look
up tlie clergyman at Hohenfelde, who was then ninety years old,
and in whose house he had lived some time when a boy. The
brothers did not return till night.
On August 22nd, 1868, the Chief of the General Staff of the
Army arrived at Meiningen with numerous officers from the
campaign on the Maine in 18G6. The following morning,
the eleventh Sunday after Trinity, he went unnoticed to
the Schlosskirche, where I was preaching ; after service he
waited for me at the church door to accompany me home, to the
great surprise of my congregation. In one of his letters to me,
To His Friends. 241
he -who searched in his sincere and straightforward manner for
the truth of the holiest things spoke ahout the sermon 1 had
preached that day, and with a quotation from a letter of his,
written to me on October 26th, 1880, the Army Chaplain,
Provost D. Richter, ended his sermon at the Field-Marshal's
funeral. In this letter the richness of a pure and simple
Christian heart is revealed in a way, peculiar to him, which
touches every heart.
Berlin, Nov. 10th, 1875.
Much honoured Court Chaplain,
An influenza cold, which kept me in bed a
fortnight, has prevented my answering your kind
letter of the 25th of last month sooner. I thank
you heartily for your congratulations, and for keep-
ing a true and kind remembrance of me. Your
letters are always a great pleasure to me, they
allow me a glance into a mind which, in spite of
grievous trials, has kept its inward peace, and
has found the support of life where alone it can be
found. My nephew Wilhelm, your former pupil,
has grown into an able, steady man ; you Avill be
pleased with him when you meet him again. He
is very happy in his married life, and much pleased
with a little daughter that has been born to them.
I look upon him as the head and supporter of our
family when I am gone, which time, according to
242 Selections from Letters
the course of nature, cannot be very far off. With
much love, I remain.
Your truly devoted.
Count Moltke.
Creisau, Oct. 27th, 1876.
Much honoured Sir,
Witli all my heart I thank you for having
remembered my birthday again this year. Will
you noAv accept my best wishes for your o^^^l,
which is only one day before mine ? I am glad to
hear that in your parochial work you find a recom-
pense for many misfortunes, and that you are re-
warded by gaining the affection of those whose
eyes you have opened to real Christian, but largo-
minded, views, as I believe you said in a sermon
that I heard you preach at Meiningen, which
went to my heart and touched me much.
. . . My brother Adolfs four giants are all over
six feet high, and have gro^vn into strong and
capable men who do credit to your education.
With best wishes, I remain in sincere esteem,
Yours, Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
To His Friends. 243
Not dated.
Much honoured Sir,
It is very good of you to remember my
birthday so kindly, and I thank you heartily for
your good wishes and kind sentiment towards me.
It is a particular pleasure for me to hear from you,
who have had so many and such early connections
with our family. You too, have had much trouble
since we met last time at Rantzau, but you have
taken it as God's Providence, having received from
Him strength to bear it. It must be a great satis-
faction to you to know that you have done good
even under difficult circumstances, and this feeling
must strengthen and support you, even where your
good Avork has not been crowned by public success.
If one remembers how little of such success is due
to oneself, but that God works through the weak,
it must teach one humility. Your former pupils,
my brother Adolfs sons, are well. . . . God's
blessing evidently rests on the children of such
an excellent father. Judging by the one sermon
which I heard from you years ago, and which has
always remained in my memory, I shaU have
R 2
2z] 4 Selections from Letters
iiuicli pleasure in reading the one you promise
me.
With esteem, yours sincerely,
Count Moltke.
The following verses on IMoltke's eightieth
birthday, were sent him hy the Oberhofprediger
Schaubach : —
£)b unfer Ccbcn biS ju fiebjig Satiffn^
Sßcnn'S 1)0(1) !ommt/ biS ju adjt^xQ fteigt j
Unb ob eS rcid) an 6t)rcn unb ©efabren,
£)b'6 lautloS/ ungcfannt jum &vab fid) neigt,
SSom tcillicl) rctd)ften Ccben flet)t ^u k\in,
^a^ eg DoU SOJttt)' unb ^(rbcit i|t geirefcn.
Unb bennod)/ bcnnorf) gilt c6, ot)ne 5IBanEen
3n niül)CDoUcr/ Preitbeaiegter 2Bc(t/
©ctroft unb frol) au§ ticffter <£ecle banfen
^cm, bet t)infin in 93Jüt)' unb 2Cibcit ung gcflollt/
■Ißcil/ ob burd) ®lürt unb ed)mcrj bie 23at}n fid) rccnbct/
£)a6 Äöntid)c in 9:)iüt)cn [id) uoUcnbct.
S)i^ t)at ^cin cnj'ger Äönig rcid) gefrgnet,
25e6 ©cifteg ®d)affcn mit bcm ©ieg gefiönii
S)u ftebft, ttjif jät)er S'd)mcvj 2)ir aud) begegnet,
3ni gricbcn ®ottcg ba, bcm (Sd)merj üciföbnt.
ffion deinem £ebcn aber icirb Sein 23ol! f^etg lefen:
//Siet)' ! !cpiid) 9Mi)' unb 2ftbcit ifl'6 gen?c[cn."
Moltke replied as foUoAvs : —
Berlin, Oct. 27th, 1880.
Much honoured Herr Hofprediger,
My best thanks for your beautiful, warm-
To His Friends. 245
hearted verses. You are right, full of toil and
work mv life has been and yours too. I am near
the end of my days, and on what a different scale
will oiu" earthly work he Aveighed in the future
world ! The value of our life on earth will not he
judged by the success, but l^y the purity of our
endeavours and our perseverance even where
there was no great visible result. What a strange
change will then take place at the great review of
rich and poor. We ourselves do not even know
what we have done in our own strength, how
much we owe to others and how much to a higher
will. It will be good not to put too much to our
own account.
It will interest you to hear, if you have not
done so already, that Wilhelm's wife has been con-
fined of another boy, who is called the " Reserve
boy." I know that you watch any event in my
brother Adolf's life with the old interest. At
Helmuth's the same event is expected very soon.
Fritz is studying the profession of a Landrath at
Stendal ; he is an excellent, able man ; and Ludwig
manages my estate in Silesia ; he is very successful,
and I am much pleased witli him. ^larie has been
246 Selections from Letters, Etc.
offered the position of Lady-in-waiting to the
i'uture Princess Wilhelm of Prussia, and Luise Avill
at present be the only one to remain with her
mother in the country. I am sure you are pleased
with tlic lovely hereditary Princess of Meiningen.
Now I must conclude with best wishes, and the
request furthermore to keep me in kind remem-
brance.
With sincere and high esteem,
Your,
Count Moltke.
Selections from Letters to the Private
Councillor of Finances, Scheller.
The rield-Marshal's acquaintance ■with Private Councillor
Scheller dates from his life at Magdeburg. Scheller was Stadt,
rath there, and lived in the same house Avith Moltke, who was
then Chief of the 4th Army Corps. They had a common
interest in the events of the years 1848 and 1849 ; they were
drawn into closer relationship which ended in a firm friendship.
In 1851 Scheller was moved into the ministry of commerce as
" vortragender Rath ; " later on he was engaged as Private Coun-
cillor of the Finances in the Marine Department. The intimate
intercourse between Moltke and himself continued up to his
death in 1883 ; he and also General von Gliszinski used to be
regular players at the Field-Marshal's evening whist parties.
The Field-Marshal always felt very thankful to Scheller for
the advice and help which the latter gave him as to the in-
vestment of the grant made to him by the State.
Ferneres, near Paris,
Sept. 29tli, 1870.
Honoured Sju,
I have several times troubled you with
requests and commissions, and have not even taken
248 Selections from Letters
an opportunity of tliauking you for your kind
liolp. . . .
One half of the French army lias been taken
])rist)ner, the other has been shut up at Metz and
Paris, in the former place for six weeks, here for
one Aveek, and we must now wait to see how long
matters will remain as they are. The condition
of France meanwhile can only become worse, if
the other Powers do not interpose, which they
Avould scarcely do in favour of the Republic. Peace
is desirable in the interest of everybody; but where
is France ? With whom are we to treat ? The
elections which were to have taken place on the
2nd of next month have been adjourned. Then
the country would have been properly represented.
The elections would have been made without the
influence of government officials, without the pre-
dominance of the capital, for we should not have
allowed their representatives to leave Paris. The
wealthy classes, the country population, would, for
once, have had a hearing, but that is just what is
not wanted in Paris. We must let the volcano
burn out l)y itself. Meanwhile we have taken
Toul and Strasburg, and shall now attack Soissons
To His Friends. 249
and Bolfort, Our God has been with us and will
be with us in future, we hope.
I trust your son has been sent with the reserve
troops, and that he will have the opportunity of
sharing in the latter part of the campaign.
My three nephews are all well, God be thanked,
though the 7th regiment has lost a great many
men. Altoo-ether how much mouminoj there is
mixed with the joy of victory !
With kind regards to your wife, and best love to
Gliszinski when you see him,
Faithfully your,
Mor.TKE.
Versailles, Oct. 11th, 1870.
Honoured Sir,
I am sincerely grateful to you foi* your
kindness in looking after my money affairs, for
which I have no time. . . .
I can well imagine what pleasure the news of
our successes, won Avith God's aid, give you; even
when vou lived at Mao-deburo;, when times were
bad, you stood firm and faithful on the side of
250 Selections from Letters
king and fatherland. Oh, if my wife could have
li\'ed through these times, how would her patriotic,
brave heart have rejoiced. She will not meet me at
the station as she did on my return in 186G ; but
I think the departed are not so far away from this
world that they can no longer feel with us. Indeed
it is God's judgment that is punishing this haughty
French nation. They are not humiliated yet,
nmc'li remains still for us to do. In Berlin too,
they will have to be patient. It takes a long time
to starve out a garrison, as Metz has shown, and it
is not an easy thing to transport about 5000 tons
of siege battery on a newly constructed single line,
on which, at the same time, reinforcements and
victuals have to be conveyed. Meanwhile we can
keep the impatient provided with news : just now
there is the occupation of Orleans, and let us hope
soon the flight of the government from Tours. . . .
The cavalry has continual little skirmishes with
the " franc voleurs," which, of course, cause con-
stant loss of human lives. It is a pity tliat any
more lives should he lost now that the fate of the
war is decided.
Every day sixty to eighty grenades of heavy
To His Friends. 251
calibre are fired from the forts at a distance of 6000
or even 8000 paces, at haphazard, in the direction
of our outposts. In this way six to eight men are
wounded every day. This cannot affect in the
slightest degree the decision of the war, and is
extremely expensive.
The whole situation could not be better described
than it is in a letter from a very sensible French
officer to the Gaidois, which you will soon see in
one of the numbers of our Berlin papers. . . .
Thanking you again for all your kindness, and
with kind remembrances to yourself and your wife
and best love to our friend Gliszinski,
I remain faithfully,
Yours,
MOLTKE.
"Versailles, Dec. 18th, 1870.
Honoured Sir,
. . . The twelfth dragoons have had hard
work, and as your son has happily escaped, you have
reason to be very thankful. Such an experience
is not soon forgotten, and must add to a young
man's efficiency for the work of his future life. I.
252 Selections from Letters
liavc reason to believe that the regiment will have
some rest at Orleans, the troo})s are much in need
of it after their continued marching- and fighting.
General Chanzy is put down for a time, hut
Bourbaki may reappear on tlie right bank of the
Loire. That will, however, take a little time, and
meanwhile rats will become scarcer and scarcer
in Paris.
From the papers and from letters I see that it
is believed at home, that the reason Ave do not
answer the hostile firing is out of regard for Paris,
or even l^ccause of the influence of people of rank.
That is l)y no means correct ; all that is thought
serviceable and possible is done. Surely we do
not Avant to Avait here any longer than is
necessary.
HoAv long this terri])lo Avar Avill continue and
AAäth Avliom Ave shall in the end have to treat,
nobody hei'c or at home can tell. A Avliole
nation under arms is not to be underrated. It is
possible tliat Ave may have a million against us
after the Ncav Year ; but in the o})en field Ave hope
to defeat c\'ery hostile army, and in the course of
time even the richest country Avould succumb
To His Friends. 253
under the burdens imposed by the present reign
of terror of the French rulers.
With best thanks for all your trouble, and
kindest regards to your wife, Faithfully your,
MOLTKE.
Versailles, February 1st, 1871.
Honoured Sir,
. , . You will have learnt from the jDapers
that all the Parisian forts are in our hands. To-
day I have looked at Paris from Mount Valerien.
The city is now nothing more to us than a large
prison of a captured Army. It would have been
impossible to bring this army to Germany
to be fed and housed. So they are shut up
in Paris. Faidherbe has been driven to the
north, Chanzy to the west, and I hope that to-
day or to-morrow the Army of Bourbaki will be
repulsed to Swiss territory. Another captured
army would be a real calamity for us. In three
weeks' time there Avill be a new Government,
which will be recognized by France and with
which we shall be able to treat ; and as matters
254 Selections from Letters, Etc.
stand, one would think that they would be inclined
to make peace. But one never knows what the
French are going to do, they like nothing better
than fine phrases, and a dozen orators move an
assembly to take the maddest resolutions. But
I am convinced that this campaign will cure
Europe for a long time to come of the fancy for
republics. The present Republic has lost one-fifth
of French territory and a dozen fortresses, has
sacrificed 100,000 men, devastated the capital,
ruined the finances and, notwithstanding, missed
its aim. Trochu also cannot be acquitted from
all blame in this disaster, though I esteem him
as an able, honest man.
I have no special news about your George, but
he, too, will profit by the truce. . . .
With kindest regards to your wife.
Your grateful and devoted,
MOLTKE.
III.
Occasional Correspondence.
ON RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS.
Pastor Baum Ann, Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance,
sent the rules of this society and information about it ou
May 1st, 1878.
(Answer.)
Creisau, May 10th, 1878.
Much honoured Herr Pastor,
I cannot but approve of the endeavours to
unite the different parties of the Evangelical
Church, but I am afraid that the common ground,
so sharply defined by the new tenets of the
Evangelical Union, will be too narrow for this
purpose.
There are great numbers who honestly seek for
truth, but as yet they have not attained that
knowledge which, according to your regulations,
is the necessary and right way.
The rules, however, very likely express the
right 23oint of view for an Evangelical ecclesiastic.
But those who cannot honestly assert that these
s
25 S Selkctions from Letters.
views correspond -witli tlicir iDmost convictions,
slioiild not on that account be called infidels or
doiiljters.
I myself belong to this class, and must for these
reasons decline to join the Committee of the
German branch of the Evangelical Union.
Thanking you sincerely for the confidence you
so kindly placed in me, I remain, with special
esteem,
Your obedient servant,
Count Moltke.
EDUCATION.
An eminent man occupying an influential position, had sent
a pamphlet of a friend of his, entitled, " Education for the
Military Service," by Dr. H. Stiirenberg, now Eector of the
School of the Holy Cross at Dresden, to the Field-Marshal-
In this paper the author, an expert and also an experienced
soldier, states his views in an unprejudiced manner about the
importance of gymnastics and bodily exercise for education.
{Answer. )
Berlin, May 18th, 1878.
Dear Sir,
I am much obliged to you for your kind
letter, dated April 17th, and I also thank you for
the copies of the pamphlet entitled, " Education
for the Military Service," by Dr. Stiirenberg of
Leipsic.
I have read the paper with great interest. It
is written in a truly patriotic spirit, and shows
that the author must be a clever man, experienced
in war, who advocates that while the training at
school should provide the pupil -with knowledge,
s 2
26o Sklections from Letters.
scientific cducutiuii, and mond priricii)lcs, tlie
service in the xVrniy should accustom him to
discipline, obedience, 'self-denial, and pt-ovide him
with the technical knowledge necessary for a
soldier. lie distinguishes clearly between physical
development through gyiuiiastics and other bodily
exercises, a necessary preparation for the service
in the Army, and the much overrated exercises
and games with the gun which, in the popular
view, would allow the time of service to be
shortened.
In this respect he refutes very strikingly different
superficial views on the subject ; and he also
shows in the comparison of the Spartan and
Athenian education, what is the result of an
education which subordinates the whole life to the
one purpose, the military service of a nation.
I sincerely hope that this paper may iiiid an
extensive circle of readers.
With highest esteem,
I am, yours faithfull}'.
Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
Education. 261
. Herr Kiydt, master at Ratzcburg, had sent on Oct. 11th,
1890, a paper written by him about the education of the
young in Germany.
(Ansicer.)
Creisau, Oct. 13tli, 1890.
Honoured Sir,
Yoii have had the kindness to send me
your newest pamphlet, -which I have read with
the same interest as the former.
Indeed, the principal thing at school is not what
the boys learn, but rather how their minds are
trained.
I believe that greater attention has been paid
to physical training through gymnastics and
games, since the publication of the Imperial decree
which refers to these subjects. My Avish isthat
by implanting a patriotic mind in the child, every
boy should be provided with a kind of safe-
conduct for the period between his 1 6th and his 2 1 st
year, fi-om the time when he leaves school to the
time of his entrance into the great e^lucational
institution, the Army. My Avish is that they
should be able to see clearly the senselessness and
mischievousness of the democratic socialism into
262 Selections from Letters.
which, as experience shows, they are only too
easily dra"\\Ti duriiiij; this dangerous period of life.
Wliat pleases me especially in the English edu-
cation is, that, as you say, lying is not only con-
sidered wrong, but a dishonour and ungentle-
manly.
I thank you very mucli for your kind informa-
tion, and at the same time for your good -wishes
for my birthday, and remain,
Faithfully yours.
Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
Mr. Ernest W. Smith, Editor of the " Revue des Revues,"
asks, by sending a paper with questions, which authors Moltko
preferred most : —
{Answer.)
Vos AuTEURS Favoris?
Quels livres ont ex- ■ Littrow, Les mer-
erce le plus d'influence
sur vous ?
La Bible.
Homere, Iliade.
veilles du ciel.
Lieb ig, Lettres sur la
Chimie agricole.
Clausewitz, Sur la
Guerre.
Education.
26'
Quels livres relisez-
vous avec le plus de
plaisir ?
Schiller.
Goethe.
Shakespeare.
AValter Scott.
Ranke, Histoire.
Treitschke.
Garlyle.
Berlin, Nov. nth, 1890. ■
HoNouiiED Sir,
In accordance with your wish, I send herc-
Avith a list of those books which I believe have
influenced my way of thinking most.
I remark at the same time that I read the
" Iliad " when I was a boy of nine years old, so, of
course, it was only a translation. ■
Believe me, sir, your obedient servant.
Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
CHARITY.
Dr. Sillem, of Hamburg, proposes to found homes for the
disabled soldiers of the Frauco- German war.
(Answer.)
Berlin, March 31st, 1871.
In ansAver to your kind letter, I beg to say that
I shall have much pleasure in joining my co-
citizens of Hamburg ^ in providing for our disabled
soldiers, but I cannot comj)letely agree with the
plan proposed by you.
The requests for admission into the Invalids'^
Homes have been very fcAv since the last wars.
Those Invalids Avho are in any way capable of
earning something can make better use of their
time, their strength and the pension which they
receive, by remaining in their ovra homes, where
they are more comfortable ; those who are quite
' Moltkft had been made an honorary citizen of Hamburg on
Felruary Olli, 1871.
Charity. 265
unable to earn any money usually manage to pay
their families i'or their keep and their nursing with
their pension. For those few who cannot obtain
the care and attention that they need, and who are
incapable of earning any money, the existing Homes
for Invalids are quite sufficient.
According to universal experience, the best
way of helping invalids, is to provide them with
just sufficient money to keep themselves. The
funds of these Institutions form an addition to
the pensions and allowances of the State, and
are the means by which private and municipal
subscriptions can best be utilized for disabled
soldiers. These institutions can spend their funds
by allowing pensions (Crown Prince Institution
]2,S'. to 15,s\ per month), or by granting small
capitals for the establishing of a business which
would contribute to the support of a family.
Which of these methods would be preferable
must be decided every time in each individual
case, according to the degree of capability of earn-
ing his livelihood, which the candidate shows.
Most of the invalids belong to the rural popula-
tion. Instead of increasing the population of the
266 Selections from Letters.
towns by founding establishments for tlieir main-
tenance, they would be helped best by the pur-
chase of small allotments. Tliis would require
considerable means, but the greater part might
remain as mortgage on the land bought for this
purpose. The obligation of the owner to pay
off this debt in small instalments would have si
good moral effect.
In the same way those invalid citizens Avho
have carried on a trade might be helped ])y tlie
outlay of a little capital, Avhich would enable
them to recommence their old business.
These proposals would be less attractive than
the building of a home for invalids, but they would
give back to society working hands instead of
idle consumers, and they would further tlie
material well-being and the moral worth of those
who are thus supported,
I remain, your obedient,
Count Moltke.
INTERNATIONAL LAW, POLITICS,
WAR.
Herr Alfred von Moltke, German-Consul General in London,
asks the Field-]Marshal (on May 27tli, 1874,) to become one of
the patrons of the Universal Alliance, sending him at the same
time a pamphlet of this union, in which a diplomatic convenr
tion to ameliorate the fate of prisoners of war is proposed.
(Antiwer.)
Creisau, June 2nd, 1874.
Dear Sir,
I have received your letter of the 27 th of
last month, and beg to ask you to be kind enough
to convey my thanks to Baron von Linden and
M. Henry Dunant for sending the " projet pouvant
servir de base, etc.," which I have read with great
interest. >
The endeavour to make the prisoners of war more
comfortable in their imprisonment (since it must
never be made attractive) is very praiseworthy, and
is sure to find much sympatliy. But what seems
doubtful to me is, if the well-meant terms of such
an agreement would be kept under the pressure
of war. A convention, as proposed, concerning
the treatment of the wounded, already existed in
268 Selections from Letters.
1870, notwithstanding which many of our medical
men who stayed behind to tend the wounded
French were led off as prisoners.
The ^^projet " says that any officer "who breaks
liis word may ]jc punished with death. Yes, this
is all right, if he can be confronted by the man to
whom he gave his word of honour. But what if
this is not the case, and his OAvn Government
makes him a General ?
We have treated our prisoners (and they were
whole armies) with great humanity, but ^VG should
never have agreed to place them under the protec-
tion of representatives of neutral poAvers. I have
some scruples about some of the projected proposi-
tions, and in my position I am afraid I must decline
the honour of being counted one of the patrons
of the " Universal Alliance."
I am very pleased tliat this matter has given
me the pleasure of hearing from you, and I hope
that your official Avork gives you satisfaction.
Requesting you to remember me to your Avife,
I an:i, yours sincerely, . ,
Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
International Law, Politics, War. 269
The General of the Cavalry, von Hartmann, sends a pamphlet
to the Field-Marshal (on February 6th, 1878), in which the
doctrinal tendency of the modern rights of nations and the
claims of military realism are scientifically treated.
{Answer.)
Berlin, February 18th, 1878.
I beg to thank Your Excellency sincerely for so
kindly sending your newest pamphlet, which I
have read with great interest.
Everybody who knows anything about war,
will be of your opinion, that it cannot be restricted
by narrow fetters. Its terrors can only be lessened
by means of strict discipline, the cultivation of
universal morality, and the individual humanity
resulting from progress made in this direction.
The clever and thorough treatment of the subject
will contribute towards refuting the accusations
which have been raised ai^ainst the warfare of
o
1870-71, though there were no generals who en-
riched themselves by booty as in former campaigns,
nor cruelties such as are reported from the present
combat in the East.
I am.
Your Excellency's obedient,
Count Moltke.
270 Selections from Letters.
Herr Kail Friedrich August Ilauschild, at Herbergen near
Liebstadt, in Saxony, relates in a long letter of February 2Gth,
1879, his views on the blessings that a decrease of the Army in
Germany would bring to the country. He requests the Field-
Marshal to influence His Majesty, Emperor William, in this
respect.
Not dated, Berlin, the beginning
(Ansicer.)
Not date
of March, 1879.
Honoured Sir,
Who woukl not Avish to see the heavy mili-
tary burdens diminished, which Germany is
obliged to bear surrounded as she is by the most
powerful neighbours. This state of affairs is not
the wish of the Princes and the Governments, but
happier circiunstances cannot be expected until all
nations come to the conviction that every war,
even a victorious one, is a national misfortune.
To persuade people to take this view, even tlie
power of our Emperor would not avail ; it can only
arise from the better religious and moral training
of nations, which again must be a fruit of centuries
of historical development, which neither of us will
live to see.
With friendly greeting.
Count Moltke.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION
OF PERMANENT PEACE.
Privy Councillor Professor Dr. Bluntschli Avrites : —
Heidelberg, November 19th, 1880.
I beg to send Your Excellency herewith some copies of the
Manual *' Les Lois de la Guerre sur terre," which has been
Avritten and published by the Society for the Maintenance of
International Rights, in accordance with the Brussels Declara-
tion, and orders recently given in some European States
and scientific literature. The endeavour of the Manual has
been to bring the exercises and the interests of the Army
into harmony with the necessary principles of right and the re-
quirements of the civil world, and to explain martial law
in a manner which may be understood by the simple-minded
private and the common workman, yet in a correct and com-
prehensible form.
The undersigned, as also the reporter and the other members
of the Society for the Maintenance of International Rights,
Avould be much gratified if the little work, which is in-
tended for practical use, were to meet with Your Excellency's
approval.
With most distinguished esteem,
I am, your obedient servant,
Professor Bluntschli,
Privy Councillor.
272 Selections from Letters.
(Ansicer.)
Berlin, Dec. lltli, 1880.
Honoured Herr Geheimratif,
You have been kind enough to send me the
Manual Avhich the Society for the ]\Iaintenance of
International Rights has published, and you arc
anxious to have my approval of it.
I perfectly honour the charitable endeavour to
lessen the suiferings which war carries in its train.
Permanent peace is a dream and not even a
beautiful one, and war is a law of God's order in
the world, by which the noblest virtues of man,
courage and self-denial, loyalty and self-sacrifice,
even to the point of death, are developed. With-
out war the world would deteriorate into material-
ism. I perfectly agree with that sentence of the
preface which announces that advancing civiliza-
tion will also improve warfare, l)ut I go farther in
believing that it alone, and not a codified martial
law, will 1)0 able to attain this goal. Every law
necessitates an authority to enforce its execution,
and with international agreements there is no such
power. What State would take up arms, be-
cause one or both of the Powers engaged in war
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 273
have violated Les Lois de la Guerre ? There is no
such judge on earth. Success, in this case, must
be the result of the religious and moral training of
every individual, of the self-respect and sense of
justice of the leaders, who are a law unto themselves,
and act accordingly, as far as the abnormal cir-
cumstances of war permit.
And surely nobody will deny that in proportion
to the progress of morality humanity in warfare
has increased.
Only compare the lawlessness of the Thirty Years'
War with the wars of our times.
One important step that has been made during
our life-time towards reachino- the desired g-oal
is the introduction of a universal military service
which has brought the educated classes into the
Army. Of course the rough and violent elements
have also remained in it, but they are no longer the
only ones.
Two other effectual remedies remain in the
hands of Governments, to prevent the worst abuses,
namely, strict discipline, also to be maintained in
times of peace, and the administrative foresight
T
2 74 Selections from Letters.
that provides for the victualling of the troops
during a campaign.
Without this precaution discipline can only
be maintained in a very limited degree. The
soldier "vvlio endures suiFering and want, dan-
ger and exertion, cannot be satisfied ' en pro-
portion avec les ressources du pays," he must
have everything necessary to his existence.
One must not expect impossible things from
him.
The greatest kindness in war is a quick termina-
tion, and towards this end all means must be
employed that are not actually reprehensible. I
cannot at all asrree with the " Declaration de St.
Petersbourg " that the " weakening of the hostile
-fighting power " is the only right proceeding in a
war. No ; all the resources of the hostile Govern-
ment must be aiFected, her finances, railways,
victuals, even her prestige.
With such energy, and yet with more modera-
tion than ever before, the last war against France
was conducted. In the course of two months the
campaign was decided, and only when a revolution-
ary government continued it for four months to the
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 275
ruin of her o^vn country, did the fighting adopt an
embittered character.
I willingly acknowledge that the Manual states
in clear and short sentences, the necessities of war
in a hio:her deorree than has ever been the case in
former attempts. But even the acknowledgment
by Governments of these suggested rules would
not insure their execution. It is a universally
recoo:nized usao;e of war not to fire at an officer
O CD
carrying a flag of truce, and yet it was violated
several times during the last campaign.
No paragraph, even if learnt by heart, will per-
suade a soldier to treat as a regular enemy (§2
ad 45) an unorganized population which has spon-
taneously taken up arms, and from which he is
not safe a moment by day or night.
Some demands of the Manual are impossible, for
instance, the identifying of the killed after the
battle. Other regulations would need grave
consideration if the insertions "lorsque les cir-
constances le permettent, s'il se pent, si possible, s'il
y a necessite, etc.," did not give them an elasticity
without which the bitter earnestness of reality
would break the chains which they impose.
T 2
276 Selections from Letters.
In time of war, when every circumstance must
be looked at separately, I think only those para-
graphs will bear effect which refer principally to
the leaders. And what is said in the Manual
about the wounded, the sick, the medical men and
sanitary materials comes under this heading. The
universal recognition of these principles, as well
as those about the treatment of the prisoners would
be a marked progress towards the aim which the
Society for the Maintenance of International Rights
is striving to attain with such praiseworthy per-
severance.
I am, Sir, your obedient,
Count Moltke.
The discussion is continued in the following letter by M.
GoubarefiF :
Villa GoubarefiF at Eeaulieu, Alpes Maritimes,
France, February 4th, 1881.
Herr Graf,
I have had the pleasure of reading in a newspaper the
letter which you have addressed to Herr Bluntschli, professor
of law in Berlin, in reference to the manual of martial law,
which was adopted at the last session of the Society for
the Maintenance of International Rights at Oxford.
Having a deep respect for your great intellect, I ask you to
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 277
allow me, in luy capacity as member of the " Societe des Amis
de la Paix " and the " Association for the Eeform and Codifi-
cation of the Law of Nations," to communicate to yon my
personal views upon the war question, upon the advantages of
peace and the means of obtaining it.
Doubtless it is a great comfort to look at the brightest side
of things here on earth, and in all the vicissitudes of life to
believe that good will come out of evil ; but this is an illusion
which cannot be of long duration, we shall all be, in the end,
obliged to bow down before that great power, which is called
truth ! However, there are people who assert that war, this
monster, this crime celebrated in song, which is an insult to
our century and to our civilization, this cause of our financial
failures,. awakens new life and new bloom in the transactions of
life, and that the loss of millions of men who are torn away from
their fatherlands and their families frees the earth from over-
population, and that the defeated and oppressed nations, though
they lose their freedom and independence, have compensating
advantages. Even misery, they say, has the advantage of
awakening sympathy.
Bat what is the difference between such a case and that of a
patient who rejoices in his incapacity of doing anything,
because it gives him, at least, the certainty of never doing
anything that he miglit be sorry for afterwards ; or of a phy-
sician (and unfortunately there are many such) who rejoices in
an epidemic because it provides him with patients 1 Is it right
to rob one's neighbours to find an opportunity of helping
them 1 Or to roll stones before the cart to increase the exer-
tions of the labourer 1 Is it right to ruin some nations so as
to enrich others 1 to set the neighbour's house ou fire in order to
have the glory of putting the fire out 1 To make a slave of
one's self to procure the enjoyment of being set free 1
What is the result of all these errors which time has changed
into customs'? It is that personal rather than general welfare
278 Selections from Letters.
is most considered ; and it is forgotten that personal well-being
is dependent upon general well-being, that man is exclusively
a sociable being, and that the moral power with whicli he is
endowed is a power whose existence is only justified so long as
it is reciprocal ; that if this power becomes egotistical it divides
individuals, families, nations and the whole of humanity into
centres which repulse one another, and which can only pre-
serve their existence by fighting. Oh, these wars! They,
sweep away the healthiest, and prevent the physical and con-
sequently the moral development of the human race, counter-
acting the intention of nature which sacrifices the weak to the
strong ; they increase the calamities that already embitter life,
and they cause free competition and free trade, those natural
promoters of progress and universal welfare, to be supplanted
by lawless Utopias which encourage vice and incite each other
to wrong.
I beg to send you the memorandum in wliich I have ex-
pressed my ideas about the questions of the day, and my
pamphlet " La force morale." I place groat reliance on your
judgment, and hope that you will do me the honour of sending
me a few lines concerning my opinions, if you have confidence
in my perfect discretion.
Will you accept the expressions of my highest esteem, Avith
■which I remain,
Your obedient,
GOUBAREFF.
{Answer.)
Berlin, February 10th, 1881.
Honoured Sir,
You have had the goodness to send me a
memorandum in which you express your opinion
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 279
on the serious questions of the present time, and
you have shown me the honour of asking my
views on the subject. I must restrict myself to
discussing your opinions of warfare from my point
of view.
You declare that every war is a crime, even
though it has often been celebrated in verse ; I
believe it to be a last but quite justifiable resort
to maintain the existence, independence and
honour of a state.
With the advance of civilization it may be hoped
that the employment of this last resort will be-
come more and more rare ; but no state will ever
be able to dispense with it entirely. Is not the
life of man, his whole nature, a battle of that which
is to be with that which is ? and so it is in the life
of nations. Who can deny that every war, even
a successful one, is a misfortune for a nation ? for
no acquirement of territory, no milliards of money
can make up for the loss of human life or can wipe
away the grief of families.
But who is able to escape misfortune in this
world, or who can even run away from the burdens
of life ? Are not both by God's providence condi-
2So Selections from Letters.
tions of our earthly existence? Our great poet
makes Max, not Wallenstein, say :
1 //2^l'r Ärieg ift fd)rertlid) »pic beö ^immcl6 flogen/
2)od) ilt cr gut, ifl fin @cfcl)icE irie fie."
And that war has also its good side, that it brings
out virtues which would otherwise lie dormant or
die altogether, avIio can deny ?
Of course it is much easier to praise the happi-
ness of peace, than to determine how it can be
secured. To balance the interests of nations
which are so often at variance, to settle their
disputes and in this wise to prevent war, you pro-
pose to institute in the place of diplomacy a
permanent assembly of members chosen by the
nations. I have more confidence in the discern-
ment and power of the Governments themselves,
than in such an areopagus. The era of cabinet
wars belongs to the past ; and to-day there is
hardly a ruler who would take upon himself the
great responsibility of drawing the sword without
the utmost need. If only governments were
strong enough to keep down the passions which
excite nations to wage war ! "
1 Schiller: Wallenstein, Part IIL, Act IL, Scene 2.
This same thought is expressed by the Field-Marshal in
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 281
In your memorandum you lay special stress
upon the warlike propensities of the Teutonic race ;
I beg you to go through the history of our
century, and to judge if the Avars have been begun
by Germany.
Germany has won her goal — her reunion ; she
has not the least occasion to go in search of
adventurous martial expeditions, but she may be
forced to stand on the defensive, and she must be
prepared to do so. I sincerely wish with you
that this necessity may not occur.
As to the conclusion of your esteemed letter,
I have no objection at all to its publication with
my answer. I am,
Your obedient servant,
Count Moltke.
(Letter feom Professor Dr. Jansen.)
Berlin, March, 6th, 1881.
Yoüu Excellency,
Most honoured General Field-Marshal. Of those who
read with interest and admiration your Excellency's views on
the discussions on Permanent Peace, or rather on the ideal
significance of war, only very few will have the privilege of
the introduction to his history of the war of 1870-71. Compare
*' The Franco-German War of 1870-71."
282 Selections from Letters.
communicating tlieir sentiments on this matter to you. I
should be the last to usurp this favour. But just as
your Excellency's second letter is being published, my
thoughts have been directed by my studies to Kant, whose
views upon the matter correspond most strikingly with your
ideas and sentiments. As I am convinced that they will be of
interest to you, I take the liberty of quoting them, and if,
which is only too probable, you shoidd already be acquainted
with them, I ask you to excuse my zeal, which solely arose
from the satisfaction of seeing a general and a philosopher in
complete harmony in regard to the most sublime question of
political morality.
1790. Kant. Kritik der sesthetischen Urtheilskraft. IV.,
120.
"What is it which fills even the savage mind with the deepest
admiration 1 A man who neither fears nor is afraid, who
therefore does not shrink from danger, but at once with due
deliberation goes vigorously to work.
This special reverence for the warrior continues to be found
among those of highest civilization, but they require in addition
that he should exhibit all the virtues of Peace — gentleness,
compassion, and even seemly care of his own person — just
because the invincibility of his mind in danger is evinced
thereby. And although in comparing the Statesman, and the
General, we may differ as to the measure of the esteem which
each deserves, yet cesthetic opinion has given sentence in favour
of the latter. Even war, when conducted with discipline, and
due respect for civil rights, has about it something ennobling,
and Avhen so conducted elevates a people in proportion to the
peril to which they are exposed, and which they have the
courage to sustain. On the other hand a long peace fosters a
mere commercial spirit, together with a base egotism, cowardice
and effeminacy, and thus has a degrading effect on the mind of
a people.
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 283
1793. Keligion innerhalb der Grenzen der Vernunft, X. 36.
Note. . . . That man can conceive, and aim at something
"which he values more than life itself — Honour, for the sake of
which he renounces Self ; this is a proof of some nobility of
character.
1795. Of Permanent Peace.
"War itself requires no special motive, but seems to be grafted
upon human nature, and is even looked upon as something
noble, to which man is inspired by mere sense of honour with-
out thought of self ; so that the warlike spirit is reckoned of
great value, not only, as might be expected, when war is going
on, but also as its producing cause ; for war is often begun
merely to show that there is in itself, a secret worth such as
honoured by wise men, as a thing ennobling to humanity.
1786. VII. 380 . . . Only when civilization is complete,
and God knows when that may be, can permanent peace be
desirable or even possible for us.
1790. IV. 330. In spite of the horrors which it brings upon
the human race, and the perhaps even greater burdens which
constant preparation for it entails in time of peace, war is yet
one incentive the more for developing to its utmost extent
every talent which assists the progress of civilization.
The General, who while discharging present duties yet takes
thought for the future, has warmer interest and more lively
utterance for the idealism which manifests itself in real life,
than the philosopher, who rather considers himself a citizen of
more perfect times to come. And thus Kant in the passages
quoted above, does not quite rise to the eloquence of which ho
is capable. For contemplating time and space as mere concep-
tions, he fixes his mind entirely upon ultimate aims, and
disregards the centuries which separate us therefrom. Per-
manent peace is for him in any case an impracticable idea,
but yet he believes in a continual approach to it ; IX. 204 ;
and he finds the means to that end, in a legitimate state
284 Selections from Letters.
of federation according to tlie universally concerted right of
nations. VII. 225.
" We see," he himself says, " Philosophy can also have its
Millennium." VII. 330, Speculation may calmly and con-
fidently follow him into the future. But the more the possibili-
ties Avhich he places there as realities, are, and can be but
subjective views and visions, the more is it allowable, even
if in another sense from that in which he used the words, " to
conform the critique of pure reason with the criticjue of practical
sense." He himself must admit that at the stage of civilization
which the human race has now attained, war is an indispensable
means of advancing it still further. VJI. 380.
Consequently all those sentences in which he praises war as
a means of intellectual and moral culture, retain their value
for all those to whom a thousand years are not as one day.
I cannot even claim the small merit of having myself collected
the quoted passages from Kant's works ; they are to be
found in the book by Dr. Conrad Friedrich, Kant and Rousseau,
1878, page 138, etc. But I read them with a great feeling of
gratitude and esteem for Your Excellency, sharing in this
respect the views of all subjects of our nation.
I remain. Your Excellency's
always obedient servant,
Professor Dr. Jansen,
formerly Master at the Royal
War Academy.
(Answer.)
Berlin, March 8tli, 1881.
Much honoured Herr Professor,
In reply to your kind letter of the 6th inst.
accept my most sincere thanks for the kind en-
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 285
closure of some quotations of Kant on the ideal
importance of war. As I was not acquainted
with them, I was greatly interested in reading
them and having my views confirmed in this
direction.
With highest esteem,
Your obedient servant,
Count Moltke,
General Field-Marshal.
The "Weaver Master, Ehrenfried Hessel, in a letter dated
April 15th, 1881, explains his views on the question of the
necessity of war and the possibility of permanent peace, agreeing
with the views expressed in the correspondence of the Field-
Marshal with Bluntschli, etc., and opposed to the attacks of
the Berlin press.
(Answer.)
Berlin, April 17th, 1881.
Honoured Sir,
I beg to thank you for your letter which
shows such clear judgment, and is dictated by
much common sense.
The attacks from the press make little im-
pression upon me ; they are founded upon — perhaps
286 Selections from Letters.
intentional — misrepresentation, as if I wished for
war, because I believe it to be an unavoidable
evil.
I am,
Your obedient servant,
Count Moltke.
Dr. Ludwig Hahn sends a copy of his work just published :
" The Army and the Fatherland." (Xov. 1883.)
{Ä7iswer.)
Creisau, Nov. Uth, 1883.
Honoured Herr Geheimrath,
I sincerely thank you for sending me your
interesting and patriotic book. The publication
will be of the greatest value in a time when on all
sides and even in the Reichstag, attacks are made
uj)on the institutions of our Army, without which
a Reichstag would not exist at all.
For how many years people have talked of
German Unity in poetry and song, had national
meetings and shooting meetings, taken resolutions,
which resulted in nothing as long as " logos " was
merely translated by " the word." Not until our
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 287
Emperor with Roon created the Army, and
Bismarck made the " deed " unavoidable, was there
power to realize this possibility. But now again
only the word is ruling.
The terms in which you speak of me have given
me much pleasure, but have also put me to shame ;
I know how much I owe to others and to timely
circumstances.
Hoping that your health may further enable
you to continue your literary work, I remain mth
high esteem,
Faithfully yours.
Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
Mauritz MoliP sends two pamphlets (Stuttgart, January
14th, 1878) written by hinaself. One is directed against the
attempt to cause a social democratic movement against indirect
and all other legitimate taxation, the other recommends the
introduction of a tobacco monopoly. The pamphlet ends as
follows :
"I am always extremely happy when I may dare to submit
any work of mine to your Excellency, because it gives me the
opportunity of showing to the greatest man of all times, the
liveliest expression of unbounded reverence and esteem."
^ Well-known national economist.
288 Selections from Letters.
(Answer.)
Berlin, January 18th, 1878.
Honoured Sir,
I have read with the greatest interest your
two essays which contain so much thorough know-
ledge, and which you had the kindness to send me
on the 14th inst.
Your refutation of Herr Carl Mayer is very
striking. If he makes a point of the voter know-
ing how much he pays, direct taxation is not
wanting in clearness. With the income-tax every-
body knows exactly how much he pays, but he
also knows how it burdens him. The fact that
indirect taxation is hardly noticed at all, is to me
its best recommendation ; moreover it is voluntary,
everybody can avoid it if he likes, as long as it
affects the right object.
One of the most serviceable taxes has always
appeared to me to be the taxation of petroleum,
but it was defeated upon the simple question of
'' taxation of light." I even confess to be a
heretical partisan of the salt duty, though it is
quite a necessary of life. It seems right to me
that even the poorest man should pay something,
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 289
however little, to the Government which protects
and shelters him. The poor man who buys his salt
by ounces just as he wants it, will not receive any
advantage if the tax is lessened or abolished alto-
gether. The state would lose a gi'eat income from
the retailer.
It is indisputable that tobacco is a luxury and,
according to your clever exposition, its taxation
would be a great source of income if the state
monopolized it. It would be no great burden for
the wealthy man to pay a little more for his cigars.
And how much fictitious value has already attached
itself to them, is another consideration. The
superfine cigar is often nothing more than a
common one Avith another label. Many people,
blindfolded, do not know red wine from white,
perhaps under the same circumstances they would
not be able to distinguish between a Havanna and a
Vierradner.
I hope that the logic of your figures will not
fail in its purpose, and ask you to pardon my
remarks as those of one who does not pretend to be
an authority in the matter Avhich is so ably treated
by you.
u
290 Selections from Letters.
Tlie expression of your great esteem I can only
answer with a quotation from Faust :
//Giivc >^cf[id)!cit cifvout und) [clju !
3cl> bin ein $Rann wit anbre met;v."
And with special esteem, I am,
Your obedient servant,
Count Moltke.
jMoritz Mohl sent the Field-Marshal an article which had
appeared in a daily paper and which was written by him
(Stuttgart, Feb. 10th, 1887), against " the senseless behaviour
of the majority of the dissolved Eeichstag." He then con-
tinues : ''The whole of Germany knows that if France wishes
to be cruslied again, your Honour would lead the German flag
to the most brilliant victories."
(Answer.)
Berlin, Feb. 11th, 1887.
Much honoured Herr Geheimrath,
I beg to thank you for so kindly sending
your article. If anything can bring good people
and bad politicians to reason, it is words such as
you have spoken.
Your much overrated but sincere,
Count Moltke.
Field-Marshal.
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 291
Mr. Sidney Whitman sends the Field-Marslial his pamphlet
on "Imperial Germany." ^
(Answer.)
Berlin, January 21st, 1889.
Honoured Sir,
I have read your study on Germany witli
great interest.
Certainly every State requires a government
suited to its individual idiosyncrasies. A con-
stitution like that of England — secure through her
isolated position and gradually developed out of
the national character, could not possibly be repro-
duced on the continent.
France, again, has tried — for now about a
hundred years — alternately, monarchy in different
forms. Empire and Republic, without coming to
any definite result.
Only so recently united as an Empire, Germany
is an upstart, an intruder into the family of
European States. In the midst of mighty neigh-
bours we are convinced of the need of a strong
monarchy, and I have been glad to see that you
' Translated into German by Alexander. Berlin, 1889.
U 2
292 Selections from Letters.
do full justice to the traditional " paternal Govern-
ment " of the Hohenzollern.
I am much obliged to you for so kindly sending
your clever pamphlet. I am,
Your humble servant,
Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
Dr. D., of London, sent an article on socialism.
(Answer.)
Berlin, Dec. 10th, 1890.
Dear Sir,
I herewith return with many thanks the
essay which you kindly sent to me, and about which
you wish to hear my opinion.
I ([uite share your view that real social progress
can only be made slowly and by degrees. Natura
non facit saltfim, and civilization just as little.
Above all it is necessary to enlighten the lower
classes as to their own interests. That must be
the work of the School and the Church for the next
century. But we are standing, may be, quite
ilose before the eruption of a mighty movement,
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 293
and have to prepare already to face the danger.
Your wish is that the social democrats might take
a less revolutionary position towards " the great
number of the educated poor," and that they should
be friendly witli them, because then a blessed
change could be effected without the shedding of
blood.
Do you believe it possible that any judicious,
well-meaning and educated man could guide to a
sensible conclusion the movement of the dissatisfied
masses whose purpose is to plunder and to pull
do^vn ? I fear that he would perish as their first
victim. It is just against the middle class that the
hatred of the mob is directed. Look back to the
commune of 1870. It destroyed the monuments of
French glory, it murdered the priests, plundered
the shops, but it left the house of Rothschild
unmolested.
In every revolution those who have tried to be
the leaders, have always been ruined first. The
moderate parties liave always been carried away
by the extreme. Of all the men Avho took leading
parts in the French revolution, not one escaped the
guillotine. And the leaders of the German demo-
294 Selections from Letters.
crats begin to see already that it is easier to
stir up the masses than to guide and restrain
them.
I am of opinion that the much-needed social
reform can only come from the higher ranks,
through a strong kingdom which possesses the
necessary will and 2:)0wer, and such a kingdom we
have in Germany.
The taxation of the poorer classes has been
decreased already, even done away with altogether,
and that rightly at the expense of the wealthy
classes. Insurance for the sick and also for acci-
dents is doing a great and blessed work. In a few
days the law for Invalids and Old Age Pensions
Avill come into power. The further progress of
these state provisions can only be hindered, or at
least deferred, by the imprudence of those for
whom it is intended, and in such a case a display
of power is a necessity.
The law a2:ainst the social democrats was a
more humane proceeding ; it Avas a preventive.
Should it fail, nothing will be left but severe
repression.
It appears to me then, sir, that it would be
Promotion of Permanent Peace. 295
better if the educated poor sided with the conser-
vative elements which support Government in its
salutary endeavours, than that they should make
common cause with those who work airainst it
and at the same time against their own wel-
fare.
I am very sorry to see from the end of your letter
that you are in very needy circumstances. I re-
gret to say I have so many obligations that it will
be impossible for me to render you any lasting and
effective help.
Yours faithfully,
Count Moltke.
In March, 1891, a Avell-known French chauvinist wrote to
the Field-Marshal that " he intended to bring about press-
polemics to see if it were possible for France and Germany to
be reconciled and on what conditions. He had therefore
applied to jDarliamentary authorities (the letter was addressed
to le Comte de Moltke, depute du Reichstag) in order to pub-
lish their answers in his newspaper, and he promised to publish
them correctly."
The Field-Marshal received this letter in the Herrenhaus
(Upper House) and wrote his answer, as was his habit, at once
on the back of the sheet which contained the order of the day :
I believe a reconciliation between Germany and
296 Selections from Letters.
France to be possible, because sensible. The con-
dition is a candid recognition of the treaty of
Frankfort.
This answer was, however, not posted, ;is the Field-Marshal
was informed by trustworthy jjeople about the inquirer.
LETTERS OF CONGRATULATION,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, etc.
To Count von Egloffstein at Arklitten in East Prussia.*
Berlin, August 25th, 1866.
Dear Sir,
I thank you sincerely for having so kindly
remembered a younger comrade of the General
Staff. I have read with great interest your " part-
ing words," and I hope that before your actual
departure your heart has been gladdened by the
valour of the grandchildren of those heroes who
fought by your side during the wars of liberation.
The death of brave Königer, a real Prussian at
heart, and whose fate it was to die pierced by
Prussian bullets in the fight against Prussia, is a
proof of the untenable position of Germany. My
* Count von Eglotfstein's letter, whicli was the occasion of
this letter, is not fortlicoming.
298 Selections from Letters.
attention had been draT^^l to Koniger by his ex-
cellent essays. I was in correspondence with him,
and hoped to have him for the "war-history section
of the General Staff as soon as my staff was en-
larged.
In reference to your kind mention of my part in
the last successful events of tlie war, I may say
that these words have often come into my mind :
" The Lord is strong in the weak."
Please to accept the assurance of my most
sincere esteem, and believe me to remain,
Yours Faithfully,
MOLTKE,
Genei'al and Chief of the
General Staff.
Count Egloffstein writes on January 16th, 1881 : —
It is the heartfelt wish of a veteran of eighty-five to oflfer to
Your Excellency a visible proof of his good wishes and blessings,
before he is called away by God Almighty.
I have given to my nephew, who enjoj's the honour and
happiness of being under Tour Excellency's command and
leadership, the letter which you once wrote to me after God
had done so much through you, and when you gave Him
thanks for what lie had done. That is the most beautiful leaf
in Your Excellency's wreath of laurels.
Letters of Congratulation, Etc. 299
Will you kindly remember a veteran and tired pilgrim, who
is preparing for the grand recall ?
{Answer.)
Berlin, January 25tli, 1881.
Honoured Herr Graf,
Please to accept my heartiest thanks for
youi' kind lines, dated 16th inst., which were de-
livered to me by your nephew. According to
God's gracious providence both of us have reached
old age, I being only four years behind you, and
must both be prepared to be called away soon ;
may God be a gracious judge to us.
With best wishes and true esteem, I remain,
Your obedient servant.
Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
The General of the Cavalry, Baron von Manteufifel, sends his
good wishes for the New Year. (Nancy, December 30th,
1871.)
{Answer.)
Berlin, January 3rd, 1872.
I sincerely thank your Excellency for the kind
lines of the 30th of last month, and beg you to
300 Selections from Letters.
accept my best wishes for the New Year. May it
bring more light to the world, and make even
enemies and malicious cnviers see the great things
you have done for King and Fatherland. The un-
prejudiced and well-informed can appreciate them
already, but the blind majority Avill be more in-
fluenced by the relation of them in history than
in the press.
May God keep you in good health and in un-
abated strength in your important place.
With sincere esteem,
Count Moltke.
The North American historian and statesman, George Ban-
croft, from 18G7 to 1874 ambassador in Berlin, Avrote on
February 18th, 1885 :—
We were born in the same month of the same year. I am
twenty-three days older than you. I am in excellent health,
and hope to hear the same of you. The remembrance of our
friendship during my stay in Berlin is still a joy to me in my
old age. I keep my former opinion that the union of Germany
is the greatest event of our century. My wife, who, I am glad
to say, is in good health, joins me in best wishes.
(Answer.)
Berlin, March 3rd, 1885.
I am glad to learn from your Excellency's kind
Letters of Congratulation, Etc. 301
letter of the 18th of last month, that you still wish
me well even on the other side of the ocean.
From time to time I hear news of you from
your countrymen, and I hear that your activity
enables you to continue the rides, in which I
so often had the honour of accompanying you
here.
The high significance Avhich you rightfully
attach to the union of Germany, whose friend
you have always shown yourself, is certainly
justified ; I think that a powerful and yet peace-
able state in the heart of Europe is the greatest
security for lasting tranquillity in this part of the
world.
May you retain, for many years to come, the
twenty-three clays by which you are in advance of
me,^ and asking you to give my kindest regards to
your wife,
I remain, your most devoted,
Count Moltke.
As an example of the Field-jMarshal's terse eloquence we
give here the following toast, which he gave at a farewell dinner
' Bancroft died on January 17th, 1890, at Washington.
302 Selections from Letters.
of the officers of the Great General Staff in lionour of a
departing comrade in the year 1883.
To-day, when our guest is leaving our circle to
occupy a high place as Commander in the Army,
we remember the many years during which he has
belonged to us. ]\Iany of you, gentlemen, honour
in him a master and leader, all of us a genial
superior, and amiable comrade. To me he has
been a faithful companion in two campaigns, and
a firm support in jDeace. AVhile uniting our good
wishes for his future let us join in a hearty cheer.
" Hurrah ! "
VARIOUS PROOFS OF ESTEEM.
The Directors of the Berlin Anhalter Railway Company asked
for permission to give the name of " Moltke " to a new engine,
(Ariswer.)
(Place not named), April 13th, 1872.
I beg to thank the honoured directors for the
intended compliment. I hope that the engine
which will bear my name may traverse as great
distances as I have done during my life with God's
gracious help.
Count Moltke.
Nominated a member of the Imperial Russian Academy of
Science at St. Petersburg.
From the President of the Imperial Academy of Science at
St. Petersburg.
December 5th (17th), 1871.
To His Excellency Count Ilelmuth von Moltke, Pield-
Marshal and Knight of sublime orders.
Illustrious Count,
The decisive part which your Excellency has taken in
the recent historical events Avhich have insured the triumph
304 Selections from Letters.
of tnie civilization, lias engraved your name for ever in tlie
annals of history, ^yill your Excellency permit your glorious
name to be added to the list in the Imperial vVcademy of
Science, to leave a testimony to coming generations of the ad-
miring recognition of your great deeds ? Requesting you to
accept the enclosed diploma of an honorary member of the
Imperial Academy of Science,
I remain, your Excellency's
Obedient Servant,
Count Fu. Lütkb,
President.
{Acknoioledgment.)
To the President of the Imperial Russian
Academy of Science, Knight of the highest orders.
The Admiral Count Liitke, Excellency.
Berlin, December 24th, 1871.
I am sorry not to have found your Excellency
at home, when I paid you my farewell visit at St.
Petersburg ; will you, therefore, allow me now to
express my sincere thanks to you for the distinc-
tion which has been conferred on me by my ad-
mission to the Imperial Academy of Science. I
esteem it a special honour to see my name recorded
with those whose scientific reputations are known
throughout the world. Besides the enormous
Various Proofs of Esteem. 305
progress that true humanity has made in the vast
reahn of Russia during the last decade and a half,
these splendid institutions for Science and Art show
the attention paid to the highest intellectual
development.
I beg to express to youi' Excellency, as the
worthy promoter of progress in this department,
the high esteem with which I remain.
Your Excellency's obedient servant.
Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
LITERARY HOMAGE.
Hoffmann von Fallersleben sends the following lines
For the 26th of October, 1873.
SBem gilt am tjeutigcn Sage
2)f6 Danh^ (Sang unb SGSort?
(Sin ■^eih ifc tcute geöoreiv
©Ott i)at ii)n augeiEoren
3u £)cutfd[)lanbS @egcn6l)ort.
Sag bifl 2)11, eblcr «Kottfe !
S)anf Sic t)icl tauicnbmal!
2)u h-iegöcriat;rnicr S'enter
®u ftd)(rer ©d)(ad)tcnlenEer/
S)u glücElid)er ©eneial.
Su t)a|l bag a5oIf, ha^ nur badjte,
3um Ätatcncotl gi'mad)t 5
Sen ©icg ftctg üorbeicitet/
3u S{ut)ni unb (St}r' un6 geleitet
2)uvd) mand)e glücflid;e ©d)lad)t.
©3 [fi tenu t}ciii' unb immer
^erjinnig Seiner gebad)t.
Unb ncd) in fernen Sagen
©oll Seutfd^lanb [tngen unb fagen
2Ba6 Su für unö üoUbrad)t.
®d)lo^ (Soroei). I^uffmann bon JFallersletien.
Literary Homage. 307
{Acknowledgment.)
Creisau, Oct. 26th, 1873.
My heartiest thanks to the celebrated poet at
Schloss Corvey for the verses, which no other but
himself could have written.
Count Moltke.
Professor Dr. Felix Dahn had sent for the Field-Marshal's
ninetieth birthday his play " Moltke " (first part : at Walhalla,
1870; second and principal part; in Moltke's camp, 1870;
third part : conclusion, 1890), and other poetry of his, dedicated
to the Field-Marshal.
To Professor Felix Dahn in Berlin.
Creisau, Oct. 17th, 1890.
Much honoured Herr Professor,
It is a great honour for me that my ap-
proaching birthday has caused a man of your high
literary fame to celebrate my actions in your play
and your beautiful verses, though I feel that my
merits are far too small to be deserving of it. The
good opinion of me which you reveal in these
works, is all the more valuable to me as it is that
of a writer who has given me many happy hours
by his works, especially by the " Kampf um Rom."
Will you accept, dear Sir, my most sincere
3o8 Selections from Letters.
thanks for your writings as well as for the amiable
expressions which accompanied them ?
Your obedient Servant,
Count Moltke,
Field-Marshal.
A young lady belonging to the Alsacian aristocracy had
written a number of poems which celebrated " The Life and
Deeds of the Field-Marshal." She made inquiry through a
friend, if the Field-Marshal would condescend to see the poems
and allow her to dedicate them to him.
(Answer.)
Creisau, June 20th, 1877.
I fully appreciate the compliment paid to me
by a young lady writing poetry in my honour.
But in such a case a special dedication would not
be necessary, and I think I would rather decline
the offer with thanks.
My life has hardly been poetical enough, and I
must confess that I should much prefer all remarks
on me to be postponed to a distant future.
Count Moltke.
A publishing firm, which was preparing a biography of the
Field-Marshal, asked for kind information for the use of the
author.
Literary Homage. 309
(Answer.)
Creisau, July, 20th, 1877.
I gratefully recognize the kind intention, but I
take the liberty of remarking that biographies of
living men can hardly be anything else but so
many panegyrics, which everybody puts aside as
tedious. An impartial judgment must be left till
after the death of the person in question.
Fate willed that I was not to be placed in such
circumstances as to excite universal interest till I
was advanced in age. Nobody would be interested
in my earlier years. All that is at all noteworthy of
this period is already known through letters which
have been published.
The character of a man is a riddle difficult to
solve, even for his relations, how much more so for
strangers. Herr ^ . , , would not be able to give
a true picture of me, even if he could build on the
uncertain foundation of personal acquaintance.
I should like to leave it to posterity to give its
opinion about me, and as the work has luckily not
been begun yet, I can only sincerely hope the idea
will be abandoned.
Count Moltke.
' The author.
z
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES
Ayr
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT
LOS ANGELES
UBRARY
UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
llllllllllllllllll'' '" II i'llllll HI
AA 000 987 130 2
L 006 357 326 5