CHAPTER I

Special Mission to Rome--Berlin in process of transformation--Causes of Prussian militarism--Lord and Lady Ampthill--Berlin Society--Music-lovers--Evenings with Wagner--Aristocratic Waitresses--Rubinstein's rag-time--Liszt's opinions--Bismarck--Bismarck's classification of nationalities--Bismarck's sons--Gustav Richter--The Austrian diplomat--The old Emperor--His defective articulation--Other Royalties--Beauty of Berlin Palace--Description of interior--The Luxembourg--"Napoleon III"--Three Court beauties--The pugnacious Pages--"Making the Circle"--Conversational difficulties--An ecclesiastical gourmet--The Maharajah's mother