13 MAY 1899, Page 14

LORD SALISBURY AND PRINCE BISMARCK.

[To TnE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:'] SIR,—In the Spectator of May 6th you say: "If it be true, as is reported, that Bismarck described him (Lord Salisbury) as a lath of wood painted to look like iron, Bismarck strangely belied his reputation for intelligence." I am entirely in agreement with you, but will you allow me to point out, as I have had occasion to do elsewhere, that if this phrase was used by Prince Bismarck, it was used at second hand, as the sarcasm was originally directed against Monsieur de Marbois, Napoleon's Finance Minister, by Madame de Steal (Alison's " History of England," V., ix., 1806), and is singularly in- applicable to Lord Salisbury ?—I am, Sir, &c., A.