M. de Lesseps, for years the most popular man in
France, he having accomplished a great work which also brought in great dividends, is a little out of favour just now. He has recently visited Berlin, nominally to invest M. Herbette, the French Ambassador there, with a decoration, really, perhaps, to impress Prince Bismarck with certain views on Egypt. Sines his return, he has been reporting Prince Bismarck's fine speeches about his friendship for France, and has even ventured to write that France and Germany are" nataral friends." The Parisian journalists are furious, and if M. de Lesseps were a young man, he would be forced to send daily challenges. As it is, lie laughs and goes on reporting. The general impression is that the German Chan- cellor acted a part, and quite won the affection of the great Frenchman ; but that is not quite so certain. Those who knew M. de Lesseps when he was fighting wild beasts in Egypt, formed the impression that he was one of the best-tempered men in Europe; one of the most determined, and one of the most coolly crafty. He is not praising Prince Bismarck without an object.
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