CLARA BARTON GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE [*Bergmann, Gustave Feb 1872 - Dec 1888*]Sunday, 25th of February, 1872. Dear Miss Barton We are extremely sorry to hear you have been suffering, and [are?] [?] so, [?] eyes - pray be cautious for you know it is our more delicate organ. I well imagine how tiresome it is for your active spirit to be condemned to [a plain?] quietness, but this is the only means to recover soon which I hope will be the case as the spring advances more and more. The books of the [?] [?] are in my hands and the [committee?] will soon begin a new ]?] to all the children wounded or whoseparents are dead or unable to earn their bread, a new addition to the fund will be made in this way. In order to take some exercise I am just now digging a Canal along the Rhine which will [prove?] [Strasburgh?] in the condition to become a more commercial and industrious [town?] than it was before. Our commercial [?] being now in a far higher degree with Germany and as it was impossible until now to render navigable the part of the Rhine between Mannheim and Strasburgh it is of the highest importance for us to have a Canal of large proportions. Each week took place a grand meeting here of nearly 200 persons all interested in the project from the borders of Switzerland down to the seaports of Holland and I [?] hope that our efforts have not been entirely useless. Naturally, it requires much perseverance to attain the object but the german government seems well [?] for [?]. I should prefer, instead of going to in this regard I did not find till now a very maniable scholar in, dear Miss Barton In the meantime - a remain her very devoted Gus Bergmann My very best compliments to Misses Zimmerman and Margot We are very [vemible?] for the kind remembrance of her Royal Highness by Miss Zimmermann and we keep in excellent memory her extremely amiable reception by your kind interference pray let the grand Duchess know this in your next visit GB 25. Février 72. Mille pardons, chère Mademoiselle Zimmermann d'avoir tardé si longtemps à vous remercier de l'envoi des Porte-monnaies qui me sont parvenus Samedi dernier. Mon mari voulait ajouter quelques lignes, il est très occupé dans la semaine, et s'était reservé la journée d'aujourd'hui pour causer en face avec Miss Barton. C'est avec beaucoup de regret que nous avons appris que Miss Barton était souffrante. Combien elle doit être tourmentée de ne pourvoir s'occuper comme elle en a l'habitude, je suppose que la têtetravaille en cemoment encore d'avantage. C'est bien le moment de l'adjoindre en Secrétaire pour l'aider dans ses ceritúres ný a s'il rien de décidé a ce suject. J'ai été très sensible a ce que vous avez bien voulie nous dire au sujet de notre visite à Carlsruhe; mon mari et moi nous en gardons un excellent souvenir. Veuillez présenter mes compliments sincères a Miss Barton et à Mademoiselle Margot et recevez pour vous l'expression de mes Sentiments affectueux Julie Bergman mes respects s.v.f. à vos chers parents. J'oubliais de vous dire que la femme [Hcrl] qui demeursit dans le temps place du Temple - veuf, est venue me voir, elle me dit que vous vous étiez boucoup ?itcressé à elle. Ses enfants venaient à votre école de dimanche son mari est douanice à Emlerncénil. Il y a quelques semaines leur en aidon a été incendiée; elle est venue à Strasbourg réclamer des secours. J'ai devoir lui en etre un porte-monnaie; et elle m'a chargé debous en remercier. Il m'en reste encore dcuse à des triluer.Marburgh[?] 27th of March 1872 Dear Miss Barton I have sent you yesterday at the address[?]: 204 Euston-road at London a little chest[?] containing the bun[?]; I hope it will reach you in good order and make the trip over the ocean the same. I with, when placed in a corner of your of your rooms (so that the light strikes it from one or the other side) it might remember you a moment of your so[?], well filled life in which great miring[?] has been received by your sagasity and the utmostexertion of your philanthropic spirit. Though my work is but a very improper one it may serve as a token of the unvariable esteem and attachment I have devoted to the so. disinterested and real christian worth you have undertaken in the inserve of our destitute, and have so well fulfilled. As another token of remembrance Mr Reller has ordered me to send you the present photograph of him. he is just come back from Basel where he has been sent to accompany the Hon. women you see at his right; the elder amputed by the left leg the younger one by the left arm who have been by the committee supplied with factitious limbs fabricated at Basel. You see how proud he stands amidst his companion; the man at his left is an alsasian from Norffach and the other a Swiss soldier wounded at the retreat of Bourbaki by an accidental shot. Mr Keller would be so happy to have equally a photograph of yours which would be held in great honour.If we should not have to pleasure to see you again before your departure to America pray do not leave Europe before leaving us your beloved (?features). departing your good news Mrs. Bergmann and I beg to (?) our (?) (?) to Mr & Mrs. Sheldon and as for you you know that we shall be forever Yours truly, G. BergmanNapoli 7th of May 1872. Dear Miss Barton Yesterday evening in coming back from Pompeï we found your amiable and most interesting letter dated from Florence 28th of april and could indeed hardly believe our eyes and at the same time deplore that a happy accident had not procured a more unforeseen meeting between us on the classic soil of Italy - how charming it would have been!! - Having ordered somewhat my business we [assent?] [with?] you and started immediately by Switzerland and the tunnel and mountains to Turin from [?] to Florence and Rome where we arrived the 21st April. we stayed there 10 days went to [casevta?] and are at napoli for four day's. We see with pleasure that your health is good nothwithstanding the hasty & yet so well filled trip. [* which had gone and come both from Strasbourg *]you have made over Italy.-your picturesque and accurate description denotes that when Miss Barton undertakes something it is always well done. The coincidence of our visit to Pompei and the reading of your hearbreadth escape on the Vesuvio a few days ago, is really striking, and the comunity of feelings at the contemplation of all the numerous works of the most exquisite arts united to the incomparable beauties of nature give us an exquisite pleasure. We intend to spend some four or five days more in the neighborhood of Naples, then return to Rome Venice Milan and return by the Simplon. It is said that Miss Barton evinces from far and near, a charming influence; so women between Terni and Roma a Mr and Mrs von Freidorf from Carlsruhe and the name of Miss Barton was immediately a birth of most aggreable intercourse, as it appeared that Mr von Freidorf had accompanied you to Marburgh on your first visit. What you tell us about Miss Zimmerman has caused us a real pleasure and there also your indirect influence has caused an excellent effect. You can, you must not leave Europe so soon and I see with a real pleasure that in knowing, more of it excites your desire to visit it more thoroughly, and that we may retain youwill for a certain time on the continent. As you have nearly seen all we have and seen it with your eyes I have not even the satisfaction to complete your most interesting though rapid relation. a thousand thanks for your kind remembrance we will remember you every where and pray to present our best compliments to Mr & Mrs Sheldon and as for you, you know that whenever we receive news from you it's a holiday. -- We remain affectionately Mrs Bergman and I. Yours devotedly Geo Bergmann Strasburgh 7th of August 1877 Dear and honoured Miss Barton: Although I receive under the firm and yet elegant hand writing of Miss Barton at my address two newspapers from Lockport and Dansville with reports of an ovation, well deserved, which have given me the greatest pleasure. I [transport?] myself in imagination near Brightside on the surrounding lawn before the castle where I perceive Miss Barton sitting on a chair in midst the semi circle formed around and before her by the respectful procession come to speak their gratitude through the organs of Miny Austin and Anna Oliver. A charmingsight it must have been on a fine evening. -- Another consequence I draw from this occurrence is that your health has now sufficiently improved that a friend of yours, who as you know feels ever the sincerest sympathy for you may hope to receive from your hand more circumstantial news of your kind of living, a description of your habitation, that he might sometimes amidst his lonely life pay you in imagination a visit and remunorate past impressions. As for myself I must make you a little confession: I am "fiancé" and you know very well my "fiancée" -- You remember perhaps that I previous serving four years, the "Syndical industriel d'honneur" of the Basse Alsace. Mr. Aug'a Douper being President for the "haute Alsace', At the end of my mission the industry presented me with a Bronze statue (1 meter high) and a red marble clock with dedicace in golden letters and the arms of the twelve industrial cities of Alsace. This statue represents "L'Alsace industrielle" and makes the honoring of my Saloon. In my loneliness I took a fancy for her and now I am spoused for life. Though I do not like political public life I could not resist an appeal that was made by a party of electors of the City and so I was elected as a Deputie to the "DeutschenReichstag where I make german speeches to the best of my native town and country as representative of the city of Strasburgh. my scheme is, instead of becoming a simple prussian province in the "Deutschen Reich", to conquer as much autonomy as possible and enjoy as a confederate land (Alsace-Lorraine) the nights and prerogatives similar to Baden, Wurtemberg etc by publishing several brochures on economical questions I am favourably known throughout Germany and I can say that I enjoy some consideration among the members [and] the parties in the Parliament If I succeed, my efforts will not have been [much?] to my countrymen. On occasion of the last visit of the Emperor to Strasburgh I was requested to receive him first and adress him in the city,; the Empress and the grand Duchess of Baden came to Strasburgh and at a dinner where I assisted the grand Duchess graciously renewed. cognisenze and of course we spoke of Miss Barton, deploring to have no precise news about her, - Miss Zimmermann is married to a clergyman in a little borough of Baden.- But enough from me now and I hope soon to receive a letter from you relating the [events?] Since you left the european continent. and what is become of the Busle has it reached the new world without being dismantled. In the meantime believe me Dear Miss Barton yours very devotedly, Gus Bergmann Best compliments from Mr Kruger who finally has presented me Your address. ___________________________________________________________ Baden-Baden 30th of June 1879. My dear, Dear Miss Barton; Nearly an interval of 18 months [since?] your letter of the 15th January 1878. and this present my reply!- what apology can I bring forward? I cannot find any other means than to send you my alter ego as advocate on which you might castracize your justified wrath. The said letter reached me at Berlin in the midst of the greatest bussle of constitutional, political and economical questions. I could not even read it, put it a side and unfortunately it was buried for a long time in the heap of papers. with which during the session I was overflowed. When I returned to Strasbourgh I had three ballots.Cut [?] clip my researcher I could not for a long time find that dear letter since by pure accident it fell out of a large volume of law projects to my great joy - I took it with me abroad where I am for a while to cure a invasion cough which I had brought back from Berlin last year already without being able to get rid of it. I am here since a fortnight and feel indeed better. On the point of responding it I receive today your kind envoy of the Dansville Advertiser containing your beautiful dramatic address; a piece of the most true eloquence of a deep feeling heart. I would not read it without emotion recalling at the same time to my memory, the sympathetic features of the actor; two hemispheres must agree with the description made by Dr. James C. Jackson of the patriotic self satisfying sender and devoted nurse of the poor and suffering of any kind!!-- and now my dear Miss Barton since last week Alsace & Lorraine is no longer a Reichsland but has by the [invasion?] of Bismark the Emperor and the Reichstag received its constitution!!! that contains the "germs" of many good reforms if, as I hope, my countrymen behave practically as for myself though I may revendicate a good pair in the success. I only assist as a spectator as the realization of schemes I had pursued with the utmost effort, during two years- you know perhaps that as last year the Reichstag would not Second sufficientlythe government in the measures proposed against the propagation of the democratic Socialist (is) was dissolved. As notwithstanding the opposition my colleague in the Reichstag has succeeded with me to make compremises that a change must in all events take place and the government be established in Strasburgh, and as Bismark has formally promised to me that there would be done something, the protestation and clerical parties on one side and the german functionaries on the other side perceiving that I should finally and in a very short time succeed, coalized and at the re'election I fell through and the german even asked for the protestation candidate in the hope that by means of an opposition election Bismark would go back and the intolerable 2 situation would be prolonged. But Bismark kept his word and pursues steadfastly the plans I had submitted to him. The result is obtained but my adversaries would not [give] leave me the satisfaction to have led the [busines?] to the end!! My satisfaction is to have rendered a service to my native [land] country without consideration on my commodity, my time, my money and, what I will hinder if possible, on my health. All the economical reforms I have proposed have also been successively adopted and it is to be foreseen that the interest of industry agriculture and commerce which was the task I pursued will finally be forwarded. Now first of August the stadhouder of the German Emperor will be installed and the ministry that resided at Berlin will be transferred to Strasburgh so that Alsace Lorraine is now a confederate state like Baden, Wurttemberg etc etc with a representation in the Randerath. I can say and nobody doubt of it, even my adversaries, that through me the City of Strasburgh has been represented with the utmost dignity that I had conquered in the german Parliament the sympathy for Alsace of the whole representation[s] of Germany and that as the news of my non-reelection was known there was I can say, an universal testimonial of regrets from every party in the parliament. Now I am left again to my lonely home where I am surrendered with all the reminiscences of the past. among which my dear friend's Miss Barton's occupies not a small place. I do not intend to enter again in political life. The tasks which I gave myself being accomplished and being of too much independency of character to enlisten political parties and pursue with them the schemes which perhaps I do not approve, I prefer stand alone and fulfill taskes of my own initiative and under my own responsibility. There are many questions which contrast the more and more a cosmopolic character; so the solution of these I will for the future apply myself having already gained a certain authority in Germany and in France Alsace. But now enough from me.- You tell me Mr. Attwater is married I have not been informed of it. and hear with pleasure that in his sister you have adevoted and loving housekeeper If you would come back to visit again Strasburgh I do not doubt that all your "obligérs" poor and old children peculiarly as you left them those little purses in their baskets would recognize you. If my poor wife had lived probably many of them would have continued to find their way to the rue des bouchers but in my agitated life I was unfortunately obliged to loose them out of sight I hope that your efforts on the U.S. government to make its sign the Geneva Convention will finally succeed. As for the question of the working classes it is one of those that interests me most and which requires the utmost attention in the critical situation of industry and agriculture in which not 3. America alone but whole Europe find themselves. This is one of there cosmopolic questions toward which I shall contrive to draw the attention of the different governments. And now I am more free and you my dear Miss Barton are in a state of health that allows you to wire. I hope that our intercourse will be somewhat more frequent. Mr. Kruger is well and gives english lessons, to my niece, I shall see him in the month I hope. The description of your home has much interested me peculiarly as you live in a fine country amidst true and amiable friends. With the exception ofmy relations and a few friends I do not frequent much society. I live from remembrances and seek refuge in labour as long as it will do. If the new government has, as I hope good intentions, I am disposed to exercise my influence in behalf of those of my countrymen that want assistance and good advice and if government will do me the honour to consult my experience and knowledge of things and men in my country I will assist it with my best and conscious advice this is the position that suits best to my taste and feelings. Now my dear Miss Barton you must excuse my bad writing in english and defect style but in the latter year I have been obliged to apply myself much to the study of the german language in order to be able to make myself understood in Parliament and converse with parliamentary men the most learned and clever of whole Germany. After the attempts on the German emperor the first time accompanied by the amiable grand duchess I inscribed my name with both at Berlin but had since no occasion to meet them again which on the contrary I should have opportunity to do if I had been reelected. The Emperor intends to come again to Strasburgh in the month of September perhaps. Shall I come in contact with the grand duchess and I am sure that the topic of conversation will be dear Miss Barton. I think you will have hadin the meantime she(admit?) of miss Zimmermann's husband I had no occasion to procure it. I finish my letter with an egoistic request: though I possess your features by the photography of your bust I should like indeed to have the photography [?] nature and I hope it will be included in your next letter. In the meantime believe me dear miss Barton your most Sincerely devoted Geo Bergmann [*answered July 1880 sent card New Jersey [*16 done*] [*copy*] [postmark] BADEN IN BADEN 1 30 C 79 12-IN Miss Clara Barton Dansville Livingston County New York United States of America[postmark] NEW Y JUL 17 [*G. Bergmann regarding German political situation in 79 also some mention of CBs work in 71 good wishes for success in getting USa to sign treaty.*] Strassburgh 24th 9[?] 1880 Dear and beloved Miss Barton Your dear letter of 11 January reached me in a moment of extremely bad health; the over working in the Reichstag, and neglected colds had finished by stretching me on my bed for some time and confined me the whole winter to my bedroom. At the beginning of the better seasons I went over to Baden-Baden where I remained from April to July, recovering partially, though the weather was continually very bad. Though I had firmly resolved to abandon entirely the political arena our new government insisted upon my continuing in a counsel of State that has been instituted for Alsace Lorraine and finally I accepted, applying myself speciallyTo forward my economical schemes. You remark my letter is framed in black; I have lost in latter since my elder brother. I have now passibly recovered my former elasticity of mind but am obliged to take many precautions in order to maintain myself in good health. Though I lead a very solitary life the contemplation of what passes around me what I gaze on with the eye of the philosopher fills up amply my days and this year has passed indeed with a vertiginous rapidity. The thoughts you express in your letter are so very according to mine that there must exist a "Wahlverwandtschaft" between us, as Goethe indicates in his writings. For now enough of me. I perceive with a great pleasure that you have recovered your former strength and are able to direct your thoughts and travel without fearing to fall ill on journey. I shall be very happy to have in your next letter your appreciation about the new government in your country, the solidarity between nation grows dayly more intricate and nothing happens in one of the hemispheres that day nor exercises a certain influences on the other. The Emperor is not come to Alsace this year he opens a certain service at Baden Baden with the Empress and the family of the Grand Duke as I spent the month of April in another part of the country I did not see them I from time to time meet of some of your old children who keep still a friendly remembrance of what you have done for them-- you would no longer recognize many quarters of the town which have been entirely transformed. The library is installed in the "chateau" near the cathedral--a large building is erecting near the Nobemian for the purpose of a University on the Cougar Dralea new Railway Station is building in the southwest part it will be in a grant style - the walls of the town are removed in such a manner as the inner part is nearly doubled, yet it is to be foreseen that the overbuilding of the greater part will not take place but after 20 or 30 years and that there will grow again quantity of cabbages and vegetables will then in the inner part of the town. I have determined to sell my house as it gave me too much trouble since the annexion; formerly the inner are remained for 15 and 20 years now. I have had in ten years sight changes in the lodging you have occupied with your large family. Our new country men enter the newly restored lodgings and I must say, do abuse of them and leave them as soon as they are dirty - I confess that with rare exception generally they do not behave very delicately. I shall probably take a new lodging on the place Gutenberg more in the middle of the town to where live my relations the passage of the river in the rough season becoming, indeed very un- comfortable to me since my last disease. and now my dear Miss Barton you perceive that I not only have understood what you say in your last letter about delaying to answer the letters of those friends whom we esteem more, but that I have literally followed the maxime, but this I must tell you that it ought not to dispense you to give me a very speedy answer to the presence for your may imagine that I am very anxious to hear how you have spent the present year and whatare your scheemes for the next. In the hope to receive but very satisfactory news from you I sincerely wish you a very happy new year in anticipation and that all your own wishes may be wholly fulfilled. In the meantime I remain your very respectfully devoted and sincere friend and admirer of your eminent qualities. Yours. Geo Bergmann P.S. In the moment of closing the previous letter I receive by the intermittance of a friend that arrives from Baden and has been introduced to the Grand Duchess. Her kind remembrance but at the same since the sad wars that our excellent former Miss Zimmermann (I do not recollect just her husbands name) is fallen dangerously ill with out much hope of recovering !! __ on the other side our good Mr [Assodin?] is not well neither!! everywhere! Illness, deteriation of health, the consequence of the utmost exertion for the good and the elevated!! This ought not to be!! Yours. GBAnswered Dec 20 1880 M Sue Bergman Thackery Clara Barton. Dansville-Livingston co N.Y. United States of America Strassburgh 12th of Ober 1881. My most dear and worthy Miss Barton! Your kind letter of 28th [?] 1880 reached me in due order, and I could once more contemplate the beloved features, so well engraved in my memory. I thank you heavily for your photography to complete my album. I see with pleasure that you have recovered your bodily strength and I hope that this is the case in the purest moment. As for the head and the heart my have remained of that elevated kind that enables you to undertake tasks for the benefit of your fellow [creatures?] that can only be the lot of eminent tempers. It will be a great honour for me to see me involved in the events, of an [?] and useful life as yours. As for myself I write you from my canape, on which I am [?] for more than two months past by a [?] in consequence of a travel to Dresden, to visit a good friend, leaving which, be in by cold or by fatigue, I caught an inflammation of the vein in the calf. it was somewhat painful in the beginning but it goes now a good deal better. Requiring nevertheless warmth and reposes.New York Dec 12 Paid F ALL I spend a deal of the year at Baden where I met the Empress and the grand duke but had not the advantage of seing the grand duchess this year neither heard I of our friend alias Miss Zimmermann -- the political situation in Alsace has not mended. the Wehamorman[?] party has now the lead and instead of a desirable union there is more hatred and division than ever between us. As for the general I might say the universal situation in the world there seems an current of mischievous insanity pervade through the world! Murder in the country of the Croat[?] in liberty! Murder in the country of the most intensive despotism! Revolver[?], dynamic and petroleum the union[?] ratio[?] of the Social Renenevé[?]!!! Prosecution of the Jews (perhaps not quite universal) a grandiose struggle of the Catholicism against the modern society and science - there are many bleak points on the horizon. We will hope that Reason finally gets the overhand!! After the description you made me of the qualities of your late President Garfield I can imagine the tremendous impression his late murder has produced in the United States. Your beautiful and patriotic adresses when the real eloquence of the heart finds its way to the hearts of the listeners have deeply impressed me, peculiarly when I compare them with the miserable quarrels of parties and the absence of elevated feeling that pervades through all our political debates. I had begun to translate[?] a deal but really the egotism, the indifference that prevail in our press has given me the disguise[?]. I stand nearly quite alone, I do not wish to meddle with any party or cotterie or clique because, by temper, I am an independent man and will remain so. I cannot go with government because I do not find the sincerity desirable, as I do not search anything for myself I ought to be heard and listened to when I speak in a free manner for the common inquirer, but this is not the case. As I am true and straightforward I meet with intrigue and gesturing and long to withdraw the more and more from public life. Finally I have resolved to remain in my lodging for the summer, is where so many accommodating reminiscences of the past fill up every corner. I should hear with pleasure any news about Miss Margot and the consulate at Taïti Mr AtwaterStrassburgh 24th of April 1882. My most dear and esteemed Miss Barton. I successively have received your Card 17 Jan/82 your dear letter of the 13th. February and your interesting treaty of the Red Cross Geneva convention which I have perused with due interest. And to begin I most sincerely congratulate of your final success about your government to have induced it to accede to the Geneva Convention for it is only due to your incessant efforts that this result has been obtained. notwithstanding a miserable opposition which has arisen as you tell me If Mr. Bergmann were still in life we should have been able to have some intercourse with "your children" and commemorate with them what Miss Clara Barton has done for them in former times. But! . . . Mr Kruger begs to be kindly remembered to you he is the only person with whom I can converse of you and he lends me some times english lecture from his library. weather is so dreary at present that it has spread a somewhat melancholy time over the present letter. but this sentiment will I hope soon vanish(ed) when I shall receive satisfactory news from you in another day... I do not recollect of having sent you a photography of the bronze statue of alsace industrielle which the industry of alsace has bestowed on me after 1873 and which is the ornament of my saloon. if not I will send it to you. And now may god bestow on you a continual good health to enjoy during a long service of years the testimonials of affection and esteem of your countrymen and might this our correspondence the expression of our mutual feelings equally be allowed to us for a good deal of years. This the sincere wish of your most devoted and affectionate Gus BergmannI see by this way that your health is quite recovered as for myself. I am also in a better condition yet I want to take the baths at Baden where I intend to go in the first weeks of May. I shall probably meet the grand Duchess and you may well imagine that Miss Barton's name will be the principal object of our conversation I probably shall see equally, the Empress (who as you well thought has not been a hunting in England for the war, very old it was, Empress of Austria that has hunted). Mr. Kruger presents you his best compliment. As I have been secluded in my room well these latter weeks I am not very aware of the news in our town but I must say it takes great extension and you would never more reconnoiter the vinery Strasburgh. Though I do not know Miss Amaryillis Kupfer I have made friends with her by the sole circumstances that she lives in your intimacy and has the good fortune to converse with you at leisure and dayly. I do in a little photography of a bust I have made last year representing a man of the 16th century fromShambaugh who was a distinguished poet and made a poem on the famous expedition of the Men from Zurich who brought a hot meal by the Rhine to Hamburgh to prove the celerity of their succours in case of need. It is probable that the original will figure on a fountain which shall be erected in commemoration of the said event. I did not wish to delay longer to give you news from me and hope that on your side you will not delay neither your dear news Believe me yours my dear Miss Barton for life. G Bergmann 19 Marburgh 9th 9ber 1882 My Dear and most esteemed Miss Barton! I surprisingly have received your card of the 17th January; Your Dear letter of 18th of February; your brochure of the Red Cross "Geneva Convention" which interested me very much; -- Your most Dear Photography; which I deem the most eminent ornament of my cabinet and lastly a specimen of the "Rochester Morning Herald" containing "a woman of the two Continents" which, by her devotedness for the suffering, and her kind heartedness, our dear Miss Barton has succeededto translate in real life as well as the eminent services you rendered us on a large scale are neither of the domains of romance though they may, indeed look so. - Your photography, has served me as an introduction to the american ladies who lived during two months in the house I dwelled at Baden; one Miss Layla Benedict and a Miss Woolson an authoress, who proved to be the nieces of your great Romanticist Fenimore Cooper. As well you imagine we had much stuff of conversation on your behalf and I could not resist their instances to have a photography of your bust Miss Benedict a widow lives with her daughter in New York and promised me to pay you a visit at Dansville. As for myself after a stay of nearly five months at Baden I go on pretty well though my legs will have not quite recovered the desirable elasticity; yet I dare not complain because I can circulate and am no longer confined to my room,. I went the 15th May at Baden and hoped firmly to meet there the grand Duchess who nursed there the poor grand duke who had been very dangerously attained by the typhus and had nearly lost the use of his eyes by the violent treatment he had passed through.4 I immediately inscribed my name at the New Castle hoping to get an audience but unluckily all dispositions for departure had been made for the Island of Meinau on the lake in Constance and they traveled the next morning, I saw the Empress her mother and hoped during my long stay still to join her when on a sudden the grand Duchess went to Swede to assist her daughter, who has married the Crown prince of Swede, at the expected birth of an heir. Thus I once more have been deprived of the pleasure to converse with her of past times and of your remembrance. She still stays in Sweden 5 and will surely be delighted to hear by you that through your exertions alone the government of the United States finally, has entered the Geneva Convention As concerns the politics I confess to be somewhat pessimistic when I consider the manifest action of the nihilism in Russia and the recent revolutionary event, in the south of France, a movement that spreads nearly over the whole of that country. I am on good terms with our shareholder the field marshall of Manteuffel but though, at various occasions he has been obliged to acknowledge that I gave him sincere and good advice he lets hymself, I do not know by which influence, engage to take measures not advantageousto the country and producing, disaffection. I had twice refused distinctions which had been offered to me by the precedent President but these latter days the Statthalter sent me the insigns of the Red Eagle Order and now I am crucified. Congré mal gré! We have founded a Society to embellish the town and I have been elected President of it now there with in our local hystory, an event in the 16th century, when the inhabitants of the town of Zurich in Switzerland that were allies to the free town of Shanburgh, in order to prove the readiness and swiftness with which they would be able to succour in care of new Strausburgh, cooked a meal at Zurich and Crougher is still hot at Strausburgh in descending the Rhine in a boat. 7 on the spot where this boat landed we intend now to erect a commemorial and monumental fountain crowned with the bust of one citizen of Srasburgh "Johann Fischari" a clever, poet of the [?] who has made a poem on this event. The said society engaged me to make this bust of which I send you the photography- Now if the envy and jealousy will not cross the scheme it will be performed in bronze and my name as author of it will pass to future generations!! Mr Kruger sends you his best compliments and takes steps to get the situation if possible of american consul in Alsace I procured him some document to the task and now let me soon hear.of you and keep yourself alwayys in good health Though the running year has been somewhat ominous to me it passed nevertheless very quickly and I hope the next will deliver me of my little CoCos My good friend at Dresden whom I longed to visit last year, a visit that has caused my bad legs, died alas last May it is indeed like a foretelling that urged me to that journey Awaiting your good news, I remain in the meantime your sincerely attached and affectionate G Bergmann [*33 Bergmann*] Marbourg, 24th July 1884, Dear Miss Barton ! with Madame Mavis[?] de Mentzinger Carlsruhe I successively have received your Cards of the 18th and 22d; the former informing me of the receipt of your mail and your leaving Baden for Carlsruhe, the latter of your next proceeding to England!! Mavis has been very [very] sensible to your kind remembrance and sends you her best wishes for a happy journey. I with great pleasure hear that you are very well, as for myself I dare not complain for my health improves though too slowly according to my impatience . — and now the vast Ocean willSoon separate us for how long?!! - Take care of your precious health; this time I think you leave Europe with more lovely reminiscences than the last as your exertion for the need of the suffering Humankind are now acknowledged by the two hemispheres.- The few days I have passed with you have been indeed a sunshine in my lonely life for I feel that my health though recovering will not be restored in that way to to enable to notable exertions and will more and more consign me to my cabinets. Dear Miss Barton you will not forget to send me a card when you have fixed your embarking for america and some other day mark me your happy arrival there.- You know how much interest I take in all that concerns you and amidst the numerous occupations that fill up your life you will from time to time remember the delivery of [?] US news; brochures. And now farewell and I hope the journey on the sea will be as agreeable on the return as was the coming. Believe me yours very devotedly G. Bergmann P.S. I have found these two little bits of paper with notes on the piano as perhaps they might be of any use to you I join them to the present letter.List of person to whom Red C circulars not sent from stro Geo S. Barton. Worcester Mass. Edmund M. Barton, Antequaron Hall Worcester Mass WM. S. Barton. City Treasurer Worcester Mass Potatoes 1 Peck Sugar 25 lbs Lemon 2 doz Coffee 3 '' Banana 2 '' jugs for vinegar & molasses Turnips 1 Peck Roles for Towel Butter 2 lbs Caster! - Meat 5 lbs Wash basins & pitcher- [?] Pens [*Bergman] Strassburgh 6 8th 1888 Dear Miss Barton, It is a very long time I have not had news from you!! how is the state of your health? and the immense burthen you have assumed on your shoulders by your constant philanthropical exertions does it not exceed the strength of human nature? What a series of dreadful events we have lived through since your departure from Europe: the death of our old Emperor, the painful disease and death of his son, the death of the son of the grand duchess!!! The poor grand duchess who still suffers from sore eyes after having passed through all these tribulasions which50-50-50-43-54 a55 a 247 54 ----- 193 54 at letter postage 193 at circular postage 707 20 Carpet Pens must have rent her feeling heart. - The old Empress with her feeble Constitution Cenares still amidst all these calamities an exemplary firmness of heart and spirit! What the end of this year and the next will bring us lies in the hand of the Allmighty might it turn less eventful than the appearances are - at all [the] event we pass a critical preview till the end of the Century - for many questions of the greatest importance wait for a Solution that becomes daily more difficult. Whole Europe in Arms - international hatred and jealousy Sequestration from one nation to another! All the principles of national economy thrown overboard! The moral and religious feeling relaxed to the utmost and even disapearing! You see my dear Miss Barton I look somewhat dark May I bear restoring!? A May of several weeks in the country, without anxiety restoring my health and my former elasticity of spirit nevertheless has procured me a tolerable state of health. and I long indeed to receive some news from you.- Mrs Augt Dollfur with whom I spend some time at Badenweiler sends you her most sympathetic compliments I send her allthe newspapers from America treating about Miss Barton. Pray, do now display some of your precious moments in favour of your poor old and most devoted friend- Gus Bergmann 15 rue de bouchers P.S. Have I informed you of the death of my brother the Professor you have seen several times in my home. He died suddenly by appoplexy Best remembrances to Mr Hubbill. 1 Strasburgh12th of Dc 1888. [*33 Bergmann*] Dear Miss Barton: By your dear printed letter of the 9th last, I at length have seen with great satisfaction that notwithstanding numerous fatigue on your last Stay in Europe and the painful impressions, the dreadful events in Germany have since caused to your feelings, your health has not suffered and your strength is not abated; may this your strength persevere for the good of Mankind.!! -- Mrs Dollfur to whom I communicated your letter has been very grateful for this communication and writes me that "every line retraces your exquisite feeling for any Sufferers, and that,2 She seems far more happy for having met you once in her life in order to love and admire you for ever" - ! Mr. Kruger whom I had also communicated your letter has in the meantime given to read me yours addressed to him. ; An Election is a lottery even in a free country like yours accustomed to the practice of public suffrage and your conclusions that "people will be duped and gulled" has been unhappily experienced many a times and even by your humble and devoted servant. What falsehoods, lies and maneuvers to put my schemes in a false light have not been practiced against me during the several 3 elections I have gone through!! But now after 15 years experience when the reaction would have taken place, our government by a series of arbitrary measures, in order to separate Alsace Louraine entirely from France by a Chinese wall hurts the feelings, provokes the move and move aversion and throws overboard the elementary principles of international economy all what I have foreseen and foretold. To my countrymen with regard to the simplification of the administration for our land and the necessity to keep face together in following an intelligent and worthy policy lies now clear before our eyes. --- We are administered by foreign functionaries who feel themselves as conquerors (which lies quite in human nature) and as firmness of character no longer prevail, all my former adversaries become dayly more manageable when their little ambition receives the least satisfaction !!!4/ As I am prettily put aside by government because I was against the grand apparatus of functionaries for a small bit of land like Alsace Looraine. I now enjoy my "Otium cum dignitate" as long as god will! -- This is our situation in Alsace Looraine You wish now to know my opinion with regard to the German Empire and its Emperor. -- I was indeed astonished to see with how much dignity the young Emperor has assumed his heavy change; he seems a far more serious character than was his father and for the present difficult circumstances more apt provided the great chancellor will stand by his side for a Series of years. he pursues his task with all the fervour and perseverance as did his grandfather. The unity in Germany seems not to have suffered in the contrary, it seems consolidated. - This for the political part. As for the economical: Since the government has abandon[n]ed the 5/ extreme principle of free trade to which change I personally have greatly contributed by my publication and my exertion of propaganda in the Reichstag. The German industry and commerce have displayed an activity, and success which make the envy of France and even England. This circumstance has become a motive of hatred more for France which is rather declining, on that terrain. The exertions of every government in Europe to sustain industry and commerce against a feverish concurrence from abroad push them forward to a system of preclusion which will last as long as it can, and separately the more and more all the various nationalities. -- In order to warn for this other extreme I have published my last brochure "the forever convention, [?]" which several times has found its way, in publicity but by6/ the hostility that prevails between France and Germany has no prospect of success and yet the present situation favours the more and more the "Communism" everywhere!! What next year will bring us is indeed a sealed book bound not in a lovely colour! Will the State of insecurity that deprimes the mind continue or will we be aroused in a dreadful manner. God only knows. - But as things generally now turn so bad as often apprehended we will wish and hope that in any way or another reason will recover at least (with) somewhat a part of its rights, and preserve a Stop on the declivity and now Dear Miss Barton take care of your precious health and think from time to time of ["7"] your most devotedly attached G. Bergmann My Best remembrances if you please to Dr. Hubbell and Miss Margot G B