Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 June 1901 — THEY GOT BISMARCK’S CONSENT [ARTICLE]

THEY GOT BISMARCK’S CONSENT

Bnt It Was Expressed in Langnage Altogether Unconventional. The deference of the English royal family to the opinions of their Gernkm cousins was never better hit off than by a story which comes from one of the royal household, who told it to the writer. When Lord Archibald Campbell waa about to be engaged to Miss Janet Callender, whom he eventually married, he dutifully went to his father for his approval. “Delighted, I’m sure,” said the Duke of Aagyll. “She is in every way desirable. Has money, good looks, brains, accomplishments. But—er—perhaps you had better let me speak to Lome. He may think the Princess has a right to consulted.” Recognizing the responsibility of having a royal highness for a sister-in-law, Lord Archie “waited.” Lord Lome, on being told of the proposed alliance, was agreeable to the young lady as ffcr as he was concerned, but thought it only right that the Princess should be consulted as to who should enter the family. Now her royal highness in her frank, impulsive way said: “If Archie likes her, she suits me down to the ground. She Is handsome and clever, and has strong opinions of her own. All tlie same I think I must speak to the Queen first.” Which she did. Victoria not only remembered Miss Callender’s presentation at court, but graciously approved of the match, saying: “However, Louise, I think I ought to consult my German cousins first." And the Queen wrote to Germany. The Kaiser remembered meeting Miss Callender and replied to the Queen approvingly, adding, “But I will leave this letter open for a last word, for I should not care to speak finally until I had consulted Bismarck.” The Kaiser found Bismarck taking his ease with rye bread, sausage, beer, and a long pipe, and told him of the mighty alliance in prospective. When the Emperor had finished Bismarck took his long pipe out of his mouth and replied: “Me? Oh, I don’t care a d n.”