Publisher's Synopsis
It is rather difficult in these days for a man who takes such scant interest in foreign affairs-trust a whilom diplomat for that!-to follow the continual geographical disturbances of Europeansurfaces. Thus, I can not distinctly recall the exact location of the Grand Duchy of Barscheit orof the neighboring principality of Doppelkinn. It meets my needs and purposes, however, to saythat Berlin and Vienna were easily accessible, and that a three hours' journey would bring youunder the shadow of the Carpathian Range, where, in my diplomatic days, I used often to huntthe "bear that walks like a man."Barscheit was known among her sister states as "the meddler," the "maker of trouble," andthe duke as "Old Grumpy"-Brummbär. To use a familiar Yankee expression, Barscheit had afinger in every pie. Whenever there was a political broth making, whether in Italy, Germany orAustria, Barscheit would snatch up a ladle and start in. She took care of her own affairs so easilythat she had plenty of time to concern herself with the affairs of her neighbors. This is not toadvance the opinion that Barscheit was wholly modern; far from it. The fault of Barscheit maybe traced back to a certain historical pillar of salt, easily recalled by all those who attendedSunday-school. "Rubbering" is a vulgar phrase, and I disdain to use it.
