Tuesday, July 17:
Packing, a sad occupation, another departure! Cheerful evening with the Zeronis, a Mrs. Monro, and a Dr. Scheibner, geologist and Wagnerian. The conversation ranges from the Ice Age to the present state of affairs; the customs laws in Germany seem to be designed to lay waste our industry and to benefit trade, like the new coinage, which is in step with no other and benefits nobody except clever bankers!
Herr Scheibner tells of a recent speech in Brussels by Lord Derby, in which he said that the German people, with their abilities, would soon overtake all others if only their governments were not so bad. But nobody listens. It is also mentioned that young Englishmen formerly were sent to the forestry school in Tharandt, but they were so disregarded there that now they are being sent to Nancy. The Russians have been defeated in Asia. Much enjoyment from this conversation with intelligent English people!