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because he thought he was sure to win both bets—which
they considered funny and absurd; and they also laughed
because (as they said) he was bound to lose both bets—
and that they regarded as very funny indeed.

It seemed quite sane in the dream. And that is where
dream-things differ from waking-things: they can be thor-
oughly mad and incongruous, without the dreamer sus-
pecting it.

London, Dec. 13 '96. Tonight at dinner Clara told of
meeting a lady (Scotch I think) at Mrs. Hopekirk Wilson's
today, who told her about a remarkable young relative of
hers—a young girl, friend of Mrs. Wilson a few years ago
in Leipzig. This said young girl was studying there—
violin, and has turned out to be fine on that instrument.
But suddenly she began to draw and paint, without in-
struction, and threw all her heart into it, and lost her
passion for music. Somebody showed one of her pictures to
the great Watt, R.A., and he said he must see her at once;
she must be his pupil (he never would take pupils) and be
his successor and continue his work.

George von Bunson is dying here in London. Mrs.
Poultney Bigelow tells me that when he was at the height
of his great popularity and influence in Berlin and politics,
he made a liberal speech which infuriated Bismarck who
was then chancellor, and Bismarck did him several vicious
turns. Among others invited him to a State dinner at his
house; went and spoke with each guest in turn; when he
got to Bunson he looked him over from head to foot, then
turned his back on him without a word. Bunson left (why
the others didn't, also, is not stated). Later the Bunsons
gave a ball and invited society—(they had six marriage-
able daughters). Society consists largely, if not mainly, of
military officers. Bismarck intimated to his generals and
colonels that he wanted all officers forbidden to accept in-