Mr. Bliss to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The Customs Parliament was closed to-day by the King in person. The ceremony, at which I was present, took place in the usual manner at the palace.
The result of the session has been on the whole favorable to German unity, although no formal action in that direction was taken by it as a body.
A debate, which quite incidentally arose on the 18th, gave occasion for several warm expressions of national sentiment, and called forth some effective words from Count Bismarck. The enthusiasm reached its climax when Dr. Völck, deputy from Bavaria, closed an eloquent national appeal with these words:
Spring has come in Germany, and, though some may yet for awhile throw snow-balls at each other, that will not last much longer. The advancing spring will insure that material is soon wanting to the snow-ballers.
The patriotic sentiment aroused at this sitting was further stimulated and strengthened by two entertainments, given to the parliament in honor especially of the Southern German deputies—one by the bankers at the exchange, where Count Bismarck and Prince Hohenlohe made speeches, and one by the merchants and other citizens of Berlin at the Tivoli garden, where Bert-hold Auerbaeh was a principal speaker. And that the southern members may not fail to return to their homes with the pleasantest impressions, the entire parliament and council are, after a reception this evening by the Crown Prince in the illuminated grounds of Sans Souci, to proceed as guests of the government by special train to Kiel, on the Baltic, there to be entertained by the admiralty of the North German navy.
Your dispatches, to No. 59 inclusive, have been duly received.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.