iv.; also for the tone of the French Press, Giraudeau, _La Verite sur la Campagne de 1870_, pp.

46-60.
Ollivier tried to persuade Sir M.E.Grant Duff (_Notes from a Diary, 1873-1881_, vol.i.p.

45) that the French demand to King William was quite friendly and natural.] Viewing that demand in the clearer light of the present time, we must say that it was not unreasonable in itself; but it was presented in so insistent a way that King William declined to entertain it.

Again Gramont pressed Benedetti to urge the matter; but the utmost that the King would do was to state: "He gives his approbation entirely and without reserve to the withdrawal of the Prince of Hohenzollern: he cannot do more." He refused to see the ambassador further on this subject; but on setting out to return to Berlin--a step necessitated by the growing excitement throughout Germany--he took leave of Benedetti with perfect cordiality (July 14).

The ambassador thereupon returned to Paris.
Meanwhile, however, Bismarck had given the last flick to the restive courses of the Press on both sides of the Rhine.