Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-08-14
Bismark, the Prussian Statesman,

Bismark is fifty one years old. He is tall
and stately, and mental work has made his
head rather bald. His features indicate a
rare energy. He wears heavy dark mus
tache. His eye is piercing, his department
that of gentleman, his constitution iron
Count Bisnark is, par ercctLence, man of
the world, and of an extraordinary politeness,
prepossessing to his visitors, and dispensing
with all embarrassment, His conversation,
also, is fluent, and full of wit; he speaks the
French, English, Italian, Russian and Ger
man. As to work, he is indefatigable he
goes to bed at late hour, aud seldom rises
before nine; then he remains working in his
private Office until breakfast; after that he
presides at the Ministerial Council. or renorts
to the King, until six in the evening. that
being the time when his family and visitors
assemble for dinner, in the rooms of the
Countess, overlooking the great garden of his
hotel.
Won Bismark has three children, one
Gaughter seventeen years of age Countess
Narle } and two SONS attending the Gymna-
SUM icolIegeJ of Berlin.
Precisely at nine cleck the Count disap
pears aud remains working until late hour
III his private Office
When Blind attacked him on the street, in
April. attempting to assassinate him, the Count
was not far from his hotel. Four balls were
hred at h'm in close proximity His lpletot
OF blue cloth took hre, and was perforated by
the balls, whose force was checked bv the
thick, strong uudercIoth. That is known to
every newspaper reader. Not SO the follow
ing =
Count Blsmark went on his way on foot to
the ministerial building, running up stairs
with long strides and into his Office. to give
the hIng notice OF the tried but unsuccessful
attack OF young Blind.
The Countess Bsmark was in her room
fronting toward the garden. Mortified by the
noise OF the people assembling before the pal
ace that something had happened, the Coun-
tess left her room and learned the truth from
her servants. Countess Won Bismark and
her children quickly entered the Office of the
Count, who quietly sat at his desk. about fin
ishing his letter to King William.
But the King himself arrived, already hay
ing heard of the attack on his Premier; after
the King, came the Princess and Field Mar
shal Wrangle, all Generals. Below on the
street was all Berlin
Moved by the signs of sympathy from the
people, which heretofore certainly had not
spoiled him by expressions of kind feelings.
the Count ordered a list to be laid on the Ia
ble' so as to allow everybody to sign his name
as token of sympathy. This list l have
seen. On the head Of it stand the followin.,
words
q thank God for the protection of your
ExcellencySs life. Wa. Rost, Boot CLEANER
Then followed thousands of signatures of
generals, citizens and civil officers. On the
white page covering the list, the Count has
written with pencil in his big, clear hand
writing, q Carefully to be kept
Won Bismark, though filling the highest
pos ttlon IN his country, sometimes exposes
his life without the least consideration. He
Is still, as ne was in his younger years, the
same lively, passionate man In lS49 an
article in the. Berlin KluIgyddatscI rexed ad
HIM SO as to cause him to challenge the chief
editor of that paper. He accepted the duel,
but the quarrel was at last made up.
Won Bismark, after getting to be Minister
President, as little remembered his former
quarrel with this journalist as the present
sarcastic remarks Of that paper excite his
anger. More than once, one could see this
journalist at the Minister'S dinner table
Ihe Count seems to like sincere men. even
IN the ranks of his political enemies. Not
long since he came near another pergopal
alteration. The Minister considering himself
personally offended by a speech of the re.
nowned Professor Virehoir, member of the
Prussian Chamber of Deputies, left his seat
and sent Mr.. VIrehoir a challenge, but. he
refused to give satisfaction. His mission. he
replied, was to battle with Herr Won Bisrnark
IN the kamnser, not with the sword.
Concluding, will give another remark
Count BIsmark, of course, has all decorations
pertaining to man of his rank and i'm
portance; but he is seldom seen. except on
festive occasions, wrth any but simple
ribbon in his button hole. Then. in the
center OF crosses and decorations. he wears
tie modest medallion which, Bsmark %
years old, received for saving, with great
danger to himself, a poor devil about to be
drowned.