The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-12
Princess Bismarck and Her
Daughter.
The Great Men of the Empire In
Their Social Hours.
ALL PARTIES REPRESENTED.
Why the Germans Did Not Interfere In the
French Domestic Quarrel.

stag to invite the members OF the Legislative
Council and Legislative Assembly, few OF his
friends and high dignitaries Of State to sorees at
his residence here At these social gatherings the
gentlemen assembled around the Imperial Chan
ceor put aside their respective Official Of
representatives OF governments and people; they
meet free and friendly converse, and socable In
terceurse takes the place OF Official relations. An
immense deal or good Is thus achieved, better
mutual understanding and appreciation Of each
other is arrived at, and kindly feelings are engen-
dered and promoted in q body OF men whose
cordial cooperation In parliamentary life every pro-
gressive measure for the welfare OF nation de-
ponds. To Of these so-callea parliamentary
soirees had the high honor OF being invited last
Saturday.
THR PRINCES RESIDENCE.
At the time appointed. nine O'Clock P. NJ, re-
pared to the residence OF the Bundeskanzer. VIII
helm Strssse 7s l cannot exactly say that the
exterior OF the building In which the great German
statesman resides makes very favorable impress
sion; the contrary II looks the OF all minis
terra, residences here. But then the Germans, II
they ever WILL have not yet thrown on those par
simonlous habits which distinguish them q
tion, and with very exceptions keep them from
spending more money on public buildings than they
possibly help. The interior OF the building is
not much better. On the ground noor are the rooms
Of the Foreign 0nlce; on the FIRST floor the apart
meDts OF the Imperial Chancellor.
THE RECEPTION ROOM AND THOSE WHO WERE IN 1T.
Having assembled a flight OF stairs ana turning to
the left was shown into kind OF reception room,
rather small, and Lit up by single chandelier de-
pending from comparatively low ceiling. The room
was very tasterully and pgettly furnished and
arran@ed. Chairs and sofa were covered in
red silk, the hangings were OF silver gray,
the WINDOW curtains the same color as the chairs,
door opposite to that by which l had entered led
60 Princess Bsmarck's drawing room; another door
TO the right led TO the billiard room. At the time
entered there were only about half dozen gentle
men present. two OF whom-Priyy Councillor OF Lee
CATION Won Keudell and Count Won wartensleben--
only knew. Herr Won Keudel, besides being very
talented and able dIplomatist and intimate friend
OF Prince Won bismarck has the reputation OF being
o very kind-hearted gentleman and is universally
liked py everybody who ever had the pleasure of
meeting him. In personal appearance he Is rather
above the middle height and well iormed his coun-
tenance, pensive ana kind, has preserved certain
youthulness Of appearance, which strangely con-
trasts With his grlz2led hair and mustache. Count
Won Wartensleben is young officer OF dragons OF
tall stature very progressing appearance, exceed
ingly obligng and amable In his manners and
versatlon, and, II am not much mistaken, great
favorlte with the ladies. As soon as he saw ne
enter he advanced, and kindly offered TO introduce
me to
TEE PRINCESS Won BISMARCK.
Having communicated his intention TO her High.
ness che was pleased to leave her room and was
presented 10 her. The Princess OF rather tall and
graceiu stature, her countenance bears the i'm.
press OF her great mental culture and goodness Of
heart. j was also greatly struck with the extreme
simplicity manifested in the dress Of her Highness.
She was atttreo In q simple black robe and the only
ornaments noted were q few white camelias in her
dark hair. Her eye is quick and lively, her voice
clear and sounding, ner conversation frank and
hearty. / can well believe that the Imperial
Chancellor In his times OF trouble, when worn out
by faugues, was only reinvigorated by the comfort
and cheer which met him in his family.
GOODNESS OF HEART.
During the last war understand her Highness
was buslly engaged In ameloratin0 the condition of
those poor families who suffered from the absence
Of their supporters by private Efforts by particpa-
ton In the work Of benevolent institutions and by
forming CIRCLES OF her lady friends, whose JOINT
labor was devoted to the aid OF these poor families.
Often when passed the residence OF the Bundles
kanzer did see half q Dozen poor women enter.
Ing There at once. In fact it seems that IL the
dearest work and greatest enjoyment OF the Prtn-
cess IN Christian charity TO heal the wounds OF the
suffering and to gladden. the hearts Of the poor and
needy. But her Christian charity and great piety
not the only characteristics which claim our
highest esteem Tor Princess Won Bismarck and rem
der her worthy pattern for all other ladies' she is
also, ! have observed before, q lady OF high
mental culture and great Intellectual capacities, and
thus q fit companion for the great statesman whose
glory Is the present unity OF all Germany. Her High
ness is great adnirer or tie fine arls and special
devotee or classical music. Her birthday, which
was In the beginning OF this month, Is always cele-
brated by concert OF classical music
When had been introduced 10 the Princess she
Kindly asked whether was able TO speak German,
as she was afraid her English had become rather
rusty, but that as soon as her daughter had made
her appearance she would not fail to address her TO
me.
On my replying that was a native OF Gcrmsny,
ana proud 10 belong to o nation that under the
statesmansnp OF the Imperial Chancellor had at last
been united and taken that rank among the civil.
iized nations OF Europe TO which II was entitled by
Its inherent qualities, she was just going to make
ZONE further remarks, when up stepped
PRINCE BIsAARc- HIMSELF,
in the so-caed interim's unifoi IN OF lieutenant
general OF the Seventh regiment OF cuirassiers, his
own regiment. In spite or the hard work ne had
gone through on that day the Prince looked quite
Jolly nevertheless. To be sure, he has grown some
what older during the late campagn but he ha
preserved bis old spirits, and his cheerful and heart
laugh was often heard during the night He re
turned the bow OF some other gentlemen and m,
self with the greatest good humor, shaking his oil
acouaintances by the hand, and after having, wit
the greatest politeness, assisted the Princess
fastening button OF her glove which had becon
undone, he launched forth on eopyersatlqn. IN y
free and easy manner which 80 advantaGeousiy Gu
racterizes him.
Gentlemen he said, 81 have had
HARD DAYS WORK.
sitting OF the Ministry, sitting OF the Bundesra'
and sitting OF the Recnsrath surely that Il rath
too much Of good thing; and even that wou
not mind II 1t was all In the same place,
the wilhelm strasse bere: But then the place on y
Doenhafspatz don't Ike, and n the gentlemen l
the Rclcbsag are really Intent on making the new
house OF parliament such monumental building
they seem Inclined 70 do,H am afraid IL will be