Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-03
f8E III 039
NO. 234.
Miseellaneoms.
PRINCE BISMARCK'S HOME.


A correspondent of an Austrian journal
gives a description of Prince Bismarck's
estate at Varzin, and of the Chancellor's
mode of living there. He writes:
1.-The village of Varzin has nothing strik-
ing about it, but when it is passed the
road turns to the right, and after climbing
a hill, we pass between the cow sheds and
the barns, and thus reach the court of the
country seat which Prince Bismarck has
chosen for his favorite retreat. 1t is SIM
pie dwelling house, neither better nor
worse than those of the landed gentry of
the district. No asthetical architect has
been employed to ornament. It seems as
il no one had been bold enough TO attempt
to rival the attractions OF the park behind
the house. Kew does not surpass it in
beauty, nor do Torcy and st. Germain
equal it in grandeur.
1t was this park which induced Prince
Bismarck to purchase Varzin. Close be-
hind the house the undulations of the soil
begin, and the park gradually merges into
the woods, and forms, with them, one
broad green ocean Of foliage. which seems
here and there broken into forest waves.
Grand beeches, ancient oaks, pines, frs
and birch trees lend variety to the view.
soil is neither very good nor very bad; it
produces average harvests of rye, and the
Baltic sand, the bane of the husbandman,
only shows itself here and there. Such
pieces of ground have long lain fallow.
1t takes six hours to drive round the es-
tate; and Chomitz, where there was for
merly glass house. with Bohemian work
men, also belongs to Varzin. The Wip-
mn ayt - ho
and forms its boundries in other places
1t adds both to its beauty and its value, as
the rapid stream, which is well stocked
Pomerania to the Baltic.
''Prince Bismarck only allows trees
enough to be feIled to let sufficient air
and light into his woods. His letters to
his sister show how dearly he loves farm
ing and hunting, the force and the quiet
of country gentleman. Since the First
Napoleon, no one has made so much noise
in the world, and yet by nature he is in
clined to contemplative life. Lothar
Sucher is the only official person who has
accompanied him. He goes through all
the important papers which are forwarded
from Berlin, and prepares them for the
signature of the chancellor. Lothar
Bucher, who refused to pay the taxes in
1888, and was therefore long an exile on
British soil, is exactly suited to Bismarck
and Varzin. He lived for many years in
Stolp, in Pomerania, and was returned
by that place to the Berlin National
Assembly. The brightest and saddest
memories of his life are connected with
that little town. He writes so well that
it is pity he should not often devote his
no tn nal lStin hrrf @
this talent, together with his clear insight
and his large store of information, which
induced Prince Bismarck to take him from
Wolff's telegraph office and find place
for him in the ministry. u as-s.t
'.This year. Varzin wears more tran
quill aspect than in 1870 Then the chan
celor had just retreated from the world,
and was beginning to enjoy the sweets OF
repose, when the telegraph announced the
affair at Ems; no one, however, thought
of preparing to leave the country. On
his RETURN from short excursion, Prince
Bismarck found dispatches awaiting him.
He entered the sitting-room with, the
words, in half an hour we must start.
But where are we going, and why so
soon p TO Berlin, and then farther;
they re getting insolent again Ta
"On the afternoon of the following day
Bismarck was in Berlin. Bucher packed
his papers together and arrived two days
later. When he went to the Ministry, at
nine O'Clock on the 10Th July, war was
declared, and Prince Bismarck had Just
returned with the King from Brandenburg
to which place he had FASTENED to meet
his Majesty. Now there is no reason to
fear that the quiet of Varzin will be dis.
turhed nv similar occurrences
The Prince and his family live retired
life, and keep all those whose curiO sity
brings them into the neighborhood at a
distance After breakfast the most press
ing business is dispatched by the side of
tho pond behind the house, in the shade OF
the beech trees, and then the chancellor
hastens into the forest, generally on horse
back, to inspect the improvements which
are being made. He is noted for his kind
ness to the villagers. The landed gentry
of the neighborhood frequently visit the
family, where they always had hearty
welcome, and the relatives and friends of
the Prince, many of whom live in the
province, often spend several days with
him. The house, though it cannot be
called handsome, is spacious, and there
is room enough in it for twenty or thirty
guests.
In the course of time Prince Bismarck
will probably rebuild the house and make
it into kind of castle. In the parl
there is large heronry. The herons arr
the first birds to come with the Spring an,
the last to leave with the Autumn. Th
males fly twice every day to the sea shor
in search of food they are the sacre
birds of Varzin The woods abound wit
wild swine Herds of from twenty I
thirty may frequently be seen. Othe
game is also plentiful, and this year hea
it is to be hunted with the Chassepot.
Thus the times change. Hitherto Prime
Bismarck has retired to Varzin for tn
purpose of recruiting his health by a quit
life among the fir woods. This year th
period of rest was less indispensable thal
Formerly. The campaign in France ha
restored him to vigor and made him seen
/ fresher and stronger than before Poiitlc
/ are forbidden subject in the house, witt
the exception of the interesting episode
Of the late war, which are often relate,
and discussed.
-