Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-01-18

A visiter TO Bismarck's house in Ber
lin writes:
M. de Bismarck's study has no library.
AS set-off to this fact, however, it pos
sesses a complete collection Of sneer-
schaum pipes and of military caps With
wide red bands ] also saw on the chin
.ney box Of Havana cigars, Of which
very few had been used. Between the
door and the aperture above it which
admits the light of day, is placed
choice of swords and sabers which would
do honor to an arsenal. Buckskin gloves
he about on the furniture ia all direc-
tons. The sofa, placed in the back part
of the study, is OF unusual length. NJ.
de Bismarck is in the habit Of stretching
himself out on it to read the newspapers
after bis dinner. Within an arms
length of this sofa, on a small table, /
saw Russian newspaper (the Chancel-
lor speaks this language very well), and
geographical map, half unrolled. |
was indiscreet enough TO cast glance
at the latter, and | recognized it as the
new map Of Alsaee-Lorraine, prepared
by the German military staff. Crosses
of red ink indicated the localities Of the
new forts of Neuf- Brisach, of Thion-
vile, of Strasbourg and OF Metz. l
counted twelve red crosses around Stras-
bourg, and six around Metz 1t is well
known that eleven thousand workMen
are at present employed at the works at
Strasbourg and four thousand at Metz.
The Princes bedroom is next to this
apartment. There is but one window to
il. A blue silk screen surrounds the iron
bed--a true family couch A small table
serves as washstand. | noticed there
half dozen brushes and combs-many
more in number than the. hairs on the
Chancellor's head.
We entered the stndy in order to pass
into NJ. de Bismarck parlor. This par
lor is nothing but passage adorned with
family portraits and furnished with sofas
and arm chairs in red danask. The
apartments Of the Princess and her
daughteT-twe modest rooms looking
out on the garden--open into the parlor
passage.
In Nm de Bismarck's 8 room safe
usurps the place OF the traditional ward
robe, with looking-glass in its doors.
While showing the coDjugaI sanctuary
to some Saxon musicians who had sere-
naded him, and had requested the favor
TO enter the house, the Chancellor said,
You see it is my wife who has charge
Of the cash box, and / advise those
among you who are married. to let your
wives keep the purse, as it is an inialli-
BILE means to secure economy and pre-
vent wastefulness." The last room, the
largest is used as reception parlor.
The furniture is common. place, without
character, and without distinction. Not
single object of art, not picture,
nothing that appeals to the eye.
The stulfs are faded and thread
bare. The only object which at.
tracts curiosity-thanks to the heavy
brass plate it bears-is the celebrated
table on which the articles of peace
were signed at Versailles The history
of this table is familiar. AS M. B.,
the proprietor OF the house where NJ. de
Bismarck lodged, refused to let the table
go from his possession, the cunning
Chancellor had one made exactly simi-
lar to it, and this he substituted for the
real table on the day of his departure.
Leaving the parlor my guide con-
Quoted me to the right, and opened a
door with great air OF majesty. Der
Tanzaal " he said to me; the dancing
hal"
| This dancing hall, the friezes Of
which are ornamented with mirrors, is
an old chapel. But the Chancellor has
put so many bishops in prison that he
should have no scruples to put dancers
in church,