The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-09-27
Bismarck at Home.

Bismarck at Home.
A century ago, when Berlin was sur
rounded by walls which continued to ex-
ist until about 1860, the upper portion of
the Wilhelmstrasse was the quarter of the
town chiefly affected by ministers and
diplomatists. Bismarck's residence, lying
exactly half way between the Leipziger
and Wilhelmstrasse is a ne-storied build
ing, devoid of every external ornament.
The frontage is extensive, and embraces
about twelve windows. The entrance to
the house is on the right-hand side. A :
ter having crossed to the large portico,
one arrives at staircase, symbolically
guarded by two sphinxes' heads. On
the ground-fioor are the official bureaus,
and upstairs. the private rooms, OF the
Chancellor. These apartments furnished
at the beginning of the century, consist
ing of a large dancing-room over the
gateway aud four large drawingrOoms,
reserved for the reception of guests, and
other social purposes, look out upon the
street. The large lofty library or study
of the Chancellor is situated ut the back,
and commands a view of the magnificent
garden. Since Bismarck left intercourse
with foreign diplomatists to Baron BIZ
low, the Secretary of State, he seldom APP
pears within the chambers really consti-
tuting the Foreign Office. Private tele-
graph wires keep him informed of the
course of affairs, and he issues his in
structions accordingly. Formerly the
hours chiefly devoted by Bismarck to
work were in the night. Latterly, how
ever, an increase of his neuralgia pains
has warned him not to turn night into
day. Imperatively admonished by his
doctors, he no longer INDUCES in the
heavy Enthusiastically, porter mixed
with champagne, which used to be his
favorite beverages. At his meals only
make their appearance. He himself
draws up every morning with his chef de
cuisine the menu for the day; and even if
ambassadors are waiting in the ante
chamber, the cook is received without
delay. AT the table he notes down such
critical expressions on the dishes as ''trOp
cutt," spas tendre," for the instruction or
reproof of his cook. His kitchen is over
whelmed by his admirers with special
delicacies of the season, and productions
in which various provinces excel, such as
Westphalian ham, Zauer or Frankfort
sausages, Strasburg pates. A lively and
entertaining host,he possesses the gift, rare
in Germans, of cduserie; and whilst in
Parliament on public occasions his
speeches are delivered with manifest eff
fort, he is in private an easy aud uncon-
strained conversatiOnalist.
Bismarck leaves Berlin for a spa or his
tavorite country seat, Varzin, which he
purchased after the war of 1866. In the
capital he is rarely met beyond the pre-
cincts of the Foreign Office gardens. His
constant companion in his walks is Sui
tan, a splendid Danish mastitf, presented
to him by friend in South Germany,
His growing corpulence-not, however.
disproportionate to his height-has com
PEELED him to give up riding His person
al appearance is almost too we'll known to
need description. Small feet and hands,
bald head, lofty brow, small gray eyes in
deep sockets, almost hidden by Dushy
eyebrows and martial moustache, now
nearly white, which covers his mouth, are
the features chiefly noticeable in the man.
He usually wears uniform-for the
most part that of the 7th Cuirassiers-
which consists either of white coat with
cuirass and large helmet, or blue
undress coat, with yellow collar. He
only appears at court on state occasions,
alleging, as excuse for his absence, that
standing fatigues him. The more cor
rect explanation is that among the lead
ing personsges in the encourage of his
Majesty are several of the bitterest per-
sonal and political foes. More than once
he has almost come to blows with some
of his fellow courtiers in the imperial an
techamber, and an alteration three years
ago with Count Nesselrode, the Lord
High Chamberlain of the Empress, a
staunch Catholic, was followed by mutual
challenges to duel, which the interfer-
ence of the Emperor alone prevented.