, 1877-08-12

A century ago, when Berlin was surrounded
by walls, which continued to exist until about
1860, the upper portion OF the Wilhelmstrasse
was the quarter OF the town chiefly affected by
Ministers and diplomatists. Bismarck's resi-
dcncc, lying exactly halfway between the Leip-
ziger and Wilhelmstrasse, is a onc-storied build
ing, devoid OF every external ornament. The
frontage is extensive, aud embraces about
twelve windows. The entrance to the house is
on the right hand side. After having crossed
through the large portico, one arrives ut stair
case, symbolically guarded BY two sphinxes'
heads. On the ground floor are the official
bureaus, mud upstairs the private rooms Of the
Chancellor. These apartments, furnished at
the beginning OF the century, consisting OF i
large danciug-room over the gateway, and four
large drawing rooms reserved for the reception
OF guests and other social purposes, look cut
upon the street. The large lofty library or
study Of the Chancellor is situated at the
cent garden. Since Bismarck left intercourse
with foreign diplomatists to Baron Billow,
the Secretary Of State, he seldom appears
within the chambers really constituting tho
Foreign Office Private telegraph wires keep
him informed Of the course Of affairs: and he
issues hts Instructions accordingly. Formerly
the hours chiefly DEVOTED by Bismarck to work
were in the night. Latter1y, however, an in
crease OF his neuralgia pains has warned him
not to turn night into day. 1mperativcly ad-
monshed by lis physicians, be no longer in
duigcs in the heavy enthusiastically porter
mixed with champagne, which used to be his
fayorite beverages. At his meals only the
lightest and most digestible dishes make their
appearance. Hc himself draws up every morn
ing with his chef lie cuisine the naesu for the
day; and even il Ambassadors are waiting in
the antc-chamber, the cook Is received without
delay. As&able he notes down such critical ex-
presstons Oh the dishes as 'trop cua," s'pas
teudrt,n for the instruction Or reproof OF his
mircrs with special delcacies OF the season, and
productions in which various provinces excel,
such as Westphalian ham, Lauer Or Frankfort
sausages, Strasburg 1afes- lively and cutter
tanning most, he possesses the gilt, rare in Ger
mans, Of cQuserie; and whilst in Parliament on
public occasions his speeches arc delivered with
manifest effort, he is in private an easy and un-
constrained convcrsationalist-
Bismarck leaves berlin for spa or bis favor
itc country seat, Varzin, which he purchased
met beyond the precincts OF the Foreign Office
gardens. His constant companion IN his walks
IS Sultan, a spIeadid Danish mastiff, presented
to him by a friend in South Germany His
growing corpulcncc-not, however, dispropor~
tionatc to his hcight-has comoellctl him to
give I'D riding. Ills personal presence is almost
too well known to need description. Small
feet and hands, bald head, lofty brow,- small
gray eyes in deep sockets almost hidden by
bushy eyebrows, and martial inoustache, 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 tht Seventh Cuirassiers-which consists
either OF white coat, with euirass and a large
hcmler, or blue undrcss coat, with yellow
colar. He only appears ut court On state occa-
sions, ntlceing, as excuse for his absence, that
standing fatigues him. The more correct e1-
PLANTATION is tnat among the leading personag es
in the encourage of his Majesty are several Of
his bittetest personal and political foes. More
than once he has almost come to blows with
some OF his fellow-courtiers in the Imperial
ante-chauber, and an alteration three years.
ago with Count Nesselrode, the Lord High
Of the Empress, 4 stanch Catholic,
WAS followed By mutual challenges to duel,
which the interference Of tho Emperor alone
rrrvanted