New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-27
A PRIMER OF AMERICAN LITERATURE BY CHARLES
T. RICHARDSON. lSmo PIP. H. Houghton, Osgood, Il Co.
BLACKWOOD. August.

BLACKWOOD. August
One of the most interesting articles in this
number Is devoted to the life and services OF Prince
Bismarck the nlustriOus Prussian statesman, with
numerous personal anecdotes some Of which, we
believe now appear in print for the first time.
Every one is struck with his remarkable personal
appearance. He very tall and Of enormous weight,
but not ungamy. Every part Of bis gigantic frame is
well proportional He is more than sixty-three
years old, but though his step has become slow and
ponderOus carries his head high, and his figure Is
still perfectly In spite OF his severe bodily sur
ferngs in late yeirs no look upon him as an old
man. but whoever him must feel that he is in pos
session Of immense physical power His strange face
is one never to be forgotten, by no means hand
some, but still less, ugly. 1t was remarkably
bright, full Of humOr, with a merry, even mis-
ehievous expression, in days not long gone by;
81 has now become serious. almost solemn strongly
marked with unfnching energy and daring The bald
round forehead is Of quite extraordinary dimensions,
the large prominent blue seem as If they eould
look into the sun without blinking When they rest on
human countenance they become sointensey inquirng
that many persons who have to undergo the searching
look feel uneasy Even Bsmarcks equals or superors
aromade aware that they in the presence OF man
whom it would be wise to play fair with, as he would
probably discover the shrewdest tricks Bismarck Is by
no means light-hearted man. Sorrow and care have
taken up their abode with him. He feels that no is no
longer young that the best part OF his life s gon that
his greatest battles have been fought Still. when sit
ting among his personal and intimate friends free from
all restraint smoking his long pipe patting the head Of
his huge dog attending stessy to conversation going
on around him In subdued tones, there passes over his
cold face something like soft, transparent VEIL be
hind which his hard features relax in unlocked for
expression Of wistful sadness. Though one Of the
most matter-offaet men the world has known. he
carries within his breast hidden vein Of deep feeling
His love for his wife and children is very great and
these attend upon him In which shows that the
IoNe T.nF
They look all those who bring hard work, or trouble,
or anxiety to the Prince personal enemies They pro-
tect his Sleep his rest his leisure the most precious
thing In the world As for himself during bis whole life
he has given constant proofs only Of true and honest
love for his wife and children but even OF delicate and
chiyarous tenderness Bismarcks love for his dogs is
very peculiar IL does not IN the least resemble the
commonplace fancy which most people able 20 cher
ish for some pet animal but is real affection, deeply
rooted in his large heart and closely allied 10 the kind
ness winch he shows 10 all Oh whose fathuness he can
rely, and who look up TO him for protection
such man is Prince Bismarck He has nothing more
to gain; he lose all lie possesses, and that is i'm
mense but he shows TO the front whenever there dan
ger-and be is not afraid. This should be taken into
count when he is judged Fortune has not spoiled him
or perhaps ought rather has not changed him
He has not become Overbearng He has been the
anyil-always the hammer He is now in that respect
what he was forty years agO only then his will not
felt beyond sehoenhausen and KniephO whereas now 1t
Is felt all over the world ANOTHER article OF moro than
common interest the present number describes the
Ouaintance OF the writer with Charlotte CushmaD when
they we're both studous and hard-wOrng young women
with kindred tastes, though with no pursuits in
common. The following narrative affords strik-
ing illustration Of the character Of the great ragedan
"Durng intimacy she often related to me ncdensOf
her artistic career; and most interesting her
eitas for she was dramatic on the stage as on Her
stage life had begun early and had been q hard and
md affcf nof v1tr,o
erty but envy and ll-wl but che was brave, vgor-
Gus won ar resOlute and prompt, and these qualities
gain what genius often misses. One OF her most inter
estiug rectsls how she created Money sikes'
forget the date but must have been some time before
Tknew her, as Nancy was then one Of her leading
roles Miss Cushman and her sister stock actresses
or New-YOrk stage at the time. For some unucky
sOn she had gained the wi Of her manager. one day,
the casts came from the theatre while she out Miss
Susan Cushman opened the paper aud found among oer
work. an order for her sister TO act Nancy Skies oliver
Twist the following week 1t an unmpOrtant char
aeer and always gwen to actresses Of little or no posi-
ton in the company. Charlotte will be furious was
the remark OF the mother and sister, and she
'But what could dos said Miss Cushman sadly, when
she told the story was at tho mercy Of the man.
It was midWinter my bread had 20 be earned dared
not refuse demonstrate, for knew he wished
20 provoke me to break my engagement Shall you
IT'S asked her family. Certainly the reply. Up 10
the night appointed for oliver Twist she not
by any except at business hous She took her meals
In her ROOM and spent her time there out OF the house
s-where nobody knew. What she doiugi Studying
that bare skeleton Of part; clothing It with flesh,
giving life and interest meant to get the better Of
my enemy she said what he designed for my NORTH
cation should be my triumph And IL She went
down into the city sums into Five Points and studied
the horrible life that surrounded such wretehed exist
ence Nancy Skies In the first Bcone Nancy only
crossed the stage gave sign TO Oliver who was in the
hands OF the officers. then went or II entrance
and exit hardly noticed small accessory incident in
the terribly realistic drama But after Miss Cushman
created the character, this silent always
endousy spplauded. II was curious TO how quickly
the public seized her clever meaning. Instead OF
crossing the stage ce she made three passages Before
The second the whole house came down with laundering
epplsusa Her makeup was marvel There was not
enc Sign Of feminine vanity about Miss Cushman. She
Ras always ready to sacrifice her appearance OF any
Zine 70 the dresses required by her parts And surely
hat horrible perfection Of Five Points feminine