The Indianapolis journal., 1885-03-01
BIsMARCK's SIZE AND VOICE.
His Appearance and Manner When He Ad-
dresses the Reichstag

Translated from Zurich Paper by London News.
Every political gourmet must enjoy hearing
Prince Bismarck speak He is no elegant orator,
rather the contrary, but he can lead debate
like one else. Only few days ago he spoke
seven times in one afternoon, each time with
more energy and spirit, proving that his health
is indeed restored. Suddenly soft bells are
heard in all parts of the house. The electric bells
in the reading room, in the committee rooms,
the Journalists room, are sounded TO announce
the arrival of the Chancellor who has shown
that he will speak presently, for with one
of his pencils, more than foot long, he
has noted down something the loose
quarto sheets before him, with letters not less
than ali inch deep, and this is safe sign that
he intends speaking. The President bows to
him, and Prince Bismarck rises to take the
word" He is certainly more than six feet high
Over his powerful chest and broad shoulders
rises strangely rounded, well-shaped head of
enormous dimensions. and with no hair upon it,
so that it looks like a dome of polished ivory.
Thick, white brows hang over his eyes like
two icicies. These brows give his face dark
and frownlng expression, and the look which
glistens is cold and somewhat cruel-at least in
Parliament. His moustache is also thick and
gray and conceals the mouth entirely. The
whole face is covered with folds and wrinkles
broad rings surround his eyes, and even his tenn
pies are covered with small wrinkles. When he
begins to speak the color of his face changes
from pale to red, and gradually assumes a light
bronze shade, which gives his powerful skull the
appearance Of polished metal.
1t is surprise to hear Bismarck speak for
the first time The soft. almost weak voice is
out of all proportion with his gigantic frame
1t sometimes becomes so soft that we fear it will
die out altogether, and when he has spoken for
awhile it grows hoarse. The Chancellor some
times speaks very fast, sometimes very slowly
but never in loud tone He has no pathos
whatever. Some of his most remarkable words
which in print look if they had been spoken
with full force, rs if they must have had the
nf ,IAuI
are in reality emitted in an ordinary tone of
well-bred conversation, Personal attacks upon
his enemies are spoken by Bismarck with
lronical politeness, and in such an obliging
tone as if they concealed the kindest senti-
ments. But if his anger cannot be heard it
can be seen; his face gradually grows red, and
the veins en- his neck swell in an alarming
manner When angry, he usually grasps the
collar of his uniform, and seems to catch for
breath. His brows are lowered still more
SO that his eyes are almost invisible.
His voice grows shade louder and has
a slight metallic ring in it. The SEN
tences drop from his lips in rapid success
sion. He throws back his head and gives his
face, hard, stony expression. But is difficult
to discern when his anger is real and when it is
artificial The Chancellor has been seen trem.
bling with rage and more like the elements let
loose than like anything else Once when he
thought that the word ''Fie!" had been said by
one of the opposition party. he had one of his
attacks, which would have senced the House
had every one been speaking at once. With
trembling nostrils, with his teeth firmly set
with eyes that emitted fire. and clenched hands,
he jumped from his place to the side where the
word had sounded. If ample apologies and eX
plantations had not been offered, who knows how
this scene might have endedl But except upon
such rare occasions Bismarck. the orator, is al
ways a well bred man. He does not bawl or
shout any part of his speeches, but while giving
them their full share of pointed sarcasm, he al
ways maintains the form of political converse
ton between two gentlemen He has method
of his own for wagng war with his opponents.
He regards his opponents speech as a ball of
which he takes in hand first and with which he
begins to unwind the whole speech, as he would
unwind the bail of wool, But it is easy to see
that while his tongue is speaking his spirit is far
in advance of it.