Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-05-31
BISMARCK AT HOME.
How the German Chancellor Lives and Wo

How the German Chancellor Lives and Works
Blakely Halls Berlin cable to New York
Sun: 81 had an exceedingly interesting
talk to-day with a gentleman whom I am
permitted to describe as a member of
Prince Bismark's household, about the
daily life and personal characteristics
of the Chancellor. The interview has
been revised and approved. 1t is authen
tic in every detail.
"The Chancellor" my informant
said, sleeps from six to eight hours, and
rises very early in the morning. He lies
in a small, plain military bed of the pat
tern used in army camps. The mattress
is almost as hard as board, and the Gov
ering at this time Of the year consists of
sheet and wooden blanket. Many
young men would find it next to impossi-
bic TO sleep on such couch. 1t is not
true, as often reported in the newspapers,
that the Prince eats only one meal day,
and that that meal is prodigious. He eats
a light breakfast substantial dinner at
noon, and takes a biscuit and single
glass of wine before turning in at night.
The Princes Doctor, Professor Schwen-
ringer, restricts him to this diet, and will
not permit his serene Highness to drink
with his meals. This regimen has the eff
feet of keeping down the Chancellor's
weight.
"The Doctor, by the way, has received
at times many marks of esteem and friend
ship in consequence of his successful
treatment of Prince Bismarck. Like the
late Emperor, the Chancellor takes con-
slant exercise walking in the park back of
his palace or occasionally in the streets of
Berlin. In the latter case he is, of course,
always followed by large crowds. 1t is
SOURCE OF GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT
that the swollen veins in his legs will pre-
vent hum from ever mounting a horse
again. His fondness for dogs knows no
bounds. He has four in the palace. Hare,
his favorite, being an enormous thorough
bred Danish wolfhouud. There is ken
mel or compartment for the accommodation
of this splendid brute in the Princes
special travelling car"
'Does the Chancellor" I asked, stake
precautions for his personal safety when
he travels?"
"He is guarded by detectives at all
times" was the answer, "and his palace is
constantly watched by policemen in citi-
zens' attire. His life has been attempted
several times. The Chancellor's manner
is always stern, even towards his servants,
who are never allowed to overstep the
line of ceremonious respect. He has,
however, deep attachment for several of
his old retainers and shows it by remem-
beriog their birthdays every year with a
suitable present.
His temper is not always a thirg of
level and complacent beauty by any
means, and when he loses it his language
is picturesque. Despite his sternness he
is loved by his attendants, secretaries, and
assistants. His intense Germanism is
amusingly shown by his tenacity in cling
ing to the old-fashioned German letters.
never using Latin letters under any cir
cumstances. He speaks all important
languages. His Russian is wonderfully
skillful for foreigner. The Chancellor
WRITES WITH BROAD GRAY QUILLs,
which he uses up at great rate when
writing rapidly. He always wears his
uniform as General of the Brandenburg
Cuirassiers, consisting, in undress, of a
dark military frock-coat, with yellow
collar and braid and broad stripes on the
trousers. His full-dress uniform is more
snowy and is immensely becoming to the
Primes. 1t consists CT a white tunic with
gold facings, cuirass, white riding
breaches, and high boots.''
'Does he still preserve his attitude of
bitter antagonism to the Jews?" asked the
Suns correspondent.
"Yes," was the answer, she is as strong
and antisemitic as ever, and is supposed
to have assisted Stoeckler in his campaign
against the Jews. The love and admir-
alton of Bismark's life is the present
Crown Prince. They are one in every
pref udice and sentiment, and meet daily.
The Chancellor's elder son, Count Herbert
Bismark, is brought up to succeed his ia
nous father, but doubts of the success of
the plan are innumerable. There is a
| younger son, Wilhelm, and one daughter,
| Countess Rantxau, of whom the old Chan
cellor is very fond.
1.-The Chancellor is at his best when
strolling in his garden with his dog and
contem plativly smoking an old fashioned
china bowl German pipe such as the peas
ants here affect. He is aptly called the
Man of Blood and Iron, and yet, with all
mis- austerjty, abso!utism, and izflexibility,
he has qualities of loyalty and fairness in
his personal dealings that bind men to
him ard make them firm admirers of
remarkably well-rounded and CONSTANT
| character"
Disastrous hail storms in india killed
about 200 people at Deliol and Morada-
bad.