Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-11-22
PRINCE BISMARCK.
THE GREAT GERMAN CHANCEI-
LOR AT WORK AND AT HOME.
Feeble in Body, but Still Strong in
Mind-Living Now a Quiet Life
in His House at Friedrichs-
ruhe-His Surroundings.

but seldom bends. Much has been writ
ten about MIN, yet even in Germany his
personality, his method of life, his method
of work and his peculiarities are known
only to those who surround him.
Bismarck is an early riser. All great
men seem to have that unfortunate pecu-
liarity. Some of us who are not great
like to lie abed late in the morning.
Neither Bismarck nor Gladstone is of
these. At daylight the chancellor is
awake. He seems to consider himself
sentinel on duty. He begins his work
early, but only such matters as are of the
utmost Importance are brought to him.
The details of unimportant work he
leaves to others. His son, Count Her
bert Bismarck, who bids fair to become
a great diplomat some day, shoulders
most of it. But the old chancellor's use
fulness is not over, and when he wants to
he is capable of doing as hard days
work as any one in the Empire. His
body is feeble, but his mind is still
as vigorous as it was when he kept all the
great statesmen of Europe awake, think
ing what new plot he would spring ON
them. He sleeps in an unpretentious and
plainly furnished room. Like the old
Emperor, who has been laid away forever,
ha
Those who have seen his room say that
it is so unpretending as to be almost un-
comfortable in these days of luxury.
There are none of the modern conven-
fences which are considered necessaryeven
by those who are not quite well to do.
His morning meal is plain one, and is
usually taken in his room After this
such business of the nation as it is impor-
tant for him to see and decide upon is
brought to him. If there be important
documents that need his signature, or
conference of ministers or heads of de-
partments, or if there be any episode of
a national or international character, he
informs himself thoroughly about it and
discusses it frankly with his son and then
with his chosen advisers. After this he
spends an hour or more with the Emperor
After his conference with the Emperor,
he takes walk in the magnificent gar
dens of the palace and then frugal
lunch. The afternoon is spent in seeing |
a few callers, or with his family or at |
tending to some state business that de-
mands his attention. But he knows, if he
knows anything, that increasing age
md physical infrmity demand |
that he shall have rest, and |
he takes it. His dinner, at 6 O'Clock, /
is the neartiest meal of the day. His
usual dinner consisted of soup, a roast,
vegetables, black bread and a light wine
or beer. He dimes out occasionally, but |
not often. Two or three times week
few of his chosen friends are invited to /
sup with him. After this they smoke and .
chat and tell stories. Sometimes there is .
music, song, and, if not, an occasional
game of whist is INDUCED in, and at II |
o'clock the great statesman retires. One
day differs little from another. The bow
of peace seems to be set In the sky, and
there is nothing to trouble the old man at
present. The details of government work
he leaves to others; but he insists that he
is as well as ever, and occasionally he
surprises some of his subordinates by ap-
pearing Unexpectedly on the scene and
by showing that he possesses a great deal of
information upon the minor details of
government.
There is scarcely anything remarkable
in his house at Friedrichsruhe 1t is alb
solutely plain. The furniture Is of the
simplest character. There are evidences
here and there of the handiwork of woman,
but no great paintings decorate the walls,
and his library is filled with choice but
inexpensive assortment of books. Por-
traits of his wife, his daughter and his
sons, of Won Moltke, of Cardinal Hohen-
lohe, of Theirs, of Beaconstield, of Glad
stone and of the three Emperors under
whom he has served decorate his walls.
A recent visitor to Bismarck's home, in
describing the place, says that although
some of the rooms contain much that is
plain, others show evidences of luxury
and of decidedly historic Importance. In
the drawing room the floor is covered
with a rich carpet, there are three fire
places here, where, as soon as the cold
weather sets in, blazing logs light up the
room and make it warm and cheerful.