New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-06
TOPICS IN GERMANY.
LISZT'S FUNERAL ORDERS-BlSMARCKB
/ SPITEFUL NEIGHBOR-- STKEET-CARS

| Berlin December 15
Seldom has literary history had more inter.
csting life 10 record than that Of Raphael Nathan
Rabnowitz the news Of whose death has Just
reached his Baysrian home Rabinowitz, who
was the son of Polish Jew, WAS born In Lithn-
ania flfty-four year, ago. In that northern coun-
try, far from college, school and university. be
was educated, like the rest OF his kind, In the
Talmud and traditions Of his race. The informa-
ton which his mind craved, the books with which
other youth familiar, were denied to him ana
their possession made impossible. But in the few
volumes placed at his disposal he was prodigiousV
learned. He knew the Talmud as he knew bis
letters and IL is said could tell the various words
on the different pages which needle would pierce
when forced through il. His memory was colos'
sal, and he became the wonder OF his native
town But he had a higher ambition He saw
that this would not give him the immortality oil
which he dreamed. lie hoped to realize this IN
a compendium Of the Talmud which h. deter
mined to write The sngleness of purpose with
which he followed the plan, once made. is almost
D0rotheuslike. Hearing that the Royal Library
of Munich possessed the only manuscript OF his
holy book he began his journey thither at tho
age when the Wandering Jews is supposed Ia
begin his centennial pilgrimage; and indeed he
might have been taken for him. LoDg-halred,
low in stature, grizzly bearded, with small, keen
eyes, and dressed in the indescribable costume
of Polish Jew, he travelled from place n place.
without money and without friends But no
reached his destination, where success soon
crowned his efforts. HIS industry was eXtraor-
binary; he abored as Faust might have done.
lie brought to light commentaries upon the TAI
mud unknown to savants and bibliophiles His
studies carried him to Egypt, Persia. Western
Asia and the cities Of Palestine. lie was aided
by the wealthy banker, Merzbocher, and soon cob
lectcd library of 1000 volumes and l5e manu-
scripts pertaining 70 the Talmnd.
With this scientific apparatus, he began his
cherished work. lie abored for years, night and
day. Volume after volume went TO the press ~
the fruit of his industry, to be welcomed by the
Hebrew world. Sixteen appeared, forming COM
pendulum TO the Talmud, and containing gen.
eral review Of all the literature Of the sacred
book of the Jews The costs OF publication,
| which were considerable, were borne in part by
! the Maecenas who early befriended him, and
! raised by congregations all over the wo-id But
! the poor man WAS not destined 10 complete his
lifc-worls Or see its full fruition. Death over
took him in the steppcs Of Russia, while on the
| final expedition connected with his studies
Rabinowtz spoke German with Jewish ac-
| cent. but was versed in the beauties OF tho
| Teutonic tongue. The small clever eyes 10 the
| characteristic face of the little Hebrew tho
sympathy of all who came in contact with him,
and his profound learning filed them with as
| tonishment lie counted among his friends ana
patrons Prime" Bismarck and two Cardinals 1io-
henche and HerzenIother. Through the latter hs
gained entrance to the library OF the Vatican
and the privilege of remaining in the Vatican
on Catholic holidays-a privilege which no other
vpd
carried through the halls, he alone stood erect
| while the others fell upon their knees His be-
| lief forbade such homage to the Head OF tho
| Catholic Church, who greeted him IN passing aa
a friend Few strangers have been honored az
he.
The long war which has been waged, with
the bitterness of the Seven Cities. over the last
resting place of Franz List. between Wcimar.
| Pesth and Bayreuth has been ended at last by
the discovery of letter in possession OF Princess
| Hohenlohe asserting with posltiveness that ha
| bones are not to be removed: he writes IN come
| munication dated 1865:
| Overbecks death reminds me OF my own; y
| wish | pray, and command that my burial shall!
! take place without pomp and be rs simple anu
| mex pensive as possible. | protest against
| funeral like Rossnls and even gathering oS
| friends and acquaintance, as IN tDe case on
| Overlook. / desire no state, no music no poihu
( Of espccial honor, no unnecessary illumination
| and no eulogy OF any kind do NOT wish my
| corpse buried in church. but IN churchysrd
| and let all remember never to remove IL from
| its resting place to another. l WISH no othor
| place for my remains than the Gods -.f, near
which die. nor any ceremony o'ner ,sa,ic,S S'
| The inscription upon my grave may Dc "a
habitabant recti cum vultu suo
Bayreuth, where List died. in August 1856
is thus assured of the possession Of his bones az
the behest of the old MASTER will be treated
| as law.
Just opposite the palace Of the young Prince
| Leopold of Prussia, and next TO the Chancellors
| palace on the Wilhelm Strasse, where half Ok
Europe is ruled at present. stands house. lol'y
and Mlatial in size, but with an air Of desoia-
ton, desertion and mystery which attracts tho
attention of the passer.by. II is larger than the
home Of the Chancellor. The windows are closed,
the blinds lowered, and the great iron gate, OPEN
! ing upon the court where grass has srouted,
| is barred and bolted The ivy has grown ~lld
| along the wall and the marble statues OF Watt,
| Stephenson, Fulton and score Of mechanics.
which fill the inches OF the front and sides gNlns
il the appearance Of an international TOMB arc
| yellow with the repeated peiting OF the RAIN.
Between the dark, gloomy. dnngeoii-lke hoase
| and the Chanceiofs palace, IN fact Win "i..
joining walls, are the stables feaay aor s,," ,bs
| floor above Wrapped in this silence, the house
stands to-day II has stood for years III was tho
| home of the great Bofsig, the German ioconofiva
| builder one of the weaithlcst and brightest men
of Germany, and probably Bismarck most bitter
| enemy. The Chancellor had refused request
Vital TO his interests, and he determined upon
| revenge lie is long since dead but he lived long
enough ere he left his millions 10 an industrious
| son TO offend Bismarck more than any other man.
Borsig placed his stables almost at bismarck
| litchcn-door No begging could change his pur;
rose, and no money could buy his lot. lie nag
| need OF none and his revenge was taken Though
the family of the great engineer have long since
left their Wlhelmstrasse palace. the staoles ars
as conspicuous as ever.
A movement has begun In Berlin TO raise ths
wages of car-drivers. They undoubtedly need IL
RECEIVING but eighteen dollars month, which u
increased somewhat by fees. The fares in Germany
depend upon the, distance travelled two ana ha'
cents being the minimum and six or seven the max
imum price The custom of tipping the conductor
is very general in the German metropolis, the
The regular salaries of the employees are rslssi
with passing years an addition of five dollars Delaa
l. 80. Gr>I and IAlllN