Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-05

unexpectedly on the scene and by showing that
he Possesses great deal Of information upon
the minor details Of government.
BISMARCK AND GLADSTONE.
It would be hard to nnd two men who are 90
radically different as Bismarck and Gladstone.
Both have arrived at the age when most men
have passed into senility but both seem to be
vigorous and capable Of doing yeoman service
Bismarck differs from Gladstone in that he paws
little or no attention to literature and rarely II
ever. makes . speech Gladstone. a. all the
world knows. 10 continually speechmaking or
writing pamphlets, or discussing this or that
ism, VI plunging headlong into some work that
many younger man would feel unequal to; but
Bismarck, trained as LAWYER. schooled iu state
craft a. no other man In Europe. able to speak
half dozen languages conversant with all the
classics Of the time, cares nothing for them now
He seems to have but one hope and one am
billion. 1t Is Germany. Few persons know that
he Ia proficient Greek and Latin scholar and
it may surprise people to be acquainted with the
TACT that In his early days he made numerous
translations of Virgil and Homer. History and
geography have always been his favCrite studies
He would not be a German If he did not love
music. He Is great admirer Of Beethoven,
ard, while he dislikes everything that is French,
he speaks In high praise of the realistic novel;
lists OF that country. In his younger days he
was great gambler. and 1t is on record that he
has not bet on card for many a day. He is a
great smoker and prefers the old-fashioned pipe
TO cigar In personal appearance he Is very
stoOp-shouldered and when walking leans
heavily on his cane. His clothes are i'll fitting
but his eye is clear and the firm mouth Is easily
discerned through gray mustache that hardly
covers his lips.
BIsMARCK's HOME.
There Is scarcely anything remarkable In his
house at Friedrichsruhe 1t is absolutely plain
The furniture is of the simplest character There
are evidences hero and tharo ot Tho band;uorl
OF woman, but no great paintings decorate the
walls, and his library Is filed with a choice but
inexpensive assortment Of books. Portraits of
ms wife, his daughter and his sons. of Won
Mo!tke, OF Cardinal Hohenlohe, of Theirs. of
Beaconsfeld, of Gladstone and of the three en-
perors under whom he has served decorate his
walls: A recent visitor to Bismarcks home. in
describing the place, says that although some of
the rooms contain much that is plain. others
snow evidences Of luxury and of decidedly his
toric Importance. In the drawing room the floor
is covered with arich carpet there are three fire.
places here, where. as soon as the cold weather
sets IN. blazing logs light up the room and make
II warm and cheerful. There is an abundance
OF couc es sometimes two or three in one room.
Inc dining room is severely plain. Its chief
auornnent Is the bronze statue of the emperor
given by himself to Bismarck. There is bronze
imitation OF Neiderwald. which stands in fine
OAK CUPBOARD in the smoking room. eaflet
Is attached to it, with the following words writ
ten IN the emperors own hand: christmas.
1852 Inc GROWING stone of your policy.
festival destined chiefly for you and which you
unhappily was not able to attend. W."
IN BIsMARCK's STUDY
there is small card table bearing brass plate.
on which is an English inscription to the effect
that on the table the preliminary peace between
Germany and France was signed at Versailles in
1871. When opened there appears the central
round OF green cloth with the very candle spots
tnat were there when Bismarck and Fayre put
their names under the treaty. Bismarck often
laughingl! explains how he became possessed of
this curiosity. 1t required some diplomacy even
on the part OF the great diplomat. The land
lady Of the house who owned the table obsti.
nately refused to part with it for any considera-
ton OF money, so as q last resort Bismarck
called in cabinet maker and ordered him to
make another table exactly similar. When the
twins were put side by side the landlady wo-
manlike, decided In favor OF the new and shiny
table. and Bismarck triumphanty carried of
the old one II the chanceOr's study aud bed
room Is plain to severity the guest rooms, sit
uated on the nrst floor, are distinguished by
comfort, ease and luxury.
IT IS A HAPPY HOME.
as those who have been entertained there will
testify In it its owner forgets so Tar as he can.
all strife. The torch OF hate is put out. There
is no thought Of war; but instead there is feast
Ing and music. the prattle of children's voters
and an air Of quiet and peace that BODIES well
for Germany. The silent man, the man of
blood and iron. the man who has put the stand
ard Of craftsmanship and diplomacy so high
that his successors will have great difficulty in
reaching 1t, the most hated and best loved man
in Europe. is nearing the end, disguise it as
much as his friends will. What his thoughts
are amid the scenes of revery in which his
children and grandchildren take part no one
can tell, for he has few cOnfidants If any II
his lite had been a failure in every other re-
spect he would still be great. tor he has taught
one magnificent lesson to statesmen which is
the value of silence FREDERIC SASBuRN