Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-18
BISMARCK At HOME.
The Eject of Nervous and Rheumatic
Pains on His Iran Constitution.

N.
Berlin Letter 10 the Lcndon Chronicle
1t has been already sufficiently established
that there was absolutely rothing to JUS
tify the recent unfavoranle reports about
Prince Bismaclks state of health The cx-
chancellor now lives entirely in the past.
and has little or no influence on the dir.r-
ton taken by current affairs. peep.
however behind the four walls Of his sim
pie country chateau is always Interesting
especially whe.i his favored friends act as
guides. by telling us how readily he dips
into the inexnaustible treasures OF his ca
pacious memory. and relates in captivating
tone with the eloquence of master of
CONVEX sation, stories from the rich expe-
rience of his active official life. Prince
Bismarck still has an iron constitution
chat enables him to enjoy the pleasures
Of life with greater zest than generally
falls to the lot of an octogenarian. He
suffers. it is true. acutely at times from
nervous facial and rheumatic pains. but
as with all men of gigantic energy. ii is
Only when these attacks are unusually VIC
lent that his temper and powers Of en-
joyment are perceptibly affected thereby.
There is a good measure of novelty In the
apparently monotonous daily life of Fried
richsruh. The lord of the chateau. de-
vCtedly served by the dependents his sec
reIdry ana mis- physician, who pays him
occasional visits. rarely, if ever. shows
himself before the midday meal. but then
he is always i'll good form. Although. in
order to prevent a constant flow of guests
II is generally given out that his state of
health does not permit him to receive Wis
itors, friends of the family constantly dine
or lunch with him. and DIR. Chysander his
secretary, often meets people at the sta
tfcn to conduct them to the manor. in order
that the prince may impart his views TO
the outer world. The venerable Statesman
thoroughly enjoys his meals. and il is
scathing glance of disddin that he turns
from under his beetling hroWS on the in
dividual who cannot take his share of the
firs t-class brands of champagne. Mosellc or
Rhine wines which are brought az from
the broad bins of the Capacious cellar. or
who declines to pun the priceless Hayaras
offered to Kim. At one Of his parlia-
mentary luncheons in Berlin when he was
in the zenith of his power, the prince was
discussing with ME the quality Of cigar
Count Herbert had just given me. and
remarked: 'Ah. you are a lucky fellow to
he able 10 smoke that cigar. | used to
prefer cigar smoking. and smoked a lot
of them in former days. but very strong
ones am now only allowed the luxury
OF pipes!' The prince always smokes
pipes, which are carefully and regularly nli-
ed and reilled for him by his attendant A
pictorial idea of the domestic life at Fried
ricfsruh is very well given in Eher's we'll
known sketches The prince is fond of
driving and walking, and is not always re-
strained from outdoor exercise of this
kind by rain otherwise Indictment wealth
er, and lucky, indeed, are those individuals
who have the privilege of accompanying
him, for he treats them to an incessant
flow of conversation. didactic and narrative.
No public man ever eXcelled him in the
power of sarcasm. which is at times ex-
ceedingly puagent and biting.
Few people are more delighted than
Prince Bismarck at the receipt of gifts. and
certainly nobody was ever favored with
more liberal dO.a lions of all kinds
rels of Bavarian beer the choicest wines
from the Rhine and the Moselle. the finest
salmon that come out of the rivers of the
fatherland, eatableS and drinkables Of the
very best. are continually finding their way
to Friedrichsruh from admirers at home
ard abroad. The best gardens and con-
servatories, also. are stripped Of their choic-
est fruits and flowers, for Bismarck is also
an ardent admirer of flowers. Roses he is
particularly fond of. and L had an oppor-
tunity this summer of discovering that
he preferred, above ALL dark kinds. A
taStefully arranged basket of roses was
ordered for him from a Hamburg florist, who
dispatched them to Fricirchsruh under
the care of young female attendant from
his shop. She was ushered into the garden
after the family luncheon, whore the prince
was admirng fine young wild boar shot
that morning by his keeper. The prince
took the accompanying envelope and recog-
niZed the name Of the donor. making a
remark. with smile. TO one of his com
paDions: then, visibly pleased he turned 10
the ba sket of flowers and said How l love
roses; and these are dark ones, Most peo-
pie send me light-coiored roses. but L much
prefer these, and the color suits a man
of my age infinitely better With the
capriciousness. however. OF "A much-courted
beauty, the prince soon forgcts his count
less floral gifts. and the carefully devised
attentions are rot unfrequently left I'M
acknowledged. neglect for which. how
ever. he cannot be said to be personally
responsible as, doubtless, his Instructions
and wishes In this respect are not always
carried out.