The times., 1898-01-09
mrhe Iron chancellor."

modern book illustrating Is placed IN
our hand. the eyes sean the pictures
at once They are the consuming IN
,e,asts of The moment. 1t is childish in
stinct asserting itself Nevertheless it
IS for the moment only. A meritorious
text is always the more impressive and
enduring. Admirable is the book which
can boast both a scholarly text and an
Illumination of artistic genuineness.
These desirable marks distinguish an
ambitious new publication, Germany
Iron Chancellor, Bismarck" by Bruno
Garlepp. and translated by Sidney
Whitman. who is the author of many
important studies in German history
and biography. The work has rare
timeliness. Bismarck, now aged and
infirm, is patiently waiting the voice OF
his Master His life work is honorably
and eloriously accomplished. He is
magnificent figure in the history of this
century. He has dictated the geogra-
phy of Europe; his hand has been con-
spicuous in every great stroke involv-
ing international Europe during the last
sixty wears; his genius for war ana
peace is crystalliZed in a united Empire
which is a greater and more significant
monument to his name than TO the I'M
J)erial house whose representative sits
is not only urgently called for at this
time, but it could scarcely have been
written before, for only recently has II
become apparent that the iron hand
will not again be raised for shifting
stroke Only one word remains to be
written in Bismarcks biography. 1t is
one which the world hopes to see de-
ferred as long as possible While the
great man remains an example, in his
iolac he 90 pf
domestic virtues. Herr Garlepp's work
IS a fine literary and biographical
achievement. 1t is characterized by
an amplified, forceful, accurate and
charming narrative Its accounts of
the great mans early life. his first ev-
licences Of the developing genius, his
advent into power. his growth in in
ternationai Importance, his world-sig-
nificant achievements, his daring, his
triumDhs, inspire the reader as they
have inspired the biographer. and some
OF the spirit of the Iron Chancellor an
imates the brilliant text.
Aside from the literary and histori-
cal value and quality Of this work.
admiration is challenged for the gem
erosity almost profiigacy, with which
the big pages have been strewn with
reproductions Of scenes, incidents, and
portraits relative to the central sub
ltCl- IL Is hpnbAlAsi IL q bAOS SHiiN ise@S
ever been prepared with such sumptu-
GUS embellishments The rich cover.
the paper and type-face, are all in hai-
mony with the distinction given by the
pictures. There are about six hun
dred and fifty pictures in all. some of
them exquisite double-page reproduc-
tions in color Of paintings by great
masters Among the names which give
artistic distinction TO the pages are
Carl Wagner Gustav Asmuss, and
Ewald Thirl.
The public career of Bismarck is so
well and generally known that it seems
quite superfiuous to repeat any refer
ences to it. There is, however, phase
of his life quite as interesting as sig
nificant 1t is the student days In
college he denoted himself the same
original, unsubmissiVe, trenchant char
acter that he proved To be in his ma
turest development. DuellinP, Smok
ing. and beer drinking are the three ac-
accomplishments OF a German student
Bismarck was expert in all of them,
but more especially as duellist. He
was so seldom wounded that he won
for himself among the students the
sobriouet of "the inVulnerable
Achilles" Though duelling was ultra
popular among the students. it was
frowned upon by the authorities and
the university rules were stringent
upon the duelling corps. Bismarck
never suffered any uneaSiness because
of the rules. but he gave himself a
great deal of trouble on account OF
the challenges his free tongue and
will gave him. A record of his uni
versity life reads alternatively of duels
and imprisonments. In fact between
the two II is hard to see what time he
gave to study. AT one time, because
he resigned from one corps TO JOIN an
other. the abandaned corps unani
mously challenged him. and he accept
ed and fought them sinsly-
1t is related that at another time
Bismarck was suffering from ague for
which his doctor prescribed quinine.
The medicine by a mere chance arrived
at the same time as a hamper of lard
ed goose and SauSages from home. The
sight of these delicacies excited his ap-
petite so much. in spite of the ague,
that he GeVoured two pounds of sau-
sa9es instead of the quinine. and then
went for a walk. after refreshing HIM
self with a couple of glasses of beer
The next day he was completely restor-
ed to health. as he joyfully reported to
the doctor who came to visit him. The
physician praised the good effects of
the medicine, but was aStonished TO
hear that the cure was solely due to
Bismarck'S robust constitution and the
two pounds Of sausage.
Another anecdote Of Bismarck's love
Of smoking is given in his own words,
and though his tribute is eXemplified
by cigar it is a pipe which has always
given him his especial JOY. Toward
the end of the Franco-Prussian war,
Jules Fagre had come TO Versailles to
negotiate some matter or other, and
Bismarck offered him a cigar which
Favre declined on the ground of his be-
ing a nom smoker. According TO Count
Herlison's Memoirs the great German
rTetorted: You are wrong, for in be-
ginning q conversation which not in
frequently leads To discussions and
heated language, il is better to smoke
whilst one is speaking. You see, if you
are smoking, the cigar which you hold
in your hand and which you do not
wish to fall to the ground restraints
your physical movements. Again,
without robbing us of any of our in
tellectual faculties, it sootheS us NOR
ally. a cigar is distraction; the blue
smoke rises in rings, and which you
unconsciously follow with your eyes,
gladdens your heart and makes you
more placable. You feel happy, for
your eyes are occupied, your hands
have something to do, and your sense
of smell is satisfied.
''one is then in the mood to make
mutual concessions, and our business
as diplomats consists of incesSant mu-
tual concessions. You as a non-smok-
er have a distinct advantage over me
as smoker. You are more likely to
be carried away by Your feelings and
TO follow up your original intentions"
1t is pleasant to be reminded that
one of the strongest personal influences
upon Bismarck during his university
days later in Berlin came from asso-