MY RECOLLECTIONS OF BISMARCK-1879-1881 581 



Bismarck a pipe with a long wooden stem and a large 

 porcelain bowl. It was a massive affair; and, in a jocose, 

 apologetic way, he said that, although others might smoke 

 cigars and cigarettes, he clung to the pipe and in spite 

 of the fact that, at the Philadelphia Exposition, as he had 

 heard, a great German pipe was hung among tomahawks, 

 scalping-knives, and other relics of barbarism. From time 

 to time a servant refilled his pipe, while he discoursed upon 

 various subjects first upon the condition of America and 

 of Germany; then upon South American matters, and of 

 the struggle between Chile and other powers. He showed 

 great respect for the Chileans, and thought that they mani- 

 fested really sterling qualities. 



He spoke of ship-building, and showed, as it seemed to 

 me, rather a close knowledge of the main points involved. 

 He referred to the superiority of Russian ships, the wood 

 used being more suitable than that generally found else- 

 where. As to American ships, he thought they were built, 

 as a rule, of inferior woods, and that their reputation had 

 suffered in consequence. 



The conversation again falling upon public men, a refer- 

 ence of mine to Gladstone did not elicit anything like a 

 hearty response; but the mention of Disraeli seemed to 

 arouse a cordial feeling. 



Among the guests was Lothar Bucher, whom Bismarck, 

 in earlier days, would have hanged if he had caught him, 

 but who had now become the chancellor '& most confidential 

 agent ; and, as we came out together, Bucher said : ' ' Well, 

 what do you think of him 1 ' ' My answer was : i i He seems 

 even a greater man than I had expected. " "Yes," said 

 Bucher ; i l and I am one of those who have suffered much 

 and long to make him possible." I said: "The result is 

 worth it, is it not?" "Yes," was the reply; "infinitely 

 more than worth it. ' ' 



My next visit was of a very peculiar sort. One day 

 there arrived at the legation Mr. William D. Kelly of 

 Pennsylvania, anxious, above all things, to have a talk 

 with Bismarck, especially upon the tariff and the double 



