CONTENTS
| EDITOR’S PREFACE. | Page [xv] |
| [Book the First.] THE BISMARCKS OF OLDEN TIME. | |
| CHAPTER I. NAME AND ORIGIN. | |
| Bismarck on the Biese.—The Bismarck Louse.—Derivation of the Name Bismarck.—Wendic Origin Untenable.—The Bismarcks in Priegnitz and Ruppin.—Riedel’s Erroneous Theory.—The Bismarcks of Stendal.—Members of City Guilds.—Claus von Bismarck of Stendal.—Rise of the Family into the Highest Rank in the Fourteenth Century. | [31] |
| CHAPTER II. CASTELLANS AT BURGSTALL CASTLE. [1270-1550.] | |
| Rulo von Bismarck, 1309-1338.—Excommunicated.—Claus von Bismarck.—His Policy.—Created Castellan of Burgstall, 1345.—Castellans.—Reconciliation with Stendal, 1350.—Councillor to the Margrave, 1353.—Dietrich Kogelwiet, 1361.—His White Hood.—Claus in his Service, while Archbishop of Magdeburg.—The Emperor Charles IV.—The Independence of Brandenburg threatened.—Chamberlain to the Margrave, 1368.—Subjection of the Marks to Bohemia, 1373.—Claus retires into Private Life.—Death about 1377.—Claus II., 1403.—Claus III. and Henning.—Friedrich I. appoints Henning a Judge.—Ludolf.—His Sons.—Pantaleon.—Henning III. obiit circâ 1528.—Claus Electoral Ranger, 1512.—Ludolf von Bismarck.—Electoral Sheriff of Boetzow, 1513.—His Descendants. | [36] |
| CHAPTER III. THE PERMUTATION. [1550-1563.] | |
| Changes.—The Electoral Prince John George and Burgstall.—Forest-rights.—The Exchange of Burgstall for Crevese.—Schönhausen and Fischbeck.—The Permutation completed, 1563. | [50] |
| CHAPTER IV. THE BISMARCKS OF SCHÖNHAUSEN. [1563-1800.] | |
| Further Genealogy of the Bismarcks.—Captain Ludolf von Bismarck.—Ludolf August von Bismarck.—His remarkable Career.—Dies in the Russian Service, 1750.—Frederick William von Bismarck.—Created Count by the King of Würtemberg.—Charles Alexander von Bismarck, 1727.—His Memorial to his Wife.—His Descendants.—Charles William Ferdinand, Father of Count Otto von Bismarck. | [57] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| Armorial Bearings. | [68] |
| CHAPTER VI. THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF BISMARCK’S BIRTHPLACE. | |
| Genthin.—The Plotho Family.—Jerichow.—Fischbeck.—The Kaiserburg.—The Emperor Charles IV.—The Elector Joachim Nestor.—Frederick I.—General Fransecky “to the Front.”—Tangermünde.—Town-hall.—Count Bismarck.—His Uniform, and the South German Deputy.—Departure for Schönhausen. | [77] |
| CHAPTER VII. SCHÖNHAUSEN. | |
| The Kattenwinkel.—Wust.—Lieutenant Von Katte.—Schönhausen.—Its History.—The Church.—Bishop Siegobodo.—Bismarck’s Mansion.—Interior.—Bismarck’s Mother.—Bismarck’s Birth-Chamber.—The Library.—Bismarck’s Youthful Studies.—Bismarck’s Maternal Grandmother.—The Countess with the Dowry.—Ghost Stories.—Anecdote of a Ghost.—The Cellar Door.—The French at Schönhausen.—The Templars.—The Park.—The Wounded Hercules.—The Pavilion.—Two Graves.—The Orangery.—The Knight’s Demesne.—Departure from Schönhausen. | [81] |
| [Book the Second.] YOUTH. | |
| CHAPTER I. SCHOOL AND COLLEGE DAYS. | |
| Bismarck’s Parents.—Brothers and Sisters.—Bismarck Born.—Kniephof, Jarchelin, and Külz.—The Plamann Institute.—The Frederick William Institute.—Residence in Berlin.—Bismarck’s Father and Mother.—Letter of Count Bismarck to his Sister.—Confirmation.—Dr. Bonnell.—Severity of the Plamanns.—Holiday Time.—Colonel August Frederick von Bismarck and the Wooden Donkey at Ihna Bridge.—School-life with Dr. Bonnell.—The Cholera of 1831.—The Youthful Character and Appearance of Bismarck.—Early Friends.—Proverbs.—“Far from Sufficient!” quoth Bismarck. | [101] |
| CHAPTER II. UNIVERSITY AND MILITARY LIFE. [1832-1844.] | |
| Göttingen.—The Danish Dog and the Professor.—Duels.—Berlin.—Appointed Examiner.—Anecdotes of his Legal Life.—Bismarck and his Boots.—Meeting with Prince, now King, William.—Helene von Kessel.—Aix la Chapelle.—Greifswald.—Undertaking the Pomeranian Estates.—Kniephof.—“Mad Bismarck.”—His Studies.—Marriage of his Sister.—Letters to her.—Norderney.—Saves his Servant Hildebrand’s Life.—“The Golden Dog.”—A Dinner Party at the Blanckenburgs.—Von Blanckenburg.—Major, now General, Von Roon.—Dr. Beutner. | [123] |
| CHAPTER III. BETROTHAL AND MARRIAGE. [1847.] | |
| Falls in Love.—Johanna von Putkammer.—Marriage.—Meets King Frederick William IV.—Birth of his First Child.—Schönhausen and Kniephof with a New Mistress. | [148] |
| [Book the Third.] LEARNING THE BUSINESS. | |
| CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. “UT SCIAT REGNARE.” | |
| Bismarck’s Policy.—Its Gradual Growth and Political Character.—Contrast with Lucchesini.—Bismarck’s Open Honesty.—Vassal and Liege.—Liberalism a Danger.—Democracy a Danger.—The Relative Positions of Prussia and Austria in the Federation.—Gerlach’s Ideal Conservatism. | [157] |
| CHAPTER II. THE ASSEMBLY OF THE THREE ESTATES. [1847.] | |
| The February Constitution.—Merseberg.—First Appearance of Bismarck in the White Saloon.—Von Saucken.—Bismarck’s First Speech.—Conservatives and Liberals.—The First of June.—Jewish Emancipation.—Illusions Destroyed. | [165] |
| CHAPTER III. THE DAYS OF MARCH. [1848.] | |
| Rest at Home.—Contemplation.—The Revolution in Paris, February, 1848.—Progress of the Revolutionary Spirit.—The March Days of Berlin.—The Citizen Guard.—Opening of the Second Session of the United Diet, 2d April, 1848.—Prince Solms-Hohen-Solms-Lich.—Fr. Foerster.—“Eagle’s Wings and Bodelswings.”—Prince Felix Lichnowsky.—The Debate on the Address.—Speech of Bismarck.—Revolution at the Portal of the White Saloon.—Vaticinium Lehninense.—The Kreuzzeitung Letter of Bismarck on Organization of Labor.—Bismarck at Stolpe on the Baltic.—The Winter of Discontent.—Manteuffel. | [178] |
| CHAPTER IV. CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP. [1849-1851.] | |
| The Second Chamber.—The Sword and the Throne.—Acceptance of the Frankfurt Project.—The New Electoral Law.—Bismarck’s Speeches.—The King and the Stag.—Birth of Herbert von Bismarck.—“What does this Broken Glass Cost?”—The Kreuzzeitung Letters.—The Prussian Nobility.—“I am Proud to be a Prussian Junker!”—Close of the Session. | [191] |
| [Book the Fourth.] ON THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. | |
| CHAPTER I. ON THE VOYAGE OF LIFE. [1851-1859.] | |
| Ambassador.—Interview with the King.—Lieut.-General von Rochow.—Anecdotes.—Frankfurt.—Reception of the Prince of Prussia.—Society at Frankfurt.—The King’s Birthday.—Position of Prussia.—Correspondence. | [217] |
| CHAPTER II. BISMARCK ON THE NEVA. [1859-1862.] | |
| Ambassador to St. Petersburg.—Illness.—Journey.—Hunting.—The Coronation of William I. | [280] |
| CHAPTER III. BISMARCK ON THE SEINE. [1862.] | |
| The Premiership ahead.—Ambassador to Paris.—Unveiling of the Brandenburg Statue.—Uncertainty.—Delivers his Credentials to Napoleon III.—Description of the Embassy House at Paris, and of Prussia House, London.—Journey to the South of France.—Trouville.—Bordeaux.—Bayonne.—San Sebastian.—Biarritz.—Luchon.—Toulouse.—End of his Journeyman Days. | [310] |
| [Book the Fifth.] MINISTER-PRESIDENT AND COUNT. | |
| CHAPTER I. THE CRISIS. | |
| The Crisis of 1862.—Bismarck Premier.—The Party of Progress.—The Liberals.—The Conservatives.—Bismarck’s Determination.—“Voilà mon Médecin!”—Anecdotes.—Attitude of the Government.—Refusal of the Budget.—Prudence of the Minister-President.—Official Presentation of Letters of Recall at Saint Cloud. | [331] |
| CHAPTER II. THE MAN AT THE HELM. | |
| Negotiations with Austria.—Circular of the 24th of January, 1863.—Conversation with Count Karolyi.—Prusso-Russian Convention.—The Party of Progress.—Congress of Princes.—Conditions of Prussia.—War in the Distance.—The Danish Campaign.—Treaty of Gastein, 14th August, 1865.—Bismarck elevated to the Rank of Count.—Bismarck and Pauline Lucca.—Correspondence with his Family.—Hunting at Schönbrunn.—Biarritz. | [343] |
| CHAPTER III. THE GREAT YEAR, 1866. | |
| Disputes with Austria.—The Central States.—Mobilization of the Army.—Bismarck shot at by Kohn-Blind, 7th May, 1866.—Excitement in Berlin.—War Imminent.—Declaration.—The King sets out on the Campaign.—Sichrow.—Jitschen.—Battle of Sadowa, 3d July, 1866.—Bismarck with His Majesty on the Battle-field.—Negotiations of Nicolsburg.—Treaty of Prague.—Illness of Bismarck.—Consolidation of Prussia.—Triumphant Entry of the Army into Berlin.—Peace. | [382] |
| CHAPTER IV. MAJOR GENERAL AND CHANCELLOR OF THE FEDERATION. | |
| Conversation with M. de Vilbort.—Appearance as Chancellor.—M. Bamberger’s Views.—Bismarck as an Orator.—The Luxemburg Question.—Fall from his Horse.—Citizenship of Bülow.—Visit to Holstein.—Speech to a Torchlight Procession. | [414] |
| CHAPTER V. A BALL AT BISMARCK’S. | |
| Interior of Bismarck’s House at Berlin.—Arrival of Guests.—The King.—The Queen.—The Royal Princes.—The Generals.—Committee of Story-tellers in the Refreshment-room.—Supper.—The Ball.—Home. | [431] |
| CHAPTER VI. BISMARCK’S HOUSE AT BERLIN. | |
| Bismarck’s House in ordinary Costume.—Its History.—“Sultan Uilem and Grand Vizier Bi-Smarck.”—“Bismarck, grand homme, Bakschisch!”—The Cuckoo Clock.—Daily Habits.—Sunday at Bismarck’s. | [441] |
| CHAPTER VII. VARZIN. | |
| Purchase of Varzin.—The Verandah.—The Park.—The name of Bismarck famous.—House Inscriptions.—Popularity of Bismarck.—In an Ambush of School-girls.—Conclusion. | [448] |
| [APPENDIX A.] | |
| The Legend of Gertrude and Bismarckias. | [459] |
| [APPENDIX B.] | |
| The Prussian Constitution of 1847. | [461] |
| Ordinance of the 3d of February, 1847. | [463] |
| Ordinance on Periodical Assembling. | [468] |
| The King’s Speech—April, 1847. | [472] |
| [APPENDIX C.] | |
| Ich bin ein Preusse! | [483] |
| I am a Prussian! | [484] |
| Index | [487] |
LIST OF LARGER ILLUSTRATIONS.
| To face page | |
| COUNT OTTO VON BISMARCK | (Frontispiece) [5] |
| THE BISMARCKS OF OLD | [36] |
| Happy the man who ne’er forgets The great and good who bore his name; They honor him who honors them, And emulates their fame. | |
| BISMARCK’S FATHER (Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand von Bismarck) | [75] |
| BISMARCK’S ARMORIAL BEARINGS | [88] |
| Lift the ancestral standard high, The banners to the breeze be cast! ’Tis in the warnings of the Past The sure hopes of the Future lie. | |
| EARLY YOUTH | [96] |
| The opening buds betray the flowers, The flowers the fruit betray; The first note that we catch reveals The spirit of the lay. | |
| THE CRADLE | [107] |
| Stately, noble, and well founded, And with beauty all surrounded, Stand the old ancestral towers; Stately, noble, and well grounded In himself, with hopes unbounded, See the son forsake those bowers For the pathway that will lead him To the troublous times that need him. | |
| LEARNING THE BUSINESS | [154] |
| The master is born, not made, But must learn the way to rule, As the workman learns his trade, And life must be his school: He must give body and soul, He must give heart and hand, To his work, and must search out knowledge Through many a foreign land. | |
| COUNTESS VON BISMARCK-SCHÖNHAUSEN | [181] |
| ON THE VOYAGE OF LIFE | [198] |
| Count not such days as wasted; The wanderer, as he goes, Plucks many a flower of wisdom That by the wayside grows. | |
| BISMARCK’S ONLY SISTER (Frau von Arnim) | [238] |
| A BALL AT BISMARCK’S | [269] |
| Beauty and strength, rank, fame, and power Assemble in the festive hall, To dance away the merry hour, Or watch the gay scene from the wall. | |
| BISMARCK AS CHANCELLOR | [313] |
| BISMARCK’S ESTATE IN FARTHER POMERANIA | [354] |
| The Bismarcks shall hold their domain till the day When they from their haunts drive the herons away. | |
| VICTORY | [384] |
| MAJOR-GENERAL AND CHANCELLOR OF THE CONFEDERATION | [414] |
| Before Prussia’s royal banner Humbled is the Austrian’s pride; On the field of victory Is the statesman justified. | |
| THE PARK AT VARZIN | [451] |