“What kinds?”
The clerk put several kinds before Bismarck, from which the latter selected a particularly strong-smelling piece, and put it in his pocket. Then he asked for envelopes and was shown some of the very cheapest kind. Now Bismarck took a despatch from his inside coat-pocket, put it into one of the envelopes, fastened it, and asked for pen and ink and began to write the address. But of course with gloves he could not do it, so he asked the clerk to do it for him. Then he put the envelope with the despatch into the same pocket with the soap. When they were on the street again Bismarck said to his companion: “Now, I defy them to smell my despatch under a perfume composed of soap, herring, and cheese, and an address written in such a hand.”
The Overburdened Horse
Prince Bismarck was suffering from great nervousness at one time, and was obliged to stop smoking and drinking wine altogether for some weeks. When he complained to Emperor William about it, his Majesty said:
“There you see the difference between us. I am ever so much older than you, but I enjoy my cigar, can take a glass of wine, and am very well with it all.”
“Oh yes, your Majesty, that is an old story,” returned the Chancellor; “the rider always has it easier than the horse.”
Without Intent
Lord Russell, the English ambassador at the German court, called one day on Prince Bismarck at the palace of the latter, in Berlin. During conversation, Lord Russell remarked, that a man in the Chancellor’s position must be bothered with a great many troublesome callers.
“God knows how true that is,” sighed the Prince.
“But you certainly have some remedy or other to get rid of such people quickly?”