BISMARCK'S LOVE OF TOBACCO.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 57, 2 November 1878, Page 2

BISMARCK'S LOVE OF TOBACCO.

Prince Bismarck transacts most of his official business with a cigar in his mouth anil in tho memoirs of I [err Maurice Baseh, his late secretary, may be found a characteristic anecdote of how this Prussian statesman claimed and enforced bis privilege of smoking at the sittings of the Military Commission of tho Diet at Frankfort. Tin; story is given in tho Chancellor's own words : While Rochow represented Prussia at the Diet, Count Rechborg, tho President, who represented Austria, was the only member who smoked at the Board. Rochow, who was a great smoker, had often longed to light It cigar but did not dare. When I arrived however, I asked myself why Prussia should not do as Austria did. So at the first sitting 1 drew out a cigar and asked Kechberg for a light, which lie gave me, stupified at my coolness. Tho other delegates were not less amazed, and wroto to their respective Governments for instructions : but the subject was a serious one, requiring reflection, so six months elapsed without their obtaining an answer. Meanwhile, Bothver, the Hanoverian who was a great friend of Rechberg, took tho liberty of lighting up to be oven with mo seeing which the Saxon, N'ostitz, produced a cigar to stand equal with him. Th"rc remained now only the delegates of Wurtemburg and Darmstadt ; but these two were not smokers. What was to ho done ' Could they let their colleagues blow clouds iii their faces without blowing back ? The Wiirtoinburger was the first to decide that the honour of his country was involved, and he brought out a cigar in his turn. I think 1 can see it now—an (indefinable, cigar, pale yellow, thin, tapering, and enormously ' long. lie smoked it bravely, with 'all his might, and almost to the stump ; thus giving a magnificent example of devotion to his country."