DINING WITH BISMARCK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 169, 26 May 1879, Page 2

DINING WITH BISMARCK.

At the social gatherings at the Imperial Ohancollery t-licpolitico-economic questions form a principal subject of discussion. Prince Bismarck is never weary of dilating upon the necessity for an efficient protection of homo industry and trade, In order to gain as many partisans as possible for hislunbitious but short-sighted schemes, he dues not shrink from renewing his relations with the members of the Centre, estranged from him since the commencement of the ecclesiastical conflict. To one of his last parliamentary dinners he invited, among other Ultramonlanes, M. Forcade de Bluix, a former Judge of a Court of Appeal, who had never before been thus honored by the leading statesman. On arrival of this gentleman at the Chancellery lie noticed, to his vexation, that ho had'forgotten to put on the proscribed dress-coat. He was on the point of hurriedly returniue home to repair the error when Count Wm. Bismarck, the Chancellor's youngest son, being of similar stature, offered to lend him the required "armcnt. M. Forcade tie BlaLx, living at some distance, accepted tlie friendly proposition The incident becoming known at the table ou account of the somewhat ludicrous appearance of the venerable Judge, whose arms protruded from the short sleovcs, afforded much amusement, and reminded Prince Bismarck of a like occurence which happened to himself years ago during his accreditation as Prussian Minister at St Petersburgh. He had then been summoned to Tsarskoe Selo for a' short interview with the Czar, who, quite unexpectedly, requested him to stay for dinner. Prince Bismarck, obliged to remain, had, 011 account of his wearing a light suit, to borrow the necessary black apparel. Prince GortchakoiF helped with a pair of inexpressibles, while another gentleman of the court furnishod him with the other lacking vestments. Alluding to this event, Prince Bismarck gave a laughable description of his appearance, which, indeed, must have been most funny, if one reflects on. the great difference of proportions between hiin and Prince Gortchakofl, M, Forcade de Blaix soon regained his equanimity on hearing of this analogy. Relation of this affair brings to my memory another comical story, creating much amusemont at the time of the last genor.il elections. In the borough where tlio learned Judge had been proposed as a candidate by the Ultramnntanes, a fierce electoral contest ensued, which was carried 'on most bitterly by the opposing parties. The Liberals, perceiving their defeat to be inevitable, finally resorted to the ingenious but ratlier disreputable plan of distributing cards, the fac-similo of those printed by their adversaries, among the country people, bearing the name of M. Fromage de Brik. The illiterate peasants, previously instructed by the curates to vote the Ultramontane ticket, polled unconsciously for the famous French cheese, supposing it to be identical with the deputy. This stratagem of the Liberals nearly resulted in the nullification of tho election,