Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1898 — GREATEST OF TABLE TALKERS. [ARTICLE]

GREATEST OF TABLE TALKERS.

Volubility of the Iron Chancellor While at His Meals. When in the course of his tour around the world Gen. Grant went to Berlin and had an interview tvith Prince Bismarck—then at the height of his power—he carried away Avith him the impression that the German Chancellor was the most interesting conversationalist he had ever met. Carl Sehurz, who subsequently came to Berlin and was entertained by the Chancellor, said that the best table talkers he had ever known were Mazzini and Oliver Wendell Holmes, but that Bismarck was better than either. It AA*as a strange anomaly that one of the Avlsest men and best table talkers of modern times should have been born on “All Fools’ Day”—the best of talkers, because the greatest man of action; of modern times. And how infinitely more interesting must ever be the talk of a man who has done great things than that of a man Avho has only thought great thoughts! Bismarck himself never published his autobiography, if he ever wrote one. But when his oAvn memoirs come to see the light it will l>e found that much of their interest lias been discounted by the autofilography which he has already spoken. For, in addition to being the greatest actor of his time in the literal meaning of the Avord—doer, achiever, author of events, maker of history—he has also been one of tlie greatest talkers in the sense employed by Gen. Grant and Carl Sehurz, and much of his talk has been about his OAvn accomplishments. Indeed, there might now be Avritten an ingeniously compiled book entitled “Bismarck. By Himself,” iu Avhich nothing would be used but the Prince's own words.—Review of Reviews.