A STORY OF PRINCE BISMARCK.

« Prince Bismarck once learnod to talk Eussian. His tutor was M. Alexief, who has published his reminiscences. He received a message from Prince Bismarck asking him to call. When he arrived he was shown into the presence of the priuce. He spoke in flattering terms of tho Eussian tongue, and said he had resolved to learn it. Bismarck took Eussian lessons twice a week, from 1 0 to 1 2 ; he never kept the prof esst r waiting a moment. He was apprised of his teacher's arrival without delay, and came dowu to the dining-room in a dressing-gown and a smoking-cap, which^hid his baldness, and made him look younger. A cigar was in his mouth, he had a pleasant way of accosting his teacher, and of shaking hands. When this ceremony was over he offered a cigar. At the end of four months, progress had so far been made that Bismarck, who wss then staying in St Petersburg, could converse fairly well in Eussian, and understand what Russians, speaking in that tongue, said to each other. At this time he used to dine at the Winter Palace. The Czar Alexander 11. often spoke to Prince Gortschakoff in Eussian. Prince Bismarck, whenever this took place, assumed a blank stare, as though he did not understand. Suddenly Gortschakoff, looking at him, asked, "Do you know Eussian ?" Bismarck confessed that he had been learning it for four months. Alexander 11. expressed his great satisfaction, but did not for the rest of the evening speak to his Chancellor in Eussian. Mr. Alexief says he did not fiud Bismarck a good paymaster. One morning he found the dining-room filled with luggage and fowling-pieces, and game-bags lying about. Bismarck was going to shoot. Mr. Alexief gave him his bill. *' How much," ho asked, "didPerglas, the Bavarian Minister pay you?" "One rouble a lesson." Without more ado he paid for all the lessons at that rate. Tho original agreement (Mr. Alexief says) that they were to have been paid for at the rate of 1^ rouble. The professor accepted the reduced sum. He had been giving tuition for eight months.

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