AT FRIEDRICHSRUHE

Bruce Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 2177, 24 June 1890, Page 4

AT FRIEDRICHSRUHE

The Retired Chanc 1 or'a Surroundings in

the Sachsen.vald.

Prince Bismarck's home at HYiwdrichsrnfie, where the ex-Cnancellor now routes to lead the simple life of a country gentleman, is a most secluded «pof, though only an hour distant from Hamburgh by express tain. The estate is surrounded by forest land — thu SichHenwald — so little frequented that the deer are quite tame and scarcely pay attention to the train rushing by. Little of the estate is visible from the railway b»t thick underwood, with an occasional glimpse of toe nirrow River An, coveied with reeds, which turns the prince's .saw-mills. The house lies to the right of the line, buti^ hdJ< j n from the rail by a high red brick wall which also borders the main road, while the river aud hedges close in the two remaining sides. Originally EYiedrichsrube was a hunting lodge, built in 17G3 by C>unt F.ederick of LippeSteruberg, and lat^r oa it became an inn, called fYascati, where the Hambu g^rs fl icked for picnics on holidays When Wi linm T. presented tb^ es'«t« to bis Minister Pr ; nce Bismarck added to th« house, but kept the main building intact. It is a two-s'oried edifice p tinted yellow, the prince's apartments being ou the ground flour, while the rooms up stairs Bre occupied by the princess and Countess Kantzm, th^ prince and piincess' only daughter, with her three little boys. Handsome sh'uband a fine pine true a>e planted i • front of the house, the River Au running at the foot of the grounds aud fo«'«iing a tiny waieifall. Prince Bismnck h«s no neir neighbors except in the little village of Friedridisruh •, with its inn and a few scattered houses inhabited *>y foresters, postal and railway officials, the workmen at the saw mills with their families, a tailor, a blacksmith, and a miller. The only important personage is the bead forester of the Sachsenwald, who is Mayor of the village and manager of Schwarzenbeck — auother of Prince Bismarck* pm«ll properties which lie close by, like the farms and pastures of Silk and Schonhausen. The prince enjoys talking local gossip wirh the forester, inquiring anxiously whether the cattle thrive in the meadows or whether the wood-cutting season has been profitable. Princess BL-uuaick would often s -y at the parliamentary receptions : " My husband takes more real interest in a turnip than in all your politic*," arK the piinne has now thu opportunity of proving this wifely criticism. — ' London Graphic'