VON MOLTKE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3372, 24 January 1884, Page 2

VON MOLTKE.

The Berlin correspondent of the “ Times," writing of Field-Marshal Count Yon Moltke, on the eve of his 84th birthday, says : “ Before the autumn mancevres, from the middle of August to the middle of September, ho disappears every year from public view, and his friends and familiars do not know where he is. This time is devoted to travelling, in which exercise he unusually excels his young companions. Although he has a substitute in the Quarter-master-General, Count Waldersee, he likes to decide all important matters himself. Essays by officers of the general staff and opinions of the heads of the departments are constantly sent up to him for criticism, and he writes on the broad margins, in a small clear hand, observations remarkable not only for professional acuteness, but for beauty of style and precision of thought He rises early, takes a walk in his own grounds at Kreisau, or sometimes, when in Berlin, in the Tbiergarten, and then works generally till the hour of his simple dinner. He seldom smokes after that meal, snuff being the form in which he, like Frederic the Great, enjoys tobacco. When he works he always has bis snuff box near him. In the afternoon he receives or pays visits. In the evening he likes to play whist with his nephew, Captain von Moltke, and other friends. Even during the French war he was accustomed to play whist when possible, and his adjutant, Colonel de Claer, had to provide suitable players. After the Emperor, Field Marshal von Moltke is beyond question the most popular man in Germany. Count von Moltke is a widower, and has no children. He was happily married for 28 years to a lady whose maiden name was Burt, who died 1 in 1868. Being very simple in his tastes, he spends little on himself, bub. is ever ready to help his relations.”