The Daily News on Thursday published a summary of the
new volume of Bismarckiana issued by Herr von Poschinger. These reminiscences show the Chancellor to have been the most intrepid trencherman of modern times. His voracity, of which he was fully conscious, was inherited, and was, happily for him, combined with a perfect immunity from dyspepsia. Hard-boiled eggs were his favourite dish. " In his old age he complained greatly that he could only eat three at a time, whilst formerly he thought nothing of eleven." Bismarck's capacity for liquid refreshment was equal to his appetite. " Brandy, Nordhduser, claret, champagne, he drank everything with the same great thirst." He liked his tea laced with brandy, but, curiously enough, only learned to appreciate beer in his old age. His famous mixture of porter and champagne—a sort of glorified shandy- gaff—is pronounced excellent by those who have had the courage to try it. But in the matter of diet Bismarck was a dangerous example. For he seems to have combined the digestion of an ostrich with the maw of a pelican.
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