Powerful But Miserable

Tho vanity of liuman ambition, aud tbo homilies of the preacher about the ■ inal 'ility of fanie or riches to confer happineas, were never moré stiikingly conlirmed than in the person of the niost eminent political personage now living. One would think tliat nature and fortuno had conferred everything on Prinoe Bismarok calculated to alïord him boundlesa content, proud retrospect, and the serenity of happy satiety . Ho may plume himself upon the conceded fact that, of all men living in the possession of power, lie is the chief ; if there be a worldmover in this generation it is he. A word from him would set a legión of a mülion and a half of the best soldiers on the globe in motion; in one hour he is improssing lus will on foreign courts, in the next he is wagiug a successful ftght against the still mighty spiritual forces ; of Rome. Ozars and kaisers are even ] seeking to conciliato him. Wealth he I has, and might have as much more as he ' wished, for Germán gratitude to him who I has made Gex-many a uation has no ! boiuids. He has more than won the higbest rank to which subject or states! man could aspire. He is blessed with a i devotod family, whom he loves, and who I idolize him. 'in BerUn he is greater than the Emperor; in Pomerania heisa feudal despot who needs uo law to enforce hij authority, whose yoko is accepted Viy the ardor of vcneration. Yet Bismarck, according to a Berlín letter-writer, is one of tiio unhappieBt and most discontented of men. He is_, harassed by the oppositkm of the ! tacled doctors of the the j petty details of office worry and fret j him; chronic illness too of ten paralyzes ; his vast powers of body and mind. ■ Every day's mails bring him letters throatening his life; and these teass ■, though thoy do not frighten him, as a j aiek lion is teased by the perpetual j biting of very small insects. The pólice teil him to be careful; he livea ever in a sulpliurous atniosphere of vague danger. Even power has grown nanseous ! to him, and adnlation lias ceased to ! give its weet sting of pleaaitre. He i longs to abandoa th; scène of liis trij umphs and his troubles - to get away fi-om all thia worry; avüI gladly lot his j name pass ont of men's months if he : can bilt get peace;" and would fain exI change those tliings for which men so j keenly onvy liim, for the vine and