These acts of wildness were, however, only a small part of his life; he entered as a lieutenant of Landwehr in the cavalry and thereby became acquainted with another form of military service.

It was while he was at the annual training that he had an opportunity of shewing his physical strength and courage.

A groom, who was watering horses in the river, was swept away by the current; Bismarck, who was standing on a bridge watching them, at once leaped into the river, in full uniform as he was, and with great danger to himself saved the drowning man.

For this he received a medal for saving life.

He astonished his friends by the amount and variety of his reading; it was at this time that he studied Spinoza.