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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1404, 26 January 1899, Page 12

The hero-worship of Dr Moritz Buscr. who, in the recently published “ Secret Pages of the history of Bismarck,” so effectively plays the Boswell to the Johnson of his subject, would hardly permit him to introduce' such a story as the following, though it was the delight of certain select circles in Berlin some years ago, and most capitally satirises the absurd and barbarous custom of duelling. , , . . Dr Virchow, the scientist of worldwide renown, took occasion to criticise Prince Bismarck, who was then Chancellor, in terns exceedingly tauter and severe, At last the doctor issued an attack of unusual pungency, which led Bismarck to consider himself personally affronted, and to dispatch a representative to Virchow with a challenge to fight a duel. The eminent man of science was found in his laboratory hard at work on experiments which had for their object the discovery of a means of uestroying trichinae, which were at the time maxing great ravages in Germany. “Ah,” said the doctor, “a challenge from Prince Bismarck, eh? v*ell, well. As I am the challenged party , pose I have the choice or weapons’ “ Of course,” assented tne second. “Then here they are,” continued Virchow. , He forthwith held lip two large sausages, which seemed to be exactly alike. “One of these sausages, said he, is filled with trichinae; it is deadly. Ihe other is perfectly wholesome. Externally they can’t be told apart. Tjct his Excellency do me the honour to choose whichever of these*he wishes, and eat it, and I will eat the other !” Though the position was as reasonable as any duelling cou.d be, it was refused. There was pa dim!, and no one acouscc, Virchow of cowardice.