During this scene the Prime Minister charged the Liberals, in
con- tradiction to the strongest expressions of their report, with caring no- thing for a Prussian navy. Herr von Virchow said that in speaking thus the Minister could not have read the report of the Committee, or having read it, had stated the reverse of the truth. Whereupon Count von Bismark professed that a reflection had been cast upon his honour, and challenged M. Virchow. The Chamber says that Von Virchow was strictly in order, and the Minister of War says that if he does not apologize the vindication of the Minister's honour is a private duty. It is a discreditable affair, and will be dis- creditable to Von Virchow if he consents to fight ; —but if he con- sents to fight, and Von Bismark kindly consents to fall, the world would not grieve for Von Bismark, and perhaps Prussia might not miss him, except as we miss a nightmare or a pecuniary care.
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