Berlin is greatly agitated by a scandal in which the
" Court party," with the Emperor at its centre, is accused of acting with great "barbarism." Herr von Kotze was, it appears, suspected of forwarding obscene libels to various great ladies, was tried in camera by a Court of Honour, but was acquitted, a judgment apparently.itatified by opinion. The Imperial Court, however, maintained that Herr von Kotze was bound to challenge all who bad traduced him. He fought one duel without results, and then challenged Herr von Schrader, a Chamberlain of the Empress Frederick. It was arranged that this combat should be with pistols at ten paces, and should continue until one of the parties was " incapacitated." Herr von Schrader was shot in the lungs, and died in great agony, entreating his family not to avenge his death. Herr von Kotze received the congratulations of the Emperor, but the Liberals are furious, maintaining that he was practically ordered to fight, and that the Emperor ought to be the last man in his dominion to sanction breaches of the law. That appears to all Englishmen to be a sound criticism, but one question naturally suggests itself. If society in Berlin dis- approves of duelling as inconsistent with both morals and civilisation, why does it not stop duelling by refusing to boycott any one who declines a challenge ? The Emperor cannot send public opinion to a fortress.
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