None the less, to defend himself from attacks, he too often brought his opponents into the police court, and _Bismarckbeleidigung_ became a common offence.

Even the editor of _Kladderadatsch_ was once imprisoned.

He must be held personally responsible, for no action could be instituted without his own signature to the charge.

We see the same want of generosity in the use which he made of attempts, or reputed attempts, at assassination.

In 1875, while he was at Kissingen, a young man shot at him; he stated that he had been led to do so owing to the attacks made on the Chancellor by the Catholic party.