It was held necessary also to publish the circular to which I have already referred, and thereby officially to recognise the enmity.
The scandal of the quarrel became a grave injury to the Government of the country.

A serious illness of Bismarck caused apprehension that he might die while still unreconciled.

The Emperor took the opportunity, and by a kindly message opened the way to an apparent reconciliation.
Then a change of Ministry took place: General Caprivi was made the scapegoat for the failures of the new administration, and retired into private life, too loyal even to attempt to justify or defend the acts for which he had been made responsible.

The new Chancellor, Prince Hohenlohe, was a friend and former colleague of Bismarck, and had in old days been leader of the National party in Bavaria.

When Bismarck's eightieth birthday was celebrated, the Emperor was present, and once more Bismarck went to Berlin to visit his sovereign.