HALSKE RETIRES FROM THE FIRM. 335 



and Vienna, Unfortunately he fell ill of a serious 

 disorder after eleven years activity in the business, 

 and died after prolonged sickness, deeply lamented by 

 me as a personal friend and faithful co-worker. 



Not long afterwards, in the year 1868, my old 

 friend and partner Halske retired from the firm. The 

 favourable development of the business this will 

 hardly appear credible to many at first sight was 

 the determining reason for his taking this step. The 

 explanation lies in Halske's singularly constituted nature. 

 He took great pleasure in the faultless productions 

 of his clever hand, as well as in everything that he 

 could entirely overlook and control. Our common 

 activity was thoroughly satisfactory for both parties. 

 Halske always gladly adopted my constructive plans 

 and designs, which with remarkable mechanical tact 

 he at once most distinctly apprehended, and to which 

 he often first gave their full value by his practical 

 skill. At the same time Halske was a clear-headed 

 cautious man of business, and him alone have I to 

 thank for the good business results of the first years. 

 The case altered however, when the business increased 

 and could no longer be managed by us two alone. 

 Halske regarded it as a desecration of his cherished 

 establishment that strangers should have rank and rule 

 in it. Even the installation of a book-keeper gave 

 him pain. He could never get over it that the well- 

 organized concern should exist and work without him. 

 Finally, when the designs and undertakings of the firm 

 became so large that he could no more overlook 



