 Because of his disorderly way of running the school and his intemperance when it came to drink, the government threatened to impose on him a punitive transfer.It did not come to that, although in 1884, the then 55-year-old teacher wanted to have himself pensioned off on the grounds of illness.The examining doctors could not confirm any illness, but nonetheless, in 1885, Wendel was sent into retirement on the grounds of having a weak memory.