 In 1888, he became the victim of a malicious rumour, believed to have been spread by the wife of Russian consul Karl Ivanovich Weber, that he held orgies in the German legation; this contributed to his disfavour among foreign missionaries operating in Korea.He was appointed as full consul on 27 May 1889.From 10 July 1889 to 5 April 1891, he took a leave of absence from his position.