London, 29 April 1893 
My dear Schorlemmer, 

I got your letter of 22 March and then the notification of your daughter’s 
death. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Your earlier letters had 
already prepared me for it and from what you had said it was hardly to be 
expected that she would survive the spring. And if, as in your case, one is 
constantly a witness to the suffering caused by illness, while knowing that no 
remedy exists, one is bound in the end to resign oneself more readily to the 
final deliverance. Mrs Kautsky also asks me to convey to you her sincere 
condolences. 

Death has also claimed its victims over here. Last December Dr Gumpert 
suddenly went down with an incurable heart complaint and on the 20" of this 
month he died of it. Last Monday’ I attended the burial, or rather cremation, 
in Manchester. Unfortunately I had to get back the same day and thus missed 
the chance of looking up Siebold or Klepsch and could not therefore glean 
any further information on the subject of the estate. This is another matter 
that will be adversely affected by Gumpert’s death. He was an energetic man 
who, especially in the case of the ailing Siebold, managed successfully to 
hurry things on, and, in view of the friendly relations we had enjoyed for 
many years, was glad to be of help. I have heard absolutely nothing more 
about the manuscripts and publisher’s contracts. If you are unable to tell me 
anything about this, I shall write to Siebold again shortly. '”” 

I recall having seen Dr Spiegel on one occasion over here years ago. I 
think he will make a thoroughly good job of Carl’s career and attainments as 
a chemist. *”’ Unfortunately it wouldn’t do to publish anything more than that 
in a scientific journal. 

Your hopes for a dissolution of the Reichstag ’° will in all likelihood be 
fulfilled within the next week or fortnight. Caprivi has got himself into such 
a fix that he probably cannot concede as much as the gentle- 

“24 April 

men of the Centre ’' and the Free Thinkers '*—who are bent on com- 
promise—could consent to without imperilling the existence of their parties. 
I would rather that the dissolution were postponed until 1895; by that time 
we shall occupy a very different position and may become the crucial party 
in the Reichstag. One way or the other, we’re bound to benefit by it. 

At Easter, or rather on Good Friday,* a German member of the 
Reichstag—Bebel—a French deputy—Lafargue—and an English member of 
parliament—Burns—Socialists all three—met for the first time at my house. 
A historical milestone too. 

With sincere regards from Mrs Kautsky and myself 

Yours, 
F. Engels