London, 28 May 1892 

Dear Mr Schorlemmer, 

I am not, alas, in a position to give you any better news today. Not 
only has Carl’s* debility, both physical and mental, not diminished; it 
has actually increased, for which reason Gumpert has called in 
another physician, Dr Julius Dreschfeld of Mannheim, who is profes- 
sor of medicine at Owens College and is a great personal friend of 
Carl’s. Unfortunately the opinion of this distinguished medical man is 
exactly the same as Gumpert’s, namely that Carl’s strength is gra- 
dually failing and that there is probably very little hope of his recov- 
ery. Since last Saturday Gumpert has kept him wholly confined to 
bed and has engaged a hospital nurse for him with whose work he de- 
clares himself completely satisfied. I myself propose, unless called be- 
fore by Gumpert, to travel down to Manchester next Wednesday or 
Thursday when, having seen for myself how things are, I should 
have more to tell you. But if Gumpert sends for me before then, 
{1 shall, of course, go down at once. 

Bebel is still here and will be returning home with Singer in the 
middle of next week.*7? While here he has rallied very well, as was 
indeed essential] for he was in fact very much run down. However, the 
doctor has forbidden him to speak in public for the next few months. 

* Carl Schorlemmer 

And Bebel’s strength has got to be spared—he’s such a splendid chap 
and we shall never get another like him. 

In about three weeks’ time our chaps in Paris will have a big daily 
that will be able to bear comparison with the best newspapers; it is to 
be under the control of Guesde and Lafargue.*?? 

Mrs Kautsky joins me in sending kind regards to your mother and 
to the rest of the family. 

Yours, 
F. Engels 

Carl has made his will in which he leaves everything to his mother. 
Should you receive inquiries from England regarding Carl’s manus- 
cripts, I would most strongly advise you to make no promises of any 
kind before finding out what is involved from Dr Gumpert, myself or 
someone else whom you know well.