[London,] 28 April 1862 

Dear Frederick, 

My wife was discreet enough not to write to Dana. What the 
intention was is now unmistakably evident from the fact that the 
fellows don’t even send me the Tribune any more. 

Enclosed letter from Friedlander. Arrived on Saturday. Fine 
ideas these Germans have. I am to send him an article on the 
opening [of the exhibition], which, with the season ticket needed to 
this end, the clothes I’d have to buy and sundry incidental 
expenses, would cost me at least 10 guineas—and, in exchange, the 
prospect of selling a total of 4 to 6 articles @ £8 (summa 
summarum), or, at very best, d £12. And, since one must always 
assume the minimum where these chaps are concerned, I should 
actually lose money on the 4 articles! I have written to tell him 
that I am confined to my room and cannot therefore send off on 
Thursday the desired inaugural sermon but shall, from time to 
time, submit a few articles on the exhibition along with the 
other ones. So far as the ‘other’ articles are concerned, the cat is now 
out of the bag. 1 article per week (a £1), and even that is 
hedged about with somewhat hypothetical clauses. I must accept, 
of course, and have already accepted, since something is better 
than nothing at all. What the chaps are particularly interested in at 
the moment is America, and I should be grateful if you would 
send me an article (before the end of the week that is) on the 
progress of the war (I mean the battle of Corinth), and 
generally write to me from now on whenever military events take 
a new turn. If only to disseminate correct views on this important 
matter in the land of the Teutons. (I had already revised your 
earlier articles for them; were published, what’s more.) 

In his new science, Vico says that Germany is the only country 
in Europe where an ‘heroic tongue’ is still spoken. Had he had 
the pleasure of becoming acquainted with the Vienna Presse or the 
Berlin National-Zeitung, the old Neapolitan would have abandoned 
this preconceived idea. 

On arriving in London, I found a letter from my landlord, in 
which he said he would call today (28 April) in order to get the 
rest of the £20. However, he can’t have a centime. During my 
month’s absence, the list of debts relating to immediate necessities 
has, of course, grown. In addition, there are 2 extra items that 
must be paid for and are even more urgent than the landlord. 
Firstly, £7 for the piano master since, circumstances being what they 
are, my wife had to give him notice and hence must also pay him. 
Secondly, £10’s worth must be redeemed from the pawn-shop, 
whither have departed not only the children’s things but also those 
of the maids, right down to their boots and shoes. Because of the 
landlord, I have so far remained incognito (excepto Borkheim), so 
that my wife may tell him that I have not yet returned and 
attempt to put him off indefinitely. For it’s a question of shifting. 

So far Borkheim has advanced £20; promises the remainder for 
the beginning of next week. 

My wife saw Dronke in the street with madame and offspring, 
but they didn’t see her. 

As regards Ariadne, adhuc sub judice lis est? For the disputed 
point in this case is a legal one. In Diodorus she figures as a star. 
I don’t find her shown as a constellation. Rather, indeed, as a 
planetoid, No. 43, Plate II, Madler, latest issue, 5th Edition (which I 
have), Berlin 1861. So, at all events, the girl is in the firmament. 
As things stand, it is a nice legal point as to whether you or Lupus 
have won. Your general contention that all those persons placed 
by the Greeks among the stars live on in the astronomical charts 
would also seem to be doubtful in the extreme. 

What was it you wanted besides the English army estimates? As 
soon as I am ‘mobile’ again, I shall see to the matter. 

Kinkel has departed with his tail between his legs. He makes no 
reply. Instead, a line or two from his man Beta in which the swine 
attests that it was only after 6 months’ urging on his part that 
Gottfried let him have the necessary biographical notes (which, 
from time immemorial, the said swine has been using regularly 
every 2 years) and the photograph, etc., at the request of Keil, 
editor of the Gartenlaube. But the real joke is that, after the 
MacDonald affair, Keil and Beta (Juch has the relevant letter