London. 22 August. 1870. Dear Fred,

The rheumatism has been raging so fiercely that the family council decided to send me to London to consult Dr Madison there. Hence Saturday afternoon to London, whence I return today to Ramsgate again. Yesterday consulted Madison. Says it is a severe form of sciatica. Prescribed me medicine, and also stuff to rub in. Stay at the seaside is useful for general state of health, which is somewhat deranged by the sleeplessness. He is in favour of taking a hot sea-bath on very warm days.

In Paris they seem only occupied with putting off the population until the necessary measures are taken to secure the interim to the trustees of the Orléans.

Salut D KM.

Have you read Louis Blanc’s lousy letter? The great patriotism consists in being passive so as to leave the whole responsibility to the Bonapartists. The Scottish ass Elcho seems to consider himself the British Moltke. Freiligrath: “Hurrah! Germania!” Also “God” is not missing in his laboriously farted-out song, and the “Gaul”.

I’d rather be a kitten and cry miaow,
Than such a verse-ballad-monger!