Barmen, August 27, 1835, Thursday evening 

Dear Elise, 

I have just received the letter you wrote to me yesterday from 
which I gather that your good father’s” condition is still the same 
and even seems to show a slight improvement. Let us not delude 
ourselves about his state, for even if nature appears to be rallying 
and strength to be increasing, one can very rarely hope for a 
recovery; the illness drags on, until a new attack occurs. Your 
good father is in God’s hands, and it is well for him and for us 
that we can entrust him so peacefully to the Heavenly Father. 

I posted a letter to you on Sunday the 23rd. You have received 
it, I trust? You make no mention of it. I wanted to write to you 
again yesterday but was prevented. Everything is well with us, 
God be praised; the children are all in good health. I am having 
my usual trouble with Emil. The boy is somewhat unmanageable, 
he wants to be out in the street all the time, and this evening 
there was another complaint that he had jumped out of the 
window. Rudolph is sweet and good, he sits beside me at lunch 
and is a dear lad. Hedwig is cleverer than either of them, has 
now completely recovered and is knitting me a pair of socks 
which I asked her to do to help her pass the time. Hermann is 
fairly well-behaved, my sole companion at supper, and is firmly 
convinced that this week he is going to get top marks as usual. 
Little Elise is, if possible, even more lively than usual, gets up to 
her little tricks, loves her father very much and, in short, is a very 
sweet little puss. 

Friedrich had a pretty average report last week.*? As you 
know, he has become more polite, outwardly, but in spite of the 
severe chastisements he received earlier, not even the fear 
of punishment seems to teach him unconditional obedience. 
Thus today I was again distressed to find in his desk a greasy 
book which he had borrowed from the lending library, a story 
about knights in the 13th century. The careless way he leaves 
such books about in his desk is remarkable. May God watch 
over his disposition, I am often fearful for this otherwise excel- 
lent boy. 

I received a letter yesterday through Friedrich from Dr. 
Hantschke, written on August 22, which he prudently gave to the 
maids so late that it only reached me at half past eight in the 
evening. So he probably already had it on Sunday. Dr. Hantschke 
writes that he has been asked to take in two boarders but that he 
will decline if we prefer to leave Friedrich with him after the 
autumn. He says that Friedrich continually requires supervision, 
that the long journey is harmful to his studies, etc. I immediately 
replied that I was most grateful to him for giving me first choice 
after receiving such an advantageous request, and that I would 
ask him to keep Friedrich on, but that I should be obliged if he 
would inform me of his terms. He himself had indicated that we 
should have no difficulty in agreeing on them. I am sure that 
you too will regard this as the best course. When it is a que- 
stion of our child’s welfare we should not consider money, and 
Friedrich is such a peculiar and versatile lad that a secluded 
way of life, which is bound to lead him to a certain degree of 
independence, is the best thing for him. Once again, may the 
good Lord have the boy in His care so that his disposition may 
not be spoiled. So far, for all his pleasing qualities, he has 
been developing a disturbing thoughtlessness and lack of 
character. 

So much for our children here. I should be glad to hear from 
you that all is well with Anna and Marie. When are they coming 
back and is it definite that Ludwig? will bring them home? 

In view of your dear father’s present condition I can well 
imagine that you and your good mother would like to stay there 
a few days more. Do so in God’s name. I had thought that I 
would come to fetch you about Sunday the 30th inst., but now I 
will await further news. Everything here is much as usual, so your 

mind may be at rest. Caspar* has left for Frankfurt with Julius? 
and is expected back on Tuesday. 

Your instructions about clothes and linen will be faithfully 
carried. out—I should not have thought of it. I will bring the 
wine with me. 

Give warmest greetings from me as well as from the 
Griesheims to your dear mother and to your father when his 
mind is clear. God be with you all in these difficult days. 

Your 
Friedrich