Manchester, 22 September 1859 

Dear Moor, 

Lupus has just brought me your letter. I only got back the 
evening before last from a tour of Scotland with my parents* and 
have now packed them off home again. 

A day or two before my old man arrived I had the most 
damnable bit of bad luck. At a drunken gathering I was insulted 
by an Englishman? I didn’t know; I hit out at him with the 
umbrella I was carrying and the ferrule got him in the eye. The 
chap immediately put the matter in the hands of his Lawver, I 
made the necessary counter-moves, and since his eye wasn’t 
permanently damaged and he has now recovered, it at first 
seemed probable that the affair would be settlked—though I would 
still be responsible for the costs. Now, however, the swine has 
suddenly done a volte-face and is threatening me with an action; 
and if it came to that the thing would cost me over two hundred . 
pounds, on top of which there would be a public scandal and a 
row with my old man, who would have to put up the money. 
However I still hope to get round the jossinc tawyers; if all goes 
really well the drunken BRAwt will cost me forty or fifty pounds. The 
worst of it is that I’m completely in the hands of this swine and his 
solicitor, can do nothing to force the issue and must put up with 
everything to avoid a scandal, otherwise the costs will be even 
heavier. Needless to say these blasted English don’t want to 
deprive themselves of the pleasure of getting their hands on a 
BLOODY FOREIGNER, 

So this time my troubles have certainly not come singly. I simply 
don’t know what to do until I can see how the business is going to 
turn out. My English acquaintances are behaving very honourably 
and instantly took the thing up, but [’m going to be bled, that’s 
certain, and how much, heaven only knows. 

At all events I shall send you a five-pound note about Saturday 
or Monday to prevent the worst happening; meanwhile I can get it 
carried over to the October account. You may rest assured that I 

4 Friedrich and Elisabeth Engels - © Daniells 

shall do whatever I can, but as you can see for yourself I don’t 
really know where I am myself at the moment. 
Warm regards to your wife and children. 

Your 
F. E.