[London,] 18 December 1860 

Dear Frederick, 

My wife is now much better. Allen thinks that the children— 
running two households is not only very inconvenient, but also 
expensive—will be able to come back on Sunday* or Monday. I 
myself shall then resume my contributions to the Tribune, which 
has had only 2 articles?” in nearly 5 weeks. Let me have another 
one by Saturday if you can. 

For the past two days, I have been confined to bed and taking 
medicine, but Allen says it is nothing of any consequence and I 
should be fit again in 3 or 4 days. Apparently, it’s the result of the 
EXCITEMENT, €tc. 

As regards your view of Szemere, I would inform you, strictly on 
the quiet, that I am entirely of the same mind. The really funny 
part is that I had proposed to him, ironically, that they should 
keep the Habsburgs for themselves, that Pest would be the final 
place of refuge for the same, etc.” 

Salut. 
Your 
K. M.