{London,] 24 December 1862 
Dear Engels, 

Since leaving you,*” I have had 4 Most EVENTFUL TIME OF IT. 
On Monday,” there were the Manichaeans**” who, however, did 
not all come by appointment. I shared out £15 among them. I 

a words of a believer - » 22 December 

gave the worst one a bill for £12 at 6 weeks’ sight (actually 7, since 
I dated it from the end of this year), trusting to a chapter oF 
ACCIDENTS. 

On Wednesday“ my wife left for Paris. She returned last night. 
Everything would have been au: ricir if, just before she got there, 
Abarbanel had not been paralysed by a stroke, which left him 
helpless and confined to bed, although mentaily unaffected. All in 
all, the series of mishaps that befell her was tragi-comical. First, a 
great storm at sea: her boat got through, another in her 
immediate vicinity (she travelled via Boulogne) went down. 
Abarbanel lives outside Paris. My wife went to see him by rail. 
Something happened to the engine which meant 2 hours delay 
in the journey. Later, an omnibus in which she was travelling 
overturned. And yesterday the wheels of the cas she had taken in 
London became entangled with those of another. She got out and 
arrived here per pedes,” accompanied by 2 boys carrying her 
luggage. One thing, by the by, was achieved in Paris, where she 
sow Massol, etc.© As soon as my work*!? comes out, it will be 
published in French. 

But now for the worst piece of ill-luck. Marianne (Lenchen’s 
sister"), whom Allen treated fo: a heart complaint a year ago, be- 
gan to feel unwell on the day my wife left. By Tuesday evening, 
2 hours before my wife’s return, she was dead. During those seven 
days I, together with Lenchen, was responsible for the nursing. 
Allen Hap Miscivincs FRom THE First pay. The funeral is at 2 o’clock on 
Saturday,’ when I shall have to pay the undertaker £7 10/- in cash. 
So, this must be got hold of. A fine Christmas show for the poor 
children. 

Salut. 
Your 
K. M.