[London,] 13 February 1863 
Dear Frederick, 

I enclose divers Urquhartiana. Of late, the fellows have really 
distinguished themselves by their stupidity. Take, for example, 
their ‘philosophy’ with regard to the movement in the Unrtep 
Srates.* ' i 

I'd have written before now, but for some twelve days I’ve been 
strictly forbidden all reading, writing, or smoking. I had some 
kind of inflammation of the eye, combined with a most obnoxious 
affection of the nerves of the head. Things have improved to such 
an extent that I am venturing to write again for the first time at 
this moment. In between whiles I indulged in all manner of 
psychological fantasies about what it would feel like to be blind or 
insane. 

What do you think of the Polish business? ** This much is 
certain, the ERA oF REVOLUTION haS now fairly OPENED IN Europe once 
more. And the general state of affairs is good. But the 
comfortable petusions and almost childish enthusiasm with which we 
welcomed the revolutionary era before February 1848, have gone 
by the board. Old comrades such as Weerth, etc., are no more, 
others have fallen by the wayside or gone to the bad and, if there 
is new stock, it is, at least, not yet in‘ evidence. Moreover, we now 
know what role stupidity plays in revolutions, and how they are 
exploited by blackguards. Incidentally, the ‘Prussian’ enthusiasts 
for the ‘Italian’ and ‘Hungarian’ nationalities *” are already finding 
themselves in a fix. The ‘Prussians’ are not going to deny their 
Russian sympathies. This time, let us hope, the lava will flow from 
East to West and not in the opposite direction, so that we shall be 
spared the ‘honour’ of the French initiative. Apart from that, the 
adventure in Mexico is providing a truly classical epilogue to the 
farce of the Lower Empire.” 

The ‘Herzenian’ soldiers*” appear to be setting about things in 
the traditional manner. However, there’s little to be deduced 

2 

a This presumably refers to the first instalment of the anonymous article ‘Origin 
and Objects of the Treason in the United States’, The Free Press, Vol. IX, No. 2, 
4 February 1863. 

therefrom, either in respect of the masses in Russia, or even the 
bulk of the Russian Army. We know what was done by the 
‘intelligent bayonets’*” of the French, not to mention our own 
Rhineland ruffians in Berlin in 1848. But at present you should 
watch The Bell, for Herzen et cie. now have the chance to 
demonstrate their revolutionary integrity—in so far as it is 
compatible with Slav prepi-Ections. 

The Urquhartites will probably say that the Polish insurrection 
was stirred up by the St. Petersburg cabinet as a‘diversion’ from 
Urquhart’s intended INVASION OF THE Caucasus.°°* 

In the United States things are going damned slowly. I hope that 
J. Hooker will extricate himself.” 

Well, make sure you first let me know what you’re doing with 
yourself in Manchester now. It must be a damned lonely place for 
you. I know from my own experience how the region round Soho 
Square still sends a shiver down my spine if I happen to be 
anywhere near there.°” 

Salut. 
Your 
K. M.