in Manchester 
London, 21 June 1854 

I 21 June. 1854. 
28, Deanstreet, Soho, London. 

Dear Engels, 

Your letter arrived in time enough, between 2 and 3. Since I had only waited until 2 and then, on account of domestic affairs, had to make a march outside the city, and my wife saw from the covering note that the article could not be sent off straight away, it has been left lying. I shall make use of it in my Friday article, but request you to write to me before then, if you have no time, very briefly, on the following points: 

1) Is there anything new in the Turkish bulletins that appeared in the Daily News yesterday? Do you have any further details about the events of the 28th–13th? (I believe the latest reports, though only fragmentary, go that far.) 

2) Is there anything military to be emphasised with regard to the manoeuvres on the Circassian coast? The news about Shamil probably requires further confirmation. 

3) The pushing forward of the Austrians into Wallachia — what is there to say about it from the military point de vue? 

You will see from the enclosed letter that I am in the soup up to my ears. While my wife’s illness is in the midst of a crisis, the worthy Dr Freund stays away and sends me a bill for £26 sterling, and wishes to come to a “clear understanding” about his “medical relationship” to me. Since my wife’s condition was dangerous—and still is serious—I was naturally obliged to capitulate with the dear Freund and to promise him in writing that I would pay him £8 sterling at the end of this month and the remainder in 5 to 6 weeks. Had the fellow not attacked me so à l’imprévu, he would not have taken me by surprise in this fashion. But what was I to do? I would have to pay any other respectable doctor for his visits immediately, and besides, even if that were possible, one cannot change doctors during an illness like shirts, without first having informed oneself as to their ability, etc. 

So I am in a fix. I know that you, too, are in a tight spot. Do you think I could get a few pounds in advance from Dronke towards the instalment due at the end of this month? Last time he was here he hinted to me that he might be accessible in great crises. However, I first wanted to know your opinion. I must in any case pay the fellow this first instalment at the agreed time, and my bill for the last months is already drawn, and has naturally gone, since I had to pay £12 in the house and the total amount was considerably reduced by articles that fell through, and on top of that the chemist’s bill alone this time has swallowed a considerable budget. 

At the end of this week, if my wife feels strong enough, she will spend a fortnight with the children and Lenchen at Mr Seiler’s villa in Edmonton. She will then perhaps be sufficiently restored by the country air to be able to go to Trier. 

I assure you that through these latest petites misères I have become a very dull dog. 

Beatus ille, who has no family. 

Vale faveque. 

Yours 
KMI