London, 20 August [1862] 
Dear Lassalle, 

I imagine that, excursions into the High Alps and _ Italy 
notwithstanding, you will be spending a few days in Zurich, or at 
least receiving poste restante letters there. To make doubly sure, I 
have also informed Mr Riistow that I have written to you ‘poste 
restante Zurich’. 

Despite the ‘position’? I am in, I would rescind the whole 
transaction if the bill on you were not already in the hands of 
‘Meyer Brothers’, Berlin. Actually, this was not altogether in 
accordance with the agreement, since Borkheim had originally 
promised me he wouldn’t let the bill out of his hands until you 
returned to Berlin. However, I couldn’t see that any harm had 
been done since, in the case of this first bill, I had thought the use 
of your name was a mere formality and had no idea it had any 
connection with your ‘public existence’ or might serve to spark off 
some civil drama or other. For I believed that Engels’ security for 
‘an amount’ of 400 talers would meet the case, even if the ‘worst 
came to the worst’ and, as regards ‘the due date’, I knew Engels to 
be a model of ‘punctuality and promptitude’ in money matters, 
particularly where bills are concerned. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have 
involved you in this Business. 

It being no longer possible to rescind the thing without making 
myself and Engels look foolish in Borkheim’s eyes, I shall send 
you Engels’ bond the day after tomorrow." For it takes 3 days to 
get a reply from Manchester. As soon as you have the same, it would 
be good if you wrote to “Meyer Brothers’ (this being the name of the 
firm in Berlin which has Engels’ draft), telling them you will 
accept on your return. 

Let me say once again how much I regret having involved you 
in the matter—a rash act for which the overlooking of certain 
premises on your part and mine is to blame. Meanwhile, I remain, 

Your 
K. M.