London, 17 May 1892 

Dear Mr Schorlemmer, 

Not long ago I received the same curious letter from Carl * as you 
did, whereupon I approached his physician, Dr Gumpert, an old 
friend of Marx’s and mine. He said that over a period there had been 
considerable changes in Carl’s physical condition — as we had all no- 
ticed, added to which he had had a bout of influenza in the spring fol- 
lowed by all kinds of unpleasant after-effects. What struck him most 
of all was the very considerable time his system was taking to recoup 
the strength it had lost. It was not yet possible, he said, to diagnose 
any specific illness, but something appeared to be wrong and he 
would write again as soon as he had something more definite to tell 
me. Meanwhile there was no necessity for me to come to Manchester, 
as I had offered to do, nor did he himself wish it. 

I haven’t seen Carl since last summer; he was unable to come for 
Christmas on account of tinnitus which bothers him a great deal dur- 
ing lectures and examinations and is, he says, always aggravated by 
a trip to London. At Easter he went down with influenza and once 
again everything fell through. Dr Gumpert now says that, as soon as 
his condition permits, he will send him away from the smoke of Man- 
chester. We may perhaps go somewhere together where the air is bet- 
ter, although I can’t say anything about that yet. 

I believe it would be best if you didn’t let Carl know that we corres- 
pond about his health, for he seems to be very touchy. It would, 
I think, be best if you were again to write to him every now and then, 
giving him news from home and asking for news of himself. I shall be 
hearing from Gumpert from time to time, as promised, and shall then 
pass the information on to you with or without prompting. 

August is over here and is staying with us. Paul the Stout 
here, staying with the Bernsteins.+’* August is not available at this 

6 is also 

* Carl Schorlemmer-” Paul Singer 

moment, otherwise he would certainly have sent you his greetings; 
Mrs Kautsky warmly reciprocates your good wishes and I, too, 
should like to send you mine and would ask you to pass on my kindest 
regards to the rest of your family. 

Yours, 

F. Engels 

My niece Mrs Rosher, known as Pumps, is also here and sends her 
best wishes to you all.