London, 29 November 1892 

Dear Mrs Bebel, 

Of all the letters I got on my birthday, yours is the first I feel impelled to 
answer. My most sincere thanks. I spent the day ‘in the best of health’, for, 
even though I am not in full control of my movements and cannot walk as 
much as I should like to, I nevertheless feel quite robust and everyone says I 
look very well. This time we turned my birthday into an English May Day 
celebration, i.e. we brought it forward from the Monday to the previous 
Sunday.* Louise felt that, as I couldn’t fail to tipple somewhat on an occasion 
like this, one day would be enough and two days too many. We had a real 
houseful, our African, Sam Moore, also Bax, the Avelings, Bernsteins, 
Mottelers, the Russian Volkhovsky, and two working men from the Society 
 ; that, I think, was all. No. I nearly forgot little Inka’ who has really filled 
out on the food she gets in Berlin and whose plumpness suits her very well— 
now I have tangible proof that people have learned how to eat their fill in 
Berlin and let no one speak to me in future about starving Berlin! 

We still had a small supply of dried woodruff and so Louise and I con- 
cocted a May cup with the aid of Moselle, red wine and champagne—at this 
foggy time of year it would hardly be possible to imagine, let alone 

* 27 November - Inka Fischer 

brew, anything better. Since one and all had laid a good foundation in the 
shape of a cold meal, the said cup was valiantly attacked, not least by Your 
Humble Servant, the Narrator and, strictly between ourselves, several of the 
gentlemen, among them—I was about to say it but shall stop before it’s too 
late—became somewhat the worse for wear. Julius’ was in great form; he 
sang various songs and told funny stories though, with his customary 
obstinacy, indulged in nothing but water or coffee. In short, we were all very 
jolly until past midnight, which is saying a great deal, considering the 
distances here in London and the fact that all railway and omnibus services 
close down after 11 o’clock on Sunday night. And so I was able to retire to 
bed secure in the knowledge that I had entered my 73rd year in a worthy 
fashion. However I hope that my health will allow me to do even better next 
year. Then my birthday falls on a Tuesday, and so we shall again be able to 
make a start on Sunday, though in that case I should like to carry on 
carousing until Tuesday night. 

I should like to have attended that beanfeast in Berlin. Inka tells me that 
she could not get through to you and Bebel because of the crush so there 
must have been an enormous number present. © Still, I don’t doubt that I'll 
witness something of that kind again, if not this year then the next, provided 
that is, you come over and fetch us. The little Fischer girl sees in you so great 
a mental affinity with my dear good Lenchen that I can be doubly confident 
in placing myself in your charge. 

As August left only one measly page for your use, I shall reverse the 
position and he will get only one from me. 

With warm regards 

Yours, 
F. Engels