London, 20 March 1895 
41 Regent’s Park Road, N. W. 

Dear Hermann, 

Many thanks for the kind wedding invitation which I am unfortunately 
unable to accept. Apart from other obstacles, I have again fallen prey to the 
springtime complaint which, for the past four or five years, has regularly 
crippled me for some weeks at this season. A little rest will no doubt suffice 
to put paid to the thing, thus enabling me, a week tomorrow, to drink a glass 
of the best to ElsbethV and her bridegroom’s? health, as will be 
conscientiously done. 

Otherwise I am well and have grown more or less accustomed to the 
domestic and dietary regulations befitting an elderly gentleman—so much 
so, in fact, that any deviation therefrom becomes instantly apparent to me 
from all manner of little upsets and I get given the well-meant but earnest 
advice to desist from the same in future. I had never imagined 

* Elsbeth Engels, F. Engels’ niece - ° Arthur Schuchard 

that pedantry could again be imposed upon me as a rule of life and a moral 
duty. 

Well, I hope that, even in my absence, you will all have a very happy day, 
and wish Elsbeth the best of luck in her new status as a married woman; also 
offspring more distinguished by their health than by their numbers. 

Much love to Emma’ and all the children, 

Your old 
Friedrich