Ahnfrau.) And yet I am the most soft-hearted person in the world towards the common people.  On the whole, my election here in these circumstances seems very doubtful to me; and as I do not believe I shall be elected in the other place either, when I am not there personally, we may live together quietly the rest of the summer, if it be God’s will, and I will pet you into recovery from your fright about the child, my darling.  Have no anxiety whatever about my personal safety; one hears nothing of the cholera here except in a letter from Reinfeld.  The first rule to observe, if it should come nearer to you, is to speak of it as little as possible; by speaking, one always augments the fear of others, and fear of it is the easiest bridge on which it can enter the human body. * * *

God guard you and your child, and all our house.

Your most faithful

v.B.

It is better not to leave the doors all open constantly, for the child often gets shock from the draught, when one is opened, before you can prevent it.

(Postmark, Berlin, August 8, ’49.)

My Love,—­I sent you a letter this morning, and have just received yours, in reply to which I will add a few more words touching the wet-nurse.  If any one besides you and father and mother already knows about the matter, in the house or outside, then tell her the truth unhesitatingly, for in that case it will not stay hidden.  If the matter is still known to yourselves alone, let it continue so, but then keep watch on the mail-bag, lest she learn of it unexpectedly.  The wet-nurse’s sister here is unwilling to have it told to her.  I shall look her up today and speak with her.  But if you do not wish to keep it secret any longer, when once the child is rid of her cough, you should at any rate look about you for a wet-nurse or woman who, in case of necessity, can take Friederike’s place immediately, if the effect is such that the child cannot stay with her.  I shall get the sister to give me a letter to her, in which the story will be told exactly and soothingly; this I shall send to you, so that you may make use of it in case of need; that, I think, is the best way she can learn of it.  To tell her first that her child is sick, and so forth, I do not consider a good plan, for anxiety has a worse effect than the truth.  God will graciously bring us out of this trouble.  He holds us with a short rein lest we should become self-confident, but He will not let us fall.  Good-by, my best-of-all; pray and keep your head up.

Your very faithful

v.B.

Berlin, August 11, ’49.