Schledorf(Post Murnau) my country place July 1, 1863 



Ree. July 30th Postmark München 4 th July 



My dear, outstanding friend! 



As I set myselfdown to write you, a feeling ofshame and one of weakness sneak 

 up on me, both depressing! When you find a friend in dire predicament, you are 

 supposed to give him words ofloving support and ifpossible consolation. I know 

 that you have been involved in the pain and sorrow of a civil war for years and I 

 have said nothing! The reason formy silence distresses me. The ever-increasing 

 load and responsibility of my correspondence is now beyond me and has caused 

 me to let go unanswered many a dear letter and sign of benevolence. Do not 

 believe, dear Engelmann, that I have not reeeived with honest thanks the last two 

 signs ofyour thoughtfulness: the Cactus seeds and the four cone -varieties, 

 which I reeeived through your brother. I have told him so with great pleasure, and 

 added, that ifyou consider me worthy to learn about your present life, since I am 

 so warmly interested therein 



