#3 R.B'S to Deane. 

 ing confiscation of fortune makes everyone nervous. Nobody knows how 

 long the present government will be able to suppress the inner unrest. 

 We almost seem to approach to Russian conditions. The strikes here are 

 incessant and there is much disdnclanation to work among the working 

 classes, what they demand for quite common work is horrible. Mow all 

 the state-officials will receive an addition of 150 percent on salary. 

 How these new burdens of milliards will be raised, is a ridle. No 

 wonder, the general prices are rising out of sight by every day, What a 

 dreadful misery this mad war has brought to the countries. I dare say 

 I saw it before and never was fond of such adventures. Ky activity is 

 only thriving in peace. It sounds like a story of the old golden times 

 of peace, what you tell me in your letter on your scientifical occupa- 

 tion and the increasing of your herbarium. I never stopped study of 

 natural history, but otherwise I did not carry on any business. Of any 

 matters concerning the war my hands remained clean. We lived on pretty 

 retired during the war. In late summer and autumn we practised a kind 

 of botany. ¥y wife and I enjoyed in taking walks to the forests about 

 here, collecting mushrooms. There are a good deal of eatable delicious 

 spcies here, and they gave a good change in ffe and dried provision for 



the winter. In August we collected the lovely blossoms of the common 

 heath Calluna vulgaris, It is not yet generally known that they give 

 cooked a splendid wholesome drink in flavor near to the Chinese tea, 

 but without the exciting properties of the latter. We keep on using it, 

 though Thea Bohea is to have again. The substitutes for tea sold here 

 were abominable and also noxious. How for today I must close the report 

 I shall be delighted if you favor me again with a letter. Kindest love 

 to you from us all. 



Very sincerely yours 



Rudolph Blaschka. 



