1878.10.18 English

C O P E N H A G E N OCTOBER 18, 1878

MY DEAR BROTHER. FINALLY I GOT THE BETTER OF THEM[1]. YESTERDAY EVENING – WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY BEING MENTIONED IN BERLINGSKE[2] - I RECEIVED A VERY NICE LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE EXHIBITION, COUNT HOLSTEIN, WHO IS IN TOWN, AND IN WHICH HE CONGRATULATED ME TO THE GOLD MEDAL, REGARDING WHICH HE HAD BEEN TELEGRAPHICALLY INFORMED FROM PARIS. THIS EVENING I WILL GO BACK TO SKJELSTRUP[3] IN ORDER TO ONCE MORE DISCUSS WITH COUNT KNUTH, WHO INTENDS TO PARTAKE IN THE SETTING UP OF A PRODUCTION. I SUPPOSE THAT THE AMERICAN HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE LEVEL OF SILVER TO A GOLD MEDAL.

WARMEST REGARDS AND KISSES FOR DEAR SWEET MOTHER FROM ALL OF US AND FOR YOU, DEAR BROTHER. EVERYTHING IS FINE HERE AND I AM VERY PLEASED THAT OUR DAUGTHERS – THE BIG ONES – GO TO SCHOOL, AND THEY THEMSELVES ARE ALSO VERY HAPPY WITH THAT.

YOU DEEPLY DEVOTED BROTHER

RMH.

[1] CB: “them” must be all those that have been sceptical in relation to the writing ball. RMH has now received yet another gold medal at the world exhibition in Paris and rejoices in his revenge over all the sceptics.

[2] One of the most influential daily newspapers

[3] CB: Skjelstrup was the village close to Maribo on the island of Lolland, where the brother was a school teacher. It is MOST interesting that he mentions that he is about to negotiate with the Count of Knuthenborg about a possible involvement in the business. This is the third count of Knuthenborg in RMH’s life. The first one – his patron – died at the age of 43 in 1856. The second died aged 34 in 1874 and was succeeded by his brother – the one RMH is to discuss business with! Probably this did not materialise – just like the other investment initiatives mentioned by RMH in his letters: The Americans, a Swede, Ritzau!