TC-FWB, [2 Dec. 1827]. Addr: at Dr Thomson's, / George-street—. MS: Stadtarchiv, Offenbach am Main, West Germany. Hitherto unpbd. Dated by TC's “virulent sore throat” which he had for “about a week” before his mother's and sister Jean's arrival for a visit on Wed., 5 Dec. (see TC to JCE, 22 Dec.). Ferdinand Wilhelm Becker (1805–34), son of Karl Ferdinand Becker (1775–1849), philologist and physician in Offenbach; educ. Offenbach; asst. librarian at the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, 1820 to ca. 1823; returning to Germany he became M.D., Berlin, 1826; after living in Scotland again until late 1829, he practiced in Berlin until his death. See also TC to JAC, 10 Jan. 1832. A note enclosed with this letter in TC's hand (presumably to Becker but of a different date) reads: “I have got a loan of this Heftlein [Booklet], which in my turn I very gladly lend you. Why do you not come down to see us? / T. Carlyle.” [This letter, originally pbd. at CL 12:386, is now placed at its proper chronological location.]

1. A parody of Mignon's song, Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre (Works 23:277).

2. “Sunday Morning, Comely Bank. / My dear Herr Doctor, / For my sins I have caught a bad sore throat, and, among other things, lain awake the whole blessed night. Come you here, my dear Doctor, and cure poor unfortunate me, or at least kill me by rule and proper prescription! Harrassed and in great haste, for

I'm dizzy, I'm burning
I'm completely on fire
Only the man who knows the sore throat
Knows what I'm going through!

Your unfortunate / T. Carlyle.”