In September 1888 Engels spent some time in the US and Canada. On his return on the SS City of New York he took time to review the quality of German style beer and wine available in the US
and I would advise anyone who is feeling decrepit and under the weather to cross the Atlantic and spend a fort-night or 3 weeks at Niagara and a similar period in the Adirondacks 2,000 feet above sea level. The air there is quite excellent, while the August sunshine of Lombardy is combined with the fresh breeze of our Rhenish October. I already feel an urge to go out there again next year, if I can get someone to go with me. You ought to consider it; you and Rudolf could, I am sure, do with a tonic of this kind. The tour isn’t at all fatiguing; everywhere, in the better hotels, the food is first-rate and the German beer, i.e. brewed after the German fashion, quite excellent, only wine being dear, though a good bottle of Rhine wine is to be had anywhere for 1 dollar or 1 dollar and 50 cents, nor is American wine at all bad, though unfortunately not as a rule obtainable in the hotels. We have got 24 bottles on board, which we are drinking with gusto—Ohio wine (Reisling and sparkling wine) and Californian Riesling with a very good flavour but no bouquet.
Much love to Emma and the children,ditto to all our relations.
Your old brother
Engels to Hermann Engels SS City of New York 27/8th September 1888
Leave a Reply