<idno>108</idno>Karl Marx an Laura und Paul Lafargue in Paris. London, Samstag, 11. April 1868

London 11 April 1868. My dear Cacadou,

You know I am a slow hand at writing, but this time the shortcomings of my left ~~hand~~ arm are responsible for the sins of my right hand. Under those circumstances I missed the more my secretary who might have addressed to himself, on my behalf, the most charming letters.

I am happy to see from your scribblingsSiehe L. u. P. Lafargue an Marx und Jenny Marx (Tochter), 3.4.1868. (you excuse the “term”, Borkheim with his “scribaille”Siehe S. L. Borkheim an Marx, 31.3. und 1.4.1868. is still dinning my ears) and those of your helpmate Paul Lafargue. that you are thoroughly enjoying your Brautfahrt, and that all the outer circumstances, spring and sun and air and Paris jollities, conjure in your favour. As to that said helpmate, his sending books to meSiehe Marx an Engels, 11.4.1868 („Lafargue hat mir Horn’s u. noch ein andres Pamphlet über die französ. Finanz geschickt.“), at such a critical juncture, speaks volumes for the innate kindness of the “young man” Paul Lafargue.. This simple fact would go far to prove that he must belong to a better than the European race.

By the by, as we have just touched the chapter of books, you might pay a visit to Guillaumin Guillaumin et Cie – Bücherverlag in Paris, gab ökonomische Literatur heraus. (14, rue Richelieu) and get his (economical) bulletins de librairie for 1866–1868. You might also wend your steps to the Librairie Internationale (15, Boulevard Montmartre) and ask for their catalogues (1865–68). Of course, if you get these desiderata, you will not send them, but bring them ~~back~~ on your return to this dreary place.

I am expecting, from Meissner, 3 copies of my book Karl Marx: Das Kapital. Bd. 1. Buch 1. Hamburg 1867. Siehe Erl. zu „1200 Seiten Manuscript“ in Marx an J. Ph. Becker, zw. 9. u. 15.1.1866. (MEGA2 II/5).. On their arrival, I shall send two to Caesar de Paepe, one for himself, the other for Altmayer Jean-Jacques Altmeyer.. Meanwhile, if you should find the time to see Schily (that is to say if you write to him 4, rue St. Quentin to come and see you) be so kind to ask him what has become of the 3 copies, 1 sent for Jacquelard Charles Victor Jaclard., 1 for Taine, 1 for Reclus? If Jacquelard was not to be found, you might give his copy to Altmayer, since Meissner is very slow in forwarding the copies. In that case, however, I ought to be informed.

You’ll certainly fancy, my dear child, that I am very fond of books, because I trouble you with them at so unseasonable a time. But you would be quite mistaken. I am a machine, condemned to devour them and, then, throw them, in a changed form, on the dunghill of history. A rather dreary task, too, but still better than that of Gladstone’s who is obliged, at a day’s notice, to work himself into “states of mind”, yclepted “earnestness”.

We feel here rather somewhat lonely. First you disappeared together with the meridional “silent man”, and then Engels ~~went~~ left usEngels besuchte London vom 1. bis 5. April 1888 anlässlich der Hochzeit von Laura Marx und Paul Lafargue am 2. April 1868.. In lieu of an “excitement” we had the Lormiers Eleonore und Alfred Lormier. yesterday evening. I played with Louis two parties of chess and allowed him to win one. What do you think the strange Caliban Eine Gestalt aus William Shakespeares Theaterstück „Der Sturm“; halbmenschliches Ungeheuer. boy told me, in the most solemn manner of the world, on taking leave? “Sans rancune, j’espère!”

And now, my dear Cacadou, Adio.

Old Nick.