Marx-Engels Correspondence 1857

Marx To Engels
In St Hélier in Jersey


Source: MECW Volume 40, p. 197;
First published: in Der Briefwechsel zwischen F. Engels und K. Marx, Stuttgart, 1913.


[London,] 31 October 1857

Dear Frederic,

Have received two letters from Dana. Says first, that ‘Army’ arrived in good time. Secondly, that, because of the commercial crisis, notice has been given to all European correspondents except for myself and Bayard Taylor; 1, however, am to confine myself strictly to 1 article per week — lately I had been trying to break through this limitation — and for the time being write exclusively about the Indian war and the financial crisis.

If you could let me have the History of Cannon by Friday, it would be a great boon. As soon as the next mail arrives from India, you must write to me at some length about the Delhi affair or rather, if possible, do the whole article since this time it has to be purely technical.

I sent the chaps about 8 sheets under the heading ‘Blücher’, the same being sub-titled ‘The Silesian army in the campaigns etc.’ As I had to spend so much time reading Clausewitz, Müffling, etc., some degree of compensation was called for.

So far as your resolution as to Manchester is concerned, it seems to me quite rational, within Heckscher’s limitations. Allen, too, says that fatal consequences are likely to result only if the lung is affected but that, in the early days after such a business, it behoves anyone to take care of himself.

The doses of iron may have been somewhat too strong. At all events it should have an excellent effect on your body. The weather here has improved during the past few days.

I should much like, old boy, to see you before your return to Manchester. There is a certain irony of fate in my being personally embroiled in these damned crises. What satisfaction it would give Heinzen s'il le savait [if he knew]!

The news as to Schramm is no less saddening for being predictable. What do you say to Cavaignac’s death and the idiocy of our liege-lord?

With warm regards from the whole family.

Your
K. M.