Letter to Friedrich Engels, December 2, 1863

Author(s) Karl Marx
Written 2 December 1863


First published in Der Briefwechsel zwischen F. Engels und K. Marx, Bd. 3, Stuttgart, 1913
First published in English in full in The Letters of Karl Marx, selected and translated with explanatory notes and an introduction by Saul K. Padover, Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1979
Printed according to the original
Published in English in Marx-Engels Collected Works, Volume 41


MARX TO ENGELS

IN MANCHESTER

[London,] 2 December 1863

DEAR FREDERICK,

Two hours ago a telegram arrived, saying my mother[1] was dead. Fate laid claim to one of our family. I myself have already had one foot in the grave. Circumstances being what they were, I, presumably, was needed more than my mater.

I have got to go to Trier to settle the question of the legacy. Was in much doubt as to what Allen would say, as it is only 3 days since I first began taking a recuperative WALK of half an hour a day.

However, Allen has given me 2 enormous bottles of medicine to take with me and actually thinks it advisable for me to go. The wound hasn't stopped discharging yet, but all along the route I should find good Samaritanesses[2] to apply the plaster for me.

I must now ask you to send me enough money by return to enable me to leave for Trier forthwith. Salut.

Your

K. M.

  1. ↑ Henriette Marx
  2. ↑ Cf. Luke 10:33.34.