| Author(s) | Friedrich Engels |
|---|---|
| Written | 11 April 1883 |
ENGELS TO LAURA LAFARGUE
IN PARIS
London, 11 April 1883
My dear Laura,
I do indeed think, along with you, that Paul ought to go and see his mother and I have told him so many a time and many a year ago. As to the extra expense, that will not be much and I can soon find you that, if informed in time. Only, if things are as you describe, it will re- quire some considerable diplomacy on Paul's part, not to spoil his own game — that Christian sister of charity ought not to be made an enemy of 7—she is always there and Paul not, and if only her sus- picions are aroused, be sure she will never cease to beguile the old woman i«to a will as much in her favour as the law will permit. So that point I suppose is settled — you'll have to look after the execu- tion.
We all of us have had a hearty laugh at your account of the Argen- teuil adventures. 8 It is so like him[1] from beginning to end. To-day it is a week that Tussy sent him a very categorical letter: when is the boy[2] to come? Not a line in reply. // est toujours en train de réfléchir.[3]
Paul is sure of six months at least.9 He was awfully funky about it when here, and amused Liebknecht out of all measure with his horror carceris.[4] But if he does not now start in earnest to learn German, I shall consider him to be nothing but un enfant gâté.[5] Imagine he writes to me that he will learn it—comme vous le dites très bien (!) il pourra (!) devenir nécessaire que je le sache pour des traductions![6] As if the perfection of his own accomplishments, bright as they are, did not en- tirely depend on his reading certain German things, published and unpublished! He rejoices in the prospect of the 2nd volume [of] Capi- tal being published, but will he ever be able to read it?
If M-me Gendre will translate the Manifest[7] into French and let me revise the translation (it's no child's play, you know) I will write her a preface sufficient to explain the historical circumstances, etc. ' ° But as I know nothing much of the lady, I am bound to say at present: no revision, no preface. A right to stop any proceedings of hers in that di- rection I have not. This notabene is for Paul. So is this: What speech of Giffen he writes about I don't know, nor where it was published.
Pumps is still 'expectant', or was so at least last night. Percy's mother told him the other day that really he ought to be a little better informed in a case like that.
Jollymeyer is here for a few days. Since then (as some days before he left 10 days ago) we have every evening a bobby promenading be- fore the house, when I let Carlo out about 12. The imbeciles evidently think we are manufacturing dynamite, when in reality we are discuss- ing whisky.
Kind regards from him and myself to both of you.
Yours affectionately,
F. Engels