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Special pages :
Letter to Jenny Marx (daughter), May 5, 1867
First published: in Russian, in Voinstvuyushchy materialist, 1925 and in the language of the original, English, in The Socialist Review (London), September 1929.
To His Daughter Jenny in London
Hanover, 5 May 1867[edit source]
My dear Child,
Your letter gave me the greatest pleasure. It is written in the true Imperial style. I hope to find you plump and fresh like a May rose.
The enclosed photograph was to be sent to you for your birthday, but was not ready. It is backed by the photograph of Mme Tenge (by-the-by, the aunt of the Baer’s girl, of whom Edgar b told us so much), who, however, is not so beautiful in reality as her shadow indicates. But she is a really noble nature, of a peculiar suavity, frankness and simplicity of character. Nothing of ‘falsche Bildung’.’ She speaks English, French and Italian (she is of Italian descent) perfectly. Although a great musician, she does not kill one with Kunstgeschwäts [chatter about art], which, on the contrary, she abhors. She is an atheist and inclines to Socialism, although rather little informed on that point. What distinguishes her above all is a spontaneous kindness and the absence of all pretensions. I feel sure you would in no time become very intimate friends. Mrs Kugelmann is also a nice little woman.
To-day, on my birthday, I receive the first ‘Bogen’ for revision. I fear the book will become rather a little too big. In consequence of the Easter week business, the printing did not commence before 29th April, Meissner growing very wild at this suspense. Meanwhile, time has not been lost. Preliminary notices have been published almost in all German papers. Kugelmann has very many connections, which were all put into motion.
Your birthday [1 May] was solemnly celebrated here.
Except part of the bourgeoisie, lawyers and such ones, there reigns here at Hanover a fanatical hatred of the Prussians, which much amuses me.
I was very glad to hear of your Polish surprise. If the things have no mercantile value, they have a historical one.
The delay of war is exclusively due to the Derby Cabinet. As long as it remains at the head of England, Russia will not sound the war signal — a phrase, by-the-by, which is conceived in the true colletian style.
I cannot exactly state the day of my return. I have still to receive letters from different sides. I shall return directly from here via Hamburg (there to have another interview with my publisher) to London.
I had, very soon after my arrival here, written to Liebknecht. He has answered. His wife cannot be saved. She is approaching the catastrophe. She sends her compliments to you all and was cheered up by your letters.
Hegel’s photograph will be looked after. It is not to be had at Hanover. As to his ‘Philos. of Hist.’, I shall try to find it at London.
I consider that Cacadou [Laura] might have written some lines long since, but excuse her with her equestrian studies.
And now, with my best wishes to all, adio, my dear ‘Joe’.
Your
Old One
I add a few lines for Tussy [Eleanor].