V. I.

Lenin

71

To:   HIS SISTER MARIA

Mlle Marie Ouljanoff, Rue des Minimes, 40, Bruxelles, Belgique

January 24, 1899

I have received the catalogues you sent, Manyasha. A big merci for them. There are some interesting things in
them. I intend sending you a list of the books I should like
to acquire. Write and tell me if you have become familiar
with Brussels in general and with book publishing and bookselling in particular. I should like to read the verbatim
reports of some interesting parliamentary discussions. In
Paris, for instance, they are to be found in the Journal officiel , each issue of which can also be bought separately,
of course. I do not know whether it is obtainable in
Brussels. The Belgian government newspaper most probably
publishes similar reports too.

Where did you get the English catalogues? Are there
English bookshops in Brussels or did you order them from
London?

I am now busy with urgent work; there is not much left for me to do to finish my book, and then I shall most likely
have to start contributing to the magazines. That is why I
am writing very little, especially as Nadya says that she
will write in detail about our life here.

If you come across anything in second-hand bookshops on the economics of farming in France, Britain, etc.
(farming statistics, enquêtes , the reports of British commissions), or on the history of industrial forms (among others,
Babbage, Ure—the older writers on this subject), please buy
them if the prices are moderate.

Have you much work? When are you thinking of coming home?

All the best, Yours,

V. U.

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