V. I.

Lenin

156

LENIN AND KRUPSKAYA TO LENIN’S SISTER MARIA

Dear Manyasha, Thanks for the letter. I must apologise for not answering
at once. I have got so “embedded” in summer holidays and in loafing (I am having a rest such as I have not had
for several years) that I am still postponing all business
matters, great and small.

I am against boycotting the Third Duma; I have been writing a little piece on this subject which will probably
soon be out. [2] In my opinion that slogan must not be revived unless there is a situation of heightened political
activity, unless there is a struggle against early constitutional illusions. Any fresh burst of enthusiasm (there
may be one on account of the July strike of Moscow textile workers—up to 400,000 are expected to strike) must
be expanded, preparations must be made, it must be made
general, but it would be out of place to declare a boycott.
We must not renounce the slogan altogether; if the situation
arises we shall, in a moment of political upsurge, propose
a boycott. To declare a boycott at the moment would be either premature bravado or the uncritical repetition of
slogans that have a glorious revolutionary past. Such, in
a few words, is my argument; it is developed in detail in
the press. [1]

Write and tell me how you are fixed up and whether you are satisfied. Best regards to Mark and all acquaintances.

We are having a wonderful rest and are loafing.

Many kisses, Yours,

V. U.

Darling Manyasha, I am adding a few words. There is nothing to
write about since we are, at the moment, “outside public
interests” and are leading a holiday life—bathing in the
sea, cycling (the roads are bad, by the way, so you can’t
go far). Volodya plays chess, fetches water, at one time we
had a craze for the English game of “Donkey”, and so on.
The only thing is that Lidya has a lot of bother with the
housekeeping.... Everybody here is putting on weight splendidly. We could read a lot but none of the books here are
very suitable and anyway we don’t feel like reading.

Many kisses, Yours,

N .

Our people (Lidya and Mother) send regards, of course.

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Notes:
[1]
It should be out in about a fortnight.— Lenin

[2]
Lenin refers to his article “Against Boycott. Notes of a