London, 19 September 1883 

My dear Laura, 

At last returned from Eastbourne,*? where correspondence was 
rendered difficult and almost impossible by circumstances. When 
proof-sheets © arrived — 3 times a week — my company left me to my 

@ See this volume, pp. 15-16.-? draft-° of the third German edition of Vo- 
lume I of Capital 

work, but on the silent understanding that I was not to exact any- 
thing further—and how indeed could I have asked for peace and 
quietness in the one sitting room allotted to us all, especially when the 
thirst for Pilsener drove them in at certain times of the day? 

I was besides busy with Sam Moore’s specimen translation* the 
greater part of which is very good and lively; the beginning — rather 
a difficult chapter ?— wanted a deal of ‘look after’, on account of his 
not having been exact enough in rendering the terminology, but that 
could be easily settled. I am certain from what I have seen that he 
will do the job well. 

I also began revising Deville’s pamphlet,! it requires more work, 
especially in the beginning where great precision is necessary, but is 
wanting here and there. However J shall have no difficulty in setting 
that right, only it will take a week or a fortnight. I shall set to work ser- 
iously to-morrow. As far as I have gone, I am much pleased with his 
work, he has well understood everything (except small details) and it 
is written in a more lively style than I thought it would be. 

As soon as that is shaken off I begin with the 2nd volume [of] 
Kapital. 

I hope you received my post-card '!! with the information you had 
asked me for. It was sent the day after I received your letter. 

We came back last Friday,“ Pumps and Percy stayed here over 
Sunday, their house not being in order. Since then we had a thunder- 
storm and fearful rain in parts of London which flooded their back 
drawing-room. Otherwise they are flourishing. The little boy is get- 
ting on wonderfully well, he was five months yesterday, and is ex- 
tremely intelligent for his age. 

Nim declares she must reduce her allowance of beer. She thinks she 
is getting too fat with it. 

This morning Lopatin walks in, his adventures have ripened him 
considerably.'!? He will be here again directly and have dinner with 
us. He says he saw Paul lately and found him well and content, all 
things considered. 

Tussy I have not seen yet, I believe she is not in town, I wrote her 
a line but she did not turn up on Sunday. As soon as Nim can get off 
she'll call on her. 

@ the English translation of the first volume of Capital (see Note 56)- the first 
chapter of Volume I of Capital— ‘Commodities’. -° 14 September 

Of my little pamphlet Entwicklung etc. two editions are already 
sold, the third is in the press.?° That shows anyhow that it is not too 
difficult for the mass of the working people in Germany. 

When this letter arrives, Paul will have ‘done’ */, rds of his time — 
I hope he will keep his pluck up for the two last and most trying 
months. 

Of the 3rd edition [of] Kapital* I have read proofs up to page 448, 
so if they go on at this rate, the whole will be completed by Decem- 
ber. I am sorry Mohr has not lived to see how well this time the thing 
is done: no delay, no trouble with the printers, no trifling complaint 
but is at once set right, and excellent proofs with very few mistakes. 
Leipzig '!? seems at last, and at least in this one respect of printing, to 
become ‘ein klein Paris’.” High time it was. 

So now I conclude this budget of miscellaneous news in order to set 
a few little jobs right before Lopatin drops in again. Kind regards for “ 
Paul and a hearty kiss for yourself from 

Yours affectionately, 
Le général pour rire’