Eastbourne,** 20 August 1879 
53 Grand Parade 

Dear Moor, 

I return herewith the letters from Hirsch,*”’ ditto one from 
Liebknecht which I have just answered.*” I’ve drawn his attention 
to his strange contradictions, viz.:‘you wrote to Hirsch saying that 
the paper was backed by “the party+H6chberg”, which must 

a jocular name for Marx 

surely mean, if Héchberg is in any way a plus, his purse, for in 
other respects he’s a negative quantity. You now write and tell me 
that Héchberg hasn’t contributed a penny. Maybe somebody can 
make sense of that, I civeit ur.’ Also that it was absurd to say that 
Hirsch had ‘misinterpreted’ Bernstein’s letter *” ‘in an even sillier 
way’, since that letter admitted of no misinterpretation at all, 
Bernstein having plainly made himself out therein to be the 
effective head of the editorial board. Naturally, I went on, 
Liebknecht believed that he had arranged everything for the best, 
but Hirsch was entitled to see for himself and Liebknecht was 
preventing him from doing so by withholding the relevant 
material; so if Hirsch were to refuse, it would be Liebknecht's 
fault. ‘As for ourselves, this much is certain: If Hirsch does not 
accept, we shall have to consider very carefully what we should do; 
we certainly shan’t take the bait without knowing who in fact “The 
Party” is that is backing the paper.’*” For it was precisely now, I 
told him, when all the rotten and conceited elements were able to 
push themselves to the fore without let or hindrance, that the time 
had at last come to abandon a policy of dissimulation and 
conciliation and even, if necessary, to be undeterred by a few rows 
and rumpuses. A party that would sooner let itself be hoodwinked 
by any and every blockhead, rather than summon up the courage 
to disavow him in public, might as well pack up. E.g. Kayser.’ 

The Lafargues have been here since Monday* and are staying 
until the day after tomorrow; we shall see if we can keep Laura 
here a few days longer. She brought us news that Jenny’s 
catastrophe had gone off all right in Ramsgate,“ as probably 
everyone, apart from herself and Longuet, had _ predicted. 
Otherwise everything there seems to be going on as well as can be 
expected. 

Since yesterday the weather has been very uncertain, which isn’t 
particularly good for Jollymeier; he had pretty well recovered, 
fever gone, appetite restored, little pain, but there’s now been 
some kind of check and his improvement is no longer so rapid, 
though so far he’s not actually any worse. Today we had the 
regatta, on which occasion some rain is de rigueur? As you are 
further to the south-west and nearer the Atlantic, I’m afraid you 
are getting it worse and more at first hand. 

Also enclosed an embarrassed letter from Bernstein which I 
have not yet answered. It would be best if you kept everything 

“ 18 August - > inevitable 

26* 

until further notice; there’s no hurry about Bernstein and the 
noble Jahrbuch can remain quietly in London until I arrive.*” 

From Schorlemmer’s point of view, it’s a good thing that we 
stayed here and, indeed, shall be staying here at any rate until the 
28th; what happens then will depend on his condition and, of 
course, the weather. If possible, a few days in the Isle of Wight 
and places nearby. 

Old Ruge, in the youthful guise of a NiccER* serenader, has been 
trotting round the pier today selling programmes for a fireworks’ 
display. 

Lafargue and Laura send their love and join us in hoping that 
you are all still keeping well. Best wishes from Pumps and me to 
Tussy and you. 

Your 
F. E.