[London,] 15 October 1867 
Dear Kugelmann, 

You must not write to Borkheim. It would be pointless in any 
case as the work* has already been announced in the Buchhandler- 
bérsenblatt” and is being already published by Schabelitz. Moreover, 
Borkheim himself is now in Bordeaux: such a letter from you 
could have no effect whatsoever except to make an enemy of 
Borkheim for me.*”° 

Ce qui est fait, est fait© Never mind! It was just that, my mind being 
in a turmoil from working all night, I at first exaggerated the 
gravity of the événement$ And indeed, je suis puni par ou j'ai péché!* 
You see I was amused au premier abord' by the thought of the 
scandal that our friend would create amongst the respectable 
philistines of Geneva. Of course, I did not foresee the fruits it 
would bear in the book trade. 1 should, moreover, have reflected that, 
in working out his plan, Borkheim would naturally overstep the 
bounds of prudence which I suggested to him in my letter.” The 
only policy we can pursue now is silence, for as long as our 
opponents do not speak; as soon as they speak and attempt to 
hold me responsible, we must make bad jokes about their being 
obliged to burden me with Borkheim’s pranks in order not to have 
to reply to my book.? Borkheim ought furthermore to be treated 
indulgently in that event, for arrer aL, except for his literary vanity, 
he is a capable and well-meaning man, and good as an homme 
d'action," as long as his sense of devilry does not get the better of 
him. 

You will probably already have received Engels’ recipes.“ I am 
in correspondence with Liebknecht and Becker.’ 

By the ‘success of the book’, I only meant that it should sell 
quickly, on account of the effect this will have back in England. 

The Courrier frangais (at present the Paris daily which creates 
the biggest stir) and the Liberté in Brussels have published a 

a §. Borkheim, Ma perle devant le congrés de Genéve.- > Bérsenblatt für den Deutschen 
Buchhandel, No. 230, 3 October 1867. - © What is done, is done. - 4 event - © Iam 
punished for my _ sins! - ‘ initially - 8 the first volume of Capital-» man of 
action - i Johann Philipp Becker 

French translation of my preface along with complimentary PREAM. 

BLEs.*°° 

One Nahmer in New York has offered his services as English 
translator over there. Quod non: 

I am very pleased with Liebknecht’s performance in Berlin.** I 
sent him over some instructions from here. 

Poor Becker has reached such a pass that he is on the verge of 
abandoning politics and writing altogether.*” How one regrets not 
being able to help in such circumstances! 

My compliments to your dear wife and my little friend,” for 
whose portrait I have not yet thanked you. 

Yours 
K. M.