MARX TO ENGELS” 

London, 30 November 1868 
Dear Fred, 

I am quite KNockep pown by your too great kindness. 

I had my wife show me all the sits, and the amount of the 
debts is much greater than J thought, £210 (of which about £75 
for the pawnshop and interest). This does not include the doctor’s 
bill for attendance during the scarlatina, which he has not yet 
submitted. 

During the past few years we have used more than £350, but 
the sum is absolutely sufficient, since 1. during the past few years 
Lafargue was living with us, and expenses were much increased by 
his presence in the house; and 2., owing to the debt system, 
everything cost much too much. With a complete clearance of the 
debts, I would be able for the first time to enforce a strict 
ADMINISTRATION. 

You can imagine how unpleasant conditions have been here at 
home over the past few months from the fact that Jennychen— 
behind my back—got an engagement for herself as private 
governess with an English family. The business is not due to begin 
until January 1869. I gave permission, after the event, on the 
proviso (the lady of the house, her husband is Dr Monroe, visited 
my wife in this connection) that the engagement should only be 
binding for 1 month, and both sides, after the month had passed, 
would have the right to cancel. Though the matter was extremely 
embarrassing to me (the child would have to teach small children 
almost all day long)—I do not need to emphasise this—I 
consented on this condition, since I found it favourable that 
Jennychen would be diverted by some sort of occupation and, in 
particular, get outside these 4 walls. For years now my wife has 
quite lost her temper—understandable under the circumstances, 
but not thereby made pleasanter—and tortures the children 
mortally with her complaints and irritability and sap Humour, 
though no children could bear it all in a more jolly way. But sunt certi 
denique fines.” It is naturally unpleasant to write to you about this. It 

’ there are, after all, certain limits (Horace, Satires, I, 1, 106). 

g* 

is easier to speak of such things. But it is necessary in order to 
explain to you why I did not absolutely reverse Jennychen’s step. 

Your 
K. M.