{London,] 9 December 1876 

My dear Sir, 

Mr Gladstone’s exhibition at yesterday's conference*” prompts 
me to communicate—for your and Mr Urquhart’s private infor- 
mation—a recent exploit of this sensational statesman. 

About a week ago he wrote a letter to Madame Nowikoff telling 
her that the Morning Post was sold to the Austrian government and 
that the Russian government ought, on its part, to buy London 
newspapers, in order to influence British opinion. Even Mad. Nowikoff 
found this a rather strange proceeding on the part of an English 
ex-premier. In the same letter he asserts that his popularity is 
daily increasing and that he feels sure of soon upsetting the 
Disraeli cabinet. 

Mr Gladstone has evidently lost his senses. From some hints 
given to me, I believe that Mad. Nowikoff, on her return to 
Russia, will receive a visit on the part of the secret police and be 
courteously invited to hand over the letters of Mr Gladstone in her 
possession. By these letters the Russian government will keep him 
in bondage. 

This communication is strictly private; any indiscretion would 
expose third persons to great danger. 

Yours faithfully, 
Karl Marx