{London,] 25 October 1879 

Dear Mrs Bertha, 

I have a (tiresome) visitor sitting next to me, but do not wish to 
miss the opportunity of telling you in all haste how grateful I am 
to you for the pleasure afforded me by reading your novel in the 
Kélnische. Great talent is discernible by all, but the achievement is 
particularly surprising to one who is aware of the confined and 
cloistered conditions in which you work. Moreover I would take 
the liberty of adding that I am a great heretic as far as German 
novels are concerned, think nothing of them and have been 
greatly spoiled by the best French, English and Russian novelists. 
Hence it was also with my habitual mistrust that I embarked on 
the reading of your Verhdngnisvolles Jahr. 

Wishing you all prosperity, 

Most cordially yours, 

Karl Marx