IN HOTTINGEN-ZURICH 

London, 17 January 1885 

Dear Mr Schliter, 

As regards the Anti-Dihring, I would further advise you that:1) the 
old preface is followed by another to the 2nd edition which, however, 
I can’t really do as yet; so doubtless you will, as usual, begin with the 
actual text and leave preface and title to the last; 2) such additions as 
there are will appear as an appendix.* 

I have heard from Bonn that the Origin of the Family etc. is not ob- 
tainable in the bookshops; according to the booksellers they have had 
word from Switzerland—from the publisher— that the book has 
been banned and various friends have been bombarding me with in- 
quiries as to where the book may be obtained. Since there has, to my 
knowledge, been no public ban, while a secret ban would be nonsensi- 
cal, and since the assumption that Zurich has been spreading rumours 
ofa ban is even more nonsensical, I find the matter puzzling. Could it 
be that the government, to spare itself the ridicule that would come of 
a public ban, has persuaded Schabelitz’s agents in Leipzig to spread 
such things about and thus make sales more difficult? Perhaps you 
would be good enough to start inquiries over there and let me know 
the result; I shall also try to find out whether the same tactics are be- 
ing pursued elsewhere. 

What is Ede doing? I have had neither sight nor sound of 
him. 

Yours faithfully, 

F. Engels