ENGELS TO M. R. COTAR””! 

[Draft] 
[London,] 8 April 1893° 
Dear Comrade, 
I have kept your letter of 21/3 on one side for some time. Lafargue and 
Mrs Lafargue were on the point of coming over here and I therefore 

*3 April - ° 1892 in the Ms. 

wished to take the opportunity of consulting both Marx’s daughters per- 
sonally about your inquiry. 

You are totally unknown not only to me but also to the Lafargues, and you 
will understand that it wouldn’t do to entrust a total stranger with a matter as 
important and as difficult as the French translation of Volume II of Capital. 

Apart from a thorough knowledge of the German language, it also calls 
for an equally thorough grounding in economics, and this, unfortunately, is 
to be found only very rarely amongst young socialists. That is something that 
would also have to be discussed beforehand. 

Next, you seek my collaboration—and on this score all I can say to you is 
that for years to come my time will be fully occupied with projects that are 
of at least equal importance. 

Most important of all, however, and this alone might give actuality to your 
inquiry, is that there should be a publisher for the translation. If you have 
one, that and nothing else would repay the trouble involved in taking the 
other questions into consideration. 

Yours very truly