MARX TO SOPHIE VON HATZFELDT ”% 

London, 12 September 1864 
1 Modena Villas, Maitland Park, 
Haverstock Hill 

My Dear Countess, 

You will realise how surprised, dismayed and shocked I was by 
the utterly unexpected news of Lassalle’s death. He was one of the 
people by whom I set great store. For me it is all the more 
distressing in that of late we had no longer been in touch. ‘The 
reason for this was neither his silence alone—for it was he who was 
the instigator, not I—nor my own illness, which lasted over a year 
and of which I only rid myself a few days ago. There were also 
reasons which I could tell you by word of mouth but not in 
writing. Let me assure you that no one can feel greater sorrow 
over Lassalle’s untimely end than I. And, above all else, I feel for 
you. I know how much the deceased meant to you and what his 
loss must mean. One thing you can be glad of. He died young, at 
a time of triumph, as an Achilles. 

I hope, my dear Countess, that your proud and courageous 
spirit will enable you to withstand this blow fate has dealt you, and 
that you will never doubt the wholly loyal devotion of 

Your sincere friend, 
Karl Marx