MARX TO ENGELS” 

[London,] 18 December 1857 

Dear Frederick, 

Just a few lines written in great haste. I’ve just received a 3rd 
and final warning from the rotten rate collector to the effect that, 
if I haven’t paid by Monday, they'll put a broker in the house on 
Monday afternoon. Ir possible, Therefore, send me a few pounds 
before Monday. Financial pressure is now even greater than is 
usually the case with me because, for about 3 weeks, I have had to 
pay for everything in cash and ANYTHING LIke credit has ceased, while 
‘at the same time */; of all the money I receive immediately goes to 
meet floating debts. Moreover, there is only a very little coming in, 
since I have hitherto been unable to send the Tribune more than 
‘one article.” So FAR AS TO PRIVATE MATTERS. 

I am working enormously, as a rule until 4 o’clock in the 
morning. I am engaged on a twofold task: 1. Elaborating the 
outlines of political economy.”” (For the benefit of the public it is 
absolutely essential to go into the matter au fond, as it is for my own, 
INDIVIDUALLY, TO GET RID OF THIS NIGHTMARE.) 

2. The present crisis. Apart from the articles for the Tribune, all 
I do is keep records of it,which, however, takes up a considerable 
amount of time. I think that, somewhere about the spring, we 
ought to do a pamphlet together about the affair?’ as a reminder 
to the German public that we are still there as always, and’ always 
THE SAME. I have started 3 large record books—ENc.anp, GERMANY, 
France. All the material on the American affair is available in the 

a See this volume, p. 215. - & See this volume, p. 111. - ¢ thoroughly 

Tribune, and can be collated subsequently. By the by, I should be 
glad if you would send me the Guardian, if possible, every day. It 
not only doubles the work but also disrupts it if I have to deal with 
a week or so’s arrears all at once. 

In France, and specially at Havre,’ the fun (commercial) will 
probably be started by the ‘Germans’, whom one cannot altogether 
help taking into account now. Moreover—apart from the GENERAL 
rottenness Of the bankrupt State—trade itself would seem to be 
exceptionally rotten in Marseilles and Bordeaux, everywhere, that 
is, where infiltration and intervention by foreign elements has 
stung the beastly crapauds*' out of their lousy, mean penny- 
pinching and rimrry. Au fond,” only in such an immobile coun- 
try was a Crédit mobilier* both possible and inevitable. Tue 
MORE YOU BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE Messias OF NATIONS, THE LESS YOU 
LIKE HIM. 

Write to me whenever you have the time, for later on you’re 
sure to forget all the ‘chronique scandaleuse’ of the crisis which is so 
invaluable to us. I make excerpts from your letters and enter them 
in the principal record books. 

Salut. Kind regards to Lupus. Pieper has the satisfaction of 
knowing that his ex-principa! Saalfeld, with whose wife he had 
such a tremendous row, HAS GONE TO THE WALL. 

Your 
K. M: