Karl Marx to Friedrich Engels in Manchester
London, Monday, 7 June 1858
7 June 1858

Dear Frederick,

I enclose 2 issues of Bangya, one for you, the other for Lupus.

I have received from you 1) letter with the postoffice note; 2) second letter; 3) article for the Tribune (very amusing one, too.) I did not acknowledge receipt before, because I was expecting the 2 numbers of B. every day; besides a great many private troubles which took up my time.

Enclosed a letter from Lassalle. It is a most curious affair. I cannot answer until I have your and Lupus’s opinion. I therefore wish that you consult straight away and send me your avis by return. My opinion is that Lassalle should not let himself be drawn into a duel with that ass Fabrice, and that, even from the standpoint of duelling, the assault by the two gentlemen from the ‘Landgericht’ has put all duelling out of question. Generally my opinion — I consider it, of course, ridiculous to settle whether the duel as such accords with ‘the principle’ or not — is that under present circumstances, at this peculiar juncture etc. etc., in the history of our times, the people of the revolutionary party should answer their private enemies with sticks, fists and kicks, but not engage in duels. However, it would appear totally wrong to me if L., having once categorically declared himself opposed to all duelling, would allow himself to be bullied by cross-knightly gossip.

Yesterday Schapper was with me. He told me, among other things, that friend Caussidière, who in the evening, drunk, got into a whore’s alley in New York and, as it seems, struck a person with his stick, was immediately set upon by half a dozen loafers at the fellow’s outcry and beaten almost to death. The fat lout was picked up unconscious early the next morning by the police and required a 6-week course of treatment to become capable of walking and living again.

Seiler had a paralytic case: 10 weeks in danger of his life; but weeds don’t perish. Heyse is said to be gravely laid up again.
Salut
Yours
K. M.