London, 13 November 1880 
41 Maitland Park Road, N. W. 

Dear Mr Loria, 

Domestic upsets resulting from my wife’s very dangerous illness 
have delayed my reply to your letter of 14 September. ’* I regret that 
my lack of personal means does not allow me to provide for your stay 
in London, the more so since I have the highest opinion of your 
talent, your learning and your scientific future. ’* 

Being of a somewhat solitary disposition and eschewing as I do all 
contact with the English press, I have very little influence and few 
connections to place at your disposal. I know from experience that 
Italian competition, as regards both contributions to the press and 
private lessons, is overdone in London, as in every other sphere of the 
struggle for existence. 

Nevertheless, on the re-opening of Parliament — until which time 
everyone, i. €. THE UPPER TEN THOUSANDS, deserts the metropolis — I shall 
consult SOME WELL-MEANING AND INFLUENTIAL MEN. In the meantime, perhaps 
you would be so kind as to let me know whether you speak French 
and a modicum of English. 

Yours very faithfully, 

Karl Marx