[London,] 18 August 1881

My dear sweet child,

I came to London, i.e.¢ in Maitland Park about 7 o’clock.

Tussychen is looking pale and thin, since weeks she eats almost
nothing (literally); her nervous system is in a state of utter dejection;
hence continuous sleeplessness, trembling of the hands, neuralgic convulsions of the face, etc.

I telegraphed at once to Dr Donkin; he put in his presence at 11
o'clock (yesterday morning), had a long consultation with and examination of Tussy. He says that there is no organic disease, heart

d

c

* workers’ party-? in embryo-° more or less a fiction -
° The beginning of the letter is in German.

collectivist workers’ party -

82. Marx to Jenny Longuet. 18 August 188] 135

sound, lungs sound, etc., but only action of stomach quite deranged
by her foolish way of living, and nervous system fearfully overwrought.

He has succeeded to frighten her into obedience to his prescriptions, and you know, if she once gives way and promises, she will keep
her promise. With all that, her recovery cannot but be slow, and
I arrived in the very nick of time. There was the greatest danger in
case of any further delay.

Donkin was about—as he had informed me before our departure — to leave this day London for the Hebrides. Because of Tussy,
and hoping still to hear something of Maman, he will now stay till the
end of the week.

Tell me about the state of Maman, whether she has left you, etc.
How is Longuet and Harra*? and yourself and the other dear children"?

How do you go on with your new servant?

Apropos. Sarah‘ (Engels’ Sarah), now for some hours daily the
helpmate of Tussy, a girl of the best character and fitness for every
thing, told Tussy that she had nothing liked better than to go with
you, but Pumps did never tell her about Lizzy’s having left you and
about your want of a remplagant‘ for her. She has also told Tussy and
again myself, that she is still ready to come over to you. Only she dares
not travel alone to France, but this matters little. I myself can bring
her over later on.

And now adio, dear child. The pleasure to be with you and the dear
children has given me a more substantial satisfaction than I could
have found anywhere else.

My compliments to that excellent Dr Dourlen.

With 1000 kisses for the children

Yours,

Old Nick

Tussy sends her best wishes to Wolf* and the whole family.