[Ventnor,] 27 November 1882 

Dear Fred, 

Enclosed Lafargue’s letter. In my note to you? I had already given 
vent in advance to my vexation over Lafargue’s and Guesde’s foolish- 
ness, and thus discounted it. Inconceivable that anyone at the head of 
a movement could place everything at risk in so frivolous, to put it 
bluntly, in so inane a way — pour le roi de Prusse! Lafargue’s article on 
the spellbound Ministry of Finance was very well done.° 

As regards the Paris ‘syndicates’, I know from impartial reports 
I received from Paris (while staying at Argenteuil') that the said 
syndicates are a great deal worse, if such a thing be possible, than the 
London Trade Unions. 

Your verification of the role of the second power when energy is 
transmitted with change of form is very pretty and J congratulate 

you on it. 
Salut. 
Moor