London, 24 June 1883 

My dear Laura, 

When you spoke of your knowledge of what poor Moor’s views and 
wishes had been at Vevey,’! it was in connection with dispositions of 
a more or less testamentary nature, and I therefore naturally con- 
cluded that you alluded to similar subjects. And as those might comprise 
wishes as to what should be done with some mementos of your 
Mama, etc., books and so forth, and as here we are bound to come to 
some conclusion or other, and Tussy moreover seems to shun respon- 
sibility of acting on her own hook, I thought it my clear duty to in- 
form you, so that, in case you had anything to communicate, it could 
be done in time. 

After poor Mohr’s death, on my inquiry, Tussy informed me that 
he had told her, she and I were to take possession of all his papers, 
and procure the publication of what was to be published, especially 
the 2nd volume* and the mathematical works.’? The 3rd German 
edition is in hand, I am looking after that too. If you wish to have 
Mohr’s exact words, Tussy will no doubt give them to you if you ask 
her to do so. 

This matter was talked about here when Paul was here, and I am 
almost certain he is aware of it. 

As to the expression, literary executors, I am alone responsible for 
it. I could not find another at the time, and if by it I have in any way 
offended you, I humbly ask your pardon.’? 

How the disposition itself can wound you, I cannot see. The work 
must be done here on the spot. The real work, that you know as well as 
Tussy does, will mostly have to be done by me. But as Mohr had one 
daughter living in London, I find it but natural that he should associ- 
ate her to me in such work as she could do. Had you been living here 
instead of in Paris, all the three of us would have been jointly ap- 
pointed, no doubt about that. 

* of Capital- of the first volume of Capital 

But there is another view of the case. According to English law 
(which we had explained by Sam Moore) the only person living 
which is the legal representative of Mohr, in England, is Tussy. Or 
rather the only person who can become his legal representative by 
taking out letters of administration. This must be done by the next of 
kin living in England— Tussy; unless she declines and proposes some- 
one else, who also must reside in the United Kingdom. So that legally 
I too am out of it. For various reasons these letters of administration 
have to be taken out. 

Of the projects Mohr discussed with you at Vevey I was of course 
utterly ignorant and only regret you did not come over since the 14th 
March, when we should have known and complied with them as 
much as possible. But here is how the matter stands with regard to the 
English translation.* We find (from Sam. Moore as well as from 
Meissner) that we have no right to stop anyone from publishing an un- 
authorised translation. That right, in the best of cases, lasts but three 
years after first publication and lapsed finally in 1870. Now there 
were several people in the field and a well-meaning but poor and un- 
businesslike publisher, Reeves, the most undesirable man of all, told 
Radford he had found a translator and was going to publish his trans- 
lation. There was then no time to lose. We must find someone wil- 
ling and able to do the work— we could think of no one but Sam. 
Moore and of Kegan Paul and Co. as publishers. The two entered 
into correspondence, then Tussy saw Kegan Paul, then I. Nothing is 
concluded, but very probably we shall come to some agreement. The 
question is: would you, under the altered circumstances, have under- 
taken to do the translation and bind yourself to a given time, say 
6 months? 

As to the History of the International, I am perfectly willing, as far 
as J am concerned, that all papers, etc., relating to the International 
be handed over to you for that purpose. But my plan was to write 
a full biography of Mohr,°° and if you take those papers, that falls to 
the ground. Mohr’s life without the International would be a dia- 
mond ring with the diamond broken out. 

I have said nothing to Tussy about your letter, as I do not wish to 
interfere in any way between two sisters. Therefore, if you require any 
explanations from her, you will please write direct to her. But I think 

* Of the first volume of Capital; see this volume, p. 29. 

the best thing you could do, is to come over and have the matter mu- 
tually explained. You know very well there is on my part no other 
desire but to consider your wishes as much as possible and in every re- 
spect. And I am the same in the case with Tussy. If you wish to have 
your name associated to ours in the common work, and if you wish to 
share this work, and means can be found how, I for one shall only be 
glad of that. As it is we shall want your assistance often enough for in- 
formation, etc., and nothing could throw greater obstacles in our way 
than fresh unpleasantness between you and Tussy. What we all of us 
are desirous of seeing carried out, is a befitting monument to the 
memory of Mohr, the first portion of which will and must be the publica- 
tion of his posthumous works. Let us then all contribute what we can 
towards that end. 

The only person to whom I have spoken about this matter is Nim 
and she is quite of the opinion expressed above. 

As to our two martyrs,* they seem happy and contented enough, 
and even afraid of Grévy’s putting an end to their prison-bliss on the 
14th July.° What a fine sentence that on Louise Michel! ’* Fortu- 
nately nobody knows who will rule France a couple of years hence. 
A shell between the legs of Alexander III, and all prison doors in 
Europe and Asia fly open except — the Irish ones. 

Now I must conclude. I have to read proof-sheets No. 4 of 3rd edi- 
tion” which arrived here on Saturday‘ and I have bound myself to re- 
turn them in 48 hours. Then I have to work at the alterations for 3rd 
edition (done up to page 404) partly upon an annotated copy, 
partly upon the French edition, which must be done quick so as 
not to give excuse for delay. So no more at present. 

Ever yours affectionately, 

F. Engels