Eastbourne, 20 August 1886 
4 Cavendish Place 

Dear Baron, 

I return Dietz’s letter herewith. *'? Provided you are given an as- 
surance that Blos will not be allowed to put in anything whatever un- 
less previously sanctioned by you, the mechanics could be left to him. 
If the worst came to the worst you might slip over to Stuttgart for 
a day or two and settle the matter. Anyhow that would be preferable 
to an attempt to spend 6 months there which would end in your being 
expelled after only 3 weeks, whereupon Mr Blos would have a com- 
pletely free hand. But one thing you yourself should do is to exercise 
somewhat stricter censorship throughout that period, so that Blos 
should have no pretext for introducing anything slipshod. 

It goes without saying that you may mention me in the prospectus 
as a contributor. Similarly, I will gladly let you have the introduction 
to the English translation of The Condition of the Working-Class* as 
soon as I myself have got it. It is not long. I am not at present in a 
position to promise you anything definite, particularly since the en- 
terprising Schltiter wishes to republish The Housing Question which 
will require revision and an introduction’; also Borkheim’s Mord- 
spatrioten, for which I shall have to write a biographical note on Bor- 
kheim. So you see, I need not bother about finding work; others 
do the bothering for me. 

Your plan to settle into a house is a very sensible one, but in the 
long run you would find that the evening trains to Harrow leave too 
early and I would advise you to look round somewhere else. But it is 
more or less the same everywhere. 

The sudden spate of prosecutions is clearly’due to the impending 
demise of old William.¢ For the gang now in power it will usher in 

° See present edition, Vol. 26, pp. 399-405.-> F. Engels, ‘Preface to the 
Second Edition of The Housing Question’.-‘ F. Engels, ‘Introduction to  Si- 
gismund Borkheim’s Pamphlet Jn Memory of the German Blood-and- Thunder Patriots. 1806- 
1807.-* William I 

a period of uncertainty, and hence they are anxious in so far as possi- 
ble to consolidate their position, partly by faits accomplis in domestic 
policy, partly, if they can, by provoking disturbances and thus yet 
greater alarm amongst the philistines.* What wouldn’t the gang give 
for a bit of eel-snatching in Berlin, as in Amsterdam. °'? In addition 
there is the personal ire of Puttkamer who, like the true Prussian he is, 
regards every setback to one of his follies as an insult to his own au- 
gust person. 

On Tuesday,” Percy, Pumps and Lily went to pay a visit to the old 
Roshers at Walmer near Deal. They are supposed to return today, 
but I haven’t heard anything. Yesterday was terribly close and hu- 
mid, but marvellous weather today. Nim is well and sends her kindest 
regards, as I do mine. I trust your wife is well. 

Your 
F.E. 

Thanks for Sonnenschein; the parcel had been addressed to 
Regent’s Park Road by mistake; it contained something I needed 
and for which I had already dunned them. °!*