Letter to Eleanor Marx, May 21, 1882


MARX TO ELEANOR MARX

IN LONDON

[Postcard]

Monte Carlo (Monaco), 21 May 1882
Hôtel de Russie

Dearest Child,

Your being my oldest creditor, I had in fact intended writing to- day (Sunday) a long letter, but l'homme propose, mais le thermomètre dispose. Il y a aujourd'hui un jour parfaitement beau, mais exceptionnel: donc je veux l'exploiter en air libre, au lieu 'd'écrire', et de ne pas écrire le soir. C'est convenu avec mes conseillers de santé.[1]

Before leaving ami[2] Fermé, I told him: On landing at the Southern coast of France, the weather at once will come out a turn-coat. And indeed — so 'fatal' a man I pride myself upon this my quality — the prophecy has been partially fulfilled. From the beginning of January the Riviera enjoyed a summer weather never so brilliant, some grumblers only complaining of an absolute lack of rain almost. The moment I arrived on the 4th May at Marseille, there set in rain, lasting some- times a whole, more generally a half day, and mostly during the nights; a general lowering of temperature; then and there cold winds; altogether changeable, variable weather; atmosphere, even if not of- ten, too saturated with aqueous vapours. With all that, here a rela- tively good warm weather, only not so dry and more constant than I want just now for my lungs. But nowhere in Italy or elsewhere you will find it a better one now: Cannes, Monte Carlo and Mentone are the three most healthsome places, of the most equable and on an average — warmer temperature than Nizza, Rome and Naples.

Yours,

Old Nick

[On the side reserved for the address]

Miss Marx
41 Maitland Park Road
Maitland Park
London (N.W.) (Angleterre)

  1. man proposes but the thermometer disposes. Today is a wonderfully fine day, but it's exceptional. Accordingly I intend to take advantage of it in the open air instead of 'writing', and to desist from writing in the evening. That has been agreed with my medical advisers.
  2. friend