| Author(s) | Friedrich Engels |
|---|---|
| Written | 12 February 1888 |
ENGELS TO HERMANN SCHLÜTER
IN HOTTINGEN-ZURICH
London, 12 February 1888
Dear Mr Schlüter,
Unfortunately I shall not be able to send the ms.[1] I promised you by the 20th of this month, the reason being interruptions of all kinds, the arrival next week of the proofs of the Manifesto and the special care I am having to take of my eyes just now, while under treatment.
Would you let me know as exactly as possible when printing ought to begin? The 3 chapters of the original Theory of Force are ready for the press but the new section is not quite finished yet in the first draft; I am not at all satisfied with the latter and, as usual, it is turning out longer than I had intended. Moreover, the theme is such that it must be dealt with powerfully or not at all.
As soon as you give me a definite date I can let you know whether or not I shall be able to manage it by then. If not, it might be best if you could print something shorter in the meantime, for it will be a question or 3 or 4 weeks at most.
Whether the ms. is suitable for publication in the Sozialdemokrat is something that had better be decided on the spot when it arrives.
In any case, having regard to the present critical political situation, a certain amount of delay—to see how things turn out—would seem to me almost mandatory.
With kindest regards,
Yours,
F. Engels