Karl Marx, Summer 1864, Ramsgate, British Museum, (Holland) Brighton
In 1864 Marx was researching for what became Capital Volume One (1867) and more immediately politically active with the formation of the International Working Men’s Association on 28th September 1864 in London.
While Engels was still working full time in the family company in Manchester, Marx did not have a paid job. In the summer of 1864. His devotion to work-life balance, as well as his health was admirable!
Ramsgate, 25 July 1864
46 Hardres Street
Dear Frederick,
You will see from the address that I am spending a few days in
Ramsgate.
It was a far from agreeable surprise to discover that my FURUNCLE
was in fact an extremely malignant CARBUNCLE and, what is more,
has had the impudence to erupt just above my penis. So, for ABOUT
10 days, I’ve been obliged to spend most of my time in bed—and
in this heat, too! The thing is clearing up pretty quickly here;
however, my confidence has completely evaporated now that the
disease has unexpectedly cropped up again in such a malignant
form.
Jenny and Tussy are here with me; Laura is coming the day
after tomorrow and in ABOUT 8 or 10 days we shall go to Holland
MARX TO LION PHILIPS
IN ZALT-BOMMEL
London, 17 August 1864
1 Modena Villas, Maitland Park,
Haverstock Hill
Dear Uncle,
I found your letter waiting for me here when I came back from
the British Museum yesterday evening. It was already too late for
me to reply straight away.
MARX T O ENGELS IN MANCHESTER
[London,] 31 August 1864
DEAR Frederick,
I returned from Ramsgate3 exactly three weeks ago today. The
trip to Holland has fallen through, because a maid in my uncle’s15
household suddenly contracted smallpox.
Last week my wife had a severe attack of cholerine which did,
for a spell, look like becoming dangerous. Yesterday she left for
Brighton (solo).
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