204. To HIS SISTER ANNA

Written February 1, 1910 · First published in 1930 in the journal Proletarskaya Revolyutsiya No. 4. Sent from Paris. Printed from a copy (made by the police). · page 451 · Translated by The Late George H. Hanna

Maria Alexandrovna Ulyanova,
Davydov’s House, Apt. 4,
Bozheninsky Street,
Devichye Polye,
Moscow

Dear Anyuta,

We have been having “stormy” times lately, but they have ended with an attempt at peace with the Mensheviks— yes, yes, strange as it may seem; we have closed down the factional newspaper and are trying harder to promote unity.^[1] We shall see whether it can be done.... I have only just managed to get rid of a lot of urgent business arising out of these changes.

Paris is a rotten hole in many respects.... I am still unable to adapt myself fully to it (after living here for a year!) but I nevertheless feel that only extraordinary circumstances could drive me back to Geneva!

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[1]This is a reference to the January (1910) Plenum of the C.C., R.S.D.L.P.—Ed.