Heinrich Heine 1855
Source: Correspondance Inédite de Henri Heine. Calmann Lévy, 1877;
Translated: for marxists.org by Mitchell Abidor;
CopyLeft: Creative Commons (Attribute & ShareAlike) marxists.org 2004.
[n.d. 1855]
Monsieur:
I had charged M. de Mars with offering an apology (an Albionic term) on my behalf and to tell you how much I wanted to see you today, Saturday. But man proposes and God disposes. Last night I suffered so suffocating an attack of throat cramps that I am condemned to total mutism for at least a few days. I hasten to inform you of this and, at the risk of abusing your amiable indulgence, I ask that you postpone the benefit of your visit to next Wednesday or any day after that. I count on your benevolence — I was going to say dear sir [in English in the original] for, according to all I've read of yours, you are so impregnated with England that I am tempted to write you in English. I truly admire your perfect knowledge of that singular country across the Channel, which will forever remain such a mystery to so many Frenchman.
A thousand compliments