Conrad, Joseph

bemoaning the result of the recent British general election, warning that "every disreputable ragamuffin in Europe feels that the day of universal brotherhood, despoliation and disorder is coming apace, and nurses daydreams of well plenished pockets amongst the ruin of all that is respectable venerable and Holy", claiming that this is the moment when "the great British Empire went over the edge" and marks the removal of the "last barrier to the pressure of infernal doctrines born in continental back-slums", warning of the dire consequences ("...Socialism must inevitably end in Caesarism...") and explaining that he sees no hope for the future ("...The whole herd of idiotic humanity are moving in that direction at the bidding of unscrupulous rascals, and a few sincere but dangerous lunatics. These things must be. It is a fatality!..."), 6 pages, 8vo, Calcutta, 19 December 1885, second bifolium lacking integral blank, fold tears, pin holes, ink smudge

Christie's, New York, 14 December 2000, lot 28

Collected Letters, I, pp.15-17

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...The destiny of this nation and of all nations is to be accomplished in darkness amidst much weeping and gnashing of teeth, to pass through robbery, equality, anarchy and misery under the iron rule of a military despotism. Such is the lesson of history! Such is the lesson of common sense logic!..."

A powerful tirade against progressive politics. Although Conrad had a penchant for taking an apocalyptic view of contemporary politics, the vehemence of his reaction to the British election results is remarkable, especially given that he had not yet taken British nationality, but Conrad's profound dislike of utopian politics was deeply rooted in his reaction to his father's idealistic nationalism, whilst his distrust - amounting almost to a fear - of the mob permeates his writing. The election of 1885 was the first after the Third Reform Act, which had doubled the size of the electorate by widening the franchise in rural areas, and it left Gladstone as Liberal Prime Minister but relying on the support of Parnell's Irish Nationalists.

This is the sixth earliest surviving letter by Conrad and the earliest in private hands. It is also the fourth in a series of five letters which Conrad wrote to Josef Spiridion Kliszczewski during a voyage to Singapore and back as second mate on the Tilkhurst: these letters are generally considered to be Conrad's first letters in English, and this is the only letter from the series that remains in private hands. Kliszczewski (whose naturalised English name was Joseph Spiridion), was a watchmaker, the son of a Polish emigré who had settled in Cardiff. Conrad had befriended the family when the Tilkhurst had called at Cardiff. The younger Kliszczewski was an ardent nationalist, and in 1896 he fell out with Conrad during a Christmas visit to Cardiff, during which he criticised him for not writing in Polish (Stape, The Several Lives of Joseph Conrad, pp.97-98).