they represent, not only externally, an important turning point in his life's work. Marx himself was keenly aware of this and Engles perhaps even more so. (The Story of his life, Mehring, page 208) Living in political exile his life changed. His ideas were no longer followed like they once were. His isolation from the general public provided a new light in his life. Then, in 1855, his only son died. His son showed much potential, and was the life of the family. When he died, Jenny became very sick with anxiety, and Marx himself became very depressed. He wrote to Engles "The house seems empty and deserted since the boy died. He was its life and soul. It is impossible to describe how much we miss him all of the time. I have suffered all sorts of misfortunes but now I know what real misfortune is...." (The Story of his Life, Mehring, page 247) After the Communist League disbanded in 1852 Marx tried to create another organization much like it. Then, in 1862 the First International was established in London. Marx was the leader. He made the inaugural speech and governed the work of the governing body of the International. When the International declined, Marx recommended moving it to the United States. The ending of the International in 1878 took much out of Marx, and made him withdraw from his work; much like the ending of the Communist League had done. This time, it was for good. The last ten years of his life is known as "a slow death". This is because the last eight years many medical problems affected his life. In the autumn of 1873 he was inflected by apoplexy which effected his brain which made him incapable of work and any desire to write. After weeks of treatment in Manchester, he recovered fully. He controlled the demise of his health. Instead of relaxing in his old age he went back to work on his own studies. His late nights and early mornings decreased his health in the last few years of his life. In January of 1883, after the d...
