ABSTRACT
I. The Legacy of Marx On Marx's death, Engels assumed new responsibilities. He looked after Marx's family, giving financial aid to Paul and Laura Lafargue and encouraging Eleanor Marx in her work for the labour move· ment in England. Helene Demuth, Marx's housekeeper, found a new home in Engels's household. Engels was now accepted as the head of the international socialist movement. In 1884 he wrote to Becker:
"All my life I have done what I was cut out for - namely to play second fiddle - and I think that I have done quite well in that capacity. And I have been glad to have had such a wonderful first violin as Marx. No one realises better than I do that I am likely to make some mistakes now that I must suddenly step into Marx's shoes as an interpreter of his theories and as leader of the orchestra.'"
