Jessie and John and cat and dog

In January 1905 the Conrad family went for vacation to the island of Capri. They stayed until May. The health-problems of Joseph Conrad had reached a new climax during this time. He recovered slowly in winter and spring 1905/1906. Next years vacation was planned for Montpellier. On August 2nd, 1906 the second son, John Alexander, was born. Brother Borys became seriously ill in January next year and had to be treated in Geneva.

The next relocation of the Conrad's was about to come. After their return to England they moved to Someries in Bedford, to be followed in 1909 by a new move to Aldington (again near Hythe).

Als already mentioned: At the end of January 1910 Conrad had a complete physical and mental breakdown. The collapse followed just right after he had finished the novel 'Under Western Eyes'. His enduring difficulties with texts and finances might have caused it.

He recovered in April of this year and again started his work. The first story he wrote afterwards was 'A Smile of Fortune'.

And in 1910 - no surprise - the family moved again; now to Ashford and to the so-called 'Capel House'. 'Under Western Eyes' was published in October 1911, but neither critics nor audience did really recognize this. Only a few copies of the book were sold.

In 1913 Conrad found a publisher for his American readers in the publishing company 'Doubleday, Page & Co.', which increased the circulation of his books quite a lot. In order to celebrate this occasion he had decided to purchase a car from a Cadillac-dealer.

The same year he first met with the mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970), who should recall a conversation with Conrad so:

'In all this I found myself closely in agreement with him. At our very first meeting, we talked with continually increasing intimacy. We seemed to sink through layer after layer of what was superficial, till gradually both reached the central fire. It was an experience unlike any other that I have known. We looked into each other's eyes, half appalled and half intoxicated to find ourselves together in such a region.'

But the best known quote from Russell might be:

'The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.'

A quote which perfectly describes Conrad's feelings.

Borys Conrad test-driving his fathers car