4 SOCIAL SCIENTIST on the state of Italian monetary affairs (also in the "The Bank Crisis in Italy", published in Economic Journal, 1922) were to invite the displeasure of Mussolini, who, taking offence, was to forewarn a relative in governmental service about the probable consequences of the young man's unpalatable activities. At this time Sraffa was a professor at the University of Cagliari (Sardinia), a post from which he resigned in the early 1930's. (He was reinstated, as a victim of fascism, in 1945, but held it only honorarily). In April 1924, in L^Ordine Nuova, there appeared an anonymous letter, signed 'S', by Sraffa whicli brought out his differences with the Italian Communist Party on the then current political strategies, wherein Sraffa perspicaciously read the signs of the times—the impending fascist ascendency—and counselled against tlie isolation of the working class. It was the first public discussion on the issue, when Antonio Gramsci, as secretary of the party, replied critically. Despite their differences—Gramsci was later to change his position on the question—there developed between them a strong bond of friendship and mutual appreciation, with Sraffa—the younger of the two—combining it with admiration. The bond strengthened over time, and it is now well known that during Gramsci's last days in isolated captivity, with failing health and with the political situation clouded by ill forebodings for socialists, Sraffa was the only visitor who maintained contact with the leader; and it was due to his constant efforts that the Prison Notebooks could be saved and Gramsci could keep in communication with comrades outside prison. Such must have been the depth of comradeship that Sraffa, especially in later years, continued to return to and relive these times in his memories. Sraffa left Italy for Cambridge in 1927, under fascist threat, and accepted a Fellowship at King's College, opting for a temporary year's tenure. He later on continued his residence in Cambridge, although often considering leaving the place. He remained an Italian national. He would not have anything to do with academic strife and politics and willingly opted to stay as Librarian of the Marshall Library, and became a Fellow of Trinity in 1939. He was however made Emeritus-Reader in Economics and elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1954. While generally reticent, shy and unobtrusive in public—he hated and discontinued within a semester any 'lecturing' with a crowd exceeding three or four persons—he loved holding discussions with individuals, and these could span over several hours. A kindred soul in this was Wittgenstein, the philosopher, another Fellow of Trinity, with whom Sraffa had a close friendship. It is known that Wittgenstein, who was usually and idiosyncratically original, acknowledges in his work one person—Sraffa—for the profound influence his conversations had upon him. In the Trinity rooms of Sraffa, the two would meet a couple of times in the evenings to discuss world events. (It seems Wittgenstein never read papers but was immensely interested in current