2 8 2 D O C U M E N T 1 6 6 O C T O B E R 1 9 2 0
Dear Ilse,
Your letter just arrived. According to both passport visas, the time of entry is not
restricted.[10]
So you don’t have to do anything. I’ll deal with the rest of the things
myself.[11]
It’s very nice with the boys. Enjoy yourselves for the rest of your solitude.
166. From Hedwig Born
Leipzig, 7 October 1920
Just for you alone to read!
Dear Mr. Einstein,
Today a very serious, friendly word to you. I so much would have liked to grant
you a restful
vacation,[1]
but too severe consequences are involved which, since
Nauheim, have been upsetting your friends’ peace of
mind.[2]
You must withdraw the permission given to Moszkowski to publish the book
Einstein im Gespräch [Conversations with
Einstein],[3]
and to be precise, imme-
diately and by registered mail. Nor should it be allowed to appear abroad either.
I wish I had the persuasiveness of an angel in order to make the consequences
clear to you.
I happened upon Moszk.’s Freibad der
Musen[4]
[Swimming Pool of the Muses]
here; the level of this book disgusts me so much that I wrote the enclosed nasty re-
marks, which—this I swear to you—I will publish if you do not immediately with-
draw your
permission.[5]
And I have much more venom [to] spray if it is a matter
of saving the honor and moral standing of a friend. I am not painting a too gloomy
picture: first of all, the preliminary announcement of “The Works of Moszkowski”
(available to read on advertising pillars, newspapers, etc.)
Die Unsterbliche Kiste, 1000 der besten jüdischen
Witze[6]
[The Immortal Box,
1000 of the Best Jewish Jokes]
Freibad der Musen
Einstein im Gespräch
Sokrates der
Idiot.[7]
This already makes such a very good impression!
Then to the content. That man doesn’t have the slightest inkling about the [es-
sence] of your character, wherefrom follows what is important and valuable to you,
and to us about you. Otherwise—if he understood, or even had a glimmer of respect
and love for you—he would neither have written this book nor wrung this permis-
sion out of your good nature. Thus your “conversations” will be conducted at a very
low level indeed. Narrated with Jewish snottiness and extreme superficiality. Every