are
writing
me
that the
cramming
diet
for the examination does
you
some
good,
I like
that. You
are
really
great
&
have much
vitality
&
health in
your
small
little body. I returned the Helmholtz volume and
am
at present
studying again
in
depth Hertz's
propagation
of
electric
force.
The
reason
for it
was
that
[I]
didn't
understand Helmholtz's
treatise
on
the
principle
of least action in
electrodynamics. I
am
more
and
more
convinced
that the
electrodynamics
of
moving bodies,
as
presented
today, is not correct, and
that it should be
possible
to
present it in
a
simpler
way.
The introduction
of the
term
"ether"
into the theories of
electricity
led to the notion of
a
medium of
whose motion
one
can
speak
without being
able,
I
believe, to
associate
a
physical
meaning with this statement. I think that the electric
forces
can
be
directly
defined only for empty
space,
[which is]
also
emphasized by
Hertz. Further, electric currents
will have to be
conceived
of not,
as
"the
vanishing
of electric
polarization
in time"
but
as
motion of true electric
masses
whose
physical
reality
seems
to
be
confirmed by
the
electrochemical
equivalents.
Mathematically,
they
are
then
always
to be
conceived of in the form
dX
dX
dY
dZ
dy
dz
.
Electrodynamics
would then be the
theory
of the motion of
moving
electricities and
magnetisms
in empty
space:
which of
the two
conceptions must be chosen will have to be revealed
by radiation
experiments.
--
By
the
way,
I had
no news
so
far from Rector Wüst.
will write him
shortly.
Here in Paradies it is
continuously
very
lovely,
particularly
because
we
have
wonderful weather. However,
we
always
have
disagreable
visits from
Mama's
acquaintances,
whose dull-witted
chatter I
usually
escape
by
slipping
away
if
we
are
not
just having
a
meal.
Finally,
there
is
also
my
aunt from Genoa,
a
veritable monster
of
arrogance
&
dull-witted formalism. All the
same,
I
enjoy each and
every
day
of
my
vacation at this
charming
and quiet little place. If
only
you
would be
again
with
me a
little!
We
both understand each
other's black souls
so
well
&
also
drinking
coffeee
&
eating
sausages
etc....
I
I also
almost believe that the whole story regarding
you
&
Mama
existed
only
in
my
imagination.
It
probably
wouldn't
even
have
occurred to
you.
Anyhow,
write
me
here the next time. You must have
misunderstood
me
then. I
am
always
delighted
with
your
little notes;
send
me some
again
soon.
Affectionate
greetings
from
your
Albert
Don't work
too
hard!
Regards from
Mama
&
Maja!
--------------
My
kindest regards to
your
loved
ones.
53.
FROM MILEVA MARIC
[Kac,
after 10
August
-
before 10 September
1899]
D[ear] Mr. E[instein]
Both letters of
yours
have found
me
in
our
hermitage;
thanks
a
131