V O L U M E 8 , D O C U M E N T 2 9 1 a 6 9
Separatum zugehen zu lassen. Zeigen Sie es dann auch Besso, der viel Interesse für
so was
hat.[12]
Ist es wahr, dass Ihr Innenleben auch rebelliert; hoffentlich haben
Sie es nur aus Kameradschaftlichkeit geschwindelt, aber mit unrichtiger Einschät-
zung meines
Hirnkastens.[13]
Ihr spitzbübisches Lächeln beim Lesen dieses Satzes
bestätigt meine Ansicht. Lieber Zangger, warum bekomme ich gar keine Rechnun-
gen für die Krankheitsausgaben meiner
Frau?[14]
Die Krankenschwester? Ich habe
hier volle
2·104
Mark
erspart[15]
—allerdings noch nicht genug, um das Aufwach-
sen beider Buben zu sichern. Wenn ich aber noch einige Jahre lebe, genügt es dafür.
Herzliche Grüsse von Ihrem
Einstein.
ALS (SzZ, Nachl. H. Zangger, box 1c). [86 439]. The envelope is addressed “Herrn Prof. Dr. H.
Zangger Bergstr. Zürich.,” and postmarked “Berlin-Wilmersdorf 1 1.2.17. 3–4 N[achmittags]” with
return address “Abs. A. Einstein Wittelsbacherstr. 13 Berlin” and secondary postmark “Zürich Brf.
Exp. –5.II.17. XII.”
[1]A facetious expression for what Einstein called a “castle in the air” (“Luftschloss”) twelve days
later; see the following document.
[2]The rice, semolina, macaroni, and biscuits that Einstein requested two weeks earlier (see Vol. 8,
Doc.287b, in the present volume). For details on the Swiss action of supporting Swiss nationals
abroad with food packages, see Einstein to Heinrich Zangger, 10 March 1917 (Vol.8, Doc. 309),
note 4.
[3]Ismar Boas (1858–1938), a specialist in gastrology, was Titular Professor of Enterology at the
Charité Hospital in Berlin.
[4]On 31 January 1917, Germany announced that it would engage in unrestricted warfare, in
response to which the United States broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.
[5]In February 1917, rationing of many foodstuffs, including rice, corn, and sugar, was introduced
in Switzerland (see Tribolet 1934, vol. 7, pp. 479–480).
[6]Swiss German for “chicken” (“Hühnchen”).
[7]Einstein was working on Einstein 1917b (Vol. 6, Doc. 43), where he introduced the cosmologi-
cal constant into the field equations. The paper was submitted to the Prussian Academy on 8 February
1917.
[8]At the beginning of 1917, a donation ended the delay in founding a research institute of physics
under the direction of Einstein (see Adolf von Harnack, Präsident, Kaiser Wilhelm Society, to mem-
bers of the Senate, 18 January 1917, GyBSA, I. HA, Rep. 76 Vc, Sekt. 2, Tit. 23, Litt. A, Nr. 116,
Bl. 33 (M)). Apparently Einstein was informed of the pledge. For details, see Adolf von Harnack to
Einstein, 12 September 1917 (Vol. 8, Doc. 379), note 2.
[9]Einstein repeated this remark three days later (see Einstein to Paul Ehrenfest, 4 February 1917
[Vol. 8, Doc. 294]).
[10]Philipp Frank (1884–1966) was Professor of Theoretical Physics at the German University in
Prague.
[11]Frank 1917.
[12]Michele Besso.
[13]Apparently Zangger was depressed (see Einstein to Michele Besso, 29 April 1917 [Vol. 8,
Doc. 331]) because he had periostitis on the lower jaw (see Michele Besso to Einstein, 5 May 1917
[Vol. 8, Doc. 334]).
[14]Four months earlier, Einstein had requested that Zangger send him the bills for Mileva Einstein-
Maric; ’s hospitalization and medical bills (see Vol. 8, Doc. 261a, in the present volume).
[15]This sum was twice what it had been in August 1916 (see Vol. 8, Doc. 247a, in the present
volume).
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