D O C U M E N T 2 6 M A Y 1 9 2 0 1 6 9
the second one out as
well?[7]
I won’t write any more about it, in order not to con-
fuse things even further. Kisses from your
Albert.
26. To Hendrik A. Lorentz
[Leyden,] 22 May 1920
Highly esteemed Colleague,
First I would like to thank you and your wife for the warm reception you both
gave me
recently.[1]
The walk among the dunes will remain an unforgettable mem-
ory for me. Yesterday the announcement arrived of my nomination as external
member of the
Academy;[2]
I do not even need to tell you how it thrills me to be
accepted among this circle of outstanding men, in which I feel half at home now
already. My talk on Wednesday was intended only for more casual onlookers who
want to throw a quick glance on the relativity issues, and not for experts; it is good
that you were not present. It thoroughly embarrassed me that you should write me
specially about
that.[3]
Occasion for this letter is provided by a letter from Planck in which he requests
that I encourage neutral academies to support Germany’s efforts to stay current
with foreign scientific
publications.[4]
He writes:
“According to reports, a Swiss scientific society made the proposal of holding a
conference in Berne that is supposed to be attended by delegates of the neutral
academies and aim at discussing international scientific problems.” I should point
out that there is an established neutral office for scientific
reporting[5]
in Berlin (ad-
dress, Prussian Academy of Sciences, care of Mr. Kerkhof) and that it places great
value on receiving scientific journals possibly by
exchange.[6]
Any suggestions in
this regard would be welcomed with gratitude.
Our colleague Planck did not instruct me to present these matters to you specif-
ically, rather he just asked that I mention it at a suitable opportunity. (I tell you this
so that you do not wonder why Planck did not write you himself.) Additionally, I
wanted to communicate this to you right away, because directly after the Academy
meeting on the 29th, at which I hope to see you, I must return homewards again, as
my passport visa is
expiring.[7]
In heartily thanking you and your
wife[8]
again for the unforgettable hours that
I was allowed to spend with you, I am with cordial greetings, yours very sincerely,
A. Einstein.