D O C U M E N T 7 6 J U L Y 1 9 2 0 2 0 9
Unfortunately, the decision about Göttingen is drawing out endlessly; we still
don’t have an apartment there. Next week my wife wants to drive there and look
for accommodations.
Will you be coming to southern Germany sometime? We would so much like to
see you and talk.
With warm greetings to your dear wife and the young
ladies,[12]
yours,
Max Born.
76. To Paul Ehrenfest
[Berlin,] 19 July 1920
Dear Ehrenfest,
The violin has finally
arrived![1]
How can it possibly have become so damaged?
They must have handled it barbarically. But it was insured by me. (Something like
1,000 marks.) So go to a good instrument maker immediately and have the damage
assessed, so that you can be reimbursed. If you have the violin repaired, consult
with an expert beforehand so it doesn’t get ruined. Send back the case and the bow
as soon as possible, because it is my only case and my only bow. How eager I am
to have you try the instrument out; it really is fine.
The nomination is now happily
settled.[2]
So I am coming in October, in order
to deliver the stale old, but duly withheld, sermon. September is impossible for me
because of the science
convention.[3]
Afterward, I intend to meet my boys in south-
ern
Germany.[4]
What’s the latest on the Hall
effect?[5]
I received the photograms from Grebe and Bachem and do indeed find their
method of line selection well
founded.[6]
Comparison is possible only on the basis
of photograms. I am confident now that the line displacement problem will soon be
resolved satisfactorily. Koch has improved his photometer substantially
again.[7]
I
was there yesterday and the day before, delivering the promised
talk.[8]
Some pro-
paganda for theoretical physics had to be undertaken so that Epstein can be ap-
pointed
there.[9]
There really is a chance. The mathematicians Hecke and Blaschke
are there as
well,[10]
so it would be very nice indeed for Epstein.
Excuse my brevity; I’m working myself to pieces. Greetings to you, your wife,
the learned daughter, and the dear little
rompers,[11]
from your
Einstein
Kind regards to Aunt and our big
boys.[12]