3 0 V O L U M E 8 , D O C U M E N T S 2 6 1 b , 2 6 1 c , 2 6 2 a
Vol. 8, 261b. To Elsa Einstein
[Leyden,] Thursday. [28 September 1916]
Dear Else,
I arrived here safely yesterday at ½ past 10 and then talked with Ehrenfest and
Nordström until 1
o’clock,[1]
at which time I was fed according to the rumors about
the reception of travelers from the
East.[2]
The local people, with their simple, un-
assuming manner and high intellectual culture, appeal to me exceedingly. Such a
huge difference! I’m blissfully happy during the discussions. It was really good that
I took all that
trouble[3]
in order to be able to breathe in this air for a time. But I’m
not going to forget you all, and especially you, because of it, and am not ungrateful.
Affectionate greetings also to the little minxes and the
elders,[4]
from your
Albert.
Vol. 8, 261c. To Elsa Einstein
[Leyden,] Saturday. [30 September 1916]
Dear Else,
I haven’t been able to think about nature and the arts until now, because physics
and the physicists have been keeping me in breathless
suspense.[1]
Today I am go-
ing to Amsterdam to the
Academy.[2]
More next time. Affectionate greetings also to the little minxes, from your
Albert.
Greetings to Uncle & Aunt. I have not been able to attend to the lard
yet.[3]
Vol. 8, 262a. To Elsa Einstein
[The Hague,] Thursday. [5 October 1916]
Dear Else,
Yesterday I was with
Lorentz,[1]
who lives in the countryside in Bussum near
Amsterdam, all day long. We took a long walk to Zuider See, conducting very in-
teresting conversations all the while. In the evening I drove to Haarlem to the De
Haases, who gave me a touchingly warm
welcome.[2]
We chatted until ½ past 1
o’clock. Then I slept at their house, was in the laboratory there this
morning,[3]
and
now (1–2) am traveling here to The Hague, where I’m arriving in the pouring rain
and am quite tired. But I had to be here exactly today. It’s a true test of the
nerves.[4]
I still want to have a breather the last few days before my trip homeward. Inciden-