D O C U M E N T S 2 1 4 , 2 1 5 A U G U S T 1 9 2 1 1 4 7
214. To Margot Einstein
[Berlin,] 26 August 1921
Dear Margot,
Today, when I came home, I got your letter and it pleased me very much. The
modest and honest tone in it is what I like so much. I kiss you for it and see that
there’s an element in you that’s almost as if you were a child of my own. The expla-
nation for my behavior in
Ahrenshoop,[1]
which you noticed, was not due to
Anna[2]
but because my otherwise so cheerful boys are somewhat painfully envious
of both of you, which feelings I had to make allowance for. They feel as if I had
exchanged them for you. Had I stayed longer with the two of you while they were
waiting for me, they would have been upset about it. You’d laugh it off; but the
painful experiences of their early youth have eaten into the children and seek for a
personification, and you two are that
personification.[3]
(Now that Anna is leaving,
that source of trouble will
disappear.)[4]
Something similar might have happened to
the two of you with an experience similar to that of the boys. Put yourselves in their
place and you’ll understand. From this letter I at least have the consoling belief that
we can understand each other even in difficult situations; your letter shows this to
me. If something worries you in future, do speak openly to me; it sometimes
requires emotional effort, but in the long run it really is better and doesn’t let ten-
sions, like the one in which I recently found myself, to arise.
I wish both of you a pleasant stay. Kisses from your
Albert.
215. From Hermann Weyl
Reichenhall, 26 August 1921
Dear Colleague,
Blumenthal inquires of me whether I would agree that he include my note from
the Berlin proceed[ings], “Electr. and
Grav.”[1]
in his relativity
collection.[2]
Natu-
rally I agree, but the Academy probably also has to give its approval. As I do not
know how one goes about doing so, I approach you with the request whether you
couldn’t arrange this; I hope this is not a major effort for you. Many thanks in
advance!
Since you stopped visiting us in Seldwyl, Zurich, I only rarely hear from you.
Are you coming to Jena in
September?[3]
I would very much like to discuss all sorts