D O C U M E N T S 1 0 1 , 1 0 2 A U G U S T 1 9 2 3 1 0 1
101. To Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe and Reta
Anschütz-Stöve
Lautrach, 16 August 1923
So I sit here quite perplexed
Criticize what? Well, what next!
Ever cheery
lord[1]
o’ th’ manor,
Constant sunshine in midsummer.
Many professors in a row,
Otherworldly, furrowed brow,
Shedding wisdoms without relief
Isn’t that beyond
belief?[2]
Whether slipshod and unwashed
Or courteous and abashed
Or intelligently brimming over
Anyone else would take cover.
But the
housewife[3]
is demure
All the same it is to her.
Plentifully serves her guests
Wonderfully mocks and jests
Teases boys, swims like a fish
Halfway housewife, halfway miss.
Paradise! Alas for me
That I have to go away.
Albert Einstein.
16 August 1923.
102. To Hendrik A. Lorentz
Lautrach, 16 August 1923
Highly esteemed and dear Mr. Lorentz,
This is going to be a difficult letter for me, but I must write it.
Sommerfeld[1]
and
I were here together. He holds the view that it is not right of me to participate in a
conference (the Solvay conference) if my German colleagues are excluded on
principle.[2]
You know that I can otherwise be quite stubborn. But in this case I
must unfortunately admit that he is right. For, it agrees with my conviction that no