2 0 V O L . 1 4 , D O C U M E N T 2 2 7 M A R C H 1 9 2 4 Die Leutchen lassen sich wenig durch die Weltgeschichte beeinflussen, aber letz- tere hat sich dafür von ihnen unabhängig gemacht, was das einzig Mogliche war. Ich freue mich, dass Du Gustes Besuch hattest.[9] Das ist so ein ganzer Kerl, und Du kannst einmal wieder reden, wie Dir der Schnabel gewachsen ist. Das thut wohl. Ich arbeite viel bringe aber wenig fertig es gilt für mich das abgeänderte Sprüchlein Und was er kann, das will er nicht Und was er will, das kann er nicht. Übrigens bleibts dabei, dass das Erfinden Vorrecht der Jugend ist, während ich doch schon allmählich ein alter Knabe werde. Nun aber genug, wir werden uns ja bald sehen (auf dem Rückweg von Neapel). Einstweilen herzliche Grüsse von Deinem Albert. ALS (Christie’s online auction sale 16447, 2–9 May 2018, lot 29). [97 156]. Elsa’s appended letter is omitted. [1] This is the complete text of Vol. 14, Doc. 227, where only an extract was published. [2] Maja had complained about rarely receiving correspondence from Einstein and Elsa (see Maja Winteler-Einstein to Einstein, 11 March 1924 [Vol. 14, Doc. 223]). [3] Einstein had been invited to give a lecture at the fifth International Congress of Philosophy in Naples, 5–9 May 1924 (see Ferruccio Zambonini to Einstein, 15 January 1924 [Vol. 14, Abs. 261]). However, he eventually canceled his participation (see Einstein to Paul Ehrenfest, 31 May 1924 [Vol. 14, Doc. 259]). [4] Rudolf Kayser (1889–1964) was editor in chief of Die Neue Rundschau. The wedding was planned for 16 April (see Elsa’s appended letter). [5] Hans Albert and Eduard Einstein. [6] Hans Albert was studying engineering at the ETH in Zurich. [7] A “bachelor’s apartment” that Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe had refurbished for him adjacent to his gyrocompass factory (see Vol. 14, Introduction, p. lx). Anschütz-Kaempfe (1872–1931) was the founder and owner of a German company that produced nautical and aerial navigational instruments. [8] The trial of Adolf Hitler and nine other Nazi party members for high treason for their role in the failed Beer Hall putsch of 9 November 1923 was currently under way in Munich. The trial had begun on 26 February 1924 and was nearing its conclusion. The day on which this letter was written saw the final regular session of the trial (see King 2017, pp. 147 and 276). [9] Auguste Hochberger (1867–1936), a friend of Pauline Einstein, mother of Einstein and Maja. The original source for Einstein’s couplet, “Der Hans im Schnockeloch,” is an Alsatian poem (see Stöber 1842, p. 491). Its relevant lines read:  Der Hans im Schnockeloch Het Alles was er will! Unn was er het, Diß will er nidd Unn was er will, Diß het er nidd.  “Hans in the Schnockeloch Has all that he wants And what he has Is not what he wants And what he wants He doesn’t have.”