366
DOCS.
489,
490
DECEMBER
1913
Most
probably
you
could
give a
recitation here.
But I
must not
do
anything
to
help
precisely
because
my
name
counts
for
something
here. The best-known
literary
society
is
the "Lesezirkel
Hottingen,"
to which
you may
write.[5]
I do not
enjoy
a
good
reputation
with
the
society
because
I have not
become
a
member
despite
their
repeated
invitations.[6]
Also,
I do not
personally
know
anybody
of
importance,
for
I have
always
shied
away
from
getting
to
know
people
if it
was
not
necessary.
Haber's
picture is
to be
seen
everywhere, unfortunately.[7]
It
pains
me
every
time
I
think of
it.
Unfortunately, I
must
reconcile
myself
to
the idea that
this
otherwise
so
splendid
man
has
succumbed
to
personal
vanity,
which, moreover,
is not
even
of
the
most
tasteful
kind.
This
lack
of refinement
is,
unfortunately, just
the
way
of the Berliners.
When these
people
are
in
the
company
of the
English
and
French,
what
a
difference!
How
coarse
and
primitive
they appear.
Vanity
without real
self-esteem. Civilization
(well-brushed
teeth,
elegant
tie,
well-groomed
moustache,
impeccable suit),
but
no
personal
culture
(coarseness
of
speech,
movement,
voice,
feeling).
I
will
gladly
concede that these
two
things are
not
incompatible.
But
if
I
were
to
start
taking
care
of
my
grooming,
I
would
no
longer
be
my
own
self.
For
me,
this would
be
(God
save
and
preserve
me)
the
beginning
of
a
Berlinerization.
So,
to hell with
it.
If
you
find
me so
unappetizing,
then look
for
a
friend
who
is
more
palatable
to
female
tastes.
But
I will
stick to
my
indolence, which
surely
has
the
advantage
that
I
am
left in
peace
by
many
a
"fop"
who would
otherwise
come
to
see me.
So,
a
foul
profanity
and
a
hand
kiss from
a
hygienic
distance from
your really
filthy
Albert
490. Adriaan Fokker
to
Hendrik
A.
Lorentz*
Zurich, Bolleystrazse
48
I
4
December
1913
Dear
Professor,
Now
that
it
has
been about
a
month
since I
set
foot
on
Swiss
soil,
I
believe
the
time
has
come
to
send
you
some
report
about
my
experiences.-Before
doing
so
I wish to add
a
word
of
thanks
along
with the articles
by
Helmholtz and
Schuster,[1]
which I
borrowed
from
you,
and which I
wrapped
on
the
last
day
before
my
departure
to return
them
to
you by
mail. I
hope
that
they
have
arrived
safely
at
their destination.
You will
not be
surprised
to
hear that
my journey
with Van
der
Hoop
went
very
well.
The
Alps
greeted
us.
When
we
had
tea
the
next
day
with
the Dutch
girls
in
the
pastry
shop Huguenin,[2]
they
told
us
that
only
in
exceptional
cases
do
the
snowcapped peaks
reveal
themselves;
the
welcome to Switzerland
extended
to
us
by
these white
giants
was
therefore
special recognition.!
After
a
few
days
I
called
on
Prof.
Einstein.[3]
He
received
me
with
great
cordiality.
Before
long
we
were
engrossed
in
long
discussions
as
to
whether
a case
could be
made