DOC.
152
NOVEMBER
1915
151
Astronomers have found from
observations[8]
45"
±
5".
I
have
found
with
the
general theory
of rel.
43".
Add
to
this the
line shift for
fixed
stars
which,
as
you know,
has also been
established
securely,[9]
thus this
is
already
considerable confirmation of the
theory.
For
the
deflection
of
light by stars,
the
theory
now
provides
an
amount
twice
as
large
as
before.[10] I
shall tell
you verbally
how this
comes
about.
The
theory is
beautiful
beyond comparison.
However,
only
one colleague
has
really
understood
it,
and he
is
seeking
to
“partake” [nostrifizieren]
in it
(Abraham’s expression)
in
a
clever
way.[11]
In
my
personal experience
I
have
hardly
come
to know
the
wretchedness
of
mankind
better than
as a
result of
this
theory
and
everything
connected
to
it.
But
it does not
bother
me.
My boy
still has not
responded
to
my inquiry
about the
meeting
in Krum-
menau.[12]
This
must
surely
be
traced
back
to
the woman’s
influence.
You
will
see more
and
more on
which side to look for
good
will
and
honesty.
There
are
reasons
why
I
could not endure
being
with this
woman
any longer, despite
the
tender
love
that
ties
me
to
the
children. At
the
time
we were
separating
from
each
other,
the
thought
of
the
children
stabbed
me
like
a dagger
every
morning
when
I
awoke;
I
have
never
regretted
the
step
in
spite
of
it.
I have become
a
member
of
the
Gr[eat]
Council of
the
Dutch
Anti-Oorlog
Raad.[13]
The
times
show
that
everyone
must do
his bit
toward
the
organization
of
the
whole.
Unfortunately
so
many intelligent people
are acting
to
the
contrary.
Your allusion
to
avoiding
distractions
surely regards my relationship
with
my
cousin.[14]
With all
due
respect
for
her
decent character and
kindheartedness,
and
also
taking
into consideration
that
she has
an
adult little
daughter
of
18
years
of
age,[15]
I cannot
resolve
on a
second
marriage,
not
even one
with
two
households.
Snobbism here has
developed
to
such
an
extent
that
these
women
do not lose
but,
on
the
contrary,
increase
their
standing through
me.
The
attempts to
force
me
into
marriage come
from
my
cousin’s
parents[16]
and
is
mainly
attributable
to
vanity,
although
moral
prejudice,
which
is
still
very
much alive in
the
old
generation,
also
plays
a
part.
If
I
let
myself
be
trapped,
my
life
would become
complicated,
and above
all,
it
would
probably
be
a
heavy
blow for
my boys.
Therefore,
I
believe
I
must not
allow myself
to be moved either
by
my
inclination
or by
tears,
but
must
rather
remain
as
I
am.
Affectionate
greetings,
yours,
Einstein.