266
DOCS.
278,
279 NOVEMBER
1916
but[5]
H
1
_
=
_
r/3
_
p/3
\ 2^"
V
ßßL
va
L/J.i/Laß)-
The elements
given by
the
second
term
drop
out
only
when
g
=
-1.
Unfortunately,
even a
preliminary
statement of
the
Hamilton function
for
matter
is
still
quite involved,
so
I
prefer
to
do this
only
in
special
cases.
Thus,
for
inst.,
your
matter
(in
the literal
sense)
is nothing
but
infinitely
fine,
electrically
charged
dust.
The
reason
for this
is
that
you
did not furnish
your
matter
with
surface tension
or
cohesion. Neither
electrons,
nor
atoms,
nor macroscopic
matter
can
be described in such
a way.
Otherwise,
I
fully agree
with
your
statements.
I
have not
yet
checked whether
your
numerical calculation
concerning
point
charges
is affected
by
the
incorrect choice for
H.[6]
Hilbert’s assumption
about
matter
appears
childish to
me,
in
the
sense
of
a
child who does
not
know
any
of
the
tricks
of
the
world outside.
I
am searching
in vain for
a
physical
indication
that
the Hamilton function for matter
can
be
formed from
the
Qv’s,
without
differentiation.[7] At all
events, mixing
the
solid
considerations
originating
from
the
relativity postulate
with such
bold,
unfounded
hypotheses
about the
structure of the electron
or
matter cannot be sanctioned.
I
gladly
admit that the
search for
a
suitable
hypothesis,
or
for
the Hamilton
function
for
the structural
makeup
of
the
electron,
is
one
of
the
most important
tasks
of
theory
today.
The “axiomatic method”
can
be
of
little
use
here,
though.[8]
Best
regards, yours very truly,
A. Einstein.
I
am
pleased
that
you
are
associating
with Dällenbach.
He
was
my
most
capable
student.
With
his sincere and noble
manner,
he
is
also likable
as a person.[9]
279. To Hans Albert Einstein
[Berlin,]
26
November
1916
My
dear
Albert,
Your
letter,
which
I
received
yesterday evening, pleased
me
greatly.
I
am
very
glad
that
Mama
is
home
again
with
you
now,[1] so
you
two
are
not
all
on your
own;
not to
worry,
her condition will
slowly get
better,
and
everything
will
go
back
to
the
normal
routine. I
also had
to
grind
away
at
Latin
in
my
day.
It’s not
a
bad mental
exercise and doesn’t
hurt
anyone.[2]
But
don’t be
ambitious,
and
don’t
think that
you
must
speak
it
better than
others. You should
just not
lose
a
year,
because
that’s
boring
and wastes
time.
I
shall send
you
the
money
for