DOCS. 279-281 NOVEMBER
1916 267
the
life
insurance;
be
sure
to
have
it
taken
care
of
immediately
so
that there
is
no
loss.
I
was
most
pleased
with
your ship, though.
You
should know
that
when
I
was
your
age
this
was
my
favorite
hobby
as
well.[3]
I
really
would like to have
a
closer
description
of it. Does
the
hull consist
of two parts? Is
it solid
or
hollow?
How
did
you
taper
it
at
the
bow?
Is
that
which
is
sticking
out downwards
at
the
stern
a
rudder
or only a weight?
Where do
you
let it float?
I
so
much wish
to
see
you
both
again.
In the
coming year
there
will
surely
be
peace,
so
it
will
be easier for
us
to
meet. When does Tete
start school?[4]
Do
go
to
see
Mr. Besso
sometimes; you
can
learn
many
fine
things
from
him,
and he
likes all of
you.
Kind
regards
to
Mama
and
kisses
for
you, my
dear
boys. Yours,
Papa.
Which Mozart sonata did
you play
for
Mama? Can
you
note
down
a
few
bars for
me?
280. To Wilhelm
Röntgen
[Berlin,]
29
November
1916
Highly
esteemed
Colleague,[1]
As far
as
I
can
observe,
dear
vanity
is
thriving
so
splendidly
in
our
land that,
in
my
view,
there
is
no
need for
a new
hothouse
facility
for its cultivation.
It
is
in
accordance with
this
conviction
that
I
ask
you courteously
to
dispense
with
my
participation
in
this
affair.[2]
In
begging you,
esteemed
colleague,
not to
take
my
stance amiss, I
am yours
very truly,
A.
Einstein.
281. From Gunnar
Nordstrom
Leyden,
30
November
1916
Dear Prof.
Einstein,
I have been
intending
to write
you
for
a long
time,
but
all sorts of
things got
in the
way.
Here at
Leyden
we are
still
living
in the
aftermath
of
your
visit.[1]
What
was
discussed at
that
time
is
still
continuing
to be debated. For
example,