3 1 0 D O C . 3 7 3 A P R I L 1 9 2 0 3. The title for Holland will appropriately read as follows:[5] I am sending you two speeches as samples—urgently request later return, since I have only two other copies of my inauguration speech! Down with the Ether Superstition!! Speech delivered upon assumption of the office of Extraordinary Professor at the Royal University of Leyden by A. Einstein _____________________________________________________________ _______________ N.B. Extraordinary Professor, not simply “professor.” 4. As concerns the acknowledgments to the curators, Lorentz, etc., after the speech, it would, of course, be nice (for Holland, at least) if it were printed too.[6] However, it can also be omitted. Here you have a master and skeleton: Honorable Curators of this University! Your involvement in establishing this Chair and in confirming[7] my appointment prompts me to express to you my sin- cere thanks. [The curators of the university must endorse authorization by the gov- ernment of an “Extraordinary” Professorship.] You may rest assured that I see it as an honor, a great privilege (or something of the sort) to receive an office at this il- lustrious university. Honorable Curators of the Extraordinary Chair![8] [The foundation “The Ley- den University Fund” endows the chair and appoints (pursuant to the law) 3 cura- tors for it. One of these is the physicist P. Zeeman, the others—old gents.] If I may say so, it was a great and joyful surprise for me to receive the inquiry whether I were willing to accept an Extraordinary Professorship at this university. It would have been impossible for me to take this invitation, however, if it had meant that my German friends - - - - - -. For - - - - - - - -[9] [Don’t get too political!] That is why I very especially value the liberal way in which the “University Fund of the University of Leyden” {arranged/defined}[10] my office.—In the process, I had good occasion to note of what immense importance it is for the flexible devel- opment of a university when it has such an organization as the Leyden University Fund as an ally.[11] [Roughly something like this would be very desirable.]
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