1 MariÄ to Einstein
[Heidelberg, after 20 October 1897]1
Itâs been quite a while since I received your letter, and I would have answered immediately to thank you for your sacrifice in writing a four-page letter, thus repaying a bit of the enjoyment you gave me during our hike togetherâbut you said I shouldnât write until I was boredâand I am very obedient (just ask FrĂ€ulein BĂ€chtold).2 I waited and waited for boredom to set in, but until today my waiting has been in vain, and Iâm not sure what to do about it. On the one hand, I could wait until the end of time, but then you would think me a barbarianâon the other, I still canât write you with a clear conscience.
As youâ ve already heard, Iâ ve been walking around under German oaks in the lovely Neckar valley,3 whose allure is unfortunately now bashfully cloaked in a thick fog. No matter how much I strain my eyes, thatâs all I see; itâs as desolate and gray as infinity.
I donât think the structure of the human skull is to be blamed for manâs inability to understand the concept of infinity. He would certainly be able to understand it if, when young, and while developing his sense of perception, he were allowed to venture out into the universe rather than being cooped up on earth or, worse yet, confined within four walls in a provincial backwater. If someone can conceive of infinite happiness, he should be able to comprehend the infinity of spaceâI should think it much easier. And human beings are so clever and have accomplished so much, as I have observed once again here in the case of the Heidelberg professors.
Papa4 gave me some tobacco that Iâm to give you personally. Heâs eager to whet your appetite for our little land of outlaws. I told him all about youâyou absolutely must come back with me somedayâthe two of you would really have a lot to talk about! But Iâll have to play the role of interpreter. I canât send the tobacco, however, because should you have to pay duty on it, you would curse me and my present.
Is it Herr SĂ€nger whoâs become a forester?5 The poor fellow probably wants to smother his love in a highly romantic Swiss forest. But it serves him right; whatâs the point of him falling in love nowadays anyway? Itâs such an old story how much human beings think they know. You could sit and listen to them for the rest of your life and they would still be regaling you with all that they have discovered. It really was too enjoyable in Prof. Lenardâs lecture yesterday;6 now heâs talking about the kinetic theory of gases.7 It seems that oxygen molecules travel at a speed of over 400 m per second,8 and after calculating and calculating, the good professor set up equations, differentiated, integrated, substituted, and finally showed that the molecules in question actually do move at such a velocity, but that they only travel the distance of 1/100 of a hairâs breadth.
2 Einstein to MariÄ
Zurich, Wednesday [16 February 1898]
Dear FrÀulein,
The desire to write you has finally conquered the guilty conscience Iâve had about not responding to your letter for such a long time, and which has allowed me to avoid your critical eye. But now, even though you are understandably angry with me, you must at least give me credit for not adding to my offense by hiding behind feeble excuses, and for asking you simply and directly for forgiveness andâfor an answer as soon as possible.
Iâm glad that you intend to return here to continue your studies. Come back soon; Iâm sure you wonât regret your decision.1 I am convinced that you will be able to catch up rather quickly on our most important course work. Still, itâs most embarrassing for me to have to recount the material weâ ve covered. Only here will you find the material properly organized and explained.
Hurwitz lectured on differential equations, except for partials, as well as Fourier series, and some on the calculus of variations and double integrals.2 Herzog spoke very clearly and well on the strength of materials, and somewhat superficially on dynamics, but thatâs to be expected in a âmass course.â3 Weber lectured masterfully on heat (temperature, heat quantities, thermal motion, dynamic theory of gases). I eagerly anticipate every class of his. Fiedler is lecturing on projective geometry; heâs the same indelicate rough person he always was, and a little impenetrable at that, though heâs always brilliant and profound. In short: a master but unfortunately a terrible pedant too. The only other important course that will give you much to do is number theory, but you can make it up gradually by studying on your own.4
If you donât mind my giving you some advice (entirely unselfishly?), you should return as soon as possible, because everything you need to catch up on your studies can be found tightly packed in our notebooks.5 To be on the safe side, you might want to write Hurwitz beforehand to clear it with him.6 I donât think youâll have any trouble in the short or long term in getting a room at the BĂ€ch-tolds again, as they have one room which is not rented definitely.7 You will, of course, have to give up your old pleasant room which a Zurich philistine now occupies . . . serves you right, you little runaway!
But now back to the books. Best wishes, your
Albert Einstein
3 Einstein to MariÄ
[Zurich, after 16 April 1898]1
Dear FrÀulein,
When I came home just now, I found the apartment locked with no one at home, and had to beat a shameful retreat. So, donât be angry with me for taking Drude2 in this emergency in order to do some studying.
Best wishes from your
Albert Einstein
4 Einstein to MariÄ
[Zurich, after 16 April 1898]1
D[ear] F[rÀulein] M[arid],
Please donât be angry with me for keeping to myself so long. I was seriously ill, so much so that I didnât dare leave my room. Even today my legs are still a little weak. Nevertheless, this afternoon I gathered up my courage and ventured out for a stroll. I told Frau BĂ€chtold to invite any of her boarders who feel like it for a get-together, and I hope you are among those who come. But if you canât make it, Iâll visit you as soon as I feel well enough. And if Iâm not able to go out, Iâll look forward to your visit soon.
With best wishes, your
Albert Einstein
Iâve read half of the tome already.2 I find it stimulating and informative, though the specifics sometimes lack clarity and precision.
5 Einstein to MariÄ
[Zurich, after 28 November 1898]1
Dear FrÀulein,
Marco Besso died Sunday night.2 A terrible blow for his family, but better than a miserable life.
If you donât mind, Iâd like to come over this evening to read with you. Your
Albert Einstein
6 Einstein to MariÄ
[Milan] Monday [13 or 20 March 1899]1
Dear [Saud?],
You came vividly to mind during a harsh scolding I just received. This little letter will serve as proof that I thought of you.
To the paragon I give a sample (worthless of course).2 Has it arrived yet? If not, then donât give me such a smug smile. Itâs not meant to be eaten. Oh yesâthe letter for the paragon will be put inside the sample in emulation of famous examples3âacting boldly is half the battle.
Iâm having a wonderful time at home; Iâve spent much of it tending to the innermost joys, that is to say, Iâve been eating a lot, and well, something which has already caused me to suffer a bit from ...