EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed ('Albert') to his first wife, Mileva, n.p., n.d. [before 1927], two pages, 4to.

EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed ('Albert') to his first wife, Mileva, n.p., n.d. [before 1927], two pages, 4to.

TROUBLE WITH HANS ALBERT, AND EINSTEIN'S STRANGE SORT OF FIDELITY. Einstein sympathises with Mileva over her difficulties with their elder son ('he is making your life really difficult. He is giving you the feeling that I am conspiring with him') and gives a long explanation of his recent conduct towards Hans Albert, including his having upbraided him for a lack of truthfulness in his conduct -- he denies, however, having told him not to pay any attention to his mother, though he has encouraged him to think of leaving home and getting to know the world. The real problem is with his girlfriend [his future wife, Frieda Knecht]: 'The girl's influence is bad ... If he does not improve his behaviour, you will hardly be able to keep him in the house'; Einstein goes on to suggest that a complete separation may be necessary -- 'We have done what was humanly possible. As it has not borne fruit, we will have to break with him completely, so that you can regain a quiet, harmonious life ... There is nothing to be done with him at the moment'. Regarding a recent loan, Einstein declares that he requires no interest, nor need she be in a hurry to pay him back: 'You will notice as time goes on that there hardly exists a more agreeable divorced husband than I am ... I am faithful in a different sense from the one a young girl dreams of, but faithful'.