![EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed ('Albert') to his first wife, Mileva, n.p., 'Sonntag' n.d. [annotated '25 Ende des Jahres'], one page, 4to.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2008/CKS/2008_CKS_07590_0108_000(035731).jpg?w=1)
Details
EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed ('Albert') to his first wife, Mileva, n.p., 'Sonntag' n.d. [annotated '25 Ende des Jahres'], one page, 4to.
A SCHEME FOR THE SEDUCTION OF HIS SON BAFFLED. Einstein had in a previous letter suggested as a means for prising their son Hans Albert away from his future wife, Frieda Knecht (of whom both he and Mileva strongly disapproved) that he arrange for an older woman of his acquaintance to seduce his son. The present letter reveals a flaw in the plan: 'The lady in whom I falsely placed my hopes is -- your friend, who can only have a purely human interest for Albert [Die Dame, in die ich fälschlich meine Hoffnungen geknüpft habe, ist -- Deine Freundin, die für Albert leider nur rein menschlichen Interessen haben mag]'. There would therefore be no purpose in Hans Albert coming to Berlin to study, as his unsociable nature would prevent him from meeting someone likely to dissuade him from his planned marriage. Einstein still feels however that with patience the work of persuasion could be achieved, and asks Mileva's opinion. He ends pessimisstically with the biblical saying that the sins of the fathers will be punished over three generations ('Denk übrigens an das Bibelwort: der da strafet eure Sünden an den Kindern, Enkeln und Urenkeln') and asks Mileva to write quickly with her thoughts.
A SCHEME FOR THE SEDUCTION OF HIS SON BAFFLED. Einstein had in a previous letter suggested as a means for prising their son Hans Albert away from his future wife, Frieda Knecht (of whom both he and Mileva strongly disapproved) that he arrange for an older woman of his acquaintance to seduce his son. The present letter reveals a flaw in the plan: 'The lady in whom I falsely placed my hopes is -- your friend, who can only have a purely human interest for Albert [Die Dame, in die ich fälschlich meine Hoffnungen geknüpft habe, ist -- Deine Freundin, die für Albert leider nur rein menschlichen Interessen haben mag]'. There would therefore be no purpose in Hans Albert coming to Berlin to study, as his unsociable nature would prevent him from meeting someone likely to dissuade him from his planned marriage. Einstein still feels however that with patience the work of persuasion could be achieved, and asks Mileva's opinion. He ends pessimisstically with the biblical saying that the sins of the fathers will be punished over three generations ('Denk übrigens an das Bibelwort: der da strafet eure Sünden an den Kindern, Enkeln und Urenkeln') and asks Mileva to write quickly with her thoughts.
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