Letter from Sigmund Freud to Sándor Ferenczi, January 19, 1918

Vienna, January 19, 1918
IX., Berggasse 19

Dear friend,

You know we are expecting you on February 2. Your arrival is connected to a plan hatched by Aranka Schwarcz,1 the execution of which you will naturally reject if it presents inconveniences or difficulties for you. Nothing ΨA, but rather the opposite; not love, but hunger.

If you can send a military person with a large rucksack to the address on the enclosed letter2—at the clients' expense, then the former will—supposedly with certainty—bring a large quantity of flour, perhaps forty or fifty kilos, with an enclosed bill which doesn't have to be taken care of immediately, to Budapest. With this sweet load in your suitcase you will be welcome here even more warmly than usual, and Aranka's aunt will share the spoils with us. I hope I have explained the plan clearly.

We are facing unknown possibilities here. Today there were no newspapers, with the exception of a news release from the workers' paper. They are muttering about the general strike on Monday. Let's hope it won't go beyond this demonstration. If the workers of Austria remain isolated, it won't do any good, but will only harm our position.

Ernst is back and will be very happy to see you. He has brought good news from Germany. Tausk's lecture on January 13 was very good, except for unclear theories about projection, but he remains an intractable madman [Meschuggener]. A publisher in Madrid has, by way of the embassyministry, requested permission for a Spanish translation of Everyday Life. Sokolnicka4 appears to be founding a Ψ society in Warsaw.

I greet you and Frau G. cordially and hope that the six months are soon up.

Yours,

Freud