Letter from Sándor Ferenczi to Sigmund Freud, April 25, 1929

Internationale Psychoanalytische Vereinigung International Psycho-Analytical Association Association Psychanalytique Internationale

Budapest, April 25, 19291

Dear Professor,

Through your reliable reporter, I mean Fräulein Anna, you have been so precisely informed about all the elements of our downright unpleasant negotiations in Paris that I felt freed of the duty also to report to you about my impressions. The only pleasant thing about the affair was the harmonious collaboration of representatives of the three central groups, but I was especially pleased by the firmness and inflexibility that became manifest in your instructions to us. I truly felt in my element in defending your point of view; on the other hand, I must admit that the clever and perhaps not even ineffectual manner in which you allowed us to talk about a possible separation2 was far more appropriate than the somewhat more severe remarks that I would have made otherwise.

You have probably also received news from Jones and Eitingon in the meantime; I didn't have the impression from the former that he would gladly let it come to a rupture.

The state of my health is passable, but I have no inner need for literary work at the moment, although the interesting material of my experiences should urge me to it.

Have you already decided about your summer plans? It would be nice if I could call on you at your summer residence around the beginning of July, from when I will probably be working somewhere in Switzerland.

Your Herr Blumenthal looked me up once about a week ago; he came a second time after a short hiatus caused by feverish indisposition; I think that these temporary skirmishes before the decision for treatment, if warranted, might claim several weeks more.

In between times, I am dealing with agents who are offering to sell me villas. But perhaps I will make do with a residence somewhere out in the open.

With kind regards to you all.