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10 November 1918
Vienna, IX. Berggasse 19
Dear Doctor,
I received the painful news already yesterday from van Emden. I thank you for the opportunity to express at least my sympathy to you directly; I do not want to console you! I had hoped that you had found lasting happiness; I am terribly sorry that it has turned out differently, for the years of separation have done little to change my feelings for you.—
I never received your July letter. By now you probably already know, that Sachs fell ill with tuberculosis and is in Davos, where you can exchange letters with him freely. You will also learn from him that our science has survived the difficult times well, and that fresh hopes for it have arisen in Bpest.
We are all still alive, at least I hope so, for owing to the cessation of the army postal service, we have had no news of my eldest, who was on the Piave. Ernst has gone back to Munich to complete his technical studies. We did not get younger, more cheerful, or healthier in these times. Everything has turned out as you predicted in your letters at the beginning of the war. Even the future is still very somber and ominous.
As peace is unexpectedly drawing so near, I hope that your promise of a reunion “within a year”1 can be put into effect sooner. It seems to be really unlikely that I should then be the one to travel to England.
I should have liked to hear how Loe and Herbert J. are, but perhaps you yourself are no longer in touch with them.
As soon as communication is easier, Sachs will send you a document that concerns our Committee. Also the long-missed exchange of books and journals will then resume. I am quite without news from America.
Farewell, write again very soon. Do not forget that I am already over sixty-two, and allow me to shake your hand in friendship.
from your