Letter from Sigmund Freud to Ernest Jones, August 24, 1922

24 August 1922
Berchtesgaden, Salzberg
Pension Moritz

Dear Jones,

I think I got all your letters, some of them rather late. Dont be annoyed if my answer is a poor one. I am not feeling very strong and am deeply shaken by the death of my best niece, a dear girl of 23, who took Veronal last week while alone at Vienna.1 The dark prospect of our country and all the uncertainties relating to the time I will have to come back do not improve my mood.

I gladly resign the presidency of a Congress-meeting, but in my opinion you ought to have me let off with a lecture, which all of you refused. As a revenge I have not yet been able to settle my mind on a definite topic.2 I feel indifferent about the question who should take my place. Frink is still with me at Berchtesgaden and gets an hour of analysis at times. I think it would do him good to be distinguished and impress his future wife who is rich and not mean.

I am glad to hear you gave in to Mrs. Riviere in the matter of the Sammlung. The good impression she has made on me did not vanish with her personal presence.

I am still more glad that you have contrived to get a recreation in the country with your wife and family, to whom I send my best wishes.

Affectionately yours

Freud