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3 May 1933
42 York Terrace, Regents Park
Dear Professor,
Two1 birthdays are the occasion of this letter. One, the most recent, came about this morning: a strong boy, called Lewis Ernest. Mother and son are very well, though the birth was not easy. Because of an acetonemia we had to induce artificial labour at midnight, and that made the course of events more painful and longer. Now all seems well. It is an optimistic event in these days, but surely the world economics will be better regulated before he grows up.
The other of course is your own. I hope you are spending [it] in enjoyable surroundings, ‘in Lilazeit’ [lilac time], even if there are dark thoughts about the world. My wish to you is that you live to see the beginnings of happier changes, so that you will feel happier about relatives, friends and our work.
I fully realise the set-back we have had, and that we even yet may not know the full consequences. But, as you said on your seventieth birthday, you have no illusions about the extent of our progress, and therefore can have fewer disappointments. I think ψα is more securely based in England than in any other country, and feel we can quite safely all adopt the motto ‘slow but sure’.
I enjoyed reading your ‘Einstein’ book and shall review it myself for the Journal.2 I am trying to write a book on ψα and World Problems (government, politics, nationality, economics),3 and you may be sure it will have no ‘tendencies’.4
Since Anna and I correspond so much, my news reaches you via her. But let me take this opportunity of a renewed expression of my devotion to you, and loyalty to our common work, with the best and warmest wishes to you and all your family
Yours always affectionately
Ernest Jones.
Here a line links the word “two” with a sentence written out at the top of the page: “Really three, for today was also Karl Abraham's birthday.”