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International Psycho-Analytical Association
2 June 1936
London
Dear Professor,
Anna tells me you want my opinion about the enclosed communication. I cannot imagine any reason why you should not accept what is decidedly an honour. The Royal Medico-Psychological Association is an old body, perhaps a hundred years old, to which all asylum psychiatrists belong. Your work is being increasingly studied and accepted among the younger psychiatrists in England. There has been a very decided change in this respect in the last ten years.
An ex-patient of mine has put forward your name in connection with the Foreign Membership of the Royal Society itself. You doubtless know that membership of this Society (with the letters F.R.S. after one's name) is by far the highest honour that any scientific man can attain.1 You probably remember the various anecdotes associated with its being founded by Charles the Second.
I have been glad to hear that you have rallied well from the birthday exertions and even that you are experiencing a sort of Nachlust [after-pleasure] at the knowledge of their being over. I hope you noticed that I did not treat you in the way the Bürgermeister of Ischl2 is reputed to have treated your Mother on a similar occasion. I refer to the story of his telling her that in future he would pay a ceremonious visit only every ten years instead of every five years.