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11 November 1909, Vienna, IX. Berggasse 19
Dear friend,
It probably isn't nice of you to keep me waiting 25 days (from October 14 to November 8; I checked because I suspected one of Fliess's 23-day periods, but wrong again) for an answer—as though the promptness and length of my last letter had frightened you away. I don't wish to importune you in the event that you yourself don't feel the need of corresponding at shorter intervals. But I can't help responding to my own rhythm, and the only compromise-action I am capable of is not to post the letter I am now writing until Sunday. For I am obliged to reserve Sunday for my American lectures, the first of which is already on the high seas.
As for Forel, I too think we should join. Please tell him so for both of us. Then he may let us know what the purpose of his Society is.
Your idea about Bleuler is excellent. We must persuade him to contribute his discussion of principles to the Jahrbuch (third half-volume); if you think it advisable, I shall ask him myself, just let me know when. That will oblige him to show special moderation, and besides, it is the only solution compatible with his position as director. There can be no objection to discussion in our own camp; still, it must be constructive. You are quite right, a discussion with Stekel will also be inevitable. He is a slovenly, uncritical fellow who undermines all discipline; I feel the same as you do about him. Unfortunately, he has the best nose of any of us for the secrets of the unconscious. Because he is a perfect swine, whereas we are really decent people who submit only reluctantly to the evidence. I have often contradicted his interpretations and later realized that he was right. Therefore we must keep him and distrust him and learn from him. I don't think it will be possible to avoid including critical reviews in the Jahrbuch, beginning with the second volume. All publications that we want to single out from the bibliographical abstracts ought to get spe