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Vienna, May 28, 1888
I., Maria Theresienstrasse 8
Dear friend and colleague:
I have a small reason for writing to you, though I could have done so long ago without a reason. First of all, then, about this reason: Mrs. A., who since her unmasking as a case of chronic cerebral neurasthenia (if you too want to call it that) and since her miscarriage and the rest has made a splendid recovery with a minimum of treatment and is now very well, sees the summer approaching. Her old preferences attract her to Franzensbad; I recommend a hydropathic cure in the mountains. So she has asked me to refer the matter to you for decision, which I am herewith doing, with all sympathy for you. I had thought of Lake Lucerne, Axenstein, and a number of others. If you agree, send me a card by return mail on which you have jotted down the name of one place, and rest assured that this will be the place where Mrs. A. will spend the summer. But please spare me from having to make the decision; this would in no way satisfy her, for the power over the spirits1 that belongs to you cannot be transferred. Please reply immediately since my promise to write to you is ten days older than this letter.
I have at this moment a lady in hypnosis lying in front of me and therefore can go on writing in peace. We are living rather happily in steadily growing modesty. When our little Mathilde laughs, we imagine that hearing her laugh is the most beautiful thing that could happen to us, and in other respects we are not ambitious and not very industrious. My practice increased somewhat during the winter and spring, is now decreasing again, and barely keeps us