Letter from Freud to Fliess, August 16, 1895

Bellevue, August 16, 1895

Dearest Wilhelm,

I was in Reichenau for several days, then was undecided for a few days, but today I can give you a definite account.

Between the 22nd and 24th I shall travel to Venice with my little brother and therefore regret that I cannot simultaneously be in Oberhof since, Breuer notwithstanding, I am not a bird.1 My motive for coming to this decision, since I had to make one, was my concern for the young man who together with me carries the responsibility for two old people and so many women and children. He is a very tortured neurasthenic, escapes my influence too much, and I made an agreement with him whereby he will repay me for my company in Venice by accompanying me to Berlin. It is almost more important to me that you take him in hand rather than me. Besides, I shall then enjoy the advantage of not being alone in Berlin while you are finding your way back to strenuous work. We can share quarters, live and take walks together, insofar as our noses permit it. I am very eager to bind him closer to me while we are actively pursuing the possibility of finding a husband for our only sister who is not yet provided for (not Rosa, whom you know). So I shall be with you in the first days of September and keep in mind that in spite of all your activities, you will fully participate in the private congress.

With the ϕψω I have had a strange experience. Shortly after I sounded the alarm with my communication that called for congratulations, and after I had scaled one of the first peaks, I found myself confronted with new difficulties, but without sufficient breath left for new work. So, quickly composing myself, I threw the whole thing aside and am persuading myself that I am not the least bit interested in it. It makes me quite uncomfortable to think that I am supposed to tell you about it. If I saw you every month, I certainly would not do so in September. Well, so be it, since you will demand