Letter from Sigmund Freud to Karl Abraham, August 27, 1916

299F

Badgastein, Villa Wassing
27 August 1916

Dear Friend,

You see what has happened. I have been here with the two women for a week. My little daughter is in Aussee, both the soldiers are again in the field. Gastein is tremendously beautiful, far more so than San Martino,1 where we were so peacefully together last time. The baths make me so tired that a rejuvenation of at least ten years is to be expected. We intend to stay here over 10 September unless—unless the spa administration drives out its remaining guests. However, there will be no water shortage in Gastein. When I am very tired, I continue writing the lectures. Seven of those on the theory of neurosis are already finished. The printing of the dream2 is also going ahead. Two Chinese porcelain dogs are on my desk, laughing at me, I think, as I write. I spur myself on by remembering my intention to present the royalties to my grandson for his student days. My son-in-law is still doing badly. As you can imagine, giving up his studio has done him a great deal of harm materially.

I should very much like to see you, but I do not want to go to Munich. I cannot mingle with those attending the Congress, and I cannot do things like crossing the border under some invented pretext. So ceterum censeo: it is you who must cross the border, and I shall come to meet you in Salzburg or anywhere else you like, even if I have returned to Vienna by the middle of September. I hope you will get permission; my Ernst was on holiday in Hamburg and Berlin.

I think I can congratulate you on Liebermann. The best thing about these conditions is that you are able to have your little family with you. You will be interested to hear (unless I have told you so already) that Ophuijsen has written solemnly declaring himself one of us.

Eitingon wrote yesterday from Miskolcz and asked about you. I have now re-read your orality paper in print with the greatest pleasure.

Answer soon. Cordial greetings to you all!

Yours,

Freud