Berne, Friday

May 3, 1906

Dear Solovine,

I often think of you and wonder from time to time what you are doing and how you spend your days. I am writing you because of this and something else which has come up.

A few days ago a patent attorney to whom I had previously mentioned your name came to me with a document which was to be translated into flawless French. Naturally, I did not accept, for the matter was urgent. But I want to ask you if you are leading a satisfactory existence now. If not, here you still have a definite opportunity to find employment in the patent office and eventually work up to a good position. Write soon and let me know what you think of it.

All three of us are fine. The filius has already become a haughty, impertinent young chap. At the moment, I myself am not achieving many results from the scientific point of view, and soon I shall reach the stagnant and sterile age at which the revolutionary mentality of youth is deplored. My works are highly esteemed and are giving rise to further research. Professor Planck (Berlin) has written to me recently concerning this.