iv " BUNSENIANA " 



77 



whispered to me, " I was dreaming that I had let a 

 test-tube full of caesium fall on the floor." 



Concerning the preparations for the Jubilee and the 

 invitation to me to take part in it, the following trans- 

 lation of two characteristic letters from Professor Kopp 

 is of interest : 



Our University has had many difficulties over the invita- 

 tions to this Jubilee to other Universities and Academies, 

 to former Professors of this University and also to high 

 State and Court officials (I have called the Jubilee week 

 August 2-7 the Passion-Week and " I wish it was time to 

 sleep and all was well " ), in trying to cut down the number 

 of representatives of these corporations (all are to be guests 

 of honour and are to stay with members of the University), 

 and also in trying to find room for them at the banquet (we 

 have no room in Heidelberg large enough, and there are 

 many reasons for its not taking place in " Noah's Ark " a 

 huge place which has just been put up as a " hall of 

 ceremonies " on the Neckar, and where many can get light 

 refreshments, though it is unsuitable for the banquet). On 

 these accounts the invitations abroad had to be limited to 

 the smallest number of Universities and Academies in most 

 cases one for each country. And I hear from the latest 

 reports that the Victoria University will not be included. 

 But you, old Heidelberg student, if you come to the celebra- 

 tions you will not only give intense pleasure to all your 

 friends here but I will also guarantee all the necessaries of life 

 so that you can encounter the "struggle for existence." 

 Everyone's wants on those days even those of the inhabit- 

 ants will have to be modest ; a la guerre comme a la guerre. 

 I shall have to manage as best as I can en gargon ; for my 

 wife will go to Freiburg to our daughter there I would not 

 have her here at that time on any account. 



Bunsen is well, as busy as usual with lectures and in the 

 laboratory, and sends you his love. My wife sends you her 

 kindest regards. 



Your devoted 



HERMANN KOPP. 



Couldn't you come as F.R.S.? So far as I know, this 

 Society will be asked to send one representative. If not 

 come as (I nearly wrote " Good old " ) Roscoe ! 



