Letter of Charles S. Peirce to his brother James Mills Peirce
(Berlin, 30.07.1870)

 

 

Spanish translation & annotations
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Berlin, Friday 1870 July 30

Dear Jem

I am sorry to write to you in such a hurry as I am in now but must rather than put it off another day. My journey from Rotterdam to Berlin which should have taken about 18 hours actually did take nearly 4 times that time. No trains in North Germany now run by time tables and there is only one every 2 or 3 days on most of the roads. I strongly advise you not to try to come here. Berlin is a horrid place anyway. The worst smells in London are perfumes to the sweetest here –the drains being all open. The architecture and sculpture have a very artificial and made up look, generally imitations of classic style and fail altogether of any real effect even when you must acknowledge them to be fine. The finest thing is the Victory over the Brandenburg Thor [sic] and that has the effect of a small

 
bronze. The artist has taken no advantage at the large size to produce any particular effect of greatness or sublimity. Unter der Linden is rather lively but the Linden trees are absurd humbugs. Generally the architecture in Berlin looks better in a photograph than in the reality. The Thiergarten [sic] is certainly enchanting and I like the German system of meals, the cooking and the way of eating –I mean out of doors. A meal here is 1/5 of the price of the same in London. But then there are 5 of them. I have a room about like the one at Mrs. Bishops for 10 groschen = one schilling a day instead of 4. Attendance and lights I think about 2 groschen instead of a schilling = 10 groschen. Thus it is with many things. A good many things you would think cheap and nasty; and a few things –such as newspaper cost more than in London. Cigars are about 1/5 what they are there but not the same quality quite. I bought a trunk before I left like your new one but not so good for 4 pounds. I forget what you gave. The eclipse bill has passed. Your affectionately,

C. S. Peirce

 

 

Transcription by Sara Barrena (2008)
Una de las ventajas de los textos en formato electrónico respecto de los textos impresos es que pueden corregirse con gran facilidad mediante la colaboración activa de los lectores que adviertan erratas, errores o simplemente mejores transcripciones. En este sentido agradeceríamos que se enviaran todas las sugerencias y correcciones a sbarrena@unav.es
Proyecto de investigación "La correspondencia europea de C. S. Peirce: creatividad y cooperación científica (Universidad de Navarra 2007-09)
Fecha del documento: 11 de diciembre 2007
Última actualización: 14 de septiembre 2017
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