10
The people to whom you sent me, to depict to them your arrival in Bonn and your ticklish position vis-à-vis the Faculty, have shown little inclination to enter into the thorough manner in which you view the matter. For them everything becomes quite plain and easy. Yes, they seem to regard it as an injustice that you should have your own views and feelings even in your own affairs. One seems here to be very astonished that a Privatdozent, with whom one means so paternally well, could still be uneasy.
11
Philippus, who probably holds it to be an offence against his high authority that you fall into passion over things about which he remains calm, gave forth, while reading your letter, the following reflections in fits and starts: As regards your position vis-à-vis the Faculty, it is enough and more than enough that you have moved them to friendly familiarity. It is only a matter of your establishing yourself in Bonn, of your being recognised there as a Privatdozent. You should only first make a move, you should only first be habilitated and domiciled in the proper sense; this would then be a means to your further ends. The Ministry simply does not wish to take the initiative. Consequently you should not get excited about all the pettinesses that are put in your way, but should regard them only as a means to an end. He, Philippus, had often himself represented to you that the Faculty in Bonn is one of the most obstinate; it knows well that you are supported by the Ministry, therefore it is natural that it puts all sorts of obstacles in your way. If you write to the Ministry, you must tell the Faculty nothing at all about it. What you have to do is this: you must draw up a letter in which you say that you have now praestanda praestitit; however, the letter must (with a sidelong glance at your letter) be without all bitterness, it must be composed quite calmly and "objectively". This letter you must give to the government commissioner, with the request that he add the certificate that you have praestanda praestitit. —
12
Now Marheineke has played a trick on me: I sit in his lecture and hope to hear the history of dogma, when he begins with dogmatics; he will lecture on dogmatics this winter: well, why should I not also hear dogmatics for once. This seems to me like the story of that student who abandoned theology and now did not know whether he should study law or medicine: so he makes two lots for himself, the shorter signifies law, the longer medicine; he drew the longer and now dissects away merrily.
13
As often as I read the newspaper or the theatre bills, I must think of you with a smile when I see Alceste and Armide announced. If I once have more money, I shall go in instead of you.