# Rudolf Carnap an C. K. Ogden, 13. April 1934 April 1934

Dear Mr. Ogden‚

please allow me now to write in normal English. My former letters were exercises in Basic, but it takes me a little more time to write in Basic, because of the right selection of words. And I have now a special reason for making all efforts to improve my knowledge on normal English: see below (1). Nevertheless I would prefer to get your letters in Basic as before, if it does not cause you trouble or lost of time.

1. I got an invitation of the University of LondonI Universität London for giving a course of three lecturesB 1934@Philosophy and Logical Syntax, London, 1935 in the next session. They will take place in the beginning of October 1934. The title of the course will be “Philosophy and Logical Syntax“B 1934@Philosophy and Logical Syntax, London, 1935. I am very happy to have this opportunity of coming to England. I intend to go already in the middle of September and to spend some weeks in England. I hope I will find you then in London, Cambridge or in any other place. It will be a great pleasure for me to speak with you about all the questions we have in common.

2. The Academic Registrar of the University of LondonI Universität London writes me in the invitation-letter: “While the publication of Special University Lectures is in no sense a condition, the Council hope that the Lectures may be published, and a Publication Fund has been instituted by the Senate from which grants may be made for the purpose. The University, however, cannot take part in any negotiations for the publication of the Lectures. I should make it clear that there is no obligation to publish, that the University makes no claim on the copyright of your lectures, and that if you decide to publish, the question of the manner of publication is entirely one for you and your publishers.“ Do you see a possibility of publishing my lectures? It would be very convenient for me to have them translated (not published) already in summer. My own English is still so full of mistakes that I would prefer to write the lectures in German and have them translated by an Englishman.

3. I was some days in Vienna and had a meeting there with Countess v. ZeppelinP Zeppelin, Amethe von, *1896, brit. Übersetzerin, verh. mit Leo von Zeppelin. I must confess I had a little fear before as to her ability for the difficult task of translating a book of formal LogicB 1934@Logische Syntax der Sprache, Wien, 1934. I am glad to say you now that this fear disappeared, as I saw that she is well up in such problems. We fixed the translation of a list of special words and will do more in letters.

4. Thanks for your kind letter of March 29. The situation is now this. As I said you before, I believe to be in the control of the international rights for my book “Logische Syntax“B 1934@Logische Syntax der Sprache, Wien, 1934. Now I asked a lawyer here, and he confirmed my belief, although the point does not seem to be beyond all doubt. Therefore it is necessary for me to get this point clear with SpringerP Springer, Julius der Jüngere, 1880–1968, dt. Verleger. I wrote 🕮 him but so far I do not have his answer. In any case you have nothing to do with SpringerI Springer Verlag. Our agreement will be only between you and myself. My negotiations with SpringerP Springer, Julius der Jüngere, 1880–1968, dt. Verleger are my private matter which has not to trouble you. Only for me it is necessary first to get clear with SpringerP Springer, Julius der Jüngere, 1880–1968, dt. Verleger in order to be able to make the agreement with you. I shall write you as soon as my matter with SpringerP Springer, Julius der Jüngere, 1880–1968, dt. Verleger is settled.

5. I will not look for an other publisher because I am happy to give my bookB 1934@Logische Syntax der Sprache, Wien, 1934 in your hands. I am very obliged to you that you will make a new attempt with Kegan PaulI Kegan Paul, Verlag concerning the International Library, when the translation is finished. If then K[egan] P[aul]I Kegan Paul, Verlag will not accept, I agree with you that the “Psyche-Monographs“I Psyche Monographs are the best place for the bookB 1937@The Logical Syntax of Language, London, 1937. As to the fee you mentioned in your letter of Dec. 11 an amount of £ 15-20 for a first printing of 1500 copies. If now it is not possible for you to consent more than £ 15, I would wish to limit the edition to 1000 copies. The reason for this wish is: the problems of modern logic are now in such a vivid evolution that it would be more useful for the science and for the selling of the book, if after some years – say 6 or 10 – there would appear a new modified and improved edition. (Springer also makes a first edition of 1000 copies only.) – If it would be possible for you I would beg you for 20 free copies. (I wish to say you confidentially that my plans for the future are directed to America; by this you will understand that it will be necessary for me to send copies to the most prominent English and American logicians.)

6. I suppose that my MiniatureI Psyche Miniatures-volume “The Unity of Science“B 1934@The Unity of Science. Übersetzung und Einleitung von Max Black, London, 1934 will be ready soon. Would you be so kind as to send my 12 free copies to the addresses of the list which I send here? (The postage costs please take from my fee.) Please do not send the rest of the fee of £ 5 to Prague. I would be very obliged to you if you could choose a banker in London (in convenient situation, if I will be living in the quarter of the University and the British Museum) and transfer to him this amount. It would be convenient for me to have a bank-account in England.

7. I was told in Vienna that Bertrand RussellP Russell, Bertrand, 1872–1970, brit. Philosoph, in zweiter Ehe verh. mit Dora Russell, ab 1936 verh. mit Patricia Russell left his school and is living now in Oxford, occupied with scientific work. I am very surprised by this. It is really true? And do you know his present address?

8. Philipp Frank P Frank, Philipp, 1884–1966, öst.-am. Physiker und Philosoph, verh. mit Hania Frank, Bruder von Josef Frank, a friend of NeurathP Neurath, Otto, 1882–1945, öst. Philosoph und Sozialwiss., heiratete 1912 Olga Neurath und 1941 Marie Neurath and of mine will now be in England for some months. He is here professor for theoretical physics; he came here 1912 as successor of EinsteinP Einstein, Albert, 1879–1955, dt.-am. Physiker, verh. mit Else Einstein. He belongs to our “Viennese Circle“I Schlick-Zirkel, Wiener Kreis; in all important philosophical questions we are in accordance. Perhaps you know his book “Das Kausalgesetz und seine Grenzen“B Frank, Philipp!1932@Das Kausalgesetz und seine Grenzen, Wien, 1932 (in the collection “Schriften zur wissenschaftl[ichen] Weltauffassung“I Schriften zur wissenschaftlichen Weltauffassung, Buchreihe, Springer-WienI Springer Verlag– he and SchlickP Schlick, Moritz, 1882–1936, dt.-öst. Philosoph, verh. mit Blanche Guy Schlick are the editors of this collection.) He has the intention to call on you when he comes to London. The greater part of his time he will spend in Oxford in order to meet there EinsteinP Einstein, Albert, 1879–1955, dt.-am. Physiker, verh. mit Else Einstein, HeisenbergP Heisenberg, Werner, 1901–1976, dt. Physiker and other physicists. He and especially his wife – who will be with him – are very interested in Basic and have the intention to learn English by its help.

Yours very truly
ksl.

Brief, msl. Dsl., 2 Seiten, RC 081-13-05; Briefkopf: msl. April 13, 1934.

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