BÜLOW (Bernhard Heinrich von, 1849-1929, Chancellor of Germany, 1900-1909, from 1899 Count, from 1905 Prince)

Finely written Letter Signed, in German with translation, to 'Herr Doktor', (Dr Maurice Ernst, later Ernest, 1872-1955, London correspondent of the Neues Wiener Tagblatt), thanking him for "your translation of Balfour's address 'Our View of the World Today' ... a valuable scholarly gift [not present]" with both "a personal interest for the German circle of readers ... a glimpse of the character of the Statesman, who at the present time stands at the peak of Government in England", and "a desirable opportunity to observe, how a leading Minister is engaged in his leisure hours with the deepest problems of knowledge", 2 sides 10½" x 8¼", Berlin, 31st December corners trimmed diagonally barely touching date and catchword

Balfour's Presidential Address to the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Cambridge, August 1904, was subtitled 'Reflections suggested by the new Theory of Matter'. It traces over time the public's view of scientific 'laws' from Newton to electrons and protons, and the vast energy stored within the atom.
These theories seem to contradict experience and he suggests this contradiction is something that a (Darwinian) view of the evolution of knowledge could not predict. But 'physical reality' and its description goes deeper than 'laws' and 'as science grows it leans more, not less, upon a teleological interpretation of the universe'.

Item Date:  1904

Stock No:  53916      £275

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire