he. 23rd July 1959
he

Professor J. Lederberg,
Genetics Department,
Stanford University,

ISTITUTO DI GENETICA Stanford, California.

UNIVERSITA DI PAVIA

 

PAVIA
VIA SANT’ EPIFANIO, 14 - TEL, 23,029

Dear Joshua,

I don't think I have yet thanked you for the
paper bags you sent me, or for "Alice in Wonderland"
I haven't read it yet, but am planning to do so next
month when I shall be taking my holiday at the seaside,
The temperature is rather high here and I feel that
if it goes on that it will be just as good to stop work
and retire with some books on the Riviera,

Your coppers will be somewhat delayed, but
will eventually arrive, so tell Ester not to worry if
they haven't yet come. I didn't trust the case in
which they came for sending them across the Ocean, but
have now found a decent wooden case for sending them in,

Giovanni and I have made but little progress
concerning the departmental co-operation that we discussed.
For the time being I can only tell you the opinion of
Giovanni, myself and the Italian firm: that is, to look for
an arrangement similar to the one you suggest that would
permit you to continue your present plans with Bristol.
However, as yet we have had no chance to discuss things
with Schering because we feel that the matter should
be discussed personally rather than by letter, and the
opportunity should arise when Giovanni comes to the
States. His trip is planned for October, If you should
be interested in earlier discussion he might try to come
earlier.

Last month examination committees were voted
for the professorial competition, but we are as yet
unaware of the names of the examiners, There was,
however, quite a turmoil at the elections because some
Zoologists and Botanists felt that they could not drop

this opportunity for putting in some of their protégés
- 2-

and it may turn out that the committee will be far from
what would be desirable.

How are the plans of your new house working?
I am still hoping to visit you next Summer but should
wait in any case to know the outcome of the election and
see what obligations the new post may create. I hope
the competition will be over by October, which as far as
I remember would still be a horrible time for you.

We hope that you have recovered from the
trip in Surope, which must have been rather tiring for
both you and Ester. I was at Cambridge for one week,
saw Bruce and Jane, who are both in good shape,
visited the new laboratory set up by Hayes, which
seems to be above the Swedish standards for beauty,
and had some pleasant chats with Sidney Brenner and his
entourage.

As you will have heard Thoday is the new
Professor of Genetics in Cambridge, but I haven't
seen hin.

Work is still going slowly, but I have started
to decrease my engagements. It is still completely
unknown to me, however, what I shall be able to do
next year.

All the best to you and Uster,

Yours,

rut te