14 March 1953
Dear Parents,
I was very pleased to get Mamma's letter a couple of days ago and Papa's today.
I
expect I must write my letter in French; but not right now
I am very glad to learn your plans. I shall meet you at the BOAC London terminals,
where the bus stops. I don't know if I can find a car. Do you want me to find you
a place to stay
here? Do you want to stay with friends or in a hotel? Actually, I have to find a
place for me to
stay.
Sid Bernhard & I and probably Jim Watson & maybe more are planning to go to Paris
on
the 7th April. Sid wants to go, and while I am not sure I can afford it, it ought to be
fun.
I have sent your letter to [Easibind?] plus a check. I acknowledge receipt of $150
&
credit you with $13.50.
I expect I shall go to Oxford before you come, perhaps the 28th or so. Move from friend
to friend.
I gave Watson essentially the paper on nucleic acids, and after the 12th he showed it.
Morris Wilkins is supposed to be doing this work; Miss Franklin evidently is a fool.
Relations
are now slightly strained due to the Watson-Crick entering the field. They (W.C.)
have some
ideas & shall write you immediately. It is really up to them and not to me to tell
you about it.
We tried to build your structure, and succeeded, I think, it was pretty tight. Perhaps
we should
try the new one. They are getting pretty involved with their own efforts, and losing
objectivity.
I shall press my research on a motor vehicle & make further recommendations. I am
almost sure it would be more convenient to buy the car in France, but shall check
further.
Next summer, I am rather desirous of staying in Scandinavia. Once there, I might
as well
do it up brown, and there is no point of my getting here before 1 October. I am not
sure what
your desires are. Reports of your wishes w.r.t. me are a little conflicting, but
we shall see. The
following summer I can do southern Europe. Is Linda coming sometime? You'll need
a bigger
car for four.
The weather is becoming really grand. Blue sky and sun, and it is not dark until
6:30 or
so. ([V red?] to be black at 4:15) Life is becoming quite pleasant. I went to two
balls this week,
the only dances I have been to. I know a number of girls, and seem to get along well
with
Scandinavian girls. As a sensible young American, I stand out a bit in this town
of pansy
Englishmen. There are more Continental girls here than men.
I am hunting for a place to live next year. I can live where I please, undisciplined.
Perhaps I should live with Sid. Better a flat in King's Parade. Hah.
Lennard Jones is at Stoke-on-Trent. He is leaving immediately after Easter.
I shall write Dorothy, more w r t my staying than your coming.
Work is going passably well. I must get this job finished. Kendrew would not go
to the
RI under any circumstances, but Max might.
Much love,
XXXXX Peter
OOOOOOOO
