>18 January 1954

Dr. Fritz Lippman

Research Laboratory

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Masschusetts

Dear Fritz:

The announcement of the award of the Nobel Prize to you came while I was on a trip to Israel, and since my return to Pasadena I have neglected to write to you to congratulate you.

Accordingly, I now extend my sincere congratulations. I think that it is fine that you have received this honor.

You know that I am not on the Scientific Advisory of MGH this year, my term having come to its end. Perhaps I shall be reappointed later on, giving me the opportunity to see you at least once a year. In any case, I am looking forward to seeing you again before very long.

With best regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling:w

18 January 1954

Dear Daddy and Mamma,

I am sorry I have not written to you and Mamma, I was uncertain until today where you were.

I was very disappointed that you could not go on your trip, as I know you were. It was actually quite a blow to me. I had hoped, when your letter of the 4^th came, that you would go on this Cruise to Honolulu. In a way, it would be better than Linda, because you would have rest.

I am working on absolute intensities, molecular space models a radial distribution curve of sperm. I hope to get this finished.

I am trying to arrange a month or so in Naples next summer gathering meat. John would probably go too. Linda has some scheme up her sleeve, but I do not know yet what she will do. I told her I would not make the grand tour, but only go to Italy. More or less.

Crick is really in hot water. Randall and his people are hopping mad. His letter is to be in February J Chem Phys. I made his structure using these brass models here, and think it is wrong. Much too tight. Without straining it, the C α (A) to O (B) distance is 2.2 , and the O (B₁) to C (B₂) is 3 . Now, Francis reduces these I suppose by bending bonds, the C αH (A) to O (B) is 2.4 . It is the DNA structure in peptides; perhaps Francis has spiral staircases on the brain. Anyway, Pauline Cowan, and Morris Wilkins and Randall are pretty angry.

It would seem to me to be pretty useful to know the stabilities of various electronic configurations. A research student friend of mine here has been trying for a couple of years to prove you wrong, but now has about accepted you and become converted.

I received a very nice letter from Anita. I shall write her soon. I cannot tonight, because I must sleep.

It has become rather cold here. My room and bed are now cold.

I rather hope that Linda comes. Perhaps I should buy a car to travel with her. I do not really wish too. I am on a grand book buying spree, my account at Hiffers now being £ 40. I must pay it. I rather like the books.

Mamma, you should give that illustrated history by Trevalyan to Daddy as a Christmas present. You did not seem much impressed, and he suggested it, and it was too expensive to waste.

Daddy, I am not sure you want to keep up all the Penguins. It will be about $50 a year. The[y] have begun a 48 volume series on the History of Art; of which four volumes have appeared. The rate is 4/year st 42/ per volume 1) The Art of Architecture of India. 2) British Painting of 1530-1790 3) English Architecture 1530-1700. They are really very good. Perhaps I should edit the Penguins, and send the ones I think suitable. I can tell in the next few months. The Art Series are really very good.

Your letter of the 4^th January has some reference to a change in the regulations concerning the issue of passports and an intination that you had something to do with this. I have read nothing of it and would appreciate knowing a bit more.

I received a very wonderful letter from Jim Watson. I like him very much. I am sorry he is not here because he added a great deal. I am sorry he must go to Bethesda. Perhaps I shall have to go there also.

I think I shall probably have to stay here four years altogether for my Ph.D. I shall try to get some support somewhere. I am unsure, but it looks as if you shall. I had hoped to get a job with Jera Jagin Viglie and live with Linie and Anita and the boys, but I guess I must be here. Very sad in that respect. Really they must stay two years. One is not enough. A[l]ways rush and cannot learn enough. Two are ten times better. I shall write them.

I wrote Holmes to ask if he would give us the design for his interchangeable base for goniometer heads a couple of months ago, and have received no answer. I am unsure what it means and do not know quite what to do. Perhaps write Arletta and ask her what kicks. If we design them I will probably have to do it. Too bad. I am no engineer and it is very time consuming. This lab is terrible. The Automatic recording powder spectrometer was built by some research student and is now maintained by another. Stupid.

Mamma , you are a darling, I received my package and it is wonderful. The nuts are grand, and the springerlie superb. The dates are wonderful, and I have not yet openned the fruit cake. When it came, I ate the last of last years fruit cake, which I had saved. I like the sweater very much. It is a beautiful light sweater, and I shall try to take care of it. A really lovely color. I think grey sweaters are the most beautiful. There are many sales now. Perhaps I shall buy an overcoat. I am using a raincoat of Jim Watson's , which he left behind.

I have deposited the $175 cheque. I need the money to pay my bills. It will arrive in a week or so. Thanks you very much for the present. I shall find (or really already have found) it very useful.

My Christmas was rather lonely, and I was a bit sad. However the time was very interesting and I learned a great deal from reading and so on. I suppose I am at that stage when Christmases are rather sad and that I should accept it and take advantage of the freedom I am offered.

Please give my greatest love to Linus and Anita and warmest greetings.

Much love , and many hugs and kisses

(XXXXOOOO)e^10! Peter

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