Albert Einstein and Hans Christian Andersen

Some members of the MAUS (mouse), the Society for Family Research in Bremen, call themselves "Aus-Wanderer-Mäuse" (e-migration-mice),
a play on words. They transcribed the Bremen passengerlists 1920-1939.

In the listing of the OAKLAND from 10 Dec 1932 I found Albert and Ilse Einstein on their trip to Pasadena, Ca.
The Einsteins did not foresee that this would be her final departure from Germany. (On a later voyage with the BELGENLAND from New York to Antwerpen Albert Einstein decided not to reenter Germany again)

Further research lead me to the diaries of Einstein, which were published by "The Hebrew University of Jerusalem" and the "California Institute of Technology".
(http://www.alberteinstein.info)

In the diary from 10 to 18 Dec 1932 Albert Einstein wrote

Quotation:

15. Ich lese ein paar sehr schöne Andersen - Märchen. Temperatur schon wärmer.
17. Trübes feuchtes Wetter. Andersen ist ein wahrer Dichter. Aber es fehlt eine gewisse Grösse der Conception, die die schlichten Volksmärchen und Volkssagen haben. Meist reizende Nippsachen, ein bisschen staubig. Auch die sentimentale Verherrlichung der Armut spielt eine wichtige Rolle, die allenthalben im 19. Jahrhundert spukte. Er ist aber doch ein begnadeter Dichter. Am besten gefiel mir bisher die chinesische Nachtigal.

End of quotation

Try of a translation:
15. I read some very nice Andersen Fairy Tales. Temperature already warmer.
17. Humid cloudy weather. Andersen is a true poet. But some kind of magnitude in conception typical for simple folktales is missing. Most charming bibelot, a bit dusty. Also the sentimental glorification of poverty of the 19th century plays an important role. But nevertheless he is a favoured poet. Up to now I mostly liked the chinese nightingale.