To Ewald Jung
Dear Cousin, 30 December 1959
Now at last I can pay off my long overdue debt of gratitude.
Very many thanks for the two photos of the portrait of my great-grandfather they show a distinct family likeness, in my opinion anyway.
In strong contrast to my grandfather C. G. Jung, he seems to have been an introvert, which would obviously account for the discord between father and son and probably also for the marital problem between Sophie nee Ziegler and Franz Ignaz.
My grandfather’s conversion under Schleiermacher’s influence seems to have had a hand in it.
Best thanks also for the photo of Reimer-Jung.
Aunt Anna kept her beauty into old age.
She had an aristocratic air, a most vivacious temperament and intelligence, and flashing blue eyes.
She always embellished my Christmases with “Pfefferkuchen” (English: gingerbread).
I visited her as late as 1900 in Stuttgart and also got to know Uncle Reimer, a psychiatrist.
I have been reading the book about G. A. Reimer with great
interest.
Sophie Ziegler-Jung’s mental illness has absorbed me again.
The only documents relating to this are some letters of hers in my possession.
The handwriting shows no schizophrenic traits, but rather, for all its character, an emotional ravagement such as can be observed in psychogenic melancholias.
My grandfather’s fervid relationship with her is a complete contra-indication of schizophrenia.
It is indicative rather of a strong mother-son relationship, which I in turn would be an occasion for dissension with her husband.
The Ziegler sisters were lively artistic personalities who did a great deal for the Mannheim theatre at the time of the memorable premiere of Schiller’s Rauber.
At that time, too, a transference to Goethe would not have been impossible; it might even have prejudiced her marriage with Franz Ignaz and given rise to all kinds of rumors, unless there is a contamination with Marianne Willerner, nee Jung.
Certainly a study of the portrait of Franz Ignaz makes his ancestorship seem likely.
I am returning the Reirner-Jung photo but would like to keep the book about G. A. Reimer a while longer, as I want to have a copy made of some passages concerning my grandfather.
I am slowly recovering from too much work and the aggravations of the Fohn which has got me down more than ever this time.
Again with best thanks and all good wishes to you and your wife for the New Year,
Your devoted cousin,
CARL ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. II, Pages 527-529
