Simon Baruch to Cary T. Grayson
Title
Simon Baruch to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Baruch, Simon, 1840-1921
Identifier
WWP22173
Date
1920 May 30
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
My Dear Doctor Grayson
May I much thank you for the article you were good enough to send me on The Therapeutic Value of Reading—It testifies to your sound clinical sense & I believe it is the first contribution on the subject.
It brought to mind my discussion with Joseph Hoffman’s (now a great pianist) manager and lawyer, whom I pronounced unfit without damage for the work he was doing as a prodigy at the age of eleven. A separate Committee of Specialists were appointed to decide on his discontinuing the profitable concerts; and I was invited to consult with them. They thought that the great prodigy would be ruined by suddenly depriving him of music—I asked them if they would advise a neurotic lawyer to take a vacation and study “Blackstone” as a recreation. The consultation broke up at 2 A—M. The experts recommended that Joseph should play at least one concert a week & I held that he needed the recreation of a boy. My opinion prevailed & was confirmed by Prof Mendel of Berlin who did not allow him to touch a piano for two years. That saved the world a great pianist.
I was extremely gratified by our dear President’s action toward my boy Bernie & I am sure that you were made happy by it too.
Lest my long letter may prove irksome I shall close with best regards to your Mrs Grayson—
Cordially Yr
S Baruch
May I much thank you for the article you were good enough to send me on The Therapeutic Value of Reading—It testifies to your sound clinical sense & I believe it is the first contribution on the subject.
It brought to mind my discussion with Joseph Hoffman’s (now a great pianist) manager and lawyer, whom I pronounced unfit without damage for the work he was doing as a prodigy at the age of eleven. A separate Committee of Specialists were appointed to decide on his discontinuing the profitable concerts; and I was invited to consult with them. They thought that the great prodigy would be ruined by suddenly depriving him of music—I asked them if they would advise a neurotic lawyer to take a vacation and study “Blackstone” as a recreation. The consultation broke up at 2 A—M. The experts recommended that Joseph should play at least one concert a week & I held that he needed the recreation of a boy. My opinion prevailed & was confirmed by Prof Mendel of Berlin who did not allow him to touch a piano for two years. That saved the world a great pianist.
I was extremely gratified by our dear President’s action toward my boy Bernie & I am sure that you were made happy by it too.
Lest my long letter may prove irksome I shall close with best regards to your Mrs Grayson—
Cordially Yr
S Baruch
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Collection
Citation
Baruch, Simon, 1840-1921, “Simon Baruch to Cary T. Grayson,” 1920 May 30, WWP22173, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.