BR TO KARIN STEPHEN, 24 JUNE 1911
BRACERS 55629. ALS. Ann Synge
Proofread by K. Blackwell

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Trinity College,
Cambridge.1
24. June. 1911

Dear Karin

I am sorry to have been so long in answering your letter, but various things hindered me. I could not wire congratulations as I did not know your address, but I felt congratulations. You amply deserved your star, and you must not attribute too much to me. I am very glad indeed that you mean to continue philosophy. You ought now to acquire the art of working independently: choose some theme that interests you — abstract ideas, or anything else — learn German, and read the books on it. Try to write a treatise of say 50,000 words on your subject before showing it to any one. That is what fellowship candidates do, and it seems to me the right plan. When it is done, I shall be glad to read it and criticize it; but you won’t acquire originality unless you work without help for a bit — I don’t mean without talking philosophy whenever you have the chance, but without teaching or criticism of your writing.

Yours
Bertrand Russell.

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