Dear Donald,

Thank you for your letter, and thank you again for your visit.  To answer your question "How is it going?" I attach a .docx file documenting my rough, unedited translation of the first 30 pages as well as the 170 pages of template German text that I have yet to tackle. I calculate that I have been translating about 1.5 pages per day, a rate which, if I can keep it up, should yield a completed text for Dr. Busch no later than the end of October.  

I have read parts of your translation. I am appreciative of the quality of your understanding. I can't anticipate now how much use I may make of it in the future. The immediate obstacle is that the integration of footnotes into your text would require several days of editing. The ultimate obstacle is my irrational infatuation with the German language and its hidden meanings.

I make no secret of the fact that I prioritize the completion of the ninth volume of my own novel series. Frequently however, especially when after too little sleep, inspiration fails me, I latch onto translating "Scattered across Five Continents" to lend a semblance of structure to this period in life when everything inclusive of intellect is in impending disarray.

In about a week or two I shall send a letter to Dr. Busch, with a copy and a translation to yourself. I suspect that he has taken on more than he can manage, and I hope that he will inform me if and when he abandons the project. Meanwhile please feel free to read as much or as little of my translation as is congenial to you, and to correct and criticize with no concerns about offending me. 
 
Please give my warmest regards to Jan, and accept them for yourself.

Jochen