143.HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
Potsdam,July 2d, 1850.
Potsdam,July 2d, 1850.
Potsdam,July 2d, 1850.
Potsdam,July 2d, 1850.
In the gloomy period of reaction, I am delighted to receive so pleasing a memento at your hand, my dearfriend. I am also glad of your journey to Kiel, to the little region where German spirit finds an expression free and consistent. The state of public affairs is like the water-bottle shaken by D’Alembert, in order to produce a mixture of bubbles of different shapes. “Calculez moi cela,” he said, in irony of hydraulic science, of which he was himself so great a professor. Many a bubble will burst before the diplomatists find time to calculate its evanescent figure.
I shall render my heartfelt thanks to Herr von Froloff. I made a futile effort to dissuade him from inserting a mass of explanations and metaphors, intended to facilitate comprehension. He wished to accomplish what is absolutely impossible, and seemed to have but little understanding of the form of composition. I shall say nothing more to him about all that. Hybrids are never successful in literature.
I was extremely unwell, confined to my bed even; but now, in spite of the dispersion of all matters of interest, I am well, industrious, and not cheerful.
In friendship as of old, yours,A. v. Humboldt.
In friendship as of old, yours,A. v. Humboldt.
In friendship as of old, yours,A. v. Humboldt.
In friendship as of old, yours,
A. v. Humboldt.