156.HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
Berlin, Thursday Night—from the 13th tothe 14th of April, 1854.
Berlin, Thursday Night—from the 13th tothe 14th of April, 1854.
Berlin, Thursday Night—from the 13th tothe 14th of April, 1854.
Berlin, Thursday Night—from the 13th to
the 14th of April, 1854.
Receive, noble friend, my most heartfelt thanks, you and the amiable confidant of the “demons.”[62]The King is now invisible to me, on account of the spiritual preparations, and on Monday he goes to Potsdam for five or six days, on account of military affairs; but a very warm letter, written by me, will be in his hands to-morrow, at eight o’clock, in Charlottenburg.[63]Thus we have at least done our duty faithfully. I am fast becoming the responsible minister of theConservatives; for three days ago I asked the fourth minimum of the red bird[64]for a man who hasconservedhis real estate for one hundred and fifty years, for Bouché, a gardener, an adopted son[65]from the Champagne. It is a great joy to me that my introduction, which has onlythe merit of liberal sentiment and faithfulness, has also pleased you in regard to form. As a sign of gratitude, I send you for your collection of autographs a document not unimportant on account of the political situation—June, 1848. The other papers, which contain the sublunar miserabilities of the disagreement,[66]which, alas! has become public, I beg you to return hereafter.
Everything noble is drawn down in the mud. I was compelled to write a few lines in answer. I live in a monotonous and sad mood—et mourant, avant le principe.
With old fidelity, yours,A. v. Humboldt.
With old fidelity, yours,A. v. Humboldt.
With old fidelity, yours,A. v. Humboldt.
With old fidelity, yours,
A. v. Humboldt.
I shall certainly make my appearance on Monday in a wedding garment.