186.HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.

Berlin,November 20th, 1856.

I want your literary aid, my noble friend. Our great landscape painter, Hildebrandt, who was in Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Palestine, Greece, and recently at the North Cape, has executed an admirable aquarelle picture of my “Interior Household,” in order to replace a smaller one sold in many hundreds of copies in America. “La renommée, fruit d’une longue patience de vivre, augmente avec l’imbécilité.” I am compelled to make an inscription to this picture of mine, with my own hand. This is no easy task. I pray that you will visit me on Saturday, at one o’clock, if it is possible to you. You shall guide me.

Your most gratefulA. v. Humboldt.

Your most grateful

A. v. Humboldt.

Thursday.

Back to Index Next