61.HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.

Berlin, Monday Night,Dec. 7th, 1841.

I have not the leisure, dear friend, to thank you as I ought to do for your spirited and historically thorough biography of Schwerin.[28]A deep penetration into the individuality of this great man pervades the whole. Simplicity is the essential, vital element of description. A hasty word of advice to ride off, and the winning of the battle by himself alone,[29]were constant stumbling-blocks in the path of this hero during his life. His end, the standard in his hand, amid the bloody massacre of thirteen thousand unsympathizing men, is a striking conclusion to the life of the old soldier, who, like Columbus, was at the same time great and unromantically avaricious. What does much honor to your talent as historian, and what is probably overlooked bymany is, that you do not allow Schwerin’s death to interrupt the narrative of the strife of battle. I will bring you the “Collected Works” myself, and beg the second volume of Hormayr’s exquisitely spicy production. Your last favor, doing me so much honor, contains words about which I wish to prevent every mistake. “You are afraid to enjoy the exclusive possession of my impieties.” You may freely dispose of this sort of property after my not far distant departure from life. Truth is due to those only whom we deeply esteem—to you, therefore.

A. Ht.

On the 18th December, 1841, Varnhagen writes in his diary: “I heard to-day the quite incredulous, mysteriously-whispered story, that the King would go to England for the baptism of the Prince of Wales; that it had been agreed upon quite secretly, and that this flattering communication had contributed a great deal to make Bunsen’s appointment as Ambassador agreeable to the Court of St. James. The latter part of the story makes me suspect the truth of the whole. This is by no means the real diplomatic state of things. Should, however, the journey have been decided upon, or even only be under discussion, there can be no doubt that Bunsen had a hand in it; and then important events would result therefrom, and very dangerous events, too, in my opinion. A near alliance with England would initself be hazardous; but to enter into close connexion with the Anglican Church and the Tories, sure ruin! And all Prussia, all Germany, all Europe would take it for granted that such a connexion was really established, even if it were not; and the supposition alone would damage us in a thousand ways; the king would lose more in the loyal attachment of his subjects than he can now afford. I hope the whole story will turn out a fable. Humboldt says the spirit of discontent, which he calls the howling mania, has largely increased here. When he left, a few were howling; but now they all howl. His sharp and witty remarks are really refreshing in our spiritless society.”

Before his departure for England Humboldt called on Varnhagen to take leave. On this occasion the following entry was made in the diary, on the 14th of January, 1842: “Humboldt called to take leave,—he starts to-morrow night. He came from Count Maltzan’s of whose life but little hope is left to-day. ‘His death will bring Canitz here—not Buelow’, said Humboldt dolefully. I comforted him with the suggestion, that Canitz too might be dropped, ‘And whose turn would it then be?’ ‘Bunsen’s.’ ‘That would be too frightful! But as it is, he accompanies the King on his return. That is already decided upon.’ Humboldt dislikes Canitz and cannot understand how I am not moreafraid of him—of this arch-aristocratic, utterly bigoted—(and consequently preposterous, nay, stupid)—fanatically anti-French Canitz, with his malicious and vulgar sneers. ‘But then you are a Tory yourself!’ he added. ‘As to that,’ I replied, ‘that is still somewhat doubtful—but as for Canitz, he is honest, strict, and straightforward; he will do much, and as for the rest, business and circumstances will control him.’”

After Humboldt’s return, Varnhagen writes on the 24th of February, in his diary: “Humboldt gave me some very interesting descriptions of England. At court the greatest magnificence; the mode of living, however, plain and easy; conversation unrestrained; the tone very pleasant and cheerful, even between gentlemen and ladies of adverse parties. Peel pleases him as little as ever; looks like a Dutchman; is more vain than ambitious, and narrow in his views. Lord Aberdeen is invincibly taciturn, without being able to convince people that his taciturnity covers anything worth saying. Bunsen has shown the greatest want of tact; every one is against him, except the King, who likes him better than ever.” The whole visit of the King was an intrigue of Bunsen, and was so understood even by Englishmen.

“Our affairs here are the subject of much conjecture. As minister of foreign affairs the pious Arnim will,for the present, be recalled from Brussels; at some later day Canitz will be appointed,—or Bunsen, say I. Count Alvensleben is to go to Vienna; Radowitz first to Carlsruhe, until the embassy to the German Diet become vacant. Perhaps there is hardly courage enough as yet to take Bunsen and remove Buelow. Every month, however, every week must improve the courage, and then both these appointments will be done. There is no hope that Maltzan can recover; the better days have again been followed by the worse, and light gives way to renewed darkness. Sad state of things.”

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