12.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
SATURDAY, _March 9th, 1833_.
To a mind like yours, noble friend, solitude and calm are necessary. You
draw only upon yourself. Think, that I received the painful news[9] only
last night by Prince Carolath. You know what a warm-hearted,
long-proved, and kind friend I lost in her, the honor of her sex! how
amiable she was, when lately she instructed me to transact the little
business with Beuth. So experienced in all the vicissitudes and
illusions of life, and yet so cheerful, and so gentle! With such an
intellect, so full of soul, and so true of heart! The world will appear
to you a solitude for a long time, but the consciousness of having
imparted to such a lovely woman, until her very last breath, all that
genius, and heart, and gracefulness of intercourse like yours can
afford, will be a balm to your wound, dear Varnhagen. I conjure you,
take care of your health!