Monday.
The principal faults of my style are an unhappy inclination to
hyper-poetical forms, long constructions upon participles, and too much
concentrating of manifold views and sentiments in one and the same
period. I think, however, that these radical evils, founded in my
individuality, are somewhat lessened by a grave simplicity and
generalization, enabling me to contemplate my subject with a complete
mastery of its details, if I may be permitted so much vanity. A book on
nature should produce an impression like nature itself. I have been
always careful, as in my “_Views of Nature_,” and in that work my manner
is quite different from that of Forster and Chateaubriand. I have always
endeavored to describe faithfully, to design correctly, and to be even
scientifically true, without losing myself in the dry regions of
knowledge.
17.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _October 28th, 1834_.
You have encouraged and cheered me by your amiable letter, and your
still more amiable solicitude. You have quite entered into the spirit of
my efforts. But the expression of my affectionate confidence in you [a
manifestation of the acknowledgment of your talent in the Humboldt
family] has rendered you too considerate and inclined to praise. Your
remarks have a degree of refinement, of taste, and acuteness, which
makes emendation a highly pleasant task. I have adopted all, or nearly
all—more than nineteen-twentieths. Some obstinacy, however, must always
be allowed an author. I beg a thousand pardons for sending you some
sheets, in which (towards the end of the Discourse) I had not corrected
the newly-annexed parts. Some sentences were really confused. You will
permit me to call one of these days, and thank you personally. I will
then show you the emendations at the end of the discourse. How happy I
would have been to have laid some of these travels before her, the dear
departed one!
Yours gratefully,
A. V. HUMBOLDT.
I would there were in Germany as excellent a book of synonyms as the
inclosed one, which, I am sure, you did not see before now. Abbé Delisle
has advised me to use it, and indeed it spares much time; if a similar
word is wanted, one finds it at once. I shall come and take the book
back.
18.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _Sunday, 6 o’clock_ A. M.,
_April 5th, 1855_.
You, my dearest Varnhagen, who are not afraid of grief, but who trace
its phases through the depths of sentiment, you should receive at this
sorrowful time a few words expressing the love which both brothers feel
for you. The release has not yet come. I left him last night at 11
o’clock, and I hasten to him again. The day, yesterday, was less
distressing. A half lethargic condition, frequent, though not restless,
slumber, and after each waking, words of love, of comfort; but always
the clearness of the great intellect, which penetrates and distinguishes
everything and examines its own condition. The voice was very feeble,
hoarse, and thin, like a child’s—leeches were therefore applied to the
throat. Full consciousness! “Think often of me,” he said the day before
yesterday, “but always with cheerfulness! I was very happy; and this day
also was a beautiful one for me; for ‘Love is above all.’ I will soon be
with mother, and will have an insight into a higher order of things.” I
have no shadow of hope. I never thought my old eyes had so many tears!
It has lasted near eight days.[11]
19.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _May 15th, 1835, Tuesday_.
My time is, unfortunately, so much occupied by the many princely
strangers, and I am so affected by the cold, though not at all bracing
weather, that I can scarcely find leisure to thank you, dear friend, for
the “Bollmann”[12] and the biographical sketch of him, in which I
recognised at once _your_ pen, and also the “retouchings,” when the
“Staats Zeitung” fell into my hands. One should not undertake to speak
of distinguished men in such papers; it is a difficult task, even for a
man of your genius, to keep the proper course between the family, the
censor, and the cold, indifferent public.
The name of “Mundt” has recalled to me some remarkable pages of his
“Madonna,” on the tendency of the Germans to sentimental lucubrations.
There is much truth in these observations, and I thought to read my own
sentence in them. So much, dear friend, on this world, to us, now
unhappily deserted.
Always gratefully,
A. HUMBOLDT.
I feel some sorrow, nevertheless, that you refuse to see the
Grand-Duchess.
20.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _May 6th, 1835_.
I send back the communicated sheets, as they might interrupt the series.
I was personally acquainted with almost all those whom Bollmann
describes so vividly and faithfully. One perceives how he rises as he
enters into more important situations. What a strange course of life,
“Médecin de Sauvetage!” I have now a better impression of him, thanks to
you; for, without being capable of divining the true cause, I noticed
some coolness towards Bollmann in Lafayette’s family, for some years
past.