21.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _Saturday, 23d of May, 1835_.
If the “Morgenblatt” of the 18th of May should fall into your hands,
dear friend, please glance at a rather offensive article therein,
entitled “Wilhelm von Humboldt’s Funeral.” My brother is said to have
died abandoned by his family. I take but little notice of such
misrepresentations. I should wish to know, however, is “that other
thing” which my brother was “ignorant of, besides music, and which one
dare not name”—is it God, or some lewdness? I do not know what it
possibly can be! Please, dearest one, to find out how this assertion is
explained by the public. The cause of my brother’s retiring from public
life is also so world-known, that it is singular to intimate that one
did not know whether it was by his own fault. I call with pleasure on
your acuteness and affection. Supply my deficiency in the first.
Most thankfully yours,
A. HUMBOLDT.
22.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _March 28th, 1836_.
A mind like yours, my generous friend, understands, in its mildness and
fortitude, how to discover some justification for everything. I do not
fear, therefore, to appear this morning again before you as a
petitioner, after a winter distracted by the dashing court-waves and
festivities. You are the only one in this harmony-barren,
genius-deserted city who possesses a harmony of style and a sense of
moderation in the utterance of painful sentiments. May I beg you to cast
a critical glance over the inclosed sheets?[13] The variations played on
the praise-chanting lyre for forty individuals were a tedious,
style-spoiling necessity. It was arranged who should be invited to the
great table. As for me, I think I came out not quite awkwardly, by some
individual characteristics, and by a sort of graduation in my praise.
Allow me to call to-day, about eleven o’clock, to receive the sheets,
which are much wanted by the printer, together with your verbal remarks
at the same time. I can alter, if necessary, _sous votre dictée_, at
your home. It would be humane in you to receive me in bed.
Respectfully yours,
A. HUMBOLDT.
Monday.
At eleven o’clock I shall be with you.
Varnhagen made, on the 11th of May, 1836, the following entry in his
diary:
“Very early this morning, Alexander von Humboldt came to see me, and
remained an hour and a half. The principal subject of our conversation
was the French princes, who arrived here to-day. The embarrassment of
the King is very great; he would like to show the greatest attention to
the strangers, while at the same time he desires his attentions should
have the appearance of insults at St. Petersburg. State Secretary
Ancillon had not courage enough to advise the Crown-Prince for their
coming here as a certainty. He trusted to chance to acquaint him with
it. Our princes got into a violent passion, and complained bitterly of
the unwelcome visit. The Princesses Augusta and Maria, who showed
themselves pleased with it, had hard words to hear. It was said that
there would be a demonstration in the theatre: some would applaud, and a
greater number would hiss, it was hoped. At Treves, something of that
sort had already happened, on their way through that city. No doubt,
however, that our Princes, notwithstanding their ill-feelings, will
behave very civilly, as the King has expressed his wishes in this
respect too positively. The Queen of the Netherlands, who is just now
here, and who was believed to be the most violently opposed to them,
leads the way with a good example, and declares that she will receive
the strangers. The Ambassador, Mr. Bresson, and Mr. von Humboldt, at
first disapproved of this excursion. That it is carried out
notwithstanding is owing to Prince von Metternich, who desiring to
secure the influence of France in the Oriental affairs, and at the same
time to preserve the friendship of Russia, puts Prussia in the
foreground, whose conduct in receiving the French Princes will form a
precedent which must necessarily be followed at Vienna. The thing is,
indeed, an event of great importance, and must tell effectively on
public opinion. It is a fact, and, as such, speaks to every one. Every
one will say that our Court has not the principles it pretended to have,
or that it is too weak to avow them openly, and is driven, therefore, to
try hypocrisy. A bad thing either way!”
23.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _May 31st, 1836_.
[Concerning the article in the Allgemeine Zeitung, against Raumer,[14]
written, it was said, by Major von Radowitz.]
The correspondent had, it seems, little to fear from the mendacious
declaration of this “defloured.” In the general view on the shallowness
and dough-facedness, of the _great_ historian, I am of his opinion.
Moreover reading Herr von Raumer’s books is like being “whipped,” and
that I neither suffer nor pardon.
24.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
_Monday, April 24th, 1837_.
It is very consoling, that both brothers in this intellectually
desolated city (how brilliant it was when Rahel was in her zenith) live
in the memory of the only one, to whom have remained good taste, refined
manners, and gracefulness of style.
All my researches concerning the separate print of the essay were in
vain to-day. I have not even the single volume of the Academical
Proceedings of 1822, because at that time I lived in Paris. Yet, in a
few days, I will bring you this one. I will then also show you a list of
all the remaining works of my brother, which I have made with great
care, and which you may perhaps increase. Cotta will print all of them;
also, the eight hundred sonnets, and likewise the hitherto unprinted
ecclesiastical poems from Spain. I make the preparations for this
edition in a spirit of sincere piety that I may not die regretting its
non-completion.
How could I ever suspect, dear friend, that you would let me become a
Madame Sontag, at the house of the excellent Princess (as in the saloon
of the Princess Belgiojoso), and make an exhibition of myself! I will
read with pleasure in a small circle of twelve or fifteen persons,
certainly not otherwise, because Berlin is a small illiterate town and
more than malicious, in which people would find it ludicrous, if I, in
addition to two alas! already so _public_ theatres were to offer a third
entertainment. But happily, I certainly am no Madame Sontag in Berlin,
and the lecture can therefore well remain a secret de comédie. You are
certainly sufficiently humane to understand all this, and not to blame
me.
With all reverence, yours,
A. V. H.
25.
HUMBOLDT TO THE PRINCESS VON PUECKLER.
I arrived this very night from Potsdam, and I accept with pleasure the
amiable offer of Madame la Princesse for to-morrow, Wednesday night, at
eight o’clock precisely, for the spectacle lasts one hour. I feel some
fear in fixing it for Thursday, considering the planetarian
perturbations. Any persons selected by you will be agreeable to me. I
would only beg Madame la Princesse not to invite Rauch, Gans, and Mr.
and Mrs. Ruhle, because they have already been bored by this affair. Mr.
de Varnhagen may add whomever he pleases. This tact in selecting only
those who will have some indulgence in listening to me is unsurpassed.
Thousand respectful and affectionate devotions.