Do not answer, if you permit me to come.
35.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _August 3d, 1838_.
You are for me, my dearest friend, the standard of refinement as well as
my authority in matters of elevated taste. I have written two articles
(not heretofore published) for Cotta’s “New Quarterly,” with which his
advisers are very much delighted, viz.: a natural description of the
Plateau of Bogota, and on the fluctuations in the production of coin
since the middle age. He sends me for them (they fill four printed
sheets) an exchange for fifty fredericksdor’s, or more than twelve
fredericksdor’s per sheet. I have a mind (although very much in need of
money) to return one half the sum. Before carrying out, however, the
resolution, I thought it best to ask, what at the present time may be
considered as a maximum of an author’s payment for such articles? Is it
six, eight, or ten fredericksdor’s? I would then return only in
proportion. It may be of some importance hereafter to me. Excuse the
prosaic question, and send me some word of answer one of these days. I
am going to the Island to-day.