50.
ARAGO TO HUMBOLDT.
PARIS, _March 12th, 1841_.
I must not, I will not, believe that you asked me seriously whether I
should look forward to your journey to Paris with pleasure. Could it be
that you ever doubted my invariable attachment? Be it known to you that
I should consider the slightest doubt upon this point a most cruel
offence. Beyond the immediate circle of my own family you are, without
comparison, the person whom, of all others, I love the most dearly. But
you must be resigned to the duties of this position, as you are of my
friends the only one to whom I would look in my difficulties.
I am truly happy in the anticipation of spending some evenings with him
to whom I am indebted for my taste in meteorology and physics. There
will be a bed for you at the Observatory.
Poor Savary is in a lamentable state. The physician assures me that the
disease of his lungs leaves no hope. What a calamity!
You will arrive at Paris at the opening of my course of astronomy. My
new amphitheatre is got up with a profligate luxury.
I am charmed with the news of poor Sheiffer’s[26] recovery (is it
true?). Your good heart has always secured you a numerous family.
Adieu, best of friends. My attachment to you will only cease with my
life.