58.
KING CHRISTIAN VIII. OF DENMARK TO HUMBOLDT.
MONSIEUR LE BARON—I am doubly obliged to the illustrious counsellor
Dieffenbach for his attention in presenting me with a copy of his work
on the cure of strabism and stammering, since it was the cause of your
dear letter of the 9th February. Introduced by you, Monsieur le Baron,
any one is sure of success. In the present case, the reputation and the
works of the author could have dispensed with all further
recommendation; but you only do justice to the great services which
Counsellor Dieffenbach has rendered to mankind, and I hasten to
acknowledge them by bestowing my Danebrog Order on that distinguished
savan. My letter to him on this subject will be remitted by the Envoy
Count de Reventlau, and I shall particularly recommend to Chevalier
Dieffenbach any Danish surgeons going to Berlin to learn the art upon
which he has thrown so much light.
The bearer of the present, whom I beg leave to recommend to your
protection, is the theological candidate, Bornemann—a young man of
talent and knowledge, whom I send to Berlin to study Philosophy under
the guidance of my countryman, Steffens—not precisely that of Hegel, who
has disciples enough in our University; but _that_ philosophy which may
assist in rectifying the sometimes rather extravagant doctrines of our
modern thinkers. Steffens is kept at Berlin by a sacred tie, the
gratitude he owes to the King; but I desire that his genius and his
knowledge may not be lost to us, and that this young scholar may profit
by his light before it ceases to shine, and to enlighten all those
coming in contact with my illustrious countryman, who, in my opinion, is
in himself worth an entire academic faculty.
I follow with the greatest interest, founded on sincere friendship and
on the mutual relations of our respective positions, which I fully
appreciate, all that your excellent King does and projects for the
happiness of his subjects, for German nationality, and for the
preservation of peace. May his efforts be blessed by the Almighty; his
people will then enjoy an increased and steady prosperity, which will
materially contribute to the welfare of their neighbors.
The King has shown more kindness to my son than I can thank him for. I
look forward to a most happy future for him, based on his marriage with
the amiable Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
I appreciate the good wishes which you address me on this occasion, and
remain, with the highest consideration, Monsieur le Baron de Humboldt,
Your affectionate
CHRISTIAN R.
59.
BERLIN, _May 17th, 1841_.
[Written at Varnhagen’s. With the preface to Wilhelm von Humboldt’s
works.]
I am very sorry not to be enabled amid the annoyances of to-morrow’s
departure (first to Potsdam, then to Paris, until October) to bid you
farewell. I appeal to you once more as the source, until Rückert’s
arrival, the only source of good taste, of pure language, and of a
delicate appreciation of the appropriate sense. Tell me with all
indulgence what I ought to strike out from the enclosed preface, but
give me also your advice wherever you find fault. I wrote the two pages
at night in a gloomy frame of mind. They show perhaps a too sentimental
disposition to praise.
Page 1, line 2, “yet” because it happens during my life time. Line 10,
“The highly gifted _souls_,” perhaps displeasing. Should it be _men_?