70.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
TUESDAY, _June 13th, 1843_.
Excuse me, dear friend, for being prevented by the absence of Reimer, by
my own eternal distractions and pendulum-like movements, as well as by
some little preparations for an excursion to Pomerania, from sending you
the two new volumes of Wilhelm’s works. I know that you are little
pleased with the commentary on Hermann and Dorothea. It would have been
preferable, to be sure, had he extended it into a pamphlet on epics; but
you perceive even in the Kawi book how that great genius always deduced
general law from special instances. The sonnets are full of grave pathos
and depth of sentiment. I shall call to embrace you, and to ask you the
surest way of sending a copy to Mr. Thomas Carlyle? A. seems unreliable,
and Buelow’s despatches cannot be overloaded. I shall thank Mr. Carriere
personally. The “fossil” minister, I am told, has given evidence of his
vitality by an amiable letter to you! My life is also described “dans
les biographies redigées par un homme de rien,” in which I am pictured
as a socially-malicious beast. Such things will not kill, nor will they
improve a man either.
Always faithfully yours,
A. V. HT.
71.
BERLIN, _June 26th, 1843_.
I am sure, dear friend, to afford you some enjoyment by communicating to
you (to you _alone_) a fragment of a new volume by Eckermann. Remarkable
adoration of youthful vigor as the divine source of productiveness. This
is simply the adoration of an old man. Napoleonic worship unrestrained
by moral considerations. I most fervently entreat you, not to show the
sheet to our _child_, also not to talk with Brockhaus about what
Eckermann has confided to me. It might possibly damage him, and he is
already unfortunate. I am confident the two last volumes will have come
to your hands through Buschmann. The weather was very favorable for our
journey north. Such journeys are the best means to deceive princes
regarding public opinion. I have made a little speech, out of a window,
to the young men upon “The intellectual ties”—which independent of
“space” beget a just interpretation of liberal ideas, and an unfading
confidence in the advancement of humanity. You may read the speech in
the Staats Zeitung, as I wrote it down after delivery, a necessary
precaution, as my daily increasing friends would have perverted it. I
read a part of “Custine” to the King. He is infinitely ingenious and
magnificent in style. I have read but two volumes, and of these I prefer
the first, which portrays a modern greatness of tragical events in a
masterly manner.
With devotion, yours,
A. V. HUMBOLDT.
Please send me back Eckermann.
72.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
TUESDAY, _June 27th, 1843_.
I am afraid, my dear friend, that you might come to Tegel next Thursday
and find nobody at home. Buelow will take leave of the King to-night and
expects to start to-morrow—Wednesday—for Schlangenbad. His wife and two
oldest daughters are going with him. I write this in view of the
impossibility of my embracing you before your departure. The torchlight
procession at Düsseldorf could shed light on many a thing. I enclose the
little speech for you, as you like to preserve everything concerning
your friends.
Yours,
A. HT.
73.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
SANS SOUCI, _August 27th, 1843_.
How could I be, my dear friend, otherwise than alive to the duty of
thanking you at once for your precious gift, and for the affectionate
souvenir of one whose life is gradually vanishing? I know nothing more
graceful in composition, in sympathy of conception, in elegance of
language, and in appropriate scenic surroundings, than your
“_Lebensbilder_,” which serve at the same time as correct commentaries
upon all the valuable literature of our time. How generous you are when
you mention me, and even my most insignificant words! I have often
followed you through the three volumes, over those beaten, but still
delightful paths; but nothing pleases me more in this “sylva sylvarum”
than your dignified and just remarks on the historical blunder as to the
“truly Germanic” distinction of political classes, ii., p. 256–272.
You will observe that my political “ire” is still the same; that I am
always very much attached to this life, having learned from you that,
according to Kant’s doctrine, there is not much to boast of after our
dissolution. “The budding twig starting up in the regions of northern
empires” (I am satirical now) has been but poorly acclimated; and I have
little time to spare, having already waited fifty-three years.... The
Germans will yet have to _write_ many more books on liberty.
The card-playing man—ii., p. 157—will again cause some excitement in the
environs of my “hill.” I believe I have discovered some “moderation,”
which, however, one does not like to mention. The words, “that miserable
fellow,” are no longer heard. You see how much I love to read your
writings—and not through fear.