We have not yet talked of Custine’s book. The first volume is an
eloquent and sprightly description (of dramatic scenes), and is the
best done. What a startling effect such a book must have, even on
those who detest justifying themselves. “Il y a des longueurs de
déclamations,”—something of rhetorical blackening, which is tiresome.
I find the publication of the hypertragical letter (of Princess
Trubetzkoi) very wrong. Were it not for the irritation necessarily
caused by the publication of this letter, we might have looked for
some salvation from a new petition. What justification is there for
risking so much, even for murder? I am also disgusted by the worship
of those literary trifles by Mad. de Girardin and Mad. Gay. Such
worship could, perhaps, be allowed in a beautiful Grand-Duchess.
That the “Saint-Simonism” was invented by a Prussian business-man,
amuses me very much. As it concerns Königsberg, I will keep it secret.
74.
HUMBOLDT TO THE PRINCE OF PRUSSIA.
BERLIN, _Dec. 29, 1843_.