I was much flattered by your kind attention in transmitting for my
acceptance your most interesting work on Central Asia. It will be much
prized by me, as well on account of its intrinsic value as a token of
your personal regard and esteem.
There is no privilege of official power the exercise of which gives me
greater satisfaction than that of occasionally bestowing a mark of Royal
favor and public gratitude on men distinguished by scientific
attainments and by services rendered to the cause of knowledge.
From the very limited means which Parliament has placed at the disposal
of this Court, it has been my good fortune to be enabled to recognise
the merit of Mr. Robert Brown. I have just conveyed to him the
intimation that Her Majesty has been pleased to confer upon him for his
life a pension on the Civil List of two hundred pounds per annum, in
recognition of his eminent acquirements as a botanist, and of the value
of his contributions to the store of botanical knowledge.
Believe me, dear Baron de Humboldt, with sincere esteem,
Very faithfully yours,
ROBERT PEEL.
85.
METTERNICH TO HUMBOLDT.
VIENNA, _October, 1843_.