The Professor of Botany, Philip Parlatore, is about to leave for Berlin,
and I cannot resist charging him with a letter to you, dear Count,
expressive of my thanks for the recommendations whereby you have
enriched Tuscany with several illustrious men.
You (the father and patron of natural science) knew Mr. Parlatore, and
your good opinion was sufficient to secure him the appointment at
Florence, where he is now the Botanic Director of the Museum, and
President of the Botanic Central Institute, which owes its existence to
him.
Another professor of physics was recommended by you, Professor
Matteucci. He is a true investigator of nature. Not only leading
science, he constructs instruments for its interrogation, and is on the
road to important discoveries. He is now on a little excursion to
recuperate his strength after his too fatiguing labors. I do not know
that he will be fortunate enough to meet you, for whom he feels so much
veneration and gratitude. Our University of Pisa has brought together
all that is distinguished in physical science—and the fruits are
maturing.
At Florence the practical studies in the grand hospital contribute
greatly towards keeping medicine and surgery in the legitimate direction
of natural science, supported by observation and experience. The
congress of the “Amateurs of Science in Italy” will also produce
desirable results. Such meetings, politically inoffensive as they always
are, make science accessible to a great many persons, and establish
useful connexions between men of great merit who might otherwise remain
unacquainted.
We were told some time ago that you intended descending into Italy. This
would have afforded us the utmost happiness, and you would have been
received as the true protector of natural science.
Believe me always yours,
LEOPOLD.
90.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
_2d September, 1844._
If Dr. Prutz, at Halle, in his obnoxious “Moritz,” had said nothing more
than what he puts in the mouth of the clown (page 40), who, speaking of
the people, “One should give them two morsels, so that they may wag
their tails and crawl back into their cold kennels;” and at page 53, the
poetically fine lines “I conjure you, ye future monarchs,” one would
understand how that wonderful drama, in which Moritz contrives to plunge
all his friends into the water that he may have the pleasure simply of
fishing them out, dead or alive, but at any rate, cold and wet, could
produce an _excitement_ at the present time.[40] Peruse the manuscript,
dear friend, and send it back to-morrow, Tuesday, before two o’clock.
The steps which I intend taking will, however, be unsuccessful. The
proceeds of its representation might, with propriety, be given to the
inundated, and thus the police might become a hydraulic power, or even a
drying machine.
Yours,
A. HT.