It is now certain that the Empress (of Russia) will not come. The King
will, on the 15th, be in Sans Souci.
92.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _Sept. 13th, 1844_.
I must be in a few moments at the Stettin depôt to meet the King, who
arrives at 9 o’clock. Thence I go for a few days to Sans Souci, where I
shall, unfortunately, celebrate my seventy-fifth birth-day. I say
unfortunately, because in 1789 I believed that the world would have
solved more problems than it has done. It is true that I have seen a
great deal; but very little, indeed, in proportion to my exactions.
I have no time to-day to write you about your charming description of
your sojourn in Paris in 1810. My good sense led me at once to that
page, from which I could inhale the perfume of your friendship. I have
learned that I have not yet grown insensible to praise. What a
magnificently anti-Scythian spirit the University of Breslau has
evinced! How inventive men become under political oppression! Nothing
but rope-ladders, loop-holes, disguises to get out into the open air.
And when once there, how really German they are in their speculations,
as to whether they have improved their position. It is with them as with
the Prince—“Tell me whether I am amusing myself.”
Yours,
A. V. HT.
We insert here an entry in Varnhagen’s diary, dated June 26, 1844,
reciting two sharp repartees of Humboldt. At the Royal table at Sans
Souci, some time ago, Humboldt shot two well-directed arrows from his
bow. The conversation turned on some Russian ordinance, and Humboldt, in
speaking of it, mentioned repeatedly the Minister of Public Instruction.
“You have mistaken, sir,” said the King. “It was not the Minister of
Public Instruction who acted in this matter, but the Minister of
Enlightenment.” Humboldt, not in the least discountenanced, hastened to
reply, “Very well, Sire; then it was not the Minister of Public
Instruction, but of its opposite,” and continued his conversation in his
usual way.
The following anecdote is still neater: General Leopold von Gerlach, who
is fond of badinage, attempted an attack upon Humboldt some time ago,
saying to him, “Your Excellency frequently goes to church, ‘now-a-days,’
do you not?” He hoped to perplex him with the question. Humboldt,
however, coolly replied, “Your ‘now-a-days’ is very kind of you. You
allude, undoubtedly, to my adopting the only road which, at present,
could lead to my promotion.” The bantering hypocrite was dumb.
An entry of a later date (26th December, 1848), speaks of the
animosities to which Humboldt was subjected in still stronger terms.
“Humboldt has called; he remained longer than an hour. He assures me
that were it not for his position at Court, he would not be suffered to
remain in the country, but would be expelled, so strong is the hatred of
the ultras and bigots against him. It can hardly be described; however,
they endeavor to discredit him with the King. In other parts of Germany
they would still less endure him, were he once divested of the prestige
of his position.”
93.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _September 19th, 1844_.
Can you command courage enough, dear friend, to devote a few moments to
a conversation on the present state of French literature? I take the
liberty to introduce Mr. Jousserandot of Franche Comté, a French
novel-writer. He possesses much beard and much good-natured vivacity. He
is the son of a wealthy physician, and was recommended me from Paris.
Excuse the importunity, but you must sometimes take your share of the
annoyance of being gazed at.