94.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, TUESDAY, _June 3d, 1845_.
_One o’clock_, A. M.
All the mysteries were solved to-night, dearest friend. I received this
afternoon from the department of Foreign Affairs, where they were stored
up, fourteen parcels pell-mell, misdirected there from Paris and dating
from December to May. The first thing we perceived was your handwriting;
the parcel was duly directed and contained, well secured under your
seal, your important political letter and a parcel for Comtesse
d’Agoult, which I remit with the present. I am quite innocent of what
has happened.
In the Rhine and Moselle Gazette, No. 122 of the 29th of May, I am
judged guilty of Voltairianism, denial of all revelations, of conspiring
with Marheineke, Bruno Bauer, Feuerbach, nay even of the expedition
against Luzerne—ipsissimis verbis—and all that on account of my Kosmos,
page 381. The King had already been told that my book was the work of a
demagogue and an infidel. Whereupon the King wrote me, that he could but
say what Alfons said to Tasso:
“And so I hold it in my hand at last
And call it _mine_, if I may use that word!”
This is poetical and very civil.
With the sincerest gratitude, yours,
A. V. HUMBOLDT.
95.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN
BERLIN, WEDNESDAY, _June 4th, 1845_.
I recognised at once from the gracefulness of style the guardian spirit
of my feeble literary efforts. I had not yet seen the precious sheet,
containing, in addition, the interpretations by Neander. I avail myself
of the last moment before breaking up, to write you a preliminary word
of sincerest thanks for one of the most interesting life sketches—for
which we are indebted to your brilliant and vivifying pen. You have
represented with dignity and magnificence a subject, which popular
enthusiasm out of mere perverseness has repeatedly degraded in burlesque
prose. Your exquisite art of purifying is highly gratifying.
If Süssmilch will graciously permit, I shall try to accomplish my
Kosmos. It is, however, true after all, that at the gates of many a
temple of science (History of the World, Geology, Mechanics of the
Heavens) black spectres menacingly defend the entrance.
Indeed Madame von Hormayr is a very charming lady.
With constant devotion and love, yours,
A. HUMBOLDT.
96.
BERLIN, _June 16th, 1845_.
I avail myself of the few moments allotted me before going to the
railroad station, dear friend, to thank you heartily for your
characteristic biography of “Hans von Held.” I have read but one half of
it, and that immediately after having read your “Life of Bluecher.” It
is, therefore, but natural that I was filled with admiration. How
fortunate you are in coloring all the details of military life in the
one, and in describing the civil efforts of a people struggling for
liberty, in the other book. The fatalistic word “fortunate,” however, is
out of place here, because the secret of such successes lies in the
clearness of intellect and the intensity of your feelings. The whole
world, as it is at present, is reflected in your “Held.” Zerboni’s
letter on the bloody tragedy in the streets of Breslau, is as eloquently
written as it is heart-rending. Such things, however, can’t deter our
dull, fanatical, white-livered Polignacs. They will attempt to confirm
the first deed of violence and brutality by subsequent ones more
systematically devised—and all this under the reign of such a King! I am
very angry and deeply affected.