108.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _March 29th, 1846_.
I have only time to tell you, that I shall certainly be in Sans Souci
from June to September, and to thank you, noble friend, from my heart,
for the kind manner in which you allude to the Agamemnon of my brother.
To choose maliciously 16 verses out of 1700!! I once complained that
they would not perform the drama in a royal palace in my brother’s
translation! As the _Staats Zeitung_ is seen every evening by the King,
they thought it well to malign the production there. The very next day I
answered in the _Spenersche Zeitung_ mildly, because the well-informed
but unpoetical Dr. Franz is now seeking an increase of his pension. I
myself took care that the King did not see my answer; at least, he did
not talk to me about it. Send back the little sheet. I am at work, not
without success, I believe, at the Kosmos, but in a sad mood respecting
the public cause. Your news from England is very interesting.
With the most cordial friendship,
Yours,
A. V. HUMBOLDT.