120.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
POTSDAM, _April 22d, 1846_.
It has afforded me a great relief being permitted to read before you,
and while very much of the warm and friendly praises expressed by you
are of course to be ascribed to the kindness of heart which prompts you
to give pleasure to an old man, still there is a large margin for the
unalloyed gratification of my love of approbation. The main object of my
efforts is that of _composition_ in the precise sense of the word, the
command of large masses of matter compounded with care and with an
accurate knowledge of details. The management of our beautiful, pliant,
harmonious, and drastic tongue is but a secondary consideration. I shall
certainly find an opportunity of availing myself of your excellent
advice for Flemming and Mad. de Sevigné. Seneca also, though I consider
him a little bombastic (Quaest. natur.) I have taken home with me for
perusal.
Now for the special purpose of these lines. The King said to me on going
to bed yesterday, “Let Bettina know that she may make her mind easy in
regard to the leading person.[47] No one ever thought of giving him up
to the Russians.” “You should write her to that effect yourself,” said
I. “Yes, I hope to do so,” was the answer. He spoke very kindly of
Bettina.
With my old attachment, yours,
A. V. HUMBOLDT.