172.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _January 28th, 1856_.
My far from dormant ambition has been abundantly gratified by the
grateful praise bestowed by the great master of our language (to avoid
the expression rhetorician), upon my manner of speaking of the King, and
my relations with him. In praising that with which the party praised is
but scantily supplied, we point him to the honorable road, and justify
ourselves before the people. A man of the woods, who is supposed to have
been tamed at court, is in need of such justification. Madame Quitzow,
whom I could not sooner obtain from the King, I now repose in your
hands, as your own. Our former minister, General Thiele, was firmly
persuaded that the Guizots of the neighborhood of Montpellier were
disguised remnants, softened in pronunciation, Frenchified and
Protestantized, of the emigrated Quitzows[78] from Langkloder. And your
poor excellent Dora, who pities all your friends for the sufferings she
knows so well how to alleviate! Give her my kindest regards.
Your faithful
A. HUMBOLDT.