187.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _November 21st, 1856_.
I yesterday prayed, dear friend, that you should make me the pleasure of
your visit on Saturday. I pray to-day that you will not come; I hear
with sorrow that you suffer much. The great picture of Hildebrandt
remains yet a long time in my house. Every later day will also be useful
to me. I only beg of you that you will kindly announce to me the day,
beforehand, on which I may expect you. Choose the twelfth hour, under
any circumstances, because I am sure to be free then. I also am in a
condition in which I desire to _run out of my skin_.[85] As an old man,
I suffer as from musquito bites; and moreover, a hyper-christian, Mr.
Foster (living at Brussels), consults me from time to time, whether I
believe that the souls of the lower animals, such as bed-bugs and
musquitoes, are included in the scheme of salvation, and destined to go
to heaven. So they threaten me up there too, where I shall find the
animal souls, well known to me from the Orinoco, chanting a hymn of
praise.
In old friendship, yours,
A. V. HUMBOLDT.