What men believe and disbelieve does not generally become a subject of
contention until after they have been officially buried and bepreached
by Sydow.[86]
The “Spenersche Zeitung,” besides discussing Neufchatel and the
evacuation of the Danubian principalities, contains a daily health
return about five little silkworms of Fintelmann, the court gardener.
How all things diminish in importance! I have often written letters
dated from the hill of Sans Souci, which formerly was historical. Now
the Peacock’s Island becomes historical by the still life of two
caterpillars. Thus the world moves. It must be remembered that when the
Angora goats made illustrious the administration of Richelieu in France,
the _Moniteur_ contained the announcement: “Le moral des chèvres
s’améliore de jour en jour.”
189.
CHARLES ALEXANDER, GRAND DUKE OF SAXE-WEIMAR, TO HUMBOLDT.
WEIMAR, _November 29th, 1856_.
As I fortunately have the honor to be known, truly known to your
Excellency, I may flatter myself that you will not estimate my gratitude
for your services and those of M. de Varnhagen, by the length of time
which has elapsed since the day I received your letter of the 31st, and
the present time. My sincere thanks shall here receive a place. They
have been delayed by the very nature of the transaction. Such could not
but be the effect, for in an affair of that kind it is impossible to
form a sudden resolution, and accordingly I now write for the sole
purpose of not appearing ungrateful, and because, on the other hand, it
is necessary to secure the possibility of forming a fixed resolve. To do
this I must have time and freedom of election. Both are secured by the
kindness of yourself and M. Varnhagen, for you join in proposing to send
the young man so as to enable me in the first place to make his
acquaintance. The question arises, when can this be done? for I do not
care to begin by calling * * * here with the trombone of an appointment.
Nothing remains, therefore, but to beg your Excellency to make inquiries
at what time the gentleman would be at leisure and inclined to undertake
a journey to the bank of the Jlm. Having asked this question, I would
pause above all things, in order to proceed to the expression of my
thanks for the important news you have the goodness to communicate. If I
add the question, whether your Excellency will kindly send me the map
for an admiring inspection, and if you should possibly find this
question wonderfully troublesome, I take refuge under the shelter of
your goodness to me, which has often made me proud, and to-day, perhaps,
indiscreet. Yet I am proud of your goodness, which is ever coupled with
truth, and in the latter I put my trust, that you will decisively reject
my petition, if it troubles you, to whom, in reverence, I remain the
most grateful scholar,