194.
CHARLES ALEXANDER, GRAND DUKE OF SAXE-WEIMAR, TO HUMBOLDT.
WEIMAR, _December 16th, 1856_.
Like unto Nature, eternally invoked, eternally giving, because eternally
bountiful, you respond with ever returning goodness to every repeated
solicitation. The proposal of your Excellency in regard to the young man
of science, as suggested by the plan of M. de Varnhagen, is so
excellent, that I can only beg for its speedy execution. For that
purpose, it would seem desirable that M. de Varnhagen should instil the
idea into the young men that our plentiful archives would repay a
thorough search, if I could be induced to sanction it. I would do so at
once, permitting the material part to follow hereafter. The period
beginning with February of next year would seem to me best adapted for
the literary investigation. The real object of the journey should remain
a secret, so that I shall be entirely at liberty to see him, to appoint
him, or not to appoint him.
I thank you with all my heart for that printed inclosure. This task
also, by no means an easy one, you have performed with a master hand,
and could do so better than any one else, because you, more than most
men, have spoken to the world by noble actions.
I shall appropriate the Journal of Petermann. My veneration for you is
the pledge of the effective truth of my aspirations. I beg you to
preserve your interest in it, and your goodness also, being your most
grateful admirer and servant,