474 AN ASSASSIN OF SOULS ! 



character. He was admirable for the elevation and inde^ 

 pendence of his opinions. By making enormous sacri- 

 fices he was able to form a choice library, not only of 

 anatomy, physiology, and zoology, but one that ex- 

 tended over all the physical sciences. It consists of 

 more than three thousand volumes, well bound, and 

 of as many more volumes containing dissertations, so 

 difficult to collect. Mr. Miiller spent nearly eight hun- 

 dred thalers a year for binding alone. It would be 

 sad to see a collection dispersed and broken up, which 

 was made with so much care. Since duplicates are 

 dreaded in Europe, I cannot help fearing lest this fine 

 collection should cross the great Atlantic river. I have 

 almost the air of exciting your appetite when I thus pre- 

 sent myself before you as a citizen of the world, while 

 the Church journal of Vienna calls me, in capital letters, 

 a naturalist assassin of souls, ' Selen-morder.' 



" Accept, I beg you, my dear and respected friend, the 

 renewal of the high and affectionate consideration which, 

 for so many years, I have given to your talents and to 

 your character. 



" A. Y. Humboldt. 



"Berlin, 9th May, 1858. 



" Since SO many benevolent persons, colored as well 

 as white, in the United States, take an interest in me, it 

 would be agreeable to me, my dear friend, if this letter, 

 translated into English by you, could be printed^ without 

 omitting what relates to our mutual friendship. If jom 

 think it necessary you can add that I have myself begged 

 of you this publication, because I leave unanswered so 

 many letters that are addressed to me." 



