COLLEGE LIFE. 51 



"been able, my dear friend, according to the infinite progression 

 of things (in the actual world, or only in the heads of philoso- 

 phers ?), to rise from bad to better. But, as if my faults in style 

 were not glaring enough, to give me the unfortunate middle 

 place, and make use of me as a foil to bring out the light of 

 surrounding objects, is quite as unwarrantable as your con- 

 gratulating me upon my collection of satires. (I should be glad 

 to dispense with collections of this sort, were it not that I am 

 often asked on all sides for a contribution.) I do not tell you 

 how sorry I was at your sudden departure and at the sad 

 cause of your leaving, for I venture to trust from your friend- 

 ship that you will credit me with these feelings. I ardently 

 look forward to our next Fair, because one of' my warmest 

 wishes will then be gratified the wish to express to you per- 

 sonally how I prize your affection above everything. Remem- 

 ber me to your family circle, and rest assured that my residence 

 here, from whatever point of view it may be regarded by you, 

 is only endurable to me from the thought that it is a necessary 

 evil. 



' Ever yours, 



' HUMBOLDT the younger. 



' P.S. The lyrical disorder which prevails in this letter must 

 be ascribed in this instance not to me but to Herr Kunth, who 

 stands behind, admonishing me to use despatch. I would rather 

 be called stupid than a disorderly genius.' 



Kunth concludes as follows : 



'Notwithstanding the modesty of which my predecessors, 

 each in his own way, has said so much, they have left me so 

 small a space on this sheet of paper that it stands in most 

 unfair proportion to the desire I have to write to you and the 

 time I have at my disposal. That you thereby may possibly 

 be the gainer concerns me but little. Meanwhile I must cut 

 my coat according to my cloth, and I shall be glad if you do 

 not mistake greatly in thinking that this art of cutting is not 

 wholly undeserving of merit, since one is after all at liberty to 

 take a second sheet. Herewith I send you an acquittal in 

 forma probatissima for Engel. If he should still entertain any 

 doubt, I shall be happy to pay back the principal at the next 



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