126 ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. 



dition of profoundest secrecy, that I was yesterday appointed 

 Superintendent of Mines in the two Franconian Duchies. I 

 have won so - much renown by my report upon mines, that 

 the sole direction of the practical working of the mines in 

 the three districts of Naila, Wunsiedel, and Groldkronach has 

 been committed to me. All my wishes, my dear Freiesleben, 

 are now fulfilled. I shall henceforth devote myself entirely 

 to practical mining and mineralogy. I shall live among the 

 high mountains, at Steben and Arzberg, two villages in the Fich- 

 telgebirge, where the geological formations are peculiarly in- 

 teresting, and I shall be near you and able to see you at least 



once, and perhaps many times in the course of the year 



I am quite intoxicated with joy. I shall probably not be able 

 to see you this autumn, but I hope we may meet some time 

 during the winter, or in the spring at Leipzig. Do not feel 

 anxious about my health ; I shall take care not to overexert 

 myself, and after the first the work will not be heavy. I can- 

 not conclude without acknowledging that it is again to you 

 that I am indebted for this happiness ; indeed I feel it only 

 too keenly. What knowledge have I, dear Freiesleben, that 

 has not been taught me by you ! It is only a year ago since I 

 was asking you what a winze [Gresenk] meant, and now I am 

 Superintendent of Mines. What wonderful progress I have 

 made ! It is very impudent of me to undertake such a post. 

 However, I did not seek it, I even remonstrated against it; but 

 it was pressed upon me, and the thought of living in your 

 neighbourhood made me yield. Think how much I shall learn 

 in such a position ! None of OUT plans will be disturbed by 

 this arrangement. Heinitz told Hardenberg that he could only 

 spare me for a year or two, and assured me personally that the 

 journeys already planned should suffer no interruption. I think, 

 therefore, dear Freiesleben, that you will rejoice with me.' 



It was while Heinitz was still at . Bayreuth that Humboldt 

 received the appointment of Superintendent of Mines in the 

 Franconian Principalities an appointment bestowed upon him 

 only six months after his entrance on official life. But remark- 

 able as was the mere fact of this rapid promotion, the manner 

 of its accomplishment, as shown in the transactions between 

 the two ministers, is still more remarkable. 



