OFFICIAL EMPLOYMENT. 127 



On September 6 an official communication was addressed by 

 Hardenberg, Governor of the Principalities, to Heinitz, request- 

 ing that Assessor von Humboldt might be appointed for a few 

 years to the office of Superintendent of Mines in the district 

 round Bayreuth, since no more suitable person could be found 

 at Berlin for a position involving so much responsibility. The 

 reply of Heinitz, granting his entire concurrence to Hardenberg'& 

 request, is dated even the same day. He accompanies his con- 

 sent with the proviso, highly flattering to Humboldt, that he 

 should report periodically to the head of the department at 

 Berlin with whom he would retain his connection throughout 

 this temporary appointment on the progress of his work, the 

 improvements he introduced, and the discoveries he might 

 make of any geological phenomena. He then proceeds to sug- 

 gest to Hardenberg the propriety of committing to Humboldt 

 a search for salt-springs throughout the provinces, as well as 

 the inspection of the vitriol and alum works at Crailsheim and 

 the porcelain manufactory of Bruchberg. He concludes his 

 letter by informing Hardenberg that Humboldt would not be 

 able to enter upon the duties of his new position before March 

 in the approaching year, since he would be occupied till then, 

 in completing a commission in Bavaria and Silesia on salt 

 works and methods of evaporation. 



The official notification of his appointment as Superintendent 

 of Mines was at once communicated to Humboldt, and it is- 

 worthy of remark that in the rough draft of this document, pre- 

 served among the official papers, there appear some words in 

 Humboldt's own handwriting. There is no allusion in the docu- 

 ments to the amount of salary attached to this office, but from 

 other sources it is certain that it could not have been mor& 

 than 400 thalers. 



On the selfsame day, September 6, 1792, he writes very fully 

 to Freiesleben in a most joyous strain, and 'pours out his whole 

 heart to his friend.' The events of the last two months pass 

 before him as in a magic mirror, his imagination is filled with 

 most pleasing impressions of the present, and with most delight- 

 ful plans for the future ; to work side by side with this friend, 

 to travel in company with him, is all his desire. Before all- 

 other considerations come the assurances of tenderest friend- 



