340 ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. 



scientific men, and compare them with previous collections. I 

 liave a great longing to see my brother, who is, I suppose, at 

 Kome, and therefore I shall most likely pass the winter there. 

 It is five years since I heard from you : surely, my good friend, 

 you have not altogether forgotten me? That is impossible. 

 Write to me as soon as you can, and direct your letter to Paris, 

 under care of M. de Luchesini. Tell me of your health, your 

 means, your mode of life you know how keenly I am interested 

 in everything connected with yourself. Nearly a year ago I drew 

 upon you to the amount of 10,000 piastres, in favour of Mr. 

 Murphy, of Cadiz. Please let me know if this money has been 

 paid, as in that case Mr. Murphy owes me 6,000 piastres. I 

 should be much obliged if you would kindly send me, by return 

 of post, a brief abstract of the state of my affairs and of my pre- 

 sent income, made out, if possible, in French, on a separate piece 

 of paper (without comment), and bearing your signature, for I 

 may probably be in want of such a statement in transacting 

 some affairs in which I am at present engaged. The state of my 

 finances absorbs a good deal of my attention just now. I am not 

 only free from debt, but, if Mr. Murphy has been paid, I have 

 6,000 piastres in his hands at Cadiz. I am sure you will not 

 misinterpret the expression "without comment," for you well 

 know that any comment or counsel from you is always most 

 highly appreciated by me ; but the statement that I venture 

 to ask for must be of a character that I can show to anyone. 



' I am much more robust and stouter than I used to be, and 

 more active than ever. Nevertheless, you and I, my dear 

 friend, are beginning to grow old. Write me a long letter. 

 You know the strength of my attachment, and how vast the debt 

 of gratitude I owe you, for you must be aware that the little 

 celebrity I have attained is to a great extent the result of your 

 labours, and I believe you are not so completely insensitive to 

 Tenown as to be wholly indifferent to this thought. I embrace 

 you with my heartiest affection. 



c A. HUMBOLDT. 



' I shall leave for Paris as soon as possible, where please address 

 me, under care of M. Luchesini. Tell me about Minette, 1 the 



1 The sister of liis friend Haften, see p. 144. 



