344 ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. 



the public assemblies of scientific institutions, but in the 

 drawing-rooms of private circles. 



In all sincerity, therefore, could his sister-in-law, Frau von 

 Humboldt, express herself in the following terms, in writing" 

 to Kunth, on September 10, 1804 : ' The crowning pleasure of 

 my visit here has been the happy return of our dear Alexander, 

 and the gratification of witnessing the reception that has been 

 accorded him. It has rarely fallen to the lot of any private 

 individual to create so much excitement by his presence or 

 infuse an interest so universal.' 



There was but one exception to this wide-spread homage; 

 the Emperor Napoleon, alone, received Humboldt with inci- 

 vility and a feeling of animosity he scarcely strove to conceal. 

 6 You are interested in botany ? My wife also studies it/ were 

 the almost insulting words with which the emperor greeted 

 him upon his presentation at court. 1 In writing to the author, 

 Humboldt on one occasion remarked : ' The Emperor Napoleon 

 behaved with icy coldness to Bonpland, and seemed full of 

 hatred to myself.' 



Of Humboldt's manner and personal appearance at this time, 

 we learn the following particulars from the letter of his sister- 

 in-law above cited : ' Alexander has not in the least aged 

 during his six years' absence. His face is decidedly fatter, and 

 his vivacity, both in speech and manner, is if possible increased. 

 He seems much pleased at finding me here, and you may well 

 believe what a gratification it is to me to see him once again. 

 He talks of spending the winter with us in Borne ; which I 

 think will be very desirable on account of his health, for 

 after so long a sojourn in tropical regions it is well that he 

 should pass at least the first winter in a moderate climate. 

 We shall not, however, take the journey in company, for he 

 will not be able to leave before January, while I am anxious 

 to return as soon as possible, so as not to be away longer than 

 is necessary.' 



Humboldt found abundant occupation in the arrangement 

 of his extensive collections, and in drawing out the plans for 



1 Burckhardt, * Goethe's Unterhaltungen mit Kanzler Friedr. von Miiller/ 

 p. 101. 



