PUBLICATION OF EESULTS OF EXPEDITION TO AMEKICA. 7 



letter, which furnishes a very remarkable commentary on the 

 preceding statements. We learn from it that both the Hum- 

 boldts had been placed in a position of painful pecuniary 

 embarrassment, and we are led to infer that this political 

 mission to Paris was accepted by Humboldt, not merely in the 

 interests of his country, but to meet the urgent requirements 

 of his own affairs. The letter runs as follows : 



4 My Lord, I have not ventured to wait upon you in person, 

 from a conviction of the multiplicity of affairs which must at 

 this time be engaging your attention. I feel, however, too 

 deep an interest in Saxony, which I regard almost as a second 

 fatherland, since I there received an essential part of my educa- 

 tion, not to have heard with extreme pleasure of the fresh 

 mark of confidence which has just been bestowed upon your 

 Excellency by the King. May I beg you to accept my most 

 respectful congratulations ? 



' I feel it to be a duty a duty which I discharge with very 

 great pleasure to present my homage to- their Majesties the 

 King and Queen of Saxony. There are reasons, which will be 

 communicated by the Baron de Senft in strictest confidence to 

 the King, why I cannot allow my presentation to take place under 

 the auspices of Herr von Brockhausen. Might I request you, 

 therefore, to procure me the favour of an interview with their 

 Majesties, to whom I had the honour of being presented twelve 

 years ago at Dresden ? I could not learn at the Embassy to 

 which of the chamberlains I ought to address myself. May I 

 ask you to do me the extreme favour of appointing a time for 

 my reception ; or would it be better to wait for a few days ? 



6 1 addressed a communication to His Majesty at the com- 

 mencement of the war through the medium of Count Lubiesesz. 

 As this letter may possibly have miscarried during the misfor- 

 tunes of our unhappy country, I have thought it desirable to 

 repeat the expression of my gratitude, and I therefore venture 

 to request your Excellency to present the enclosed letter to 

 the King. It merely contains my congratulations upon the 

 Peace, and the expression in general terms of my sentiments 

 on the subject. I have purposely abstained from any allusion 

 to an audience. 



6 1 am not without hopes that, through the influence of the 

 King's envoy, some alleviation of the dreadful pecuniary em- 



