46 ALEXANDEK VON HUMBOLDT. 



attractive qualities which form the embellishment of life are 

 united sentiments of the noblest character, gifts of intellect, 

 and that atmosphere of serenity so essential to the politician 

 who is combating, albeit successfully, the boisterous waves 

 of public life. That peaceful influence to which you have 

 been indebted for the happiest period of your life has left 

 you for ever ; but the force of your character and the 

 exercise of a philosophy which finds nobler use for its powers 

 than the discussion of dry abstractions, will inspire you with 

 courage to labour in the fulfilment of your high destiny. From 

 the sad condition of my poor brother, who wholly given up 

 to grief, seeks in the depth of his misery the only consolation 

 that can render life supportable, while he occupies himself 

 with intellectual pursuits as with the drudgery of a task I 

 can readily find material with which to paint a vivid picture 

 of your sorrow. For many years I have been honoured by your 

 interest, I might almost say by your friendship. The re- 

 membrance of our former intercourse will lead you to pardon 

 the frankness with which I have expressed myself in these few ' 

 lines. . . . Pray accept from my brother and myself the tribute 

 of a long-cherished affectionate regard. 



4 AL. HUMBOLDT.' 



A similar tone of confidence and sympathy marks even the 

 letters of introduction in which Humboldt brought before the 

 notice of Gruizot his scientific friends Boussingault, Ticknor, 

 &c. When visiting Paris in 1840, he had the pleasure of 

 renewing his personal intercourse with his c illustre confrere.' 



Gruizot on his part showed himself no less eager to prove to 

 Humboldt the sincerity of his friendship and esteem, and lent 

 the whole weight of his official influence in support of the 

 claims of eminent Germans for whom Humboldt solicited the 

 decoration of the Legion of Honour. 



Among the artists to whom Humboldt accorded his friendship 

 none occupied so prominent a position as the distinguished 

 painter, Baron Francois Pascal Gerard, equally noted in the 

 new French School of Art for his portraits as for his historical 

 paintings. He was born at Eome on March 11, 1770, and 

 came to France at an early age, becoming at eighteen a pupil 



