CHARACTERISTIC TRAITS AND PERSONAL INCIDENTS. 51 



letter to Malte-Brun, 1 written apparently during the last days of 

 the empire, possibly in 1808, at the time that Napoleon was 

 receiving a homage almost divine at Weimar and Erfurt : 



c The " Journal de 1'Empire " stated yesterday that I was 

 expected at Weimar. I am mentioned in connection with 

 Madame de Stael, and with the detractor of Racine. Madame 

 de Stael is never alluded to in this journal except in a manner 

 that would render obnoxious to the Government all who are 

 represented as maintaining any relationship with her. Why, 

 therefore, am I mixed up with the affairs of Madame de Stael ? 

 There are only two people in the North (Nord 2 ) of the name 

 of Humboldt. I am living an unobtrusive life at the Ecole 

 Polytechnique. I have no connection with Madame de Stael; 

 and I am no more thinking of going to Weimar than to St. 

 Petersburg. My brother is the envoy of the King of Prussia 

 at Rome and Naples ; he is living quietly at Rome, suing for 

 the divorce of some Prussian Catholics, and closely occupied 

 with classic literature and the fine arts. Had you seen the 

 article, I feel sure you would have struck it out. You have on 

 other occasions shown me kind consideration. I have nothing 

 to reproach myself with in my conduct either to you or to M. 

 Etienne [assistant editor of the above-named journal], for whose 

 talents I have ever expressed great admiration, and who has 

 always appeared to take an interest in my labours. Why draw 

 public attention to my name at a time when it is easier to do an 

 injury than to render a service ? I had come with the inten- 

 tion, dear M. Malte-Brun, of speaking to you with that frank- 

 ness which is a part of my nature, and which I hope never to 

 lose, were I to travel as far as Lassa or Candahar.' . . . 



In no paper could the circulation of a false report have been 

 more annoying to him than in the ' Journal de 1'Empire ; ' 

 for, as he proceeds to. remark to Malte-Brun, 'there is no 

 hope for one in this world of sorrow until a work is announced 

 in the " Journal de 1'Empire," which boasts of a circulation of 

 thirty thousand.' And now in the columns of this imperial 

 organ he finds himself mentioned in connection with Madame 

 de Stael, who, being at variance with the emperor, was an 



1 De la Koquette, vol. ii. p. 59. 



2 It ought surely to be ' world ' (monde) here. 



x 2 



