CHARACTERISTIC TRAITS AND PERSONAL INCIDENTS. 53 



"what it is to be personally connected with the bloodshed of 

 war. A feeling of dread mingles with all one's plans, hopes, 

 ;and wishes. I have not had a line from William since he 

 went to Prague, although I have written to him there. Per- 

 haps he has been fearful of compromising me. Though I have 

 -escaped, it is a fact that many people here have been brought 

 into trouble by letters from Germany. I am very well, with 

 the exception of frequent fits of melancholy and irritating 

 stomach-ache, and I am working hard without feeling it to be 

 an effort. My works ought to provide a maintenance both 

 for myself and my immediate dependents, and this I think I 

 can accomplish. Of my arm I can say nothing; at all events 

 it is not worse. I have to-day signed for the second time my 

 certificate ; should the pension be paid, and Kunth be able to 

 save me a little money, I should like William to send me 

 some time a bill of exchange here (not on Delessert) for one 

 hundred louis d'or. It will be very acceptable, but he is on 

 no account to send it unless he can reimburse himself out of 

 the pension, and remit the money with perfect convenience. 

 Should letters be sent to me during an armistice an oppor- 

 tunity that is likely to occur they had better be enclosed to 

 Dorn, the Secretary of State, or the Prince of Neufchatel. 

 'Official channels are always the safest. God forbid that Theo- 

 dore should ever be in a position to need my intervention ; 

 there is nothing that for his sake I should so much dread. 

 Should Providence, however, so ordain it, you may depend, 

 dear Li, upon my tenderest love and truest affection. There 

 is nothing that I would not then sacrifice to alleviate his 

 position. Give him my love, and tell him how much I am 

 delighted to hear of his manly bravery and praiseworthy con- 

 duct. After what he has already suffered, I feel the less anxious 

 about him ; misfortunes will surely not continue to accumulate 

 on the same head. ... I am not writing specially to Bill 

 to-day ; he will, I hope, see this letter, and he well knows my 

 inalienable affection for him. Kiss the dear children. . . . 

 Farewell, my dear sister ! These are wonderful times. I feel 

 persuaded that the gifts of Providence are bestowed with special 

 reference to our being useful to others in times of affliction. 

 With unchangeable affection, ever yours, 



'ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT.' 



