94 ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. 



had left was soon to lose the foremost rank in the world of 

 science. With so remarkable a change in outward circumstances, 

 it is difficult to realise the prospect offered to Humboldt at 

 this time. An experience common to many awaited him : he 

 thought he was to be overwhelmed by a grievous misfortune, 

 when in reality a bright future was being prepared for him. All 

 that makes Humboldt most valued and appreciated in these 

 days was acquired during his residence in Grermany. 



Upon his return from Italy Humboldt accompanied the king- 

 to Berlin, where they arrived on January 3, 1823. He remained 

 for some months at the court, and even at that time a strong 

 desire was expressed on the part of Frederick William to retain 

 him in his vicinity. ' We hope at least to keep him through 

 the winter,' writes Zelter to Goethe 1 on January 14, ' should he 

 continue to officiate as chamberlain so long.' The king made 

 him a grant of 1,000 gold Fredericks, by an order in council on 

 January 18, and it was everywhere noticed that 6 he was treated 

 with marked distinction and favour.' Through his influence 

 Colonel Hedemann, the husband of his niece, was granted 

 a month's leave of absence, and even William von Humboldt, 

 after a long retirement from court, was again invited to the 

 royal table. 2 ' A grand banquet .is to be given to-day to 

 Alexander von Humboldt,' writes Zelter, with characteristic 

 bluntness, on January 24, the birthday of Frederick the Great, 

 a festival with the Academy ; c they think he may bring them 

 into favour with his Majesty, and so they do not grudge him 

 the king's friendship. I hope that as he eats his dinner he 

 will reflect on the part he is expected to play.' 3 Humboldt 

 was once more successful in proving to the king the necessity 

 for his return to Paris, so that the final call to change his 

 residence to Berlin did not reach him till late in the summer 

 of 1826. 4 He arrived at Berlin in September, accompanied 



1 ' Briefweclisel zwischen Goethe und Zelter,' vol. iii. p. 287. 



2 Varnhagen, ' Blatter aus der preussischen Geschichte,' vol. ii. p. 287. 



3 ' Briefwechsel zwischen Goethe und Zelter/ vol. iv. p. 291. The initials 

 A. H. alone are given. 



4 In the anonymous compilation entitled ' Memoiren Alexander von Hum- 

 "boldtV (Leipzig, M. Schafer, 2nd edition, 1864) occurs (vol. i. p. 371) the 

 following l autograph letter ' from the king : ' My dear Herr von Hum- 



