RESIDENCE AT BERLIN TO THE REVOLUTION OF JULY. 103 



Instruction. To his impulsive nature, the circumspect pro- 

 cedure of official benevolence was most wearisome, as it 

 appeared to him to involve so much unnecessary delay. 

 The scantiness of the public funds, too, formed an additional 

 hindrance to the prosecution of his benevolent schemes. In 

 replying to Schumacher, on June 2, 1827, who had suggested 

 some appointment for Grauss, Humboldt remarks : ' I fear that 

 Altenstein is very restricted in his finances just now, since all 

 the funds have been appropriated.' But in this case the im- 

 possible must be achieved, and he continues : ' It shall not fail 

 for want of indefatigable energy on my part ; you know my 

 admiration for the man, but I am too new in my office to be 

 able to give any direct promise.' He soon discovered that the 

 time was inopportune for rendering this gracious act a ' happy 

 possibility.' Humboldt was equally unsuccessful in his endea- 

 vours to obtain shortly afterwards an appointment for Karl 

 Ritter, which might enable him to devote himself unreservedly 

 to his great work upon the geological history of our globe. 1 

 Since the year 1826, he had laboured with unwearied assiduity 

 to obtain employment for Dirichlet. As in this case his wishes 

 were directed towards some post in the Military Academy, his 

 influence had to be exerted not merely upon Altenstein but on 

 Prince Augustus and Radowitz, at that time Director of the 

 Educational Commission. His advice, meanwhile, to Dirichlet 

 was given with characteristic diplomacy : ' Try to keep on 

 good terms with all the geometricians here, especially with 

 Grauss.' He also recommended him to maintain favourable 

 relationships with the French Institute, since ' this will prove 

 of value on account of the influence it will reflect throughout 

 Germany.' He copied a letter from Bessel, in which Dirichlet 

 was alluded to in flattering terms, in order that it might be 

 shown to Altenstein and Radowitz, and concludes his own 

 commendatory letter to him with the words : ' You may show 

 this letter to your friends ; I have only written what I really 

 feel.' He did not despise even the most trivial opportunities 

 that seemed likely to further his end ; and recommended his 

 young friend, when invited to breakfast with Radowitz, to take 

 with him his 'Theory of Formulae.' We shall often have 



1 G. Kramer, ' Karl Hitter,' vol. ii. p. 32. 



