KESIDENCE AT BEKLIN TO THE KEVOLUTION OF JULY. 151 



could not fail to escape him, both in conversation and in the 

 narratives of his expedition. 



It is impossible to avoid a feeling of surprise at the intimate 

 relationship maintained so long by Humboldt with the govern- 

 ment and court of the Emperor Nicholas, whose despotic rule 

 could have but ill accorded with the liberal sentiments of 

 Humboldt, by whom the political 'ideas of 1789' were che- 

 rished to his latest breath. But from his position at the court 

 of Berlin, such a relationship was almost inevitable ; Frederick 

 William III. viewed with unconcealed satisfaction Humboldt's 

 connection with his Imperial son-in-law ; he readily granted 

 him leave of absence, for a period at first of seven months ; l 

 indeed, we shall scarcely be wrong in supposing the rank be- 

 stowed upon Humboldt before his departure for Asia to have 

 been given in consideration of the honours and distinctions 

 accorded him by Russia. To Cancrin, who from the first had 

 always addressed him as 6 Privy Counsellor,' and c Your Ex- 

 cellency,' Humboldt wrote on April 6 : ' The honours prema- 

 turely bestowed by your Excellency have brought me good 

 fortune.' 2 On the same day he received the following gracious 

 communication from the king : 



' As a public recognition of your valuable labours in the 

 service of science, I have nominated you to the rank of Actual 

 Privy Counsellor, with the title of " Your Excellency," and have 

 .signed the patent, which I enclose. You are about to under- 

 take another extensive journey in the prosecution of science ; 

 success will doubtless reward your efforts, and the value of the 

 scientific treasures you will gather will assuredly equal every 

 -expectation, if only your health and strength be preserved. My 

 best wishes for the happy fulfilment of your expedition ac- 

 company you. 



' FREDEBICK WILLIAM.' 



The journey of 1829- failed to render Humboldt a partisan 

 -of the Kussian Government, and the tokens of favour accorded 



1 According to an order in council of February 26, 1829, in the posses- 

 sion of Herr G. Rose. 



2 ' Im Ural und Altai,' p. 64 ; see also p. 18. Many important details 

 .are to be found in some unpublished letters in the possession of Herr Rose. 



