FKOM REVOLUTION OF JULY TO DEATH OF THE KING. 227 



It is due to the extraordinary activity of Herr Schumacher, 

 and to the immense range of his knowledge, that Altona has 

 become in the eyes of all Europe a centre of practical and 

 theoretic astronomy. I am aware that this illustrious man of 

 science, who has secured warm appreciation both in England 

 and France, not only by his astronomical labours, but by 

 the attention he has recently devoted to the system of weights 

 and measures in use in his own country, already enjoys the 

 kind consideration of your Majesty, but it would be a great 

 gratification to me to think that my feeble voice had been of 

 service to one who is so dear to me, and who has the 

 happiness of being one of your subjects." I committed the 

 letter to the ordinary post, enclosed in a sumptuous envelope 

 directed to the king at Copenhagen, " de la part du Baron de 

 Humboldt," in order that it might not find its way among the 

 begging letters. ... I did not think it desirable to forward 

 you the letter, as it might possibly have placed you in a false 

 position, and it would have prevented the step appearing as a 

 voluntary act on my part.' 



This well-directed flattery called forth from King Christian 

 an answer no less elegantly worded ; the letter bears date 

 January 13, 1840, and is known in the Varnhagen collection 

 as the ' black salamander.' l Immediately on its receipt 

 Humboldt wrote greatly delighted to Schumacher : ' I have 

 received a long letter from your king, written in his own 

 hand ; it fills four pages.' He promises at some future time 

 to transmit a copy of it to his friend, but in the meantime 

 cannot resist the temptation, 'just before starting for Potsdam,' 

 of transcribing ' a few sentences,' which amount in reality to 

 half the letter. ' This is all,' he continues, ' in every way 

 most amiable, simple, and in the highest French style, such 

 as used to flow from the historical heights of Sanssouci, 

 therefore with an excess of politeness bordering upon exaggera- 

 tion. You see, my dear friend, that I have to thank you for 

 this correspondence, of which I shall only avail myself at rare 

 intervals. [King Christian had expressed a wish that the 

 correspondence might be continued.] This letter is for me 



1 * Briefe an Varnhagen,' No. 44, also No. 43. '. 

 Q 2 



