350 ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. 



the royal household, and the tender solicitude he evinces in the 

 education and wellbeing of the youthful prince and princess. 

 He expresses delight at the development of the 'princeps 

 juventutis ; ' the exalted ideas he entertained of the liberal in- 

 fluences exerted upon the character by the study of Grseek 

 literature led him to view with approbation the appointment 

 by the princess of an able classic as tutor to the heir apparent. 1 

 This, however, was not in itself deemed by him a sufficient 

 preparation for the important duties of a modern ruler. In 

 consequence of some suggestions he had made, the princess 

 requested a full statement of his views upon the subject, 

 which he gave in the most unreserved manner on August 30, 

 1853, 'as one who felt he was dealing with those who were 

 strangers to flattery, and who knew how to appreciate the force 

 of public opinion.' After the salutary example of Frederick the 

 Grreat, he laid great stress on the study of political economy ; 

 he advised that an experienced politician, such as Flottwell, 

 well acquainted with official routine, and no mere University 

 man, should give the prince instruction in civil administration, 

 point out the true sources of national prosperity, and instil 

 into his mind enlightened views of free trade and political 

 economy. Let it not be supposed, however, that Humboldt 

 deemed that an education such as would be suitable for a 

 Manchester man could be regarded as sufficient for an heir to 

 the throne of Prussia. He laid equal stress upon the importance 

 of a military education, and again following the example of 

 Frederick the Grreat, gave a decided preference to the history 

 of military campaigns, above a mere acquaintance with the 

 theory of strategy. The point he chiefly insisted on was in- 

 struction in the planning of operations, by following on a 

 military map the manoeuvres that had actually taken place, 

 and tracing the effects, either good or evil, which had resulted 

 from a given position of troops ; Hopfner was recommended by 

 him as a suitable instructor, and was eventually selected for 

 the post. When we remember the important military cam- 

 paigns in which the crown prince has recently been called to 

 take part, we are compelled to entertain the highest veneration 



1 ' Briefe an Bunsen/ p. 93. 



