LETTER TO HIS FATHER. 97 



TO HIS FATHER. 



MUNICH, February 14, 1829. 



... But now I must talk to you of more 

 important things, not of what I possess, but 

 of what I am to be. Let me first recall one 

 or two points touched upon before in our cor- 

 respondence, which should now be fully dis- 

 cussed. 



1st. You remember that when I first left 

 Switzerland I promised you to win the title 

 of Doctor in two years, and to be prepared 

 (after having completed my studies in Paris) 

 to pass my examination before the " Conseil 

 de Sante," and begin practice. 



2d. You will not have forgotten either that 

 you exacted this only that I might have a 

 profession, and that you promised, should I 

 be able to make my way in the career of let- 

 ters and natural history, you would not op- 

 pose my wishes. I am indeed aware that in 

 the latter case you see but one obstacle, that 

 of absence from my country and separation 

 from all who are dear to me. But you know 

 me too well to think that I would voluntarily 

 impose upon myself such an exile. Let us see 

 whether we cannot resolve these difficulties to 

 our mutual satisfaction, and consider what is 



