42 Humboldt's Letters. 







brothers feel for you. The release has not yet come. I 

 left him last night at 11 o'clock, and I hasten to him 

 again. The day, yesterday, was less distressing. A 

 half lethargic condition, frequent, though not restless, 

 slumber, and after each waking, words of love, of com- 

 fort; but always the clearness of the great intellect, 

 which penetrates and distinguishes everything and 

 examines its own condition. The voice was very feeble, 

 hoarse, and thin, like a child's leeches were therefore 

 applied to the throat. Full consciousness ! " Think often 

 of me,'' he said the day before yesterday, " but always 

 with cheerfulness ! I was very happy ; and this day also 

 was a beautiful one for me ; for * Love is above all.' 

 I will soon be with mother, and will have an insight into 

 a higher* order of things." I have no shadow of hope. I 

 never thought my old eyes had so many tears ! It has 

 lasted near eight days.* 



* Wilhelm von Humboldt died on the 8th of April, 1835, at Tegel, 

 at 6 o'clock in the evening. 



