" Your last favor doing me so much honor contains words 

 about which I wish to prevent every mistake. 'You are 

 afraid to confess yourself the exclusive owner of my impieties.' 

 You may freely dispose of this sort of property after my not far 

 distant departure from life. Truth is due to those only whom 

 we deeply esteem to you therefore." 



ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 

 Letter of December ^th, 1841. 



