Humboldt's Letters. 47 



o'clock, to receive the sheets, which are much wanted 

 by the printer, together with your verbal remarks at 

 the same time. I can alter, if necessary, sous votre 

 dictee, at your home. It would be humane in you to 

 receive me in bed. 



Respectfully yours, 

 Monday. A. HUMBOLDT. 



At eleven o'clock I shall be with you. 



Varnhagen made, on the llth of May, 1836, the fol- 

 lowing entry in his diary : 



" Very early this morning, Alexander von Humboldt 

 came to see me, and remained an hour and a half. The 

 principal subject of our conversation was the French 

 princes, who arrived here to-day. The embarrassment 

 of the King is very great ; he would like to show the 

 greatest attention to the strangers, while at the same 

 time he desires his attentions should have the appear- 

 ance of insults at St. Petersburg. State Secretary 

 Ancillon had not courage enough to advise the Crown- 

 Prince for their coming here as a certainty. He trusted 

 to chance to acquaint him with it. Our princes go 

 into a violent passion, and complained bitterly of the 

 unwelcome visit. The Princesses Augusta and Maria, 

 who showed themselves pleased with it, had hard words 

 to hear. It was said that there would be a demonstra- 



