Humboldt's Letters. 55 



16th, the amiable Princess,* who has set at variance the 

 whole hellenic camp, and whom they will now be happy 

 to find " by far not beautiful enough." 



Most gratefully yours, 

 WEDNESDAY. M. HUMBOLDT. 



I knew long ago that General Bugeaud did not speak 

 French. I now see that his real language is Mongol. 

 What a Timurid proclamation of the " armee civilisa- 

 trice." 



The essay of thy brother is one of his most perfect 

 works as to style. "God governs the world (p. 317) ; 

 the task of history is to trace these eternal mysterious 

 destinies." This is the essence of his production. I have 

 sometimes discussed with my brother, not to say quar- 

 relled about that. This result certainly is analogous to the 

 oldest ideas of mankind, expressed in every language. My 

 brother's treatise is a commentary developing, explaining, 

 praising, this dim perception. In the same manner the 

 physiologist creates so-called vital powers, in order to 

 explain organic phenomena, because his knowledge of 

 physical powers, which act in what they call lifeless nature, 

 does not suffice to explain the play of living organisms. 

 Are vital powers demonstrated by this ? I know that 



* Helene, Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, afterwards Duchess of 

 Orleans. 



