92 Humboldt's Letters. 



Breslau, where there was a vacancy. I have cleared 

 the way as it was my duty to do, but the appointment 

 itself is not in my hands. As soon as I return from 

 Potsdam, I shall trouble minister Eichhorn, to settle this 

 patriotic affair officially and at once. The interference 

 of many in these things is injurious, although it can be 

 pardoned where the interest is so natural. I know not, 

 my dear friend, whether you will be able and willing 

 to read these lines, the sense of which is more blameless 

 than the style. I need not conjure you, the diplomatist, 

 not to read my letter to the " child," * but she ought to 

 hear how these matters stand, respecting which I have 

 neglected nothing. 



A. HT. 



An inexpressible misfortune has happened in the 

 death of the only son of my friend the astronomer, 

 Bessel, only twenty-five years old, a young man of the 

 most eminent mathematical talents. He died yesterday 

 of nervous fever. 



* Bettina von Arnim. Bopp's critique is to me a source of great 

 pleasure. 



