Huraboldt's Letters. 97 



horn, upon whom everything now depends, is happy in 

 the arrival of the two Grimms. He was formerly on the 

 most friendly terms with Jacob Grimm. I called on the 

 minister an hour ago in order to support my view of the 

 matter. He declares that by-and-by he will arrange the 

 affair in the best manner, but that we must confide in 

 him, and allow him to act without obstruction. 



Receive, gracious Madam, the expression of my vene- 

 ration and of my sentiments of gratitude. 



A. HUMBOLDT. 



52. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



BERLIN, August 22d, 1841. 



YOUR letter has done me an immense deal of good. 

 I see that we feel ourselves both equally attracted to 

 each -other, and that you attributed my long, and to me 

 very gloomy, seclusion, only to the distracted state of my 

 life, and to the application of my faculties, to an aim 

 which they never can reach. Towards the close of a 

 much troubled life which has but imperfectly realized its 

 aspirations, it is a happiness to remain secure in, and 

 to possess the esteem of those to whose mind and 



5 



